Makarska: Speedboat Sunset Tour to hidden bay on island Brač

Sunset looks better from the water. This 90-minute speedboat trip takes you from Makarska to Puntica Bay on Brač, with time to swim, snorkel, and enjoy the coast from a fresh angle. I like the quick 20-minute crossing and the generous 40-minute stop in the bay. I also like that the group stays small, with up to 12 people.

The main consideration is that the boat anchors offshore rather than pulling up to a dock. You need to enter the sea from the boat or swim to the beach, so this is not a good fit if you need step-free access or are not comfortable in open water.

Key points to know before booking

• Puntica Bay gives you 40 minutes in the water, enough time for swimming, snorkeling, and a look at the beach swings.
• Makarska looks different from the sea, especially when the sunset colors spread across the coast behind you.
• The crossing takes only 20 minutes each way, leaving most of the outing for the bay and sunset views.
• Skipper Tina has earned special praise, including for timing the sunset well and taking photos of children jumping into the sea.
• Snorkeling equipment, fuel, the boat, and the skipper are included in the $44 price.
• Departure time changes with the sunset, so confirm the exact start time before setting out.

Why this short boat trip works so well

Makarska is famous for its coastline, but the best view is not always from the promenade. Once the speedboat clears the port, the town opens up behind you, backed by the tall Biokovo range and framed by the Adriatic. You get a quick lesson in the shape of the coast without spending half a day at sea.

That short duration is a real strength. You leave Makarska, reach Brač in about 20 minutes, spend 40 minutes at Puntica Bay, then return toward town for the sunset. It feels like a proper outing, yet it does not consume an entire evening.

At $44 per person, the price is reasonable for a small-group boat trip. Fuel and the skipper are included, as are taxes and a snorkeling set. You will need to bring your own food and drinks, but for a 90-minute tour, most people will not need much more than water.

The group size matters. With a maximum of 12 people, you get a more personal boat ride than you would on a large excursion vessel. That also makes it easier to ask the skipper about the coast, find a place to sit, or get help when entering the water.

Leaving Makarska port and crossing to Brač

The tour begins at Palladium Rent a Boat Makarska, though the precise meeting point can vary with the option you book. Check the pickup details carefully, then arrive ready to board in swimwear or with it easy to reach.

The first 20 minutes are spent heading toward Brač. This is not just transport between two stops. From the boat, you see Makarska Riviera from the seaward side, with the town gradually shrinking behind you as the speedboat moves across the channel.

A speedboat gives you more movement and open-air views than a standard sightseeing boat. You can feel the pace of the crossing, but the ride is brief enough that it should not dominate the experience. If you are sensitive to motion, sit where you feel most comfortable and keep your attention on the horizon.

The tour has English and Croatian live guiding. The skipper is also the person managing the route, timing, and swimming stop, so the quality of the outing depends partly on the conditions and the person at the helm.

Skipper Tina receives especially warm praise for timing the trip well and relating easily to the people on board. She also took photos of children jumping into the sea and sent 23 pictures soon after the outing. That is a useful bonus for families, though you should still treat photography as an extra rather than a guaranteed service.

Puntica Bay: 40 minutes for swimming and snorkeling

Puntica Bay is the central stop. The boat anchors in the bay, but there is no docking station. You can jump or climb into the water from the boat, then swim toward the beach, or stay close to the boat and enjoy the sea there.

This setup gives the stop a natural feel. You are not stepping off onto a busy pier and following a fixed path. Instead, the water is the main attraction, and you choose how active you want to be.

You get 40 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. That is a generous portion of a 90-minute tour. The included snorkeling set means you do not need to pack your own mask and snorkel, though bringing a towel and swimwear is essential.

The beach swings are one of the more unusual details. From the island, you can look back toward Makarska while the swings move near the shore. It is the sort of simple photo opportunity that gives the stop some character without turning it into a formal attraction.

Music may play from the boat while you swim. Some people will enjoy that relaxed, social mood. If you are hoping for a completely quiet cove, keep in mind that this is a hosted speedboat outing, not a silent private charter.

You can spend the stop in several ways:

• Swim from the boat and stay in deeper water.
• Swim to the beach and look around the bay.
• Use the snorkeling set near the shore.
• Sit on the boat and enjoy the setting if you do not want to enter the sea.

The boat does not dock, so this stop requires confidence in getting into and out of the water. That is the most important practical point in the whole experience. It also means the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.

The return ride and sunset over Makarska

After Puntica Bay, the speedboat heads back toward Makarska. The return takes about 20 minutes, followed by roughly 10 minutes at a viewpoint or scenic position for the sunset.

