From Makarska: Hidden Gems of Hvar Island’s North Shore

Hvar’s north shore is the kind of coastline you only appreciate when you see it from the water. This speedboat day out of Makarska gives you quick access to small bays, high cliffs, and clear snorkeling water, without spending your whole day on winding roads.

What I like most is the time efficiency. You go from stop to stop on a fast boat, then get real time to swim, snorkel, and even jump off cliffs.

The only real consideration is comfort and timing. The ride can be a bit choppy between bays, and this trip is not a good fit if you’re prone to seasickness or have mobility or back issues.

What Makes This Hvar North Shore Speedboat Day Work

• Small-group size keeps it more personal, with a cap around 10 participants depending on the boat model.
• Snorkeling gear included (masks and snorkels) so you can get in the water without a last-minute shopping run.
• Stops only reachable by boat means you’re spending time where cars can’t take you.
• Big “see and do” mix: quiet coves, a town break in Jelsa, and an unpopulated islet day.
• Friendly captains are a strong point, and I’d plan your day around that calm, confident vibe.
• Photo moments happen when the skipper brings a drone, and sometimes you might even spot dolphins.

Entering the Water View: Why This Route Starts in Makarska

Makarska is a smart launch point if your goal is Hvar, but you do not want the hassle of lots of transfers. This tour starts on the Makarska waterfront at Promare Charter, then you cruise toward the north side of Hvar.

You get a 35-minute panoramic boat ride right away, which is not wasted time. The coastline views build quickly, and by the time you reach Hvar you already feel like you’re on the “real” trip, not just commuting.

Another plus is the pace. You are not stuck waiting around. The schedule moves in a way that fits a half-day mindset: see a great stretch of coast, use the included gear, then enjoy short breaks for food or walking.

One note I’d take seriously: the trip is listed as not suitable for people prone to seasickness, and it is also not ideal for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or anyone with back problems. If that’s you, you may want a slower, more sheltered option.

Getting Set at Promare and Choosing Your Seat

Meet at the Promare Boat Charter information desk on the Makarska waterfront, just a minute’s walk from the Ferris wheel. The staff are used to helping people find them, and if you have any trouble, you can call.

This is a small-group speedboat day, and that matters more than you might think. With fewer people onboard, the skipper can manage stops smoothly and keep the timing tight. The tour also includes a professional skipper, bottled water, warm jackets, safety equipment, and insurance, which takes pressure off you.

Now for the practical tip: this can be a wet ride depending on where you sit. If you prefer to stay drier and have shade, you’ll likely be happiest choosing a seat toward the back. If you sit up front, expect spray, especially on the way between stops. It’s not dangerous, just something you can plan around with your expectations.

Before you board, think about your “on and off the boat” workflow:

• pack sunscreen and a towel within reach
• wear swimwear under your clothes so you lose less time at each stop
• bring a change of clothes, because after cliff jumps or snorkeling, you will want to get warm fast

Stop 1: Veliki Pokrivenik Bay, Cliffs, Pebbles, and a Snorkel Pause

Your first Hvar stop is Veliki Pokrivenik. It’s one of the less-visited bays on the island’s north side, and that translates to a calmer, more natural feel than the more famous shorelines.

This is the kind of place where the scenery does half the work for you. The bay sits under impressive cliffs, with pebble beaches and at least one hidden-cave feature that you can explore while snorkeling. Snorkeling is the obvious activity here because the water clarity helps you see what’s happening below the surface.

If you don’t feel like snorkeling, you still get something valuable: you can soak up the sun and enjoy the rocky coastal backdrop. In other words, you’re not forced into one activity to make the stop “worth it.”

Expect about 35 minutes in Veliki Pokrivenik for swimming and snorkeling. That’s long enough to get your bearings, put your mask on, take a few good looks, and then still have time to relax on shore or nearby rocks.

What I’d bring into this stop: water shoes if you own them. The bay is described with pebble beaches, and pebbles can be slick. Not required by the tour, just a smart comfort upgrade.

