Half-day Speedboat Tour: Explore Hidden Gems of Hvar Island

The best part of this Hvar Island trip is its mix of clear-water swimming and real time on land. In about five hours, you cruise from Makarska to quiet bays, explore old Jelsa, and visit the unpopulated islet of Zečevo without committing to a full-day boat outing.

I like the small-group feel, with a maximum of 18 people, and I like that the boat visits places you would not reach easily by road. Skippers including Marco and Mario are singled out for friendly service, good local talk, and a willingness to let you enjoy the water when conditions allow.

The main drawback is simple: this is an open speedboat, not a relaxed yacht with a restroom. The ride between stops can be breezy, the schedule depends on the sea, and Zečevo’s beach bar may not always be ready for visitors.

Key points at a glance

• Mala Stiniva’s vertical cliffs: Swim and snorkel beneath steep stone walls dropping straight to the sea.
• Jelsa adds history and breathing room: You get about 45 minutes to walk, have coffee, find ice cream, or eat.
• Zečevo feels wonderfully quiet: The unpopulated islet offers a scenic final stop and a beach bar.
• A lively but manageable boat ride: Panoramic cruising links the stops, with about 18 people at most.
• Good equipment value: Snorkeling gear, bottled water, fuel, safety equipment, and fees are included.
• Plan for sun and spray: Bring something to cover yourself during the ride, and remember there is no onboard restroom.

Why this Hvar boat trip works so well

Hvar is a large island with coves, old settlements, and small islets scattered along its coast. From Makarska, seeing several of those places independently would mean arranging transport, finding the right shoreline access, and allowing for plenty of extra time.

This tour simplifies the day. You board at Promare Boat Charter on Marineta ul. 12 in Makarska, then spend the rest of the outing moving between water stops and Jelsa. The speedboat matters because it turns long coastal distances into short scenic rides, leaving more time for swimming and walking.

I would think of this as an active sightseeing trip rather than a formal guided history tour. The focus is the coast, the water, and the pleasure of getting off the mainland for a few hours. Jelsa gives the outing a cultural pause, but the strongest appeal is the combination of remote bays and open-water cruising.

The maximum group size is 18. That is not a private charter, but it is small enough to feel more personal than a large excursion boat. The easy check-in and nearby parking also help if you are fitting this into a busy Makarska stay.

From Makarska to Veliki Pokrivenik

The first ride takes about 35 minutes and serves as a panoramic introduction to the Hvar coast. You head toward Veliki Pokrivenik Bay, one of the less-visited bays on the island.

The setting is rugged and stony, with impressive cliffs around the water. This is a good first stop because it gives you a sense of Hvar’s quieter shoreline before the more recognizable stops later in the day.

Admission is included, and there is no separate charge for visiting the bay. The supplied information does not specify a separate swimming time here, so treat this part as a scenic stop and listen to the skipper’s instructions about how long the boat will remain.

The ride itself is part of the experience. Several people especially liked the smooth boat motion, the scenery, and the way the breeze cooled the trip in July. That breeze can also feel sharp at speed, so pack a light layer or cover-up even on a warm day.

Swimming beneath Mala Stiniva’s stone walls

Mala Stiniva is the visual centerpiece of the outing. Its cliffs drop almost vertically into the sea, forming a narrow, dramatic stone bay with remarkably clear water.

This is where the tour’s included snorkeling equipment becomes useful. You can swim and look beneath the surface without needing to bring your own mask and snorkel. The water and rock formations provide the main attraction, rather than a formal underwater program.

The planned stop lasts about 35 minutes. That is enough for a proper swim and a short snorkel, though it can pass quickly if you want both. In practice, the skipper may allow extra time when sea conditions and the day’s schedule permit. One particularly appealing feature of this trip is that the water time is not treated as a rushed photo stop.

Cliff jumping also appears to be possible at suitable points, and one person called it the highlight of the day. This should be treated as an optional personal choice, not a promised part of the program. Never jump unless the skipper confirms that the spot is safe.

Mala Stiniva is also where you should think about footwear and personal items. The provided details do not promise beach facilities, and the shoreline is described as stony. If you wear glasses, secure them before swimming or jumping. One person lost a pair after forgetting they were still on during a jump.

Jelsa, an old town with time to wander

After the water stop, the boat makes for Jelsa. The ride is short compared with the opening cruise, and you get about 45 minutes in town.

Jelsa is an ancient settlement on Hvar, with historic monuments and a compact center suited to a brief walk. You can use the time for coffee, food, ice cream, or a quick look around rather than staying on the boat all day.

This stop gives the tour a useful change of pace. After the wind and saltwater, a shaded street and a café table can feel just right. It also makes the experience more suitable for mixed groups, since not everyone wants to snorkel continuously.

Do not expect a long guided visit or enough time to see every corner of Jelsa. Forty-five minutes is a sampler. You will need to choose between a leisurely drink, a snack, and sightseeing unless you move quickly.

Bring money for anything you buy in town. Lunch is not included, although the time in Jelsa may allow you to eat. That can improve the value of the trip, since you are not paying separately for a planned meal you may not want.

