Split: All inclusive Brač & Šolta Island Swimming Cruise

The best part of this seven-hour cruise is simple: you spend most of the day in or beside the clear Adriatic rather than in another crowded city street. The Polaris gives you room to sit, eat, swim, and move around, with a long swimming stop off Brač and a second stop at Šolta’s little fishing port.

I like the generous lunch and open bar, which make the $121 price easier to justify than a basic boat ride. I also like the practical extras: paddleboards, floating toys, snorkeling gear, and plenty of deck space. The main drawback is that this is built around swimming from the boat, so it is less suitable if you dislike deep water or want a full day of beaches, shops, and historic sights.

Key points to know before booking

• More than two hours for swimming off Brač: The first stop is the main event, with turquoise water, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, floats, and jumping from the boat.
• Lunch is part of the day, not an afterthought: Choose grilled fish, meat, or vegetables, served with salad and dessert.
• Open drinks throughout the cruise: Soft drinks, beer, local wine, coffee, and other hot drinks are included.
• Šolta means a small port visit: Stomorska is pleasant for a short walk and a swim, but it has limited shopping and no large beach resort atmosphere.
• Comfortable boat time matters: You have seating, tables for lunch, spacious decks, and views of the Dalmatian coast from the water.
• Easy central meeting point: The Polaris leaves from Split city port, in front of Gat Svetog Nikole, at 9:30 AM.

Leaving Split at 9:30 AM

You meet the boat at Obala Lazareta 3, at Split city port just in front of Gat Svetog Nikole. There is no hotel pickup, so plan to reach the port on your own and allow time to find the correct berth.

The day begins with a one-hour cruise away from Split. A croissant and welcome refreshments help you settle in, while the crew gets the boat moving toward Brač. This opening hour is useful because it lets you ease into the day instead of arriving at the first stop already tired from a packed schedule.

The Polaris is a proper boat with seating, tables, and open decks rather than a small speedboat designed only to get you from one point to another. You can choose a place to sit, watch the coast pass, or find a sunny spot outside. If you prefer shade, arrive ready to claim a comfortable position early, since the most desirable seating can go quickly on a summer departure.

The boat is rated highly for transport, and that makes sense for this type of outing. You are not just paying for a transfer between islands. The ride itself is part of the experience, with time to look back at Split and out across the Dalmatian islands.

Brač brings the first and best swim

After about an hour, the captain anchors in a scheduled bay off Brač. You get more than two hours here, which is the right amount of time for a swim-focused stop. There is no need to rush into the water, dry off, find lunch, and rush back aboard within 30 minutes.

The water is described as clear and turquoise, and the boat carries snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, swimming rings, pool noodles, and other inflatable toys. You can swim away from the boat, paddle at an easy pace, or simply float beside the hull. The upper deck also gives confident swimmers the option to jump into the sea.

This is the point where you should be honest about your comfort level. The boat is anchored in calm water, but you are still swimming from a vessel in reasonable depth. A small beach is not the focus here. If you want to walk straight into shallow water, this will feel different from a beach excursion.

Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and water shoes if you have them. Sea shoes are especially useful for the later stop at Šolta, where the shoreline may be rocky. The boat has equipment for play, but you should still bring your own basic sun protection because you will spend a long stretch outside.

The swimming stop is also a good test of the boat’s space. Some cruises become uncomfortable when everyone wants the same ladder, float, or patch of deck. The Polaris has been praised for ample seating and enough water toys for people to spread out. That does not guarantee a quiet boat, but the setup is better suited to a full day than a cramped sightseeing vessel.

Lunch while cruising toward Šolta

At about 1:00 PM, the boat leaves Brač and heads toward Šolta. Lunch is served during this part of the cruise, so the meal does not take away from your swimming time.

The food is a three-course lunch with a choice of grilled fish, meat, or vegetables, along with salad and dessert. Past meals have included fish such as tuna, and the portions have been described as generous. The meal is served at tables, with wine and water available, which gives this part of the day a calmer feel than a quick buffet line.

I like this arrangement for two reasons. First, you can eat while the boat is underway and keep the island stop for walking or swimming. Second, lunch gives the day some structure. Seven hours on a boat can feel long if it is only snacks and drinks, but a proper meal creates a natural pause.

The menu is not presented as fine dining, and you should not book this expecting a restaurant tasting menu. It is straightforward grilled food designed for a warm day at sea. That is exactly what most people need here: a filling lunch, a choice of main dish, something sweet afterward, and no need to search for food on a small island.

The open bar is another major part of the value. Soft drinks, beer, local wine, coffee, and hot drinks are included during the cruise. You can have a coffee in the morning, a cold drink after swimming, and wine with lunch without adding a series of small charges to the day. If you do not drink alcohol, the soft drinks and coffee still make the package useful.

Alcohol is included, but this is not a party boat. Smoking indoors, drugs, speakers, and party groups are not allowed. That gives you a good idea of the mood: social and easygoing, with background music and conversation rather than a loud club atmosphere.

Šolta and the port of Stomorska

The boat reaches Šolta at about 1:45 PM and docks at Stomorska, a small fishing village with a picturesque harbor. You get free time until 3:30 PM, so you can walk around the port, have a coffee, or swim near the boat.

Stomorska is a pleasant change from swimming in open water. After spending the first part of the afternoon jumping from a deck and using floats, you can put on dry clothes and take a short walk along the waterfront. The village gives you a glimpse of a smaller island community rather than another large Croatian resort.

Keep your expectations measured. Stomorska is a small fishing village, not a major sightseeing center. You should not expect a long list of shops, museums, or large beaches. The main attraction is the setting, the harbor, and the chance to slow down for an hour or so.

