About this tour
When Sarah from our BugBitten team took this private boat tour, she spent seven hours exploring Hvar's quieter side — the Pakleni Islands, dramatic Red Cliffs, and hidden coves along the southern shore. Skipper Gordan knows the coastline intimately and steers you away from the packaged-tour crowds to proper swimming spots where the water's actually clear. It's a solid escape if you've got a boat budget and want to skip the bustling Hvar town scene. You get snorkelling gear, water, and a cooler on board; lunch stops happen but you're buying your own.
Highlights
- Red Cliffs deliver the dramatic geology everyone says — worth the boat ride alone
- Pakleni Islands feel genuinely quiet — proper anchorages, not flotillas
- Snorkelling straight off the boat; Sarah spotted fish immediately
- Gordan's local knowledge steers clear of tourist traps and crowded bays
- Seven hours leaves room to actually swim and linger, not rush
- Private boat means no forced chat with 30 strangers
- Mlini Bay lunch stop lets you get ashore and stretch legs
What to expect
You'll meet Gordan at the port and head straight out; the boat's comfortable but it's a proper working vessel, not a floating lounge. Sarah said the first hour builds anticipation — you're cruising past the island's developed coastline before things open up. Then you hit the Red Cliffs and suddenly the landscape feels raw and untouched. The water clarity surprised her; snorkelling happens at a few stops, and Gordan picks spots based on the day's conditions and what he reckons will be good. Mlini Bay is the anchor point for lunch — you can grab food at a local spot (your shout) and wade around the shallows. The return journey's more leisurely, and by hour seven you're ready to step back on solid ground.
Pacing feels natural rather than tick-box. No feeling rushed, but also no sitting idle. Sarah's only real surprise was how hot the sun gets on the water — reflection off the sea amplifies it.
Good to know
If you want Hvar without the nightlife-and-Instagram crowd, this delivers. The boat's intimate enough to ask Gordan proper questions, and he'll adjust route based on conditions. Snorkelling gear's decent. Water and ice included means you're not paying $8 for a bottle. Seven hours is long enough to feel like an outing, short enough to not exhaust you.
Lunch isn't included — budget for a meal at Mlini Bay, which isn't cheap. The boat moves, so if you're prone to motion sickness, even calm seas can niggle. It's not suitable if you have spinal issues, poor cardiovascular fitness, or are pregnant. Babies under three aren't recommended. You need moderate fitness — getting on and off the boat, some ladder work, swimming. Summer heat bounces off the water; bring proper sunscreen and a hat. Punctuality's strict; late arrivals risk cancellation. If your cruise ship is delayed, refunds don't apply.
Bring swimwear, towel, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses. Wear water shoes or sandals you don't mind getting wet. The cooler has ice but bring snacks if you're picky. Group is just your party, so you control the vibe. Peak season (July–August) books fast.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.