Hvar: Sunset and Pakleni Islands with a Speed Boat

The best part of this Hvar outing is its timing. You race across the water while the day is still warm, stop at a clear lagoon for a swim, then slow down for sunset among the Pakleni Islands. It gives you a quick taste of Hvar’s nearby coast without using half your day.

I like the short, well-shaped route and the fact that beer, bottled water, and snorkeling gear are included. I also like the personal touch from skippers such as Domi, Tony, and Leo, who have been praised for friendly service, useful explanations, and a relaxed mood on board. The main drawback is simple: 90 minutes is brief, so this is a highlight reel rather than a full island outing.

• Mlini and Ždrilca lagoon: A 30-minute stop for swimming and snorkeling in clear water beside a pebble beach.
• Three memorable pass-by sights: See Galesnik, Jerolim’s famous nudist beach, and Carpe Diem without stopping ashore.
• Sunset on the water: The final 20 minutes are set aside for floating near the Pakleni Islands as the sun drops.
• Drinks and gear included: You get bottled water, beer, and snorkeling equipment, but no food.
• Fast access from Hvar: Meet at the Hvar Charter and HvarBoats office on the main pier, next to the post office.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can cancel the trip, with a different date or a full refund offered.

A quick sunset escape from Hvar

Hvar has no shortage of boat trips, but this one makes a clear choice: keep the outing short and aim for the prettiest part of the day. At $84 per person, it is not the cheapest way to get on the water, yet the price includes the speed boat, fuel, drinks, snorkeling gear, and passenger insurance.

That package makes more sense if you want a polished evening activity rather than a basic boat ride. You are paying for a fixed route, a skipper, and the chance to see several well-known points around the Pakleni Islands in one compact trip. You are not paying for a meal, a long beach stay, or a full island tour.

The schedule is especially useful if your Hvar days are already packed. You can spend the morning exploring the town, use the afternoon for other plans, and still get out on the sea before dinner. The tradeoff is that the 90-minute duration leaves little room for delays or a second swimming stop.

Leaving from Hvar’s main pier

The meeting point is easy to find: the Hvar Charter and HvarBoats office is on the main pier beside the post office. That matters in Hvar, where waterfront meeting points can blur together during a busy summer evening. Give yourself enough time to locate the office and settle in before departure.

Wear beachwear and comfortable clothes. Bring a camera if you want sunset pictures, but protect it from spray and keep your belongings secure on the boat. The provided snorkeling gear saves you from carrying your own mask and equipment.

The boat uses speed to cover the route efficiently. That means more scenery in less time, but it can also mean wind, spray, and a bouncy ride. The operator does not recommend the trip for people with back problems, pregnant women, wheelchair users, children under three, or people over 95. If any of those conditions apply, this is not the right outing.

Galesnik, Jerolim, and Carpe Diem from the water

The first part is a moving tour of familiar Hvar sights. You pass Galesnik, a small island whose house was fully renovated in 2023 and is intended for weddings. You do not stop there, so think of it as a quick visual landmark rather than a visit.

Jerolim comes next. The island is particularly known for its nudist beach, which gives it a different character from the more conventional swimming spots around Hvar. Since you pass by rather than land, you can see the setting without needing to decide if that beach style suits you.

You also pass Carpe Diem Bar, known for its two very different moods. During the day, it works as a beach stop; at night, music turns it into a nightlife spot. Seeing it from the boat gives you useful bearings for future plans, but it does not replace spending time there.

These pass-by stops are worth understanding before booking. You will see several of the area’s best-known names, but you will not explore them on foot. If you want beach time at Jerolim or an evening at Carpe Diem, plan a separate visit.

Thirty minutes at Mlini and Ždrilca

The main active stop is at Mlini beach in the Mlini and Ždrilca lagoon. You get about 30 minutes here, enough for a proper swim and a short snorkeling session rather than just a quick dip.

Mlini is a pebble beach in a sheltered bay, with clear water that suits a swim. The snorkeling gear is useful for looking below the surface, though the trip does not promise a particular type of marine life or a guided snorkeling lesson. Bring realistic expectations: this is a scenic swim stop, not a dedicated snorkeling expedition.

The half-hour works well because it leaves time for both water and shore. You can swim, float, use the mask, or sit on the beach and dry off. If you move slowly, you may need to choose between a longer swim and a relaxed pause on land.

