Hvar: Private Sailing Boat Trip with Swimming and Snorkeling

The best part of this Hvar boat trip is its small scale. You sail with only your own group, up to six people, through the Pakleni Islands, stopping at clear-water coves instead of being packed onto a large excursion boat. Skipper Jura keeps the mood relaxed and adjusts the route to the wind and the time you book.

I like the real sailing element, not just a fast motorboat ride from one beach to the next. I also like the practical extras: snorkeling masks, an icebox, USB port, Bluetooth speaker, sun canopy, cushions, and a toilet. The catch is simple: the price is high for a small party, and the exact number of stops depends on your tour length and the day’s wind.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to six: You get the boat and skipper to yourselves, which makes this a strong choice for families, couples, or a small group of friends.
• Mlini is usually the first stop: Plan on swimming and snorkeling soon after leaving Hvar.
• The route changes with conditions: Longer trips can include Perna, Palmizana, Jerolim, Tarsce, and other Pakleni locations.
• Jura sets a friendly, flexible tone: He is described as casual, professional, helpful, and good at explaining the islands.
• Bring your own towels: Towels are not included, but masks, Wi-Fi, music equipment, and an icebox are provided.
• The price works best for six people: At $471 per group, six passengers pay about $78.50 each before any lunch or extra spending.

Sailing out from Hvar’s Riva 27

The trip begins at Riva 27, right on Hvar’s waterfront. You do not need a bus transfer or a long ride out of town. The boat takes you straight from the harbor toward the Pakleni Islands, giving you an early look at Hvar from the water.

That first stretch matters. A sailing trip feels different from a standard speedboat outing because the boat itself is part of the experience. When the wind cooperates, you get the quiet movement of the sails and time to watch the coastline pass. If the wind is light, the skipper can still take you to the islands, as happened on one outing where the group sailed despite limited wind.

The boat was restored in 2023, and the available equipment is aimed at making a half-day or full-day outing comfortable. There is a sun canopy when you need shade, plus cushions on the sun deck if you want to stretch out. The design is best for people who want to move between sun and shade rather than stay indoors.

You can connect music to the Bluetooth speaker, charge a phone through the USB port, and keep drinks or snacks cold in the icebox. One useful detail from the trip reports is that the boat has wine glasses and a bottle opener, so bringing a bottle for a private celebration is possible. You will need to provide your own towels.

Mlini beach makes the first splash

The usual first stop is Mlini beach. This is a good choice because it gets you into the water early, rather than making you wait through a long sightseeing circuit. You can swim, use the supplied snorkeling masks, and enjoy the setting before moving on.

The appeal here is the water itself. The Pakleni Islands are known for clear sea, and the tour is built around seeing that water from above and below. Snorkeling conditions can vary with wind and visibility, so you should treat the masks as a useful extra rather than expect a guided marine-life lesson. The main pleasure is floating near the boat, looking into the clear shallows, and cooling off away from Hvar town.

Mlini also helps set the rhythm for the day. This is not a tightly timed program where you are rushed from one photo stop to another. You have room to swim and lounge, then return to the boat when you are ready to continue.

Bring secure swimwear and anything you need for a comfortable water stop. Since towels are not supplied, pack one per person. The boat has an onboard toilet, which is a practical benefit on a full-day outing, though you should not expect the facilities of a larger cruise boat.

Choosing between Perna, Palmizana, Jerolim, and Tarsce

After Mlini, the skipper chooses additional places based on the length of your booking and the wind. Possible stops include Perna, Palmizana, Jerolim, and Tarsce. The route is not fixed in a way that guarantees every location, and that is worth understanding before you book.

On a two-hour outing, you should expect a compact experience with a sailing section and a swim stop, not a full tour of the archipelago. A half-day gives the skipper more time to reach two or more attractive swimming places. An eight-hour booking allows for a slower day, extra swims, sightseeing between islands, and a possible lunch stop.

Palmizana is particularly useful for a longer visit because it can combine a scenic island setting with food. Lunch is optional, and restaurant spending is not included in the tour price. If you want to stop for a meal, ask the skipper how much time the route allows and plan your budget accordingly.

Jerolim and Tarsce are better understood as possible swimming and sightseeing locations rather than guaranteed attractions with a formal program. The point is the changing view: small bays, rocky shorelines, open sea, and the feeling of reaching places by boat. The exact stop can be shaped by the wind, your preferred pace, and the time available.

This flexibility is a strength for private groups. You can spend more time swimming if everyone is enjoying the water, or keep moving if your group prefers to see more of the islands. It also means you should not book this trip if you need a rigid checklist of named beaches.

What the private format really adds

The capacity is six passengers, and the boat is reserved for your group. That changes the feel of the outing. You can settle into your own pace, choose your music, ask the skipper questions, and avoid being tied to the mood of a much larger crowd.

For a family of six, the price can make reasonable sense. At $471 for the group, six people pay about $78.50 each. For two people, the same boat costs $235.50 per person, so the value is much weaker unless privacy and a sailing boat are the main reason for booking.

The private setup also suits a small birthday group or a couple wanting a quiet day on the water. One group used the trip for a birthday, while another family of six praised the easy pace and comfortable boat. You can bring food and drinks, use the icebox, and create a more personal day than you would get on a standard shared excursion.

The tradeoff is that a small boat has less room than a large vessel. Six people is the stated maximum, not necessarily the ideal number if everyone wants a wide personal space. The cushions and canopy help, but this remains a close-quarters boat outing.

The skipper makes or breaks the day

Jura, also referred to as Jurica in some trip details, is the skipper most closely associated with this experience. His role is more than steering. He handles the route, explains the islands, answers questions, and helps the group decide where to swim or stop for lunch.

