Makarska: 3 Island Speedboat Tour with Little Blue Cave & Lagoon

The best part of this Makarska boat trip is its variety: in about five hours, you move from a quiet bay on Hvar to a small sea cave, a proper island town, and two more swimming stops. You get a quick taste of several places rather than spending the day in one cove.

I like the small-group limit of 13, which keeps the outing more personal, and the one-hour stop in Jelsa, where you can get off the boat, stretch your legs and find a coffee or ice cream. The main caveat is the sea: rough conditions can make swimming into the Little Blue Cave unsafe or impossible, and one stop may then feel less complete.

Key points to know

• Five stops in roughly five hours: the route packs in several different settings without making a full day of it.
• The cave visit depends on conditions: the boat anchors outside, and you swim in; waves can prevent access.
• Jelsa is the longest stop: you have an hour for a walk, coffee or ice cream.
• Swimming gear and water are included: food and other drinks are not.
• A small group, not a private charter: the boat carries no more than 13 people.
• Morning departures may have calmer seas: a useful consideration if the schedule gives you a choice.

A five-hour route from Makarska to three islands

This is a fast-paced island-hopping trip, but it is not a race from one photo stop to the next. The itinerary combines swimming, snorkeling and a town visit, with each pause lasting between 20 and 60 minutes. That mix is the point: you get a sampling of the coast and islands without having to organize separate boat rides.

The first two stops are on Hvar, followed by Jelsa, Zečevo and a bay on Brač. The boat returns to the same Makarska meeting point where you started. At $108.61 per person, the fare covers the boat, fuel, an English-speaking skipper, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, taxes and fees. You pay separately for food and drinks.

This trip makes sense if you want a compact day on the water and value variety over long, unhurried time at each stop. If your ideal outing means settling into one beach for half a day, the schedule will feel too brisk. If you like seeing different sides of a place in a short window, the sequence is well judged.

Pokrivenik Bay: Hvar’s first swim stop

Pokrivenik Bay is the first chance to get into the water. The boat anchors in the bay, where the clear water is the draw, and you have about 25 minutes to swim or snorkel. It is a simple start to the trip: no ticketed site or town visit, just a sheltered-looking stretch of coast and time to cool off.

Keep the short stop in mind when you plan your swim. You will want to be ready to get in without spending much of the pause sorting out your things. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and gear, although you can bring personal equipment if you prefer.

This stop is a good fit for you if getting into the sea matters more than lounging on shore. The details provided do not promise a beach stay or a long period on land, so think of it as a boat-based swim break.

Little Blue Cave: a swim, not a guaranteed entrance

A few minutes from Pokrivenik is the Little Blue Cave, a natural feature that gives the morning or afternoon a different kind of stop. The boat anchors outside, and you can take snorkeling equipment and swim into the cave. There is no entrance fee and no queue to wait through, which makes this a low-fuss visit when conditions cooperate.

The important qualification is the sea. The skipper may limit access if waves make the swim unsafe. That is a sensible safety call, but it means you should not book the tour solely for a guaranteed cave visit. One person on the trip described waves preventing access, and the company confirms that conditions can affect entry.

I would bring a swimsuit under your clothes and have your towel easy to reach, though the tour does not specify what facilities are available onboard. Keep expectations flexible: the cave is a special feature of the route, but the sea has the final say.

Jelsa: an hour ashore on Hvar

After the two water stops, the boat reaches Jelsa, described as the most popular town on Hvar’s northern side. You get an hour here, the longest break of the outing and the best chance to trade the boat for firm ground. Walk around, stop for a coffee, or make a quick ice cream stop before boarding again.

That hour changes the feel of the trip. Without it, the outing would be all swimming coves and boat time. Jelsa adds a small-town pause where you can stretch your legs and see a lived-in place, not just the shoreline from the water. It is not a long visit, so treat it as a taste of town life rather than time for a leisurely meal or a full exploration.

The stop also gives you a practical chance to buy refreshments. Food and drinks are not included, and you are welcome to bring your own, so decide in advance whether you want to pack a snack or spend a little during the town break.

Zečevo’s Blue Lagoon: a short turquoise-water pause

Zečevo is the second island on the route and a tiny one, only about 1.5 kilometers long and 200 meters wide at its narrowest point. Its bay, known locally as the Blue Lagoon, is the reason for the stop. The boat spends about 25 minutes here, giving you another short chance to swim in turquoise water.

There is also a waterfront Bungalow Bar on the island. With only 25 minutes scheduled, it is best to see the bar as a feature of the setting, not assume you will have time for a long drink or meal. The tour does not specify whether purchases are included, and food and drinks are generally on your own account.

By this point, you have had two earlier water stops and a town visit. If you want to get in at every bay, be ready to move when the skipper gives the signal. If you would rather stay aboard and enjoy the view, you can use the pause as a breather between swims.

Žirje Beach on Brač: a quieter final bay

The last stop is Žirje Beach, a bay on Brač described for its calm turquoise water and natural surroundings. You have about 20 minutes here, so it is another brief swim rather than an extended beach stay. The route description presents the bay as quiet, with the possibility of having few or no other boats nearby, but the number of boats can vary.

Ending with a quieter cove is a pleasant contrast to the town stop in Jelsa. It gives the trip one last chance for a swim before the return to Makarska. Just remember that the final pause is short: if you have a particular piece of gear to use or want to snorkel, get organized promptly.

There is no promise of wildlife, but some outings have seen dolphins, an octopus and small fish. Take that as a welcome possibility, not a reason to expect a sighting. The coast itself is the reliable part of the experience; animals are not on a timetable.

What the small-group setup and skipper add

The boat carries a maximum of 13 people, a useful limit for a trip with repeated swimming stops. A smaller group generally makes it easier to hear the skipper’s instructions and get on and off the boat without the feel of a large excursion. It is still a shared tour, not a private charter, so you will follow the group’s schedule.

Skippers named in connection with the outing include Peter, Petar, Ante and Carlo. The descriptions of the trip point to friendly, attentive crews, with skippers helping people get what they need and making the ride enjoyable as well as informative. The exact skipper on your departure is not specified, so do not book on the assumption that you will have a particular one.

One practical tip is to consider a morning departure if you have a choice. The company notes that mornings are often calmer at sea, and a participant specifically recommended an earlier trip for better wind and water conditions. This is not a guarantee of calm weather, but it is a sensible tie-breaker when choosing a time.

Is $108.61 good value for this boat trip?

The price is not just for transport between islands. It includes fuel, a skipper, snorkeling equipment, bottled water and taxes and fees, along with five separate stops. For someone who wants several swims and a town break without arranging a boat independently, that is a useful bundle.

The value depends on how much of the schedule suits you. You are paying for movement and variety, not a long stay at each location. If sea conditions keep you out of the cave, or you prefer to spend hours on one beach, the price may feel high for a half-day. On the other hand, if you want to see multiple coastlines and islands in one outing, the included equipment and small group limit add practical value.

Food and drinks are extra, though you may bring your own. That gives you some control over the day’s cost. The tour is often booked around 13 days ahead on average, which is a useful planning clue in peak season, not a rule about availability.

Practical details before you set out

Meet at PALLADIUM Rent a Boat Makarska, Marineta ul. 15, in Makarska. The trip ends back at the same meeting point. It is offered in English, and confirmation is provided at booking. The operator says most people can participate, but the information does not give specific accessibility details, so contact the provider if you need to check a particular requirement.

Bring swimwear, a towel and any personal sun protection you normally use on a boat. Those items are practical suggestions rather than listed inclusions; the confirmed inclusions are snorkeling equipment and bottled water. Since food and other drinks are not included, pack a snack or plan to buy something during the Jelsa stop.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and cancellations inside that window are not refunded. The tour also depends on good weather. If poor weather cancels it, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who should book this island-hopping trip?

I would choose this tour if you have a limited amount of time in Makarska and want a balanced outing: several chances to swim, a cave visit when conditions allow, and an hour in Jelsa. It is especially appealing if you enjoy being on the water and are happy with short stops rather than a fixed beach day.

Families can find plenty of variety in the route, and one family had a memorable outing that included dolphins, an octopus and small fish. Those sightings are not guaranteed, of course, and the tour information does not set age or swimming requirements. If you are booking with children or anyone who needs particular assistance, check suitability with the operator before you pay.

I would skip it if your main goal is guaranteed cave access, a long lunch, or a full afternoon at one beach. But if you want to cover a lot of ground by sea in half a day, and can stay flexible about weather, this is a strong use of your time and money.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The trip lasts approximately five hours, including the stops and return to Makarska.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at PALLADIUM Rent a Boat Makarska, Marineta ul. 15, Makarska, and ends back at the same meeting point.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the boat, an English-speaking skipper, fuel, use of snorkeling equipment, taxes and fees, and bottled water.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

Yes. Food and drinks are not included, and you are welcome to bring your own.

Is swimming into the Little Blue Cave guaranteed?

No. The boat anchors outside the cave, and you can swim in when conditions allow. Waves may make access unsafe or impossible.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 13 people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather cancels the outing, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.