Hvar Delight: Private Speed Boat Tour

The best part of this Hvar boat trip is its mix of open-water cruising and unhurried swim stops. You head along Hvar’s southern shore, snorkel near the Red Rocks, eat lunch on Palmižana, then spend the afternoon among the Pakleni Islands and quiet coves.

I like the private format for up to seven people, since your skipper can adjust the pace and help arrange lunch. I also like that snorkeling equipment and fuel are included. The main catch is price: at $780.16 per group, it makes the most sense with several people sharing the cost, and lunch is extra.

Key points at a glance

• Swim near the Red Rocks: Explore sea caves and use the included snorkeling equipment at one of Hvar’s most striking coastal spots.
• Private boat for up to seven: Your group travels alone, with room for a flexible plan and personal requests.
• Long lunch stop at Palmižana: About two and a half hours allows time for a relaxed meal at one of Dalmatia’s well-known restaurant areas.
• Several swimming locations: The day includes Dubovica, secret bays in the Pakleni Islands, Mlini Beach, and Taršće Bay.
• Skipper-led planning: Tonci can help with stop choices and lunch arrangements, while Klara provides meeting-point information and booking communication.
• Weather matters: This is a sea outing, so poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Why this private Hvar speedboat trip works

Hvar is easy to admire from shore, but its best swimming spots are spread along the coast and across the Pakleni Islands. This tour gives you a full day on the water without putting you into a large shared group.

The boat ride itself takes about two hours in total, according to the tour details. That leaves roughly three to four hours for swimming, lunch, and time in the coves. The listed operating time is 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., while the complete experience is described as about five to six hours, so your exact return can vary with the day’s plan and sea conditions.

The private setup is the real selling point. If you are traveling as a family or a group of friends, you can talk through how much swimming, snorkeling, cruising, and lunch time you want. You are not simply following a fixed route with a boatload of strangers.

Tonci is the skipper named in the available guest feedback. He helped one couple choose stops and arranged a lunch reservation in a small town. Klara handled communication and gave clear meeting instructions. Those details matter because a private boat day depends on quick, practical coordination.

Leaving Hvar for Dubovica and the Red Rocks

You meet at Riva in Hvar and head toward the island’s southern shore. Your first named stop is Dubovica Beach, part of a series of swimming areas that includes the famous Red Rocks.

The stop lasts about 45 minutes. That is enough time for a swim and a look beneath the surface, but it is not an all-day beach visit. Bring a simple plan: get into the water promptly, make use of the snorkeling gear, and save time for the caves.

The Red Rocks are the memorable feature here. You can swim inside the caves and examine the sea bottom with the provided snorkeling equipment. This is a good early stop because the boat gets you straight to scenery that is difficult to appreciate from a normal road-based outing.

The tour does not charge an admission fee at this stop. Fuel is included, which is useful on a boat trip that covers several areas. Still, remember that included snorkeling equipment does not mean all beach comforts are provided. The supplied details do not list towels, food, or drinks, so you should confirm what to bring before departure.

Two and a half hours around Palmižana

At about 1 p.m., the boat reaches Palmižana Bay on the Pakleni Islands for lunch. You have around two and a half hours here, making it the longest stop of the day.

That length is helpful. You are not forced to bolt down a meal and hurry back to the boat. You have time to eat, take a break from the sun, and enjoy the setting before the afternoon swimming stops.

Lunch is not included in the tour price. The restaurant is an important part of the day, so budget for it separately. The supplied details describe the dining area as one of the better restaurant spots in Dalmatia, but the actual meal cost depends on what you order.

If lunch planning makes you nervous, ask about it in advance. Tonci arranged a reservation for one couple, which suggests that the skipper may be able to help coordinate the meal. Do not assume a particular restaurant, menu, or price is guaranteed. The useful point is that you have someone on site who can help make the stop practical.

Palmižana is also a good pause in the schedule. Five or six hours on a speedboat can feel active, especially in bright sun and wind. A long lunch stop gives you a chance to slow down before the second half of the outing.

Secret bays across the Pakleni Islands

After lunch, the boat continues around the Pakleni Islands. You spend about an hour relaxing on the boat, seeing additional coves, and stopping in less exposed swimming areas.

The word secret should be treated loosely. These are quiet bays reached by boat, not guaranteed private beaches. The appeal is the sense of space and the chance to see more of the island group than you could from Hvar’s waterfront.

This is where a private trip can offer more value than a standard sightseeing cruise. If your group wants to linger in one bay, ask. If you prefer to keep moving, say so. The skipper’s ability to shape the day is more useful here than at a major named sight.

The tour description does not promise a set number of coves or a fixed route through the islands. That is both a benefit and a limitation. You get flexibility, but the exact stops may depend on weather, sea conditions, and the skipper’s judgment on the day.

For the best experience, treat the afternoon as a water day rather than a checklist. You will get more from it if you are happy to swim, sit on the boat, and let the route change a little.

Mlini Beach and the final swim

Mlini Beach is the last main swimming stop and lasts about an hour. By this stage, you have already had a cave swim, lunch, and time around the Pakleni Islands, so this stop gives the day a final, easygoing swim before the return.

The one-hour timing is generous enough to get in the water without feeling rushed. It also gives you a chance to dry off before the boat heads back toward Hvar.

The tour returns slowly, with views of the Pakleni Islands and the coast near Hvar. Since the boat ride accounts for about two hours of the day, the return is not just a transfer. It is part of the sightseeing rhythm.

Do keep the sun and wind in mind. The boat offers exposure for much of the day, and the details do not state whether shade is available. Pack sun protection and clothing suited to a moving boat. Those are basic precautions, but they can determine whether the final hour feels pleasant or tiring.

Taršće Bay, a quiet finish near Hvar

The final named stop is Taršće Bay, described as a peaceful place for private yachts and a swim in clear turquoise water. It lasts about 30 minutes.

This is a short stop, but it can be a fitting end to the day. You get one last chance to swim away from the main harbor before returning to Riva. The bay is valued for its untouched feel and calm setting rather than for a major attraction or formal activity.

Because it comes at the end, you may be ready to sit back instead of getting into the water again. That is fine. The private format lets your group decide how to use the time, within the schedule and sea conditions.

The itinerary places Taršće Bay under Hvar after the Pakleni Islands and Mlini Beach. Exact routing may shift, so think of it as part of the return stretch rather than a promise that every stop will occur in a rigid order.

What the $780.16 group price really buys

The price is $780.16 for the group, with a maximum of seven people. That works out to about $111 per person if seven people join, or about $390 per person for two.

For a full private boat day, fuel, a skipper, snorkeling equipment, and several coastal stops, the price can be fair when divided among a larger group. Families and friend groups will usually get better value than couples.

For two people, this is a costly day. The private attention and lunch help are attractive, but you should compare the total against other boat trips in Hvar before booking. Lunch is extra, and the price does not include food.

I would choose this tour when privacy and flexibility matter more than finding the cheapest way onto the water. I would hesitate if your main goal is simply one short swim near Hvar or a low-cost island transfer.

The strong rating also gives some useful reassurance. The experience has a 5 out of 5 rating from 21 reviews, with 100 percent recommending it. That does not remove the price question, but it supports the idea that skipper service and day planning are central strengths.

Who should book this Hvar boat day

This trip suits you if you want a private day with several swim stops and do not mind spending much of the time around the water. It is especially practical for groups of four to seven, since the fixed cost becomes easier to share.

It also suits families and friends who want control over the day. You can ask for more swimming, take time at lunch, or spend longer looking around a quiet bay if the route allows.

Couples can also enjoy it, and one couple described a two-person outing as an excellent use of a day in Hvar. But the cost per person is much higher for a small party, so you should be comfortable paying for privacy.

The tour is not ideal if you want a detailed walking tour, archaeological sites, or a full beach day in one location. Its appeal is the coast, the boat, the caves, and the swim stops.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the activity ends back at Riva. The details do not provide a specific boat model, seating layout, or shade information, so ask those questions if they matter to you.

Timing, weather, and what to plan for

The listed season runs from June 20 through October 1, 2026, with daily hours from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Confirmation is received at booking, and the tour uses a mobile ticket.

Good weather is required. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and the cut-off follows local time.

Plan lunch spending separately. It is also smart to confirm the meeting instructions from Klara before the day begins, even though the meeting point is clearly listed as Riva in Hvar.

The boat day involves about two hours of cruising. If you are prone to seasickness, think about that before booking. The provided information does not state whether medication, refreshments, towels, or shaded seating are supplied, so ask the operator directly rather than guessing.

Should you book Hvar Delight?

Book it if you want a private, skipper-led day that combines the Red Rocks, cave swimming, Palmižana lunch, the Pakleni Islands, Mlini Beach, and Taršće Bay. The best value comes with a group of four to seven, when the fixed price is shared.

I would book this over a large shared cruise if your group cares about personal attention and a flexible route. Tonci’s help with stops and lunch, along with Klara’s clear meeting instructions, adds practical value.

I would skip it if your budget is tight, you do not want to pay separately for lunch, or you prefer a single beach with plenty of time on land. For everyone else, this is a well-planned way to see Hvar from the water, with enough freedom to feel like your own day rather than a boat timetable.

FAQ

Where does the Hvar Delight tour start?

The tour starts at Riva in Hvar, Croatia.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Riva, Hvar.

How long does the private boat tour last?

The experience lasts approximately five to six hours. The listed operating time is from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private boat can accommodate up to seven people in your group.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price and must be paid for separately.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

Is fuel included?

Yes. The fuel surcharge is included.

Which places are included in the route?

The route includes Dubovica Beach, the Red Rocks area, Palmižana Botanical Garden, the Pakleni Islands, Mlini Beach, Taršće Bay, and Hvar.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

What is the cancellation deadline?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.

Is this a shared boat trip?

No. This is a private activity, so only your group participates.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes. Service animals are allowed on the experience.