Makarska: 3-island Speedboat Cave & Blue Lagoon Tour

Three islands, one fast-moving morning or afternoon.

This 5-hour trip packs a lot into a short Dalmatian outing: hidden swimming bays, Hvar’s Little Blue Cave, the waterfront Blue Lagoon on Zečevo, and an hour in Jelsa. I especially like the small group of up to 12 people and the chance to reach coves that are accessible only by boat. The refrigerated bottled water, shaded seats, snorkeling gear, fuel, and skipper are also included, so the $106 price is easier to justify.

The main thing to understand is the cave. This is not the famous Blue Cave on Biševo. It is a smaller cave on Hvar, reached by swimming from the anchored boat. There is no admission fee or long wait, but you must be comfortable in open water. The boat has no toilet, and one recent experience also found that the promised coffee stop and onboard water did not fully match expectations, so bring your own snacks and keep your plans flexible.

Key points at a glance

• Swim into Little Blue Cave: The boat anchors outside the cave, and you enter by swimming. No queue and no entry fee.
• Three-island route: The tour links Hvar, Zečevo, and Brač in five hours, with plenty of time on the water.
• Jelsa gives you a proper break: You get about an hour to walk, have coffee, or buy ice cream and use town facilities.
• Small RIB boat: A maximum of 12 people keeps the trip more personal than a large excursion boat.
• Strong swimming focus: Pokrivenik, Zečevo, and Žirje Beach all provide time for swimming and snorkeling.
• Morning or afternoon departure: Start at 8am or 1:30pm from the Palladium Rent a Boat stand on Makarska’s main promenade.

Why this boat trip works so well in five hours

Makarska is a good base for seeing the nearby islands, but island-hopping takes time. A normal ferry trip may get you to one destination and leave you arranging the rest yourself. This speedboat tour links three islands, several bays, a cave, and a town without asking you to manage the transport.

The boat is a RIB-style speedboat with a Bimini cover over all seats. That shade matters in July and August, when five hours in direct sun can turn a pleasant day into a tiring one. You can sit under cover between stops, then move into the water when the boat anchors.

The small group is another real advantage. Twelve people is not private, but it is small enough that the skipper can explain the route, keep the mood relaxed, and avoid the crowded feel of a large day boat. The experience scored 4.9 from 76 ratings, and 98 percent of ratings gave the transport a perfect score. That fits the strongest part of the trip: the ride itself is fast, scenic, and carefully arranged.

Skippers named in the feedback include Ante and Karlo. Both were singled out for friendly service, and one family described how the crew safely let a younger child help steer. That is a nice touch, though you should not expect every trip to include the same opportunity.

Leaving Makarska for Pokrivenik

You meet by the Palladium Rent a Boat stand on the main promenade. The morning departure is at 8am, while the afternoon option leaves at 1:30pm. From Makarska, the first cruise takes about 40 minutes.

That opening ride is part of the attraction. You are not simply being moved from one stop to the next. The speedboat gives you a broad view of the coast and islands, while the wind and spray make the crossing feel like an outing in its own right. Conditions can affect how smooth that ride feels, so anyone prone to seasickness should think carefully about a fast boat and several open-water crossings.

The first stop is Pokrivenik on Hvar, a quiet bay used for swimming and snorkeling. Plan on roughly 25 to 30 minutes here. It is a short stop, but that is the pattern of the tour: see a striking place, get into the water, then move on before the day loses momentum.

Pokrivenik is a good first swim because it lets you settle into the boat routine. You can collect a mask and snorkel, find the easiest way into the water, and cool off before reaching the cave. Bring your own towel, since one is not included.

Swimming into Hvar’s Little Blue Cave

The Little Blue Cave is only about five minutes by boat from Pokrivenik. The boat anchors outside, and you swim into the cave rather than walking through a line or boarding a separate shuttle.

You get about 20 to 30 minutes for the cave and surrounding water. The appeal is the light inside the rock and the simple sense of reaching a place that cannot be visited by road. It is a more hands-on stop than the famous Biševo Blue Cave experience, where visitors are taken into the cave by small boats.

That distinction matters. Do not book this expecting the large, internationally famous Blue Cave near Vis. This Hvar cave is smaller, has no entry charge, and has no queue, but it is still a memorable stop if you enjoy swimming and snorkeling.

You need to be a confident swimmer. The only way into the cave is through the water, and non-swimmers are not accepted on the tour. Children under three and pregnant women are also excluded. A snorkeling set is provided, but you should bring swimwear and a towel. A waterproof phone pouch is a sensible personal addition, though it is not listed as included.

Jelsa: an hour to slow down

After the cave, the boat cruises for about 25 minutes to Jelsa on Hvar’s northern side. This is the longest stop, with about 60 minutes of free time.

Jelsa gives the trip a useful change of pace. Until this point, the focus is water, rock, and fast crossings. In town, you can walk, have coffee, buy ice cream, and use a proper toilet. That last point is practical: there are no toilet facilities on the boat, so Jelsa is your main chance to take a break from the compact onboard space.

An hour is enough for a relaxed coffee or short walk, but not enough for serious sightseeing. Treat Jelsa as a pleasant pause rather than a full town visit. The stop works especially well on the afternoon departure, when a drink and some shade can refresh you before the next swim.

Bring food if you need more than a snack. Food and snacks are not included, and the tour description says you may bring your own. The boat includes bottled water, kept in a fridge, though one recent account said no water was available. That conflicting experience is a reason to pack your own bottle as backup.

Zečevo Island and the Blue Lagoon

From Jelsa, it is about 10 minutes by boat to Zečevo Island. Here, the tour stops at a Blue Lagoon with a waterfront bungalow bar.

