Private – Full day sailing from Hvar to Pakleni islands (up to 8 travellers)

The best part of this private sailing day is the freedom to string together Hvar’s southern coves and the Pakleni Islands without sharing your boat with a large crowd. You’ll swim in clear water, see the rust-coloured Red Rocks, and stop at small beaches that are much easier to reach by boat than by road.

I like the private format, which gives your group a more personal day on the water, and the practical setup: snorkel gear, a SUP, a fridge, Wi-Fi, and a restroom are all provided. Captain Alexander has been praised for going the extra mile, while Borko is noted for being punctual, patient, and good company.

The main consideration is the price, listed at $1,171.10 per group, and lunch is extra. The booking information also describes the boat as suitable for up to eight people while showing a price for a group of one, so confirm the final cost and capacity before paying.

Key points to know before sailing

• A full southern-coast circuit: See Lučišća, the Red Rocks, Dubovica, Milna, Bay Stipanska, and Mlini in about eight hours.
• A truly private boat day: Only your group participates, with space for up to eight people according to the tour details.
• Swim gear is already onboard: Use the supplied snorkel equipment and stand-up paddleboard instead of filling your day bag with bulky kit.
• Bring your own drinks: Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed, and the yacht has a fridge to keep them cold.
• Lunch takes place ashore: You stop at Notos restaurant in Milna, but food is not included in the tour price.
• Captain service matters here: Alexander and Borko are singled out for care, punctuality, patience, and a friendly approach.

Setting off from Hvar Harbour at 9:00

Your day starts at Harbour of Hvar, on Riva, at 9:00 in the morning. Arrive about 10 minutes early. Hvar’s waterfront can be lively in summer, and the instructions specifically ask you to allow time to find the yacht.

The meeting point is convenient if you are staying in Hvar town or arriving by local transport. The activity finishes back at the same harbour, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer.

This is an eight-hour outing, not a quick boat ride with one swim stop. The schedule gives you time to see several parts of the southern coast, eat lunch, and spend a proper hour or more among the Pakleni Islands. That length is useful if you want variety, but it also means you should be comfortable spending most of a day on the water.

The boat has a restroom, which is an important comfort on a long sailing trip. Wi-Fi is included too, although I would treat that as a convenience for occasional messages or photos rather than the main reason to book. The point of this day is the sea, coves, and cliffs around Hvar.

Lučišća Bay and the quiet side of Hvar

The first major stop is Lučišća Bay, near Sveta Nedelja, with about an hour set aside there. This is the sort of place where the boat itself makes the experience worthwhile. The pebble beach sits beneath pine trees, and the water is described as clear and calm enough for a relaxed swim.

Lučišća has a more peaceful feel than Hvar town. You get sun, pine scent, and the sound of crickets rather than cafés and pavement. For many people, this will be the first moment when the day shifts from sightseeing to proper Adriatic leisure.

Bring footwear that is comfortable around pebbles, since this is not a sandy beach stop. The supplied snorkel equipment lets you look beneath the surface without hiring gear separately. The tour also includes a SUP, giving you another way to spend time in the bay if the water is calm.

The one-hour stop is long enough for a swim and a little shoreline time, but not so long that you settle in for the entire afternoon. If your group prefers a slow beach day with one location, this schedule may feel busy. If you want to collect several beautiful stops in one outing, it works well.

The Red Rocks, Hvar’s rust-coloured cliffs

Along Hvar’s southern coast, the Red Rocks provide one of the most striking views of the day. These cliffs rise directly from the Adriatic, with layers of red limestone cut into bold shapes by wind and waves.

The colour contrast is the attraction: red stone against dark blue water. From a boat, you get the right angle to appreciate the cliffs as a whole, rather than seeing only a small section from land. The area can suit a leisurely cruise past the rocks or a quick look before another swim stop.

The cliffs are also associated with cliff jumping, but you should only consider that if your captain confirms the conditions and your own ability. The tour information does not promise a dedicated jumping session, so do not book this as an adventure activity built around that one feature.

This is a scenic stop rather than a formal attraction with an entrance gate or museum. You will not find a long guided explanation or a structured walking route. The reward is visual: raw red stone, open sea, and a close view of Hvar’s southern edge.

