Review · BLUE CAVE TOURS

Private speedboat tour to Blue cave, Vis and Hvar

★ 5.0 · 6 reviews Operated by Absolut Charter · Bookable on Viator
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The Blue Cave is the headline, but the real appeal is how much Adriatic variety fits into one day: a glowing sea grotto, a fishing village, sheltered swimming spots and Hvar’s old harbor. You travel by private speedboat, so the boat belongs to your group rather than a larger shared party.

I like two things in particular: the stops mix famous sights with time to swim, and the included towels, snorkel gear and SUP board save you from packing a beach kit. I also like that the crew can help make the day feel personal. Skippers Marsel, also spelled Marcel, have been praised for their professional driving and easygoing style.

The trade-off is the pace. Ten hours on a speedboat, with several stops and extra charges for both caves and lunch, is a big day. If you want a slow afternoon in one place, this is the wrong boat.

The day at a glance

  • Blue Cave first: Arrive when sunlight lights the cave in aquamarine tones. Entry tickets are extra.
  • A private boat for up to 11: The price is $1,387.73 per group, so the per-person cost falls as your party grows.
  • Vis has two different moods: Browse the fishing village of Komiža, then swim at Stiniva Bay.
  • Swim stops bring the day to life: Budikovac has a lagoon, while the Green Cave offers a different play of light.
  • Hvar ends the outing: You get about an hour to walk around the historic harbor town.
  • Pack money for extras: Lunch and tickets to the Blue and Green caves are not included.

A private route across the Adriatic

Private speedboat tour to Blue cave, Vis and Hvar - A private route across the Adriatic

This is a full-day outing from Split, with departure from Trogir or another location possible if arranged in advance. The listed meeting point is Trumbićeva obala 2 in Split, and the tour ends back there. Before booking, check that the pickup plan matches your own arrangements.

Private means your group has the boat to itself, with a maximum of 11 people. That makes it easier to keep your party together and gives the skipper room to tailor the day to your group. It does not mean a leisurely pace: the route covers multiple islands, and the schedule is designed to include both sightseeing and time in the water.

The price is $1,387.73 for the group, not for each person. At the full capacity of 11, that works out to about $126 per person; with fewer people, each person pays a larger share. For a family or a group of friends who value privacy, the cost may compare well with booking several places on a shared boat. For a couple, it is a substantial expense.

More boat trips from Split:

The Blue Cave’s brief blue hour

Private speedboat tour to Blue cave, Vis and Hvar - The Blue Cave’s brief blue hour

The first stop is the Blue Cave, where sunlight enters through the sea and fills the cave with blue-green light. The effect depends on the sun’s angle, which is why the schedule aims to arrive at a particular time of day. Inside, objects in the water can appear silver against the glow.

An official local guide explains how the cave was discovered and what creates the light effect. The stop is planned for 45 minutes, but that includes the cave visit rather than 45 minutes of free time inside. Admission is not included, so budget separately for the ticket.

This is a natural sight, not a show that can be switched on at will. The appeal is seeing the light in person; the practical point is that the cave visit is only one part of a long day, and conditions can affect the experience. The tour requires good weather, and bad weather can lead to a new date or a refund.

Komiža, a fishing village on Vis

Private speedboat tour to Blue cave, Vis and Hvar - Komiža, a fishing village on Vis

After the cave, the route calls at Komiža, a fishing village on Vis. You have about an hour to walk around and enjoy the village’s relaxed Mediterranean pace. It is a useful change from the boat and caves: here, the point is simply to spend time in a lived-in island town.

The stop is described as free, with no admission ticket required. Take the hour at an easy pace rather than trying to turn it into a checklist. If you are especially keen to browse, eat or linger, remember that the whole trip has several more stops to fit in.

Stiniva Bay: swim in a narrow cove

Stiniva is known for its narrow entrance and white-pebble beach. The boat stops for roughly 45 minutes, giving you time to swim, snorkel and soak up the sun. The bay’s shape is its main attraction: the water opens into a cove behind a tight coastal gap.

Bring your swimsuit and use the snorkel equipment provided if you want to see below the surface. Towels are included, which is handy when a swim is one of several planned during the day. The stop is short, so treat it as a refreshing break rather than a long beach afternoon.

The Green Cave’s second light show

Private speedboat tour to Blue cave, Vis and Hvar - The Green Cave’s second light show

At the Green Cave on Ravnik Island, sunlight enters through an opening at the top and casts silver and green tones across the water. The cave is large enough for the boat to enter, and the stated water depth is between three and five meters. The stop lasts about 45 minutes.

