If you’re dreaming of a day filled with dramatic coastlines, crystal-clear waters, and charming villages, a boat tour from Split to the Blue Cave, Vis, and Hvar promises a scenic adventure. While we haven’t experienced this particular trip ourselves, the reviews and itinerary paint a pretty compelling picture for travelers eager to explore Croatia’s famed island jewels.
What we love about this tour is how it combines iconic highlights like the Blue Cave—the star of the show—and relaxed island stops where you can unwind, swim, and soak up local vibes. Plus, the expert guides seem to make all the difference, sharing insights and keeping the day fun and organized.
However, there’s a key consideration: the Blue Cave’s opening depends on weather conditions, which can lead to waiting times or even cancellations. That’s worth keeping in mind if seeing the Blue Cave is your top priority. This tour suits those who love boat rides, scenic landscapes, and a good mix of guided sightseeing with free time to explore on their own.
We had an amazing day leaving from Trogir. The morning boat ride we came across 2 lots of dolphins, we only had to wait approx 30 mins to tour the blue cave, then swimming in the blue lagoon was wonderful. Another stop for a beach swim and a drink I. The cape diem beach club Hvar, then lunch in Hvar. It was a fantastic tic day all 5 of us thoroughly enjoyed. The guide and captain of the boat were professional, punctual and shared relevant information as it’s really about the beautiful scenery. Good music choice of the boat too. Would recommend.
Very friendly crew, nice new boat. Everything was well organized and plenty of time in each place we visited.
The only good thing was we really visited the Blue Cave which was amazing. Except for this, other things were not good. The worst one was that the captian drove the speedboat well but he did play with another speedboat which started with us at the same time and for about two minutes kept very very close in high speed behind that speedboat. We can't image what would happen if one of them missed his control a little. Besides, the guide stopped one small village for her breakfast coffe. We just felt it was waste of time. Another place she stopped is a small port we found nothing to see. For the Hvar Island, she let us stay for lunch so we did not have sufficent time to visit. In addition, she b…
If you’re someone looking for a well-rounded day on the water, with plenty of opportunities to swim and take in the scenery, this trip could be a fantastic choice. It might not be great for travelers who prefer a more relaxed, land-based experience or have mobility restrictions, but for most, it’s a lively day full of memorable moments.
- Key Points
- The Itinerary in Detail
- Start at the Blue Cave on Bisevo Island
- Stiniva Cove and Budikovac Island
- Moving onto Hvar and the Pakleni Islands
- What’s Included and What’s Not
- Timing and Practicalities
- The Real Traveler Experience
- Who Is This Tour Best For?
- FAQs
- More Tours in Split
- More Tour Reviews in Split
Key Points
- Iconic sights and island hopping: The tour covers some of Dalmatia’s most stunning locations, from the Blue Cave to Hvar’s vibrant town.
- Speedboat comfort: Traveling by speedboat means more stops and less time in transit, which enhances the overall experience.
- Weather-dependent Blue Cave: The Blue Cave’s opening is not guaranteed; weather can cause delays or cancellations.
- Time for swimming and exploring: Most stops include swimming in clear waters and free time to wander local villages or relax on beaches.
- Guides and crew: Reviews highlight knowledgeable, friendly staff who keep the trip engaging and organized.
- Cost versus value: At around $118 per person, it’s a worthwhile experience, especially considering the number of stops and activities included.
The Itinerary in Detail
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Split.
Start at the Blue Cave on Bisevo Island
The adventure begins early, with a 90-minute speedboat ride to the UNESCO-protected Vis Archipelago. The Blue Cave is the highlight here, breathtaking with its bold blue hues created by sunlight reflecting through the tiny opening. But it’s important to remember, admission isn’t included, so you’ll need to bring cash for the entrance fee, which varies seasonally, from around €9 to €24 per person.
Many travelers, like one who described the Blue Cave as “amazing,” feel the wait can be lengthy—up to two hours during busy summer months—mainly due to weather and tides. Some reviews mention that delays are common, but most agree that the spectacle inside the cave is worth the wait.
Keep in mind, if the weather isn’t suitable, the cave may be closed for safety reasons, which can be disappointing if that’s your main goal.
We waited an hour to get in the blue cave which was ok as it can be up to 2 hours on busy days. The blue Lagoon isn’t really worth going to unless you swim nothing to eat minimal drinks and not much shade we were really just waiting to leave. Hvar was much better and the restaurant we went to was good. Overall worth going not much information about the islands etc but the boat was nice. Overall ok but not great.
All the Islands visited were wonderful, super pretty with a decent amount of time at each, however, it should be made clear that if you visit the Blue Caves in the summer months then expect to wait a good 2 HOURS – this is mainly due to 'priority pass' customers on trips from Vis island and those that have spent 600 euros for a private boat trip into the caves. We found ourselves waiting as more and more 'priority pass' customers skipped the queue. The caves were wonderful, but not worth the wait….
