Full-Day Catamaran Cruise to Hvar & Pakleni Islands with Food and free Drinks

The best thing about this Split catamaran cruise is its mix of swimming, sightseeing, food, and a lively return sail. You get clear Adriatic water at three swim stops, about two hours in Hvar, and an open bar that turns the final ride home into a friendly deck party.

I like the easy balance here: you get enough guided time in Hvar to understand the old town, then free time to wander. I also like the practical extras, especially the included food, bathrooms, snorkel masks, and foam noodles. The main drawback is the long day and open-water ride. Swells can be noticeable, so bring motion-sickness medicine if you need it.

At a glance: what makes this boat day different

• Three swim stops near Brač, the Pakleni Islands, and Šolta give you several chances to get into the sea.
• Hvar combines guided sightseeing with free time, so the day is not only about lounging on the catamaran.
• Breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks are included, with alcohol served after the first swim stop.
• The mood changes during the day, from a quiet morning cruise to music, games, and dancing on the way back.
• The catamaran holds up to 76 people, though the atmosphere may feel less crowded when numbers are closer to the 45 to 50 range.
• The price is $119.72 per person, which is reasonable if you want a full day with several stops and no need to buy separate meals or drinks.

Leaving Split at 8:30 in the morning

You meet directly at the Summer Blues catamaran at dock 4 or 5 in Split harbor, at Obala Lazareta 1. Several boat companies use nearby boarding areas, so check the name on the boat and join the correct queue rather than following the first crowd you see.

The early start is useful. A 10-hour outing needs a full morning to reach the islands, stop for swims, visit Hvar, and return to Split around sunset. It also means you should eat lightly before boarding or plan to use the early food service. Breakfast includes a pastry and coffee, which is a simple but welcome touch at that hour.

The catamaran is a good fit for a long day at sea because you can move around, sit on deck, and use the onboard bathroom. Still, this is not a short transfer to Hvar. You will spend many hours on the boat, so sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a light layer all make sense. The sun can feel strong even when the wind keeps the deck cool.

The boat can carry a maximum of 76 people. That is large enough to create a social atmosphere, but it is not a small private sailing trip. The experience works best if you enjoy meeting people, shared music, and a little noise by the end of the day.

Brač brings the first swim

The first stop is a bay near Brač, reached after a relaxed cruise from Split. The point is not a long shore visit. Instead, you get about an hour to swim, cool off, and enjoy the view from the water.

This is a smart first stop because it breaks up the morning ride before the bar opens. Alcoholic drinks are served only after this first swim, so the day begins with coffee, breakfast, sea views, and a chance to get settled rather than immediate party energy.

The water is the main attraction. You can use the provided snorkel masks and foam noodles, if available on your sailing, or simply swim from the boat. The stops are designed for relaxation rather than organized water sports, so bring your own expectations accordingly. You will not get a full beach day at each location.

If you are prone to motion sickness, take the possibility of rough water seriously. The catamaran can encounter swells on the open Adriatic, and one hour in a bay does not remove the boat travel between stops. Motion-sickness pills are available onboard according to the operator, but carrying your own is the safer plan.

Hvar gives you two hours on land

Hvar is the sightseeing center of the day. Once you arrive, a professional guide leads you around the old town and points out the main sights. The guided portion gives you useful orientation, especially if you have never visited Hvar and want more than a quick photo stop.

After the guided walk, you get about an hour to explore on your own. This is enough time for a coffee on the promenade, a little shopping, or a short walk through the streets. It is not enough time to see every corner of Hvar, visit every major viewpoint, and settle in for a long meal, so keep your plans modest.

I like this arrangement better than a fully escorted visit. The guide, including hosts such as Manuela and Mia on some sailings, helps you understand the town, but you are not required to spend the entire stop in a group. Manuela has been especially praised for staying engaged with the group, checking in with people, and adding useful comments at different points of the day.

Hvar can easily become the part of the trip you wish were longer. Two hours gives you a taste, not a complete visit. If Hvar is your main reason for coming to the Dalmatian coast, stay overnight or plan a separate ferry trip. If your goal is a broad island day with swimming and a party boat included, the shorter stop works well.

Lunch is served after the Hvar visit. The listed meal is a chicken salad, though you should picture a light salad with pieces of chicken on top rather than a creamy, mayonnaise-based chicken salad. Pastries, cakes, and fruit are also served at different points during the day. A vegetarian option is available if you request it when booking.

Pakleni Islands add the most scenic swim

After Hvar, you return to the catamaran and continue toward the Pakleni Islands. The boat stops in a quieter bay for another swim, usually with the open bar available by this point.

This is where the day shifts from sightseeing to pure boat time. The Pakleni stop gives you another chance to swim in clear water, use a mask or noodle, and enjoy the setting without needing to get ashore. The bay setting also offers a welcome break from the steady movement of the catamaran.

The food is light and suited to the heat. Chicken salad works better here than a heavy hot meal, and the later fruit and cakes provide easy snacks. Unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and coffee are included, which adds real value for a full-day outing. Buying drinks individually on a 10-hour boat trip could quickly make the base price feel less attractive.

There is a catch. Unlimited alcohol and a party atmosphere do not suit everyone. If you want a quiet nature cruise, the final part of this trip may feel too loud. The music and social energy grow as the day continues, especially once the boat leaves the last swim stop.

Šolta finishes the swimming before the party

The final swim stop is near Šolta on the return route. You get about an hour to swim again while fresh fruit and homemade cakes are served onboard.

The three swim stops are a major reason to choose this trip, but they are not radically different experiences. The bays all center on clear water, sun, and a short break from the boat. Some people will love having repeated chances to swim. Others may find that two stops would have been enough, especially after a full day and the Hvar visit.

That difference matters when you choose. I would pick this cruise if swimming is one of your main goals. I would think twice if you prefer long shore visits, museums, or extended time in one town.

Once everyone is back onboard, the return cruise becomes the social high point. Music, games, and dancing can fill much of the ride to Split, with the deck turning into a casual party space. It is less a formal show than a crew-led, group-friendly atmosphere. Hosts such as Mia and Manuela have helped set that tone on different departures, and the crew is consistently described as friendly, helpful, and attentive to safety.

Food and drinks: useful value, modest expectations

The included food makes this easier to budget. You receive an early pastry and coffee, a chicken salad after Hvar, and later fruit, cakes, or muffins. It is enough to keep you going through a long day, but this is not a gourmet food tour.

I would bring a small extra snack if you have a large appetite or dietary needs beyond the stated vegetarian option. The meal is intentionally light, which suits swimming and warm weather, but it may not satisfy everyone as a full lunch.

The open bar is a bigger value point. Beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and coffee are included, with alcoholic drinks starting after the first swim stop. Water is especially important in the sun, and having it available throughout the day means you do not need to keep buying bottles.

The bar also shapes the character of the cruise. The morning feels relaxed, Hvar adds a cultural stop, and the afternoon becomes more social. By the return ride, you may find people dancing and making friends across the boat. That progression is a strength if you want a fun day out. It is a weakness if you want a calm, quiet sail from start to finish.

What $119.72 gets you

At $119.72 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Hvar. A basic ferry ticket costs less, and a self-planned day gives you more control over how long you stay ashore.

The comparison changes once you count what is included here. You get transportation by catamaran, three swim stops, a guided introduction to Hvar, free time in town, breakfast, lunch, snacks, coffee, unlimited drinks, and onboard entertainment. You also avoid planning separate connections between Hvar and swimming bays.

For me, the value is strongest for someone who wants one packed Adriatic day and does not want to organize each part separately. The price is weaker for a person who mainly wants Hvar itself. In that case, the two-hour visit may feel too brief, and the swim stops and party may seem like extras you did not need.

