Blue Cave Tour from Hvar: Our Honest Review (and What Happens When the Blue Cave Is Closed)
We booked a Blue Cave tour from Hvar before our trip to Croatia. We were going the first week of September and were afraid Blue Cave tours would sell out. On the morning we showed up at the dock, the Blue Cave was closed. The sea was rough, a south wind was blowing.
When we checked into the tour, they let us know the Blue Cave was closed, but that they would replace it with other enticing stops. We decided we would continue with the tour. In this blog post, we’ve written our honest review of the day. It includes what the tour did instead, what it cost, what a group Hvar boat tour is like in rough water, and how to decide whether to go or rebook.
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Our tour at a glance :
| Tour | Group Blue Cave & Five Islands tour from Hvar Town |
|---|---|
| Operator | Navis Tour Hvar, booked on Viator |
| Price | €104 per person; Blue Cave ticket extra (€18–24, cash), plus a cash tip |
| When we went | September 2026 |
| Duration | About 7–8 hours (check-in 10:30 AM, back around 6 PM) |
| Boat | Open group boat, about 15 people |
| Stops | Blue Lagoon, Green Cave, Stiniva, a bonus cove, Palmižana, Vinogradišće Bay |
| Blue Cave | Closed (rough sea and south wind) |
| Our verdict | Worth it, even without the Blue Cave, if you’re a confident swimmer |
| Best for | Strong swimmers who don’t get seasick when the water is rough |
| Skip if | You’re prone to seasickness, have mobility issues, or have little kids on a windy day |
What Is the Blue Cave in Croatia?
The Blue Cave (Modra špilja) is a small sea cave on the island of Biševo (sometimes spelled Bisevo), just off Vis in central Dalmatia. Sunlight enters through an underwater opening and makes the water inside glow electric blue. It’s part of the Vis Archipelago UNESCO Global Geopark.
You get to the Blue Cave by boat. Then you transfer into a small licensed cave boat and proceed through the cave entrance. The entrance of the cave is only 1.5 meters high (about 4 feet 11 inches). Once you get in, you spend around 10-15 minutes inside. Swimming in the cave isn’t allowed. The blue glow is usually most vivid from late morning to around 1 PM, when the sun is high enough to illuminate the cave through the underwater opening.
Is there more than one Blue Cave in Croatia?
Yes! The Blue Cave we’re referring to here is the famous Blue Cave on Biševo Island, near Vis. It’s commonly visited on full-day boat tours from Hvar, Vis, or Split, so if you see a “Blue Cave Tour from Split,” this is usually the cave they mean. This is different from the Blue Cave near Dubrovnik, which is located around the Koločep/Elafiti Islands and is typically visited on shorter boat trips from Dubrovnik. They are completely separate caves in different parts of Croatia.
One important difference is that swimming is not permitted inside the Blue Cave on Biševo, while many Dubrovnik-area Blue Cave tours are specifically designed around swimming and snorkeling.
What it’s like inside
We didn’t get in, so we can’t describe it firsthand. However, you should expect a short, crowded visit. You transfer from your tour boat into a licensed cave boat at Mezuporat Bay, duck through the low entrance, and drift around a chamber that glows blue for a few minutes before heading back out. The glow depends on sunlight, so it’s brightest on a sunny, calm day. The blue hue is much duller when it’s cloudy.
What’s Generally Included on a Blue Cave Tour from Hvar
Most Hvar boat tours to the Blue Cave combine that stop with several swim stops around Vis and the Pakleni Islands. Operators often sell this as a “Five Islands tour.” Our original five stops were:
- The Green Cave on the islet of Ravnik, where the water glows emerald from light reflecting off seaweed-covered stones.
- Stiniva Cove on Vis, a hidden cove ringed by cliffs, voted the best beach in Europe in 2016 by European Best Destinations.
- The Blue Cave on Biševo.
- The Blue Lagoon at Veliki Budikovac, a shallow lagoon sheltered from the wind.
- Palmižana in the Pakleni Islands, for swimming, sunbathing and lunch.
Some tours also stop in Komiža, the fishing town on Vis. Ours didn’t, and the stops ran in a different order than listed because of the weather.