This timing gives you two different views. At the start, you watch Makarska recede as you head toward Brač. On the way back, you face the town and Riviera as the sky changes color behind them.

Sunset conditions vary, of course. Clear weather may produce gold, orange, and pink tones, while clouds can soften or partly hide the display. The exact departure time changes through the summer because sunset shifts by about two minutes each day, so confirm the start time directly before you go.

The final view is one of the strongest reasons to choose the evening departure. You are not simply watching the sun drop from a crowded waterfront. You are on the water, looking back toward Makarska from a different angle, with the coastline spread across the horizon.

One family outing even included the bonus sighting of dolphins. That cannot be promised, and it should not be the reason you book. Still, the open-water route gives you a chance to notice marine life that you might miss from shore.

What the $44 price includes

At $44, this is priced as an accessible short boat excursion rather than a full-day island cruise. The value comes from combining transport, a scenic ride, water time, and a sunset view in one compact package.

Included are:

• Speedboat transportation
• Skipper
• Fuel
• Snorkeling set
• Taxes and fees

Food and drinks are not included. You are allowed to bring your own, which is practical. For a short trip, pack a bottle of water and anything small you would like after swimming.

The snorkeling set is particularly useful because it keeps the packing list simple. You only need swimwear and a towel. A light cover-up may also be useful for the ride back, but that is not specified as a requirement.

There is no separate charge listed for entering the bay or using the beach. The main cost is the boat service and the skipper, with the fuel already covered. Compared with arranging a private boat on your own, $44 offers a fairly easy way to get on the water without paying for an entire vessel.

Private and small-group options are available. A private booking may make sense for a family or group that wants more control over the mood and pace. A small shared group should suit most people who want to keep the price down while avoiding a large crowd.

Who will enjoy this Makarska excursion

I would recommend this tour to anyone who wants a taste of the Adriatic without committing to a long day. It works especially well for couples, families, and small groups of friends who want a swim stop followed by a sunset.

Teenagers should have plenty to enjoy. The speedboat ride, open-water swimming, snorkeling, music, and chance to jump into the sea give the outing more energy than a standard coastal sightseeing cruise. One group with three teenage boys had a particularly good time.

Families should think about swimming ability and supervision. The boat anchors offshore, and children must enter the water from the boat or swim to the beach. The skipper may help with photos and general guidance, but adults remain responsible for watching their children.

This is also a good choice if your schedule is tight. The tour lasts 1.5 hours and returns to the same meeting point, so you can fit it around dinner or another evening plan. Just remember that the precise starting time changes with the season and sunset.

I would not choose it if you want a long visit on Brač, a proper beach stop with easy shore access, or a quiet, no-music boat ride. It is a short, active outing built around the water and the view.

Practical tips for a smoother outing

Bring swimwear and a towel. You will get the most from the bay if you are ready to enter the water as soon as the boat anchors.

Bring drinks and perhaps a small snack, since refreshments are not included. Avoid packing anything bulky, as space on a speedboat is naturally limited.

Ask about the departure time before the day of the tour. Summer sunset shifts by about two minutes each day, and the operator specifically asks you to verify the precise start time.

If you want photos, keep your phone protected from spray and hand it to the skipper at a sensible moment. Tina has taken beautiful photos of children jumping into the sea and sent them promptly, but you should not assume every trip will include the same number of images.

Smoking is not allowed. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the lack of a dock at Puntica Bay means you need to manage a water entry.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your weather plans are still shifting, though you should still check the booking conditions attached to your selected option.

Should you book the Puntica Bay sunset tour?

Book it if you want a compact, good-value evening on the Adriatic, with a fast ride, a real swimming stop, and a sunset view back toward Makarska. The 40 minutes at Puntica Bay is the key advantage, and the small group keeps the outing personal.

Skip it if you cannot comfortably enter the water from a boat, need accessible shore facilities, or prefer a longer island visit. For everyone else, the combination of Brač, snorkeling, beach swings, and sunset makes this one of the easier ways to add a memorable water experience to a Makarska stay.

FAQ

How long does the Makarska sunset speedboat tour last?

The tour lasts 1.5 hours, or 90 minutes. The route includes about 20 minutes to Brač, 40 minutes at Puntica Bay, 20 minutes back toward Makarska, and about 10 minutes for sunset views.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $44 per person.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the speedboat, skipper, fuel, snorkeling set, taxes, and fees.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but you may bring your own.

Can I swim from the boat?

Yes. The boat anchors in Puntica Bay, allowing you to enter the water from the boat and swim to the beach. There is no docking station in the bay.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. You may also bring your own food and drinks.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. Live guiding is available in English and Croatian.