Makarska: 3-Island Speedboat Tour with Cave and Blue Lagoon

The best part of this five-hour speedboat trip is its variety. In one morning or afternoon, you swim into a narrow cave on Hvar, cliff-jump at Mala Stiniva, stop for coffee in Jelsa, snorkel around Zečevo, and finish at a quiet beach on Brač.

I like the small group limit of 12, which should make the boat feel more personal than a large excursion vessel. I also like the mix of active stops and free time in Jelsa. The main drawback is the amount of transport: about two hours and 10 minutes are spent moving between locations, and getting back onto the boat can be awkward if you have limited strength or poor balance.

Key points

• Five stops across Hvar and Brač: You get caves, cliffs, a historic town, an unpopulated islet, and a secluded beach in one outing.
• A real speedboat ride: Around two hours and 10 minutes are spent cruising, so expect wind, spray, and a lively ride rather than a slow ferry trip.
• Best for confident swimmers: The tour includes cave swimming, snorkeling, and optional cliff jumping, but it is not recommended for non-swimmers.
• Small boat, small group: The maximum is 12 passengers, with an English and Croatian-speaking skipper.
• Useful inclusions: Safety equipment, snorkeling gear, bottled water, and taxes are covered. Lunch and an onboard restroom are not.
• Good weather matters: The tour can be moved or refunded if conditions are poor or the minimum number of participants is not reached.

A fast start from Makarska to Hvar

You meet at Rent a Boat Makarska, Promare Charter, on Marineta ul. 12. Pickup is also offered, but the exact time depends on your location and is confirmed the day before. From there, the boat makes a roughly 40-minute panoramic run toward Hvar.

That opening ride sets the tone. This is not a gentle sightseeing cruise where you sit in a covered cabin and watch the coast slide past. You are in a small speedboat, and the journey between stops is a major part of the experience. The ride gives you wide views of the Adriatic, but wind and spray are part of the bargain.

You should think carefully about comfort at sea before booking. The operator does not recommend this trip for people prone to motion sickness, and the ride may not suit anyone who prefers stable footing. If you enjoy the feel of a fast boat and want several swim stops in one day, the transport time is useful rather than wasted.

Safety equipment is included, as are bottled water and snorkeling equipment. Still, bring swimwear, sun protection, and a towel. There is no restroom on board, so use one before departure.

Pokrivenik’s small cave and the sunlit water

The first stop is near Pokrivenik, on Hvar, where a small cave opens through the island’s rocky cliffs. You have about 20 minutes here, and the key experience is swimming through the narrow entrance.

Light entering the cave creates the effect that gives this stop its appeal. The space is small, so do not expect a large cavern or a long exploration. It is a short swim with a striking visual payoff, especially when the sun is in the right position.

This stop suits confident swimmers who are comfortable leaving the boat and entering a tight opening. If you dislike enclosed spaces or are uneasy in open water, you can still appreciate the cliffs from the boat, but the cave itself is best enjoyed by people happy to swim in.

The time is brief, so have your mask and snorkel ready before you enter the water. The equipment is supplied, which saves you from packing your own set, though you may prefer to bring personal goggles if you are particular about fit.

Mala Stiniva for cliffs, swimming, and optional jumps

After about 20 minutes of cruising, the boat reaches Mala Stiniva bay. This is one of the tour’s strongest stops, with pale stone cliffs dropping sharply to clear water.

You get around 30 minutes here for swimming, snorkeling, and cliff jumping. The jumping is optional, not a required part of the program. That matters because the bay attracts people for different reasons. You can seek a little adrenaline from the rocks, or simply float and look into the water.

The cliffs rise almost straight from the sea, giving Mala Stiniva a more dramatic feel than a broad, sandy beach. The tradeoff is that this is a rocky setting, so water shoes may be useful, though they are not listed as an included item.

Use good judgment with the jumps. The tour is not recommended for non-swimmers, and anyone who is uncertain in open water should skip the jumping. The skipper can help manage the stop, but you are responsible for choosing an activity suited to your ability.

If you want the most active portion of the day, this is likely it. The stop is long enough for several swims or a few jumps, but not long enough to settle in for a full beach session.

Jelsa gives the tour a slower middle

From Mala Stiniva, you head to Jelsa, an old town on Hvar with historic monuments and a more settled feel than the small bays. You have about 50 minutes here, the longest stop of the day.

That extra time gives you a welcome change of pace. After the noise and movement of the speedboat, you can order a coffee or take a short walk. The town stop is not designed as a full historical tour, and there is no listed guided visit to monuments. Instead, it gives you room to explore on your own.

I like this part because it keeps the outing from becoming five straight hours of swimming. A short pause on land can make the later boat ride feel easier, especially if you are traveling with mixed interests. One person can stroll, another can find a café, and nobody has to spend every minute in the water.

Do not expect a long Jelsa visit. Fifty minutes passes quickly, particularly if you want both coffee and a walk. Treat it as a brief taste of the town rather than a replacement for a dedicated Hvar day trip.

Zečevo’s clear water and quiet setting

Opposite Jelsa, a short cruise brings you to Zečevo, an unpopulated islet in the Hvar archipelago. It is protected as a significant area, and the appeal here is simple: untouched surroundings and clear turquoise water.

You have about 30 minutes to snorkel. This is a good counterpoint to Mala Stiniva. There, the cliffs and jumping provide the visual drama. At Zečevo, the attraction is the water itself and the feeling of being away from a built-up shore.

