Hvar: Private Sailing Boat Trip with Swimming and Snorkeling

The best part of this Hvar trip is the freedom of a private boat for up to six people. You can sail between the Pakleni Islands, stop for a swim, linger over a quiet cove, or add lunch at an island restaurant instead of following a fixed crowd-filled route. I like the relaxed pace and the chance to let wind and weather help shape the day.

I also like the practical touches: snorkeling masks, an icebox, shade, sun cushions, and an onboard toilet. Skipper Jura, also called Jurica in some bookings, is often praised for being friendly, capable, and easy to talk with. The main consideration is price. At $471 per group, it makes the most sense when six people share the cost. Towels are not included, and the exact number of stops depends on your booking length and the wind.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat, maximum six people: You get the whole small vessel rather than sharing space with a large excursion group.
• Mlini is usually the first stop: Expect time for swimming, snorkeling, and views before moving on to other Pakleni Island spots.
• Flexible route: Possible stops include Perna, Palmizana, Jerolim, and Tarsce, with conditions guiding the final plan.
• Comfortable day on the water: The boat has a 2023 restoration, sun canopy, cushions, icebox, USB port, Bluetooth speaker, Wi-Fi, masks, and toilet.
• Optional lunch stop: You may choose to eat at an island restaurant, but food and lunch costs are not included.
• Best value for a small group: The flat group price is easier to justify when shared by four to six people.

Leaving Hvar Riva for the Pakleni Islands

Your trip begins at Riva 27, on Hvar’s waterfront. From here, the boat heads away from town toward the Pakleni Islands, a chain of wooded islands and rocky shores just offshore from Hvar.

The sailing itself is part of the point. This is not simply a fast transfer to a beach. You have time to watch the islands draw closer, feel the boat move under sail when conditions allow, and take in the changing views from the water. The experience is especially suited to people who want a calm half-day or full day, not a packed checklist of sights.

The boat can carry six passengers, which gives a group enough room to spend time together without the scale of a large cruise vessel. You can sit under the sun canopy, stretch out on the sun deck cushions, play your own music through the Bluetooth speaker, or keep drinks cold in the icebox.

The skipper speaks English and Croatian. Jura has been praised for being friendly, professional, informative, and relaxed, a useful mix on a private outing. He can explain the islands, answer questions, and adjust the rhythm of the trip to suit your group. If you are new to sailing, that easygoing approach matters. You can enjoy the motion and scenery without feeling that you need to know anything about boats.

Wind affects the route and the amount of sailing. On a low-wind day, the boat may still take you to beautiful swimming areas, but you should not expect constant full-sail action. That is worth keeping in mind if sailing itself is your main reason for booking.

Mlini: the usual first swim

The usual first stop is Mlini beach, where you spend time looking at the scenery, swimming, and snorkeling. Starting here makes sense: it gives you an early chance to get in the water before the day becomes too hot and lets the skipper judge the conditions for the rest of the route.

The Pakleni Islands are known for clear water, and this trip makes good use of it. Bring your own underwater curiosity rather than expecting a major organized snorkeling session. The masks are supplied, and the focus is on swimming and looking around in attractive coves, not on a formal marine-life tour.

I like this kind of stop because it leaves room for different energy levels. One person can snorkel, another can sit in the shade, and someone else can swim from the boat or beach. If your group includes both active swimmers and people who mainly want a peaceful boat ride, that flexibility is valuable.

You should pack a towel, since towels are not included. Swimwear, sun protection, and a cover-up also make practical sense for a day that mixes water time with sitting in the sun, though only the towel detail is specifically stated as an exclusion.

Sailing among Perna, Palmizana, Jerolim, and Tarsce

After Mlini, the route can include several scenic locations in the Pakleni archipelago. Possible names include Perna, Palmizana, Jerolim, and Tarsce, but the final selection depends on your tour length and the wind.

That flexibility is one of the strengths of a private trip. A two-hour booking cannot offer the same number of stops as an eight-hour outing. A half-day generally gives you a relaxed taste of the islands, while a longer booking allows more time for sailing, swimming, and possibly lunch.

Palmizana is a useful choice if you want a more developed stop with food options nearby. The trip can include a restaurant lunch on one of the islands if you decide to add it. Lunch is not included, so treat this as an optional extra rather than part of the basic price.

Jerolim and other smaller coves may appeal more if your priority is a quiet swim. Exact conditions vary, and the skipper decides where the boat can go safely and comfortably. That means you should book this for the overall island-and-sea experience, not for a guaranteed list of every named location.

The scenery changes nicely between stops. You get open water during the sailing stretches, rocky coastlines as the boat approaches land, and clear swimming areas when you anchor or stop near shore. The journey between coves is not wasted time. It is when you can settle into the boat, dry off, take photographs, and enjoy the view without having to do anything.

Why the small boat changes the day

A private boat gives you a different sort of Hvar outing than a standard group cruise. You are not working around a large timetable or trying to find a place in a crowded seating area. Your group can talk with the skipper, choose how long to swim, and decide if a lunch stop suits the day.

That does not mean the route is unlimited. Wind conditions, the length of your booking, and the practical needs of the boat still shape the itinerary. But the private format gives you a better chance of enjoying the day at your own pace.

The maximum of six is ideal for a family, a group of friends, or two or three couples. Several bookings specifically describe a comfortable outing for six people, including groups that chose swimming, lounging, and lunch. For two people, the price per person is much higher, though the private setting may still appeal if you want privacy and control.

