Private Boat Tours Dubrovnik to Hvar

The best thing about this private boat trip is that it turns a long transfer into a full day on the Adriatic. You can move between Dubrovnik and Hvar while stopping for a swim, walking Korcula Old Town, or lingering over lunch at a waterfront spot instead of spending the day piecing together ferries and road connections.

I especially like the flexible route and the care shown by Frano and the boat crew. Previous trips included a guide arranged for Korcula, a stop at Moro Beach Stupe, and even help recovering a lost camera. The main catch is cost: at $3,913.37 for up to four people, plus a €400 fuel surcharge, this makes sense as a shared luxury transfer, not a cheap boat ride.

Key points at a glance

• A transfer with real sightseeing value: You travel between Dubrovnik and Hvar while visiting islands and coastal stops along the way.
• Private from start to finish: Only your party rides aboard, with an English-speaking captain and crew.
• Korcula is the cultural stop: You can spend about 90 minutes in the walled old town or choose a beach and waterfront bar instead.
• Swimming is built into the day: Marculet Bay, Scedro Island, Zavala Bay, and other stops depend on time and sea conditions.
• The price works best for a group: The listed rate is for up to four people, while larger boat choices are available for groups of four to eight.
• Weather matters: The trip requires good conditions, and the exact duration can change with the sea.

Why this transfer is better than simply getting from A to B

Dubrovnik and Hvar are roughly 100 nautical miles apart. That distance can make a normal transfer feel like a chore, especially when you are dealing with ferries, road connections, or an airport transfer through Split.

This private charter changes the purpose of the day. You still reach your destination, but the route becomes part of your Croatian holiday. You can sit in the sun, watch the Elaphiti Islands pass by, stop to swim, and spend time in Korcula before continuing toward Hvar or Dubrovnik.

The boat is not just transportation with a view. It includes a captain guide, English-speaking crew, restroom, onboard WiFi, snacks, fruit, water, beer, wine, and soft drinks. Lunch is not included, but the crew can help shape the day around a waterfront meal. One especially popular option is Moro Beach Stupe, a relaxed restaurant and bar near Korcula.

You should also understand the pace. This is a long day, usually six to eight hours, and the route can feel active even when the schedule is flexible. If you want a quiet transfer with no stops, a private car or regular ferry may suit you better. If you would rather spend the transfer swimming and sightseeing, this is the more memorable choice.

Leaving Dubrovnik with the Elaphiti Islands ahead

Your morning begins with pickup arranged in advance. The provider contacts you a few days before departure to confirm the location, which matters in Dubrovnik because the practical meeting place may depend on where you are staying and which direction you are traveling.

Once aboard, the crew introduces the boat, explains the safety rules, reviews the facilities, and discusses the planned route and current sea conditions. That opening briefing is useful on a private charter because you can ask for a slower, more relaxed day or request more time for swimming and less time in town.

The first part of the journey gives you a broad view of the Elaphiti Islands from the water. Find a comfortable place early if you want sun, though the best position will depend on the boat and the weather. This is a scenic start rather than a formal sightseeing stop, so you will mainly be enjoying the ride and getting used to the boat.

The crew’s flexibility is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Frano has been singled out for shaping the trip around what his group wanted, including a slower day spent hanging around the boat and swimming. That kind of adjustment is much harder on a shared excursion.

A swim at Marculet Bay near the Peljesac Peninsula

The planned stop at Marculet Bay lasts about 30 minutes and is set aside for swimming and snorkeling. It is a short break, so you should treat it as a chance to cool off rather than a full beach visit.

Bring your swimwear where you can reach it quickly. The information provided does not specify snorkeling equipment, so confirm what is supplied before you rely on it. The same applies to towels and other personal items.

The Peljesac section also helps break up the longer run across open water. You are not expected to spend the whole day sitting in one position. That said, the exact stop can change because the skipper must work around wind, waves, and available time.

Seeing Mljet from the sea

The boat passes through the waters around Mljet, giving you a view of the island from offshore. This is sightseeing from the boat rather than a clearly scheduled island visit, so do not plan on a full land excursion here.

That distinction is important. The route covers a lot of the southern Adriatic, but you will not have time to explore every island on foot. Mljet adds to the visual variety of the crossing, while the longer stops are reserved for Korcula, swimming, and Hvar.

Keep your camera handy, but also give yourself time to watch the coast without trying to identify every inlet. The open-water sections are part of the appeal, especially for anyone who finds regular road transfers dull.

Korcula Old Town or Moro Beach Stupe

Korcula is the main cultural stop. The old town is surrounded by stone walls and is linked with Marco Polo, who is traditionally identified as having been born on the island in 1254. The town is compact enough for a short visit, but 90 minutes goes quickly.

You can use that time for a walk through the old streets, a look at the waterfront, and a quick meal or drink. A guide can also be arranged for the stop. On one trip, a local guide met the group in Korcula and explained the island’s past, which added more depth than simply wandering around for a few minutes.

The alternative is Moro Beach Stupe, a waterfront restaurant and bar. This is the better pick if your group cares more about swimming, lunch, and a relaxed setting than historic streets.

I like having this choice because it prevents the day from becoming too rigid. A couple interested in island history may prefer Korcula Old Town. A group that has already seen plenty of Croatian towns may get more out of a beach stop and a long lunch.

Still, you need to choose carefully. With about 90 minutes here, doing both Korcula and Moro Beach Stupe may leave you rushing. Ask Frano or your skipper which option fits the sea conditions and the rest of your route.

