Wondering if the Blue Cave from Hvar is worth the hype? I took a speedboat tour to find out!
The short answer is yes, it is worth the hype, especially if you want to see one of the most magical and natural attractions in the area!
I wanted to visit as many of the highlights around Hvar Island as possible, and this Blue Cave Tour from Hvar includes the Blue Lagoon and a couple of spots on scenic Vis Island, such as Stiniva Beach and charming Vis Town.
In this post, I’ll share my honest experience of taking a Blue Cave tour from Hvar – the good, the not-so-good, and everything you need to know before booking – this is your insider’s guide to deciding if the Blue Cave deserves a spot on your itinerary!
Note: We took this Blue Cave tour from Hvar in mid-September!
What is the Blue Cave?
You might be wondering what makes this Blue Cave so special? The Blue Cave (or Modra špilja in Croatian) sits on the tiny island of Biševo, just off Vis Island and only 40 minutes away from Hvar.
Its famous blue glow is legendary in Croatia, which happens when sunlight streams through an underwater opening and bounces off the limestone floor, turning the whole cave into a glowing turquoise marvel. It’s very atmospheric!
To get inside, you’ll hop onto a little wooden boat and glide through a very narrow entrance – don’t worry, once inside the ceilings are high and the whole experience feels adventurous!
What to expect from the Blue Cave Tour From Hvar
On our Blue Cave Tour from Hvar with Kabina Boats, we covered 5 locations, which are popular highlights of the area, including Vis Island, plus a few scenic locations, secret beaches and lagoons.
We travelled in a small group by speedboat with shade, it’s not super glam like a sailboat, but it is fun and it gets you around quicker, most tours from Hvar are by speedboat!
It’s ideal for those with less time and who want to see a variety of sights from their Hvar boat tour – for our 4-day stay, this tour slotted into our plans perfectly!
Blue Cave Tour From Hvar Overview:
Adventure, hidden gems, secret beach coves & more!
- Includes: up to 12 guests
- Price: from €110
- Departure Time: 10.15am
- Duration: 7-8 hours
- Rating: 4.8/5
MY EXPERIENCE OF THE BLUE CAVE TOUR FROM HVAR
First Impression: Blue Cave Tour From Hvar
This was my first Blue Cave experience anywhere. I was looking forward to it and exploring the other major sights of the area – Stiniva Beach and Vis Island in particular! (spoiler alert: I loved Vis so much I stayed the following September).
Our departure time at 10.15am was perfect (I despise early starts on holidays) – you can enjoy your breakfast before you arrive! We met right on the harbour of Hvar Town, it took 10 minutes to walk from our accommodation, The Bay Hotel.
Several travellers joined, making it nine in total, the maximum is twelve, which meant there was enough space for shade or sun, depending on where you wanted to sit on the boat – and the seats were padded and comfortable!
After a quick introduction by the friendly and English-speaking crew, we wasted no time in setting off to our first destination the Blue Lagoon!
Blue Lagoon – Budikovac Island
It took around 30 minutes to reach the Blue Lagoon, our first stop. It was a splashy ride if you were positioned closer to the back, but you can expect that on a speedboat – just take a waterproof bag!
The views leaving Hvar Harbour were unbelievable, and they continued to be scenic as we reached the Blue Lagoon, where we stopped for a swim in natural, small bays with crystal-clear, turquoise waters. It was serene and peaceful – completely free from infrastructure, making for a perfect start!
We stopped for around an hour to explore, which was ample time to get acclimatised, swim, snorkel, take pictures, dry off and relax!
Blue Cave – Bisevo island
After the Blue Lagoon, we went straight to the Blue Cave – 15 minutes away, most of the Blue Cave Boat Tours from Hvar arrive at the perfect time to see the Blue Light at its brightest between 11am and 1pm.
At the Blue Cave, you transfer to smaller boats to squeeze through the opening to the cave with an official Blue Tour guide, as the area is protected.
Our guide went ahead and bought our tickets altogether to save time. The fee is €12 per person – a reminder to always bring cash on tours and in Croatia generally!
With hardly any wait time, we hopped on the wooden boats, scooched down and reappeared in a magical Blue Cave – often named as ‘ the most beautiful blue cave in the world’ and they weren’t far wrong!