The strongest pattern in the feedback is his friendly and relaxed manner. He is described as professional without being stiff, informative without turning the outing into a lecture, and responsive before the trip. That combination matters on a private boat, where the skipper is part of the atmosphere for several hours.

Previous outings included first-time sailors, and the boat was presented as an easy introduction to sailing. You do not need to know how to sail. You can simply sit back, ask questions, and enjoy the movement of the boat. On some trips, the skipper has also allowed the use of a GoPro, though you should confirm that directly rather than assume it is always included.

The personal service extends to small practical matters. In one case, Jura helped return a shirt left on the boat. That does not change the route, but it suggests a skipper who pays attention after the boat returns to Hvar.

The guide speaks English and Croatian. If you want a particular swimming cove, more sailing time, or a lunch stop, raise it early. The private format gives you a better chance of shaping the day, but the wind still has the final say.

What is included, and what should you bring?

The tour includes the boat, skipper-led tour, snorkeling masks, Wi-Fi, USB port, icebox, and Bluetooth speaker. The sun canopy, sun deck cushions, and onboard toilet are also part of the boat setup.

That list covers the items most useful for a day on the water. You can keep phones charged, store drinks cold, play your own music, and use the masks without renting extra gear. Several groups also appreciated having water available on board, although you should confirm what refreshments are supplied for your particular departure.

Pack the following:

• Towels, since they are not included
• Swimwear and sun protection
• Food and drinks if you do not plan to eat at an island restaurant
• A phone or camera with secure storage
• A light layer if you are sensitive to wind on the boat

The icebox is useful, but it is not a catered service. Food, drinks, and lunch at an island restaurant are not listed as included. If you book a full day, ask about the best place to stop for food and allow for that cost.

Half-day or full-day: choosing the right length

The advertised duration ranges from two to eight hours. That wide range means you should think about what you actually want from the outing.

Choose two hours if you want a quick escape from Hvar, a short sail, and time for a swim. It is also a sensible option if your schedule includes another activity later in the day. The drawback is that you will have less time to reach the farther parts of the Pakleni Islands.

A half-day is the best middle ground for many people. You have enough time to visit more than one swimming place, relax on board, and get a proper taste of sailing without giving up the whole day. Several outings followed this pattern, with two attractive stops and plenty of time in the water.

Book closer to a full day if you want a slower pace, a lunch stop, and a wider route. You will have more time to pause at places such as Palmizana and enjoy the sailing between stops. The cost per hour becomes more attractive on a longer trip, especially when six people share the boat.

The key point is that a longer booking does not simply mean more stops. Wind conditions can change the route and speed. You are paying for more time, flexibility, and room to linger, not a guaranteed list of every named island location.

Safety, comfort, and the limits of the boat

This is a swimming and sailing day, not a luxury yacht charter. The 2023 restoration, canopy, cushions, toilet, and icebox make the boat well suited to a relaxed outing, but the supplied information does not describe cabins, showers, or extensive indoor space.

You should be comfortable climbing in and out of the water from a small boat. The activity is built around swimming and snorkeling, so it is not the best fit if you prefer to remain dry or need a large, stable platform.

The canopy gives you a break from the sun, while the sun deck lets you lie out when you want more warmth. I would treat both as valuable because Croatian summer days can feel long on open water. Rotate between shade and sun, drink regularly, and keep phones protected from spray.

The boat returns to Riva 27 in Hvar. That simple out-and-back plan makes it easy to fit the trip into a day based in town.

Is this Hvar sailing trip worth the price?

The $471 group rate is strongest when you have five or six people. At full capacity, it buys private use of the boat, a skipper, snorkeling equipment, several hours of access to the Pakleni Islands, and the freedom to choose a slower or faster rhythm.

For two people, it is a special-occasion purchase rather than a bargain. You are paying for privacy, the sailing experience, and the ability to avoid a crowded group boat. If your main goal is simply to reach a beach as cheaply as possible, a shared excursion may offer better value.

The high transport rating and 4.8 score from 65 ratings point to a consistently well-run experience. The most praised features are the skipper, the clean and comfortable boat, beautiful swimming spots, and the relaxed pace. The repeated approval of Jura is important because a private trip gives you several hours with the same guide.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The tour is offered in English and Croatian. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for the specific duration you want.

Who should book it?

Book this trip if you want a private day on the water with a small group, enjoy swimming in clear sea, and like the idea of sailing between stops rather than riding a large motorboat. It is especially well suited to families, couples, first-time sailors, and friends marking a birthday or another special day.

I would choose the half-day option for a first visit to Hvar. It gives you two or more chances to swim, enough sailing to feel worthwhile, and a manageable commitment. If you have six people and want lunch on an island, the full-day option offers better value.

Skip it if your budget is tight, you need a guaranteed route, or you want a large boat with lots of space. Also think twice if you dislike sun, wind, or getting in and out of the sea.

For the right group, this is a calm and personal way to see the Pakleni Islands. Bring towels, share the $471 cost with friends, tell Jura what kind of day you want, and let the wind help shape the rest.

FAQ

Where does the sailing trip start and finish?

The trip starts and ends at Riva 27 in Hvar.

How many people can join the private boat trip?

The boat is for a private group of up to six passengers.

How long does the experience last?

Available durations range from two to eight hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Which islands or beaches will the boat visit?

The usual first stop is Mlini beach. Other possible locations include Perna, Palmizana, Jerolim, and Tarsce, with the exact route depending on the tour length and wind conditions.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling masks are included. Towels are not included, so you should bring your own.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve your place and pay later.