You can cover three islands before lunch. This Makarska speedboat outing turns your day into a string of swims, short snorkel stops, and scenic breaks—without the hassle of queues. I love the way the crew targets boat-only coves you can’t easily reach on your own, and I especially like the stop at Little Blue Cave, which you access by swimming right in.

The main thing to consider is simple: this is a water-and-climb trip. The tour isn’t for non-swimmers or anyone who doesn’t want to hop back into the boat, and at least one person noted the boat ladder could be easier.

Quick reality check on timing and value

The format is built for pace: you’re out about 5 hours, you cruise between islands, and you get set times to swim/snorkel at each stop. At about $106 per person, I think it’s good value if you’re here for water time and want a small group ride (max 12) with fuel, snorkeling gear, and bottled water handled for you. If you’re hoping for a long sit-down lunch experience, you’ll want to bring your own snacks and plan to keep meals simple.

Key things that make this tour worth your time

• Little Blue Cave (Hvar) is walk-free and queue-free: you swim to it from the boat, with no entry fee.
• Two different “you can only reach it by boat” bays give you more variety than a single beach stop.
• Jelsa break on northern Hvar is built in for coffee and a real town stroll.
• Zečevo Blue Lagoon + Bungalow Bar time mixes swimming with an easy place to hang out.
• Small group (up to 12) keeps the boat experience relaxed and the stops feel uncrowded.
• English-speaking skippers (I saw names like Ante and Karlo) help keep you oriented fast and moving smoothly.

The ride starts at Palladium Rent a Boat Makarska

You meet at the Palladium Rent a Boat stand on Makarska’s main promenade. From there, the boat day begins with a short cruise time that’s basically your “getting oriented” window—build in a little patience even though the schedule is tight.

The boat is set up for shade, and the ride is designed around comfort. You’ll have a bimini sun cover that provides shade for all seats, plus an onboard fridge with bottled water kept cold for you.

Speedboat pace: how the 5 hours really feels

This isn’t a “stroll, shop, linger” tour. It’s more like: cruise, change scenery, swim/snorkel, move on. That pacing is exactly why it works if you’re staying in Makarska and want to see more than one island area without committing to ferries and transfers.

Expect a few distinct “micro-moments”:

• brief cruising between stops,
• two short snorkeling/swim periods near Hvar,
• a longer town break in Jelsa,
• a Blue Lagoon swim and hangout on Zečevo,
• and a final swimming chance at Brač.

Pokrivenik on Hvar: the first swim stop gets you off the beaten path

After roughly 40 minutes cruising, you land at Pokrivenik on the island of Hvar for about 25 minutes. This is where the tour shows its real advantage: you’re going to a spot you can’t just drive to and walk into.

You’re given time to swim and snorkel, and the best move is to get in early rather than waiting until the last few minutes. If you’re new to snorkeling, use the calmer surface time to practice near where the boat anchors.

Little Blue Cave (Hvar): no queue, no entry fee, swim to the entrance

You’ll then head to the Little Blue Cave, only about 5 minutes from Pokrivenik. The stop is roughly 20 minutes, and here’s the key detail: it’s not the famous Blue Cave on Biševo. This one is its own small cave experience, and the way you visit it is by swimming into it—no entry fee and no queue.

Because it’s accessed from the water, it helps to come prepared:

• wear swimwear you’re okay with getting fully wet,
• keep your towel handy for the climb back up,
• and be ready to turn your phone/camera into a “dry only” plan unless you’re using proper waterproof gear.

The payoff is that it feels more personal than the big-photo, big-crowd cave experiences. You’re basically earning the view by being willing to swim.

Jelsa on Hvar: 60 minutes of real town time

Next is Jelsa, on the northern side of Hvar, where you’ll get about 60 minutes. This is the part of the day that turns the speedboat outing into something you can actually remember later: coffee, a walk, and the chance to reset.

It’s also a practical stop. Since there are no toilet facilities onboard, the Jelsa time matters for comfort. Even if you don’t plan to do much shopping, it’s worth using the break to stand on land for a minute and rehydrate.

Zečevo Island and the Blue Lagoon: swim first, then linger

After Jelsa, the tour heads toward Zečevo. You’ll get around 25 minutes on the island with time for coffee, free time, swimming, and snorkeling.

This is where the “vacation mode” clicks on. The Blue Lagoon setting is the kind of water that makes snorkel gear feel worth it. And there’s a bonus: a waterfront Bungalow Bar, so if you want a drink while you’re keeping an eye on the water, you can.

One practical note: plan your swim order. If you’re snorkeling, do that first while you’re still fresh and not distracted by ordering something.

