Makarska: 3-island Speedboat Cave & Blue Lagoon Tour

The best part of this trip is its range. In five hours, you move from the Little Blue Cave on Hvar to a café stop in Jelsa, then on to the Blue Lagoon at Zečevo and a quiet bay on Brač. It feels less like one beach stop with a boat ride attached and more like a quick tour of the central Dalmatian islands.

I like the small maximum group of 12, which makes the speedboat feel more personal and gives you a better chance of getting help from the skipper. I also like that the cave visit has no entry fee or queue. The main drawback is the pace: you spend only 20 to 30 minutes at several swimming stops, and the open boat can feel rough if the sea is choppy.

• Little Blue Cave on Hvar: Swim from the boat into a small cave without an entry fee or waiting line.
• Pokrivenik bay: Start your water time at a quiet Hvar cove reached after about 40 minutes by boat.
• Jelsa for one hour: Walk, have coffee, and get a short taste of one of northern Hvar’s best-known towns.
• Zečevo Blue Lagoon: Swim near a waterfront bungalow bar, with time for a drink or a break.
• Brač finale: Finish at Zirje Beach, another boat-access swimming spot.
• Small-group format: The boat holds no more than 12 participants, with an English- or Croatian-speaking skipper.

A five-hour island sampler from Makarska

This is a morning or afternoon outing built around speed and variety. Departures are listed at 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and the complete trip takes about five hours. You meet at the Palladium Rent a Boat stand on Makarska’s main promenade, then return to the same place.

The boat is a practical choice for this route. Hvar, Zečevo, and Brač sit close enough to Makarska for a fast boat to connect several stops in one half-day. On a slower vessel, the journey would eat up much of your swimming time. Here, the first cruise lasts about 40 minutes, followed by shorter runs between stops.

You get a skipper, fuel, taxes, a bottle of water, and a snorkeling set. Food and other drinks are not included, so I would bring a simple lunch and extra water. There is no need to plan a restaurant meal during the five hours, and the one-hour stop in Jelsa gives you the best chance to buy coffee or something to eat.

Pokrivenik brings the first swim

After the initial cruise, the boat reaches Pokrivenik on Hvar. This is your first proper break, with roughly 25 to 30 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. The cove is accessible by boat, so the appeal is the water and the setting rather than a long walk ashore.

This timing is enough for a refreshing swim and a quick look below the surface, but not a leisurely beach afternoon. If you like to spend an hour floating in one place, this tour may feel rushed. If you want several different water stops in one outing, the short stay works well.

The boat schedule also means you should be ready to get in and out of the water promptly. Bring your towel where you can reach it, and keep your swimwear on from the start. You will not want to waste part of the stop searching through a bag.

The water can be cold, especially outside the warmest part of summer. That did not stop children on one trip from jumping off the boat, and some people may find the quick plunge exactly what they need after the ride. Still, non-swimmers should not book this activity, and young children under three are not accepted.

Swimming into the Little Blue Cave

Only about five minutes from Pokrivenik, the Little Blue Cave offers the tour’s most unusual stop. The boat anchors in front of the entrance, and you swim inside. There is no queue and no admission charge.

Be clear about the name. This is not the famous Blue Cave on Biševo, which is a separate attraction with a different route and system. This smaller cave on Hvar is visited by swimming from the tour boat. That makes it more direct, but also means you need to be comfortable in open water.

You usually get about 20 to 25 minutes here. That gives you time to swim into the cave, look around, and return to the boat. The cave is not a walk-through attraction, and there is no dry land access mentioned for this stop. If you are not a confident swimmer, this part alone is a good reason to choose another excursion.

Snorkeling gear is supplied, which saves you from packing your own mask and tube. I would still bring your own if you have one that fits well, since a familiar mask can make a short water stop more enjoyable. Keep expectations sensible: the value is the combination of a small cave and a swim, not a long guided cave tour.

One hour in Jelsa, Hvar

After the cave, the boat heads to Jelsa, with about 25 minutes of travel time. You get one full hour in town, the longest stop on the schedule and the only one designed mainly for time on land.

Jelsa is a useful change of pace. You can stretch your legs, walk along the waterfront, and stop for coffee before returning to the boat. After several swims and fast crossings, an hour on solid ground feels welcome. It also gives you a small taste of northern Hvar without committing to a full-day town visit.

Do not expect a detailed historical tour of Jelsa. The activity is led in English or Croatian, but the listed plan gives you free time rather than a formal town walk. I see that as a strength if you want independence. You can choose coffee, a short stroll, or a quiet break instead of following a fixed commentary.

The one-hour limit is useful to remember. Jelsa is a stop within a boat circuit, not the main destination. If you want a slow meal, extensive shopping, or time to explore Hvar Island by land, you need a longer Hvar visit. Here, the point is contrast: a real town between the coves and lagoons.

Zečevo and the Blue Lagoon

From Jelsa, the boat makes a short run of about 10 minutes to Zečevo. The stop lasts roughly 40 to 45 minutes and combines swimming, snorkeling, free time, and access to a waterfront bungalow bar.

This is likely the easiest place to take a break from the water. You can swim in the Blue Lagoon, then get a drink at the bar if you wish. Other drinks are not part of the tour price, so bring money or a payment method suitable for the bar, along with your own water.

A bungalow bar gives this stop a little more comfort than a completely empty cove, but it also means the experience is not purely remote. The attraction is the chance to mix a swim with a casual drink and a view of the water. If you prefer a quiet bay with no facilities, the earlier or later swimming stops may suit you better.

