Split: Full Day Sailing Tour to Šolta Island and Brač Island

The best part of this trip is its small six-person sailboat, which lets you trade Split’s busy waterfront for quiet coves, open sea, and an easygoing day on the water. Skippers Marin and Damian handle the sailing while you swim, snack, sip Croatian wine, or simply stretch out on deck.

I like the unhurried mix of Brač swimming time and a proper stop in Stomorska on Šolta. I also like the practical touch of taking lunch orders before arrival, which can save precious island time. The main thing to consider is wind: on calm days, you may motor more than sail.

Key points at a glance

• Only six people on board: This is a close-knit outing, not a large boat cruise with a crowd.
• Brač swim stop: You get about an hour to swim, snorkel, use floaties, or relax with wine and snacks.
• Stomorska on Šolta: Spend roughly two hours walking, swimming, and having lunch in a seaside restaurant.
• Food and drinks included: Croatian cheese, prosciutto, bread, white wine, water, coffee, and tea are provided.
• Marin and Damian guide the day: They also help with lunch planning and keep the pace relaxed.
• Price and timing: At $141 per person for a full day, the value depends on how much you care about a small group and time on the sea.

A small sailboat instead of a packed cruise

This is the sort of day I would choose when I want to see islands without turning the outing into a floating bus tour. The boat is a 33-foot sailboat with RO 1037 written on the front, and the total group size is limited to six people.

That number matters. You can ask questions, move around without bumping into a crowd, and find a quiet spot to sit. The small setting also makes the snack and wine service feel more personal. It is a social trip, but not a loud one. Speakers are not allowed, which helps preserve the sound of water, wind, and conversation.

You meet near the Ina boat refueling station in Split. Look for the sailboat marked RO 1037. After a short introduction and safety briefing, Marin or Damian gets you settled, and you can start with coffee or tea before heading toward the islands.

There is no hotel pickup, so you need to reach the port on your own. Build in enough time to find the meeting place, especially if you are unfamiliar with Split’s waterfront. The activity ends back at the same spot.

Sailing from Split into the Adriatic

The first stretch gives you the setting that makes this outing worthwhile: Split receding behind you, open water ahead, and views of Dalmatia from the deck rather than from a road. If the breeze cooperates, the sails go up and the ride becomes quiet and smooth.

Do not book this expecting a full day of constant sailing under sail power. Wind controls the experience. One calm day may mean only a short period with the sails up, followed by motor travel. That is not a flaw in the operation, but it is an important expectation to set.

The boat still gives you the main benefit of a sea day. You can sit close to the water, watch the coast change, and enjoy a slower pace than a fast excursion boat. The journey is part of the experience, not just transport between stops.

Coffee and tea are available at the start, and water is provided throughout the day. Bring sunscreen and a hat. There is no mention of shaded seating, so pack your sun protection as seriously as your swimwear.

The Brač bay: one hour for swimming and snorkeling

The first major stop is a bay near Brač. The boat anchors for about an hour, giving you a clear choice of how active you want to be.

You can use the provided masks and snorkels to look beneath the surface, swim with the floaties, or go ashore and explore. If you prefer not to get wet, stay on the boat and enjoy the view with a glass of white wine and a plate of Croatian snacks.

The swim stop is one of the strongest parts of the itinerary because it is flexible. You are not forced into a group activity, and you do not need to bring your own snorkeling equipment. The hour is long enough for a good swim without taking over the whole day.

The food is simple, local, and suited to a boat: cheese, prosciutto, and bread. This is not a full meal, but it gives you something substantial before the later lunch stop. White wine and water are included, along with the earlier coffee and tea.

If swimming is your main goal, this is the stop to value most. The time is limited, though, so do not expect an extended beach afternoon. The schedule needs to leave room for Šolta, and the boat will move on after roughly an hour.

Stomorska on Šolta, a quiet island pause

After Brač, the boat continues to Stomorska on Šolta. This small seaside village is the cultural and lunch stop, with about two hours to use as you please.

You can walk along the waterfront, swim again, or sit down for lunch at a seaside restaurant. Stomorska has a more settled village feel than a simple swimming cove, so the stop gives the day some variety. You are not just moving from one bay to another. You get time to step off the boat and enjoy an island community at your own pace.

The lunch is not included in the $141 price. That gives you freedom to choose what you want, but you should budget separately. Marin and Damian may take your order before docking, allowing the restaurant to prepare the food sooner. That is a useful detail when two hours can pass quickly.

I would use the first few minutes to get lunch arranged, then take a walk or swim while you wait. If your priority is a leisurely meal, do not spend the entire stop wandering before ordering. The village is the place to slow down, but the return sailing still has a scheduled departure.

Stomorska is also the best stop for anyone who wants a taste of island life beyond the boat. You get a short, manageable visit rather than a rushed photo stop. At the same time, this is not a guided history tour. The focus is scenery, food, swimming, and free time.

