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

The appeal here is the mix: you get a guided introduction to Hvar, several chances to swim in clear Adriatic water, and a long ride between islands on a catamaran with food and drinks included. It is a full day at sea, not simply a ferry trip to Hvar.

I like two things in particular: three swim stops break up the boat time, and the Hvar visit gives you a taste of a historic island town without requiring you to plan your own transport. The crew also supplies floating noodles and masks, and the return often turns into a music-and-dancing session.

The trade-off is the length. At about ten hours, with plenty of time underway, this suits you best if you enjoy being on a boat. The sea can be choppy, and the open bar and music make the day more social as it goes on.

• A proper island sampler: Swim near Brač, visit Hvar, then stop around the Pakleni Islands and Šolta.
• Hvar with a guide: Start with a town walk before about an hour of free time.
• Food and drinks included: Expect pastries, chicken salad, cakes, fruit, coffee, water, soft drinks, beer and wine.
• Three chances to swim: Masks and foam noodles are available on board.
• A lively ride back: Music, games and dancing can turn the final stretch into a deck party.
• A full day, with a full-day price: At $119.72 per person, the fare covers more than the boat ride alone.

A catamaran day with both quiet coves and deck-party energy

The Summer Blues trip is built around a pleasing contrast. Early on, the day feels like a relaxed sea outing: island views, a pastry and coffee, and the prospect of a swim in clear water. Later, after Hvar and the remaining swim stops, the music may get louder and the ride back to Split can become a party.

That variety is the main reason to choose this over a simple boat transfer. You are not just getting from Split to Hvar and back. You have stops for swimming, a guided walk through Hvar town, food through the day, and an open bar once the first swim stop is over.

The boat can carry up to 76 people, so this is not a private cruise. The maximum gives you a useful sense of scale, though the atmosphere will depend on the group on your departure. The crew helps keep the day moving and welcoming. Hosts named by visitors include Manuela and Mia, but you should not count on a particular host being assigned to your trip.

Leaving Split for a first swim near Brač

The meeting point is Obala Lazareta 1 in Split, where the Summer Blues catamaran boards at dock 4 or 5. Start time is 8:30 am. The harbor has other boat operators nearby, so check the vessel name and join the correct queue rather than following the first group you see.

The first stop is a bay near Brač, reached by catamaran from Split. You have about an hour to swim and relax, with the island scenery as a backdrop. This early pause gives you a chance to get comfortable on the boat before the day’s longer stretches at sea.

Alcoholic drinks are served only after this first swim stop. That is worth knowing if you are expecting the bar to open as soon as you board. Coffee and pastries are part of the morning offering, and water and soft drinks are included throughout.

The sea is a highlight, but it is not always calm. Some of the route can feel bumpy, especially if you are prone to motion sickness. Bring any medication you usually use; the crew has said that motion sickness pills are available on board as well.

Hvar town: a short guided walk, then time to roam

The catamaran continues to Hvar, where the land visit lasts about two hours. A guide introduces the main sights in the old town, then you have about an hour to explore on your own. One account of the tour describes the guided portion as roughly 30 minutes, so think of it as a concise orientation rather than an in-depth history tour.

That balance works well for a day trip. You get some context and a look at important spots, but you are not tied to a guide for your entire visit. Use the free time to wander the streets, sit for a coffee by the promenade, or browse for a souvenir.

The limit is obvious: two hours does not leave much room to see Hvar at an unhurried pace. If you want a long lunch, a climb to a viewpoint, or a more detailed look around town, you may find this stop too short. Treat it as a first taste of Hvar, not a substitute for spending a full day or night there.

Lunch and a second swim around the Pakleni Islands

After Hvar, you return to the catamaran and head toward the Pakleni Islands for another swim stop in a sheltered bay. You have about an hour here, and the water is a central part of the experience. Masks and foam noodles are available, so you can swim or float without bringing your own gear.

Lunch is a chicken salad, served with chicken on top of a salad rather than as a mayonnaise-based mixture. That distinction matters if you have a particular idea of what chicken salad means. The meal is a practical light lunch for a boat day, not a restaurant-style spread. A vegetarian option is available, but you need to advise the operator when booking.