The timing is again purposeful. Forty minutes is long enough to swim and pause at the bar, but not enough for a drawn-out lunch. I would eat before departure or pack something small. Food is allowed, and the operator specifically says you may bring your own.

Zirje Beach on Brač

The final swim is at Zirje Beach on Brač, reached after about 15 minutes from Zečevo. You get around 20 to 30 minutes here, depending on how the schedule is described, before a 30-minute return ride to Makarska.

This last stop works well as a final cool-off. By then, you have already seen the cave, spent time in Jelsa, and visited the Blue Lagoon. A short swim at a Brač bay gives the route a clean ending instead of sending you straight back after Zečevo.

It is also the point where the schedule may feel tightest. Four swimming stops plus a town visit in five hours means every pause is fairly brief. You should enjoy the stops as separate snapshots, not expect a full beach day at any one of them.

The return crossing is longer than some of the island-to-island hops, so keep a layer nearby if you are prone to getting cold after swimming. The boat ride can be pleasant in warm weather, but wind and spray are part of the speedboat experience.

What the small boat changes

A maximum of 12 people is a real benefit here. You are not dealing with a large ferry-style crowd, and the skipper can keep the group moving without the long boarding process of a big excursion boat. A small group also helped make one trip feel almost private when only four people took part.

That smaller format does not guarantee a private tour. It simply limits the number of people who can book. If the group is full, you will still share the boat, the swimming areas, and the schedule with other participants.

The skipper’s role matters because the route depends on timing and water conditions. The captain handles the boat and gives the tour in English or Croatian. The feedback on the organization and captain has been especially positive, and that matches what you want from a short speedboat trip: clear movement between stops and no wasted time.

There is no smoking allowed. That will suit people who want clean air on a small boat, but smokers should plan for five hours without it.

Is $96 a fair price?

At $96 per person, this is not the cheapest way to swim near Makarska. But the price includes the boat, skipper, fuel, snorkeling equipment, taxes, and a bottle of water. You are also covering a five-hour route that links three islands and several separate stops.

The value comes from transport. Reaching Pokrivenik, the cave, Jelsa, Zečevo, and Brač independently would require several boat arrangements and careful timing. The tour removes that planning burden and puts the swimming spots into one compact outing.

The price is easier to justify if you want variety. It is less attractive if your goal is simply to sit on one beach all day. Food and drinks cost extra, so pack a lunch if you want to avoid buying something in Jelsa or at the Zečevo bar.

The free cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours ahead, and you can reserve without paying immediately. That is useful when your Dalmatian plans depend on weather and sea conditions. You should still check the forecast and availability before committing to a particular departure.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would choose this tour if you want to see several different sides of the Makarska area in one half-day. It suits confident swimmers, couples, friends, and families with older children who are happy with quick swims and an open-boat ride.

It is especially good for you if:

• You want the Little Blue Cave without a queue or entry fee.
• You prefer a small group to a large excursion boat.
• You like mixing swimming with a town stop.
• You are comfortable bringing your own lunch and buying drinks separately.
• You want a packed route rather than a single beach stop.

I would be more cautious if you are pregnant, traveling with a child under three, or not confident in the water. The cave requires swimming from the boat, and the tour is built around repeated water entry. It is also not ideal if you get seasick or need a slow, relaxed pace.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Wear your swimwear before you arrive. Bring a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a small bag that can handle spray. The required items are simple, but the boat schedule gives you little time to prepare at each stop.

Pack food. You can buy coffee or refreshments in Jelsa and visit the bungalow bar at Zečevo, but meals and drinks beyond the included water are your responsibility. A sandwich and fruit are easier than trying to find a full meal during a one-hour town break.

Keep your expectations clear about the cave. It is a small Hvar cave reached by swimming, not Biševo’s famous Blue Cave. That is not a weakness, but it is an important distinction when comparing boat tours from the Makarska area.

If you want the warmest possible swimming conditions, consider the weather and season before choosing the morning or afternoon departure. The trip runs at both 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., subject to availability. The afternoon option gives you a later start, while the morning trip leaves the rest of the day free.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a fast, varied introduction to the islands near Makarska and you are happy to swim several times from a speedboat. The combination of the Little Blue Cave, one hour in Jelsa, Zečevo’s Blue Lagoon, and a Brač bay gives you much more variety than a standard beach transfer.

Skip it if you want long, quiet stops, a full meal, or a detailed guided tour of Hvar. The route is tightly timed, and the water is central to almost every highlight. For confident swimmers who value variety and a small group, $96 is a reasonable price for the amount of ground covered.

FAQ

How long does the Makarska speedboat tour last?

The tour lasts five hours, including the boat rides and stops at Hvar, Zečevo, and Brač.

Where does the tour begin and end?

You meet at the Palladium Rent a Boat stand on Makarska’s main promenade. The tour returns to the same meeting point.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Hvar, Zečevo, and Brač. Stops include Pokrivenik and the Little Blue Cave on Hvar, Jelsa, the Blue Lagoon on Zečevo, and Zirje Beach on Brač.

Is this the famous Blue Cave on Biševo?

No. The Little Blue Cave on this tour is on Hvar. You swim into it from the boat, and there is no entry fee or queue.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A snorkeling set and a bottle of water are included. Food and other drinks are not included.

Is the tour suitable for children and non-swimmers?

The activity is not suitable for children under three, pregnant women, or non-swimmers. The Little Blue Cave can only be visited by swimming from the boat.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. You may also bring food and other drinks, since they are not included in the tour price.