The crew were very pleasant and the speedboat was in excellent shape Waiting time in the morning before going out was longer than expected
Stiniva Cove and Budikovac Island
Next, the boat cruise takes you around Vis Island to Stiniva Bay, renowned for its striking narrow entrance and rocky surroundings. It’s a favorite for swimming, with clear waters ideal for soaking up the sun. One traveler described it as “what a beach,” with plenty of time to relax and catch some Vitamin D.
From there, the boat heads to Budikovac Island’s Blue Lagoon, a scene straight out of a travel magazine—turquoise waters and white sands great for snorkeling. Gear is provided, and many reviews mention how swimming here felt like a highlight, with some spending an hour just enjoying the water.
The lagoon, in particular, is praised for its beauty and calmness, although some note that it can get crowded during peak times.
Moving onto Hvar and the Pakleni Islands
After a few hours exploring Vis, the journey continues to the Pakleni Islands, a chain of wooden isles offering lovely spots for swimming or grabbing lunch. The boat anchors here for about two hours, giving you a chance to unwind, explore, or enjoy a meal. Many travelers loved this part, citing it as a perfect mix of scenery and relaxation.
Blue cave and blue lagoon were both well worth a visit. We did not get to swim in that the first cove due to it being jellyfish mating season. Could not be helped but would have been good to have an alternative swimming destination as it was a particularly hot day! Total trip time was 8 hours as we left an hour late due to the skippers assistant not turning up. Ivan was great though, he did a great job of multitasking anyway and was informative.
All of the staff that we encountered were extremely kind and seemed to enjoy their jobs, which made it more relaxing and fun for their guests. Getting to do this tour on a speed boat allowed for more stops and excursions as well as a bit more time to swim, which was wonderful!
Tour guide was lovely, brilliant experience. Boat broke down, but was sorted very quickly and experience went ahead as planned and our safety was genuinely taken care of. Driver and guide were lovely and your was extended so we didn’t miss anything due to delay in swapping boats and was a very small delay anyway.
Finally, the tour concludes with a stop at Hvar Town, often called “the Croatian St. Tropez” for its lively atmosphere and picturesque harbor. Here, you’ll have nearly two hours to stroll through the historic streets, admire the fortress, or sip coffee in a scenic café.
One reviewer called it a “cultural highlight,” and many enjoyed wandering the charming lanes, soaking in the vibe, and snapping photos of the fortress views.
What’s Included and What’s Not
The tour package covers transportation on a spacious speedboat, an English-speaking captain and crew, fuel, snorkneilling gear, and insurance—a good deal for a full day on the water. The main expense not included is the Blue Cave entrance fee; it’s payable in cash at the meeting point and varies seasonally.
It’s worth noting the tour is limited to just 12 travelers, making it feel more personal and allowing the crew to attend to everyone’s needs. The small group size often translates into a more enjoyable experience, with plenty of room on the boat and more time at each stop.
The trip was fantastic in terms of scenery and the professionalism of our crew. The crew kept the trip timely, yet allowed enough time to swim and relax at each stop, as there were multiple stops and also explained the history behind each destination. It was an awesome day out and I wish I could give more stars.
This was a really great trip and a truly memorable day, a highlight of our whole trip! The crew are really lovely and on hand to answer any questions and keep you entertained with great music as we went between islands! We were unlucky with the weather and so it is worth us noting that we only actually did one thing listed on the itinierary which was visiting Hvar. Whilst we did still have a fantastic time and obviously the weather can’t be helped it was disappointing that we couldn’t visit the Blue Cave or Vis. Instead we visited two smaller islands which were quieter but still nice. We were a little frustrated because we had enquired about the weather the day before and whilst their ca…
The ride on the way back was way to bumpy and people were literally flying about. But other than that the trip was good
Timing and Practicalities
The tour kicks off at 7:30 AM with check-in 30 minutes prior, including a safety briefing. If you’re staying in Trogir, be prepared for an early start—pickup is at 6:15 AM—but most travelers agree it’s a worthwhile way to maximize your day.
Given the weather-dependent nature of some stops, particularly the Blue Cave, travelers should be flexible and prepared for possible changes in the plan. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, the crew aims to offer alternative stops or reschedule. Be sure to bring cash for entrance fees and possibly some snacks or water, as options on the boat are limited.
The tour isn’t recommended for children under three, mainly because of the bumpy ride and boat size, so keep that in mind if traveling with young kids.
