REVIEW · SPLIT
Split: Full Day Sailing Tour to Šolta Island and Brač Island
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Marinero Sailing Split · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Chill sailing days beat big tours. This full-day sail from Split feels made for people who want calm time on the water and real stops for snorkeling and swimming in the Adriatic. You’ll get handpicked bites—cheese, prosciutto, bread—and Croatian white wine, plus free time on Šolta in a village that’s not overrun.
One thing to factor in: sailing depends on wind. If conditions are light, you may do more floating and fewer long stretches of motor-free sailing. Also, you’ll want to plan for lunch costs on Šolta since lunch isn’t included.
In This Review
- Quick hits before you set sail
- Meeting the boat near Ina in Split
- Sailing to Brač: bays, swimming, and the real reason to go
- Wine, cheese, and the calm rhythm of the afternoon
- Šolta and Stomorska: the quiet village stop that makes lunch easier
- What small-group sailing changes (beyond just comfort)
- Weather and wind reality check for your day on the Adriatic
- Price and value: what you’re really paying for at $141
- What to bring so the day stays comfortable
- Who this tour suits best (and who should think twice)
- Should you book Split full-day sailing to Šolta and Brač?
- FAQ
- Where do I meet for the sailing tour?
- What time does the tour start and end?
- Is hotel pickup included?
- Is snorkeling gear provided?
- What drinks and snacks are included?
- Is lunch included on Šolta?
- How much time do you spend at each island?
- Do I need to bring a towel?
- What should I pack for the day?
- What happens if the weather is bad?
Quick hits before you set sail

- A small group (about 6 people) on a 33-foot sailboat keeps everything relaxed and personal.
- Snorkeling kit is included (masks, snorkels, and floaties), so you can swim without packing extra gear.
- Two distinct island vibes: Brač for swimming and bays, Šolta for a quiet village feel.
- Wine and snacks come with the stops, not just a token pour—white wine and water are part of the experience.
- Stomorska on Šolta is the lunch-friendly stop, with free time to explore or eat seaside.
Meeting the boat near Ina in Split

Your day starts back where most people in Split begin their sea plans: the port area. You meet the boat close to the Ina boat refueling station, on a 33-foot sailboat marked RO 1037. If you’re the type who likes to show up a little early, do it—being relaxed at the start makes the whole trip feel smoother.
From there, you get a brief introduction and safety briefing, then you settle in. A warm cup of fresh coffee or tea kicks the morning off, which is a small touch but a real quality-of-life win. It means you’re not scrambling for caffeine or waiting until later to feel human.
One practical note: hotel pickup and drop-off aren’t included. You’ll want to make your own way to the meeting spot in Split.
You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Split
Sailing to Brač: bays, swimming, and the real reason to go
Brač is the first big island stop on this route, and it’s set up for a specific kind of Croatia day: anchor in a good spot, then make the water the main event. Once you reach the bay, you have about an hour to choose your pace.
You can get in the water right away. The tour includes snorkeling gear and floaties, plus masks and snorkels, so you’re not stuck doing just a quick dip. If you prefer to stay above the surface, you can float, swim, and lounge right where the boat stops.
If you want to snorkel, aim to go soon after the anchor—early often means better visibility and less crowding in the water. If you want to keep it easy, you can just enjoy the swim break and come back refreshed for food.
Not everyone will get the same amount of sailing time, though. The good news is that the schedule is built around anchoring and swimming. The sailing part may be shorter on low-wind days. The experience still works, because swimming is central here, not optional.
Wine, cheese, and the calm rhythm of the afternoon

