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

The best part of this trip is its small scale. With only six people on the 33-foot sailboat, you get a relaxed day on the Adriatic rather than a crowded boat outing. Marin and Damian handle the sailing, swimming stops, snacks, and practical details, including helping arrange lunch in Stomorska.

I like the slow pace and the chance to swim near Brač before spending free time in a real island village. I also like that cheese, prosciutto, bread, wine, coffee, tea, water, snorkeling gear, and floaties are included. The main drawback is simple: this is a sailing trip, so calm weather may mean less actual sailing and more time motoring.

Key points to know before booking

• Six people maximum: The small boat keeps the day quiet, personal, and easygoing.
• Brač comes first: You get about an hour to swim, snorkel, float, explore the shore, or relax onboard.
• Stomorska gives you two hours: Walk around Šolta’s old seaside village or stop for lunch at your own cost.
• Local food and wine are included: Expect Croatian prosciutto, cheese, bread, white wine, water, coffee, and tea.
• Sailing depends on the weather: Strong wind or rain cancels the trip, while calm conditions may limit time under sail.
• You meet at the harbor: Find the 33-foot boat near the Ina refueling station, marked RO 1037 on the front.

A small sailboat instead of a party boat

This full-day trip is built around quiet time on the water. You meet near the Ina boat refueling station in Split, locate the 33-foot sailboat marked RO 1037, and receive a short introduction and safety briefing before leaving the harbor.

The boat holds only six people on the tour. That matters in Dalmatia, where many island excursions use much larger vessels. On this boat, you can ask questions, move between swimming and sitting without a fuss, and enjoy a more private feel.

Marin and Damian guide the trip in English and Croatian. The tone is practical and friendly, with coffee or tea offered before departure. You are not expected to know anything about sailing. You simply settle in, listen to the safety instructions, and enjoy the ride out from Split.

I would choose this outing for the company and atmosphere as much as for the islands. It is not designed as a nonstop sightseeing program. You get long pauses, open water, swimming, food, and time to sit quietly while the boat moves between stops.

That relaxed setup also explains what this tour is not. It is not a fast speedboat ride, a nightlife cruise, or a formal sailing lesson. If you want to cover many famous sights in one day, another excursion may suit you better. If you want a calm day with a small group, the format makes good sense.

Sailing from Split into the Adriatic

The trip begins with the mainland fading behind you as the boat heads toward the islands. The views are one of the main rewards, especially when the sails are up and the water is calm enough for a proper sailing run.

You should keep expectations flexible. Sailing depends on wind, and one day may offer a long, smooth stretch under sail while another may require more use of the engine. The tour still runs in calm conditions, but the experience may feel more like a boat day than a pure sailing lesson.

That is not necessarily a flaw. Less wind can mean gentler water and a more comfortable ride for anyone prone to seasickness. It can also give you more time to talk with the guides, eat a snack, or enjoy the view without worrying about the boat’s movement.

The crew’s role is important here. A good skipper reads the conditions and adjusts the plan, rather than forcing a fixed route. Marin and Damian have been praised for being attentive and helpful, including making lunch arrangements ahead of time so the stop in Stomorska does not become a long wait.

Bring sunscreen and a hat. The Adriatic sun can feel strong even when a breeze keeps the air pleasant. You should also bring swimwear and a towel, since towels are not supplied.

Brač is the day’s first water stop

After leaving Split, the boat anchors in one of Brač’s bays for roughly an hour. This is the most active part of the day, but you choose how much activity you want.

You can swim from the boat, use the provided floaties, or borrow a mask and snorkel to look below the surface. The clear water is the point here. You are not visiting a major attraction or following a marked route. You are simply given time in a good swimming spot.

If you prefer not to get wet, stay onboard and enjoy the view. The boat provides Croatian prosciutto, cheese, bread, white wine, water, coffee, and tea. That combination turns the stop into a light tasting break rather than a rushed snack handed out between activities.

I like this choice-based setup. One person can snorkel while another floats, and someone else can remain dry with a glass of wine. A small boat makes those different preferences easier to manage than a large group excursion where everybody moves together.

The one-hour stop is enough for a refreshing swim, but it is not a full beach afternoon. You may spend a few minutes getting in and out of the water, so do not expect unlimited time for a long snorkel session. The trip is about the full rhythm of the day, not one extended water activity.

There is also no promise of a particular bay or a private beach. The crew selects a suitable anchorage according to the day’s conditions. That flexibility is useful, though anyone hoping for one exact famous location should keep expectations modest.

Stomorska on Šolta brings a change of pace

From Brač, the boat continues to Šolta and docks in Stomorska. You have about two hours here, giving the day a welcome change from open water.

Stomorska is a small seaside village with a picturesque waterfront and a quieter feel than the major ports near Split. You can stroll through town, look at the harbor, swim nearby, or sit down for lunch at a waterfront restaurant.

This is where the tour feels most connected to everyday island life. The village is not presented as a long list of monuments. Its appeal comes from the harbor, the stone buildings, the water, and the chance to slow down for a meal.

Lunch is not included, so budget separately for it. The guides can recommend a restaurant, and they may take your food order before docking so the kitchen can prepare it in advance. That is a useful detail on a short stop, since a two-hour visit can disappear quickly if you spend the first half waiting for food.

You still have a choice. If lunch is not your priority, use the time for a walk or a second swim. If you want a proper Croatian meal, Stomorska is the place to do it. The tour does not force everyone into one activity.

