From Hvar: Private tour of Red Rocks & Pakleni Islands

Red Rocks and the Pakleni Islands are a fine reason to trade Hvar’s stone lanes for a day on the water. This private speedboat trip links coves, cliffs and swimming stops, with time to choose a restaurant or a quiet bay rather than follow a large group’s timetable.

I like two things here: you can tailor the route with the skipper, and the day includes both dramatic Red Rocks and the sheltered bays around the Pakleni Islands. A practical catch: the $683 group price covers up to five, but fuel is extra, and the trip is not suitable for non-swimmers or people prone to seasickness.

• The Red Rocks cliffs rise more than 20 metres from the sea floor, making this the tour’s most striking stop.
• Dubovica and Zaraće offer different kinds of coastal scenery, from a broad beach to natural stone shelters.
• Pakleni Islands time is generous: the planned stop lasts about 1.5 hours for swimming, lunch or a cocktail.
• You travel with a skipper: water, masks, an ice-filled refrigerator and safety gear are included.
• Budget for fuel and extras: fuel is paid after the tour, and food, wine tasting and towels are not included.

A full day out from Hvar harbour

The tour runs for about 7.5 hours, with a usual 10:30 a.m. departure and a return around 6 p.m. You meet in front of Nautica Bar on the Hvar waterfront, then head out by speedboat with an English- or Croatian-speaking skipper.

That length matters. Hvar’s best-known swimming spots are spread along the coast and across the nearby islands, so this is not a quick harbour excursion. The day includes time on the water between stops as well as swimming breaks, and the listed itinerary gives about 30 minutes at several bays and 90 minutes in the Pakleni Islands.

The outing is private, which gives you more say over the pace than a shared boat trip. You can discuss the route and preferred stops with the skipper. The exact sequence may vary, and the tour description specifically allows you to customize the final Pakleni Islands stop.

The boat is listed for a maximum of eight people, while the advertised $683 rate is for a group of up to five. If your party has six to eight people, confirm the total price before booking. The private format is especially useful for a family or small group that wants to swim, snorkel and take breaks on its own schedule.

Dubovica’s beach and its sheltered cave

Dubovica is among Hvar’s most appealing bays, with a beach framed by the island’s rocky coast. The itinerary allows about 30 minutes here for a visit, swimming and snorkeling, with a nearby cave as a special point of interest.

A stop like this gives you a first chance to get comfortable in the water before the more dramatic scenery farther along the coast. Bring your own towel and sunscreen, and keep your swimwear handy rather than buried in a bag. The boat provides masks, but you can bring your own if you prefer a particular fit.

The stop is short, so think of it as a refreshing swim rather than a long beach afternoon. If lingering at one cove matters more to you than seeing several places, tell the skipper early and ask how the route can be adjusted.

Red Rocks from the sea

The Red Rocks are the signature sight of the trip: tall red stone formations that rise more than 20 metres from the sea floor. From the boat, you can take photos, swim and snorkel beneath the cliffs. The contrast between the rock and the clear Adriatic water is a strong reason to choose this route over a day spent only at beach clubs.

Cliff jumping is offered as an option, not an obligation. You do not need to jump to enjoy the stop, and you should follow the skipper’s instructions about conditions and safe entry points. The description calls the cliffs an adrenaline stop, but it does not say that every jump is suitable for every swimmer.

The itinerary allocates roughly 30 minutes here. That is enough for a swim and a look around, but not a long, leisurely session. If you are keen to snorkel or jump, have your gear ready before the boat arrives.

A changing coastline at Zaraće and Velo Borce

Zaraće is known for its unusual natural stone shelters and beach setting. It adds a different texture to the day: less about a single landmark and more about seeing how the island’s rocks shape its small coves. The plan gives you around 30 minutes for a photo stop, swimming and snorkeling.

Velo Borce is another coastal pause, also listed for about half an hour. The route description offers fewer details about this stop, so treat it as a chance to swim and enjoy the shoreline rather than expecting a particular attraction or facility. The skipper can help you understand what is practical at each stop on the day.

The tour also refers to Green Lagoon Bay and Lučišća, a pebble beach backed by pine forest. These are among the possible highlights described for the trip, though the detailed stop list does not give them separate timed entries. Since route and conditions can shape the day, ask which bays are planned before departure if one of these places is a priority.

Sveta Nedjelja and a winery option

Sveta Nedjelja brings a change of pace from beach stops. The village is associated with local grape growing, and the Plenković winery is named as an optional visit for people interested in wine. The itinerary allows about 30 minutes in the area for a break, a visit, wine and swimming.

Wine tasting costs extra, as does any food or drink beyond the water supplied on board. It is worth asking the skipper in advance how a winery visit fits with the swimming schedule, especially if your group wants both a tasting and a long lunch. The tour description does not include tasting tickets in the price.

This stop is a good reminder that the day is not only a sequence of swims. You can mix coastal scenery with a taste of Hvar’s wine culture, but the extra stop may mean less time elsewhere if the day’s timing is tight.

The Pakleni Islands for lunch and a longer swim

The Pakleni Islands are the day’s most flexible destination. The planned visit lasts about 1.5 hours, with swimming, snorkeling, lunch or a cocktail among the options. Palmižana, Mlini and Ždrilca are named as possible choices, and restaurants such as Bacchus and Mamato, along with Laganini lounge bar, are suggested.

This is where a private boat can pay off in comfort. Instead of being tied to a fixed group schedule, you can tell the skipper whether you would rather sit down for lunch, swim longer or stop for a drink. Food and restaurant bills are not included, so bring a payment method and allow for the cost of a meal if you plan to eat ashore.

Mlini is also listed as a separate 30-minute stop for swimming and a break. The exact order and timing can vary, so clarify whether your group will visit Mlini separately from the main Pakleni Islands stop. Either way, this part of the trip gives you a useful stretch of unhurried time after several shorter coastal pauses.

What the price covers, and what it does not

At $683 for a private group of up to five, the cost works best when shared. Divided evenly among five people, the base price comes to $136.60 per person before fuel and any personal expenses. For a couple, the same private arrangement is a much larger outlay, so compare it with shared boat tours if keeping costs down is your main goal.

The price includes the speedboat rental, skipper, water, travel insurance, safety equipment, masks and a refrigerator with ice. That covers the core of the outing, and having a skipper means you do not need to operate the boat or plan the route alone. In May 2025, a guest specifically praised the boat’s comfort and size, as well as the skipper’s attention to local history, culture and marine life. Those details can make a long day feel more personal than a simple transfer between beaches.

Fuel is not included and is paid after the tour. The stated estimate is €50 to €60. Add that to your group budget, then account separately for lunch, drinks, wine tasting and any tickets. Towels and sunscreen are also your responsibility, and there is no hotel pickup or drop-off.

There is a small pricing point to settle before you book: the boat’s maximum capacity is eight, but the stated price applies to groups of up to five. Ask what the cost will be for a larger group rather than assuming the same rate applies.

Who will enjoy this trip most

This is a strong choice if you want a full day on the water and value privacy, swimming stops and flexibility. It suits a group of friends or a family whose members are comfortable in the sea and happy to spend much of the day outdoors. The option to balance coves, cliff scenery, a winery visit and a restaurant stop is more appealing than a rigid, one-purpose boat ride.

It is not a good fit for everyone. The activity is specifically marked unsuitable for pregnant people, non-swimmers and anyone prone to seasickness. A speedboat can be uncomfortable in choppy conditions, so check the weather before departure and follow the skipper’s safety guidance.

Pack a sun hat, swimwear, towel and sunscreen. Snacks are optional, but useful if you do not plan to eat at a restaurant. In the low season, bring a windproof jacket. Arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes early, and ask about the day’s route, fuel payment and any planned extra costs before setting off.

Should you book the Red Rocks tour?

Book it if you want a private, active day linking Hvar’s coast with the Pakleni Islands, and your group will make good use of swimming time and flexible stops. Red Rocks, Dubovica and the longer island break give the outing a satisfying mix of scenery and time in the water.

Think twice if you want a low-cost excursion, need hotel transport, dislike boats or cannot swim. The base price is easiest to justify with a group of five, and fuel, lunch and wine tasting all add to the bill. If those trade-offs suit your plans, this is a practical way to see several coastal corners of Hvar without spending the day on one crowded beach.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts 450 minutes, or 7.5 hours. The usual schedule is a 10:30 a.m. departure and a return around 6 p.m., with departure time available by agreement.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet in front of Nautica Bar on the Hvar waterfront. Be there 15 minutes before departure.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $683 per private group of up to five people. The boat has a maximum capacity of eight, so confirm the price if your group has more than five.

Is fuel included?

No. Fuel is paid after the tour, with an estimated cost of €50 to €60.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the speedboat, an experienced skipper, water, travel insurance, masks, an ice-filled refrigerator and safety equipment.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drink are not included, and lunch is an additional cost. The Pakleni Islands stop offers the option to eat at restaurants such as Bacchus or Mamato.

Can I go wine tasting?

Wine tasting at the Plenković winery in Sveta Nedjelja is an option, but it costs extra.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, towel and sunscreen. Snacks are optional, and a windproof jacket is recommended in the low season.