Hvar: Sunset and Pakleni Islands with a Speed Boat

The best part of this 90-minute trip is the change of scene: Hvar slips behind you, the boat threads past nearby islands, and the sunset becomes the main event. You get a quick taste of the Pakleni Islands without giving up half a day.

I like two things in particular: the 30-minute swim stop at Mlini and Ždrilca lagoon gives you time to get in the water, and the 20-minute sunset pause puts you out among the islands at the day’s most atmospheric hour. Water, beer and snorkeling gear are included, too.

The trade-off is the tight schedule. This is a short speedboat outing, not a slow island cruise, and the swim stop is the only planned beach break. If you want a long afternoon on shore or a meal along the way, this is not the trip for that.

• See Hvar’s nearby landmarks from the water: Pass Galesnik, Jerolim and Carpe Diem Bar.
• Swim at Mlini and Ždrilca: The tour allows about 30 minutes at a pebble beach and lagoon.
• Catch sunset near the Pakleni Islands: Expect about 20 minutes to float and watch the light change.
• Bring your own food: Beer and bottled water are included, but food is not.
• Plan for a short, active ride: The tour lasts 90 minutes and is not suitable for children under 3 or people with back problems.
• Meet on Hvar’s main pier: The Hvar Charter and HvarBoats office is beside the post office.

A short route with a sunset payoff

This outing is built around a simple idea: get out from Hvar town, take a swim, and watch the sun go down from the sea. At 90 minutes, it fits neatly into an evening without requiring a full-day commitment. That is useful if you have limited time on Hvar, or if you want an activity that leaves most of your day free.

The speedboat makes it possible to visit several nearby points in a short window. You will pass Galesnik, Jerolim and Carpe Diem Bar before the stop at Mlini and Ždrilca lagoon. The route then makes room for the main event, a pause near the Pakleni Islands as the sunset colors the horizon.

Think of this as a scenic ride with a swim, not a full island-hopping day. You will see a handful of places from the boat, but the schedule does not allow time to explore each one on foot. The value lies in combining the coastline, a dip in the sea and the sunset in one compact trip.

Passing Galesnik, Jerolim and Carpe Diem

The first part of the route gives you a water-level look at places close to Hvar town. Galesnik is one of the islands you pass. Its house was completely renovated in 2023 and is intended for weddings, an unusual detail to look for as the boat goes by. The stop is a pass-by, so do not expect to go ashore or tour the house.

Jerolim is also viewed from the boat. It is known for its nudist beach, which draws people looking for a more relaxed approach to sunbathing. The tour does not describe a beach stop there, so treat it as a point of interest on the route rather than a chance to visit the shore.

You will also pass Carpe Diem Bar. By day, it offers a beach setting; at night, it becomes a music and nightlife destination. The contrast helps show how the same stretch of coast changes character through the day, though this trip is about the sea and sunset rather than a night out.

These pass-bys add context to the ride, but they are brief. If you are hoping to spend time at a beach club or explore one of the islands, choose a longer outing. Here, the boat keeps moving toward the swim stop and the sunset.

A half-hour at Mlini and Ždrilca lagoon

The scheduled swim stop is at Mlini beach, in the Mlini and Ždrilca lagoon area. The beach is pebbly and sits in a sheltered-looking bay, with clear water described as suitable for swimming and snorkeling. You have about 30 minutes there, which gives you time for a swim and a little time to settle on the shore.

That window is a useful middle ground. It is long enough to get wet and use the snorkeling gear, but short enough that the trip can still reach its sunset position. Bring beachwear under your clothes or change beforehand if that makes the stop easier. A camera is also on the suggested packing list, though take care around the water.

Keep your expectations in proportion to the clock. Thirty minutes is not a lazy beach afternoon, and the tour does not include food. If you want a longer swim, a proper lunch, or time to lie on the pebbles, arrange that separately on another part of your day.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from having to bring your own gear. The provided details do not specify what marine life you might see or how much underwater visibility to expect, so enjoy the water for what it offers on the day rather than counting on a particular sight.

Sunset time near the Pakleni Islands

After the swim, the boat heads toward the Pakleni Islands for the sunset pause. You have about 20 minutes to float near the islands and watch the light change. That is the emotional center of the trip: the boat is no longer just carrying you between points, it becomes a place to sit with the evening view.

Sunset from the water has a different feel from watching it on shore. You are surrounded by open sea, with the islands nearby and Hvar behind you. The short stop means you can take in the colors without planning an entire evening around it, although the exact quality of the sunset depends on the weather and conditions.

The return to Hvar town follows as the sun fades. The boat makes its way back while the horizon holds the last warm light. Because the whole activity lasts 90 minutes, timing matters. Check the available starting time for your date, and do not assume the tour will include a long twilight cruise after sunset.

Several past outings have been led by skippers named Domi, Leo and Tony. Domi was particularly praised for clear explanations and attentive hosting, while Tony and Leo were also named positively. Those names offer a sense of the human side of the trip, but they are not a promise about who will captain your boat on a particular day.

What the $84 fare includes

At $84 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an evening by the sea. The fare does, however, bundle the speedboat and fuel, bottled water, beer, snorkeling gear and passenger insurance. You are paying for a quick boat trip, a swim stop and a sunset location, rather than simply transportation from one point to another.

For a short outing, the main value is convenience. You do not need to arrange a boat, fuel or snorkeling equipment yourself, and you can see several coastal landmarks in one ride. The included drinks are a welcome extra, particularly after a swim, but they do not replace a meal. Food is not included, so eat beforehand or plan a separate meal after returning to Hvar.

The length is both the selling point and the limit. If you want an easy evening activity between daytime plans, 90 minutes is efficient. If you are weighing this against a longer excursion, consider how much time you want to spend at the beach and whether a brief sunset stop will feel satisfying. The trip offers a concentrated taste of the islands, not a full day of exploration.

Gratuities are not included. If you choose to tip, keep that extra cost in mind when setting your budget.

Who will enjoy this ride, and who should skip it

This outing suits adults and older children who want a short boat ride, a chance to swim, and a sunset view without committing most of the day. It also works well if you are staying in Hvar town and want an activity that starts and ends at the main pier.

It is not suitable for children under 3, pregnant women, people with back problems, wheelchair users, or people over 95. The boat format and the need to take part in a water-based outing are important considerations; if any listed restriction applies to you, do not book without checking directly with the provider.

Weather can affect the trip. If conditions are poor, the tour may be canceled and you will be offered another date or a refund. The activity also requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not met, you may be offered another date or experience, or a refund.

The language listed for the live guide is English. If you want commentary in another language, the available information does not promise it. The skipper’s commentary can add useful context to the islands, but the clearest reason to go is the combination of swimming and sunset.

Meeting up and packing for the evening

Meet at the Hvar Charter and HvarBoats office on the main pier in Hvar town, next to the post office. That central location makes the starting point straightforward to find if you are already in town. Still, give yourself enough time to locate the office and be ready for the scheduled departure.

Bring beachwear, comfortable clothes and a camera. Since the outing includes a swim stop, wearing your beach clothes under your regular clothes can make the short break more useful. Bottled water and beer are provided, but there is no food, so plan around that.

You can reserve without paying immediately and cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. Check the available starting times for your date, since sunset timing changes through the season and the trip’s schedule is set around the evening.

Should you book the Hvar sunset speedboat?

Book this trip if you want a compact, scenic evening with a proper swim stop and a sunset viewed from near the Pakleni Islands. The included gear and drinks add practical value, and the short duration makes it easy to fit around a day in Hvar.

Skip it if you want an unhurried beach day, time to explore several islands on foot, or food included in the price. At $84, the best reason to go is not the number of stops but the way the outing combines sea time, a swim and the sunset in one tidy ride.

FAQ

How long is the speedboat trip?

The activity lasts 90 minutes.

What is included in the price?

The fare includes the speedboat and fuel, bottled water, beer, snorkeling gear and passenger insurance.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at the Hvar Charter and HvarBoats office on the main pier in Hvar town, next to the post office.

How much time is set aside for swimming?

The stop at Mlini and Ždrilca lagoon is about 30 minutes.

How long is the sunset stop?

The boat spends about 20 minutes near the Pakleni Islands for the sunset.

What language does the guide speak?

The live tour guide speaks English.

What should I bring?

Bring a camera, comfortable clothes and beachwear.

Who is this activity not suitable for?

It is not suitable for children under 3, pregnant women, people with back problems, wheelchair users or people over 95.