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

The best part of this day is its small six-person sailboat, which lets you trade the busy Split waterfront for open water, quiet coves, and a slow afternoon in Stomorska. Marin and Damian keep the mood friendly and relaxed, with time for swimming, wine, snacks, and simply watching the islands slide past.

I like the one-hour Brač swim stop and the chance to use the provided masks, snorkels, and floaties. I also like the unhurried two hours in Stomorska, where you can eat at a seaside restaurant instead of being rushed from one photo stop to the next. The main consideration is wind: on calm days, the boat may motor more than sail.

Key points to know before booking

• Small group, small boat: The 33-foot sailboat carries up to six people, so the day feels personal rather than crowded.
• Brač comes first: You spend about an hour at a bay for swimming, snorkeling, or relaxing with wine and snacks.
• Stomorska gives you real free time: You get about two hours to walk, swim, and have lunch on Šolta.
• Marin and Damian lead the trip: Both skippers are attentive, and food can be ordered ahead to save time.
• Food is simple but well chosen: Croatian cheese, prosciutto, bread, white wine, coffee, tea, and water are included.
• Sailing depends on nature: Strong wind or rain can cancel the trip, while very light wind can reduce the amount of actual sailing.

A small sailboat and a big Adriatic view

This is not a speedboat island-hopping circuit. It is a full-day outing on a 33-foot sailboat, with the pace shaped by the wind and the mood on board. That difference matters. You are not racing between beaches. You are spending the day on the water, with a small group and enough room to settle into the rhythm of the sea.

The boat carries only six people, an unusually useful detail for anyone who dislikes packed day tours. A small group also makes it easier to ask Marin or Damian about the islands, change where you sit, or enjoy a quiet swim without a crowd around you.

You meet near the Ina boat refueling station in Split. Look for the sailboat with RO 1037 written on the front. The tour ends back at the same meeting point, and there is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so plan your route to the port before departure.

Once everyone is aboard, the guide gives a short safety briefing. Coffee or tea is available before setting off, which is a nice practical touch if you have started the day early. From Split, the city soon becomes part of the background, and the open Adriatic takes over.

Brač begins the day with a swim stop

The first island stop is Brač, where the boat anchors in one of the island’s bays. You have roughly an hour here, and the choice is yours. Swim from the boat, use the masks and snorkels, float in the water, or stay aboard with a drink and a plate of snacks.

The provided equipment makes this stop easy. You do not need to pack your own snorkel, though you should bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and a hat. Towels are not supplied, and that is the sort of small omission that can make a wet boat ride uncomfortable if you forget.

The water is clear enough for snorkeling, and several people particularly enjoy this first stop because it offers more than a quick swim. You can take your time in the water instead of being pushed back aboard after ten minutes. If swimming is not your main aim, the boat itself gives you a good place to relax and take in the coast.

The bay stop also shows the value of a sailing boat. You are not tied to a fixed beach schedule. The boat anchors, the group spreads out between the water and the deck, and the hour passes at an easy pace.

Croatian snacks, coffee, and white wine on deck

The food included is light rather than a full meal: cheese, prosciutto, and bread, along with white wine and water. Coffee and tea are also available. This is enough to take the edge off your appetite, but you should save room for lunch in Stomorska.

I like this arrangement because it suits a day on a small boat. A heavy meal would be awkward before swimming, while a few local snacks give you a taste of Croatia without turning the trip into a formal food tour. The prosciutto and cheese also make a good match for the white wine served on board.

The wine is part of the relaxed atmosphere, but drink sensibly if you plan to swim or are sensitive to sun and motion. Water is included, so use it. On a warm day, the combination of sun, salt water, and alcohol can catch up with you quickly.

This is also a social tour. With only six people, sharing snacks and sitting together feels natural. If you prefer to keep to yourself, the group is still small enough that you can find a quiet spot on deck.

Stomorska offers two hours on Šolta

After Brač, the boat continues to Šolta and docks at Stomorska, a small seaside village with a calmer feel than Split. You have about two hours here, which gives you enough time for a walk, a swim, and lunch without having to choose just one.

Stomorska is the strongest land-based part of the outing. You get to step off the boat and experience an island village rather than seeing Šolta only from the water. The setting is picturesque and peaceful, with the harbor providing a natural place to wander before or after eating.

Lunch is not included, so budget separately for it. You choose a seaside restaurant at your own expense, and the skippers can recommend a place. Marin and Damian have also pre-ordered meals for groups in advance, which can help avoid a long wait and protect your limited time in the village. Ask about this early in the day if you want lunch arranged.

You should not expect a long cultural visit or a packed sightseeing program in Stomorska. The point is the free time: sit down for a Croatian meal, stroll along the waterfront, or swim again before returning to the boat. That slower rhythm is a welcome change from tours that try to fit too many stops into one day.

