Hvar: Private Sailing Boat Trip with Swimming and Snorkeling

Clear water, quiet coves, and a small boat make this Hvar outing easy to like. You sail from Hvar around the Pakleni Islands, stopping for swimming, snorkeling, scenic views, and perhaps lunch at an island restaurant. I especially like the private group of up to six, which keeps the day personal, and the chance to use the boat at your own pace rather than follow a crowded excursion. The main consideration is that the exact route depends on the wind and the length of your booking, so you should not expect a fixed list of stops.

The boat was restored in 2023 and has useful comforts: a sun canopy, deck cushions, an icebox, Bluetooth speaker, USB port, Wi-Fi, snorkeling masks, and a toilet. Skipper Jura is repeatedly praised for being friendly, relaxed, professional, and helpful, though towels are not included. Bring your own, along with any food or drinks you want for the day.

Key points at a glance

• Mlini Beach is usually the first stop: Start with swimming, snorkeling, and views across one of the Pakleni Islands’ attractive bays.
• The route changes with the wind: Depending on your booking length and conditions, you may visit Perna, Palmizana, Jerolim, Tarsce, or other scenic locations.
• Six people is the maximum: The boat works well for a family or small group of friends who want privacy and flexibility.
• Jura sets a relaxed tone: He handles the sailing, answers questions, and gives the trip an easygoing feel without making it feel scripted.
• Sailing is part of the experience: This is not just a motorboat transfer between beaches. You get time under sail when conditions allow.
• Bring towels and plan your refreshments: The boat has an icebox, and you can bring drinks and food, but towels are specifically not included.

Leaving Hvar for the Pakleni Islands

The meeting point is on Hvar’s Riva at Riva 27, placing you right at the waterfront before departure. From there, the boat heads toward the Pakleni Islands, the chain of wooded islets spread just off Hvar Town.

The first part of the trip is about the pleasure of being on the water. You get views back toward Hvar and out across the islands while the skipper manages the boat. If the wind is favorable, you will sail rather than simply motor from one place to the next. That distinction matters: you are not only being delivered to a beach, you are getting a small taste of sailing.

The boat is limited to six passengers, including your group. That makes it a strong choice if you dislike the fixed pace and noisy atmosphere of a large boat tour. You can listen to your own music through the Bluetooth speaker, sit beneath the canopy when the sun is strong, or stretch out on the sun deck cushions.

The small size also has a practical benefit. Stops can feel less formal. You can ask Jura about the islands, request a little more time in the water, or discuss where to pause next, subject to the weather and the day’s plan. The skipper is described as casual but professional, a useful combination for a trip that is meant to feel relaxed.

Mlini Beach: an easy first swim

The usual first stop is Mlini Beach. This gives you an early chance to get into the water, test the snorkeling masks, and settle into the rhythm of the boat.

Mlini is useful as a first stop because the day does not begin with a long stretch of sightseeing before you can swim. You can spend time looking at the shore, enjoying the view, and getting used to the clear water. The stop is also a good fit for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can snorkel, while others can stay close to the boat or simply relax on board.

Do not expect a full beach day with extensive facilities. The appeal here is the bay, the water, and the feeling of arriving by boat. If you want a particular type of beach, ask Jura about the planned stops before you leave. The route can change with the wind, and the exact number of locations depends on whether you book two hours, a half-day, or a full eight-hour outing.

Sailing between bays and beaches

After the first swim, the boat continues around the Pakleni Islands. The sailing sections give the day its shape. You move through open water, pass attractive shorelines, and reach each new cove by boat instead of road.

The possible locations include Perna, Palmizana, Jerolim, and Tarsce. Each stop is affected by conditions, and the supplied details do not promise that every place will be visited. That flexibility is worth understanding before booking. It means the skipper can respond to the wind and choose suitable swimming locations, but it also means your route is not a guaranteed checklist.

Several people who took the trip in different months described visiting two or more beautiful swimming spots. Others enjoyed a full-day outing with several pauses and lunch. A half-day booking usually gives you enough time for sailing and a couple of swimming stops, while the full eight-hour option allows a slower pace and possibly a meal on one of the islands.

The boat’s sailing ability is another important detail. One outing had limited wind, yet the skipper still provided a good day and took the group to attractive beaches. You should book this for the overall boat experience, not as a promise of nonstop sailing in perfect conditions.

Swimming and snorkeling in clear Croatian water

The main reward is the water. The Pakleni Islands are known for clear sea, and the boat lets you reach coves that are best approached from the water.

Snorkeling masks are included, so you do not need to bring your own equipment. The supplied mask is a helpful convenience, but this is not presented as a specialist snorkeling tour. The focus is on swimming, looking below the surface, and enjoying the coves rather than identifying marine life or receiving formal instruction.

You can jump from the boat at suitable stops, then climb back aboard and dry off in the sun. The sun canopy gives you a shaded place to cool down, while cushions make it easier to lounge between swims. There is an onboard toilet, which becomes increasingly valuable on the longer bookings.

Bring a towel. This is the one clearly stated item not included. You should also think about sun protection, although the boat’s canopy does not replace sunscreen or a hat. If you plan to bring drinks, the icebox keeps them cold. One skipper also had wine glasses and a bottle opener available, but you should not treat those extras as a guaranteed part of every departure.

Palmizana, Jerolim, and the choice of lunch

Palmizana is one of the possible stops and gives the trip a chance to include food as well as swimming. If you choose to add a lunch stop, you may eat at one of the island restaurants rather than bring your entire meal aboard.

That choice can shape the day. A restaurant pause gives you a proper break from the boat and adds a local food stop to the outing. On the other hand, eating ashore uses time that could otherwise go toward another swim or a longer sailing stretch. If your group cares more about quiet coves than lunch, tell Jura that before setting out.

Jerolim and Tarsce are also named as possible locations. The attraction of the route is not simply ticking off island names. It is the changing mix of open-water sailing, rocky shores, small bays, and stops where you can swim without having to arrange separate transport.

Some groups had a beach or cove largely to themselves. That will depend on timing and conditions, so it is not guaranteed, but the private boat gives you a better chance of avoiding the most crowded feel of a large organized trip.

What the boat is like for a half-day or full day

The private boat was last restored in 2023, and the equipment list is practical rather than excessive. You have:

• A sun canopy
• Sun deck cushions
• Snorkeling masks
• Icebox
• Bluetooth speaker
• USB port
• Wi-Fi
• Onboard toilet

These details matter because comfort can make or break a day on the water. The canopy is useful when you need a break from direct sun. The cushions allow you to sit or lie down between stops. The icebox means your group can bring refreshments without having warm bottles rolling around the deck.

The Bluetooth speaker is a nice touch for a private group. You can provide the soundtrack, as long as everyone aboard agrees on it. The USB port is handy for keeping a phone charged, especially if you are taking photos and video throughout the day.

The boat’s maximum capacity is six passengers. That is spacious for a small family or a group of friends, but it does not mean six people will have unlimited room to spread out. If everyone wants to lie on the sun deck at once, space may feel more limited than it would on a larger vessel. The tradeoff is a much more personal trip.

Jura, the skipper who shapes the day

Jura is a key part of the experience. He is described as friendly, informative, professional, and easygoing. He also helped with practical matters, including arranging the return of clothing left on the boat.

That mix is important. A skipper needs to handle the boat safely and keep an eye on conditions, but a good day also depends on how comfortable you feel asking questions or suggesting a change of pace. Jura is praised for explaining the islands, sharing stories, and allowing groups to enjoy the day without excessive formality.

Past groups also appreciated his flexibility. He helped first-time sailors feel comfortable, offered choices about swimming coves and viewpoints, and provided a GoPro for some groups to take photos from the water. The GoPro is not included in the published equipment list, so consider it a possible extra rather than something to count on.

The tour is available in English and Croatian. If you want island information, ask questions during the sailing sections, when there is time to talk between stops.

Is $471 good value for six people?

The listed price is $471 for a group of up to six. Split six ways, that is about $78.50 per person before any optional lunch costs. For a private boat with a skipper, sailing time, swimming stops, snorkeling masks, and onboard comforts, that can be fair value for a group that would otherwise book several separate activities.

The value is strongest when you fill the boat. A group of six gets privacy without paying for six individual seats on a larger premium charter. A couple or small family of two or three will pay more per person, so the price may feel high compared with a shared boat trip.

The duration range is unusually broad, from two to eight hours. A two-hour booking is best for a quick taste of sailing and a swim. A half-day trip gives you a more balanced mix of sailing, swimming, and island scenery. The full-day option makes more sense if you want several stops and time for lunch.

You also avoid paying for towels, but you need to bring your own. Food and drinks are not listed as included, so budget for those separately. The icebox makes bringing your own supplies simple.

Who should book this Hvar boat trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families of up to six who want a private day on the water
• Couples who prefer a quiet boat rather than a large shared excursion
• First-time sailors who want a gentle introduction
• Friends who care more about swimming and scenery than formal sightseeing
• Anyone who wants flexibility around swimming stops and lunch
• Visitors with a half-day free in Hvar who want to see the nearby islands

It may be less suitable if you want a guaranteed route, a specialist snorkeling guide, or a packed schedule of named attractions. It is also not the best match if your group expects every departure to have strong wind and continuous sailing.

The trip suits people who value time in the water, pleasant company, and the freedom to enjoy the islands without rushing. It is a relaxed boat day, not an adrenaline activity.

Practical details before you book

The tour leaves from Riva 27 in Hvar. Check the starting time available for your chosen date, since the duration can be as short as two hours or as long as eight.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. That helps if your Hvar plans depend on weather or ferry arrangements.

The tour has received a 4.8 rating from 65 bookings, and 98 percent of the transport ratings are perfect. The strongest praise centers on the skipper, the condition of the boat, beautiful swimming locations, and the relaxed pace.

Take a towel, swimwear, sun protection, and any food or drinks you want. If you bring a bottle of wine, one group found that wine glasses and a bottle opener were available, though those items are not part of the stated inclusions.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a private, easygoing way to reach the Pakleni Islands and your group can share the $471 cost. The strongest reasons are the six-person limit, clear swimming water, flexible stops, and Jura’s friendly approach.

Choose the half-day option for the best balance of price and time. Pick the full eight-hour outing if lunch, several swimming coves, and a slower sailing day matter to you. Skip it if you need a fixed itinerary or a guaranteed sailing-focused program. For most small groups visiting Hvar, this is a practical and enjoyable way to trade crowded waterfront time for a day among the islands.

FAQ

Where does the Hvar sailing trip start?

The trip starts at Riva 27 on Hvar’s waterfront.

How many people can join the private boat trip?

The boat has capacity for up to six passengers, and the tour is operated as a private group.

How long can the sailing trip last?

Available durations range from two to eight hours. Starting times depend on availability for your selected date.

Which Pakleni Islands stops are included?

The usual first stop is Mlini Beach. Depending on the duration and wind conditions, the route may also include Perna, Palmizana, Jerolim, Tarsce, and other scenic locations.

Are swimming and snorkeling included?

Yes. Swimming and snorkeling are part of the experience, and snorkeling masks are included.

Are towels provided?

No. Towels are not included, so you should bring your own.

Can I bring food and drinks?

Yes. The boat has an icebox for keeping refreshments cold. Lunch at an island restaurant may be added as a stop, but food is not listed as included.

Is the trip available in English?

Yes. The live tour guide service is available in English and Croatian.