Hvar: Blue Cave, Green Cave & Stiniva Beach Speed Boat Tour

The Blue Cave is the headline: a natural grotto on Biševo where the water shifts through remarkable shades of blue. A speedboat makes it possible to link that far-flung stop with the Green Cave, Stiniva Cove and several swimming spots in one day, without having to piece together separate boat trips.

I like two things in particular: the boat is private for your group, so there is room to shape the day, and the route brings together both famous caves and quieter places to swim. The package also includes snorkel goggles, life jackets, ice and drinks, so you need not sort out every small item yourself.

The main caution is that private does not always mean fully tailored. Guide service can vary, and the cave admission fees are extra; bring cash for food and drinks at stops, too. Confirm the meeting address before setting out, since one visitor found the voucher address was off by a couple of numbers.

What to know before you book

• The Blue Cave is the signature stop: Its changing blue light is the reason many people choose this trip, but entry is not included in the price.
• Your group gets the boat: The $1,100 rate covers up to 12 people, making the cost per person much lower when you fill the seats.
• The route combines caves and swim stops: Expect the Blue and Green Caves, Stiniva Cove, the Blue Lagoon and the Pakleni Islands.
• You get basic boat-day gear: Drinks, an icebox, ice, snorkel goggles and life jackets are included.
• Bring a towel, swimwear and extra money: Cave tickets cost extra, and food and drinks at stops are not covered by the tour price.
• Guide service may vary: Some outings get attentive advice and a friendly host; others may come with little explanation or flexibility.

A private boat day from Hvar

This trip is built around the freedom of having a speedboat for your own group, rather than sharing a fixed excursion with strangers. The listed price is $1,100 for up to 12 people. At full capacity, that works out to about $92 per person; for six, it is about $183 each, and for two, $550 each. The value shifts sharply with your group size, so it makes most sense for a family or group of friends who want a day on the water together.

The route takes in several of the best-known sights around the central Dalmatian islands. You are not just going to a cave and back: the day also includes coves and bays for swimming, with the chance to adjust the itinerary to your preferences. That flexibility is a real plus, though it depends on how well you communicate with your guide. Be clear about what matters to your group, whether that is more time swimming, seeing the caves, or stopping at the islands.

The tour is provided by Hvar Boating and meets at the Croffers travel agency. It returns to the same meeting point. The tour is in English, but no individual guide names are provided, so you cannot choose a particular skipper in advance.

The Blue Cave’s changing light

The Blue Cave is on Biševo, and its blue glow is the tour’s most distinct natural spectacle. Light entering the cave creates shifting blue tones in the water, with the effect changing over the course of the day. It is a striking place to see, but it is also a short visit rather than a long swim stop.

Entry costs extra. One past outing reported paying €18 per person for a visit of about 15 minutes. Treat that as a useful indication, not a guaranteed current rate: the tour does not include Blue Cave fees, and you should check the price before you go. If your group is large, those individual tickets can add a notable amount to the boat fare.

The brief visit may feel expensive if you judge it only by minutes inside the cave. Its value is more about seeing a rare natural effect in person and reaching it as part of a wider day on the water. If the Blue Cave is your main reason for booking, keep that extra charge in your budget and set expectations for a short stop.

The Green Cave and other swim spots

The Green Cave offers a different mood, with emerald water reflecting sunlight inside the grotto. It is close to the Blue Cave by boat, so visiting both gives you a useful contrast: one is known for its intense blue light, the other for its green reflection. Green Cave admission is also excluded from the tour price, and no current fee is specified.

One account of the trip described an additional cave where swimming was possible, identified as Bear Cave, after the Blue Cave visit. The advertised route does not guarantee this stop, so consider it a possible extra rather than a fixed part of the itinerary. Ask your guide about the day’s route and any optional stops before you leave.

You will also have time at beaches and bays for swimming. The exact balance between cave visits and swim time can depend on the route and how the day is going. If swimming matters more to you than ticking off every sight, say so early. The tour is presented as customizable, but not every guide has been equally responsive to requests.

Stiniva Cove, the Blue Lagoon and Pakleni Islands

Stiniva Cove is enclosed by steep cliffs, with a natural arch opening toward the beach. Its shape makes the approach by boat part of the appeal: from the water, the cove feels tucked away from the open sea. Once there, you can swim, sunbathe or look around the cove. The beach is a draw, but the space is limited by the cliffs and cove itself, so this is a scenic stop rather than a sprawling beach day.

