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

The Adriatic is the real attraction. This 10-hour Summer Blues cruise gives you a relaxed way to see several island spots without arranging ferries, taxis, beach transfers, or lunch. I especially like the three swim stops in clear water and the easy mix of sightseeing in Hvar with lazy time on deck.

I also like that beer, wine, soft drinks, water, coffee, and food are included in the $119.72 price. The main caution is the length: you spend many hours on the boat, and the return trip can become a lively dance party rather than a quiet sunset sail. Motion sickness may also be an issue when the sea gets rough.

The Hvar visit is useful, but brief. You get a guided introduction to the old town followed by about an hour to explore alone, so this works best if you want a cheerful island day with swimming and music, not a slow, serious tour of Hvar’s sights.

Key points to know before you book

• Three separate swim stops: You swim near Brač, in the Pakleni Islands, and near Šolta, with snorkeling masks and foam noodles available.
• Hvar gets about two hours: A guide leads a short sightseeing walk, then you have roughly an hour on your own.
• The bar opens after the first swim: Alcoholic drinks are served only after that initial stop, while coffee and an early pastry are available sooner.
• The mood changes during the day: The cruise begins calmly, then often finishes with music, games, dancing, and a sunset party.
• Lunch is light rather than lavish: Expect chicken salad, followed later by fruit, cakes, or muffins. Vegetarian food is available if requested ahead of time.
• The boat holds up to 76 people: The experience can feel social and spacious, but it is not a private sailing trip.

What kind of boat day is this?

This is a full-day social cruise on the Summer Blues catamaran, leaving Split at 8:30 a.m. and returning to the same harbor around sunset. It is designed as a combination of swimming excursion, island visit, open-bar outing, and party boat.

That mix is the key to deciding if it suits you. I would choose it if I wanted a simple day on the water with several stops and a friendly atmosphere. I would not choose it if my main goal were several quiet hours in Hvar or a small, intimate sailing trip.

The catamaran offers room to sit, bathrooms, and an open bar. The maximum capacity is 76 people, though the atmosphere can feel less crowded when the boat is not full. You should expect other groups and plenty of social energy rather than a private charter.

The crew is a major part of the experience. Hosts such as Mia, Manuela, and other members of the team are praised for keeping people informed, checking that everyone is comfortable, and building the mood as the day progresses. Manuela in particular is known for being warm and attentive, while Mia is noted for keeping the schedule clear and the party moving.

Leaving Split for the Brač swim stop

Meet the boat directly at dock 4 or 5 at Obala Lazareta 1 in Split harbor. This area has several boats boarding close together, so check the name Summer Blues and join the correct queue. A mobile ticket makes the start easy, but you still need to allow time to find the right catamaran.

The morning begins with a cruise away from Split toward Brač. During this first stretch, you can settle into your seat, look across the Adriatic, and take in the island views. Coffee and a pastry are served early, which is welcome at an 8:30 departure.

The first stop is a bay near Brač, where you get about an hour to swim and relax. The water is the star here. You can use a provided foam noodle or snorkeling mask, although the exact underwater sights will depend on conditions and visibility.

This is also the point where the day becomes more active. You should bring a swimsuit under your clothes, sunscreen, a towel, and a secure bag for your phone. Alcoholic drinks are not served until after the first swim stop, so the morning starts in a more family-friendly way.

The boat ride between stops can include noticeable swells. If you are prone to motion sickness, take suitable precautions before boarding and ask the crew about the motion sickness pills they keep on board. It is better to deal with this before you feel ill, since the cruise includes several hours at sea.

Exploring Hvar in a short two-hour visit

After Brač, the catamaran continues to Hvar Town. This is the main sightseeing portion of the day, but keep your expectations measured. The stop lasts about two hours, including a guided walk and free time, so you will get an introduction rather than a full exploration of the island.

A professional guide takes you around the most important parts of Hvar’s old town. This gives you useful orientation and some context before you set off alone. Guides such as Manuela have earned strong praise for sharing information in a friendly way without turning the whole cruise into a lecture.

After the walking tour, you have about one hour of free time. I would use it to stroll along the promenade, take a coffee break, browse for souvenirs, or simply enjoy being in Hvar Town. You will need to keep an eye on the meeting time because the catamaran cannot wait for late arrivals.

Hvar is likely to feel like the highlight if you enjoy historic streets and waterfront scenery. The drawback is simple: two hours goes quickly. You cannot realistically see all of Hvar Town, visit major hilltop sights, linger over lunch, and shop at a leisurely pace.

The included meal is served after the Hvar stop. It is described as chicken salad, but it is closer to a light salad with pieces of chicken on top than a creamy, mayonnaise-based chicken salad. That makes sense for a hot day at sea, though it may feel modest if you arrive hungry after swimming and walking.

Vegetarian food is available, but you need to advise the operator when booking. Do not wait until you are on the boat and expect a full alternative to appear automatically.

The Pakleni Islands and the second swim

Once you return to the catamaran at the Hvar waterfront, the route heads toward the Pakleni Islands. These small islands are known for quiet bays and clear water, and the stop is focused on swimming rather than sightseeing.

You get about an hour in one of the islands’ sheltered bays. This is a good time to cool off, use the snorkeling equipment, and enjoy the water without needing to hurry through town. The crew also serves the chicken salad and keeps the open bar available.

The Pakleni stop brings a different feel from Hvar Town. Instead of streets, cafés, and monuments, you get the simple pleasure of jumping into the sea and floating beside the boat. I like this contrast because it keeps the day from becoming an island-hopping checklist.

Still, the swim stops can feel similar. If you prefer constant movement and new sights, three water breaks may seem repetitive, especially since each one lasts around an hour. If your ideal holiday day involves sun, swimming, music, and a cold drink, the repeated stops are exactly the point.

Šolta brings one more chance to swim

The final island stop is near Šolta on the return journey. You get another hour in the water while fresh fruit and homemade cakes or muffins are served on board.

By this stage, the cruise is less about discovering a new place and more about enjoying the last stretch of the day. You can swim again, sit on deck, eat something sweet, or have another drink while the crew prepares the return ride.

The three swim stops are one of the strongest reasons to book this trip. They give you more than a quick photo stop, and the supplied masks and noodles are helpful touches. You should not expect a formal snorkeling excursion with instruction or guided underwater viewing. This is independent swimming from the catamaran.

Šolta is also where the schedule may feel long for some people. After Brač, Hvar, and Pakleni, you may already feel satisfied. The extra stop is valuable to swimmers, but less appealing if you have had enough sun or if the sea has been rough.

The return trip becomes a party

The final hour or two back to Split often changes the character of the cruise. Music gets louder, the crew leads games and dancing, and the open bar helps turn the deck into a casual party.

This is not an incidental detail. The dance party is one of the most praised parts of the experience, and several people describe dancing nearly all the way back to Split. The return at sunset gives the day a memorable finish, especially if you enjoy meeting people and joining in rather than sitting quietly.

The party can suit a wide age range, but the mood becomes more adult as the alcohol flows. Children over two are allowed, and families do join the cruise, yet I would not describe the full day as a quiet family outing. Parents should be comfortable with music, dancing, and an increasingly social atmosphere late in the day.

The crew works hard to keep the energy friendly rather than forced. You can participate as much or as little as you like, although the boat environment makes it easy to get drawn into the fun. If you prefer a calm return, sit away from the main party area if possible and bring earplugs.

Food, drinks, and what the price covers

At $119.72 per person, the price is fair if you use the inclusions. You are paying for about 10 hours on the water, transport between four island areas, a guided visit in Hvar, three swim stops, breakfast items, lunch, snacks, and unlimited drinks.

The food is practical rather than gourmet. The day generally includes a pastry and coffee in the morning, chicken salad after Hvar, and fruit with cakes or muffins later. It is enough to support a day of swimming and drinking, but I would not book this cruise expecting restaurant-quality meals.

The open bar includes beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and coffee. Alcohol starts after the first swim stop, which helps keep the early part of the morning orderly. Water is especially important in the strong Adriatic sun, so make a point of drinking it even if you are enjoying the wine and beer.

The value is strongest for people who would otherwise pay separately for a ferry, beach transfer, drinks, and food. It is weaker if you do not drink alcohol, dislike group activities, or mainly want several hours in Hvar. In that case, a simple ferry and independent Hvar visit may offer more freedom.

Who should book this Split catamaran cruise?

I would recommend this experience to you if you want:

• A full day away from Split without planning each transfer
• Several proper swim breaks in clear Adriatic water
• A short but useful introduction to Hvar Town
• Included drinks and light meals
• A friendly social setting where it is easy to meet people
• Music, dancing, and a party atmosphere on the way home

I would be more cautious if you want a quiet boat ride, a detailed history tour, or a long stay in Hvar. You should also think twice if you get seasick, dislike strong sun, or find three swim stops too repetitive.

The operator does not allow groups larger than 10 on the daily tours. If you arrive as a larger group and do not follow that policy, boarding may be refused without a refund, so split large parties into separate bookings only if the operator’s rules allow it.

The tour requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low enrollment cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 8:30 a.m. start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Practical tips for a better day

Arrive early enough to identify the Summer Blues catamaran at dock 4 or 5. Several companies use the same harbor area, and joining the wrong line is an avoidable way to start a long day.

Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a swimsuit, a towel, and a light cover-up. You spend a lot of time outside, and the boat travel between stops means you can get more sun than expected.

Keep your valuables in a waterproof pouch. You will repeatedly move between deck and water, and a dry bag is far more useful than a loose phone in a beach bag.

Bring motion sickness medicine if you need it. The route can encounter swells, and the crew may have pills available, but your own familiar remedy is the safer plan.

Use the Hvar hour wisely. If you want coffee, shopping, and photos, do not spend the whole free period standing in line for lunch. The main meal is served back on the boat.

Finally, pace yourself at the open bar. The cruise lasts 10 hours, and the strongest memories should be the blue water, Hvar’s old town, and the sunset ride, not the effort to remain upright on deck.

Should you book the Summer Blues cruise?

Yes, if you want a well-organized island day with swimming, included refreshments, and a lively finish. The strongest parts are the friendly crew, spacious catamaran, three swim stops, and the chance to see Hvar without arranging the details yourself.

I would book it for a couple, a group of friends, or a solo visitor who enjoys meeting people. I would skip it for a slow Hvar-focused holiday or a peaceful sailing escape. At this price, the cruise offers good value for an active, social day on the Adriatic, provided you are happy to trade extended island time for more swimming and music.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

It starts at Obala Lazareta 1 in Split harbor. Meet directly in front of the Summer Blues catamaran at dock 4 or 5.

What time does the cruise leave Split?

The scheduled start time is 8:30 a.m., and the activity returns to the same meeting point after about 10 hours.

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?

The day includes an early pastry and coffee, a chicken salad after the Hvar stop, and later fruit with homemade cakes or muffins. A vegetarian option is available if requested at booking.

Can children join the cruise?

Children above two years old are recommended for the tour. The return journey can become a lively party with music and dancing, so families should consider if that atmosphere suits them.