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

The best part of this Makarska boat trip is the variety packed into five hours. You swim into a sunlit cave, jump from the cliffs at Mala Stiniva, stroll through old Jelsa, snorkel around Zečevo, and finish at a quiet Brač bay. It feels more like a day of island-hopping than a simple boat ride.

I like the small group of up to 12 people, which keeps the speedboat lively without turning it into a floating crowd. I also like the range of stops: Hvar supplies dramatic coves and a historic town, while Brač provides a calm final swim. The main drawback is that about 2 hours and 10 minutes are spent moving between stops, and the boat has no restroom.

Key points to know before booking

• Five stops across Hvar and Brač: You visit a luminous cave, Mala Stiniva, Jelsa, Zečevo, and Žirje Beach.
• A real speedboat outing: About 2 hours and 10 minutes of the trip is spent cruising between locations.
• Small boat, small group: The maximum is 12 passengers, with an English and Croatian-speaking skipper.
• Strong swimming focus: Snorkeling gear and bottled water are included, but non-swimmers are not a good fit.
• Cliff jumping at Mala Stiniva: The bay offers a chance for an adrenaline rush, but you decide your own comfort level.
• Practical limits: There is no restroom aboard, children under four are not permitted, and the trip is not recommended for people over 70.

Five hours of caves, cliffs, and island water

This is a good choice when you want more than a straight ride to one swimming cove. The route links several very different places, so the day keeps changing pace: open-water cruising, a short swim, cliff scenery, a town stop, snorkeling, and a final quiet bay.

The boat leaves from Rent a Boat Makarska, Promare Charter at Marineta ul. 12. Pickup is available, but the exact time depends on your location and is confirmed the day before. The tour returns to the same meeting point, making it easy to plan around an afternoon or evening in Makarska.

At $96.38 per person, the value depends on how much you enjoy being on the water. You are paying for a five-hour route, a small group, fuel-heavy speedboat transport between islands, safety equipment, snorkeling gear, bottled water, and a skipper. Lunch is not included, so bring money or food for the day if you need more than a coffee in Jelsa.

The pace is active rather than lazy. You have roughly 20 to 50 minutes at each stop, but the open-water rides connect the experience. If you want hours on one beach, this is not the right format. If you want to see several corners of the Hvar and Brač area in one outing, the price is easier to justify.

The first run to Hvar and its luminous cave

The first leg takes about 40 minutes from Makarska to Pokrivenik on Hvar. That opening cruise gives you wide views and lets the skipper build speed before the stops become more focused on swimming and sightseeing.

At Pokrivenik, the target is a small cave tucked into the rocky cliffs. You swim through a narrow opening, where sunlight enters and plays across the water and stone. The visit lasts about 20 minutes, so think of it as a quick, memorable swim rather than a long cave visit.

You should be comfortable getting in and out of the water here. The cave is reached by swimming, and the tour is not recommended for non-swimmers. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, but the main appeal is the combination of rock, water, and sun rather than an extended underwater session.

This is also a place where conditions matter. The tour depends on good weather, and the skipper may need to adjust the plan if the sea is rough. A cave stop is most enjoyable when you can enter the water calmly and see clearly.

Mala Stiniva, where the cliffs become the attraction

After about 20 minutes of cruising, you reach Mala Stiniva. The bay is framed by stone cliffs that drop sharply to the sea. The setting is dramatic without needing much explanation: clear water below, pale rock above, and a small swimming area that feels far removed from Makarska.

You have about 30 minutes here for swimming, snorkeling, and cliff jumping. The cliff jumping is one of the most distinctive parts of the day, but it is optional. You should judge the height, water conditions, and your own confidence instead of treating it as a required activity.

For a cautious swimmer, Mala Stiniva can still work as a scenic swim stop. For someone chasing a little excitement, it may be the high point. The short stay means you probably will not have time for long sessions of every activity, so choose what matters most to you.

The boat’s ladder deserves attention. One person specifically found it too short and lacking enough grab handles, and the skipper had to help some passengers back aboard. That is useful advice for anyone with limited upper-body strength, stiff joints, or trouble climbing from the water. Ask for assistance, take your time, and keep a firm grip.

A coffee break and old stone streets in Jelsa

From Mala Stiniva, the speedboat heads to Jelsa. You have about 50 minutes in town, the longest stop on the route. That gives you enough time for a coffee or a short walk, but not enough for a full museum visit or a detailed town tour.

Jelsa adds a welcome change from the water. Instead of another swim, you can stretch your legs, look at historic buildings, and get a feel for Hvar beyond its coves. The town has monuments connected to its long past, so even a brief stroll gives the day some cultural balance.

I like this stop because it prevents the tour from becoming five hours of repeated swimming. A coffee in town can also be useful after the first two water stops. Bring realistic expectations, though. The schedule favors a quick introduction, not an in-depth visit.

The skipper is part of the experience here. A skipper identified in feedback as Greg was praised for answering questions and offering suggestions about places to see in Makarska. Since the crew speaks English and Croatian, you can use the town stop to ask practical questions about the area.

