A speed boat day off Hvar sounds simple, then it gets very special. This private tour is built for fast access to the best swim spots around Hvar and the Pakleni Islands, with snorkeling time at the Red Rocks and plenty of relaxed boat cruising between stops. It is priced per group, not per person, so the value depends a lot on who you go with.

I really like the way the day balances active water time with downtime on the water. You get multiple swim opportunities, including cave snorkeling where you can check out the sea bottom, plus breaks where you can just float, sunbathe, and enjoy the view.

One thing to consider: this is a good-weather experience. If conditions are poor, the day may be rescheduled or refunded, so plan some flexibility in your schedule.

Key things to know before you go

• Private group experience: only your group participates, up to 7 people.
• Red Rocks cave snorkeling: swim time focused on caves and underwater exploring.
• Palmižana Bay lunch window: around 1 p.m., with a top restaurant stop included in the plan.
• Pakleni secret bays time: after lunch you get more secluded swim and relaxation.
• Multiple swim stops in one route: Red Rocks, Mlini Beach, and Taršće Bay, plus extra bays from the boat.
• Fuel and snorkeling gear included: you bring yourself, swimwear, and a towel, and the rest is handled.

A Private Speed Boat Day Around Hvar and the Pakleni Islands

This tour is designed for one big goal: you want your day in Hvar to feel like Hvar is the launching point, not the destination you keep returning to. Starting from Riva, Hvar, you head right out toward the island’s south side and the Pakleni area, where the beaches and coves tend to feel calmer and more “you found it” than the main shoreline.

Because it is private, the vibe is more conversational and personal than on bigger group trips. The skipper can shape the timing to match your pace, and that matters when the group includes swimmers with different comfort levels.

You also get a useful mix of stops. There is time that’s clearly for swimming and snorkeling, and there is time that is intentionally for relaxing from the boat. You’re not racing between ten things. You’re doing a few right things, and letting the sea do what it does best.

Route at a Glance: Red Rocks, Palmižana, Pakleni Bays, and Taršće Bay

The schedule runs about 5 to 6 hours, with the cruising portion totaling roughly 2 hours. That means you’re not stuck on the water forever, but you also get enough movement to make the route worth doing.

Here’s the flow, in plain terms:

• First swim and snorkeling near Red Rocks
• Lunch time around Palmižana Bay
• More swimming and secret-bay exploring on the Pakleni Islands
• A final swim at Mlini Beach
• A last stop for a quiet swim around Taršće Bay before heading back to Hvar

Each stop is timed fairly tightly, so if you tend to run late on vacations, give yourself buffer time before the meeting point. Also, pack for quick transitions because swimwear on and off can become a mini daily ritual.

Dubovica Beach and the Red Rocks Cave Snorkel Stop

Your first stop focuses on water. After boarding, you set off toward Hvar’s south shore and reach a cluster of gorgeous swimming spots, including the famous Red Rocks area.

What makes this stop special is that the snorkeling isn’t just “see a little fish.” You get the chance to swim near caves and explore the underwater sea bottom. Even if you only snorkel a portion of the time, that cave-and-rock environment tends to feel like you are watching the sea change texture as you move through it.

Time on this stop is about 45 minutes, which is long enough to get in, adjust your gear, and do a couple of swim passes. Short enough that you still feel fresh for lunch and the later bays.

Practical tips:

• Bring and use snorkeling gear that’s provided for you, but check your fit before you jump in.
• If you are nervous about caves, you can still enjoy the area by snorkeling slowly and sticking to the clearer, calmer edges.
• Wear swim shoes if you’re the type who dislikes standing on rocky entries.

Palmižana Botanical Garden and Lunch at Palmižana Bay

Around 1 p.m., the day shifts into the “eat and reset” part. You’ll enjoy lunch at a restaurant on the Palmižana Bay side on the Pakleni Islands. The plan also includes a Palmizana Botanical Garden stop, timed to support a relaxed lunch break rather than a rushed sightseeing sprint.

This is one of those moments where a private skipper really helps. In practice, you get guidance and support around the lunch reservation and timing, so you’re not stuck hunting for a table while everyone else has already decided what they want. One reason people rate this tour so highly is that the skipper’s local know-how shows up at lunch time, not just on the water.

A key detail: lunch is not included in the tour price. So you should treat this as a well-chosen meal opportunity where you pay your own bill, then move on. The value comes from not having to research which place is best in the moment.

If you like to keep your day moving, this lunch window is well paced at about 2 hours 30 minutes total. If you prefer a long sit-down and a second drink, you’ll still have time later for more bays, since the rest of the route is split into manageable swim blocks.

Pakleni Islands Secret Bays: Relax, Swim, Repeat

After lunch, the tour leans more into water time without the pressure of a long formal stop. You get time to relax on the boat, explore secret bays, and enjoy being out in the Pakleni area surrounded by sea and cliffs.