The long approach to Hvar through the Korcula Channel

As the boat enters the Korcula Channel, you begin to see the first contours of Hvar. From there, the journey to Hvar city takes roughly two hours, with possible swimming stops if time and weather allow.

Suggested places include Lighthouse Plocica, Scedro Island, and Zavala Bay. These are not guaranteed scheduled stops. Your skipper decides which location makes the most sense on the day, based on sea conditions and the time available.

Scedro Island is especially useful as a possible pause because it breaks up the longer approach to Hvar. Zavala Bay offers another chance to stop near the Hvar coast, while Lighthouse Plocica provides a different setting in open water. The point is not to collect every stop, but to let the crew choose a safe and pleasant place for your group.

This part of the trip rewards patience. The boat covers a serious distance, and the day will feel less rushed if you accept that the sea sets the schedule. If your priority is reaching Hvar at a precise hour, confirm the plan before departure and allow room for changes.

One and a half hours in Hvar

Hvar is described as the Croatian St. Tropez, and the city makes a strong finish to the route. You can walk around the waterfront, have a drink, or use the short stop to get your bearings before continuing with your holiday.

The provided schedule allows about 90 minutes in Hvar. That is enough for a taste of the town, not enough for a full island visit. If Hvar is your final destination, your accommodation or onward plans should allow for the boat’s arrival time to shift with the weather.

The listed meeting information shows Riva 18 in Hvar as both the start and end point, while the service can also be arranged as a one-way transfer from Dubrovnik to Hvar or from Hvar to Dubrovnik. Since the itinerary can run in either direction, confirm the exact pickup and drop-off details before paying.

What the boat setup means for your day

You can choose between two types of boats, with different capacities. The listed price is $3,913.37 per group of up to four. The supplied details also refer to options for groups of four to eight, so a larger party should confirm the exact boat, capacity, and price before booking.

The rate is high, but it includes more than a seat on a transfer. You are paying for a private charter, captain, crew, flexible routing, onboard drinks and snacks, a restroom, WiFi, and private transportation. The additional €400 fuel surcharge is separate and should be included in your real budget.

For four people, the listed base price works out to about $978 per person before the fuel charge. That is still a major expense, but it can be reasonable if you would otherwise pay for several separate transfers, meals, and sightseeing arrangements. For a larger group, the per-person cost may become easier to justify, depending on the boat selected.

I would not book this simply because it is faster. I would book it because the transfer itself is one of your main holiday days.

Food, drinks, and the lunch question

Snacks, fruit, water, soft drinks, beer, and wine are included. This is enough to keep you comfortable during the crossing, but lunch is not part of the price.

Plan lunch around the Korcula choice. If you select Moro Beach Stupe, you may have a convenient waterfront meal. If you choose Korcula Old Town, you can use the stop for a restaurant or a quick walk, but you should not assume a long meal and a full town visit will fit comfortably into the same 90 minutes.

Tell the crew what matters most before the day begins. A relaxed lunch, a swim, and time on the boat may be a better combination than trying to see every named stop.

Weather, timing, and the fine print that matters

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. If you cancel for another reason or request a change, the experience is non-refundable and cannot be amended, so this is not a booking to make casually.

The six to eight hour duration is approximate. Sea conditions, the direction of travel, swimming stops, and the time spent in Korcula all affect the day. The skipper has the final say on safe routing and suitable swim locations.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The service is offered in English, and confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. You should still confirm the pickup point a few days before departure, since the provider uses that time to finalize the location.

Who should book this private boat trip

This works best for a small group that wants to combine transport and sightseeing. Families, couples traveling with friends, and groups of up to four who value privacy will get the most from it.

It is also a strong choice for anyone who dislikes losing a full day to ferries, road connections, and airport transfers. The boat lets you turn the journey into a planned Adriatic outing, with real choices along the way.

I would think twice if you are on a tight budget, prone to seasickness, or uncomfortable with a flexible schedule. The route includes long stretches on the water, and the price remains high even before the fuel surcharge. A shared ferry is less personal, but it is much cheaper and more predictable for basic transportation.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want the route between Dubrovnik and Hvar to feel like part of your holiday. The strongest reasons are the private setting, the ability to adjust the day, the Korcula choice, and the chance to swim at places a standard transfer would pass by.

Before committing, confirm four things: the boat and passenger capacity, the direction of travel, the €400 fuel surcharge, and the exact pickup and drop-off point. If those details fit your group and budget, this is a polished way to connect two Croatian highlights without wasting a day on ordinary transport.

FAQ

How long does the private boat transfer take?

The trip lasts approximately six to eight hours. The exact duration depends on sea conditions, weather, the direction of travel, and the stops selected during the day.

Can I travel from Dubrovnik to Hvar or from Hvar to Dubrovnik?

Yes. The service can be arranged as a one-way transfer in either direction.

Is the boat private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

How many people can join?

The listed price is for a group of up to four people. Two boat types are available, and options for groups of four to eight are also offered. Confirm the exact boat and capacity before booking.

What is included in the price?

The package includes the boat, English-speaking crew, captain guide, private transportation, restroom, WiFi, snacks, fruit, water, beer, wine, and soft drinks.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can choose a stop such as Moro Beach Stupe, where a waterfront meal may be possible, or spend the stop in Korcula Old Town.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

Where is pickup?

The provider contacts you a few days before the trip to confirm the pickup location. Riva 18 in Hvar is listed as a meeting point, but you should confirm the precise location for your chosen direction and accommodation.