Split: All inclusive Brač & Šolta Island Swimming Cruise

The best part of this trip is simple: you get a full day on the water without having to organize ferries, beach visits, lunch, or drinks yourself. Boat Polaris leaves Split at 9:30 AM, gives you more than two hours to swim from the boat near Brač, then carries you to Šolta for lunch and a walk around Stomorska.

I like the spacious boat, which gives you room to find a sunny deck spot or a shaded seat, and I like the generous all-inclusive setup. Grilled fish, meat, vegetables, salad, dessert, soft drinks, beer, local wine, coffee, snorkeling gear, paddleboards, and inflatable water toys are all part of the day. The main thing to consider is that this is built around swimming. If you are not comfortable getting into calm but fairly deep water from a boat, part of the trip may not suit you.

• More than two hours near Brač: The first stop is made for swimming, snorkeling, jumping from the boat, and using the paddleboards and floats.
• Lunch is served on board: Choose grilled fish, meat, or a vegetarian plate, followed by salad and dessert.
• Šolta feels quieter: Stomorska is a small fishing village with time for a walk, a coffee, or a swim near the boat.
• The open bar runs throughout the cruise: Soft drinks, beer, local wine, and hot drinks are included.
• Comfort matters here: The boat has ample seating, proper tables for lunch, and room to move around.
• Weather can change the route: Strong wind may require a switch from Šolta to another island stop, such as Milna on Brač.

Meeting Boat Polaris at Split Port

The meeting point is Obala Lazareta 3, where the boat is docked in Split city port, just in front of Gat Svetog Nikole. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way to the port.

The boat leaves at 9:30 AM and returns at about 4:30 PM. That makes this an easy full-day plan from Split, with enough time afterward for dinner in town. Arrive ready for the sea rather than dressed for a formal boat ride. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat.

The morning begins with a one-hour cruise and welcome refreshments. A croissant is included, and the open bar offers coffee and other drinks. This first hour is useful settling-in time. You can find your place on the boat, watch Split recede, and get a feel for the pace of the day.

This is not a speedboat excursion built around constant movement. It is a steady cruise on a proper boat, with seating and open decks. The difference matters. You can spend the day socializing, reading, watching the coast, or simply waiting for the first swim without feeling pressed to keep moving.

The Brač Stop Is the Main Swimming Session

After about an hour, the captain anchors in a scheduled bay near Brač. You get more than two hours here, making this the longest and most important stop.

The water is described as turquoise and crystal clear, and the boat carries snorkeling equipment, stand-up paddleboards, swimming rings, pool noodles, and other inflatable water toys. You can swim directly from the boat or use the equipment to float and paddle around the anchorage. The top deck also provides a spot for jumping into the sea, provided you are comfortable with the height and the crew’s safety instructions.

I like the length of this stop. Many boat outings allow only a quick splash before pulling away. Here, you have time to swim properly, dry off, return to the water, and still enjoy the scenery. The calm, clear sea is the main attraction, not a short photo opportunity.

You should be realistic about the swimming conditions. This is not described as a shallow-water beach stop. You enter from the boat into open, calm water, so basic swimming confidence is important. If you prefer a beach, you may find the first stop less convenient than a land-based swimming excursion.

The boat has proved a good fit for people who want water activities without a party atmosphere. Indoor smoking is not allowed, party groups are not accepted, and speakers are not permitted. Music may be part of the background, but the day is intended to stay relaxed rather than turn into a floating nightclub.

Lunch on the Way to Šolta

At about 1:00 PM, the boat leaves Brač for Šolta. Lunch is served during this cruise, so the sailing time becomes part of the meal rather than dead time.

You choose grilled fish, meat, or a vegetarian option. The meal also includes vegetables, salad, and dessert, making it more substantial than the usual snack served on a short boat tour. Proper table seating is provided, and the open bar continues with soft drinks, beer, local wine, and coffee.

The food is one of the strongest reasons to compare this cruise with cheaper swimming trips. You are not buying lunch at a waterside restaurant, and you do not need to carry food or search for a table during the day. The menu is straightforward rather than fine dining, but grilled food after a long swim is exactly the right kind of meal here.

Past meals have included fish such as tuna, along with vegetables and potato salad. The vegetarian choice is available, though the supplied information does not give a detailed vegetarian menu. If you have allergies or strict dietary needs, ask the operator before booking.

Drinks are available throughout the cruise. That is useful in the hot Dalmatian sun, although you should still bring water and use sunscreen. An open bar is a welcome extra, but it should not replace sensible sun protection.

Stomorska on Šolta, a Short Village Visit

The boat reaches Stomorska at about 1:45 PM and docks in the village. You have until 3:30 PM before the return cruise.

Stomorska is a small fishing village, and the visit gives the day a change of pace. After swimming off the boat, you can walk around the port, stop for a coffee, or look at the waterfront. There is also a nearby beach where you can swim close to the boat.

This stop is pleasant, but it is not the main event. You should not expect a large shopping area, a long sightseeing program, or a full afternoon of major landmarks. Some visitors find the village charming and peaceful, while others find it too quiet and the beach too small compared with the many swimming spots around the islands.

