Red Rocks & Pakleni Islands - Hvar Boat Tour
Speedboat tour from Hvar: Red Rocks, Dubovica Beach & Pakleni Islands. Less sailing, more swimming.
Fast facts
- Duration
- 4 hours (half-day) or 6 hours (full-day)
- Distance
- 30 to 35 km total route
- Departs
- Beach Križa. 09:00 or 14:00 (half-day) · 11:00 (full-day)
- Capacity
- MareBoats Hvar speedboats are licensed for 12. We sail with a maximum of 8 so there is room to move, shift between shade and sun, and get in the water as a full group at the same time. Groups of 9 to 16 travel on two boats sailing together.
- Shared
- €85 per person · minimum 6 guests to depart
- Private
- €400 half-day · €500 full-day
- Included
- Speedboat and skipper · Fuel for the itinerary · Icebox on board · Bottled water · Snorkeling masks
- Not included
- Lunch not included - restaurants available at Pakleni · Hotel pickup
- Extra fees
- None
- Season
- April to October
About this tour
The Red Rocks & Pakleni Islands tour is the local route: the one we take when guests want to see Hvar the way people who live here actually experience it. Less sailing, more time in the water. A skipper who knows where the crowds aren't. We leave Beach Križa heading south along the coast. On calm days we also pause at Žarače, a quiet bay on the way. First stop is Red Rocks, where iron oxide in the limestone turns the cliffs deep red against the turquoise sea. The water stays deep right up to the cliff face, and cliff jumping from 5 to 10 metres is popular here if your group is into it. From Red Rocks we continue to Dubovica Beach, one of the most photographed beaches on Hvar, with a 16th-century stone house standing at the edge of the bay. A short swim from the shore, a hidden sea cave catches the light in a way that almost nobody sees from land. Then Borče Bay in Milna: a quiet cove on the southern coast, calm water, no other boats. The kind of place you only find if you know where to look. We finish in the Pakleni Islands: Palmižana for lunch at a restaurant you can only reach by boat, or Ždrilca for a quieter swim before we head back. Available as a shared tour (€85/person - minimum 6 guests to depart), a private half-day (4 hours, 09:00-13:00 or 14:00-18:00, €400), or a private full-day (6 hours, 11:00-17:00, €500 - more time at every stop). Groups of 9 to 16 travel on two boats sailing together - message us for pricing and availability. Message us on WhatsApp with your date and what sounds right - we sort the rest.
Pricing
- Shared€85/person11:00-17:00 · up to 8 guests
- Private half-day€4004 hrs · your group only
- Private full-day€5006 hrs · your group only
Shared tour spots open at a minimum of 6 guests. We confirm your date by WhatsApp before departure.
The route
Sailing times between stops are averages and vary with sea conditions. Time at each stop adjusts to the group and the day. We do not rush between stops.
Red Rocks
Crvene Stijene- What it is
- A stretch of deep-red cliffs rising directly from the Adriatic, coloured by iron oxide in the limestone. The geological formation is breccia: limestone fragments cemented with iron-rich minerals that oxidized over time, exactly like rust on metal.
- Sailing time
- 20 to 30 min from Beach Križa along the south coast.
- What you do here
- Swimming along the cliff face, snorkelling in deep water that reaches the rock wall without shallowing. Cliff jumping from 5 to 10 metres for groups who want it. The vertical rock drops straight into the sea with no beach or gradual entry.
- Best conditions
- Westerly winds or calm. Southeast wind (jugo) sends swell directly against the cliffs and can make the approach difficult.
Dubovica Beach
- What it is
- A pebble cove with turquoise water and a 16th-century stone house on the rocky point at the edge of the bay, one of the oldest standing structures on this part of Hvar island.
- Sailing time
- 5 to 8 min from Red Rocks.
- What you do here
- Swimming and snorkelling. A small sea cave sits off the eastern cliff face and catches the light in a way not visible from land. Worth exploring with a mask. The small peninsula that closes the bay cuts the wind, making the water calm and warm compared to more exposed beaches on this coast.
- Best conditions
- Sheltered in most conditions. The cave is most visible with direct sun, before midday.
Žarače
Weather dependent- What it is
- A narrow, sheltered bay on the south coast of Hvar surrounded by hills. Also written "Zarace" without the diacritic. Konoba Gego is at the end of the bay, accessible by boat.
- Sailing time
- 10 to 12 min from Dubovica.
- What you do here
- Swimming in calm, protected water.
- Best conditions
- Protected in most conditions.
- Weather-dependent stop. When skipped, Borče Bay is 15 min direct from Dubovica.
Borče Bay
- What it is
- A quiet cove on the south coast of Hvar near the village of Milna, protected from the wind. This is Milna on Hvar island, not Milna on Brač.
- Sailing time
- 12 to 15 min from Žarače. The route passes through Milna bay on this stretch. The boat slows down to take in the water colour.
- What you do here
- Swimming and a relaxed stop. Deep, clear water, no facilities on shore. Typically no other boats.
- Best conditions
- Protected from northwesterly wind (maestral). May get some swell with southeast wind.
Ždrilca
- What it is
- A sheltered bay in the Pakleni Islands with striking water colour, protected from open sea on all sides.
- Sailing time
- 3 min from Borče Bay. Mlini is on the way — the boat slows down through this stretch for the water colour.
- What you do here
- Swimming, snorkelling and lunch. Tri Grede is at Ždrilca, reachable only by boat. A good place to eat and slow down before the last stretch.
- Best conditions
- Sheltered in almost all conditions.
Perna
Weather dependent- What it is
- A small sand beach in the Pakleni Islands, the only sand beach on this route. The water colour is the reason it is on the itinerary. It is rarely crowded.
- Sailing time
- 5 to 8 min from Ždrilca.
- What you do here
- Swimming on sand rather than pebble, which is easier with small children. An occasional stop rather than a fixed one.
- Best conditions
- Small and sheltered. Best in calm conditions.
- Occasional stop, depending on the day and the group.
Calma Beach
Weather dependent- What it is
- A sheltered bay on the Hvar coast facing the Pakleni Islands.
- Sailing time
- 5 to 8 min from Ždrilca.
- What you do here
- Swimming and a relaxed stop in protected water. There is a beach spot of the same name on the bay.
- Best conditions
- Sheltered bay.
- The skipper stops at either Calma Beach or Perna, not both. The choice depends on the day and the conditions.
Palmižana
- What it is
- The main anchorage in the Pakleni Islands, reachable only by boat. The name "Pakleni" comes from "paklina," the old Croatian word for pine resin harvested here for centuries to waterproof ship hulls. Palmižana has a small beach, pine forest and restaurants on the water.
- Sailing time
- 5 min from Perna or Calma Beach, or 10 to 15 min direct from Ždrilca.
- What you do here
- Lunch at Bacchus, a restaurant at Palmižana reachable only by boat. Swimming. Return to Beach Križa: 10 to 15 min from Palmižana or Perna.
- Best conditions
- Protected in almost all conditions. Some current between islands with strong maestral.
Red Rocks & Pakleni or the 5 Islands Blue Cave tour: which one fits your day?
Both tours leave from Beach Križa on a MareBoats Hvar speedboat. The difference is range and time on the water.
| Red Rocks & Pakleni | Blue Cave & 5 Islands | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 4 or 6 hours | 7 hours |
| Departure | Flexible (09:00 / 11:00 / 14:00) | 10:00, fixed |
| Route | South coast of Hvar and the Pakleni archipelago | Vis Island, Biševo and the Pakleni Islands |
| Open sea crossing | Short legs, always near the Hvar coast | Crosses to Vis Island (~45 km from Hvar) |
| Total distance | 30 to 35 km | 100 to 120 km |
| Shared price | €85 per person | €150 per person |
| Private price | €400 half-day / €500 full-day | €800 |
| Cave entrance fees | None | Blue Cave €24/person · Green Cave €15/person optional |
| Good fit for | More time in the water on the south coast of Hvar, shorter sailing legs | Covering more islands in one day, Blue Cave on the list |
What's included
- •Speedboat and skipper
- •Fuel for the itinerary
- •Icebox on board
- •Bottled water
- •Snorkeling masks
Not included
- •Lunch not included - restaurants available at Pakleni
- •Hotel pickup
Add-ons · on request
Not part of the tour price. Ask on WhatsApp when you book if you want to add any of these.
- +Photo & Video Shoot - €200, on request (when Fede is on board). Drone, underwater and on-board footage. Full gallery after the tour. Book in advance - slots are limited.
- +Underwater Scooter €40/unit, on request
What to bring
- •Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
- •Swimwear and a light layer for the breeze
- •Water shoes if you are sensitive to pebble beaches
Dogs are welcome on board. Let us know when you book.
Meeting point
Beach Križa, at the MareBoats barrel, below the Beach Bay Hvar Hotel
Open in Google Maps →Frequently asked questions
What is included in the Red Rocks & Pakleni Islands tour from Hvar?
The MareBoats Hvar speedboat and skipper are included, fuel for the full itinerary, a cooler with ice, bottled water, and snorkel masks. Lunch is not included. Restaurants are available at the Pakleni Islands at Palmižana and Ždrilca. There are no cave entrance fees on this route.
What time does the Red Rocks & Pakleni Islands tour depart from Hvar?
Private half-day tours depart at 09:00 (returning by 13:00) or 14:00 (returning by 18:00). The private full-day runs 11:00 to approximately 17:00. Shared tour departure times are confirmed by WhatsApp after booking. All tours meet at 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 is the difference between the 4-hour and 6-hour Red Rocks tour?
Both versions visit the same stops on the south coast of Hvar: Red Rocks, Dubovica Beach, Borče Bay, and the Pakleni Islands. The 4-hour half-day moves at a steady pace with time to swim at each stop. The 6-hour full-day (11:00 to 17:00) adds more time at each location, including a proper lunch break at the Pakleni Islands.
How many people are on the shared Red Rocks & Pakleni Islands tour?
MareBoats Hvar speedboats are licensed for up to 12 guests but capped at 8 per boat. The shared tour departs when a minimum of 6 guests have confirmed. Groups of 9 to 16 travel on two MareBoats Hvar speedboats sailing together.
Is Žarače a guaranteed stop on the Red Rocks & Pakleni tour?
No. Žarače is a weather-dependent stop. When sea conditions allow, the skipper pauses at Žarače on the way south along the Hvar coast. It is a narrow, sheltered bay. On days with swell or wind the stop is skipped, but no other stop is removed from the itinerary.
Can I book the Red Rocks & Pakleni Islands tour as a private group?
Yes. The private half-day (4 hours) is €400 per boat for your group only. The private full-day (6 hours) is €500 per boat. Both options include the speedboat, skipper, fuel, bottled water, cooler with ice, and snorkel masks. Up to 8 guests per boat. Groups of 9 to 16 travel on two boats sailing together.
Is Dubovica Beach accessible only by boat?
There is a narrow road to Dubovica Beach, but it is steep and parking is very limited. Most visitors arrive by boat. MareBoats Hvar stops at Dubovica on every Red Rocks & Pakleni Islands tour. A 16th-century stone house stands at the edge of the bay. A short swim from shore leads to a hidden sea cave not visible from the beach.
Is there shade on a MareBoats Hvar speedboat?
Every MareBoats Hvar speedboat has a sun canopy over the main seating area. Shade is available from the moment you leave Hvar Harbour to the last stop of the day. The open deck at the front of the boat is in full sun.
Why does MareBoats Hvar limit groups to 8 guests?
MareBoats Hvar speedboats are licensed for up to 12 guests but are capped at 8 per boat. At 8 guests, everyone has room to move between the shaded seating area and the open deck, and the full group can be in the water at the same time. Groups of 9 to 16 travel on two boats sailing together.
Do I have to stay seated during the Red Rocks tour?
No. There are no assigned seats on a MareBoats Hvar speedboat. There is room to move and to choose between shade and open sun during the day.
Is an underwater scooter available on the Red Rocks & Pakleni Islands tour?
The underwater scooter is available as an add-on on private Red Rocks & Pakleni Islands tours. The cost is €40 per unit for the full day. The price is per unit, not per person. It is not available on the shared tour. Ask via WhatsApp when you book.
On board a MareBoats Hvar speedboat
Shade on every boat
Every MareBoats Hvar speedboat has a sun canopy over the main seating area. The canopy provides shade from the moment you leave Hvar Harbour to the last stop of the day. All four boats in the MareBoats Hvar fleet carry it as standard.
Room to move
MareBoats Hvar speedboats are licensed for up to 12 guests but each boat is capped at 8. At 8 guests there is room to settle in and shift positions during the day, and the full group can be in the water at the same time. Groups of 9 to 16 travel on two MareBoats Hvar speedboats sailing together.
Open deck, no assigned seats
There are no assigned seats on a MareBoats Hvar speedboat. Guests choose where to sit at each stop and can move between the shaded seating area and the open sun during the day.
Cold water, all day
Every MareBoats Hvar speedboat carries a cooler with ice. Bottled water is included in the tour price and stays available throughout the day.
Music and snorkel gear
All MareBoats Hvar speedboats have a sound system on board. The playlist has been built over years from what has worked best with guests from every corner of the world. During the tour, guests can join a Spotify Jam and add their own music — you need the Spotify app on your phone. Snorkel masks are included on every tour. No need to bring your own.
Planning a private boat day for your group or family? How a private speedboat works for families and groups in Hvar →
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