Full-Day Catamaran Cruise to Hvar & Pakleni Islands with Food and free Drinks

Three beautiful swim stops make this 10-hour catamaran cruise a strong choice for seeing more of the Adriatic without arranging ferries, beaches, lunch, and drinks yourself. You get a guided walk in Hvar, free time in town, meals, an open bar, and a lively music session on the return to Split.

I especially like the easy mix of sightseeing and swimming. I also like that the crew provides snorkel masks and foam noodles, small extras that make the beach stops more enjoyable. The main drawback is the length: with several hours spent cruising, the day may feel too long if you want a quick Hvar visit or a quiet boat ride.

The tour costs about $119.72 per person, with a reported rating of 4.8 from 670 reviews and a 94 percent recommendation rate. That price is not simply for transportation to Hvar. It includes lunch, snacks, unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and coffee, plus guided sightseeing and three swim stops. For a full day on the water, the package offers solid value, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for meals and drinks.

What Makes This Cruise Worth Considering

• Three swim stops across Brač, Pakleni, and Šolta: You get repeated chances to swim in clear Adriatic water instead of spending the entire day in one town.
• Hvar with a guide and free time: A professional guide introduces the old town, then you have about an hour to explore independently.
• Food served throughout the day: Expect an early pastry and coffee, chicken salad after Hvar, then fruit and homemade cakes later.
• Open bar after the first swim stop: Beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and coffee are included, with alcoholic drinks served after the first swim stop.
• A social finish on the way back: Music, dancing, and games turn the final part of the cruise into a party.
• A mid-sized catamaran: The boat can carry up to 76 people, though some departures have around 45 to 50 passengers, leaving more room than the most crowded day boats.

Meeting Summer Blues at Split Harbor

The day begins at 8:30 a.m. at Obala Lazareta 1 in Split. You meet the crew directly in front of the Summer Blues catamaran at dock 4 or 5. This matters because several boat companies use the same harbor area, and it is easy to join the wrong queue if you are moving quickly.

The cruise ends back at the same meeting point after about 10 hours. The early start is useful because it allows time for Hvar, three swimming breaks, and the return cruise before sunset. It also means you should plan a relaxed evening afterward. This is not a quick morning outing followed by a full night of sightseeing.

The boat has bathrooms, a detail that makes a long day much easier. Most people can take part, and children over two are permitted. Still, the atmosphere changes as the day goes on. The morning is calmer, while the open bar, music, dancing, and games bring a more social party mood later.

The maximum capacity is 76 people. That is not a tiny private sailing trip, but it is also not necessarily the packed experience you might find on a much larger excursion boat. One account described a boat with roughly 45 to 50 people, enough space to relax and meet others without feeling squeezed.

Brač Begins With a Quiet Swim

The first stop is a bay near Brač, reached after a relaxed cruise from Split. You have about an hour to swim and sit in the bright blue water while taking in the island views.

This opening stop works well because it eases you into the day. You are not rushed straight into a town tour. Instead, you get a chance to cool off, settle into the boat, and see why the Croatian coast is best experienced from the water.

Bring a swimsuit under your clothes if that is convenient. The swim stops are a major part of the day, and changing into swimming gear at the first stop may be simpler than waiting for a later break. Foam noodles and face masks are available, adding some play value for anyone who wants to float or look below the surface.

Breakfast-style refreshments are served early, including a pastry and coffee. This is useful after the early meeting time, though you should think of it as a light start rather than a full breakfast. The bar opens for alcoholic drinks after the first swim stop, while water and soft drinks are part of the included refreshments.

The sea can be choppy on the open stretches. One practical point deserves attention: if you are prone to motion sickness, bring your usual medication. The crew reportedly keeps motion sickness pills on board, but carrying your own option is still sensible. Sitting where you feel the least movement and focusing on the horizon may also help, though exact seating arrangements are not specified.

Hvar Offers Two Hours of History and Free Time

After Brač, the catamaran continues to Hvar. The land portion lasts about two hours, including a guided walk and independent time.

The guide introduces the main sights of Hvar’s old town and gives you an orientation before you go off on your own. The guided portion is not designed as a long academic lecture. The appeal is practical: you arrive in an unfamiliar town, get your bearings, hear about the important places, and then have time to choose your own pace.

The free hour is enough for a coffee along the promenade, a short walk through the streets, or souvenir shopping. It is not enough for an extensive visit to every sight on Hvar, so keep your expectations realistic. If Hvar is the main reason you want to leave Split, you may find the visit too brief. Several people have enjoyed the town but wished they could stay longer.

This short stop is also why the cruise works best as a broad Adriatic sampler rather than a dedicated Hvar tour. You see Hvar, but you also spend time swimming and cruising. That trade-off is the heart of the itinerary.

A guide named Manuela has received especially warm praise for being welcoming, attentive, and good at offering small bits of information throughout the day. Mia has also been praised for keeping people informed and maintaining the mood on board. Guides can vary by departure, so you should not assume a particular person will lead your trip, but the crew’s friendly service is one of the strongest parts of the experience.

Pakleni Islands Bring the Best Swimming

After Hvar, you return to the catamaran and head toward the Pakleni Islands. The boat stops in one of the islands’ sheltered bays for another swim of about an hour.

This is a good point in the day for the included lunch. The advertised meal is a Summer Blues chicken salad, though it is worth clarifying what that means. It is not a heavy mayonnaise-based chicken salad. It is closer to a regular salad with pieces of chicken on top, making it a lighter meal for a warm day at sea.

That may suit you if you prefer fresh, uncomplicated food while swimming. If you expect a large hot lunch, you could find it modest. Cakes and fruit are served later, and the early pastry helps round out the food provided throughout the day.

