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

This is a full day on the Adriatic that mixes three swim stops with a guided visit to Hvar, then turns the ride home into a music-and-dancing session. You spend much of the day lounging on the catamaran, swimming in clear water, eating simple onboard meals, and watching the islands slide past.

I like the easy mix of sightseeing and free time, especially the roughly two hours in Hvar with a guided introduction followed by time to wander alone. I also like the practical extras: unlimited drinks, lunch, coffee, pastries, fruit, cakes, snorkel masks, and foam noodles are included.

The main consideration is the length. Ten hours is a lot of time on a boat, and the three swim stops are similar enough that some people may wish for more time in Hvar or a shorter day. Alcohol starts only after the first swim stop, and the boat can feel lively and party-focused by the return trip.

Key points to know before booking

• Three swim stops: Swim near Brač, the Pakleni Islands, and Šolta, with masks and foam noodles available onboard.
• About two hours in Hvar: A guide leads a town walk, then you have roughly an hour to explore independently.
• Open bar after the first swim: Beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and coffee are included, with alcoholic drinks served after the first swim stop.
• Food arrives throughout the day: Expect an early pastry and coffee, chicken salad after Hvar, then fruit and homemade cakes or muffins later.
• A lively finish: Music, games, dancing, and a deck party often fill much of the return to Split.
• Large but not enormous boat: The catamaran holds up to 76 people, although some departures have around 45 to 50 onboard.

What this Split catamaran cruise is really like

The Summer Blues catamaran cruise is less a traditional sightseeing tour and more a sea day with a Hvar stop. The boat leaves Split at 8:30 a.m. and returns after sunset, giving you about ten hours of swimming, island views, food, drinks, and time in town.

That balance is the reason I think the trip works well. You are not trapped in a lecture-heavy excursion. Most of the day is relaxed, with only the Hvar visit receiving a proper guided introduction. If you want constant commentary about Dalmatian history, this is not the right format. If you want to swim, sunbathe, meet people, and see Hvar without arranging ferries and meals yourself, it makes more sense.

The mood changes as the day goes on. The morning is calmer, with coffee, pastries, and a first swim. After Hvar, the open bar and music become more central. The final stretch can feel like a floating party, complete with dancing and games, so you should book it for the social atmosphere as much as for the islands.

Leaving Split early for Brač

You meet directly at Obala Lazareta 1, in front of the Summer Blues catamaran at dock 4 or 5. Split’s harbor has several boats operating nearby, so check the boat name and join the correct queue rather than following the first group you see.

The early start is worth noting. You need to be ready for the 8:30 departure, but the first part of the day is not rushed once you are underway. Coffee and a pastry are served early, giving you something small before the first swim.

The ride out offers broad views across the sea and the islands. As with any open-water trip, conditions can affect comfort. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring medication. Pills are also available onboard if you need to ask the crew, but it is sensible to carry your own preferred remedy.

Brač: the first swim in a sheltered bay

The first stop is a bay near Brač, where you have about an hour to swim and relax. The water is described as clear and cool, and the stop gives you a chance to settle into the day before the open bar begins.

This is a good first activity because it breaks up the morning ride. You can swim from the boat, use a foam noodle, or try one of the available snorkel masks. The stop is more about enjoying the water than seeing a specific monument or beach attraction.

Alcoholic drinks are served only after this first swim stop. That rule helps keep the opening part of the cruise orderly, and it also means you should not expect beer or wine with your morning coffee.

Once everyone is back onboard, the bar opens with unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and coffee. Unlimited does not mean you need to spend the day drinking. You can just as easily use the water, coffee, and soft drinks while enjoying the views.

Hvar gives you sightseeing and free time

The catamaran continues to Hvar, where the land portion lasts about two hours. A professional guide introduces the old town and its main sights, then you have approximately one hour to explore at your own pace.

This is a useful arrangement. The guided walk helps you get your bearings quickly, while the free period lets you choose what matters to you. You can stroll the streets, sit with a coffee along the promenade, or look for souvenirs without having to stay with the group.

Some guides receive especially warm praise for their approach. Manuela is noted for being welcoming, attentive, and good at sharing small pieces of information along the route. Mia is also praised for keeping people informed and maintaining the fun mood. The exact guide depends on the departure, so you should not book on the assumption that a particular person will lead your tour.

Two hours is enough for an introduction, but not enough for a full Hvar visit. That is the tradeoff. You get to see the town without giving up the swim stops, but you cannot explore every corner or visit every attraction. If Hvar is your main reason for visiting the region, plan a separate overnight or day visit.

Lunch is served after the Hvar stop. The listed meal is a chicken salad, though you should picture a light salad with pieces of chicken on top rather than a heavy mayonnaise-based chicken salad. Cakes and fruit appear later in the day. A vegetarian option is available if you request it at booking.

Pakleni Islands: a second chance to swim

After returning to the catamaran at Hvar’s waterfront, the boat heads toward the Pakleni Islands. The stop lasts about an hour in one of the islands’ quieter bays.

The appeal here is the setting. You are swimming in a more secluded natural area rather than stopping at a built-up port. The water is the main attraction, and the supplied masks and noodles make it easy to get in without bringing much equipment.

The chicken salad is served around this part of the schedule, along with drinks from the bar. This is a practical lunch stop because you can eat onboard rather than spend your short Hvar visit searching for a restaurant.

Do not expect a long island walk at Pakleni. The schedule gives you time in the water and on the boat, not a full exploration of the islands. That suits anyone who wants a low-effort day, but it may disappoint you if you want a more active nature outing.

Šolta and the final swim

The last swim stop takes place near Šolta on the return route to Split. You have about an hour here, with fresh fruit and homemade cakes or muffins served onboard.

By this stage, you have spent many hours in the sun and on the water, so this final stop can feel either refreshing or repetitive. One honest drawback is that the three swim stops can seem alike. If swimming is your favorite part of a boat day, you will appreciate the extra time. If you prefer changing scenery and more time ashore, the schedule may feel stretched.

The crew provides the same relaxed setup: swimming, lounging, drinks, and music. Bring sunscreen and apply it often. There is a fair amount of open-water travel between stops, and much of that time is spent exposed to the sun.

The return ride becomes the main event

The catamaran’s mood usually grows livelier after the final swim. Music gets louder, games may begin, and the deck turns into a dance floor during the ride back to Split.

Several accounts describe nearly two hours of dancing on the return, with a DJ-style party and familiar disco songs. This is the part that separates the cruise from a quiet island transfer. The crew, including hosts such as Manuela and Mia, help keep the atmosphere welcoming rather than leaving the music to do all the work.

You should be comfortable with a social group setting. The boat can suit solo visitors, couples, friends, and mixed-age groups, and the shared schedule makes it easy to chat with people onboard. At the same time, the open bar and music create a stronger party feel late in the day.

Families can join, and children above age two are recommended for the activity. Still, I would think carefully before booking for very young children if you want a quiet family outing. The atmosphere becomes more adult and energetic as the boat heads back to Split.

Food, drinks, space, and comfort

The meals are simple rather than gourmet, but they cover the long day well. You receive a pastry and coffee early, a chicken salad after Hvar, and later fruit and cakes or muffins.

The open bar is a strong part of the value. Beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and coffee are included, and you do not need to keep paying for each drink throughout the day. Alcohol begins after the first swim, which is useful to know if you had imagined a morning glass of wine.

The catamaran has bathrooms onboard, an important detail on a ten-hour excursion. It can carry up to 76 people. Departures with around 45 to 50 people may feel more comfortable than a full sailing, but the actual number will vary.

You should bring sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, and anything you need for motion sickness. The cruise provides snorkel masks and foam noodles, but you may still prefer to bring your own mask if you want a better fit.

Is the $119.72 price good value?

At $119.72 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Hvar. A basic ferry ticket costs less, and an independent visit gives you far more control over how long you stay in town.

The comparison changes when you count what is included. This fare covers a full day on the catamaran, three swim stops, the guided Hvar walk, lunch, breakfast pastries, later snacks, coffee, water, soft drinks, beer, and wine. It also removes the need to organize several separate boat connections or find lunch during a busy island day.

I see the price as fair if you want a complete, social outing with plenty of swimming. It is less attractive if you mainly want historical sightseeing in Hvar, since only about two hours are spent in town. You are paying for the whole boat experience, not just transportation to Hvar.

The trip is often booked around 35 days ahead, so popular summer dates may fill early. The maximum group size is 76, and groups larger than ten people are not accepted on daily tours. If you are arranging a larger party, you need to check the group rule before paying.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a simple way to combine Hvar with swimming and a lively boat atmosphere. It is especially suitable if you like meeting people, spending time outdoors, and having food and drinks handled for you.

It is also a good fit for a first visit to Split when you want one full day beyond the city. The route gives you a taste of Brač, Hvar, the Pakleni Islands, and Šolta without asking you to plan every ferry and reservation.

I would hesitate if you dislike long boat rides, strong sun, or organized group activities. The Hvar visit is brief, the swimming scenery can feel repetitive, and the return journey becomes distinctly party-oriented.

The tour requires good weather and a minimum number of bookings. If the operator cancels for weather or because that minimum is not reached, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.

Should you book the Summer Blues Hvar cruise?

Book it if your ideal Croatian day includes clear water, several swims, an easy Hvar introduction, and music on the way home. The food is serviceable, the bar is generous, and the crew is a major part of the experience.

Skip it if you want a quiet sailing, serious historical guiding, or a long independent visit to Hvar. For the right kind of day, though, this is a strong value: one early departure handles four island stops, meals, drinks, and entertainment, then returns you to Split at sunset.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

Meet at Obala Lazareta 1 in Split, directly in front of the Summer Blues catamaran at dock 4 or 5.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 8:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately 10 hours and returns to the same meeting point in Split.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes a swim stop near Brač, time in Hvar, a swim stop at the Pakleni Islands, and another swim stop near Šolta.

How much time do you get in Hvar?

The Hvar program lasts about two hours. It includes a guided introduction to the old town and about one hour of free time.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and coffee are included. Alcoholic drinks are served after the first swim stop.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes a chicken salad. A vegetarian option is available if you request it when booking.

What other food is served?

A pastry and coffee are served early in the day. Fresh fruit and homemade cakes or muffins are served later after a swim stop.

Are swimming items provided?

Snorkel masks and foam noodles are available onboard for the swim stops.

Can children join the cruise?

The experience is recommended for children above two years old. The atmosphere becomes more party-focused during the return to Split.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The cruise requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

How late can I cancel?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted.