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

The best part of this Makarska outing is its variety. In five hours, you move from Hvar’s Pokrivenik Bay to the Little Blue Cave, a coffee or ice cream stop in Jelsa, Zečevo’s Blue Lagoon, and Žirje Beach on Brač. I like that the tour mixes swimming, scenery, and a real town visit instead of keeping you on the boat all day.

I also like the small group limit of 13 people and the simple pricing. Your boat, fuel, English-speaking skipper, snorkeling gear, taxes, and bottled water are included, which makes the $108.61 price easier to judge. Skippers including Petar, Ante, and Carlo are praised for being friendly and helpful.

The main caution is the sea. The Little Blue Cave may be difficult or unsafe to enter when waves are up, and one stop can feel less interesting if you prefer long beach time or major sights. A morning departure is worth considering because conditions are often calmer.

Key points at a glance

• Five stops in about five hours: You get swimming, snorkeling, a cave, a town, and two turquoise-water bays.
• The Little Blue Cave is weather-dependent: You can swim inside when conditions permit, with no entrance fee or queue.
• Jelsa adds a change of pace: You have one hour to walk around, sit for coffee, or enjoy an ice cream.
• The group stays small: The maximum is 13 people, a useful advantage over large excursion boats.
• The price includes the basics: Boat, fuel, skipper, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, taxes, and fees are covered.
• Morning departures may be calmer: Sea conditions can affect comfort and access to the cave.

What this Makarska speedboat tour is really like

This is a fast-moving island outing rather than a slow beach day. You leave from Palladium Rent a Boat at Marineta ul. 15 in Makarska and return to the same spot after roughly five hours.

The speedboat matters because the schedule covers several locations spread around the coast and nearby islands. You are not spending the entire morning or afternoon getting from one bay to the next. The tradeoff is that each stop is brief, so you need to be ready to swim, look around, and get back aboard when the skipper calls time.

I see this as a good fit for someone with only one free half-day in Makarska. You get a taste of Hvar, Zečevo, and Brač without committing a full day to an island ferry or a private charter.

The activity is offered in English, and the skipper handles navigation and the practical details. The company has used skippers named Petar, Ante, and Carlo on these outings, with particular praise for clear answers before departure and attentive care on the water.

Pokrivenik Bay: a first swim on Hvar

The first stop is Pokrivenik, a sheltered bay on Hvar’s northern coast. The boat anchors for about 25 minutes, giving you time to swim and use the snorkeling equipment provided.

This is a sensible opening stop. After leaving Makarska, you get into the water early rather than waiting until the middle of the trip. The bay’s clear water is the main attraction, so pack your swimsuit under your clothes and keep a towel handy.

Twenty-five minutes is enough for a quick swim and a look below the surface, but it is not a long snorkeling session. If you want to float around at leisure, the short stop may feel tight. I would treat it as an introduction to the water rather than the main event.

The boat provides snorkeling equipment, but you can bring your own if you prefer familiar gear. Bottled water is included. Food and other drinks are not, so bring something to eat if you know a few hours on a boat will leave you hungry.

The Little Blue Cave and the sea-condition question

Only a few minutes from Pokrivenik is the Little Blue Cave. The boat anchors outside, and you can collect snorkeling gear and swim inside for about 20 minutes.

The appeal is clear: sunlight and seawater create the cave’s blue effect, and the experience feels more active than simply viewing a cave from the deck. There are no entrance fees and no queue listed for this stop, which keeps the visit straightforward.

Still, this is the stop most affected by weather. If waves are strong, getting into the cave may be uncomfortable or unsafe. The skipper can limit access for safety, and that is an important part of the deal. You are paying for a boat outing in open water, not a guaranteed cave entrance.

I would not book this tour only for the cave. Think of it as one piece of a larger five-stop route. If sea conditions prevent entry, the outing still includes Pokrivenik, Jelsa, Zečevo, and Žirje Beach, but the day may feel different from the one you pictured.

Bring sun protection, a secure swimsuit, and footwear you can manage around a boat. The supplied information does not specify a changing area, so it is wise to arrive ready for swimming.

Jelsa gives the trip a proper town stop

After the swims around Hvar, the boat heads to Jelsa for one hour. This is the longest stop and the only one that is not mainly about getting into the water.

You can walk through town, sit down for coffee, or stop for ice cream. That simple break matters. Five hours of sun, spray, and engine noise can make a short land visit feel welcome, and Jelsa gives you a chance to stretch your legs.

Jelsa is described as one of the most popular towns on Hvar’s north side, with more than 5,000 visitors daily. Do not expect a long guided tour from the information provided. You have free time rather than a formal town program, so the value depends on how much you enjoy a relaxed stroll and café stop.

One person found Jelsa uninteresting, while another especially enjoyed the ice cream break and called the village pleasant. That split is useful. If you want famous monuments, museums, or a detailed historical walk, Jelsa may not be the reason to book this trip. If you like a low-key harbor town between swims, the hour works well.

Keep an eye on the time. The boat cannot wait indefinitely, and the schedule still has two islands ahead.

