Blue Cave - The 5 Islands Speedboat Tour - A Complete Guide
The Blue Cave Tour, or frequently called the 5 islands boat tour, or sometimes even 6 islands boat tour, is the most popular speedboat tour itinerary starting from Split. Most speedboats have similar itineraries varying just in smaller details so we think the boat photos, the price and the reviews should influence mostly your decision on which one to pick.
There are several things you should be aware when you decide to go on a boat tour to visit the Blue Cave from Split. First of all - the ride is quite long - even the fastest speedboats take about 1:15 hours to get there from Split. This means that the ride is not such a comfortable one but it could be characterized more as a thrill ride - which is not necessarily a bad thing. Some tours allow smaller children on the boat but it might not be so comfortable for them especially if the weather will be less then optimal.
The next thing to know is that the cave can get very crowded and you will have to wait to enter the Blue Cave - sometimes shortly, like 15 minutes, but sometimes even up to an hour. You can of course swim while waiting so it's not that hard to wait :) Other facts about the Blue Cave: the cave is actually quite small and the visit lasts about 5 minutes. Don't get me wrong, the cave is beautiful and everything but a few photos and that is it. Since commonly asked, it's good to note that swimming is prohibited in the cave. Another thing to note is that the lightning inside the cave is so dim that it's very hard to take a good photo inside the cave.
All in all, should you take a boat tour to the Blue Cave? You should! Most tours actually don't take you just to see the Blue Cave but lots of other destinations so you can't go wrong. But keep in mind the long and sometimes bumpy boat ride.We wish you a great time!
Here is also a quick overview of the 9 most typical destinations visited on the 5(6) islands boat tour. Please note that this is just general information and you should check each tour description to be sure which stops are included. Also the list is created by the most common order in which the locations are visited.
1.
Blue Cave (Island Biševo)
The Blue Cave is a small cave in which you can enter only from the sea by smaller boats. The natural beauty of the cave comes from the fact that there are underwater passages through which sunlight passes and colors the cave walls in a sparkly blue shade. The entrances are organized by local boats so you will have to transfer from the speedboat with which you arrived to a smaller boat suitable for visiting the cave.
2.
Monk Seal Cave (Island Biševo)
Another cave, but much less popular, the Monk Seal cave (localy called "Medvidina špilja) is the longest cave on the same island. Only a few tours actually visit the cave for several reasons - being about 160 m long, after about 50 meters there is almost no light so you would need a flashlight to continue. Also the entrance to the cave is about 5 m wide and so only in the perfect conditions it's possible to enter the cave by boat. Some boats stop in front and let adventurers swim inside it :)
3.
Komiža (Island Vis)
Komiža is the second largest village on the island of Vis with about 1500 inhabitants. Komiža is a picturesque small fishing village so beautiful that you might consider spending your next vacation here. Some tours stop here for a short coffee break before heading to Stiniva.
4.
Stiniva Bay (Island Vis)
The bay won an award for being the best beach in 2016. The beautiful cliffs surrounding the beach and the hard to reach attribute (since it's almost inaccessible by land) makes it a very special place - a hidden gem. With the gained popularity it's not so hidden any more, but still a beautiful location to visit. Almost all tours include the visit to Stiniva.
5.
Green Cave (Island Ravnik)
The Green Cave is situated on the island Ravnik. Due to lots of algae that are covering the seabed under and in front of the cave, the whole cave is illuminated in a greenish color. Contrary to the Blue Cave, swimming is allowed in the Green Cave. Since from recently the local authorities started charging the entrance to the Green Cave (about 10€ per person), most boat tours didn't include the entrance ticket in their price, so entrance is optional. Usually if all the guests agree not to enter, the location is skipped entirely.
6.
Island Budikovac
A very small island, with another 2 even smaller islands just next to it, the Island Budikovac is an amazing place for a short swimming break. Due to the crystal clear sea, this place is also sometimes called the Blue Lagoon. Please don't confuse this "Blue Lagoon" with the more popular Blue Lagoon between the Island Drvenik Veli and the Krknjaši islands which is also available to visit from Split. Why there are 2 places having the same name "Blue Lagoon" is beyond us :) Most tours make a stop either here or in Stončica bay.
7.
Stončica bay (Island Vis)
While some consider the Island Budikovac a more beautiful location, due to it's raising popularity some tours changed the itinerary to include a swimming stop in the Stončica bay. It's yet another beautiful beach on the island of Vis which will have plenty of room for sunbathing and swimming. The beach is bigger and also less crowded than Stiniva bay so a much more relaxing experience.
8.
Pakleni Islands
Pakleni Islands is an archipelago with lots of small islands situated in front of the town Hvar on the Hvar island. The most popular bay is Palmižana bay where most tours take a stop. Here you will have the opportunity to have lunch. Since this place is quite exclusive - when you see the yachts that are there you will understand - the lunch can be quite expensive. Ask your skipper for a recommendation. Some tours just pass through the Pakleni Islands for a panoramic viewing and just proceed to Hvar.
9.
Hvar (Island Hvar)
Hvar is one of the most popular island towns in central Dalmatia. Lots of people come here to spend several days and it's quite popular among younger people for a great night life. Apart from that, the city was throughout history an important and strategic harbor so lots of interesting sights and stories to be heard. A lot of people ask for more time on Hvar and the itineraries are somewhat listening to that demand. However if you would like to just take a tour to Hvar - it's almost impossible as tours to just Hvar tend to be canceled due to low number of bookings. Taking a "Blue Cave" tour is a much more reliable way to see Hvar as well, even if you will have only about an hour, an hour and a half at most.
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Our guests personal experiences on tours to Blue cave from Split
Tours to Blue cave from Split
It was a great experience all day long. We were 8 persons on the speedboat, and we all enjoyed it a lot, the crew was terrific, they make sure that we feel great and enjoy everything. Their planned time for each activity was perfect.
Comfortable boat, great sightseeing, speedboat drag race with other bots, swimming, dancing, jumping from cliffs, great place for lunch, and more.
We definitely recommend everyone to enjoy such a great trip.
Martins J., Latvia
On excursion:
Luxury Speedboat Tour: Blue Cave and 5 Famous Islands from Split
I loved my experience in the Luxury Speedboat. We visited so many amazing islands. My guide Nena was incredible - she did a fantastic job. Booking through happy to visit was amazing - they were so helpful always, sent the voucher right away and helped in anything you needed. Pick up was very easy, they were on time. I loved visitting the island where Mamma Mia was filmed, then lovely beaches and finally Carpe Diem beach in Hvar was paradise! Definitely recommend it to future travellers - you will have an awesome time 😊 tip: sit in the back of the boat, it’s so relaxing ;)
Carolina G.
On excursion:
Luxury Speedboat Tour: Blue Cave and 5 Famous Islands from Split
The process of booking online was very easy to understand and seamless. I especially appreciated the travel tips which were noted. The boat to Vis Island was comfortable with a bathroom on board. One sits inside the boat. I had not expected a narrative; however on the boat were two lovely women who explained many details about the town and island in Swedish, Croat, and English. The blue cave tour became cancelled due to natural conditions, but a refund was offered. No matter: to visit the town, swim in the Adriatic, have an amazingly delicious seafood lunch... a delightful trip!
Donna C., United States
On excursion:
Tour to Komiža (Island Vis) with Catamaran with Optional Blue Cave Visit from Split and Milna