Makarska: 4 Island Luxory Speedboat Tour with Town Hvar

The clever part of this nine-hour speedboat trip is its mix of postcard scenery and proper free time. You get quick photo and swimming stops, then more than three hours to make Hvar Town your own. I especially like the small group of up to 12 and the boat’s shade, toilet, chilled water, and onboard snorkeling gear.

I also like that the day includes both famous spots and quieter water stops, rather than keeping you in town all day. The main drawback is the pace: roughly two and a half hours of the outing is spent at sea, and the ride can be tiring if the water is rough. Lunch is not included, so plan to buy it in Hvar or bring your own food.

Key points to know before booking

• Nugal Beach begins with a ten-minute boat photo stop, not a beach visit.
• Golden Horn on Brač gives you 40 minutes for swimming and snorkeling near Croatia’s famous changing beach.
• Hvar Town gets more than three hours, enough time for lunch, old-town wandering, shopping, or the walk to Fortica.
• Two Pakleni island stops add 80 minutes in the water, including a 45-minute stop at Otok Marinkovac.
• The Colnago 38 OPEN carries no more than 12 people, with shade over every seat and a toilet onboard.
• The tour runs Tuesdays and Thursdays, leaving Makarska at 8:30 a.m. and returning around 5:30 p.m.

Why this Makarska day trip works

Many boat trips from Makarska force you to choose between Hvar and the beaches near Brač. This one tries to give you both, with the Pakleni islands added for good measure. The result is a long but well-packed day, suited to you if you want to see a lot of Dalmatia from the water and do not want to arrange several separate excursions.

The boat is a Colnago 38 OPEN, with two local English-speaking crew members. The group limit is 12 people, which matters on a small speedboat. You are not being herded onto a large sightseeing vessel, and the crew can keep an eye on the group during swimming stops.

I would choose this trip for scenery, swimming, and variety. I would not choose it if you want a slow cruise with long beach time. The schedule is built around several short stops and one substantial town visit.

The price is $176 per person. That is not cheap, but the cost includes the speedboat, fuel, two crew members, bottled water, snorkeling equipment, insurance, taxes, fees, shade, and the onboard toilet. Once you add fuel and boat rental costs to a self-organized island day, the price becomes easier to justify. You still need to pay for lunch and snacks, and you should bring your own refreshments if you prefer not to buy food in Hvar.

Leaving Makarska at 8:30 a.m.

The meeting point is the Palladium Rent a Boat stand on Makarska’s main promenade. Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in and the safety briefing. That small margin is worth respecting because the boat leaves on schedule, and a missed departure is a poor way to begin a sea day.

The opening ride is short, about five minutes, before the first coastal stop. From here onward, the shape of the day is clear: quick scenic stops, longer open-water runs, one generous block in Hvar Town, and a final return across the Adriatic.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen. The boat has a Bimini cover that shades all seats, but shade does not replace sunscreen when you are surrounded by bright water. Glass objects and smoking are not allowed, and pets cannot join the trip.

Nugal Beach is a photo stop, not a beach stop

Nugal Beach is the first scenic surprise. It is known for steep cliffs, clear water, and a tucked-away setting along the coast near Makarska. The boat stops for about ten minutes, giving you a chance to photograph the bay from the water.

Keep your expectations clear here. You do not go ashore, so this is not the place to spread out a towel or swim for half an hour. The short stop works best as a visual introduction to the day. Have your camera ready before the boat reaches the bay, since ten minutes passes quickly.

I like this opening because it gives you a strong view without using up the morning. If you are hoping to swim at Nugal Beach itself, this tour will not meet that particular wish.

Golden Horn, Brač, gives you 40 minutes in the water

After about 45 minutes on the speedboat, you reach Golden Horn, or Zlatni Rat, on Brač. This narrow beach points into the sea and changes its shape with wind and currents. It is one of Croatia’s most recognizable coastal views, and the approach by boat lets you appreciate its unusual form from the water.

The stop lasts 40 minutes. You can swim, use the provided snorkeling equipment, or take photographs from the boat. That is enough time for a refreshing dip, though not enough for a relaxed beach afternoon.

Golden Horn is famous, so it can feel less secluded than the later Pakleni stops. That is part of the trade-off. You get the iconic sight, but the value here is the combination of a quick swim and a memorable view rather than peace and quiet.

For me, this is a good example of why the boat format makes sense. You can see Zlatni Rat without spending much of the day getting to and from the beach. The boat keeps the stop efficient, then moves on toward quieter water.

The first Pakleni stop changes the mood

After another 45-minute ride, the boat reaches an unnamed swimming and snorkeling spot in the Pakleni island area. You have 35 minutes here. The setting is less about checking off a famous landmark and more about being in clear water with rocky shores and open views.

This is one of the more useful parts of the schedule. Golden Horn gives you the famous image, while the Pakleni stop gives you time to swim away from the main sightseeing rhythm. If you enjoy snorkeling, this is when the included gear becomes useful.

The stop is still fairly short. You may want to get into the water quickly rather than spending ten minutes deciding where to sit. The crew can help with the equipment, but the day works best when you are ready to follow the schedule.

Hvar Town gives you the day’s real breathing room

The boat then makes a short 20-minute run to Hvar City. You get more than three hours here, which is the strongest feature of the trip for anyone who wants time on land.

Hvar Town is easy to approach on foot from the waterfront. You can wander through the old streets, look at local crafts, sit down for lunch, or choose a shaded café for a drink. The generous time means you do not have to treat the town as a rushed photo stop.

