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

From Split, this small-group sailing trip trades a packed boat schedule for time on the water: one quiet bay near Brač, then a couple of hours in the Šolta village of Stomorska. I like the chance to swim and snorkel at your own pace, and the simple Croatian spread of cheese, prosciutto, bread, and white wine makes the ride feel sociable without turning it into a meal cruise.

One thing to keep in mind: this is a sailing trip, so the amount of actual sailing depends on the wind. If it is calm, the boat may motor for much of the route. Lunch is also not included, and you will need to bring your own towel.

The day at a glance

• A 33-foot sailboat leaves from Split: Meet by the Ina boat refueling station and look for the boat marked RO 1037 on the bow.
• Brač is the first swim stop: Spend about an hour in a bay swimming, snorkeling, exploring the shore, or relaxing on board.
• Snacks and drinks come with the trip: Expect cheese, prosciutto, bread, white wine, water, and a fresh coffee or tea before departure.
• Stomorska gives you time ashore: You get about two hours in this small Šolta village for a swim, a walk, or a seaside lunch.
• A small group sets the tone: The trip is limited to six people, making the boat feel more personal than a large excursion.
• Weather can change the plan: Strong wind or rain can cancel the trip, and light wind may mean less time under sail.

Sailing away from Split

The meeting point is at the port in Split, beside the Ina boat refueling station. The boat is a 33-foot sailboat with RO 1037 written on the front, a useful detail when several boats are tied up nearby. You meet the crew there, hear a short safety briefing, and settle in before setting off.

Marin and Damian lead the trip. They serve coffee or tea before departure, then guide you out toward the islands. The start is practical rather than grand: a quick welcome, the basic safety information, and a chance to get comfortable on board. Bring your sun hat and sunscreen before you leave the dock. Shade and seating can be limited on a small boat, and the sun feels stronger once you are out on the water.

The appeal here is not a long list of scheduled activities. It is the combination of a modest boat, a small group, and a relaxed pace. With only six people, you have more room to spread out than you would on a larger tour, and it is easier to ask the skippers about the route or get help with the gear. The boat is still a shared space, so do not expect a private charter unless your party happens to fill all the places.

A swim stop in a Brač bay

The first island stop is Brač. The boat anchors in one of its bays for about an hour, giving you a choice: head into the water with the provided snorkel mask and snorkel, use a floatie, explore the shore, or stay aboard and enjoy the view. This is the part of the day to bring your swimwear and towel, not leave them buried in a bag at the bottom of the boat.

The water is the main event. You do not need to be a confident snorkeler to enjoy the stop; you can float, swim, or simply sit on deck while the others head in. The crew supplies basic snorkeling gear and floaties, but bring your own if you have a mask you prefer. Towels are not provided.

After or during the swim stop, the crew serves Croatian snacks: prosciutto, cheese, and bread, along with white wine and water. It is a light bite, not lunch, so it is worth having breakfast before you meet the boat. The snack is a welcome pause between the swim and the next leg, and it gives the day a local flavor without taking much time away from the water.

The bay stop is a good fit if you want a simple, unhurried swim rather than a full day of beach facilities and planned activities. There is no promise of a particular bay or a private beach, and conditions may affect the exact stop. Pack your expectations accordingly: this is a boat-based swim, with the comforts and limits that come with it.

Stomorska, Šolta’s quiet harbor village

From Brač, the boat continues to Stomorska on Šolta. This is the longest stop, with about two hours ashore. Stomorska is a small seaside village, and the free time is yours to use as you like: walk through town, swim from the local waterfront, or sit down for lunch at a restaurant by the sea.

That open block of time is a real strength. Instead of being marched through a string of brief photo stops, you can choose between a meal, a swim, or a little of both. If you mainly want to explore the islands on foot, keep in mind that this is a short village visit, not a long island tour. The schedule gives you time to enjoy Stomorska, but not to range far across Šolta.

Lunch costs extra. The skippers can recommend a restaurant, and Marin and Damian have taken food orders before arrival on some trips so lunch is ready sooner. That can save time in a two-hour stop, but it is not included in the price, and you should be ready to pay for your meal yourself. If lunch matters to you, ask the crew about the plan when you meet.

