Half-day Speedboat Tour: Explore Hidden Gems of Hvar Island

Hvar’s best moments are often found away from its busy harbor, and this five-hour speedboat trip gets you to quiet bays, sheer stone cliffs, and clear swimming water without asking you to plan several separate excursions. You’ll cruise from Makarska to Pokrivenik and Mala Stiniva, pause in Jelsa, then finish at Zečevo islet.

I like the good mix of swimming and town time, since you are not stuck on a boat all day. I also like the relaxed skipper-led feel. Captains such as Marco and Mario have been singled out for friendly hosting, local knowledge, music, and flexibility when people wanted to stay in the water longer.

The main consideration is simple: this is a small speedboat, not a roomy day cruiser. There is no restroom on board, lunch is not included, and the ride between stops can feel windy or exposed. One Zečevo visit also had a private party that left the beach bar unready for visitors, so the final stop may not always run exactly as hoped.

Key points before you book

• A fast route from Makarska to Hvar: The first crossing takes about 35 minutes, with the rest of the day split between stops and scenic cruising.
• Three chances for sea time: Pokrivenik, Mala Stiniva, and Zečevo offer opportunities to swim and use the included snorkeling equipment.
• A real break in Jelsa: You get about 45 minutes for coffee, ice cream, food, or a short walk through the old town.
• Small-group atmosphere: The maximum group size is 18, and the boat can feel more like a shared private charter than a large excursion.
• Friendly skippers matter here: Marco and Mario are among the named captains praised for their easy manner and willingness to adjust swim time.
• Bring a cover-up and protect your valuables: The boat ride can be breezy, and cliff jumping creates obvious risks for glasses and other loose items.

Why this Hvar boat trip works well from Makarska

The attraction is not one famous sight. It is the change of pace across the day. You leave Makarska, cross to Hvar by speedboat, swim in small coves, walk around Jelsa, and finish on an unpopulated islet. That gives you a fuller taste of the island than a single beach stop would.

At $85.36 per person, the value comes from combining transport, fuel, safety gear, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and several stops in one outing. You also avoid arranging your own boat, fuel, route, and return crossing. Lunch and drinks are extra, but the tour does include enough free time in Jelsa for you to buy food if you want it.

The five-hour length is one of the better features. You get a proper outing, but not a full day locked into a boat. That suits you if you want time back in Makarska afterward, or if you are fitting this into a short coastal stay.

The group limit is 18 people. That is not private, but it is far more manageable than a large vessel packed with dozens of passengers. Several details point to a friendly, informal style: skippers talk with passengers, music may be played, and the captain may let you swim longer when conditions and the schedule allow.

The 35-minute crossing to Veliki Pokrivenik

Your meeting point is Rent a Boat Makarska, Promare Charter, at Marineta ul. 12 in Makarska. The trip begins with about 35 minutes of scenic cruising toward Veliki Pokrivenik on Hvar.

This first crossing is part of the experience, not just dead time. You get open views across the water and a quick sense of why a speedboat is useful here. Hvar’s coves are spread along the coast, and reaching them by road would not give you the same angle or access.

Veliki Pokrivenik is presented as one of Hvar’s less-visited bays. The setting is defined by stone cliffs and a more remote feel than a developed resort beach. The stop is a good early introduction to the trip because it gives you a quiet coastal setting before the schedule moves on to the more dramatic Mala Stiniva.

Do not expect a guided historical tour at this point. The focus is the water, cliffs, and boat ride. If you prefer a trip built around museums and long explanations, this will feel light. If you want scenery and time outside, it gets the day moving quickly.

Swimming beneath the cliffs at Mala Stiniva

Mala Stiniva is the scenic centerpiece. Stone cliffs drop sharply toward the sea, creating a narrow, striking bay with clear water. This is where the tour’s swimming and snorkeling focus makes the most sense.

You receive snorkeling equipment as part of the price, so you do not need to arrange your own mask and snorkel. The water is described as especially clear, and the protected shape of the bay makes it a natural place to get in for a swim. The exact amount of time in the water can vary, but the scheduled stop is about 35 minutes.

This is also the place where some people choose to jump from the cliffs. That is optional, not a required part of the outing. Use care, listen to the skipper, and keep hold of glasses, phones, and other loose items. One person lost a pair of glasses after jumping, a useful reminder that clear water does not make every activity risk-free.

The cliffs look best from the boat and from the water. You will want a camera, but keep it secure. Speedboat rides create spray, and the boat may move between coves before you have much time to organize your belongings.

Forty-five minutes to get a taste of Jelsa

After the first swimming stops, the boat heads to Jelsa. You have about 45 minutes in town, which is enough for a coffee, ice cream, a quick meal, or a short walk, but not enough for a full historical visit.

Jelsa is an old town on Hvar with historic monuments and a waterfront setting. The stop gives the trip useful variety. After time in swimwear and salt water, you can walk on land, find something cold to eat, and see a small part of the island’s settled side.

I would use the time carefully. If you want food, make that your first task, since a short stop can disappear quickly while you look for a table. If you prefer sightseeing, take a compact walk around the central area rather than trying to cover the whole town.

This is one reason the tour appeals to couples and families. It is not just a series of swim stops. Children can enjoy the water, while adults get a chance to stretch their legs and see Jelsa. One family described the boat, snorkeling, and easygoing schedule as a strong fit for their children.

