Blue & Green cave tour with yacht from town Hvar

The big draw here is the chance to pack several of the Adriatic’s best swimming and sightseeing stops into one long day from Hvar. The Blue Cave is the star, but the turquoise water at Budikovac, the narrow mouth of Stiniva Cove, and a relaxed beach stop in the Pakleni Islands give the trip plenty of variety.

I like the small maximum group of 12, which makes getting on and off the boat quicker than on a large excursion vessel. I also like the useful gear: paddleboards, snorkels, a floating mat, towels, and even a sea bob. The main catch is the price, $251.78 per person, before cave admission and lunch, so this is only good value if you plan to swim, use the equipment, and enjoy a full day on the water.

At a Glance

• Blue Cave access: Visit Biševo’s famous cave by local rowboat, with the entrance ticket paid separately.
• Small yacht setting: The boat carries no more than 12 people and has a toilet, shower, cooler, sundeck, and comfortable seating.
• Active swim stops: Use the included snorkel gear, paddleboards, floating mat, towels, and sea bob.
• Several very different locations: Budikovac offers a calm lagoon, Green Cave brings shafts of sunlight, and Stiniva has a tight rocky entrance.
• Long but full day: You leave Hvar in the morning and return around 6:30 pm, with about three hours set aside around the Pakleni Islands.
• Weather matters: Rough conditions can close the Blue Cave or cancel the trip, with a new date or refund offered in those cases.

Why This Hvar Boat Trip Costs More

At $251.78, this is priced above a basic speedboat outing. You are paying for a full eight-hour route, a smaller group, a more spacious yacht, and equipment that lets you do more than simply look at the coast from a seat.

That distinction matters. A cheap boat trip can get you from Hvar to a few coves, but this experience includes paddleboards, snorkels, a floating mat, towels, and a sea bob. The boat also has a restroom, shower, music, Wi-Fi listed among its features, a sundeck, and an icebox for drinks. You receive water, and you can bring your own drinks to keep cold.

I would call the price fair for an active day on a comfortable boat, but not a bargain. If you do not care about swimming or using the water equipment, a simpler excursion may serve you just as well. Lunch is not included, and the Blue Cave and Green Cave admission fees are extra. The listed prices are 100 kn for the Blue Cave and 70 kn for the Green Cave.

The group size is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. With 12 or fewer people, you spend less time waiting for a crowd to board. That can help the day feel more personal, especially when the skipper points out places along the route.

Meeting in Hvar and Settling In

The meeting point is Big Blue Tours, Tours Hvar, at Kroz Burak 12. The instructions give a 10:15 am meeting time, while the listed start time is 10:30 am, so I would arrive early and use the agency address as your main reference.

Boarding includes a welcome drink, described as Champagne or another welcome drink. The boat has open areas for sun, shaded or seated spots, and room to store your belongings in a dry place. Smart casual dress is requested, but practical beach clothing makes the most sense for the day.

The boat has a toilet and shower, a useful touch on a long outing far from shore. Still, you should bring swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, and something warm for the ride back. The Adriatic can feel cool and windy when the boat is moving, even after a hot afternoon swim.

The crew members Teddy and Tedi are mentioned in the tour information and feedback, with Teddy especially involved in guiding and entertaining the group. The tone can be lively and social. That may suit a group of friends or a hen party, but it may feel less quiet than a private charter.

Budikovac Island and the Blue Lagoon

Budikovac Island is the first main stop, on the southeastern side of Vis. It is a small, quiet place with a pebble beach and clear turquoise water. The one-hour stop gives you time to swim, float, or use the paddleboards and snorkel equipment.

This is a smart opening stop because it lets you get into the water early rather than spending the whole morning seated on the boat. The lagoon setting is calmer than the open sea, making it a good place to test the water gear and settle into the pace of the trip.

The beach is pebbly, so water shoes may be useful if you have them, though they are not listed as provided. Do not expect a long beach walk or a town with shops. Budikovac is about a swim and a quiet coastal pause, not sightseeing on land.

The long ride between Hvar, Vis, and Biševo is part of the experience. You get wide sea views and time to sit on the sundeck, listen to music, and watch the skipper point out places of interest. If you are prone to seasickness, consider taking your usual precautions before departure, as the day includes several hours on a moving boat.

Light in the Green Cave

The Green Cave is known for cracks in the ceiling that allow shafts of sunlight to reach the water. The cave is spacious, with water depths described as roughly three to five meters.

The effect depends on the weather, the position of the sun, and how busy the cave is. It is not the same type of sight as the Blue Cave. Here, you get more of a swimming and light-filled cave experience, while the Blue Cave is mainly viewed from a small boat.

Admission to the Green Cave is not included. The listed fee is 70 kn, and you should budget for it separately. The stop is scheduled for about an hour, though the exact amount of time in the cave can depend on conditions and the day’s timing.

This is a good place to use the snorkel gear, but you should follow the skipper’s instructions. Caves can have narrow sections, boats moving nearby, and slippery surfaces around the entrance. The supplied information does not promise that you will swim inside every cave, so treat swimming as weather and safety dependent.

Stiniva Cove on Vis

Stiniva Cove is one of the most memorable stops because of its shape. The entrance is narrow, then opens into a pebble beach backed by steep rock walls about 35 meters high. The beach is described as roughly 30 meters wide.

The one-hour stop gives you time to appreciate the contrast between the tight entrance and the wider cove beyond it. This is a strong stop for photographs, a swim, or simply sitting on the boat and looking toward shore.

The cove can feel more enclosed than Budikovac, and the rocky sides make the setting feel dramatic without needing a long walk. Since the beach is pebbled and the space is limited, it is better to think of Stiniva as a short natural stop rather than a place for a full afternoon.

The route can be affected by weather and sea conditions. If the water is rough, the skipper may adjust the order or replace a stop. That flexibility is important on a boat trip, even if it means the exact day does not unfold exactly as printed.

Biševo and the Blue Cave

Biševo’s Blue Cave is the main reason many people book this tour. It sits in Baluni Cove and is reached by a small local rowboat rather than by the main yacht. Inside, sunlight enters through an underwater opening and gives the cave its famous blue glow.

The transfer is part of the logistics you need to understand before booking. Your yacht cannot simply enter, so you may wait for a local boat and pay the cave entrance fee separately. One guest had to wait about an hour for the Blue Cave, while another found the timing worked well with no wait. The experience can vary with boat traffic, weather, and the day’s schedule.

The listed admission price is 100 kn. Bring cash unless the operator tells you otherwise, because the supplied information does not specify payment methods. The cave may also close in bad weather. When that happens, the crew may take you to other places instead.

I think the Blue Cave is worth prioritizing if the conditions are good. Its color is the most unusual sight on the route, and the short rowboat ride gives you a different feel from the open-deck yacht. Just keep your expectations realistic: the cave visit itself is brief, and the wait can cut into time elsewhere.

Three Hours Around the Pakleni Islands

The final major section of the day takes place around the Pakleni Islands, also called the Hell Islands. The itinerary allows about three hours here, making this the most relaxed portion of the outing.

Palmižana Bay and Vinogradisce Cove are noted for sandy and pebbly beaches and restaurants. This is where you can slow down after the cave visits, swim again, use a paddleboard, or eat lunch at your own cost. The tour does not include lunch, so budget for a meal or bring food if the operator allows it.

The group may eat together at a beach restaurant, which can add a pleasant social element. However, lunch timing and venue are not specified, so do not book this expecting a fixed meal or a prepaid menu.

This longer stop also gives you a chance to use the equipment properly. Paddleboards and floats are more enjoyable when you have enough time to learn how they work, rather than trying them for five minutes between photo stops. The sea bob is another unusual inclusion, offering a powered way to move through the water.

Some people prefer an itinerary with many short stops. I prefer the balance here: several notable sites, then a generous period to swim and relax. The drawback is that the trip runs until late afternoon, so it takes most of your day in Hvar.

