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

Sail away from Split on a 33-foot boat limited to six people, then spend the day swimming, snacking, and wandering through the quiet village of Stomorska. I like the small-group setup and the unhurried pace. I also like that the guides, Marin and Damian, keep the day personal rather than packing the boat with a crowd.

The main thing to consider is the wind. This is a sailing tour, but the boat cannot promise strong wind, and one outing had little actual sailing. You still get island scenery, swimming, snorkeling, wine, and a restaurant stop, but you should not book it if the sail itself is your only priority.

Key points to know before booking

• Six people makes a big difference: The small boat feels social but not crowded, with room to stretch out, swim, and enjoy quiet time.
• Brač is the swimming stop: You get about an hour in a bay, with masks, snorkels, and floaties provided.
• Stomorska gives you real island time: Plan on about two hours to walk around, swim, and eat lunch at your own cost.
• Marin and Damian lead the trip: Both skippers are attentive, and they can help with lunch planning in Stomorska.
• Wine and snacks are included: Expect Croatian white wine, water, coffee, tea, bread, cheese, and prosciutto.
• Weather controls the day: Strong wind or rain can cancel the trip, and calm conditions may mean less sailing.

Leaving Split for a small-group day at sea

You meet the boat near the Ina refueling station in Split’s port. Look for the 33-foot sailboat with RO 1037 written on the front. The meeting point is simple enough, but I would allow a little extra time to find the right boat among the port activity.

Before setting off, the guides give a short introduction and safety briefing. You can settle in with fresh coffee or tea while Marin and Damian explain the plan. The tour is offered in English and Croatian.

The small size is the biggest practical advantage here. With only six people, you are not fighting for a seat or trying to hear a guide over a large group. You can chat with the skippers, sit quietly, or move between the deck and the swimming area without the usual excursion-boat shuffle.

This is also a good choice if you want a social day without a party-boat mood. Speakers are not allowed, so the soundtrack is the water, conversation, and the boat itself. Pets are not allowed, and the boat is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Brač brings the first swim and snorkel stop

The first major stop is a bay near Brač. The boat anchors for about an hour, giving you time to choose your own pace. You can swim, use the provided masks and snorkels, float with the supplied inflatables, explore near the shore, or stay on deck.

I like this flexible setup. You do not have to swim if you would rather sit in the sun with a glass of wine. At the same time, the stop is long enough for people who came mainly for the Adriatic water to get a proper swim rather than a rushed five-minute dip.

The snorkeling equipment is included, but the tour does not promise a particular type of marine life or underwater sight. Think of this as a clear-water swimming stop with a chance to snorkel, not a specialist snorkeling trip.

While you relax, the crew serves cheese, Croatian prosciutto, bread, white wine, and water. Coffee and tea are also included. This is light food, not a full meal, so do not count on the snacks to replace lunch in Stomorska.

Calm weather can change the feel of this part of the day. When the wind is light, the boat may motor for some stretches rather than sail. That can disappoint anyone expecting a full day under sail, but it does not remove the swimming stop or the island views.

Sailing toward Šolta and the village of Stomorska

After Brač, the boat continues toward Šolta. The pace is meant to be relaxed, and the route gives you time to enjoy the Adriatic rather than race from one sight to another.

Stomorska is a small seaside village with a quieter feel than Split. You have roughly two hours here, which is enough time to walk along the waterfront, swim again, or sit down for lunch at a local restaurant.

This is the most useful part of the tour for anyone who wants more than a boat day. You are not simply looking at Šolta from offshore. You get free time on the island and can decide how much of it goes to food, a stroll, or another swim.

Lunch is not included in the price. That matters when you compare this trip with boat excursions that advertise meals as part of the package. On the other hand, keeping lunch separate lets you choose your restaurant and how much you spend.

The skippers can help with lunch arrangements. Marin and Damian have pre-ordered food for the group before arrival, which can save time on a short island stop. Ask about this at the start of the day if you want lunch ready soon after you sit down. It is a practical touch, especially when you would rather eat than spend half your two-hour stop waiting for an order.

Do not expect a full guided walking tour of Stomorska. The point is free time. You can explore independently, and the village stop works best if you enjoy making your own choices instead of following a fixed group route.

What the $141 price includes

At $141 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Brač or Šolta. The price makes more sense when you look at what is bundled together: a full day on the water, a six-person group, two islands, swimming equipment, snacks, wine, water, coffee, and tea.

You are paying for the boat atmosphere as much as the transport. A large ferry can get you to an island, but it will not give you an hour anchored in a bay with a small group, nor will it offer the same easy access to swimming from the boat.

