Split: All inclusive Brač & Šolta Island Swimming Cruise

Clear water, calm seas, and lunch on deck. The Boat Polaris cruise makes a full summer day from Split feel easy, with a spacious boat, two island stops, and time to swim rather than simply snap a photo and leave. I especially like the generous swimming stop near Brač and the included three-course lunch with open bar, which makes the $121 price easier to justify. The main consideration is that the first stop is built around swimming from the boat, and Šolta’s village stop is pleasant but fairly quiet.

You meet at Split’s city port at 9:30 AM, in front of Gat Svetog Nikole at Obala Lazareta 3. The crew speaks English, and the boat is wheelchair accessible. Bring a towel, sun protection, and a swimsuit, then settle in for a relaxed seven-hour outing rather than a fast-paced sightseeing circuit.

The best parts of the Brač and Šolta cruise

• More than two hours near Brač: Swim, snorkel, use paddleboards, or jump from the boat into clear Adriatic water.
• A proper lunch on board: Choose grilled fish, meat, or vegetables, served with salad and dessert.
• Open bar throughout the cruise: Soft drinks, beer, local wine, coffee, and other hot drinks are included.
• Room to spread out: The Polaris has comfortable seating and open decks, so you are not confined to one crowded bench.
• A second island stop: Stomorska on Šolta offers a small fishing port, a nearby beach, and time for a short walk.
• Family-friendly pricing: Children aged 0 to 3 join free, while children aged 3 to 12 receive a 50 percent discount.

Leaving Split at 9:30 AM on the Polaris

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

The boat leaves at 9:30 AM and spends about an hour cruising toward Brač. That first hour is part of the pleasure. You see Split from the water, feel the pace slow down, and have time to choose a place on the deck before the main swimming stop begins.

A croissant and welcome refreshments are provided in the morning. The onboard bar also opens during the cruise, with soft drinks, beer, wine, coffee, and other hot drinks. This is useful because you do not need to carry a full day’s supply of drinks with you.

The Polaris is a proper boat for spending time aboard, not simply a transfer vessel. You can move around, find sun or shade depending on what is available, and enjoy the views during the crossing. Several people praised the comfortable seating, clean boat, smooth sailing, and ample room.

Music is part of the atmosphere, but speakers are not allowed, and smoking indoors is prohibited. The rules help keep the mood pleasant for a mixed group rather than turning the trip into a party boat.

Brač’s clear-water swimming stop

The first main stop is a scheduled bay near Brač, reached after roughly one hour of cruising. The boat anchors here, and you get more than two hours of free time for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing.

This is the heart of the day. The water is described as turquoise and crystal clear, and the boat carries snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, swimming rings, pool noodles, and other inflatable water toys. You can swim from the boat, use a paddleboard, or simply sit on deck and watch others make the most of the sea.

The upper deck is also used for jumping into the water. That makes the stop especially fun for confident swimmers and families with older children. The available equipment gives you more to do than simply float beside the boat.

Still, you should be honest with yourself about the swimming setup. This is not a shallow beach stop for everyone. You are swimming from an anchored boat in open water, described by one past passenger as reasonably deep but calm. If you are not comfortable entering deeper water, the experience may feel less relaxing, even though you can remain on board.

Bring your own towel and sunscreen. Sea shoes may also be useful, particularly at the later beach stop on Šolta. The Croatian sun can feel strong even when the boat is moving, and the open decks offer little protection for anyone who forgets a hat or sunglasses.

The long Brač stop is a real strength. Many boat excursions allow only 30 or 45 minutes in the water. Here, the two-plus-hour pause gives you time to swim, dry off, have a drink, use the water toys, and still avoid feeling rushed.

Lunch while cruising toward Šolta

At about 1:00 PM, the boat leaves Brač and heads toward Šolta. Lunch is served during this cruise, turning the crossing into part of the meal rather than lost transit time.

The menu is straightforward and suited to a day at sea. You choose grilled fish, grilled meat, or grilled vegetables, with salad and dessert. The meal is served at tables, and the boat provides wine and water along with the wider open-bar selection.

The food receives unusually strong praise for this type of excursion. Past passengers singled out the fish, tuna, vegetables, potato salad, dessert, and generous portions. This is not positioned as a fine-dining experience, but it is more substantial than the snack plate often served on a boat tour.

I also like the timing. After swimming for two hours, you are ready for a proper lunch. You can eat while watching the islands pass, then arrive at Šolta with enough energy for another swim or walk.

The open bar adds real value. Beer, local wine, soft drinks, and coffee are included rather than sold one drink at a time. You should not read all inclusive as an unlimited luxury resort package, but for a seven-hour boat day, the combination of drinks, croissant, lunch, and water equipment is a strong part of the deal.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed as part of the boat’s rules, and the excursion is not intended for party groups. The atmosphere is described as relaxed and friendly, with a mix of ages and a crew that remains attentive throughout the day.

Stomorska on Šolta at 1:45 PM

The boat reaches Stomorska on Šolta at around 1:45 PM. The village is a small fishing port, and the boat docks there rather than anchoring offshore.

You have until 3:30 PM to explore. A short walk around the harbor gives you a change from the boat, with a chance to look at the port and enjoy the character of a smaller island settlement. There is also a beach close to the boat, so you can swim again without going far.

Stomorska is appealing because it keeps the day varied. You get one stop focused on open-water swimming and another with a village and beach. You do not spend the entire excursion on deck.

But keep expectations modest. This is not a major sightseeing visit with a long list of monuments, shops, or attractions. Some people found the village stop less interesting than the Brač swimming bay, noting the small beach and limited number of shops and restaurants.

That difference matters when choosing the tour. If you want historic streets, extensive shopping, or a full island tour, this is not the right format. If you want a quiet harbor, a short stroll, and another chance to swim, the stop does its job well.

One useful point is flexibility. You do not have to spend the full stop walking around. You can remain near the boat, swim at the nearby beach, or simply have a coffee and watch the harbor. The schedule gives you about an hour and 45 minutes, enough for a gentle break without turning the day into a race.

The 3:30 PM cruise back to Split

The boat departs Stomorska at 3:30 PM and returns to Split at about 4:30 PM. This final hour gives you time to dry off, enjoy another drink, and watch the coast recede.

The day’s structure is well judged. The longer Brač stop comes before lunch, when you have the most energy for swimming. Lunch takes place during the transfer to Šolta. The second island stop then offers a slower mix of walking and swimming before the final cruise home.

Weather can affect the route. On one past trip, wind led the crew to replace Šolta with Milna, also on Brač. The group still enjoyed walking through the town and continued to receive food, drinks, and friendly service. That is worth keeping in mind: the exact destination may change for safety or sea conditions.

A flexible route is normal for a boat excursion in the Adriatic. The important question is how the crew handles it. In this case, the available feedback points to clear communication, smooth operation, and a willingness to adjust rather than force an unsuitable crossing.

What the $121 price really covers

At $121 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach an island from Split. A basic ferry ticket costs far less. But a ferry does not give you a reserved day on the water, a swimming bay, lunch, an open bar, snorkeling gear, paddleboards, or floating toys.

The value improves if you plan to spend money on food and drinks anyway. Your price includes:

• Boat transportation to two Croatian islands
• A croissant and morning refreshments
• Open-bar drinks during the cruise
• A three-course lunch
• Snorkeling equipment
• Paddleboards and inflatable water toys
• Free time for swimming and exploring

The spacious boat also matters. Several passengers specifically appreciated that it did not feel overcrowded and that there were enough floats and seating for the group. Comfort is harder to measure than a meal, but it can make or break a full day at sea.

I would call the price fair for people who want an all-day activity with most costs handled in advance. It is less attractive if you do not drink, do not eat the provided lunch, or have no interest in swimming. In that case, you may be paying for features you will not use.

Children aged 0 to 3 can join free, and children aged 3 to 12 receive a 50 percent discount. That makes the outing more appealing for families, though parents should consider how comfortable their children are with boat swimming and a seven-hour schedule.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

You should consider booking this cruise if you want a relaxed day away from Split without planning every meal, ferry, and activity yourself. It suits couples, families, and small groups who like swimming, casual sightseeing, and being on the water for several hours.

It is also a good choice if you want more room than a small speedboat can offer. The Polaris provides places to sit, walk around, eat lunch, and use water equipment. You are not locked into one narrow seat for the entire day.

Confident swimmers will get the most from the Brač stop. The deep-water setting, jumping from the upper deck, paddleboards, and floats make it the most active part of the experience.

You may want a different excursion if your priority is architecture, long walks, nightlife, or detailed island history. Šolta’s Stomorska stop is pleasant but small, and the tour gives you only limited time on land. The focus is clearly swimming, food, drinks, and views from the boat.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Arrive at the Split port with enough time to find Gat Svetog Nikole. Since pickup is not provided, do not assume the operator will collect you from your hotel.

Pack light, but bring the essentials:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Camera
• Sea shoes if you plan to use the beach at Šolta

Wear something comfortable for both sun and wind. You may want a dry layer for the return cruise, though the information provided does not specify changing facilities.

Keep your expectations clear. The first stop is for a long swim, not a guided tour of Brač. The second is for a small fishing village and nearby beach, not an extensive island visit.

The cancellation terms are helpful if your plans may change: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which gives you some flexibility while arranging a Split itinerary.

Should you book the Polaris cruise?

Book it if you want a well-organized swimming day with good food, steady drinks, and friendly crew service. The strongest parts are the long Brač swim, the clean and comfortable boat, the water toys, and the lunch served during the crossing to Šolta.

I would be more cautious if you dislike deep-water swimming or want a major cultural stop. Stomorska is quiet and compact, and the tour’s main reward is time at sea rather than a long list of sights.

For most visitors who want to escape Split’s city heat and spend a full day in the Adriatic, the $121 package makes sense. You get two islands, a substantial meal, an open bar, and seven hours of easygoing boat time. Just pack your swimsuit, accept that the sea sets the schedule, and treat Šolta as a pleasant harbor pause rather than the main event.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

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

How long is the experience?

The cruise lasts about seven hours. Departure is at 9:30 AM, with arrival back in Split at approximately 4:30 PM.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The scheduled route visits Brač and Šolta. The Brač stop is mainly for swimming and snorkeling, while the Šolta stop includes time in Stomorska village and at a nearby beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes grilled fish, grilled meat, or grilled vegetables, along with salad and dessert. Lunch is served while cruising toward Šolta.

What drinks are included?

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

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a camera. Sea shoes may also be useful for the beach stop on Šolta.