Hvar and Pakleni Islands sailing cruise from Split — review and booking guide

A sailing day that earns its own category

There are two types of boat tours from Split: the speedboat-to-cover-maximum-islands style, and the sailing-cruise-to-actually-experience-the-water style. The Hvar and Pakleni Islands sailing cruise is firmly in the second category — a full day on a proper sailing vessel or catamaran, with stops designed around swimming and lunch rather than ticking boxes.

The route covers around 60 km of the central Dalmatian channel. You depart Split harbour mid-morning, cross the channel to Hvar island (roughly 1 hour under sail or motor), stop in Hvar town for exploration, move to the Pakleni Islands for swimming at Palmižana or a similar sheltered bay, and usually add a stop on Brač or Šolta before returning to Split by 18:00–19:00.

Unlike the five-islands speedboat tour, this format does not try to cram six stops into ten hours. You spend longer at each location and more time simply being on the water.

What the day looks like in practice

09:00–10:00: Board the vessel at the Riva waterfront or nearby pier. Meet your skipper and crew. Life jackets fitted, route explained, snacks laid out.

10:00–11:00: Sail from Split to Hvar. Depending on wind, the boat may sail properly (sails up, gentle heel) or motor. Either way, the crossing through the Brač Channel is scenic — limestone islands on both sides, clear blue water.

11:00–12:30: Free time in Hvar town. 90 minutes allows: main square (Pjaca) and the loggia, a walk up toward the Fortica fortress (20–25 minutes each way), the old streets of the Groda neighbourhood. Hvar has excellent coffee and bakeries for a late breakfast.

12:30–15:00: Sail to Pakleni Islands. Anchor in Palmižana bay or a similar spot. Swim, snorkel, and lunch on board or at the Palmižana restaurant (reservation required separately if dining ashore).

15:00–16:00: Optional stop on Brač (Bol or Milna) or Šolta island. Swim, walk, or simply stay on the boat.

17:00–18:30: Return to Split under sail or motor.

What is included and what costs extra

Included on most versions of this tour:

• Sailing vessel or catamaran hire with skipper
• National park entry fee for Pakleni if applicable
• Mediterranean lunch (grilled fish, salad, local wine or water)
• Snorkeling equipment (on some tours — check your listing)
• Return transport to Split

Not typically included:

• Dinner in Hvar town
• Additional drinks beyond the included wine/soft drink
• Gratuity for skipper/crew (customary, not mandatory: €5–10 per person is appreciated)

Comparing the main sailing tours

Four islands in one day — a larger loop that adds Šolta island to the standard Hvar/Brač/Pakleni route. Longer day, more stops, all drinks included throughout. Good for those who want maximum variety without a speedboat format.

Prioritises Zlatni Rat (the famous cape beach on Brač) alongside Hvar — sensible if seeing Croatia’s most photographed beach is a goal. Less swimming time in the Pakleni Islands but strong beach coverage overall.

Starts with Bol (Zlatni Rat beach) on Brač before sailing to Hvar and Pakleni. A comprehensive full-day covering the four most visited destinations. Suited to first-time visitors wanting to see everything in one pass.

Price and value

Full-day sailing cruise: €80–120 per adult in peak season (July–August), including lunch. Shoulder season (May, June, September): €65–95.

The premium over speedboat tours (€60–90) buys a more relaxed format: slower pace, proper sailing when wind allows, longer swim stops, included lunch, and a vessel where you can move around rather than grip a rail at speed.

If you are choosing between the sailing cruise and the five-islands speedboat tour, ask yourself: do I want to cover more ground or enjoy more deeply? The speedboat wins on quantity; sailing wins on quality of experience.

Who should book this tour

Good fit: Couples, people celebrating something, anyone who values a relaxed day over a packed itinerary, sailing enthusiasts, non-swimmers who want to enjoy Pakleni’s views without pressure to snorkel, families with children comfortable on boats.

Not the best fit: Travellers who have already been to Hvar and Pakleni and want new islands; anyone who gets seasick in wind (sailing vessels heel; this is normal but disorienting for some passengers); those with very limited time who want maximum island coverage.

For deeper information on the destinations visited, see our Hvar island guide, Pakleni Islands sailing guide, and island hopping from Split overview.

The Brač and Bol guide covers Zlatni Rat specifically — useful if you want to understand what makes Bol worth the detour.

Practical information

Departure: Split Riva or nearby pier, 09:00–10:00. Your booking confirmation will specify the exact meeting point.

What to bring: Swimwear, towel, sunscreen, a light layer for the return leg (evenings cool quickly on the water after August), cash for anything in Hvar town, seasickness tablets if prone.

Vessel types: You may be on a traditional wooden sailing boat (trabaccolo or laut), a fiberglass sailing yacht, or a catamaran. Catamarans are more stable; wooden traditional boats are more atmospheric. Check photos in the listing.

Group size: Typically 8–25 passengers depending on vessel. Smaller vessels (8–12 people) cost more but feel like a private charter compared to the larger catamaran tours.