Croatia · Central Dalmatia
Yacht charter Hvar
Pakleni islands, Vis and lavender coast
Sailing from Hvar
Hvar is the island most crews build their week around: the Pakleni archipelago on its doorstep, Vis a two-hour reach away, and Stari Grad and Vrboska on the sheltered northern side when the town gets loud. Charters usually start in Split or Trogir and reach Hvar on day two, and a smaller number of crewed yachts are berthed on the island itself.
Getting to Hvar
Hvar has no airport. Fly to Split (SPU) and either take a catamaran ferry to Hvar town (about an hour from the city) or — far more common — start the charter from Split, Kaštela or Trogir and sail to Hvar on the first or second day.
Wind, sea and season
The Hvar channel accelerates the afternoon maestral, and gusts in the Pakleni passage are stronger than the forecast suggests. Palmižana and Vinogradišće are well protected from the north-west but exposed to the southerly jugo; when jugo is forecast, crews cross to Stari Grad or Vrboska.
A week under sail from Hvar
Day 1
Arrive from Split or Milna, anchor in Vinogradišće off Sveti Klement.
Day 2
Hvar town — berth early or take a town mooring, walk up to the Spanish fortress.
Day 3
Reach west to Vis and Komiža, the longest leg of the week.
Day 4
Biševo and the Blue Cave at first light, then back to Vis town.
Day 5
Šćedro island — Uvala Karbuni or Lovišće, empty even in August.
Day 6
Northern Hvar: Vrboska or Stari Grad, the oldest town in Croatia.
Day 7
Short crossing to Šolta or Brač before the return to base.
Yachts in Croatia
We do not currently list a boat in Hvar online — send your dates and we will source from our partner fleets there.
Hvar yacht charter — frequently asked questions
- Can I charter a yacht directly from Hvar?
- A limited number of crewed yachts and gulets are based on Hvar. Most bareboat yachts leave from Split, Trogir or Kaštela on the mainland and reach Hvar on the first or second day — check the live listings for what is actually available for your week.
- Is it hard to get a berth in Hvar town in summer?
- In July and August, yes. Town moorings and the ACI berths go early in the afternoon; many crews anchor in the Pakleni islands and take the water taxi across, which is quieter and cheaper.
- How far is Vis from Hvar?
- About 20 nautical miles from Palmižana to Komiža, typically three to four hours under sail. It is the one leg of a Hvar week that is worth an early start.