Blue Cave and Hvar speedboat tour from Split: 5 islands

Five islands, five swimming stops, one speedboat

A speedboat tour departing from Split that visits five Croatian islands—the Blue Cave, Hvar town, Stiniva Cove, Budikovac Island and a fisherman's village—with snorkelling equipment, a live English guide and multiple chances to swim in clear Adriatic water. The Blue Cave entrance fee is included in some options; lunch is not.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Blue Cave and 5 Islands

• Visit the Blue Cave
• Explore the fisherman's village
• Swim at Stiniva Cove
• Relax at Budikovac Island
• Visit Hvar town harbor

The Experience

The boat leaves Split in the morning and heads straight for the Blue Cave, the natural phenomenon that anchors the day. You swim into the cave itself—the water inside glows electric blue when sunlight hits it from underwater—then move on to Hvar, Croatia's sunniest island, where the harbor town sits packed with restaurants and bars along the waterfront. The pace is built around stops, not sightseeing from the boat: you get in the water at Stiniva Cove, one of Europe's most photographed beaches, and again at Budikovac Island, a crystal-clear bay locals call the Blue Lagoon. A former military base turned fisherman's village breaks up the swimming with a chance to walk around and see how the island works when tourists aren't in the water.

Snorkelling gear is included, so you don't pack your own, and the guide speaks English throughout the day. The boat is a speedboat, which means the ride between islands is fast enough that you cover five stops in a single outing—something a slower vessel couldn't manage. Children from age 5 are welcome. The full day runs 11 hours, which is long enough to feel unhurried at each stop but short enough to get back to Split before evening. Lunch isn't part of the package, so you either bring food or eat at one of the harbor restaurants during the Hvar stop.

What’s included

• Snorkelling equipment.
• live English-speaking guide.
• entry to the Blue Cave (in most options).
• all fees and taxes.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Garbin Charter

Is this one for you?The 11-hour commitment means you're on the water most of the day, which rules out combining this with other Split activities but gives you five separate swimming stops instead of a rushed afternoon. If you want to cover multiple islands and spend real time in the water at each one, the full-day speedboat pace is what makes it possible.

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Top questions

What exactly is the Blue Cave and can you actually swim inside it?

The Blue Cave is a natural sea cave on the island of Bisevo where sunlight filters through an underwater opening and turns the water inside an intense electric blue. Yes, you swim into it as part of the tour—the effect is strongest in midday sun when the light hits the water at the right angle.

How much time do you spend swimming versus traveling between islands?

The speedboat covers distance quickly, so most of the 11 hours is spent at the five stops rather than in transit. You swim at Stiniva Cove, Budikovac Island and the Blue Cave, plus time to explore Hvar town and the fisherman's village on foot.

Is lunch included, and where do you eat during the day?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. During the Hvar town stop, you can eat at one of the waterfront restaurants there, or bring your own food to eat on the boat between stops.

Do I need to bring my own snorkelling gear?

No—snorkelling equipment is provided as part of the tour, so you don't need to pack or rent it separately.

Can children go on this tour?

Children are welcome from age 5 and up. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy or poor cardiovascular health due to the speedboat's motion and the physical demands of swimming.