You may also want to save a few minutes for another swim. The village stop is not only about the meal; the water is close at hand, and you can choose a seaside lunch without giving up the chance to cool off. Bring a towel and wear shoes you are happy walking around town in, then keep your swimsuit handy.

The return ride and the role of the wind

After Stomorska, you return to the boat and sail back to Split. The route is designed as a day out, not a fast transfer, so the trip home is part of the outing. On a breezy day, the sails can be raised and you get the quiet, steady motion that makes sailing distinct from a standard motorboat trip.

But wind is not a switch the crew can control. One calm day may involve only a little sailing, while another may provide more time under sail. If your main goal is to sail rather than swim or relax on a boat, this uncertainty is important. The trip still visits the islands, but the sensation of sailing can vary with the weather.

The same goes for the weather overall. Strong wind or rain can lead to cancellation. That is sensible for safety, but it means this outing is less dependable than a fixed land-based activity if your Split schedule is tight. Keep a little flexibility in your plans if you can.

Is $141 a fair price?

At $141 per person, this costs more than a basic ferry ride or a large-group boat outing. The value is in the small group, the time at two islands, the swim stop, the included gear and refreshments, and the chance to travel with skippers who keep the day personal. Coffee or tea, water, wine, and snacks are included, so you are not paying extra for every small refreshment once you are aboard.

It is not an all-inclusive day. You pay separately for lunch, and you need to arrange your own transport to the meeting point. Towels are not supplied either. If you compare the fare with a private boat charter, this shared trip may feel like a practical middle ground: more intimate than a large excursion, but without the cost of booking the whole boat.

The price makes the most sense if you value a slower pace and want swimming time built into your island visit. It is less compelling if you mainly want to reach one island quickly, spend hours sightseeing inland, or guarantee a day under sail. There is no need to pay for a long list of activities you may not use; the basic offering is a scenic ride, a swim, snacks, and free time in Stomorska.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this tour if I wanted a day on the water with a few other people, a real swim stop, and enough time ashore for a relaxed lunch. The format suits couples, friends, and solo visitors who like a sociable but not crowded boat. The group limit of six is a notable plus if you dislike being squeezed onto a large excursion boat.

It is also a good option if your ideal island day is simple. You do not need to plan the route, find snorkeling gear, or work out how to connect separate boat and island visits. The skippers handle the sailing and stops, while you choose how active or lazy to be at each one.

This is not suitable for wheelchair users. It is also not the right outing if you need hotel pickup, since transport to and from the port is not included. Pets and speakers are not allowed. And if you are prone to seasickness, consider that you will spend much of the day on a boat; the tour details do not specify sea conditions or provide a seasickness plan.

Pack a sun hat, swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen. Bring some money for lunch, and consider a light snack before departure since the included food is a tasting, not a full meal. If the weather is unsettled, check the forecast and leave room for a change of plan.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a low-key island day with swimming, a small group, and a proper stop in Stomorska. The strongest reasons to go are the unhurried schedule, the choice to swim or lounge, and the attention of skippers Marin and Damian. The included Croatian snacks and drinks add value, though they do not replace lunch.

Think twice if you are paying primarily for guaranteed sailing, need an all-weather activity, or want extensive time exploring Šolta. The trip’s character is relaxed, not packed. If that sounds like your kind of day, $141 buys a thoughtful way to see Brač and Šolta from the water without spending the whole day in a crowd.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at the boat near the Ina boat refueling station in Split’s port. Look for a 33-foot sailboat with RO 1037 written on the front. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people are on the boat?

The tour is limited to six people, giving it a small-group feel.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes cheese, prosciutto, bread, white wine, water, and coffee or tea. Lunch in Stomorska is not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and floaties for swimming are provided. Towels are not, so bring your own.

How much time do you get on the islands?

You spend about an hour at a bay on Brač and approximately two hours in Stomorska on Šolta.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The trip is canceled in conditions such as strong wind or rain. The amount of actual sailing can also vary with the wind.