From Makarska: Full day private speed boat tour 3 islands

The best part of this day is its mix of open-water speed and slow island time. You zip from Makarska to Hvar, then trade the engine’s growl for a swim in Mala Stiniva, a quiet bay suited to snorkeling and a refreshing first stop.

I like the private boat and the range of stops. You get several chances to swim instead of one rushed beach visit, plus time in Jelsa and a traditional island restaurant where lunch is cooked over a natural wood fire. The main consideration is cost: the advertised $349 covers the group boat, but fuel, the local skipper fee, and food are extra.

Key points at a glance

• Mala Stiniva on Hvar: Start with swimming and snorkeling in a quiet bay before the day gets too far along.
• Jelsa by boat: Walk around town, stop for ice cream, and choose between wine tasting or a chocolate shop visit.
• Zečevo islet: Anchor near a cocktail bar for another swim and snorkeling stop.
• Zlatni Rat from the water: Choose to go ashore at the famous beach or admire its distinctive shape from the boat.
• Vala Hrvaska lunch stop: Buy a meal at a traditional restaurant, where food is prepared over a natural wood fire.
• Private group of up to eight: You share the speedboat only with your own party, rather than a large mixed group.

A full island day from Makarska

This is a long, active outing, running from 9:00 until about 18:00. The route links three island areas, Hvar, the small islet of Zečevo, and Brač, with five or six locations for swimming, snorkeling, sightseeing, and food.

The private format matters. If your group has eight people, the $349 starting price works out to about $44 per person before the additional charges. For a couple, the same boat is a much larger expense, but you gain privacy and control over the day’s feel.

The speedboat is not simply transport between beaches. It lets you cover a lot of sea in one day, moving from Hvar to Brač without giving up several relaxed water stops. That said, a fast boat can be noisy and exposed, and you should expect a full day in the sun rather than a gentle cruise with lots of indoor shelter.

Drinking water, lifejackets, snorkeling equipment, passenger insurance, and public liability insurance are included. Food is not, and fuel for this route is listed as an additional 100 euros, payable by cash or card at a fuel station at the end. A local skipper fee of 100 euros is also listed, so check the exact total before you commit.

9:00 departure and the run to Mala Stiniva

Meet at the Maris Travel point of sale on the promenade, in front of Hops restaurant bar. The boat leaves at 9:00 and heads directly toward Hvar, making Mala Stiniva the first main stop.

That early timing is useful. You reach the bay before the day has fully unfolded, giving you a calm first chance to swim and use the provided snorkeling equipment. The stop is less about a long beach stay and more about getting into the water in a quiet setting.

Pack a swimsuit under your clothes and keep sunscreen, a hat, and a towel easy to reach. The supplied information does not specify shade or storage space on the boat, so travel light and keep anything valuable protected from spray.

The first stop also sets the pattern for the day: arrive by boat, spend time in the water, then move on before the outing loses momentum. If you prefer to sit on one beach for hours, this will feel busy. If you like several short chapters in one day, the route makes good sense.

Jelsa brings a change of pace

After swimming at Mala Stiniva, you visit Jelsa on Hvar. This is an important change from the water-focused stops. Instead of stepping straight back onto the boat, you get time to walk through an island town and choose a small treat or tasting.

Your options include ice cream, wine tasting, or a visit to a chocolate shop. They are not all-inclusive parts of the price, so plan to pay for anything you choose in town.

I like this stop because it gives the day some breathing room. Several hours of swimming can blur together, while Jelsa provides a chance to stretch your legs and see a settled island community. It also gives non-swimmers something to enjoy.

Do not expect a long historical tour or a formal guided visit. The available details describe sightseeing and optional stops, not a structured walking tour. Think of Jelsa as free time in a pleasant harbor town, with your choice of a drink, dessert, tasting, or shop.

Zečevo and a second water stop

The next visit is Zečevo islet, where the boat anchors near a cocktail bar. You can swim and snorkel again, with the bar adding an easy option for a drink during the stop.

Zečevo works well as a middle-of-the-day reset. You can cool off, use the snorkeling gear, and enjoy the feeling of being offshore rather than tied to a town. The point is the setting and the water, not a long list of sights on land.

The tradeoff is simple: if you are not interested in swimming, this stop may feel limited. The itinerary is built around the sea, and the schedule includes several water breaks. Bring something to read or enjoy the view if you prefer to stay aboard.

A private boat gives your group more say in how you use the stop, but the precise amount of time at each location is not specified. Your skipper may adjust the rhythm according to conditions and the group’s wishes. Skipper Christian is specifically named in one account as accommodating to the group’s preferences, though the provider may assign a different skipper.

Zlatni Rat, seen from Brač

After Zečevo, the route leaves Hvar behind and crosses toward Zlatni Rat beach on Brač. This famous beach is known for its pointed shape reaching into the sea, and viewing it from the water gives you a clear sense of how its form changes with the angle.

Here you can choose to get off at the beach or remain on the speedboat and admire it from offshore. That choice is useful. Going ashore adds another beach experience, while staying on the boat protects your time for the next swim and lunch stop.

The available information does not promise a long visit at Zlatni Rat, so treat it as a flexible sightseeing stop rather than a guaranteed beach afternoon. If you want the classic view and a quick shore visit, take the opportunity. If your priority is quiet water and snorkeling, remain aboard and save your energy.

This is also one of the more recognizable places on the route. The earlier bays focus on peace and swimming; Zlatni Rat gives you a well-known Brač sight to photograph and compare with the smaller coves.

Lunch at Vala Hrvaska

The boat then continues to Vala Hrvaska, a bay with a beach and a traditional restaurant. Lunch is available for purchase, and the food is prepared over a natural wood fire in the setting of a quiet island bay.

This is one of the tour’s more distinctive details. You are not simply stopping at a standard waterfront café. The meal is part of the sense of place, with cooking over wood fire and a peaceful setting beside the water.

Lunch is optional and not included. You can buy food at the restaurant, and food can also be purchased in the island towns visited earlier. Since there is no stated menu or fixed meal price, ask about current choices and costs before ordering.

The stop combines three things that make a boat day feel less repetitive: a beach, a proper meal, and time away from the engine. It may also be the longest land-based pause, though the exact duration is not given. If you want to make the most of it, keep your swimming gear handy and allow time for both lunch and the water.

There is a practical point here. Because food is extra, the final price can rise beyond the advertised boat rate. A group of eight sharing the boat can keep the base cost reasonable, but you should budget separately for lunch, drinks, fuel, and the skipper charge.

One more bay before Makarska

After lunch, the route includes one more attractive bay for swimming and snorkeling before returning to Makarska around 18:00. The bay is not named, so you should think of it as a final flexible water stop rather than a specific landmark.

This last swim is welcome after lunch. It gives you one more chance to use the snorkeling equipment and cool off before the ride back. It also keeps the day from ending with a straight transfer from the restaurant to town.

The return crossing may be the quietest part of the outing for some people. You have already seen the major stops, and the boat ride becomes time to take in the coastline and rest. Bring a cover-up or light layer, since a long return on an open boat can feel different from the warm midday stops.

What the private format is worth

The boat carries up to eight people. That makes this a strong choice for a family, a group of friends, or several couples who want to spend the day together without joining strangers.

The key benefit is not just privacy. It is the ability to shape the mood of the day. You can decide how much you care about Jelsa, how long you want to swim, and whether Zlatni Rat is worth leaving the boat for. The skipper still manages the route and safety, but the format feels more personal than a large excursion boat.

The price requires a close look. The base rate is $349 per group up to eight, with 100 euros listed for fuel and another 100 euros for the local skipper fee. With eight people, the boat portion is about $44 each, before those extras and food. With two people, the same charges make it much less economical.

The tour includes the basics that matter on the water: drinking water, lifejackets, snorkeling equipment, passenger insurance, and public liability insurance. It does not include lunch, drinks beyond the supplied water, or town purchases.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this outing if you want to see several islands but do not want to spend the whole day on a crowded excursion boat. It suits people who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, short visits to towns, and a quick ride between stops.

It is also a good match for groups that value flexibility. The named skipper Christian was described as accommodating to group wishes, which fits the private setup. Still, the route is active, and you should be comfortable with repeated boarding, swimming, and time on a speedboat.

I would think twice if you want a quiet, slow cruise, a detailed cultural tour, or a fixed-price meal included in the booking. The day is built around water access and movement. Pregnant women and babies under one year are not considered suitable for this experience.

The tour is offered in English, Croatian, and German. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your weather plans are still shifting.

What to bring and how to plan

You receive drinking water and snorkeling equipment, but the rest of your day bag is your responsibility. Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and money or a payment card for food, drinks, tastings, and shopping.

Cash is specifically accepted for the fuel charge, while card payment is also listed at the fuel station. Since lunch and town purchases are extra, carrying a payment method that works for both larger charges and small purchases is sensible.

Arrive at the meeting point with enough time to find the Maris Travel sales point in front of Hops. The activity ends at the same promenade meeting point around 18:00.

The route includes several chances to get wet. Keep phones and cameras in a waterproof pouch, especially during the speedboat crossings. That is practical advice rather than a promise about onboard storage, since storage details are not provided.

Should you book this private speedboat tour?

Book it if your group can share the cost and you want a busy but varied day on the Adriatic. The strongest reasons are the private boat, the several swimming and snorkeling stops, the choice between shore time and boat views at Zlatni Rat, and the wood-fire meal option at Vala Hrvaska.

Before booking, add up the real cost. Start with $349, then account for the listed 100-euro fuel charge, 100-euro local skipper fee, and whatever you plan to spend on lunch and drinks. For a full group, the value is much better than for a couple.

If that total works for you, this is a well-shaped island day: quiet bay first, Jelsa for town time, Zečevo for another swim, Brač for Zlatni Rat, a traditional lunch stop, and one final bay before Makarska. It gives you variety without asking you to organize several separate boat trips.

FAQ

What time does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at 9:00 and returns to Makarska around 18:00. It ends at the same meeting point on the promenade.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at the Maris Travel point of sale on the promenade, in front of Hops restaurant bar.

Which islands and locations are included?

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

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Food can be purchased in the island towns or at the restaurant in Vala Hrvaska. The restaurant serves food prepared over a natural wood fire.

What is included with the boat tour?

The tour includes a speedboat for up to eight people, drinking water, lifejackets, snorkeling equipment, passenger insurance, and public liability insurance.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

It is not suitable for pregnant women or babies under one year. The tour is offered in English, Croatian, and German.