Makarska: 3-island Speedboat Cave & Blue Lagoon Tour

Makarska turns into a floating swim party. On this 5-hour speedboat, I love the way you reach quiet coves by boat, and I really like that Little Blue Cave is simple to access (no entry fee, no line). The trade-off is practical: there is no toilet on board, and you need to be comfortable as a swimmer since the cave visit is done by swimming in.

This trip also hits a classic mix of town time and sea time. You get a small group of up to 12, plus a snorkeling set and bottled water in the onboard fridge, so you are not scrambling for basics. My favorite stop is the Zečevo Blue Lagoon swim, with clear water, fishy snorkeling, and even a shot at dolphins when the sea gods cooperate.

Key Things That Make This Tour Worth Your Morning or Afternoon

• No-queue Little Blue Cave with swimming access and no entry fee
• Real swim time at multiple stops, not just quick looks from the boat
• Town break in Jelsa for coffee and a breather on Hvar
• Zečevo Blue Lagoon time with swimming and a bungalow bar option
• Small group feel thanks to a maximum of 12 people on board

The Big Picture: What You Actually Do on a Makarska 3-Island Speedboat

Think of this as a speedboat day built around swimming, not sightseeing. You start from Makarska, cruise between islands quickly, then stack several short-to-medium swim sessions with a town break in the middle.

The pace matters. With a 5-hour total duration and multiple swim stops, the day feels active but not rushed at each place. If your goal is beaches that require effort, this tour delivers, because the best water is reached by boat rather than by hiking.

Also, you are not stuck on a loud party boat. The group size is capped at 12, and the onboard setup includes a bimini sun cover so you can get out of the sun without moving around the whole time.

Meeting Point in Makarska: Where to Be and How to Get Started Fast

You meet at the Palladium Rent a Boat stand on the main promenade in Makarska. Plan to arrive early enough to find the exact stand and get settled before the 8:00 am or 1:30 pm departure.

The morning starts earlier, which can be nice if you want calmer water and the first round of light for snorkeling. The afternoon departure is great when you prefer a slower start in Makarska before you head out for island swims.

Once you are aboard, you are covered from the start with fuel, bottled water, and a snorkeling set included, plus an English-speaking local skipper on board. That means you spend your brain power on where to put your feet, not on figuring out logistics.

Cruise to Hvar: The First 40 Minutes Set the Tone

After departure, there is an approx. 40-minute cruise to the Hvar area. This is where you feel the difference between a speedboat and a ferry. You are moving, the coastline slides by fast, and you get that quick, salty anticipation that comes before swimming.

This first ride is also a preview of what you get later. You are not just watching water, you are using it, because the boat anchors in front of the swim spots and you get in from the boat.

If you are someone who gets seasick, you should think carefully. The itinerary is designed around stopping often for swimming, so your comfort matters. If the sea is calm, the whole day is easier to enjoy.

Pokrivenik on Hvar: Snorkeling and a Swimmer-Friendly First Stop

Next comes Pokrivenik on the island of Hvar. You get about 25 minutes to around 30 minutes here, with swimming and snorkeling time built in.

This stop works well as your warm-up. You ease into the day with a swim where you can check your comfort level, your gear, and how your body handles entry from the boat. The water here is part of why this tour gets such high scores, because the first swim sets the expectation for clear conditions and fish spotting later.

Practical tip: bring your own towel and wear your swimwear under your clothes when you can. With limited time at each stop, you will enjoy the day more when you are not changing outfits on a schedule.

Little Blue Cave: The No-Queue Cave Swim That Isn’t Biševo

Then you head to the Little Blue Cave near Pokrivenik. You get around 20 to 30 minutes for the cave visit, snorkeling, and swimming right in front of it.

Here is the key detail: Little Blue Cave on Hvar is not the Blue Cave on Biševo. This one is accessed by swimming to it, and the whole point is that you skip the usual crowds.

There is no queue and no entry fee for this cave stop. The boat anchors in front, and the only way to visit it is to swim in. That makes it a very “water-first” experience, and it is also why you need to be comfortable in the water.

Two things to keep in mind:

• The cave is visited by swimming, so bring your confidence, not just your curiosity.
• Expect a more active entry and exit routine than at a sandy beach, because you are getting back onto the speedboat from the water.

A small review note that can affect your comfort: one passenger mentioned the ladder setup was not ideal for climbing back, and that extra handles would have made it easier. If you are hoping for the easiest possible boat exit, pack for it mentally and take your time when returning.

Jelsa on Hvar: The Coffee and Break You Actually Need

After the cave, you reach Jelsa on Hvar, where you get about 60 minutes. This is not just a stop to stretch your legs. It is the built-in pause that helps the whole day feel balanced.

You get free time for a walk and a coffee break, and you can also grab an ice cream if that is your version of hydration. The point is simple: after snorkeling and hopping back on the boat, you want land time that is not another quick swim stop.

Jelsa also solves a practical issue. There is no toilet on board, so the availability of facilities in town is a real convenience. If nature calls, this is your moment to handle it.

One of the best parts of the Jelsa stop for me is how it changes the pace. You stop performing, and you just get to be in a real town for a bit, with calmer energy before the water fun ramps up again.

Zečevo Blue Lagoon: Swimming, Snorkeling, and a Bungalow Bar Moment

Next up is Zečevo Island and the Blue Lagoon. You get around 25 minutes in the itinerary, and other timing descriptions suggest closer to 40 minutes on the water. Either way, this is the signature swim stop.

The water here is the whole reason you booked this day. Reviews describe stunning visibility and fish spotting, and the snorkeling is often a highlight. If the sea is calm, it can feel like the boat brought you to a floating aquarium.

