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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How far is Blue Cave from Split?
It takes a little over an hour to reach the Blue Cave from Split by a speedboat. This is the only convenient way to reach the Blue Cave from Split.
How long are the trips to the Blue Cave from Split?
All tours are full day tours that usually last about 10 - 11 hours.
What is the price of tours to the Blue Cave from Split?
The average price is about 100 € per person. You can sometimes get better deals at around 90 € per person – but it depends on the time of the year, the speedboat type and current discounts. More luxurious tours to the Blue Cave can cost up to 140 € per person.
When is the start time of tours to the Blue Cave from Split?
Tours usually start around 7:30 – 08:00 in the morning as the Blue Cave is most beautiful in the morning when the sun is just at the right angle to give the cave its iconic color.
What other stops are included in tours to the Blue Cave?
The tours to the Blue Cave include lots of other stops, most famous being the Stiniva beach (an amazing beach surrounded by high cliffs), the Green Cave (another beautiful sea cave), Pakleni islands (a beautiful island archipelago in from on the city Hvar) and finally the city of Hvar on the island of the same name (famous for its rich history and nightlife).
Is it possible to avoid crowds at the Blue Cave?
Very unlikely, unless you visit it outside of the high summer season in Split (May to early June or late September to October). The Blue Cave is a very popular tourist attraction and there are tours going here from a lot of cities in central Dalmatia and from other islands as well. The cave is also mostly visited during the morning so it gets crowded. The good thing is that the entrance is highly organized, you get a number and you can swim and relax while you wait, so it’s not a big deal.
What is the best way to reach Blue Cave from Split?
The only way to get there and back the same day is by taking a speedboat tour. Alternatively you could get a ferry to Vis, take a short bus ride to the town Komiža and from there take a short boat tour to the Blue Cave, but it’s not worth it unless you plan to spend a few days on the islands of Vis.
What payment options are available for joining a tour to the Blue Cave?
While most tours to the Blue Cave require a prepayment by credit card to reserve your place, some tours offer the possibility to book online and pay in cash on the day of the tour. Such tours are marked with the "Book without credit card" label.
Are the tours to the Blue Cave suitable for children?
As the speedboat ride can get bumpy if the sea is not completely calm, the tour is not recommended for very small children, even though some tours accept even infants. If you are going to take your child we recommend booking one of the larger speedboats which have an inside area which offer a more comfortable ride.
Are the tours to the Blue Cave suitable for pregnant women?
No – as the ride can get a bit bumpy we would not recommend it for pregnant women. For pregnant women we would recommend taking a
boat tour with a larger boat.
How much in advance should I book a tour to the Blue Cave?
To be safe, at least 2 or 3 days in advance. As the speedboats accept only up to 12 people, they tend to sell out quickly. You might be able to find an available speedboat tour to the Blue cave even the night before but you might not get to choose the one which appealed you the most.
Can I take my luggage on trips to the Blue Cave from Split?
The larger speedboats have a storage area where you can leave your luggage, so it shouldn’t be a problem. It is however recommended to check and announce that you will be bringing your luggage when making your booking.
Can I leave the tour at Hvar instead of returning to Split?
Yes. This is very common actually – people instead of taking the boring ferry ride from Split to Hvar (if they are staying in Hvar) join a Blue Cave tour where the last stop is conveniently the city of Hvar. You can bring your luggage with you and just stay in Hvar instead of returning to Split with the rest of the group. The price is the same though (no discount for not going back to Split). It is also advisable to announce that you plan to do this at the time of your booking.
Our guests personal experiences on tours to Blue cave from Split
Tours to Blue cave from Split
I booked for deluxe luxury tour trip with Hello Blue Cave tours. But they send me with Sea You.hr tours. It was fun and wonderful trip, alhough it was a deluxe speed boat and gives back and neck problems for those who already have problems, since the boat shakes due to it being a speedboat. Regardless, the boat is luxurious and comfortable and the crew and passengers were very great. Anita regularly checked up on me and made sure I was okay since I was not well. Good team and fun day out. Would recommend them.
Seena C.
On excursion:
Blue Cave Tour with Luxury Boat from Split
The luxury blue cave tour was great, only 12 people + guide and captain. We lucked out with only a five minute wait at Blue cave launch point. Fridays may be the good day. Wait was two hours the previous day. We especially appreciated the comfortable seats on the boat, since it is almost one hour out and the sea can be a little bumpy.
Our guide Anna was very helpful.
We hot to see several islands including lunch in Milna Hvar, Hvar town w/Spanish fort and swim stop at Vis. Also blue lagoon swimming and snack.
The powerful boat can be loud, so bring ear plugs if needed. We brought towels, but they almost weren't needed. Boat was secure so we could leave things when we went into town or swimming.
john p., United States
On excursion:
Blue Cave Tour with Luxury Boat from Split
Staff was great and intelligently and thoughtfully navigated hosting an eclectic group of people. Gave us some great views and were very patient and punctual.
Very happy we were able to do this.
Aaron C., United States
On excursion:
Deluxe Blue Cave Tour with Lunch from Split
Excellent cruise in every aspect. Larry was very friendly, provided us with interesting information, was very helpful and obviously was a great skipper. Many thanks to Toto company in general and to Larry particularly.
Yuliy L., United States
On excursion:
Blue Cave - 5 Islands Speedboat Tour from Split