Makarska: Speedboat Sunset Tour to hidden bay on island Brač

Puntica Bay gives this sunset speedboat tour its appeal. You cross from Makarska to Brač in about 20 minutes, anchor in a quiet cove, and have time to swim, snorkel, or reach the beach before heading back beneath a glowing sky. I like the mix of sea time and scenery, plus the chance to see Makarska from offshore.

I especially like the 40-minute swim stop, which is long enough to do more than take a quick dip. I also like the small-group format, with no more than 12 people, and skipper Tina’s knack for timing the return and taking photos. The main catch is simple: the boat anchors in the bay, so you must enter the water from the boat or swim to shore. There is no dock.

Key points at a glance

• Puntica Bay on Brač: A quiet stop for swimming, snorkeling, and beach time, with swings facing toward Makarska.
• Twenty-minute crossing: The ride out gives you a fine view of the Makarska Riviera from the water.
• Forty minutes in the bay: You have real time to swim from the boat or reach the beach.
• Sunset return: The trip is timed to show Makarska from offshore as the sky changes color.
• Small groups: Up to 12 people share the speedboat, with private options also available.
• Bring your own refreshments: Food and drinks are not included, but you may bring them along.

Leaving Makarska with the Riviera behind you

The tour begins at Palladium Rent a Boat Makarska, though the exact meeting point can vary with the option you book. From the port, the speedboat heads toward Brač, and the first reward arrives before the swimming stop: Makarska looks different from the water.

From shore, the town is framed by the Biokovo range and the Adriatic. From a moving boat, you get a broader view of the coast, the port, and the long sweep of the Riviera. The 20-minute crossing is short enough that you do not lose much of your evening, but long enough to make the trip feel like a proper escape from town.

A speedboat also changes the mood. You are not making a long cruise with a packed schedule. You are moving quickly toward a small bay, with the breeze and open water doing much of the work. The boat ride itself is part of the sightseeing, not just transport.

The group limit matters here. With up to 12 people, boarding and leaving the bay should feel less cumbersome than on a large excursion boat. Private and small-group choices are available, so you can choose a more personal setup if that matters to you.

Forty minutes at Puntica Bay

Puntica Bay is the heart of the outing. The boat anchors offshore, and you can get into the sea directly from the boat or swim over to the beach. That setup brings a little adventure, but it also requires confidence in the water and some care when getting in and out.

You are given about 40 minutes here. That is generous for a 90-minute tour. You can swim from the speedboat, use the included snorkeling set, or head to the beach and look around the cove. The time is not padded with a long stop for lunch or shopping. It is focused on the water.

The beach swings add a playful touch and give you something distinctive to look for once you reach shore. They also make a fun photo point, with views back toward Makarska across the channel. If you prefer to stay on the boat, you can listen to music and swim nearby instead.

The bay is described as a quiet, secluded spot, but you should keep expectations sensible. This is not a full beach day, and the boat does not pull up to a pier. You will not have a formal changing area or an easy step onto land. Wear your swimwear before departure and bring a towel so the practical side stays simple.

The included snorkeling set is useful, but the tour does not promise a guided marine-life session. You can explore around the cove at your own pace. Water conditions, visibility, and the number of other boats may affect what you see on a given evening.

The return trip is the scenic finale

After the swim stop, the speedboat heads back toward Makarska. This is when the tour shifts from a water activity to a sunset viewing trip. The boat pauses at a viewpoint, allowing you to take in the coast and Makarska from a different angle.

The listed timing gives roughly 20 minutes for the return ride and about 10 minutes for the sunset and scenic views. The exact mood depends on the season and the evening’s conditions, but the plan is clear: you are on the water as the sun drops and the coast takes on warm gold, orange, and pink tones.

The operator gives an important timing warning. Sunset shifts earlier by about two minutes each day during summer, so confirm the precise departure time before you go. Do not rely on an old screenshot or a time remembered from a previous evening. The starting time is designed around the sunset, and even a small timing error can affect the finale.

This is also the point where the view of Makarska becomes especially rewarding. Instead of looking out from the waterfront, you look back at the town from Brač’s side of the channel. That change of viewpoint is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip over a simple sunset drink in town.

What the speedboat setup means for you

The speedboat makes the tour efficient. In 90 minutes, you get a coastal ride, a cross-channel outing, a swim stop, and sunset views. You do not spend most of the evening traveling to a distant island location.

The tradeoff is space. A speedboat is not a lounge, and the ride may feel more active than a slow sightseeing cruise. The details provided do not specify seating arrangements or onboard shade, so pack with a short open-water ride in mind. A towel, swimwear, and anything you need for personal comfort are the sensible basics.

Smoking is not allowed. Food and drinks are not included, though you may bring your own. Since the experience lasts only an hour and a half, most people will not need a full picnic, but bringing water is practical, especially if you plan to swim and snorkel.

The boat is operated by a skipper, with English and Croatian available. Tina is named as one skipper who has been praised for careful timing and for taking photos during the trip. One particularly useful detail is that she photographed children jumping into the sea and sent 23 photos soon afterward. That is not a guaranteed feature on every departure, but it suggests the crew may help capture the outing when conditions and time allow.

Price and value at $44

At $44 per person, this is priced as a short activity rather than a full-day island excursion. The value comes from combining several elements that would otherwise take separate planning: boat transport, a Brač swim stop, snorkeling equipment, a skipper, fuel, and sunset sightseeing.

The 40-minute stop is important to that calculation. You are not paying for a quick photo run where the boat turns around immediately. Nearly half the experience is set aside for swimming and snorkeling, while the rest covers the crossing and sunset ride.

Fuel and taxes are included, which keeps the advertised price easier to understand. Food and drinks are not included, but the tour is short enough that this should not add much unless you want a larger meal or several drinks.

The value is strongest if you already plan to spend an evening in Makarska and want an active way to see the coast. It is less suitable if you want a long day on Brač, a guided cultural tour, or a boat with extensive facilities. This is a compact sea outing, not a full island tour.

A 4.9 average from 19 posted ratings gives the experience a strong record so far. The most praised details are the sunset timing, the attractive swimming spot, the friendly help from the skipper, and the chance of seeing dolphins. Dolphin sightings are never something you should count on, but the possibility adds a nice bonus to an already scenic ride.

Who will enjoy this evening on the water

I would recommend this for couples, friends, families with older children, and anyone who wants a short break from the Makarska waterfront. Teenagers should find plenty to like: a fast boat ride, music, swimming, snorkeling, and the option to jump from the boat into the sea where appropriate.

It also suits photographers and people who enjoy changing viewpoints. The outing gives you several distinct scenes: Makarska from the port, the bay on Brač, the beach swings, and the town at sunset from the channel.

You should be comfortable around water. The boat anchors rather than docking, and reaching the beach means swimming from the boat. That makes the tour unsuitable for wheelchair users and potentially difficult for anyone with limited mobility or anyone who does not want to enter the water from a boat.

The small-group format helps if you prefer a social but not crowded outing. If you want a completely private experience, private options are available. Ask about the exact setup when booking, since the meeting point and group arrangement may vary by option.

Practical preparation before departure

Wear your swimsuit from the start. There may be no convenient place to change before reaching Puntica Bay, and the tour is built around getting into the water.

Bring:

• A towel
• Water or another drink
• Any food you want, since none is provided
• Sun protection suitable for your needs
• A secure way to keep small personal items dry

The supplied snorkeling set removes one item from your packing list. You may still prefer to bring your own mask if fit is important to you, but that is not required by the tour details.

Confirm the departure time on the day or shortly before the outing. Summer sunset changes by about two minutes each day, and the exact start time may shift. Also confirm the meeting point if your booking option gives more than one possibility.

Keep your phone ready for photos, but protect it around the water. The skipper may take pictures, as Tina did for one family, but you should not treat that as a promised service. It is better to be prepared to capture your own memories.

Cancellation and basic booking notes

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful when your evening plans depend on the weather or your arrival schedule.

The activity lasts 1.5 hours and ends back at the meeting point in Makarska. English and Croatian are available. Wheelchair users cannot take part, and smoking is not allowed.

Since the boat must anchor in the bay, ask yourself one direct question before booking: am I happy entering the sea from a boat and swimming to shore? If the answer is no, the tour may not match what you want, even though the views are appealing.

Should you book the Puntica Bay sunset tour?

Book it if you want a short, active evening with strong scenery and real time in the water. The combination of a 20-minute ride, a 40-minute swim stop, and a sunset return makes good use of 90 minutes. At $44, it offers solid value for a speedboat outing that includes the skipper, fuel, snorkeling equipment, and taxes.

I would be more cautious if you need easy beach access, dislike boat transfers, or want a long, relaxed cruise with food and drinks served onboard. For everyone else, this is a neat way to leave Makarska for an hour and a half, swim on Brač, and return with the town glowing behind you.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The start is at Palladium Rent a Boat Makarska. The exact meeting point may vary depending on the option booked, so confirm it before departure.

How long does the sunset speedboat tour last?

The tour lasts 1.5 hours, or 90 minutes.

How long is the ride from Makarska to Brač?

The speedboat ride to Puntica Bay takes about 20 minutes.

How much time is spent at Puntica Bay?

You have about 40 minutes at Puntica Bay for swimming and snorkeling.

Can I swim straight from the boat?

Yes. The boat anchors in the bay, and you can enter the water directly from the speedboat.

Can I swim to the beach?

Yes. You can swim from the anchored boat to the beach and see the beach swings. There is no docking station in the bay.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. A snorkeling set is included in the tour price.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but you may bring your own.

What languages are available?

The live tour is available in English and Croatian.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users because the boat anchors in the bay and does not use a docking station.