I was mesmerised by the dazzling blue light from the crystal clear water, some people did take too many pictures with their flash on, but on the whole, I loved the experience. You are only in there for 10 minutes and even though it sounds short, that’s all you really need to circle the cave.
What surprised me the most was that there were 4-5 boats in the cave at the same time. I’m sure that for 10 minutes, this could be reduced in the off-season; it just shows how popular it is!
Stiniva Cove – Vis Island
From the Blue Cave, the boat cruises past more scenery of the South of Vis Island en route to the famous Stiniva Cove, only accessible by boat, which makes it extra special!
Stiniva was my favourite beach stop, I love the dramatic white chalky cliffs that surround the white pebbled beach, it’s honestly stunning and the water is a beautiful shade of turquoise blue!
We swam a short distance to the picturesque shore from the boat, which was fun (but I guess not if you don’t like open water!) and stopped for around an hour to enjoy sunbathing, swimming and a couple of lemon beers from the little bar – the only thing on the beach!
Vis Town – Vis Island
Vis Town is only around the corner from Stiniva Beach, this was our late but very well deserved lunch stop at the end of the Blue Cave trip from Hvar and the boat docked right on the harbour front with lovely views!
Just off the shoreline, there’s a very picturesque island, and along the waterfront of Vis Town, beautiful Venetian buildings, restaurant terraces, cobbled lanes, and old town vibes!
It was a nice contrast to wander around a beautiful bay and town, enjoying wonderful lunch options, after touring and swimming for most of the day – and we had two hours to explore it all!
We headed straight to a waterfront location for a light lunch with local wine then strolled along to Kut Village, the oldest part of Vis Town, where we found lots of pretty lanes and charm!
Once we’d seen the sights we found a nice little swim spot, peaceful and perfect for relaxing before heading back to the boat!
(If you have more time in Croatia, I would definitely stay a few nights on beautiful Vis Island, the charm and feel of the island is unlike any other – this boat tour only scratches the surface!)
Return To Hvar
We returned to Hvar Town Harbour at around 5pm, everyone on the boat looked happy and salty! It was a full day out, but not overly long as the distances were short (if you visited the Blue Cave from Split you would add 3.5 hours travel time!). In just under 8 hours, we saw a lot, including Komiza – the Mama Mia film location on Vis Island!
Book this Blue Cave Tour From Hvar Town today!
PROS & CONS OF THE BLUE CAVE TOUR FROM HVAR
PROS OF BLUE CAVE TOURS FROM HVAR
If you want to experience the Blue Cave, this Blue Cave tour from Hvar is well worth it! You get a lot of bang for your buck with the full-day tour, we only paid €110 in total.
The boat on this tour is definitely one of the more comfortable ones, there’s padded benches and plenty of shade or sun at the back if you want to lay out and the music is nice!
Our goal was to visit the Blue Cave, which is worthwhile, but it’s a short experience (10 minutes), so you do need a tour like this one to see the other highlights around it, especially Stiniva Beach and Vis Town, which were our favourite stops!
We also loved the 10.15am start and the places we visited, each offered something different and the guides were very helpful. Overall, the scenery was amazing and the vibe great!
CONS OF BLUE CAVE TOURS FROM HVAR
On our small group tour, we were lucky that there were only 9 in total, so the boat was quite spacious, but I know 12 or 13 would feel more compact!
One of the best things about this boat trip is that the guide gives you options, for example, before the Blue Grotto you could add Green Cave Croatia as an extra stop. Also, the lunch stop is last, it’s two hours to spend either in Vis Town, South Hvar or Pakleni Island Palmizana – but this also can be seen as a con!
You have to stay flexible and open to changes, as a couple of the stops are a group decision! Also, the Blue Cave entry very much depends on the weather; if the sea is too rough, you might have to forgo the cave or change dates!
If this Blue Cave tour from Hvar sounds great, but you would like more control over the options, then you can book this private tour instead!
TIPS ABOUT BLUE CAVE TOURS FROM HVAR
What To Wear For The Blue Cave Tour
Layers are key on Blue Cave boat tours from Hvar!
Wear your swimwear under shorts, Tee or shirt – you’ll need a cover-up (or two) being in the sun, sea and wind for most of the day.
I recommend sturdy sandals for getting in and out of the boat and a waterproof pack, especially for your cash and phone!
What To Pack For The Blue Cave Tour
Here’s a few packing essentials you’ll need for this boat trip for the best experience!
- Cash – you’ll need Euros for the entrance fee of the Blue Cave and smaller shops
- Swim Shoes – best for pebble beaches, especially when swimming to Stiniva Beach
- Sunscreen/hat/sunglasses – you’re out on the water and in the sun for hours, SPF50 and sunglasses are a must, Croatian sun is strong!
- Dry Bag – a waterproof bag is a great idea because you do get some splash on the boat and you’re visiting beaches!
- Towel – you’ll definitely need a towel after swimming and also it’s nice to sit on when on the boat!
- Snacks – bring your own snacks for the boat, especially if you’re not lunching until later!
- Hair Ties – if you don’t want knotts for days tie you hair back on speedboats!
Booking Your Blue Cave Tour From Hvar
Weekday tours are less busy than the weekends, giving you more space to move and better chances for quiet moments to enjoy the scenery – mid-September is also a great idea!
There are a couple of options to consider for this tour, one is to include the Green Cave or not (I’ve read mixed reviews) and the other is your last stop, where you have a choice of Vis Town, South Hvar or Pakleni Islands for lunch – all are nice, it’s just personal preference of quaint town or beach coves!
I strongly recommend booking a tour for earlier on in your trip that way if the sea is too rough for the Blue Cave, you have re-bookable options! So leave time in your schedule to re-book if needed!
How Blue Cave Tours From Hvar Fit In To Your Trip!
The Blue Cave and Vis Island boat tour is 7-8 hours out on the water, exploring many sights, swimming and more!
I found it fun and also relaxing because I didn’t have to plan anything and could lay on the boat and beaches, but I also felt wiped out afterwards with all the sun, sea, salt and fresh air!
After the tour you’ll want a place that feels like a retreat which is why I suggest staying at the Adrania Spa Hotel right on the harbour front with Spa’s to relax or The Beach Bay Hotel, which is where I stopped just a ten minute stroll from where the boat docks, you’ll be able to shower and chill on your beautiful balcony!
IS THE BLUE CAVE TOUR FROM HVAR WORTH IT?
Yes! – The Blue Cave Tour from Hvar is 100% worth it! If you want to see the highlights that surround Hvar Island!
This trip is perfect for those seeking an adventurous boat experience, especially if it’s your only chance to visit Vis Island or take a Pakleni Islands tour. It ticks off some beautiful places with minimal planning! It was an incredible day!
If I were to do it again, I might have booked the private tour, just because of the flexibility and options it gives – for example, including a stop in Komiza or spending longer in Stiniva or other swim spots.
I have taken many private boat tours from Hvar before and have enjoyed the tailor-made aspect of it. I think they’re great for couples and small groups of 3-6.
Whichever Blue Cave boat tour from Hvar you choose, I just know you will have an amazing day of adventure and scenery out on the water!
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Plan your Hvar Island itinerary, Croatia’s most popular island!
Here’s my go-to list of resources for transport, accommodation, and tours to Croatia!
- Booking.com for the best boutique rates
- Viator for great day trips
- Get Your Guide for unique day excursions
- Omio for booking ferries in Croatia
Read Next:
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- The Ultimate Guide To Hvar Croatia: What To See & Do!
- 6 BEST Ways To Get From Split To Hvar: A Detailed Guide!
- Uncover Hidden Gems: The Best Day Trips From Hvar Island
- Stari Grad Hvar: Why You Should Visit & Best Things To Do!
- Ultimate Guide To Pakleni Islands: What To See & Do!
- Top Boat Tours From Hvar Town: A Complete Breakdown
- Stari Grad Croatia: A Perfect Day Trip From Hvar Town
- Best Beaches On Hvar Island: Stunning Spots You’ll Love!
- A Guide To The Best Restaurants In Hvar Croatia!
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Michelle Trudie, is the founder of Little Wanderblog, a luxury boutique travel site. She has travelled to over 30 countries in the last 15 years. Michelle share’s her passion for stylish and affordable luxury travel experiences in Europe and beyond! Her goal is to make travel planning easier to hidden gem places!