Sailing and Snorkeling Tour in the Islands of Pakleni

Clear water is only part of the draw. This six-hour sailing trip from Hvar takes you to quiet bays around the Pakleni Islands, where you can swim, snorkel, use a SUP, and enjoy a relaxed day on the Adriatic. I like the small maximum group of eight and the mix of included gear, snacks, water, and white wine.

I also like the flexible route, since the skipper chooses among bays on St. Klement and nearby Hvar according to wind, weather, and anchorage conditions. The main consideration is lunch: it is not included, and the boat may stop at a restaurant or let you bring food aboard. Tony’s warm hosting and calm handling of waves earned particular praise, but the trip still depends on suitable weather.

Key points to know before booking

• Small group, maximum eight people: You get a more personal boat day than on a large excursion vessel.
• Several possible swimming bays: Stops may include Zdrilca, Vela Garska Bay, or other coves around St. Klement.
• Snorkeling and SUP are included: You do not need to rent the main water equipment separately.
• Lunch is your responsibility: Buy a meal at a Pakleni Islands restaurant or bring food with you.
• White wine, snacks, and water are provided: Extra drinks and food are allowed aboard.
• Tony is praised for safety and local insight: His steady approach matters when wind and waves pick up.

Leaving Hvar for the Pakleni Islands

The tour begins at Hvar Adventure, Jurja Matijevića 20, at 10:00 a.m. It ends back at the same meeting point after about six hours. That timing gives you most of the middle part of the day on the water, when a swim and a shaded rest can feel especially welcome.

The Pakleni Islands sit close to Hvar, but the experience is less about covering distance and more about finding the best patch of sea for the day. The route is not locked to one exact cove. Your skipper decides among several possible stops based on wind, weather, and where the boat can anchor safely.

I consider that flexibility a real advantage. Fixed itineraries can sound reassuring, but a sheltered bay is usually far better than forcing a stop at a pretty place with rough water. The tradeoff is that you cannot treat every named bay as a guaranteed stop. Zdrilca and Vela Garska Bay are possibilities, not promises.

The boat carries a maximum of eight people. That number is small enough to make the day feel more social and less like a crowd transfer. It also means the onboard equipment and seating are shared among fewer people, which is useful when several people want to snorkel or paddle.

St. Klement’s coves and the first swim

Several possible stops are located around St. Klement, the largest island in the Pakleni group. The supplied route describes clear water suited to swimming, snorkeling, and underwater photography. That combination makes this more than a scenic boat ride. You have a reason to get into the sea rather than simply photograph it from the deck.

The water is the main event here. In a clear bay, snorkeling lets you see below the surface without needing a long excursion or special training. Underwater photography is also practical in these conditions, though you should bring a suitable waterproof phone case or camera if you want your own images. The tour provides snorkeling equipment, but no camera equipment is listed.

Bring your own towel, sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. These are not supplied, and the six-hour schedule leaves plenty of time for sun exposure. Sunscreen matters even when a breeze makes the air feel mild. A hat and sunglasses are particularly useful during the boat rides between stops.

The best part of a swimming stop is the freedom to choose your pace. You can snorkel, float, swim, or remain on the boat with a snack. The experience is not presented as a technical snorkeling lesson, so it suits people who want easy time in the water rather than a specialist wildlife outing.

Zdrilca or Vela Garska Bay, depending on conditions

The route may include Zdrilca, a passage and bay on St. Klement, or Vela Garska Bay on Hvar. Each named location signals a day shaped by conditions rather than a rigid sightseeing checklist. If wind makes one anchorage less comfortable, the skipper can seek a better place nearby.

That choice is important in the Adriatic. A bay can look perfect on a map and still be a poor stop if the boat cannot anchor well or the water is unsettled. The tour information specifically notes anchorage capability and weather conditions, so you should expect the final route to be practical first and scenic second.

That does not make the day less attractive. It usually improves it. A good swimming stop means calm water, room to move, and time to enjoy the sea without being rushed to the next landmark. I would book this for the general experience of the Pakleni coast, not for a promise that you will visit one exact cove.

The clear water also gives you a chance to use the included SUP. Stand-up paddleboarding adds a quiet way to explore the edge of a bay without committing to a long swim. If you prefer to stay close to the boat, you can use the board for a short paddle and return whenever you like.

Snorkeling gear, SUP, snacks, and white wine

The price includes snorkeling equipment, a SUP, water, salty and sweet snacks, and white wine. You may bring additional drinks and food. These inclusions matter because small costs can add up during a day on the coast, particularly when you are visiting an island restaurant or buying refreshments near the water.

The snacks are useful between swims, but they should not be mistaken for lunch. You still need to plan a proper midday meal. The tour allows you to bring food onto the boat, which is the simplest option if you want control over cost, timing, or dietary needs.

White wine is included for adults. Alcoholic drinks are served only to people aged 18 and above. Anyone under 18 receives non-alcoholic drinks instead. That makes the arrangement clear for mixed-age groups, though parents should still plan the day around water activities and sun rather than the wine service.

I like that the tour does not force you into an all-inclusive package with a larger meal or a set restaurant. You can bring a picnic or eat ashore if the skipper chooses a suitable anchorage. The drawback is that the final lunch plan depends on conditions, so you should not assume a restaurant reservation or a specific menu.

