Snorkeling in Split: Blue Cave, Hvar & Stiniva Cove

Swim and snorkel at five island stops without arranging the boat or the gear

A 10-hour boat tour from Split visits the Blue Cave on Bisevo, the fishing town of Komiza on Vis, Stiniva Cove (voted one of Europe's top 10 beaches in 2017), the Blue Lagoon near Budikovac Island for snorkeling, Palmizana and its botanical garden, and Hvar with time for lunch. A guide leads the group in English; snorkeling equipment and bottled water are included. The tour runs in small groups aboard a speedboat and departs from either Split or Brac, depending on which option you choose at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Blue Cave and Hvar highlights

• Arrive at Bisevo Island
• Enter and explore Blue Cave
• Visit Komiza town and harbour
• See museum of knots
• Sightsee Stiniva Cove
• Swim and snorkel in Blue Lagoon
• Visit Palmizana and Botanical Garden
• Sightsee Hvar and have lunch

The Experience

You arrive at the pier in Split (or Brac) and board a speedboat with a small group. The boat heads out across the Adriatic to Bisevo, where you transfer to a small wooden boat to enter the Blue Cave—the entrance is tight enough that you duck your head, and the light inside the cave turns the water an otherworldly blue. From there the route moves to Komiza, a traditional fishing town on the island of Vis where the harbor fills with working boats and the Museum of Knots (one of a kind in Croatia) sits near the waterfront.

The tour then reaches Stiniva Cove, a narrow protected inlet that was ranked among Europe's top 10 beaches in 2017. You swim and snorkel from the boat in the Blue Lagoon near Budikovac Island, where the water is clear enough to see the seabed. Palmizana, a small uninhabited village on the Pakleni Islands, comes next—a botanical garden, bird calls and a sandy beach make it a quiet stop before the final leg to Hvar. Hvar is a working town with restaurants and cafes where you can order lunch on your own (not included in the tour price) before the boat returns to your starting point.

Snorkeling equipment is provided and ready to use; bottled water keeps you hydrated between stops. The speedboat is built for comfort and safety, and the guide handles navigation and timing so the five stops fit into the day without rushing. Small groups mean the pace stays relaxed and the boat does not feel crowded.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment and bottled water.
• English-language guide leading the group.
• visits to the Blue Cave, Komiza, Stiniva Cove, the Blue Lagoon, Palmizana and Hvar.
• swimming from the boat at multiple stops.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Seayou

Is this one for you?Choose the Split departure if you are staying in or near the city center; pick the Brac option if you are based on that island and want to skip the extra transfer. The Blue Cave entrance tickets are included only with the Split option, so if the cave is your main reason for booking, confirm which departure you are selecting at checkout.

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Top questions

Can I snorkel at every stop on this tour, or only at certain ones?

Snorkeling happens at the Blue Lagoon near Budikovac Island, where you swim from the boat in clear water and explore underwater. The other stops—the Blue Cave, Komiza, Stiniva Cove and Palmizana—are for sightseeing and swimming, not snorkeling, though you can bring your own gear if you want to explore elsewhere.

What is the Blue Cave actually like when you get inside it?

The Blue Cave entrance on Bisevo is small enough that you have to duck your head as the boat enters. Once inside, the light reflects off the water and turns it a vivid blue. You transfer to a smaller wooden boat to see it up close, and the effect is the main reason this stop is on the itinerary.

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling equipment, or is it provided?

Snorkeling equipment is included with the tour and ready to use when you reach the Blue Lagoon. You do not need to bring your own, though you can if you prefer your own mask and fins.

Is lunch included, or do I pay separately in Hvar?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. When the boat reaches Hvar, you have time to order and pay for food at one of the restaurants or cafes in town, then rejoin the boat for the return journey.

Can children go on this tour, or is it adults only?

Children are welcome from age 2 onward. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller, and the guide will help manage the boarding and the stops to keep the day comfortable for families.