Private Speed Boat Tour of Hvar South Shore & Pakleni islands

The best part of this Hvar boat tour is the freedom to shape the day around the sea. You can swim at Red Rocks, linger at Dubovica Beach, stop for lunch near Milna, and spend a longer break at Palmizana instead of being tied to a large group schedule. I especially like the private boat for up to 10 people and the mix of cliff scenery, beach time, and island stops.

I also like that the captains, including Nicolai and Johnny Marino, are named in the tour details and praised for being attentive and flexible. The main consideration is the price: $420.08 per group is good value for a full boat shared by several people, but expensive for one or two passengers. The day also depends on good weather, and the exact length can range from five to eight hours.

Key points to know before you book

• Red Rocks brings the action: Swim, snorkel, take photographs, or jump from the cliffs if you are comfortable with the height.
• Dubovica is the main beach pause: Plan on about an hour for swimming, sunbathing, coffee, or a cocktail.
• Milna gives you flexibility: Mala Milna and Velo Borče offer extra swimming time, lunch, and another chance to jump from the boat.
• Palmizana is more than a beach stop: You get about 90 minutes for lunch, drinks, or a walk through the botanical garden.
• The boat is private: Your group alone takes part, with space for up to 10 people.
• Weather matters: You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, while poor weather may lead to a new date or full refund.

A private day along Hvar’s south shore

Hvar is famous for its old town, stone lanes, and nightlife, but the island looks different from the water. The south shore is cut by small bays and bright swimming coves, while the Pakleni islands sit just offshore with beaches that are easier to reach by boat than by road.

This private speedboat tour is built for people who want more than a single beach transfer. You get a full day, or at least most of one, moving between several spots. The planned duration is roughly five to eight hours, which gives the captain room to adjust the pace and lets you spend more time at the places that suit your group.

I see this as a strong choice for families with older children, couples traveling with friends, and small groups who want their own schedule. It is also useful if some people want active stops while others prefer to sit in the sun, order a drink, or walk through a garden.

The boat departs from HvarBoats on the waterfront at Riva, Šetalište put Križa 3. Pickup is offered, and the activity returns to the same meeting point. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

Red Rocks starts the day with cliffs and clear water

Red Rocks is a natural stop on Hvar’s south coast, known for its striking rock formations and open sea views. The boat gives you a close look at the coast, and this is the first place where you can choose how active you want to be.

You can take photographs from the boat, swim, or snorkel. If you enjoy a bit of drama, you can also jump from the cliffs. That last option is entirely a matter of comfort and judgment, so do not feel pressured to join in. The tour allows about 30 minutes here, enough for a swim and a few photographs without making the stop drag.

I like this opening because it quickly shows you why a boat is useful on Hvar. From land, some of these rocky coves are awkward to reach. From the water, you can pause directly beside them, swim in, and leave when the group is ready.

Bring a secure place for your phone if you want photographs. The supplied information does not specify what equipment is provided, so you should not assume that snorkel gear or other water equipment comes with the boat.

Dubovica gives you a proper beach break

After the rocky scenery at Red Rocks, Dubovica Beach offers a slower hour. It is widely regarded as one of Hvar’s most beautiful bays, with a more traditional beach setting and a small beach bar where you can get coffee or cocktails.

This is the stop where I would settle into the day. Swim if the water looks inviting, stretch out on the beach, or simply take in the bay from shore. The one-hour pause is long enough to feel like a real break rather than a quick photo stop.

Dubovica works well for a mixed group. One person can swim while another sits with a drink, and nobody has to turn the whole excursion into an athletic event. It is also a good place to take photographs of the bay before the boat moves on.

Do keep your expectations practical. The stop is free, but drinks and anything you buy at the beach bar are not included in the stated tour price. The tour details also do not promise reserved seating or beach equipment, so plan on a simple, informal stop.

Mala Milna adds lunch and another choice of pace

Mala Milna is an optional stop near Hvar’s south shore. You can swim or sunbathe, then choose between a traditional restaurant and a newer restaurant or bar for food and drinks.

The planned stay is about 30 minutes, so this is better for a short meal or a quick look than for a long restaurant visit. If your group wants lunch here, tell the captain early so the timing works with the rest of the day.

I like the choice between an older-style local restaurant and a more modern place. It gives you a small but useful decision: keep the meal simple and traditional, or choose a more contemporary setting. Since the stop is optional, you are not forced to eat here if everyone would rather stay on the water.

This is also one of the places where a private boat has a clear advantage. A large excursion group might need to follow a fixed restaurant plan. Your group can decide if Mala Milna is worth the pause or if you would rather spend that time swimming elsewhere.

Velo Borče is a short swim stop

Plaža Velo Borče is another stop near Mala Milna. The visit is brief, around 15 minutes, and focuses on the sea rather than a long stay on land.

You can jump from the boat and swim in the clear water. It is a small addition to the route, but it breaks up the longer ride and gives confident swimmers another chance to get in the sea.

Because the stop is short, have your swimsuit ready and avoid packing your belongings so tightly that it takes several minutes to reach them. The tour details do not provide a full equipment list, so keep your expectations simple: this is primarily a boat, swimming, and sightseeing day.

Palmizana combines beach time with a botanical garden

Palmizana is the longest stop, with about 90 minutes set aside. It is described as the most popular beach on the Pakleni islands, and you can use the time for lunch, coffee, cocktails, or a walk through the botanical garden.

This stop gives the day a change of character. The earlier breaks are mostly about coves and swimming, while Palmizana lets you step ashore and wander. If you have had enough sun, the garden walk may be more appealing than another swim.

The 90-minute window is useful because it leaves room for a relaxed meal rather than a rushed snack. Still, keep an eye on the meeting time. With a private tour, flexibility does not mean the boat can wait indefinitely if the group gets separated.

Palmizana is also a sensible lunch choice if your group cannot agree on eating at Mala Milna. You can spend the earlier part of the day in the water, then make the longer shore break your main meal.

Do not skip Mlini Beach if the timing works

A visit to the Pakleni islands is not complete without a stop at Mlini Beach. It is described as one of the most beautiful beaches in the islands, with especially striking sea color in the afternoon.

The available details do not give a fixed duration for Mlini, so the timing may depend on the rest of the day. That flexibility is helpful. If the afternoon light is at its best, your captain can include a swim or a short pause when the water looks most appealing.

Mlini is the kind of stop that rewards a little patience. You may want to spend less time at an earlier beach so you can enjoy the later color and atmosphere here. Ask the captain how the timing is shaping up rather than assuming every stop will receive equal time.

The captains are part of the value

The captain can make or break a private boat day. Here, the named captains include Nicolai, also spelled Nicholai in the supplied material, and Johnny Marino. The strongest praise focuses on their friendly manner, attentiveness, boat handling, and willingness to respond to what the group wants.

That matters because the route includes both planned and optional stops. A good captain needs to balance swimming time, restaurant breaks, and the return schedule without making the day feel rigid.

Johnny Marino is described as fun and capable, while Nicolai is praised for adjusting the trip to the group’s requests. Those details suggest that you can speak up if you want more time in the water, a shorter beach stop, or a different balance between sightseeing and lunch.

I would discuss your priorities at the start. If your group mainly wants swimming, say so. If lunch and beach time matter more, make that clear before the boat leaves Hvar. A private tour is most valuable when you use the flexibility rather than simply following every stop at the same pace.

What the $420.08 group price really means

The listed price is $420.08 for a group of up to 10 people. That works out to about $42 per person if you fill the boat, before any personal spending on food and drinks.

For a full group, that is appealing. You receive a private boat, several stops, a captain, and roughly five to eight hours on the water. You also avoid being placed with strangers and can make reasonable requests about the pace.

For two people, the calculation changes. The same total price is shared by fewer passengers, so a private tour becomes a premium experience. You are paying for privacy and control, not simply transportation between beaches.

Food, coffee, cocktails, and restaurant meals are not stated as included. Bring money for those extras. The beach stops themselves have no admission charge, but anything purchased at a bar or restaurant will be additional.

Who will enjoy this Hvar boat tour most

I would choose this experience if you want to see several parts of Hvar and the Pakleni islands in one day without joining a large group. It suits:

• Friends who want swimming, photographs, drinks, and lunch in the same outing
• Families with older children who can enjoy the water and manage boat and beach transitions
• Couples willing to pay more for privacy and a flexible schedule
• Confident swimmers who want cliff jumping and repeated swim stops
• Groups that prefer a full day outdoors instead of staying in Hvar Town

It may be less suitable if you want a quiet sightseeing cruise with no swimming. Several stops are built around getting into the water, and the boat route is best enjoyed with a swimsuit, sun protection, and a willingness to move between beaches.

People with limited mobility should check the details before booking. The activity allows service animals, is near public transportation, and most people can participate, but the supplied information does not describe boat access, beach surfaces, or step-free boarding.

Timing, weather, and cancellation

The tour lasts approximately five to eight hours. That wide range is useful because the captain can adjust the route, but it also means you should avoid booking something immediately afterward.

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since it is booked an average of 47 days ahead, early planning makes sense during busy periods.

Should you book the private Hvar speedboat tour?

Book it if you value your own boat, want a full day of swimming and beach stops, and can split the cost among several people. The route gives you variety: Red Rocks for cliffs and photographs, Dubovica for a relaxed beach hour, Milna for optional lunch, and Palmizana and Mlini for the Pakleni islands.

I would be especially keen to book for a group of six to 10. At that size, the price becomes much easier to justify, and the private format lets you balance the interests of swimmers, sunbathers, and people who want lunch or a garden walk.

For one or two people, compare the total cost with other boat options before committing. If privacy, captain-led flexibility, and a long day on the water matter most, the price can still make sense. If you mainly want a short swim and a beach visit, a less expensive shared trip may fit better.

FAQ

How long does the private speedboat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately five to eight hours. The exact length can vary depending on the route and the time spent at the different stops.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $420.08 per group of up to 10 people. Meals, coffee, cocktails, and other personal purchases are not listed as included.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, with space for up to 10 people.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at HvarBoats, Riva, Šetalište put Križa 3, 21450 Hvar, Croatia. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, and pickup is offered.

What places can I visit during the tour?

Stops include Red Rocks, Dubovica Beach, optional Mala Milna, Plaža Velo Borče, Palmizana Botanical Garden, and Mlini Beach on the Pakleni islands. The time at each place can vary.

Can I cancel the tour for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.