Brač final swim at Zirje Beach: the day ends with water again

To wrap up, you’ll enjoy a final swim stop connected to the Brač side—often around 20 minutes at a place called Zirje Beach. The tour sequence gives you a last chance to cool off and snorkel before heading back.

By this point, you’ll probably be glad the pacing is structured. Your body gets a steady rhythm: cruise, swim, town break, lagoon time, swim again. It’s busy, but it doesn’t feel like you’re losing the whole day to logistics.

What’s included (and what you’ll want to handle yourself)

Included items are solid for a speedboat tour:

• speedboat ride with local English-speaking skipper
• fuel
• snorkeling set
• taxes and fees
• bottled water kept onboard
• insurance
• bimini sun cover

Not included:

• food and snacks (you can bring your own)
• toilet facilities onboard (you’ll use town stops like Jelsa)

If you’re prone to getting hungry, I’d bring a couple of snack items. The tour gives you time for coffee in Jelsa and on Zečevo, but it doesn’t replace a proper meal.

Who should book this (and who should skip it)

This trip fits you if:

• you’re a confident swimmer and want repeated swim opportunities,
• you like snorkeling and want the gear included,
• you want a small-group boat day with multiple island stops rather than one beach.

Skip it if:

• you can’t swim (non-swimmers aren’t suitable),
• you’re traveling with a very young child (not suitable for children under 3),
• you’re pregnant (not suitable),
• or you prefer shore time over water time.

If you’re unsure about ladder entry/exit, that’s worth considering before you go. One traveler pointed out the ladder could be easier with more handles, so think about what “getting back into the boat” feels like for you.

Price and value: is $106 fair for 3 islands?

For a 5-hour tour that includes the boat, fuel, skipper, snorkeling kit, water, shade, and insurance, the cost lands in the “fair if you’ll use it” category. The big value driver is repetition: you’re not paying for one swimming spot. You’re paying for a set of stops across Hvar, Zečevo, and Brač, with built-in time to actually enjoy each one.

It becomes a great deal if your goal is:

• snorkel + swim multiple times, and
• a town break for coffee at Jelsa.

It’s less of a bargain if you mainly want sightseeing from land or you hate water-related activities.

Small-group comfort: why max 12 matters

You’re limited to 12 participants, which changes the feel of the day. Stops don’t become chaotic, and the skipper can manage anchor points and swimmers without turning the scene into a crowded free-for-all.

And that “small group” factor shows up in how the day moves. You’ll spend more time doing the fun part—swimming and snorkeling—and less time waiting for everyone to regroup.

A few “know before you go” tips that actually help

Bring:

• swimwear
• a towel

Not allowed:

• smoking

Also, mentally prepare for the cave difference. The Little Blue Cave (Hvar) is the swim-to-it cave in this tour. It’s not the better-known Biševo Blue Cave, and you shouldn’t expect a walk-in viewing setup.

If you get seasick easily, you might want to take precautions before you arrive, since you’ll spend time cruising between islands. The schedule includes multiple boat segments, even though many people find the day runs smoothly.

Should you book the Makarska 3-Island Speedboat Cave & Blue Lagoon Tour?

I’d book it if you want a Croatia day that feels like a mix of adventure and easy vacation time: boat-only coves, a swim-to cave, a proper break in Jelsa, and then the Blue Lagoon on Zečevo. The price makes sense when you’ll use the snorkeling gear and want multiple water stops in one shot from Makarska.

I wouldn’t book it if you’re not comfortable in the water, you want long land meals and bathroom access onboard, or you’re traveling with mobility concerns about climbing back into the boat.

FAQ

What time does the tour start in Makarska?

The tour has a morning start at 8:00am and an afternoon start at 1:30pm.

How long is the speedboat tour from Makarska?

The duration is 5 hours.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at the Palladium Rent a Boat stand on the main promenade in Makarska.

How big is the group?

The tour is a small group with a maximum of 12 participants.

Is snorkeling gear included?

Yes. The snorkeling set is included.

Are there toilet facilities on the boat?

No. There are no toilet facilities onboard, so you’ll need to use facilities in town stops like Jelsa.

Can I visit the Little Blue Cave without paying an entry fee?

Yes. The Little Blue Cave stop has no entry fee, and there are no queues.

Is Little Blue Cave on Hvar the same as the Blue Cave on Biševo?

No. The Little Blue Cave in this tour is not the Blue Cave on Biševo. It’s an amazing little cave nearby, accessed by swimming.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel.

Who is the tour not suitable for?

It’s not suitable for children under 3 years, pregnant women, or non-swimmers.

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