Hvar: Private Sailing Boat Trip with Swimming and Snorkeling

Slow down on the Adriatic. This private sailing trip from Hvar gives you a small boat, clear water, and the freedom to spend more time swimming than sitting in a crowded excursion group. I especially like the private group of up to six and the chance to shape the day around swimming, snorkeling, sailing, or lunch at an island restaurant. The main consideration is that the exact number of stops depends on your tour length and the wind, so the full-day experience offers much more flexibility than a short outing.

I also like the practical touches: an onboard toilet, sun canopy, cushions, icebox, Bluetooth speaker, USB port, Wi-Fi, and snorkeling masks. Skipper Jura, also called Jurica in some bookings, gets repeated praise for being friendly, relaxed, and helpful without turning the trip into a lecture. Just remember to bring a towel, since one is not included.

Key things to know before you book

• Small private boat: The vessel carries up to six passengers, making it a good fit for families, couples, or a close group of friends.
• Mlini is usually first: The day commonly begins at Mlini beach for swimming, snorkeling, and views across the Pakleni Islands.
• Stops depend on time and wind: Longer trips can include places such as Perna, Palmizana, Jerolim, and Tarsce.
• Sailing is part of the experience: You are not simply being driven from beach to beach. You get stretches of open-water sailing between stops.
• Useful onboard comforts: You have shade, sun cushions, snorkeling masks, an icebox, music, charging, Wi-Fi, and a toilet.
• Strong value for a group: At $471 for up to six people, the cost works out to about $78.50 per person when the boat is full.

Setting out from Riva 27 in Hvar

The trip begins at Riva 27, Hvar’s waterfront departure point. From there, you leave the harbor and head toward the Pakleni Islands, the low, rocky island chain sitting just offshore from Hvar.

The first part of the outing is about the pleasure of getting there. You can sit beneath the sun canopy, stretch out on the sun deck cushions, or listen to your own music through the Bluetooth speaker. The boat was last restored in 2023, which matters on a trip where comfort is tied closely to the condition of the vessel.

This is a sailing trip, not just a speedboat transfer. The wind may determine how much sailing you get, and the skipper may use the motor when conditions require it. Even on a day with little wind, the boat can still reach the swimming spots and give you the relaxed feel of being on the water.

Jura is a particularly important part of the experience. He is described as friendly, casual, professional, and responsive before the trip. That combination suits this kind of outing. You get someone who can explain the islands and sailing, but you are not locked into a formal sightseeing script.

Mlini beach makes a calm first stop

The usual first stop is Mlini beach. It is a sensible opening to the day because it lets you settle into the boat before choosing how active you want to be.

You can swim, use the supplied snorkeling masks, and look around the clear water near the shore. You can also stay aboard and enjoy the view if you would rather ease into the morning. The schedule gives you time to enjoy the cove instead of rushing in for a quick photograph and moving on.

The water is one of the main reasons to book this trip. The tour is built around swimming and snorkeling in the clear Adriatic, and the supplied masks mean you do not need to arrange your own equipment. A few of the boatside amenities also make a difference here: after swimming, you have shade, dry seating, and a place to keep drinks cold.

Bring your own towel. That is the clearest packing tip for this outing, since towels are not included. The boat has an icebox, and guests have also found the skipper prepared to accommodate drinks, including wine glasses and a bottle opener, but you should confirm your own food and drink plans when booking.

The Pakleni Islands are best seen from the water

The Pakleni Islands are not one single attraction with a fixed walking route. Their appeal comes from the changing views as you sail among coves, rocky shorelines, beaches, and small island settlements.

From the boat, you get a different perspective than you would from Hvar town. The islands appear as a series of possible stops, and the skipper can adjust the day according to wind, timing, and your preferences. That flexibility is a real benefit of booking privately.

Possible locations include Perna, Palmizana, Jerolim, and Tarsce. The exact combination is not guaranteed, and that is worth understanding before you pay. A two-hour trip may include only one main swimming stop, while a longer booking can allow several locations with more time between them for sailing.

You might find one cove suited to a quick swim and another better for lingering over lunch. Some of the best moments may come between stops, when the boat is moving and you can simply watch the islands pass. The experience works best if you treat the route as flexible rather than expecting a precise checklist of beaches.

Swimming and snorkeling are the heart of the outing

This tour makes sense for you if swimming is a priority. The day is not built around a long narration or a dense list of monuments. It is built around getting into the sea, finding attractive coves, and enjoying the water at an unhurried pace.

The snorkeling equipment is basic but useful. Masks are included, so your group can take turns exploring without adding rental arrangements. The supplied gear is one reason this works well for families and first-time snorkelers, although the experience is still centered on casual swimming rather than a guided underwater session.

Several bookings describe time at two or more beautiful swimming spots, and some groups had a private bay or a beach with very few people around. Since conditions and the chosen route change from day to day, you should see that as a possibility rather than a promise.

The boat also gives non-swimmers a comfortable place to wait. The sun canopy offers shade, while the cushions provide somewhere to relax. The onboard toilet is another small but valuable feature, especially on a longer trip when you are away from shore.

Choosing between a short trip and a full day

The listed duration ranges from two to eight hours, so the length you choose will shape the whole experience.

A shorter trip can work if you have limited time in Hvar or simply want a taste of sailing and one swimming stop. It will likely feel more focused, with less room to adjust the route or add a meal.

A half-day outing gives you a better balance. You can sail to the Pakleni Islands, spend time swimming and snorkeling, stop at more than one location, and still keep part of the day free for Hvar town. This length suits many families and couples because it offers enough time on the water without asking you to give up the entire day.

The full-day option is best if you want to slow down. You have more time for several coves, a longer lunch stop, and a more relaxed rhythm between sailing and swimming. A group of six can spread out more comfortably than a larger excursion group, though you should still expect the boat to feel intimate rather than spacious.

The wind can affect the plan at every length. The skipper may alter the number or order of stops, and sailing conditions may be stronger or lighter than expected. That is normal for a boat trip, but it means you should value the overall day rather than one exact location.

Lunch at an island restaurant is an optional change of pace

You can add a lunch stop at one of the island restaurants if you want a break from swimming. This gives the day a more complete rhythm: sail, swim, eat, and continue exploring.

The lunch option is not included in the stated tour price, so plan for that as an extra expense. It also takes time away from the water. I would choose it for a full-day booking, especially if your group enjoys a leisurely meal, but I would probably skip it on a short trip where every hour matters.

The boat’s icebox makes a packed lunch or drinks practical, and the Bluetooth speaker can help keep the mood informal. You should keep food and drinks simple and secure, since you are on a moving boat. The useful point is that the outing does not force you into a restaurant stop if your priority is swimming.

Comfort on a restored 2023 boat

The boat’s size is both its strength and its limit. With space for up to six people, it offers privacy and a more personal relationship with the skipper. You are not lost in a large group, and it is easier to ask for a slower pace or discuss possible stops.

On the other hand, a six-person boat will not provide the room of a large cruise vessel. If everyone wants to lie down at the same time, the sun deck may feel busy. The boat is best for a group that enjoys sharing a compact space and taking turns between shade, cushions, and the water.

The equipment list is unusually useful for a simple coastal outing. You have:

• A sun canopy for shade
• Sun deck cushions
• Snorkeling masks
• An icebox
• An onboard toilet
• A Bluetooth speaker
• A USB port
• Wi-Fi

The USB port is handy for keeping a phone charged, though you should still protect electronics from spray and wet hands. The speaker lets you choose the soundtrack, which is a nice touch for a private group. Wi-Fi is included, but the information provided does not specify its coverage or speed, so I would treat it as a bonus rather than the reason to book.

