Pakleni Islands Sailing Tour

The best part of this outing is the real sailing time. You are not simply motoring from one photo stop to another. The 42-foot regatta-style boat gives you room to stretch out, watch the sails work, and find a sunny spot on deck. I like the swim stop in clear island water, and I like that the skipper can choose between several bays depending on wind and anchorage conditions.

The main catch is the pace. One recent outing felt slow, with too much time spent underway and only two swimming stops. Lunch is also extra, so the $141 price is not the full cost of the day. This tour suits you best if you want a relaxed sailing trip, not a packed schedule of sights.

Key points to know before booking

• A 42-foot regatta-style boat gives you more deck space for sunbathing than a small excursion boat.
• Swimming bays can change between St. Klement and Hvar, depending on weather and safe anchorage.
• Zdrilca and Vela Garska offer clear water for swimming, snorkeling, underwater photography, and SUP use.
• Lunch is served at a seaside restaurant on the Pakleni Islands, but the meal is not included.
• Wine, water, crackers, chocolate wafers, snorkeling gear, and a SUP are included.
• A six-hour schedule leaves time for sailing, swimming, and lunch, but the day can feel leisurely rather than busy.

Sailing the Pakleni Islands on a 42-foot boat

The Pakleni Islands sit off the coast of Hvar, where small bays and rocky shores meet clear Adriatic water. This tour gives you six hours on a large, regatta-style sailing boat, with the boat itself forming a big part of the experience.

I like that distinction. Many island trips use boats mainly as transport between stops. Here, sailing is one of the central activities. You get time to feel the boat move, watch the coast slip by, and enjoy the open water without being packed into a narrow motorboat.

The 42-foot size matters. You have space to sit or lie down, and the deck is set up for sunbathing. It should feel less cramped than a small day boat, though available seating and personal space will depend on the group. Private and small-group arrangements are available, so check the option you are booking if crowd levels matter to you.

The boat is described as regatta-style, which points to a more active sailing character than a simple harbor cruise. Still, your skipper may adjust the route and speed to suit weather and anchorage conditions. One important practical point is that the sailing may feel slow at times. A six-hour trip gives the crew room to move at an easy pace, and that will appeal to you if you enjoy being on the water. If you want constant action, the long stretches between stops may test your patience.

The first bay: clear water and open-air swimming

The exact route is flexible, with several possible stops around St. Klement and Hvar. The listed possibilities include bays on St. Klement, the passage between islands, Zdrilca Bay, and Vela Garska Bay on Hvar.

That flexibility is useful in the Adriatic. Wind, waves, and anchorage space can affect where a boat can safely stop. Rather than promising one fixed cove in every condition, the skipper chooses a suitable place for the day. You may not visit every location shown on the map, but you should reach a bay with calm, clear water suitable for a swim.

Bring your swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. A light jacket is also recommended, since the boat can feel cooler when it is moving or when the wind picks up. The water may be inviting, but the deck can be bright and exposed for several hours.

The swimming stop is more than a quick chance to cool off. You can use the supplied snorkeling gear to look below the surface, take underwater photographs, or paddle on the included stand-up paddle board. The tour information does not promise specific marine life, reefs, or underwater sights, so keep your expectations focused on clear water and a pleasant bay rather than a formal snorkeling expedition.

You should also expect the timing to be flexible. One account of the experience described two swimming stops, while other descriptions focus on a swim stop followed by lunch. The number and length of stops can change with the selected route, weather, and the amount of time needed to reach the restaurant.

Zdrilca, Vela Garska, and St. Klement

The possible bays have different appeal, even though all are presented as swimming locations. Zdrilca is on the Pakleni island of St. Klement and is known here as a place for clear water, swimming, and water activities. Vela Garska Bay is on Hvar and offers another possible setting if the skipper decides it is the better choice.

St. Klement gives you the classic island feel: a bay reached from the water, with the boat anchored offshore and the day organized around swimming and lunch. Hvar’s Vela Garska option can make the route feel different, especially if conditions favor that side of the islands.

The key thing is not to treat the route names as guaranteed sightseeing stops. The captain chooses based on safe anchorage and weather. That makes the trip less predictable, but it also prevents the itinerary from being tied to a bay that may not suit the day.

I appreciate this kind of flexibility on a sailing trip. A fixed route can look neat on paper, but a good day on the water depends on wind and sea conditions. You will get more from this tour if you are happy to let the skipper make practical decisions rather than insisting on one exact cove.

Lunch at a restaurant beside the sea

After swimming, the boat heads to a restaurant on the Pakleni Islands, with the final location depending on anchorage capability and weather. The goal is a proper Dalmatian meal by the water, not a packed lunch eaten on deck.

Lunch is not included in the $141 price, so plan for that extra expense. The supplied information does not give a fixed menu or restaurant name, and the skipper chooses the most suitable location for the conditions. You might find seafood and other Dalmatian dishes, but the exact meal should be confirmed on the day rather than assumed.

This stop adds useful local character. You get a chance to sit down, eat a full meal, and see the islands from a different angle. It also breaks up the time on the boat, which is helpful during a six-hour outing.

The lunch stop can also affect your sense of value. If you are expecting every cost to be covered, the extra restaurant bill may come as a surprise. If you already plan to buy lunch during a day on the water, it is easier to see the price clearly: the tour covers the sailing, skipper, refreshments, gear, and island access by boat, while you pay separately for the main meal.

One Italian booking party of six particularly enjoyed a typical restaurant setting and very good fish. That is a useful clue about the kind of lunch you may encounter, but it is not a promise of a specific dish or restaurant. Ask the skipper about the menu and prices if you need to manage your budget closely.

What is included on deck

The included extras are modest but practical. You receive water, wine, crackers, and chocolate wafers. These are light provisions, not a substitute for lunch, so eat beforehand if you tend to get hungry on a boat.

The wine suits the slow, social side of the trip. It is a pleasant addition while sailing or relaxing at anchor, but you should pace yourself in the sun and on a moving deck. Water is the more important inclusion, especially during the warm Dalmatian season.

Snorkeling equipment and a SUP are also provided. That gives you several ways to use the swim stop. You can stay in the water, paddle, or simply relax on the boat. Because the tour does not list fins, flotation devices, or dedicated underwater photography equipment, bring only what you know you will need and ask ahead if you have particular gear requirements.

A towel is not listed as included, so bring your own. The same applies to sun protection. A hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a jacket are all specifically recommended, and each has a clear purpose during a day spent between bright sun and moving air.

How the skipper affects the day

Your skipper is also your guide, and the tour operates in Croatian and English. The experience can feel personal, particularly in a private or small-group format. The skipper decides the safest and most comfortable bay, handles the sailing, and brings the group to the lunch stop.

A skipper from Hvar was praised for being friendly and full of local knowledge. That local connection can add something to the route, since the islands are best understood from the water and the choice of bay is not just a matter of following a fixed checklist.

At the same time, the skipper’s handling of the pace will shape your impression. One low-scoring account described a boat moving very slowly for around an hour and a half, making the trip feel monotonous. Another account found the sailing fun and saw the slow periods as part of the experience.

You should ask yourself what kind of boat day you prefer. If you enjoy quiet sailing, the occasional slow stretch may be relaxing. If you want several long swims and rapid movement between islands, you may find the schedule too loose. A quick question before departure about the expected sailing time and number of swim stops can help set the right expectations.

Is $141 good value for six hours?

At $141 per person, this is not a budget boat transfer. You are paying for a six-hour outing on a large sailing boat, a skipper and guide, wine and water, light snacks, snorkeling equipment, and a SUP. The boat’s size and the amount of time on the water are the main reasons the price can make sense.

The value improves if you want sailing itself, rather than just a short ride to a beach. You also avoid arranging your own boat, finding a safe anchorage, and choosing a lunch bay. The skipper takes care of those decisions while you enjoy the islands.

The price is less attractive if your priority is simply swimming. Since lunch costs extra and the number of swimming stops can vary, you may prefer a shorter excursion if all you want is time in the water. One low-rated experience specifically felt that the day could have been much shorter, while several higher-rated outings valued the combination of sailing, swimming, and lunch.

Group size makes a difference to the calculation. A private trip offers more control but may cost more overall. A small group spreads the cost while retaining a more personal feel than a large party boat. The supplied details do not give the exact maximum group size, so check the booking choice before paying.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start gives you some protection if weather or plans change. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are arranging several activities in Dalmatia and want to keep your schedule flexible.

Who will enjoy this boat day?

I would choose this tour if you want a relaxed mix of sailing, swimming, and a seaside meal. It is a good fit for couples, friends, and small groups who enjoy time on deck and do not need every minute filled with activities.

It also suits you if you want to try a larger sailing boat without committing to a full-day charter. Six hours is long enough to make the boat feel like the main setting, but short enough to fit into a Hvar-area itinerary.

You may want a different trip if you need step-free access or have mobility limitations. The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or pregnant women. The boat, swimming stops, and restaurant access may also require comfort with boarding and moving around at sea, though the supplied details do not describe the exact boarding arrangements.

Families should check the age policy and facilities before booking, since those details are not provided. The included SUP and snorkeling gear can be fun for confident swimmers, but the tour information does not state that lifeguard supervision or special children’s equipment is available.

Practical advice for a smoother six hours

Arrive ready to spend most of the day outside. Wear swimwear under light clothing, use sunscreen before boarding, and keep a jacket within reach. The wind can make a moving boat feel cooler even on a warm day.

Bring water-resistant storage for your phone and camera. The tour specifically mentions underwater photography as a possible use of the clear water, but it does not provide camera cases or other protective equipment.

Do not count the crackers and chocolate wafers as lunch. Eat something before departure, then budget separately for the restaurant meal. If you have dietary needs, ask about the lunch options before the boat leaves, since the restaurant and menu can change with conditions.

Finally, keep your schedule open after the tour if possible. The itinerary depends on sailing time, anchorage, swimming, and lunch. A flexible afternoon is more sensible than a tight connection to another activity.

Should you book the Pakleni Islands Sailing Tour?

Book it if you want the journey to matter as much as the stops. The large boat, regatta-style sailing, clear-water swim, SUP, snorkeling gear, wine, and seaside lunch make a pleasant six-hour package for someone who enjoys a calm day at sea.

Think twice if you want a fast island-hopping trip with a fixed list of bays. The route changes with weather, lunch costs extra, and the pace may feel too slow for some people. For the best value, choose a small group if available, confirm the expected number of swim stops, and treat the $141 as the sailing cost rather than the full cost of the day.

FAQ

How long is the Pakleni Islands Sailing Tour?

The tour lasts six hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What islands and bays might 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 most suitable location based on weather and anchorage conditions.

Is lunch included?

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

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes wine, water, crackers, and chocolate wafers. These snacks do not replace the separate restaurant lunch.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, along with a stand-up paddle board.

Is the tour private?

Private and small-group options are available. Check the specific booking choice for the group arrangement.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live skipper and guide service is available in Croatian and English.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, a jacket, and a towel.

Can I cancel the tour for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.