Blue Cave & Five Islands Tour: UNESCO Wonder & Swimming Stops
Swim in five bays and lagoons, then enter the Blue Cave's luminescent light
A full-day boat tour from Split visits the Blue Cave on Biševo Island, Stiniva Cove on Vis, Budikovac Island's lagoon, the town of Hvar, and the Pakleni Islands chain off Hvar's coast, with stops for swimming and snorkelling at each. A live English-speaking guide and crew lead the route. Snorkelling equipment and bottled water are included. Children from age six are welcome. The tour runs eight to ten hours.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Blue Cave and nearby islands
- Visit Blue Cave on Biševo island
- Swim and relax at Stiniva bay
- Explore Budikovac island and lagoon
- Discover Hvar town and its alleys
- Visit Pakleni islands and beaches
- Stiniva Cove 1h
- Budikovac Island 1h
- Pakleni Islands 1h
What’s included
- Snorkelling equipment and bottled water throughout the day.
- a professional, English-speaking crew and live guide for the full eight to ten hours.
- swimming stops at Stiniva Cove, Budikovac Island, and the Pakleni Islands.
- entry to the Blue Cave and access to Hvar town and its waterfront.
Times
Next departure: 1 May 2027
7 departing soon ›Before you book
Operated by Sunny Split Travel
Prices and times updated 5 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
The boat leaves Split and heads toward the Blue Cave, a UNESCO-protected wonder on the small island of Biševo near Vis. The cave's interior reflects light off the seabed in a luminescent blue-silver glow that fills the space. The effect is immediate and unlike anywhere else on the Adriatic. From there, the route moves to Stiniva Cove on Vis, a narrow bay enclosed by two tall cliffs that rise straight from the water. The cove was named Europe's top beach in 2016 by a Brussels-based tourism organization, and the boat stops long enough for swimming and time in the water.
Budikovac Island sits on Vis's southeastern side, surrounded by a lagoon formed by two smaller islands in front of it. The water here is shallow and clear, making it popular for both swimmers and people who prefer to stay dry. The island itself is walkable and quiet. The crew provides snorkelling equipment if you want to explore underwater. Bottled water is available throughout the day. From Budikovac, the boat continues to Hvar town, one of Croatia's oldest cities, where you can walk the Roman alleys, visit St. Stephan's Square, or sit in one of the waterfront bars. Hvar holds the record for the most hours of sunlight in Europe over a full year.
The final stop is the Pakleni Islands, a chain of over sixteen islands stretching nearly ten kilometers off Hvar's southwest coast. The islands have blue lagoons, hidden beaches, and small bars where you can rest before the return to Split. The professional crew stays with the group throughout, and the pace allows for swimming and exploring at each location rather than a rushed succession of photo stops.
Is this one for you?The tour runs a full eight to ten hours with multiple water stops and boat time, so it suits travelers who are comfortable spending most of a day on the water and moving between locations rather than settling in one place. The pace is built around swimming and exploring, not rushing through photo stops, which works well for people who want time to actually enter the water and snorkel at each bay.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 17 years). Children under 6 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.
What is the Blue Cave and why is it special?
The Blue Cave is a UNESCO-protected sea cave on the island of Biševo near Vis, famous for the luminescent blue-silver light that reflects off the seabed onto the cave's interior walls and everyone inside it: an optical effect created by sunlight entering through an underwater opening and bouncing off the bottom.
Can I swim and snorkel at every stop on this tour?
The tour includes swimming stops at Stiniva Cove, Budikovac Island's lagoon, and the Pakleni Islands. Snorkelling equipment is provided, and the shallow, clear water at Budikovac is suitable for both swimmers and non-swimmers. Hvar town is a walking and sightseeing stop rather than a swimming one.
How long is the boat tour and what's included?
The tour runs eight to ten hours and includes snorkelling equipment, bottled water, and a live English-speaking guide who leads the route and stays with the group at each stop.
What is Stiniva Cove and why was it named Europe's top beach?
Stiniva Cove is a narrow bay on the island of Vis enclosed by two tall cliffs that rise directly from the water, creating an intimate and unusual shape accessible only by boat. A Brussels-based tourism organization named it Europe's top beach in 2016 for its blue-green water and dramatic setting.
What can I do in Hvar town during the tour?
Hvar is one of Croatia's oldest cities and offers Roman alleys to walk, St. Stephan's Square for a drink or meal, and cultural monuments to explore. The town holds the record for the most hours of sunlight in Europe over a full year and is known for its bars and social atmosphere.
Blue Cave & Five Islands Tour: UNESCO Wonder & Swimming Stops
8h–10h · EN
from US$ 172 per person
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