Podstrana and Jesenice, Boat trip to Brač and Šolta with lunch

The best part of this day is its easy mix of Sutivan’s quiet stone streets and two proper swim stops in clear Adriatic water. You are not rushing through a string of postcard stops. You get time to walk, eat, swim, and sit in the shade while the boat does the work.

I like the freshly cooked BBQ lunch, with mackerel, boneless chicken, or a vegetarian burger, and I like the friendly touches: coffee, chocolate donuts, snorkels, floaties, water polo balls, and watermelon later in the afternoon. The main drawback is the long day and fixed schedule. You have only 1 hour and 15 minutes in Sutivan, and the swim stops require using a ladder or jumping from the boat.

Key points to know before booking

• Sutivan is the cultural stop: You get 75 minutes to explore this old settlement on Brač without a guided walking tour.
• Two swim sessions break up the sailing: Swim from the anchored boat near Brač, then spend another hour in Nečujam Bay on Šolta.
• Lunch is cooked onboard: Choose fresh mackerel, chicken, or a vegetarian burger, with salad, bread, red wine, water, and orange juice.
• The boat carries up to 45 people: This is a small group by excursion-boat standards, but it is not a private cruise.
• The day begins early and lasts about eight to nine hours: Pickup starts at Krilo Jesenice at 8:25 and returns around 5:45.
• The price covers more than transport: At about $66.23 per person, food, selected drinks, equipment, Wi-Fi, and several small refreshments are included.

A full day between Brač and Šolta

This is a relaxed island-hopping cruise from the Podstrana area, built for people who want a taste of the Croatian coast without arranging ferries, restaurants, beach time, and transport on their own. The route covers Sutivan on Brač, a swim stop near the island, lunch with views across several islands, and Nečujam Bay on Šolta.

The boat holds a maximum of 45 people. That keeps the trip more personal than a large ferry outing, though you should still expect a shared excursion with a set timetable. The crew handles the practical work, including food preparation, serving, swim equipment, and return transfers to the original meeting points.

The provider is Marko Rakuljic, and Adriana is named as the crew member who serves lunch. The tone is family-friendly and informal. Adults receive a welcome shooter, while children receive juice. Coffee, chocolate donuts, Wi-Fi, and an afternoon serving of cold watermelon help make the long day comfortable.

Morning pickup from Krilo Jesenice to Le Meridien Lav

Pickup begins at 8:25 at Hotel Krilo in Krilo Jesenice. The boat then heads toward Sv. Martin in Podstrana, arriving at the beach around 8:55, before making a final pickup at Le Meridien Lav marina at about 9:00.

The listed start time is 9:30, once everyone is aboard and the boat leaves for Brač. Check your exact meeting instructions carefully, since the first pickup times are earlier than the general start time. This matters if you are staying in Podstrana or Jesenice and need to walk, arrange a taxi, or coordinate with your hotel.

The short transfer between pickup points is part of the morning setup, not a sightseeing stop. It takes about 20 minutes in total, and admission is included. Once the full group is aboard, the crew gives a short briefing and serves coffee, chocolate donuts, and the welcome drinks as the boat heads across the water.

Sailing to Sutivan with coffee and donuts

The first open-water stretch takes about an hour. This is a good time to settle into the boat, find a shaded seat, and get a feel for the group.

The boat has Wi-Fi, which is useful for sharing photos or checking messages, although a day on the water is also a good excuse to put your phone away for a while. Shade is available onboard, but seating preferences can matter on a full boat. If you want a particular spot, arrive ready to board at the stated pickup time rather than treating the morning schedule casually.

The welcome snack is modest, but it is well judged. Coffee and chocolate donuts take the edge off an early start, especially if you have not had breakfast at your accommodation. This is not a substitute for a full meal, so eat breakfast beforehand if you normally need more food in the morning.

Sutivan, 75 minutes to walk Brač’s old streets

At about 10:30, you arrive in Sutivan, a former Roman settlement on the northwest side of Brač. The crew gives you a map and sends you off to explore independently until the 11:45 departure.

Sutivan is the most land-based part of the day, and it gives the trip some variety. Instead of spending the entire excursion on deck, you can walk through the compact town, look at its old stone buildings, and find a café or restaurant if you want to buy something extra. The available time is long enough to get your bearings and enjoy a short stroll, but not long enough for an ambitious island tour.

You need to return at least three minutes before departure. That small buffer is worth taking seriously. The boat cannot wait for late arrivals, and the town stop is intentionally short. Keep an eye on the time, especially if you stop for a drink or wander farther from the waterfront.

The independent format suits you if you like choosing your own pace. If you want a detailed explanation of Brač’s past or a guided architecture walk, this outing will feel light on interpretation. You receive a map, not a private guide.

Swimming from the anchored boat near Brač

The boat leaves Sutivan at 11:45 and reaches the first swim location at about 12:10. The captain anchors, and the crew sets ladders on both sides of the boat.

You can swim and snorkel around the boat, using the supplied snorkels, floaties, and water polo balls. Access is by ladder or by jumping into the water. The setup works best for confident swimmers who are comfortable entering and exiting from a boat rather than walking into a gently sloping beach.

The first swim lasts about an hour, although the schedule lists the movement toward lunch separately. You have a useful choice here: swim, float, snorkel, or remain onboard and enjoy the view. That flexibility is important for mixed groups, since not everyone needs to spend the whole stop in the water.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a dry change of clothes. The supplied gear covers basic water fun, but you should not assume that every personal comfort item is provided. Since the boat has shade, you can also take a break from the sun without leaving the group.

BBQ lunch with views of four islands

While you swim, the chef prepares lunch onboard and Adriana sets the tables. At about 1:10, the boat serves the meal as it continues through the island waters.

