Blue and Green Cave Speedboat Excursion from Hvar Town

The Blue Cave’s glowing silver-blue light is the headline act, but this seven-hour speedboat trip is really a sampler of the islands and coves around Vis and Hvar. You’ll cross open stretches of the Adriatic, stop for swims, and see caves and beaches that are difficult to reach from Hvar Town by land.

I like that the route balances famous sights with time in the water, especially at Stiniva Cove and the turquoise lagoon near Budikovac. I also like the small-group limit of 12, which should make stops and boat time feel more personal than a large excursion.

The main drawback is that cave access and sea conditions can change the day. Blue Cave admission is extra, the Green Cave admission is extra, and rough water can make the speedboat ride uncomfortable, particularly for anyone seated at the front.

At a glance: five useful points

• Blue Cave admission is not included, and entry can be affected by sea conditions.
• The trip runs about seven hours, leaving Hvar Town at 10:30 am and returning to the same meeting point.
• The group is capped at 12, though that can still feel crowded on a small speedboat.
• Snorkeling equipment and bottled water are included; food and other drinks are not.
• Two hours are set aside for the Pakleni Islands, the longest stop of the day.
• The route includes several swim opportunities, but the exact experience depends on weather, water conditions and cave access.

A full day out from Hvar Town

This is not a short harbor cruise. The boat leaves Hvar Town for a circuit that includes Biševo, Vis, Ravnik, Budikovac and the Pakleni Islands. You’ll spend much of the day moving between stops, so the speedboat is both the transport and a large part of the experience.

The tour starts at 10:30 am at Hvar Cruise speedboat tours, transfers & rent, at Šetalište put Križa 21. It ends back at the same place. The operator provides an in-person guide, bottled water and snorkeling gear, but you’ll need to bring money for cave admission and your own food and drinks.

At $119.47 per person, the price buys a long day of transport between several islands, guided stops and equipment for swimming. It is not an all-inclusive outing: cave tickets are extra, and meals are on you. The value is strongest if you want to see multiple places in one day without arranging separate boat transport.

Blue Cave: the day’s defining stop

The Blue Cave, also called Modra špilja, is on Biševo, in a bay called Balun. Its unusual light comes from sunlight entering through a low opening and reflecting off the seabed, filling the cave with a silvery blue glow. The effect is natural, not a light show, and it depends on the sun and sea conditions.

The schedule allows about an hour at this stop, including the time needed to reach the cave and arrange entry. Admission is not included in the tour price, so budget for an additional ticket. The exact cost is not specified here.

The cave is a major reason to book, but it is not guaranteed to be open. High seas or tides can prevent access. If the Blue Cave closes, the day can still include other islands and swimming stops, but you should book knowing that the signature sight may be unavailable. On one trip, the captain adjusted the plan, found other places to explore and still reached the Green Cave. That sort of flexibility matters on a day shaped by the sea.

Stiniva Cove: cliffs, pebbles and a swim

On Vis, Stiniva is a narrow cove framed by high green cliffs, with a pebbly beach and clear water. The 30-minute stop is brief, but it gives you a chance to swim and take in the steep-sided setting. Stiniva was named Europe’s Best Beach in 2019, a distinction that helps explain why it draws attention.

That popularity has a trade-off: you may find other boats and people at the cove, especially in busy conditions. The stop is not a long stretch of quiet beach time. Think of it as a scenic swim break on a route with several destinations, rather than a private beach visit.

Wear footwear that works for pebbles, and keep your belongings compact. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, but the stop is short, so there may not be time for a leisurely swim and a long spell ashore.

Green Cave: sunlight from above

The Green Cave is on Ravnik. It has two entrances and an opening in its roof, where light passes through and reflects off the water and cave walls. The result is a green glow that gives the cave its name. During the Second World War, smaller warships used the cave for shelter, adding a human detail to an otherwise natural stop.

The schedule allows about 30 minutes, and admission is not included. One account of the trip described an additional small boat used to enter and swim inside the cave. The details and charges for that arrangement are not specified, so ask what access involves before paying on site.

The Green Cave can be a worthwhile stop even if the Blue Cave is closed. Still, don’t assume that the two caves offer the same experience. The Blue Cave is known for its reflected blue light; the Green Cave’s roof opening and green-tinted water create a different effect.

Budikovac lagoon: clear water and a quick pause

The stop at Budikovac lasts about 30 minutes. The island and two small nearby islets form a lagoon, where the water shifts between shades of turquoise as the sun moves. It is a good place to swim or use the included snorkeling gear, and the clear water can make underwater photos appealing.

This is a short stop, not a full beach day. Bring a waterproof case if you plan to take photos, and keep an eye on the time so you don’t have to rush back to the boat. The lagoon’s color and clarity make it one of the more appealing places to get in the water, but the boat may not have the same stop conditions on every departure.

The tour highlights the chance to look for marine life during the crossing. Dolphin sightings are possible, but they are not promised; one group did see dolphins while underway. Enjoy the ride and keep watch, without making a sighting the measure of a successful day.

Pakleni Islands: the longest stop

The Pakleni Islands lie just off Hvar Town, and the tour sets aside about two hours for this part of the route. The group may visit places such as Palmižana or Mlini, with time around the chain’s small beaches and lagoons. This is the day’s longest scheduled stop, so it offers more room to swim, relax or find a place to eat than the shorter cave and cove visits.

Food and drinks are not included. If you want lunch, bring money to buy it during the outing or pack something suitable. Local food was part of one group’s day, but the tour does not promise a particular restaurant or meal stop.

The Pakleni Islands are close to Hvar, yet the boat lets you see a more secluded side of the area. The coves are not guaranteed to be empty. This is a popular excursion route, and the best approach is to enjoy the water and scenery rather than expect solitude.

What the speedboat ride is really like

The boat is a practical way to cover several islands in one day, but it comes with the usual speedboat trade-off: speed and access in exchange for exposure to wind, spray and bumps. One trip was especially rough when the Blue Cave was closed due to high seas. The front seats were uncomfortable in the chop, and a passenger reported that a full group of 12 left little room for everyone to sit comfortably.

The maximum group size is 12, but a cap does not guarantee that every seat will feel spacious. If you are sensitive to motion or want shade, ask the operator about the boat and seating before departure. Conditions can change, and a vessel may also need to be replaced if there is a mechanical problem. One outing began on a different boat after the first developed trouble.

For a family, the trip can work well if everyone is comfortable with a long day on a small boat and swimming at multiple stops. It may be less appealing for very young children, anyone with motion sensitivity, or anyone who needs a calm, shaded ride. The tour information says most people can participate, but that is not the same as saying the ride is smooth in all weather.

Guides, group size and practical planning

The tour is offered in English and includes an in-person guide. Captains named Peter and Ivo, along with assistant Lucia, have been praised for making the day enjoyable and adjusting plans when conditions changed. Crew assignments can vary, so treat those names as examples rather than a promise.

The group limit is 12. That is small compared with a large excursion boat, but the boat itself may not feel roomy when full. The ride between stops is part of the day, so comfort matters. If you have concerns about seating, shade or rough water, contact the operator before booking rather than assume the boat will have a particular layout.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection and money for cave admissions, food and drinks. Bottled water and snorkeling equipment are supplied. The tour meets at 10:30 am and lasts approximately seven hours, so plan for most of the day to be committed to the trip.

The experience requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather cancels the tour, 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.

Is this Hvar boat trip worth booking?

I would book this trip if you want a full day on the water and value seeing several islands and swimming spots in one outing. The combination of Blue Cave, Stiniva, Green Cave, Budikovac and the Pakleni Islands gives you a broad look at the coast, while the small-group cap keeps the tour from becoming a large-boat outing.

I would think twice if you need a smooth ride, want guaranteed Blue Cave access, or expect admissions and meals to be covered by the price. The best reason to go is the route itself, not a single cave: the water, coves and changing conditions make the day varied. If you can accept that the sea may rewrite the plan, this is a strong way to spend a day away from Hvar Town.

FAQ

How long is the speedboat excursion?

The trip lasts approximately seven hours. It starts at 10:30 am and returns to the original meeting point.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Hvar Cruise speedboat tours, transfers & rent, Šetalište put Križa 21, Hvar. It ends back at the same meeting point.

Is admission to the Blue Cave included?

No. Blue Cave admission is not included in the tour price.

Is admission to the Green Cave included?

No. Green Cave admission is not included.

What is included in the tour price?

An in-person guide, bottled water and use of snorkeling equipment are included. Food and drinks are not.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 12 travelers.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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