The included drinks add value, especially over a ten-hour outing. Beer, wine, soft drinks and water are unlimited, with alcoholic beverages available after the first swim. Coffee is also included. Keep in mind that an open bar can change the mood of the boat as the day unfolds, which is part of the fun for some and less appealing if you want a quiet cruise.

A final swim near Šolta and music on the way back

The last listed swim stop is near Šolta, on the way back toward Split. The stop is about an hour, and fresh fruit and homemade cakes are served on board. This gives you one last chance to get in the water before the final stretch home.

The stops share a common rhythm: a swim, a chance to enjoy the views, then back aboard for food or drinks. One person may find that relaxing repetition ideal; another may feel that three swim stops are too similar. If you would rather spend more time ashore or see more distinct attractions, this cruise may feel long.

The trip ends with about an hour of return sailing to Split, though the full outing lasts around ten hours and returns around sunset. Music, games and dancing are part of the return atmosphere. The day starts gently, but the final stretch may feel more like a social boat party than a quiet sunset cruise.

What the $119.72 fare covers

At $119.72 per person, the price is easiest to judge as a bundled day out. It includes transport by catamaran, three swim stops, a guided introduction to Hvar, free time in town, lunch, morning pastries, later cakes and fruit, coffee, and unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks and water. You are paying for a full day of transport and activities, not just a seat on a boat.

The value is strongest if you plan to make use of the open bar, enjoy swimming, and want a guided look at Hvar without arranging separate ferries and activities. Food and drinks onboard can also spare you from having to organize every meal during a long day.

It is less compelling if your priority is extended time in Hvar, a quiet sailing experience, or a highly detailed guided tour. You may prefer to travel to Hvar independently and set your own schedule. For a day that combines several islands, swimming, food and a lively return, the fare covers a lot in one booking.

Who will enjoy this trip most

This is a good fit if you like spending time on the water and want variety without planning each leg yourself. Couples, groups of friends and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people may appreciate the easy social atmosphere. The crew’s friendly service is a recurring part of the experience, and the shared swim stops and music can make it easy to strike up conversation.

Children above two are recommended, and families do join the trip. Still, the music and party feel may become more prominent on the way back, so families seeking a quiet boat day should consider that before booking. The operator also does not allow groups of more than ten people on daily tours. If you are organizing a larger party, this is not the right departure for your group.

Wear sunscreen and bring swimwear, a towel and any motion sickness medication you normally need. You will be out for much of the day, with substantial time on the boat between stops. The experience is offered in English, confirmation arrives at booking, and tickets are mobile.

Should you book the Summer Blues catamaran?

Book this trip if you want a full, sociable day that combines swimming, island scenery and a short visit to Hvar, with food and drinks included. Its best features are the three opportunities to swim, the helpful crew, and the shift from a relaxed morning to a lively ride home.

Skip it if you want a calm, low-key cruise, more than a brief introduction to Hvar, or less time aboard. At around ten hours, this is a substantial commitment, and the sea may be choppy. If that sounds like a fair trade for a day of island stops and an open bar, it is a strong way to spend a day from Split.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The experience lasts about ten hours. It starts at 8:30 am and returns to the meeting point in Split around sunset.

Where do I meet the catamaran?

Meet at Obala Lazareta 1 in Split, directly in front of the Summer Blues catamaran at dock 4 or 5. Other operators board nearby, so check the boat name and join the right queue.

Which places does the tour visit?

The route includes a swim stop near Brač, a visit to Hvar town, a swim stop around the Pakleni Islands and a final swim stop near Šolta.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is chicken salad, and a vegetarian option is available if you advise the operator when booking. Pastries, cakes and fruit are also served during the day.

Which drinks are included?

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

Is there a guide in Hvar?

Yes. A guide introduces the main attractions in Hvar town, followed by about an hour of free time to explore on your own.

How many people can join the tour?

The catamaran can carry a maximum of 76 people. Groups with more than ten people are not allowed on the daily tours.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The tour is recommended for children above two years old. The return journey can have a party atmosphere with music and dancing.

Can I cancel if my plans change?

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. If bad weather cancels the tour, you will be offered another date or a full refund.