Our tour cost €104 per person and included the boat, a skipper and a guide, plus shared snorkel masks and pool noodles. Lunch at Palmižana was optional and booked on board. We brought extra cash for the Blue Cave, the Green Cave, a tip, and optional lunch, snacks and drinks at stops.
The Blue Cave entrance fee is extra. In 2026 it’s €24 per adult from June 20 to September 10 and €18 the rest of the season. Children 6-12 pay €12 (€9 off-season), and kids under 6 go free. Bring cash for the entrance fee since there’s no ATM on Biševo, so bring euros.
The Blue Cave Was Closed: What Happened
At check-in, the staff told us the sea was rough and a south wind was blowing, so the Blue Cave wasn’t open. They said they’d swap in a different stop and we’d still see everything else. Because many people book this tour specifically for the Blue Cave, some tours get cancelled if the Blue Cave is closed. We were interested in seeing other islands and areas that we couldn’t see from Hvar island, so we went ahead with the tour.
Why the Blue Cave closes
That 1.5-meter (about 4 feet 11 inches) entrance is the reason that the Blue Cave closes easily. When a southerly wind (the jugo) pushes swell into the cove, waves can seal the opening and make it unsafe for the licensed cave boat. Swell can close the cave even on a sunny, calm day if the jugo was blowing a day or two before.
What you pay when it’s closed
You will no longer have to pay to get into the Blue Cave. Generally, the entrance fee is paid in cash on Biševo (in addition to your tour fees), so if you don’t go in, you don’t pay. Your tour price usually stays the same, because the operator swaps in another stop. Check your booking’s terms before you go.
Should you go or rebook?
If you have several days on Hvar, ask to move to a calmer day. We only had one day, so we went. For the most part, we enjoyed the tour, but the sea was very rough, and our boat didn’t feel built for those conditions.
Our advice: If you really want to see the Blue Cave, book this tour on your first day in Hvar to reschedule the tour if the Blue Cave is closed. Make sure you build in flexibility to the rest of your itinerary in Hvar. Because rough seas can close the cave, building some flexibility into your Hvar itinerary gives you a better chance to reschedule.
Our Blue Cave Tour from Hvar, Stop by Stop
We checked in on the Hvar Town waterfront at 10:30 AM and were back around 6 PM. Here’s how the day actually went.
We arrived about 15 minutes early (and were one of the later groups to check in). We waited by the tour guide’s building for further instructions. At 10:30, they split everyone into 2 groups. The first group got onto a boat. Then we boarded a different boat. Once everyone had boarded, we took off.
Stop 1: Blue Lagoon, Budikovac (about 45 minutes)
The crossing felt long and bumpy, so the sheltered lagoon was a relief. Once we anchored, most of the people on our tour jumped in to swim and snorkel. The water was crystal clear and looked very blue.
Watch your feet! Many rocks were covered in sea urchins, and the swell made it hard to stay where we wanted. The water was around 4-7 feet deep (about 1–2 m), so even when we were floating, we accidentally ran into some of the larger boulders.
There were plenty of other boats in the lagoon. In the height of tourist season, I am sure this lagoon stays busy.
When everyone was ready to proceed, we climbed back onto the boat, and continued to the next stop.
Stop 2: Green Cave, Ravnik (about 40 minutes)
All of the tour boats waited near the entrance. All of the boats had to stay behind a roped off area. The crew said there’s normally an entry fee (usually around €8–12), but it was waived that day because of the conditions. Anyone who wanted to could swim into the cave.
We took that opportunity to swim into the green cave. The water wasn’t really green in appearance that day, but it was beautifully clear, and the cave was a very unique site. However, it was not an easy swim with big swells in the sea. Getting back to the boat was also a bit difficult because it was a moving target. Because of the sea swells, most of the boats were not anchored, but were just waiting for their passengers to return. Many people from our tour stayed on the boat as it rocked back and forth, but I’m sure we would have felt seasick if we’d stayed aboard.
Stop 3: Stiniva Cove, Vis (about 1 hour)
At this stop, again, boats anchor outside a roped-off area. When we were ready, we jumped off the back of the boat and swam into the cove. Here the water was less rough, but it was a farther swim. Some people were ferried ashore in small dinghies (we didn’t know this was an option until we reached the shore).
Because of the curve of the cove, we couldn’t see all of the beach from the boat. Therefore, only after we swam in did we find a little beach bar, so bring cash in a waterproof pouch. If this stop is on your tour, we’d recommend bringing your waterproof pouch, some money, your phone for pictures, and a towel! Also, the beach is rocky the entire way, so wear your swim shoes.
Even with its popularity, Stiniva really does feel like a secret cove. People were swimming in the cove and lying out on the beach. It was surrounded by beautiful, towering cliffs on both sides of the beach.
Bonus Stop: A Secret Cove (about 45 minutes)
This stop wasn’t on the original itinerary, so we think it was the swap for the Blue Cave. It ended up being one of our favorite stops. We cruised past some dramatic cliffs, then anchored in a tiny cove with fairly calm water, which was a first for the day.
We swam to a small beach and hung out in chest deep water, talking to some of the other people on our tour. A few folks, including our captain, climbed the cliff and jumped in. There were no other tour groups at this hidden location. This truly did feel like a hidden beach.
Stop 4: Palmižana and Diamond Beach, Pakleni Islands (about 1 .5 hours)
On our way to this stop, the captain asked who wanted lunch, since the restaurant needed a reservation. He then called in reservations for whoever wanted them, which in our case was about half the guests on the tour. We skipped lunch because we didn’t want to be seasick on the ride back. Others on our tour said the fresh, charcoal-cooked fish at the restaurant was very good.
Once we arrived at this stop our boat pulled up and tied to a dock, so we could step right off. From the dock we did not see any beaches, but did see people hanging out and sunning on the flat rocks and then jumping in and swimming in the sea.
Once we got off the boat, we decided to explore. We walked up the only road and followed the signs left to Diamond Beach, about 10–15 minutes on foot.
When we arrived, we found Diamond Beach Fish Fine Food. We had some cold beer and relaxed while we looked out over the calm, turquoise water, with locals swimming below. This was our other favorite stop of the day. It showed a much more relaxed side of Croatia than what we had previously seen on our trip.
Stop 5: Vinogradišće Bay, Pakleni Islands (about 30 minutes)
Our last stop was a sheltered cove with short piers and waterfront restaurants. Given the short amount of time we had here, and the fact that we were a bit waterlogged from a day in the sea, we decided to walk up into one of the restaurants and have a quick beer with another great view.
When we arrived back to the boat, we were informed that the boat’s engine had broken down. The crew called a water taxi, and it had us back in Hvar Town in about 15 minutes. Of course this was unexpected, but was not the fault of our crew. Although I am sure no one on our tour was pleased with this, it was fortunate that it happened at our last stop, and that we were not very far from our return spot.
What a Hvar Boat Tour Is Like in Rough Seas
This is the part most Blue Cave tour reviews leave out.
- The crossings are long and bumpy. Our open-water legs felt much longer than the calm swim stops. In some parts the water was very rough!
- Staying on the boat isn’t always easier. At anchor in the swell, the boat rocked hard. Swimming felt better than sitting on the boat.
- Swimming in swell is work. Currents push you around, and there are rocks and urchins everywhere. In some areas (caves) you may also be pushed close to the walls.
- You have to climb back aboard from the water. To get on the boat, there was a basic metal boat ladder. Several people on our tour had a hard time pulling themselves up, especially in the rough water.
- Plans change. Stops get swapped, times get shortened, and sometimes the boat breaks down. Some tour companies cancel their tours altogether.
Who this tour is for (when the sea is rough): confident swimmers who don’t get seasick easily and are happy to go with the flow.
Think twice if: you’re prone to seasickness, you aren’t a strong swimmer, you have mobility issues, or you’re traveling with young kids on a rough-sea day.
Group vs. Private Blue Cave Tours from Hvar
We took a group tour. Most Hvar boat tours to the Blue Cave come in two types:
Group tours are the less expensive option, typically around €100 per person. They follow a fixed route on a larger boat with more people.
Private or small-group speedboat tours cost more, from about €850 per boat, but you choose the timing and can switch to sheltered spots when the sea is rough. They offer a lot more flexibility.
Whichever you choose, ask how many people the boat carries, what’s included (entrance fees, lunch, snorkel gear, towels), and what happens if the Blue Cave is closed.
Best Blue Cave tours from Hvar
Blue Cave, Blue Lagoon, Pakleni Islands Group boat tour from Hvar group Five Islands tour:
This group boat tour from Hvar takes you to the Blue Cave and Green Cave on Vis, then on to the beaches and bays of the Pakleni Islands. Along the way, you’ll swim and snorkel in crystal-clear water and hang out at hidden beaches, with time to relax at a beach bar or restaurant before cruising back to Hvar. Look for availability on the Pakleni Island Group Tour here.
Blue Cave & Vis Island speedboat tour from Hvar, small-group speedboat:
This full-day speedboat tour from Hvar packs in the highlights of Vis and the Pakleni Islands, including the famous Blue Cave and Green Cave, with a small-group skipper sharing local tips along the way. You’ll also have time to swim, snorkel and soak up the sun at Budikovac, Stiniva and Palmižana, three of the Adriatic’s most beautiful beaches. See if speedboat options are available for your trip here.
Private Boat Tour from Hvar – Blue and Green cave, Vis, and the Pakleni islands, private speedboat
Customizable itinerary with a private tour (you rent out the whole boat). This works very well for parties who want to see specific sights and have a few people in their group. Book the private boat tour here.
Can you visit just the Blue Cave?
Yes, but it’s only easy from the island of Vis. Taxi boats leave Komiža on the island of Vis most mornings and reach Mezuporat Bay on Biševo in about 15-20 minutes. They cost around €30-35 per person, with the cave ticket extra, and boats hold about 12 people.
From Hvar, there isn’t a water taxi that goes only to the Blue Cave. You can hire a private speedboat, or during the summer season, take a direct catamaran from Hvar to Vis and continue overland to Komiža, where local boats run to Biševo. Ferry schedules are seasonal, so check the current timetable before planning this option.
Either way, a south wind closes the cave to every boat, so a private trip doesn’t guarantee you’ll get in. What it does give you is the freedom to pick the calmest day and arrive in the best light. Prices are from 2026 operator and guide sites and may change.
When to Take a Blue Cave Tour from Hvar
The Blue Cave season generally runs from April through October, weather permitting. July and August are peak season, so expect the biggest crowds and longest waits at the cave. Early September can be a nice compromise because the water is still warm and crowds often begin to thin.
Sea conditions can change quickly at any point in the season, though, so check the wind and marine forecast before your tour. A southerly wind, known locally as the jugo, is especially important to watch because it can create swells that make the Blue Cave entrance unsafe.
The time of day matters too. The blue glow is usually most vivid from late morning to around 1 PM, when sunlight reaches the cave through the underwater opening. That’s one reason many tours from Hvar leave in the morning.
What to Bring on a Hvar Boat Tour
- Water shoes. The seabed is rocky, and urchins are common. All of the beaches we went to on the tour were not sandy, but had smaller rocks, making it more difficult to walk in and out of the sea without shoes. Try Women’s Multi-Purpose Feather Water Shoes or Mens Water Shoes Breathable Quick Dry Soft Barefoot Aqua Socks for Hiking Swim Beach
- A dry bag or waterproof pouch with cash, for the Blue Cave and Green Cave tickets (cash only) and the beach bars you swim to.
- Seasickness remedies, especially if there’s any wind, if you were drinking the night prior, or if you are sensitive to motion sickness.
- A waterproof phone pouch if you want photos while swimming or inside the caves. Although this is more expensive than the standard phone pouch, I like this waterproof phone case so that I can take clear pictures underwater without my GoPro.
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat. There’s very little shade on board the boat.
- A quick-dry towel, if your tour doesn’t provide towels. We didn’t pack towels for our trip because we didn’t want to add one more thing to our suitcases. We used the towels our hotel provided, and wish we would have planned better. After the first stop, our towels remained wet for the entire day!
Booking Tips for a Blue Cave Tour from Hvar
- Book ahead in summer. Tours sell out in July and August. We booked ahead on Viator, even though we went right after peak season.
