Brac, Hvar, & Solta Day Trip: Snorkeling, Wine & Lunch from Split

Three islands, a fast RIB-style boat, a grilled fish lunch at a fisherman’s bay, and a swim near a sunken ship make this one of Split’s more memorable day trips. You leave Matejuška at 9:30 a.m. and spend about nine hours moving between Brac, Hvar, and Solta without joining a crowded excursion boat.

I like the small group of about 11 people and the way the day mixes places with water time. I also like the lunch setup: local ingredients, fresh fish cooked outdoors, wine, and a relaxed stop away from the busiest ports. The main drawback is the ride itself. This is a fast speedboat, not a slow sightseeing cruise, so the trip can feel bumpy, windy, and intense in rough weather.

Key points to know before booking

• Three islands in one day: You visit Brac, Hvar, and Solta, with stops for sightseeing, food, swimming, snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding.
• A true speedboat ride: The boat has dual engines, high seats, and hydraulic cushioning, but you should still expect wind, spray, and a lively ride.
• Fresh fish lunch included: The meal features locally sourced food, grilled fish, wine, and other options for people who do not want seafood.
• Stari Grad rather than only Hvar Town: You explore the older, quieter town of Stari Grad and see its old spa house.
• Small-group atmosphere: The boat holds no more than about 11 people according to the practical tour details, though the experience is described elsewhere as capped at 12.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can cancel the trip, with a new date or full refund offered.

Why this island-hopping day works

Many boat trips from Split follow the same pattern: load a large group, race to one famous island, spend a short time in a crowded port, and hurry back. This trip takes a different approach. It uses a compact boat and places more weight on quiet swimming spots, a local meal, and the pleasure of being on the water.

I like that the day does not treat the islands as a checklist of postcard views. Brac gives you a first taste of the coast. Hvar adds a town visit and a little culture. Solta supplies the water time. The rhythm keeps changing, which matters during a long day in the sun.

The price is $203.82 per person, so this is not a budget boat outing. Still, the value is easier to see when you add up what is included: roughly nine hours, transport between three islands, a small group, a guide and skipper, lunch, wine, and water activities. You are paying for space, speed, and access to quieter places rather than simply paying for a ferry ticket.

The day is best for people who want an active outing and do not mind a packed schedule. If you want several unhurried hours in one town, choose a slower island visit instead. If you want to cover ground and get into the sea several times, this format makes sense.

Leaving Split from Matejuška at 9:30 a.m.

The meeting point is Trumbićeva obala 1, at the port area near Matejuška. The tour starts at 9:30 a.m. and ends back at the same meeting point. The port is near public transportation, and the meeting location is clearly specified, which makes the morning easier than a pickup from scattered hotels.

The boat is one of the defining parts of the outing. It is described as a military-style emergency boat with two engines, and the ride is quick. High, bouncy seats give you a good view over the water, while hydraulic cushioning helps soften the impact. That does not turn it into a quiet cruise. You will feel the speed, especially when the boat hits chop.

Some of the best moments may come between stops. Music is part of the mood, and the guides have been praised for choosing songs that suit the ride. Captains and guides can vary, with names including Kristian, Kiki, Duje, and Slaven mentioned for different departures. The tone is informal and social, not a formal lecture with constant narration.

Bring sunscreen and apply it even when the wind makes the day feel cool. A fast boat can hide how much sun you are getting. You should also wear clothes that can handle spray and bring a swimsuit from the start.

Brac gives you the first taste of the coast

The first island stop is Brac, where the boat explores the northern side of the island. The supplied details do not name a specific town or beach, so you should think of this portion as a scenic coastal stop rather than a long, structured city tour.

That is part of the appeal. You are not spending the entire morning in a port surrounded by shops and tour groups. The northern coast gives the skipper room to show you clear water, rocky shorelines, and places suited to a short stop.

The drawback is that the schedule covers three islands, so Brac is not a full island visit. If your main goal is to explore Brac on foot, this tour will feel too brief. If you want a taste of the island before moving on, it fits well.

The order and exact length of each stop can change with sea conditions and the day’s pace. That flexibility is useful on a small boat, but it also means you should not expect a minute-by-minute sightseeing plan.

Stari Grad brings history without the Hvar Town crowds

The Hvar portion takes you to Stari Grad, one of the island’s older settlements. You get time to walk around the old town and see an old spa house. This is a better choice for people who want some culture without spending the day in a major port.

Stari Grad has a calmer feel than the island’s most famous resort areas, and the stop gives the day a useful change of pace. After the speed and spray of the boat, walking through old streets helps you slow down. I like this balance. The experience is not only beaches and swimming.

Do not expect a long museum program or a detailed architectural tour. The stated plan is to walk around Stari Grad and explore the spa house, not to spend hours indoors. You will need to be comfortable seeing the town at a brisk pace before returning to the boat.

The stop also reminds you why a small group helps. Getting on and off a compact boat is simpler than moving a full coachload of people, and the guide can keep the group together without turning the visit into a formal procession.

The fisherman’s bay lunch is the heart of the day

Lunch is served at a fisherman’s bay, with food prepared from local ingredients and fresh grilled fish cooked outdoors. This is the part of the trip that gives it a local character. You are not being sent to a generic restaurant near the ferry terminal.

The meal has included fresh bass, fish, risotto, wine, and other local dishes. The information also indicates that alternatives are available if seafood is not for you. Because the exact menu can vary, do not book this expecting one fixed plate every time. Expect a seafood-centered meal with local wine and some flexibility.

The setting matters as much as the food. A relaxed bay, an outdoor grill, and wine from the area create a long lunch break rather than a quick refueling stop. After a morning of moving between islands, sitting down properly is welcome.

The wine is organic according to the tour description, and the meal is included in the price. Extra drinks are not necessarily part of that inclusion. An optional mojito service has been described at the snorkeling stop, with a reported price of 50 kuna, so carry some spending money if that sounds appealing. That drink is an extra, not part of the advertised lunch package.

Food allergies and special requirements are not detailed in the supplied information. If you have dietary needs, ask before booking rather than relying on a last-minute change.

Solta is where the day turns toward the water

The final island stop is Solta, where the emphasis shifts to swimming, snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding. The boat heads to a secluded or secret snorkeling spot, and the day may include a sunken ship that you can snorkel around or stand on, depending on conditions.

This is the strongest part of the outing if you want time in the sea. You are not only looking at the Adriatic from a seat. You can get into the water, use a paddleboard, and spend time in a quieter bay away from the main crowds.

The snorkeling site is not a guaranteed aquarium experience. Visibility and sea conditions change, and the exact stop may depend on weather. Still, a sunken ship adds a point of interest that a standard beach stop does not offer.

You should be comfortable in open water and able to manage the boat’s active pace. The tour is limited to people aged 10 to 60, and most people in that range can participate according to the practical information. The age limit is worth noting for families and older visitors. This is not presented as a gentle sightseeing cruise for every age group.

What the small boat changes

The boat size is central to the experience. With no more than about 11 people, you avoid the feeling of being one person in a large crowd. The smaller group also makes it easier to share the lunch stop, ask the guide for help, and get into the water without a long line.

There is a minor inconsistency in the published capacity details. The highlights describe a maximum of 12 participants, while the additional information gives a maximum of 11 travelers. Either way, the group is small compared with many Split island excursions.

A small boat also brings trade-offs. You get a more personal day, but there is less room to move around than on a ferry or large deck boat. The ride can be loud and exposed. If the sea turns rough, you will feel it more than you would on a large vessel.

I would not choose this trip if you want a quiet, shaded ride with lots of indoor seating. I would choose it if you see the boat ride as part of the entertainment and want to cover several islands in a single day.

How the $203.82 price compares with the experience

At $203.82 per person, this is a premium day trip. The price is justified mainly by four things: the small group, the fast boat, the included meal and wine, and the access to less crowded swimming stops.

You are also buying convenience. The boat departs and returns to central Split, and you do not need to arrange separate ferries between Brac, Hvar, and Solta. A self-planned version might cost less in tickets, but it would be difficult to visit these three islands in one day while also fitting in lunch and water activities.

The value depends on your priorities. If you care most about seeing one island properly, spend the money on a longer stay there. If you want a broad sample of the coast and would rather have one organized day than manage several ferry schedules, the cost is easier to defend.

The experience is usually booked about 52 days in advance. That suggests you should reserve early during busy summer periods, especially if you need a particular date. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity returns to its starting point.

Weather, cancellations, and practical limits

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions lead to cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. This is important because a speedboat day depends more heavily on sea conditions than a land tour does.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded. The activity may also be canceled if the minimum number of participants is not reached, with a different date, another experience, or a full refund offered.

A full day on the water calls for simple preparation:

• Wear swimwear under your clothes.
• Use strong sunscreen and reapply it.
• Bring a towel and clothes that can handle spray.
• Carry money for optional purchases such as the reported mojito service.
• Expect a lively ride rather than a smooth ferry crossing.

The activity is mobile-ticket friendly, and it is listed as suitable for most people who can participate within the stated age range. No separate accessibility details are supplied, so ask the provider directly if you need help boarding or have mobility concerns.

Who should book this island tour

I would recommend it to couples, friends, solo visitors, and families with older children who want a full day outdoors. It also suits solo people who like meeting a small group, since a compact boat and shared lunch naturally create a social setting.

It is a particularly good match if you want:

• A fast and exciting boat ride
• Three islands in one day
• Quiet bays rather than the busiest beach stops
• Fresh fish and local wine
• Swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding
• A guide-led day with little planning on your part

I would hesitate if you dislike speed, get seasick easily, need a highly predictable schedule, or want a long visit in Hvar Town itself. The trip visits Stari Grad, not the better-known Hvar Town, and its focus is divided between sightseeing and water activities.

Should you book Brac, Hvar, and Solta in one day?

Book this trip if you want the boat ride to be part of the fun, not merely transport. The combination of a small group, a grilled fish lunch, Stari Grad, and a quiet Solta snorkeling stop gives the day more character than a basic island transfer.

Skip it if you prefer slow travel or want to concentrate on one island. The $203.82 price is high, but it buys a tightly organized day with food, wine, guides, and three coastal stops. For an active visitor with one free day in Split, it is a strong choice. Just check the forecast, prepare for wind and sun, and understand that the sea, not a fixed timetable, controls the mood.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Trumbićeva obala 1, 21000 Split, Croatia, in the Matejuška port area.

What time does the tour leave Split?

The stated start time is 9:30 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight to nine hours. The itinerary gives the full day as about nine hours.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Brac, Hvar, and Solta.

Does the tour visit Hvar Town?

The stated Hvar stop is Stari Grad. You walk around the old town and explore an old spa house.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The experience includes a local lunch with fresh grilled fish and wine. Alternatives are available for people who do not want seafood.

Are swimming and snorkeling included?

The day includes time for swimming and snorkeling, including a secluded snorkeling location on Solta. Stand-up paddleboarding is also available.

How many people are in the group?

The practical information states a maximum of 11 participants. Other tour details describe the experience as capped at 12, so the exact limit should be confirmed when booking.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded.