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

The most unusual moment comes early: at Pokrivenik, you can swim through a narrow opening in Hvar’s cliffs into a small cave lit by the sun. The route then trades cave walls for steep cliffs, a historic island town, and clear-water swim stops, all from a compact speedboat.

I like the mix of active stops and a short town break, which makes this more than five hours of swimming from one bay to the next. I also like the 12-person maximum: it keeps the group small enough for a more personal outing, with an English- and Croatian-speaking skipper leading the way.

One thing to weigh is the amount of time aboard. About 2 hours and 10 minutes is spent cruising between stops, and the ride may not suit you if you get seasick or are uncomfortable on a speedboat. Getting back aboard can also be awkward: the ladder has been described as small, with limited grab handles.

At a glance: five stops, three islands, one small boat

• Swim into Pokrivenik’s narrow sea cave: Sunlight entering the opening creates the cave’s luminous look.
• Make time for Mala Stiniva’s steep cliffs: Swim or snorkel in the bay, or try cliff jumping if you are comfortable with it.
• Stretch your legs in Jelsa: You get 50 minutes for a coffee or a short walk around this old Hvar town.
• Bring a mask for Zečevo: The unpopulated islet is protected and known for clear turquoise water.
• Expect a full half-day on the water: The tour lasts about five hours, with more than two hours of that spent travelling by speedboat.

Makarska to Pokrivenik: a quick start on the water

The tour begins at Rent a Boat Makarska, at Marineta ul. 12. From there, the speedboat makes a roughly 40-minute panoramic cruise to Pokrivenik on Hvar. That first ride is part of the outing, not just a transfer: you get views from the water while the skipper carries the group toward the cave.

At Pokrivenik, you have about 20 minutes to swim into the narrow cave opening and look at the light inside. The stop is brief, so it helps to have your swimwear ready and your essentials easy to reach before the boat arrives. The cave is a water-access stop, not a place to stroll into from shore.

You should be a confident swimmer to make the most of it. The tour is not recommended for non-swimmers, and the cave’s narrow entrance is not the place to test your comfort in the water. If you would rather stay aboard, check with the skipper about the plan for the stop before you set out.

Mala Stiniva: steep cliffs and a choice of swim

A 20-minute cruise brings you to Mala Stiniva, a small bay on Hvar framed by stone cliffs that rise sharply from the sea. You have about 30 minutes here, a good stretch for swimming and snorkelling, or for watching the cliffs from the water.

The bay’s appeal is its dramatic shape and clear sea. The cliffs are also a popular spot for cliff jumping, giving confident swimmers an option beyond a gentle swim. That is a choice, not a requirement. If jumping is not your thing, you can simply enjoy the water or stay on the boat.

Keep in mind that the stop is short. You will have time for a swim, but not a long stretch on shore, and the tour does not include lunch. Bottled water is provided, but bringing any other food you want for the five-hour outing is sensible.

Jelsa: a welcome pause on dry land

After Mala Stiniva, the boat heads to Jelsa, an old town on Hvar. The stop lasts about 50 minutes, the longest break away from the boat, and gives you time to get a coffee or take a short walk among the town’s historic monuments.

This change of pace is one of the route’s strengths. After several swim-focused stops, Jelsa gives you a chance to dry off, stretch your legs, and see a little of island life beyond the shoreline. It is still a short visit, though. Think of it as a breather and a quick look around, not a full town tour.

If you want to buy a coffee or a snack, use this stop rather than assuming food is covered elsewhere. Lunch is not included, and there is no restroom on board. The tour information does not specify facilities at each stop, so plan around the town break rather than counting on a particular onboard option.

Zečevo: snorkelling in a protected setting

A short cruise from Jelsa takes you to Zečevo, an unpopulated islet in the Hvar archipelago. It is protected as a significant landscape and is described as a quiet spot with clear, turquoise water. You get about 30 minutes to swim or snorkel.

Snorkelling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and gear to take part. That is useful on a boat tour with several water stops: you can focus on getting into the sea rather than packing specialist equipment. Still, bring a towel and any personal items you want between swims, since the tour details only confirm the snorkelling gear and bottled water.

The protected status and lack of settlement make this stop feel different from Jelsa. There is no town visit here; the point is the water and the natural setting. As with the other stops, the short visit means you will need to be ready to make the most of your time in the sea.

Brač and Žirje Beach: the last swim

The final leg is a roughly 30-minute cruise from Hvar to Brač. At Žirje Beach, the group stops in a secluded bay for about 30 minutes, a quiet finish after the day’s more dramatic cave and cliff settings.

This is a good last chance to swim before returning to Makarska. It is also another reminder that the tour’s appeal depends on enjoying time in the water. If you prefer more time ashore, or want a guided visit focused on towns and monuments, this route may feel too sea-centred.

The tour ends back at the starting meeting point. The full trip is about five hours, and the stops add up to roughly two hours and 40 minutes. With about two hours and 10 minutes spent cruising, the boat ride is a substantial part of the outing, not an incidental link between beaches.

What the small speedboat means for your day

The boat carries a maximum of 12 passengers, which keeps the group far smaller than a large excursion vessel. You will be close to the skipper and can ask questions along the way. The skipper speaks English and Croatian, and one skipper on an outing was remembered as Greg, though the person leading your tour may differ.

The compact boat is also a practical trade-off. You can move between islands and bays quickly, but there is limited room compared with a larger boat, and there is no restroom aboard. One practical concern is the boarding ladder: it has been described as small and short on grab handles, making it harder for some people to climb back aboard. If you have trouble using ladders or lifting yourself from the water, ask the operator about the boarding setup before booking.

The ride itself may be bumpy, and the tour is not recommended for people with sea or motion sickness. It is also not recommended for people over 70, and children under four are not permitted. Most people can participate, but the swimming and boat conditions matter more than the sightseeing does.

Pickup is offered, with the exact time confirmed the day before. The listed meeting point is Rent a Boat Makarska, and the activity ends there. If you are counting on pickup from your accommodation, confirm the details and timing when you book.

Is $96.38 good value for this route?

At $96.38 per person, you are paying for a five-hour boat outing with five stops, snorkelling equipment, bottled water, safety equipment, and a skipper. Fees and taxes are included. You are not paying for lunch, and you should not expect an onboard restroom.

The value is strongest if you plan to swim at several stops and want transport between Hvar, Zečevo, and Brač handled for you. Reaching the cave and the smaller bays by yourself would take more planning, while the speedboat strings them into one outing. The town stop in Jelsa adds variety without turning the day into a land-based tour.

The price is less compelling if you are mainly looking for a long beach day, a full meal, or an extended visit to Jelsa. Nearly half the tour is spent cruising, and each water stop has a set time. The best value comes when you enjoy the ride as part of the day and are happy to keep moving.

The experience has a 4.9 rating from 24 ratings, and 100% of respondents recommend it. Praise has focused on the skipper’s helpfulness and the overall day; one account also noted seeing dolphins, which is a possible bonus, not something to count on. The weather can affect whether the tour runs. If poor weather cancels it, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

Who should book this Makarska speedboat trip?

Book it if you are a confident swimmer who wants a lively half-day on the water, likes moving between different kinds of stops, and is happy with limited time at each one. The cave, cliff-lined bay, Jelsa pause, snorkelling at Zečevo, and final Brač swim make for a varied route, with enough town time to break up the swimming.

Think twice if you are prone to motion sickness, uncomfortable climbing back aboard a small boat, or not a swimmer. The tour is also a poor fit if you want a leisurely day with lunch included, a restroom on board, or hours in one place. For the right person, the combination of cave, cliffs, clear water, and a small group makes the price reasonable. For everyone else, the boat time and water-first schedule are the deciding factors.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about five hours. About two hours and 10 minutes are spent cruising between locations.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Rent a Boat Makarska, Marineta ul. 12, in Makarska, and ends back at the meeting point.

Is pickup offered?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and the exact time depends on your location. It is confirmed the day before the tour.

What is included in the price?

Safety equipment, fees and taxes, bottled water, snorkelling equipment, and an English- and Croatian-speaking skipper are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

Is there a restroom on board?

No. There is no restroom on the boat.

Can children under four join?

No. Children under four years old are not permitted.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 12 passengers.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund.