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

The Adriatic is your swimming pool today. This full-day catamaran cruise gives you three swim stops, a guided visit to Hvar, lunch, and unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and coffee for $119.72. I especially like the clear split between quiet sea time and lively music later in the day, plus the helpful crew, including hosts such as Mia and Manuela. The main drawback is the long day on the water, and some people may find the three swim stops too similar.

This is not mainly a sightseeing cruise packed with historical commentary. It is a relaxed boat day with a useful taste of Hvar in the middle. You get about an hour of guided orientation and another hour to explore alone, but much of the ten-hour trip is spent sitting on deck, swimming, eating, and enjoying the music.

What makes this Split boat day worth considering

• Three swim stops: You can swim near Brač, the Pakleni Islands, and Šolta, with goggles and foam noodles available on board.
• Two hours in Hvar: A professional guide introduces the old town before you get free time for coffee, shopping, or a short walk.
• Open bar after the first swim: Beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and coffee are included, with alcohol served only after the first swim stop.
• Meals spread through the day: Expect an early pastry and coffee, chicken salad after Hvar, then fruit, cakes, and muffins later.
• A party on the return: Music, dancing, games, and a sunset ride turn the final part into the most social stretch of the cruise.
• A moderate-sized catamaran: The boat holds up to 76 people, though some departures feel closer to 45 to 50 passengers.

Setting out from Split at 8:30 a.m.

You meet the Summer Blues catamaran at dock 4 or 5 at Obala Lazareta 1 in Split harbor. Pay attention here. Several boat companies use nearby boarding areas, so check the boat name and join the correct queue rather than following the first line you see.

The start is early, but it makes sense for a day that covers several island stops. Once aboard, you can settle in with coffee and a pastry before the alcohol service begins. The ride away from Split gives you open sea views and time to find your preferred place on the catamaran.

The boat has a maximum capacity of 76 people. That is not an intimate private charter, but it is also not necessarily a packed party boat. One account describes a comfortable group of around 45 to 50 people, while another notes that the boat felt less crowded than larger options at the same dock.

That difference can depend on the departure date. Still, the catamaran format gives you more room to move than a small rigid boat, and the day is designed for a mix of sitting, standing, eating, and swimming. Bathrooms are available, which matters on a ten-hour outing.

Brač brings the first swim

The first stop is a bay near Brač, reached after a relaxed cruise from Split. You get about an hour to swim in clear water and look back at the coast from the sea. This is a good first stop because it breaks up the morning ride before the boat heads toward Hvar.

The water is the main attraction. You can use the provided goggles and foam noodles, making the stop easy even if you did not pack snorkeling gear. The swim is not a guided nature activity, so you are free to float, swim, or stay on the boat.

Alcohol is not served until after this first swim stop. That rule is sensible. You can get into the water alert and enjoy the morning without an open bar shaping the first part of the trip.

Pack sunscreen and apply it early. The boat includes long stretches outside, and the sun can feel strong even when the breeze keeps the deck comfortable. A swimsuit, towel, hat, sunglasses, and a dry change of clothes are practical choices.

Hvar gives the day its history

Hvar is the cultural center of the outing. After arriving in town, you join a professional guide for an introduction to the key sights in the old town. The guided portion helps you get your bearings quickly, especially if this is your first visit.

You then have about an hour to explore independently. That is enough time for a short walk through the streets, coffee along the promenade, or souvenir shopping. It is not enough for a slow, full-day visit to Hvar, so set your expectations correctly.

I like this balance. A purely boat-focused trip could pass Hvar without giving you any real connection to the town, while a longer visit would reduce time for swimming and the other islands. Here, you get a sample of Hvar without pretending to offer a complete tour.

The tradeoff is clear: you may leave wanting more time. One of the strongest impressions from the day is that Hvar is beautiful enough to deserve a separate visit. If Hvar is high on your Croatia wish list, consider adding an overnight stay or another dedicated visit rather than treating these two hours as your only experience.

Lunch follows the Hvar stop. The listed meal is a chicken salad, with fresh fruit, cakes, pastries, and muffins served at different points in the day. The chicken salad is more like green salad with chicken pieces on top than a creamy, mayonnaise-based salad. It is a light meal for a warm day at sea, not a restaurant lunch.

A vegetarian option is available, but you need to request it when booking. Do not wait until boarding if you need a meat-free meal.

Pakleni Islands add the best swim setting

After Hvar, the catamaran heads toward the Pakleni Islands. The boat stops in one of the area’s sheltered bays for about an hour. This is one of the most scenic parts of the day, with clear water, rocky island surroundings, and a quieter feel than the town stop.

This is also when the social side of the cruise becomes more noticeable. The open bar is operating, and you can have beer, wine, soft drinks, water, or coffee while relaxing on deck. The crew keeps the mood friendly rather than forcing everyone into a party.

The Pakleni stop works well after Hvar because it shifts you from streets and sightseeing back to the sea. You can swim, use the noodles and goggles, or simply sit with a drink and watch the water.

One fair criticism is that the swim stops can feel alike. If you prefer constant movement and new sights, three one-hour water breaks may become repetitive. If you like the idea of having time to actually relax, the repeated format is a benefit. The tour is built around a slow day at sea, not a checklist of major attractions.

Šolta closes the swimming portion

The final swim stop takes place near Šolta on the return route to Split. Fresh fruit and homemade cakes are served on board, along with drinks from the open bar. By this point, the day has settled into an easy rhythm: swim, return to the boat, eat something small, and enjoy the water.

The Šolta stop is useful as a final break before the long ride back. It keeps you from sitting continuously for the remainder of the journey, though you should not expect a completely different type of stop from Brač or the Pakleni Islands.

Afterward, the boat turns toward Split for roughly an hour. The timing often lines up with late afternoon or sunset, giving the return ride a pleasant finish.

The return trip becomes a dance party

The mood changes on the way back. Music comes up, the crew organizes games, and dancing takes over parts of the deck. Several accounts describe nearly two hours of music and dancing, making this the liveliest section of the outing.

This is worth knowing before you book. The cruise begins with a relaxed, family-friendly feel, but the open bar and music create a stronger party atmosphere later. Children over two are permitted, and families do join the trip, yet the final hours may suit adults and older teenagers better than very young children.

The crew receives especially strong praise for this part of the experience. Hosts such as Mia, Manuela, and others are described as warm, attentive, and good at keeping people informed without turning the entire day into a lecture. Manuela is particularly noted for checking in with people and sharing small bits of information at each stop.

You do not have to dance. You can sit back, watch the coast, and enjoy the music. But if you want a quiet return in near silence, this is not the right boat day.

Food, drinks, and what the $119.72 price covers

At $119.72 per person, the price is reasonable if you plan to use the full package. You are paying for approximately ten hours of transport, three swim stops, a guided visit to Hvar, lunch, snacks, unlimited nonalcoholic drinks, and alcoholic drinks after the first swim.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat transfer to Hvar, meals, drinks, and a swim excursion. It is less compelling if you mainly want to visit Hvar, since two hours in town is brief and a direct ferry would give you more time there.

The food is practical rather than fancy. Start with a pastry and coffee, have the chicken salad after Hvar, then expect fruit, cakes, or muffins later. Several descriptions call the food good or adequate, but the real strength is having regular refreshments included on a long day outside.

The open bar is a major part of the appeal. Beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and coffee are included, and the bar remains available for the party atmosphere on the way home. Drink responsibly, especially in the sun and on moving water.

What the day feels like in practice

This cruise has two distinct personalities. The first half is calm: morning coffee, sea views, a swim at Brač, and a guided walk in Hvar. The second half is more social, with the Pakleni and Šolta swim stops followed by music, games, and dancing.

That mix explains the high rating of 4.8 from 670 ratings and the 94 percent recommendation figure. The strongest praise centers on the crew, beautiful swimming areas, steady food and drinks, good organization, and the fun return ride.

The most useful caution is motion sickness. The catamaran can hit swells, and the ride is not always smooth. If you are prone to seasickness, bring medication with you. The crew says pills are available on board, but carrying your own is the safer plan.

The day also depends heavily on weather. Clear skies make the sea stops far more enjoyable, while rough conditions can affect both comfort and the route. If poor weather cancels the experience, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Who should book this catamaran cruise?

I would choose this for you if you want one easy day that combines:

• Swimming in several Adriatic bays
• A short but worthwhile introduction to Hvar
• Included food and drinks
• A social boat atmosphere
• Music and dancing on the return
• Plenty of time to sit back rather than plan every detail

It is especially suitable for couples, friend groups, solo visitors who enjoy meeting people, and families with older children who are comfortable with a later party mood. The boat can also work for mixed-age groups because the day starts quietly and builds gradually.

I would hesitate if your main goal is serious sightseeing in Hvar, quiet sailing, or a private and secluded experience. You should also think twice if you dislike long boat rides, repeated swim stops, strong sun, or dancing and music later in the day.

Groups larger than ten people are not allowed on the daily tours. The provider can refuse boarding without a refund if a group does not follow that rule, so split large parties across separate arrangements only if the operator confirms it.

Practical details before you reserve

The tour leaves at 8:30 a.m. from Obala Lazareta 1 in Split and returns to the same meeting point. Mobile tickets are accepted, and the activity is offered in English.

Most people can participate, but you need to be comfortable boarding a boat, handling several hours at sea, and getting in and out for swim stops. The experience is recommended for children older than two.

Book ahead if your dates are fixed. It is often reserved around 35 days in advance, especially during the warm season. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, and the operator may cancel if minimum numbers are not reached.

Should you book the Summer Blues day trip?

Book it if you want a full Adriatic day rather than a simple ride to Hvar. The strongest reasons are the friendly crew, three chances to swim, included food and drinks, and the lively return party. You get a little history in Hvar without sacrificing the relaxed pleasure of being on the water.

Choose another option if you want most of the day in Hvar or prefer a quiet boat. For everyone else, the $119.72 price buys a well-filled day with very little planning required. Bring sunscreen, motion sickness medication if needed, and enough energy for the music at the end.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

It starts at Obala Lazareta 1 in Split, Croatia. Meet the Summer Blues catamaran at dock 4 or 5 in the harbor.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 8:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately ten hours and returns to the original meeting point in Split.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes a chicken salad, and fruit, cakes, pastries, or muffins are served at other points during the day.

Are drinks included?

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

How much free time do I get in Hvar?

You spend about two hours in Hvar, including a guided introduction to the old town and about one hour of free time.

How many swim stops are included?

There are three swim stops, near Brač, the Pakleni Islands, and Šolta.

Is a vegetarian meal available?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available, but you need to request it when booking.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants may also lead to an alternate date or a full refund.