From Makarska: Full day private speed boat tour 3 islands

The best part of this day is the variety. You can swim in a quiet Hvar bay, wander through Jelsa, stop for a drink on tiny Zečevo, admire Zlatni Rat from the water, and eat lunch beside a sheltered bay on Brač. The private speedboat keeps the day moving without packing you onto a large excursion boat.

I like the freedom to choose between swimming, snorkeling, town time, and food. I also like the small maximum of eight people, which makes it easier to adjust the pace. The catch is the extra cost: the advertised price covers the boat for your group, but you should also budget for fuel, the local skipper fee, and food.

Key points at a glance

• Mala Stiniva on Hvar: Start with swimming and snorkeling in a quiet bay before the day gets hot.
• Jelsa by choice: Use your town stop for sightseeing, ice cream, wine tasting, or a chocolate shop.
• Zečevo’s cocktail bar: Anchor near the islet for another swim and snorkel session.
• Zlatni Rat from the sea: Choose to step ashore or simply enjoy the famous beach from the boat.
• Brač wood-fire lunch: Stop at Vala Hrvaska for swimming, snorkeling, and an optional traditional meal.
• Private group format: The boat takes up to eight people, with water, lifejackets, and snorkeling gear included.

Why this island-hopping day works

This is not a tour built around one big attraction. It is a full day of changing scenery and short stops, with the Adriatic itself doing most of the work. You spend time on three islands, but the real pleasure comes from the transitions: open water from Makarska, green hills and rocky coves, small island settlements, and clear bays suited to a quick swim.

The route runs from 9:00 until about 18:00. That is a long day, but the schedule has a natural rhythm. You swim, dry off during the boat ride, walk around town, swim again, stop for lunch, then make one final swim before returning to Makarska.

I would choose this outing if you want to see a lot without spending the entire day on land. It suits a family with older children, a group of friends, or a couple willing to pay more for privacy. It is less suitable if you want a slow, quiet boat ride with very little movement, or if you dislike swimming from a boat.

The speedboat matters here. It allows the group to cover Hvar, Zečevo, and Brač in one day, though you should expect wind, spray, and a fairly active ride. The supplied lifejackets and snorkeling equipment are useful, while drinking water helps keep the day simple. Bring whatever personal items you need for sun and swimming, since the listed inclusions are limited to the basics.

The 9:00 departure from Makarska

You meet at the Maris Travel point of sale on the promenade, in front of the Hops restaurant bar. The tour returns to this same meeting point around 18:00, so the start and finish are straightforward.

The early departure is sensible. It gives you the best chance of enjoying the first bay before the day feels crowded and leaves enough time for several stops. Arrive ready to board rather than planning a leisurely breakfast at the meeting point.

The private format is a major practical advantage. A group of eight can stay together, and a skipper can respond to what your party wants to do. The boat is not a private yacht experience with every expense covered, however. Think of it as a private transport and sightseeing day, with several optional purchases along the route.

Mala Stiniva: a quiet first swim on Hvar

The first stop is Mala Stiniva, a quiet bay on Hvar. The plan is simple: anchor, swim, and snorkel. Starting with water time works well because you can settle into the day before any town sightseeing begins.

A bay like this is also where the private boat format earns its keep. You are not tied to a long guided walk or a fixed museum schedule. You can use the stop for a proper swim, a short look beneath the surface, or a relaxed pause on the boat.

Do not expect a long beach visit here. The attraction is the setting and the water, not a packed program of organized activities. If some people in your group want to swim while others prefer to stay aboard, this stop gives you that choice.

Snorkeling equipment is included, as are lifejackets. You should still treat the water stops as active portions of the day. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the skipper about the safest way to enter and remain near the boat.

Jelsa: a useful change of pace

After the first swim, you visit Jelsa on Hvar. This is the day’s main chance to step onto dry land and explore an island town rather than only seeing the coast from the water.

You can use the stop in different ways. Walk around and sightsee, get an ice cream, arrange a wine tasting, or visit a chocolate shop. That flexibility is helpful because not every group wants the same thing after a morning swim.