- Or book in person. If you’re staying several days, walk the Hvar waterfront, look at the boats, and compare departure times and the vessels the tour is on to decide what fits your preferences.
- Check the cancellation terms, including what happens if the tour is cancelled or the Blue Cave is closed.
- Ask at check-in whether the Blue Cave is open, and what replaces it if it isn’t.
- Stay close to the harbor. Most tours leave from Hvar Town’s waterfront.
Blue Cave Tour from Hvar: FAQs
Is the Blue Cave tour from Hvar worth it?
Yes, if you like swimming and don’t mind a long day on a boat. Even when the Blue Cave in Croatia is closed, stops like Stiniva Cove, the Blue Lagoon and Palmižana make the day worthwhile. If you get seasick easily or the forecast shows a strong south wind, consider rebooking for a calmer day.
How much does a Blue Cave tour from Hvar cost?
Group tours usually cost around €100 per person, and we paid €104. Private speedboat tours start at about €850 per boat. The Blue Cave entrance fee (€18–24) is almost always extra, and lunch at Palmižana is usually paid separately, so bring cash for both.
How much is the Blue Cave entrance fee in 2026?
€24 per adult from June 20 to September 10, and €18 the rest of the season. Children 6–12 pay €12 (€9 off-season), and kids under 6 go free. It’s paid in cash on Biševo, there’s no ATM on the island, and it usually isn’t included in the tour price.
What happens if the Blue Cave is closed?
Your tour swaps in another stop, and you don’t pay the cave entrance fee because it’s paid on site. The tour price usually stays the same. Our tour added a hidden swimming cove that wasn’t on the itinerary, and it turned out to be one of our favorite stops.
Why does the Blue Cave close?
The entrance is only 1.5 meters high (about 4 feet 11 inches). A southerly wind (the jugo) can push swell into the cove and seal the opening, which makes it unsafe for the small licensed cave boats. Leftover swell can close the cave even on a sunny, calm day if the jugo blew a day or two before. Ask at check-in whether it’s open.
Can you take a water taxi to the Blue Cave?
Yes, from Komiža on Vis. Taxi boats take about 15–20 minutes to Mezuporat Bay on Biševo and cost around €30–35 per person, plus the cave ticket. There’s no water taxi from Hvar that goes only to the Blue Cave. You can hire a private speedboat (from about €850 per boat), or in summer take the catamaran from Hvar to Vis and continue overland to Komiža.
Can you swim in the Blue Cave?
No. You enter on a small official cave boat and stay aboard for the 10–15 minute visit. You’ll swim at Stiniva, the Blue Lagoon and Palmižana, and some tours let you swim into the Green Cave, so pack your swimsuit and water shoes.
How long is a Blue Cave tour from Hvar?
Most full-day tours take 7-8 hours. We checked in at 10:30 AM and got back around 6 PM. Plan for a few hours of open-water crossings, which feel much longer when the sea is rough.
Is the Blue Cave tour OK if you get seasick?
On a calm day, most people are fine with seasickness bands or medication. On a windy day, the crossings and the rocking at anchor are hard going, and several people on our boat struggled. If you’re prone to seasickness, pick a calm day or a bigger, more stable boat.
What’s the best time of day to see the Blue Cave?
Late morning. The blue light is usually strongest from about 11 AM to 1 PM on sunny summer days, which is why most Blue Cave tours from Hvar leave mid-morning. Cloudy days make the color much duller.
Wrapping Things Up: Is the Blue Cave Tour from Hvar Worth It?
For us, yes, even with the Blue Cave being closed. The highlights were the hidden cove and Diamond Beach, and neither was on the original itinerary. Stiniva’s cliffs and the clear water at the Blue Lagoon were stunning.
But if you have more than a couple of days on Hvar and the forecast shows a south wind, rebook. On a calm day you get the Blue Cave, an easier Green Cave swim, and a much more comfortable ride.
Planning More of Your Hvar and Croatia Trip?
- Where to stay in Hvar Town
- Best things to do in Hvar
- Split to Hvar Ferry
- 2 Days in Split
