From Makarska: Full day private speed boat tour 3 islands

Three islands, one long day. This private speedboat trip packs quiet swimming coves, island towns, snorkeling stops, and a traditional wood-fire lunch into a nine-hour outing from Makarska. I especially like the freedom of a boat for only your group of up to eight, plus the chance to shape the day around swimming or sightseeing. The two strongest points are the peaceful bay stops and skipper Christian’s reported willingness to adjust the day to suit the group.

The main caution is cost clarity. The advertised price is $349 per group, but fuel for this route is listed separately at 100 euros, and a local skipper fee of 100 euros is also listed separately. Food is extra, too, so check the final total before booking.

The best parts of the day at a glance

• Mala Stiniva on Hvar: Start with swimming and snorkeling in a quiet bay before the day gets busy.
• Jelsa for a change of pace: Walk around town, buy ice cream, taste wine, or stop at a chocolate shop.
• Zečevo islet: Anchor near a cocktail bar for another swim and snorkel stop.
• Zlatni Rat from the water: See Brač’s famous pointed beach either from the boat or by stepping ashore.
• Vala Hrvaska lunch stop: Buy a meal cooked over a natural wood fire in a calm island bay.
• A genuinely private format: With space for up to eight people, you avoid sharing the boat with a large crowd.

Why this private boat day works well from Makarska

Makarska is a fine base for exploring the central Dalmatian islands, but the sea makes distances look shorter than they really are. A private speedboat helps you cover more ground in one day, moving between Hvar, the small islet of Zečevo, and Brač without waiting for a public ferry schedule.

You leave at 9:00 and return around 18:00, so this is a full day rather than a quick coastal outing. That length matters. You have time for several swimming stops, a town visit, lunch, and a look at Zlatni Rat without reducing every stop to a rushed photo break.

I like the private setup because it gives the day a personal rhythm. If your group wants to spend longer in the water, you can ask for that. If you prefer Jelsa to another swim, you have more say than you would on a large shared boat. Christian, the skipper named in the feedback, was described as accommodating to the group’s wishes, which is exactly the quality that can make a private boat day work well.

The boat carries up to eight people. That is a good size for a family, a group of friends, or two couples traveling together. It also means the advertised price can be strong value when divided among a full party, although the extra fuel and skipper costs need to be included in your calculations.

9:00 departure and the run toward Hvar

Your meeting point is the Maris Travel sales point on the promenade, in front of the Hops restaurant bar. Arrive with enough time to find the point without turning the start of your day into a hunt through the waterfront.

The boat heads directly toward Hvar, making the first stop at Mala Stiniva. The direct route is useful because it puts your first swim early in the schedule. After leaving Makarska, you are not spending the first part of the day stopping at every nearby cove. You are heading toward one of the quieter spots on Hvar.

A speedboat is practical here, but it comes with a tradeoff. You cover the open water faster, yet the ride can feel more exposed than a slower boat. Bring a light layer, protect your phone, and expect wind and spray. The provided drinking water is welcome, but you should still bring anything personal you need for a long day in the sun.

Mala Stiniva, a calm first swim on Hvar

Mala Stiniva is the first major stop, and the plan is simple: swim and snorkel. It is a good opening because you can settle into the day without needing to make an immediate decision about lunch, shopping, or sightseeing.

The appeal here is quiet water and a less urban setting. You can get into the sea, look below the surface with the supplied snorkeling equipment, and enjoy a proper break from the boat. The tour includes lifejackets and snorkeling gear, which means you do not need to pack your own equipment.

Still, snorkeling conditions depend on the day. Water clarity, wind, and sea conditions can affect what you see. The tour promises a stop for snorkeling, not a particular marine-life encounter, so think of it as a chance to explore the clear coastal water rather than a specialist wildlife excursion.

This is also where the private format has real value. A large boat may have a fixed stop and a fixed departure time. On a private boat, you can make better use of the stop if your group is keen to swim, while a less water-focused group can avoid lingering too long.

Jelsa adds an island-town break

After Mala Stiniva, you visit Jelsa on Hvar. This changes the feel of the day. Instead of only moving between coves, you get time in an island town where you can walk around, have an ice cream, taste wine, or visit a chocolate shop.

