From Hvar: Blue Cave, Green Cave & 5 Islands Speedboat Tour

The Blue Cave is the star here, but the best part of this full-day trip is the range of places around it. You speed across open water, pause in the blue lagoon at Budikovac, swim near Vis, see Stiniva Cove, and finish among the Pakleni Islands. The cave is beautiful, yet the day works even when weather shuts it.

I like the chance to see five islands in one outing, especially if your time in Hvar is short. I also like the guides’ flexible approach: skippers such as Luka, Marco, Andrea, and Daniel have adjusted routes, found quieter coves, and helped non-swimmers. The tradeoff is a fast, bumpy ride that may not suit anyone with back trouble or seasickness.

Key points at a glance

• The Blue Cave is the main event: Its blue light comes from sunlight entering beneath the water, but entry costs extra and depends on sea conditions.
• Budikovac offers an early swim: The blue lagoon gives you a quick chance to snorkel before the busier cave stops.
• Stiniva is best seen from the water: You can swim near the cove or head toward shore for photographs from the surrounding slopes.
• The route can change: Wind, waves, cave queues, and closures may replace a planned stop with another cove or beach.
• Lunch is not included: Bring cash, since you may want food, drinks, or snacks at a swimming stop or island village.
• The boat ride is part of the experience: It is exciting and scenic, but rough water can make the crossing uncomfortable.

The best way to see Hvar’s neighboring islands

Hvar town is a fine base, but its famous waterfront tells only part of the Dalmatian story. The nearby islands have small coves, pale stone, clear water, and beaches reached more easily by boat than by road. This tour gives you a broad sample in one long day.

You meet at the Gajeta Agency office by 10:15 for a 10:30 departure. The boat then heads out at speed, so you should expect wind, spray, and a ride that feels more like transport than a gentle harbor cruise. Windproof jackets, life jackets, safety equipment, bottled water, and snorkeling gear are supplied.

I like this format for a short stay. Instead of arranging separate ferries and trying to match local schedules, you let one skipper handle the route. You also get several chances to swim, which makes the day feel active rather than a string of photo stops.

The catch is that the schedule is packed. Five islands, two caves, beaches, swimming areas, and open-water crossings leave little room for a slow, unplanned afternoon. If you want to sit on one beach for hours, take a smaller private charter instead.

Budikovac’s blue lagoon starts the swimming

The first listed stop is Budikovac Island, about 30 minutes from Hvar. The lagoon is known for water that shifts between blue and green under the sun. This is a good early stop because you can get into the water before the day’s longer crossings.

Bring your swimsuit under your clothes and keep your towel easy to reach. You can swim, snorkel, or simply stay aboard and enjoy the view. The provided snorkeling equipment removes one bit of packing hassle, though you should still bring your own mask if you need a particular fit.

The stop is not a full beach day. It is one part of a busy route, and the time available can change with weather and the needs of the group. Still, this first swim helps you understand the appeal of the excursion: the water is not just scenery, it is the main activity.

Some swimming spots have a bar or snack option nearby. Keep cash in a waterproof pouch. It is easy to leave your wallet on the boat, swim toward shore, and then realize you cannot buy a drink or snack.

The Blue Cave is spectacular, with a clear extra cost

The Blue Cave lies near the island of Biševo, in the waters around Vis. Sunlight enters through an underwater opening and lights the cave from below, giving the interior its famous blue glow. The effect is brief and controlled by the weather and the angle of the light, but it is one of the Adriatic’s most memorable sights.

The speedboat does not make the cave fee disappear. Admission is separate from the $112 tour price. The listed Blue Cave charges are:

• April 1 to May 31: €12
• June 1 to June 19: €18
• June 20 to September 10: €24
• September 11 to October 31: €18

The supplied information also advises carrying cash for entry to both caves, since cards are not accepted. The fee information gives specific Blue Cave prices, but no separate Green Cave amount, so ask the operator before departure if both caves are open and what payment is required.

Summer queues can be long. One practical advantage of having an experienced skipper is that the day can be adjusted around waiting times. The route may include another stop while the boat manages the cave timing, though this means you might miss a planned island or spend less time somewhere else.

Weather is the bigger issue. The Blue Cave closes during high tides and high winds. In those conditions, no amount of careful planning can guarantee entry. Several alternative days have included extra swimming, a beach club, a secluded cove, or more time around Vis. That is why I would judge this tour by the whole route, not only by the cave.

The Green Cave is a bonus, not a reason to book alone

The Green Cave has its own play of sunlight and water, though it is often treated as a shorter stop than the Blue Cave. Its appeal depends heavily on the group, the weather, and the day’s timing.

Some groups have chosen to skip it in favor of a quiet cove or another swimming location. That can be a sensible choice if the sea is rough or the cave involves extra waiting. Other groups have visited both caves and considered the Blue Cave the clear favorite.

I would not book this trip solely for the Green Cave. Think of it as one possible piece of a flexible day. The real value comes from combining cave visits with beaches, swimming areas, and the ride between islands.

Stiniva Cove gives you the classic Vis view

Stiniva Cove, on Vis, is one of the most photogenic stops. High rocky sides narrow toward the water, creating a sheltered beach with a dramatic entrance from the sea. The boat can pause in the clear water, giving you time to swim and take in the shape of the cove.

You may also swim toward shore and photograph the beach from the slopes around it. This is a useful choice for people who would rather not spend every stop in the water. Non-swimmers can remain on the boat, and the crew carries life jackets and snorkeling equipment.

Space at the beach itself is limited, and the cove can feel crowded during the main season. The boat view is often the best part anyway. You see the full stone walls and narrow opening in a way that is difficult from the beach.

Be aware that jellyfish have been noticed at Stiniva. They are not described as dangerous, but a sting can hurt for a while. Look before entering and ask the crew if you have concerns.

Vis adds a welcome change of pace

The island of Vis gives the route more than swimming stops. Depending on the day, the boat may call at a town associated with the film Mamma Mia, or use time that had been planned for a cave. Komiža has also been suggested as an extra stop on some outings, though it is not guaranteed by the advertised route.

This flexibility can be a real benefit. If a cave queue grows or weather blocks a planned location, you may get a village stop, another cove, or a chance to see more of Vis instead. The downside is that no single replacement can be promised in advance.

Lunch is not included. Restaurant prices at island stops can be high, and places may fill quickly. If you plan to eat ashore, get a table soon after arriving. A burger bar or casual snack spot may cost less than a sit-down restaurant, but choices depend on the stop that day.

Bring food if you prefer firm control over your budget. The tour supplies bottled water, but not lunch or a full meal. Cash is the safest choice for small purchases and cave fees.

The Pakleni Islands finish the day on a calmer note

On the way back to Hvar, the boat cruises around the Pakleni Islands and stops at Palmižana. The area is known for a sandy beach, a welcome contrast to the stone coves and rocky swimming spots earlier in the day.

This final stop gives you room to relax, swim, or stretch your legs before the ride back. It is also a good reminder that the tour is not only a cave excursion. You are seeing a chain of small islands, each with a different feel, rather than checking off one famous attraction and returning immediately.

The return crossing can be lively. Skippers have handled choppy water carefully, but a speedboat still moves sharply over waves. Sit where you feel most stable, hold your belongings securely, and avoid the tour if you know that open-water rides trigger severe seasickness.

The crew can make or break the day

The operator is Gajeta Agency, and the crew changes by departure. Names associated with well-liked outings include Luka, Marco, Andrea, Daniel, Judita, Julian, Bozo, Doris, and Lucio. You cannot assume a particular guide will be assigned, but the repeated pattern is useful: the crew often helps with snorkeling gear, looks after non-swimmers, explains the stops, and adjusts the route.

Some guides play music during the crossings, which gives the boat a relaxed holiday mood. Others focus more on practical information about the islands. The amount of historical explanation may vary, so do not choose this tour expecting a formal lecture.

The strongest crew members appear to read the group well. They may shorten a rough-water crossing, add a quiet cove, help with a birthday surprise, or find a suitable alternative when a cave closes. That local judgment matters more than a rigid timetable on the Adriatic.

Is $112 good value?

At $112 per person, the price is fair for a full day of boat transport, a skipper, a guide, safety equipment, snorkeling gear, jackets, water, and insurance. You are paying for access to several islands that would be hard to combine independently in one day.

The price is less attractive if you view it as a simple ride to the Blue Cave. Add the seasonal cave admission, lunch, drinks, and any other paid cave entry, and your total rises. The Blue Cave fee alone reaches €24 in the busiest period.

I still think the value is good for people who want variety. You get multiple swimming chances, scenic boat travel, cave visits when conditions allow, and the option to see places such as Stiniva, Budikovac, Palmižana, and parts of Vis.

It is weaker value for anyone who dislikes group schedules, wants a guaranteed cave visit, or would rather spend a whole day in one quiet bay. In that case, a private boat or a slower island excursion may suit you better.

Who should book this Hvar boat trip?

I would recommend it to active couples, friends, and families with older children who want a full day on the water. It is especially useful if you have only a few days in Hvar and want to see more of Dalmatia without arranging several separate trips.

You should be comfortable climbing in and out of a boat, swimming or sitting near open water, and handling a fast ride. The experience is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or people with mobility impairments.

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. A waterproof pouch is a smart addition. Keep your phone protected from spray, and bring a light layer even on a hot day because the boat can feel cool at speed.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a busy, scenic day with plenty of swimming and you can accept a weather-dependent plan. The Blue Cave is worth seeing when it is open, but the tour remains worthwhile because Stiniva, Budikovac, Vis, the Pakleni Islands, and the boat ride each add something different.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed cave entry, have back problems, or dislike fast boats and changing plans. For everyone else, the combination of five islands, capable skippers, clear water, and several chances to swim makes $112 a reasonable way to see far more than Hvar town in one day.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Meet at the Gajeta Agency office in Hvar. You should arrive by 10:15 for the 10:30 departure.

Where does the tour finish?

The boat returns to the original meeting point in Hvar.

Which places does the tour visit?

The route includes Budikovac Island, the Blue Cave and Green Cave area, Stiniva Cove on Vis, and the Pakleni Islands, including a stop at Palmižana. The exact route can change with weather, waves, cave closures, and waiting times.

Is the Blue Cave entry included?

No. Blue Cave admission is paid separately from the $112 tour price.

How much does the Blue Cave cost?

The listed price is €12 from April 1 to May 31, €18 from June 1 to June 19, €24 from June 20 to September 10, and €18 from September 11 to October 31.

Can I pay the cave fee by card?

The tour information says to bring cash because cards are not accepted for cave entry. Bring cash for food and drinks as well.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes the speedboat ride, skipper, guide, snorkeling gear, windproof jackets, life jackets, safety equipment, bottled water, and insurance.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You may buy food at an island stop, or bring your own provisions.

What happens if the Blue Cave is closed?

The route is subject to weather conditions. High tides and high winds can close the cave, and the crew may replace it with another cove, beach, swimming stop, or island visit.