This portion lasts about 1 hour. That hour can feel like the heart of the day if you love the feeling of being “on the water,” not in a checklist. The boat gives you quick access to smaller pockets that are difficult to reach any other way, and the timing keeps it from becoming tiring.

What you should do with this hour depends on your group:

• If you’re the active swimmer, you’ll likely want to use most of the time in the water.
• If you’re the “I want to float and snack” person, this is where you’ll enjoy it most from the boat.

Either way, it is a good segment for photos, since you tend to catch the coves from angles you do not get from shore.

Mlini Beach Final Swim and the Sail Back Toward Hvar

Your last major swim stop is Mlini Beach, typically around 5 to 6 p.m. This timing is helpful. Late-day light on the water looks good, and the day’s energy naturally shifts from “go” into “finish strong.”

You’ll spend about 1 hour here, then you slowly head back. The return is not a straight-line slog. You’re sailing with the final views back toward Hvar town, which is a nice way to end, especially if you want your last memory to be sea time rather than travel time.

One caution: if you get sunburn easily, don’t save sunscreen for later. You can burn quickly even when you think the air is pleasant. Since you’re on a boat with water reflections, that “it won’t get me” feeling is often wrong.

Taršće Bay in Hvar: A Quiet Last Swim Before You’re Done

Before the tour wraps, there is a final stop around Taršće Bay, positioned as a peaceful retreat with untouched nature and sunlight. The time here is about 30 minutes, which is exactly what it sounds like: a final chance to cool off, swim a little more, and close out the day without overextending.

Because it’s short, treat this stop as a bonus. If you loved the Red Rocks cave area and want another swim, you can use this time. If you’re already tired, you can still enjoy the boat atmosphere and the view without needing to do everything.

This kind of ending works well for groups. Everyone can choose their own “finish point,” and you still head back together.

Price and Value: What $780.16 Per Group Gets You

The price is $780.16 per group, for up to 7 people, and it is the kind of outing where the math changes based on your group size. Here is how to think about value without getting lost in totals.

• If you fill the boat near 7 people, the cost per person drops a lot.
• If you go as a couple, it becomes a more premium day out.

What makes it feel worth paying for is the combination of:

• a private setup (you are not negotiating over when you stop),
• real swim and snorkeling time (not just “look from the boat”),
• snorkeling equipment included,
• and fuel surcharge included.

Also, your timing matters. This tour is booked on average 28 days in advance, which signals demand. If you wait too long, your preferred day or timing might be harder to secure during peak season.

Bottom line: this is best value when you can spread the group cost, or when you really want the privacy and pacing control for your family or friends.

What’s Included, What’s Not, and How to Plan Your Day

Included in the tour:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Fuel surcharge

Not included:

• Lunch

That “lunch not included” detail is important because it affects your total trip budget. But it also means you’re more flexible. You can adjust to what feels good that day, and the skipper’s help around reservations and timing reduces stress.

Other practical notes:

• You get a mobile ticket.
• The tour runs during a seasonal window, with operating hours listed as 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM during the provided dates.
• Service animals are allowed, and the tour states most travelers can participate.
• The experience requires good weather, so you want a plan B for your day.

Before you go, I’d make sure you have the basics ready: swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and a dry bag or waterproof phone pouch. Bring water if you tend to get thirsty quickly, since the plan includes swimming stops and sailing time that can add up under sun.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want Something Different)

This private speed boat tour is a strong fit for:

• Couples or small groups who want privacy and a guided pacing plan
• People who care about swimming and want actual access to Red Rocks cave snorkeling
• Groups that want a “one day, multiple bays” route without hiking or long bus rides

It might be less ideal if:

• Your group hates boats or seasickness risk is high for you
• You want a long, slow sightseeing day on land. This is mostly water-focused, not museum-focused.
• You are traveling with tight scheduling and cannot shift if weather changes.

If your ideal Hvar day is built around the water, this tour matches that perfectly.

FAQ

FAQ

How many people are on this private tour?

It is a private tour, so only your group participates, with a maximum of up to 7 people.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Riva, Hvar, Croatia and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 5 to 6 hours.

What snorkeling gear is provided?

The tour includes use of snorkeling equipment.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included. Lunch time is part of the schedule, around 1 p.m.

What happens if the weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Should You Book Hvar Delight: Private Speed Boat Tour?

If you want the easiest way to turn a half-day in Hvar into multiple swim moments, this is a smart choice. The standout is the mix of Red Rocks cave snorkeling and a private, paced route through the Pakleni area, plus the helpful lunch support from the skipper team (with clear communication, and in some departures, support for a lunch reservation).

I’d book it when you have a group size that makes the per-group pricing feel comfortable, and when your travel days can flex a bit for weather. If your ideal day is about being in the water with minimal hassle, this tour is built for that.