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

Salt air, clear water, and a proper lunch afloat. This full-day trip from Podstrana or Jesenice combines three things I value in a Dalmatian outing: time to explore Sutivan, plenty of swimming, and a freshly prepared BBQ served on board. The spacious boat, friendly crew, and $71 price also make this a strong value for families and couples who want a relaxed island day without arranging several ferries and meals themselves.

I especially like the unhurried pace and the generous food service. You get a welcome schnapps, chocolate donut, and juice early in the morning, then a choice of mackerel, chicken, or a vegetarian burger with salad and bread. The main consideration is access to the sea: at the swimming stops, you jump from the boat and climb back up ladders, so this is not suitable for non-swimmers, wheelchair users, or anyone who dislikes boat movement.

The day also has a useful mix of activity and free time. You can walk through Sutivan at your own speed, swim in a quiet bay, look around the shipwreck Kontesa, or simply stretch out with a drink and watch the islands pass. Seasickness is the main concern, especially if the water turns choppy, though the crew has been praised for helping people who felt unwell.

Key points at a glance

• Sutivan gives the day a real island stop: You get free time to wander through this attractive Brač town rather than only viewing it from offshore.
• The BBQ is cooked during the trip: Choose mackerel, chicken, or a vegetarian burger, with salad, bread, red wine, water, and orange juice included during lunch.
• Swimming equipment is provided: Snorkels, floaties, water polo balls, and a couple of larger inflatables are available on board.
• The boat is spacious rather than cramped: Several people praised the room to sit comfortably without feeling overcrowded.
• Kontesa adds a memorable final swim: The shipwreck stop gives you a different setting for snorkeling and jumping into the sea.
• The $71 fare covers the main costs: Boat transport, fuel surcharge, insurance, Wi-Fi, equipment, and lunch are included.

Why this boat trip is good value at $71

At $71 per person, this is not simply a boat ride between two islands. Your fare includes a full day on the water, lunch, fuel, insurance, Wi-Fi, and use of the swimming equipment. You also avoid the separate cost and effort of finding a restaurant during the day.

The value improves if you want variety. A cheaper sailing might give you one swimming stop and little else. Here, you get Sutivan, a Brač bay, a route toward Šolta, the shipwreck Kontesa, and food served during the journey. You are paying for a complete day rather than a short transfer.

The lunch choice is another practical strength. You need to email the crew after booking with your preference for fish, chicken, or vegetarian burger so the food can be ordered in advance. Do not leave this until the morning of departure. The meal comes with salad and bread, while red wine, water, and orange juice are available without extra charge during lunch.

Snacks and alcoholic drinks outside the included lunch service cost extra. The early chocolate donut and juice help take the edge off the morning start, but you should still bring anything else you know you will want during a full day at sea.

Morning departure from Podstrana or Jesenice

You can board at Krilo Jesenice at 8:30 a.m. or Podstrana Sv. Martin at 9 a.m. The exact meeting point depends on the option you book, so check your confirmation carefully rather than assuming every boat leaves from the same pier.

If you are staying at Le Meridien Lav, the information provided suggests taking public transport five bus stops toward Omiš or using free parking in Sveti Martin. Free parking is also available in Krilo Jesenice. From the Le Meridien Lav marina, departures run twice a week when available, with a 9:15 a.m. sailing.

These details matter because the boat leaves early and the trip ends back at the same meeting point. Arrive with enough time to find the pier, especially if you are driving. The operator provides free parking in the locations noted above, which can save money compared with parking at a busy resort marina.

Once under way, the crew serves a welcome schnapps, chocolate donut, and juice. It is a small touch, but it sets an easygoing tone. The ride out also gives you time to settle in before the first proper stop.

Sutivan: a worthwhile hour on Brač

Sutivan is the first major stop, and it gives the trip more character than a day spent only anchored offshore. You have free time to explore the town on your own, with no fixed guided walk or group route described.

That freedom suits this kind of stop. You can take a slow walk, look at the waterfront, find a quiet corner, or head west and see what catches your eye. One useful detail from the day’s experience is that walking west led to a family home selling olive oil. Encounters like that are part of the appeal of an independent stop, though you should treat such finds as chance discoveries, not a promised part of the program.

Do not expect a long sightseeing tour of Brač. The point is to get a taste of Sutivan, not to cover the whole island. Keep an eye on the return time and do not wander so far that you have to hurry back to the boat.

Sutivan also makes the trip friendlier for people who do not want constant swimming. If one person in your group prefers walking and another wants the sea, this stop gives both of you some room.

Swimming from the boat near a Brač bay

After Sutivan, the boat heads toward a quieter bay on Brač. The boat anchors, and you can enter the water using the ladders on the side of the vessel. This is the first major swimming break, with clear water and time to relax while the chef prepares lunch.

The setup is simple and enjoyable, but it requires confidence in the water. You must jump from the boat and climb back up the ladders. There is no beach access at these stops, so this is not a suitable choice for non-swimmers or anyone who cannot manage the climb.

Snorkels and floaties are provided, along with water polo balls and a couple of larger inflatables. That equipment gives children and casual swimmers something to do beyond simply floating. The day’s feedback suggests the boat works well for families, including one family whose 9-year-old called it the best day of the week.

Still, you should bring your own sense of caution. Use the floaties if you need extra support, stay within your comfort level, and remember that the boat is anchored offshore rather than tied to a shallow beach. Sunscreen, a hat, swimwear, and a towel are essential. A camera is also listed as a suggested item, but protect it carefully around the water.

Lunch on board, with three main choices

The BBQ lunch is one of the strongest parts of the outing. While you swim, the chef prepares the meal on board. You then eat during the sailing toward Šolta and Kontesa, which makes good use of the travel time.

