Hvar: Blue Cave & 5 Islands Speedboat Tour with Snorkeling

Five Islands & the Blue Cave: What the Adriatic Looks Like at Midday

You board a speedboat in Hvar and visit five islands and two sea caves in one day, including the famous Bisevo Blue Cave at the hour when the light turns the water electric blue. You swim at Stiniva Cove and Budikovac Island, snorkel in a turquoise lagoon, and have lunch and free time in the Pakleni Islands. The skipper handles navigation and timing. You bring sunscreen and a willingness to be on the water for most of the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Bisevo Blue Cave45m
2. Stiniva Cove45m
3. Budikovac Island30m

Blue Cave and Five Islands Tour

• Visit Blue Cave and admire light
• Stop briefly in front of cave
• Swim at Stiniva Cove
• Swim and snorkel at Budikovac Island
• Pass by Paklinski Islands
• Relax and have lunch at Palmižana Bay

The experience

You'll spend the day on a speedboat, not on a beach chair, which means you see five different places instead of one. The boat leaves Hvar in the morning and heads straight for Bisevo Blue Cave: the one everyone photographs because the light hits the water around midday and turns it the color of something that shouldn't exist. It's a small sea cave, water-logged, and you can't stay long, but the glow is real. Your skipper will point out the heart shape on the ceiling if you look up.

After the cave, you stop at Stiniva Cove, which is famous enough that boats can't actually dock on the beach anymore: too many people want in. You swim there instead, and it's worth it. The cove is what happens when a sea cave collapses into the water, so the walls are tall and the bay is narrow and the water is so clear you can see the bottom. Then there's Budikovac Island, where a turquoise lagoon sits between the main beach and two small islands, protected on both sides. The snorkeling mask comes in handy here. You'll have time to actually be in the water, not just pass through it.

The Pakleni Islands (the name means "Hell Islands" but it's actually from an old word for pine resin) are where lunch happens. Palmižana is the main stop, a bay on the southern side surrounded by dense pine forest and the kind of quiet that makes you forget you're on a tour. You eat, you swim again if you want, and then the boat takes you to Vinogradišće bay for the afternoon part, which is just chilling. The whole day is about six to seven hours on the water, with a skipper who knows where to stop and when, and bottled water keeps you from getting dehydrated in the sun.

Life vests are included and non-negotiable. The sea here is calm most days, but the boat moves fast between stops. Bring sunscreen. The speedboat itself is the transport and the experience, so if you get motion sickness easily, this might not be the right fit, but if you're okay with movement and want to see five places instead of sitting in one spot, this covers the main attractions in the area without you having to arrange a car, a guide, or figure out which island is worth the ferry fare.

What’s included

• Your day includes speedboat transport with a skipper and tour guide, life vests, snorkeling mask, bottled water, fuel, a lunch break in the Pakleni Islands, and a surprise stop. Hotel pickup is not mentioned in the tour details.
• confirm with the operator whether it is available from your accommodation in Hvar.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (7 to 80 years) · Child (3 to 6 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Gajeta Agency Hvar

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the main Adriatic highlights (the Blue Cave, Stiniva Cove, and the Pakleni Islands) in one day without renting a car or buying separate ferry tickets. The speedboat and fixed itinerary mean you hit five places and have time to swim at each one, which is what makes a full-day island tour possible from Hvar.

Traveler reviews

4.74★★★★★★★★★★

246 verified traveler reviews

5 ★210

4 ★20

3 ★8

2 ★5

1 ★3

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 6 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the full tour?

The tour runs for most of the day, with multiple swimming and snorkeling stops, a lunch break in the Pakleni Islands, and time to relax at Vinogradišće bay.

Can I bring my own snorkeling gear?

Snorkeling masks are provided. You can bring your own if you prefer, but they are included in the tour.

Is the Blue Cave guaranteed to be accessible?

The Blue Cave is a sea cave and depends on weather and sea conditions. The tour visits it when conditions allow, but rough seas may prevent entry on some days.

Can I dock the boat at Stiniva Cove beach?

No, the cove is too popular to allow boat docking. You swim to the beach from the boat instead.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen, a towel, and a change of clothes. Bottled water is provided. Wear comfortable swimwear you can move in on the boat.

Is this tour suitable for non-swimmers?

Life vests are provided and included. You can stay on the boat or wear a vest while in the water. Check with the operator about your comfort level with water activities.

Are there any health restrictions?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health due to the speedboat's movement and water activities.