Hvar: Private Sailing Boat Trip with Swimming and Snorkeling

The best Hvar views are from the water. This private sailing trip takes you from Hvar into the Pakleni Islands for swimming, snorkeling, and quiet time aboard a small boat. I especially like the private group of up to six and the chance to adjust the day around swimming coves, sailing conditions, and your own pace.

I also like the simple comforts: a sun canopy, cushioned sun deck, Bluetooth speaker, icebox, USB port, and toilet. Skipper Jura gets repeated praise for being friendly, relaxed, punctual, and helpful. The main consideration is wind. Sailing time and the number of stops depend on conditions, and a shorter two-hour booking will feel more like a quick outing than a full island day.

Key points to know before you book

• Mlini is usually the first stop: Expect an early swim and snorkel in clear water, with time to enjoy the view.
• You get a real private outing: The boat carries up to six people, so you are not sharing the day with a large crowd.
• The route can change: Perna, Palmizana, Jerolim, Tarsce, and other spots may be included depending on your tour length and the wind.
• Jura is a major part of the experience: He is praised for friendly hosting, local information, flexibility, and a calm manner.
• Bring your own towel: Snorkeling masks are supplied, but towels are not.
• The price works best for a group: At $471 for up to six people, the cost is far more attractive when shared by family or friends.

Setting out from Hvar’s Riva

The meeting point is Riva 27, right on Hvar’s waterfront. From there, the boat heads away from the harbor and toward the Pakleni Islands, a small archipelago scattered across the water in front of Hvar.

This first stretch is part of the pleasure. You are not simply being transported to a beach. You get the gentle movement of a sailboat, changing views of Hvar, and open water between the island and the smaller coves ahead. The ride feels relaxed rather than rushed, especially on a half-day or full-day booking.

The boat was restored in 2023, which matters on a day when you may spend several hours aboard. It has sun deck cushions for lying back, plus a canopy when the sun becomes too strong. You can play your own music through the Bluetooth speaker, keep drinks cold in the icebox, and charge a device through the USB port.

There is also Wi-Fi and an onboard toilet. Those are modest details, but they make a longer private trip easier, particularly for families or anyone who does not want to return to Hvar after every swim.

Why the Pakleni Islands work so well for a boat trip

The Pakleni Islands are close enough to Hvar for a practical outing, yet they quickly give you a sense of escape. The islands offer a mix of wooded slopes, rocky edges, small beaches, and sheltered bays. From the boat, you see the area in the way it is meant to be seen, with coves opening and closing as you move along the coast.

The water is the star. Swimming and snorkeling are central to the trip, and the clear sea makes it easy to look below the surface from the boat or shore. The snorkeling here is not presented as a formal reef expedition. Instead, it is a chance to put on one of the supplied masks, swim around a quiet cove, and enjoy the clean, bright water.

That low-key approach suits this tour. You can jump from the boat, swim at a beach, or stay on deck with a drink. The day is not built around checking off a long list of sights. It is built around having a comfortable boat, a capable skipper, and enough time to enjoy a few good places.

Mlini beach is usually your first swim

The usual first stop is Mlini beach. The boat pauses here for swimming, snorkeling, and views across the island setting. Starting with a swim is a smart choice, since it gives you a clear idea of the day right away: this is a water outing first, with sightseeing woven through it.

Mlini is also useful as a gentle introduction for first-time sailors. You can settle into the boat, learn where to sit, test the snorkeling mask, and get comfortable with the movement of the sea before deciding how active you want to be.

Do not expect a long guided beach visit with a fixed schedule. The time here depends on the booking you choose and the conditions on the day. If you select two hours, Mlini may take up much of the outing. On a longer trip, it becomes the opening swim before you continue to other parts of the archipelago.

Choosing between a short trip and a full day

The listed duration ranges from two to eight hours, so the length you choose changes the character of the experience.

A two-hour trip suits you if you have limited time in Hvar or want a short introduction to sailing and swimming. It can provide a scenic run to the islands and a single main stop, but you should not expect a full circuit of several bays.

A half-day outing is likely the best match for many people. It gives you enough time for sailing between places, at least two swimming or snorkeling stops, and a proper stretch of time relaxing on board. Several people specifically enjoyed half-day trips because they felt unhurried without taking over the entire day.

An eight-hour trip works best if you want the boat to be the main event. You have more time for different coves, a longer swim, a slower sail, and perhaps lunch at one of the island restaurants. This is also the option that gives the skipper the most room to respond to wind and crowd conditions.

The precise number of locations is not fixed. That is a benefit, not a flaw, as long as you prefer flexibility over a rigid route. Wind can affect where you sail and how much time you spend moving between stops.

Perna, Palmizana, Jerolim, and Tarsce

Depending on the length of your trip and the wind, the boat may visit places such as Perna, Palmizana, Jerolim, or Tarsce. Each stop is part of the same larger experience: clear water, scenic island views, and the freedom to swim or stay aboard.

Palmizana is associated with the main island setting and places to stop for local food if you choose to add lunch. That makes it a useful pause during a full-day trip. You can split the day between swimming and a restaurant meal rather than relying only on snacks brought aboard.

Jerolim and Tarsce offer the kind of coastal setting that makes a private boat useful. You can reach a cove by water, spend time there, and leave when the group is ready. Exact conditions matter, so the skipper may choose a different stop if the wind makes another bay more comfortable.