A lot of day trips try to do too much. This one slows down on purpose. After the Brač swim stop, you’ll have light bites and wine on board—cheese, prosciutto, and bread paired with Croatian white wine, plus water. It’s an easy setup: you eat, sip, and enjoy the scenery without rushing to a checklist of sights.
This kind of food-and-drink timing matters more than you’d think. You’re not leaving the water to race to lunch. Instead, you get a built-in break that keeps the trip feeling like a day at sea, not a moving bus tour.
From the people who’ve done this, a big theme is that the wine and water feel genuinely included rather than symbolic. If you’re the kind of traveler who likes to enjoy a drink while you’re actually on the water, this fits your style.
Also, the tour is designed around a small group, so you’re not constantly waiting for other people to finish eating or get ready to move. That makes the rhythm feel more like a private outing than a group schedule.
Šolta and Stomorska: the quiet village stop that makes lunch easier
After Brač, the boat continues to Šolta and docks in Stomorska. Stomorska is the kind of village you want on a boat day: photogenic without feeling like an attraction machine. You get around two hours here, which is a comfortable amount of time—long enough to do something, but short enough that you’re not stuck feeling trapped in one place.
What you can do depends on your mood:
- Wander through the town and soak up the slower pace.
- Go for another swim in the local waters.
- Grab lunch at a seaside restaurant with time to actually enjoy it.
Lunch is not included, so you’ll pay for that part yourself. But here’s the nice advantage: guides can take care of the details so you don’t lose time. One of the standout practical moments from the trip is that the guide can pre-order food at a local restaurant, so your lunch is ready soon after you arrive. That’s a smart way to keep your day from turning into a waiting game.
If you’re hoping to swim again after lunch, you may have the window to do so. The dock and village time are structured so you can switch between land and water without feeling rushed.
What small-group sailing changes (beyond just comfort)
The boat is set for a small group—about six people total. That size changes the whole feel in a way that’s hard to fake with better marketing.
On a smaller boat, you get:
- More attention from the skippers during swim and safety moments.
- Easier conversation while you’re on the move.
- More privacy when you’re anchored and in the water.
The skippers you’ll likely spend time with include Marin and Damian (Marinero Sailing Split). People consistently highlight that both are helpful and attentive, and they’re the kind of guides who make the trip feel personal rather than scripted.
There’s also an unglamorous benefit: small-group pacing means you’re less likely to feel like you’re always waiting for a crowd. When you’re on the water, waiting kills the mood. This tour tries hard not to do that.
You can also read our reviews of more sailing experiences in Split
Weather and wind reality check for your day on the Adriatic
Croatia’s islands look amazing in photos. The real world runs on wind and weather, and this tour is honest about that. The trip can be canceled in bad weather, such as strong wind or rain.
That means two things for you:
- If you book close to other plans, keep a little flexibility.
- Pack smart for changing conditions—because even when the weather is fine, the wind can change how much sailing you actually do.
One common experience is that some days don’t bring much wind. When that happens, you still get stops, snacks, wine, and swimming, but the sailing portion can be shorter than you might expect. The tour is still worth it if you came for the swim time and island feel—not just the sailing under sail.
Price and value: what you’re really paying for at $141
At about $141 per person, this isn’t a budget snack on a boat. It is, however, priced like a small-group experience with real inclusions: snorkeling gear, floaties, snacks (cheese, prosciutto, bread), coffee and tea, white wine, and water.
What makes it feel like good value is how those inclusions map onto what you’d otherwise pay for:
- You don’t have to rent snorkeling equipment on the spot.
- You get wine and snacks built into the day, not replaced by a separate food stop.
- The group size helps keep the experience from turning into a crowded experience where you spend half your time waiting.
The cost does not include lunch, towels, or transfers from your hotel. So if you’re traveling without a backup towel in your bag, factor that in. But overall, you’re paying for the structure of the day: boat time, swim time, and guided pacing.
What to bring so the day stays comfortable
You’ll be happier if you show up ready to go from deck to water. The essentials for this trip are:
- Sun hat
- Swimwear
- Towel
- Sunscreen
Also, no speakers and no pets are allowed. That keeps the atmosphere calm and boat-friendly for everyone.
If you’re the type who burns quickly, sunscreen is non-negotiable in the sun over open water. And if you forget a towel, you’ll likely feel it later during your island stop.
Who this tour suits best (and who should think twice)
This is a great fit if you want:
- A small-group day with a relaxed pace.
- Real water time for swimming and snorkeling.
- A mix of island exploration and lounging on anchor days.
- A guide team that’s attentive—Marin and Damian are frequently praised for making the day feel smooth.
It might be less ideal if you need wheelchair access, since it’s not suitable for wheelchair users. Also, if you absolutely need lots of sail-only time regardless of wind, you may want to adjust your expectations. This tour is designed around swimming and island stops, not guaranteed long stretches of wind-powered sailing.
Should you book Split full-day sailing to Šolta and Brač?
If your ideal Croatia day looks like: boat leaving Split, anchoring in a good bay, swimming with included gear, then returning to a quiet island village for a slower lunch break—yes, book it. This tour is strong on the things that make boat days memorable: small group size, good swim opportunities, and wine-and-snacks timing that doesn’t interrupt your flow.
I’d skip it only if you’re looking for a large, packed sightseeing itinerary, or if you have zero flexibility for weather-related changes. Otherwise, the combination of Brač swim time plus Šolta village time in Stomorska makes a lot of sense for travelers who prefer authentic rhythm over checklists.
FAQ
Where do I meet for the sailing tour?
Meet at the boat close to the Ina boat refueling station in Split. The sailboat is 33 feet long and has RO 1037 written on the front.
What time does the tour start and end?
The tour starts at the meeting point in Split and ends back at the same meeting point.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.
Is snorkeling gear provided?
Yes. The tour includes snorkeling gear, along with masks and snorkels, plus floaties for swimming.
What drinks and snacks are included?
Coffee and tea are included, and you’ll also get snacks (cheese, prosciutto, and bread) with white wine and water.
Is lunch included on Šolta?
No. Lunch is not included, but you’ll have free time in Stomorska on Šolta to get lunch on your own.
How much time do you spend at each island?
You’ll spend about an hour anchored at Brač, then about two hours in Stomorska on Šolta.
Do I need to bring a towel?
Yes. Towels are not included, so you’ll want to bring one.
What should I pack for the day?
Bring sun hat, swimwear, towel, and sunscreen.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The trip will be canceled if there is bad weather such as strong wind or rain.





























