Hvar kayaking: paddling out to the Pakleni Islands
Hvar kayaking means sea paddling from the beaches just west of the harbour towards the Pakleni Islands, the archipelago the tourist board names for kayaking off Hvar town. You cover the water under your own power, with a guide who knows the bays and picks the route to suit the wind and the sea on the day.
Two guided tours leave from two start points: Križna Luka bay and Bonj beach. Neither needs previous kayaking experience. Prices run from €60 to €80 per person as of November 2026, and the choice comes down to how long you want to be out and whether you want a fixed route with a snorkel stop or a tour of your own length.
Our picks: Hvar kayak tours
The Bonj beach tour is the one to book if you want to choose between a half day and a full day. The tour from Križna Luka bay is a fixed half day with a snorkelling stop.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of November 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Small-group sea kayak tour to the Pakleni Islands
- Snorkelling equipment
- Dry bags
- Life vest and spray skirt
A guided half-day paddle in single or double sit-in kayaks, with a briefing first and a snorkelling stop.
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Guided kayak tour to the Pakleni Islands, half or full day
- Certified local guide
- Snorkelling masks
- Accident insurance
A certified local guide leads the paddle, and no kayaking experience is needed. Snorkelling masks and accident insurance are included.
Check availability →Hvar kayak tours
Guided kayak tours from Križna Luka and Bonj beach, with current prices and availability.
Križna Luka: the 4.5-hour paddle with a snorkel stop
This tour meets at Križna Luka bay, a ten-minute walk from the town centre along Šetalište put Križa. Keep the sea on your right: it is the only beach with kayaks, and your guide waits there. The start is at 09:30, and you should arrive 15 minutes early. The paddle covers 8 to 9 km in about four and a half hours at €80 per person, with a swim and snorkel stop in a bay that the guide chooses according to sea state, weather and visitor numbers.
On the small-group tour you paddle a single or double sit-in kayak, and the equipment list adds a life vest, a spray skirt, dry bags and snorkelling gear. A briefing comes before you set off. Bring 1.5 litres of water, snacks, sun protection, a hat, sunglasses with a strap and water shoes. If the operator cancels because of weather, you get another date or a full refund, and the same applies when too few people have booked.
Bonj beach: a half-day or full-day paddle from €60
The Bonj beach tour starts at 10:00 from a beach hut under the bridge, about 700 metres west of Hvar's main square. Walk along the coast for seven to ten minutes and you are there. The half day takes four hours and usually follows the Ždrilca channel, with an optional detour to Perna or Marinkovac. The full day takes six hours and can continue to Palmižana on Sveti Klement. Distances range from 4 to 15 km depending on the option, the weather and the group.
Kayaks are sit-on-top singles or doubles, and the price includes paddles, life jackets, dry bags, snorkelling masks, accident insurance and a certified local guide, who runs a briefing first. Bring water, sun protection, a towel, a hat and sunglasses. The operator does not run in very bad weather.
Which Hvar kayak tour fits you?
Choose Bonj beach if you want to pick the length, four or six hours, and a starting price of €60. Choose Križna Luka for a fixed 4.5-hour paddle with a swim and snorkel stop, a small group and the earlier 09:30 start. Neither needs experience, but you should be fit and comfortable in the water.
If you would rather share a boat than paddle, see our guides to Hvar snorkeling by boat and kayak, the Pakleni Islands and boat trips from Hvar.
Hvar kayaking: practical questions
How much does a kayak tour in Hvar cost?
The Bonj beach tour starts at €60 per person, and the Križna Luka tour costs €80 per person for about four and a half hours, as of November 2026.
Do I need kayaking experience?
No. Both tours begin with a briefing, and the guide explains the equipment before you leave the beach. You should be fit and comfortable in the water.
How long do the tours last and how far do you paddle?
The Križna Luka tour lasts about 4.5 hours over 8 to 9 km. The Bonj beach half day lasts 4 hours and the full day 6 hours, with 4 to 15 km in total depending on the option.
What should I bring?
Water, sun protection, a hat and sunglasses on both tours. Add water shoes and snacks for Križna Luka, where you also arrive 15 minutes early, and a towel for Bonj beach.