All Inclusive Brac and Solta islands swimming cruise

Jump off the boat and into the Adriatic. This seven-hour cruise from Split combines a quiet swimming bay near Brac with a stop in the small port of Stomorska on Solta. I like the generous time in the water, and I like that lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and paddleboards are included rather than added one by one.

The boat, Polaris, is clean, spacious, and limited to 68 people. The main consideration is simple: this is a swimming-and-relaxing day, not a serious island sightseeing trip. You will see two islands, but much of the day is spent anchored in the sea or cruising between stops.

Key reasons this Split cruise works well

• Two different island stops: Swim from the boat near Brac, then walk around Stomorska on Solta.
• A proper all-inclusive setup: Morning croissant and coffee, lunch, beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and juice are part of the fare.
• Excellent water equipment: Paddleboards, snorkeling equipment, floating toys, and other inflatables are available at no extra cost.
• A calmer boat atmosphere: The operator clearly positions this as a relaxed daytime cruise, not a party boat.
• Useful family facilities: Polaris has air conditioning, restrooms, shaded seating, and plenty of room to sit or sunbathe.
• Good value at $133.08: The price makes more sense when you count the meal, open bar, equipment, and seven hours on the water.

What the $133.08 price really buys you

At $133.08 per person, this is not the cheapest boat outing from Split. It is also not merely a ferry ride with a swim stop. The fare covers about seven hours, food from morning through lunch, an open bar with beer and wine, soft drinks, coffee, tea, Wi-Fi, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, and use of the boat’s facilities.

That package gives you a fairly clear value calculation. You do not need to hire a separate kayak, rent snorkeling gear, or find a waterfront restaurant in Stomorska. You also avoid spending part of the day comparing menus and waiting for lunch. The meal is served on board while the boat moves toward Solta.

I especially like the fact that you can choose among meat, fish, and vegetarian menus. Vegetarian and vegan options are available, but you should note your needs while booking. One useful detail from the experience is that the crew has contacted passengers ahead of time about food allergies, so it is sensible to raise any concerns early.

The food receives unusually strong praise. Descriptions include grilled chicken, tuna, and a good vegetarian meal, with lunch cooked and served on the boat. Do not expect a long restaurant meal with a wide menu. This is practical boat food, but it seems to be handled with more care than the usual packed sandwich.

Drinks include beer, wine, soft drinks, juice, iced water, coffee, and tea. Strong alcoholic drinks are not included and can be purchased. The operator is also very clear that this is not a booze cruise. Excessive drinking or disruptive behavior can bring alcohol service to an end, which helps preserve the easygoing mood for everyone else.

Meeting Polaris at Split port

The boat normally uses dock number 7 in Split city port, at Obala Lazareta. Check-in begins 30 minutes before the 9:30 a.m. departure, so arriving around 9 a.m. gives you time to find the boat, settle your belongings, and choose where you would like to sit.

The cruise ends back at the same meeting point at about 4:30 p.m. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The departure point is near public transportation, but you will need to make your own way to the port.

Polaris is described as clean, modern, and well maintained. It has an indoor or shaded lower area, a sunny upper deck, armchair-style seating, air conditioning, and a restroom. That mix matters in Croatia’s summer heat. You can sit in the sun when you want the full sea view, then retreat to shade without giving up comfort.

The maximum group size is 68 people. That is not a private charter, but it is more controlled than the very large excursion boats that can make a swim stop feel like a queue. Several accounts describe the boat as spacious and not overfilled, with enough room to sit quietly or socialize.

Music plays during the cruise, but the overall tone is described as relaxed. The family-run crew is repeatedly praised for being friendly, attentive, and efficient. One particularly useful sign of good operation is that the crew keeps serving food, cleaning, and managing the boat without making the work feel disruptive.

The 9:30 cruise toward Brac

The first hour is spent cruising from Split toward Brac. This is your chance to enjoy the Adriatic from the deck, take photographs, have the morning croissant and coffee, and settle into the rhythm of the day.

