Split: All inclusive Brač & Šolta Island Swimming Cruise

The best part of this seven-hour island cruise is that the day feels unhurried. You spend two full hours swimming from the boat near Brač, then eat a proper lunch while cruising toward Šolta, with time in the fishing village of Stomorska before heading back to Split. I like the spacious Polaris, and I like that the price includes lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, paddleboards, and water toys.

The main consideration is simple: this is a swimming day first and an island sightseeing day second. The Brač stop is excellent for jumping into deep, clear water, while Stomorska is a small village with limited shops and a modest beach. If you do not enjoy swimming from a boat, much of the tour’s appeal will pass you by.

Key points to know before booking

• Two hours anchored near Brač: The longest stop is built around swimming, snorkeling, paddleboards, floats, and jumping from the boat.
• A real lunch is included: Choose grilled fish, meat, or vegetables with salad and dessert, served during the cruise to Šolta.
• Open drinks all day: Soft drinks, beer, local wine, coffee, and other hot drinks are available during the cruise.
• Stomorska offers a quiet change of pace: Walk around a small fishing port or swim from the beach near the boat.
• Comfort matters here: The Polaris has ample seating, open decks, and enough room to move around without feeling packed.
• The schedule leaves Split and returns the same day: Meet at Obala Lazareta 3, near Gat Svetog Nikole, at the Split city port.

Why this cruise works as a full day from Split

Split is a good base for seeing the Dalmatian islands, but arranging ferries, beach time, lunch, and drinks on your own can take work. This trip puts everything into one tidy day. You board in the city, spend the morning at sea, stop at two islands, eat aboard, and return before the evening.

That simplicity is the real value. You do not need to carry lunch, find a beach bar, rent a paddleboard, or organize a second boat back to Split. The crew handles the rhythm of the day, while you choose where to sit and how much time to spend in the water.

The boat leaves at 9:30 AM and returns at about 4:30 PM, so you get a useful seven hours without giving up your entire evening. That timing also makes the trip practical if you are using Split as a short base and want one big Adriatic outing rather than several smaller activities.

Boat Polaris is the experience’s home for most of the day. It has spacious decks, regular seating, and tables set up for lunch. The trip is not designed as a loud party boat. Indoor smoking, speakers, drugs, alcohol brought from outside, and party groups are not allowed, which helps keep the mood calm and social.

Boarding at Split city port

The meeting point is Obala Lazareta 3, at the Split city port directly in front of Gat Svetog Nikole. There is no pickup service, so you need to make your own way to the harbor.

Once aboard, the morning begins with a croissant and welcome refreshments. The first hour is a gentle cruise away from Split toward Brač. This gives you time to settle in, find a good place on the deck, and take in the coast from the water rather than from a crowded street or a bus window.

Bring a sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel. You will want a camera, too, but keep it secure around the swimming stops. Comfortable deck seating makes this a good time to relax, though you should expect strong sun and open water for much of the day.

The crew speaks English. Their role is less about formal guiding and more about keeping the day organized, serving food and drinks, and helping you use the swimming equipment. The strongest praise for the crew centers on their friendliness, attentiveness, and cheerful service.

Brač: two hours of clear water and open-deck fun

After about an hour, the captain anchors in a scheduled bay near Brač. This is the heart of the trip. You get more than two hours of free time to swim, snorkel, float, paddleboard, or simply sit on deck and watch others make the jump.

The water is described as turquoise and crystal clear, and the stop is away from the city crowds. The boat itself becomes your base, so you do not need to squeeze onto a busy public beach. That makes the stop especially pleasant for anyone who values space, easy access to the water, and the option to return to a shaded seat whenever the sun gets too strong.

Equipment is included: snorkeling gear, stand-up paddleboards, inflatable rings, pool noodles, and other air toys. There are also opportunities to jump from the upper deck into the sea. The equipment adds real value, especially for families and groups who might otherwise need to rent several items at a beach.

You should be comfortable entering reasonably deep water from the boat. The water is calm at the scheduled stop, but this is not a shallow wading beach. One useful point is that you can choose your own level of activity. Swim hard, paddle around, jump once for the fun of it, or stay aboard with a drink and enjoy the view.

This stop may be less suitable if you are not a confident swimmer or do not like getting into the sea from a boat. The tour does include snorkeling equipment and floats, but it is not presented as a guided swimming lesson. Pack sea shoes if you plan to use the small beach at Šolta, as one previous itinerary included a beach where they were useful.

Lunch on the way to Šolta

At about 1:00 PM, the boat leaves the Brač swimming area and begins the cruise toward Šolta. Lunch is served during this part of the journey, turning the transfer into another pleasant section of the day rather than dead time.

The meal is a three-course lunch. You can choose grilled fish, grilled meat, or grilled vegetables, with salad and dessert. The food is straightforward Croatian boat fare rather than a formal restaurant meal, but that is exactly what suits the setting. You eat at tables, with drinks available, while the islands slide past.

The meal has been one of the most praised parts of the experience. The portions are described as generous, and the fish, tuna, vegetables, salad, potatoes, and dessert have all received especially positive attention. If you have different dietary preferences within your group, the choice of fish, meat, or vegetarian food is helpful.

The open bar runs throughout the cruise. It includes soft drinks, beer, local wine, coffee, and other hot drinks. That matters more than it may sound. You can spend the day without buying separate drinks at each stop, and you do not need to carry a heavy supply aboard.

The bar and lunch also help the boat feel like a relaxed day out rather than a basic transfer between islands. Still, keep the focus on the sea and the scenery. The food is a valuable inclusion, but this is not a gourmet tasting tour.

Stomorska on Šolta: a small fishing village

The boat reaches Stomorska on Šolta at about 1:45 PM and docks in the village. You have until 3:30 PM here, giving you roughly an hour and forty-five minutes to explore or swim.

Stomorska is a traditional fishing village with a picturesque port. Its appeal is quiet and modest. You can walk along the harbor, look at the boats, stop for a coffee if you wish, or head to the nearby beach. The village is a pleasant contrast to the open-water swimming stop, since your feet are back on land and you can wander at your own pace.

Do not expect a large resort or a full afternoon of sightseeing. The port is small, and there are few shops. The beach close to the boat is convenient, but it is also limited. For some people, this will be enough: a short walk, a swim, and a look at island life without a long transfer. If you want a busy town, major sights, or a long list of restaurants, Stomorska may feel underwhelming.

The length of the stop is well judged for the village itself. You have enough time to walk around and swim, but not so much that you run out of things to do. The itinerary can also change with conditions. Strong wind has previously caused a change from Šolta to Milna, where the village walk became the alternative. That flexibility is useful, but it means the exact island stop cannot always be treated as fixed.

The cruise back to Split

At 3:30 PM, you leave Stomorska for the return journey. The final hour is a chance to dry off, order another coffee or soft drink, and settle into the ride back to Split.

This last section has no major scheduled activity, which is part of its charm. After swimming, lunch, and a walk through Stomorska, you can simply enjoy the boat and the coastal views. The return to the city port is expected around 4:30 PM.

The boat’s seating arrangement is important on the way back. You are not confined to one narrow seat for the entire day. You can choose an open deck position, sit at a table, or move around as the view changes. The vessel has been described as clean, comfortable, and roomy enough that the day does not feel crowded.

Music is part of the atmosphere, but speakers brought by passengers are not allowed. The tone is relaxed and sociable rather than a floating nightclub. That makes it a better fit for couples, families, and mixed-age groups than for anyone looking for an all-day party.

What the $121 price really covers

At $121 per person, this cruise is not the cheapest way to reach an island from Split. It offers more than transport, though. The price covers the boat cruise, both island visits, the swimming time, morning croissant, open bar, three-course lunch, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, and inflatable water toys.

That bundle can represent good value if you plan to swim and use the boat’s facilities. Buying lunch, drinks, beach equipment, and an island boat ride separately could quickly narrow the price difference. You also save the time and effort of matching ferry schedules and finding your way between separate stops.

The value is weaker if you mainly want island sightseeing. You spend the longest stop near Brač in the water, and Stomorska is small. Someone who prefers museums, historic streets, or long walks should consider a land-based excursion instead.

Children aged 0 to 3 can join free, and children aged 3 to 12 receive a 50 percent discount. That makes the trip easier to justify for families, especially because the floats and paddleboards add something beyond simple sightseeing. Parents should still decide if their children are comfortable with open-water swimming from a boat.

The activity is wheelchair accessible, though the most important personal question is not access alone. Consider how comfortable you will be with the boat, the deck, and the swimming arrangements. The supplied information confirms accessibility, but it does not describe the exact method for moving between the boat and water or beach.

Who will enjoy Boat Polaris most

I would choose this cruise if you want one easy, sunny day built around the sea. It suits you especially well if you enjoy:

• Swimming in clear Adriatic water
• Relaxing on a boat without changing vessels
• Having lunch and drinks included
• Using paddleboards, floats, and snorkeling equipment
• Seeing two islands without planning ferry connections
• Visiting a small port rather than a major resort

It is also a good choice for a mixed group. One person can paddleboard while another sits with a coffee, and children can use the water toys while adults enjoy lunch or the open deck. The boat offers enough variety that everyone does not need to follow the same schedule every minute.

I would be more cautious about booking it if you dislike boats, strong sun, or deep-water swimming. You also may prefer another outing if your main goal is to explore Šolta in depth. Stomorska provides a pleasant taste of island life, not a full cultural tour.

Practical advice for a better day

Arrive at the Split port with your swimwear already easy to reach. Changing after boarding may be possible in the boat’s facilities, but the supplied information does not promise a particular changing setup.

Bring your own towel, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and camera. The boat supplies snorkeling equipment and water toys, but personal sea shoes are worth packing for the beach near Stomorska.

Do not count on buying your way out of forgetting essentials. The open bar covers drinks, not personal beach gear. A dry bag or waterproof phone case is also sensible, though not specifically required.

If you want a prime place on deck, arrive ready to board at the stated meeting point. The boat has ample seating, but the best position depends on whether you want sun, shade, a clear view, or quick access to the swimming area.

The tour allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Split plans depend on the weather, but you should still check the available departure time when booking.

Should you book this island cruise?

Book it if you want a well-organized swimming day with a proper meal, drinks, and two island stops folded into one outing. The combination of a roomy boat, friendly English-speaking crew, generous food, open bar, and long Brač swim stop gives the $121 price a solid case.

Skip it if swimming is not central to your holiday or if you expect Šolta to provide hours of major sightseeing. The small size of Stomorska is either a virtue or a limitation, depending on what you want.

For most people who want to get out of Split and into the Adriatic without fuss, Boat Polaris offers a comfortable, good-value day. Pack your towel, sea shoes, and sun protection, then let the water do most of the entertaining.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The boat leaves from Split city port at Obala Lazareta 3, directly in front of Gat Svetog Nikole.

What time does the cruise depart and return?

Departure is at 9:30 AM, with an expected return to Split at about 4:30 PM. The total duration is seven hours.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The planned stops are Brač and Šolta. On Šolta, the boat docks in Stomorska, a small fishing village.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The three-course lunch includes grilled fish, meat, or vegetables, along with salad and dessert.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes soft drinks, beer, local wine, coffee, and hot drinks during the cruise.

Is swimming equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, inflatable floats, and other air water toys are included.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.