A short cruise to Zečevo

Opposite Jelsa, just a short boat ride away, is the islet of Zečevo. It is unpopulated and protected as a significant landscape, with a more untouched feel than a developed resort beach.

The scheduled stop lasts about 1 hour and 5 minutes, making it the longest single pause of the day. You can unwind by the water, swim, and visit the beach bar for a drink. The setting is especially appealing if you want a quiet final stop instead of another town.

The bar is a practical point to keep in mind. One outing found it unavailable because a private party was taking place and the staff were not ready for visitors. That does not ruin the stop, but it means you should not treat the bar as guaranteed. Bring a little patience, and do not rely on it as your only chance to eat or drink.

A separate account praised a drink made with fresh ingredients from the bar’s garden. That sounds like a pleasant bonus when the bar is operating, but the dependable part of the stop is the islet, the water, and the time to relax.

What the boat ride is really like

This is a speedboat trip, so the boat is used to cover distance quickly rather than provide a wide, slow-moving deck. You will spend the remaining time cruising between locations, with views of the coast and open water.

That format suits you if you enjoy a little motion and want several stops in one outing. It may not suit you if you prefer a silent, shaded ride or have difficulty with fast boat travel. The supplied information does not describe a specific boat layout, seating arrangement, or onboard shade, so pack with flexibility.

A light layer or cover-up is a smart choice. The wind can feel cool even when the sun is hot, and spray is possible. Keep phones, cameras, and other valuables protected during the ride.

Safety equipment and fuel are included. Snorkeling equipment is also supplied, along with bottled water. There is no restroom onboard, so use facilities before departure and make good use of the stop in Jelsa.

Is the $85.36 price good value?

At $85.36 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning or afternoon on the Adriatic. It is a strong value if you want several Hvar locations in one compact outing and would otherwise need to arrange a boat, fuel, snorkeling gear, and island transport separately.

The price includes more than a simple transfer. You get the speedboat, fuel, safety equipment, bottled water, snorkeling gear, and all fees. You also get access to remote coastal stops that would be awkward to reach without a boat.

The value is less convincing if you mainly want a long lunch in Jelsa or a guaranteed beach-bar visit. Jelsa receives only about 45 minutes, and Zečevo’s bar may not be operating normally on every visit. You are paying for movement between several scenic places, not for extended time in one town.

The strong satisfaction score and 10-plus bookings in the previous month suggest steady interest, though no tour suits everyone. For a honeymoon, a family outing, or a first taste of Hvar’s coast, the mix is hard to beat at this duration.

Who should book this outing?

I would recommend it to people staying in Makarska who want to see Hvar without giving up an entire day. It works particularly well for couples, families with older children, and small groups who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and a bit of speed.

Children under 3 are not recommended. The outing also requires good weather, so keep some flexibility in your plans. If the weather turns poor or the minimum number of participants is not reached, the operator offers another date or a full refund.

You should be comfortable climbing in and out of a boat and spending time around rocky bays. The provided information says most people can participate, but it does not describe special access arrangements, so contact the provider if you have mobility concerns.

This is also a good choice if you value a friendly skipper. Marco and Mario are named as especially warm hosts, and the local captains can add useful context while keeping the tone relaxed. The experience is not built around a long lecture. It is built around good stops, water time, and an easygoing crew.

Practical tips for a better day

Arrive at the Promare Boat Charter meeting point on Marineta ul. 12 in Makarska with enough time to check in. Pickup is offered, but the listed start point is the charter office, so confirm your pickup details when booking.

Wear swimwear beneath comfortable clothing, and bring a towel, sun protection, and a light cover-up. A waterproof pouch is sensible for phones and small valuables, especially during the faster rides.

Carry some cash or a payment method for Jelsa and Zečevo. Lunch is not included, and the beach bar may not be available. Bottled water is supplied, but extra food and drinks are your responsibility.

Leave delicate glasses and loose belongings secured during swimming. If you plan to try a cliff jump, ask the skipper first and remove anything that could be lost in the water.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Since weather matters, this is best booked with a little room in your schedule.

Final verdict: should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a compact, active Hvar outing with several swims, snorkeling, a taste of Jelsa, and a scenic islet stop. The small maximum group, included equipment, friendly skippers, and strong mix of water and town time make the $85.36 price reasonable.

Skip it if you need a restroom onboard, dislike speedboat rides, or want a guaranteed beach-bar meal. For everyone else, this is a well-balanced way to trade Makarska’s mainland setting for Hvar’s cliffs, clear bays, and quieter coast without spending a full day at sea.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Rent a Boat Makarska, Promare Charter, Marineta ul. 12, 21300 Makarska, Croatia.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Makarska.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately five hours.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered, but the provided meeting point is the Promare Boat Charter location in Makarska. Confirm the pickup arrangement when booking.

How many people can join the tour?

The boat tour has a maximum capacity of 18 participants.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, fuel, safety equipment, and all fees and taxes are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You may have time to buy food in Jelsa during the 45-minute stop.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

No. A restroom is not available onboard.

Is the tour suitable for young children?

The tour is not recommended for children under 3 years old. Most other participants can take part, according to the provided activity information.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The same options apply if the minimum number of participants is not reached.