REVIEW · MAKARSKA
Speedboat to Hvar, Brač,Zečevo + Watersports – MPL Nautika
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Three islands in one speedboat day. It’s the kind of Adriatic trip where swim stops and island towns are planned back-to-back, so you spend less time commuting and more time out on the water. I like how the day ties scenery to actual activities, from golden beaches to an uninhabited island shoreline.
What I’d call the two best parts are the Zlatni Rat on Brač stop with snorkeling gear, and the Zečevo portion where you get to paddle around by kayak and use snorkeling equipment again. The crew also keeps things moving at a relaxed pace, with enough guidance to understand what you’re seeing and where to go next.
One thing to consider: the Hvar portion is shorter and focused on the town of Jelsa, so if you’re only chasing beaches on Hvar, you may wish there was more beach time there. Also, there’s no food included, so plan for snacks and drinks you bring yourself.
In This Review
- Key highlights to look for
- Why this speedboat day works: Brač, Zečevo, and Hvar without the slog
- Getting to MPL Nautika and what the first minutes feel like
- Bol on Brač: stone lanes, photo time, and the slow-walk payoff
- Zlatni Rat (Golden Horn): why this beach stop is the centerpiece
- Zečevo island: kayak calm, snorkeling again, and the free adrenaline portion
- Jelsa on Hvar: a short harbor walk with real island atmosphere
- Crew, comfort, and safety: what you can count on on a speedboat day
- Price and value: does $81 make sense for a 6-hour sea day?
- Who should book this tour (and who might want another option)
- Should you book MPL Nautika’s speedboat to Hvar, Brač, and Zečevo?
- FAQ
- How long is the speedboat tour?
- What’s included in the tour?
- Is food included?
- Do they pick you up from your hotel?
- What should I bring for the day?
- What languages is the live guide available in?
Key highlights to look for

- Bol (Brač) stone-street break with photo time and a short walk through the coastal town feel
- Zlatni Rat / Golden Horn with a full hour for swimming and snorkeling
- Zečevo kayak + snorkeling on an uninhabited island stop where the pace slows down
- Free water sports at Zečevo like tube rides (also described as donut rides) and other similar pulls
- Jelsa on Hvar for a final 30-minute sightseeing loop and waterfront coffee moments
Why this speedboat day works: Brač, Zečevo, and Hvar without the slog

This trip is built around one simple idea: if you’re going to the Adriatic, don’t spend your day stuck in transit. A speedboat covers distance quickly, so your 6 hours feel like a full sampler platter of island life—saltwater scenery, small-town breaks, and time to actually get in the water.
I also like the mix of “land moments” and “water moments.” You get quick time on stone streets in Bol, a famous beach that’s easy to swim off, and then a quieter island stop at Zečevo. Then you finish with Jelsa on Hvar, which gives you a classic harbor-town vibe before heading back.
Finally, the live guide matters here. The tour runs with an on-boat guide in multiple languages (English, German, Serbian, Bosnian, Croatian), and the crew style—friendly skippers like Pero, Marino/Marinko, and Natalia are mentioned in different guides—tends to mean you’re not just looking at places. You get context for what you’re seeing and what to do next.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Makarska.
Getting to MPL Nautika and what the first minutes feel like

Your meeting point is MPL Nautika, at the top of the cape, reached by road with signage along the way. There’s no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you’ll want to plan to get yourself there on time. If you’re staying on the island towns, give yourself extra buffer—getting to the harbor area is where timing can get tight.
Once you’re aboard, expect a short run (about 45 minutes) before your first substantial stop. That’s enough time to settle in, get oriented, and start spotting the shoreline views you’ll be chasing all day.
Bring the basics early in your bag: sunglasses, beachwear, and a towel. You’ll also want food and drinks because there’s no meal included. Even if you’re not a big snack person, you’ll feel better with water and something small on hand for the gaps between swims.
Bol on Brač: stone lanes, photo time, and the slow-walk payoff

Bol is the first real town break, with about 30 minutes of time on land. The tour describes Bol as the oldest coastal settlement on Brač, and that idea shows up in the feel: you get those picturesque stone streets and an old-school Mediterranean coastal vibe without having to commit to a longer land excursion.
This stop is short, so treat it like a guided taste. Walk the lanes at an unhurried pace, take photos, and then come back ready to swim. The value here isn’t spending hours in a museum-style visit—it’s getting a quick sense of how the island’s towns sit with the sea.
A potential drawback is also time-based: 30 minutes can fly by if you’re trying to do a long walk, search for perfect viewpoints, and chat with everyone. If you want the best chance at photos, pick one direction to walk, take your shots, and save the wandering for after your next swim breaks.
Zlatni Rat (Golden Horn): why this beach stop is the centerpiece

If you’re choosing one part of the day to plan around, make it Zlatni Rat, also called the Golden Horn. The tour includes a dedicated stop there (about an hour) with time for swimming and snorkeling using the gear provided.
This beach is famous for a very practical reason: its shape shifts with sea currents, so the “where is the waterline today” feel can change as you arrive and as the day moves on. That’s part of why it looks great from the boat and why it’s fun to explore from the water.
What you should expect on this stop:
- A full hour to get in the water, rather than a quick dip
- Snorkeling equipment included
- Time to relax and sunbathe without rushing immediately back to the speedboat
If you’re not a strong swimmer, don’t panic. You’ll have crew help during the water activities, and at least one participant specifically noted that the guides supported them even when they didn’t swim confidently. Just be honest with the crew about comfort levels and stay where you can manage your breathing and footing.
Zečevo island: kayak calm, snorkeling again, and the free adrenaline portion

