Makarska: 3-island Speedboat Cave & Blue Lagoon Tour

Small boat, big Adriatic day. This five-hour speedboat trip packs three islands, two quiet bays, a swim-through cave, Jelsa town, and the Blue Lagoon into one lively outing from Makarska. I especially like the easy access to Hvar’s Little Blue Cave, with no queue or entry fee, and the hour in Jelsa, which gives you a proper break from the boat. The main drawbacks are the lack of a toilet onboard and the brisk pace between stops.

The tour costs $106 per person, a fair price if you want several swimming stops without renting your own boat. A small group of up to 12 keeps things personal, though the ride can feel active, and climbing back aboard may be awkward for some swimmers. Recent departures were led by skippers including Ante and Karlo, both praised for friendly service and good handling of the boat.

Key points at a glance

• Swim into Hvar’s Little Blue Cave: The boat anchors outside, and you swim inside. There is no fee and no waiting line.
• Three islands in five hours: The route links Hvar, Zečevo, and Brač with a good mix of swimming, town time, and fast boat travel.
• One full hour in Jelsa: This is more than a quick photo stop, giving you time for coffee, ice cream, and a short walk.
• Small-group RIB boat: The boat carries no more than 12 people, with shade from a Bimini cover and chilled bottled water.
• Several swim and snorkel stops: Pokrivenik, Zečevo, and Zirje Beach each offer time in the water.
• Bring food and plan around the missing toilet: Snacks are not included, and onboard toilet facilities are not available.

Why this Makarska boat trip works well

From the Palladium Rent a Boat stand on Makarska’s main promenade, you head out by speedboat toward the island of Hvar. You can choose an 8am departure or an afternoon departure at 1:30pm, so the trip can fit either before or after other Makarska plans.

I like the balance here. This is not just a fast ride to one famous swimming spot. You get open-water cruising, two quieter bays, a cave, a small island lagoon, and a real town stop. The route also gives you time to get wet several times without turning every stop into a rushed five-minute photo break.

The boat holds up to 12 people. That matters. You are not being moved around in a large excursion boat with dozens of other people, and the skipper can keep the group together more easily. At the same time, a full boat means you should expect a social outing rather than a private escape.

The RIB-style speedboat has a Bimini cover over all seats. That shade is welcome during the bright middle of the day, though you will still want swimwear, a towel, and sun protection. Bottled water is kept in an onboard fridge, but food and snacks are your responsibility.

The 40-minute ride to Pokrivenik

The first stretch takes about 40 minutes. This is the price of reaching Hvar from Makarska, but it is also part of the fun if you enjoy being on the water. A speedboat makes the crossing much faster than a slower sightseeing vessel, leaving room for several stops once you reach the island.

The ride can be lively, especially if the sea is not calm. Sit where you are comfortable, keep loose belongings secure, and remember that the boat is designed for movement, not for a quiet lounge experience. The shade cover helps, but it does not remove the need for sunscreen.

Pokrivenik is the first swimming stop on Hvar. You get roughly 25 to 30 minutes here for swimming and snorkeling in a bay reached directly by boat. This makes a good first pause after the crossing. You can cool off, get used to the sea, and use the supplied snorkeling set before the cave stop.

The appeal of Pokrivenik is its quiet setting and simple format. There is no long shore visit or built-up attraction to manage. You jump in, look around, and enjoy the water. If you prefer long periods on land, this stop may feel brief. For a five-hour boat tour, though, the short stay helps keep the rest of the route on schedule.

Swimming into Hvar’s Little Blue Cave

Only about five minutes from Pokrivenik, the Little Blue Cave is one of the most memorable parts of the trip. The boat anchors outside, and you swim into the cave. You do not walk in from shore, and there is no separate ticket or queue.

Set your expectations correctly. This is not the famous Blue Cave on Biševo, the well-known attraction associated with organized entry times and glowing blue light. Hvar’s Little Blue Cave is a different, smaller site. Still, the swim inside gives you the same basic pleasure of entering a sea cave and seeing the water and rock from within.

You should be a confident swimmer for this stop. The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, and the only way to visit the cave is by swimming from the boat. The cave stop lasts around 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the operating schedule and conditions.

The supplied snorkeling equipment is useful here, though you can also bring your own mask if you prefer a familiar fit. Keep your towel and dry items secured on the boat. You may also want to leave valuables behind, since the cave visit is entirely water-based.

One practical point deserves attention: climbing back onto the boat can take effort. One person specifically found the ladder difficult and wished it had two handles. If you have limited upper-body strength, ask the skipper for help before getting in. The crew can also explain the safest way to use the ladder.

Jelsa gives the day a needed pause

After the cave, the boat heads to Jelsa, one of the best-known towns on the northern side of Hvar. You get about an hour here, which is a welcome change from the open water.

Jelsa is the place to slow down. Walk around, order coffee or ice cream, and use the town facilities before returning to the boat. The hour is long enough to stretch your legs and get a small taste of Hvar without pretending you have had time for a full island visit.

I consider this one of the strongest parts of the route. Many boat trips string together swimming stops and leave you wet, sun-exposed, and ready for a break. Jelsa gives the schedule some shape. You get a town, a café stop, and access to the nearest toilet facilities, which are not available onboard.

