Hvar Delight: Private Speed Boat Tour

The best part of this Hvar outing is the freedom to spend a day moving between swimming spots and quiet bays instead of staying on one beach. The private boat can make room for your group’s pace, from snorkeling near the Red Rocks to a long lunch stop at Palmižana.

I like two things here: the small-group format, with only your party aboard, and the chance to shape the day with your skipper. One consideration is the price: $780.16 is a substantial outlay for a group of two, but much easier to justify when shared among seven. Lunch is extra, and the schedule depends on good weather.

What to know before you go

• Red Rocks brings the day’s most unusual swim: You can snorkel around the caves and explore the water below.
• Palmižana gets a generous lunch break: Plan on about two and a half hours at the bay, with restaurant costs paid separately.
• The boat is private for your group: The price covers up to seven people, so the per-person cost falls as your party grows.
• You’ll visit more than one island setting: The route includes Hvar’s south shore, the Pakleni Islands and several swimming stops.
• Snorkeling gear and fuel are included: Bring your own lunch budget, and check the forecast because poor weather can affect the trip.

A private route from Hvar’s Riva

The tour starts and ends at Riva, Hvar’s waterfront. From there, you head by speedboat toward the island’s south shore, then continue among bays and stops around the Pakleni Islands. The total outing lasts about five to six hours, with roughly two hours of cruising noted for the trip.

That combination of boat time and long stops matters. You get enough time to reach several places without turning the day into a string of hurried photo breaks. The boat is reserved for your group, up to seven people, so you can ask the skipper about adjusting the pace and choosing where to linger.

The route includes several named stops: Dubovica Beach, the Red Rocks, Palmižana, the Pakleni Islands, Mlini Beach and Taršće Bay. The stop descriptions give a sense of the day, but exact timing can shift with conditions and the skipper’s route. The published hours are 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from June 20 to October 1, 2026, while the overall duration is given as five to six hours and the return as around 5 to 6 p.m. Confirm the precise start and finish time when booking.

Red Rocks and the south-coast swim

The first stretch heads along Hvar’s south shore, where the boat stops at swimming spots. The standout is the Red Rocks, where you can swim near the caves and use the supplied snorkeling equipment to look at the seabed.

This stop gives the trip a different feel from a simple beach transfer. You’re reaching a coastal feature by boat, with the chance to get in the water rather than only admire the rocks from shore. The listed stop is about 45 minutes, so bring swimwear and be ready to use that time efficiently.

The itinerary also names Dubovica Beach as the first stop, though its description focuses on the south-shore swimming area and Red Rocks. If you have a particular place in mind, ask the skipper how the route is planned that day. A private trip gives you more scope to discuss preferences, but it does not guarantee that every stop will run on a fixed timetable.

Palmižana: a long lunch, not a quick pit stop

Around 1 p.m., the plan is to stop at Palmižana Bay in the Pakleni Islands for lunch. The break is about two and a half hours, which is unusually generous for a boat excursion and gives you time to eat without watching the clock every few minutes.

Lunch is not included in the tour price. The restaurant is described as one of Dalmatia’s best, but the cost of your meal is separate, so factor that into the day’s budget. The skipper may be able to help with a reservation: on one outing, Tonci arranged lunch in a small town along the route, and the meal turned out to be a highlight. Treat that as a useful example of the personal service possible, not a guarantee of the same restaurant or arrangement every time.

The long stop is valuable if a good meal is part of your idea of a holiday. It also means less time spent rushing between places. If you would rather spend more of the day swimming, tell the skipper when you discuss your priorities.

More bays around the Pakleni Islands

After lunch, you have about an hour to relax aboard and visit additional bays around the Pakleni Islands. The route is described as including quieter coves, with time to take in the surrounding nature and swim where conditions allow.

This is where a private boat can feel worth its cost. You are not sharing the day with a large mixed group, and your skipper can respond to what your party wants to do. One couple’s outing included snorkeling and stops chosen to suit their interests, while another account praised the skipper for finding good places to stop. That flexibility is a strong reason to book this rather than a fixed group excursion.