Jelsa also prevents the day from becoming a string of identical coves. You get a little town atmosphere, a chance to stretch your legs, and time to buy something if you want it. Food and drinks in the island towns are not included, so plan to pay for any ice cream, tasting, or other purchase yourself.

The timing here is important. This is not presented as a full cultural tour of Jelsa, and you should not expect an extended historical commentary. It is a compact stop within a wider boating day. I would use it for a pleasant walk and one chosen treat, rather than trying to see every corner.

Zečevo: another swim with a drink nearby

The next stop is Zečevo, a small islet near Hvar. The boat anchors for swimming and snorkeling, with a cocktail bar available on the islet.

This is a good place to vary your break. You can remain in the water, use the snorkeling equipment, or go ashore for a drink if you prefer a more social pause. The cocktail bar gives the stop a livelier feel than Mala Stiniva, which is described as the quieter bay.

There is a small tradeoff. A cocktail bar means purchases, and those are not part of the tour price. If you want to keep spending under control, stick with the drinking water supplied on the boat and treat the bar as optional.

The stop also shows why you should not judge this tour only by its headline islands. Zečevo is a smaller stop, but it adds a different mood and breaks up the longer crossings. You get another chance to swim without committing the whole group to a long beach stay.

Zlatni Rat: see Brač’s famous beach from the right angle

Leaving Hvar behind, the boat crosses to Zlatni Rat beach on Brač. Here you can choose to get off at the beach or admire it from the boat.

That choice is practical. Zlatni Rat is a major sight, but not everyone wants to spend the day sitting on a busy beach after already visiting several quiet bays. From the water, you get a clear view of its distinctive shape without giving up as much time.

If you do go ashore, remember that this is a short stop within a full-day route. The information provided does not promise a long beach session, guided visit, or dedicated free time. Your skipper will manage the overall timing so the group can continue to Vala Hrvaska and the final swim.

I like having the option rather than being forced into one plan. A photographer may prefer the boat view, while a swimmer may want to step off and enjoy the beach. Ask your skipper how long the stop will last before leaving the boat.

Vala Hrvaska and the optional wood-fire lunch

Vala Hrvaska is the day’s main meal stop, with a beach, swimming, snorkeling, and a traditional restaurant in a quiet island bay. Food is prepared over a natural wood fire, which gives this break a more local feel than a quick snack bought at a marina.

Lunch is purchased separately. That is important when comparing the price. The restaurant stop may be one of the most memorable parts of the day, but it is not included in the $349 group rate.

The setting is part of the appeal. You can swim before eating, sit beside a sheltered bay, and enjoy food cooked in a traditional way. The pace should feel less rushed than a town stop, though the boat still needs to continue later in the afternoon.

If your group has different appetites or budgets, confirm the menu and expected cost at the restaurant. The supplied information does not list dishes or prices, so I would not assume that lunch is a fixed meal or that every item suits every diet.

The beach and water also make this a useful stop for people who would rather not eat immediately. You can use the restaurant, swim, snorkel, or combine all three before the final crossing.

The final bay and return to Makarska

After lunch, the boat continues to one more attractive bay for swimming and snorkeling. The exact bay is not named, so the skipper chooses the stop according to the route and conditions.

That final swim is a smart way to end the active part of the day. You get one last chance to cool off before the ride back, and the group can finish with water time rather than another formal sightseeing stop.

The boat should arrive back in Makarska around 18:00. After a full day on the water, the return ride may feel long if you are tired or sunburned, so pace yourself. Drink water, use sensible sun protection, and do not treat every stop as a race to get into the sea.

What the private price really covers

The price is $349 for a group of up to eight people. Divided among eight, that is about $44 per person before the extra charges. For a full private day covering three islands, that can be good value, especially if your group would otherwise book several separate boat seats.

A smaller group pays more per person. Two people would effectively pay about $175 each before fuel, skipper, and food, so the value depends heavily on group size.

