Makarska: 3-island Speedboat Cave & Blue Lagoon Tour

The best part of this Makarska boat trip is the variety packed into five hours: you swim into a small blue cave, stop in two quiet bays, wander Jelsa, and finish with clear-water snorkeling. The Little Blue Cave on Hvar is not the famous Biševo cave, but it has one major advantage: no queue and no entry fee.

I like the small group of up to 12 and the sensible mix of active stops and town time. I also like that fuel, water, snorkeling gear, insurance, and shade are included, so the $106 price is easier to justify.

The main drawback is the lack of a toilet onboard. You must wait until Jelsa to use one, and this is a fast open-boat outing with ladders and repeated swims, so it is not suitable for non-swimmers, pregnant women, or children under three.

Key points at a glance

• Swim into Hvar’s Little Blue Cave: The boat anchors outside, and you enter by swimming. It is a smaller local cave, not the famous Blue Cave on Biševo.
• Three islands in five hours: The route links Hvar, Zečevo, and Brač without making the day feel like one long boat transfer.
• A useful break in Jelsa: You get about an hour on land for coffee, ice cream, a walk, and toilet facilities.
• Small-group speedboat: The boat carries no more than 12 people, with a bimini cover over all seats.
• Several chances to swim: Pokrivenik, the Little Blue Cave, Zečevo’s Blue Lagoon, and Zirje Beach all offer time in the water.
• Bring snacks: Food is not included, and one stop advertised with a bar or coffee option may function mainly as a swimming stop.

Why this speedboat trip works from Makarska

Makarska is a practical launch point for a quick look at several Dalmatian islands. The boat leaves from the Palladium Rent a Boat stand on the main promenade, with morning departures at 8am and afternoon departures at 1:30pm. The full outing lasts about five hours.

You are not signing up for a slow sightseeing cruise. This is a RIB-style speedboat ride, with a brisk first run of about 40 minutes and several shorter hops between stops. That makes it possible to reach Hvar, Zečevo, and Brač in one outing, but it also means you should expect wind, spray, engine noise, and movement.

The boat has a bimini sun cover for every seat. That matters in midsummer, when five hours in direct sun would wear you down. Bottled water is kept in the onboard fridge, and a local skipper leads the trip in English and Croatian.

The group limit is 12 people. That is small enough to keep boarding and swimming stops fairly manageable, while still being a shared tour rather than a private charter. If you want a completely personal schedule, this is not that. If you want to cover a lot without paying for a private boat, the format makes sense.

First stop: Pokrivenik on Hvar

After roughly 40 minutes on the water, the boat reaches Pokrivenik on the island of Hvar. You have around 25 to 30 minutes here for swimming and snorkeling.

The appeal is simple. This is one of the quieter bays on the route, and you arrive by water rather than by road. The stop gives you a first chance to cool off before the cave and helps break up the initial boat ride.

Do not expect a long shore visit or a developed beach day. The schedule is built around getting in the water, not setting up on land. Wear your swimwear from the start and keep your towel, sunscreen, and personal items easy to reach.

The skipper chooses the exact place to anchor, and conditions can affect how comfortable the swim feels. Calm seas make the stop easy. Choppy water can make boarding and getting back onto the boat more demanding.

Swimming into Hvar’s Little Blue Cave

The Little Blue Cave is only about five minutes from Pokrivenik by boat. You get around 20 to 30 minutes for the cave stop, depending on the way the day runs.

Here is the key detail: you do not walk into this cave. The boat anchors outside, and you swim through the opening. That makes the stop more physical than the famous Blue Cave excursions that use a small boat to carry you inside.

Sunlight reflects through the water and gives the cave its blue appearance. The effect is best when the sea is calm and the light is right, but you should keep your expectations in proportion. This is a small local cave, not the major Blue Cave on the island of Biševo.

That distinction is important when comparing tours. The Biševo cave is a different attraction, and this experience does not take you there. This Hvar cave has no entry fee and no waiting line, which saves time and keeps the stop relaxed.

Bring a towel and be comfortable in open water before booking. Non-swimmers are not accepted on the tour, and the only way to see the cave is to swim in. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, but you may prefer to bring your own mask if you have one that fits well.

An hour in Jelsa, Hvar

After the cave, the boat makes a longer run of about 25 minutes to Jelsa. You get roughly one hour in town, which is a welcome change from the open water.

Jelsa is described as the best-known town on the northern side of Hvar in the tour information. The hour is enough for a short walk, a coffee, an ice cream, or a quick look around before returning to the boat.

This is not a full visit to Hvar, so do not expect time for museums, a long meal, or a detailed town tour. The value is in having a proper break on land. You can stretch your legs, use a public toilet, and buy food or drinks before the remaining swimming stops.

Food and snacks are not included. You are welcome to bring your own, and Jelsa is the most useful place to buy something if you did not pack it. Since the boat has no toilet, this is also the practical stop to plan around.

I like the way Jelsa changes the pace. Many island boat tours rush from one swimming cove to another. Here, the town stop gives you a little local atmosphere and a chance to dry off before the next section.

Zečevo’s Blue Lagoon

The run from Jelsa to Zečevo Island takes about 10 minutes. At the Blue Lagoon, you have around 25 to 40 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, and free time.

The water is the main attraction. The lagoon is a good place to look below the surface, and the short boat ride from Jelsa leaves more time for enjoying the stop instead of sitting in transit.

There is a waterfront bungalow bar at Zečevo, and the tour information presents this as a place for coffee or a drink. Still, plan carefully. At least one recent experience found no coffee break or bar service during the stop, with the time used mainly for swimming, and also noted a lack of onboard water. Water is listed as included, but bringing a backup bottle is sensible on any active summer outing.

