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

The best part of this day is its small-group sailing. The 33-foot boat carries only six people, so you get a calm, friendly ride rather than a floating crowd. I like the hour set aside for swimming near Brač, and I like the stop in Stomorska, where you can eat by the water and walk through a quiet island village.

I also like the simple food and drink served aboard: Croatian prosciutto, cheese, bread, white wine, coffee, tea, and water. Guides Marin and Damian keep the day personal and practical, even helping arrange lunch orders in advance. The main drawback is the wind. On a calm day, you may motor more than sail, so book this for the islands, swimming, and small-boat atmosphere rather than guaranteed nonstop sailing.

Key points at a glance

• Six people on a 33-foot sailboat: This is a close, relaxed outing with room to talk, stretch out, and avoid the feel of a large group cruise.
• A Brač swimming stop first: You get about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, floating, or simply staying aboard with wine and snacks.
• Two hours in Stomorska on Šolta: The village gives you time for a seaside lunch, a walk, and another swim at your own pace.
• Marin and Damian as your skippers: Their friendly, attentive approach suits a day built around comfort rather than a rushed sightseeing schedule.
• Food and drinks included: Cheese, prosciutto, bread, white wine, coffee, tea, and water are provided. Lunch is not.
• Weather shapes the experience: Strong wind or rain cancels the trip, while light wind can reduce the amount of actual sailing.

A small sailboat is the right size for this route

This tour begins at Split port, near the INA boat refueling station. Look for the 33-foot sailboat with RO 1037 written on the front. The boat is small enough to make the islands feel close, yet large enough for a full day on the water.

Before departure, you receive a short safety briefing and an introduction to the boat. Marin and Damian provide coffee or tea, then set out toward Brač. That warm drink is a minor detail, but it helps the morning feel organized, especially if you arrive early or the sea air is cool.

I would choose this trip if you value company and atmosphere more than a long list of stops. With only six people, the pace can stay flexible. You can chat with the skippers, find a comfortable place on deck, or keep to yourself without losing sight of what is happening.

The small boat also has limits. Space is more intimate than on a large day cruiser, and you should be comfortable spending much of the day outdoors. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to reach the Split meeting point on your own.

Brač brings the first swim of the day

The first main stop is a bay around Brač. The boat anchors, and you get about an hour to decide how active you want to be. You can use the provided masks and snorkels, swim with the floaties, explore the shore, or remain on board and enjoy the view.

This is a good opening stop because it gives the day a clear purpose right away. You are not spending hours waiting for the first chance to get in the water. If swimming is your priority, this is the part of the trip to make the most of.

The water is described as clear, and the equipment is included. Still, bring your own towel, since towels are not supplied. Pack swimwear, sunscreen, and a sun hat, too. You will want dry clothes for the later village stop and the ride back to Split.

You can also choose not to swim. The boat provides Croatian prosciutto, cheese, bread, white wine, water, coffee, and tea. This makes the Brač stop work for mixed groups, since one person can snorkel while another relaxes in the shade or enjoys a snack.

The stop lasts roughly an hour, so do not expect a full beach afternoon. It is a well-sized pause for a swim and a little time in the water, not an extended shore excursion. The exact feel can also depend on the weather and sea conditions.

Stomorska offers two hours on Šolta

After Brač, the boat continues to Šolta and docks in Stomorska. This village is a strong reason to pick this route. It gives you a taste of island life without sending you into a packed resort area or forcing you into a tightly timed guided walk.

You have about two hours here. Take a stroll, swim near the village, or sit down for lunch at a seaside restaurant. The choice is yours, which is important after an active morning on the boat.

Lunch costs extra, but the skippers can help you save time by taking your order before arrival. That means your meal may be ready soon after you sit down, leaving more time for a walk or another swim. If you want lunch at the water’s edge, this advance planning is one of the more useful touches of the day.

Stomorska is not presented as a major sightseeing center. Its appeal is the quiet harbor setting, the old village feel, and the chance to slow down. I would not choose this excursion expecting grand monuments or a long list of formal attractions. Choose it for a picturesque stop where lunch and free time matter as much as sightseeing.

Two hours is enough to eat without rushing and look around. It is not enough for an extensive tour of Šolta, so keep your plans modest. You can enjoy the village, but this is not an island-wide visit.

The return trip depends on the wind

After Stomorska, you return to the boat and head back to Split. When the breeze cooperates, the sails go up and the ride home becomes the most satisfying sailing stretch of the day. You can watch Split approach from the water and enjoy the open Adriatic rather than sitting in a road vehicle.

But this is a real sailing trip, not a promise of perfect wind. One account of the day had very little sailing because conditions were calm. The boat still reached both islands and offered swimming and snorkeling, but the experience leaned more toward a boat outing than a pure sail.

That is not a flaw if you set the right expectations. The route remains worthwhile for the stops, swimming, food, and small group. If you care most about learning sailing techniques or spending the entire day under sail, weather can make this a less certain choice.

Strong wind or rain can cancel the trip altogether. This is normal for a small sailing operation and protects the comfort and safety of everyone aboard. Keep a little flexibility in your schedule, especially if the forecast looks poor.

What the $141 price really covers

At $141 per person, the price is easiest to justify if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, swim stop, drinks, and a day of island transport. You are paying for a full day on a small sailboat, the route to two islands, snorkeling gear, floaties, snacks, wine, coffee, tea, and water.

The included food is light rather than a full meal. Think of prosciutto, cheese, and bread between swims, not breakfast and lunch. You still need money for lunch in Stomorska, and that meal is not included.

The value is strongest for people who want a personal boat day. A six-person limit changes the feel of the experience. You are not being moved through the islands in a large group, and the skippers can give more direct attention to the people aboard.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a cheap way to reach Šolta or Brač. This is not public transport, and you are paying for the boat setting, service, and relaxed pace. It also may not suit you if you dislike small boats, want a large sun deck, or need a wheelchair-accessible activity.

Marin and Damian set the tone

Marin and Damian are the named skippers for the experience. Their role goes beyond steering the boat. They provide the safety introduction, prepare coffee or tea, manage the swimming stop, serve snacks and drinks, and help make the lunch stop run smoothly.

Their approach appears attentive without turning the day into a formal guided lecture. That fits the route. You are here to swim, sit in the sun, talk, eat, and enjoy the islands, not follow a packed script.

They can also recommend a restaurant in Stomorska and arrange food orders before the boat arrives. That matters because two hours passes quickly. Good timing lets you enjoy a real lunch without giving up the whole village stop.

The tour is offered in English and Croatian. You should still see the day as a relaxed sailing outing rather than a history-focused tour. The main information comes through the route, the skippers, and the island setting.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this tour to couples, friends, and solo visitors who want a quiet day on the sea with a small number of people. It is especially well suited to anyone who ranks swimming and scenery above formal sightseeing.

You will probably like it if you want:

• A small boat instead of a large cruise vessel
• Time to swim and snorkel without rushing
• Wine and simple Croatian snacks included
• A peaceful village lunch stop
• Flexible free time in Stomorska
• A friendly atmosphere with direct contact with the skippers

Families may also enjoy it, provided everyone is comfortable on a 33-foot sailboat and able to manage the boat environment. The supplied floaties and snorkeling gear are useful, but the experience is still a full day at sea rather than a land-based family excursion.

I would be more cautious if you need guaranteed sailing under full canvas. Light wind can mean less sailing than expected. I would also skip it if you need step-free access, since the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Pets and speakers are not allowed. That keeps the boat peaceful, which suits the slow pace, but it may matter if you planned to bring an animal or your own music.

What to bring for a comfortable day

Pack less than you might for a beach day, but bring the essentials. There is limited space on a small boat, and loose items can become a nuisance in the wind.

Bring:

• Swimwear
• A towel
• Sunscreen
• A sun hat
• Money or a payment method for lunch
• A light layer if you tend to feel cool on the water

Snorkeling gear and floaties are provided, so you do not need to bring your own equipment. Water is included, along with coffee, tea, wine, cheese, prosciutto, and bread.

Wear something that works for both wet and dry time. You may swim at Brač, walk through Stomorska, sit at a restaurant, and return to Split in the same day. Comfortable footwear is useful for the village, though no special hiking equipment is needed.

Should you book this sailing trip?

Book it if you want the smallest, calmest version of a Split island boat day. The combination of a six-person group, Brač swimming stop, two hours in Stomorska, Croatian snacks, and included wine gives the day a clear identity.

The best reason to go is the balance. You get sea time without spending every minute in transit, swimming without being forced to swim, and island time without a rigid walking tour. Marin and Damian add a personal touch, and their lunch planning can make the short stop feel much more useful.

Think twice if the word sailing is the main reason you are interested. Wind may be light, and the boat may motor for part of the route. Also remember that lunch, towels, hotel transfers, and wheelchair access are not included.

For a relaxed day with clear water, good food, quiet island scenery, and a genuinely small group, I would book this tour and keep my expectations focused on the whole outing rather than nonstop sailing.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Meet at the Split port near the INA boat refueling station. The boat is a 33-foot sailboat with RO 1037 written on the front.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour ends back at the same meeting point in Split.

How many people are on the boat?

The tour is limited to six people total, creating a small and personal group setting.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Brač Island and Šolta Island, including the village of Stomorska on Šolta.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Masks and snorkels, along with floaties for swimming, are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You have free time to eat at a seaside restaurant in Stomorska, and the skippers may help arrange your order in advance.

What food and drinks are provided?

The tour includes Croatian cheese, prosciutto, bread, white wine, water, coffee, and tea.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The trip is canceled in conditions such as strong wind or rain. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.