Zečevo’s Blue Lagoon is the color stop

Zečevo is the smallest island on the route, measuring about 1.5 kilometers long and only 200 meters wide at its narrowest point. The stop lasts about 25 minutes.

The bay is known locally as the Blue Lagoon, and turquoise water is the main draw. The island also has a waterfront Bungalow Bar, so you may find a place to pause by the water, though food and drinks are not included in the tour price.

This is a classic quick island stop. You can swim, take in the color of the bay, and enjoy the fact that the island itself is small enough to understand at a glance. It is not a place for a long walk or a full afternoon at the bar.

The short timing is both a strength and a weakness. It lets you see more places in one outing, but you will not have time to settle into every bay. I like the variety, yet people who prefer one quiet cove for several hours should consider a private boat instead.

Žirje Beach on Brač closes the route

The final stop is Žirje Beach on Brač, a quiet bay with turquoise water and natural surroundings. The boat stays for about 20 minutes.

This is presented as one of the calmer parts of the route. Brač is described as quiet, and you may find only a small number of other boats in the bay. That gives the final swim a more peaceful feel than a crowded marina stop.

Again, twenty minutes goes quickly. You will have time for a swim and a look around, but not a long beach stay. The attraction is the setting and the relative quiet, not a list of organized activities.

By ending with a calm bay, the route finishes on an easy note. You can swim, dry off, and ride back to Makarska rather than rushing into another town visit.

Why the small boat makes a difference

A maximum of 13 people is one of the strongest features here. A small group makes it easier to get on and off the boat, ask the skipper questions, and find a comfortable place to sit.

It also helps the stops feel less mechanical. The outing still follows a firm schedule, but it is not built around moving a large crowd through each bay. The skipper can explain what is happening and keep an eye on the group during swimming stops.

Do not confuse a small group with a private tour. You are still sharing the boat, and the schedule is fixed. If you want to decide exactly how long to stay at Pokrivenik or skip Jelsa altogether, a private charter would offer more control.

The boat, fuel, English-speaking skipper, snorkeling equipment, taxes, fees, and bottled water are included. Food and drinks are not, so bring your own supplies. That is a small but important cost detail when comparing this with other water outings.

Is $108.61 good value?

At $108.61 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend five hours on the Adriatic. The value comes from how much ground you cover and what is bundled into the fare.

You get three islands or island locations, five stops, swimming opportunities, snorkeling equipment, fuel, a skipper, and a return to Makarska. Buying separate transport to Hvar, Zečevo, and Brač would be far less simple, even if you could arrange it.

The tour is particularly good value if you want variety. You see a bay, a cave, a town, a lagoon, and a beach in one outing. It is less compelling if you mainly want a long swim, a full meal, or a detailed visit to Jelsa.

The 4.9 rating from 55 reviews and recommendation by 98 percent of bookers suggest strong overall satisfaction, but the lower rating about rough water and uninteresting stops is worth taking seriously. A high rating cannot change the fact that sea conditions and personal taste shape the experience.

Timing, comfort, and what to bring

Morning departures deserve a close look. One account specifically recommends the morning because wind and sea conditions are often better. Calm water can make the speedboat ride more comfortable and improve your chance of entering the Little Blue Cave.

The supplied information does not give an exact departure time, so check the booking details for the session you choose. The meeting point is Palladium Rent a Boat, Marineta ul. 15, Makarska, and the activity ends there.

Bring:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sun protection
• Water-friendly footwear
• Food and drinks, since they are not included
• A secure bag for small personal items

The tour is near public transportation, and confirmation is provided at booking. Most people can participate, but the activity requires comfort around a moving boat and repeated swimming stops.

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the tour, you can take another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

Who should book this outing?

I would choose this tour if you want a compact introduction to the islands from Makarska. It suits couples, families, and small groups who like swimming, short scenic stops, and a little free time in town.

It also works well for people who do not want to spend a full day at sea. The five-hour length leaves room for other plans in Makarska, though the number of stops means you should expect a busy half-day rather than a slow escape.

Families should note that the tour includes swimming and a speedboat, with no specific child-age information provided. Anyone in your group who dislikes waves, quick boarding, or limited time at each stop may be happier with a land-based outing.

Should you book the Makarska 3 Island Speedboat Tour?

Book it if your ideal outing includes clear water, several short swims, a cave when conditions allow, and a one-hour stop for coffee or ice cream in Jelsa. The small group and inclusive pricing add real value, and the route gives you a lot of scenery in five hours.

Skip it if you want a guaranteed cave visit, a long beach stay, or a serious cultural tour of Jelsa. For the best chance of comfortable conditions, choose a morning departure and accept that the skipper may change the cave plan for safety.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Palladium Rent a Boat, Marineta ul. 15, 21300 Makarska, Croatia.

Where does the activity end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point in Makarska.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts approximately five hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $108.61 per person.

Which islands and places does the tour visit?

The route includes Pokrivenik and Jelsa on Hvar, Zečevo Island, and Žirje Beach on Brač. It also stops at the Little Blue Cave near Pokrivenik.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included with the boat outing.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but you may bring your own.

Is bottled water included?

Yes. Bottled water is included.

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum group size is 13 people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation.