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

The appeal here is a full day among the islands and coves around Vis, with a chance to visit the Blue Cave on Biševo and swim in the Green Cave on Ravnik. The private speedboat also reaches places that are awkward to fit into a day from shore, including Stiniva and the sandy beach at Smokova.

I like two things in particular: your group gets a skipper, not a large boatload of strangers, and Luka can use a Blue Cave speed-entry card to reduce the wait for the cave’s small visiting boats. He is a multigenerational Vis local who shares island history and details about nature along the route.

The main considerations are the extra cave fees and the speedboat ride itself. The boat is not suitable for people with back problems, and a seven-hour day in sun and open water can feel long if you are not keen on swimming or sitting on a moving boat.

• Blue Cave access: Luka buys tickets with a speed-entry card, but you pay for the cave separately.
• A genuinely private day: The $589 rate covers a group of up to four, with skipper, fuel, snorkeling masks and snorkels, and bottled water included.
• Several chances to swim: Stops include Pritišćina, Stiniva, the Green Cave, Budikovac and Smokova.
• Local context from Luka: He shares Vis history and information about the area’s nature, not just directions to the next stop.
• A boat with shade and sun: The boat has a bimini and a sun deck, so you can choose a break from the sun or a spot in it.
• Plan for extra costs: Blue Cave and Green Cave entrance tickets are not included in the tour price.

A seven-hour circuit from Vis

This is a private speedboat excursion around Vis and nearby islands, run by NEMO – Vis. You meet the skipper in the Vis town marina, or at another spot on the route if arranged, then spend the day moving between caves, coves, beaches and viewpoints. The trip description gives an 8 a.m. departure from Vis, though check the available start time when booking.

A private boat changes the feel of the day. Your group of up to four shares the skipper’s attention and can enjoy the stops without coordinating with a bus-sized crowd. It does not mean every stop is yours alone, of course. Stiniva and the caves are popular, and the Blue Cave has its own entry process.

Luka is the named skipper associated with the tour. He is a multigenerational Vis resident, and the day includes stories about island history as well as information about nature. Past groups have singled out his clear communication, patience with children and care in explaining what comes next. That combination is useful on a day with several boat transfers and separate cave arrangements.

The boat options listed are the Bat Arctic 745 with a Suzuki 250 HP outboard, or a RIS Marine Scorpio 300 with an inboard ME372 engine. Both have a bimini, sun deck and sea ladder. The tour information also describes a 7.5-meter RIB with Nautilus Vis stickers, so ask which boat you will use if the exact model matters to you.

Blue Cave first, with tickets on the side

The Blue Cave, on the island of Biševo, is the day’s headline stop for many people. The tour includes the skipper’s speed-entry card, which helps your group get a turn sooner than the regular line. It does not include the ticket itself: Luka buys it, and you pay him separately at the same price as a regular ticket.

Inside, a local Blue Cave crew guides the visit. The tour’s listed cave visit is about 20 minutes, but the cave’s entry arrangements and conditions shape how long the full stop takes. You can also choose not to enter. The skipper can leave you on the boat while the rest of your group visits, which is handy if you would rather save the extra fee or stay out of the cave.

There is a second cave stop at Ravnik, the Green Cave. Here too, entry tickets cost extra, paid to the Green Cave team. Once the skipper moors nearby, you can choose to enter by boat or swim into the cave. That option to swim is unusual and likely to be a highlight for confident swimmers, but you should not assume everyone in your group has to take part.

Keep the cave fees in mind when comparing the headline price with other outings. The speed-entry card is a convenience, not a ticket included in the $589 fee.

Pritišćina and Stiniva, time to swim

After the Blue Cave, the route includes Pritišćina, a swimming and snorkeling stop with about 45 minutes of free time. Masks and snorkels are provided, but there are no fins. Bring your own if you prefer to swim with them, and remember that the tour specifically recommends swimwear and a towel.

Stiniva Cove gets a longer stop, around an hour. That gives you time to swim, snorkel, relax on the beach or have coffee or a beer at the beach bar. The cove is one of Vis’s best-known natural sights, so it is worth allowing time to enjoy the setting rather than treating it as a quick photo stop.

The beach bar adds a modest but welcome change of pace: you can get out of the water and sit with a drink before heading back to the boat. Still, the hour goes quickly if you want to swim, dry off and make a stop there. Pack what you need within easy reach, and do not expect a long beach afternoon at any one place. This tour covers several stops, so the reward is variety rather than hours at a single beach.

A small island and another cave follow on the route. The timed schedule includes a short pass-by at a stop described as a hidden gem, but it does not give enough detail to promise what you will do there. Treat it as a scenic part of the circuit, not a guaranteed long visit.

