Podstrana: Full-Day Boat Trip to Brač and Shipwreck Kontesa

Brač and Šolta are at their best from the water: pale stone villages, quiet coves, and clear sea you can reach straight from the boat. This full-day trip pairs a stop in Sutivan with swimming breaks and a visit near the shipwreck Kontesa, all for $71 per person.

I like the mix of a real island town and time in the water, rather than a day spent only sailing past the coast. I also like that lunch is cooked on board and the boat comes equipped with snorkels and floaties. The main consideration is practical: at swim stops, you enter the sea by jumping from the boat and climb back up a ladder, so this is not a good fit for non-swimmers or anyone prone to seasickness.

The day at a glance

• Sutivan gives you time ashore: Wander this Brač town at your own pace before returning to the boat.
• Swims happen from the boat: Expect to jump into the sea and use ladders to climb back aboard.
• Lunch is cooked on board: Choose mackerel, chicken, or a vegetarian burger, served with salad and bread.
• The Kontesa wreck is a snorkel stop: Snorkels, floaties, and water polo balls are provided.
• The ride includes a few treats: There is a welcome schnapps, chocolate donut, and juice on the way out, plus watermelon on the return.
• The price covers the main day out: The $71 fare includes the boat trip, lunch, fuel surcharge, insurance, and Wi-Fi.

From Podstrana or Jesenice to the islands

This trip serves two departure areas on the mainland, so your first job is to book the right pickup. The boat collects at Krilo Jesenice at 8:30 a.m. or Podstrana Sv. Martin at 9 a.m. Departures from Le Meridien Lav marina run twice a week at 9:15 a.m., but check availability before planning around that option.

The sailing is the thread that ties the day together. You move between Brač and Šolta rather than staying in one place, and the boat provides a comfortable base for the day. Several people describe it as spacious and not overcrowded, an important point on a long trip when you want room to sit, eat, and dry off between swims.

On the way to Sutivan, the crew serves a welcome schnapps, chocolate donut, and juice. It is a friendly start, and a small reminder that the trip is designed as a full day out, not simply transport between swim spots. English is the listed language, and the crew can explain the schedule and stops.

Sutivan: a proper stop on Brač

Sutivan is the day’s chance to step ashore and see a little of island life for yourself. Rather than being hurried through a group walk, you have time to explore at your own pace. That makes the stop a useful counterpoint to the hours spent on the boat and in the water.

You can use the time to wander the town, find a spot to sit, or simply enjoy being on land before the next stretch of sailing. One traveler found a family home selling olive oil while walking west, a reminder that a little unplanned wandering can be part of the pleasure. That kind of encounter is not guaranteed, of course, so treat it as a possibility rather than a planned activity.

The stop’s appeal depends partly on what you want from the day. If you are hoping for a guided tour of Brač or a long, structured visit to several landmarks, this is not that kind of outing. Sutivan is free time, and the main focus of the trip remains the sea.

A Brač bay and lunch on board

After Sutivan, the boat heads to a quieter bay on Brač for a swim while the chef prepares lunch. This is a practical bit of timing: rather than making you wait on shore while food is cooked, you can enjoy a swim before sitting down to eat.

At the anchorage, you enter the water from the boat and return using the ladders. The sea is described as clear, and the trip provides snorkels and floaties, with water polo balls also available. You do not need to bring your own snorkel gear, but you should be comfortable getting into the water from the boat.

Lunch is a substantial part of the value. You choose mackerel, chicken, or a vegetarian burger, served with salad and bread. The meal is prepared on board, and the fish is freshly grilled. Red wine, water, and orange juice are served without limit during lunch.

A note on drinks: the welcome schnapps is part of the trip’s welcome, and red wine is included with lunch. Other alcoholic drinks and snacks are not included, though they are available for purchase. If you have a preferred lunch, email the crew after booking so they can order the right food in time.

Šolta and the Kontesa shipwreck

The route continues toward Šolta and the shipwreck Kontesa, where the boat anchors for another swim and snorkel stop. This is the most unusual part of the itinerary: you get to look around the wreck area from the water rather than simply passing it from a distance.

The boat supplies snorkels and floaties, but the stop is still built around swimming. You should expect to enter from the boat and climb back by ladder, not walk into shallow water from a beach. If you are uneasy in open water, or cannot swim, this is a key reason to choose a different excursion.

Water clarity and sea conditions can vary, and no one can promise the same view every day. The crew does, however, have floaties on hand, and one family described staff as reassuring when the swell picked up. If you are prone to seasickness, take the warning seriously: this is a boat day with multiple stretches under way, not a sheltered harbor outing.

