Blue & Green cave tour with yacht from town Hvar

The big draw is a full day out on the Adriatic, linking the Blue Cave with swimming stops at Budikovac, Stiniva Cove, and the Pakleni Islands. The yacht keeps the group to 12, so you get more room to stretch out and less time waiting to board at each stop.

I like two things in particular: the boat carries useful gear, including snorkels, paddleboards, towels, and a sea bob, and it has a restroom, which matters on an eight-hour trip. I also like that the route combines famous caves with time for a proper swim and lunch stop, rather than making the day all about ticking off sights.

The main consideration is the extra cost. At $251.78 per person, you still pay separately for Blue Cave and Green Cave entry, and lunch is not included. Weather can also close the caves, and the long open-water day may feel rough if conditions turn choppy.

• A small group on a full-size boat: The cap is 12 people, with seating, a restroom, and a sundeck.
• Swim gear is part of the plan: Snorkeling equipment, SUP boards, towels, and sea bobs are listed as included.
• The caves are not included in the fare: Blue Cave entry is listed at 100 kn and Green Cave entry at 70 kn.
• You get several kinds of stops: Expect a lagoon, caves, a narrow cove, and a three-hour block around the Pakleni Islands.
• Lunch is on your own: The route allows time for a meal, but the cost is not included.
• The day depends on sea and weather conditions: Cave access can be delayed or suspended, and the operator may cancel for poor weather.

A full-day route from Hvar

This is a long outing, not a quick boat hop. The trip lasts about eight hours, with departure from central Hvar around 10:30 am and a return expected near 6:30 pm. The meeting point is Big Blue Tours at Kroz Burak 12. The tour information gives 10:15 am as the meeting time, so plan to arrive then rather than cutting it close.

The route reaches several islands and coves south and southeast of Hvar, including destinations around Vis and Biševo. You spend much of the day moving between stops by boat, with time set aside to swim, look around, and eat. That variety is the point: a single day takes in caves, a lagoon, a dramatic cove, and the Pakleni Islands.

The yacht is described as spacious and comfortable, with music, seating, a sundeck, a toilet, and a shower. The exact boat layout can affect where you sit, though. If comfort in your seat matters, ask the crew early about the seating and where your bags can stay dry.

Budikovac starts the swimming day

The first major stop is the Blue Lagoon off Budikovac Island, a small island southeast of Vis. Its pebble beach and turquoise water make it a natural place to swim and relax before moving on to the caves. The stop is scheduled for an hour, giving you time in the water without turning the entire morning into a beach stay.

This is where the included equipment can earn its keep. The tour lists snorkeling gear, SUP boards, towels, and sea bobs, plus a floating mat mentioned by people who took the trip. That means you can choose between swimming, paddling, snorkeling, or simply floating beside the boat. Ask the crew what is available when you board, since one account found the gear was not offered or explained without prompting.

The boat also carries bottled water and an icebox with ice. A welcome drink is offered when you board, described as Champagne or another welcome drink. You can bring your own drinks too, but check with the operator if you have questions about what is allowed.

The Green Cave’s shafts of light

The Green Cave is known for sunlight entering through small openings in the ceiling and casting beams into the water. It is spacious, with water depth described as roughly three to five meters. The stop is scheduled for an hour, though the time you spend inside or swimming will depend on the day’s conditions and the way the boat visit is arranged.

Entry is not included. The listed Green Cave fee is 70 kn, so budget for it separately. The tour price may feel steep if you expect every cave admission to be covered, but the extra charge is clearly separate from the boat fare.

A cave visit is also one of the parts most exposed to weather and access rules. If the conditions do not allow entry, the crew may need to change the plan. Pack a light layer for the boat ride, and bring sun protection for the exposed stretches between stops.

Stiniva Cove narrows to a beach

Stiniva Cove sits on the southern side of Vis. Its entrance is narrow, then the shoreline opens onto a pebble beach framed by steep rock walls. The contrast between the tight entrance and the wider cove makes this stop feel different from the open-water swimming at Budikovac.

The schedule allots an hour here. That can be enough for a swim and a look around, but it is not a long beach day. The cove is a popular stop, so the experience may depend on how busy it is and how the boat approaches. Bring footwear that works for pebbles if you plan to get onto the beach.

The tour information lists admission as included for this stop. That does not mean food or other purchases are covered. Treat Stiniva as a scenic swim break, then save your appetite for the later lunch stop.

Blue Cave: the signature stop, with a separate ticket

The Blue Cave on Biševo is the headline attraction for many people. Sunlight gives the cave its famous blue glow, and access is by small rowboat rather than by the yacht itself. The transfer is part of what makes this visit distinct from simply swimming beside a cave.

The listed entry fee is 100 kn and is not included in the tour price. Waiting times can vary. One person reported an hour-long wait, while another had no wait at all, so avoid building a tight schedule around the return time. The cave is also weather dependent and can close when conditions are unsuitable. If it is closed, the crew may take the boat to other places instead, but you should not assume the replacement stops will be identical.