What Is Included, and What You Should Bring

The inclusions are stronger than those on a basic sightseeing boat. You receive:

• Bottled water
• An icebox with ice
• Snorkeling equipment
• Stand-up paddleboards
• Towels
• A floating mat
• A sea bob
• A restroom on board
• Use of the yacht’s seating and sundeck

The boat is also described as having music, a shower, and Wi-Fi. One account reported that Wi-Fi was not available and that the guide did not explain all the equipment options. I would ask the crew early in the day where to find the paddleboards, towels, and other gear rather than waiting for an invitation.

Bring sunscreen, a swimsuit, a hat, a light layer, and money for cave tickets and lunch. Your own drinks can be kept in the cooler, and one practical tip is to bring beer or other refreshments if that suits your group.

The boat has plenty of space according to several accounts, but one person found the rear seating uncomfortable and felt the advertised extras were not clearly offered. The lesson is simple: on boarding, check the seating, ask about the gear, and confirm what is available that day.

The Good and the Less Good

The strongest part of this outing is the combination of comfort and variety. You are not just transported to one cave. You get a lagoon, two caves, a dramatic cove, open-water views, and a long beach stop, all in one day.

The small group is another real advantage. A 12-person limit helps keep loading times short and makes it easier to ask the crew questions. Teddy is described as entertaining and attentive, and the crew has helped with practical problems, including retrieving a phone from the sea.

The boat’s restroom, seating, cooler, and water gear add real value. These details matter after several hours in the sun. A spacious boat also gives you somewhere to sit when you want a break from swimming.

The main concerns are the cost, extra cave fees, and the risk of mechanical or weather problems. One boat breakdown led to a long wait in hot weather and caused two stops to be missed, although the owner provided a partial refund. That appears to be an exception, but it shows why you should not schedule an important evening commitment immediately after the tour.

Some people also found the experience rougher around the edges than expected for a premium-priced outing. The equipment may not always be offered without asking, and Wi-Fi should be treated as an advertised feature rather than a reason to book.

Who Should Book This Tour?

I would choose this trip if you want a full day at sea with several swim stops and a social small-group setting. It suits couples, friends, and groups who will actually use the paddleboards, snorkels, floating mat, and sea bob.

It is also a good choice if the Blue Cave is high on your Hvar list and you want to combine it with Stiniva, Budikovac, Green Cave, and the Pakleni Islands. The route saves you from arranging separate boat trips.

I would think twice if you want a quiet, low-cost outing, dislike long periods on a boat, or need a guaranteed return time. The Blue Cave can involve a wait or close due to weather, and the tour fills most of the day. Families and people of many fitness levels can participate, but you should be comfortable boarding a boat and swimming if you want to get the most from the stops.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum group size can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Should You Book the Blue and Green Cave Tour?

Book it if you see the boat itself as part of the holiday, not merely as transport. The yacht, small group, water equipment, and broad route help justify the price, especially for a day built around swimming and coastal scenery.

Skip it if the extra cost bothers you, if you would not use the included gear, or if you prefer to spend your day on one beach. For most active visitors with one full day available from Hvar, this is a strong way to reach the Blue Cave and several hard-to-access coves in one outing. Just budget for lunch and cave admission, arrive early, and ask the crew about the equipment as soon as you board.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about eight hours. You meet in Hvar in the morning and return to the meeting point around 6:30 pm.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Big Blue Tours, Tours Hvar, at Kroz Burak 12, 21450 Hvar, Croatia.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The boat has a maximum capacity of 12 travelers.

Are the Blue Cave and Green Cave tickets included?

No. The listed prices are 100 kn for the Blue Cave and 70 kn for the Green Cave.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, though the Pakleni Islands stop has beaches and restaurants where you can eat.

What equipment is provided?

The tour provides bottled water, an icebox with ice, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, towels, a floating mat, and a sea bob. The boat also has a restroom.

Can the Blue Cave visit be canceled?

Yes. The Blue Cave can close because of bad weather. If the overall tour is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.