From Hvar: Pakleni Islands & Red Rocks Comfort Sailboat Tour

A good day on the water changes your view of Hvar. This eight-hour sailing trip takes you from Hvar Port to the Red Rocks, Dubovica Beach, a quiet lunch bay, and the Pakleni Islands aboard a 36-foot sailboat. I especially like the small-group setup, with room for no more than eight people, and the chance to help with the sails when weather conditions permit.

I also like the generous swim time. You are not simply ferried from one photo stop to the next. You have time to snorkel, use the paddle board, and enjoy several clear-water bays. The main consideration is weather: strong winds can alter the route or reduce sailing time, and lunch and drinks cost extra.

Key things to know before you book

• Small boat, small group: The sailboat carries up to eight people, creating a quieter day than a large excursion boat. Bigger groups use two yachts.
• Three strong water stops: You get time for swimming and snorkeling at the Red Rocks, Dubovica Beach, and the Pakleni Islands.
• Sailing is weather dependent: You may learn to steer and handle the sails, but calm conditions can mean more time under motor power.
• A real lunch break: The boat anchors near a small traditional restaurant, where you can buy lunch rather than eat from a packed tour menu.
• Useful onboard gear: Lifejackets, snorkel masks, and a paddle board are included, along with a toilet, cabins, and kitchen.
• A full-day commitment: At eight hours, this is best for people who want a relaxed day at sea, not a quick sightseeing ride.

Why this small sailboat makes a difference

Hvar has no shortage of boat trips. The difference here is scale. A maximum of eight people gives you more room to sit on deck, ask the captain questions, and get into the water without the fuss of a crowded boat.

You meet the captain at Hvar’s main port, with the exact meeting point depending on the option you book. The day begins with a short safety briefing of about 10 minutes. That is a sensible start, especially if you have little sailing experience or plan to use the paddle board.

The boat is large enough to feel practical without becoming a floating party venue. It has cabins, a kitchen, and a toilet, which matter during an eight-hour outing. You should still think of it as a sailboat rather than a cruise ship. Deck space and onboard storage are limited compared with a large motor vessel.

The captain is central to the quality of the day. Peter, Petar, Stefan, and Mića are among the captains named in the feedback, and the strongest praise goes to their calm manner, sailing ability, and care with the route. Mića, in particular, was praised for making everyone comfortable, while Peter helped turn a rearranged trip into a successful outing after high winds affected the original date.

Leaving Hvar Port and learning the ropes

After the safety briefing, you set out toward the western side of Hvar and the Red Rocks area. One sailing leg is listed at about 45 minutes, giving you time to settle into the rhythm of the boat.

If the wind is right, the captain may show you how to work the sails and steer. This is one of the most appealing parts of the trip because you are not only looking at a sailboat from the passenger seat. You get a basic sense of how the boat moves and how the skipper manages it.

Do not book this expecting a sailing lesson with a fixed amount of instruction. The captain decides what is safe and practical based on wind and sea conditions. One August outing had limited sailing for part of the day because of weather, then later found a chance to sail toward Vis. That is a useful reminder that flexibility is part of the deal.

When the sails are not in use, you can stretch out on deck and watch Hvar’s coast slide past. I would bring a hat and sunscreen, since an open deck offers little shade unless the boat’s layout provides it on the day.

Red Rocks: the first major swim

The Red Rocks are among the most recognizable natural sights near Hvar. Their reddish stone cliffs meet the sea in a dramatic way, and the clear water around them gives you a good reason to bring the supplied snorkel mask.

The planned stop lasts about an hour for swimming and snorkeling. This is a good first water break because you can cool off after the opening sailing leg, then explore below the surface rather than simply taking a quick dip.

The description of swimming in 100-meter-deep open water may sound intimidating, but it also explains why you should be comfortable in the sea before joining. Lifejackets are provided, and you can choose how much time you spend in the water. Still, this is not a shallow beach outing at this point.

The Red Rocks are best enjoyed from two angles. Look up at the stone formations from the water, then look down for marine life in the clear sea. Visibility depends on conditions, but the water is one of the main reasons to choose this trip over a standard coastal sightseeing ride.

Dubovica Beach and a slower second stop

The boat then sails for roughly 30 minutes to Dubovica Beach. The pace here is intentionally unhurried. After the short sailing leg, you have about 45 minutes for swimming and snorkeling.

Dubovica gives the day a different feel from the Red Rocks. The stop is closer to a beach setting, while the Red Rocks are more about unusual rock formations and open water. That variety keeps the itinerary from becoming a string of identical swims.

I like this middle section because it breaks up the day well. You have a little sailing, a little water time, and then another chance to dry off before the longer lunch stop. If you dislike repeated swimming breaks, this may feel too water focused. For anyone who packs a mask and wants time in the sea, it is a strong part of the route.

The itinerary allows about 30 minutes of sailing after Dubovica before reaching the lunch area. You will want to keep a towel and dry layer within reach, since the boat continues moving between stops and the wind can make wet swimwear feel cool.

Lunch at a quiet bay, with the bill on you

The lunch stop lasts about two hours and takes place near a small local restaurant in a tranquil bay. You buy food and drinks at your own expense, so this is not an all-inclusive cruise.

That arrangement has real advantages. You can choose what appeals to you instead of being handed a fixed meal, and the setting becomes part of lunch. A few people specifically singled out the restaurant as one of the best meals of their Croatia trip, with Notos named as the lunch spot on one outing.

The important practical tip is to bring food and drinks anyway. They are listed as items to bring, and you should not assume the restaurant will suit every appetite, budget, or dietary need. You may prefer to buy lunch there, but having water and a snack on the boat gives you a backup.

The two-hour pause also includes time for swimming and snorkeling. That makes it more than a meal break. You can eat, sit by the bay, or get back into the water before the afternoon sailing continues.

Exploring the Pakleni Islands by sail

The later part of the day brings you among the Pakleni Islands, a chain of small islands just off Hvar. The route includes about 30 minutes of sailing before further swimming and snorkeling stops.

The Pakleni Islands are a natural match for a small sailboat. You can see the coast from the water, move between sheltered bays, and spend time in places that are better reached by boat than on foot. The exact route can change with weather and sea conditions, so think of the islands as a flexible sailing area rather than a rigid checklist of named beaches.

The schedule allows about an hour at one Pakleni stop, followed by another 40-minute swimming and snorkeling period. That is a generous amount of water time by excursion standards. The paddle board adds another option if you want a break from snorkeling.

There is a tradeoff. Two island swim stops late in a full day may feel repetitive if you prefer sightseeing on land. But if your ideal Croatian day includes warm sun, clear water, and no rush to return to shore, the final section should feel like the reward for staying out all day.

What the price includes, and what it does not

At $176 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Pakleni Islands. You are paying for an eight-hour outing, a captain, a smaller boat, onboard facilities, sailing time, several swimming stops, snorkeling equipment, and a paddle board.

The value depends on how you use the day. If you only want a quick boat ride and one swim, the price will feel high. If you would otherwise book separate transport, a snorkeling trip, and a coastal tour, the combined time and equipment make the fare easier to justify.

The small group is the strongest value point. A larger boat may cost less, but you will usually trade away space and quiet. Here, the maximum of eight people gives the captain more room to respond to the group and makes the day feel less like mass transport.

Food and drinks are extra, and hotel pickup is not included. You need to reach the port yourself, and the exact meeting point can vary by booking option. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Hvar plans are still shifting.

The weather question matters

Sailing trips are always shaped by the wind. On this route, weather can affect how much time you spend under sail, which stops are practical, and possibly whether the date needs to change.

That is not a flaw in the operation. It is a safety issue. Strong winds can make sailing uncomfortable or unsafe, and a good captain will adjust the day rather than force the advertised route.

You should book this with a flexible attitude. One trip was rearranged because of high winds, and the operator helped find another date. Another day had less sailing than hoped, but conditions later allowed a longer run toward Vis. If you want a fixed schedule with guaranteed sailing maneuvers, choose a land-based activity instead.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this tour for couples, families with older children, and small groups of friends who want a calm day on the water. It also suits anyone who would rather see Hvar’s coast from a sailboat than spend the day on a packed motorboat.

It is especially good for:

• People who enjoy swimming and snorkeling more than long walks
• Couples looking for a relaxed birthday or honeymoon outing
• Visitors who want several coastal stops in one day
• Small groups that value privacy
• Anyone curious about basic sailing but not seeking a formal course

I would think twice if you get seasick, dislike open-water swimming, or want a tour with meals and drinks included. The 100-meter-deep water and repeated sea stops are a major part of the day, not a minor extra.

The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, though the practical details of boarding and moving around a 36-foot sailboat are not provided. If you use a wheelchair, confirm the arrangements before booking rather than relying on the label alone.

What to bring for a better day

Bring food and drinks, even if you plan to eat at the restaurant. Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a hat. The supplied snorkel masks and paddle board mean you do not need to bring those items unless you prefer your own equipment.

A light cover-up is useful after swimming. You may also want a dry bag or other waterproof pouch for small personal items, though the onboard storage details are not specified.

Wear something suitable for a full day outdoors. You will be moving between deck time, swimming stops, and restaurant time, so simple clothing that dries quickly is more useful than a carefully styled outfit.

Should you book the Pakleni Islands sailing tour?

I would book it if you want an easygoing full day at sea with a small group, repeated swim stops, and a captain who can adjust the route to the weather. The best parts are the compact group, the clear-water stops, the Red Rocks, and the relaxed lunch bay.

I would skip it if your priority is guaranteed sailing instruction, a bargain price, or a fully catered cruise. At $176, the trip earns its value through time, space, and variety rather than through included meals or luxury service.

For most visitors with one spare day in Hvar, this is a strong way to see the nearby coast. Pack your own water, leave room in the schedule for weather changes, and let the captain decide when the sea is ready for sailing.

FAQ

How long is the sailboat tour?

The tour lasts eight hours, including sailing, swimming, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and the lunch stop.

Where does the tour begin?

You meet the captain at Hvar’s main port. The exact meeting point may vary depending on the option you book, with Riva 32 listed as a starting and drop-off location.

How many people can join one sailboat?

The 36-foot sailboat can accommodate a maximum of eight guests. Larger groups are placed on two yachts.

Is sailing instruction included?

If weather conditions allow, the captain may teach you the basics of working the sails and steering the yacht. The amount of sailing activity depends on the wind and sea conditions.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes lifejackets, snorkel masks, and a paddle board. The boat also has cabins, a kitchen, and a toilet.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You can buy lunch at a small traditional restaurant during the two-hour lunch stop, and you should bring food and drinks with you.

Where do you stop for swimming and snorkeling?

Stops include the Red Rocks, Dubovica Beach, and several locations around the Pakleni Islands. The schedule provides multiple swimming and snorkeling periods.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach the designated meeting point at Hvar Port.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The sailing activity or route may change because of weather conditions. Strong winds can also lead to a date rearrangement. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure.