REVIEW · HVAR & PAKLENI ISLANDS TOURS

Mesmerizing Hvar speed boat tour with optional wine tasting

5.0 · 21 reviews From $659 Operated by Hvar Boating · Bookable on Viator
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A fast RIB ride turns Hvar’s south coast into a highlights reel. I like how you get speedboat views without the bigger, slower tourist boats, and I especially love the oddball wine story: a winery cellar beneath the sea. One thing to weigh is that snorkel access can be affected by current rules, so if snorkeling is a must for you, confirm ahead of time.

This is a private half-day cruise, run for just your group (up to 12). Your captain picks the route based on weather and what you want to see, which is a big deal on Hvar where conditions can change fast.

Key points before you go

Mesmerizing Hvar speed boat tour with optional wine tasting - Key points before you go

  • Private RIB ride for up to 12: split the cost with your group and move on your own schedule.
  • Green Lagoon swim and snorkeling: you get underwater time in one of the area’s most photogenic spots.
  • Dubovica Beach and the Red Rocks: the captain’s route hits key scenery instead of just cruising past it.
  • Sveta Nedjelja food and wine finale: the day ends with local specialties plus wine sampling.
  • Comfort plus flexibility: a friendly captain like Dujo can tailor stops to your interests and conditions.

Entering the day: meeting point, timing, and how the tour feels

Mesmerizing Hvar speed boat tour with optional wine tasting - Entering the day: meeting point, timing, and how the tour feels
You’ll meet at CROFFERS Tourist Agency – Blue Cave Excursions, Private speed Boat Tours, Sea Transfers, Jurja Matijevica 17, 21450, Hvar. The tour starts at 10:30 am and runs for about 6 hours, returning you to the same place.

This timing is practical. Late morning means you dodge some of the early crowds, and the half-day format keeps the rest of your afternoon free for Hvar town, a beach, or another boat day if you’re staying long enough.

Because it’s private, you’re not fighting for space on deck or waiting behind a slow group. You also avoid the stop-and-go feeling you can get on larger vessels. In short: it’s built for a clean, efficient day on the water.

You can also read our reviews of more food & drink experiences in Hvar

Your private RIB speedboat: why it changes the whole coastline

Mesmerizing Hvar speed boat tour with optional wine tasting - Your private RIB speedboat: why it changes the whole coastline
The core of this experience is the high-speed RIB. These boats are designed for quick hops between scenic spots, and that matters on Hvar’s south coast where the best views are spread out.

Here’s what you’re really paying for, beyond the ticket: you get to spend your time in the water and at the viewpoints, not stuck in transit or squeezed around other groups. One review described the day as their favorite in Hvar after 14 days, and that matches the vibe. The boat is comfortable, the captain is friendly, and the route choices help you feel like you’re seeing the coast the way locals probably do it, fast and focused.

Your captain also listens. One named captain, Dujo, reportedly understood what the group wanted and adjusted destinations to the weather and preferences. That kind of flexibility is hard to get on fixed-seat group boats.

Green Lagoon swim and snorkeling: the highlight with one practical caveat

Mesmerizing Hvar speed boat tour with optional wine tasting - Green Lagoon swim and snorkeling: the highlight with one practical caveat
Your day includes a stop for swimming and snorkeling in Green Lagoon. The tour provides snorkel gear for underwater exploring, and the water is clear enough that you may even get the fun moment of seeing fish up close, with luck.

This is one of those stops where being prepared helps. Bring a swimsuit you can wear right away, and plan on getting wet early. I also recommend a small dry bag or zip pouch for your phone and wallet. You will be on and off the boat, and you do not want to spend the day worried about your stuff.

One consideration from real-world experience: in at least one case, masks were provided but snorkel access was limited due to rules at the time. That’s not something you can plan around blindly, so if snorkeling is your top priority, confirm what will be available on your specific departure. It’s a quick question for the provider and saves disappointment.

Dubovica Beach: why this kind of stop works on a RIB

Mesmerizing Hvar speed boat tour with optional wine tasting - Dubovica Beach: why this kind of stop works on a RIB
Dubovica Beach shows up as one of the scenic stops on the cruise route. On a RIB, beach time feels different than it does from a larger boat that anchors far out. Even if the stop isn’t long, you’re closer to the action, and you can get a few solid minutes of swimming and coastline viewing without the whole day stalling.

What makes Dubovica worth targeting is the way it breaks up the ride. You start the day in motion, then you get a calmer moment to soak in the water and shoreline. That rhythm helps a lot on a six-hour outing. It’s not just a series of photos, it’s a mix of viewpoints and actual time in the sea.

If you love photos, keep your camera accessible. When you’re on a fast boat, you can go from open water to a perfect angle quickly, then it’s gone. The captain’s route choices are part of the magic.

The Red Rocks: coastline drama without the hiking

Mesmerizing Hvar speed boat tour with optional wine tasting - The Red Rocks: coastline drama without the hiking
Another named stop on the route is the Red Rocks. These are the kind of coastal features that look good from water level, and you get that view advantage with a RIB.

This is also one of the reasons a speedboat day beats a purely land-based plan. You don’t need to hike or time public transit. You just go where the scenery is, then you see it at the right angle, from the sea.

If you get seasick, plan accordingly. Fast boats can feel choppy when winds pick up. Bring any medication that works for you, and sit where you feel most stable. The day can still be great, but it’s smart to set yourself up for comfort.

Sveta Nedjelja: the food and wine finale (and what to expect)

Mesmerizing Hvar speed boat tour with optional wine tasting - Sveta Nedjelja: the food and wine finale (and what to expect)
You finish with a stop at Sveta Nedjelja. The day includes local specialties and, of course, wine sampling. This is where the tour shifts from coastal sightseeing to a more relaxed, “slow down for a meal and a glass” ending.

The wine part has a special hook. The tour centers on tasting at a winery where the cellar is beneath the sea. That alone turns wine tasting into something you’ll remember. It’s not just a drink, it’s a setting.

One more detail that can matter for your expectations: soft drink options may be limited. One review called out that water was provided, but there weren’t other soft drinks. If that matters to you, consider bringing what you prefer for hydration and sipping, within whatever rules the operator sets. At minimum, pack sunscreen and water needs in your plan, because the sun on the south coast can be intense.

Optional wine tasting: how to decide if it fits your day

Mesmerizing Hvar speed boat tour with optional wine tasting - Optional wine tasting: how to decide if it fits your day
The tour is described as having optional wine tasting, which is good news if you want the scenic boat day but do not want to overdo alcohol.

If you plan to drink, treat this stop as your main tasting window and keep your pace easy. If you prefer not to drink, you can still enjoy the food component and the unique setting of the winery.

Either way, this wine finale is a strong reason to choose this tour over a simpler RIB-only coastal cruise. You’re getting both water time and a structured end to the day.

Price and value for $659.41 per group (up to 12)

Mesmerizing Hvar speed boat tour with optional wine tasting - Price and value for $659.41 per group (up to 12)
The price is $659.41 per group for up to 12 people. In other words, it is not priced like a per-person seat on a big boat. It’s priced like a private charter.

That’s where the value math works in your favor. If you fill the group, your effective cost per person drops a lot. If you travel as a small group, it’s still reasonable compared with other private options, but you will feel it more.

Here’s the practical way to look at it:

  • If you’re traveling with friends or family and can reach the upper end of the group size, this tour can be a surprisingly efficient way to see a lot of Hvar.
  • If it’s just you and one or two others, it becomes a treat day, not a budget day. You’re paying for the route flexibility and private pace.

Also note that on average this tour gets booked about 51 days in advance, so if your dates matter, you’ll want to plan early.

What to pack for a fast boat day on Hvar

Since your itinerary includes a swim and snorkeling stop, pack for getting wet and moving fast. I’d bring:

  • Swimsuit you can wear under your clothes
  • A quick-dry towel or at least something you can dry off with
  • Water-friendly footwear if you like standing comfortably near rocks
  • Sunscreen and a hat (high sun is common on this kind of trip)
  • A dry bag for phone, keys, and cards
  • A light layer for wind on the open water

If snorkeling is your goal, also consider bringing your own mask if you’re picky about fit. While gear is listed as provided, real-world availability can vary based on rules.

Who this tour suits best

This is a strong fit if you want:

  • A private Hvar speedboat day that skips the larger boat crush
  • A good mix of views and time in the sea
  • A structured finish that includes wine and local specialties in Sveta Nedjelja
  • A captain who can tailor destinations around what you want to see and the weather

It’s also great for repeat Hvar visitors. One review said they rebooked for another day, which tells me the route flexibility and experience quality hold up even if you think you’ve already “done” the island.

If you dislike boats or can’t handle wind and speed, this one may feel like too much. But if you’re comfortable on the water, it’s exactly the kind of outing that makes Hvar feel effortless.

Should you book this Hvar RIB wine tour?

Book it if you want a half-day that feels fast, scenic, and intentional. The RIB style saves time, the stops like Green Lagoon, Dubovica Beach, and the Red Rocks make sense for what’s most photogenic and swimmable, and the ending in Sveta Nedjelja gives you a satisfying food-and-wine close.

Pass or at least confirm details closely if snorkeling is non-negotiable. Also, if you want more than water for drinks, plan for that in advance.

If your group can split the cost and you’re aiming to see the south coast in one clean outing, this is a solid value pick for Hvar.

FAQ

How long is the Hvar speed boat tour?

The duration is about 6 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 10:30 am.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at CROFFERS Tourist Agency – Blue Cave Excursions, Private speed Boat Tours, Sea Transfers, Jurja Matijevica 17, 21450, Hvar, Croatia.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It is private, and only your group participates.

How many people can be in a group?

The tour price is per group up to 12 people.

What is the price?

The price is $659.41 per group.

What does the tour include for water time?

You swim and snorkel in Green Lagoon, and snorkel gear is provided.

Is the wine tasting included?

The experience includes a stop at Sveta Nedjelja for wine sampling and local specialities, and wine tasting is part of the tour.

What drink options are provided?

Water is provided. No other soft drinks are mentioned in the details, and one review noted that only water was available.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. The experience requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.