The return ride and onboard comforts

On the way back to the mainland, the crew serves cold watermelon. It is a simple, welcome finish after a day of sun and swimming. The trip ends back at the meeting point where you started.

The boat’s comfort matters because this is a full-day outing, not a quick transfer. The boat has been described as roomy, with enough space for people to spread out rather than feeling packed in. That does not mean every seat will suit every person, but the overall setup appears geared toward a relaxed day rather than a high-capacity party cruise.

Wi-Fi is included, along with insurance and the fuel surcharge. The practical comforts are modest, but the core inclusions are the ones that count most here: transport between islands, a cooked meal, and basic equipment for the water stops.

Is $71 good value?

At $71 per person, this trip offers a lot of the day’s essentials in one fare. You get a full-day boat trip, lunch, snorkels and floaties, fuel surcharge, insurance, and Wi-Fi. Add the welcome treat and the watermelon on the return, and the schedule feels planned around keeping you fed and comfortable through a long day.

The value is strongest if you want a balanced island outing rather than a private boat or a highly specialized snorkel trip. You see Sutivan, visit two islands, eat on board, and have more than one chance to swim. Several people found the food generous and tasty, and the boat’s roominess was repeatedly appreciated.

It is less compelling if your main goal is land sightseeing, or if you want to spend most of the day on a beach. The itinerary moves by boat, and the swim stops are from anchorages. Snacks and additional alcoholic drinks cost extra, so bring a little money if you expect to want more than the included meal and drinks.

Who should book this trip?

I would consider this a strong choice for couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants a full day of swimming with a little time ashore. Families with children can enjoy it, but the boat-entry format matters: children need to be comfortable around water and able to follow the crew’s instructions. A nine-year-old was reported to have loved the trip, but that does not make it suitable for every child.

The trip also suits you if you value a friendly, relaxed crew and a boat that does not feel overcrowded. The day has a clear rhythm: sail, explore Sutivan, swim while lunch is prepared, eat, sail to the wreck, swim again, and return with watermelon. You are not left to organize transport or a meal between stops.

Skip it if you are a non-swimmer, prone to seasickness, or unable to use a ladder. The tour is also not suitable for wheelchair users, and pets are not allowed. Alcohol and drugs are prohibited, apart from the included welcome schnapps and lunch wine as described.

Practical details before you book

Choose your departure point and time carefully: Krilo Jesenice pickup is at 8:30 a.m., while Podstrana Sv. Martin is at 9 a.m. If you are staying at Le Meridien Lav, you can use public transport on bus 5 toward Omiš, or use free parking in Sveti Martin; free parking is also available in Krilo Jesenice. The marina departure from Le Meridien Lav runs twice weekly, so confirm that it is available for your date.

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, and sunscreen. You may also want a change of clothes for the return, though that is not on the official packing list. Since the boat stops at anchorages, plan on getting into the water from the boat rather than expecting a beach entrance.

The published rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 66 reviews. That is a useful signal, but the more practical takeaway is that the strongest parts of the day are consistent: friendly crew, good food, swimming stops, and a comfortable boat. The main tradeoffs are also clear, especially the ladders and the time spent at sea.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a relaxed, sociable day that combines Sutivan with several chances to swim, and you are comfortable boarding the sea from a boat. The included lunch, equipment, and island stops make the $71 price appealing for a full day out, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip and a meal.

Choose another outing if you need a beach entry, cannot swim, or prefer a land-focused itinerary. For everyone else, this is a straightforward way to see Brač and Šolta from the water without having to plan each leg yourself. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option can help keep plans flexible.

FAQ

How much does the boat trip cost?

The price is $71 per person.

Where can I board the boat?

Pickup is at Krilo Jesenice or Podstrana Sv. Martin. A departure from Le Meridien Lav marina is also available twice a week, subject to availability.

What time are the pickups?

The Krilo Jesenice pickup is at 8:30 a.m., and the Podstrana Sv. Martin pickup is at 9 a.m. The Le Meridien Lav marina departure is at 9:15 a.m. when available.

What food is served for lunch?

You can choose mackerel, chicken, or a vegetarian burger. Lunch comes with salad and bread.

Are drinks included?

Water, orange juice, and unlimited red wine are served during lunch. A welcome schnapps is also offered, while other alcoholic drinks and snacks are available to buy.

Is snorkel equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkels, floaties, and water polo balls are provided.

Do I need to swim to take part?

Yes. The swim stops require you to enter the sea from the boat and climb back aboard using ladders. The trip is not suitable for non-swimmers.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, and sunscreen.

Is the trip suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund.