Makarska Riviera by Boat: Day Trips Worth Taking

The Makarska Riviera is one of the most dramatically beautiful stretches of coastline in the Adriatic. Backed by the grey limestone walls of the Biokovo mountain range and facing west across glittering open sea, it's a place that rewards those who look beyond the beach.

What makes Makarska exceptional as a base for boat trips is its geography. Hvar, Brač, Korčula, and Vis are all within easy reach by speedboat — some in under 20 minutes. Here are the day trips our guests return from raving about.

Hvar: The Obvious Choice (for Good Reason)

From Makarska harbour, Hvar Town is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes by speedboat. The crossing takes you past the southwestern tip of Brač and into the Hvar Channel, with views of the Pakleni Islands on approach. It's one of the most scenic arrivals in Croatia.

A Hvar day trip works best when you combine the Pakleni Islands for morning swimming, a lunch stop in Palmižana or Milna, and an afternoon in Hvar Town itself. Leave by late afternoon to be back in Makarska for dinner.

Brač: Zlatni Rat and the Interior

Brač is the closest major island to Makarska — just 20 minutes across the channel. The famous Zlatni Rat beach at Bol is the most visited spot: a distinctive finger of white pebble that extends into the sea and shifts shape with currents and wind. Swim here, then continue around the eastern tip of the island to discover quieter bays.

The town of Bol itself is worth an hour or two ashore — stone streets, a 15th-century Dominican monastery, and excellent ice cream at the harbour front. For those who prefer solitude, the coves between Bol and Murvica are largely empty even in August.

Vis and the Blue Cave: The Full-Day Adventure

The most ambitious day trip from Makarska — and the one guests talk about for years afterwards. The route typically includes the Blue Cave on Biševo, the Green Cave on Ravnik, Stiniva Cove, and a lunch stop in Komiža. It's a long day of around 10 hours on the water, but the variety and intensity of what you see makes every hour worthwhile.

Depart by 8am to arrive at the Blue Cave during peak light hours (10:00am–noon), when the famous electric-blue glow is at its most spectacular. Your skipper will time the arrival precisely.

Korčula: History and Wine

Korčula is a longer run from Makarska — around 1 hour and 45 minutes by speedboat — but one of the most rewarding destinations on the coast. The old town, built on a small peninsula, looks almost exactly as it did when the Venetians built its walls in the 14th century. Legend has it that Marco Polo was born here, and the town takes quiet pride in the claim.

Beyond the old town, Korčula is wine country. The island produces Pošip and Grk, two indigenous white wines that pair perfectly with fresh octopus salad. Ask your skipper to recommend a waterfront konoba.

Imotski Lakes: A Different Kind of Day Trip

Not every day trip from Makarska needs to be on the open sea. Just a short drive inland from the Riviera, the Imotski Lakes are one of Dalmatia's most striking natural wonders — the vivid Blue Lake and the dramatic Red Lake sit inside collapsed karst craters, surrounded by sheer cliffs and medieval fortifications. It's a landscape that feels like a different world from the heat of the coast, and a perfect complement to a morning on the water.

Makarska's Own Coastline

Sometimes the best day trip starts and ends closer to home. The stretch of coast immediately north and south of Makarska harbour hides dozens of small coves accessible only by boat — most have no name and no visitors. Ask for the bays below the Biokovo cliffs, where the mountain plunges directly into the sea and the water is deep and impossibly clear.

Anchor, swim, and listen. The silence here, interrupted only by cicadas and waves, is worth the trip on its own.