Lunch on the Pakleni Islands

Lunch is not included in the $134.85 price. Depending on the anchorage and weather, the skipper may bring you to a restaurant on the Pakleni Islands, or you can eat food brought onto the boat.

This is the main extra expense to keep in mind. If you choose a restaurant, you will pay separately, and the price will depend on your order. If you want a more predictable budget, bring food with you and use the boat option. The tour permits additional food, so a packed lunch is not an awkward workaround. It is part of the intended choice.

A restaurant stop can add a pleasant local element to the day, especially if you want a proper Dalmatian meal by the sea. But you should value that as a possibility, not the central promise of the trip. The central promise is time around clear bays, with lunch fitted into the route if conditions allow.

For a relaxed outing, I would bring a simple meal even if you hope to eat at a restaurant. That gives you a backup and prevents hunger from cutting short your swim time. You can still choose a restaurant if the skipper reaches a suitable location and the timing works.

What the $134.85 price gives you

At $134.85 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Pakleni Islands. You are paying for approximately six hours, a small group capped at eight, a skipper, the boat experience, snorkeling equipment, SUP use, water, snacks, and white wine for adults.

The small group is the strongest value point. With only eight people, the boat should be less crowded than a standard group excursion, and the skipper can make decisions for a compact group. The value becomes better if you plan to use both the snorkeling gear and SUP, enjoy the provided refreshments, and spend most of the day on the water.

The cost feels less attractive if you only want a quick transfer to one beach or if you do not plan to swim. In that case, a simple boat ride or local beach visit may suit you better. This tour earns its price through duration and activities, not through transportation alone.

Group discounts are available, though no discount amount is provided. If you are booking for several people, check the final price before paying. Since lunch is separate, include that expense in your budget.

Tony’s calm approach on the water

The available feedback gives special credit to Tony, who is praised for making people feel safe around waves and wind, hosting the day well, and explaining the islands. That detail matters more than a generic promise of a friendly guide. On a sailing and snorkeling trip, you want someone who can make sensible calls when conditions change.

A calm skipper improves the whole day. You can relax more easily when the route changes, when the boat moves through wind, or when the water is less smooth than expected. Tony’s local explanations also add context to the islands instead of leaving you with only a pleasant boat ride.

The tour is offered in English. That makes it a practical choice if you want route decisions and safety guidance explained clearly. The group size also gives you a better chance to ask questions without competing with a busload of people.

The rating is based on only four reviews, so I would keep the praise in proportion. It is a good sign, especially because the comments focus on safety and hosting, but it is not enough evidence to predict every departure. The tour provider is Hvar Adventure.

Who will enjoy this six-hour outing

I would recommend this trip to couples, friends, and small families who want one full day of swimming and boat time from Hvar. It suits confident swimmers and casual snorkelers particularly well, since the main activities involve clear water, snorkeling, and SUP use.

It can also work for a mixed group. One person can paddle, another can snorkel, and someone else can remain aboard with snacks. The small group limit helps if you want a quieter outing than a large party boat.

You should think twice if you dislike flexible plans. The exact bays and lunch arrangement depend on weather and anchorage conditions. You should also think twice if you need lunch included, want a guaranteed restaurant, or prefer a fully scheduled sightseeing tour.

Most visitors can participate, and service animals are allowed. The meeting point is near public transportation. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

Weather, cancellations, and what to pack

This trip requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not met, with the option of a different date or experience, or a full refund.

Your own cancellation terms are stricter. The booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason, so choose your date carefully. That policy makes weather protection useful, but it does not cover a personal change of plans.

Pack a towel, sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. Add a swimsuit, a waterproof container for small valuables, and lunch or extra food if you do not want to depend on a restaurant stop. The operator provides water, snacks, snorkeling gear, a SUP, and white wine, but you can bring more drinks and food.

Should you book the Pakleni Islands sailing tour?

Book it if you want a small-group day built around swimming, snorkeling, and easy time on the sea. The flexible route, included equipment, and maximum of eight people give it a strong advantage over a crowded boat trip. Tony’s praised handling of wind and waves is another reason to feel comfortable choosing it.

Skip it if your priority is a guaranteed lunch, a fixed list of bays, or the lowest possible price. Bring your own food, budget separately for any restaurant meal, and accept that the skipper may change the route for safety and comfort. With those expectations, the $134.85 fare can be fair value for six hours of water time close to Hvar.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Hvar Adventure, Jurja Matijevića 20, Hvar, Croatia.

What time does the tour begin?

The start time is 10:00 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours and finishes back at the original meeting point.

Which Pakleni Islands locations will the tour visit?

Possible stops include bays on St. Klement, Zdrilca, and Vela Garska Bay on Hvar. The final route depends on weather and anchorage conditions.

Is lunch included?

No. You can eat at a restaurant on the Pakleni Islands if conditions allow, or bring food to eat on the boat.

What is included in the price?

The price includes snorkeling equipment, SUP use, water, salty and sweet snacks, and white wine for adults.

Can children receive alcoholic drinks?

No. Alcoholic drinks are served only to people aged 18 and above. Minors receive non-alcoholic drinks.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund. The same options apply if the minimum number of participants is not met.