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

The best part of this nine-hour trip is the freedom to move between quiet island bays that are difficult to reach from land. You can swim from the boat, snorkel in clear water, jump from the cliffs at Mala Stiniva, and still have time for lunch in Vrboska.

I like the choice between the Golden and Blue routes, since the two versions give the day a different shape. I also like that you get a private boat and can adjust the plan with your skipper. Guides including Emil, Borna, Matija, and Maria have been singled out for being friendly, flexible, and easy to spend a full day with.

The main drawback is the extra cash charge. The advertised price is $236 per group of up to 10, but skipper and fuel cost an additional €200 for the boat holding up to six people or €320 for the larger boat. Lunch is also separate, so check the final cost before booking.

Key points to know before you book

• Two routes, two different moods: The Golden route highlights Brač’s Golden Horn, while the Blue route adds Pokrivenik and the small blue cave near Hvar.
• Private boats keep the day flexible: You are not tied to a large group schedule, and the route can be adjusted to suit your party.
• Mala Stiniva is the thrill stop: Bring confidence for cliff jumping, or simply swim and enjoy the cove if jumping is not your thing.
• Vrboska gives the day a proper lunch break: You can stop for local fish, seafood, meat, or another meal in this small Hvar town.
• The real cost is higher than the headline price: Add skipper and fuel in cash, then budget separately for lunch.
• Dolphins are possible but not promised: Keep your eyes open during the open-water cruise, but treat sightings as a bonus.

Leaving Makarska for a full day on the water

The tour starts at Makarska Harbour, with the meeting point assigned according to the option you book. The day runs roughly from 9:00 until 18:00, giving you a useful balance between boat time and stops on land or at the water’s edge.

This is a private-group trip, not a shared excursion with strangers. For up to six people, the boat is a Quicksilver Activ 605 Open. Groups of up to 10 use a Jeanneau Cap Camarat 7.5. If your party has fewer than six people, you can choose the larger boat for more room and comfort.

That choice matters. A smaller boat can feel nimble and personal, while the larger Cap Camarat gives a smaller group more space to spread out. The boats come with a Bimini sun cover, an ice box, a water shower, an audio system, snorkeling equipment, and life jackets.

The speedboat is not simply transport between stops. It is a big part of the experience. You get open views as you cross the water, a quick way to reach islands, and the chance to pause for photographs or wildlife watching. Dolphins are sometimes seen, although nobody can promise a sighting.

The skipper speaks English and Croatian. The strongest part of the experience is the human side of the trip: the skipper can alter the route, suggest where to stop, and help shape the pace around your group. If you want more swimming, say so. If you prefer a longer town stop and a proper meal, make that clear early in the day.

The Golden route: Brač’s famous beach and quiet coves

The Golden route begins with Biskup Beach on Brač, reached at about 9:45. This is presented as a quiet beach with clear water and little or no crowding. It is an excellent first stop because you can ease into the day with swimming, snorkeling, and time on the shore.

I would use this stop to get comfortable with the boat and water conditions. The snorkeling equipment is supplied, so you do not need to pack a full kit. Still, bringing your own mask is sensible if you prefer a familiar fit.

At around 11:00, the boat continues to Bol and the Golden Horn. Zlatni Rat, commonly called the Golden Horn, is one of Brač’s best-known sights. Its distinctive shape reaches into the sea, and the view from the water is the reason this stop belongs on the route.

The trade-off is that a famous beach is less secluded than Biskup Beach. You get a classic island sight rather than a private-feeling cove. Think of this as the photograph stop, while Biskup is the better place for quiet swimming.

The Golden route then heads to Lantina Beach on Zečevo Island at about 12:00. Zečevo is a small island near Hvar, and this stop adds a more unusual note to the day. You are not just ticking off the largest and most famous islands. You are also visiting a smaller place where the pleasure comes from the setting, clear water, and time away from the main ports.

Vrboska at lunchtime, with time to choose your meal

At around 13:45, the boat reaches Vrboska on Hvar. The town is often called small Venice, a nickname linked to its narrow waterways and compact waterfront setting. Compared with the more famous coastal towns, Vrboska offers a gentler stop and a chance to walk around before lunch.

Lunch is not included, so you can choose what fits your budget and appetite. The available choices include local fresh fish, seafood, meat, or something else from the restaurant menu. One skipper took a group to a particularly good restaurant, but you should still treat restaurant selection as part of the day’s flexible planning rather than a fixed meal arrangement.

This is the point where you may want to slow down. A speedboat tour can become a blur of coves and photographs if every stop is rushed. Vrboska gives you a chance to sit down, eat, and let the day settle.

The timing also makes practical sense. After a morning of swimming, you will probably welcome a proper meal rather than another quick snack on the boat. Remember that lunch is your responsibility, and the tour price does not cover it.

Mala Stiniva: cliff jumping or calm swimming

The Golden route reaches Mala Stiniva Beach on Hvar at about 16:00. This is the main action stop, known as a place where you can jump from the cliffs into the sea.

You should only jump if you feel fully comfortable with the height and conditions. Nobody needs to leap to enjoy the cove. You can swim, sit near the water, and take in the natural setting while other members of your group choose the more energetic option.

The Blue route reaches Mala Stiniva earlier, at about 11:40. That timing creates a different rhythm. You get the cliff stop before lunch, then move on to Zečevo and Vrboska. If your group is eager to jump while energy is high, the Blue route may suit you better.

The exact order can also be adjusted. The company states that the suggested routes are not rigid, so tell your skipper what matters most. A group focused on snorkeling may want longer swimming stops, while a group focused on towns may prefer more time in Vrboska.

The Blue route and the small cave near Hvar

The Blue route starts with Pokrivenik Beach, reached at about 9:50. It then goes to the small blue cave near Hvar at around 11:00.

