A calm boat day beats the crowd. This Dalmatia cruise around Brač and Šolta pairs anchored swim time with real time ashore in Sutivan, plus lunch and included drinks during the meal. It runs out of the Split Riviera area, picking you up in Podstrana and ending back in Jesenice.

Two things I like a lot are the BBQ lunch (with mackerel, chicken, or a vegetarian burger) and the fact you get actual snorkeling gear on board, not just a suggestion. You also get lunch-time wine and plenty of chances to cool off in clear water.

One consideration: the swimming is from an anchored boat using ladders on both sides, so it is not a beach walk-and-stroll situation every time. Also, good weather matters since the day is built around time on the water.

Key highlights that make this cruise worth your time

• Sutivan free time in a small town with Roman-settlement roots and maps provided onboard
• BBQ lunch on Šolta with wine, water, and orange juice included during the meal
• Swim and snorkel stops with ladders, floaties, snorkels, and water polo balls
• Onboard extras like unlimited Wi-Fi plus coffee/tea welcome and afternoon watermelon
• Family-friendly pacing with a relaxed schedule and shaded seating on the boat

Podstrana to Jesenice: how the day really starts

This is a structured day trip, but it still feels casual. You do not just roll up to one pier and hope for the best. Instead, you are picked up around the Podstrana area and then brought together for the main departure.

The morning begins with a first pickup at 08:25 from hotel Krilo. At 08:30 the boat starts sailing toward Sv. Martin Podstrana and the Le Meridien Lav marina to collect more people. By 08:55 you reach the next pickup point near Sv. Martin beach (M Caffe), and around 09:00 the group finishes coming together at Le Meridien Lav marina.

That setup matters because it keeps the tour from feeling rushed. When departure time arrives, everyone is already on board, so you can settle in right away.

The ship setup: Wi-Fi, shade, and swim time that is not a hassle

A lot of boat tours say snorkeling is included. This one goes a step further because you are given the gear you need, and the schedule actually supports using it.

On board you get unlimited Wi-Fi, which is rare on day cruises. You also have shade available, which is a big deal in the Split area when the sun decides to show up early. For water fun, the boat supplies floaties and snorkels, plus water polo balls if you want to turn the swim stop into something playful.

Swimming access is simple and fairly standard for this style of cruise: the captain drops anchor, and the crew puts ladders on both sides. You can climb down using the ladders, or you can jump in if you feel like it and the conditions are right. Either way, you will spend less time figuring things out and more time in the water.

The morning departure: coffee, a welcome shooter, and the sailing to Brac

Once you are all onboard, the day shifts from logistics to relaxation. Around 09:30, after a short crew briefing, you head toward Brač.

On this stretch, you get a welcome setup while the boat is moving. There is a welcome shooter for adults, and coffee and a sweet snack (including chocolate donuts) while you sail. This is one of those small touches that makes the morning feel like part of the experience, not just waiting to leave.

Then the plan flows into the first real island stop.

Brac Island and Sutivan: Roman-settlement town time

Around 10:30, you arrive in Sutivan on Brac. This is your first break from the boat. The crew provides maps of the town, and you get free time to explore on your own.

What makes Sutivan a good choice for a day cruise is that it is not an all-day mission. You can wander the center, pop into a cafe, grab a late espresso, or simply walk off the boat-lunch cravings before they hit.

Sutivan also has Roman settlement roots, which you will feel more through the feel of the place than through a checklist of major sites. It is more about strolling and letting the town do its thing.

The town window runs from 10:30 to 11:45. The crew asks you to return at least 3 minutes early, which is good advice. Boat schedules are not flexible, and being early is the easiest way to avoid the stress spiral.

Back on board: the short Brac swim stop you will remember

After Sutivan, you head back out and aim for a swim stop near Brac. Around 12:10, the first anchor swim begins, with about 25 minutes in the water.

This part is designed for maximum refresh with minimal waiting. Once the ladders are down, you can use the floaties and snorkels and get a quick look around. The timing is tight enough that you stay energized for what comes next, especially since the lunch happens later.

If you like water time, this is a good “set the tone” stop. If you are more cautious, you can still enjoy it by staying near the ladder access and keeping it simple.

Lunch on Šolta: BBQ, wine, and big views from the starboard side

Around 13:10, you reach Šolta and this is when the day turns into a proper meal moment. The tour sets lunch while you are still doing the swim-and-wait rhythm, so you are not stuck hungry.

The plan is a freshly prepared BBQ served onboard by the crew. You get a choice of mackerel fish, boneless chicken, or a vegetarian burger, with salad and bread. Drinks during lunch are included: unlimited red wine, water, and orange juice during the meal time.

There is also a “this is a real crew” detail here. The food is prepared by the chef, and Adriana serves the tables. That kind of service setup usually makes things move smoothly, especially on a boat with people changing between swims, seating, and eating.

And yes, you will eat with views. The meal is served with scenery of Brač, Hvar, Mrduja, and Šolta on the starboard side, with Split visible from the water view angle.

Lunch lasts about one hour, which is a sweet spot. Long enough to eat well. Short enough that you still feel like the afternoon has energy.

Practical tip: if you care about comfort, put on sunscreen before lunch. You will likely spend the afternoon in the same sun again, and boat shade does not stop UV.

Necujam Bay on Šolta: the longest swim stop in the schedule

After lunch, the next stop is Necujam. You arrive around 14:10, and this one gives you the longer water block, about 1 hour and 5 minutes.

Necujam is the kind of bay where a cruise gives you the best of the coast without making you drive or plan. You are anchored near the water, the crew drops the ladders, and you get time to snorkel and swim with the onboard gear.

This is also the ideal time to do the “not rushed” version of snorkeling. The first swim stop is short. Lunch is busy. This one gives you space to slow down and take a second pass at the water.

When the time wraps up, you are back on schedule for leaving Šolta.

The late afternoon rhythm: back sailing, watermelon, and a smooth return

By 15:15, it is time to leave Šolta and sail back toward the meeting points. The cruise keeps the pace steady, which helps if you are traveling with kids or just want a day that does not feel like a marathon.

Around 16:30, you get a small onboard treat: cold watermelon. It is not a major meal replacement, but it is a smart end-of-afternoon touch, especially after a couple of swims.

Then the boat returns to the pickup area:

• around 17:20: back to Sv. Martin Podstrana
• around 17:45: ending at Krilo Jesenice

The tour duration is roughly 8 to 9 hours, and the return timing is part of why it feels like a full day with no chaos. You are not stranded. You are not driving in circles looking for a taxi at the worst possible moment.

Price and value: why $66.23 can make sense here

At $66.23 per person, this cruise works out well if you add up what you are actually getting.

Included highlights that affect value:

• BBQ lunch with a real protein choice and salad and bread
• unlimited red wine, water, and orange juice during lunch time
• snorkel gear and floaties, plus water polo balls
• Wi-Fi onboard
• multiple swim stops built into the schedule
• small extras like a welcome shooter, coffee/tea, donuts, and afternoon watermelon

If you were planning this day on your own, the cost tends to jump fast once you factor in boat transport, entry logistics, and meals. Here, the boat does the moving and the crew handles the timing.

That said, the day is still weather dependent because so much of it is on water. If conditions are rough, you may get a different date or a refund, since the tour is designed around good sea conditions.

Also note the drink policy: alcohol is included during lunch for adults 18 and up. Drinks ordered before or after lunch, or anything not included, are paid at the bar.

Who should book this cruise, and who should skip it

This is a great match if you want:

• a gentle day cruise pace with multiple stops but no intense hikes
• family-friendly energy, since the schedule gives you breaks and kids get non-alcoholic welcome drinks like juice
• water time that does not require planning, because the boat provides snorkels and floaties
• an onboard meal that is more than a snack

It may not be your best fit if:

• you strongly prefer beach-based swimming with easy shore access. This tour is built around anchored swimming and ladders.
• you get sea-sick easily. The itinerary is full day on the water, and you will be sailing between multiple stops.

Quick tips so your day feels smooth

• Plan to wear your swimsuit under clothes if you like moving fast between swimming and lunch. The day has multiple transitions.
• Bring sunscreen and a hat. Shade is available, but you will still be in sun during the sailing and time on deck.
• If you have a meal preference, make sure it is set when booking. The day includes protein choices like mackerel, chicken, or vegetarian burger.
• If you want extra snacks, the bar can sell things like ice creams and chips. Just remember they are not part of the lunch include.

Should you book this Brač and Šolta boat trip from Podstrana and Jesenice?

I think you should book if you want a classic Split-area island day that balances three things: swimming, a real lunch, and a short town break that lets you stretch your legs. The Sutivan stop gives you a human-scale break from being on the water, and the lunch on Šolta turns the day from a “tour” into something you actually enjoy.

If you are picky about easy beach access or you need very tight timing and zero swimming by ladder, this may feel a bit too boat-based for your taste. But if you can handle anchored stops and you like snorkeling with provided gear, this is a solid value for the money.

Bottom line: for an easy, well-paced day cruise around Brac and Šolta with BBQ and included drinks during lunch, this one fits the bill.

FAQ

What locations does this tour start from and end at?

The first pickup is at 08:25 from hotel Krilo, with additional pickups at Sv. Martin beach in Podstrana and at Le Meridien Lav marina. The tour ends back at Krilo Jesenice around 17:45, with a stop at Sv. Martin Podstrana around 17:20.

How long is the cruise?

The duration is approximately 8 to 9 hours.

What islands and swim stops are included?

You visit Brac (including Sutivan) and Šolta (including a lunch stop and a swim stop at Necujam). There are also swim and snorkel stops at anchored locations during the day.

Is lunch included, and what is it?

Yes. Lunch is freshly prepared BBQ with a choice of mackerel fish, boneless chicken, or a vegetarian burger, served with salad and bread. Red wine, water, and orange juice are included during lunch time.

Are snorkels and floaties provided?

Yes. You get snorkels and floaties, and there are also water polo balls provided for use onboard.

Are alcohol drinks included?

Alcohol is included only during lunch time for adults ages 18 and up. Drinks ordered before or after lunch, or drinks not included during lunch time, are paid at the bar.

How big is the group?

The maximum group size is 45 people.