The planned stop is about 25 to 40 minutes, depending on the exact schedule. You can swim, snorkel, or sit by the bar. The water and fish were especially praised by several people, with one account calling Zečevo the best snorkeling stop of the day.

This is likely to be one of the tour’s most appealing locations if you want clear water and an easy swim. The bungalow bar adds a little comfort, but do not build your plans around a guaranteed coffee break. One recent account specifically found no coffee stop and no bar service at the final stop, with the time used only for swimming. Conditions, timing, or daily operation may explain the difference.

The safest approach is to regard the bar as a possible extra, not the main reason to book. The Blue Lagoon itself is the reliable draw. Bring your own snack and do not assume every refreshment described will be available exactly as expected.

Žirje Beach on Brač

The final major stop is Žirje Beach on Brač, reached after about 25 minutes from Zečevo. You get around 20 to 30 minutes for another swim and snorkeling session.

By this point, the stop may feel either perfectly timed or slightly repetitive. If you enjoy being in the water, it gives you one more chance to snorkel in a quieter bay. If you prefer long walks, cultural sights, or a slower meal, the repeated swim stops may feel like too much of the same thing.

That is the central character of this excursion. It is not a history tour or a food-focused island visit. It is a compact sea day built around swimming, snorkeling, and short scenic stops. Žirje works as a final cooldown before the 35-minute ride back to Makarska.

The route returns to the Palladium stand after roughly five hours. The schedule leaves little spare time, so late departures from any stop could shorten the final swim or make the return feel rushed. The skipper controls the day according to timing and sea conditions.

What the $106 price includes

At $106 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a few hours around Makarska. It is fair value if you would otherwise pay separately for transport, snorkeling equipment, fuel, and several island visits.

Included are:

• Speedboat transportation
• English and Croatian-speaking skipper
• Fuel
• Snorkeling set
• Bottled water
• Insurance
• Taxes and fees
• Bimini shade for all seats

The biggest value comes from the route. You reach Hvar, Zečevo, and Brač in one half-day, with the cave and three swimming locations included. A smaller group also costs more than a large boat, but it gives you a more comfortable ride and less waiting for people to board.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a single beach and a long, lazy swim. In that case, a simpler beach outing could suit you better. You are paying for variety and speed, not for a full meal, private boat service, or long stays at every stop.

The boat, comfort, and practical limits

A speedboat is exciting, but it is not a floating lounge. Seating is covered from the sun, yet the boat remains exposed to wind and spray. If the sea is choppy, the ride can be bouncy. Keep valuables secure and wear clothes that can handle a little water.

The ladder deserves attention. One person found it difficult to climb out of the water and suggested that two handles would help. That is useful advice, particularly if you have limited strength or are not fully confident getting back onto a boat from the sea.

There is no onboard toilet. Plan to use facilities before departure and again in Jelsa. Smoking is not allowed, and the trip is not suitable for non-swimmers, children under three, or pregnant women.

The boat carries a maximum of 12 people. Some departures may have fewer passengers. One family of 12 found the boat comfortable and appreciated the amount of swimming time, while another group of six described the size as ideal. If you want the most spacious experience, a smaller departure would naturally feel better.

Morning or afternoon departure?

The 8am departure gives you an early start and gets you onto the water before the day is far along. It may suit you if you want the rest of the afternoon free in Makarska.

The 1:30pm trip is useful if you prefer a slower morning or have plans earlier in the day. It finishes later, but the schedule still includes the same cave, Jelsa stop, Blue Lagoon, and Brač swim. The afternoon can also make Jelsa feel like a welcome coffee break midway through the trip.

There is no single best choice. Pick the morning if you value an early finish. Pick the afternoon if you do not want to rush breakfast or prefer a later start. Check the available departure time when booking, since both options may not run every day.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this trip if you want a high-energy half-day on the water and like the idea of several short stops rather than one long beach visit. It suits confident swimmers, couples, small groups of friends, and families with older children.

It is also a good choice if you want to see Hvar without committing to a full day there. Jelsa gives you a taste of town life, while the cave and bays show a more secluded side of the island.

I would hesitate if you dislike fast boat rides, need a toilet nearby, cannot swim, or want a quiet sightseeing tour. The Little Blue Cave requires swimming, and the schedule moves quickly. You should also bring food, a towel, swimwear, and your own extra water if you prefer not to rely on the onboard supply.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the reserve-now, pay-later option make the booking less rigid. Still, the right reason to book is the route itself: three islands, several swims, and a small boat in five hours.

Should you book the Makarska 3-island tour?

Yes, if your ideal Dalmatian day means clear water, snorkeling, quick island crossings, and a cave you enter by swimming. The strongest parts are the small group, the well-paced route, the excellent swimming stops, and the hour in Jelsa.

Book it with realistic expectations. This is not the famous Biševo Blue Cave, the bungalow bar may not always provide a coffee stop, and the boat has no toilet. Bring snacks, a towel, and backup water, then enjoy the ride for what it is: an active, well-priced introduction to the islands around Makarska.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the Palladium Rent a Boat stand on the main promenade in Makarska.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about five hours, including the speedboat crossings and island stops.

What departure times are available?

The listed departure times are 8am and 1:30pm. You should check availability for your preferred date.

Is this the famous Blue Cave near Biševo?

No. This tour visits a smaller Little Blue Cave on Hvar. You swim into it from the anchored boat, with no queue and no entry fee.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. A snorkeling set, bottled water, fuel, insurance, taxes, and the speedboat ride are included.

Is there a toilet on the boat?

No. Toilet facilities are not available onboard. You can use facilities in Jelsa during the one-hour town stop.