Stop 2: Mala Stiniva Bay, Vertical Cliffs, and Cliff-Jump Energy

Next up is Mala Stiniva, a stone bay where cliffs drop straight down to the sea. It’s the kind of spot that makes your brain do a quick recalculation, because you can feel how high the cliffs are once you’re close to the water.

This is the stop that leans into the adrenaline side of the day. The sea is crystal-clear, and the cliffs are a major cliff-jumping spot. If jumping off cliffs is your thing, this is likely the highlight of the tour.

If jumping is not your thing, you can still enjoy the water and snorkeling. The bay’s shape funnels you into a sheltered feel once you’re in, and snorkeling gear included means you can hop in quickly without digging up your own equipment.

You get another 35 minutes here. That short window is a good match for the activity. If you take your time, you can still do a loop of swimming, a snorkel pass, and a quick rest in the sun.

The bigger consideration is comfort with heights and water entry. The tour is marked as not suitable for certain travelers, including people with back problems and those prone to seasickness. Also, if rough water makes you nervous, you might feel the ride more strongly heading to this stop. A calm day helps everyone enjoy this one.

The Jelsa Break: Coffee, Walking, and Old-Town Structure

After snorkeling and swimming, the tour slows down in Jelsa. This is your town time, with about 70 minutes for free time.

Jelsa is an ancient town on Hvar, and you’ll see historical monuments as you walk. Even if you do not plan an intense sightseeing circuit, the town break gives you something important: a chance to stand on solid ground, grab a coffee, and reset before the final islet stop.

This stop is a practical balance inside the day. Without it, the tour might feel like a sequence of short water sessions and boat rides. With Jelsa, you get a change of texture, and your body tends to enjoy that after being in and out of the sea.

I’d use this time in a simple way:

• get a coffee or something warm if you feel chilled
• take a short walk for photos and a sense of the old layout
• keep your pace realistic. You will still have one more water stop after this

Stop 3: Zečevo Islet, Untouched Nature, Clear Water, and a Beach Bar Option

Opposite Jelsa, you cruise to Zečevo islet, described as unpopulated and protected as a significant natural area. That “unpopulated” detail matters because it usually means less development and a more relaxed mood when you arrive.

Zečevo is all about the water. The seas are described as crystal-clear and turquoise, and it’s a strong snorkeling pick. Since snorkeling gear is included, this is where you can make the most of it, especially if you want one more good mask-on look after Veliki Pokrivenik and Mala Stiniva.

You get 40 minutes here for swimming and snorkeling, which is enough to enjoy the water without feeling rushed.

There is also a beach bar option if you want to wind down. That’s a nice touch if you feel like you’ve earned a drink or a small pause rather than squeezing every minute into “swim mode.”

If you’re the kind of person who loves quiet places, Zečevo is likely where you’ll feel the most relaxed. If you love action, it still delivers because the water is the main event.

Timing, Pace, and the Reality of a Speedboat Day

This tour runs about 5 hours total, and the pacing is intentional. You spend roughly:

• 35 minutes on the initial boat ride
• three water-focused stops, each around 35 to 40 minutes
• a town stop of about 70 minutes
• then you return to the start point

That structure is where the value lives. You’re not trying to “tour” Hvar like it’s a single big sightseeing checklist. You’re using the boat to reach the best shoreline pieces quickly, and then using short windows to keep the day from turning into an endurance test.

Now, the speedboat part means you should expect motion. One review note you should take seriously is that the ride back can feel rough between stops, and people who sit in the front may get more wet. If you’re sensitive to that kind of movement, keep your seat choice in mind and consider whether you should choose a different style of tour entirely.

It also helps to wear clothing that dries fast. Even if you don’t plan to jump, spray happens.

Price and Value: Why $91 Can Actually Make Sense Here

At $91 per person for a 5-hour speedboat tour, the price can feel high if you’re comparing it to a bus ride plus an ordinary ferry. But this is not an ordinary transport day.