The value is strongest for couples, friends, and solo visitors who care about space and a calm pace. The small group also helps if you want to ask questions or get lunch advice from the skippers. You are not paying only for a seat on a boat. You are paying for a more personal day with a simple food-and-drink service included.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want to reach Šolta for lunch or spend the entire day sailing. Lunch costs extra, towels are not supplied, and calm weather may reduce the amount of time under sail. Bring enough spending money for your meal.

The included snacks are generous enough to make the stop pleasant, but they are not a formal breakfast or lunch. If you need substantial food early in the day, eat beforehand or bring something suitable.

The return trip depends on the wind

After Stomorska, you return to the boat and head back toward Split. If the wind cooperates, the sails go up and the ride home becomes the most classic sailing part of the day. One outing had very little wind and only limited sailing, while another had sails raised on the return.

That contrast is worth keeping in mind. The crew can manage the route and timing, but they cannot control the weather. A calm day may be better for swimming and sitting comfortably on deck, while a breezier day offers more of the sailing sensation you may have imagined.

The return is not built around another major sightseeing stop. It is your time to rest, talk with the group, enjoy the views, and finish any remaining wine or water. The tour ends back at the same meeting point in Split.

What to bring for a comfortable day

Pack lightly, but bring the things that matter on an open boat:

• Swimwear
• A towel
• Sunscreen
• A sun hat
• Money for lunch
• Comfortable clothing for time on deck

Towels are not included. That is easy to overlook because snorkeling gear and floaties are supplied. The sun hat and sunscreen are especially important during long stretches on the water, where shade may not always be available.

The boat has masks, snorkels, and floaties for the Brač stop, so you do not need to bring your own equipment unless you prefer it. Water is provided, and wine is included, but drink sensibly in the sun, especially before swimming.

Because speakers are not allowed, do not plan on bringing a portable sound system. The no-speaker rule helps preserve the quiet mood that makes this small boat trip appealing.

Who will enjoy this sailing tour most

I would choose this trip if you want a slow day on the Adriatic with swimming and island time, not a packed sightseeing schedule. It suits people who like a small group, informal guidance, and the freedom to decide how actively they spend each stop.

It is a good fit for:

• Couples looking for a peaceful day on the water
• Friends who want swimming, wine, and a village lunch
• Solo visitors who prefer a small group to a large cruise
• Anyone who values local food and a relaxed pace
• Swimmers who want equipment provided
• People staying in Split who do not need hotel transportation

It may not suit you if you need wheelchair access, dislike boats, want a guaranteed sailing-heavy itinerary, or prefer lunch to be included. Families should also consider the boat size and the lack of a stated child-specific program. The tour is not presented as a children’s activity, so ask before booking if that point matters to your group.

The weather policy is clear: strong wind or rain can cancel the trip. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility while your Split plans take shape.

Why the small boat matters here

Brač and Šolta are not difficult to visit independently, but a small sailing boat changes the day. You can reach a swimming bay without arranging a separate transfer, then continue to a village for lunch without spending the entire day managing ferry times.

The six-person limit is important enough to check before you book. On a 33-foot boat, a large group would quickly feel tight. With six people, the atmosphere is more intimate and the guides can pay attention to everyone.

The tour also avoids the usual pressure to keep moving. You have about an hour at Brač and about two hours at Stomorska. Those time blocks are long enough to swim properly, sit down with a drink, or enjoy lunch without treating the whole day like a race.

That said, the experience is still shaped by the boat. You will be exposed to the sun, and conditions can be breezy or calm. If you want a polished, tightly controlled excursion, this may feel informal. If you like a flexible day with room to relax, that informality is part of the appeal.

Should you book the Brač and Šolta sailing day?

Book it if you want small-group sailing, a good swim stop, Croatian snacks and wine, and free time in a quiet Šolta village. The strongest parts are the six-person boat, attentive skippers Marin and Damian, the Brač bay, and the unhurried stop in Stomorska.

Go in with realistic expectations about the sailing. Wind may be light, and lunch is extra. Bring a towel, sunscreen, and money for the restaurant, then let the day work as a relaxed island outing rather than a guaranteed nonstop sailing session.

For visitors based in Split who want one easy day away from the city, the $141 price is reasonable when you value comfort, a small group, and included food and drinks. I would choose it for the swimming and atmosphere first, and for the sailing second.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour start?

Meet the boat near the Ina boat refueling station in Split’s port. The 33-foot sailboat has RO 1037 written on the front.

How many people are on the boat?

The boat is limited to six people, creating a small-group setting.

Are snorkeling equipment and floaties included?

Yes. Masks, snorkels, and floaties are provided for the swimming stop near Brač.

Is lunch included?

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

What food and drinks are included?

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

What happens if the weather is bad?

The trip can be canceled because of strong wind or rain. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.