Split: Hvar, Pakleni, Brač & Šolta All-inclusive Tour

Four islands, one long day at sea. This Summer Blues mega catamaran trip packs Hvar sightseeing, three swimming stops, meals, drinks, music and sunset sailing into a 10-hour outing from Split. I especially like the mix of a guided walk and free time in Hvar, plus the fact that you can swim from the boat in several beautiful bays without arranging separate transport.

The friendly crew and lively onboard atmosphere are another major strength. The main consideration is pace: this is a full day with several scheduled stops, and some swimming breaks may feel short if you want long, quiet time in the water. Hvar also gets about an hour of independent exploring, so this is an introduction rather than a deep visit.

Key points before you book

• Hvar is the sightseeing anchor: You get a short guided tour of the old town, followed by roughly an hour to explore independently.
• Three swim stops break up the sailing: Stops are planned around Brač, the Pakleni Islands and Šolta, with snorkeling at Šolta.
• The $116 price covers nearly the whole day: Food, coffee, fruit, cake, soft drinks, water, beer and wine are included.
• The boat suits both sunbathers and social types: You can relax on deck, or join the music and dance atmosphere on the return.
• The crew is central to the experience: Hosts such as Mia and Manuela are repeatedly praised for keeping the mood warm, organized and fun.
• Arrive early for the best place: The catamaran can carry up to 78 people, and early arrival helps if you want shade or a table.

A full Adriatic day from Split

The day begins at Obala Lazareta 1, near Split’s waterfront. You need to arrive 30 minutes before departure, which is sensible for a large boat with a fixed schedule. The tour lasts about 10 hours, usually taking most of the daylight, so do not plan another demanding activity for the evening.

This is not a fast speedboat outing. The catamaran provides a slower, steadier ride, giving you time to look across the water and settle into the day. That matters if you prefer room to move, a proper toilet, and a less cramped crossing. The boat has space to sit, sunbathe or walk around, and the crew keeps it clean during the day.

The capacity is limited to 78 people, though it can feel quite full when everyone is aboard. The layout appears to work best if you arrive early and claim a comfortable place. Shade and tables are the first things likely to go, especially during the busy summer months.

Breakfast-style snacks and coffee are served early, with pastry featuring cheese and chicken. It is a useful start before the first swim, though the exact timing of food can matter. One person noted that lunch came fairly close to a swim stop, so you may prefer to eat lightly at first and save room for the later meal.

Brač comes first with an hour in the water

The first major stop is around Brač, where you have about an hour to swim. This is a good opening to the trip because you are not rushed straight into a walking tour. You can get comfortable in the sea, test the water temperature and make use of the equipment available onboard.

Bring your own towel, sunscreen, sunglasses and hat. Some outings provide floating aids, and past departures have included goggles and pool noodles, but you should not depend on every item being available for every person. One practical complaint was that there were not always enough pool noodles for everyone.

Brač gives you the classic Adriatic experience: clear water, open views and a swim taken directly from the boat. This is a swim stop, not a town visit, so do not expect time on shore or a sightseeing program here. If you are happiest in the water, the hour is a strong start. If you do not swim much, it may feel like a long pause before Hvar.

After this first swim, alcoholic drinks begin service. Water, soft drinks and coffee are available as part of the package, while beer and wine are served later in the morning. This timing is sensible from a safety point of view, and it keeps the early part of the day focused on swimming rather than drinking.

Hvar offers the day’s main cultural visit

The crossing to Hvar takes about an hour. Once you arrive, a local English-speaking guide leads a short tour through Hvar Town and points out the key sights in the old center. The walk is designed to give you a quick sense of the place, not to cover every lane, church or museum.

I like this format because it gives structure without taking over the entire stop. A guide helps you get your bearings quickly, then you have around an hour of free time to continue on your own. You can stroll through the old streets, find a café, browse shops or simply enjoy the harbor before returning to the catamaran.

The tour is brief, and that is both its strength and its limit. It works well if Hvar is one part of a wider island day and you want context before exploring. It will disappoint you if Hvar is your main reason for visiting and you want time for museums, a longer walk or a visit to the hilltop fortress.

A few practical points matter here. The walking tour may be difficult to hear in a busy setting, particularly without a microphone. The guide quality can also shape the experience. Mia and Manuela are among the hosts praised for their energy and care, while some people found the walking portion less memorable than the swimming and boat time.

Still, Hvar is the stop that gives the tour more variety than a simple swimming cruise. You get a taste of one of Dalmatia’s most famous towns, then return to the sea before the day becomes a series of identical water stops.

Pakleni brings the most secluded swim

The Pakleni Islands are known for sheltered bays and striking coastal scenery. Here, the boat stops for another swim, usually in a quieter bay away from the main harbor areas. The appeal is simple: you step off the catamaran into open Adriatic water, with the islands around you and no long transfer after arriving.

This is often the emotional high point for people who book the trip for swimming. The bay feels more special than a quick roadside stop because the boat itself takes you there. You may find the water calm and clear, but conditions and the exact bay can change with the day’s route and weather.

The stop lasts about an hour in the planned schedule, though exact swimming times can vary. Some departures have had shorter stops, around 30 to 40 minutes. That is worth keeping in mind if you want to snorkel slowly, float for a long time or spend much of the day in the water.

Lunch is served around this part of the route. The standard meal includes a pastry with cheese and a chicken salad or sandwich, with a vegetarian cheese option available if you pre-order it. Fresh fruit and cake are also served during the day, including on the return sailing.

The food is more substantial than a packet of snacks, but it is still boat-trip catering rather than a restaurant lunch. Some people found it generous and fresh, while others wanted more meat or a larger meal. If you have a big appetite, eat breakfast and consider bringing a small personal snack, provided it fits the operator’s rules.

