Hvar to Blue Cave & Vis: Speedboat Tour with Snorkeling

Summary

Speed across Hvar’s blue waters to caves coves and island stops

You’ll set off from Hvar by speedboat with a small group, stopping to swim in hidden coves and explore the famous Blue Cave on Biševo island with a local guide. There’s time for snorkeling at Budikovac Island, plus a relaxed lunch stop right by the water (not included). Expect laughter, salty air, and moments that stick with you long after you’re back on land.

What’s the experience like?

I almost missed the boat because I couldn’t find my sunglasses — classic me. The skipper just grinned and said “You’ll need them,” which made sense about five minutes later when the Adriatic started throwing diamonds of sunlight in every direction. There were only ten or so of us, all squinting and laughing as we bounced away from Hvar town. Our guide, Petra, had this habit of pointing out random islets by name like they were old friends. I tried repeating one and she burst out laughing — apparently I called it “potato” instead of Pakleni.

The first stop was the Green Cave on Ravnik. I hesitated before jumping in (the water looked colder than it was), but once you’re in, you forget everything else. There’s this echo inside the cave — voices bouncing off stone, mixing with that salty wet smell. After that, we zipped over to Biševo for the Blue Cave itself. You have to switch boats there, which felt a bit chaotic but somehow adds to it. Inside, honestly? It’s bluer than any photo shows — like someone switched on an underwater neon sign. Everyone went quiet for a second, except for one guy who whispered “wow” like he didn’t mean to say it out loud.

Stiniva Cove came next — cliffs so high they make you feel tiny. We swam around and just floated for a while; I kept thinking how lucky we were that only boats can get here. Lunch was wherever the sea took us (Petra said it changes depending on crowds), so we ended up at a little place on Vis where the grilled fish tasted like someone’s grandma made it. The beer included with the tour was ice-cold and honestly hit different after all that salt and sun.

I still think about that weird silence in the Blue Cave, or how my skin felt prickly-dry from salt by late afternoon. If you’re looking for a day trip from Hvar that isn’t too polished but feels real — this speedboat tour is probably it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Speedboat tour to caves and islands

• Depart from Hvar town at 10:15
• Visit Green Cave on Ravnik islet
• Take shuttle boat to Blue Cave on Bisevo island
• Explore and swim at Stiniva Cove
• Enjoy lunch at seaside restaurant
• Swim and snorkel at Blue Lagoon

Top questions

What time does the Blue Cave & Vis Island speedboat tour start?

The tour starts at 10:15 AM from Hvar town port.

Is snorkeling gear included on this day trip?

Yes, snorkeling gear is provided for each guest.

How many people are on the speedboat tour?

The maximum group size is 12 travelers per boat.

Is lunch included during the tour?

No, lunch is not included in the price but there’s a lunch stop at a seaside restaurant.

Are tickets for Green Cave included?

No, swimming in Green Cave is optional and tickets are not included in the tour price.

Does this tour include hotel pickup?

No hotel pickup; departure is from Hvar town port.

Can infants join this speedboat tour?

Yes, infants can join but must sit on an adult’s lap during the ride.

What islands are visited during this tour?

The main stops are Biševo (Blue Cave), Ravnik (Green Cave), Budikovac Island, Vis (Stiniva Cove), and Pakleni Islands or Vis for lunch.

What’s included

Your day includes a spot on an 11-meter speedboat with fuel covered, friendly skipper and crew guiding you between islands, all landing fees taken care of, snorkeling gear provided for each person (but bring your own water!), plus one cold beer per guest along the way before returning to Hvar in the afternoon.