Hvar’s Best Kept Secret: Stari Grad Bay
Faros Boats is proudly based in Stari Grad Bay, one of the most hospitable and historic nautical enclaves in the Adriatic. Today, our bay is the perfect playground for amateur boaters, families with young childen, and anyone who loves spending the day by the sea.
How Much Does It Cost?
A boat tour of Stari Grad Bay is one of the best bargains on island Hvar. We at Faros offer a powerboat called the Nautika 500 which is ideal for Stari Grad’s sheltered waters and intricate shoreline. All of our boats include a sunshade, snorkels, a cooler, and lifevests. The Nautikas easily accommodate 6 people and a daily rental costs only 90 euro. There are half a dozen waterfront konobas in Stari Grad Bay. They are all fairly priced and family-owned. Meals
, making it an affordable outing for almost all vacationers, whether as a stand-alone excursion or a complement to another, more ambitious day of boating.
We see so many visitors to Croatia spending their time and money on low-quality boat tours, in which they a long day of transit and crowded sight-seeing with a boatful of strangers. These tours typically cost around 100 euro or more. Compared to a Blue Cave Tour or other group tours, which typically cost around 100 euro or more, we can frankly guarantee that you and your loved ones will have a far better experience just getting to know Stari Grad Bay. In this article, we will help you envision your trip by describing some of our favorite destinations, and also
In this article, we will describe one of our favorite itineraries for Stari Grad Bay, and then outline
Renting a boat is the perfect activity for families on holiday in Stari Grad on island Hvar. In the shallow, secluded beaches that line Stari Grad bay, kids can move at their own speed. Raucous games of water tag flow into quietly collecting shells. Kids of all ages can find an activity that suits their comfort level, whether that’s throwing pebbles into the water or practicing new dives. Meanwhile, parents can relax while keeping an eye on little ones. All Faros Boats come equipped with essentials, such as snorkels, water bottles, and kids’ life jackets, so you and your family can simply show up and enjoy the adventure. Here is an ideal itinerary for a family day on the water, plus some useful tips and recommendations for boating on Hvar with kids.
Plan a killer lunch
Swimming burns a ton of calories, so find a beach with some shade and enjoy a picnic feast! Here’s our dream spread:
Fresh crusty bread from Pekara Tepić, a family operation which uses local ingredients whenever possible
Homemade prosciutto if you can find it - ask your hosts! - or from Za Pod Zub
Pag Cheese - a famous artisanal cheese from Dalmatia
Pickled onions, mustard, and ajvar - a Serbian red pepper spread
Bottle of Pošip - preferably from Svirče, down the road from Stari Grad
Homemade syrup and Radensko, or a bottle of Pipi - a cheeky orange soda brand that could only be born in Dalmatia
Fresh figs from the fruit stand
Kolumbo bar of chocolate from Croatian chocolatier Kras (similar to Toblerone)
For snacking, dried fruit, nuts, and the weirdly addictive peanut puffs called Smoki
All of our boats come equipped with an ice box, so stock up! If you’d prefer to sit down to wild-caught seafood or a hearty Dalmatian roast (called peka), just let your skipper know and he’ll lead you to one of the bay’s charming beachside restaurants.
Rent a Skipper
We understand the temptation to save a bit of money, as well as the desire for privacy, but for families we recommend hiring a skipper, which costs about $80 for the day. Having a professional driver allows both parents to keep an eye on children while the boat is moving, and guarantees that even if one beach isn’t to your liking, you can swiftly find a second or third option that will make everyone happy. You’ll find that our skippers are unobtrusive: there when you need them and not when you don’t.
If you have a boating license and chose not to hire a skipper, please pay close attention to the guidelines that you will receive before you take out your boat. Tragedies do happen, and they almost always occur because someone drank too much, drove too fast, and didn’t notice what was in their path.
Be Sun Smart
Hvar is the sunniest island in Europe. On most summer days, there is not a single cloud in the sky. Especially as it reflects off the sea, that sunlight can be intense.
Trust us when we say that you will be miserable in the moment without a hat and sunglasses, and you will be miserable later if you do not apply and reapply sunscreen, particularly to the tops of your feet and thighs. Stay in the shade when you’re not swimming and drink as many liters of water as you can. If you can stand it, you may be glad you wore a long-sleeved t-shirt; skippers often wear one for a reason.
No one leaves Hvar without a tan - don’t be the unfortunate visitor who leaves with a rash.
Book Ahead
Boats do sell out in the high season of July and August. Before getting your kids excited for a day on the water, be sure to check availability with a local operator. You can view our openings and reserve a boat online.