Split: Hvar, Pakleni, Brač & Šolta All-inclusive Tour

Three islands, one long blue-water day. This 10-hour catamaran trip from Split combines a short guided walk in Hvar with swimming stops around Brač, the Pakleni Islands and Šolta. I especially like the clean, spacious boat and the easy all-inclusive setup, with food, coffee, soft drinks, water, beer and wine covered in the price.

I also like the crew’s cheerful hosting, especially the energy brought by hosts such as Mia and Manuela. The main consideration is that this is a social boat outing, not a quiet private cruise. Music gets livelier on the return, and the lunch is pleasant but fairly light for a full day at sea.

Key points at a glance

• Three swimming stops: Swim off Brač, in a secluded Pakleni bay, and near Šolta, with snorkeling time at the final stop.
• Hvar with structure and freedom: A short guided tour introduces the old town, followed by about an hour to explore independently.
• Food and drinks included: Expect coffee, pastry with cheese, chicken salad, fruit, cake, water, soft drinks, beer and wine.
• A large but manageable catamaran: The boat holds up to 78 people, yet its open layout gives you room to sit, sunbathe or walk around.
• Party atmosphere on the way home: Music begins gently and may turn into a small dance party as the boat returns to Split.
• Good value for a full day: At $116 per person, the included meals and drinks help justify the higher price of a basic boat excursion.

A full day from Split, with the Adriatic as your main attraction

This excursion begins at Obala Lazareta 1 in Split. You should arrive 30 minutes before departure, since the boat leaves for a carefully timed circuit through the central Dalmatian islands.

The appeal is simple: instead of choosing between a town visit and a swim cruise, you get both. Hvar supplies the history, stone lanes and café time. Brač, Pakleni and Šolta provide the clear water and warm-weather relaxation.

The route takes about 10 hours, including several hours of sailing. That makes the catamaran itself part of the experience. You are not simply being ferried from one port to another. You spend much of the day watching islands slide past, eating on deck, listening to music and deciding when to sit in the sun.

The pace is leisurely rather than frantic. One passenger specifically appreciated that the boat moved more slowly than smaller craft that raced past it. That is good news if you want time to enjoy the sea, though anyone hoping to pack in long visits on several islands may find the schedule too structured.

Brač begins the swimming day

The first major stop is off Brač, with roughly an hour set aside for swimming. This is a smart opening to the day. You get into the water early, before the long ride to Hvar, and the stop quickly shifts the mood from city sightseeing to holiday mode.

You can swim from the boat and enjoy the Adriatic views without having to organize a beach transfer. The catamaran gives you a place to return to for shade, drinks and dry clothes, though you should bring your own towel.

The swimming stops are the heart of the trip. If you love warm sea water, sun and repeated chances to cool off, the schedule works well. If you are not a keen swimmer, keep in mind that Brač, Pakleni and Šolta are primarily water stops rather than full island visits.

The crew has supplied goggles and pool noodles on some departures, but equipment availability can vary. I would still bring your own swim goggles if snorkeling matters to you.

Hvar brings history, stone lanes and free time

After about an hour of sailing, you reach Hvar Island. Here the day changes pace. A guide leads you through Hvar Town, pointing out the most important sights in the old town and giving you a short introduction to the place.

The walking portion is useful because Hvar can feel confusing at first. A guide helps you get your bearings fast, then you have about an hour to continue on your own. You can use that time for a coffee, a look through the stone streets or a relaxed walk near the waterfront.

The tour is brief, so do not expect a full historical lecture or a deep examination of Hvar’s buildings. One practical improvement would be a microphone for the guide, since it can be difficult to hear explanations in a busy old town.

The quality of the guiding can also vary by departure. Guides such as Manuela and Mia have been praised for being warm, helpful and energetic, while one passenger found a particular walking tour less useful. I would treat the Hvar visit as a well-organized introduction, not the main reason to book the excursion.

The timing is a matter of taste. Some people find the Hvar stop perfectly balanced. Others would prefer less time in town and longer swimming breaks. If your priority is old-town sightseeing, the two hours allocated to the guided walk and free time are welcome. If swimming is your main goal, the Hvar stop may feel a little long.

Pakleni Islands offer the prettiest swim stop

The boat then heads to the Pakleni Islands, a group known for small bays and beautiful water. The stop is usually in a more secluded cove, giving you the most peaceful swimming setting of the day.

This is where the trip feels least like a standard transport outing. You are surrounded by small islands, open sea and rocky coast rather than city streets. The boat stays long enough for a proper swim, though exact time can change with weather and the day’s schedule.

The cove is for swimming, not island exploration. You do not get a long shore visit here, so plan to stay close to the catamaran. Bring sunscreen and a hat for the time on deck, and use the shaded areas when you have had enough sun.

The crew keeps the boat clean between stops, including the floor after swimmers return. That small detail matters on a day when wet feet, food and drinks all share the same space.

Šolta closes the route with swimming and snorkeling

The final stop is near Šolta, with around 45 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. By this point, you have already spent a full day in the sun, so the shorter stop can feel like a good final chance to get into the water without adding another long excursion ashore.

Šolta is not presented as a town visit on this route. You come for the sea. If you want to snorkel, this is the planned stop for it, though the tour does not promise a specific marine-life encounter or provide detailed snorkeling instruction.

Afterward, the catamaran begins the return trip to Split. Fresh fruit and homemade cake are served, giving you something sweet while you dry off and settle in for the ride home.

What the all-inclusive price really covers

At $116 per person, this tour costs more than a simple boat ride with a few swimming stops. The price becomes easier to justify when you count what is included over a 10-hour day.

You receive coffee and a pastry with cheese early in the day, followed by a light chicken salad and sandwich lunch. Later, the crew serves fruit and cake. The food is fresh and generally well received, but the lunch is not a large restaurant-style meal.

If you prefer vegetarian food, you can pre-order a cheese option instead of chicken. The menu is not designed for endless choice, so tell the provider about dietary needs before departure rather than waiting until you board.

Drinks include unlimited water, soft drinks, coffee, beer and wine. Alcohol is served only after the first swimming stop, which is a sensible safety rule and keeps the early part of the outing more family-friendly.

The included drinks make a real difference in value. On a hot day, buying water, soft drinks, beer and lunch separately can quickly add up. A few people wished the lunch contained more meat or was more substantial, but the combination of snacks, fruit, cake and drinks keeps you supplied.

One useful detail: the beer and wine are complimentary rather than premium offerings. Think pleasant boat-day drinks, not a wine tasting. That is perfectly fine for most people and fits the relaxed nature of the trip.

Life on the mega catamaran

The catamaran can carry up to 78 people. That sounds large, but its layout helps prevent the day from feeling like a packed ferry. You can sit, stretch out, sunbathe or walk around, and the boat has clean toilets that the crew checks during the day.

Arrive early if you want the best chance of finding shade or a table. This is especially helpful if you are traveling with children, older relatives or anyone who does not want to sit in direct sun for hours.

The boat is suited to a mixed crowd. Families, couples, solo visitors and groups of friends can all fit into the atmosphere. Groups larger than 10 are not allowed on the daily tours, so this is not designed for large private parties.

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Hosts such as Mia, Manuela and the wider team are repeatedly described as attentive, upbeat and willing to help. They adjust the music and energy to the crowd, starting more quietly and building toward a livelier return journey.

That balance is useful. You can join the fun, have a drink and dance, or remain on the quieter side of the boat and watch the sea. The return often includes a dance floor and louder music, although the length of the dance session is not fixed.

Music taste is personal. Many people enjoy the playlist and party mood, while one passenger would have preferred softer beach music instead of techno. If you want silence and solitude, choose a smaller private boat instead.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a little of everything: a guided introduction to Hvar, several chances to swim, food without restaurant stops, and a friendly social atmosphere.

It is especially useful for a first visit to Split when you want to see more of Dalmatia in one day. The route gives you a broad sense of the islands without requiring you to arrange ferries, taxis, lunch and beach stops yourself.

Solo visitors can fit in easily because the hosts make an effort to involve people. Couples and families also have enough flexibility to enjoy the day at their own pace. Children over two are welcome, and one family with a seven-month-old found the outing manageable, though the official recommendation is for children above two years old.

You may want something else if you prefer long, quiet time on one island. Hvar receives only a short visit, and the other island stops are mainly for swimming. You should also skip this option if you use a wheelchair, since the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Practical preparation for the 10-hour route

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses and a sun hat. These are not optional extras on a long day with repeated swimming stops and plenty of time outdoors.

Wear something easy to move in for the Hvar walk. You will want dry clothes for town, especially if you swim before arriving on Hvar. Keep valuables limited, since the boat day involves moving between seating, swimming and food areas.

Vegetarian meals require advance notice. Pets are not allowed. Alcohol begins only after the first swim stop, and the daily departure has a maximum of 78 people.

The operator allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and offers a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those policies are useful when your Split plans depend on weather, since sea conditions can affect the comfort and timing of the day.

Is the Split Hvar catamaran tour worth booking?

I think it is a strong choice if you want a well-organized day on the water without having to make separate decisions about transport, meals and drinks. The combination of Hvar, three swim stops, a spacious catamaran and a lively crew gives you plenty for the $116 price.

Book it if you like social boat trips, repeated swims and music on the ride home. Think twice if you want a private, silent cruise, a substantial lunch or several hours to explore Hvar independently.

For the best experience, arrive early for shade, pre-order the vegetarian meal if needed, and treat Hvar as a short introduction rather than a full island visit. If that sounds like your kind of Croatian day, this all-inclusive route is an efficient and enjoyable way to experience the Adriatic from Split.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

The meeting point is Obala Lazareta 1, 21000 Split, Croatia. You should meet the guide 30 minutes before the scheduled departure.

How long does the tour last?

The full excursion lasts 10 hours, including sailing, sightseeing and swimming stops.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Brač, Hvar, the Pakleni Islands and Šolta.

Is a guided tour of Hvar included?

Yes. A guide provides a short sightseeing tour of Hvar Town, followed by about an hour of free time to explore independently.

What food is included?

The tour includes coffee, a pastry with cheese, a chicken salad and sandwich lunch, fruit and cake. A vegetarian cheese meal can be pre-ordered instead of chicken.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited water, soft drinks, coffee, beer and wine are included. Alcoholic drinks are served after the first swimming stop.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses and a sun hat.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. It is recommended for children above two years old, and pets are not allowed.