From Makarska:Hvar and Brač Island : Day Tour with speedboat

A private speedboat makes it possible to reach quiet coves, swim in clear water, and see both Brač and Hvar in a single day. From Makarska, you can choose the Golden route, with Bol’s famous Golden Horn, or the Blue route, with a small cave you can swim into.

I like the freedom to adjust the route to your group and the chance to snorkel or swim at several stops, rather than spend the day on one beach. The main catch is the price: skipper and fuel are extra, payable in cash, and lunch is not included.

• Two route choices: Golden includes Bol and Golden Horn; Blue includes a small sea cave on Hvar.
• A private outing: Choose a boat for up to six or up to ten people.
• Stops for swimming: Both routes include bays and beaches, with snorkeling equipment provided.
• A flexible plan: The skipper can adjust the recommended route to your wishes.
• Budget for add-ons: Skipper and fuel cost €200 for the six-person boat or €320 for the ten-person boat, paid in cash.
• A full day out: The tour runs from 9:00 to about 18:00, with lunch at your own expense.

Two islands, two route choices from Makarska

This nine-hour trip is built around the water. You’ll leave Makarska Harbour by speedboat, cross to Brač and Hvar, and stop at beaches, bays, and small coastal towns. The day includes sightseeing from the boat, swimming, snorkeling, and time ashore. If dolphins appear, that’s a lucky bonus, not a scheduled stop.

You can choose between the Golden and Blue routes. Both include a stop at Lantina beach on the small island of Zečevo and a lunch break in Vrboska on Hvar. The Golden route adds Bol and its well-known Golden Horn beach; the Blue route calls at a small cave near Hvar that you can swim into.

These are suggested routes, not fixed scripts. If your group has a preference, ask about adjusting the day. The skipper can tailor the route, though the exact stops will depend on your plan and the time available.

Golden route: Brač’s beaches, then Bol

The Golden route starts at 9:00 in Makarska Harbour and heads first to Biskup beach on Brač, scheduled for about 9:45. It’s described as a quiet beach with clear water, a good place to swim, snorkel, or simply take a break from the boat. The appeal is the chance to start the day in a calmer spot before moving on to busier, better-known sights.

Around 11:00, you reach Bol and Golden Horn, one of Brač’s best-known beaches. It’s a memorable sight from the water, and a natural stop if you want to see a famous stretch of the island’s coast. Keep in mind that this is a popular place, so it may feel less secluded than the earlier cove.

At about noon, the boat continues to Lantina beach on Zečevo, a small island near Hvar. Its position makes it a distinctive stop between the larger islands. As with any beach stop on a boat tour, your time here is part of a packed itinerary, rather than an invitation to spend the whole afternoon ashore.

Blue route: a swim-through cave and quiet coves

The Blue route leaves Makarska at 9:00 and reaches Pokrivenik beach on Hvar around 9:50. It then heads to the small Blue Cave, scheduled for about 11:00. The special appeal is being able to swim into the cave and explore it from the inside. Bring your swimsuit and be ready to get in the water; this stop is about seeing the cave up close, not just taking a passing look from the deck.

At around 11:40, the boat continues to Mala Stiniva beach, a scenic spot known for cliff jumping. You can jump if you’re comfortable doing so, or stay out of the water and enjoy the setting. Jumping is optional, of course, and you should only take part if you feel confident and follow the skipper’s instructions.

The route then calls at Lantina beach on Zečevo, followed by lunch in Vrboska. The final listed stop is Puntica beach on Brač, a calm bay with a swing. The Blue route therefore swaps the Golden route’s Bol stop for the cave and Puntica. If one stop matters more to you, discuss that before departure rather than assuming every listed place can be included in a custom plan.

Vrboska’s lunch break on Hvar

Both routes include a stop in Vrboska, a small old town on Hvar often nicknamed small Venice. This is the day’s main chance to eat ashore and take a break from swimming. The suggested schedule places lunch at about 13:45 on the Golden route and 14:00 on the Blue route.

Lunch is not included in the tour price. You can order fresh fish, seafood, meat, or something else at a local restaurant, so budget separately for your meal. One skipper, Maria, has taken a group to a restaurant for lunch; that’s a useful example of the skipper’s local role, but don’t assume a particular restaurant is included or guaranteed.

Vrboska also gives the day a change of pace. After several beach and swimming stops, you can walk around a coastal town instead of moving straight from one stretch of sand to the next. Still, this is a short visit within a nine-hour boat outing, not a long town tour.

