Hvar, Croatia · Short Boat Tours
What can I do in Hvar for a few hours on the water?
A two-hour private cruise along the south coast. You leave from Beach Križa, pass Red Rocks, Dubovica and Borče Bay, and cross into the Pakleni channel. The engine goes off at each of four bays. No anchoring, no landing. Two hours, start to finish.
Who it fits
The tour that fits into your day
Most tours from Hvar run half a day or longer. This one runs two hours. It fits three kinds of guests:
- Over from Split for the day and heading back on the afternoon ferry.
- On the island for a couple of nights, with the coast still to see and one afternoon to spare.
- Not up for a long day of swimming, and wanting to see Hvar from the water without the effort of a full tour.
The boat drifts with the engine off at each bay. You see the coast from the water instead of from the road above. Then it is on to the next bay. No anchoring, no landing, no getting in and out.
From Split for the day
How the cruise fits around a ferry
Departures are any time between 9am and 3pm. Tell us when your ferry leaves. We pick the slot that gets you back at Beach Križa with time to walk to the ferry terminal.
Two hours means two hours. You will not be told a boat is running late because the last group stayed longer at a beach. There is no last group. The tour has no anchoring stop, so the return time is a return time.
The MareBoats meeting point at Beach Križa is a three-minute walk from the Hvar ferry terminal, along the coastal path towards the Franciscan Monastery.
The route
Four bays, engine off at each
- Red Rocks
- Iron-red cliffs on the south side of Hvar. You see them from the water or you do not see them at all.
- Dubovica
- Most photos of Dubovica are taken from the road above the bay. From the boat you get the other angle.
- Borče Bay
- Quiet water, sheltered. This is usually where people stop talking.
- The Pakleni channel
- The stretch between the islands, the clearest water on the route.
See the scenic cruise page for full details, FAQ and pricing
More time on the island
What if you have half a day?
The 4-hour Red Rocks & Pakleni Islands tour covers the same coast but stops to swim. It anchors at Red Rocks and Dubovica, and stops at the Pakleni Islands for a swim and an optional lunch. €400 private half-day. The 6-hour full-day is €500 and gives more time at every stop, including a proper lunch at Palmižana or Ždrilca.
If beach time and swimming are what you are after, the Red Rocks & Pakleni Islands tour is the one to book.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
I only have a few hours in Hvar. What can I do on the water?
The two-hour Scenic Coast Cruise. You leave from Beach Križa, follow the south coast of Hvar past Red Rocks, Dubovica and Borče Bay, and cross into the Pakleni channel. The engine goes off at each bay. Two hours, start to finish. Departures any time between 9am and 3pm.
I am coming over from Split for the day. Can this fit around my ferry?
Yes. Tell us when your ferry leaves and we pick the slot. The cruise runs two hours from Beach Križa back to Beach Križa, and the last departure is at 3pm, so it fits before an afternoon or evening ferry back to Split.
Do we stop to swim?
No. The boat drifts at each bay with the engine off, but it does not anchor and it does not land anywhere. Two hours on the move. If beach time is what you want, book the 4-hour Red Rocks & Pakleni Islands tour instead.
What does the short boat tour cost?
€250 for the whole boat, up to 4 guests. Guests 5 and 6 are €40 each, so €290 for 5 guests and €330 for 6. Private boat, one group. A bottle of prosecco is available on request for €30.
Is this a group tour with strangers?
No. It is private. One group, one boat, one skipper.
What is the meeting point?
The MareBoats barrel, on the path between Hvar port and Beach Križa, below the Beach Bay Hvar Hotel. About 3 minutes on foot from the ferry terminal, walking towards the Franciscan Monastery.
What happens if the weather is bad on the day?
If the sea is up, the skipper may move the route to the sheltered Pakleni side, or cancel if conditions are unsafe. If MareBoats cancels for weather, you get a full refund. Bookings cancelled by guests are not refunded.
What if I want the longer tour with swimming?
The 4-hour Red Rocks & Pakleni Islands tour covers the same coastline and anchors at Red Rocks, Dubovica and the Pakleni Islands for swimming, snorkelling and a lunch stop. €400 private half-day. The 6-hour full-day is €500.
Tell us your ferry time
Message us on WhatsApp with the time your ferry leaves and the day you are on the island. We send back the slot that fits.
Ask about a slot on WhatsAppPlanning a longer day on the water? How a private speedboat works for families and groups →