Split: Blue Cave, Hvar & Blue Lagoon Full Day Boat Trip

The boat leaves Split at dawn for four island stops and two hours of open water

You board a boat in Split and visit four island destinations (the Blue Cave with its reflected sunlight, Stiniva Cove's protected beach, Budikovac's turquoise lagoon for snorkeling, and the town of Hvar for independent exploration) with swimming stops, snorkeling gear and a crew guide included throughout the eight-hour journey across the Adriatic.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Stiniva Cove30m
2. Budikovac Island1h

Blue Cave, Vis, Lagoon and Hvar tour

• Visit Blue Cave on Biševo island
• Drive along south coast of Vis island
• Sightsee and swim at Stiniva Cove
• Swim and snorkel at Budikovac Blue Lagoon
• Explore Hvar island and visit fortress
• Swim stop near Hvar
• Return boat trip to Split

The experience

The engine starts before most of Split wakes up. You're already on deck as the boat pulls away from the pier, heading southeast across the Adriatic toward Biševo Island. A 90-minute crossing that gives you time to settle into the rhythm of the day. The Blue Cave sits on the island's north coast, and when you arrive, the sun is still low enough to pour that electric blue light through the cave mouth and bounce off the limestone walls. It's a natural phenomenon, not a man-made attraction, which means the light show depends on the angle of the sun and the sea state. Your crew knows the timing. If conditions close the cave, you get a refund, but most days the reflection is exactly what the photos promised.

After the cave, the boat turns south along Vis's coastline: 20 minutes of driving past sea caves and rocky bays carved by centuries of waves. Then comes Stiniva Cove, a narrow inlet voted Europe's best beach in 2016 and now a protected nature reserve. The water here is shallow and clear enough to see the bottom, and if the sea is calm, you swim. The crew picks the next stop based on conditions: either a second swim or a straight run to Budikovac Island, where the Blue Lagoon sits in water so still and turquoise it looks photoshopped. There's a small bar on the pebble beach, and the snorkeling is good because the water stays shallow. You get time to float, to look down at the seabed, to sit on the beach with a drink. This is where the day slows down.

Hvar comes next: a 30-minute boat ride from Budikovac. The island is Croatia's sunniest, and the town has the oldest theater in Europe, a fortress called Fortica if you want to climb, and lavender fields that smell like the whole island is one garden. Your crew doesn't rush you here. They point out restaurants, suggest lunch spots, and you wander on your own for a few hours. Before the return journey to Split, there's one more swim stop at a location the crew chooses based on the day's rhythm and the weather. Then it's a one-hour crossing back to the city, watching the other islands in the Split area slide past as the light changes.

The full day trip includes snorkeling equipment, safety gear, fuel, and a crew guide who knows the route and the sea. You don't arrange transport between stops, time the cave visit, or figure out which cove is worth the detour. That's already decided. What you bring is a swimsuit, sunscreen, and the willingness to spend most of the day on a boat with strangers who become familiar by the afternoon.

What’s included

• Safety equipment and snorkeling gear.
• boat transport with an experienced crew guide.
• fuel for the full-day journey.
• swimming stops at Stiniva Cove, Budikovac Island, and a location chosen by the crew.
• independent time to explore Hvar town at your own pace.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 15 Jun 2027

AgesAdult (4 to 80 years) · Under 4: can't be included in the booking

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 today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Salty Experience

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the Blue Cave, snorkel in clear water, and visit Hvar without arranging your own boat, timing the cave visit, or figuring out which stops are worth the detour. The crew handles the route and the rhythm, leaving you to swim and explore.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

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 happens if the Blue Cave is closed when we arrive?

The operator provides a full refund if sea or weather conditions prevent entry to the cave.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes, snorkeling gear is included in the tour. You don't need to bring your own.

How long is the boat ride from Split to the Blue Cave?

The initial crossing takes about 90 minutes.

Can we eat lunch on the tour?

There's a small bar on Budikovac Island. In Hvar, the crew recommends restaurants and you eat on your own during free time in town.

Is this tour suitable for swimmers only, or can non-swimmers join?

The tour includes multiple swimming and snorkeling stops. Safety equipment is provided, and the crew is present, but you should be comfortable in the water or have a travel companion who can assist.

What's included in the price?

Safety equipment, fuel, a crew guide, snorkeling gear, and all boat transport between stops are included.

How many stops are there?

Four main destinations: Blue Cave, Stiniva Cove, Budikovac Island (Blue Lagoon), and Hvar, plus additional swimming stops chosen by the crew.