From Makarska: Hidden Gems of Hvar Island’s North Shore

The best part of this five-hour Hvar boat trip is its focus on the island’s quiet north shore, far from the better-known resort areas. You spend the day moving between rocky coves, clear water, a cliff-jumping bay, the old town of Jelsa, and a small uninhabited islet.

I like the efficient route, which gives you four very different stops without wasting a full day. I also like the small-group format, with no more than 10 or 12 people depending on the boat. The main drawback is the ride itself: the speedboat can be rough, especially at the front, and there is no toilet on board.

Key points to know before booking

• Veliki Pokrivenik starts the water time: Swim or snorkel beside cliffs, pebble beaches, and a concealed cave.
• Mala Stiniva is the cliff-jumping stop: The bay has steep rock walls and wonderfully clear water.
• Jelsa gives the trip a proper town break: You get about 70 minutes for coffee, a walk, and historic sights.
• Zečevo islet ends the outing quietly: Snorkel in turquoise water or visit the beach bar.
• The boat ride is part of the deal: It takes about 35 minutes each way and can be wet and bumpy.
• The price is sensible for a half-day: At $91 per person, you get a skipper, equipment, water, jackets, safety gear, and insurance.

Why this Hvar speedboat trip works well from Makarska

Makarska is a useful base for exploring the nearby islands, but many boat trips pack the day around famous names and busy beaches. This one takes a different tack. It crosses to the north coast of Hvar, where the appeal is rocky coves, open water, and small places that are easiest to reach by boat.

The trip lasts five hours, so it fits neatly into a morning or afternoon. That shorter length matters. You get a taste of Hvar without committing your whole day, and you still have time in Makarska for the beach, dinner, or a walk along the waterfront.

You meet at the Promare Boat Charter information desk on the Makarska waterfront, about a minute from the Ferris wheel. The route begins with a 35-minute speedboat ride. That crossing is not simply transport. You get open views of the Adriatic and a sense of how quickly the coast changes once you leave the mainland.

The group size is one of the strongest features. The stated limit is 10 or 12 people, depending on the boat model. That is small enough for the skipper to give clear instructions and keep the stops moving, but it does not feel like a private charter. If you want a completely quiet boat or total control over the schedule, book a private boat instead.

Skippers have included Marko, Marco, Goran, and Dinko. The strongest pattern is friendly, practical service, with captains explaining the places, answering questions, and helping with the day’s logistics. Do keep expectations sensible: a boat captain is responsible for running the trip and safety, not for providing a full historical tour at every stop.

Veliki Pokrivenik, a calm first stop on Hvar

After about 35 minutes, the boat reaches Veliki Pokrivenik. This bay is a good opening stop because it combines easy swimming with a striking setting. Cliffs rise around the cove, and the shore is made up of pebbles and bare rock rather than a broad resort beach.

You have around 35 minutes here for swimming and snorkeling. Masks and snorkels are supplied, so you do not need to bring your own equipment. The water is the main attraction, with clear conditions that make it easy to look below the surface close to the boat and along the rocky edge.

There is also a cave tucked into the bay. The supplied information does not promise that the boat will enter it or that you will swim inside, so treat it as a feature to look out for rather than a guaranteed cave tour. The same applies to wildlife. Dolphins have been seen during this kind of outing, but sightings are not part of the scheduled experience.

If snorkeling is not your thing, this first stop still works. You can swim, sit in the sun, or take in the bare cliffs from the water. It is worth bringing a towel and a change of clothes because the combination of spray, swimming, and wind can leave you damp well before the ride home.

Mala Stiniva brings the action

Mala Stiniva is the most dramatic swimming stop. Here, stone cliffs drop almost vertically toward the sea, giving the bay a narrow, enclosed feel. The water is clear, and the rocks create natural platforms for people who want to jump.

You get roughly 35 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, and cliff jumping. The captain should explain where it is safe to enter the water, and you should follow that guidance closely. Cliff jumping is optional, not a requirement. If you prefer to stay at water level, this is still an excellent place for a swim.

This stop is also where you should pay attention to your own comfort. The activity is not suitable for people with back problems, and the operator does not recommend it for pregnant women, wheelchair users, people prone to seasickness, or people over 70. Those restrictions make sense for a fast boat, uneven rocky bays, and repeated transfers in and out of the water.

There is little to do onshore at Mala Stiniva. That is part of its charm, but it also means you should not expect a café, shop, or long beach walk. This is a water stop, pure and simple.

Jelsa gives you 70 minutes on land

After the two swimming coves, the boat heads to Jelsa. This is the tour’s useful change of pace. Instead of another short swim, you get about 70 minutes to walk through town, have a coffee, and see some of Hvar’s historic monuments.

Jelsa is an old settlement with visible reminders of its past. The stop is not a formal guided sightseeing tour, so you will have to make your own choices once you arrive. That freedom suits me. You can take a relaxed coffee break, wander without a plan, or focus on the older streets and monuments before returning to the boat.

An hour and 10 minutes is long enough to get a feel for Jelsa without pretending you have explored the whole town. It also gives you a chance to dry out and get a drink before the final water stop. Food is not included, so if you want something more than coffee, plan to pay for it yourself in town.

Jelsa is also the place where the trip feels least like a beach excursion. You see how the island works as a lived-in place, not just as a collection of coves. For many people, that balance makes the route better than a day spent entirely on the water.

Zečevo islet closes with clear water and a beach bar

From Jelsa, it is only a short cruise to Zečevo, an unpopulated islet in the Hvar archipelago. The islet is protected as a significant area, and the setting feels more stripped back than Jelsa or the mainland coast.

You have about 40 minutes here for swimming and snorkeling. The water is described as turquoise and clear, and the lack of permanent settlement gives the stop a quiet finish. It is a good final chance to use the snorkeling gear before the return crossing.

There is a beach bar on the islet. That gives you an alternative to swimming, though you should not treat it as a full meal stop. Since food is not included, any purchase at the bar is extra.

The final stop also shows why this route needs a speedboat. Zečevo islet is easy to include when you can move quickly between Jelsa and the surrounding water, but it would be awkward to reach as part of a normal land-based day from Makarska.

What the speedboat ride is really like

The boat is fast, open, and exposed to the sea. That makes the crossing exciting on a calm day, but it also means spray and motion are unavoidable. One useful seating tip is to choose the back if you want more shade and a better chance of staying dry. The front can take more spray, especially when the sea is choppy.

You receive warm jackets, even in summer, along with bottled water and safety equipment. Take the jacket when offered. The wind can make the ride feel cooler than the beach stops, and you may still be wet from snorkeling.

There is no restroom on board. Five hours is not an especially long outing, but you should use facilities before leaving and make sensible choices about drinks during the trip. The stop in Jelsa is your main chance for a proper break on land.

Sea conditions matter. One scheduled outing had to turn back after reaching Hvar because the water became too rough. The operator offered either a full refund or a new date. That is reassuring from a planning point of view, but you should still understand that a weather-dependent boat trip can change at short notice.

Is $91 a good price?

At $91 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a few hours near Makarska. It is fair value if you want several separate locations and do not have your own boat.

The price covers the professional skipper, masks and snorkels, bottled water, warm jackets, safety equipment, and insurance. It also pays for the speed and convenience of reaching the Hvar north shore, Veliki Pokrivenik, Mala Stiniva, Jelsa, and Zečevo in a single half-day.

You will still pay for food or drinks, and the trip does not include a private guide, a meal, or a toilet on board. If your main aim is simply to swim once and lie on a beach, a cheaper local option may suit you better. If you want a compact mix of coves, snorkeling, cliff jumping, town time, and an islet, the price is easier to justify.

The small group improves the value. You are not spending the day on a large ferry with hundreds of people, and the skipper can keep the schedule reasonably brisk. Just remember that a small group does not mean a private trip. Other people will still shape the pace at each stop.

Who should book this outing?

I would choose this trip if you want active sightseeing and do not mind getting wet. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children or teenagers who can manage a fast boat and rocky swimming areas.

It is especially good for you if:

• You are staying in Makarska and want to see Hvar without arranging ferries and local transport.
• You enjoy snorkeling but do not need a full scuba excursion.
• You like cliff jumping and want a natural setting rather than a built attraction.
• You want some time in a town, not only swimming stops.
• You prefer a small group to a large sightseeing boat.
• You are happy with a five-hour outing rather than a full-day cruise.

I would think twice if you are prone to seasickness, have back trouble, are pregnant, use a wheelchair, or want a gentle, slow cruise. The operator also lists the trip as unsuitable for people over 70. That is a broad rule, but the physical demands of the boat and stops should be taken seriously.

For seasickness, the most useful decision is often choosing a calm-weather day and sitting toward the rear of the boat. The operator cannot guarantee smooth water, so book only if you can accept that risk.

Practical packing advice for the four stops

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a full change of clothes. You will likely be exposed to spray between stops, even if you are careful.

Pack sunscreen, a towel, and perhaps a small waterproof bag for anything you need to keep dry. The supplied masks and snorkels cover the main water gear, while warm jackets are available for the boat ride.

Bring a little money or a payment method for Jelsa and the Zečevo beach bar. Food is not included, and neither stop should be treated as an all-inclusive refreshment break.

Arrive at the Promare Boat Charter information desk on the Makarska waterfront. It is close to the Ferris wheel, about a minute on foot. If you have trouble finding the desk, the operator asks you to call.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. In bad weather, you are offered a refund or a rescheduled trip. Check the available starting times when booking because the exact departure time changes by date.

Should you book the Hvar north shore boat trip?

Book it if you want a fast, active sampler of northern Hvar rather than a slow beach day. The route is well balanced: two rocky swimming coves, a proper town stop, and a final islet with snorkeling and a beach bar.

The best reasons to choose it are the small group, the number of places covered in five hours, and the chance to reach bays that are awkward to visit from land. The main cautions are the rough ride, lack of a toilet, weather dependence, and the physical demands of getting in and out of the water.

For most fit visitors who enjoy the sea, $91 is a reasonable price for the access and variety. Sit near the back if you want less spray, use Jelsa to take a real break, and treat cliff jumping as optional. With those expectations, this is a lively and worthwhile way to add Hvar to a Makarska stay.

FAQ

How long is the Hvar north shore boat trip?

The activity lasts five hours. The first speedboat ride from Makarska to Hvar takes about 35 minutes, followed by stops at Veliki Pokrivenik, Mala Stiniva, Jelsa, and Zečevo before returning to Makarska.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a professional skipper, masks and snorkels, bottled water, warm jackets, safety equipment, and insurance. Food and drinks beyond the supplied water are not included.

Where does the tour leave from?

You meet at the Promare Boat Charter information desk on the Makarska waterfront, about a minute’s walk from the Ferris wheel. The activity ends at the same place.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

No. There is no restroom on board, so use facilities before departure. The stop in Jelsa provides time to take a break on land.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a change of clothes, sunscreen, and a towel. You may also want a waterproof bag for personal items because the speedboat can create spray.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If weather conditions prevent the trip from operating safely, you can receive a full refund or reschedule the activity. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.