The limitation is the clock. Jelsa deserves longer than 45 minutes if you want a serious visit. Treat it as a pleasant sample, not a replacement for staying in town.

Zečevo islet and the final beach stop

Opposite Jelsa, a short cruise takes you to Zečevo, an unpopulated islet in the Hvar archipelago. It is protected as a significant landscape, and the appeal is its untouched setting rather than monuments or shopping.

The stop lasts about 1 hour and 5 minutes, making it the longest scheduled pause. You can swim, snorkel, relax by the water, and visit the beach bar for a drink when it is operating for visitors. The long stop gives you time to settle into the place instead of rushing in and out for a quick photograph.

There is an important practical caveat. The beach bar was not ready for visitors during one visit because of a private party. That means you should not count on the bar as the main reason to book. Think of the sea and the islet as the core experience, with the drink as a welcome extra.

A stop on Zečevo also gives the itinerary a quieter finish. Jelsa supplies the town visit, while Zečevo returns you to open water and unbuilt shoreline. If you like a mix of simple beach time and short cultural stops, this balance is one of the trip’s strongest points.

What the speedboat ride feels like

A speedboat lets the tour cover ground quickly, but speed comes with tradeoffs. You spend less time reaching Hvar’s bays than you would on a slower boat, yet the ride can be breezy, sunny, and exposed. Bring something to cover your shoulders during the cruise, especially if you are wet after swimming.

The ride has been described as smooth, though conditions on the sea can change. The boat is small enough to feel personal, but that also means you should not expect indoor seating, large shaded areas, or a restroom. The lack of a toilet is the most important comfort issue, particularly for families and anyone who dislikes long stretches between facilities.

The boat carries safety equipment, and fuel and fees are included. Bottled water is also provided. You still need to bring any other drinks, food, sun protection, and personal items you may want during the five hours.

Because the boat returns to the Makarska meeting point, you do not need to arrange a separate return from Hvar. The activity ends where it begins, which keeps the day simple.

The skippers shape the experience

A good skipper matters more on a small boat than on a large sightseeing vessel. You are close to the person driving, asking questions, and deciding how the day flows.

Marco is repeatedly associated with warm hosting, music, and a fun approach to remote swimming spots. Mario has also been praised for explaining the area and taking people to places suited to snorkeling and cliff jumping. The specific skipper may depend on the departure, so you should not book on the assumption that one named person is guaranteed.

The strongest part of the service is its informal tone. The captains are described as friendly and willing to let passengers enjoy the water when the group is having a good time. That flexibility is valuable, but it must work within the weather, boat schedule, and return time.

You should also expect a social outing rather than a private charter. With up to 18 people, the mood depends on the group. The boat may feel pleasantly small and easy to talk on, but you will not have complete control over the music, timing, or choice of stops.

Price, comfort, and who gets the best value

At $85.36, this is not the cheapest way to see Hvar, but it is a fair package if you value convenience. You are paying for a five-hour route from Makarska, the return crossing, fuel, safety equipment, snorkeling gear, bottled water, and access to several coastal stops.

The price makes more sense when you compare it with organizing a boat independently. You would otherwise need to find a rental, understand the route, cover fuel, supply snorkeling gear, and manage the return. Here, the operator handles the movement between places while you focus on swimming and sightseeing.

It suits you best if you:

• Want to see Hvar without changing hotels or arranging a ferry-based day
• Prefer swimming and coastal scenery to a long guided history tour
• Like a small-group outing with an active skipper
• Want both a beach stop and a short visit to an old town
• Are comfortable with sun, wind, boat spray, and no restroom on board

It may not suit you if you need a spacious vessel, a guaranteed beach-bar visit, a long stay in Jelsa, or a fully structured cultural tour. It is also not recommended for children under three.

Most people can participate, and the tour is near public transportation. Confirmation arrives when you book. The activity depends on good weather, and it also requires a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low numbers force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

For flexibility, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

What to bring for a better day

Pack a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and a light cover-up for the ride. A cover-up is especially useful after swimming, when the speedboat’s wind can feel cool even on a hot day.

Keep valuables secure. Glasses, phones, and cameras should not be left loose when you are moving around or considering a jump. The boat provides snorkeling equipment, but you can bring your own if you prefer a familiar fit.

Plan to buy food in Jelsa if you want lunch. Lunch is not included, and the final beach bar may not always be ready to serve visitors. Bottled water is included, but any other drinks are your responsibility.

Should you book this Makarska to Hvar tour?

I would book it if your ideal day means clear water, steep stone coves, a lively boat ride, and a short taste of Jelsa. The route offers more variety than a simple beach excursion, while the five-hour format leaves room for other plans in Makarska.

The best reasons to go are the remote-feeling bays, the included snorkeling equipment, and the friendly skipper-led atmosphere. The main reasons to hesitate are the lack of a restroom, the exposed ride, and the fact that Zečevo’s beach bar may not always be available.

Book this tour for the coast and the water first. Treat Jelsa as a useful bonus and the drink at Zečevo as optional. With that expectation, the $85.36 price gives you a practical and enjoyable way to see several sides of Hvar in one well-packed half-day.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Rent a Boat Makarska, Promare Charter, Marineta ul. 12, 21300 Makarska, Croatia. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately five hours. The rest of the time between scheduled stops is spent cruising around Hvar.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, fuel, safety equipment, and all fees and taxes are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you can use the free time in Jelsa to buy food if needed.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

No. A restroom is not available on board.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.