The open bar is available after the first swimming break, so this is when the social side of the trip becomes more noticeable. Beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and coffee are included. Unlimited drinks can add real value to the price, but they can also change the feel of the boat. If you want a peaceful afternoon, choose a seat away from the main music area when possible.

The Pakleni stop is one of the most appealing parts of the day because it combines a scenic bay, swimming, lunch, and time on deck. You can use the provided mask to look into the water, float with a noodle, or simply sit in the sun. Sunscreen is important. There is a fair amount of cruising between stops, and you may spend more time exposed to the sun than you expect.

Šolta Ends the Swimming Before the Party

The final swim stop takes place near Šolta on the way back to Split. You have about an hour in the water, followed by fresh fruit and homemade cakes on board.

By this stage, the stop feels less like a major destination and more like a final chance to swim before the return. That is not a criticism, but it helps explain one common concern: if the three stops are similar, some people may prefer a shorter itinerary with only two swims. Others will appreciate having another opportunity to cool off.

The third break gives you flexibility. If you skipped a swim earlier, you can use this one. If you have had enough sun and salt water, you can stay aboard and enjoy the food, drinks, and views.

After Šolta, the boat makes the roughly one-hour return cruise to Split. Music, dancing, and games become the main event. The crew is energetic and involved, and the final stretch can last close to two hours depending on the day’s timing.

This is where the cruise differs from a simple island transfer. The return is intentionally social. Some people describe it as the highlight, while anyone seeking a quiet sunset ride may find the volume and party atmosphere too much. The mix of ages can be broad, but the mood becomes more adult and lively once drinks are flowing.

Food, Drinks, and the Real Value of $119.72

At about $119.72, the cruise is not the cheapest way to reach Hvar. A ferry or basic catamaran ticket would cost less, but it would not include three swim stops, lunch, snacks, an open bar, guided sightseeing, or the return entertainment.

I see the value in the all-day structure. You pay once and do not need to organize separate transport, food, beach access, or drinks. The package also removes the need to choose between spending the day in Hvar and finding a good swimming bay. You get both, even though neither stop is long enough for a complete visit.

The food is adequate and spaced sensibly across the day:

• Early pastry and coffee
• Chicken salad after the Hvar visit
• Fruit and homemade cakes during the later part of the cruise
• Unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and coffee after the first swim stop

Do not book this expecting restaurant-level meals. The food is simple, portable, and suited to a boat day. The drinks and snacks matter more than the menu if you are comparing the total cost with arranging everything yourself.

Vegetarian food is available if requested at booking. Make that request in advance rather than waiting until boarding.

Who Will Enjoy This Day Most?

I would recommend the cruise to you if you want a simple way to combine Hvar sightseeing with swimming and a social boat atmosphere. It is particularly well suited to couples, friends, solo visitors hoping to meet people, and families with older children who are comfortable around water and a later party mood.

The crew’s friendly approach is a major advantage. They help people feel comfortable, keep the day moving, and create the conditions for conversation among people who may have arrived separately. The music and games make it easy to join the fun, but you do not have to dance to enjoy the trip.

I would be more cautious if your priority is a long, quiet visit to Hvar. You receive only about an hour of independent time after the guided walk. I would also think twice if you dislike boat motion, strong sun, or a loud return journey.

Children over two can join, and some families do take part. Still, the final part of the day becomes more party-focused, so families should consider whether that suits their group. The experience is also not intended for groups larger than 10 people. Groups above that limit may be refused boarding without a refund, so larger parties should not assume they can book together.

Practical Tips for a Better Day

Meet at the correct Summer Blues queue at dock 4 or 5. Nearby operators board from the same harbor area, and the boat name is the clearest way to confirm you are in the right place.

Wear swimwear and bring sunscreen. You will have three chances to swim, plus long periods on deck between stops. A towel, hat, sunglasses, and a light cover-up should make the day more comfortable, though only the listed inclusions are guaranteed.

If motion sickness affects you, bring medication. The sea may not be smooth, particularly on the open stretches between islands.

Keep some energy for the end. The return is not simply a quiet ride to Split. Music, dancing, and games are a planned part of the experience, and the crew often builds the party during the last part of the afternoon.

The cruise requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 8:30 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

Should You Book the Summer Blues Catamaran Cruise?

You should book this trip if you want a full Adriatic day that mixes swimming, Hvar sightseeing, included food, and an open bar. The strongest reasons are the helpful crew, comfortable catamaran, repeated swim stops, and lively finish. At the stated price, the inclusions make sense for anyone who plans to eat and drink on board.

Skip it if you want a deep visit to Hvar, a private boat, or a consistently quiet atmosphere. The town visit is short, the sea can be rough, and the return becomes a genuine dance-party session. For the right mood, though, this is an easy and well-organized way to turn one day in Split into a sampler of the Dalmatian coast.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise leave from?

The meeting point is Obala Lazareta 1 in Split. Meet directly in front of the Summer Blues catamaran at dock 4 or 5.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 8:30 a.m. and lasts approximately 10 hours, returning to the original meeting point.

Which islands and destinations are included?

The route includes a swim stop near Brač, a visit to Hvar, a swim stop near the Pakleni Islands, and another swim stop near Šolta.

How much free time do I get in Hvar?

The Hvar portion lasts about two hours. It includes a guided sightseeing walk followed by approximately one hour of free time.

Are drinks included?

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

What food is served?

Food includes an early pastry and coffee, a chicken salad after the Hvar stop, and fresh fruit and homemade cakes later in the day. A vegetarian option is available if requested when booking.

Is the cruise suitable for children?

The tour is recommended for children over two years old. Keep in mind that the atmosphere becomes more party-focused toward the end of the day.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can select another date or receive a full refund.