Zečevo is the uninhabited island stop, and that matters. It’s the part of the day that gives you a contrast to the town breaks: less sound, more open water, and more feeling that you’re exploring rather than sightseeing.
You get about one hour here, with swimming and snorkeling again plus a kayak option. Kayaking works best when you keep it simple: head out, stay close enough to feel confident, and use the shoreline shape as your guide. The best “win” at Zečevo is not doing something extreme—it’s getting the time to look around from the waterline.
Then comes the fun stretch for adrenaline lovers: water sports such as tube rides, banana boat rides, or sofa rides are described as available for free. Even if you’re a bit unsure, the crew-led format makes it feel more like a fun team activity than a high-pressure thing.
One more upside, based on trip outcomes people describe: if you’re lucky, dolphins can show up on the route. It’s not guaranteed, but it’s worth having your eyes up while you’re between stops and while you’re waiting to board again.
Jelsa on Hvar: a short harbor walk with real island atmosphere

After Zečevo, you’ll head to Jelsa on Hvar for a 30-minute visit and sightseeing. Jelsa is treated as a charming fishing-village type of place: narrow stone streets, traditional houses, and a relaxed waterfront atmosphere.
This is a “last act” stop. It’s not long enough to do a big hike or a long beach chase, and that’s okay. Use it for what it’s best at: a quick walk, a few photos, and a moment to reset after swimming and water sports.
I like how the day ends here because it gives you a softer landing. You’re not bouncing from activity to activity; you’re just enjoying the Mediterranean harbor feel before the final speedboat return.
Crew, comfort, and safety: what you can count on on a speedboat day

This kind of trip succeeds or fails based on how the crew manages water time. The recurring theme in the trip experience is that the skipper and guide are friendly and helpful, with clear guidance at each stop. Different guide names come up—Pero, Marino/Marinko, Natalia—but the common thread is that the explanations feel practical rather than just facts for facts’ sake.
On the water, comfort and safety are part of the deal. You’ll be moving from stop to stop, then switching into swimming and snorkeling, so it helps that the tour emphasizes comfort and safety throughout. Also, since there are water activities and you’re in and out of the boat, a dry layer or at least a way to protect your phone matters. One tip that stood out: if it’s windy, use waterproof bags and consider a light jacket because of water splash.
And if you’re worried about being the only non-expert, you don’t have to be a pro. The tone is help-first. You can participate at the level that works for you, whether that’s snorkeling, kayaking, or joining the ride-type water sports with crew guidance.
Price and value: does $81 make sense for a 6-hour sea day?

At about $81 per person for a 6-hour experience, you’re paying for three things at once:
- Speedboat transport that strings multiple islands together
- Included gear and activities (snorkeling equipment, kayak access, and tube ride-type fun)
- A guide who adds meaning to the stops
A key value point is that your major costs on this type of day can creep fast—especially if you had to separately arrange snorkeling gear, boat access to multiple islands, and water-activity rentals. Here, you get snorkeling gear included, and you’re also offered kayaking and water sports without extra add-on costs listed for those activities.
The trade-off is that some usual travel extras aren’t included. There’s no hotel pickup, so you’re doing your own getting to MPL Nautika. And there’s no food provided, so you’ll want to bring snacks, water, and anything you need to stay fueled between swims. If you plan for that, the day feels like strong value because you’re not constantly spending money to keep the fun going.
In plain terms: this is a good deal if you want an active, water-focused island day and you’re okay bringing your own food and making it to the meeting point on your own.
Who should book this tour (and who might want another option)

You’ll be a great fit if you want:
- A balanced day of towns and sea time
- Snorkeling and swimming with provided gear
- A chance to try kayak and also join in on free water rides
- A guided experience with explanations in multiple languages
You might think twice if:
- You only care about beaches on Hvar. The Jelsa time is short and town-focused, while the most substantial water attention is centered on Brač (Zlatni Rat) and Zečevo.
- You’re expecting long land exploring. The town breaks are brief by design, so this is more “see, swim, repeat” than “wander for hours.”
This tour also suits mixed groups. Even if not everyone is equally confident in the water, the crew’s supportive approach helps people participate. And the pace is relaxed enough that you’re not sprinting from one stop to the next.
Should you book MPL Nautika’s speedboat to Hvar, Brač, and Zečevo?
Yes—if your dream Adriatic day looks like classic island scenery plus real water time, this is an easy pick. The strongest reasons to book are the Zlatni Rat snorkeling hour, the Zečevo combination of kayak and swimming, and the way the day ends with Jelsa for that final harbor-town vibe.
If your priority is a deep, long Hvar beach day or you want food handled for you, you may feel the gaps. Bring snacks, plan to reach MPL Nautika yourself, and be realistic about stop duration. Do that, and you’ll likely love how much variety you get for the money.
FAQ
How long is the speedboat tour?
The total duration is about 6 hours.
What’s included in the tour?
You’ll get the speedboat ride along the coast, a live tour guide, stops at Bol (Brač), Zlatni Rat/Golden Horn, Zečevo, and Jelsa (Hvar), plus snorkeling gear. Kayak access is included, and tube rides are included as part of the water sports.
Is food included?
No. Food is not included, so you’ll want to bring your own snacks and drinks.
Do they pick you up from your hotel?
No hotel pickup or drop-off is included. You’ll need to get yourself to MPL Nautika for the meeting point.
What should I bring for the day?
Bring sunglasses, a towel, beachwear, and food and drinks.
What languages is the live guide available in?
The live tour guide is available in English, German, Serbian, Bosnian, and Croatian.
















