Hvar: Private Sailing Boat Trip with Swimming and Snorkeling

The best part of this Hvar outing is the freedom of a private boat for up to six people. Instead of following a large group from one fixed stop to the next, you sail with your own skipper toward the Pakleni Islands, stopping for swims, snorkeling, views, or lunch as time and wind allow. Jura, also called Jurica in one account, is the skipper most often named for this trip.

I like the chance to reach quiet swimming coves and the easygoing setup on board. You get a canopy, sun cushions, an icebox, music, masks, and a toilet, so the day feels more like a relaxed outing than a bare-bones boat transfer. The main consideration is that this is a small sailing boat, not a spacious yacht, and the exact number of stops depends on your booking length and the wind.

Key points to know before you book

• Mlini is usually the first stop: Expect time for swimming, snorkeling, and views at one of the Pakleni Islands’ popular beach areas.
• Your group gets the whole boat: The maximum is six passengers, which suits families, couples traveling together, and small friend groups.
• The route can change: Perna, Palmizana, Jerolim, Tarsce, and other spots may be included, but wind and tour length decide the final plan.
• The boat was restored in 2023: Onboard comforts include a canopy, cushions, toilet, icebox, Bluetooth speaker, USB port, Wi-Fi, and snorkeling masks.
• Lunch is optional: You can add a stop at an island restaurant if you want a meal during a longer outing.
• The price works best for a full group: At $471 for up to six people, the cost is much more appealing when shared by six rather than one or two.

Setting sail from Hvar’s Riva

The meeting point is Riva 27, along Hvar’s waterfront. From there, you leave the harbor and head toward the Pakleni Islands, the low chain of islands spread across the water opposite Hvar Town.

The first minutes are part of the pleasure. You get a different view of Hvar as the boat pulls away, and the noise of the waterfront begins to fade. The trip is not built around a long lecture about local history. It is about the feel of the boat, the open water, and the choice of where to stop.

Skipper Jura has been praised for being friendly, calm, punctual, and easy to talk with. That matters on a private trip. You can ask about the islands, request a slower pace, or explain that you would rather spend more time swimming than chasing a long list of stops.

The boat can carry six passengers. That capacity keeps the outing personal, but it also means you should not expect acres of open deck. For a family or group of friends, the size is a strong advantage. You can use the Bluetooth speaker, keep drinks in the icebox, and settle into your own rhythm without sharing the boat with dozens of strangers.

The Pakleni Islands by sail

The Pakleni Islands are best seen from the water. Their appeal comes from the mix of rocky shores, sheltered bays, small beaches, and clear Adriatic water. A private sailing trip lets you see several parts of the archipelago without committing to a single beach for the whole day.

The exact route is flexible. The skipper may choose among Mlini, Perna, Palmizana, Jerolim, Tarsce, and other scenic locations. Wind conditions play a real part. On a calm day, you may sail more slowly or use the boat’s motor for part of the route. One group still enjoyed sailing even with little wind, but you should understand that a sailing trip cannot promise constant movement under sail.

That flexibility is useful, not a flaw. A sheltered cove may be a better choice than an exposed viewpoint if the wind picks up. A longer tour can include several stops, while a short morning trip may focus on one or two swimming areas. Ask Jura at the start how he expects the day to run, especially if you have a particular island or lunch stop in mind.

The boat itself was last restored in 2023. That does not turn it into a luxury vessel, but it should give you a clean, cared-for base for the day. The sun canopy provides relief when you have had enough direct sun, while the cushions let you stretch out on the sun deck between swims.

Mlini, the usual first swimming stop

The day usually begins with a trip to Mlini beach. This gives you an early chance to get into the water before spending the rest of the outing moving between islands and coves.

Mlini is useful as a first stop because it combines scenery with easy water time. You can swim, use one of the provided snorkeling masks, and take in the shore from offshore. The water is the star here. Croatia’s Adriatic is known for excellent clarity, and the trip is designed to make that clarity part of the experience rather than something you only admire from the harbor.

Do not expect a major snorkeling expedition with a guide pointing out named marine species. The equipment is there for casual swimming and looking beneath the surface. If you enjoy floating, exploring around the boat, and checking out the shallow water near a beach, it should be enough. Bring your own gear if you prefer a particular mask or snorkel, since only masks are specifically included.

Mlini can also be busy at popular times. A private boat helps because your group can spend less time there and move on if the mood or crowd is not right. The skipper’s ability to adjust the route is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip over a fixed boat excursion.

More coves, beaches, and island stops

After Mlini, the route may continue to Perna, Palmizana, Jerolim, Tarsce, or other locations. Each stop is shaped by the same basic appeal: clear water, a chance to swim from the boat or near shore, and a change of scenery from Hvar Town.

Jerolim is a natural choice for a swim and a view of the nearby island setting. Palmizana is useful if you want the option of food at an island restaurant during a longer outing. Perna and Tarsce may appeal when you want another quiet-looking cove or a fresh place to get into the water. The final mix is not fixed, so you should treat the names as possible stops rather than promises.

That uncertainty is worth keeping in mind when you book. If you want to visit one exact beach, confirm the plan with the skipper. If you are happy to let the wind and local conditions guide the day, the open route works in your favor.

The boat may anchor or pause near a swimming area, giving you time to jump in, snorkel, sunbathe, and return when ready. Several groups used the trip for two main swim stops during a half-day outing. A full-day booking can allow more locations and a lunch break, but the number of places still depends on sailing conditions.

Swimming and snorkeling without a packed schedule

I like the way this trip puts swimming at the center rather than treating it as a quick photo stop. You are not simply passing the Pakleni Islands from a distance. You have time to get in the water, dry off on the cushions, and decide how much activity you want.