The nearby beach is convenient if you want another swim without going far from the boat. Pack sea shoes, since the shoreline can be less comfortable under bare feet. If you prefer walking, use the time for a relaxed look around the port rather than trying to turn this short stop into a full island tour.

For some people, this second stop will be the quieter and less exciting part of the day. That is not necessarily a flaw. The cruise is designed around the contrast between a long Brač swim and a short Šolta visit. If you want two major sightseeing stops, this is not the right itinerary. If you like a gentle walk after lunch, Stomorska fits well.

Wind can also affect the route. On one past departure, conditions led the boat to visit Milna instead of Šolta. That kind of change is normal on a sea excursion, and the captain’s priority is a safe and comfortable route. You should treat the named islands as the plan, not an absolute guarantee in changing weather.

The return to Split at 3:30 PM

The boat leaves Stomorska at 3:30 PM and reaches Split at around 4:30 PM. This final hour is an easy time to sit back, finish a drink, and watch the islands recede.

The timing works well for a full summer day. You leave in the morning, get the main swimming session before the strongest afternoon fatigue sets in, eat lunch while underway, and return to Split early enough for dinner plans. It is long enough to feel like a proper outing without taking over an entire evening.

You will want a light layer if you are sensitive to wind after swimming. The supplied information does not promise specific weather protection on deck, so bring a cover-up and keep your towel handy. The sun can feel strong during the middle of the day, while the return ride may feel cooler once you are wet.

What the $121 price really covers

At $121 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach an island. A simple ferry ticket costs less, and you could visit an island independently if you are prepared to arrange transport, food, and activities yourself.

The value comes from combining several expenses and services:

• A seven-hour boat cruise
• Visits to Brač and Šolta
• A morning croissant
• Open drinks during the cruise
• A three-course lunch
• Snorkeling equipment
• Paddleboards and water toys
• Time for swimming and exploring

The package is particularly useful if you want a carefree day. You do not need to compare ferry times, find a lunch restaurant, rent water equipment, or carry drinks for seven hours. The crew handles the movement between stops, while you choose how active or lazy to be.

It is less valuable if you mainly want independent island exploration. The schedule gives you limited time at Stomorska and does not offer a long inland visit on Brač. You are paying for the boat day, the swimming stop, the meal, the drinks, and the convenience, not for a detailed cultural tour of either island.

The child pricing helps families. Children from zero to three years old can join free, while children from three to twelve receive a 50 percent discount. Still, parents should consider the swimming setup carefully. The main stop involves getting into the sea from the boat, and the activity may suit older children who are comfortable around water better than very young children.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this trip if you want a relaxed sea day with a proper lunch and plenty of water time. It works especially well for couples, families with confident swimmers, and small groups who want to sit together, swim, and enjoy the coast without planning every detail.

It is also a strong option if you have only a few days in Split. You see two islands in one day, but you avoid the stop-and-go feeling of a packed sightseeing tour. The schedule is clear, the main swim is long, and the boat ride lets you see more of the coast than you would from the city.

You should think twice if you do not swim, dislike boats, or need frequent access to shallow water. The first stop is specifically built around swimming off the boat. You may still enjoy the views, lunch, drinks, and Stomorska, but you would miss the central activity.

This is not aimed at a loud party crowd. Speakers and party groups are not allowed, and the atmosphere is better suited to conversation, background music, and an unhurried day. If you want a floating nightclub, choose a different cruise. If you want a social but calm boat with food and drinks included, this is a better fit.

The boat is wheelchair accessible according to the activity details, but the practical ease of entering the water or reaching a beach is a separate concern. If accessibility is important for your group, confirm the exact boarding and swimming arrangements before booking.

Small details that make the day easier

Wear swimwear under your clothes so you can reach the first swimming stop without a complicated change. Keep sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and your towel close rather than buried in a bag below deck.

Bring a camera, but protect it around the swimming areas. You will have good views from the boat, and the combination of sea, islands, and Stomorska gives you plenty to photograph.

Do not assume that every stop is a long beach visit. Brač is mainly your open-water swimming stop, while Šolta provides the port walk and a nearby swim. That distinction helps you pack and set expectations.

The tour is conducted in English, and the crew provides the practical direction for boarding, meals, and the water equipment. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which is helpful when your Split plans depend on the weather.

Should you book the Polaris cruise?

Book it if you want the easiest way to turn one day in Split into a full Adriatic outing. The long Brač swim, comfortable boat, generous food, open bar, and included water toys give you more than a basic island transfer. At $121, the package makes sense for anyone who would otherwise pay separately for lunch, drinks, equipment, and transport.

Skip it if your main goal is serious sightseeing on the islands or a quiet day on a shallow beach. The best parts happen on and around the boat, and Stomorska is a short village stop rather than a major destination.

For confident swimmers who want a calm, well-fed day at sea, this is one of the more practical ways to get out of Split and see Brač and Šolta in one outing.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

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

What time does the cruise depart?

Departure from Split is scheduled for 9:30 AM, with arrival back at the port around 4:30 PM.

How long is the experience?

The cruise lasts about seven hours.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. A three-course lunch with grilled fish, meat, or vegetables, salad, and dessert is included. The open bar offers soft drinks, beer, local wine, coffee, and hot drinks.

What equipment is available for swimming?

Snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, swimming floats, pool noodles, and other air water toys are available.

How much time do I get for swimming off Brač?

The boat spends more than two hours anchored at the Brač swimming stop.

Can I swim at Šolta?

Yes. You can swim near the boat at Stomorska, and there is a nearby beach. You also have free time to explore the port.

Is the cruise suitable for children?

Children aged zero to three can join free, and children aged three to twelve receive a 50 percent discount. The main swimming stop is from the boat, so children should be comfortable around water and supervised by an adult.