This is a key value question. If the Blue Cave is a must-see for you, the chance to visit it as part of a route that also includes swimming and other islands can justify the day’s cost. If you are paying mainly for guaranteed cave access, remember that access is never assured and the ticket costs extra.

Pakleni Islands leave time for lunch

The itinerary sets aside three hours for the Pakleni Islands, the longest stop of the day. The route mentions Palmižana Bay, also called Vinogradisce Cove, with a sandy and pebble beach and restaurants. This is the best window for a relaxed lunch and a final swim rather than another brief photo stop.

Lunch is not included, so plan to pay for your meal separately. You may want to bring snacks as well, especially if you prefer not to rely on a restaurant stop. The long pause gives the day a useful change of pace after the caves and earlier swims, but the exact balance between time ashore and time in the water depends on how the route runs.

The return to Hvar is expected in the late afternoon, around 6:30 pm. That makes this a poor choice if you have a fixed evening booking immediately afterward. Sea conditions, cave queues, or other changes can affect the schedule, so leave a little breathing room.

What the yacht adds to the day

The group limit of 12 is one of the tour’s stronger features. A smaller party can make boarding and unloading quicker, and it gives you a better chance of finding a comfortable place to sit. The boat is described as spacious, with a toilet and shower, a cooler, and a sundeck. For a long day on the water, those are useful comforts rather than decorative extras.

The included gear is another practical plus. Snorkels and SUP boards give you ways to use the swim stops, while sea bobs can add some fun in the water. Towels and bottled water are also listed. Wi-Fi is mentioned in the tour description, but reports about onboard amenities are not entirely consistent, so do not make connectivity a deciding factor.

The crew can shape the mood of the trip. Teddy, also spelled Tedi, is named in accounts of the experience, with descriptions of an entertaining and helpful host. The skipper is expected to point out places of interest, although the level of commentary may vary. If you want to know where to find a particular piece of equipment or how a stop works, ask directly instead of waiting for someone to offer it.

There is also a less cheerful but useful reality to consider: boats can have mechanical trouble. One trip was delayed for nearly two hours after a breakdown in hot weather, and two stops were missed. The owner offered a partial refund in that case, but there is no guarantee of how a disruption would be handled on another day. Bring water, sun protection, and patience for a day that depends on both weather and machinery.

Is $251.78 good value?

At $251.78 per person, this is a premium-priced boat day. The cost buys an eight-hour route, a group capped at 12, and a yacht with a restroom and swim equipment. Those features matter if you value space and comfort over choosing the cheapest boat trip available.

But the fare is not the whole budget. Blue Cave entry is listed at 100 kn, Green Cave entry at 70 kn, and lunch is extra. You may also want money for food and drinks during the Pakleni stop. Before booking, compare the full likely spend, not just the advertised price.

The strongest case for the price is the mix of destinations and the time allowed at the Pakleni Islands, along with the small group and gear. The weaker case is that the caves can be closed or delayed, and amenities such as Wi-Fi or access to equipment may not always match expectations. If you mainly want a low-cost transfer between islands, a cheaper boat may suit you better. If you want one organized day with room to swim and several major stops, the extra spend may make sense.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would shortlist this tour if you have a full day free in Hvar, enjoy swimming, and want a mix of caves and beach stops without arranging separate boat rides. It is also a good fit if a restroom, comfortable seating, and a small group matter to you. The paddleboards and other water gear make the day more flexible for people who like being active between destinations.

It is less suited to anyone who needs a guaranteed Blue Cave visit, dislikes long days in open water, or is watching every euro. The Blue Cave is weather dependent, the entry fee is extra, and the day can change if conditions or boat problems intervene. Families and casual swimmers may appreciate the equipment and multiple swim stops, but the tour details do not specify age limits or swimming requirements, so ask the operator about any particular needs before booking.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about eight hours. It starts in Hvar around 10:30 am and is expected to return around 6:30 pm.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at Big Blue Tours, Kroz Burak 12, in Hvar. The meeting time is given as 10:15 am, before the listed 10:30 am start.

Are Blue Cave and Green Cave tickets included?

No. The listed Blue Cave ticket costs 100 kn and the Green Cave ticket costs 70 kn. Both are paid separately.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, although the itinerary allows three hours around the Pakleni Islands, where restaurants are mentioned.

What equipment is included?

The tour lists SUP boards, bottled water, an icebox with ice, snorkeling equipment, a towel, a restroom, and sea bobs. Wi-Fi is also described as available, but it is sensible to confirm onboard amenities with the operator.

What happens if bad weather closes the caves?

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered another date or a full refund. The crew may also change the stops if a cave is closed during the trip.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a full Adriatic day with a small group, several swim stops, and a comfortable boat, and you are comfortable paying cave fees and lunch on top of the fare. The best reason to go is the combination of the Blue Cave, Stiniva, Budikovac, and a generous stop in the Pakleni Islands. If your priority is a guaranteed cave visit or the lowest possible price, choose a simpler outing.