One of the strongest features of the trip is this ability to avoid a forced pace. You are not being moved from one crowded attraction to the next every twenty minutes. The boat may stop at two locations on a half-day outing, or several places during a full day, with the timing shaped by your group and the sea.

Sailing when the wind is light

The activity is called a sailing trip, but wind is part of the bargain. One piece of practical feedback is especially useful: Jura continued to provide a good boat day even when there was not much wind.

That means you should book this for the overall experience, not for guaranteed fast sailing under full sail. With light wind, the boat may move more slowly or rely on its regular operating plan to reach the next stop. The payoff is still the same: time on the water, island views, swimming, and the calm rhythm of a private boat.

If sailing itself is your top priority, check the forecast and keep your expectations flexible. If swimming and scenery matter just as much, light wind is less of a problem.

What the skipper adds to the day

Jura is repeatedly singled out for being friendly, professional, informative, and easy to spend time with. That matters more on a private boat than it would on a large sightseeing cruise. For several hours, the skipper is not just steering. He is also helping shape the pace and mood of the outing.

He has been praised for starting on time, answering questions before the trip, sharing information about the islands, and adjusting the route to suit the group. First-time sailors also found the experience comfortable, with enough guidance without turning the day into a formal lesson.

The tone appears casual rather than theatrical. You can chat with Jura about the islands, ask about a cove, or simply enjoy the ride. Some groups appreciated the local stories and island background, while others focused on swimming and relaxing.

There are also small signs of thoughtful service. A forgotten top was returned to its owner after the trip, and one group was offered a GoPro for water photos. The GoPro is not listed among the standard inclusions, so treat it as a possibility rather than something to count on. Snorkeling masks, however, are included.

Comfort aboard the restored boat

The boat is small, with space for no more than six passengers. That limit is a strength because the outing stays personal, but it also means you should be comfortable spending time close to your own group. Six adults can fit, yet the boat will not feel like a wide-open yacht.

The sun canopy gives you a break from direct heat, while the padded sun deck is made for lying back between swims. You can bring drinks and food to keep in the icebox, and one person specifically noted that wine glasses and a bottle opener were available. Those extras are not listed as formal inclusions, so it is sensible to confirm them if they matter to your plans.

The onboard toilet is helpful during a full-day trip. Towels are not included, so pack one for each person. You should also bring swimwear, sun protection, and any food or drinks you want beyond what the operator provides.

The Bluetooth speaker is a nice touch for a private group. You can set the mood with your own music, but keep the volume considerate when you are near beaches or other boats. The USB port is handy for keeping phones ready for photos.

Is $471 good value?

The price is $471 per group of up to six people. For six people, that works out to $78.50 each before any optional lunch or personal expenses. For four people, it is about $117.75 each. For two people, the same private price becomes much harder to justify.

That comparison tells you who should book this. Families and groups of friends get the strongest value because they can share the boat, skipper, and route without paying per person for a large excursion. A couple may still prefer it for privacy, but should compare the price with other small-boat options in Hvar.

The cost includes the boat, tour, snorkeling masks, Wi-Fi, icebox, Bluetooth speaker, and USB port. Lunch is not included, and towels are not included. The value comes less from onboard luxury than from control: your group gets a private skipper, a flexible route, and time at swimming spots without a packed boat around you.

The high overall score of 4.8 from 65 ratings supports the idea that the service is dependable. The strongest praise centers on the skipper, the boat condition, the beautiful swimming spots, and the relaxed pace. Those are exactly the features that make the price worthwhile.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would choose this trip for a small family, a group of friends, or anyone celebrating a birthday who wants a private day outside Hvar town. It also suits first-time sailors because the atmosphere is informal and the skipper provides help without making the experience feel technical.

It is a good fit if you want to swim, snorkel, listen to music, sunbathe, and see several island locations in one outing. The private format also helps if your group has mixed interests. One person can swim while another stays under the canopy, and nobody has to follow a large tour group’s fixed schedule.

You may want another type of excursion if you need a guaranteed sailing route, a formal history tour, or a packed list of landmarks. This trip includes island information and scenic sightseeing, but its main pleasure is being on the water.

Practical details before you go

The tour leaves from Riva 27 and returns to the same point. English and Croatian are spoken, and the group is private.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option helps if your Hvar plans are still moving around. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule for your date.

Pack a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a phone or camera if you want photos. The snorkeling masks are supplied, but personal gear may be preferable if you need a particular fit. Bring snacks or drinks for a longer trip, and ask about lunch if you want to eat at an island restaurant.

Should you book the Hvar private sailing trip?

Book it if you can fill most of the six places and want a relaxed, private way to see the Pakleni Islands. The combination of clear water, flexible stops, a comfortable restored boat, and Jura’s friendly hosting makes this a strong choice for a half-day or full-day outing.

For the best balance of price and time, I would choose at least a half-day. Pick the full eight hours if you want lunch, several swimming coves, and plenty of unhurried sailing. Choose two hours only if your schedule is tight and you are happy with a shorter taste of the islands.

FAQ

Where does the Hvar private sailing trip start and finish?

The trip starts at Riva 27 in Hvar and returns to Riva 27.

How many people can join the private boat trip?

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

How long can the sailing trip last?

Available durations range from two to eight hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Which places might the boat visit?

The usual first stop is Mlini beach. Depending on the trip length and wind, other locations may include Perna, Palmizana, Jerolim, and Tarsce.

Are swimming and snorkeling included?

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

Are towels provided?

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

What languages does the guide speak?

The live tour guide speaks English and Croatian.