At the full group price of $471, six people pay about $78.50 each before any lunch or other personal spending. Four people pay about $117.75 each, while two people pay about $235.50 each. Those figures show why this trip is strongest as a shared group purchase.

The price includes the boat, tour, snorkeling masks, USB port, icebox, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth speaker. The boat was restored in 2023, and the equipment list gives you the essentials for a comfortable day without turning the trip into a luxury yacht charter.

Comfort on board, from shade to a cold drink

The boat has both a sun canopy and cushioned sun deck areas. That combination is important in the Croatian summer. You can choose shade when you have had enough sun, then move onto the cushions when you want to dry off or enjoy the warmth.

The icebox lets you keep drinks cold, and the USB port helps with phone power during a long day. The Bluetooth speaker allows you to set the mood with your own music. Keep the volume considerate, especially when other boats or quiet coves are nearby.

An onboard toilet is another small but useful feature. It means you are not dependent on finding facilities at every island stop. Wi-Fi is included as well, although the main reason to book is the water and scenery, not internet access.

Bring your own towel. Food and drinks are not listed as included, so plan to bring what you need or arrange the optional restaurant stop. One practical detail from the experience is that the boat has wine glasses and a bottle opener, which can be handy if you bring a bottle for a relaxed afternoon. Do not assume every personal item is supplied, and confirm any special request when booking.

Some outings have also included access to a GoPro for water photographs. That appears to be an occasional extra rather than a standard item in the included equipment list, so ask ahead if underwater photos matter to you.

Half-day or full-day: choosing the right length

The advertised duration ranges from two to eight hours, with starting times depending on availability. The short option is best if you want a quick taste of sailing and a swim without giving up most of your day in Hvar.

A half-day is the sweet spot for many people. It gives you time to visit a couple of swimming locations, use the snorkeling gear, and enjoy the sailing without making the water outing your entire schedule. Several family and friend groups chose a half-day and found it comfortably paced.

Choose a full day if you want to slow down. You can spend longer at swimming spots, add a restaurant lunch, and allow more time for the islands rather than racing between them. The extra hours are valuable because the trip is designed around relaxation. You do not need to fill every minute with an activity.

If your group strongly prefers swimming, ask about the likely route and stopping pattern before departure. If sailing is your main goal, ask how wind conditions may affect the day. The skipper can give you the most useful answer close to the time of departure.

The skipper and the feel of the trip

The skipper can make or break a private boat trip, and Jura is repeatedly praised for a friendly, professional style. He has been described as informative without being overbearing and casual without losing control of the day.

That balance suits Hvar. You want someone who can handle the boat and explain the islands, but you also want time to talk with your own group. Past outings have included first-time sailors, birthday celebrations, couples, families, and groups of friends. The common thread is an easy pace, with swimming and conversation carrying as much weight as sightseeing.

Jura has also been responsive before departure and helpful after the trip when a piece of clothing was left on the boat. That does not change the route, but it suggests a practical level of care that is useful when you are arranging a private activity in a busy holiday destination.

The overall rating is 4.8 from 65 ratings, with a 98 percent perfect score for transport. The praise centers on the skipper, the condition of the boat, clear water, attractive swimming places, and the relaxed feel. That pattern gives you a good sense of what the trip does best.

Who will enjoy this Hvar sailing trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• A group of up to six friends who want a private day on the water
• Families who want swimming time without a large shared boat
• First-time sailors looking for a gentle introduction
• Couples willing to pay more for privacy
• Anyone who prefers a flexible day over a fixed sightseeing schedule
• Swimmers and casual snorkelers who care more about clear water than technical snorkeling

It is less suitable if you want a formal guided history tour, a guaranteed route, or a specialist snorkeling excursion. The emphasis is on sailing, swimming, scenery, and a relaxed conversation with the skipper.

It may also be poor value for solo visitors or very small groups unless privacy is especially important. The flat price rewards filling the boat.

Booking details and practical planning

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. The activity is offered as a private group, with English and Croatian available.

The boat returns to Riva 27 after the island route. Check the meeting details carefully so you arrive at the correct waterfront point. Since departure times depend on availability, choose a slot that leaves enough room for your other Hvar plans.

Pack a towel and anything you want to eat or drink unless you plan to use an island restaurant. The onboard icebox is useful for keeping supplies cold. Snorkeling masks are included, but you should not expect towels to be waiting on board.

I would also leave some space in your schedule after the outing. A swim, a sunny boat ride, and a full day on the water can be pleasantly tiring, and the best part of this experience is not having to rush away from it.

Should you book it?

Book this private Hvar sailing trip if you have four to six people, want clear-water swimming, and like the idea of choosing between quiet coves and an island lunch. The combination of a recently restored boat, a capable skipper, useful onboard equipment, and a flexible Pakleni Islands route gives you a good value day when the cost is shared.

Think twice if your group is small and budget-minded, or if you need a fixed itinerary with guaranteed stops. For most people, the two-to-four-hour options offer the best balance of price and experience. Choose the longer version when you want lunch and plenty of unhurried time between the islands.

FAQ

Where does the sailing trip start and finish?

The trip starts and returns at Riva 27 in Hvar.

How many people can join the private boat?

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

How long does the activity last?

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

Which islands and beaches can you visit?

The route explores the Pakleni Islands. Possible stops include Mlini, Perna, Palmizana, Jerolim, and Tarsce.

Is Mlini beach always the first stop?

Mlini beach is usually the first stop, where you can swim and snorkel before visiting other locations.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling masks are included with the boat trip.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. You can choose to stop for lunch at an island restaurant, but lunch is not included.

Are towels provided?

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

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English and Croatian.