Makarska: Speedboat Sunset Tour to hidden bay on island Brač

Puntica Bay is the real prize here. After a quick 20-minute ride from Makarska, you anchor off Brač and swim in a quiet cove with beach swings, clear views back toward the mainland, and enough time to enjoy the water without feeling rushed. I like the small-group format, capped at 12 people, and the way the 90-minute trip pairs a proper swim with a sunset cruise. One thing to consider: the boat does not dock at the bay, so you need to climb into the water from the boat or swim to shore.

I also like the simple pricing. At $44 per person, your skipper, fuel, speedboat, taxes, and snorkeling set are covered. Skipper Tina has been especially thoughtful with timing and photos, even sending 23 pictures after one trip. The catch is that this is a short outing, not a full island excursion, and you must bring your own food and drinks.

Key points at a glance

• Puntica Bay swim stop: Spend about 40 minutes swimming and snorkeling near Brač.
• Twenty-minute crossing: See Makarska Riviera from the water as the boat leaves port.
• Sunset timing matters: Departure time changes through summer as sunset shifts by about two minutes each day.
• Boat-to-beach access: The boat anchors in the bay, with no dock or landing station.
• Small group setting: The boat carries up to 12 people, with private options also available.
• Useful extras included: A skipper, fuel, snorkeling equipment, taxes, and fees are part of the price.

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. Once aboard, you head out of port and get a fresh view of Makarska Riviera from the sea.

That opening ride is short but worthwhile. From the boat, the town and mountains sit behind you in one broad sweep, while the water gives you a changing view that you cannot get from the waterfront promenade. The ride to Brač takes about 20 minutes, so you spend enough time underway to enjoy the speed without turning the trip into a long transfer.

A speedboat is also a practical choice for this outing. It gets you to the bay quickly, leaving roughly 40 minutes for swimming and snorkeling before the return run. If you have only one free evening in Makarska, that balance matters.

The ride can be lively, especially if the water is choppy. You are not booking a slow, shaded cruise with a full meal or a long commentary session. You are booking a brisk trip to a swimming spot, followed by sunset views. Bring a towel, wear swimwear, and keep anything you do not want splashed in a secure place.

Forty minutes at Puntica Bay

Puntica Bay is the heart of the experience. The boat anchors offshore, and you can enter the water directly from the speedboat or swim over to the beach. There is no dock, so you should be comfortable getting into open water and climbing back aboard when it is time to leave.

The 40-minute stop gives you enough time to do more than take a quick dip. You can swim, use the supplied snorkeling set, or reach the beach and look back toward Makarska. Beach swings add a playful touch, and they make a good photo stop if you prefer to stay dry for part of the visit.

This is where the trip feels different from a standard coastal cruise. The focus is not on checking off a long list of stops. You get one bay, a swim, and a chance to enjoy the setting without spending most of the tour rushing between sights.

The snorkeling equipment is included, which keeps the price practical. Still, the activity does not promise a guided marine-life tour or a full snorkeling lesson. Bring your own expectations down to a relaxed swim with the option to look around underwater.

If you are bringing children or teenagers, think about the boat access before booking. The water entry is part of the fun for confident swimmers, but it may be awkward for anyone who needs step-free access. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.

A different view of Makarska at sunset

After Puntica Bay, the boat turns back toward Makarska. The return ride takes about 20 minutes, with a final viewpoint stop of roughly 10 minutes for sunset and scenic views.

The timing is the clever part. Instead of watching the sun disappear from a crowded shore, you see Makarska from the water, with the town and coast spread out ahead of you. The sky may shift through gold, orange, and pink tones, while the boat offers a moving foreground for photographs.

You should confirm the exact departure time before going. Sunset changes by about two minutes each day during summer, so a time that works early in the season may not produce the same view later on. The operator specifically asks you to check the precise start time, and that small detail can make the difference between catching the best light and arriving too early.

Skipper Tina received particular praise for getting the timing right and for taking photos during the trip. One family received 23 pictures shortly afterward, including shots of children jumping into the sea. That is useful if you want action photos but would rather keep your phone safely out of the water.

The final sunset section is scenic rather than instructional. You may get a few comments from the English- or Croatian-speaking skipper, but the appeal is the view, the music, and the open-air ride back to the port.

What the $44 price includes

At $44 per person, this trip offers solid value if you want a short coastal outing with a swim stop. The price includes:

• Speedboat transport
• Skipper
• Fuel
• Snorkeling equipment
• Taxes and fees

That list covers the main costs that can surprise you on boat tours. You do not need to pay extra for fuel or rent a mask and snorkel at the bay. You also finish back at the meeting point, so there is no separate return arrangement to organize.

