from Split- ** 5 island tour with visiting Blue Cave, Hvar**

The Blue Cave is the headline, but the real appeal is the sweep of the day: five island stops, a swim in the clear water around Budikovac, then time ashore in Hvar. You leave from central Split and spend 10 hours moving between caves, coves and islands.

I like the mix of natural stops and town time. You get a chance to swim and snorkel, but also two hours in Hvar for lunch, coffee or a walk. I also like that the crew reportedly kept the outing enjoyable when weather disrupted plans, a useful sign that flexibility matters on a day at sea.

The main drawback is the pace: five destinations in one long day means some stops are brief, and Blue Cave admission costs extra. If you have back problems, consider the boat journey carefully; one passenger specifically warned that the trip may not suit people with back pain.

• Blue Cave on Biševo is the first stop, with entry tickets paid separately on the day.
• Stiniva Bay on Vis gets about 30 minutes for swimming, snorkeling or photos.
• Budikovac’s blue lagoon offers around an hour for swimming, sunbathing and free time.
• The Pakleni Islands are viewed during a roughly 30-minute stop, rather than a long island visit.
• Hvar Town gives you about two hours for lunch, coffee, shopping and a walk.
• The $162 fare includes the boat, crew, fuel, insurance, snorkeling equipment and listed fresh water, but not Blue Cave admission.

Five island stops, one full day at sea