The route is not designed as a narrated history cruise. You are not promised a long list of landmarks or formal island commentary. Instead, the appeal is the open-water ride, the views, and the anticipation of the first swim.

That distinction is important. If you want a detailed cultural tour of Brac and Solta, this is not the right format. If you want to get away from Split’s streets, feel the breeze, and spend a large part of the day in clear water, the slow beginning works well.

Brac swimming stop: two hours in a quiet bay

Around 10:30 a.m., the boat anchors in a secluded bay near Brac. The exact bay can vary, but the promised experience is consistent: clear water, time to swim, and space to use the boat’s water equipment.

You can enter the sea by ladder or jump from the boat. For some people, that jump is the highlight. If you prefer a gentler entry, the ladder is available. The boat also carries snorkeling equipment, stand-up paddleboards, floating mats, and other water toys.

I would plan on spending most of this stop in the water. You can snorkel, paddle, float, swim toward a nearby beach, or simply sit on deck and watch others make the leap. The two-hour stop gives you enough time to try more than one activity without rushing from one piece of equipment to the next.

The setting is more natural than a developed beach club. That brings both charm and a small limitation. You may not have a broad sandy beach directly in front of you, and a rocky shoreline can make water shoes useful. Bring them if you have them, especially if you plan to swim toward shore.

This is also the point where you should be realistic about your swimming ability. The main entry is from the boat, and the attraction is open-water swimming. Children are welcome, but they must be accompanied by an adult. Families with children as young as eight and ten have found the mixture of inflatables, paddleboards, and supervised family time appealing, but adults should remain responsible for their own children.

The long swim stop is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise. Some island boat trips give you only a quick splash before calling everyone back aboard. Here, the schedule gives the water real priority.

Lunch underway to Solta

At about 1 p.m., Polaris leaves Brac and begins the trip toward Solta. Lunch is served during this section of the route, which is a smart use of time. You eat while the boat moves instead of losing another hour at a restaurant.

The menu offers three choices: meat, fish, or vegetarian. Tuna and grilled chicken receive especially positive attention, while vegetarian meals are described as more substantial than an afterthought. Vegan options can also be requested when booking.

The open bar continues during the cruise. Beer and wine are included, along with nonalcoholic drinks and water. I would still bring sunscreen and keep drinking water, since a day of sun, salt water, and even moderate alcohol can catch up with you.

Lunch is one of the details that helps justify the price. A cheaper boat trip may look attractive until you add a restaurant meal, rented equipment, and drinks. Here, the meal is simple but useful, and it keeps the day moving.

Stomorska on Solta: a small port with room to wander

At roughly 1:30 p.m., the boat docks in Stomorska, a small fishing village on Solta. You have about two hours here, which gives this stop a pleasantly unhurried feel.

Stomorska is not presented as a major sightseeing center. Its appeal is its size and atmosphere. You can stroll around the little harbor, look at the boats, take photographs, and enjoy a slower side of the island. A beach is about 100 meters from the boat, so you can also swim again if walking around is not your priority.

The village may feel especially quiet on a Sunday, when some businesses can be closed. That is not a flaw if you want a peaceful break, but it is worth knowing if you expect a lively shopping or dining stop.

This two-hour pause gives the day a useful change of pace. Brac is about water and activity. Stomorska is about land, a harbor walk, and a chance to stretch your legs. You can choose how much energy you have left after the morning swim.

If you want to make the most of the stop, wear comfortable sandals or water shoes. The village beach is close, but the shoreline may be rocky. A towel, swimsuit, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are essential items for this part of the day as well as the Brac stop.

The return cruise to Split

At about 3:30 p.m., the boat begins the relaxed ride back to Split, arriving around 4:30 p.m. You can sit in the shade, return to the upper deck, finish a drink, or simply watch the islands recede.

The journey back is not packed with another scheduled attraction. That is a plus if you want a calm finish, though one account wished the boat ride were longer so there would be more time to see the islands from the water. The itinerary favors swimming over scenic cruising, so people who want a full coastal tour may find the sightseeing portion limited.

Dolphin sightings have occurred, but they are a lucky possibility, not a promised feature. Keep your eyes open, but do not book this cruise expecting wildlife encounters.

Why the crew and boat matter

The strongest part of the experience may be the way the crew manages the day. The boat’s family owners are described as welcoming and hard-working, with staff handling sailing, catering, equipment, and cleaning in a calm routine.

That may sound like a small point, but it changes the feel of a seven-hour outing. You want the meal to arrive on time, the swimming equipment to be available, the boat to remain tidy, and the crew to answer questions without turning the day into a production.

The crew has also shown flexibility when weather affects the plan. One account describes an itinerary adjustment during rainy conditions without fuss. Another describes the operator going out of its way to sort out a booking issue related to weather. This is useful reassurance in the Adriatic, where wind and rain can change a boat schedule quickly.

The alcohol rule is worth repeating. This is a social cruise with wine and beer at lunch, not a floating nightclub. If you want loud music, heavy drinking, and a party crowd, choose a different boat. If you want to swim, eat, chat, and enjoy the sea without disorder, the policy is a benefit.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to couples, solo visitors, families, and mixed-age groups who want a full but manageable day on the water. The seven-hour length is long enough to feel worthwhile and short enough to leave you an evening in Split.

It is particularly suited to you if:

• You want substantial swimming time rather than a fast photo stop.
• You like having food, drinks, and equipment included in one price.
• You prefer a calm boat to a party cruise.
• You are traveling with children or a mixed-age group.
• You want one small port town without spending a full day on land.
• You appreciate shade, air conditioning, seating, and an onboard restroom.

I would think twice if your main aim is archaeological sightseeing, shopping, or visiting famous island towns. You will not spend hours exploring Brac, and Stomorska is intentionally small. The day is built around the sea.

The cruise is also weather-dependent. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Minimum numbers apply too, so an alternative date, alternative experience, or full refund may be offered if the departure does not reach the required number.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 9:30 a.m. start. Late cancellation or non-arrival is not refundable, and missed departures caused by a late cruise ship arrival are not covered.

What to pack for seven hours at sea

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. Add water shoes if you dislike rocky beaches, plus a dry change of clothes if you prefer not to ride home in damp swimwear.

You do not need to bring snorkeling gear or a paddleboard. Those are supplied on board, along with floating equipment. Still, equipment is shared, so it is wise to use the first swimming stop promptly if you want to try several activities.

Keep your valuables compact and easy to manage. The provided information does not promise lockers, so avoid bringing anything you would worry about near the water. The boat has Wi-Fi, but the point of the day is the sea, not a strong internet connection.

Should you book the Brac and Solta cruise?

Book it if you want a polished, relaxed water day with two different stops, a real meal, open drinks, and plenty of time to swim. The high rating, 98 percent recommendation rate, and repeated praise for the clean boat, friendly family crew, food, and generous equipment all point to a well-run outing.

Skip it if you want a party boat or a detailed island tour. For everyone else, the $133.08 fare is fair because it includes nearly every expense that can make a boat day add up. I would choose this cruise for a first visit to Split when I wanted clear water, a quiet village, and an easy day with very little planning.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Obala Lazareta in Split, usually at dock number 7 in the city port. Check-in opens 30 minutes before the 9:30 a.m. departure.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts about seven hours. It leaves Split at 9:30 a.m. and returns to the same meeting point at approximately 4:30 p.m.

What food and drinks are included?

A morning croissant and coffee are included, followed by lunch with a choice of meat, fish, or vegetarian menus. Beer, wine, soft drinks, juice, water, coffee, and tea are included. Strong alcoholic drinks are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, stand-up paddleboards, floating mats, and other water toys are available for use during the swimming stop near Brac.

Is the cruise suitable for children?

Most people can participate, and the cruise is described as family-friendly. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the operator lists a maximum group size of 68 people.

What happens if the weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The same options apply if the minimum number of passengers is not reached.