10 Things You Must Do Around Hvar by Speedboat
From the Blue Cave to the Golden Horn, discover the top 10 experiences around Hvar that are best enjoyed from a speedboat. Plan your perfect day on the water.
Having a speedboat in Hvar opens up the entire island — and the surrounding islands too. You can reach hidden bays, clifftop restaurants, and famous landmarks that are impossible to get to any other way.
Here are 10 things you should not miss, in the order we would do them.
1. Red Rocks
Just minutes from Hvar harbour, the Red Rocks are one of the most striking natural features on the island. Dramatic rust-coloured cliffs drop straight into deep blue water, creating a scene that looks almost too vivid to be real.
The swimming here is outstanding — the water is deep, crystal clear, and the underwater landscape is just as colourful as the cliffs above. Bring a snorkel.
There is a small beach area at the base of the cliffs, but most people swim off the rocks or straight from the boat.
Tip: The morning light makes the red cliffs glow. Visit before 11:00 for the best colours and photos.
2. Cruise the South Coast
Hvar's south coast is wild, rugged, and largely untouched. Sheer cliffs, hidden caves, and empty bays line the entire stretch from Hvar town to Sveta Nedjelja.
This is the side of the island most tourists never see. The road along the ridge above offers glimpses, but the only way to truly experience it is from the water.
Take your time cruising east along the coast. Stop whenever a bay catches your eye. The water colour changes from deep blue to emerald green as you pass over different seabeds.
Read more about Hvar's hidden bays: Secret Bays of Hvar
3. Dubovica
Dubovica is one of the most photographed bays on the island — a deep horseshoe inlet with a pebble beach, turquoise water, and an old stone farmhouse surrounded by terraced vineyards.
You can drive to the ridge above and walk down (the road is accessible by car, but the path down to the beach is steep and not easy), but arriving by boat is far more enjoyable. Drop anchor, swim in, and have the beach to yourself in the morning before the land visitors start arriving.
Tip: Visit early or late in the day. Dubovica gets busy between 11:00 and 16:00 in July and August.
4. Wine Tasting on the South Coast
Hvar's south coast is home to some of Croatia's most dramatic vineyards. The villages of Sveta Nedjelja and Ivan Dolac cling to steep cliffs above the sea, where Plavac Mali grapes have been grown for centuries.
Pull your boat up to the pier at Zlatan Otok winery in Sveta Nedjelja for a tasting and lunch overlooking the sea. Then cruise east to Ivan Dolac to see Europe's steepest vineyards — vertical rows of vines dropping toward turquoise water. Stop at Dubovica along the way for a swim in one of the island's most beautiful bays.
Try the local white grape Bogdanuša (unique to Hvar), Pošip, or the bold red Plavac Mali. Read our full guide: Wine Tasting by Sea.
Pair it with your boat day: Combine a morning swim at Red Rocks with lunch and wine tasting at Zlatan Otok — it's our most popular custom itinerary.
5. Pakleni Islands
The Pakleni Islands are an archipelago of eleven islands just off Hvar's south-west coast. They are the most popular boating destination from Hvar — and for good reason.
Each island has a different character:
- Jerolim — Rocky beaches, clothing-optional, close to Hvar.
- Palmižana — The main hub with restaurants, a marina, and lush gardens.
- Stipanska — Home to the famous Carpe Diem Beach bar. Great music, and cocktails on the water.
- Vlaka — Quiet, with two excellent restaurants: Dionis and The Fisherman's House.
- Perna — Turquoise water, no facilities, pure nature.
You could spend an entire day in the Pakleni Islands alone. Read our complete guide: The Complete Guide to the Pakleni Islands
6. Konoba Lunch on the Water
Some of the best restaurants around Hvar are only accessible by boat. These family-run konobas serve freshly caught fish, grilled meats, and local wine in settings that no town restaurant can match.
A few favourites:
- Bacchus — On Palmižana. Famous for their beefsteak with pepper sauce and arguably the best view of any restaurant in the Pakleni Islands.
- Toto's — Also on Palmižana. Upscale Mediterranean dining in a garden setting.
- Dionis and The Fisherman's House — Both in Vlaka bay on Sveti Klement. Dionis for rustic seafood, The Fisherman's House for a more refined experience. Peaceful and excellent.
- Tri Grede — In Ždrilca, the narrow strait between islands. Fresh fish in a unique waterside setting.
Tip: In July and August, call ahead or arrive by 12:30 to get a table. These places fill up fast.
7. Sunset from the Water
Watching the sunset from a boat is one of the most memorable experiences Hvar has to offer. The sky turns gold and pink over the Pakleni Islands, and the light on the water is extraordinary.
The best spot is west of the Pakleni Islands, facing the open sea. Head out around 30 minutes before sunset, cut the engine, and drift.
If you are on a private tour, your skipper will know exactly where to position the boat for the best view.
8. Vis Island
The island of Vis is about 45 minutes from Hvar by speedboat — and it feels like stepping back in time. Vis was a military base until 1989, which kept it free from tourist development. The result is an island of extraordinary beauty and authenticity.
Two main towns: Vis Town (elegant, Venetian architecture, great restaurants) and Komiža (a fishing village on the west coast, gateway to the Blue Cave).
Vis is worth a full day trip. Combine it with the Blue Cave (below) or explore on its own.
9. Blue Cave
The Blue Cave on the island of Biševo is one of Croatia's most famous natural wonders. Sunlight enters through an underwater opening and illuminates the cave interior with an ethereal blue glow.
The cave is about 1 hour from Hvar by speedboat (via Komiža). Visits are regulated — you need a timed entry ticket, and you enter with an official guide in a small boat.
Best time to visit: Between 11:00 and 14:00, when the sun angle creates the strongest blue light effect.
For everything you need to know about planning your visit, read our complete guide: The Complete Guide to the Blue Cave
We visit the Blue Cave on our Blue Cave & Island Vis private tour — a full-day adventure that includes the cave, Stiniva beach, and time on Vis island.
10. Golden Horn (Zlatni Rat)
Zlatni Rat — the Golden Horn — is Croatia's most famous beach. Located near the town of Bol on the island of Brač, this distinctive V-shaped pebble beach extends into the sea and shifts shape with the wind and currents.
From Hvar, it's about an hour by speedboat across the Hvar Channel. Our Golden Horn & North Coast Tunnels tour combines hidden north-coast bays, a Cold War submarine tunnel on Brač, and 4–5 hours at the beach — the ultimate full-day Hvar-to-Bol adventure.
Tip: The beach faces west, so afternoon sun is strongest. But for fewer crowds, arrive before 10:00. The water on either side of the point is shallow and warm — perfect for swimming.
How to Get a Speedboat in Hvar
You have two main options:
- Book a private skippered tour — A local captain takes you wherever you want to go. You set the itinerary, they handle the boat. Browse our private tours.
- Rent a boat — If you have a valid boating licence, you can rent a speedboat and explore independently. Check our licence guide first.
Either way, a day on the water around Hvar is unlike anything else. These ten experiences are just the beginning.