As with the Blue Cave, admission is extra. The Green Cave offers a different kind of visit: the Blue Cave is known for its blue glow, while this one has a roof opening that lets sunlight fall into the grotto. If you are deciding how much cash to set aside, remember that both cave tickets are excluded from the tour price.

Budikovac for a swim and a breather

Budikovac is a quiet island with a blue lagoon in front of it. The hour-long stop is set aside for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing or a walk around the island. A local farm offers the possibility of a light lunch, but lunch itself is not included in the tour price.

This is one of the day’s most useful pauses. After several scenic stops, you have time to get out of the water, dry off and enjoy the setting without a cave visit or town walk competing for attention. The included SUP board and snorkel gear give you options beyond simply sitting on the beach.

Do not assume that lunch is part of the package. The farm is mentioned as a place to finish with a light meal, but you pay separately. If you have particular food needs, ask the operator ahead of time; the tour details do not specify a menu.

Cruising past the Pakleni Islands

On the way toward Hvar, the boat cruises past the Pakleni Islands, a forested group of islands in front of Hvar town. This is a passing view rather than a listed stop, so do not count on time ashore there.

The cruise adds another stretch of island scenery between swimming and the final town visit. It also helps explain the day’s variety: you get coastline from the water, then a chance to explore one of the region’s best-known harbor towns on foot.

Hvar: one hour in a historic harbor town

Private speedboat tour to Blue cave, Vis and Hvar - Hvar: one hour in a historic harbor town

The final stop is Hvar, where you have about an hour to walk through town. Its seven-century-old walls remain, and the harbor is a central part of its appeal. You can take an easy stroll and pause for coffee at one of the town’s coffee bars.

An hour gives you a taste, not a full visit. If Hvar is your main reason for coming, you may want to return another day and spend longer. Here, it serves as a pleasant last stop after a day mostly spent on the water.

The tour ends back at the meeting point in Split. One account of a trip described a pickup in Hvar, but the stated plan for this tour is a return to the Split meeting point. Confirm any different pickup or drop-off arrangement directly before booking.

What the boat provides, and what it does not

The package includes bottled water, soft drinks, a bottle of wine, fruit, towels, snorkeling equipment and a SUP board. These inclusions make a practical difference on a full day: you do not need to bring your own snorkel kit or towel, and there is water on board.

Lunch and Blue Cave and Green Cave tickets are excluded. Those extras can change the final cost, so do not compare the headline group price with an all-inclusive boat trip unless you have checked what each one covers. The listed price is for up to 11 people, and the group size is capped at that number.

The boat itself has been described as comfortable and clean. One skipper, Marsel, has been singled out for professional handling in rougher water, and accounts also spell his name Marcel. He has been described as speaking four languages, but the operator does not promise a particular skipper, so ask if having a specific guide matters to you.

Toni has been praised for responding to questions and accommodating requests, while Vinko was named as a skipper for a pickup in Hvar. Those names are useful context, not a guarantee of who will lead your trip. The most consistent point is that the skipper’s driving and manner can shape a long day at sea.

Is the $1,387.73 group price worth it?

The value depends mostly on how many people share the boat and how much you value privacy. At 11 people, the base cost is about $126 per person. A smaller group pays more per person, before cave tickets and lunch.

In exchange, you get a 10-hour private trip, several island stops, swimming time, a SUP board and basic onboard supplies. The route would be difficult to reproduce independently in one day without arranging transport between islands. If your group wants a full Adriatic sampler and is happy to keep moving, the price can make sense.

It is less compelling if you prefer a quiet day at one beach, want every meal and admission fee bundled in, or dislike time on a speedboat. The day also depends on good weather. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time; if poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who should book this boat

I would consider this for families or friend groups who want a private day and are keen to see several islands without planning separate transfers. The mix of caves, swimming, a village and Hvar works especially well if your group has varied interests. The included towels and water gear also make the outing easier to manage.

It is a weaker fit for anyone seeking a slow, unscheduled day or a long stay in Hvar. The schedule has many parts, and the boat spends much of the day connecting them. If you are prone to discomfort on boats, consider that the trip lasts around 10 hours and ask the operator about the expected conditions before you book.

FAQ

How long is the private speedboat tour?

The tour lasts approximately 10 hours. It begins and ends at the listed meeting point in Split unless another pickup or drop-off arrangement has been made in advance.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $1,387.73 per group, for up to 11 people. The per-person share depends on how many people are in your group.

Are Blue Cave and Green Cave tickets included?

No. Admission tickets to both caves are not included in the tour price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. A local farm on Budikovac is mentioned as an option for a light meal, but you pay separately.

What is included on board?

The tour includes bottled water, soft drinks, a bottle of wine, fruit, towels, snorkeling equipment and a SUP board.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

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