From Split: Blue Cave & 5 Islands Amazing Speedboat Tour

The day’s big treat is the Blue Cave, where sunlight slips beneath the rock and turns the water an otherworldly blue. From Split, you cross to Biševo, then work your way through Stiniva, Budikovac Lagoon, Hvar, and several scenic coastal stops by speedboat.

I like the well-chosen mix of scenery and swimming: the cave is a short, striking visit, while Budikovac gives you time to get in the water. I also like the comfortable boat, which lets you lounge during the long rides. The catch is the pace. Ten hours, several islands, and a 100-minute opening ride make this a full day, not a lazy cruise.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue Cave first: You spend about 100 minutes at Biševo for the cave visit, photos, and sightseeing, with a separate admission fee.
• Budikovac is the swim stop: Allow about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, photos, and a break in the clear lagoon.
• Hvar gets two hours: You have time to walk through the old town, see historic sights, and find lunch on your own.
• The boat ride is part of the experience: The tour uses a speedboat, with a 100-minute crossing at the start and several shorter transfers between islands.
• Weather can change the plan: The skipper may reorder stops, and a closed Blue Cave means an alternative route and partial refund.
• Pack for the water: Bring a hat, swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, water shoes, and cash for the Blue Cave ticket.

Why this Split boat tour works as a one-day sampler

This is a high-energy introduction to the islands off Split. You do not settle into one place for long. Instead, the day gives you a quick look at the sea caves, rocky coves, swimming water, island cliffs, and Hvar’s old town.

That variety is the main value. If you have only one free day and want more than a ferry ride to Hvar, this trip covers a lot of Dalmatia in a single outing. You get nature, a little history, time in the water, and the simple pleasure of speeding across the Adriatic with warm air in your face.

The 10-hour length is worth taking seriously. The first crossing alone takes about 100 minutes, and the return journey includes several more boat transfers. I would book this for a day when you want to see as much as possible, not for a quiet holiday afternoon.

Navy Blue Yachting provides the skipper, guided island tour, safety equipment, and snorkeling gear. The host speaks English and Croatian. One host named in the booking feedback is Kata, who helped manage the Blue Cave arrangements and saved time at the busy first stop.

Leaving Split for Biševo

The meeting point is at the Split sign by the entrance to the Riva parking area, near Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda 27 to 23. Check the exact start time when booking, since departure times depend on availability.

Once aboard, you have a long opening run to Biševo. The speedboat makes the distance practical, but the ride can feel substantial if you are not used to a full day at sea. Bring water, apply sunscreen before departure, and keep your hat secure.

The boat is described as comfortable, with room to lounge during the ride. That matters here. A less comfortable boat would make the 100-minute trip feel like transport, while a boat that lets you sit back turns it into part of the day’s pleasure.

You should also expect wind, spray, sun, and motion. The tour is not suitable for children under five, pregnant women, or people with back problems. Those restrictions make sense for a fast boat operating over open water.

The Blue Cave: beautiful, brief, and busy

Biševo’s Blue Cave is the headline stop. Sunlight enters through an underwater opening and lights the cave’s water from below, creating the blue glow that gives the place its name.

You have about 100 minutes for the Blue Cave stop, including the visit, photos, sightseeing, and free time around the area. The cave itself is the special part, but the full stop also includes the waiting and ticket arrangements that come with a popular attraction.

Bring cash. The Blue Cave admission is not included in the $170 tour price. The supplied booking information gives two different ticket schedules, so you should confirm the current rate before departure. One notice lists €24 for adults and €12 for children from June 20 through September 10, and €18 and €9 in the shoulder periods. Another lists €18 and €9 in high season, and €12 and €6 in the off season.

That conflict is worth checking directly rather than guessing. Either way, the extra fee is modest beside the total cost, but it is an avoidable nuisance if you arrive without euros.

The Blue Cave can also close because of bad weather, high tide, or waves. If that happens, the skipper organizes another route and provides a partial refund. This is important: the cave is the day’s signature sight, but sea conditions control access.

The cave is also the place most likely to feel crowded. One detailed account described it as very popular, while the later swimming stops felt much less crowded. I would enjoy the cave for what it is, then look forward to the quieter water stops afterward.

Stiniva Cove and the south side of Vis

After Biševo, the boat runs for about 30 minutes to Stiniva Cove on Vis. The stop is mainly for sightseeing and photographs, so do not expect the same swimming time you get at Budikovac.

Stiniva is known for its narrow opening, high cliffs, and small beach tucked inside the cove. From the water, the shape of the cove is the point. Your camera will do better here with a wide view that includes the cliffs, the entrance, and the beach below.

This is one of those stops where a short visit works well. The boat gives you a strong view of the coast without requiring a long walk or a separate beach transfer. The tradeoff is that you have limited time to explore on land.

The next ride is only about 15 minutes, so the day keeps moving. You will want to keep your camera and towel handy rather than packing everything away after each stop.

Budikovac Lagoon is the day’s best water break

Budikovac Blue Lagoon is where the schedule slows down. You get about an hour for a break, photos, sightseeing, swimming, and snorkeling.

The water here is the reason to bring swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and water shoes. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and gear. The supplied description emphasizes warm, clear, turquoise water, making this the most practical place to plan on getting wet.

I like this stop because it balances the rapid sightseeing. After the cave and the cliff views, you have time to swim instead of simply looking at the sea from the boat. If you are choosing between bringing a book and bringing water shoes, bring the water shoes.

An hour is useful but not generous. You can swim and snorkel, take photos, and dry off, but you will not have an entire beach afternoon. Keep your expectations in line with the overall format: this is a sampler of several islands.

Hvar gives you two hours on land

From Budikovac, the boat takes about 45 minutes to Hvar Island. The Hvar stop lasts roughly two hours, making it the longest land-based portion of the day.

This is your chance to walk through Hvar’s old town, see historic attractions, and enjoy a meal or drink at your own expense. The tour description points to Mediterranean hospitality and the city’s historic center, but the schedule does not include a guided city tour or a restaurant meal.

Two hours is enough to get your bearings, walk through the old streets, and eat lunch if service is quick. It is not enough for an unhurried visit to every attraction. I would decide in advance whether you care more about a sit-down meal, photography, or sightseeing, then keep the plan simple.

Hvar is a welcome change after the open sea. You can stretch your legs, use the time for a proper break, and enjoy an island town rather than another coastal viewpoint. The downside is that a busy restaurant can consume much of your stop, so avoid an elaborate meal if you want to see more than the waterfront.

The final swim and the ride back to Split

After Hvar, the planned return run includes a 30-minute speedboat trip, a swim at an unnamed final stop, another 30-minute boat ride, and arrival back at the original Split meeting point.

The final swim is a nice way to finish, especially if you skipped the water at Budikovac or want one last chance to cool off. Since the exact location is not specified, do not build your expectations around a particular beach or cove.

The return journey can feel long after a full day in the sun. This is when a comfortable seat matters, and the boat’s reported lounging space becomes more than a pleasant extra. Keep some water for the ride back, and do not count on food or drinks being supplied.

What the $170 price really covers

At $170 per person, this is not a cheap ferry outing. You are paying for a full-day route, a speedboat, a skipper, guided coordination, safety equipment, and snorkeling gear. You also avoid arranging separate transport to Biševo, Vis, Budikovac, and Hvar.

The value is strongest if you want several major sights in one day. A ferry to Hvar would cost less, but it would not give you the Blue Cave, Stiniva, Budikovac, or the extra swimming stops. A private boat would offer more control, but normally at a much higher total cost.

You still need to budget for food, drinks, and the Blue Cave ticket. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must reach the Riva meeting point yourself. These are not hidden costs, but they should be included in your day’s budget.

The tour has a 4.9 rating from 13 verified bookings, with especially strong praise for the comfortable boat, kind guides, organized operation, and lack of surprise inclusions. One account specifically noted that Kata handled the Blue Cave booking ahead of the group, which helped reduce wasted time at the busiest stop.

How to prepare for ten hours on the water

Pack lightly, but bring the items that make a hot boat day easier:

• Sun hat
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Water shoes
• Cash for the Blue Cave ticket
• Water and money for food and drinks

Water shoes are especially useful around rocky Croatian shores. Sunscreen is not optional on a day with long open-water crossings, even when the breeze makes the heat feel mild.

Wear something comfortable for both the boat and Hvar’s old town. You will want to move easily, dry off after swimming, and walk without carrying a heavy beach bag.

Weather is the key variable. The skipper can change the order of locations, and the Blue Cave may close in rough conditions. A flexible attitude will make the day better. The route is designed around the sea, so the sea gets the final say.

Who should book this tour

I would choose this trip if you are staying in Split, want a packed island day, and prefer seeing many highlights over spending hours in one place. It suits couples, friends, and active families with children aged five and older who are comfortable with a fast boat and a long day.

It is also a good fit if you want snorkeling equipment provided and do not want to organize several ferry connections. The English-speaking host and skipper make the day easier to follow, while the included safety equipment adds reassurance on the longer crossings.

I would think twice if you have back problems, are pregnant, dislike speedboats, or want a slow, quiet cruise. I would also reconsider if your main goal is a long beach stay or a detailed visit to Hvar, since the schedule gives you only about two hours there.

Should you book the Blue Cave and five-island tour?

Book it if you want the Adriatic highlights in one ambitious day: the Blue Cave, Stiniva’s cliffs, Budikovac’s swimming water, and Hvar’s old town. The comfortable boat, strong organization, and well-spaced mix of stops make the $170 price reasonable for a multi-island outing.

Before paying, confirm the Blue Cave ticket price, departure time, and weather policy. If you accept the fast pace and bring cash, water, sun protection, and swim gear, this is a practical way to see a lot of Dalmatia from Split without arranging the pieces yourself.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet in Split?

Meet at the Split sign near the entrance to the Riva parking area, at Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda 27 to 23.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts 10 hours. Check availability for the exact starting time.

What is included in the $170 price?

The price includes a guided island tour, a speedboat captain, boating safety equipment, and snorkeling equipment.

Is the Blue Cave ticket included?

No. You must pay for the Blue Cave ticket separately, in cash.

How much does the Blue Cave ticket cost?

The supplied information gives different prices. One notice lists €24 for adults and €12 for children from June 20 through September 10, and €18 and €9 from April 1 through June 19 and September 11 through October 31. Another notice lists €18 and €9 in high season, and €12 and €6 in the off season. Confirm the current price before departure.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must make your own way to the meeting point, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not provided.

Which places does the tour visit?

The route includes Biševo and the Blue Cave, Stiniva Cove, Budikovac Blue Lagoon, Hvar Island, and a final swimming stop. The tour information also highlights the Pakleni Islands and the south side of Vis.

Can the route change?

Yes. The skipper can change the order of the stops depending on the weather.

What happens if the Blue Cave is closed?

If bad weather, high tide, or waves close the cave, the skipper organizes an alternative route and provides a partial refund.

Who should not take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under five, pregnant women, or people with back problems.

What languages are available?

The host and greeter service is available in English and Croatian.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also offers reserve now and pay later booking.