From Hvar: Vis Island and Blue Cave Speedboat Tour

The Blue Cave is the headline: sunlight reflecting off its sandy floor can turn the water an uncanny shade of blue. This full-day trip from Hvar links that famous stop with swimming at Stiniva and a quieter island cove, so you get more than a quick look inside a cave.

I like two things in particular: the small group, capped at 12, and the balance of sightseeing with time to swim and rest. Water, beer, and snorkeling gear are included, too. One caveat: the Blue Cave can close because of conditions, and its entry fee is extra, so that much-anticipated stop is not guaranteed.

• Blue Cave, with a separate entry fee: See the light effect on Biševo when conditions allow. Entry costs €18 in low season or €24 in high season.
• A close look at Stiniva: Swim in the clear water or admire the steep cliffs around the narrow bay. Keep a life jacket handy if you plan to swim in.
• A small boat group: The tour is limited to 12 participants, and the boat is described as comfortable, with shade and room to spread out.
• Swim stop choices: Depending on the route, you may stop at Budikovac’s Blue Lagoon or Pritiscina, a small beach on Vis.
• A flexible lunch break: Lunch is not included. The stop may be on the Pakleni Islands, Hvar’s south shore, or in Vis town.
• A lively day on the water: The speedboat links several islands and coves, with bottled water, beer, and snorkeling gear provided.

The route from Hvar to the Vis islands

Meet the Kabina Boats crew at their office in Hvar Harbor, at Obala, Fabrika 27, next to Hotel Adriana. The tour is listed as 450 minutes, or seven and a half hours, and runs in English. With no more than 12 people, you get a smaller group than on a large excursion boat, while still sharing the ride with other participants.

The speedboat is part of the experience, not just transport between stops. You cover a wide stretch of the Dalmatian coast in one day, and the crew handles the route while you enjoy the views and the sea air. The boat is described as comfortable and shaded, with an icebox and complimentary water and beer. Bring a hat, though: one useful bit of advice from people who have taken this trip is to hold on to it when the boat is moving.

The exact order and mix of stops can change. Weather and sea conditions matter, and the Blue Cave may be closed or inaccessible. The crew may adjust the route or visit another attractive spot instead. Treat the cave as a strong possibility, not a promise, and think of the day as a boat tour of Vis and its surrounding islands rather than a single-attraction outing.

Green Cave on Ravnik

The first planned stop is the Green Cave, on the small islet of Ravnik. It is a sightseeing stop, where you can look at the naturally green-tinted water inside the cave. The color comes from the light and water, and it offers a different spectacle from the Blue Cave later in the day.

Entry is not included. The fee is €6 in low season or €12 in high season, payable at the cave by cash or card. The crew may also decide to skip it, depending on conditions and what makes sense for the day. So if you are keen to go inside, ask the crew what the current plan is and remember to budget for the ticket.

The Green Cave is a bonus, not the main reason to book. If it is omitted, the tour can still include scenic cruising and several swim stops. That flexibility is useful on a day when the sea, cave access, or timing can affect the schedule.

Stiniva’s narrow bay and high cliffs

Next comes Stiniva Beach, a small cove on Vis framed by high cliffs. From the water, the steep sides give the bay its character. You can swim in the clear water or stay aboard and take in the view if you would rather not get wet.

Be prepared for a swim if you want to reach the beach. One practical tip is to take a life jacket to hold on to while swimming in. The distance can feel long, and a jacket gives you extra support. The tour includes safety equipment, but ask the crew where it is and what they recommend before you enter the water.

Stiniva is one of the most memorable stops, but it may not suit everyone equally. If you are not a confident swimmer, want easy shore access, or prefer not to swim from the boat, you may enjoy the cliffs and cove from onboard instead. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and it is also not for children under two or pregnant women.

The Blue Cave on Biševo

The Blue Cave, on Biševo, is the day’s signature sight. Sunlight enters the cave and reflects off the sandy seabed, creating the blue glow. The effect depends on light and conditions, but when the cave is open, the color is the point: it is a natural light show in a compact setting.

You pay a separate entry fee of €18 in low season or €24 in high season. The fee is payable at the location by cash or card. The crew can help with the process, but the cave may involve waiting, and your time inside is brief. Keep your expectations realistic: this is a short visit to a striking place, not a long cave exploration.

Closures are part of the practical picture. The cave can be shut because of tide or other conditions, and the crew may substitute another stop. That happened on some outings, while other days brought a visit to the cave. If seeing it is essential to your plans, allow for the possibility that it will not happen, and avoid booking this as your only chance to see a cave in Croatia.

