Full-Day Catamaran Cruise to Hvar & Pakleni Islands with Food and free Drinks

The best part of this day is the mix: three swim stops, a guided visit to Hvar, and a lively catamaran ride home. You get clear Adriatic water, time in one of Croatia’s prettiest island towns, and a full day away from Split without arranging ferries or lunch yourself.

I like the easy rhythm of the outing. You can swim near Brač, eat a light chicken salad, wander Hvar, and later relax with fruit, cakes, and an open bar. I also like the crew’s role in shaping the mood. Hosts such as Mia and Manuela are praised for being warm, helpful, and good at keeping the group informed.

The main drawback is the length. Ten hours is a long time on the water, and the three swim stops may feel repetitive if you prefer more sightseeing. The ride can also be bumpy, so bring motion-sickness medicine if you need it.

Key points to know before booking

• Three swim stops: Cool off near Brač, the Pakleni Islands, and Šolta, with masks and foam noodles available.
• Around two hours in Hvar: A guide introduces the old town, followed by about one hour to explore independently.
• Food served through the day: Expect a morning pastry and coffee, chicken salad after Hvar, then fruit and homemade cakes.
• Open bar included: Beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and coffee are included, with alcoholic drinks served after the first swim.
• Party atmosphere late in the day: Music, dancing, games, and a deck party are part of the return to Split.
• Maximum group size of 76: This is a shared boat trip, not a private cruise, but the catamaran offers more room than some packed day boats.

A full Adriatic day from Split

This is not a quiet sightseeing cruise from start to finish. It begins calmly, with a morning departure from Split, then builds into a social day on the water. By the final stretch, music and dancing can take over the deck.

That changing mood is the heart of the trip. Early on, you are looking at the sea, sipping coffee, and waiting for the first swim. Later, you are meeting people from around the boat, enjoying the bar, and joining the music on the way home.

The catamaran leaves at 8:30 a.m. from Obala Lazareta in Split. You meet directly in front of the Summer Blues boat at dock 4 or 5. Several companies use the same harbor area, so check the boat name and join the correct queue.

The day lasts about 10 hours. That sounds long because it is long, but the stops break up the sailing time. You should still expect a fair amount of time moving between islands. Bring sunscreen, water-friendly clothing, and something for motion sickness if open-sea travel bothers you.

Brač provides the first swim

The first stop is a bay near Brač, where you have about an hour to swim and relax. This is a smart opening to the day. You get into the water early, before the trip has settled into its later party mood.

The focus here is the sea, not a town visit. You can cool off, float, and take in the island views from the water. Masks and foam noodles are available, which is useful if you want to look below the surface or simply float without much effort.

Alcoholic drinks are served after the first swim stop. Before then, you can have coffee and a morning pastry. That timing makes sense, especially on a boat where the first few hours call for a clear head and a little breakfast.

The practical catch is the sea itself. The boat may hit swells, and the ride is not always smooth. If you are prone to motion sickness, take your usual medication before departure or ask the crew about pills carried on board.

Hvar gives the day its sightseeing break

Hvar is the main town stop, and it adds something the swimming bays cannot: a chance to walk through an old island center and get your bearings on land.

A professional guide leads you around the most important sights. Guides named Mia and Manuela have been especially praised for making the town visit friendly and easy to follow. The guided portion is an introduction rather than a long history lesson, which suits the rest of the day.

After the guided walk, you have about an hour of free time. Use it for a coffee on the promenade, a short wander through the streets, or souvenir shopping. You should not expect enough time to explore all of Hvar, visit every sight, or settle in for a long meal.

That limited time is one of the clearest tradeoffs. Hvar can easily fill an entire day, and this outing only gives you a taste. I see that as a strength if you want to combine Hvar with swimming and a boat party. If Hvar itself is your priority, take a dedicated trip and stay longer.

The stop also gives you a useful change of pace. After several hours connected to the sea, walking through Hvar helps the day feel varied instead of like one long cruise.

Pakleni Islands bring the second swim

After Hvar, you return to the Summer Blues catamaran at the waterfront and continue toward the Pakleni Islands. The boat stops at one of the islands’ quieter bays for another swim of about an hour.

This is when the open bar becomes part of the experience. Beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and coffee are included, and the crew serves lunch around this part of the day. The advertised meal is a chicken salad, with chicken served over salad rather than a mayonnaise-based mixture. That matters if you are expecting a heavier lunch.

The food is light, which works well in warm weather and on a moving boat. It is not a restaurant meal, but it gives you something to eat without losing much time from the island stops. A vegetarian option is available if you request it when booking.

The Pakleni stop is another chance to swim, use a mask, and enjoy the water from the catamaran. Some people may find it similar to the first bay. If you love swimming, that repetition is welcome. If you prefer monuments and town walks, the extra water stop may make the day feel too long.

Šolta finishes the swimming portion

The final swim stop takes place near Šolta on the return route. You have about an hour in the water, with fresh fruit and homemade cakes served on board afterward.

This stop gives you one last chance to swim before the return to Split. It also softens the transition from active day to evening. You can eat, have another drink, and settle back on deck before the music becomes the main event.

Three swim stops are a major part of what you are paying for, but they are not three completely different activities. Each one centers on clear water, open views, and time to float or swim. I would book this outing if that sounds relaxing. I would choose another tour if you want every stop to bring a new town, monument, or cultural site.

The return turns into a boat party

The final ride back to Split is where the tour changes character. Music gets louder, the crew starts games and dancing, and the deck can become a small party as the sun drops toward the horizon.

The crew receives some of the strongest praise here. Hosts are described as friendly, professional, and energetic without losing sight of safety and comfort. That balance matters on a long shared outing. A good crew can make a boat full of strangers feel social instead of awkward.

The party is not an optional detail tucked into the fine print. It is part of the advertised finish, and some people dance for much of the final two hours. If you want a quiet sunset ride, sit away from the center of the activity or choose a more peaceful boat trip.

The atmosphere suits adults and groups of friends particularly well, though children over two are allowed. Families can join, but you should know the mood becomes more party-focused later in the day. This is not an adults-only trip, yet it is not a quiet family cruise either.

Food and drinks: useful, not luxurious

The included food is designed to keep you going through a long day. You can expect:

• A pastry and coffee in the morning
• A chicken salad around the Hvar or Pakleni portion of the trip
• Fresh fruit and homemade cakes later in the afternoon
• Unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and coffee

The open bar adds real value, especially because the outing lasts about 10 hours. Buying drinks separately on a long island day can quickly become expensive. Still, I would think of the food as light onboard fare, not a reason to book the trip by itself.

Alcoholic drinks begin after the first swim stop. That is a practical rule for a morning on the water, and it means the day starts with breakfast and coffee before the bar takes a larger role.

Vegetarian food is available when requested at booking. If you have other dietary needs, the supplied details do not promise specific alternatives, so ask before paying.

What the $119.72 price really covers

At $119.72 per person, the price is reasonable for a full-day island outing if you value convenience. It covers the catamaran, several island transfers, three swim stops, a guided introduction to Hvar, food throughout the day, and unlimited listed drinks.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay for separate ferry tickets, meals, beach time, and drinks. You also avoid the work of planning a route between Split, Hvar, Brač, Pakleni, and Šolta.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a long visit in Hvar. You are paying for a full package, and only about two hours are spent there. Likewise, someone who avoids alcohol and does not care about the party may find the included open bar less useful.

The catamaran can hold up to 76 people. That is a sizable group, but it is not the largest possible boat outing, and the boat has been described as spacious. The provider also does not accept groups larger than 10 on daily tours, so large private parties cannot simply take over the trip.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this cruise if you want a simple way to sample the Adriatic in one day. It suits you if you like swimming, scenic boat rides, casual food, and meeting other people. It is also a good fit if you want to see Hvar but do not want to spend the whole day there.

The trip is a strong choice for:

• Couples who want a mix of relaxing and sightseeing
• Friends who enjoy music and dancing
• Solo visitors looking for a social day
• Families with older children who are comfortable with a late party atmosphere
• First-time visitors who want several island stops without planning them independently

I would be more cautious if you get seasick, dislike loud music, or prefer long, quiet visits in port. The boat can encounter swells, and the schedule leaves limited time for Hvar. The three swim stops may also feel too alike for anyone who wants constant variety.

Practical details for a smooth day

Book ahead if your dates are fixed, since this outing is often reserved well in advance. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the activity ends back at the same harbor meeting point.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and pack sunscreen. You will spend a large part of the day outdoors, and the return ride can still be bright and warm even after the swimming ends.

Arrive with enough time to find Summer Blues at dock 4 or 5. Other operators board nearby, so do not simply follow the first queue you see. Look for the catamaran by name.

The tour operates in English. Most people can take part, but the provider recommends it for children older than two. The minimum group requirement and weather conditions can affect departure. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the 8:30 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

Should you book the Summer Blues catamaran?

Book it if your ideal Croatian day includes clear water, island views, a short Hvar visit, included drinks, and dancing on the way home. The combination is hard to arrange as neatly on your own, and the crew helps the long day feel organized and friendly.

Skip it if your goal is serious sightseeing in Hvar, a quiet boat ride, or a small private setting. This is a shared day with a social finish, three broadly similar swim stops, and plenty of time at sea.

For the right mood, it is good value. You get a broad taste of the islands, enough time in Hvar to decide if you want to return, and a relaxed day where the crew handles the timetable, food, and drinks.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The tour starts at Obala Lazareta 1 in Split. Meet directly in front of the Summer Blues catamaran at dock 4 or 5.

What time does the tour leave Split?

The scheduled start time is 8:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately 10 hours and returns to the original meeting point in Split.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The itinerary includes swim stops near Brač, the Pakleni Islands, and Šolta, plus a town visit to Hvar.

How much free time do I have in Hvar?

The Hvar stop lasts about two hours. It includes a guided town visit and approximately one hour of free time.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and coffee are included. Alcoholic drinks are served after the first swim stop.

What food is served?

Food includes a morning pastry and coffee, a chicken salad, fresh fruit, and homemade cakes. A vegetarian option is available if requested when booking.

Are swimming equipment and facilities available?

Masks and foam noodles are available for swimming. The catamaran has bathrooms.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may also lead to an alternative date or a full refund.