From Makarska: Hidden Gems of Hvar Island’s North Shore

Hvar’s north shore is best seen from the water, where steep cliffs, pebble coves, and clear blue bays are far easier to reach by boat than by road. This five-hour trip packs four very different stops into one outing, from snorkeling at Veliki Pokrivenik to a coffee break in Jelsa.

I like the small-group format, with no more than 10 or 12 people, and the easy mix of swimming, cliff jumping, town time, and boat scenery. I also like that masks, snorkels, water, jackets, and safety gear are included. The main drawback is the ride itself: the speedboat can be rough, especially in the front, and there is no restroom on board.

Key points to know before you book

• Four distinct stops in five hours: You get two quiet swimming coves, an hour in Jelsa, and a final stop at Zečevo islet.
• Veliki Pokrivenik includes a hidden cave: Snorkel around cliffs and pebble beaches, or stay dry and enjoy the rocky setting.
• Mala Stiniva is the cliff-jumping stop: The vertical stone walls make this the most active part of the trip.
• Jelsa gives the day some culture: You have about 70 minutes to walk, see historic sights, or stop for coffee.
• The front seats get wetter: Sit toward the back if you prefer more shade and less spray during the crossings.
• The trip suits active visitors: It is not recommended for pregnant women, people with back problems, wheelchair users, people prone to seasickness, or people over 70.

Why the north shore works so well by speedboat

Hvar is famous for its towns and nightlife, but its northern coast offers a quieter kind of appeal. Here, the main attraction is the water itself: clear bays, bare stone cliffs, small beaches, and coves that are difficult to reach without a boat.

From Makarska’s waterfront, you board at the Promare Charter information desk, about a minute from the Ferris wheel. The first crossing takes roughly 35 minutes. That ride is part of the experience, giving you wide views of the coast and a fast sense of how much sea separates Makarska from Hvar.

The boat saves you from arranging several separate transfers. In a single half-day, you can swim in two bays, visit a Hvar town, and reach an unpopulated islet. That is the real value of this outing. You are paying for access and time, not just transportation from one dock to another.

At $91 per person, the cost is not bargain-basement, but it is reasonable if you want several boat-only stops without hiring a private boat. The small group matters here. With 10 people, you spend less time waiting for people to board or gather, and the skipper can keep the day moving.

Veliki Pokrivenik: a quiet first swim

Your first stop is Veliki Pokrivenik, reached after the initial 35-minute cruise. This bay is less developed than the better-known parts of Hvar, with impressive cliffs, pebble beaches, and a cave tucked into the shore.

You get about 35 minutes here for swimming and snorkeling. The supplied mask and snorkel are useful because the clear water and rocky edges are the main reason to stop. You can look around the cave and shoreline from the water, though this is not a guided underwater tour with a formal lesson.

If snorkeling is not your thing, you can stay on the boat or settle on the beach and enjoy the sun. That flexibility helps, since not everyone in a group will want the same pace. One person can swim while another takes photographs or rests on the rocks.

The short stop also tells you what kind of day this is. You will not have hours at any one cove. Instead, you get a series of carefully chosen places, each with a different character. Bring a towel and a change of clothes, since spray from the boat and water from the swim can follow you for the rest of the trip.

Mala Stiniva: cliffs, clear water, and a safe decision

Mala Stiniva is perhaps the most dramatic stop. Stone cliffs drop almost vertically into the sea, creating a narrow, striking bay with exceptionally clear water.

You have around 35 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, and cliff jumping. If you enjoy jumping from rocks into the sea, this is likely to be your favorite stop. If you do not, there is no pressure to jump. You can swim, watch others, or remain on the boat.

Use care here. Cliff jumping depends on conditions, your comfort level, and the skipper’s guidance. The activity is active rather than strenuous, but the boat ride and repeated swims can still tire you. I would treat the jumping as an option, not the purpose of the entire outing.

The water is the star at Mala Stiniva. Its clarity makes the bay attractive even if you never enter the sea. Snorkeling gear is included, but bring your own if you prefer a particular fit.

Jelsa: a useful hour away from the water

After the two swimming stops, the boat continues to Jelsa. You have about 70 minutes of free time, which gives the day a welcome change of pace.

Jelsa is an old town on Hvar with historic monuments and a long connection to the island’s past. This is not a full guided walking tour, so you are free to choose how you use the time. You might take a walk through town, look at the old buildings, or stop for coffee.

That hour is long enough to get your bearings without turning the trip into a land-based sightseeing tour. It also gives you a chance to dry off, stretch your legs, and take a break from the speedboat.

Food is not included, so Jelsa is the most practical place to buy something if you need more than the bottled water provided on board. Do not expect a full meal stop unless you choose to use your free time that way.

The town visit is important for balance. A day made entirely of short swims can feel rushed, especially if you are with family or friends who do not all want to be in the water. Jelsa gives everyone a chance to follow their own interests for a while.

Zečevo islet: the quietest final stop

Opposite Jelsa, a short boat ride away, is Zečevo, an unpopulated islet protected as a significant area. Its appeal is simple: very little development, clear turquoise water, and a peaceful shoreline.

You have about 40 minutes here for swimming and snorkeling. This is a good final stop because you have already seen the more dramatic cliffs and had time in town. Zečevo feels slower and more open.

There is a beach bar on the islet if you want to buy a drink and wind down. The bar is not part of the included package, so bring payment if you plan to use it. You should not count on a full range of services, but it gives you an alternative to staying in the water.

The islet is also a good place for people who prefer easy swimming over cliff jumping. You can snorkel, sit by the shore, or simply enjoy the last stretch of island scenery before the return ride to Makarska.

What the speedboat ride is really like

The boat makes the itinerary possible, but the ride is not always smooth. The crossing between Makarska and Hvar, plus the short runs between stops, can be bumpy in open water.

If you want to stay drier and have more shade, sit toward the back. The front seats are more exposed to spray and movement. If you enjoy the thrill of speed and do not mind getting wet, the front can be fun, but do not choose it expecting a calm sightseeing cruise.

Warm jackets are provided, which is useful when the boat is moving quickly or the weather cools. Still, pack sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, and spare clothes. You will want dry clothing for the return ride, particularly if you sit near the front.

The company also supplies safety equipment and insurance. You should listen closely to the skipper’s instructions at the swimming areas, especially before any cliff jump. The best skippers make the day feel relaxed while still keeping an eye on conditions and timing.

Skippers and the small-group feel

The guide can shape this sort of trip more than the destination list. Skippers named Dinko, Goran, Marco, and Marko have been singled out for being friendly, organized, and willing to answer questions. One skipper even turned the boat around after a cap blew away, a small act that says a lot about the personal feel of a small charter.

You should expect guidance in English or Croatian. The experience is not built around long lectures. Instead, the skipper handles the boat, explains the stops, gives practical directions, and helps the group move between activities.

The advertised group size is limited to 10, though some boats may carry up to 12 depending on the model. Ask about the boat if keeping the group as small as possible is important to you.

Some outings have included drone photographs, but do not book the trip expecting photographs as a guaranteed inclusion. The confirmed inclusions are the skipper, masks and snorkels, bottled water, warm jackets, safety equipment, and insurance.

Who will get the most from this trip

I would choose this outing if you want a compact introduction to Hvar’s north coast and enjoy being on the water. It is especially suitable for couples, friends, and families with older children who can handle a fast boat and several water stops.

You will get the most from it if you:

• Enjoy swimming and snorkeling
• Like the idea of cliff jumping but do not need to do it
• Want a short visit to Jelsa rather than a full day in town
• Prefer a small group to a large excursion boat
• Are comfortable with sun, spray, and changing sea conditions

This is less suitable if you want a slow, quiet cruise with lots of time at one beach. It is also a poor choice if you suffer from seasickness. The experience provider specifically advises against booking for people with back problems, pregnant women, wheelchair users, and people over 70.

There is no restroom on board. That is easy to manage for five hours, but plan ahead before leaving Makarska and use the facilities in Jelsa during the free-time stop.

Timing, weather, and practical value

The listed duration is five hours, with starting times varying by date. The planned stops account for roughly 35 minutes at Veliki Pokrivenik, 35 minutes at Mala Stiniva, 70 minutes in Jelsa, and 40 minutes at Zečevo, plus the boat rides.

That schedule is fairly full. You should arrive ready to board rather than expecting a relaxed morning of waiting around. The meeting point is the Promare Boat Charter desk on the Makarska waterfront, close to the Ferris wheel. If you have trouble finding it, the company asks you to call.

Weather matters more than it does on a town walking tour. Rough water can make the ride uncomfortable, and poor conditions can lead to cancellation or rescheduling. You receive the choice of a full refund or another date if the weather makes the trip unsafe.

That policy is useful, but you still need some flexibility in your holiday schedule. If you book this on your only free afternoon, a weather change could remove your chance to take the tour.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms help if your Makarska plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Hvar north shore boat tour?

Book it if you want to see several hard-to-reach parts of Hvar in half a day, and if swimming is at least as important to you as sightseeing. The combination of Veliki Pokrivenik, Mala Stiniva, Jelsa, and Zečevo gives you more variety than a simple beach transfer.

I especially like the balance between active stops and town time. You can snorkel, attempt a cliff jump, walk through Jelsa, and finish at a quiet islet. At $91, that is solid value for a small-group speedboat trip with equipment and water included.

Skip it if you are prone to seasickness, need a restroom on board, dislike bumpy rides, or want a slow beach day. For everyone else, choose a back seat if you want shade and less spray, bring dry clothes, and leave room in your schedule in case the weather changes.

FAQ

Where does the tour start in Makarska?

The meeting point is the Promare Boat Charter information desk on the Makarska waterfront, about a minute’s walk from the Ferris wheel.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts five hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes a professional skipper, masks and snorkels, bottled water, warm jackets, safety equipment, and insurance.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included. You can use your free time in Jelsa to get coffee or food, and Zečevo has a beach bar with drinks available for purchase.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

No. There is no restroom on board. Plan ahead before departure and use facilities during the 70-minute stop in Jelsa.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If weather conditions make the trip unsafe, you are offered a full refund or the option to reschedule.