Podstrana: Full-Day Boat Trip to Brač and Shipwreck Kontesa

The best part of this trip is its easy mix of island time, swimming, and lunch on the water. You get a proper visit to Sutivan on Brač, then return to the boat for a fresh BBQ, sea swims, and a stop near shipwreck Kontesa. It feels like a full day out, not a quick sail-by.

I like the roomy boat, which leaves space to sit, move around, and enjoy the views without feeling packed in. I also like the small touches: a welcome schnapps, chocolate donut, juice, snorkels, floaties, water polo balls, and cold watermelon on the way home. The main consideration is physical: at the swim stops, you jump from the boat and climb back up a ladder, so this is not suitable for non-swimmers or anyone with limited mobility.

Key points at a glance

• Sutivan gives you real time ashore: Explore the Brač town at your own pace instead of seeing it only from the sea.
• The boat is spacious: The trip is designed for a full day, with room to sit comfortably and avoid the cramped feeling of some island cruises.
• Lunch is cooked on board: Choose mackerel, chicken, or a vegetarian burger, served with salad and bread.
• Swimming is straight from the boat: Ladders provide access back aboard, while snorkels and floaties are supplied.
• Kontesa adds a different stop: Anchor near the shipwreck off Šolta for swimming and snorkeling.
• The $71 price covers plenty: Boat transport, fuel surcharge, insurance, Wi-Fi, lunch, and swimming equipment are included.

A full day between Brač and Šolta

This is a long outing, with pickup at Krilo Jesenice at 8:30 a.m. or Podstrana Sv. Martin at 9:00 a.m. From Le Méridien Lav, there are also departures from the marina twice a week at 9:15 a.m., subject to availability.

That early start makes sense. Brač and Šolta are close enough for a day trip, but the schedule still needs to allow time for a town visit, two swimming areas, a meal, and the return sail. You are not simply racing from one photo stop to the next.

The boat returns to the same meeting point at the end of the day. If you are staying at Le Méridien Lav, you can reach the area by public transport, five bus stops toward Omiš, or use free parking in Sveti Martin. Free parking is also available in Krilo Jesenice. Choose the correct departure point when booking, since the meeting place depends on the option you select.

The welcome treats set the tone

Once underway, you receive a welcome schnapps, chocolate donut, and juice. These are modest details, but they make the first part of the morning feel friendly rather than purely functional.

The crew speaks English, and the trip has a relaxed social character. You can settle into your seat, watch the coastline pass, and get a sense of the day ahead. Wi-Fi is included, though the main reason to take this trip is to spend time outside, not stay connected.

The boat’s size and layout matter here. A full-day cruise can become tiring if you are squeezed onto a narrow deck with nowhere to move. The boat used for this trip is described as spacious, with room for everyone to sit comfortably. That does not mean you will have a private corner, but the setup appears better suited to a long day than a fast transfer boat.

Sutivan, a pleasant first stop on Brač

The first main stop is Sutivan on Brač. You have free time to explore on your own, which is the right approach for a small coastal town. You are not tied to a long guided walk or a rigid group route.

Use this stop for a quiet stroll, a drink, or a look around the waterfront and nearby streets. The town is also a chance to stretch your legs before the swimming portion of the day. One useful tip is to walk west if you want to see more than the immediate harbor area. That direction led one family to a home selling local olive oil, a reminder that the best moments on a short island stop can be simple and unplanned.

The timing in Sutivan is important. You get enough time to enjoy the town, but this is not a full island tour of Brač. If you want museums, inland villages, or a long hike, this boat trip will not provide them. Its goal is variety: a little town, a little sea, a meal, and another island stop.

For families, Sutivan breaks up the day nicely. Younger children are not expected to remain on the boat for the entire outing, and older children can have some freedom to look around with the family. Keep your expectations realistic, though. The stop is leisure time, not a detailed cultural tour.

Swimming while the BBQ cooks

After Sutivan, the boat heads to a quieter bay on Brač. Here you swim from the anchored boat while lunch is prepared on board. This is one of the strongest parts of the schedule because the cooking does not take time away from sightseeing or require you to sit at a restaurant.

The water is described as clear, and the boat provides snorkels, floaties, and water polo balls. You can swim, look below the surface, or simply float beside the boat. The equipment is included, so you do not need to pack your own mask or inflatable gear.

There is one important catch. You enter the water by jumping from the boat and return using ladders on the side. This works well for confident swimmers, and a nine-year-old was reported to have enjoyed the day, but you should think carefully about your own comfort in open water. There is no gentle beach entry at these swim stops.

If you are prone to seasickness, take the warning seriously. You will spend many hours on the water, and conditions can change. One family found the crew comforting and helpful when the swell became uncomfortable, but support from the crew does not remove the motion of the boat. Bring any personal seasickness remedy you normally use.

Fresh lunch with three practical choices

Lunch is served on board as the boat continues toward Šolta. You choose one of three main options: mackerel fish, chicken, or a vegetarian burger. Each comes with salad and bread.

You need to send your choice after booking so the crew can order enough food. This is a small but important step. If you wait, your preferred meal may be harder to arrange, particularly for a group with mixed diets.

The food is fresh-made on the boat, and grilled fish is a particular strength. The meal is not fine dining, nor is it meant to be. It is a hearty midday plate served in a pleasant setting, with the sea around you and no need to leave the cruise for lunch.

Water and orange juice are served during the meal, along with unlimited red wine. The general information also says snacks and alcoholic drinks are not included, so you should not assume that drinks beyond the lunch service are covered. If you want extra snacks or other alcohol, plan to buy them separately when available.

The lunch adds real value to the $71 cost. You are paying for a full day on the water, but you are not then adding the price of a restaurant meal, equipment rental, or a separate boat transfer. For a budget-conscious visitor staying near Podstrana, that makes the price easier to justify.

Shipwreck Kontesa and the second swim

The next major stop is near shipwreck Kontesa off Šolta. The boat anchors so you can swim and snorkel around the area. The wreck gives this stop a little more character than a standard swim in a random bay, though the experience still depends on the water, visibility, and your comfort in the sea.

Bring a mask if you prefer using your own, but snorkels are provided. Floaties and water polo balls are also available, which broadens the appeal for families and for anyone who is not interested in serious snorkeling.

You should not think of this as a professional wreck-diving excursion. It is a casual swim and snorkel stop viewed from the surface. The appeal is the combination of a maritime feature and clear water, not technical exploration.

Again, remember the ladders. Getting back onto a boat after swimming can be harder than getting into the water, especially if the sea is moving. Take your time, use the handholds, and let the crew help if needed. The trip is not suitable for wheelchair users or non-swimmers.

The return sail and the small extras

On the way back, cold watermelon is served. It is a welcome finish after several hours in the sun and sea. You will want to keep drinking water throughout the day, even with drinks supplied at lunch.

The day has a good rhythm: morning sailing, Sutivan, a swim, lunch, Kontesa, another swim, and the return trip. That variety helps prevent the common problem of a boat tour feeling like one long wait between stops.

The crew is described as friendly, attentive, and willing to chat. That matters on a full-day experience. A short transfer can work with minimal service, but a day at sea feels much better when the captain and crew explain what is happening and notice when someone is uncomfortable.

The boat was also praised for arriving on time. That is especially useful at a morning pickup, when missing the departure could spoil your whole day. Still, arrive early at your selected meeting point. The exact pickup location varies by option, and the trip cannot wait indefinitely for late arrivals.

What $71 gets you

At $71 per person, this is a strong-value day if you want several experiences bundled together. The price includes:

• The full boat trip
• Fuel surcharge
• Insurance
• Wi-Fi
• BBQ lunch
• Snorkels
• Floaties
• Water polo balls

You also receive the welcome schnapps, chocolate donut, juice, and watermelon described as part of the day. The lunch choices cover fish, meat, and vegetarian preferences, which is useful for families or mixed groups.

The value is less convincing if you only want a short swim or a quick visit to one island. You will spend a full day on the boat, so the cost makes most sense when you want an entire outing rather than a brief excursion.

Compared with arranging separate transport, lunch, and equipment, the package is simple. You do not need to organize how to reach Sutivan, find a place to eat, or rent snorkeling gear. In return, you give up some independence because the schedule and stops are fixed.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would choose this trip for families, couples, and groups who want an easy island day with a friendly crew and plenty of time in the water. It suits people who like a balance of sightseeing and relaxation, rather than a packed history tour.

It also works well for families with older children. The swimming equipment, water polo balls, and free time in Sutivan give children several ways to stay interested. Confident younger swimmers can enjoy the boat entry, but parents should be comfortable with the ladder arrangement and open-water setting.

This is less suitable for you if you cannot swim, have limited mobility, or get seasick easily. The boat does not offer a beach-style entry at the swim stops, and the sea may be uncomfortable on a rougher day.

Pack a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, and sunscreen. Keep valuables secure, and consider bringing a light layer for the boat ride. Pets, alcohol brought on board, and drugs are not allowed.

Booking details worth getting right

Select the proper time slot and pickup point when you book. The regular options are Krilo Jesenice at 8:30 a.m. and Podstrana Sv. Martin at 9:00 a.m. Le Méridien Lav marina has departures twice a week, with availability needing to be checked.

Email your lunch preference after booking: fish, chicken, or vegetarian burger. You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your schedule in Dalmatia is still changing. Cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

The overall rating is 4.7 from 66 reviews, with repeated praise for punctuality, food, spacious seating, clear explanations, and friendly service. The strongest pattern is simple: people value the amount included and the fact that the boat does not feel overcrowded.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a full day that combines Sutivan, two swim areas, and a cooked lunch without arranging each piece yourself. The $71 price is fair because the meal, equipment, fuel surcharge, insurance, and boat ride are already covered.

Skip it if you want a quiet beach day, a detailed cultural tour, or a boat with easy water access for non-swimmers. For everyone else, especially families and visitors based in Podstrana or Jesenice, this is a practical way to see more of the Dalmatian coast in one day.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip depart from?

The regular pickup points are Krilo Jesenice at 8:30 a.m. and Podstrana Sv. Martin at 9:00 a.m. The exact meeting point depends on the option you book.

Is there a departure from Le Méridien Lav?

Yes. The boat leaves from Le Méridien Lav marina twice a week, with departure at 9:15 a.m. Availability should be checked before booking.

What lunch choices are available?

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

Are drinks included?

Water and orange juice are served with lunch, along with unlimited red wine. Snacks and other alcoholic drinks are not included and may be available to purchase.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkels, floaties, and water polo balls are included.

Do you need to jump into the water?

At the swim stops, you enter the sea by jumping from the boat and climb back aboard using ladders. The trip is not suitable for non-swimmers.

What should you bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, and sunscreen. It is also wise to prepare for a full day outside on the water.