REVIEW · SPLIT CITY & DAY TOURS

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

4.5 · 61 reviews From $203 Operated by Voyage of Croatia · Bookable on Viator
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Three islands, one fast boat, real quiet time. This day trip from Split is built for small-group VIP time with a speedy RIB-style boat and planned stops that feel far from the usual cruise crowd. You get a full island circuit, plus homemade seafood lunch and organic wine that breaks up the day nicely.

One thing to keep in mind: it runs only when conditions cooperate, so the plan is weather-dependent, and you’ll be out for roughly 8 to 9 hours starting at 9:30 am.

Key highlights

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

  • Max 11 travelers for a calmer pace and more time in the water
  • Speedboat rides with comfort (hydraulic cushion seats, dual engines)
  • Brac, Hvar (Stari Grad), and Solta in one day, with real swim breaks
  • Seafood lunch and local organic wine included, served at a fisher-style bay setting
  • Secret snorkeling and a sunken-ship stop paired with SUP and swimming time

From Split dock to open water: what your morning really looks like

Your day starts at Trumbićeva obala 1 in Split, meeting near public transit and easy to find. The start time is 9:30 am, and the trip is designed as one smooth, active loop rather than a slow ferry hop. The big difference here is the boat experience itself. Multiple reviews point to an exciting, fast ride, including mentions of a military-style emergency boat feel. In plain terms, you should expect speed, cool sea spray, and music set to a fun rhythm while you head out.

The group size is capped at 12, and one review notes a group of 8 in practice. That matters because smaller means less time waiting and more time actually doing stuff. If your ideal day is: get moving, hit great water, eat well, and not spend half the day herding people, this fits.

Practical tip: even though the boat feels breezy at speed, you can still burn fast. Bring sun protection anyway. And if you’re prone to seasickness, it’s still worth planning as you would for a fast boat ride, because the ride is part of the experience.

You can also read our reviews of more wine tours in Split

Speedboat comfort and the fun factor you should plan for

Brac, Hvar, & Solta Day Trip: Snorkeling, Wine & Lunch from Split - Speedboat comfort and the fun factor you should plan for
This tour is all about getting from island to island without wasting daylight. Reviews repeatedly mention a fast, smooth cruise and comfortable seating with hydraulic cushions. You also get tunes on the ride, and at least one person specifically called out that the music selection matched the mood of the day.

That sounds fun, but it also affects how you should pack. You’ll want:

  • sunglasses that won’t fly off (wind is real at speed)
  • a light layer for the boat ride, especially if the morning feels cool
  • a small waterproof bag or secure pocket for phones and keys
  • swimwear ready, so you can change quickly when you’re called back from the water

Also, this is a boat day, not a sit-and-watch-it day. If you love swimming, snorkeling, and SUP, you’ll be happy. If you mainly want scenic viewpoints and minimal water time, you might feel a little pressured by how much the day invites you into the water.

Brac first: northern-side views and your first real break

Brac, Hvar, & Solta Day Trip: Snorkeling, Wine & Lunch from Split - Brac first: northern-side views and your first real break
Brac is your first stop, and the route is set to give you some Northern-side scenery. The point of going first is simple: you get your early-water moment before the day thickens. Once you arrive, you’re not just dropped at a dock and forgotten. You get time to relax, swim, and join activities as the day transitions.

From the information provided, you’ll have a chance to chill and get into the water, and SUP shows up as part of the day’s flow. Reviews also describe crystal-clear swimming spots and multiple beautiful places to enjoy the water without dealing with the big-tour crowd. That’s where the value of the small-group cap shows up again. More space, more chances to find a spot where you can actually swim.

What to watch for on Brac: if you’re sensitive to uneven terrain, plan for short walks on rocky areas. Even when the tour is relaxed, island access often involves uneven steps, especially when you’re headed to secret or secluded water points.

Hvar and Stari Grad: history on the move, then wine and lunch

Brac, Hvar, & Solta Day Trip: Snorkeling, Wine & Lunch from Split - Hvar and Stari Grad: history on the move, then wine and lunch
Next comes Hvar, centered on Stari Grad. This is the part of the day where the tour shifts from water play to culture plus a proper meal. You’ll walk around the ancient Stari Grad area and explore the old spa house, with time to get your bearings on foot. This isn’t a long museum-style day. It’s more like a focused wandering window that fits the rhythm of a speedboat itinerary.

Then the tour leans hard into food and drink. Wine tasting is included, and lunch is served at a fisherman-style bay setting. The meal described is made with local ingredients and includes fresh grilled fish. Reviews back that up with consistent praise for lunch quality, with one person calling out that the fish was caught and cooked by the owner. Others mention that lunch happens at a lovely home setting, with food and wine sourced from the premises.

This is one of the main reasons this tour costs more than the basic boat options. A lot of day trips advertise lunch, but here it’s positioned as a real part of the experience, not a pre-packaged box. If you care about eating well while you travel, this is the stop where the tour earns its price.

Also, you’ll likely have a little more downtime around lunch and the surrounding bay time. That’s when you can shift from fast boat energy to slow seaside mode: sit, digest, talk with the group, and reset before Solta.

Solta: secret swim spots, snorkeling, and the sunken-ship moment

Brac, Hvar, & Solta Day Trip: Snorkeling, Wine & Lunch from Split - Solta: secret swim spots, snorkeling, and the sunken-ship moment
Solta is where the adventure ramps up again. You head to a secret snorkeling spot, plus there’s time for swimming and standing-up paddleboarding. Several reviews mention an even more specific highlight: snorkeling around a sunken ship. In practical terms, that means you’re likely to see underwater structure close to where you can float, kick, and look around.

This is also the part of the day where the “VIP, not tour-bus” angle becomes obvious. Reviews describe secluded bays where you can swim without crowds. That matters because snorkeling gets better when the water feels like yours. Fewer people means calmer water and less noise overhead.

If you want to enjoy this portion:

  • pack reef-safe sunscreen if you have it
  • bring a swim cap if you like keeping hair out of the way
  • have goggles ready to go, and if you don’t have them, make sure you’re okay with what’s provided (the exact gear list isn’t specified here)

And remember, the boat rides between stops are fast. Even when you stop and get in the water, you’re still living in a “move now, play now, eat later” day plan.

One more fun detail from reviews: there’s mention of a Mojito Man who drives up to the boat. Even if you’re not a cocktail person, it tells you the vibe is relaxed and a little playful, not stiff and scripted.

The timing and how to pace yourself during a full 9-hour day

Brac, Hvar, & Solta Day Trip: Snorkeling, Wine & Lunch from Split - The timing and how to pace yourself during a full 9-hour day
The whole trip runs about 8 to 9 hours, starting at 9:30 am and ending back at the same meeting point. That’s enough time to hit three islands without rushing every minute, but it is still a long day.

Here’s how I’d pace it if I were planning my day around energy:

  • Bring water and expect to rehydrate, especially since you’re in the sun and moving fast on the boat.
  • After lunch, use the “cool down” time for a slower swim or a SUP paddle break, not another sprint.
  • If you’re snorkeling, do it when you feel fresh rather than at the end when tired legs reduce enjoyment.

This tour also has an age limit listed as 10 to 60 years old. That suggests it’s not designed for people who want gentle, minimal walking, but it also means it’s not an extreme youth-only party. Most people can participate, assuming you’re comfortable with swimming and water time.

Price and value: is $203.82 actually fair here?

Brac, Hvar, & Solta Day Trip: Snorkeling, Wine & Lunch from Split - Price and value: is $203.82 actually fair here?
At $203.82 per person, this is not the cheapest boat day from Split. But it’s also not paying for a bare-bones “here’s a boat and lunch later” format. Your price is doing several things at once:

  • Transportation by speedboat across three islands
  • A small-group cap (so you don’t feel like a number)
  • Time for snorkeling, SUP, and swimming at multiple stops
  • Wine tasting plus a homemade seafood lunch with local ingredients
  • Admission ticket inclusion (listed as included)

When you compare value, the food and water access matters most. Free time alone doesn’t cost much. Quality lunch and the specific snorkeling spots do. Reviews also emphasize a high level of care from the crew, including names like Christian, Kristian, Kiki, Sav, Duje, and Slav. That kind of attention usually shows up when the stops are planned to keep the flow comfortable.

Is it worth it? If you want:

  • small-group energy
  • guided, efficient island hopping
  • a real seafood lunch and wine, served as part of the experience
  • multiple chances to get in the water

Then yes, the cost lines up with what you actually do all day. If you mostly want photos from the shore and prefer a calmer day with less water time, you might find lower-priced tours that match that style better.

The crew vibe: what I think makes the day feel special

Brac, Hvar, & Solta Day Trip: Snorkeling, Wine & Lunch from Split - The crew vibe: what I think makes the day feel special
In the reviews, the human factor keeps showing up. People praise guides and captains by name, often linking their enthusiasm to the overall feel of the day. Kristian and Christian show up in feedback, as does Kiki, Sav, Duje, and Slav. Captains are described as friendly and attentive, and the experience is framed as caring without being stiff.

That matters because an itinerary like this could easily feel chaotic. Instead, the small group and guided pacing help it feel smooth. One review specifically credits the guide with care for the group, and another calls out being well organized with perfect timing.

Also, the boat ride is more than transportation. People mention music that fits the moment and a fun, fast cruising feel. That turns the travel time into part of the entertainment.

Who should book this Brac, Hvar, and Solta tour

This is a great match if you’re planning a short Croatia trip from Split and want to pack in island highlights without living on a bus. It’s especially good for:

  • couples and small groups who want a relaxed, not crowded, day
  • swimmers and snorkelers who want multiple water moments
  • people who value food and wine as part of the travel story
  • solo travelers who like meeting others on a small boat, with time to chat

It might not be your best fit if:

  • you hate speedboat rides or rough-feeling motion
  • you want a long, slow shore day with minimal walking and minimal water time
  • you’re traveling with expectations of a purely cultural day, because the day is built around water breaks and lunch stops

Should you book this Brac, Hvar, and Solta speedboat day?

If you’re torn between a cheaper, larger group boat and a smaller, more carefully timed day, this is the one to lean toward. The small-group cap, the included wine and seafood lunch, and the repeated focus on swimming and snorkeling at secluded spots make it a higher-value day than it sounds like at first glance.

I’d book it if your priority list includes water time and good lunch more than long lectures or endless tourist stops. And I’d only hesitate if your schedule is tight on weather, since the experience requires good conditions.

If you want an energetic day that still feels relaxed, this three-island route from Split is a strong choice.

FAQ

What islands are included in the Brac, Hvar, and Solta day trip?

You’ll visit Brac, Hvar (including Stari Grad), and Solta in one day.

How long is the tour?

The duration is listed as about 8 to 9 hours.

What time does the tour start, and where is the meeting point?

The start time is 9:30 am, and the meeting point is Trumbićeva obala 1, 21000, Split, Croatia.

How many people are on the tour?

It’s capped at 12 participants, with a maximum of 11 travelers stated.

What activities are included during the day?

The tour includes swimming and snorkeling, and you can also paddleboard. A secluded spot on Solta is included for snorkeling.

Is food and wine included?

Yes. Lunch is included and described as a homemade seafood lunch with local ingredients, plus wine tasting and organic wine are included.