Pakleni Islands Sailing Tour

A good day on the Pakleni Islands is not just a string of pretty bays. It is time under sail, a swim in clear water, and a proper lunch by the sea, all from a 42-foot regatta-style boat with space to stretch out. Your skipper picks the stops to suit the weather and where the boat can safely anchor.

I like two things in particular: you get actual sailing, not just a motorboat ride between swimming spots, and the boat has room to sunbathe while you are underway. The mix of snorkeling, a SUP, and a restaurant stop gives the six-hour trip a pleasant rhythm.

One caution: this is a long outing, and the pace is not guaranteed to suit everyone. A slow stretch under sail can feel peaceful in good conditions, but tedious if you are eager to reach the next stop. Lunch costs extra, and drink service may be modest.

At a glance

• A real sailing outing: The 42-foot regatta-style boat makes the trip about the time under sail as well as the islands.
• Stops depend on conditions: Your skipper may choose bays around St. Klement or Hvar based on weather and anchoring.
• Swim and paddle options: Snorkeling gear and a stand-up paddleboard are included.
• A local lunch is separate: You stop at a seaside restaurant, but the meal is not part of the $141 price.
• Small groups or private trips: The experience is offered in either format, with a Croatian- or English-speaking skipper.
• Plan for a full half-day: The tour lasts six hours, so bring sun protection, a towel, and a light jacket.

Sailing out toward the Pakleni Islands

The Pakleni Islands sit off the coast of Hvar, and this trip gives you a chance to see them from the water rather than just admire them from shore. The boat is a 42-foot regatta-style sailing boat, with room for passengers to settle in and sunbathe. The trip is built around sailing, swimming, and a meal, not a packed schedule of land visits.

That distinction matters when you choose a boat tour. If you want to spend most of the day moving quickly from one photo stop to another, this may feel slow. If you enjoy the feel of a sail and the open-water part of the journey, the time underway is part of the point.

Your skipper speaks Croatian and English. No individual skipper name is provided, but a local skipper can add useful context to the Hvar area while guiding the boat and choosing suitable places to stop. A skipper is especially important here because the itinerary is flexible rather than fixed.

How the six hours are likely to unfold

The exact sequence can change with the weather and the boat’s ability to anchor. Possible stops include bays on St. Klement, a passage between islands, and Zdrilca Bay or Vela Garska Bay on Hvar. These are options, not a promise that you will visit every named place.

Expect the day to alternate between sailing and time at anchor. The swim stop is a key part of the outing, with clear water suited to swimming, snorkeling, and underwater photography. Snorkeling gear is included, and there is also a stand-up paddleboard if you would rather explore from the surface.

The listed plan describes a swim stop and then a restaurant stop for lunch. The precise bay and order can vary, and the skipper chooses the most suitable location based on weather and anchoring conditions. Do not treat the map as a guaranteed route: flexibility is practical on the water, but it also means you cannot count on one particular cove.

One point to keep in mind is that accounts of the stop pattern differ. Some outings have included two swimming stops, while the basic plan emphasizes a swim and lunch stop. Ask about the likely schedule when you check availability if the number of swims matters to you.

What makes the swim stops worthwhile

The bays are the main reason to get off the boat and into the water. The description of the route emphasizes clear conditions for swimming, snorkeling, and underwater photography. Bring a towel and swimsuit, and have your sunglasses and hat ready for the time spent on deck between stops.

Snorkeling gear is included, which saves you from bringing your own mask and snorkel. The SUP adds another way to enjoy a calm anchorage, though its use will depend on conditions and the skipper’s judgment. Neither option guarantees a long session: the amount of time at each stop depends on the day’s pace and route.

The boat’s size is a useful part of the experience. With room to sunbathe, you can rest on board rather than feeling that every minute between bays is merely transit. Still, a six-hour boat trip means you should be comfortable with being on the water for a good part of the day.

