Full-Day Tour in Blue Cave and 5 Islands – All included

The Blue Cave is the headliner: a sea cave on Biševo known for its bright, beryl-colored light. This private boat trip links it with five more island stops, from the narrow opening at Stiniva Cove to a two-hour visit in Hvar town. It is a big day on the water, with plenty of scenery and a little time to catch your breath.

I like two things in particular: the private group format, which means you share the outing only with your own party, and the varied stops, which mix caves, beaches, swimming opportunities, and a historic island town. Snacks, drinks, water, snorkel gear, and fees are included, too.

The main caution is the schedule. The tour lasts about 9 to 10 hours, and the listed stop times add up to more than nine hours before you account for getting between islands. One departure has also been reported as changing at short notice, so confirm the meeting time with the operator before you set your alarm.

The day at a glance

• Blue Cave is the central attraction: Admission is included, and the stop is listed as three hours.
• You visit two caves: Monk Seal Cave on Biševo is 160 meters long, with a listed visit of 45 minutes.
• Stiniva and Budikovac offer different kinds of coast: One is a protected cove, the other a sheltered beach framed by two small islands.
• Palmižana is your beach-and-food stop: Its clear water and restaurants make it a natural place to pause, but lunch costs extra.
• Hvar gets two hours: That gives you time to explore the old town, though not an open-ended afternoon.
• It is private, not shared: The price covers a group of up to 12, so the per-person cost depends on how many people join your party.

A full day built around the Blue Cave

Croatia’s coast has more than 1,200 islands, so a day trip that links several well-known stops can save you the trouble of choosing just one. This route covers Biševo, Vis, the Pakleni Islands area near Hvar, and Hvar town, with caves and swimming stops along the way.

The tour begins at West Bank, Obala kneza Branimira, in Split, with a listed start time of 7:00 am. It returns to the same meeting point. The full outing is estimated at 9 to 10 hours, so expect most of your day to be shaped by the boat schedule rather than a leisurely, do-as-you-please island visit.

The activity is private for your group, up to 12 people. That matters: you are not sharing the boat with an unrelated group, and a full party spreads the group price across more people. The published price is $1,790.04 per group. At 12 people, that works out to about $149 per person; at six, it is about $298 per person. It is a steep price for a couple, but more appealing for a larger group that wants a dedicated outing.

Blue Cave: the main event on Biševo

The Blue Cave is the trip’s defining stop. Its bright blue-green light gives the cave a distinct look, and admission is included in the tour price. The listed stop is three hours, the longest of the day, although the exact balance between cave access, waiting, and time on Biševo is not specified.

This is a natural feature, not a stage show, so conditions can affect what you see and how the visit runs. The supplied information does not explain the cave’s entry arrangements or whether swimming is allowed inside. If swimming in the cave is a priority, ask the operator before booking rather than assuming snorkel equipment means cave swimming is part of the plan.

That distinction is useful because the tour includes snorkel gear and visits several coastal stops, but it does not promise a specific swimming session at every location. Bring your expectations for a scenic day on the water, and check where the crew expects you to use the gear.

Monk Seal Cave and its limestone cliffs

The second cave stop is Monk Seal Cave, also on Biševo. It is described as the island’s longest cave, stretching 160 meters, and the visit is listed at 45 minutes. Its name recalls the monk seals that once rested on the limestone cliffs.

The cave gives the day a different texture from the Blue Cave. Instead of focusing only on the famous light, you get a chance to see another part of Biševo’s coastal geology and hear the story behind the cave’s name. The information provided says you explore the cave, but does not spell out the route or walking conditions, so ask if those details matter to your group.

Stiniva Cove: a protected coastal landmark

Stiniva Cove is listed as a one-hour stop. Its narrow, enclosed shape makes it one of the more distinctive coastal settings on the route, and it has been named Europe’s most beautiful beach by the tourism organization European Best Destinations. Since 1967, the bay has had protected nature-monument status in Croatia.

That recognition helps explain why the cove is more than a convenient place to stop for a swim. It is a protected natural site, so treat it with care and follow the skipper’s directions about where to go and how long you have. The tour description does not specify whether the boat anchors inside the cove or how you reach the beach, so ask if you need to know about access before booking.

Budikovac: a sheltered beach stop

Budikovac Island sits southeast of Vis. Its central beach is protected by two small islands, Sanak and Small Budikovac, and the stop is listed at an hour and a half. That makes it one of the longer beach breaks on the route.

Here the appeal is simple: clear water, a sheltered setting, and time to enjoy the coast rather than only view it from the boat. Snorkel equipment is included, which can be useful at a stop like this, though the tour does not promise particular marine life or underwater conditions. If you prefer a day with time in the water, this is one of the stops to ask the operator about.

Palmižana: beach time, with lunch on your own

Palmižana is described as a popular Hvar resort area, known for its clear water and beach. The listed stop is one hour, and restaurants serve Mediterranean food. That gives you a chance to get something to eat, but lunch is not included in the tour price.

With only an hour scheduled, I would not count on a long, relaxed meal unless the skipper confirms there is room in the timing. Bring money for food if you plan to eat at a restaurant, or pack something suitable for the day. Snacks and drinks are included, but they are not a substitute for lunch on a 9 to 10-hour trip.

Hvar town: two hours on land

The final listed stop is Hvar, with two hours to explore the old town on the island of the same name. The town has an ancient past and is known both as a place to relax and as a party destination. Two hours gives you a useful first look, but it is not enough time to treat Hvar as a full-day visit.

You will need to choose how to spend that short window. You might focus on the historic center, find a café, or simply walk and take in the harbor-side setting. The tour information does not identify a guided walking tour or a specific Hvar activity, so assume this is free time rather than a scheduled town tour.

What the price includes, and what it does not

The $1,790.04 group price includes snacks, soda, bottled water, snorkel equipment, toilet and shower access, all fees and taxes, and admission to the Blue Cave and Monk Seal Cave. Those inclusions reduce the need to arrange several pieces of the day yourself, especially for a group that wants a private boat and a fixed route.

Lunch and personal expenses are extra. The restaurants at Palmižana give you an option to buy a meal, but you should budget for it. The tour description does not list other food beyond snacks, so pack accordingly if you need more than a light bite.

Value depends strongly on group size. For a group of 10 to 12, the price can make sense if you value having the boat to yourselves and want to cover several islands in one day. For two or three people, it is a major expense. Compare it with other boat options in Split, keeping in mind that a private tour and the included cave fees are part of what you are paying for.

Timing, meeting point, and crew

The listed start is 7:00 am at West Bank, Obala kneza Branimira, Split. Pickup is offered, but the stated start and end point is the meeting point, so confirm whether pickup applies to your booking and where you should meet. The activity ends back where it begins.

Pay close attention to the final departure time. A past outing had its planned time changed the night before, then departed later still after a delay. That does not prove the same will happen to you, but it is a good reason to confirm the time with Antares VIP Tours shortly before the trip and leave some flexibility in your plans after the return.

Names associated with the company’s outings include skippers Ivan and Anna, and host Davor. Crew assignments can vary, so ask who will lead your departure if that matters to you. The available information describes the boat and its facilities only in broad terms, but guests have praised clean equipment and an easy-to-find boat. Those practical details matter when you are spending nearly a full day at sea.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time; later cancellations are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted.

Who should book this island circuit?

This trip suits a group that wants to see several famous coastal sites in one go and is comfortable spending most of the day on a boat. It is especially appealing to friends or families who can share the private-group price, and to anyone who values a set route that includes the Blue Cave, Stiniva, Budikovac, Palmižana, and Hvar.

It is less suited to people who want long, unstructured time at one beach or a relaxed meal in town. Six stops across roughly 9 to 10 hours make for a full schedule, and the listed durations leave little obvious slack. If you want a slower pace, consider visiting fewer places or spending a night on one of the islands.

Before you book, confirm the exact departure time, pickup arrangements, how long you will have at each stop, and whether swimming is expected or allowed at the locations that interest you. If the answers fit your plans and your group can make the price work, this private circuit offers an efficient way to see a broad slice of the Split-area islands in one day.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts and ends at West Bank, Obala kneza Branimira, Split. Pickup is offered, so confirm the details for your booking.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 7:00 am.

How long is the tour?

It lasts approximately 9 to 10 hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group takes part, with a maximum group size of 12.

What stops are included?

The route lists the Blue Cave, Monk Seal Cave, Stiniva Cove, Budikovac Island, Palmižana, and Hvar.

Is Blue Cave admission included?

Yes. Blue Cave admission is included in the tour price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, though Palmižana has restaurants.

What is included besides admission?

The tour includes snacks, soda, bottled water, snorkel equipment, toilet and shower access, and all fees and taxes.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made later are not refunded.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund.