Podstrana and Jesenice, Boat trip to Brač and Šolta with lunch

Croatian islands, minus the stress. This half-day-to-full-day cruise links Brač and Šolta with onboard swim time and an included lunch that actually feels like a meal, not a snack. I like that the pacing is relaxed, yet you still get real water time plus a free stroll in Sutivan.

One thing to consider: swimming is from anchored stops, so you’ll be using ladders or jumping in, and the whole trip depends on good weather.

Key highlights at a glance

• Small-group feel (max 45 people), so the day stays calm and organized
• Anchored swimming stops with ladders on both sides of the boat
• BBQ lunch with choices plus unlimited red wine during lunch time
• Snorkel support including snorkels, floaties, and even water polo balls
• Sutivan on your own with maps provided for exploring a Roman settlement area

Morning Pickup: Podstrana and Jesenice, then straight onto the water

This is a true coast-to-islands day, built around hotel pickups along the Podstrana and Jesenice area. Plan for a morning start that begins earlier than you might expect. You’ll typically get picked up around 08:25 (hotel Krilo area), with sailing toward Sv. Martin Podstrana happening shortly after. Then there’s a second pickup at Sv. Martin beach in Podstrana around 08:55 and a final boarding in the Le Meridien Lav marina area around 09:00.

There’s also a short stop at M Caffe timed in the morning. Think of it as part of the boarding flow, a place to line up, get sorted, and then settle in before the boat starts moving in earnest.

What makes the morning logistics work is that the day is scheduled like a sequence, not a vague “we’ll see.” You get multiple pickup points, clear timing, and then a smooth transition into sailing with food and drinks onboard. If you hate rushing, get your breakfast done early. If you love coffee, you’ll probably appreciate the early rhythm.

Brač and Sutivan: a free walk in a Roman settlement

After everyone is onboard, the cruise heads to Brač. You’ll get a short briefing from the crew plus a welcome drink setup that starts the day on a friendly note. On adults, the included welcome shooter is part of the experience, and along the way you’re served coffee and chocolate donuts while the boat travels toward Sutivan.

Sutivan is where the trip shifts from “moving day” to “human day.” Around 10:30, you arrive and get about 1 hour 15 minutes of free time. The crew hands out maps of the town, and the map focus is on exploring the Roman settlement area on your own.

Here’s the practical value: you don’t need a guide yelling facts over the sound of the engine. You can stroll at your own pace, find a café if you want something extra, and then get back to the dock before the boat leaves at 11:45. The timing matters. They ask you to return at least three minutes earlier, which is generous, and honestly the easiest way to avoid stress.

If you want a day that balances boat time with a real on-land slice of Dalmatia, Sutivan is a strong choice on this route. It also gives you something to do while other people are still thinking about where they want to swim next.

Swim stops at anchored bays: ladders, snorkels, and real water time

The best part of this cruise is when it stops being about the itinerary and becomes about the water. Around 12:10, the boat reaches its first swim stop location. The captain drops anchor, and the crew puts out ladders on both sides of the ship. That detail matters, because it usually means fewer bottlenecks and easier access for people with different comfort levels.

You’ll have about 25 minutes for swimming and snorkelling. The boat supplies snorkels and floaties, and there are also water polo balls if you want something silly to do between serious swims. This is the kind of included gear that makes a difference. You don’t need to bring your own snorkel, and you don’t need to “figure out” how to use the sea for fun.

Then the day continues with another water break later. Around 14:10, you arrive at Necujam Bay on Šolta, where you get another 1 hour 5 minutes for swimming and snorkelling. Same setup style, anchored stop, and time to swim around the boat.

One consideration: these are not dock swims. You are getting in from the water with ladders, so it helps to be comfortable around saltwater entry. Also, you’ll want to bring swimwear you can handle for a full day. When the boat is anchored, you’ll be tempted to linger.

Šolta BBQ lunch: choice of mackerel, chicken, or vegetarian

Lunch is a big deal on this cruise because it’s not just a lunch box. The BBQ is prepared fresh onboard. You get a choice of:

• Mackerel fish
• Boneless chicken
• Vegetarian burger with salad and bread

This is served with a view. During lunch time, you have unlimited red wine, plus water and orange juice. Even if you don’t drink wine, it’s still good value because you’re not rationed on soft drinks.

One detail I really like is that you’re asked for a meal preference when booking. That matters on boats where timing is tight. It also suggests they try to have food ready for your group instead of improvising.

You eat while sailing along with sights on the starboard side that can include Brač, Hvar, Mrduja, and Solta. You might be there for the swim stops, but lunch is the moment when the day feels complete: food, shade, and sea views all at once. And yes, you’ll probably notice there’s plenty of shade onboard, which helps in the hours between swimming and the next bay.

Necujam Bay to return: the lazy second half of the day

After lunch and the first long swim, the cruise keeps a steady pace without turning into a rushed checklist. The boat heads onward and gives you time to enjoy Necujam Bay around 14:10. That swim window is generous enough that you can do a short snorkel session, take a break, and still have time to go back for one more lap.

Then you leave Šolta around 15:15. Sailing back is slower and more about relaxing than covering ground. Around 16:30, the crew serves cold watermelon, which is the perfect “reset” snack before the final return.

You’ll arrive back in Sv. Martin Podstrana around 17:20, and then the day ends back at Krilo Jesenice around 17:45. If you’re planning dinner afterward, build in enough time to shower and get off the “still-salty” schedule.

There’s something satisfying about this return rhythm. It’s not one of those tours where you’re tired by midday and then forced to sit through another long, boring stretch. Here, the later hours come with food, cooling off, and a straightforward end point.

What’s included that you’ll actually use

This trip stacks practical inclusions that help you have fun without carrying extra gear or constantly buying add-ons.

Snorkel and float support

You get snorkels and floaties, plus water polo balls. Even if you’re an okay swimmer, snorkels make it easier to enjoy the underwater side without needing skill or experience. The floaties are great if you just want to drift and watch what’s happening near the surface.

Wi-Fi onboard

Unlimited Wi-Fi is included. On a day like this, it’s mostly for practical things: quick check-ins, sending photos, or booking a dinner reservation for later.

Drinks during lunch

Unlimited red wine during lunch time is included, along with water and orange juice. Alcohol outside lunch time is a different story. Drinks ordered before and after lunch, or drinks not included during lunch time, are paid at the bar.

Food the way it should be

Lunch is BBQued with real choices: fish, chicken, or vegetarian. You can also request your preference after booking, and they bring fresh food on board daily. It’s hard to overstate how much this affects satisfaction. A boat tour can fail on food even if the sea is perfect, and here the lunch is clearly treated as a highlight.

Small-group capacity

With a maximum of 45 travelers, this isn’t a floating stadium. The crew can manage timing better, and you’re not scrambling for swim access.

Drinks, snacks, and age rules at the bar

If you’re traveling with someone under 18, pay attention to the alcohol policy. Alcoholic beverages are only accessible for travelers ages from 18 and above.

The bar is available, though. If you’re hungry for snacks between lunch and your final ride back, you can order things like ice creams and chips at the bar. Just note that anything you order outside lunch is paid separately.

This setup is a fair middle ground. You get the “free lunch experience” built in, and you still have the option to buy treats later without the whole day turning into an all-inclusive drinking event.

Price and value: what $66.23 buys you on the sea

At $66.23 per person, this tour is positioned as a value-packed day. The math in your favor comes from what’s included, not from the ticket alone.

You’re getting:

• A full day on the water (about 8 to 9 hours)
• Two major swimming windows with snorkelling gear provided
• BBQ lunch with real meal choices
• Unlimited drinks during lunch time (wine, water, orange juice)
• Wi-Fi onboard
• Time in a town (Sutivan) with maps provided

Even if you don’t drink wine, the included lunch and gear already cover a lot of the cost compared with a DIY day where you’d be paying for food, boat rental, and snorkel access separately.

One more value point: the itinerary mixes places with a reason to exist. You get Brač for the town time, Šolta for the bay time, and the swim stops are anchored so you’re not doing a constant hop from shore to shore.

Who this boat trip suits best

This is a good fit if you want a gentle day cruise with enough structure that you can relax. It suits:

• Families who want a straightforward schedule and included lunch
• Couples who want swim breaks plus a real town moment
• Friends who want shade onboard, snorkel gear, and an easy pace
• Anyone who prefers a small group over big-boat crowds

You might choose this less if you’re chasing “all-day hiking” or you want constant guided commentary. This is about boat time, swimming, and a self-guided walk in Sutivan with maps. It’s also not a “sporty” tour unless you turn the water polo balls into your workout.

Also, remember that the experience requires good weather. If conditions are rough, plans can change, and you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Should you book this Brač and Šolta day cruise?

I’d book it if your ideal day is: get picked up easily, spend hours on the sea, swim from anchored stops with gear included, eat a proper BBQ lunch with choices, and then return without late-night chaos. The small-group cap, the anchored ladder setup, and the lunch quality all point to a day that stays comfortable.

I’d think twice if you’re very sensitive to moving around on the water or if you strongly prefer shore-based activities only. The core of this experience is water time, not sightseeing buses.

If you’re trying to pick one island day from Split area, this one is a smart choice because it gives you both Brač (Sutivan) and Šolta (swim bays) without forcing you to choose between town and sea.

FAQ

What is the duration of the boat trip?

The tour runs about 8 to 9 hours.

Where do pickups happen, and where does the tour end?

Pickups include hotel Krilo in Jesenice (08:25), a stop at Sv. Martin beach in Podstrana (08:55), and boarding at the Le Meridien Lav marina (around 09:00). The tour ends back at the meeting points, including Sv. Martin Podstrana (around 17:20) and Krilo Jesenice (around 17:45).

What islands and stops are included?

You’ll sail to Brač with time in Sutivan, then you have swim stops before continuing to Šolta, including Necujam Bay, plus more sailing time back to Podstrana.

Is lunch included, and what are the meal options?

Yes. Lunch includes a freshly prepared BBQ with your choice of mackerel fish, boneless chicken, or a vegetarian burger, served with salad and bread. You can share meal preferences when booking.

Are drinks included?

During lunch time, you get unlimited red wine, plus water and orange juice. Drinks ordered before and after lunch, or drinks not included during lunch, are paid at the bar.

What swimming gear is provided?

You get snorkels, floaties, and water polo balls. Swimming is done at anchored stops, with ladders provided.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 45 travelers.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Does the tour depend on weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.