This is also the most practical point to use your beachwear. Bottled water helps after swimming, and the included beer is available on board. Food is not included, so do not expect a snack or meal during the outing.

Sunset among the Pakleni Islands

After Mlini and Ždrilca, the boat heads toward the Pakleni Islands for the final part of the experience. About 20 minutes are set aside to float near the islands while the sky takes on the warm colors of sunset.

This is where the trip changes pace. The early ride is about seeing places quickly, and the middle stop is about swimming. The final section is quieter, giving you time to watch the horizon instead of rushing toward another landmark.

Sunset quality depends on the weather, of course, but the timing is the main reason to choose this trip. You are out on open water at the moment when the light softens, rather than viewing the sunset from a crowded town viewpoint. The boat remains near the Pakleni Islands, so the setting includes sea, islands, and the changing sky.

The reviews describe this part as one of the strongest features of the outing. Domi has been praised for creating a good atmosphere, while other reports single out the sunset from the sea as a highlight. That does not guarantee identical conditions every night, but it tells you where the trip’s appeal really lies.

Skippers and the feel on board

The tour is conducted in English, and the named skippers associated with past departures include Domi, Tony, and Leo. Domi has been praised for interesting explanations and attentiveness, while Tony was described as a good guide during a sunset trip. Leo also received a brief but positive mention after a successful outing.

You should expect a skipper-led ride rather than a formal lecture. The available feedback points to friendly service, useful commentary, music, and drinks on board. Music can add to the evening mood, though it also means this is not designed as a silent nature cruise.

That mix suits you if you want scenery with a social feel. It may not suit you if you prefer a quiet, private boat or a long, detailed lesson about every island. The tour’s strength is its easy rhythm: ride, swim, drink, and watch the sun go down.

Is $84 a fair price?

The value depends on what you want from a short boat trip. At $84, the outing costs more than simply visiting a beach under your own steam. You are also buying a speed boat ride, fuel, an English-speaking skipper, bottled water, beer, snorkeling equipment, passenger insurance, and a carefully timed sunset route.

The included drinks and gear are useful, but they do not turn this into a full-day excursion. There is no food, and the 90-minute schedule limits the number of places you can visit. If you want several hours on the islands, a meal, or multiple beach stops, spend your money on a longer tour instead.

For a compact evening activity, the price is easier to justify. You get three recognizable pass-by sights, a 30-minute swim, and a 20-minute sunset pause without having to arrange transport yourself. The tour also fits neatly into an evening in Hvar, which has real value if your time is limited.

Who should book this outing?

I would recommend it most to couples, friends, and solo visitors who want a scenic water trip with a little swimming and a social mood. It is also a good choice for anyone who has only one free evening and wants to see the Pakleni Islands without committing to a half-day or full-day cruise.

You should book it if sunset matters more to you than extensive island exploration. You should also book it if you appreciate included equipment and drinks, and if a fast ride sounds more appealing than a slow sightseeing boat.

I would hesitate if you need a calm, accessible boat, have back trouble, or want a food-inclusive experience. Families with very young children cannot join, and the boat is not suitable for wheelchair users. Also remember that the trip requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. A cancellation caused by weather or low numbers brings the choice of another date or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That helps when your Hvar plans depend on the weather, though sunset tours are still best booked early in the visit so you have room to reschedule.

The practical verdict

Book this tour if you want a short, active sunset outing with a swim, familiar Pakleni Islands sights, and drinks included. Its strongest points are the clear route, friendly English-speaking skippers, and the final pause on the sea as the sun goes down.

Skip it if you want a full island day, a meal, long stops ashore, or a quiet private cruise. At 90 minutes, this is a concentrated taste of Hvar’s nearby waters. For the right evening, that focus is exactly what makes it work.

FAQ

How long does the Hvar sunset boat tour last?

The tour lasts 90 minutes.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the speed boat, fuel, bottled water, beer, snorkeling gear, and passenger insurance.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included in the tour price.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at the Hvar Charter and HvarBoats office on the main pier in Hvar town, next to the post office.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

How much time is available for swimming?

The stop at Mlini beach in the Mlini and Ždrilca lagoon lasts about 30 minutes.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included.

How long is the sunset stop?

The boat spends about 20 minutes near the Pakleni Islands for the sunset portion of the tour.

What should I bring?

Bring a camera, comfortable clothes, and beachwear.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. A cancellation caused by not reaching the minimum number of participants also comes with another date or experience, or a full refund.