Šolta finishes the swimming program

The final stop is around Šolta, with about 45 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. By this point, you have already had two water stops, so Šolta may feel like a welcome last chance to cool off rather than a completely new attraction.

The schedule calls this a swim and snorkeling stop, making it the best place to use goggles if you have them. Still, the three swimming bays are not always sharply different from one another. If you are not an enthusiastic swimmer, the repeated stops may become less exciting, while a person who loves being in the sea will appreciate the chance to swim again.

The order and length of stops can change with weather and operating conditions. That flexibility is useful on the Adriatic, where wind and sea conditions affect a catamaran’s route. It also means you should treat the schedule as a guide rather than a guarantee down to the minute.

After Šolta, the boat takes roughly 45 minutes to return to Split. The late afternoon often shifts the mood from quiet sightseeing to music, drinks and conversation. The crew may clear space for dancing on the way back, creating a small party atmosphere as the sun begins to drop.

Food and drinks make the price easier to justify

At $116 per person, this is not the cheapest island boat trip from Split. The value comes from what the price removes from your planning: transport between several islands, a guided visit to Hvar, three swim stops, meals, snacks and drinks are bundled into one day.

Unlimited water, soft drinks, beer and wine can make a real difference. A cheaper cruise may look attractive at first, but buying drinks and food separately during a long day on the water can narrow the gap. Here, you know the main costs before departure.

The package includes coffee, an early pastry with cheese and chicken, a chicken salad or sandwich lunch, fruit and cake. Vegetarian food is possible with advance notice, but you should arrange it before the day rather than expecting a full menu of choices onboard.

The quality is generally a strong point, though expectations should stay sensible. This is fresh, practical food served to a large group. It is enough to keep you going, but lunch is not the reason to book the tour. The best value comes from combining food and drinks with transport and entertainment.

Alcohol is not served before the first swim stop. That is useful information for anyone planning the day around wine or beer. Once service begins, the open drinks arrangement helps create the relaxed social tone that continues through the afternoon.

Music and crew shape the atmosphere

The Summer Blues experience is more than a boat transfer. The hosts take an active role in keeping people informed, serving food and drinks, and setting the mood. Mia receives especially warm praise for her energy, while Manuela is noted for being helpful, professional and welcoming.

The music starts in a calmer way and can become more lively later. On the return to Split, the crew may turn up the music and open a small dance area. Some people love this ending, while others would prefer beach music instead of techno. If you want total silence and a private cruise, this is not the right boat.

The social side is flexible enough for different ages. You can join in, meet people and dance, or find a quieter place to watch the islands pass. Families, couples, solo visitors and younger groups have all fit into the mix, though the tour is recommended for children older than two.

This is also a good choice for solo visitors. The organized setting gives you natural chances to talk with other people, and the crew makes an effort to include everyone. You are not left to arrange your own transport, meals or route, which takes pressure off a solo day at sea.

What to bring and what to expect onboard

Pack lightly, but bring the essentials:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen, sunglasses and a sun hat
• Comfortable clothes for the Hvar walking tour
• Any personal medication you need during a 10-hour day
• Goggles if snorkeling matters to you

The boat has toilets, and they are cleaned during the day, though some people felt they could be kept tidier. There is no shower listed among the facilities, so plan to remain salty after the final swim until you return to Split.

Pets are not allowed. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the group policy limits daily bookings to groups of no more than 10 people. Larger parties may not be allowed to board, with no refund if the policy is ignored.

Weather is the key factor. If conditions look poor, the provider may help move your booking to another day. The free cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours ahead, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Split plans are still changing.

Who will enjoy this catamaran trip most?

I would choose this tour if you want to see more than one island in a single day without piecing together ferries, taxis and restaurant stops. It is especially good for you if swimming is a priority, but you also want a guided look at Hvar.

It suits people who enjoy a friendly group setting, music and an occasional dance party. The catamaran is spacious enough to avoid feeling trapped, but this remains a shared excursion with up to 78 people. You will not get the privacy or flexibility of a small charter.

Families with children over two can manage the day, provided everyone is comfortable with a long boat outing and repeated swim stops. Couples and solo visitors should also find the format easy to join. If you want a serious historical tour, a gourmet meal or several hours in Hvar, choose a more focused excursion instead.

Should you book the Summer Blues tour?

Book it if you want a social, all-inclusive day on the Adriatic. The strongest reasons are the clean, roomy catamaran, kind crew, well-planned route, good quantity of food and drinks, and the chance to combine Hvar sightseeing with three swims.

The main tradeoff is limited depth at each destination. Hvar gets only a short visit, while Brač, Pakleni and Šolta are mainly water stops. I would also arrive early for shade and a table, pre-order the vegetarian meal if needed, and treat the swim durations as flexible.

At $116, the trip earns its price through convenience and inclusions. If you want an easy day with plenty of sea time, friendly hosts and no constant small payments, this is a strong choice from Split. If you prefer solitude, long beach stays or serious exploration, save your money for a slower island visit.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Obala Lazareta 1, 21000 Split, Croatia. You should meet the guide 30 minutes before the scheduled departure.

How long does the excursion last?

The tour lasts 10 hours and returns to Obala Lazareta 1 in Split.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes swimming stops around Brač, the Pakleni Islands and Šolta, plus a guided visit and free time in Hvar Town.

Is food included?

Yes. The package includes coffee, a cheese pastry, chicken salad or a chicken sandwich, fruit and cake. A vegetarian cheese meal can be pre-ordered.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited water and soft drinks are included, along with beer and wine after the first swimming stop.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel and sunscreen. Goggles may also be useful if you want to snorkel at Šolta.

Is the tour suitable for children or wheelchair users?

The tour is recommended for children over two years old. It is not suitable for wheelchair users.