The stop is best for anyone who enjoys looking below the surface rather than staying on land. Snorkeling gear is included, and the skipper speaks English and Croatian, so you can ask practical questions about entering the water or using the equipment.

Again, keep the time limit in mind. Thirty minutes is enough for a swim and a look around, but not enough to wander far or linger through a long lunch. The tour is built around short, varied stops, not extended stays.

The final swim at Žirje Beach on Brač

The last stop comes after a roughly 30-minute cruise from Hvar toward Brač. Žirje Beach is described as a secluded bay, offering a quiet finish after the more active earlier stops.

You get about 30 minutes here. That makes it a final swim and rest stop rather than a full beach afternoon. The setting gives you one last chance to get into the water, cool off, and enjoy a less developed shoreline before returning to Makarska.

The sequence works well. The cave starts the day with something unusual, Mala Stiniva brings physical activity, Jelsa adds a town visit, Zečevo focuses on snorkeling, and Žirje Beach gives you a calm ending. No single stop receives a long visit, but the changing scenery keeps the day moving.

The return boat ride is part of the total time, so remember that a five-hour tour does not mean five hours at beaches and bays. The experience includes roughly 40 minutes to the first stop, several shorter crossings, the 30-minute transfer to Brač, and the ride back to Makarska.

What the small speedboat means for comfort

A maximum of 12 passengers is a useful middle ground. You are not on a huge vessel, but the boat can still feel busy when everyone is getting ready to swim or climbing back aboard.

The boarding ladder deserves attention. One account noted that it was small and lacked enough grab handles, making reboarding difficult for some people. The skipper had to help pull passengers back onto the boat. That is important practical information, especially if you have weak knees, limited upper-body strength, or trouble using ladders.

The tour is not recommended for people over 70, and that guidance is worth taking seriously. It is also not recommended for anyone with sea or motion sickness. Children under four cannot participate.

I would choose this outing if you are comfortable with a wet, active boat day. I would look for a calmer, larger vessel if you want easy boarding, a restroom, or a more relaxed ride.

Is $96.38 a fair price?

At $96.38 per person, the value depends on how you use the stops. You are paying for a five-hour boat outing that reaches two islands and an offshore islet, with several separate swim locations, a town visit, snorkeling gear, safety equipment, bottled water, taxes, and a skipper.

That is a reasonable package for someone who wants to see several coastal places in one day without arranging separate boat transport. The cost also covers the convenience of moving directly between Hvar, Zečevo, and Brač rather than relying on public ferries and then finding local transport.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a long beach stay. The longest stop is only 50 minutes, and the others last 20 or 30 minutes. You are buying variety and speed, not depth at one location.

Lunch is not included, so plan to eat before or after the trip. Jelsa gives you time for a coffee, but the schedule is not built around a full meal. Since there is no restroom on board, the short town stop should not be treated as your only chance to handle basic needs.

The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 23 days. If your dates are fixed, booking early makes sense, especially during the busy coastal season.

Skipper service and the human side of the trip

The skipper is central to this experience. You need someone who can handle a fast boat, give clear safety instructions, and help people in and out of the water. The skipper speaks English and Croatian.

One skipper identified in the available feedback is Greg, who was praised for answering questions and giving local suggestions for Makarska. If Greg is operating your departure, you may get that same useful local guidance, but skipper assignments can vary.

A separate practical point concerns transfers to and from accommodation. Pickup is offered, and the exact time is confirmed the day before. If you use pickup, keep your phone available and watch for the final message, since the schedule changes by location.

The boat returns to the original meeting point. That makes planning easier if you are spending the rest of the day in Makarska, but leave yourself some breathing room after the tour rather than scheduling an immediate long-distance connection.

Who should book this Makarska boat trip?

I would recommend it to confident swimmers, couples, friends, and active families with older children who want several coastal highlights in a short time. It is especially suited to you if you like a mix of swimming, snorkeling, cliff jumping, short town visits, and fast boat rides.

You will get the most from it if you are willing to be flexible. The water conditions affect the schedule, and the experience requires good weather. The operator may offer another date or a full refund if poor weather forces a cancellation. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone with motion sickness, poor balance, fear of enclosed spaces, or difficulty climbing a boat ladder. It is also a poor match if your ideal outing includes a long lunch, a shaded cabin, a restroom, or hours on one beach.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a fast, varied Adriatic day and are happy to trade long stops for more places. The cave at Pokrivenik, the cliffs at Mala Stiniva, the coffee break in Jelsa, Zečevo’s snorkeling water, and Žirje Beach create a well-packed route.

Skip it if comfort matters more than variety. The long stretches on a small speedboat, lack of onboard restroom, short stops, and awkward ladder may outweigh the appeal.

For the right person, $96.38 buys a useful slice of Hvar and Brač in one outing. Just arrive ready to swim, accept the spray, and choose this trip for movement and variety rather than a slow day beside one beach.

FAQ

How long is the Makarska speedboat tour?

The tour lasts approximately five hours, including the boat rides between Makarska, Hvar, Zečevo, Brač, and the return to Makarska.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Rent a Boat Makarska, Promare Charter, on Marineta ul. 12, 21300 Makarska. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered, but the exact pickup time depends on your location and is confirmed the day before the tour.

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum group size is 12 passengers.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, safety equipment, bottled water, and all fees and taxes are included.

Is lunch provided?

No. Lunch is not included. You have free time in Jelsa for a coffee or a short walk, but the tour does not include a meal.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

No. There is no restroom on board.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. If bad weather or insufficient participation cancels the tour, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.