Two hours is a sensible amount of time for this village. You can eat without rushing, take a short walk, and return to the boat on schedule. It is not enough for a broad tour of the entire island, but the trip does not pretend to offer that.

The return to Split is part of the experience

After Stomorska, you return to the sailboat and make the trip back to Split. If the wind cooperates, the sails come up and the final stretch becomes the most classic sailing portion of the day.

This return is not just transportation. After the swim and village stop, you have time to settle into the boat, finish the water or wine, and watch the islands recede. The relaxed pace works best here, when you are no longer trying to decide what to do next.

The boat ends at the same meeting point in Split. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to make your own way to the harbor at the start and after returning.

Give yourself enough time to find the boat near the Ina refueling station. The identifying detail is clear: look for the 33-foot sailboat with RO 1037 written on the front. Arriving early is wise because the meeting point is a working port area, not necessarily a formal tour desk.

What the $141 price really covers

At $141 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Brač or Šolta. The price makes more sense when you compare the entire package rather than the boat transfer alone.

You are paying for a full day on the water, a very small group, the skipper and guide service, snorkeling equipment, floaties, snacks, wine, water, coffee, and tea. The group size is the biggest value point. Six people on a 33-foot boat creates a more personal experience than a large excursion, and that privacy is difficult to reproduce on a budget ferry or crowded cruise.

The included food is light, not a full meal. Prosciutto, cheese, and bread work well during the Brač stop, but you should plan to buy lunch in Stomorska. Towels are also not included, and there is no hotel transport.

For me, the price is easiest to justify if you value comfort and a small group. It is less attractive if your main goal is simply to reach an island cheaply, spend hours on a beach, or sail continuously under wind power.

The included wine adds to the social feel, but this is not a wine tour. The snacks are a pleasant part of the day, not a structured tasting with detailed instruction. You get Croatian flavors in a casual setting, which suits the easygoing nature of the outing.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later add useful flexibility. The trip can be canceled for strong wind or rain, so keep a little room in your schedule if island weather is unsettled.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this tour to couples, friends, and solo visitors who prefer a small group and an unhurried day. It also suits people who want swimming and scenery without giving up the chance to explore a village and eat at a local restaurant.

It is a good match if you like having choices. You can snorkel, swim, float, sit with a glass of wine, stroll through Stomorska, or focus on lunch. The guides set the framework, but you control much of your free time.

The trip may also work well for first-time visitors to Split who want to see more of Dalmatia without arranging ferries, restaurants, and swimming stops separately. The crew handles the route and can help with lunch, leaving you to enjoy the day.

I would be more cautious if you need wheelchair access, since the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. It may also disappoint anyone looking for a high-speed ride, a packed schedule, or a guaranteed full day of sailing.

Families should consider the boat size and the swimming focus carefully. The provided floaties and snorkeling gear are useful, but no specific child services or family facilities are described. If you book, bring the required sun protection and a towel for every swimmer.

Pets and speakers are not allowed. That rule fits the quiet character of the trip and helps keep the boat pleasant for everyone onboard.

Practical tips for a smoother boat day

Wear swimwear under light clothing and pack a towel, sun hat, and sunscreen. Water reflects the sun from every direction, and shade on a small sailboat may be limited.

Bring only what you need. A compact day bag is easier to manage onboard than a large suitcase. Keep personal items secure and dry while people are swimming.

You will receive snorkeling equipment and floaties, but you may prefer to bring familiar gear if you already have it. The supplied equipment covers the basic activity described for the Brač stop.

Do not count on lunch being included. Plan to pay for your meal in Stomorska, and consider ordering early with help from the skipper if you want to use the village time well.

The day is weather dependent. Strong wind or rain can cancel the trip, while light wind may reduce the amount of time spent sailing. That is part of choosing a sailing experience rather than a fixed ferry ride.

Should you book this Brač and Šolta sailing tour?

Book it if you want a small-group Adriatic day with swimming, simple Croatian snacks, local wine, and free time in Stomorska. The six-person limit, attentive guides, and flexible stops give the trip a personal feel that larger boat excursions cannot match.

Skip it if you want a low-cost island transfer, a guaranteed full day under sail, or a structured tour packed with landmarks. For the right person, the value is not in checking off every sight. It is in the quiet hour in a Brač bay, the unhurried lunch stop on Šolta, and the chance to let the day unfold at sea.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour start?

Meet at the boat near the Ina boat refueling station in the port of Split. The boat is 33 feet long and has RO 1037 written on the front.

Where does the tour end?

The tour returns to the same meeting point in Split.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The itinerary includes Brač Island and Šolta Island, with time in the village of Stomorska on Šolta.

How long is the stop on Brač?

The boat anchors in a bay on Brač for about one hour.

What can I do during the Brač stop?

You can swim, snorkel with the provided equipment, use floaties, explore the shore, or relax onboard with snacks and drinks.

How much time is available in Stomorska?

You have approximately two hours in Stomorska for a walk, a swim, or lunch at a seaside restaurant.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price. You can choose and pay for lunch at a restaurant in Stomorska.

What food and drinks are included?

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

What should I bring?

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

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English and Croatian.

Can wheelchair users join?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Can I bring a pet or speaker?

No. Pets and speakers are not allowed on the tour.

What happens in bad weather?

The trip is canceled in conditions such as strong wind or rain.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.