Zečevo and its clear snorkeling water

A short cruise from Jelsa brings you to Zečevo, an unpopulated islet opposite the town. It is protected as a significant landscape, and the setting feels much quieter than a built-up resort. The stop lasts about 30 minutes.

Zečevo is aimed at swimmers and snorkelers. The sea is described as clear and turquoise, and snorkeling equipment is included in the price. You can expect a simple water stop rather than a guided marine-life lesson, so the value comes from having time in a clean, open setting.

Because Zečevo is unpopulated, do not expect cafés, shops, or land-based facilities. This is one reason the included bottled water matters. It is also another reason to use the restroom before departure, since there is no restroom on board and the tour moves between small coastal stops.

The island works well late in the route because you already know the boat routine by then. You will have had time to settle into the motion, understand how boarding works, and decide how much swimming you want to do. If you tire quickly in the water, you can keep this stop shorter and save energy for the final bay.

The long crossing to Žirje Beach on Brač

The final cruise takes about 30 minutes and crosses from Hvar to Brač. This is a proper open-water ride, not a quick hop around the corner. You can use the time to watch the coastline, dry off, and settle into the last stop.

Žirje Beach is a secluded bay on Brač. After the more dramatic cliffs at Mala Stiniva and the town visit in Jelsa, this final stop is meant to feel calm. You have about 30 minutes for a swim and a quiet break before returning to Makarska.

The stop is short, but that is part of the tour’s design. You are sampling several places rather than claiming one beach for the afternoon. If your perfect boat day means staying in one cove for two or three hours, you may find this rushed. If you like seeing how the islands change from place to place, the variety is the point.

The return ride completes a total of about 2 hours and 10 minutes of cruising between locations. That number matters. The speedboat makes the route possible in five hours, but the boat itself is a major part of the experience. People prone to seasickness should think carefully before booking.

What the speedboat setup means for you

The maximum group size is 12. That is a useful middle ground: more social than a private boat, but much smaller than a large excursion vessel. You can expect a direct relationship with the skipper and less time spent loading a large crowd at each stop.

The boat is supplied with safety equipment, and the skipper speaks English and Croatian. Bottled water and snorkeling gear are included. You should bring whatever personal items you need for a day in the sun, but the supplied equipment covers the basics listed for the water stops.

There is no lunch. Jelsa is the only scheduled town stop, and the free time there is intended for coffee or a short walk. If you need a substantial meal, plan ahead rather than assuming food is included.

The lack of a restroom is more important than it sounds on a five-hour outing. Use facilities before departure and at Jelsa if available. Keep your onboard bag compact, since the tour involves repeated boarding, swimming, and moving around a speedboat.

Pickup can be arranged, and one booking included good hotel transfers to and from the boat. Still, you should wait for the confirmed pickup time the day before, since it varies by location.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this trip if you:

• Like active sightseeing and do not want to sit on one beach all day
• Can swim confidently from a boat
• Enjoy speedboat rides and open-water views
• Want both natural stops and a short town visit
• Prefer a group capped at 12 people
• Are happy with a light meal plan and no onboard restroom

You may want another option if you:

• Get seasick easily
• Need a restroom close by
• Prefer a slow, stable boat
• Want a long stay at one beach
• Have difficulty climbing a short boat ladder
• Are over 70, since the activity is not recommended for that age group
• Are traveling with a child under four
• Do not swim

The tour is also weather-dependent. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. A minimum number of passengers is required as well, and a cancellation for that reason comes with the same choice of another date or a refund.

Should you book the Makarska island speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a busy half-day with several strong contrasts: a narrow cave, steep cliffs, a historic island town, a quiet islet, and a Brač bay. The high rating of 4.9 from 24 reviews and the fact that all respondents recommended it fit the experience’s main strengths: the route is varied, the skipper can make the day feel personal, and the water stops are memorable.

Go in knowing that this is not a gentle sightseeing cruise. You will spend a large share of the time moving at speed, and you will need to manage swimming, boarding, sun, and a short schedule. The boat ladder may be awkward for some people, and there is no toilet aboard.

For a confident swimmer who enjoys a little adventure, the $96.38 price is reasonable for five hours across two islands and five stops. For anyone who values comfort over variety, choose a slower boat or a beach-based outing instead.

FAQ

How long does the Makarska speedboat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately five hours, including the cruising time between stops.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Hvar and Brač, along with the islet of Zečevo in the Hvar archipelago.

What stops are included?

The stops are Pokrivenik and its small cave, Mala Stiniva, Jelsa, Zečevo, and Žirje Beach.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, safety equipment, and bottled water are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You have free time in Jelsa for a coffee or a short stroll.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

No. There is no restroom aboard the speedboat.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Rent a Boat Makarska, Promare Charter, at Marineta ul. 12 in Makarska, and ends back at the same meeting point. Pickup is offered, with the exact time confirmed the day before.

Can children and non-swimmers join?

Children under four are not permitted, and the tour is not recommended for non-swimmers. It is also not recommended for people over 70 or those with sea or motion sickness.