From Hvar: Pakleni Islands & Red Rocks Comfort Sailboat Tour

A small yacht, a handful of people, and a full day among Hvar’s clear-water coves make this more personal than a standard island boat trip. You’ll sail around the Pakleni Islands, stop at the Red Rocks, and swim in water about 100 meters deep, with time to help handle the sails if the wind cooperates.

I like the eight-person limit, which keeps the boat calm and gives you room to stretch out. I also like the mix of real sailing, swimming, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and a relaxed restaurant stop. The main thing to keep in mind is weather: high winds can force a date change, while light winds may mean less actual sailing.

Key points at a glance

• 36-foot sailboat for up to eight people: A much quieter setup than a large excursion boat.
• Real sailing when conditions allow: You may learn to steer and help work the sails with the captain.
• Red Rocks and 100-meter-deep water: Swim and snorkel beside one of Hvar’s best-known coastal sights.
• Several swimming stops: The day includes time at Red Rocks, Dubovica Beach, and the Pakleni Islands.
• Lunch at a small bay restaurant: Food and drinks are extra, but the stop adds a pleasant taste of coastal Croatia.
• Experienced captains: Peter, Petar, Stefan, and Mića are among the captains named for this experience.

Why this small sailboat makes a difference

The boat is a 36-foot sailing yacht with cabins, a kitchen, and a toilet. It can carry a maximum of eight people, excluding the captain, so you are not packed onto a large motorboat with dozens of other passengers.

That size changes the rhythm of the day. You can sit on deck, talk with the captain, watch the sails, or simply stretch out while Hvar’s coast slips past. The trip has a social side, but it is not designed as a loud party cruise. It suits couples, families, and small groups who want an easy day on the water without giving up privacy.

For a larger party, the operator uses two yachts. That keeps each boat within the small-group limit, though the two boats may not feel quite as intimate as one yacht shared by a few friends.

The captain is central to the experience. Peter has been praised for making the day special, while Petar, Stefan, and Mića have also led trips. Mića is described as an experienced skipper who pays close attention to comfort. The style is friendly and hands-on rather than formal, which matters if you are curious about sailing but do not already know the ropes.

Leaving Hvar Port for the open water

You meet at Hvar’s main port, with the listed meeting point at Riva 32. Allow time to find the exact departure spot, since the meeting location can vary with the option you book.

The day begins with a safety briefing of about ten minutes. Lifejackets are provided. After that, the yacht heads away from Hvar toward the coast near Sveta Nedilja, with roughly 45 minutes of sailing before the first major stop.

If the wind is right, the captain may show you how to work the sails and steer. This is one of the best reasons to choose a sailboat instead of a fast motorboat. You are not only being carried from one swimming spot to another. You can take part in the movement of the boat and get a simple introduction to sailing.

Still, treat the sailing lesson as a possibility, not a promise. Wind and sea conditions control the day. High winds can make the trip uncomfortable or unsafe, and light winds can reduce the amount of time under sail. One trip had to be rearranged because of strong winds, but the operator worked with the group to find another date. That flexibility is useful, especially if your time in Hvar is limited.

Red Rocks: Hvar’s dramatic first swim

The Red Rocks are among the most recognizable coastal sights near Hvar. Their reddish stone faces rise from the sea in a striking line, and the water around them is clear enough for swimming and snorkeling.

You get about an hour here. You can swim beside the rocks, put on the supplied snorkel mask, or stay aboard and enjoy the view. The boat also carries a paddle board, giving you another way to explore the water without needing to swim far from the yacht.

The Red Rocks are a good early stop because they combine scenery with activity. You get a memorable coastal view, then time in the sea rather than a rushed photo stop. The water is described as open ocean and about 100 meters deep, so this is not a shallow beach outing. If you are not a confident swimmer, stay close to the boat, use a lifejacket, and ask the captain where conditions are easiest.

The depth itself does not mean you must swim in the deepest water. It simply explains why the stop feels like an open-water experience rather than a visit to a sheltered pool. Snorkeling conditions depend on wind and visibility, but the clear water gives you a fair chance to see marine life below the surface.