You choose one of three main dishes: fresh mackerel, boneless chicken, or a vegetarian burger. Each option comes with salad and bread. During lunch, red wine, water, and orange juice are unlimited. You need to give your meal preference when booking, because the crew brings fresh food onboard each day.

This is one of the strongest parts of the value. You do not have to hunt for an open restaurant in a small island town, wait for a table, or pay separately for a full coastal meal. The setting also does some of the work: from the boat, you can look toward Brač, Hvar, Mrduja, and Šolta, with Split visible on the starboard side.

The meal is not a fine-dining event, and choices are limited. That is a fair trade for a fresh BBQ prepared while you swim. If you have a strict dietary need, contact the operator rather than assuming the vegetarian burger covers every requirement.

Alcoholic drinks ordered before or after lunch, or drinks outside the included lunch service, cost extra at the bar. Adults must be at least 18 to order alcohol. Ice cream and several types of chips are also available for purchase, so bring a card or cash if you want more than the included food and drink.

Nečujam Bay, a second hour in the water

At about 2:10, the boat reaches Nečujam Bay on Šolta. The boat anchors again, and you get another hour for swimming and snorkeling.

This second water stop is a useful feature for anyone who wants more than a quick photo stop. You can spend the time in the water, use the floaties, play water polo, or stay on deck. Since the two swimming sessions are separated by lunch, the day does not feel like one long beach stop.

The tradeoff is that you do not visit a second Šolta village on foot. Nečujam is treated as a bay for water time, not a town tour. If your priority is seeing several settlements, you may prefer a route with more shore stops. If your priority is swimming in the Adriatic, this schedule gives you a solid amount of time.

The boat leaves Šolta at 3:15 for the return journey. Around 4:30, the crew serves cold watermelon. It is a simple but welcome snack after swimming and a nice finish to the food service before the boat reaches Podstrana.

Return to Podstrana and Krilo Jesenice

The boat arrives back at Sv. Martin in Podstrana at around 5:20 and Krilo Jesenice at about 5:45. The activity ends at the same general meeting points used in the morning.

The total day runs roughly eight to nine hours, depending on the exact pickup and return timing. That makes this a full outing, not a quick half-day cruise. Plan your evening with some breathing room, especially if you have dinner reservations or a later transfer.

One practical strength is the crew’s willingness to help when plans change. On one outing, the crew drove the group home after an unscheduled stop. You should not treat that as a guaranteed service, but it suggests a helpful, hands-on approach when small problems arise.

What the $66.23 price really covers

At about $66.23 per person, the cost is reasonable for a full-day island trip from Podstrana or Jesenice. The price includes the boat ride, Sutivan stop, two swim sessions, lunch, selected lunch drinks, Wi-Fi, snorkels, floaties, water polo balls, coffee, a welcome drink, chocolate donuts, and watermelon.

The biggest saving is time and planning. You are not paying only for a boat seat. You are also paying for a prepared route, a cooked meal, swim gear, and a crew that manages the schedule. A self-arranged day could cost less if you simply took a ferry and ate cheaply, but it would not offer the same direct combination of Brač, Šolta, onboard lunch, and swim stops.

The price becomes less attractive if you do not want to swim, eat a set BBQ meal, or spend most of the day on a boat. In that case, you are paying for features you may barely use. The value is strongest for couples, families, and friends who want a simple coastal day with plenty of water time.

Who should book this boat trip

I would recommend it to you if you want a low-stress island day from the Split and Podstrana area. It works especially well for families and mixed-age groups because you can choose between walking in Sutivan, swimming, relaxing in the shade, or staying near the lunch table.

It also suits visitors who want local scenery without a complicated ferry plan. The route gives you a taste of Brač and Šolta, but it does not pretend to show every major sight on either island.

You may want a different tour if you dislike fixed schedules, crowded shared boats, or ladder access into the sea. The group limit of 45 is manageable, but this remains a group cruise. You should also skip it if you want a serious historical tour, long independent walks, or a quiet private sailing experience.

The activity is offered in English, confirmation arrives at booking, and it is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the supplied details do not promise specialized accessibility arrangements. Ask before booking if you need anything beyond standard boat access.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if your ideal Croatian day includes a pretty island town, a freshly prepared lunch, two chances to swim, and a friendly crew that keeps the details moving. The fresh fish, chicken, and vegetarian choices are practical, and the included wine and equipment make the price easier to justify.

Skip it if you want a beach resort day, a private boat, or hours of unscheduled time on land. For everyone else, this is a well-balanced way to sample Brač and Šolta without turning your holiday into a transport puzzle. Just arrive early, state your meal choice in advance, and remember that the boat leaves on time.

FAQ

How long does the boat trip last?

The experience lasts approximately eight to nine hours. Pickup begins in the morning, with return to Sv. Martin Podstrana around 5:20 and Krilo Jesenice around 5:45.

Where does pickup take place?

The first pickup is at Hotel Krilo in Krilo Jesenice at 8:25. The boat then stops at Sv. Martin beach in Podstrana at about 8:55 and Le Meridien Lav marina at about 9:00.

What food choices are available for lunch?

You can choose fresh mackerel, boneless chicken, or a vegetarian burger. Lunch also includes salad and bread.

Which drinks are included?

During lunch, unlimited red wine, water, and orange juice are included. Coffee and tea are available, and adults receive a welcome shooter while children receive juice. Drinks ordered outside the included lunch service cost extra.

Is swimming equipment provided?

Yes. The boat provides snorkels, floaties, and water polo balls. Swimming takes place from the anchored boat, with ladders placed on both sides.

How much free time do I get in Sutivan?

You arrive at about 10:30 and leave at 11:45, giving you roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes to explore independently. The crew provides maps of the town.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The trip requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. Cancellation by you is free up to 24 hours before the start time.