Still, private does not mean you control every detail. The sea and weather shape what is practical, and the trip requires good conditions. If your priority is a particular bay or activity, raise it before departure and stay open to a change of plan.

Mlini Beach and Taršće Bay

Mlini Beach is planned as the last swim stop, with about an hour there. It gives you another chance to get in the water before the return, rather than spending the final stretch entirely aboard. The route then heads back toward Hvar, with views of the Pakleni Islands and the coast near town.

Taršće Bay is also included as a 30-minute stop. It is described as a peaceful place for a swim, surrounded by less-developed nature and clear turquoise water. The itinerary places this stop under Hvar after the Mlini portion, but the exact sequencing is not fully clear. Ask the skipper how the stops are arranged on your date, especially if you have a firm preference.

The key point is that this tour offers several chances to swim, not just one brief dip. Pack a towel and anything you need for time in the water. Snorkeling equipment is provided, but no other personal swim gear is specified as included.

What the private format means for the price

The listed price is $780.16 for the whole group, up to seven people. At full capacity, that comes to roughly $111 per person; for two people, it is about $390 each before lunch. The value therefore depends heavily on group size and how much you value a private skipper and a flexible route.

Fuel and snorkeling equipment are included, which makes the price easier to assess. Lunch is not, and you should allow for a separate restaurant bill. There is no need to pay for admission at the listed stops, but that does not mean meals or personal purchases are covered.

For a family or group of friends, sharing one boat can be appealing: you get the same outing without splitting up or following the pace of strangers. For a couple, the experience may still suit you if privacy and control matter more than getting the lowest per-person price. If you are watching your budget, compare the cost with a shared boat trip before booking.

Skipper, communication and practical details

The experience is operated by Delfina Excursions – Hvar. The available trip details name Tonci as a skipper who shared information about the stops and helped arrange a lunch reservation. Klara handled advance communication and provided clear meeting-point instructions. Those names offer a useful indication of the personal contact you may have, though the assigned staff can vary.

Meet at Riva in Hvar, and return to the same point. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the tour has a mobile ticket. The experience is private, service animals are allowed, and the activity is described as suitable for most people. It is also near public transportation.

The season listed runs from June 20 to October 1, 2026, daily from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Since the trip is weather-dependent, be prepared for a change of date or a refund if poor weather forces cancellation. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time; changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Who will get the most from this Hvar boat trip

This outing suits a group that wants to swim, snorkel and see several coastal spots without joining a large boat party. It is especially appealing if you enjoy having a skipper who can help shape the day and you want a proper lunch break rather than a packed snack on the boat.

It may be less suitable if you want a low-cost excursion, dislike spending time on a boat, or prefer a tightly timed schedule. The route includes cruising and multiple stops, and weather can change what is possible. If you’re traveling as a pair, think carefully about the full private price; with a larger group, the per-person calculation becomes much friendlier.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your group values privacy, several swim stops and the freedom to talk through the route with a skipper. The Red Rocks, long Palmižana lunch break and Pakleni Islands make a varied day, while included fuel and snorkeling gear cover two practical costs.

If you are a couple on a tight budget, compare the private price with shared alternatives first. For a group of friends or family ready to split the cost, this is a strong way to spend a half-day on the water around Hvar.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Riva in Hvar and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The approximate duration is five to six hours.

How many people can join?

The private tour accommodates up to seven people.

Is the boat shared with other groups?

No. Only your group participates.

What is included in the price?

Fuel and use of snorkeling equipment are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the price.

Which places are included in the route?

The named stops include Dubovica Beach, the Red Rocks, Palmižana, the Pakleni Islands, Mlini Beach and Taršće Bay.

Can I use snorkeling equipment?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided for use during the tour.

When does the tour operate?

The listed season is June 20 to October 1, 2026, with daily hours from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.