Dubovica Beach and a second chance to swim

Dubovica is scheduled for about 45 minutes. The supplied description repeats the Red Rocks information rather than giving separate details about the beach, so you should think of this as another coastal stop where the exact balance of swimming, viewing, and cruising may depend on the captain and sea conditions.

Dubovica is useful in the rhythm of the day. After the first cove and the Red Rocks, you get another chance to enter the water without waiting until lunch. A 45-minute stop is best for a focused swim and a quick look around, not for a long beach walk.

Because this is a private outing, you can ask about the plan as the day unfolds. That does not guarantee a change to every stop, but it gives your group a chance to understand how much time is available and what the water conditions allow.

If you are bringing children or less confident swimmers, ask the captain about the safest place to enter the water. The tour is open to most participants, but the supplied information does not give specific details about ladders, beach access, or swimming assistance.

Milna, lunch, and a useful break on shore

Milna is the longest stop, with two hours planned for swimming and lunch. This break gives you a change from the boat and a chance to eat at Notos restaurant, a modern, tropical-leaning place in the village.

Lunch is not included, so budget separately. The restaurant serves fish, meat, and vegan choices, which makes it easier for mixed groups to agree on a meal. Dishes include items such as asparagus and shrimp risotto, and the food is described as innovative rather than strictly traditional.

Prices are described as moderate, though optional extras can raise the bill. Even a simple restaurant stop can become more expensive when you add drinks or special products, so check the menu if you are keeping a close eye on costs.

The two-hour pause is a strong feature for groups that do not want to eat hurriedly between swims. You have time for a meal and a swim in the same bay. The trade-off is that lunch becomes part of your own spending, and a restaurant stop may feel less secluded than the small coves later in the day.

Service is expected to be quick and welcoming, which matters when the boat has a schedule to keep. Still, restaurant timing can vary, so do not assume every minute of the two-hour stop will be spent in the water.

Bay Stipanska in the Pakleni Islands

After Milna, the boat heads for the Pakleni Islands, an archipelago of roughly 20 islands and small islets off Hvar’s southwestern coast. Bay Stipanska is scheduled for about an hour.

This part of the trip changes the feel of the coastline. The islands are marked by pine trees, small coves, and clear turquoise water. You are not simply looking at one famous beach. You are moving through a scattered group of islands where the pleasure comes from the water, the greenery, and the sense of being away from Hvar town.

Bay Stipanska is a good place to use the snorkel gear. The tour specifically includes equipment, so you can explore around the boat or near shore without renting it at the stop. The SUP is another useful extra here, especially for anyone who would rather paddle than snorkel.

The Pakleni Islands are popular with boaters, sailors, and people looking for quiet anchorages. That means the feeling of seclusion can vary. The private boat gives your group personal space onboard, but it does not mean every bay will be empty.

You may bring your own drinks, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, at no extra charge according to the tour details. The onboard fridge keeps them cold. This is a small but meaningful saving, particularly for a full day in the sun, though you will need to bring the drinks yourself.

Mlini, the romantic final swim stop

Mlini is the last listed beach stop, with about 40 minutes in the schedule. It is known for a turquoise bay surrounded by vegetation and is often considered one of the more romantic beaches in the Pakleni group.

The short stop suits a final swim before returning to Hvar. The setting should appeal to couples, but it also works for anyone who wants a beautiful last look at the islands. With only 40 minutes, plan on swimming and enjoying the view rather than trying to explore far from the shore.

The compact timing is also a reminder to watch the clock. A private tour can feel relaxed, but the boat still needs to return to Hvar. Keep your belongings together, listen for the captain’s instructions, and do not assume you can extend a stop without affecting the rest of the route.

The tour ends at the same Hvar harbour where you began. That straightforward return is helpful if you have dinner plans or need to meet transport afterward, though I would still leave some spare time rather than scheduling something immediately.

What the private format is really worth

At $1,171.10 per group, this is not a budget boat excursion. Its value depends heavily on how many people share the cost. With a full group of eight, the advertised price works out to roughly $146 per person before lunch. With only two people, the same boat day becomes much harder to justify.

There is a pricing detail worth checking before booking. The tour is described as private for up to eight people, yet the price line says per group up to one. That may simply reflect how the booking platform displays the starting price, but you should confirm the final amount for your party size.

The price includes private transportation, all listed fees and taxes, snorkel equipment, the SUP, Wi-Fi, a restroom, and use of the fridge. Those inclusions reduce the small add-on costs that often appear on a full-day boat trip.

Lunch, drinks, and personal spending are not included. You can bring your own drinks free of charge, which helps keep the day more affordable. The restaurant stop also gives you choices, but you should expect to pay directly for your meal.

I see the strongest value for a family group or a group of friends who wants control over the day. A private boat means you are not sharing every swim stop with strangers, and the trip can feel more social and comfortable. Solo visitors or couples should compare the cost with a shared sailing option before committing.

Captains, comfort, and the feel onboard

The people running the boat can make or break a day like this. Alexander has been praised for going beyond the basic plan to make sure a group saw the sights and got a real sailing experience. Borko has been noted for punctuality, patience, a fun personality, and strong local knowledge.

Those details matter because this is not a guided museum tour with a fixed script. You spend hours with the captain, relying on that person for timing, safety, route decisions, and the atmosphere onboard.

The boat’s restroom is one of the best practical features. So are the fridge and supplied snorkel gear. You can pack a lighter day bag and avoid carrying wet equipment back and forth between stops.

The listing says the experience is offered in English. Most people can participate, and the activity is near public transportation. There are no specific accessibility details about the boat, swimming areas, or boarding, so ask the provider directly if anyone in your group has mobility needs.

The trip requires good weather. If conditions are poor, the experience can be moved to another date or refunded in full. That is sensible for a full day at sea, but keep a flexible day in your Hvar schedule if possible.

Who should book this Hvar sailing day

I would choose this outing for a group that wants a full day outdoors and values privacy over the lowest price. It is especially suited to families and friends who can share the cost, bring their own drinks, and enjoy several swims rather than one long beach stay.

Couples may like Mlini and the quieter coves, but the total price is a serious consideration for two people. A private day can feel special, yet it may not offer the best value unless privacy and flexibility matter more than budget.

This is also a good match for mixed groups. One person can snorkel, another can use the SUP, someone else can stay aboard with a cold drink, and everyone can meet for lunch in Milna. The boat’s restroom makes the long duration easier for a wider range of participants.

I would think twice if your priority is a detailed cultural tour, a long walking route, or an included meal. The focus is coastal scenery, swimming, and time on the water. Hvar town itself receives little attention beyond the start and finish.

Booking terms are fairly flexible: you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:00 start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, and the local weather cut-off applies.

Should you book it?

Book this private sailing day if your group can share the cost and you want to connect Hvar’s best-known coastal sights with the Pakleni Islands in one well-filled day. The Red Rocks, Lučišća, Bay Stipanska, and Mlini give you plenty of variety, while the gear and onboard facilities keep the outing simple.

Before paying, confirm the price for your exact group size, the boat’s capacity, and the expected stop order. Also budget for lunch at Notos and decide which drinks to bring.

If the price works for your group, this is a strong choice for a relaxed, active day with capable captains and several chances to swim. If you are watching every kuna, want an included lunch, or prefer one quiet beach for the whole day, a less expensive shared trip may suit you better.

FAQ

Where does the sailing trip start?

It starts at Harbour of Hvar, Riva, 21450, Hvar, Croatia. You should arrive about 10 minutes before the 9:00 start time so you can find the yacht.

How long does the experience last?

The sailing trip lasts approximately eight hours and finishes back at the same Hvar harbour.

How many people can join the private boat?

The tour is described as a private activity for up to eight people. The listed price displays a group size of one, so confirm the final booking price and capacity for your party.

Is lunch included?

No. The boat stops in Milna for lunch at Notos restaurant, but you pay separately for your meal.

Can I bring my own drinks?

Yes. You can bring alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks at no extra charge. A fridge is available onboard to keep them cold.

Is snorkel equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkelling equipment and a stand-up paddleboard are included.

Does the boat have a restroom?

Yes. A restroom is available onboard.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is cancelled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.