Speedboats make Hvar feel instantly special. This private Hvar south shore + Pakleni islands cruise strings together red-rock viewpoints, swim stops, and a botanical-garden shore experience, with no crowds to work around. I love that it stays private for up to 10 people, so your group can set the pace. I also love the built-in focus on time at the water, not just driving past it.

One thing to plan around: the tour needs good weather, and if conditions are poor you’ll have to switch dates or get a refund.

Key Things You’ll Notice on This Hvar Speedboat Day

• Private for up to 10 people: book as a group and keep the day flexible.
• Beach-first itinerary: frequent swim and photo moments, not long transfers.
• Red Rocks variety: photos, snorkeling, and optional cliff jumps.
• Pakleni highlight at Palmizana: botanical garden walks plus lunch and drinks.
• Afternoon payoff at Mlini: sea color tends to look its best later in the day.

Hvar to the Pakleni Islands: Why This Route Feels Like More Than a Boat Ride

If you’re picturing Hvar as a postcard, this tour is the fast way to make that picture real. You cruise the south side, then cut over to the Pakleni islands for beach time that feels like it belongs to a different island world.

The magic is how the day is paced. You’re not stuck at one big stop. Instead, you hop from viewpoint to bay to beach—each one with its own mood. Some are for a quick jump-in. Others are for lingering, ordering coffee, and enjoying the shoreline like you have nowhere else to be.

And because it’s private, the day matches your group. If you want more swimming breaks, you can lean that way. If your group prefers sitting, chatting, and taking photos, you can do that too.

Your Private Boat Setup: Up to 10, English, and Optional Pickup

This is a private speedboat tour with your group only—up to 10 people. That size matters. It keeps the day from turning into a schedule-chasing contest, and it makes it easier to spread out on the boat while still staying safe and comfortable.

You get English service, plus a mobile ticket. Pickup is offered, which helps if you don’t want to figure out timing on foot around Hvar’s harbor area.

The meeting point is HvarBoats at Riva Šetalište put Križa 3, 21450, Hvar. The tour ends back at the same place, so you’re not planning a second trip after your swim-and-seafood (or coffee) fueled day.

Stop 1: Red Rocks for Photos, Snorkel Time, and Optional Cliff Jumps

Red Rocks on Hvar is your first real wow moment. It’s a place built for camera angles and quick-water moments. Expect a short stop of about 30 minutes, which is perfect for doing the basics: photos, a dip, and a snack of time that doesn’t drag.

What makes this stop special is the mix of options. You can swim and snorkel, but if your group likes a little adrenaline, you can jump from the cliffs. That jump option isn’t for everyone, but having it there turns the stop into something memorable—especially if you’re traveling with friends who want to try something.

One practical thought: bring water-friendly shoes if your group tends to prefer footing over jumping straight from stone. The stop is short, so you’ll want to be ready quickly.

Stop 2: Dubovica Beach for an Easy Bay Hangout

Next you head to Dubovica Beach, with around 1 hour on the water. This one is known for its beauty and gives you time to slow down.

At Dubovica, you can relax, sunbathe, swim, and even grab coffee or cocktails at a small beach bar. That little bar detail matters more than it sounds. It turns the stop into a real break where you’re not just swimming and moving on—you can settle in, cool off, and treat it like a mini vacation inside your vacation.

If you’re booking this for a mixed group—some swimmers, some sitters—Dubovica is the compromise. The swimmers have a bay to enjoy. The sitters have shade-by-choice and a place to order drinks without hauling bags all day.

Stop 3 and 4 Near Mala Milna: Beaches That Work for Short, Sweet Swim Sessions

After Dubovica, the itinerary shifts toward the Mala Milna area with two additional water stops.

First is Beach Mala Milna for about 30 minutes. Here you can swim, sunbathe, and grab lunch. There’s at least one traditional restaurant option, plus a newer restaurant or bar style nearby. That gives you flexibility depending on what your group feels like: something local-feeling and simple, or something more modern.

Then you get Plaža Velo Borče for about 15 minutes. This is shorter, but it’s a great pattern for speedboat touring. You arrive, enjoy the view, then hop in for a swim. It also offers another chance to jump from the boat, so if your group likes repeating that action throughout the day, this is where you can do it again.

A small consideration: because these stops are shorter, you’ll want to decide early what your priorities are. If you only have a 15-minute window at Velo Borče, you’ll enjoy it more if you’re dressed, ready, and not waiting on someone to sort snacks or gear.

Palmizana Botanical Garden on Pakleni: The Most Time for Lunch, Coffee, and a Walk

Pakleni islands is where the day starts to feel like a totally separate scene from Hvar’s main coastline. Your standout Pakleni stop is Palmizana Botanical Garden, which comes with about 1 hour 30 minutes.