The choices make Jelsa a flexible stop. If you have already spent enough time in the water, this is a chance to dry off and stroll. If you like local food and drink, the wine tasting option gives the town visit a distinctly Dalmatian flavor. If you are traveling with children or simply prefer a small treat, ice cream or chocolate may be the better choice.

Do not expect a long guided history tour here. The supplied details describe sightseeing and optional stops, not a formal walking tour. That is not necessarily a weakness. Jelsa works as an unhurried pause between swims, and the freedom to explore at your own pace suits a private outing.

You should also keep an eye on the clock. This is a full day with several island stops still ahead. A leisurely town visit is pleasant, but spending too long in Jelsa could reduce your time for swimming later.

Zečevo islet and the cocktail-bar stop

The next stop is Zečevo, a small islet near Hvar. The boat anchors near a cocktail bar, giving you another chance to swim and snorkel.

Zečevo provides a different setting from Mala Stiniva. Instead of a town or a larger island bay, you get a compact island stop with water activities at its center. The cocktail bar adds a social touch, but you are not required to make the stop about drinks. If swimming is your priority, you can focus on the sea.

The sequence works well: first a quiet bay, then a town, then another swim stop. You are not repeating exactly the same experience all day. That variety is one of the better features of the route.

The practical limitation is that the cocktail bar is an optional purchase, just as food is not included elsewhere. Carry a payment method and ask about current prices if you plan to buy drinks. The tour includes drinking water, so you do not need to rely on the bar for basic hydration.

Zlatni Rat, one of Brač’s signature views

After leaving Hvar behind, the speedboat crosses toward Brač and Zlatni Rat. This beach is famous for its pointed shape reaching into the sea, and seeing it from the water gives you the clearest sense of how unusual that form is.

Here you can choose to leave the boat and walk onto the beach, or stay aboard and admire it from the sea. That choice is useful. Some people want a closer look and a stretch of beach time. Others would rather avoid another landing and use the stop as a scenic viewpoint.

The stop also helps break up the swimming schedule. By this point, you have already had two opportunities to get into the water, visited Jelsa, and crossed from Hvar to Brač. Zlatni Rat gives you a recognizable landmark without forcing everyone into the same activity.

Because the tour description does not state how long you stay at the beach, ask the skipper about the planned timing if stepping ashore matters to you. The overall schedule includes several stops, so the beach visit is likely part of a moving day rather than a long resort-style stay.

Vala Hrvaska and the wood-fire lunch

The route continues to Vala Hrvaska, a bay with a beach and restaurant. This is the main meal stop, and the restaurant is not included in the tour price. You can purchase lunch there, with food prepared over a natural wood fire in the setting of a quiet island bay.

That cooking method is a nice touch because it gives the meal a sense of place. You are not simply eating at a restaurant near the marina. You are stopping in a bay, swimming or snorkeling nearby, and choosing food cooked in a traditional way. The setting may be as important as the plate.

The lunch stop is also a practical chance to refuel. A full day on the water, with sun, wind, and repeated swimming, can leave you hungry. Since food is extra, budget for this separately rather than assuming the $349 covers lunch.

If your group has different appetites, the stop gives you some control. One person can eat a full meal, while another may prefer a lighter choice or spend more time on the beach. The supplied information does not specify the menu, prices, or dietary options, so ask at booking if anyone in your group has a strict food requirement.

The quiet bay setting sounds appealing, but it is worth keeping expectations sensible. A restaurant in an island cove is part of the experience, not a guarantee of a particular level of service or menu range. The attraction is the combination of local cooking, sea access, and atmosphere.

One final swim before Makarska

After lunch, the boat continues to one more pleasant bay for swimming and snorkeling before returning to Makarska around 18:00. This last stop is a good idea. It lets you finish in the water rather than ending the day immediately after lunch.

By now, you will have experienced several types of Dalmatian stop: a quiet Hvar bay, a small town, a cocktail-bar islet, a famous Brač beach, and a restaurant bay. The final swim gives the day a relaxed close, even though the return trip still lies ahead.

The number of stops is listed as five to six locations. That range likely reflects the final swim bay and how the timing or sea conditions shape the route. Ask the skipper at the beginning how the day is expected to run, especially if you have one stop you care about most.

The boat returns to the original meeting point in Makarska. You are not left arranging a separate transfer from a different harbor, which makes the end of the day simple.

What the $349 price really means

The advertised price is $349 for a private speedboat group of up to eight people. At eight passengers, that is about $44 per person before the additional listed charges and food. For a smaller group, the per-person cost rises quickly, but you are paying for private use of the boat rather than a seat on a large shared excursion.

The listed extras are important:

• Fuel for the route: 100 euros, payable in cash or by card at the fuel station at the end
• Local skipper fee: 100 euros
• Food and drinks purchased in Jelsa, at Zečevo, or at the bay restaurant

If both 100 euro charges apply in addition to the $349, the real cost is notably higher than the headline price. Confirm this before you commit. The fuel charge is especially easy to overlook, and the skipper fee should be clarified because a skipper is essential to the experience.

For a full group, the price can still make sense. You receive a full day, a private boat, several island stops, drinking water, lifejackets, snorkeling equipment, passenger insurance, and public liability insurance. The ability to adjust the pace adds value that a standard group boat may not provide.

For two people, the calculation is less attractive unless privacy and flexibility are especially important to you. Compare the full final cost with shared boat tours before booking.

Comfort, safety, and what to bring

The boat is equipped with lifejackets and snorkeling equipment, and the tour includes passenger and public liability insurance. Those basics matter on a long boat day with several swims.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or babies under one year old. The provider offers the experience in English, Croatian, and German, which may help your group communicate clearly with the skipper.

I would bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sun protection
• A dry bag or waterproof phone protection
• A light layer for the speedboat ride
• Payment cards or cash for fuel, food, and optional purchases
• Any personal snacks or medication you need for the day

The tour includes drinking water, but food is not included. Do not assume you can buy every item at every stop. Jelsa and the restaurant bay offer different choices, while the swimming coves are mainly about time in the sea.

Who should book this boat tour?

I would consider this trip a good match for a group that wants water time and variety in one day. It suits friends, families with older children, and couples traveling with another couple who can share the cost.

It is particularly useful if you value privacy. You can decide how much time to spend swimming, sightseeing, eating, and browsing in Jelsa. The private setup also helps if your group has mixed interests.

You should think twice if you dislike long boat rides or want a slow, land-based island visit. The itinerary covers three islands and several bays, so the day has plenty of movement. You also need to be comfortable with extra charges and buying lunch separately.

The available feedback is limited, but it is strongly positive. One named participant gave special credit to Christian for being accommodating, while another short comment referred to the Blue Cave. The stated route does not include the Blue Cave, so do not book this tour expecting that stop. If it is important to you, ask Maris Travel directly before paying.

Final verdict: a strong private day, if you price it correctly

I like this tour for its mix of quiet coves, Jelsa, Zečevo, Zlatni Rat, and a wood-fire lunch setting. It gives you more than a beach transfer and more freedom than a large shared cruise.

Book it if you have a group of several people, enjoy swimming and snorkeling, and want a flexible day on the water. Before booking, confirm the 100 euro fuel charge, the 100 euro skipper fee, the planned stop durations, and the lunch arrangements. If the final total fits your budget, this is a well-packed way to see three Dalmatian islands from Makarska without spending the whole day on one crowded beach.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is the Maris Travel point of sale on the promenade, in front of the Hops restaurant bar.

What time does the tour begin and end?

The tour starts at 09:00 and returns to the meeting point in Makarska around 18:00.

Which islands and locations does the tour visit?

The route includes Hvar, Zečevo islet, and Brač. Planned stops include Mala Stiniva, Jelsa, Zečevo, Zlatni Rat, Vala Hrvaska, and one additional bay for swimming and snorkeling.

Is the boat private?

Yes. The speedboat is private for your group and can carry up to eight people.

Is food included?

No. Food can be purchased in island towns or at the restaurant in Vala Hrvaska. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

Are fuel and the skipper included?

Fuel for the route is listed as an additional 100 euros, payable in cash or by card at the fuel station at the end. A local skipper fee of 100 euros is also listed separately. Confirm the final charges before booking.

What equipment and insurance are included?

The tour includes drinking water, lifejackets, snorkeling equipment, passenger insurance, and public liability insurance.