The skipper makes the difference

A private boat trip can be excellent or awkward depending on the skipper. Here, Jura is repeatedly described as friendly, professional, informative, and easy to talk with.

That matters because the day has no fixed entertainment program. You will spend long stretches sailing, swimming, or relaxing. A skipper who can answer questions, explain the islands, and still give your group space is exactly what you want.

Jura has also shown flexibility around swimming coves, viewpoints, and sailing conditions. On one outing with little wind, the group still enjoyed the boat and reached attractive beaches. On another, the skipper offered a GoPro for water photographs. The GoPro is not listed as a standard inclusion, so do not assume it will always be available, but it shows the personal style that has made this outing popular.

The tone seems especially good for first-time sailors. You can ask questions without needing prior sailing experience, and the day remains casual rather than technical. If you want a serious sailing lesson, this is not described as one. If you want to enjoy sailing with an experienced skipper, it is a better match.

Is $471 a good value?

The price is $471 per group of up to six people. At full capacity, that comes to about $78.50 per person before any optional lunch or other personal spending.

That is a reasonable value for a private boat, especially when you compare it with paying separate per-person rates for a shared excursion. You are paying for privacy, a dedicated skipper, snorkeling equipment, onboard comfort, and the ability to shape the route around your group.

The value drops if only one or two people book the boat. A couple would pay the full group price unless the provider offers another arrangement at the time of booking. For six people, the price becomes much easier to justify, particularly for a half-day or full-day outing.

You also need to account for what is not included. Towels are excluded, and lunch is optional rather than part of the price. The boat provides an icebox, but the supplied information does not say that a full selection of food or drinks is included. Budget accordingly.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the trip and the option to reserve now and pay later make planning less risky. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule before building the rest of your Hvar day around it.

Who will enjoy this Hvar boat trip most?

I would recommend this outing to:

• Families of up to six who want a relaxed day on the water
• Couples looking for a private sailing experience
• Friends who want music, drinks, swimming, and flexible stops
• First-time sailors who prefer a friendly skipper
• Anyone who values clear water and snorkeling over a packed sightseeing schedule
• People who want to avoid a large shared boat

You may want something else if you prefer a fixed itinerary, extensive historical commentary, or a high-speed ride between many islands. The strength here is the calm pace and personal route, not the number of attractions checked off in a day.

It is also worth thinking about your group’s comfort with sun and water. There is shade, but this remains an outdoor boat trip. Bring a towel and be ready for time in the open air. If some people in your group do not swim, the boat provides a pleasant place to relax, but the main focus is still the sea.

Should you book the private sailing trip?

I would book it if your group can fill most of the six seats and you want a flexible half-day or full-day on the Pakleni Islands. The combination of clear water, several possible swimming coves, a restored boat, and a relaxed skipper offers good value for a private outing from Hvar.

Choose the longer option if you want lunch, several stops, and plenty of sailing between swims. Choose the shorter option if you mainly want one beautiful swim and a taste of the islands.

Bring a towel, ask about the day’s likely route and wind, and agree with your group on whether swimming, sailing, lunch, or music matters most. With those expectations set, this is one of the more personal ways to enjoy Hvar from the water.

FAQ

Where does the sailing trip start?

The trip starts at Riva 27 in Hvar and returns to the same location.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat has a capacity of up to six passengers.

How long does the experience last?

The available duration ranges from two to eight hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Which islands does the trip visit?

The trip explores the Pakleni Islands. Possible stops include Mlini, Perna, Palmizana, Jerolim, and Tarsce.

Is swimming included?

Yes. Swimming is a central part of the trip, with stops at scenic bays and beaches.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks are included.

Are towels included?

No. You need to bring your own towel.

Is lunch included?

No. You can choose to add a stop for lunch at one of the island restaurants, but lunch is not included in the stated price.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live tour guide speaks English and Croatian.

Can I cancel the booking?

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