Green Cave, Budikovac and Smokova

At the Green Cave on Ravnik, the focus is sightseeing and swimming. The stop is listed at about 30 minutes, including time for a photo, a boat cruise and, for those who choose it, a swim or snorkel. That is a compact visit, especially if you want to enter the cave, so follow the skipper’s instructions about timing and where to meet again.

Next comes Budikovac’s Blue Lagoon, with roughly an hour for free time. The listed activities include swimming, a walk, sightseeing and wildlife viewing. The longer stop gives you room to get out of the water and look around, rather than spending every minute in transit or changing at the boat.

Smokova is the final major beach stop, with about 45 minutes for a visit, photos and snorkeling. Its sandy beach is the tour’s answer to the rocky coves elsewhere on the route. If sand between your toes is part of your ideal island day, this is the stop to look forward to. The time is enough for a swim and a rest, but it is not a full beach day.

The route also includes a viewpoint and a visit to Parja, where you see a military tunnel in the bay. There is a small inconsistency in the described order: the trip narrative says Parja is the first destination, while the timed stop sequence places it near the end. Since this may affect how the day unfolds, confirm the route with Luka before departure if seeing the tunnel at a particular time matters to you.

What the price includes, and what it does not

The private tour costs $589 for a group of up to four, or about $147 per person if all four places are filled. If you have fewer people, the cost per person rises, but you still have a private boat and skipper for the day. That makes the price easier to justify for a family or group of friends who value their own schedule and shared space.

The fee includes the professional skipper, gasoline, insurance, bottled water, an onboard refrigerator and snorkeling masks and snorkels. There is a sea ladder for getting back aboard after a swim, plus a bimini for shade and a sun deck for sunbathing. Pickup and drop-off are included in the Vis town marina, with other points possible if they are on the route and arranged.

The biggest extra is the cave entry. Both the Blue Cave and Green Cave charge separate fees. This is also a practical choice rather than an all-or-nothing package: you can decide whether to enter, and someone who waits on the boat does not have to buy a cave ticket.

Value depends on how much you make of the stops. If your ideal day is a quick ride to one beach, this tour may feel expensive and overpacked. If you want a guided circuit with several swims, local context, a faster Blue Cave queue and a private boat, the price covers a lot more than transport.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would consider this tour for a small family or a group of friends who want to see several Vis-area highlights in one day. The reviews praise Luka’s patience with children, and the private format lets your group share the day without joining a larger excursion. It is also a good fit if you appreciate an informed skipper who can explain local history and nature along the way.

It suits confident swimmers who want several opportunities to get in the water. You do not have to swim at every stop, and you can opt out of the caves, but much of the day’s appeal comes from the beaches, coves and water. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses and a camera; the tour specifically calls out swimwear and a towel, and sun protection is sensible for a long day outside.

The speedboat is a poor choice if you have back problems. Even for people without back trouble, remember that this is a day of boat travel between islands, not a slow harbor cruise. If you are sensitive to fast or bumpy rides, ask the operator what conditions to expect before you book.

The listed tour guide languages are Croatian, English and Italian. The boat has both shaded and sun-exposed seating, which helps you choose your spot, but shade is not a substitute for sun protection. There is bottled water onboard, though you may want to bring anything else you need for a full day out.

My booking verdict

Book this if you want to turn one day on Vis into a varied island circuit, and especially if your group values a private boat, swimming time and a local skipper. Luka’s clear communication and island knowledge add substance to what could otherwise be a string of photo stops, while the Blue Cave speed-entry card saves time at a major attraction.

Think twice if you prefer a slow day at one beach, dislike speedboats, or need to keep the total cost tightly fixed. The cave tickets are extra, the stops are time-limited, and the boat is not suitable for people with back problems. If those trade-offs work for you, this is a practical way to see the Blue Cave, Stiniva, the Green Cave, Budikovac and Smokova in one private day.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts seven hours. The trip description gives an 8 a.m. start from Vis, but check the available start times when booking.

Where does the tour start and finish?

Pickup and drop-off are available anywhere inside the Vis town marina. A point farther away may be possible if it is on the route and agreed in advance.

Is the Blue Cave ticket included?

No. The ticket is paid separately. Luka buys it using a speed-entry card, and you pay him the regular ticket price.

Do I have to visit the caves?

No. You can choose whether to enter. For the Blue Cave, the skipper can leave you on the boat while others visit; at the Green Cave, you can choose to enter by boat or swim in.

Is snorkeling gear provided?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are included, but fins are not.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Sunglasses and a camera are also useful for a day with beach stops and scenic views.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The tour information does not give a minimum age. It is a private group experience, and the skipper has been described as patient with children, but contact the operator if you need to confirm suitability for a child’s age.

Is the tour suitable for people with back problems?

No. The tour is specifically listed as not suitable for people with back problems.

What languages does the guide speak?

The listed languages are Croatian, English and Italian.