The return trip depends on the wind

After Stomorska, you return to the boat and head back toward Split. If the wind cooperates, the sails go up and the ride home becomes the most classic sailing part of the day. You can settle back with the scenery, enjoy the remaining water and wine, and let the afternoon wind down.

But sailing is not guaranteed. One important practical point is that the boat may sail only a little if the wind is weak. The skippers can still take you to the planned stops, but the experience will feel more like a scenic boat day than a full sailing lesson or a nonstop sail.

Bad weather can also cancel the trip. Strong wind and rain are specifically listed as reasons for cancellation. This is sensible on a small sailboat, but it means you should avoid placing this outing on the final day of a tightly planned visit to Split.

The return route provides more open-water views, but do not expect a narrated sightseeing cruise every minute. The appeal lies in the setting, the quiet, and the time on the water rather than a constant stream of facts.

What the $141 price includes

At $141 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Brač or Šolta. It is priced as a small-group sailing experience, not as basic transport. The comparison is important: you are paying for the sailboat, skippers, equipment, drinks, snacks, and a full day split between two islands.

The strongest value comes from the group size. A boat carrying six people gives you far more space and personal attention than a large excursion vessel. It also makes the swimming stop feel more private and keeps Stomorska from becoming a rushed group march.

The included items cover many of the small costs that can add up on a boat day:

• Snorkeling masks and equipment
• Floaties
• Cheese, prosciutto, and bread
• Coffee and tea
• White wine
• Water

You still need to pay for lunch, bring your own towel, and arrange your own way to the meeting point. Those are not major problems, but they should be part of your budget. If you mainly want a cheap swim from Split, you can find simpler options. If you want a quiet boat, two islands, food on board, and time to swim without a large crowd, the price is easier to justify.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this tour if you want a relaxed sea day rather than a packed sightseeing schedule. It suits couples, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting a few people but do not want a boat filled with dozens of passengers.

It is especially good for you if swimming is a priority. The Brač stop lasts about an hour, snorkeling gear is provided, and you can swim again around Stomorska if conditions allow. You can also stay dry and enjoy the deck, so you do not have to be an enthusiastic swimmer to take part.

The trip is less suitable if you want guaranteed sailing under full sail. Wind controls the experience, and some days bring only a short period of sailing. It is also not suitable for wheelchair users, and the combination of a small boat, swimming equipment, and an island port may be difficult for anyone who needs step-free access.

You should also think about your tolerance for a full day outdoors. Bring a sun hat, sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel. The boat offers shade only where available, so sun protection is not optional.

Practical details that can shape your day

The tour is offered in English and Croatian. Marin and Damian are the skippers, and their role goes beyond handling the boat. They help with the swim stop, keep the small group organized, and can advise you about lunch in Stomorska.

Pets and speakers are not allowed. That keeps the boat quiet and avoids the common problem of one person’s music taking over a small shared space.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your island day depends on the rest of your Split plans. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure. Still, check the weather before you commit to a long day at sea, and keep a backup plan for a rainy day.

Pack light. A swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, hat, and water-friendly footwear are enough for most people. You do not need to bring snorkeling gear or floaties, and you should not expect hotel transport.

Should you book the Brač and Šolta sailing tour?

Book it if you want a small, friendly, slow-moving day on the Adriatic with one proper swim stop, a quiet island village, simple Croatian snacks, and time for lunch. The six-person limit is the biggest reason to choose it, followed closely by the relaxed pace and attentive skippers Marin and Damian.

Skip it if your main goal is nonstop sailing, a guaranteed beach, or the lowest possible island excursion price. The weather may limit the sailing, lunch costs extra, and the day depends on your comfort with sun, water, and a small boat.

For the right kind of day, this is a fine use of your time in Split. You get two islands, a peaceful village, good swimming, and enough open space to forget the city for a while.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour begin?

Meet at the boat near the Ina boat refueling station in Split. The 33-foot sailboat has RO 1037 written on the front.

How many people can join the boat?

The boat holds up to six people. This keeps the group small and gives you more room during the sailing, swimming, and snack portions of the day.

What islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Brač Island and Šolta Island. The first stop is a bay on Brač for swimming and snorkeling, followed by Stomorska on Šolta for free time and lunch.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the price. You have about two hours in Stomorska to choose and pay for a seaside restaurant meal.

What food and drinks are provided?

The tour includes cheese, prosciutto, bread, white wine, water, coffee, and tea. Snorkeling gear and floaties are also provided.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The trip can be canceled because of strong wind or rain. Light wind may also mean that the boat sails only for part of the route.