Budikovac or Pritiscina for a swim

After the cave, the boat heads to Budikovac Island or Pritiscina, a small beach on Vis. The stop is for swimming, snorkeling, or sunbathing. The exact choice depends on the day, so you may not visit both.

Snorkeling gear is included, as is safety equipment. That makes this a good time to get into the water without needing to bring your own mask and snorkel. The clear water is the attraction, and the stop gives you a more relaxed stretch between the cave visits and lunch.

The tour’s most praised feature is its mix of places to swim and time to enjoy them. People have described the pace as unhurried, with several chances to get in the water. Still, this is a full day with a number of stops, not a beach stay. Bring a towel and swimwear, and use biodegradable sunscreen as requested.

Lunch and the ride through the Pakleni Islands

Lunch is at your own expense. Depending on the route, the crew may stop on the Pakleni Islands, along Hvar’s south shore, or in Vis town. You can choose a seaside restaurant, relax at a beach bar, or use the break for one last swim before heading back.

Vis town and Komiža are mentioned as appealing lunch possibilities, though the exact stop is not fixed. This matters if you are hoping for a particular village or restaurant: the tour description offers several possible locations, not a guaranteed visit to one. Keep some room in your schedule and budget for lunch, since it is not part of the €139 price.

The return route includes a cruise through the Pakleni Islands archipelago. This is a scenic boat passage, and the trip does not promise a dedicated island stop there. If you are expecting a long visit ashore on the Pakleni Islands, check the route with the crew rather than assuming the cruise includes time to explore.

What the €139 price covers

At $139 per person, this is a full-day outing that bundles boat transport, a skipper and guide, snorkeling equipment, safety gear, insurance, an icebox, bottled water, and beer. The small group and the number of island stops make the price easier to justify if you want a full day at sea without arranging separate transport to Vis and Biševo.

The two cave fees add to the cost. At high-season rates, entering both caves would add €36 per person; in low season, both fees total €24. Lunch is another extra. If you want a clear budget, plan for the tour price, whichever cave tickets are available and of interest, plus food and drinks beyond those supplied onboard.

The tour has an overall rating of 4.8 from 773 ratings, and 92% of participants gave the transport a perfect score. Those figures fit the practical strengths of the trip: a comfortable boat, a manageable group size, and a crew-led route. They do not remove the main uncertainty, which is that cave access and some stops depend on conditions.

Who will get the most from this boat trip

This is a strong choice if you are based in Hvar and want to see more of the nearby islands in one day. It suits people who like a fast boat ride, scenic stops, and several opportunities to swim or snorkel. The capped group size is a plus if you prefer a more personal atmosphere to a crowded excursion boat.

It is less suitable if you want a slow, land-based day, need step-free access, or are uncomfortable swimming from a boat. The experience includes a lot of time on the water, and the itinerary depends on weather. People prone to motion sickness may want to think carefully about the speedboat format, even though several participants have found the ride comfortable.

The crew is a major part of the day. Crew pairings vary; guides named on trips include Antonia, Ivan, Dario, Lea, and Stipe. Their role is practical as well as social: they steer the boat, explain the stops, keep the schedule moving, and help the group make the most of changing conditions. The English-speaking tour is limited to 12 participants.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the booking option allows you to reserve without paying immediately. Those terms help if your plans are still shifting, but they do not change the weather risk. The tour may be rescheduled or canceled in severe conditions.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an active, varied day from Hvar and are happy to trade a fixed schedule for a route shaped by the sea. The Blue Cave is a special sight when open, but the real value is the combination of cave visits, cliff-lined Stiniva, clear-water swim stops, and an island lunch break.

Before you book, be comfortable with a speedboat, swimming from the boat, and paying extra for cave entry and lunch. Bring swimwear, a towel, a hat, and biodegradable sunscreen. If that sounds like your kind of day, this is a well-rounded way to reach Vis and its neighboring islands without planning each leg yourself.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts 450 minutes, or about seven and a half hours.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at the Kabina Boats office at Obala, Fabrika 27, in Hvar Harbor, next to Hotel Adriana.

What is included in the price?

The boat tour, crew and guide, bottled water, beer, an icebox, snorkeling gear, safety equipment, and insurance are included.

Are the Blue Cave and Green Cave entry fees included?

No. Blue Cave entry costs €18 in low season or €24 in high season. Green Cave entry costs €6 in low season or €12 in high season.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is at your own expense. The stop may be on the Pakleni Islands, Hvar’s south shore, or in Vis town.

Will the tour visit the Blue Cave?

The Blue Cave is a planned stop, but access depends on conditions. The itinerary may change if the cave is closed or the weather is severe.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and safety equipment are included.

Who cannot join the tour?

The activity is not suitable for children under two, pregnant women, or wheelchair users.