The Real Traveler Experience
Reviews reflect a mix of highs and lows, but overall, most guests leave satisfied. Many praise the guides for their friendliness, knowledge, and ability to keep the day moving smoothly. A few mention delays waiting for Blue Cave access, which is outside the operator’s control, and some highlight the boat ride’s bumpy nature—so if you’re prone to seasickness or have back issues, pack accordingly.
Love love love love!!!! This tour was amazing. A great way to get a taste of the different islands around croatia. If you’re a big mamma Mia fan (like my wife and I) then book this tour!! I believe our one tour guide was named marina. And I forgot the other guy’s name. I’m terrible with names. But they were both amazing guides. Beyond nice people. And they had great music playing on our boat the whole time. Just a few clarifications that aren’t mentioned in the description: – if you are getting picked up in trogir, use the exact address they provide in your gps. Do NOT use the name of the office as it will (strangely) bring you around the corner. Their office is called gray line and…
This tour was amazing! We went with Nancy and 'Larry'. The blue caves were closed because of southerly winds which made it too dangerous to go there but we still went to 5 islands and it was so much fun! The boat is really comfortable and the music was great to listen to while travelling to the different islands. We went swimming in 3 different places and stopped off in Hvar for nearly 2 hours and Nancy organised for us to have lunch on one of the islands if you wanted it. Carpe Diem beach was amazing and there is a beach club there too where you can get cocktails and going swimming, would highly recommend going in there. Remember to bring swimming shoes too because there are a lot of sea ur…
We had an amazing time, beautiful site seeing, great service, fantastic driving of the boat by Ivan, and very nice tour guide along side of Ivan. Very sorry, forgot her name:( me and my wife recommend this tour, you can definitely enjoy the day, swim, eat and learn at the same time the capture and how people live around the stops we made.
One guest summed it up well, saying, “The crew kept the trip timely but allowed enough time to swim and relax at each stop,” emphasizing the balance of activity and downtime. Conversely, some reviews voiced frustration about long waits or service shortcomings, reminding us that weather and tide play big roles in this kind of tour.
Who Is This Tour Best For?
This experience is ideal for adventure-minded travelers who enjoy boat rides, island scenery, and swimming. It’s a good choice if you want to see the Blue Cave without committing to a longer, more expensive trip or if you love small-group excursions. The tour’s pace is lively, and the stops are well spaced, making it suitable for those who can handle a full day on the water.
If your goal is strictly relaxing or if you have mobility concerns, you might find the boat ride a bit bumpy or the waiting times for the Blue Cave frustrating. It’s also less suitable for families with very young children, given the early start and boat conditions.
In sum, this tour offers a rich mix of sights, swimming, and local flavor—delivered with a friendly crew and a focus on capturing the best of Dalmatia’s islands. It’s a solid choice for those who want a full, active day that combines scenic beauty with a taste of island life.
Blue Cave & Blue Lagoon, Vis and Hvar Islands Group Tour from Split & Trogir
"We had an amazing day leaving from Trogir. The morning boat ride we came across 2 lots of dolphins, we only had to wait approx 30 mins to tour the ..."
FAQs
Do I need to pay for the Blue Cave entrance separately?
Yes, the Blue Cave admission isn’t included in the tour price. You’ll need to bring cash to pay at the meeting point—fees range from roughly EUR 9 to EUR 24 depending on the time of year.
Is the tour suitable for children?
The tour is not recommended for kids under three, mainly because of the boat’s size and the early start. If traveling with kids older than three, consider their comfort with boat rides and weather conditions.
What happens if the Blue Cave is closed?
If the Blue Cave is closed due to weather or tides, the guides will likely adjust the itinerary. Many reviews mention visiting other beautiful spots, so you’ll still have a memorable day, just without the cave experience.
How long is the boat ride to the Blue Cave?
The initial ride from Split is about 90 minutes. The ride to other stops varies from 30 to 40 minutes, making the day quite active but manageable.
How much time do we get in Hvar Town?
You’ll have nearly two hours in Hvar, enough to explore the town’s sights, enjoy a coffee, or stroll along the harbor, depending on your pace.
Is there Wi-Fi or amenities on the boat?
The reviews don’t mention onboard Wi-Fi or amenities, so don’t rely on internet connectivity. Bring snacks, water, and sun protection to stay comfortable throughout the day.
To sum it up, this Blue Cave & Islands tour from Split offers a lively, scenic, and well-organized way to explore Dalmatia’s stunning islands.
While weather can impact certain highlights, most guests find the experience rewarding, especially given the guides, beautiful scenery, and the opportunity to swim in turquoise waters. It’s best suited for active travelers who enjoy small-group boat adventures and are flexible with timing.
If you’re looking to tick off some of Croatia’s most iconic spots in one day, this tour is likely to give you plenty of memorable moments—and maybe even some new favorite beaches.
