Private boat tour of Red rocks & Pakleni islands

The best part of this Hvar boat trip is the freedom to make a day on the water your own. Your private speedboat can link the island’s red-rock coast, a cave at Dubovica and the sheltered coves of the Pakleni Islands, with time for swims, a winery visit or a long lunch.

I like two things here: you can set the pace with your own group, and snorkeling gear and life jackets are supplied, so you need only bring swimwear and the usual sun protection. The main consideration is the price: $905.12 is a serious outlay for a couple, but can make sense split among a group of six or seven. The boat may also feel snug when full.

At a glance: a private Hvar day afloat

• A route with room to change: The tour is private, and the day can be adjusted to suit your interests.
• Dubovica’s cave and pebble beach: Stop at a small bay with an old stone house and a cave you can enter from the water or shallow edge.
• A winery by the sea: Plenković winery near Sveta Nedelja is a possible tasting stop; tasting is not included in the price.
• Several Pakleni moods: Choose between lively Palmižana, quiet coves, naturist beaches and restaurants.
• A skipper can shape the day: Franco, also spelled Franko, and Marco, also spelled Marko, are among the skippers named in accounts of the trip.
• A long outing, not a quick transfer: Expect about five to eight hours, with a 10:30 a.m. start.

Leaving Hvar Town by speedboat

The meeting point is Antonio Rent at Tezačka 5 in Hvar Town, and the tour returns there. Set off at 10:30 a.m. and you’ll have a full day to explore the coast and nearby islands, rather than just a quick ride to one beach.

A speedboat is useful here because it lets you cover several bays in one outing. You can reach swimming spots and coastal sights quickly, then spend your time where you want it. That flexibility matters on a route with many tempting stops: a cave, a winery, a quiet beach and a restaurant can all compete for your hours.

The advertised duration is about five to eight hours. The listed stop times add up to roughly four and a half hours, before travel between locations, so the total day will depend on the route and how long you linger. This is not a fixed bus-style schedule. Ask your skipper early which places matter most to you, especially if you have a lunch reservation or winery visit in mind.

The tour is private for your group, with a maximum of seven people. That gives you control over the conversation, music and pace, and makes it easier to tailor stops for children or adults who want more time in the water. But capacity and comfort are not quite the same thing: one couple who took the trip felt five or six people fit comfortably, while seven could be tight. If your group is full, ask the operator about the boat’s seating before booking.

Dubovica: an old stone house and a sea cave

Dubovica is a fine first stop for a swim and a look at Hvar’s coast from the water. The beach is a narrow stretch of pebbles, about 30 metres wide, with a 17th-century noble house beside the bay. The setting is small and scenic, but that also means it may feel busy if several boats and beachgoers arrive at once.

On the right side of the bay is a small cave with two entrances, one below sea level and another in shallow water. You can enter by swimming or walking through the shallows, depending on conditions and your comfort. Bring water shoes if you prefer firm footing on pebbles, though they are not listed as included.

The scheduled stop is 30 minutes. That is enough for a short swim and a look at the cave, but not a lengthy beach stay. If this is a priority, tell your skipper you would like more time here and be prepared to trim another stop.

Sveta Nedelja: a winery stop with a separate tasting bill

The route includes a 30-minute stop near Sveta Nedelja for a tasting at Plenković, described as one of the area’s popular wineries. It offers a welcome change of pace from swimming, and a chance to sample local wine in a coastal setting.

The tasting is not included in the tour price, so budget for it separately. Thirty minutes is a short window, too. If you want a slower tasting or a meal, ask whether the schedule can be adjusted and how that affects the rest of the route.

The tour’s private format makes this kind of choice easier than it would be on a group excursion. If wine is not your thing, you can use the time for another swim or spend longer elsewhere, subject to the skipper’s route and conditions.

Zaraće and the southern shore

Malo Zaraće lies on Hvar’s southern side, about six kilometres from Hvar Town. The area has two bays, Velo Zaraće and Malo Zaraće, with beaches set among the island’s rocky coast. The itinerary allows 30 minutes at Malo Zaraće, a useful pause for a swim or a look around.

Velo Zaraće has several restaurants, making this stretch worth considering if lunch is a priority. The boat may be able to help you reach a restaurant that is easier to approach by sea, but reservations and meal costs are separate. Past trips have included seafood lunches and restaurants accessible by boat, so ask your skipper what is available on your date rather than assuming a particular venue is guaranteed.

For a group with different appetites, food stops can be a practical anchor for the day. Just remember that a full restaurant meal uses more time than a quick swim. Agree on the plan before setting off.

Pakleni Islands: choose between beach time and a livelier stop

The Pakleni Islands sit just offshore from Hvar Town, but their coves offer a change of scene from the main island. The archipelago has swimming places, pine-covered areas, restaurants and bars, with options ranging from quiet corners to busier beach stops. The tour allows about an hour and a half here, making it the longest listed break.

Palmižana is the best-known sandy beach in the area and is described as a safe, popular bay. You can swim or walk its paths through a botanical garden, where rosemary grows alongside plants such as agave and prickly pear. Laganini, a well-known beach bar, is another option if you want a cocktail or a meal with your beach time. If you have your heart set on lunch there, reserve ahead: a table is not included, and popular waterfront places can fill.

Other Pakleni choices suit a quieter mood. Ždrilca has several pebble beaches and more secluded spots, as well as restaurants. Jerolim and Stipanska are known naturist beaches, with showers and a shop available. Taxi boats also run from Hvar port to the islands, but on this tour your skipper can make the island stop part of a broader private route.

The itinerary also lists Mlini Beach, described as one of the most beautiful bays in the Pakleni group, for a 30-minute stop. Then it gives Palmižana Botanical Garden another 30 minutes. These entries may overlap in practice with the longer Pakleni visit, so confirm the day’s plan with your skipper. You may prefer one long beach break over several shorter stops.

Lucišća and the value of leaving room to roam

Lucišća Beach is another listed 30-minute stop on Hvar. Like the other small bays on the route, it adds variety: instead of spending the whole day in one famous spot, you can see a range of coves and decide where the water, scenery or quiet suits you best.

That choice is the strongest reason to book privately. Past outings have included extra cave stops, cliff jumping, fishing for children, swimming breaks and a quiet final beach. These are possibilities, not guaranteed activities, and they depend on the skipper, weather, sea conditions and your group’s wishes. If you want a relaxed day, say so. If you’d rather fit in more stops, make that clear too.

What the price buys, and what it does not

The listed price is $905.12 per group of up to seven. At the maximum group size, that works out to about $129 per person; for a couple, it is about $453 each. The per-person value improves with a larger group, but the boat may feel less spacious when every seat is taken.

The price includes fuel, bottled water, snorkeling equipment and life jackets. Those basics reduce the amount you need to arrange yourself, and having gear on board makes it easier to stop when a swimming spot catches your eye. Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection and any snacks or drinks you want beyond the water supplied.

Wine tasting, lunch and drinks at bars are extra. Reservations are not included either. Think of this as paying for a private boat, skipper and flexible day, not an all-inclusive package. For a family or group that values control over the route, that can be worthwhile. If your main goal is simply to reach one beach, a taxi boat may cost less.

Skippers, comfort and practical details

The strongest part of this trip is often the skipper’s role. Franco or Franko and Marco or Marko are names associated with outings on this route. They have been described as attentive, relaxed and good at finding swimming spots, arranging lunch and adjusting the day to the group. Skippers can vary, so don’t assume you’ll have a particular person. If a specific skipper matters to you, ask Antonio Rent before booking.

The meeting point is Antonio Rent, Tezačka 5, Hvar, and the activity ends back there. The start time is 10:30 a.m. Confirmation is provided at booking, and most people can participate. This is a boat-based day with swimming and possible cave entry, so consider your group’s comfort in the water when planning.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can take another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time; changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book the Hvar Red Rocks and Pakleni tour?

Book it if your ideal Hvar day includes more than one stop, you enjoy swimming, and you want a skipper to help connect beaches, caves and food without putting you on a group schedule. It suits families, couples travelling together and groups of friends, especially when the cost is split among several people.

Think twice if you’re travelling as a couple on a tight budget, want a guaranteed skipper, or would rather spend the whole day at one beach. The group limit is seven, but a full boat may feel close. Before paying, ask about the boat’s seating, your preferred route, the expected time at lunch or the winery, and whether a particular skipper is available. If those details line up with your plans, this is a strong way to make a day on Hvar’s water your own.

FAQ

How long is the private boat tour?

The tour lasts approximately five to eight hours. It starts at 10:30 a.m., and the exact duration can depend on the route and time spent at stops.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts and ends at Antonio Rent, Tezačka 5, Hvar, Croatia.

How many people can join?

The private tour is for your group only, with a maximum of seven people.

What is included in the price?

Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, bottled water and fuel are included.

Is wine tasting included?

No. The tasting at Plenković winery is not included in the tour price.

Can the route be customized?

Yes. The tour is private and can be adjusted to focus on the places and activities that interest your group.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 10:30 a.m.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.