The Blue Lagoon is described as a calm bay among small islands, with clear water and marine life that make it a good place to snorkel. Goggles are provided, which saves you from packing your own, though bringing a personal mask may suit you better if fit matters. The tour supplies basic equipment, not a full snorkel setup.

The Pakleni Islands are a chain of small islands where the day’s final stretch can include beaches, coves and places to pause. The private format is useful here because your group can discuss which kinds of stops appeal most. Still, do not assume every island or cove will be visited: the route is described as flexible, not as a promise to stop at every possible place.

What the private format really buys you

A private boat makes the most difference when everyone in your group has similar priorities. You can talk through the plan with your guide and potentially spend more time on the places your group cares about. That can make the day feel less like a checklist than a shared boat excursion with a set schedule.

But private service is not the same as a personal concierge. One account described a guide who offered little information about where the group was going and did not explain that a cooler was available; another described a friendly, attentive guide who gave useful tips about beaches and caves. The practical lesson is to ask direct questions at the start: what is included, where you are headed first, how cave tickets work, and what adjustments are possible.

The boat has an icebox and ice, and drinks are included, but do not count on a wide choice. One outing found only water available despite the drinks inclusion. If you care about particular beverages, or want snacks and a proper meal, bring your own provisions or plan to pay at a stop.

Budgeting for the day

At $1,100 for a group of up to 12, this is a high-cost outing for a couple but a more appealing deal when shared by a larger party. The price covers the private boat experience and the listed basics: drinks, icebox, ice, snorkel goggles, travel insurance and life jackets. It does not include Blue Cave or Green Cave admission, and the fee for the latter is not specified.

Keep extra money aside for those tickets and for any food or drinks you buy at stops. One account noted that bars at stops took cash, so carrying some is sensible. The amount you spend beyond the boat fare will depend on cave entry and your own choices, but the headline price is not the whole bill.

The included equipment is useful, especially life jackets and goggles, but it does not replace personal essentials. Bring swimwear and a towel. If you have a favorite mask, snacks or a drink you prefer, pack them rather than expecting the boat to provide every comfort.

Who will enjoy this tour most

This trip suits a group that values time together on the water and wants to combine well-known caves with swimming and beach stops. It is particularly good value for a group of friends or a larger family willing to split the private price. The chance to discuss the route is also helpful if your group would rather linger at a swim spot than rush through a long list of stops.

It is a less natural fit for a solo visitor or a couple unless the privacy and convenience justify the higher per-person price. It is not suitable for children under four, pregnant women or wheelchair users, and pets are not allowed. The meeting point is Croffers travel agency, and the activity ends there as well. Check your voucher carefully: one reported address error gave number 15 when the correct meeting number was 17.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your group wants a private day that links the Blue and Green Caves with Stiniva, the Blue Lagoon and the Pakleni Islands, and you are comfortable paying extra for cave entry. The strongest reasons to go are the range of places visited, the opportunity to swim, and the per-person value when you fill the boat.

Think twice if you need a very low price, guaranteed detailed guiding or a fully fixed promise about how much time you will spend at each stop. Before departure, confirm the meeting address, ask what drinks are aboard, clarify cave fees and tell the guide what your group wants from the day. With those expectations set, this can be a memorable way to see the coast from the water.

FAQ

How much does the private boat tour cost?

The listed price is $1,100 for a group of up to 12 people. Cave admission fees are extra.

Which places are included on the route?

The route includes the Blue Cave, Green Cave, Stiniva Cove, the Blue Lagoon and the Pakleni Islands.

Are Blue Cave and Green Cave tickets included?

No. Entry fees for both caves are excluded from the tour price.

What is included on the boat?

The tour includes drinks, an icebox, ice, snorkel goggles, travel insurance and life jackets.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at the Croffers travel agency meeting point and returns to that same point. Check the address on your voucher, as one reported voucher showed the wrong street number.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. You may also want extra money for cave entry, food and drinks at stops.

Is the tour suitable for young children or wheelchair users?

It is not suitable for children under four or wheelchair users. Pregnant women are also listed as unsuitable for the activity.

Are pets allowed, and what language is spoken?

Pets are not allowed. The tour is conducted in English.