That difference is worth keeping in mind when you book. If you want a quiet port, a short walk, and another chance to swim, Stomorska fits the plan. If you want extensive exploring, museums, or a lively town, the stop may feel limited.

Sea shoes are a smart addition if you plan to use the beach. Rocky and pebbly shorelines are common around the Adriatic, and one person specifically found sea shoes useful at the Šolta swimming spot. A towel, swimsuit, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are essential. Pack your camera too, but protect it from spray and wet hands.

The Ride Back to Split

At 3:30 PM, you leave Stomorska for the return journey. The final hour gives you time to relax on deck, enjoy another drink, and watch the islands and coast from the water before arriving at Split around 4:30 PM.

This return cruise is part of the appeal. You are not rushing from one sight to another or trying to make a ferry connection. The crew handles the navigation, and you can choose how active you want to be.

Weather can affect the route. In one case, wind required a change from Šolta to Milna, where the group walked through the town instead. That possibility is worth accepting on any island cruise. The exact stop may change for safety and sea conditions, but the day still centers on a boat ride, swimming, food, and time on an island.

What the $121 Price Really Includes

At $121 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach an island from Split. It is also not just transport. The price covers a seven-hour boat cruise, visits to two islands, a morning croissant, an open bar, a three-course lunch, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, and water toys.

That package makes the cost reasonable for people who would otherwise pay separately for boat transport, lunch, drinks, and beach equipment. You also avoid the planning work. There is no need to compare ferry schedules, find a swimming cove, arrange a restaurant, or carry floatation gear.

The value is strongest if you will use the included extras. A confident swimmer who spends hours in the water and enjoys beer, wine, coffee, paddleboards, and floats will get more from the fare than someone who plans to stay seated all day.

Children aged 0 to 3 can join free, and children aged 3 to 12 receive a 50 percent discount. That helps families, though parents should think about the swimming setup. Much of the fun involves getting into the sea from the boat, not simply playing on a shallow beach.

Comfort, Crew, and the Feel of the Day

The crew is a major part of the experience. They provide drinks, serve lunch, help with the water equipment, and keep the day moving without making it feel rushed. The boat has been described as clean, comfortable, and spacious, with enough seating for lunch and room for people to spread out.

The high transport score of 94 percent and the overall rating of 4.9 from 205 ratings point to a dependable operation. The repeated praise centers on the friendly crew, generous food and drinks, clean boat, smooth sailing, and lack of crowding.

I would still keep expectations practical. A well-run group cruise is not a private charter. You will share the boat, the water toys, the bar, and the swimming stops with other people. The boat’s open layout helps, and the activity is not designed around party groups, but the atmosphere will depend partly on the group on your departure.

The cruise is conducted in English, and the activity is wheelchair accessible. The available details do not explain how easy it is to transfer from the boat into the sea or onto the beach, so wheelchair users should confirm those points before booking if they matter for your day.

Who Will Like This Cruise Most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a low-effort island day from Split and your priority is swimming rather than historic sightseeing. It works especially well for couples, families with older children, and groups of friends who want food and drinks included.

It also suits people who like variety. You swim near Brač, eat while cruising, walk around Stomorska, and finish with a coastal ride back to Split. No single part takes over the whole day.

You may want another kind of excursion if you dislike boat swimming, need a long sandy beach, want a private experience, or prefer guided cultural visits. The village stop is short, and the main swimming area is reached from the boat rather than by walking onto a beach.

The cruise also favors a relaxed pace. You will not see every corner of Brač or Šolta. Instead, you get a carefully timed sample of the islands from the sea, with comfort and convenience doing much of the work.

Should You Book Boat Polaris?

Book it if you want a full-service swimming day from Split with a good meal, open bar, useful water equipment, and enough time to enjoy the sea. The strongest value comes from the long Brač swim, the comfortable boat, and the fact that lunch and drinks are already handled.

Think twice if you want serious island sightseeing or a big beach day. Šolta’s Stomorska stop is modest, and swimming from a boat requires confidence in deeper water. For the right kind of day, though, this is an easy and well-priced way to trade Split’s city streets for two islands and a clear Adriatic sea.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

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

How long is the experience?

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

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The planned route visits Brač and Šolta. The exact route can change with weather and wind conditions.

How long do I spend swimming near Brač?

You have more than two hours of free time at the Brač swimming stop, including time for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and using the inflatable water toys.

What food is included?

Lunch includes grilled fish, meat, or a vegetarian option, along with vegetables, salad, and dessert. A croissant is also provided in the morning.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes soft drinks, beer, local wine, and hot drinks such as coffee.

Should I bring my own snorkeling or swimming equipment?

Snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, and inflatable water toys are provided. You should bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Sea shoes may be useful at the Šolta beach.

Is the cruise suitable for children?

Children aged 0 to 3 can join free, while children aged 3 to 12 receive a 50 percent discount. Much of the activity involves swimming from the boat, so children should be comfortable with the planned water conditions and supervised by an adult.