There is also time for coffee and free time, plus access to the waterfront bungalow bar concept for a quick drink. One passenger specifically pointed out the bungalow bar vibe at the Blue Lagoon.

One gentle caution from experience with tours like this: depending on timing and conditions, what you can access on the exact stop can vary. For example, one review said the last stop did not include the bar as promised and was more swimming-only. So I suggest you treat the bar as a nice bonus, not the main reason you are waiting on Zečevo.

Brač and Zirje Beach: The Final Swim Before You Head Home

Your last swim segment is on Brac, with a stop described as a hidden bay and also as Zirje Beach. This part of the day is typically around 20 minutes for swimming and snorkeling, followed by a longer return cruise.

This last water hit is all about finishing strong. By now, you have the rhythm down: you know what gear you like, when to rinse off, and how to time your energy. You get one more chance at clear water before the day ends.

After the final swim, you cruise back to the Palladium Rent a Boat stand in Makarska. The return ride is your decompression time.

Price and Value: Is $106 Fair for This Mix?

$106 per person for a 5-hour speedboat tour that includes multiple island stops is not a budget fare. But for what is included, it can be good value if your priorities are water and time efficiency.

Here is what you get for the price:

• Speedboat ride between islands
• Local English-speaking skipper
• Snorkeling set (so you are not renting gear on the spot)
• Fuel, taxes, and fees included
• Bottled water in an onboard fridge
• Bimini sun cover providing shade for all seats
• Insurance

Then you add the cave bonus. The cave stop is described as no queue and no entry fee. That matters, because time lost to lines can ruin the flow of a half-day outing.

So I would judge this as value-focused pricing for swimmers who want several stops in one day. If you mostly want to walk around and take photos, another style of tour might fit better.

Guides and Group Size: Why the Day Feels Well Run

This tour runs with a local English-speaking skipper, and you will see different names in people’s stories. Ante and Karlo are two skippers that show up in the feedback, and both kinds of reviews point to the same thing: the crew helps you make sense of each stop and keeps the schedule moving without feeling pushy.

The group cap of 12 is a big deal in real life. It helps with boarding, snorkeling logistics, and finding your comfort zone on the boat.

Also, one review mentioned the boat was an exact group of 12, including children aged 7 to 17, and the guide was informative while still allowing plenty of swimming time. Another story described the crew letting a younger passenger safely help steer the boat, which is the kind of small moment that makes the day memorable without adding extra risk.

Snorkeling and Swimming Reality Check: What You Need to Know Before You Go

This is not a passive boat tour. The key moments are water entries, snorkeling, and swimming to the cave.

That is why the tour is listed as not suitable for:

• Children under 3
• Pregnant women
• Non-swimmers

If you are unsure about swimming comfort, treat that as a dealbreaker. The Little Blue Cave stop is the clearest example, because it requires swimming in.

What to bring is straightforward:

• Swimwear
• Towel

And one more “small but important” detail: smoking is not allowed on board.

Also note the practical comfort items. You have bottled water kept cold, and there is sun shade from the bimini. But you are still outside, so sunscreen matters.

What Could Feel Annoying: A Balanced Look at Downsides

No tour is perfect, so here are the friction points that could matter to you:

• Boat ladder and re-entry comfort: One passenger wanted a better ladder to climb out and suggested more handles. If you do not love climbing, this is worth considering when you plan your swim style and energy level.
• Last stop expectations: One review said there was no coffee break and no bar at the last stop, and that guests only had swimming. So expect swimming to be guaranteed, extra amenities to be situational.
• No onboard toilet: This is a common issue on speedboats, and it matters on a 5-hour day. You will use facilities in Jelsa.

On balance, the overall rating is very high at 4.9 with 76 reviews, and many notes highlight exactly the stops that matter: Pokrivenik, the Little Blue Cave, and the Blue Lagoon.

Should You Book This Makarska 3-Island Speedboat Tour?

Book it if you want:

• A swim-focused half-day on Hvar, Zečevo, and Brac
• No-queue access to Little Blue Cave without paying an entry fee
• A town break in Jelsa for coffee and a breather
• Snorkeling gear handled for you, plus water and shade included
• A small group that stays manageable for boarding and stop timing

Skip it (or switch to a different style) if:

• You are not a confident swimmer, because cave access requires swimming
• You need onboard toilet facilities, because none are available
• You are pregnant, or traveling with very young children under 3, since it is listed as not suitable

If you are a solid swimmer and you love the idea of hopping between coves like you have your own floating itinerary, this tour is one of the more efficient ways to enjoy this part of Dalmatia in just 5 hours. The best part is how the day keeps moving, and how the water stops do the heavy lifting.

FAQ

What time does the tour start from Makarska?

There are two departure times listed: 8:00 am and 1:30 pm. The total duration is about 5 hours.

Where do I meet the speedboat?

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

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes the speedboat ride, a local English-speaking skipper, fuel, taxes and fees, snorkeling set, bottled water (kept in an onboard fridge), insurance, and a bimini sun cover providing shade for all seats.

Is food included, or should I bring snacks?

Food and snacks are not included. You are welcome to bring your own.

Are there toilet facilities on board?

No. There are no toilet facilities onboard, and you can use the nearest facilities in town Jelsa.

How does the Little Blue Cave stop work?

Little Blue Cave on Hvar is accessed by swimming in. The boat anchors in front of the cave, and there is no queue and no entry fee. It is not the Blue Cave on Biševo.

Is this tour suitable for non-swimmers or young kids?

It is not suitable for non-swimmers. It is also not suitable for children under 3 years old and it is listed as not suitable for pregnant women.