Makarska: 3-island Speedboat Cave & Blue Lagoon Tour

Makarska looks calm from the promenade, then the boat ride turns it electric. I like how this trip is built around swim stops that feel off-the-map, and I like that you get a real Hvar break in Jelsa town instead of just passing by. The one drawback I’d watch for is that there are no onboard toilets, so you’ll want to time bathroom breaks around the shore stops.

This is a 5-hour 3-island speedboat tour with limited seating (small group, up to 12), running either the morning departure at 8:00 am or the afternoon departure at 1:30 pm. The base is in Makarska at Palladium Rent a Boat, and you’ll spend most of the time moving by boat, anchored up front for swimming and snorkeling.

For the price (about $106 per person), what makes it feel fair is the mix of included gear and the way the day is paced: bottled water on board, snorkeling set, fuel, insurance, and shade from the bimini cover. Still, it is a speedboat day, so if you are not a confident swimmer, this is not the outing for you.

Key points before you go

• Little Blue Cave is a swim-only stop, no queues and no entry fee, boat anchors in front and you access it by swimming.
• The group stays small (max 12), which helps the crew manage boarding, snorkeling, and quick movements between coves.
• Zečevo Blue Lagoon is the main swim show, with time for swimming and snorkeling plus a waterfront bungalow bar vibe.
• Jelsa on Hvar is worth the stop, with about an hour for walking and a coffee break on the northern side.
• This is a ladder-and-water entry day, and one rider specifically noted the climb back onto the boat could be easier.

Makarska to Hvar Brač and Zečevo, what the 5 hours feel like

You start in Makarska, then the day flips from city to coastline fast. Expect a steady rhythm: cruise, anchor, swim, short boat movement, repeat. If you love tours where the water time is the main event, this one fits.

I like that the schedule gives you multiple chances to cool off. The itinerary includes a swim-and-snorkel session around Pokrivenik, another around Little Blue Cave, then the big highlight at Zečevo, and finally a last water stop on Brač at Zirje Beach.

The “speedboat” part matters. This is not a slow sightseeing ferry where you can get lazy. You’ll be moving, changing swim spots, and getting on and off the boat more often than you might on other island cruises.

Meeting at Palladium in Makarska, and why small-group pacing helps

You meet at Palladium Rent a Boat Stand on the main promenade in Makarska. From there, the crew handles the process quickly, and that is where the small group size helps.

With a group limited to 12, you’re not trying to coordinate 40 people while the boat is bobbing in place. In recent trips, skippers like Ante and Karlo have been called out for keeping things friendly and organized, and you can feel that when boarding and moving between stops runs smoothly.

Comfort is covered in the basics. There’s bottled water kept in an onboard fridge, and the bimini sun cover provides shade for all seats. You also get a snorkeling set included, so you’re not stuck improvising with random gear once you’re already on the water.

Timing the departure, choosing 8:00 am or 1:30 pm

You can pick either the morning start at 8:00 am or the afternoon start at 1:30 pm, with a total duration of 5 hours. Either option works, but I think the choice depends on what you want to do before or after.

If you like a clean first half of the day, the 8:00 am departure can leave you time to explore Makarska later on. If you want a slower morning and then a full afternoon out on the water, the 1:30 pm start is a great reset, especially because the day ends back at Palladium in Makarska.

One real-world detail from the experience notes: sea conditions can affect how easy boat entries and exits feel. A flat day makes everything smoother, and one rider even mentioned exceptionally calm water on their sailing. If you tend to get motion-sick, plan accordingly and keep your packing simple.

Pokrivenik plus Little Blue Cave on Hvar, the swim-first sequence

The tour’s Hvar portion is built around two close-by anchor stops, and the order makes sense. After about a 40-minute cruise, you get time at Pokrivenik first, then you move just a few minutes to Little Blue Cave.

At Pokrivenik, you get a solid window for swimming and snorkeling, and it’s the kind of stop where the water quality and underwater fish can feel like the reward for the boat ride. The idea is simple: get in early, see what the coastline looks like from the water, and settle into the day’s pace.

Then comes Little Blue Cave, and this is where the tour earns its reputation. The cave you’ll swim into is not the famous Blue Cave from Biševo. This is a smaller cave near Hvar, and the crucial difference for your day is access: there’s no queue and no entry fee, and the boat anchors in front of the cave. The only way to visit is to swim in.

Practical tip: think of this as a confidence test as much as a sightseeing stop. If you are comfortable swimming short distances and entering water confidently, you’ll enjoy it. If you hesitate at the idea of swimming to a cave, you might spend the time worrying instead of enjoying.

Also, a cave stop is not a long lounge session. You’ll get your swim and snorkeling window, then you move on, so you want your mindset to match the flow.

Jelsa on Hvar, your one real walk-and-coffee break

After the cave and Hvar swim time, the itinerary shifts gears. You reach Jelsa, described as the most famous town on the northern side of Hvar, and you’ll have about 1 hour of free time.

This is the part I appreciate most when a boat tour can otherwise blur together. Jelsa gives you a land break: walking, stretching your legs, and grabbing coffee or an ice cream. It also matters because it’s your best chance to handle practical needs, since there are no toilet facilities onboard and the nearest facilities are in town.

If you plan to snack later, this is a smart time to do it. Food is not included, so even though water is provided, you may want to buy something small in Jelsa to keep your energy steady through the final swim stops.

Zečevo Island Blue Lagoon, snorkeling and a waterfront bar stop

Next is the standout water feature: the Blue Lagoon on Zečevo Island. You’ll have around 25 minutes for swimming and snorkeling on the lagoon stop, and the experience also includes coffee and free time. In the tour description, there’s a waterfront bungalow bar vibe you can enjoy during the time you’re there.

This stop is popular for a reason. You’re going for clear water, strong color, and that classic Adriatic feeling where the coastline looks better from the inside of the water than from a viewpoint.

There is one thing I’d keep in mind, based on how this experience can vary in real life. At least one participant noted that the last stop felt more like swimming only, with less of the bar-style break than expected. So I would mentally plan for a lagoon swim first, and treat any bar time as a bonus if it’s available during your sailing.

If you snorkel, take a moment to adjust to the water and breathe calmly. With a short stop, it’s better to get a few good minutes of comfortable time rather than rushing to cover everything.

Brač and Zirje Beach at the end, finishing with one last swim

The tour wraps up with a final swim stop on Brač, at a location called Zirje Beach. In the itinerary, this is listed as about 20 minutes for swimming and snorkeling, following the boat ride after Zečevo.

This last water stop is a nice landing. By then, you’ve already done two cave-style water experiences and the big lagoon swim, so Zirje Beach becomes a final chance to relax in the water without the novelty stress of an “only chance” cave visit.

It also helps you manage energy. If you’ve been swimming steadily earlier, this final stop feels like a controlled finish rather than an all-or-nothing push.

What’s included in the $106 value, and what you bring yourself

For the price, I think the value is in what’s taken care of for you, not just the sightseeing. You get:

• Speedboat ride with a local English-speaking skipper
• Fuel and taxes and fees
• Insurance
• Snorkeling set
• Bottled water kept in an onboard fridge
• Bimini sun cover for shade for all seats

What you need to bring is simple. Bring swimwear and a towel. Food and snacks are not included, and there are no onboard toilet facilities, so it’s smart to plan snacks around Jelsa and keep your personal needs in mind before you get back on the boat.

One small but important comfort note: bottled water is listed as included, but a rider did mention water not being available as promised on their sailing. I can’t predict what you’ll get on every departure, so I’d still drink early and often, and treat the onboard water as a key part of staying comfortable in the sun.

Comfort, safety, and the ladder issue you should plan for

This tour is not for everyone physically. It’s not suitable for children under 3 years, pregnant women, or non-swimmers. That’s the biggest “know before you go” point because so much of the sightseeing is water-based.

Boat entries and exits are part of the experience, and one highly rated review specifically mentioned that a better ladder and more handholds would have made climbing back easier. That doesn’t mean the tour is unsafe, but it does mean you should take your time and use whatever grip points are available rather than rushing.

If you’re a confident swimmer, you’ll likely enjoy the structure: swim windows, then a short cruise, then the next anchor point. If you’re uncertain, choose the parts you can handle and don’t pretend you’ll become fearless in open water.

And one rule is clear: smoking is not allowed.

Who this Makarska speedboat tour suits best

I’d put this in the “active, water-minded” category. You’ll love it if you want:

• Multiple swimming and snorkeling stops in one half-day
• A real town break at Jelsa for coffee and walking
• A cave experience that is about swimming into it, not just peeking at it

It also works well for couples and small groups who like their day organized but not rushed. With up to 12 people, it stays social without feeling like chaos.

If you’re traveling with young kids, or if you get stressed around water access and boat ladder entries, you’ll probably be happier choosing a more shore-based plan.

Should you book the Makarska 3-island speedboat with Little Blue Cave?

I think you should book this tour if your top priority is time in the water and you can handle swimming as part of the sightseeing. Little Blue Cave is a signature moment here because it’s close, queue-free, and accessed by swimming, and that keeps it feeling special.

I’d skip it if you strongly prefer staying dry, you need toilet facilities onboard, or you are not a confident swimmer. Also keep your expectations tuned to the half-day pace: you’ll enjoy several highlights, but there’s not much room for loitering.

If you can handle water entries and you want a well-paced mix of caves, lagoon swimming, and Hvar town time, this is a solid value choice from Makarska.

FAQ

What islands does this speedboat tour visit?

You’ll visit Hvar, Brač, and Zečevo, with a town stop in Jelsa on the island of Hvar.

How long is the tour from Makarska?

The tour duration is 5 hours.

When does it depart from Makarska?

It runs with a morning departure at 8:00 am and an afternoon departure at 1:30 pm.

Where do I meet the tour in Makarska?

The meeting point is at the Palladium Rent a Boat Stand on the main promenade.

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

No. Little Blue Cave on Hvar is not the Blue Cave on Biševo. It is a different cave, and boat access works by anchoring in front of it so you swim to visit.

Do I need to pay or wait in line for Little Blue Cave?

No queue and no entry fee for Little Blue Cave. The boat anchors in front of the cave, and you visit it by swimming.

Is snorkeling gear provided?

Yes. The tour includes a snorkeling set.

Is food included, and are there toilets onboard?

Food and snacks are not included, and there are no toilet facilities onboard. You can use facilities in town Jelsa.