A day on the water in Dalmatia beats guessing. You get a spacious boat for a full day of islands, plus swim time in crystal-clear coves. The big bonus is Sutivan on Brač, where you can wander at your own pace before the next anchorage.

What I like most is the rhythm of the day. You’re not stuck rushing from one photo stop to another. You get real breaks, including time to jump in from the boat during the stops, and then a proper fresh BBQ lunch onboard.

One heads-up: this is not suitable for non-swimmers. At swim stops you’re at anchor, so you jump from the boat and climb back up via the ladders. If you hate that kind of swim setup, or if you’re prone to seasickness, you’ll want to think twice.

Quick Hits Before You Go

• Sutivan on Brač gives you a real town break, not just a quick drive-by.
• BBQ onboard plus a choice of mackerel, chicken, or vegetarian burger makes lunch feel like part of the trip.
• Snorkels, floaties, and even water polo balls turn swim time into a full activity.
• Anchorage swimming means you jump in and use ladders to get back onboard.
• Kontesa shipwreck stop is built around snorkeling and hanging in the water.
• Welcome schnapps and chocolate donut add a fun start, and watermelon shows up later too.

Why This Brač and Šolta Boat Day Feels Worth It

This isn’t a speed tour. It’s a full-day island outing with a clear plan: cruise, town time, swim breaks, and meals that keep you going. For the price (around $71 per person), what makes it good value is the mix of things that usually cost extra on their own, like a boat day, a meal onboard, and snorkeling gear.

You also get the kind of day where the schedule is the point. You sail between Brač and Šolta, then anchor close enough that the ocean does the work for you. When the boat stops, you’re not waiting around for a transfer. You jump in, snorkel if you want, then climb back onboard and keep going.

From the reviews and the way the day runs, the best parts are consistent: not being overcrowded, easy time at the stops, and food that actually tastes fresh rather than mass-produced. On a long day like this, that matters.

From Podstrana or Jesenice: Getting to the Right Dock on Time

You have a couple of pickup choices, so plan around which side of the coast you’re staying on.

• Pickup options:
• Krilo Jesenice at 08:30 AM
• Podstrana Sv. Martin at 09:00 AM
• A third option runs from Le Meridien Lav marina at 09:15 AM, and it sails twice a week based on availability.

Parking and local access are part of the package. If you’re around Le Meridien Lav, you can use public transport (5th bus station toward Omiš) or use free parking in Sveti Martin. If you’re going from Krilo Jesenice, there’s free parking there too. That little bit of help saves you stress, especially on a morning when you’d rather be boarding than problem-solving.

A practical note: pick a time slot that matches your day plan. The tour text is clear that the timing matters, so don’t treat it like a flexible start.

Welcome on Board: Schnapps, Donut, and a Relaxed Cruise Start

Once you’re onboard, the vibe stays easy. You’re greeted with a welcome schnapps, plus a chocolate donut and juice. It’s a small thing, but it sets the tone: this is meant to feel like a vacation day, not a checklist.

You’ll also get what you need for the day ahead. The trip includes snorkeling and water fun gear: snorkels, floaties, and water polo balls. There’s Wi-fi onboard as well, which is handy if you want to send a quick message before the islands swallow your signal.

If you start thinking about the day in blocks, it helps: cruise time, Sutivan time, swim and BBQ time, shipwreck and swim time, then a laid-back return with watermelon.

Sutivan on Brač: Town Time That Breaks Up the Water Day

Sutivan is where the tour gets more than just scenery. After sailing over, you’re given time to explore the charming town of Sutivan on Brač on your own.

This is a big deal because it gives you variety. You’re not only on boats and in coves. You can walk, browse, grab something small if you want (snacks are not included, but you can buy some), and enjoy a change of pace.

What I like about this stop is the flexibility. You’re not herded through a tight timeline. You can wander toward the waterfront, look for a calm spot to sit, and just enjoy the coastal rhythm. If your group includes people who want photos, this is also the moment for it, without feeling rushed.

One thing to keep in mind: Sutivan time is your free time, so if your group splits into swim people and walk people, this is where you’ll naturally align without arguing.

The First Swim Stop and BBQ Lunch in a Hidden Bay

After Sutivan, the boat heads toward a hidden bay on Brač. This is your swim and lunch setup, and it’s designed to be simple and fun.

When you reach the anchorage, you swim off the boat. On the side of the ship you’ll find ladders for access to the sea and back onboard. So the process is straightforward, but it’s not shoreline wading. You jump in, then climb back up the ladder after.

While you’re in the water, the chef prepares lunch. Lunch is a key highlight on this trip: a fresh BBQ onboard with a choice of mackerel, chicken, or a vegetarian burger, served with salad and bread.

Drinks are part of the lunch plan too. During lunch time you get unlimited red wine, water, and orange juice. Outside lunch, the tour notes that snacks and alcoholic drinks are available for purchase, so you’re not stuck without options, but you should expect more pay-as-you-go if you want extras outside the included meal.

The practical value here is obvious: when the boat food is good and the swim stop is real, you save time and energy. Instead of finding lunch on a tight schedule, you eat while you’re already where you want to be.

Lunch Choices: How to Get What You Want

This tour makes it easy to plan ahead. When you book, you email with your lunch preference so the crew can order food on time.

You’ll choose between:

• mackerel fish
• chicken
• vegetarian burger

If you’re traveling as a group, it’s worth sorting this out early. It reduces last-minute stress and helps the crew keep the meal flow smooth. Also, if you have dietary limits beyond vegetarian, the exact options aren’t listed, so you’ll want to message the provider to confirm before you go.

Solta and the Kontesa Shipwreck Stop: Snorkeling in an Unusual Setting

Then the trip shifts toward the island of Šolta and the shipwreck Kontesa. This is where the day gets more interesting underwater, not just pretty coastline.

The boat anchors near the shipwreck, and this portion of the outing is built around swimming and snorkeling. You jump in with snorkels and floaties provided and spend time in the water around the wreck area.

This is also where your comfort level with anchorage swimming matters. The tour is clear that you’re at anchor, so you’re not stepping into a beach. You’re using the ladders, which means you want to be confident getting back onboard.

If you like marine time but don’t want to sign up for an all-day diving course, this stop hits a smart middle ground. You can snorkel casually, float, take photos, then return onboard when you’re ready.

What You’ll Like Most About the Swim Setup

A lot of boat tours talk about swimming, but the details decide if it’s actually enjoyable. Here’s what the setup signals, and why it works for many different ages.

• Access ladders make climbing back easier than in some rougher setups.
• Snorkels and floaties mean you don’t have to bring your own gear.
• Water polo balls and extra floats turn downtime into something playful.
• The day includes multiple swim opportunities, not just one short stop.

The result is that swim time feels like a real activity. And the reviews back that up, especially the sense that swim stops are relaxing rather than frantic.

Also, the crew is described as attentive and friendly, and that matters if conditions feel a little choppy. They can help you get comfortable with the day, not just the route.

Return Sail and Watermelon: Ending the Day the Right Way

On the way back, you get a sweet touch: fresh cold watermelon during the return journey to the pickup locations.

It’s a nice finish because you’re already warm from sun and salt air, and it’s not another heavy meal. Then you’re back to the docks without needing to hunt for food afterward.

Also, since the tour includes insurance and keeps things organized with a set schedule, the end of the day feels calmer than some DIY island days.

Seasickness, Swimming Skills, and Who Should Skip This

This tour is not for everyone, and that’s fair.

It’s not suitable for:

• non-swimmers
• people prone to seasickness
• wheelchair users
• pets are not allowed

If you’re comfortable in open water and you don’t mind jumping off the boat, you’ll likely have a great time. If you’re the kind of person who wants a sandy beach and a gradual entry, you may find the anchorage swim setup annoying.

If seas are usually rough where you stand, consider the conditions and choose your day wisely. This tour doesn’t list weather guarantees, so your own experience with boat rides is your best guide.

Price Breakdown: When $71 Feels Like a Deal

Let’s be practical about value.

For roughly $71 per person, you’re getting:

• a full-day boat trip
• lunch with BBQ and a main choice
• included drinks during lunch (red wine, water, orange juice)
• snorkeling gear and float options
• fuel surcharge and insurance
• Wi-fi

On a day like this, boat transport and lunch alone can add up fast if you try to piece it together. The other big value factor is time. The stops are built into the schedule, so you spend your energy enjoying the water, not planning.

If you’re traveling as a family, this price also tends to work because everyone can rotate between swimming and walking without paying for separate activities.

If you’re trying to do the same itinerary on your own, you’d need a boat, fuel, and a meal plan. That’s where the tour starts to feel like a bargain.

Small Details That Make the Day Smoother

These are the little things that matter when you’re on a boat all day.

Bring:

• hat
• swimwear
• towel
• camera
• sunscreen

Also, remember the tour’s basic rule of swimming at anchorage. Your “bring a towel” plan should include what you’ll do after you climb back up from the water.

And if you like to keep connected, Wi-fi is included, so you’re not totally cut off. But it’s still a sea day, so expect things to be slower than on land.

Should You Book This Brač and Šolta Boat Trip?

Book it if you want a real full-day boat experience with swimming, a proper meal, and at least one genuine land break in Sutivan. The combination of BBQ lunch, included snorkeling gear, and time near the Kontesa shipwreck is a smart way to see a lot without spending the whole day organizing logistics.

Skip it if you:

• can’t swim well
• get seasick easily
• need wheelchair access
• want beach-only swimming

If you’re on the fence, choose based on one question: are you okay jumping in from the boat and climbing back up on ladders? If yes, this is the kind of trip that tends to leave people smiling, not just sunburned.

FAQ

What’s included in the $71 per person price?

The trip includes the boat ride, lunch, snorkels, floaties, and water polo balls, plus fuel surcharge and insurance. Wi-fi is also included.

Where are the pickup points and what times should I expect?

You can be picked up at Krilo Jesenice at 08:30 AM, or at Podstrana Sv. Martin at 09:00 AM. There is also a pickup option from Le Meridien Lav marina at 09:15 AM, but it runs twice a week based on availability.

Do I get time to explore Sutivan on my own?

Yes. After sailing to Sutivan, you get time to explore the town at your leisure.

What lunch options are offered on board?

Lunch includes a choice of mackerel fish, chicken, or a vegetarian burger, served with salad and bread. The crew asks you to email your lunch preference after booking.

Are snorkels and floaties provided?

Yes. Snorkels and floaties are included, along with water polo balls.

Can non-swimmers join?

No. The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, and swimming happens from an anchorage where you must jump from the boat and climb back using ladders.

Is swimming done from the beach?

No. The swim stops are at anchorage. You jump into the sea from the boat and return via the ladders.

What drinks are included during lunch?

During lunch, you get unlimited red wine, water, and orange juice.

Is alcohol included outside of lunch?

Alcohol and snacks are not included outside of lunch, but alcoholic drinks are available for purchase.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.