What the boat provides, and what you pay extra

Two boats are offered. The Quicksilver Activ 605 Open holds up to six people, while the Jeanneau Cap Camarat 7.5 holds up to ten. Both are listed with a freshwater shower, audio system, ice box, bimini sun protection, snorkeling equipment, and life vests. That setup makes it easier to rinse off after a swim, keep drinks cool, and get some shade between stops.

The listed group price is $236, but it does not include the skipper or fuel. Add €200 in cash for the six-person boat or €320 in cash for the ten-person boat, payable on the day. Lunch is also extra, so the listed price is not the full cost of the outing. If you’re comparing options, work out the group’s total with the extra charge before booking.

The larger boat is an option even if your group has fewer than six people, which may give you more room and comfort. The six-person boat is the smaller choice; the ten-person boat has a higher skipper-and-fuel charge. Think about how much space matters to your group, not just the maximum capacity.

A skipper who can shape the day

The skipper is more than the person steering the boat. The route can be adjusted to your wishes, and the skipper can help you make the most of the stops and local lunch break. Past outings have been led by skippers named Emil, Borna, Matija, and Maria. Your skipper may be someone else, so don’t book expecting a particular person.

The strongest feature here is flexibility. Groups have had their routes altered to suit their preferences, and skippers have taken them to quieter bays. If you want more time for snorkeling, prefer a town stop, or are especially keen to see the cave, say so early. A clear request gives the skipper a better chance to plan around what matters to you.

The driver speaks English and Croatian. The tour has a 4.9 out of 5 rating from 30 ratings, and transport received a perfect score from 94 percent of reviewers. Those figures support the appeal of the boat-and-skipper experience, but they can’t guarantee conditions on your particular day.

The pace, the water, and what to bring

Expect a long day, with several stops spread across two islands. You’ll spend part of it cruising between locations and part of it swimming, snorkeling, or walking around. The schedule is active, but the private format means the group can discuss changes rather than follow a large tour’s fixed routine.

Snorkeling equipment and life vests are provided. A swimsuit is a sensible choice given the number of swimming stops, and you may want to bring anything else you normally need for a day in the sun. The boat has a bimini for shade, but the tour does not promise that every seat will be shaded all day.

Cliff jumping is a highlight at Mala Stiniva, but it is not a requirement. You can enjoy the beach and scenery without jumping. Dolphin watching is also part of the possible experience, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Who should book this Makarska boat trip?

This trip is a good fit if you’re a private group that wants to see several places in one day and is happy to spend much of the outing on or in the water. It works especially well if your group values choice: you can pick the route, discuss changes, and decide how much to swim or relax at each stop.

It may be less suitable if you want a slow day based in one place, prefer a fully priced package, or don’t want to pay extra for fuel and a skipper. The base price is only part of the cost, and lunch is separate. Make sure everyone in your group is comfortable with a full day on a speedboat and with a schedule that includes multiple stops.

Booking details are relatively flexible: you can reserve now and pay later, and cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The meeting point varies with the option booked, so check whether your departure is from Poseidon Rent a Boat or IvaMare Boats. Both are listed as starting and drop-off points.

Should you book the Golden or Blue route?

Choose Golden if seeing Bol and Golden Horn is a priority, or if you want a mix of a famous beach, quiet coves, Vrboska, and cliff-jump scenery. Choose Blue if swimming into the small cave sounds more appealing, or if you’d rather finish at Puntica beach on Brač.

I’d book this trip if the private boat and flexible route matter more to you than an all-inclusive price. Confirm the boat size, cash charge, meeting point, and preferred stops before you go. If you’re happy with those terms, it offers a practical way to link Brač and Hvar, with plenty of chances to get in the water.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts nine hours. Both suggested routes start at 9:00 and return to Makarska Harbour at about 18:00.

What is the difference between the Golden and Blue routes?

Golden includes Biskup beach, Bol and Golden Horn, Lantina beach, Vrboska, and Mala Stiniva. Blue includes Pokrivenik beach, a small Blue Cave you can swim into, Mala Stiniva, Lantina beach, Vrboska, and Puntica beach on Brač.

How much does the skipper and fuel cost?

For the boat holding up to six people, skipper and fuel cost €200 in cash. For the boat holding up to ten people, the cost is €320 in cash.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Vrboska is the planned lunch stop, where you can buy fish, seafood, meat, or another meal.

How many people can join?

The Quicksilver Activ 605 Open holds up to six people. The Jeanneau Cap Camarat 7.5 holds up to ten people.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life vests are included, along with a shower, audio system, ice box, and bimini sun protection.

Can the route be changed?

The Golden and Blue routes are recommended plans, and the route can be adjusted to your wishes. Discuss your preferences with the skipper.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point varies depending on the option booked. The listed starting and drop-off locations are Poseidon Rent a Boat and IvaMare Boats.