Private Speed Boat Tour of Hvar South Shore & Pakleni islands

The best part of this Hvar boat tour is the freedom to make a full day of the sea without sharing the boat with strangers. You can swim at Red Rocks, linger at Dubovica Beach, stop for lunch, or simply ask Captain Nicolai or Johnny Marino to shape the day around your group.

I like the private format, especially for families and friends who want their own pace. I also like the mix of cliff scenery, small beaches, beach bars, and the Palmizana Botanical Garden. The main consideration is the price: $420.08 is reasonable for a group of up to 10, but less attractive for only two people.

Key points

• Private boat for up to 10: Your group controls the pace and participates without strangers.
• Five to eight hours on Hvar’s coast: The flexible length allows a quick outing or a relaxed full-day trip.
• Red Rocks swimming stop: Take photos, snorkel, swim, or make a careful cliff jump if you are comfortable.
• Dubovica and Mala Milna: Combine one of Hvar’s best-known bays with a smaller beach and lunch option.
• Palmizana and Mlini: Enjoy a botanical garden, beach restaurants, and some of the clearest-looking water around the Pakleni islands.
• Strong captain service: Nicolai and Johnny Marino are praised for being friendly, attentive, capable, and willing to follow your requests.

What this private Hvar speedboat day is really like

This is a coastal outing built around water time rather than formal sightseeing. You leave from Hvar town and spend roughly five to eight hours moving between coves, swimming spots, beaches, and the Pakleni islands.

The speedboat matters because it lets you cover several places in one day. Hvar’s south shore is made for looking back from the water, and the Pakleni islands add a second setting without requiring separate transport. You are not locked into one beach for the afternoon.

The schedule is also flexible in a useful way. The listed stops range from 15 minutes at Velo Borče to 90 minutes at Palmizana. That tells you something important: some places are quick swim breaks, while others are meant for lunch, coffee, a walk, or a longer rest.

Your captain is central to the experience. Nicolai, also spelled Nicholai in the feedback, is described as accommodating and attentive. Johnny Marino is praised for being fun, capable, and familiar with the area. You should tell the captain early if your group cares most about swimming, snorkeling, cliff jumping, beach time, or lunch.

Red Rocks gives the morning some drama

Red Rocks is one of the most memorable first stops because the setting is more rugged than a standard beach. The red stone formations rise from the coast, giving you a striking place for photos and a chance to get straight into the water.

You can swim or snorkel here, and confident swimmers may choose to jump from the cliffs. I would treat that as an option, not a requirement. The tour description does not promise a particular jump height or provide safety details, so you should judge the conditions and your own comfort on the day.

This is a good place to bring your practical beach gear. Wear secure footwear if you plan to move around the rocks, and keep your phone protected when you are near the water. The stop lasts about 30 minutes, so you should expect a short, active visit rather than a long beach session.

Red Rocks works well at the start because it gives the day energy. You get photos, open water, and a little adventure before settling into the quieter bays.

Dubovica Beach rewards a slower hour

Dubovica is the main relaxation stop on Hvar’s south shore. The bay is considered by many the island’s most beautiful, and the plan allows about an hour here.

You can swim, sunbathe, or sit with a coffee or cocktail at the small beach bar. That combination makes Dubovica more useful than a purely scenic stop. If some people in your group want to swim while others prefer to sit with a drink, you can split up without losing the whole group’s time.

The beach is also a good counterpoint to Red Rocks. Red Rocks is about rock formations and activity. Dubovica is about settling into a bay and enjoying the color of the water.

The possible drawback is time. One hour passes quickly if you want a swim, a drink, and a proper rest. If Dubovica is your top priority, tell the captain. Since this is a private tour, you may have more say than you would on a fixed group excursion, though the exact timing depends on the day and the captain.

Mala Milna adds lunch and local beach time

Mala Milna is an optional stop near the south coast. It gives you another chance to swim and sunbathe, but its main value is choice at mealtime.

You can eat at a traditional restaurant or choose something more modern at a newer restaurant and bar. That makes this stop useful for groups with different tastes. One person can look for a more traditional meal while another chooses a casual drink or contemporary food.

The planned time is about 30 minutes, so you should ask about lunch timing before you settle in. Thirty minutes may suit a quick meal or snack, but it is tight for a long, leisurely lunch. If you want a proper sit-down meal, your captain may need to adjust the schedule or reduce time at another stop.

Because Mala Milna is optional, it is best for groups that want flexibility. You do not have to add every beach to the day simply because it appears on the route.

Velo Borče is a quick swim break

Plaža Velo Borče is a brief stop near Mala Milna, with about 15 minutes allowed. This is not a place for a long lunch or a full afternoon on the sand. It is a chance to see another pretty stretch of coast, jump from the boat, and swim.

Short stops like this are where the private format helps. You can decide if the water looks inviting and make the most of a quick swim. If your group is already comfortable in the water, 15 minutes can be enough to cool off and get back aboard.

If you are traveling with young children or anyone who needs more time getting in and out of the boat, this stop may feel rushed. You can ask the captain about spending longer here, but the whole point is a short pause rather than a main destination.

Palmizana gives you a proper island break

Palmizana is the longest scheduled stop, with about 90 minutes. It is the most developed stop on the Pakleni islands and combines a beach, places for lunch, coffee, and cocktails, and a botanical garden for a walk.

