Pakleni Islands Sailing Tour

The best part of this outing is that you spend real time under sail, not just motoring from one photo stop to the next. A 42-foot regatta-style boat gives you room to stretch out, sunbathe, and watch the islands slide by.

I like the clear swimming bays and the chance to use both snorkeling gear and a SUP. I also like the small-group format, which feels more personal than a crowded excursion boat. The main caution is pace: one outing felt slow for about an hour and a half, while another included only two swimming stops.

Key points at a glance

• A proper sailing boat: The 42-foot regatta-style vessel offers space to sit, move around, and sunbathe.
• Flexible island route: The skipper may choose St. Klement, Zdrilca Bay, or Vela Garska Bay on Hvar, depending on weather and anchorage.
• Swimming is central: The bays have clear water suited to swimming, snorkeling, and underwater photography.
• Lunch is extra: You eat at a seaside restaurant on the Pakleni Islands, but the meal is not included in the $141 price.
• Useful onboard extras: Wine, water, crackers, chocolate wafers, snorkeling equipment, and a stand-up paddleboard are provided.
• Best for active sunseekers: The tour suits people comfortable around boats and uneven access points, but not people with mobility impairments or pregnant women.

Six hours aboard a real sailing boat

This is a half-day sailing outing around the Pakleni Islands, the island group scattered just off Hvar. The central appeal is the boat itself. At 42 feet, it has enough room for a small group to sit in the sun without feeling packed into a narrow motorboat.

The vessel is described as a regatta-style sailing boat, so the ride is part of the experience. You may spend stretches simply sailing between islands, with the skipper setting a route that fits the wind, weather, and safe anchoring conditions.

That distinction matters. If you want a fast transport service with constant stops, this may feel too slow. If you like the quiet rhythm of being on the water, the time under sail is one of the strongest reasons to book.

The tour lasts six hours, which gives the day room to include sailing, a swim, and lunch. It also means the schedule is not built around rushing from one bay to the next. One person felt that the boat moved too slowly for roughly an hour and a half, so I would choose this outing for the pleasure of sailing rather than for the greatest possible number of stops.

Choosing between St. Klement and Hvar

The route is not locked to one exact set of bays. Possible stops include several places on St. Klement, the passage between the islands, Zdrilca Bay, and Vela Garska Bay on Hvar.

That flexibility is useful in the Pakleni Islands. Wind and anchorage conditions can change the most sensible place to stop, and the skipper selects a location where the boat can anchor safely and you can relax comfortably.

St. Klement offers the classic island setting many people picture when they come to this part of Dalmatia: quiet coves, clear water, and a day organized around the sea. Zdrilca Bay and Vela Garska Bay provide alternatives on or near Hvar when conditions make another route more practical.

You should not treat the listed bays as guaranteed individual stops. The actual route depends on weather and the boat’s ability to anchor. That is not a flaw in itself. It is a normal part of small-boat sailing, but it is worth understanding before you book.

Swimming in clear island water

The swim stop is one of the main reasons to take this tour. The bays are described as having crystal-clear water, and the included snorkeling gear lets you look below the surface without bringing your own equipment.

You also get access to a stand-up paddleboard. That gives you another way to use the stop. You can swim from the boat, try a little snorkeling, or paddle across the quiet water if conditions allow.

The water is also suitable for underwater photography. Bring a waterproof camera or phone case if you already own one, but the tour does not promise special marine life or a particular underwater sight. The value is the clean, open water and the chance to spend time in it without paying separately for basic gear.

Pack your swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. A jacket is also recommended. Even a warm Croatian day can feel cooler once the boat is moving, especially after swimming.

The number of swim stops may vary. One account described two swimming stops, while the route information centers on a swim stop followed by lunch. Think of this as a sailing trip with swimming rather than a dedicated island-hopping swim circuit.

Lunch beside the sea, with the bill separate

After swimming, the skipper takes you to a restaurant on the Pakleni Islands when conditions permit. The aim is a proper Dalmatian meal by the water, with fish and other local dishes possible, though the exact restaurant and menu are not specified in advance.

Lunch is not included in the $141 price. Keep that in mind when comparing this outing with boat trips that include a meal. The separate payment gives the restaurant stop some flexibility, but it also means your final cost will be higher.

One meal was described as very good fish in a particularly traditional setting. That points to the kind of stop this tour is trying to provide: not a packed lunch eaten quickly on deck, but a seated meal in a bay.

The tradeoff is time. A restaurant lunch takes a substantial part of a six-hour tour, but it also breaks up the sailing and gives you a chance to eat properly. If you want maximum time in the water, lunch may feel like an interruption. If you want a relaxed day with food, swimming, and sailing, it makes sense.

Because anchorage capability and weather affect the choice of restaurant location, do not expect one fixed dining venue. The skipper chooses the most suitable place for the day.