What is included, and what you still need to pay for

The price is $141 per person. For a full-day island trip, that is not the cheapest way to reach Brač and Šolta, but the comparison should be made with the type of outing you are buying.

You are paying for a small-group sailing day with only six people, two skippers, island stops, snorkeling gear, floaties, snacks, wine, water, coffee, and tea. A larger boat may cost less, but it will not offer the same amount of space or personal attention. A private charter would usually provide more privacy, but this trip gives you a similar small-boat feel at a shared-tour price.

Lunch is extra, as are towels and transport to and from your hotel. Bring your own towel. You also need to cover your route to the port in Split.

The included drinks add practical value. You do not need to pack a full picnic, and the prosciutto, cheese, and bread are a good fit for a warm day on the sea. Still, anyone expecting a full included lunch should know the difference before booking.

The guides and the tone of the day

Marin and Damian are central to the experience. Their role goes beyond steering the boat. They provide the safety briefing, help with the swim equipment, offer snacks and drinks, and assist with the lunch plan in Stomorska.

The strongest pattern in the feedback is the guides’ friendly, attentive approach. The small group gives them room to notice what people want. If you want to swim longer, relax on deck, or ask about the islands, the format allows more conversation than a large organized cruise.

The atmosphere is relaxed rather than formal. You should expect a friendly day with a shared group, not a private yacht charter. The boat can feel intimate, which is a big plus for couples and small parties. It can also mean you spend the day in close quarters with people you have just met.

English and Croatian are spoken. The reported rating is 4.7 from 53 reviews, with repeated praise for the small group, the swim stop, the peaceful pace, and the guides.

Weather, comfort, and what to pack

The tour is dependent on the Adriatic weather. Strong wind or rain can cancel the trip, so keep that possibility in mind when planning your island days. A cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours ahead, but a weather decision is handled separately by the operator.

Pack:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sun hat
• Sunscreen

The operator provides snorkeling gear and floaties, so you do not need to carry those. Towels are not provided. You may also want a light layer for the ride back if the breeze picks up, though that item is not specifically required.

This is not suitable for wheelchair users. The boat is a small sailboat, and the day includes boarding, swimming, and moving around the vessel. Pets are not allowed.

The no-speaker rule is worth noting if you were hoping to bring music. It is a sensible fit for the mood of the trip, but people who want a party boat should choose a different kind of excursion.

Who will enjoy this sailing day most

I would recommend this trip to couples, friends, and solo visitors who want a quiet day with a small group. It works especially well if your ideal island outing includes swimming, local snacks, wine, and a village lunch rather than a long list of formal sightseeing stops.

It is also a good choice for people who dislike rigid schedules. The day has a clear structure, but you decide how to spend the Brač stop and the free time in Stomorska. You can be active or do very little.

Families with older children who can swim may also like the format, although the provided information does not set a minimum age. Anyone with limited mobility should avoid it because the experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.

I would not choose it if you want guaranteed sailing all day, a large selection of organized activities, or an included lunch. I would also think twice if you dislike small boats or close social settings. For a high-energy party atmosphere, this is the wrong match.

Is this tour worth $141?

For me, the price makes sense if the small group is the main attraction. Six people on a 33-foot sailboat offers a much more personal day than a crowded island cruise, and the included gear, snacks, wine, water, coffee, and tea reduce the extra costs.

The value is strongest when the weather is good and you use both swim time and the Stomorska stop. The value is weaker if you mainly want a long sailing session, because calm conditions can limit how much the boat sails under wind power.

Lunch remains your responsibility, and there is no hotel transfer. Those costs are easy to plan for, but they should be part of your total budget. Even so, the combination of Brač, Šolta, a swim stop, and a small group gives the price a reasonable foundation.

Should you book the Brač and Šolta sailing tour?

Book it if you want a calm, personal day on the Adriatic with time to swim, snack, and sit in a seaside village. Marin and Damian, the six-person limit, and the flexible stops are the main reasons to choose it.

Skip it if you need guaranteed strong sailing conditions, full mobility access, or an all-inclusive meal. For everyone else, this is a well-balanced way to see two Dalmatian islands without rushing from one crowded attraction to the next.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour begin?

Meet at the port in Split, near the Ina boat refueling station. The boat is a 33-foot sailboat with RO 1037 written on the front.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Split.

How many people are on the boat?

The tour allows up to six people, making it a small-group sailing experience.

Are Marin and Damian the guides?

Yes. Marin and Damian are the skippers associated with the tour and help manage the sailing, swimming stops, snacks, drinks, and lunch arrangements.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are provided, along with floaties for swimming.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch in Stomorska is not included. You have free time to choose a seaside restaurant and pay for your meal separately.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes cheese, prosciutto, bread, white wine, water, coffee, and tea.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, towel, and sunscreen. Towels are not provided.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The trip can be canceled in strong wind or rain. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.