This is where the day can feel less like a sequence of swim stops and more like a small island outing. You can get off the boat, dry off, have something to eat, and walk among the plants before returning to the water.

The botanical garden gives Palmizana a different character from the south-coast beaches. If you have spent the morning swimming, the walk is a welcome change. If lunch is your priority, the 90-minute pause gives you more breathing room than the 30-minute stop at Mala Milna.

Palmizana is also the practical place to plan your main meal. You should confirm with the captain how much time you want for food, since service times and your group’s pace can affect the rest of the route. A group of ten will naturally take longer to get settled than a couple.

Mlini completes the Pakleni islands section

A visit to the Pakleni islands is not complete without Mlini Beach, according to the route plan. It is known for beautiful water color, especially in the afternoon, and makes a strong later stop.

The appeal here is simple: get off the boat or jump in, swim, and enjoy the setting. The afternoon light is part of the reason this stop works well toward the end of the island portion.

Mlini is another reminder that this tour is about seeing several coastal settings rather than staying at one beach all day. If you prefer one long swim and a quiet book, the number of stops may feel busy. If you enjoy variety, the changes keep the day moving.

Since no exact time is given for Mlini, you should ask the captain how it fits with Palmizana and the return to Hvar. A private tour gives you room to discuss that balance.

Why the private group format matters

The boat accepts up to 10 people from your own group. That is a major benefit for families, couples traveling with friends, or a small celebration where you want control over the mood and schedule.

A private boat also makes requests more practical. The captains have been praised for responding to what the group wants rather than simply following a rigid sequence. Nicolai is described as accommodating, while Johnny Marino is praised for his friendly manner and ability at the helm.

You should still keep your requests realistic. Five to eight hours is enough to visit the main stops, but not enough to spend unlimited time at every beach, restaurant, and swim point. Pick your top two priorities before you leave.

For a group of 10, the cost works out to about $42 per person. For five people, it is about $84 each. For two, it is about $210 each. That makes the tour much better value when the boat is close to full.

Price, timing, and what you are paying for

The listed price is $420.08 per group, for up to 10 people. You are paying for a private outing, a captain, and the ability to reach several places by boat in one day.

I see the strongest value for a group of friends or a larger family. Splitting the price across eight to ten people makes a private boat day compare well with other paid activities, while keeping the group together.

The value is less clear for a couple. Two people pay the full group price, so you should decide how much the privacy and flexibility matter to you. If you mainly want transport to one beach, this is more than you need. If you want a full coastal day with several stops, the cost may still make sense.

The duration is approximate, between five and eight hours. That range is wide enough to affect your planning. Do not schedule a tight evening activity immediately afterward. The route ends back at the HvarBoats meeting point on Riva, at Šetalište put Križa 3.

Pickup is offered, but the supplied information does not specify the pickup area or any extra charge. Confirm that detail when you book. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability.

Who will enjoy this Hvar boat trip most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want an active day with regular chances to swim and you enjoy changing scenery. It works especially well for:

• Families who want a private boat and flexible stops
• Friends splitting the group price
• Couples who place a high value on privacy
• Swimmers and snorkelers who want more than one water stop
• People who like mixing beaches with lunch, drinks, and a short garden walk

It may be less suitable if you want a slow day at one beach, dislike moving between stops, or do not plan to swim. Several of the best moments depend on getting into the water, and the route is designed around the coast rather than museums or historic sights.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The experience is near public transportation, which makes the meeting point practical, but the available details do not explain transport connections or hotel pickup coverage.

Weather, cancellation, and simple planning advice

This is a weather-dependent activity. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted, and cancellations inside that window are not refunded. The cut-off follows local Hvar time.

For the day itself, I would keep your plans simple. Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and something to protect valuables around the boat. If you want lunch at Mala Milna or Palmizana, decide whether food or swimming matters more before departure.

Also tell the captain about your group’s comfort level with cliff jumping. Red Rocks offers the chance, but no one needs to jump to enjoy the stop.

Should you book this private Hvar boat tour?

Book it if you want a private day on the water, your group can share the cost, and you like variety. Red Rocks, Dubovica, Mala Milna, Velo Borče, Palmizana, and Mlini each offer a slightly different reason to stop, from cliff scenery and swimming to lunch and a botanical garden walk.

I would be most ready to book for six to ten people. The price becomes much easier to justify, and the private format lets you balance the wishes of a mixed group.

For two people, book only if the privacy, speed, and flexible route are worth paying for. If that sounds right, this is a well-focused way to see Hvar’s south shore and the Pakleni islands in one day, with captains such as Nicolai and Johnny Marino helping shape the outing.

The current rating is 5 out of 5 from 20 reviews, with 100 percent recommending the experience. That matches the tour’s clearest strengths: a good boat day, friendly captains, several beautiful swimming places, and the freedom to make the schedule fit your group.

FAQ

How long does the private Hvar boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately five to eight hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $420.08 per group, with up to 10 people included.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at HvarBoats Riva, Šetalište put Križa 3, 21450 Hvar, Croatia.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Which beaches and islands does the tour visit?

Stops include Red Rocks, Dubovica Beach, Mala Milna, Velo Borče, Palmizana Botanical Garden, and Mlini Beach on the Pakleni islands.

Can I swim or snorkel during the tour?

Yes. Swimming and snorkeling are available at Red Rocks, and several other stops offer swimming from the beach or boat.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered. The supplied details do not specify the pickup area, so confirm the exact arrangement when booking.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.