This is the longest stretch of time on the itinerary, and it’s used well. You can go straight into beach time—lunch, coffee, cocktails—or you can slow down and walk through the botanical garden area. That combination is a smart balance. You get both the classic “beach day” energy and a calmer, land-based break from sun and saltwater.

If your group has different tastes, Palmizana is a good meeting point. Some people want to stay at the waterline. Others like a shaded walk before heading back to the boat feeling less sun-drained.

Tip for timing: since this is your longer stop, it’s worth using it as your main meal break. The rest of the day is mostly swimming and quick refresh moments.

Mlini Beach in the Afternoon: Sea Color Payoff and a Final Chance to Swim

A Pakleni visit doesn’t feel complete without a stop at Mlini beach. This is one of the most beautiful beaches on the islands, especially in the afternoon when the water color looks especially striking.

You’re not spending the whole day at Mlini, but it’s positioned for that late-day glow. That makes the last stretch feel like a payoff instead of an afterthought.

For your group, Mlini is also a good time to catch your second wind. By now you’ve probably already done the big swim action earlier. Mlini lets you finish the day with less pressure: swim, relax, take photos, and enjoy the coast as the light softens.

Captains Who Adjust to Your Group: Nicolai and Johnny (Marino) Style

The difference between a good speedboat day and a great one often comes down to the captain’s vibe and attention. In past experiences tied to this tour, captains named Nicolai and Johnny (Marino) show up with the same theme: they’re friendly, attentive, and ready to work with what your group wants.

That matters because the day is built around changing conditions—sun, wind, sea state, and how long people actually want at each stop. An accommodating captain helps you get the most out of the time you have, whether that means spending a bit longer where everyone is happy or keeping things moving when the group wants more swimming.

Also, having someone who knows what they’re doing adds a quiet layer of confidence. With cliff-jump options and frequent water access, you want the day to feel controlled, not chaotic.

Price Per Group: Is $420.08 Worth It for a Day on the Water?

This costs $420.08 per group, up to 10 people, for a 5 to 8 hour outing. On paper, it looks like a lot. In practice, the value depends on how you’re traveling.

If you can fill it with friends or family, the math gets comfortable fast. With the full group size, you’re effectively paying around a few dozen dollars per person for a private day that includes multiple beach stops and time on a speedboat rather than a slow ferry-and-bus combo.

Even if you don’t hit 10 people, private still tends to win if:

• your group wants to control the pace,
• you care about timing for swimming,
• you prefer not sharing viewpoints and bays with strangers.

Also, many stops are marked as admission free. That means you’re not stacking extra ticket fees on top of the tour cost—another small win for budgeting.

The weather dependency can be the only true downside to value. If conditions force a reschedule, you’re paying in time, not just money.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want a Different Plan)

This tour is a strong match for:

• friend groups who want a private day without planning every minute,
• couples who like a mix of swims and scenic photo stops,
• families or groups that want the boat to handle the travel between bays.

It’s also great if you like the idea of doing more than one island moment in a single outing. Red Rocks, multiple Hvar bays, Pakleni’s Palmizana area, then Mlini in the afternoon is a solid “variety pack” of coastal time.

If your group is mostly into long beach lounging with minimal movement, you might find that the stop timings feel like they change too often. The itinerary is designed for active water time and quick shifts, so you’ll enjoy it most if your group is comfortable moving from one swim spot to the next.

Should You Book This Hvar Private Speed Boat Tour?

I’d book it if you want a private Hvar day with real beach variety and enough time to enjoy food, drinks, and swimming—without squeezing the day into public-boat schedules. The combination of Red Rocks options (including snorkel and cliff jumps), the Dubovica bay hangout, Pakleni’s Palmizana botanical garden stop, and the afternoon-style Mlini beach makes the day feel full.

Skip it if your timing is tight and weather risk would stress you out. This tour needs good conditions, so if you only have one possible day in Hvar, have a backup plan in mind.

If you do book, come with an honest group decision: who wants to jump in from the boat, who prefers lounge time, and who’s planning to do the Palmizana walk. When that’s clear, this day runs smoothly.

FAQ

How long is the private speed boat tour?

The tour runs about 5 to 8 hours, depending on the day and conditions.

How many people can be in the group?

It’s a private tour with your group only, up to 10 people.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $420.08 per group.

Is pickup available?

Yes, pickup is offered.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at HvarBoats (Riva Šetalište put Križa 3, 21450, Hvar, Croatia) and ends back at the same meeting point.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What stops and beaches are included?

The itinerary includes Red Rocks (Hvar), Dubovica Beach, Beach Mala Milna, Plaža Velo Borče, Palmizana Botanical Garden on the Pakleni islands, and Mlini beach.

Can we swim or snorkel?

Yes. The tour includes options to swim, and snorkeling is mentioned at Red Rocks.

What if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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