The cave is intended to be explored from inside, and you can swim into it. This is one of the trip’s most distinctive stops, but it also depends more on water conditions and comfort in the water than a simple photo stop. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask your skipper what conditions are like before entering.

The cave visit is brief compared with a full beach stop, yet it gives the Blue route a feature the Golden route does not include. After the cave, the boat goes to Mala Stiniva, then Lantina Beach on Zečevo Island, followed by Vrboska.

The Blue route is therefore the better choice if the cave is high on your list. The Golden route is the clearer pick if you want Biskup Beach and the Golden Horn. Neither route is automatically better. The decision depends on whether you prefer a famous beach or a more unusual cave stop.

The final Brač stop at Puntica Beach

The Blue route ends its island visits at Puntica Beach on Brač, at about 16:30. This is described as a calm bay with a swing, which gives the afternoon a quieter finish after the cave and cliff stop.

A calm bay can be welcome late in the day. You have already spent hours crossing between islands, swimming, and walking around Vrboska. Puntica offers a final chance to get into the water without making the stop feel like another major event.

The boat returns to Makarska Harbour at about 18:00. On the Golden route, Mala Stiniva is the final major stop before the return. On the Blue route, Puntica fills that role. Either way, you spend most of the day outdoors, so sun protection and enough drinking water matter.

The boat has an ice box, but the supplied information does not promise food or drinks. Plan around the lunch stop and ask about onboard storage at the start.

What the private boat adds to the experience

The private format is the main reason this trip can offer better value than a standard large-group cruise for the right party. Your group controls the mood. You can spend longer at a quiet bay, move on if a stop does not suit you, or request a change based on the weather and your interests.

That flexibility is not unlimited. The skipper still has to work within a nine-hour day, safe operating conditions, and the distance between Makarska, Brač, Hvar, and Zečevo. Do not expect to fit every possible beach into one outing.

The boat equipment is practical rather than lavish. The Bimini provides sun cover, life jackets are available, and the water shower is useful after swimming. The audio system adds a social touch, while the open design keeps the views in front of you.

For six people, the Quicksilver 605 Open is the more compact option. For up to 10, the Cap Camarat 7.5 gives the group more capacity. If your party is small but you dislike cramped seating, paying for the larger boat may be worthwhile.

The real price and what you receive

The listed price is $236 per group of up to 10. That sounds attractive when split between a full group, but it is not the complete cost.

Skipper and fuel are paid in cash on the day:

• The boat for up to six people costs an additional €200 for skipper and fuel.
• The boat for up to 10 people costs an additional €320 for skipper and fuel.
• Lunch is not included.

For a full group of 10, the larger boat’s extra charge works out to €32 per person before lunch, though the advertised base price and the euro charge are separate amounts. For a group of six, the smaller boat’s skipper and fuel charge works out to about €33 per person. A smaller party should compare the total carefully, since the fixed charges are spread across fewer people.

The value is strongest for a group that wants a private boat and can share the cost. You are paying for a full day, several islands, flexible stops, snorkeling gear, sun protection, and a skipper rather than simply a transfer to one beach.

If you are a solo visitor or a couple, the total may feel high because the boat and skipper costs are not shared widely. If you are a family or group of friends, the private arrangement becomes easier to justify.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later for the booking itself. The skipper and fuel charge is still due in cash on the day, so keep that separate amount ready.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a full day on the water with plenty of swimming and several different settings. It suits groups who enjoy making decisions together rather than following a fixed large-boat schedule.

It is especially good for:

• A private group of friends splitting the cost
• Families who want a flexible day, provided everyone is comfortable with swimming and boat travel
• Couples who prefer quiet bays and open-water views
• Active visitors interested in snorkeling and cliff jumping
• People who want both beaches and a small town stop

It may be less suitable if you dislike speedboats, want a slow beach day in one place, or need a fully inclusive tour with meals and all costs covered. The day involves repeated movement between islands, so anyone prone to motion sickness should consider that before booking.

The cliff jumping is optional, but the swimming stops are central to the experience. You should be comfortable getting in and out of the water, especially if you want to enter the cave.

Should you book the Makarska speedboat tour?

Book it if your group wants to see more than one island in a single day and values a skipper who can adjust the route. The quiet bays, Mala Stiniva, Vrboska, and the choice between the Golden Horn and small blue cave give the day enough variety to feel worthwhile.

Choose the Golden route for Biskup Beach, Golden Horn, Zečevo, Vrboska, and Mala Stiniva. Choose the Blue route for Pokrivenik, the small blue cave, Mala Stiniva, Zečevo, Vrboska, and Puntica Beach.

Before paying, confirm the boat size, meeting point, and total cash charge for skipper and fuel. If those extra costs fit your budget, this is a strong private day trip from Makarska, especially for six to 10 people who want clear water, quiet coves, and a little island-hopping freedom.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about nine hours, generally starting at 9:00 and returning to Makarska Harbour at around 18:00.

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts in Makarska Harbour. The exact meeting point may be Poseidon Rent a Boat or IvaMare Boats, depending on the option you book.

Is the tour private?

Yes. The experience is arranged as a private group tour.

How many people fit on the smaller boat?

The Quicksilver Activ 605 Open holds up to six people.

How many people fit on the larger boat?

The Jeanneau Cap Camarat 7.5 holds up to 10 people.

Is the skipper included in the listed price?

No. Skipper and fuel are paid separately in cash on the day.

How much are skipper and fuel?

The charge is €200 for the boat holding up to six people and €320 for the boat holding up to 10 people.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can buy lunch in Vrboska, with choices including fish, seafood, meat, or other menu items.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included.

Can the route be changed?

Yes. The Golden and Blue routes are recommended plans, and the route can be adjusted based on your group’s wishes.