Dubovica Beach and a second chance to swim

The yacht then sails for about 30 minutes to Dubovica Beach. This part of the trip gives you time to enjoy the coast from the water, rather than racing straight between stops.

At Dubovica, you have roughly 45 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. A second water stop is valuable because conditions can change during the day. If the first swim feels too exposed, the next bay may feel more comfortable. If you loved the first stop, you get another chance to swim, paddle, or snorkel without squeezing every activity into one short break.

You should not expect a long beach visit here. The schedule gives you time in the water, but this is still a moving boat tour with several destinations. The focus is on swimming from the yacht and enjoying the bay, not on spending half a day on the sand.

Lunch in a quiet bay near Hvar Island

After more sailing, the boat anchors at a local restaurant for about two hours. The restaurant is in a tranquil bay, and lunch is purchased separately. Food and drinks are not included, so bring money and keep enough room in your day’s budget for the meal.

This stop gives the day a welcome pause. Eight hours on a boat can feel long if every stop involves jumping into the water. A meal ashore lets you dry off, sit at a table, and enjoy a slower slice of coastal life.

The exact restaurant can vary, but Notos was singled out as a favorite lunch stop by one participant. That makes the meal more than a simple fuel break, though you should not book this tour expecting a meal included in the price.

You can also swim and snorkel during this two-hour stop. If you are hungry, eat first and save the water for afterward. If you prefer a lighter day, use the restaurant stop to rest on deck or by the bay. Since lunch is at your own expense, bringing snacks is sensible, especially if you have dietary needs or do not want a full restaurant meal.

The Pakleni Islands by sailboat

The final major part of the route takes you around the Pakleni Islands, the low island chain scattered just off Hvar. The boat spends about 30 minutes sailing toward the islands, followed by two swimming and snorkeling periods of about an hour and 40 minutes.

This is where the day feels most like island hopping. Instead of seeing one beach and turning back, you get several viewpoints and water stops. The captain can choose bays and anchorages according to the day’s conditions, so the exact feel of the stops may change.

The islands are especially good for a relaxed afternoon. You can swim from the yacht, use the snorkeling mask, try the paddle board, or stay aboard with a drink and watch the water. The boat’s kitchen and cabins add practical comfort, while the toilet means you are not dependent on facilities ashore at every stop.

Do not expect a guided nature lecture at each island. The value here is the access, the small group, and the ability to spend time in places that are harder to reach on foot. The captain’s local judgment also matters. Wind, waves, and boat traffic can affect where the yacht anchors.

What the eight-hour schedule feels like

The listed timings add up to a full day with plenty of movement:

• About 10 minutes for the safety briefing
• About 45 minutes sailing toward the first stop
• Around 1 hour at Red Rocks
• About 30 minutes to Dubovica Beach
• Around 45 minutes swimming and snorkeling there
• About 30 minutes sailing toward the lunch stop
• Roughly 2 hours for lunch, swimming, and snorkeling
• About 30 minutes to the Pakleni Islands
• Around 1 hour at one island stop
• Around 40 minutes at another island stop

That is a well-balanced plan for anyone who enjoys the sea. You get several short sailing legs rather than one long transfer, and the water stops are long enough to feel worthwhile.

The schedule is active, but it is not frantic. You will spend much of the day either moving between islands or in the water. If you want a quiet holiday morning with no timetable, this may feel too structured. If you want to make the most of one day around Hvar, the pace is sensible.

Price and practical value at $176

At $176 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Pakleni Islands. Public boats and larger group excursions can cost less, though they may offer a different level of comfort and privacy.

The price makes more sense if you value the small yacht. You are paying for an eight-hour boat trip, a captain, a 36-foot sailboat, safety equipment, snorkeling masks, and a paddle board. You also get several swimming stops, time around Red Rocks, a restaurant break, and the possibility of hands-on sailing.

The biggest value is the group size. A large boat can move you efficiently, but it cannot offer the same quiet space or direct interaction with the captain. If you are traveling as a couple or a small group and want a special day on the water, the extra cost may be justified.

Remember to add lunch and drinks to the budget. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to the port. The tour does offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option, which can help if your plans around Hvar are still changing.

Who should book this day on the water

I would choose this trip for:

• Couples looking for a relaxed sailing day, including honeymooners
• Small groups who want a yacht rather than a crowded excursion boat
• Confident swimmers who want several open-water stops
• First-time sailors who would like a simple introduction to handling sails
• People who prefer a mix of scenery, activity, and a proper lunch break
• Families or private groups who value a quieter boat setting

I would think twice if you dislike boats, do not enjoy swimming, or need a tour with a fixed activity schedule regardless of weather. The experience depends on the sea. High winds can change the date, and calm conditions can mean less sailing.

The trip is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the supplied details do not explain how boarding, deck movement, or swimming stops are handled. If accessibility is important for you, confirm those arrangements before paying.

What to bring for a comfortable day

Bring food and drinks, even though lunch is available for purchase. Snacks are useful between swimming stops, and your own water keeps you from having to wait for the restaurant.

Pack swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and a light layer for the sailing legs. The operator provides lifejackets and snorkel masks, along with the paddle board, but you may prefer to bring your own mask if you have one that fits well.

Wear something that dries reasonably fast. You will be moving between deck time and water time throughout the day. Keep valuables to a minimum, since the boat has limited personal space even with a small group.

How this compares with a standard Hvar boat trip

Many Hvar excursions focus on speed and quantity, fitting several headline stops into one packed day. This sailing trip takes a slower approach. It gives you time at each water stop and lets you enjoy the boat itself.

The tradeoff is flexibility. A motorboat may cover more ground, while a sailboat depends on wind and usually takes a gentler pace. You may sail toward Vis if conditions and the captain’s judgment allow, but the planned focus remains Red Rocks, Dubovica Beach, Hvar’s coast, and the Pakleni Islands.

The small group also changes the mood. You can ask the captain questions without shouting across a crowded deck. You may get to know the other people on board, but the setting remains manageable rather than party-like.

Final decision: is this Pakleni Islands sail worth booking?

I would book it if you want a full, easygoing day at sea and care more about quality than the lowest price. The combination of a small yacht, several swim stops, Red Rocks, Dubovica Beach, the Pakleni Islands, and a local lunch stop gives you a broad taste of Hvar’s coast in one outing.

Book with realistic expectations about wind. Actual sailing may be limited, and the route can change when conditions demand it. That is not a flaw in a sailing trip, but it is important if hoisting sails is your main reason for booking.

For a birthday, honeymoon, or small-group day out, this has the right balance of activity and comfort. For anyone who wants a cheap transfer to the islands, it is probably more than you need. At $176, I see it as a special-day experience rather than a basic boat ride.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is in Hvar’s main port, with Riva 32 listed as a starting location. The exact meeting point may vary according to the option booked.

How long does the experience last?

The boat trip lasts eight hours, including the safety briefing, sailing time, swimming, snorkeling, and the lunch stop.

How many people can join one yacht?

The 36-foot sailboat can accommodate a maximum of eight people. Larger groups are placed on two yachts.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch and drinks are not included. You stop at a small local restaurant in a quiet bay and can purchase food there.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel masks are included, along with lifejackets and a paddle board.

Can I learn to sail during the trip?

You may learn basic sailing and steering if weather conditions allow. The amount of actual sailing depends on wind and sea conditions.

Does the tour visit the Red Rocks?

Yes. The route includes a stop at the Red Rocks for swimming and snorkeling, with about one hour scheduled there.

Does the tour include the Pakleni Islands?

Yes. The boat sails around the Pakleni Islands and includes two swimming and snorkeling periods there.

What happens if the weather is unsuitable?

Weather can limit sailing or require the trip to be rearranged. One reported departure was changed because of high winds. The experience includes free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.