The sea can look almost unreal in the bright summer light, but the practical point is simple: clear water makes casual snorkeling enjoyable. You can see below the surface without needing a serious snorkeling plan. The supplied masks are a helpful bonus, especially if you did not bring your own equipment.

There is also room for different energy levels. One person can swim while another stays under the canopy. You can play music through the Bluetooth speaker, read, talk with the skipper, or watch the islands pass by. The USB port helps with keeping a phone or camera powered, though you should still protect electronics around salt water.

Towels are not included. Pack one for each person, along with swimwear, sunscreen, and anything you need after getting wet. The listing does not promise food or drinks, so use the icebox for items you bring yourself. A bottle opener and wine glasses have been available on board, but do not treat that as a full catering service.

Choosing between a short trip and a full day

The advertised duration ranges from two to eight hours. That is a wide spread, so the booking length makes a major difference to what you can reasonably expect.

A two-hour outing is best for a quick taste of sailing and one nearby swimming stop. It can work well if you have only a short gap in Hvar or want to fit the boat trip around other plans. You will have less time for several islands or a restaurant lunch.

A half-day trip gives the experience room to breathe. You can sail, stop at two beautiful swimming areas, use the masks, and spend less time watching the clock. Many of the strongest descriptions of the outing involve a relaxed morning or half-day with a couple of stops.

A full eight-hour day makes more sense if you want several locations, a proper lunch pause, and plenty of time on the water. The price is $471 for the group, not per person. Shared by six, that is $78.50 each. For two people, the same boat costs $235.50 each, so the value depends heavily on your group size and how much you care about privacy.

If you are traveling as six friends or a family of six, this is a strong use of the private format. If you are a couple, compare the price with a shared boat trip before booking. The privacy, flexible route, and personal skipper may justify the extra cost, but it will not be the budget choice.

Comforts that make the boat day easier

The 2023 restoration and onboard equipment are important because small boats can quickly feel tiring under the Croatian sun. The canopy gives you a shaded place to cool down, while the sun deck cushions make the sailing between stops more comfortable.

The icebox is practical. Bring cold drinks and simple food if you want to avoid buying everything during the day. There is also an onboard toilet, which is a real advantage when you are spending several hours away from Hvar.

The Bluetooth speaker lets you set the mood for your own group. Keep the volume sensible, especially near beaches and other boats. Wi-Fi is included, along with a USB port, but the point of the trip is still to spend time looking outward rather than checking your phone.

The boat has snorkeling masks, but towels are not included. The supplied equipment is enough for a casual swim, not a full water-sports program. There is no mention of kayaks, paddleboards, fins, or other gear, so do not book expecting those extras.

How the skipper shapes the day

A private boat trip is only as good as the person running it. Here, Jura is repeatedly singled out for a friendly manner, clear communication, and a relaxed approach. He has answered questions before departure, started on time, shared information about the islands, and adjusted the outing to suit the group.

That combination works well for first-time sailors. You do not need sailing experience, and you can simply enjoy the ride while the skipper handles the boat. One group described its first sailing outing as calm and easy, with the freedom to go at its own pace.

Jura also appears to understand the value of leaving room for quiet. This is not sold as a nonstop party boat, though you can play your own music. The strongest fit is for people who want conversation, swimming, views, and an unhurried day.

A GoPro has also been offered to some groups for photos from the water. Since that detail is not listed among the standard inclusions, ask before counting on it. The same applies to drinks, wine glasses, and other small extras. The clearly included items are the boat, tour, masks, USB port, icebox, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth speaker.

Who should book this Hvar sailing trip

I would choose this outing for a group that values privacy more than the lowest possible price. Six friends can split the cost, make their own playlist, bring drinks, and decide how long to swim at each stop.

It also suits families who want a flexible day. The canopy gives you a break from the sun, and the toilet removes one common worry on a long boat trip. Parents should still note that this is a boat-based swimming day, so everyone needs to be comfortable around open water.

Couples can enjoy it too, especially for a shorter private sail or a special occasion. The price is less favorable for only two people, but the quiet setting and personal route may be worth paying for.

I would be less likely to choose it if you want a large, fully catered yacht, a set sightseeing script, or a serious guided snorkeling session. This is a simple private sailing day with good practical comforts. Its strength is flexibility, not a long list of organized activities.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The tour runs in English and Croatian. Transport is rated highly, with 98 percent of ratings giving it a perfect score, and the overall activity rating is 4.8 from 65 ratings.

Should you book it?

Book this Hvar sailing trip if you want the Pakleni Islands from a small boat, plenty of swim time, and a skipper who can adapt the route to the wind. It is especially good value for a full group of six and a half-day or full-day booking.

Think twice if you are traveling alone or as a couple on a tight budget, since the private-group price does not shrink with the number of passengers. Also pack towels and do not assume lunch, drinks, or extra water equipment are included.

For a relaxed day of clear water, island coves, and sailing between stops, this is a practical and personal way to get out of Hvar.

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 trip?

The boat has a maximum capacity of six passengers.

How long can the sailing trip last?

Available durations range from two to eight hours. The number of stops depends on the time you book and the wind conditions.

Which Pakleni Islands stops are included?

Mlini is usually the first stop. Possible additional locations include Perna, Palmizana, Jerolim, and Tarsce, with the final route set by the duration and conditions.

Are swimming and snorkeling included?

Yes. Swimming and snorkeling are part of the outing, and snorkeling masks are included.

Are towels provided?

No. You need to bring your own towel.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included, but you can choose to add a stop at an island restaurant during the trip.

What onboard equipment is provided?

The boat has a sun canopy, sun deck cushions, Bluetooth speaker, USB port, icebox, Wi-Fi, onboard toilet, and snorkeling masks.