The average booking point is about 35 days ahead. That suggests you should reserve early in the busy season, especially if your Split schedule is tight. The tour is offered in English, uses mobile tickets, and is suitable for most people. Children older than two can join, but the later music and drinking atmosphere may be a better match for adults, older children, and teenagers than for very young kids.

Groups larger than 10 people are not allowed on the daily tours. This rule matters if you are arranging a reunion or company outing. The operator can refuse boarding without a refund if a group does not follow the policy, so split arrangements are not a safe workaround.

Practical ways to enjoy the day

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and pack a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a dry change of clothes. You will spend much of the day exposed to sun and wind, with several chances to get wet.

Keep your belongings secure and compact. You need room to move around the catamaran, and a small waterproof pouch is more useful than a large beach bag.

Use the guided Hvar walk for orientation, then spend your free hour with a clear plan. Choose one goal, such as a promenade coffee, a short old-town walk, or souvenir shopping. Trying to cover the whole town will make the stop feel rushed.

If you get seasick, prepare before boarding. The route includes several hours of boat movement, and the water may not be smooth. Sit where you feel most comfortable, stay hydrated, and ask the crew about motion-sickness pills if needed.

Do not treat the listed return time as a chance to schedule a tight evening reservation. The tour is approximately 10 hours and depends on sea and weather conditions. Build in breathing room when planning dinner or an onward connection.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the 8:30 a.m. start. Poor weather can cancel the cruise, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached. Changes made inside 24 hours are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded.

Who should book the Summer Blues catamaran

I would choose this trip for a first visit to Split when I wanted to see several parts of the coast in one day. It gives you a practical sample of Brač, Hvar, the Pakleni Islands, and Šolta without requiring ferry schedules, restaurant bookings, or separate beach plans.

It also suits solo visitors and social couples. The shared boat, crew games, music, and open bar make it easy to chat with people. The boat has enough room for a mix of age groups, but the mood becomes more party-focused during the last couple of hours.

Families can join, and children above two are permitted. Still, I would not describe the entire day as a quiet family excursion. The final ride includes loud music, dancing, and alcohol, so parents should decide if that fits their group.

I would skip it if you want serious sailing, a private boat, extensive historical commentary, or several hours in Hvar. The guided information is an introduction, not a full town tour, and the swimming bays are about recreation rather than detailed nature interpretation.

Should you book this full-day island cruise?

Book it if you want a well-filled day on the Adriatic with three swims, a useful taste of Hvar, included meals, and drinks that do not keep adding to the bill. The crew is a major part of the experience, and hosts such as Manuela and Mia can make the long day feel warm and organized.

Skip it if you dislike open-water motion, repeated swim stops, or party music. The best match is someone who wants the day to start gently and finish loudly, with enough sightseeing to add variety but not enough to feel like a formal cultural tour.

For most people seeking a simple island escape from Split, the combination is hard to beat at this price. Just pack for sun and swells, accept that Hvar is only a short introduction, and save some energy for the dance party home.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise leave from?

Meet directly in front of the Summer Blues catamaran at dock 4 or 5 in Split harbor, at Obala Lazareta 1, 21000 Split. Nearby companies use similar boarding areas, so confirm that you are in the Summer Blues queue.

What time does the tour start and finish?

The start time is 8:30 a.m. The experience lasts approximately 10 hours and returns to the same meeting point in Split.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Included food consists of an early pastry and coffee, chicken salad, fruit, cakes, and other listed snacks. Unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and coffee are included. Alcoholic drinks are served after the first swim stop.

How much free time do I get in Hvar?

The Hvar stop lasts about two hours. It includes guided sightseeing around the old town followed by approximately one hour of free time for walking, coffee, or shopping.

Can children join the cruise?

Children above two years old are permitted. The later part of the cruise includes music, dancing, games, and an open bar, so consider the party atmosphere when deciding if it suits your family.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The cruise requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The same choice applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.