Sailing and Snorkeling Tour in the Islands of Pakleni

One hour from now, you’ll be in clear water. The Pakleni Islands sailing and snorkeling tour is all about coves around St. Klement and Hvar, plus time to swim, snorkel, and snap underwater photos. I love the way the skipper tailors the day to conditions, and I also love the host energy, with Tony steering the boat confidently in real waves and wind. One drawback to plan for is that lunch is not included, so you’ll need either cash for a meal on the islands or a backup plan.

The best part is how “active” this feels for a half-day tour. You get snorkeling gear, white wine and snacks, and even a SUP option, so you are not stuck just watching the sea go by. The group size stays small, with a maximum of 8 people, which means you spend more time in the water and less time waiting around.

Practical note: you should bring the essentials yourself, like a towel, sunscreen, and swim-ready clothes. Also, alcohol is only served to travelers 18 and up, so if you are traveling with younger kids or teens, plan on non-alcoholic drinks for them.

Key things I’d plan around before you go

• Flexible bays near St. Klement: you may stop at Zdrilca or Vela Garska, depending on anchorage and weather
• Snorkeling gear included: you only need to show up with swimwear and a positive attitude
• SUP time is built in: extra water time beyond snorkeling and swimming
• White wine plus snacks: included for adults, with additional drinks allowed
• Lunch is optional and separate: budget extra if you want a proper Dalmatian meal by the sea

Sailing out of Hvar at 10:00, with a small group feel

The tour meets at Hvar Adventure, Jurja Matijevića 20, in Hvar. The start time is 10:00 am, and you return to the same meeting point at the end, so it is easy to build the rest of your day around it.

With a maximum of 8 travelers, the vibe is more like a tight group outing than a big production. That matters because the day’s magic depends on pacing: quick transitions from boat to water, enough time to enjoy each bay, and time to get back before you are cooked by the sun.

This runs in English, which helps if you want the skipper to actually talk through what you are seeing. One of the strongest points from the experience is the way Tony made people feel safe in choppy moments. If you get a little nervous around wind and waves, that kind of calm handling is a big deal.

Pakleni Islands coves near St. Klement, Zdrilca, and Vela Garska

The itinerary is built around Pakleni Islands and the surrounding coves. You do not have just one fixed stop. Instead, you can get a couple of possible anchorages, including bays around St. Klement and then a passage to either Bay Zdrilca or Vela Garska Bay on the island of Hvar.

Here is why that flexibility is valuable. The skipper chooses the best anchorage based on weather and what the sea is doing that day. On a tour like this, that is the difference between easy swimming conditions and a not-so-pleasant slog.

Once you reach the bays, the water is described as crystal clear, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and underwater photography. That last part matters. If you are bringing a phone in a waterproof case or a camera you trust, these clear coves are exactly the kind of place where the effort pays off.

What you might love at the first swim stop

You can expect quiet time to get into the water and try snorkeling without rushing. In these bays, snorkeling tends to feel more “hang out and explore” than “quick dip and go.” With the included gear, you can focus on looking, not on fiddling.

The one thing to watch

This tour depends on conditions, and the itinerary choices reflect that. If the day’s weather is less cooperative, you may not get every ideal anchorage you would hope for. The good news is that the operator is explicitly planning around anchorage capability and weather.

Snorkeling gear and SUP: how to get the most out of the water time

Snorkeling is not an add-on here. You get the use of snorkeling equipment included, along with water. That means you can arrive, change into swim gear, and go straight into the fun.

I like how this setup reduces friction. If you had to rent gear at another place or bring your own mask and snorkel, half-day tours can feel stressful. Here, your main job is simple: wear your gear comfortably and spend your time observing.

SUP is also included, which is a nice bonus if you want a different angle on the coastline. On a day like this, SUP can feel like the “in-between” activity. Snorkeling is close and focused. SUP lets you glide and enjoy the scenery while still staying active.

Small tips that make a difference

• Bring water shoes if you have them. It is not listed as required, but it can help in rocky shoreline areas that you might enter near coves.
• Practice breathing calm and slow before you drift off. Clear water makes it tempting to rush, and that’s when people waste energy.
• If you are photographing underwater, keep it simple. You will get better results spending more time steadying and less time moving fast.

The lunch decision on Pakleni Islands, and your smartest backup plan

Lunch is the one big line item that is not included in the price. The skipper will offer a stop for lunch at a restaurant on the Pakleni Islands depending on anchorage capability and weather conditions.

So you have two real choices:

1) Eat at one of the restaurants on the islands

2) Bring food with you and keep it casual

I like that the tour gives you flexibility. If you feel like a proper Dalmatian meal by the sea, you can do that. If you would rather control your diet or budget, bringing your own snacks and backup lunch makes the day smoother.

What I’d do if I want the day to feel carefree

Plan to be hungry, then decide at the moment. Even though lunch is not included, the tour is structured so there is room for it when conditions allow. If lunch gets skipped due to the sea being rough, your self-made backup plan saves the day.

White wine, snacks, and the 18-plus alcohol rule

Included drinks matter on a half-day tour because you are out there longer than people expect. White wine is included, but only for travelers 18 years old and above. If you are traveling with minors, non-alcoholic options will be served for them.

Snacks are also included, described as salty and sweet. You can bring additional drinks and additional food with you too, which is great if you have preferences or you know you get snacky when the sun is high.

A practical pacing idea

Start the day with water and salty snacks before you go into the first swim. Then, later, enjoy the included wine with lunch if conditions line up for that restaurant stop. This is the simplest way to keep energy steady for both snorkeling and SUP.

Meeting point details and what to bring so you are not stuck

You meet at Hvar Adventure, Jurja Matijevića 20, Hvar. Start time is 10:00 am. The activity ends back at that same meeting point, so you are not hunting for transportation afterward.

The tour does not include towel, sunscreen, hats, or sunglasses. You will want all of those. Sun plus salt water equals fast dehydration and quick burns if you underestimate it.

Also bring swim-ready layers. The day involves water activities and sun exposure, and you do not want to be changing in a hurry at the dock.

If you tend to get cold easily, pack a light layer for after swimming. Even in summer, the breeze can feel cooler when you are back on the water.

The Tony factor: safety, pacing, and island knowledge that adds meaning

One of the most praised parts from the experience is Tony, the guide. The big points people call out are that Tony made them feel safe in waves and wind, and that he was very good at hosting while sharing what he knew about the islands.

That matters more than it sounds. On a sailing day, safety and comfort set the mood for everything else. If the guide handles motion well and talks clearly, you spend less time worrying and more time enjoying the water.

Tony also brings history into the story. You get that sense of context that turns “pretty water” into “I understand what I am looking at.” It does not have to be a lecture. It just needs to make your moments feel less random.

Who this 6-hour Pakleni sailing and snorkeling tour is best for

This is a strong choice if you want a one-day hit of:

• sailing time out of Hvar
• crystal-clear coves for snorkeling and swimming
• gear and SUP included, without extra rentals
• a small group experience in English

It is especially suited to couples and small groups who like structured fun, but still want freedom in the water.

You might want to skip it if…

If you dislike being on boats in windy conditions, you may find this stressful. Also, if you already know you will not want to pay for lunch on Pakleni Islands, check that your food plan fits your style. The tour can work with bringing your own food, but you have to decide that mindset ahead of time.

Price and value for $134.85 per person

At $134.85 per person for about 6 hours, this is not a “cheap day trip.” But it also is not purely a sailing transfer. You are paying for a full activity mix and the practical items that otherwise cost extra.

Here is what you get in the value bucket:

• snorkeling equipment included
• SUP included
• white wine included (18-plus)
• snacks plus water included
• time built for swimming and underwater photography

And what you pay for separately:

• lunch (not included)
• towel, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses (you must bring)

My take on the math

If you were renting snorkeling gear, buying snacks, and paying for a separate SUP slot, the value starts to look more reasonable. The biggest wildcard is lunch. If you plan to eat at the islands, budget extra. If you bring food and treat lunch as optional, you can keep costs tighter.

For most people, the price makes sense when you want an organized, half-day marine experience without extra stops and with included gear.

Weather and wind, plus a realistic expectation about itinerary changes

This experience requires good weather. That is not marketing talk. It directly affects whether you can anchor comfortably and where the skipper can take you for swimming.

If the tour is cancelled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. Also, the tour requires a minimum number of travelers, so if that minimum is not met, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

My advice is simple: check the forecast, but do not plan your entire day around the assumption that everything will run perfectly. This tour is designed to adapt within good weather windows.

Should you book this Pakleni sailing and snorkeling tour?

Book it if you want an active, half-day outing that combines sailing, snorkeling gear, SUP, and included snacks and wine, with a guide who prioritizes comfort and safety. If you like the idea of clear coves near St. Klement, plus optional lunch on Pakleni Islands, it hits a lot of checkboxes.

Skip it if you know you will be unhappy about lunch being extra or if you strongly dislike boat movement in wind and waves. Also, plan on bringing sun protection and a towel, because those are on you.

If you are flexible, arrive ready to swim, and trust the skipper to pick the best bay of the day, this is the kind of Hvar trip that gives you real time on the water, not just photos from the dock.

FAQ

How long is the Sailing and Snorkeling Tour in the Islands of Pakleni?

It runs for about 6 hours.

Where do I meet, and what time does the tour start?

You meet at Hvar Adventure, Jurja Matijevića 20, Hvar, Croatia. The start time is 10:00 am, and the tour ends back at the meeting point.

Is snorkeling gear included?

Yes. The tour includes the use of snorkeling equipment.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included. The skipper may stop at a restaurant on Pakleni Islands depending on anchorage capability and weather, or you can bring food on the boat.

Is white wine included, and is it served to minors?

White wine is included, but only for travelers 18 years old and above. Minors below 18 are served non-alcoholic drinks.

How many people are in the group, and is it in English?

The tour is offered in English and has a maximum of 8 travelers.