You’re paying for:

• a professional skipper and a boat that can reach coves only accessible by sea
• snorkeling masks and snorkels provided
• warm jackets (handy on a breezy coast, even in warmer months)
• bottled water, safety equipment, and insurance

You’re also getting multiple different environments in one outing. Veliki Pokrivenik gives you cliff and cave vibes. Mala Stiniva adds dramatic cliffs and cliff-jump energy. Jelsa adds town time. Zečevo finishes with unpopulated islet snorkeling and the option of a beach bar.

What is not included is important for your budgeting. Food is not included, and there is no restroom on board. That means you should plan your day like this:

• eat before you meet, or budget for food in Jelsa
• bring what you need for hydration beyond bottled water if you’re a big water drinker
• know you won’t have a bathroom option during the boat portions, so time your needs around stops

If you handle those basics, the price feels more like paying for access and convenience than paying for a generic sightseeing loop.

What’s Included, What You Must Bring, and What to Skip

Included items are straightforward and genuinely useful for a water day:

• masks and snorkels
• bottled water
• warm jackets
• safety equipment
• insurance
• English and Croatian support, with a professional skipper

For what to bring, stick to the essentials listed for you:

• swimwear
• change of clothes
• sunscreen
• towel

Then, add two common-sense items that aren’t listed but fit this style of tour: water shoes for pebbly entries, and a small waterproof phone pouch if you’re worried about keeping your phone safe around spray.

What to skip:

• pets are not allowed
• smoking in the vehicle is not allowed

If you’re planning around comfort, the tour also has clear “not suitable” categories: seasickness prone travelers, people over 70, wheelchair users, pregnant women, and people with back problems. If any of those apply, I’d take it seriously and choose a different format.

Safety, Weather, and How Flexible the Day Can Be

Water days depend on conditions. If weather gets rough, you may be offered a full refund or a rescheduled trip. That flexibility is worth caring about because a day on Hvar is the kind of plan that can be ruined by wind and waves.

The good news is that this tour is structured with multiple short swimming windows and a professional skipper. When conditions are safe enough to run, you’ll get plenty of time in the water. When they are not, the operator avoids pushing it.

Also, consider that you might be asked to jump or swim depending on the group energy. If you are comfortable in the water, you’ll probably love how active the day feels. If not, you can still enjoy sun and scenery, but you’ll have to communicate your comfort level to your skipper.

Should You Book This Speedboat Tour of Hvar’s North Shore?

Book it if you want maximum coastline in a short day, and you really like swimming, snorkeling, or jumping from cliffs. This is the kind of trip that feels efficient because it uses the boat as the main tool, not as a boring transfer.

I’d especially recommend it if:

• you’re staying in or near Makarska and want a real taste of Hvar without a long complicated plan
• you have your own snorkeling skills or you’re excited to try with included gear
• you want a town break in Jelsa but still want the day to be mostly outdoors

Skip it (or choose carefully) if:

• you’re prone to seasickness or you hate rough boat rides
• you need easier accessibility options
• you rely on on-board restrooms and find waiting difficult

If you match the vibe, this is a strong half-day style outing. You’ll leave with that clear-water feeling, a few strong bay photos, and the kind of Hvar contrast that you just don’t get when you only see the island from the highway.

FAQ

How long is the speedboat tour from Makarska?

The total duration is listed as 5 hours.

Where do we meet for the tour?

You meet at the Promare Boat Charter information desk on the Makarska waterfront, about a minute’s walk from the Ferris wheel.

What snorkeling gear is included?

The tour includes masks and snorkels.

Is food or a restroom available during the tour?

Food is not included, and a restroom is not available on board.

How big is the group?

The group is limited to 10 participants, or 12 depending on the boat model.

What should I bring and what’s not allowed?

Bring swimwear, a change of clothes, sunscreen, and a towel. Pets are not allowed, and smoking in the vehicle is not allowed.