From Vis: Speedboat tour – Vis, Biševo & Blue Cave (shared)

The Blue Cave is only the opening act on this six-and-a-half-hour speedboat tour. From Vis, you’ll visit caves, coves and swim spots around the island and nearby Biševo, with local skipper Luka sharing stories and choosing stops to suit the day.

I like two things in particular: you get time to swim at several beaches, rather than just tick off the famous cave, and the boat can reach places larger craft cannot. The Blue Cave fast-entry card is another practical plus, especially in peak season.

The trade-off is a full day in a small, open speedboat, where wind and choppy water can make the ride lively. Cave tickets cost extra, so allow for that on top of the $117 fare.

The best parts of this Vis boat day

• Blue Cave access: The Vis-based operator uses a fast-entry card, which can cut waiting time. Cave admission is not included.
• Time to swim: Stops include Pritišćina, Stiniva, Budikovac and Smokova, with time set aside at each.
• A local skipper: Luka shares local history and personal stories, and can adjust timing to conditions and crowds.
• Two very different caves: See the Blue Cave on Biševo and, at extra cost, enter the Green Cave on Ravnik by boat or swim.
• Small-boat access: The speedboat can reach narrow coves, a submarine tunnel and tucked-away swimming places.
• A beach at the end: Smokova’s sandy shore gives you a change from rocky Dalmatian coves before the return to Vis.

A full circuit, not just a cave transfer

The tour starts in the town of Vis, usually at 8 a.m., and runs for about 390 minutes. That is roughly six and a half hours on the water, with a series of short boat rides broken up by sightseeing and swimming stops.

You travel on one of two listed boats, a Bat Arctic 745 with a 250-horsepower Suzuki outboard or a RIS Marine Scorpio 300 with an inboard engine. Both have a bimini for shade, a sun deck and a sea ladder. The operator usually keeps the group small, with a maximum of 10 people noted, though the actual boat and group size can vary.

The speedboat makes it possible to cover a broad stretch of coast in one outing. It also means you’ll feel the sea more than you would on a larger, slower vessel. If you have back problems or are pregnant, this trip is specifically listed as unsuitable.

The order of some stops may shift with conditions and timing. The operator’s description puts the military tunnel in Parja at the start, while the detailed route places it later in the circuit. The Blue Cave is generally tackled early, when beating the queue matters most.

The Blue Cave on Biševo

The Blue Cave is the headline stop for good reason: light entering the sea gives the cave its distinctive blue glow. You arrive by speedboat, then transfer to the Blue Cave crew for the guided visit inside. Your skipper buys the entry ticket using the operator’s fast-entry card, and you pay him separately.

That local access can make a real difference in high season. The fast-entry card does not make the cave private or guarantee an exact wait, but it can help you avoid the long queues that build up at busy times. Some departures have reached the cave early enough to get through with only a short wait.

Admission is not part of the $117 tour price. The ticket price is the same as for regular entry, but no amount is specified here, so check the current fee before you go. If you would rather skip the cave, the tour allows you to wait on the boat while the others visit.

The stop is brief, around 20 minutes for the guided cave visit, so think of it as a memorable sight rather than a long beach break. The value of the tour lies in what comes after: a string of swimming places that would be awkward to reach on your own.

Pritišćina and the south coast

After Biševo, the boat heads back toward Vis and stops at Pritišćina for around 45 minutes. This is a swim and snorkel stop, with time to look for marine life and enjoy the water. Masks and snorkels are provided, but fins are not.

A further short stop is described as a secret stop, with time for photos and a guided look around. The precise location is not specified, so treat it as a bonus rather than a promised named attraction. One more place is passed along the way, before the boat reaches Stiniva.

The route’s variety matters. You are not simply moving from one famous location to another: the skipper can point out coastal features and choose places to swim based on the day. Luka’s local knowledge and timing are recurring strengths of the experience, and he has also changed dates when weather looked better on another day.

Stiniva Cove, without the steep walk

Stiniva is one of Vis’s best-known coves, enclosed by high cliffs with a narrow opening to the sea. From the water, you get a striking view of its shape, and the boat brings you close to the beach without the steep walk down from the land access.

The tour gives you about an hour here. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe or stop at the beach bar for coffee or a beer. That is a generous pause on a busy boat circuit, and it helps the day feel less like a rapid checklist.

Stiniva can be crowded, especially in summer, and the beach itself is not large. Still, arriving by boat avoids the uphill return walk that can make a land visit demanding in the heat. Bring footwear for the boat and shore rather than assuming every landing is on soft sand.

Swimming inside the Green Cave

The Green Cave is on Ravnik, a small islet off Vis. Unlike the Blue Cave, it offers the option to swim into the cave or enter by boat, depending on the rules and conditions set by the Green Cave team that day.

The skipper moors outside, and anyone entering pays the cave team separately. The scheduled stop is about 30 minutes, including sightseeing and swimming. If you want to enter, have money ready for another ticket; if you prefer not to pay, you can stay on the boat.

This is one of the more distinctive stops because it combines a cave visit with the chance to get in the water. It is also worth keeping expectations practical: the tour does not include either cave fee, and the Blue and Green Caves are separate paid visits.

Budikovac’s Blue Lagoon and Smokova’s sand

Next comes Budikovac Blue Lagoon, with about 45 minutes for a break, swimming and snorkeling. The lagoon is another chance to cool off, and the boat’s ladder makes getting back aboard easier than clambering over the side. The skipper gives a safety briefing, and the stop also allows time for wildlife viewing.

The final major beach stop is Smokova, another 45 minutes or so. Its sandy beach is a welcome contrast to the rocky coves along much of the coast. The tour description calls it hot and sandy, so expect direct sun and bring sun protection rather than counting on shade at the beach.

A scenic viewpoint and a pass along the coast add a final look at the island before the return. The Parja stop includes a visit to a military tunnel, an unusual reminder of Vis’s strategic past. The island’s former military use gives the coastline more texture than a day of beaches alone, though the exact amount of time and order can depend on how the route is run.

What the skipper adds

A boat tour is only as good as its captain, and here the guide is central to the day. Luka is the skipper named most often, with visitors noting his local stories, explanations of the sites and knack for choosing when to arrive. He has shared childhood memories alongside facts about the island, which gives the trip a personal connection without turning it into a formal history lecture.

Timing is especially useful at the Blue Cave and at popular swimming spots. Luka has been praised for adjusting the schedule to avoid crowds where possible, and for warning people about weather and suggesting a different date when conditions might be better. Those choices can change the feel of the day more than a few extra minutes at any one stop.

The tour is offered in Croatian, English and Italian. Pickup is available in the Vis town marina, or farther along the route if agreed in advance. Look for the 7.5-metre RIB marked with NEMO stickers at the arranged meeting point.

What to bring, and what to expect aboard

The boat provides bottled water, a refrigerator, snorkeling masks and snorkels, and shade from a bimini. Bring a towel, sunglasses and a camera, as the operator suggests, plus sunscreen and money for cave tickets. Pack a lunch if you want one: a stop at Stiniva may offer coffee or a beer, but a full meal is not included.

There is no promise of fins, so bring your own if you rely on them. The onboard refrigerator is handy, but do not assume it replaces bringing the food and drinks you want for a long day. The tour includes fuel, insurance and a professional skipper.

A small speedboat is a good match for narrow coves and quick transfers, but it has less room to stretch out than a larger boat. The shade cover helps, though you will still spend much of the day exposed to sun and sea spray. If you are prone to motion sickness or discomfort on a fast ride, consider whether six and a half hours on the water suits you.

Is $117 good value?

At $117 per person, this is a full-day outing rather than a simple ride to the Blue Cave. The fare covers the skipper, fuel, boat, snorkeling masks and snorkels, bottled water, insurance, and pickup and drop-off within the agreed area. It also links several major sights and swim stops in one trip, saving you the effort of arranging separate boat rides.

The extra cave tickets are the main cost to factor in. Both the Blue Cave and Green Cave charge separately, and the exact prices are not provided here. The Blue Cave fast-entry card adds value in busy months because less queue time can mean more time for the rest of the coast.

I would consider the price worthwhile if you want a varied day with repeated chances to swim, local context and access to several places in one circuit. It is less compelling if your only goal is to see the Blue Cave, or if you would rather spend a whole day at one beach. Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead and the option to reserve now and pay later add flexibility when plans are not fixed.

Who should book this trip?

This tour suits you if you are comfortable on a speedboat and want to see more than one corner of Vis in a single outing. It works well for couples, families with older children who are keen to swim, and anyone who likes a mix of scenery, local stories and time in the water. Several stops give you room to choose between swimming, snorkeling, taking photos or simply relaxing.

It is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. It may also be a poor fit if you dislike boat motion, want a quiet day on land, or prefer not to pay extra for cave entry. The best reason to book is the combination: Blue Cave, Stiniva, Green Cave, the lagoon, sandy Smokova and a local skipper who knows how to make the route feel like more than a transfer.

Should you book?

Book if you have at least a day to spare on Vis and want a broad coastal tour with plenty of swimming, rather than a Blue Cave trip alone. Ask about the cave ticket costs and meeting point before departure, bring lunch and sun protection, and be ready for a full day on the water. If you have back problems, are pregnant or dislike a brisk ride, choose a slower way to see the island.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts 390 minutes, or about six and a half hours.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and ends in Vis. Pickup and drop-off are available within the town marina, or farther along the route if agreed in advance.

What time does the tour start?

The tour description gives 8 a.m. as the start time. Check availability for the departure time offered on your date.

Are Blue Cave tickets included?

No. The Blue Cave ticket is paid separately to the skipper. He buys it with the operator’s fast-entry card, which gives the group a quicker turn than regular entry.

Are Green Cave tickets included?

No. You pay the Green Cave team separately if you choose to enter. The cave can be entered by boat or by swimming, subject to the cave team’s arrangements.

Can I skip one of the caves?

Yes. If you do not want to visit the Blue Cave, you can wait on the boat while others go inside. At the Green Cave, you can stay aboard rather than pay to enter.

What equipment is provided?

The boat has a bimini, sun deck, sea ladder and refrigerator. Bottled water and snorkeling masks and snorkels are provided, but fins are not.

How many people are on the boat?

The tour usually has a maximum of 10 people. The actual group size can vary.

What languages does the guide speak?

The tour is offered in Croatian, English and Italian.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

No. It is listed as unsuitable for pregnant women and people with back problems.