Hvar Delight: Private Speed Boat Tour

Hvar looks best from the water. This private speedboat outing gives you a full day of swimming, snorkeling, quiet coves, and a long lunch stop around the Pakleni Islands. I especially like the private boat for up to seven people, since you can shape the day around your group instead of following a crowded schedule. I also like that snorkeling equipment and fuel are included. The main drawback is the price: at $780.16 per group, it makes the most sense for families or friends who can share the cost.

The day lasts about five to six hours, with roughly two hours spent cruising. Lunch is not included, and the best part of the day depends on good weather. Still, the plan gives you time to swim at several different places rather than rushing from one photo stop to the next. Tonci, the skipper named in the customer feedback, is praised for his friendly manner and for helping arrange a lunch reservation, while Klara handles clear communication before the tour.

Key points to know before booking

• A private boat keeps the day flexible: Your group alone takes part, with room for up to seven people.
• Red Rocks adds a little adventure: You can swim near the caves and use the supplied snorkeling equipment.
• Palmižana gets the longest stop: Plan on about two and a half hours for lunch and time around the bay.
• Lunch is your responsibility: The restaurant meal is not part of the tour price, though the skipper may help with a reservation.
• The route includes several swim locations: Dubovica, Mlini, Taršće Bay, and other quiet bays all bring a different setting.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a rescheduled trip or a full refund.

Why a private speedboat works well around Hvar

Hvar Town is a fine base, but some of the island’s best swimming spots are easier to reach by boat. A speedboat lets you cover the south shore of Hvar and the nearby Pakleni Islands in one outing, without spending your entire day on a slow ferry or public excursion.

The private format is the biggest practical advantage. If your group wants more time in the water, you can focus on swimming. If lunch matters more, you have a long stop at Palmižana. A shared boat usually has to keep everyone on one fixed timetable, while this trip is built for your own party.

The capacity is up to seven people. At the listed price of $780.16 per group, two people pay a steep amount per person. Seven people bring the cost down to about $111 per person, before lunch, which makes the numbers much more attractive for a family or a group of friends.

You should also be comfortable with a fairly active day on the sea. The trip includes several stops, boat movement, swimming, and snorkeling. It is not simply a sightseeing cruise where you sit in one place and watch the coast pass by.

Leaving Hvar Riva for the south shore

The meeting point is on Riva in Hvar, Croatia, and the tour returns there at the end. The listed operating hours are 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from June 20 through October 1, 2026, Monday through Sunday. The planned lunch time is around 1 p.m., followed by the return journey later in the afternoon.

The first stretch is a cruise toward the south shore of Hvar. The provider notes that cruising takes about two hours in total, so this is not a short harbor ride with one quick swim. You will spend a meaningful part of the day moving between Hvar and the islands.

That travel time is part of the experience, but it also explains why the tour needs five to six hours. You get broad views of the coast and the Pakleni Islands, but you should not expect every minute to be spent swimming.

Dubovica and the Red Rocks swimming stop

The first major stop is around Dubovica Beach, with nearby swimming places along Hvar’s south coast. The area is known for its clear water and dramatic coastal setting, and the plan allows about 45 minutes here.

The Red Rocks are the most distinctive feature of this section. You can swim near the caves and use the included snorkeling equipment to look below the surface. That gives the opening stop a bit more character than a simple jump off the boat. You have a chance to explore the rock formations from the water rather than only viewing them from a distance.

Forty-five minutes is enough for a swim and some snorkeling, but it is not a long beach session. If you prefer to float, take photos, and look around at a relaxed pace, the time may pass quickly. The stop is best approached as an introduction to the coast, not as the main beach portion of the day.

You should ask the skipper about the exact swimming conditions on the day. The tour is weather dependent, and sea conditions can affect how much time you comfortably spend near the rocks.

Palmižana gives lunch the center of the day

The longest stop is Palmižana Botanical Garden on the Pakleni Islands. The tour allows about two and a half hours here, with lunch planned for around 1 p.m. That generous block of time is useful because you are not forced to eat quickly and run back to the boat.

Lunch is not included in the $780.16 price, so you need to budget separately for the meal. The stop is described as taking place at one of Dalmatia’s best restaurants, but the exact restaurant and menu are not specified. The skipper may help with a reservation. In one especially positive account, Tonci arranged a table in a small town, and the meal was described as excellent.

That kind of help can matter in high season, when popular waterfront restaurants may be busy. I would confirm the lunch plan before departure, including the restaurant, reservation time, and how payment works. The tour price covers the boat, fuel surcharge, and snorkeling equipment, not your food or drinks.

Palmižana also gives you a needed break from the boat. After the first swim and cruise, you can sit down for a proper meal and enjoy the surroundings at a slower pace. If you are prone to seasickness, a long land stop may be welcome.

The name Botanical Garden suggests a plant-filled setting, but the supplied information does not give details about a walking route or specific plants. Treat this primarily as the lunch and relaxation stop unless your skipper explains more when you arrive.

Exploring the Pakleni Islands after lunch

After lunch, the boat continues around the Pakleni Islands for about an hour. This section is less about a single named sight and more about finding attractive bays where you can relax and swim.

That open-ended part of the day is one of the better reasons to book privately. The skipper can help decide how to use the remaining time based on your group’s interests and the conditions at sea. You might spend more time floating in a quiet cove, or simply stay on the boat and enjoy the views.