Lunch by the water, with the bill separate

After swimming, the skipper aims to bring you to a restaurant on the Pakleni Islands for a proper Dalmatian lunch by the sea. The specific restaurant depends on conditions and where the boat can anchor. That flexibility can help the skipper choose a workable stop, but it also means you should not expect a named restaurant or guaranteed menu in advance.

Lunch is not included in the $141 per-person price. Budget for the meal separately, and remember that this is a restaurant stop rather than a picnic supplied by the tour. One outing included a meal of local fish at a traditional-feeling place, which points to the kind of lunch you might find, but the restaurant and menu can vary.

The meal break gives the day a welcome change of pace: swim first, then sit down for food rather than rushing straight back to shore. If you have dietary needs or want to know likely prices, ask before booking; no menu details or meal costs are provided.

What the $141 price covers

For $141 per person, the fare includes a skipper and guide, wine, water, crackers, chocolate wafers, snorkeling gear, and a SUP. The boat itself is a major part of the value: you are paying for a six-hour sailing outing with space to relax, not simply a short transfer to a beach.

The price makes the most sense if you want a mix of sailing, swimming, and a meal stop, and will use the included gear. It is less compelling if you mainly want a quick ride to one bay or expect lunch and plentiful drinks to be covered. Remember that the restaurant bill is extra.

Wine and water are listed as included, but that does not necessarily mean drinks are served continuously. On one outing, only one drink was offered during the trip. If refreshments matter to you, bring water and confirm what is available rather than assuming an open bar.

Small-group and private options are available. A small group can keep the outing more personal without the higher cost of booking a private boat, while a private trip gives you more control over who is on board. The group size and exact price difference are not specified, so check the details for your date.

The pace, and who will enjoy it most

This tour suits you if you like sailing for its own sake and are happy to let the skipper set the pace. The best parts are not only the stops: the view from the boat, the chance to sunbathe underway, and the change from open water to a quiet bay all contribute to the day.

The trade-off is that the same relaxed pace can feel drawn out. One outing was described as very slow, with a long stretch that felt monotonous. Sailing speed can depend on conditions, but the practical lesson is simple: do not book this expecting a fast circuit or a tightly timed sequence of attractions.

The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or pregnant women. You should also be comfortable boarding and spending several hours on a boat, though no further boarding or seating details are provided. Bring a jacket as well as swimwear: a sunny day on the water can still make a light extra layer useful.

What to bring for a comfortable day

Pack sunglasses, swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, a towel, and a jacket. Those basics cover both the sunny time on deck and the swim stop. The tour supplies snorkeling gear, so you do not need to bring your own unless you prefer to use it.

A small amount of planning will help. Keep your sunscreen and towel easy to reach, and bring extra water if you prefer having more than the listed supply. Since lunch is separate, plan to pay for your own meal at the restaurant.

Should you book the Pakleni Islands sailing tour?

Book it if you want a small-scale sailing day with a swim, some time to relax on a roomy boat, and lunch at a seaside restaurant. The skipper’s choice of bays according to conditions is sensible, and the included snorkel gear and SUP add useful options once the boat anchors.

Think twice if you are impatient with slow travel, want a tightly fixed itinerary, or need lunch and frequent drinks included in the price. At $141, the value rests on enjoying the sailing itself, not just counting stops. If that sounds like your kind of day, this is a practical way to combine the water, the islands, and a Dalmatian meal.

FAQ

How long is the Pakleni Islands sailing tour?

The tour lasts six hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes a skipper and guide, wine, water, crackers, chocolate wafers, snorkeling gear, and a stand-up paddleboard.

Is lunch included?

No. The tour stops at a restaurant for lunch, but you pay for the meal separately.

Which bays will the boat visit?

Possible stops include bays on St. Klement, Zdrilca Bay, and Vela Garska Bay on Hvar. The route depends on weather and anchoring conditions.

What languages does the skipper speak?

The live tour guide speaks Croatian and English.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, a jacket, and a towel.