If you want a view, walk up toward Fortica fortress above the town. The route takes effort, especially in summer heat, so judge your energy carefully. The reward is a wide view over Hvar and the Pakleni islands. If you would rather keep the afternoon easy, stay near the harbor and use the time for lunch and a walk.

Food is not included, but Hvar is the obvious place to buy it. You can also bring snacks from Makarska. I would carry something small even if you plan to eat in town, since the boat ride and swimming can make you hungry before your preferred restaurant time.

The three-hour pause is important because it prevents the trip from feeling like a nonstop boat transfer. You get a chance to use your legs, find a proper meal, and see Hvar at your own pace. Still, do not assume you can cover every corner of town. If Fortica is a priority, make it your first stop.

Otok Marinkovac finishes the swimming day

After Hvar Town, the boat runs for about 15 minutes to Otok Marinkovac, one of the Pakleni islands. The scheduled stop lasts 45 minutes, making it the longest swimming break of the day.

This is a good final water stop because you have already had time on land. You can cool off, snorkel, and enjoy a quieter stretch before the long ride back to Makarska. The two Pakleni stops together give you 80 minutes in the water, which adds real swimming time to a day that could otherwise be dominated by transport.

The return to Makarska takes about an hour and a half. That is the longest single ride of the itinerary. You may find it relaxing after Hvar and the swimming stops, but it is also the point at which the speedboat format can feel demanding. Sit under the shade, keep water nearby, and hold onto loose items when the boat picks up speed.

A dolphin was spotted during one September return, but that is an occasional bonus, not something to book the trip expecting. The sea views and changing light make the ride pleasant even without wildlife.

What the Colnago boat adds

The Colnago 38 OPEN is central to the experience. This is not simply transport between ports. You spend several hours moving along the coast and between islands, so the quality of the boat affects your comfort.

Useful details include:

• Shaded seating for everyone
• A toilet onboard
• Bottled water stored in a refrigerator
• Snorkeling equipment
• Safety equipment
• Two local English-speaking crew members
• Fuel included in the price

The small-group limit is a practical advantage. With no more than 12 people, boarding and swimming stops should feel easier than on a large boat. The crew can also keep the mood social without making the trip feel crowded.

A speedboat is still a speedboat. It gives you more range in one day, but it can be noisy and bumpy. People with heart problems, pregnant women, wheelchair users, and children under three should not book this activity. It is also not suitable for people who need step-free access or a gentle, slow ride.

How the timing affects your day

The advertised schedule runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The stops are carefully spaced, but this is a full day with little wasted time.

The rough rhythm is:

• Five-minute departure ride
• Ten minutes at Nugal Beach
• Forty-five minutes to Golden Horn
• Forty minutes swimming at Golden Horn
• Forty-five minutes to the first Pakleni stop
• Thirty-five minutes swimming and snorkeling
• Twenty minutes to Hvar
• More than three hours in Hvar Town
• Fifteen minutes to Otok Marinkovac
• Forty-five minutes swimming and snorkeling
• About 90 minutes back to Makarska

This timing favors you if you want a broad taste of the central Dalmatian coast. It is less suitable if you prefer to settle into one cove for half a day. The itinerary also depends on sea conditions. Bad weather can lead to rescheduling or a full refund, and the boat operator makes the final safety decision.

The tour runs only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Check that schedule carefully if your time in Makarska is short.

The strongest praise is for the crew and boat

The most consistent positive detail is the crew. The two English-speaking staff members operate the boat and guide the day, and the available feedback repeatedly highlights their friendliness, energy, and professionalism. One birthday outing in September was made more memorable by the skipper, crew, and the other people on board.

That matters on a long boat day. A good crew can explain the stops, help with snorkeling gear, keep boarding organized, and make a small group feel comfortable. The boat itself also receives strong praise for being attractive and exciting, while the swimming locations are repeatedly singled out as a major strength.

The trip has a top rating from five verified bookings, including strong comments about the staff, boat, swimming, and locations. That is encouraging, but five ratings are still a small sample. I would treat the pattern as a useful sign rather than proof that every departure will be identical.

Who should book this speedboat trip?

I would recommend it if you:

• Want to see Brač, Hvar, and the Pakleni islands in one day
• Enjoy swimming and snorkeling
• Prefer a small group to a large excursion boat
• Like fast transport and varied scenery
• Want at least three hours to explore Hvar Town
• Are comfortable with a long day on the water

I would think twice if you:

• Want a quiet beach day with long stays in one place
• Get seasick or dislike fast boat rides
• Need fully accessible transport
• Want lunch included
• Have only one free day and need a departure other than Tuesday or Thursday

The tour is also a good choice for couples, friends, and active families with older children. The minimum age is three, but the operator excludes children under three and anyone for whom the boat motion or boarding arrangements may be unsafe.

Should you book the Makarska to Hvar speedboat tour?

Book it if your ideal Dalmatian day includes clear water, famous coastal views, a proper visit to Hvar Town, and a small boat rather than a large group vessel. At $176, the value comes from the distance covered and the number of inclusions, not from long stays at each beach.

Skip it if you want to lounge, eat onboard, or spend most of the day ashore. For the right person, this is an efficient way to fit several major sights into one outing, with enough free time in Hvar to keep it from feeling like a simple transport loop.

FAQ

How long is the Makarska speedboat tour?

The tour lasts nine hours, from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Which days does the tour operate?

Departures are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is the Palladium Rent a Boat stand on Makarska’s main promenade.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The small group is limited to 12 participants.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and snacks are not included. You may bring your own refreshments or buy lunch during the free time in Hvar Town.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Bottled water and snorkeling equipment are provided onboard.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility issues?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, pregnant women, people with heart problems, or children under three.