Sail Pakleni Islands from Hvar: Half-day yacht with swim stops

Four hours sailing, two bays, and a lesson in how to handle the wheel

A half-day sailing activity on a modern 36ft yacht departing Hvar for the Pakleni Islands, where you learn to sail and maneuver the boat while stopping twice to swim and snorkel in natural bays. The skipper handles navigation and safety. You get hands-on time at the helm, snorkeling gear, a SUP board, bottled water and the chance to escape the tourist crowds of Hvar's harbor. Two departures run daily at 10am and 2:30pm, with a minimum of two people per booking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sail and swim around Pakleni islands

• Meet and briefing
• Sail towards Pakleni islands
• Swim, snorkel, and SUP stop
• Sail around Pakleni islands
• Second swim stop
• Sail back to Hvar

The experience

You meet at the harbor 15 minutes before departure and get a briefing on the boat and what to expect. Then the 36ft yacht leaves Hvar and heads toward the Pakleni Islands while the skipper walks you through sailing basics: how to trim the sails, read the wind, and keep the boat on course. You get time at the helm to practice what you've learned, and the skipper stays in control of the bigger maneuvers and docking.

The first swim stop lasts an hour in a natural bay with water clear enough to see the bottom. Snorkeling gear is on board, and if you want to try stand-up paddleboarding instead of swimming, a SUP board is available. After you climb back aboard, the yacht sails around the Pakleni Islands themselves: a cluster of small, rocky islands with no roads or towns, just pine trees and stone. A second swim stop follows in another bay before the return sail to Hvar, arriving around 2pm for the morning departure or 6:30pm for the afternoon one.

The boat runs twice daily at 10am and 2:30pm (earlier in May, September and October). Two people is the minimum for a booking, and children must be with an adult. The experience works for all fitness levels. The sailing is instruction, not racing, and the swimming is optional.

What’s included

• Skipper instruction on sailing and boat handling.
• snorkeling gear and a SUP board for both swim stops.
• bottled water.
• fuel surcharge.
• two swim and snorkel stops in natural bays around the Pakleni Islands.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Jun 2027

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (15 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (4 to 14 years) · Child (2 to 3 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 16 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by The Day Sail

Is this one for you?The four-hour window fits easily into a morning or afternoon, leaving the rest of your day in Hvar or on the island free. Book the 10am departure if you want to explore the town afterward, or the 2:30pm if you prefer a morning ashore.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (4 to 14 years); Child (2 to 3 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How much time do I actually spend swimming and snorkeling during the half day?

Two swim stops make up roughly two hours of the four-hour trip. The first stop lasts about an hour, the second about 45 minutes, with time between them spent sailing and learning to handle the yacht.

Do I need sailing experience to join, or will the skipper teach me from scratch?

The skipper teaches you how to sail as part of the trip. No experience is required. The instruction is built into the morning or afternoon, and you get hands-on time at the helm while the skipper guides you through the basics.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?

Snorkeling gear, a SUP board, bottled water, and the skipper's instruction are all included. Bring a swimsuit, a towel, sunscreen and any personal items you want on the water. The boat has shade but sun exposure is part of a sailing day.

Can I cancel or reschedule if the weather doesn't look good?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the trip, and you can postpone to another date without a fee. If conditions change on the day itself, contact the operator to discuss options.

What are the Pakleni Islands, and why stop there specifically?

The Pakleni Islands are a small archipelago just offshore from Hvar, with rocky shores, pine forest and no development. They're far enough from Hvar's busy harbor to feel remote, but close enough for a half-day trip, and the bays around them have the clear water that makes snorkeling worthwhile.

Does the afternoon departure at 2:30pm get back in time for dinner?

The afternoon trip returns around 6:30pm, which gives you time to shower and head out for an evening meal, though an early dinner reservation would be tight. The 10am departure returns around 2pm, leaving the rest of the day free.