Do not expect a guided historical tour of Jelsa. The time is free, so you are responsible for your own walk and refreshments. Bring some cash or a payment card for coffee, ice cream, or any food you want. Food is not included in the tour.

The timing also makes Jelsa useful for families and mixed groups. Swimmers can enjoy the water stops, while anyone who wants a break from swimming can spend the hour on land. Children on recent outings enjoyed the relaxed pace, and one young passenger was even allowed to help steer under careful supervision.

Zečevo Island and the Blue Lagoon

From Jelsa, the speedboat reaches Zečevo Island in about 10 minutes. Here you get around 25 to 40 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, and time near the waterfront bungalow bar.

The Blue Lagoon is likely to be a highlight for anyone who enjoys clear water and fish. Several passengers singled out this stop as especially good for snorkeling. The shallow, sheltered setting can make it an easy place to look around in the water, though exact conditions depend on the day.

The bungalow bar adds a little land-based comfort. You can have a drink or take a break beside the water rather than staying in the boat for the entire stop. However, do not treat the bar as a guaranteed coffee break. One recent departure did not provide the advertised coffee or bar service, and the same person also reported that water was not available. Bottled water is listed as included, but service can vary, so bringing your own small supply is sensible.

The stop is short enough that you should decide what matters most. If snorkeling is your priority, get your equipment ready before the boat anchors. If you want the bar, go there early rather than waiting until the last few minutes.

Zirje Beach on Brač finishes the swimming

The final water stop is Zirje Beach on the island of Brač. After about 25 minutes by boat from Zečevo, you get roughly 20 to 30 minutes for swimming and snorkeling.

This is a pleasant way to finish because you can get back in the water after Jelsa and the Blue Lagoon. It also gives you one more chance to use the snorkeling equipment. The route does not depend on a single famous attraction, so if one stop is crowded or less appealing on the day, the other bays still matter.

The drawback is that the final swim may feel short. By this point you have already had several water stops, and some people will be ready to rest under the shade. Others will appreciate one last chance to swim before the ride back to Makarska.

The boat then takes about 35 minutes to return to the Palladium stand. In total, the tour lasts about five hours, though time on the water and at each stop can shift slightly with sea conditions and the group.

What the $106 price really covers

At $106, this is not the cheapest way to see the coast, but the price includes more than transport. You are paying for the speedboat, fuel, an English- or Croatian-speaking skipper, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, insurance, taxes, and shade for every seat.

The strongest value comes from the number of separate experiences. A single boat transfer to Hvar would not give you the same variety. Here, you visit three islands, spend time in Jelsa, and stop at several places that are reached most easily by water.

The small group also helps justify the cost. With a maximum of 12 people, the outing should feel more manageable than a large boat excursion. That said, a full boat can make the swimming stops feel less private, and the speedboat format is not ideal for anyone who wants a slow, silent cruise.

You should bring your own snacks. The tour lasts long enough that breakfast or lunch planning matters, especially with the early departure. The afternoon departure may be easier if you prefer a relaxed morning, but the 1:30pm start puts the activity into the hotter part of the day.

Who should book this tour

I would choose this trip if you want a lot of scenery and swimming in a short amount of time. It suits confident swimmers, couples, groups of friends, and families with older children who are comfortable around open water.

It also works well for people staying in Makarska who do not want to arrange several separate boat transfers. The route gives you a broad taste of Hvar, Zečevo, and Brač without asking you to plan ferries, taxis, and beach stops yourself.

You should think twice if you are pregnant, traveling with a child under three, or uncomfortable in a fast boat. The tour is not suitable for those groups. Non-swimmers should also skip it, since the cave visit requires swimming and much of the day centers on getting into the sea.

Pack swimwear, a towel, snacks, sun protection, and a dry bag for small valuables. Smoking is not allowed. Since there is no toilet onboard, use the facilities in Jelsa and plan accordingly.

Final decision: book it for variety, not for luxury

I recommend the Makarska 3-island speedboat tour if you want an active half-day with plenty of water time and one genuine town break. The Little Blue Cave is a clever alternative to the famous Biševo attraction, since you avoid entry fees and queues, while Jelsa gives the schedule a useful pause.

The trip is less suitable if you want a quiet cruise, a guaranteed bar stop, or a polished onboard setup with a toilet and easy-access ladder. For most confident swimmers, though, the combination of Pokrivenik, the cave, Jelsa, Zečevo, and Zirje Beach makes the $106 price reasonable. You get a lot of Adriatic scenery in five hours, with enough freedom to swim, snorkel, walk, and simply sit under the shade.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

The meeting point is the Palladium Rent a Boat stand on the main promenade in Makarska.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately five hours.

What departure times are available?

The listed departures are at 8am and 1:30pm.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The route visits Hvar, Zečevo, and Brač.

Is this the famous Blue Cave on Biševo?

No. The tour visits the Little Blue Cave on Hvar. It is a different cave, with no entry fee or queue, and you swim into it from the boat.

Do I need to be able to swim?

Yes. The Little Blue Cave can only be visited by swimming from the anchored boat, and the tour is not suitable for non-swimmers.

Is food included?

No. Food and snacks are not included, but you may bring your own. You can also buy refreshments during the free hour in Jelsa.

Is there a toilet on the boat?

No. There are no toilet facilities onboard. The nearest facilities can be used in Jelsa.