This is also one of the better stops for snorkeling. The supplied equipment saves you from renting a mask and snorkel separately, though fit can vary. If snorkeling is a priority, ask the crew for help adjusting the set before you jump in.

Zirje Beach on Brač

The final swimming stop is Zirje Beach on Brač. The route from Zečevo takes about 25 minutes, and the stop lasts around 20 to 30 minutes.

By this point, you have already had a cave swim and a lagoon swim, so this last bay works as a final cooling-off stop rather than a major new sight. It is a useful finish because you can swim, snorkel, and relax before the longer 35-minute ride back to Makarska.

The schedule gives you enough time to get in the water without turning the end of the tour into a scramble. Still, keep an eye on the clock. Boat tours run on group timing, and the skipper needs everyone back onboard for the return crossing.

The trip then returns to Palladium Rent a Boat on Makarska’s main promenade. You finish with a fairly full afternoon or morning, depending on the departure you choose.

What the $106 price includes

At $106 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a few hours by the sea. The price becomes more reasonable when you count what is covered:

• Speedboat transportation
• Fuel
• English and Croatian-speaking local skipper
• Snorkeling equipment
• Bottled water
• Insurance
• Taxes and fees
• Shade from the bimini cover

You are paying for the boat, fuel, crew, and access to several island stops in one half-day. A private boat would normally cost much more, while a basic beach transfer would give you far less variety.

The strongest value is time. You can reach Hvar from Makarska, stop at a cave, spend an hour in Jelsa, visit Zečevo, and swim off Brač without arranging separate ferries or taxis. You also avoid an entry charge and a queue at the Little Blue Cave.

The weaker part of the value is food. Nothing to eat is included, and the bar availability at Zečevo should not be treated as guaranteed. Pack sandwiches, fruit, and a small snack. You will be happier with food in your bag than with an empty stomach after several swims.

The boat, comfort, and swimming demands

The boat has seating under a sun cover, but this is still an open speedboat. You are exposed to the sea, and the ride can feel lively if the water is not flat. One person also found the ladder difficult to use and wished it had two handles.

That is worth taking seriously. You will climb out of the water several times, and wet feet make any ladder less pleasant. Move slowly, use the available handholds, and ask the crew for help if needed.

The experience suits confident swimmers and active adults best. It can work for older children and teenagers who are comfortable in open water. One family group ranging from ages 7 to 17 enjoyed the repeated swimming and snorkeling, but the tour does not accept children under three.

It is not suitable for pregnant women or non-swimmers. The cave stop alone makes swimming ability essential. If you want to remain onboard while others swim, choose a different cruise.

A towel and swimwear are the only listed items you must bring, but I would also pack sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses with a strap, a dry bag, and snacks. Keep valuables to a minimum. The boat is designed for a day on the water, not for storing large luggage.

Timing, guides, and the feel of the day

The morning departure at 8am gives you an early start and brings you back around midday. The 1:30pm departure gives you an afternoon on the islands and a return in the evening. The afternoon option may suit people who want a slower morning in Makarska.

The skipper is an important part of this outing. Ante received especially warm praise for creating a fun small-group trip, while Karlo was singled out as a friendly and capable guide. The crew also made a point of including a younger passenger by allowing him to help steer under supervision.

That personal touch can make a difference on a small boat. The crew controls the pace, explains the stops, helps with snorkeling equipment, and manages boarding. The tour is not a formal history lesson, so choose it for scenery, swimming, and an easy island sampler rather than detailed cultural commentary.

Some days may bring unusual wildlife. One outing included two dolphins, though that is a lucky possibility rather than a promised feature.

Who should book it?

I would choose this trip if you want many different stops in half a day and you enjoy swimming more than sitting on a beach. It is especially good for couples, friends, and families with older children who are comfortable in a speedboat and open water.

You will likely appreciate it if you want a small group, shade onboard, supplied snorkeling gear, and a real town break in Jelsa. The route also works well if you are staying in Makarska and want to see more of the nearby islands without committing to a full-day cruise.

I would hesitate if you need a toilet onboard, dislike fast boat rides, or want a guaranteed café stop. The bar at Zečevo may not be operating as expected, and the boat is not designed for passengers who prefer to avoid swimming.

The cancellation terms are useful for flexible plans: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the forecast and sea conditions before you go, especially if you are sensitive to motion.

Final call: a strong choice for active island hopping

Book this tour if your ideal day includes a small speedboat, several swims, a local town, and three islands in five hours. The Little Blue Cave is the signature stop, but the overall appeal comes from the mix of Pokrivenik, Jelsa, Zečevo, and Zirje Beach.

At $106, you are paying for convenience and variety rather than a quiet luxury cruise. Pack snacks, use the toilet in Jelsa, and accept that the ladder and open-water swims require some effort. For confident swimmers who want an active taste of the Dalmatian coast, this is a well-shaped half-day outing.

FAQ

Where does the Makarska speedboat tour meet?

The meeting point is the Palladium Rent a Boat stand on the main promenade in Makarska.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about five hours.

What departure times are available?

The stated departure times are 8am in the morning and 1:30pm in the afternoon. You should check availability for the date you want.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Hvar, Zečevo, and Brač.

Is this the famous Blue Cave on Biševo?

No. The Little Blue Cave on this tour is on Hvar and is a different cave. You enter it by swimming from the anchored boat, with no entry fee or queue.

Do I need to be able to swim?

Yes. The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, and swimming into the Little Blue Cave is the only way to enter it.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A snorkeling set is included.

Is there a toilet on the boat?

No. Toilet facilities are not available onboard. You can use facilities in Jelsa during the one-hour town stop.

Is food included?

No. Food and snacks are not included, but you may bring your own. Availability of coffee or bar service at the Zečevo stop may vary.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Snacks, sunscreen, and a dry bag are also practical additions for a five-hour boat trip.