Food and drinks are not included, but the tour lasts only 90 minutes. Bringing a bottle of water is sensible, especially after swimming, and you are welcome to bring your own snacks and drinks. Smoking is not allowed on the activity.

The price becomes more attractive if you value the combination of transport and access. A simple coastal ride might show you the Riviera, but it would not necessarily take you across to Brač for a 40-minute swim. A beach visit on your own might cost less, but it would not give you the same water-level views or sunset boat ride.

Private and small-group options are available. A private booking may make sense for a family or group that wants more control over the mood and pace. The standard small-group option keeps the price lower and still limits the boat to a maximum of 12 people.

How the group size changes the feel

A maximum of 12 people is a useful middle ground. You get more room and a more personal feel than on a large excursion boat, but you are not paying the full cost of a private charter.

The skipper can keep the group moving during the swim stop and help with practical details such as getting into the water, using the snorkeling set, and taking pictures. Tina’s habit of photographing the experience is a nice bonus, though you should not assume every trip will include the same number of photos or the same timing.

Music may play while you swim from the boat. That gives the stop a social, lighthearted mood rather than a quiet nature outing. If you want total peace and silence, this may not be your ideal boat trip. If you are going with teenagers or friends, the music and easy swim access may be a plus.

The tour also suits couples and solo bookers who want a quick evening activity without committing half a day. The small boat makes the crossing feel active and direct, while the short schedule leaves the rest of your evening free in Makarska.

Practical advice before you go

Bring swimwear and a towel. Those are not optional extras here, since the main stop centers on getting into the water.

You may also want:

• A refillable bottle of water
• Sunscreen
• A secure phone case or dry bag
• A light layer for the return ride
• Cash or a card for anything you plan to buy before or after the trip

The boat anchors in Puntica Bay, so there is no dock to use. You will either step or jump into the water from the boat, then swim to the beach if you want to go ashore. Make sure everyone in your group understands this before booking.

Check the departure time carefully. Sunset shifts through the season, and the operator advises confirming the exact time. Arriving early at the stated meeting point is wise, since the tour starts at Palladium Rent a Boat Makarska and the precise meeting location may depend on the booking option.

The tour is offered in English and Croatian. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Dalmatian schedule is still changing.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this trip to anyone who wants a short, active evening on the water rather than a long sightseeing cruise. It works particularly well for couples, families with confident swimmers, and groups of friends who want a swim, music, and sunset photos in one outing.

Teenagers should have plenty to enjoy. The ride is fast, the bay allows jumping or swimming from the boat, and the beach swings add a fun stop. The experience also received a boost from a dolphin sighting on one outing, but you should treat that as luck, not a promised part of the tour.

It is less suited to anyone who dislikes open-water swimming, cannot comfortably climb from a boat, or wants a fully guided cultural excursion. There is no long stop in a village, no meal, and no extended time on Brač. The island is the setting for the bay visit, not the subject of a land tour.

Sunset photographers will appreciate the schedule, especially if the operator places the boat well for the return panorama. Families may value the skipper’s help with photos. Swimmers will get the most from the tour because the bay stop takes up nearly half of the scheduled activity time.

Is this Makarska sunset tour worth booking?

I think it is worth booking if you want a compact, good-value boat outing with a real swim stop and a strong finish. The combination of a 20-minute ride, 40 minutes at Puntica Bay, and sunset views over Makarska makes good use of 90 minutes.

Book it if you are comfortable entering the sea from an anchored boat, bringing your own refreshments, and checking the departure time closely. Choose another activity if you need wheelchair access, prefer a calm boat with no water entry, or want a longer visit on Brač itself.

For the right person, this is an efficient way to add an island swim and a sunset panorama to a Makarska stay without giving up an entire day. The price is fair, the essentials are included, and the small group keeps the experience personal without making it too costly.

FAQ

How long is the Makarska sunset speedboat tour?

The tour lasts 1.5 hours, or 90 minutes. The schedule includes about 20 minutes to reach Brač, 40 minutes at Puntica Bay, about 20 minutes returning, and roughly 10 minutes for sunset views.

What happens at Puntica Bay?

The boat anchors in the bay for around 40 minutes. You can swim from the boat, swim to the beach, use the included snorkeling set, and see the beach swings while looking toward Makarska.

Does the boat dock at Puntica Bay?

No. The boat anchors in the bay, and there is no docking station. You enter the water from the boat and swim to the beach if you want to go ashore.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the speedboat, skipper, fuel, snorkeling set, taxes, and fees. Food and drinks are not included, but you may bring your own.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. You may also want water, sunscreen, and a secure way to protect your phone from splashes.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The tour is offered with a live guide in English or Croatian. Private and small-group options are available, with the small group limited to 12 people.