Private Speed Boat Tour of Hvar South Shore & Pakleni islands

The best part of this private speedboat tour is the freedom to shape a full day on Hvar’s water. You can swim at Red Rocks, settle into beautiful Dubovica Beach, stop for lunch near Mala Milna, and finish among the Pakleni islands without sharing the boat with another group. A private boat means your pace matters, which is a real advantage on a hot island day.

I like two things right away: the route mixes dramatic cliffs with easy beach time, and the captains, including Nicolai, Nicholai, and Johnny Marino, are described as friendly, attentive, and willing to adjust the outing to your wishes. The main consideration is the price: $420.08 covers up to 10 people, so it is strong value for a full group but less attractive for one or two people. Your day also depends on good weather.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to 10 people: You get the boat and captain to yourselves, with no larger group setting the timetable.
• Five to eight hours on the water: The longer format gives you time for both swimming and unhurried beach stops.
• Red Rocks includes adventure options: You can take photos, snorkel, swim, or jump from the cliffs if conditions and your comfort level allow.
• Dubovica is the main beach pause: Plan on about an hour for swimming, sunbathing, coffee, or cocktails.
• Palmizana and Mlini complete the island-hopping: Palmizana suits lunch and a garden walk, while Mlini is a fine final swim stop.
• The cost works best for groups: At $420.08 for up to 10 people, the per-person price drops quickly when shared.

A private route along Hvar’s South Shore

Hvar is famous for its old town, stone lanes, and nightlife, but the island looks different from the water. The South Shore is lined with coves, cliffs, and small beaches that are difficult to appreciate from inland roads. This tour gives you a long stretch of the day to see that coast by speedboat, then crosses toward the Pakleni islands.

The itinerary is planned around several stops, but the private format gives the outing a more personal feel than a fixed group cruise. The available duration is approximately five to eight hours, so the exact rhythm matters. A five-hour outing will feel focused, while a longer day gives you more room for lunch, swimming, and the optional beaches.

You meet at HvarBoats on Riva, at Šetalište put Križa 3, and return to the same meeting point. Pickup is offered, but the supplied details do not specify the pickup area, so you should confirm that point when booking.

The boat is offered in English, and confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability. Since the tour is often reserved well ahead of time, with an average booking lead time of 47 days, I would not leave it until the last minute if your Hvar dates are fixed.

Red Rocks sets the tone

The first listed stop is Red Rocks, about 30 minutes from the plan. This is a photogenic section of Hvar’s coast, with red-toned rock formations rising from clear water. It is the sort of place where the boat itself becomes part of the experience, since you can view the formations from the sea rather than simply arriving at another beach.

You can swim, snorkel, and take photographs here. If you are comfortable with cliff jumping, the stop also offers that option. Treat this as a personal choice, not a required part of the tour. The supplied information does not state the height of the cliffs, the water conditions, or whether safety equipment is provided, so ask the captain before making any jump.

Thirty minutes is enough for a quick swim and photographs, but it will not feel like a long beach stay. That is fine. Red Rocks works best as an energetic opening stop before the slower pace of Dubovica.

Dubovica gives you time to settle in

Dubovica Beach is scheduled for about an hour and is described as one of the most beautiful bays on Hvar. The shape of the cove makes it a natural place to pause after the first swim. You can sunbathe, swim, or sit at the small beach bar with coffee or a cocktail.

I like this stop because it gives the itinerary some balance. A speedboat day can become a string of short arrivals and departures, but Dubovica asks you to slow down. An hour is enough to enjoy the water and shore without turning the day into a long stay at one beach.

The beach bar is small, so do not think of Dubovica as a full resort complex. Its appeal is the simple setting: a bay, a swim, and a drink close to the water. If you want a long lunch here, the schedule may feel tight, since the main food stops come later.

Mala Milna keeps the plan flexible

Beach Mala Milna is an optional stop, planned for about 30 minutes. This is useful for a group with different priorities. Some people may want another swim, while others may prefer to save their appetite for lunch at one of the restaurants.

You can sunbathe and swim here, then choose between a traditional restaurant and a newer restaurant or bar for food. The information does not give menus, prices, or opening hours, so you should ask the captain what is available on your date before counting on this as your main meal.

The short timing makes Mala Milna more of a flexible add-on than a centerpiece. I would use it if your group wants another quick swim or if you prefer a meal here instead of Palmizana. If everyone is already hungry, ask about the lunch plan early in the outing.

Velo Borče is a quick swim from the boat

Plaža Velo Borče is another nearby stop, with about 15 minutes set aside. Its purpose is simple: see the water, jump from the boat, and swim. It is not designed as a long beach visit.

That short stop can work well when the day is warm and your group wants repeated swims rather than extended time on shore. It also gives you a chance to enjoy the boat itself, since you enter the water directly from it.

Still, fifteen minutes passes quickly. If your group includes people who need more time to get in and out of the water, this stop may feel rushed. The private setup helps, since you can discuss the timing with your captain, but you should not assume every listed stop will receive a full half hour.