The phrase secret bays should not lead you to expect total isolation. The Pakleni Islands are a popular area, especially during the summer season. The private format gives you a more personal outing, but it does not guarantee that every cove will be empty.

Still, moving among different bays gives the trip variety. One place may be best for snorkeling, another for a calm swim, and another for sitting on the boat. This is more rewarding than spending the whole day at one beach, especially if you like seeing several sides of the Hvar coast.

Mlini Beach and the final swim

Mlini Beach is the last planned swimming stop, with about an hour set aside. This gives you more time in the water than the opening stop near Dubovica and the Red Rocks.

The schedule places this stop after lunch and the wider trip around the Pakleni Islands. That timing works well. You have already eaten, spent time sightseeing, and can finish with an unhurried swim before the return cruise.

As with the other swimming locations, conditions will shape the experience. The information does not specify beach facilities, beach access, or whether you spend the full hour on shore or mostly near the boat. If you need a particular facility, ask before booking rather than assuming Mlini is a fully serviced beach.

Around 5 to 6 p.m., the boat begins heading back toward Hvar. The return includes more views of the Pakleni Islands and the coast near Hvar Town. This closing cruise is not just transport. It gives you a final chance to take in the coast after spending the afternoon on the water.

Taršće Bay, a quiet final pause near Hvar

Taršće Bay is described as a peaceful retreat for private yachts, with turquoise water and little development around it. The planned stop lasts about 30 minutes.

This is a short stop, but it may be a pleasant final pause before returning to Riva. The bay is presented as a place to swim, relax, and enjoy a quieter side of the Adriatic. Its appeal is simple: clear water, sunlight, and a less built-up setting.

The schedule places Taršće Bay after Mlini Beach, although exact timing can vary. Because the tour is weather dependent and privately operated, confirm the order with the skipper on the day. You should also keep expectations sensible. Thirty minutes is enough for a quick swim or a final look around, not a full beach afternoon.

The skipper and the personal service

The strongest praise goes to the human side of the tour. Klara is credited with clear instructions and good communication before the outing, which is particularly useful when you are meeting a boat in a busy waterfront area.

Tonci is named as the skipper and is praised for his genuine manner and understanding of the stops. The most useful detail is his willingness to help with lunch arrangements. A skipper who listens to what you want can make a private tour feel much more personal than a standard sightseeing run.

Another customer account describes the skipper adapting the day to include snorkeling and good places to stop for lunch. That suggests you should speak up about your priorities. Tell the skipper if you care most about swimming, snorkeling, quiet bays, or a long meal.

The tour has a perfect five-star rating from 21 reviews, and 100 percent of customers recommend it. That is a strong record, though the sample is still small. I would treat it as encouraging evidence of reliable service, not a guarantee that every weather day or restaurant choice will be perfect.

What the $780.16 price really buys you

The cost includes the private boat, fuel surcharge, and snorkeling equipment. It does not include lunch. Since the charge applies to the whole group, the value depends heavily on how many people join you.

For two people, this is an expensive day on the water. You are paying for privacy, a flexible route, and a dedicated skipper rather than simply paying for transport. Couples who place a high value on privacy may still find it worthwhile, but budget-minded pairs should compare the price with shared boat trips.

For a group of six or seven, the calculation is easier to justify. You get a private outing with several swimming stops, time in the Pakleni Islands, and lunch at Palmižana. The boat also lets you avoid arranging separate transport between multiple coastal spots.

The absence of lunch from the price is not a major problem, but it should be clear in your planning. Ask about the restaurant and reserve enough money for the meal. The listed price also does not mention drinks, so do not assume those are included.

Who should book this Hvar boat tour?

I would recommend this experience to:

• Families or friend groups that can share the private boat cost
• Couples who want a private day and are comfortable paying more for it
• Swimmers who want several coastal stops
• People who enjoy snorkeling and short boat rides between bays
• Visitors with one free day in Hvar who want to combine Hvar’s south coast and the Pakleni Islands
• Diners who like having a long lunch stop rather than eating on the run

I would be more cautious if you want a low-cost excursion, dislike boat travel, or need a tightly fixed plan. The tour also depends on suitable weather, so it is wise to keep some flexibility in your Hvar schedule.

Most travelers can participate, service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The tour is private, so only your own group joins the activity. Confirmation arrives when you book, and the mobile ticket is convenient for a day when you may not want to carry extra paperwork.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted and are not refunded. If poor weather forces cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book Hvar Delight?

Book it if you want a private, active day that combines swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and the coast around Hvar. The strongest reasons are the flexible private format, the several water stops, the long Palmižana break, and the attentive service associated with Klara and Tonci.

Skip it if you are watching every kuna, prefer a simple beach day, or would rather spend your Hvar hours on land. At $780.16 per group, the price is easiest to defend when six or seven people share it. For the right group, this is a polished way to see the islands without being tied to strangers or a rigid public-boat schedule.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Riva in Hvar, Croatia, and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately five to six hours. The provider notes that about two hours of the experience are spent cruising.

What dates and times does the tour operate?

It operates Monday through Sunday from June 20 through October 1, 2026. The listed hours are 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price. The planned lunch stop takes place around 1 p.m. at Palmižana, and the skipper may help arrange a reservation.

What equipment is provided?

Snorkeling equipment is included. A fuel surcharge is also included in the price.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private tour is available for a group of up to seven people. Only your group participates.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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