You also need to add:

• $100 for fuel on this route, payable in cash or by card at a fuel station at the end
• $100 local skipper fee
• Lunch, drinks, ice cream, wine tasting, chocolate, and any cocktail bar purchases

With eight people, the two listed fixed extras add about $25 per person, before food. With fewer people, they make a much larger difference. Ask for the complete expected total before departure so you can compare this outing fairly with other private boat options.

The included drinking water, lifejackets, snorkeling equipment, passenger insurance, and public liability insurance reduce the number of basics you need to arrange separately. Still, this is not an all-inclusive excursion.

Skipper style and group comfort

The skipper has a big effect on a day like this because the route includes several water stops and an unnamed final bay. Christian is the skipper specifically associated with a highly praised outing, and his accommodating approach is a useful sign of what a good private tour can offer.

Do not assume every departure will be identical. The precise balance between swimming, town time, beach time, and lunch can depend on what your group wants and how the day runs. Tell the skipper early if you care most about snorkeling, Jelsa, Zlatni Rat, or a longer lunch.

The boat holds up to eight people. That is small enough for a personal feel, but the boat is still shared within your own booking, so everyone should agree on the basic plan. Private does not mean each person gets a separate itinerary.

English, Croatian, and German are available. That helps if your group prefers one of those languages for safety instructions and practical communication.

Who should book this day

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Groups of friends who can share the fixed costs
• Families with children old enough for a full day on a speedboat
• Couples who want privacy and can accept a higher per-person price
• Swimmers and snorkelers who want several water stops
• People who want a mix of island towns, beaches, and boat views

You may want another kind of excursion if you are pregnant, since the activity is not suitable for pregnant women. It is also not suitable for babies under one year old.

This is not the best fit if your priority is a detailed guided tour of Hvar or Brač. The focus is on movement, scenery, swimming, and flexible stops. It is also not ideal if you want all food and drinks included in one simple price.

Practical booking advice

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Makarska plans are still changing. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

Before booking, check four things with your group: who will pay the $100 skipper fee, how the $100 fuel charge will be settled, how much you want to spend on lunch, and whether everyone is comfortable with a full day of boat travel.

Wear swim-ready clothing and arrive at the promenade meeting point with enough time to find the Maris Travel sales point. The boat supplies water and snorkeling equipment, but the tour details do not list towels, meals, or personal sun gear as included.

Should you book the Hvar, Zečevo, and Brač tour?

Book it if you want one active day that covers a lot of the Dalmatian coast without joining a large boat group. The strongest reasons are the private format, several swimming and snorkeling stops, the choice between shore visits and boat views, and the wood-fire restaurant setting at Vala Hrvaska.

The decision comes down to total cost and pace. With eight people, the price is easier to justify. With only two or three, the fuel and skipper charges become much more noticeable. I would also skip it if anyone in your group dislikes speedboats, cannot swim comfortably, or wants a slow cultural day on one island.

For a social group that values choice, water time, and a full route, this is a well-rounded use of a day from Makarska. Just budget beyond the headline price and agree on priorities before you leave the dock.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour starts at 9:00 and is expected to return to Makarska around 18:00, making it a full-day experience.

Which islands and locations are included?

The route visits Hvar, the Zečevo islet, and Brač. Stops include Mala Stiniva, Jelsa, Zečevo, Zlatni Rat, Vala Hrvaska, and one additional bay for swimming and snorkeling.

How many people can use the private speedboat?

The speedboat can carry up to eight people in your private group.

Is lunch included?

No. Food can be purchased in the island towns or at the restaurant in Vala Hrvaska. Lunch at the traditional restaurant is an additional purchase.

What extra charges should I expect?

Fuel for the route costs 100 euros, payable in cash or by card at a fuel station at the end. A local skipper fee of 100 euros also applies. Personal purchases such as drinks, ice cream, wine tasting, chocolate, cocktails, and lunch are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, lifejackets, and drinking water are included.

Where does the tour start and finish?

You meet at the Maris Travel point of sale on the promenade, in front of the Hops restaurant bar. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.