Your main options are:

• Mackerel fish
• Chicken
• Vegetarian burger

Each comes with salad and bread. Red wine, water, and orange juice are served without limit during lunch. The fish has received particular praise, so mackerel is worth considering if you enjoy seafood and want something that fits the coastal setting.

The meal is not a formal restaurant experience. It is a practical, fresh lunch on a moving boat, and that is exactly why it works. You get to eat while the crew continues the route, rather than spending a large part of the day looking for food ashore.

The atmosphere seems to be part of the appeal. The crew is described as attentive and friendly, with time for conversation rather than only handling the basic safety and serving duties. That can make a difference on a full-day trip, when the quality of the staff shapes the whole mood.

If you want alcoholic drinks outside the included red wine at lunch, budget for extra purchases. Pets, alcohol brought from outside, and drugs are not allowed.

Sailing toward Šolta and the Kontesa shipwreck

The route then continues toward Šolta and the shipwreck Kontesa. The wreck gives the final major swim a clear focus. Instead of stopping in another ordinary bay, you have an underwater feature to look around while snorkeling.

The information provided does not promise a guided wreck tour or detailed marine interpretation. Think of Kontesa as a swim and snorkeling location, viewed from the water, rather than a formal historical visit. Bring realistic expectations and enjoy the setting for what it offers.

The water equipment on board is useful here. You can use a snorkel to look beneath the surface, or choose a floatie if you would rather stay above water. The ladders again provide access back to the boat, but you still need to be comfortable entering open water.

The boat trip does not appear to be overcrowded, which is important at a stop like this. When many people are trying to use a small swimming area or climb the same ladders, a cramped boat can quickly become tiring. The available feedback repeatedly points to plenty of space, a comfortable vessel, and enough time at the stops.

A relaxed ride back with watermelon

The return journey includes fresh cold watermelon. It is a fitting end to a warm day in the sun, and a welcome change after salty swimming and a BBQ lunch.

This last stretch is less about sightseeing and more about slowing down. You can sit back, chat with the crew or other people on board, and watch the islands recede. The day is long, but the schedule appears designed with pauses rather than nonstop activity.

That relaxed rhythm is why I would choose this trip over a more hurried island-hopping plan. You still see several places, but you are not racing from one photo stop to the next. Families can spread out, couples can find a quieter seat, and stronger swimmers can enjoy the water while others remain on deck.

The tradeoff is that you do not control the schedule. If you want to spend half a day in Sutivan or stay at one favorite cove, this is not the right format. The boat has a planned route and must return to Podstrana or Jesenice.

Boat comfort, crew, and family suitability

The boat receives strong praise for having enough room for everyone. That is not a minor point on a full-day outing. A vessel that feels cramped can turn a beautiful route into a tiring one, especially when you have wet towels, bags, sun cream, and children moving between the deck and the water.

The crew is another major strength. The captain and guides are described as punctual, clear, helpful, and friendly. One useful detail is the care shown when the swell became uncomfortable. The crew offered help and reassurance, which matters if you are unsure how you will handle a full day at sea.

The trip suits families with children, couples, and small groups who want a social but not crowded boat day. Children can use the floaties and water polo balls, while adults have Sutivan, snorkeling, lunch, and the scenery to enjoy.

I would be more cautious if you are prone to seasickness. The operator specifically lists this experience as unsuitable for people who often feel sick on boats. Bring only what you know you can manage, and consider choosing a calmer day if your schedule allows.

What to bring and what to know before booking

Pack light, but cover the basics:

• Hat
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Camera
• Any personal items you need for a full day outdoors

You should also bring a little extra money for snacks or alcoholic drinks outside the included lunch service. Wi-Fi is included, though the quality of a boat connection can vary and should not be your main reason for booking.

The activity is offered in English. It is not suitable for wheelchair users because of the boat access and swimming setup. Non-swimmers should also choose another excursion, since the main swim stops involve jumping from the boat and climbing ladders.

Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can reserve now and pay later, which gives you some flexibility when planning around weather and the rest of your Dalmatian trip.

Who should book the Brač and Šolta boat day?

I would book this if you want one easy day that combines island scenery, a small town, swimming, snorkeling, and lunch. The $71 price is fair because so much is included, and the boat appears to offer enough space for a comfortable day rather than packing people shoulder to shoulder.

It is especially well suited to families. The route has a good mix of a town walk and water time, and the crew has shown patience with both children and people who feel uneasy in choppy conditions.

I would skip it if you want a quiet private cruise, a long guided history tour, or beach access at every swimming stop. I would also avoid it if you cannot swim, struggle with ladders, or regularly suffer from seasickness.

For most active visitors staying around Podstrana, Le Meridien Lav, or Jesenice, this is a practical and enjoyable full-day choice. Book it for the combination of friendly service, generous food, and unhurried swimming stops, then email your lunch choice as soon as the reservation is confirmed.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip depart from?

You can choose pickup at Krilo Jesenice at 8:30 a.m. or Podstrana Sv. Martin at 9 a.m. Some departures from the Le Meridien Lav marina run twice a week at 9:15 a.m., subject to availability.

What islands does the trip visit?

The route includes Brač and Šolta. You have free time in Sutivan on Brač, swim near a Brač bay, and stop near the shipwreck Kontesa by Šolta.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes a choice of mackerel fish, chicken, or a vegetarian burger, along with salad and bread. Red wine, water, and orange juice are served during lunch.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

No. Snorkels, floaties, water polo balls, and larger inflatables are provided on the boat. You should still bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a hat.

Can non-swimmers join the trip?

No. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers. At the swimming stops, you jump from the boat into the sea and climb back using ladders.

How far in advance can I cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The trip also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.