From Split: Blue Cave & 5 Islands Amazing Speedboat Tour

The best part of this day is the contrast: you leave Split’s waterfront for a fast ride across open water, then trade the boat’s engine noise for a swim in Budikovac’s clear lagoon and a stroll through Hvar’s old town. In ten hours, you get a taste of several islands without having to arrange ferries, transfers and stops yourself.

I like the variety: the Blue Cave, dramatic Stiniva Cove, swimming and snorkeling, and time on foot in Hvar all offer something different. I also like that the boat journey is part of the appeal, not just transport. One June trip had hostess Kata handling the Blue Cave booking, a useful touch at a popular stop.

The main consideration is the pace. You spend much of the day moving between islands, and the speedboat can be a bumpy ride. The Blue Cave ticket costs extra, and the supplied price details conflict, so confirm the current fee before you go.

At a glance

• Blue Cave by boat: Visit Biševo’s famous cave, with time set aside for sightseeing and a stop that can be affected by weather and sea conditions.
• A proper day at sea: The tour lasts about ten hours, with long speedboat legs and several island stops.
• Swim at Budikovac: The one-hour lagoon break includes time for swimming and snorkeling. Snorkel equipment is provided.
• Two hours in Hvar: Walk the old town, see its historic center and take a break for food or a drink at your own expense.
• Plan for extra costs: The $170 tour price excludes the Blue Cave ticket, food, drinks and hotel transfers.
• Not for every body: Children under five, pregnant women and people with back problems are advised not to join.

Leaving Split for Biševo and the Blue Cave

Meet at the Split sign by the entrance to the Riva parking area, at Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda 27-23. From there, the first speedboat leg to Biševo takes about 100 minutes. That is a substantial stretch on the water, so bring sunscreen and a hat, and choose this trip only if you are comfortable with a long ride.

The Blue Cave is the headline stop. Its appeal is the changing light inside the cave and the way the water takes on a luminous blue tone. The tour allows about 100 minutes for the cave visit, sightseeing and free time, though the exact flow of the stop can depend on conditions and how the visit is organized.

The cave is popular, so this is not a place to expect a private, unhurried visit. On one June trip, hostess Kata went ahead to manage the booking, which helped the group save time. That is a practical advantage, but it is not a promise that the same guide will lead every departure.

The cave ticket is not included and must be paid separately. The supplied tour information gives two different fee schedules: one says €12 for adults and €6 for children in the off-season, and €18 and €9 in high season; another says €18 and €9 in the off-season, rising to €24 and €12 in high season. Since these figures conflict, ask the operator to confirm the current price before you set out, and bring cash as instructed.

The Blue Cave visit also depends on the sea. If bad weather, high tide or waves make it unsafe or impossible to enter, the skipper will arrange an alternative route and provide a partial refund. The specific alternative is not stated, so treat the cave as a possibility rather than a guaranteed part of the day.

Stiniva Cove: Cliffs, Beach and a Short Look

After Biševo, the boat ride to Stiniva takes about 30 minutes. The stop is for sightseeing, with a photo opportunity around the cove’s steep cliffs and beach. It is one of the day’s more striking coastal views, but the tour information does not give a set length for the stop.

Stiniva is a cove, not a town visit. Keep your camera handy and listen for the skipper’s instructions, since the day has several stops to fit in. The boat offers a view of the landscape from the water; do not count on a long beach stay here.

Budikovac Lagoon: The Day’s Swim Break

A roughly 15-minute ride brings you to Budikovac’s Blue Lagoon, where the schedule sets aside an hour for swimming, snorkeling, photos and free time. This is a welcome pause after the longer boat crossings. The water is described as clear and turquoise, and the tour includes snorkel equipment.

Bring swimwear, a towel and water shoes. The tour also recommends sun protection and a hat, sensible advice when your day includes open water and time outside. There is no food or drink included, so carry what you need or plan to buy refreshments when an opportunity arises.

The lagoon stop is especially appealing if you want more than a sightseeing cruise. You get a chance to get in the water rather than just view the islands from the boat. Still, an hour goes quickly once you account for getting ready, swimming and packing up, so do not expect a long beach afternoon.

Hvar: Two Hours on Land

From Budikovac, the boat takes about 45 minutes to Hvar. The tour gives you two hours in the island town, enough for a walk through the old center, a look at its historic streets and a meal or drink at your own expense. It is the main land-based break of the day.

That time is a useful counterweight to the boat-heavy schedule. You can stretch your legs, find lunch and take in the town at your own pace, rather than following a guide through every moment. The tour description highlights Hvar’s old town and Mediterranean hospitality, but it does not specify a guided walking route or a particular attraction included in the stop.

A June departure included a good lunch in Hvar, but meals are not part of the tour price. With two hours, keep an eye on the return time and leave room to get back to the meeting point on schedule. If you want a long museum visit or a leisurely meal, this stop may feel short.

The Pakleni Islands and the Final Swim

The route includes the Pakleni Islands among its highlights, and the tour description promises island scenery and beaches along the way. After Hvar, the listed schedule includes a 30-minute speedboat leg, a swimming stop identified only as a hidden gem, and another 30-minute ride back to Split.

The final swimming stop is not named in the supplied details, and no duration is given. That makes it hard to plan around as a specific destination, but it adds another chance to get into the water before the return journey. The skipper may change the order of stops depending on weather, so the sequence can vary.

The overall shape is clear: a long first run, the cave and coastal sightseeing, a lagoon swim, time in Hvar, then more island scenery and a final dip before Split. But this is not a slow coastal cruise. You are covering a lot of ground, and the engine time is part of the bargain.

What the $170 Price Does and Does Not Cover

At $170 per person, this is a full-day outing with a skipper, guided island tour, safety equipment and snorkel equipment. Its value lies in covering several far-flung stops in one day, with the boat and route organized for you. Doing the same island sequence independently would require much more planning and transport coordination.

The total cost is higher than the headline price. Add the Blue Cave ticket, food and drinks, and any transport you need to reach the meeting point. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Since the cave fee figures provided do not agree, confirm the amount and payment method before departure.

The tour has a 4.9 rating from 13 reviews, and its strongest reported points include a comfortable boat, reliable delivery of the advertised stops and helpful guides. One passenger described being able to lounge on the boat during the journeys, while another praised the organization. Those details matter on a ten-hour outing: comfort and smooth coordination can make a long day at sea far more pleasant.

Is This Speedboat Day Right for You?

Choose this tour if you want to see several Dalmatian island highlights in one day and are happy to spend plenty of that day on a speedboat. It suits confident swimmers, people who enjoy coastal scenery and visitors with limited time in Split who want a guided route rather than a complicated series of independent transfers.

Think twice if you are sensitive to rough rides, need a slow pace or want long stretches on land. The tour is not suitable for children under five, pregnant women or people with back problems. The operator may change the stop order based on weather, and the Blue Cave can close when conditions are poor.

Pack a sun hat, sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, water shoes and cash for the cave. Check the cave ticket price in advance, bring money for meals and drinks, and arrive at the stated meeting point by the Riva parking entrance. With those details sorted, this is a strong choice for a full, varied day on the Adriatic. If you would rather linger in one place, choose a slower island visit instead.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about 10 hours, including the speedboat journeys and island stops.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at the Split sign at the entrance of the Riva parking area, at Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda 27-23.

Is the Blue Cave ticket included?

No. You must pay for the Blue Cave ticket separately, and the tour information advises bringing cash. The supplied fee schedules conflict, so confirm the current price before departure.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, water shoes and cash for the Blue Cave ticket. Food and drinks are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and boating safety equipment are included.

Can the Blue Cave stop be cancelled?

Yes. If bad weather, high tide or waves prevent a visit, the skipper will organize an alternative route and provide a partial refund.

Who should not take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under five, pregnant women or people with back problems.