From Makarska:Hvar and Brač Island : Day Tour with speedboat

The best part of this private speedboat day is the freedom to string together quiet coves, cliff jumps, a small blue cave, and island towns without being tied to a large excursion boat. From Makarska, you can reach Brač, Hvar, and Zečevo in one long, salt-air-filled day, with time for swimming at several stops.

I like the choice between the Golden route and Blue route, and I like that the skipper can adjust the plan to suit your group. The boats are kept in good condition, and skippers including Emil, Borna, Matija, and Maria have been praised for being friendly, flexible, and easygoing. The main catch is cost: the advertised price does not include the skipper or fuel, which adds €200 for the six-person boat or €320 for the ten-person boat, paid in cash.

Key points to know before you book

• Two different routes: The Golden route focuses on Brač’s famous Golden Horn, while the Blue route adds Pokrivenik and the small blue cave on Hvar.
• Private boat, not a shared cruise: Your group has the boat to itself, with a maximum of six people on the Quicksilver 605 or ten on the Jeanneau Cap Camarat 7.5.
• Several swim stops: Biskup, Mala Stiniva, Lantina, Puntica, and other bays give you repeated chances to swim and snorkel.
• Vrboska is the lunch stop: This small Hvar town, often called Little Venice, is where you can order fresh fish, seafood, meat, or another local meal.
• Cash costs matter: Skipper and fuel are extra, and lunch is not included.
• A long but full day: The tour runs about nine hours, from roughly 9:00 in the morning until 18:00.

Why this Makarska boat trip works so well

This is not a slow sightseeing cruise where you watch the islands from a fixed seat. You spend much of the day moving between swimming spots, small beaches, and short sightseeing stops. The speedboat lets you cover a lot of Dalmatia in one day, but it also gives you the option to linger when a bay suits your group.

That private format changes the feel of the trip. You can ask for more swimming, spend less time at a stop, or adjust the route around your interests. Families, couples, and groups of friends can set a faster or slower pace than they would on a standard group boat.

The strongest feature is the skipper. Emil, Borna, Matija, and Maria are names associated with especially warm feedback, and the useful pattern is clear: the best skippers give you room to enjoy the day while still helping with timing, stops, and lunch ideas. Borna, in particular, was praised for knowing the best quiet bays without hovering over the group. That is exactly what you want on a private boat.

You should still know what this trip is not. It is not a full guided history tour of every island. The emphasis is on water, scenery, swimming, and flexible island hopping. If you prefer museums, long walks, or detailed cultural commentary, this may feel too focused on the coast.

Choosing between the Golden and Blue routes

The two recommended routes cover similar waters but offer different priorities.

The Golden route begins at Biskup Beach on Brač, continues to Bol and the Golden Horn, then heads to Lantina Beach on Zečevo, Vrboska on Hvar, and Mala Stiniva. It is the better choice if you want to see Brač’s best-known beach and still have time for a proper Hvar town stop.

The Blue route begins at Pokrivenik Beach on Hvar and includes the small blue cave. It then goes to Mala Stiniva, Zečevo, Vrboska, and Puntica Beach on Brač. Pick this one if swimming into a cave and jumping from cliffs sound more appealing than visiting the Golden Horn.

The route can be adjusted to your wishes, which is a major reason to book privately. Ask about your priorities when you meet the skipper. You cannot expect every possible stop to receive a long visit in one day, but you can shape the balance between beaches, sightseeing, lunch, and time on the water.

Biskup Beach and the Golden Horn on Brač

On the Golden route, Biskup Beach is the first major stop. It is described as a quiet beach with clear water and few, if any, other people. That makes it a useful first swim of the day, especially if you want to snorkel before the more famous stops.

The boat includes snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to bring a full kit. You will also have a water shower, which helps rinse off salt between stops, plus an ice box for keeping drinks cool. Those are small features, but they make a difference on a nine-hour outing.

Next comes Bol and the Golden Horn, one of Brač’s most recognizable sights. The beach’s pointed shape is the reason for its fame, and seeing it from the water gives you a more useful perspective than simply arriving overland. It is a must-see stop on the Golden route, but do not expect solitude here. Its fame means this is likely to feel more popular and less private than Biskup Beach.

That contrast is part of the route’s appeal: first a quiet bay, then Brač’s postcard beach. You get both the calm side of the island and its best-known coastal landmark.

Pokrivenik and the small blue cave on Hvar

The Blue route starts at Pokrivenik Beach on Hvar. The schedule places this stop before the cave, giving you an early chance to swim and settle into the rhythm of the day.

The small blue cave is the route’s most unusual feature. You can swim into it and explore from the inside, an experience that depends on water conditions and your comfort in the sea. It is a short, active stop rather than a grand cave expedition, but it gives the day a sense of discovery that the Golden route does not offer.

Bring swimwear you can move in and be ready to get wet. The boat has a bimini sun cover, but cave swimming and repeated stops mean you should also bring a towel and sun protection. The available information does not promise special cave lighting or a long visit, so think of it as a memorable swim-through stop rather than a full cave tour.

The Blue route is especially appealing if your group wants more action. You get the cave, cliff jumping at Mala Stiniva, and several beach stops, with less attention given to the Golden Horn.

Cliff jumping at Mala Stiniva

Mala Stiniva Beach on Hvar is the key stop for jumping from the cliffs. The area also works for people who would rather stay at water level and enjoy the scenery, so you do not need to be a jumper to appreciate the stop.

Still, cliff jumping requires judgment. Check the conditions with the skipper, use only the areas considered suitable, and do not treat the activity as compulsory. The tour includes life jackets, but a life jacket does not make every jump safe. If you are not confident, swimming and relaxing are perfectly valid ways to use the stop.

The timing differs by route. On the Golden route, Mala Stiniva comes around 16:00, after Vrboska. On the Blue route, it comes around 11:40, before lunch. That matters if your group wants its most active stop early or late in the day.

Zečevo Island and Lantina Beach

Lantina Beach on tiny Zečevo Island is one of the trip’s quieter breaks. The island sits near Hvar, and reaching it by boat gives you a taste of the smaller, less developed side of the Dalmatian coast.

This stop is about a simple combination: clear water, a short beach visit, and time away from the larger island destinations. It may not satisfy you if you want shops, landmarks, or a long town walk, but it is a good reset between the busier parts of the route.

The Blue route reaches Lantina at about 12:30, while the Golden route visits at about 12:00. In both cases, the stop helps break up the longer cruise and keeps the day from becoming one continuous ride.

Lunch in Vrboska, Hvar’s Little Venice

Vrboska is the day’s main town stop. It is a small, attractive settlement on Hvar, often called Little Venice because of its waterways and stone setting. Here you can leave the boat behind for lunch and choose fresh fish, seafood, meat, or another dish.

Lunch is not included, so budget for it separately. That also gives you control over what and how much you eat. A skipper can suggest a restaurant, and Maria was specifically praised for taking a group to a beautiful restaurant with a delicious meal. Since restaurant choice can affect both cost and timing, ask your skipper about the plan before you sit down.

Vrboska adds needed variety. After several beach stops, you get a chance to walk, eat, and see a bit of island life. Do not expect a long cultural tour, though. The stop is built around lunch and a look at the old town, not a detailed visit to every sight.

The Golden route reaches Vrboska at about 13:45, and the Blue route arrives around 14:00. The slight difference means lunch falls near the middle of the day on either option.

Puntica Beach and the final swim

The Blue route ends its island stops at Puntica Beach on Brač, a calm bay with a swing. It is a gentle way to finish the swimming portion of the day after the more active cave and cliff stops.

The swing is a small but distinctive touch, especially if you want relaxed photos or a final easy swim. Compared with Mala Stiniva, Puntica is about slowing down rather than testing your nerve.

The Golden route does not include Puntica. Instead, it gives you more time around Biskup, the Golden Horn, Lantina, Vrboska, and Mala Stiniva. That difference is useful when choosing: Blue gives you a wider mix of cave, cliff, and calm bay, while Golden gives you the iconic Brač beach.

The boats, group size, and comfort

You choose between two boats based on group size. The Quicksilver Activ 605 Open carries up to six people. The Jeanneau Cap Camarat 7.5 carries up to ten.

The six-person option makes sense for a small group that wants a compact boat and a private outing. If fewer than six people are going, you can also book the larger boat for more space and comfort. That will cost more in skipper and fuel, but the extra room may be worth it on a full nine-hour day.

Both boats include a water shower, audio system, ice box, bimini sun protection, snorkeling equipment, and life jackets. The bimini is important because this is a long day on open water, while the ice box means you can keep drinks cool. The strong transport rating and the condition of the boat are among the most reassuring parts of the experience.

The speedboat is a tool for seeing more, not a substitute for comfort on a luxury yacht. Space is limited, especially with a full group, and the ride may feel lively. If you are sensitive to motion, ask about sea conditions and seating before departure.

The real price and what you receive

The advertised price is $236 per group of up to ten, but it is not the final cost. You must add €200 in cash for skipper and fuel with the Quicksilver option, or €320 in cash with the larger Jeanneau option.

That pricing structure can still offer good value for a private day, especially for a group of six to ten people. Split among a full group, the added €320 is much easier to absorb than it would be for two people. For a couple or a small family, the total cost per person rises quickly, so compare it with shared boat trips before booking.

Lunch is extra, and the meeting point can vary between Poseidon Rent a Boat and IvaMare Boats, depending on the option you choose. Confirm the exact meeting location and bring the required cash for the skipper and fuel.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps the initial booking flexible. Those policies are useful when your coastal plans depend on weather.

Who should book this island day?

I would recommend this tour most strongly to groups that value privacy, swimming, and control over the schedule. It is a good fit for friends who want cliff jumps and music, families who want to choose their own swim stops, and couples who prefer coves to a crowded group boat.

The trip also suits first-time visitors to the Makarska area who want to sample several islands without arranging separate ferries. In nine hours, you can see parts of Brač, Hvar, and Zečevo that would be awkward to connect independently.

I would be more cautious if you dislike fast boat rides, want a slow beach day, or need a detailed history tour. You should also think carefully about the extra skipper and fuel charge, particularly if only two or three people are splitting the cost.

The chance of seeing dolphins is a pleasant possibility, not a promise. The reliable highlights are the clear-water swims, snorkeling, island views, Vrboska, the small blue cave on the Blue route, and cliff jumping at Mala Stiniva.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your ideal Dalmatia day means three islands, several swim stops, and a private skipper who can adjust the plan. The Golden route is best for the Golden Horn and a balanced mix of beaches and town time. The Blue route is better for the cave, cliff jumps, and a final calm bay at Puntica.

Before paying, calculate the full cost with skipper, fuel, and lunch. Then choose the boat size carefully. If that total works for your group, this is a strong way to see the coast in one day, with enough flexibility to make the outing feel like your own rather than a fixed bus schedule on water.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat tour last?

The tour lasts about nine hours. Both recommended routes begin around 9:00 at Makarska Harbour and finish around 18:00.

Which islands does the tour visit?

Depending on the route, you can visit Brač, Hvar, and Zečevo. The Golden route includes Bol and the Golden Horn on Brač, while the Blue route includes Pokrivenik and the small blue cave on Hvar.

What is the difference between the Golden and Blue routes?

The Golden route includes Biskup Beach, Bol and the Golden Horn, Lantina Beach, Vrboska, and Mala Stiniva. The Blue route includes Pokrivenik, the small blue cave, Mala Stiniva, Lantina Beach, Vrboska, and Puntica Beach.

Is the skipper and fuel included?

No. Skipper and fuel cost €200 in cash for the option with up to six people, or €320 in cash for the option with up to ten people.

What equipment is provided on the boat?

The boats include snorkeling equipment, life jackets, a water shower, an ice box, a bimini sun cover, and an audio system.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch in Vrboska is not included, so you should budget separately for your meal. You can choose fish, seafood, meat, or another dish at the town stop.