What the skipper adds to the day

Your skipper is also your guide and speaks Croatian and English. No individual skipper names are provided, so you cannot request a named guide from the available information.

The skipper’s role is important here. This is not just steering a boat along a fixed route. The skipper decides where conditions are best for anchoring, swimming, and eating. A skipper from Hvar was specifically praised for local knowledge and for being friendly and helpful, which is exactly the sort of contribution that can make a short boat trip feel connected to the area.

At the same time, the experience can depend heavily on the person running the boat. One account described the skipper as very kind and helpful. Another felt the pace was unnecessarily slow. I would not book this expecting a high-speed sailing workout or a tightly timed sequence of attractions.

Instead, expect the skipper to balance the weather, the group, and the boat. That flexibility is useful, but it produces a less predictable schedule.

Wine, snacks, and the small details

The price includes wine, water, crackers, and chocolate wafers. Those are modest provisions, but they matter during six hours on the water, particularly if lunch comes later in the route.

Do not confuse the included snacks with a meal. You still need to budget for restaurant lunch, and anyone who needs a substantial breakfast or extra food should eat before departure.

There is one point worth clarifying before you go. The tour information lists wine and water as included, but one person felt that only one drink was offered during the ride. I would treat the listed drinks as a light onboard offering, not an open bar. If you want several drinks, ask the operator what quantity is provided.

Bring a jacket even if the forecast looks warm. Sailing creates airflow, and you will appreciate an extra layer when the boat is underway. Sunglasses and a hat are practical rather than decorative because you spend much of the day exposed to sun and reflected glare.

Is $141 a fair price?

At $141 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Pakleni Islands. The price makes more sense when you count what is included: a six-hour outing, a large sailing boat, a skipper and guide, wine, water, snacks, snorkeling gear, and a SUP.

The 42-foot boat is the key value point. You are paying for space and a sailing-focused experience, not simply a seat on a basic transfer boat. If you are traveling with a small group and care about comfort on deck, that can justify the cost.

Lunch adds to the budget. You should also compare the price with the group arrangement available when booking. Private and small-group options are offered, but the exact group size and private supplement are not stated here. A small group can make the price feel more reasonable because you get more room and a more personal outing.

The value drops if you mainly want rapid transport and many short swim stops. In that case, a shorter boat excursion may suit you better. The value improves if you are happy to spend part of the day sailing between stops and want the room of a larger vessel.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would choose this tour if you like the boat as much as the destination. You get time on deck, open-water views, a chance to swim, and an unhurried restaurant stop.

It is a good fit for:

• Couples or friends who want a relaxed day on the water
• Small groups looking for more space than a standard excursion boat
• People who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding
• Visitors who want a Dalmatian lunch in a seaside setting
• Anyone who prefers a flexible route shaped by weather and anchorage

I would hesitate if you dislike sitting on a boat for long stretches. The route includes sailing time, and one person found that portion monotonous. I would also be cautious if you need guaranteed frequent stops, a set restaurant, or a fully scheduled route.

The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or pregnant women, according to the stated restrictions. The information does not give further details about boarding or access, so anyone with a specific physical concern should ask the operator before booking.

Practical preparation for the six-hour outing

Wear swimwear under light clothing and bring a towel. Pack sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses, then add a jacket for the sailing portions.

You do not need to bring snorkeling equipment or a SUP because those are included. You should bring money or a payment method for lunch, since the meal is separate from the tour price.

The free-cancellation policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Croatian plans are still shifting. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule for your date.

The tour is offered with a live guide in Croatian or English. Private and small-group formats are available, although the precise group size is not provided.

My take: book it for the sailing, not the checklist

I would book this Pakleni Islands tour if I wanted a spacious boat, clear swimming water, and a proper lunch stop, with enough time to enjoy the journey between places. The friendly skipper reports and strong overall rating support the idea of a pleasant, personal day, but the slower pace reported by one person is a fair warning.

Book it when you want a sailing day with swimming and food. Skip it if your priority is speed, a fixed route, or a packed schedule of swim stops. Before paying, confirm the expected group size, the likely departure time, and what amount of wine and water is actually supplied.

FAQ

How long does the Pakleni Islands sailing tour last?

The tour lasts six hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $141 per person.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch at a restaurant on the Pakleni Islands is not included in the tour price.

What food and drinks are provided?

Wine, water, crackers, and chocolate wafers are included. These snacks do not replace the separate restaurant lunch.

Which islands and bays can the tour visit?

Possible locations include bays on St. Klement, the passage between the islands, Zdrilca Bay, and Vela Garska Bay on Hvar. The skipper chooses the route based on weather and anchorage conditions.

Can I swim or snorkel during the tour?

Yes. The tour includes a swim stop, and the clear water is suitable for swimming, snorkeling, and underwater photography. Snorkeling gear is provided.

Is a paddleboard available?

Yes. A stand-up paddleboard is included.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks Croatian and English.