Palmizana pairs lunch with a garden walk

Palmizana Botanical Garden on the Pakleni islands is scheduled for about 90 minutes, the longest stop in the published route. It is described as the most popular beach on the island, with choices for lunch, coffee, cocktails, or a walk through the botanical garden.

This is where the outing shifts from pure swimming to a more varied island stop. You can eat, wander, and take a break from the boat. That matters on a five-to-eight-hour tour, especially if your group wants more than sun and salt water.

The 90-minute window is generous compared with the shorter swim stops, but it still requires a choice. A full meal and a garden walk may be possible, yet you may not want to add a long sit-down meal if you also plan to stop at Mlini. Ask the captain how the timing is working that day and decide what your group values most.

Palmizana is also a practical place to plan your main refreshment stop because coffee, cocktails, and lunch are all part of the stated options. Food is not included in the tour price according to the information provided, so budget separately for anything you buy on shore.

Mlini adds the classic Pakleni finish

The Pakleni islands portion is not complete without a stop at Mlini Beach. It is described as one of the most beautiful beaches in the island group, with especially striking sea color in the afternoon.

The schedule does not state a fixed duration for Mlini. That is worth noting when you plan your day. It may function as a final swim or a flexible stop after Palmizana, but you should ask how much time is available once you know your departure time and lunch plans.

I like having Mlini in the route because it prevents the Pakleni visit from becoming only a restaurant stop. You still get another chance to swim and enjoy the water at a different part of the islands. Afternoon light may also make this stop especially appealing for photographs, based on the description of its sea color.

The captain matters more on a private tour

A private boat tour depends heavily on the captain. You are not simply following a large, fixed excursion. The person at the helm affects the pace, the order of stops, and how well the day fits your group.

The captains named in the available information include Nicolai, Nicholai, and Johnny Marino. The strongest praise centers on their friendly manner, attentiveness, boat handling, and willingness to respond to requests. One account specifically describes Johnny Marino as fun and well informed about what he was doing, while Nicolai and Nicholai are praised for accommodating the group and providing a good day on the water.

Those details matter because a private tour is most useful when you speak up. Tell the captain if your group wants more swimming, a longer lunch, fewer stops, or time for photographs. The route includes optional elements, so you have room to shape the day, within weather and time limits.

The activity is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, the meeting point is near public transportation, and most people can participate. The information does not provide boat dimensions, toilet facilities, shade, storage, or snorkeling equipment, so ask about those practical matters before departure if they affect your group.

Is $420.08 good value?

The price is $420.08 per group of up to 10 people. That is the key detail. For 10 people, the cost works out to about $42 per person. For five people, it is about $84 each. For two people, it is about $210 each.

That makes this much easier to recommend to a family or group of friends than to a couple on a tight budget. You are paying for a private boat, a captain, and several hours of access to Hvar’s South Shore and the Pakleni islands. You are not paying for a single beach transfer.

The value improves if you care about control. A large shared boat may cost less per person, but you usually accept its timetable and group atmosphere. Here, your party can discuss the balance between cliff views, swimming, lunch, and beach time.

Food and drinks at Dubovica, Mala Milna, or Palmizana should be treated as extra expenses. The tour includes free admission at the listed natural stops, but that does not mean meals, cocktails, or beach purchases are included.

Timing, weather, and who should book

I would choose the longer version if you want a full water day with lunch and several swims. The five-hour option makes more sense if you mainly want the coast and a few key stops without spending the whole day outside.

This tour suits groups of friends, families, and anyone who wants a private outing rather than a fixed group cruise. It also suits confident swimmers and people who enjoy switching between boat rides, beaches, and short shore visits.

Families should note that cliff jumping is optional, not central to the trip. A young family can still enjoy the beaches and swimming, but you should ask the captain about conditions and decide which stops feel suitable for your children.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

Should you book the Hvar speedboat tour?

Book it if your group can share the cost and wants a flexible day built around swimming, scenic coves, and the Pakleni islands. The combination of Red Rocks, Dubovica, Palmizana, and Mlini gives you more range than a simple beach transfer, while the private format lets you adjust the pace.

I would hesitate only if you are traveling alone or as a couple and want the lowest possible price. I would also confirm the pickup details, boat facilities, meal plans, and the expected time at Mlini before paying.

For a group of friends or a family that values privacy, the $420.08 price can be sensible. You get a captain, a full route, and the freedom to make the day more about swimming, lunch, photographs, or simply enjoying Hvar from the water.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at HvarBoats, Riva, Šetalište put Križa 3, 21450 Hvar, Croatia. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately five to eight hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to 10 people. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is pickup offered?

Pickup is offered. The supplied details do not specify the pickup area, so confirm the exact arrangement when booking.

Which places are included along the route?

Stops include Red Rocks, Dubovica Beach, Mala Milna as an optional stop, Plaža Velo Borče, Palmizana Botanical Garden, and Mlini Beach in the Pakleni islands.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.