Split: All inclusive Brač & Šolta Island Swimming Cruise

Trade city streets for open water. The Boat Polaris cruise makes a full summer day out of two simple pleasures: swimming in clear Adriatic water and letting someone else handle lunch, drinks, and the schedule. I like the roomy boat, where you can find a place to sit, stretch out, or watch the islands slide past. I also like the generous first swim stop near Brač, with paddleboards, floats, pool noodles, and air toys available.

The main consideration is that this is a swimming cruise first and an island sightseeing trip second. You need to be comfortable entering calm but reasonably deep water from the boat, and the stop at Stomorska on Šolta is charming but small. If you want museums, long walks, or a packed program of historic sights, this will feel light. If you want an easy day with good food and very little planning, it hits the mark.

Key points to know before booking

• The first stop is built around swimming: You get more than two hours near Brač, with clear water and equipment for playing on the sea.
• Lunch is a proper three-course meal: Choose grilled fish, meat, or vegetables, with salad and dessert.
• The open bar runs throughout the cruise: Soft drinks, beer, local wine, coffee, and other hot drinks are included.
• Šolta gives you a change of pace: Stomorska is a small fishing village with time for a short walk, a coffee, or another swim.
• The boat is spacious and comfortable: Ample seating and room to move help keep the day from feeling crowded.
• The day lasts seven hours: Depart Split at 9:30 AM and return at about 4:30 PM, with no hotel pickup included.

Meeting Boat Polaris at Split’s port

Your day starts at Obala Lazareta 3, at the Split city port, directly in front of Gat Svetog Nikole. This central meeting point is useful if you are staying in or near the old town, but you need to make your own way there. Hotel pickup is not included.

The boat leaves at 9:30 AM. The early part of the cruise is gentle and social, with a croissant, welcome refreshments, and time to settle into the boat. You can choose where to sit on the spacious decks rather than being tied to a single viewing position all day.

That freedom matters. Some people want a sunny place with a clear view of the water. Others will prefer shade or a table where they can keep their towel, camera, and sunscreen close by. The exact seating pattern may depend on the group, but the boat has proper seating for lunch and enough room to walk around.

The crew speaks English, and the tone of the trip is friendly rather than formal. Music is part of the atmosphere, but speakers and party groups are not allowed. That makes this a better fit for a relaxed day than for a loud boat party.

The one-hour cruise toward Brač

The ride from Split to Brač takes about an hour. This is not wasted transit. It gives you time to look back toward Split, watch the coastline open up, and get used to the pace of the day.

The boat also begins its food and drink service early. Coffee, soft drinks, beer, wine, and hot drinks are available during the cruise, with an open bar continuing through the day. You will want water, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat of your own, but you do not need to pack a full picnic or a large supply of drinks.

Brač is one of Croatia’s best-known islands, but the appeal here is not a long land visit. The captain anchors in a scheduled bay, and the real attraction is the water around the boat. You get more than two hours for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing.

Brač’s long swimming stop

This is the strongest part of the day for anyone who enjoys being in the sea. The water is described as turquoise and crystal clear, and the boat gives you a chance to enter it directly rather than squeezing onto a crowded public beach.

You can swim, snorkel, or simply sit on deck and watch others enjoy the water. Paddleboards, swimming rings, pool noodles, and other air toys are provided. The boat also has room for jumping from the upper deck, although you should use your own judgment and follow the crew’s instructions.

I would pack sea shoes if you are sensitive to rocky entries or plan to swim near shore later at Šolta. A towel is essential, and a waterproof phone case is sensible if you want photos from the water. The supplied equipment is a useful bonus, especially if you are traveling light and do not want to bring a paddleboard or float from Split.

The long stop is also what separates this cruise from a quick island-hopping transfer. You have enough time to swim more than once, dry off, have a drink, and still enjoy the view. You are not forced to rush back aboard after a short twenty-minute dip.

There is one practical catch. The swimming takes place from a boat in reasonably deep water, even if the sea is calm. This is not the best choice for someone who is nervous in open water or who wants a shallow, sandy beach with an easy walk-in entry. Children can join, but adults should keep a close eye on them and consider their swimming ability carefully.

Lunch served between the islands

At about 1:00 PM, the boat leaves Brač and heads toward Šolta. Lunch is served during this part of the cruise, turning the journey into a relaxed meal rather than another hurried transfer.

You choose grilled fish, meat, or vegetables. The meal also includes salad and dessert, making it a three-course lunch rather than a token snack. Several meals described by past participants included fish and vegetables, and the food has been one of the most consistently praised parts of the day.

The setup is more comfortable than eating from a paper box on the rail. Tables are prepared for lunch, with wine and water available, and the boat has enough seating for the meal. The portions have also been described as generous, which matters after a long swim.

Do not expect a fine-dining restaurant at sea. This is straightforward grilled food served in a pleasant setting. That is exactly why it works. You can sit down damp-haired from the water, eat a warm meal, and watch the coastline pass without searching for a restaurant or paying another island lunch bill.

The open bar adds real value here. Soft drinks, beer, local wine, coffee, and hot drinks are included, so your total cost is easier to predict. You should still pace yourself, especially in the sun. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed as part of the tour rules, and the cruise is not designed as a drinking party.

Stomorska on Šolta, a small fishing village

The boat reaches Stomorska at about 1:45 PM. This is the land-based part of the outing, though you can swim near the boat instead if you prefer.

Stomorska is a small fishing village with a picturesque port. You have time to walk around, take photos, stop for coffee, or simply enjoy the change from open water. A small beach is close to the boat, so you do not need to spend the entire stop exploring on foot.

Keep your expectations in check. Stomorska is pleasant and relaxed, but it is not a large resort town with a long list of shops, major sights, or a busy restaurant scene. Some people will appreciate the quiet harbor. Others may find the village stop less exciting than the Brač swimming bay.

That contrast is useful when deciding if the tour suits you. If you want a second chance to swim and a short taste of island life, Šolta works well. If you want a full afternoon of independent sightseeing, the scheduled time and small size of the village may feel limiting.

A little flexibility is also wise. Wind can affect the route. On one past outing, conditions led the crew to visit Milna instead of Šolta. The published plan is Brač and Šolta, but a boat captain may need to adjust a stop for safety and comfort.

The return to Split at 3:30 PM

The boat leaves Stomorska at 3:30 PM and returns to Split at around 4:30 PM. The final hour is an easy cruise back, with drinks, views, and space to relax after swimming and lunch.

This timing works well for a full day in Split. You still have the evening for dinner, a walk through the old town, or a second activity. It also avoids the late-night feel of some party cruises, though the exact mood depends on the group and the music onboard.

The return ride is a good reason to keep a dry layer handy. After hours in the sun and water, you may feel cooler once the boat is moving. Your packing list should include swimwear, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hat, and a camera. A light cover-up is also useful, even though it is not specifically required.

What the $121 price really covers

At $121 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach a Croatian island. You are paying for more than transport, though. The price includes a seven-hour boat cruise, two island visits, the long Brač swimming stop, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, air toys, a morning croissant, open-bar drinks, and a three-course lunch.

That package makes the cost easier to justify. A cheaper boat ride may leave you paying separately for lunch, drinks, beach equipment, and island transport. Here, most of the day’s spending is handled in advance.

The value is strongest if you will use the inclusions. Swimmers who spend a long time in the sea, eat lunch onboard, and enjoy several drinks will get more from the price than someone who wants to sit quietly and skip the water. Families may also find the cost more manageable because children from age three to twelve receive a 50 percent discount, while children aged zero to three can join free.

The cruise is also wheelchair accessible, which is important to confirm at the time of booking if you have specific mobility needs. No hotel pickup is included, so factor in your own transport to the port.

Flexible booking terms add some practical value. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this trip for someone who wants a complete day at sea without arranging separate ferries, beach stops, meals, or equipment. It suits couples, families with confident swimmers, and friends who want a social but not party-focused boat day.

It is especially good for you if:

• You want plenty of swimming time rather than a rushed photo stop.
• You like having lunch and drinks included.
• You prefer a spacious boat over a small, tightly packed speedboat.
• You want a little village time but do not need a full sightseeing program.
• You are staying in Split and want an easy day away from the city.
• You appreciate a set schedule and friendly English-speaking crew.

I would think twice if you dislike boats, cannot swim comfortably from a vessel, or want a quiet beach with shallow water. I would also choose another type of excursion if your main goal is architecture, archaeology, shopping, or a long independent visit to an island.

Small details that make the day easier

Arrive at the Split port with your swimming gear already accessible. You will not want to dig through a large suitcase when the first swim stop appears.

Bring a towel, sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and camera. Sea shoes are a smart extra for the beach near Stomorska. You can leave your own paddleboard and inflatable at home because equipment is supplied.

Smoking indoors is not allowed, and speakers are prohibited. The no-party-group rule helps keep the atmosphere comfortable for people who want conversation, music at a reasonable level, and a calm day on the water.

The trip has earned a 4.9 rating from 205 supplied ratings, with 94 percent giving the transport a perfect score. The praise centers on the same practical strengths: kind crew, clean and comfortable boat, good food, open drinks, plenty of seating, and generous swim time. Those are the features that matter most on a seven-hour cruise.

Should you book Boat Polaris?

Book it if you want the simplest version of a Croatian island day: leave Split in the morning, swim in clear water near Brač, eat grilled food onboard, visit small-scale Šolta, and return before dinner. The strong points are clear: excellent crew service, a full meal, open-bar drinks, and useful water equipment.

Skip it if you want deep cultural sightseeing or a beach-based day in shallow water. Stomorska is a short village stop, and the heart of the cruise is swimming from the boat. For confident swimmers who value comfort and an all-in price, $121 is a fair deal. For everyone else, the question is simple: do you want to spend your day exploring islands, or enjoying the Adriatic itself?

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

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

What time does the boat depart and return?

Departure is scheduled for 9:30 AM, with arrival back in Split at about 4:30 PM. The full experience lasts around seven hours.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Pickup service is not included, so you need to reach the meeting point at Split city port yourself.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The planned route includes Brač and Šolta. On one past trip, wind caused a change to Milna instead of Šolta, so weather can affect the route.

How much swimming time do I get?

The Brač stop includes more than two hours for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing. At Šolta, you can also swim near the boat or use the nearby beach.

What food is included?

Lunch is a three-course meal with grilled fish, meat, or vegetables, along with salad and dessert. A croissant is also provided in the morning.

What drinks are included?

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

Is swimming equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, swimming floats, and air water toys are included.

Can children join the cruise?

Yes. Children aged zero to three can join free, and children aged three to twelve receive a 50 percent discount.