Updated August 2021. This post shares the different ways to visit Bisevo Blue Cave Croatia both from Vis Island and on a day tour from Split.
One way is to hire a boat from Vis. Having owned a string of boats over the years and both holding boat licences, this is what we did. We loved that we could commune with Mother Nature in deserted bays, swimming wherever we chose. It may be an option for you too. Hiring a boat is an expensive option, but having said that, by staying at Airbnb’s and budget rooms or house-sitting and self catering, our budget allowed it.
Other options include a Blue Cave tour from Vis Island and 5 island day trips from Split which include the Bisevo Blue Cave Bisevo, or a Blue Cave tour from Hvar Island.
An underwater rock ledge is clearly visible from above in Bisevo Blue Cave Croatia.
About Bisevo Blue Cave Croatia
The first thing to know is that swimming is not allowed in the Cave.
Some Split Locals suggested it was possible if we arrived independently as opposed to by tour. This may have been correct at one time, but not now.
Cameras monitor the entrance with a boat and rope physically blocking it. It would be dangerous swimming in the cave with the amount of boat traffic it gets. Our boatman quoted figures of 1500 visitors in one day.
A floating rope barrier surrounds the cave entrance and infringing boat owners are fined.
The cave at 24 metres long feels very intimate, and while the water is 10 to 12 metres deep, the bottom and fish are clearly visible.
The cave is a natural phenomenon formed by wave action eroding limestone.
Is the water blue outside the Blue Cave?
Yes the water is blue outside the Cave, but it is not as stunningly iridescent as within the cave.
This photo shows the water outside the Blue Cave Bisevo.
We suggest paying to visit inside the cave, it truly is worth it. Remember the best time is between 10 am and 2 pm.
Water outside the Bisevo Blue cave Croatia
Why is the Blue Cave in Croatia blue?
Sunlight enters the cave from a hole in the cave roof and reflects off the white sand floor of the cave.
Is the Blue Cave in Croatia worth it?
Most definitely, especially if you have not been into a blue cave before. It was one of the most surreal experiences of my life, as strange as white snow on the black lava of Mt. Etna.
Where is the Blue Cave located?
The Croatian Blue Cave is on Bisevo Island 10km south-west of Komiza on Vis Island. There is another Blue Cave on the Isle of Capri in Italy.
Within the cave the water is Astoundingly, blindingly blue.
The cave tour itself is Time Efficient, Affordable and well Organised.
Diary Entry
We arrived on the island at 10 a.m., moored at Biševo harbour and purchased tickets for the cave. Our strategy of arriving before the first tour boats paid off and we were seated on the very next cave boat. Thirteen on our boat – a lucky 13! The blue cave was situated around a small headland from the harbour and we arrived within 10 minutes. Our boat waited outside the cave until another exited and then it was our turn. We ducked our heads to give the boatman a clear view of the small cave entrance but even with heads raised everything remained black and with the motor off all was quiet. Water lapped gently, an occasional water droplet fell into the coolness and tension mounted. We rounded a corner and an iridescent glow filled the cave. It hit with an almost physical force. Our guide quoted a few facts and figures that seemed superfluous and I tried to remember if standing was allowed. I stood and took several photos before sitting to enjoy the moment.
Bisevo Blue Cave Tour departs from Bisevo Harbour on Bisevo Island
The thing to understand is that regardless of which tour delivers you to Bisevo Island, you will be transferred to the boats which leave from Bisevo Harbour and take you to the Blue Cave.
- Bisevo Harbour is the departure point for boats visiting the Bisevo Blue Cave.
- These are the only way of entering the Blue Cave Croatia.
- The ticket office for the Blue Cave tours is on the left in the above photo.
How do you get to the Blue Cave Croatia
1. Hire a boat from Vis Island and Drive it yourself.
Yes you can be your own Captain for the day.
If you have a boat licence, are cashed up or have a few people to share the cost, this is a great option.
Komiža, a town on the west coast of Vis Island, was where we departed for our Bisevo Blue Cave trip. Having been directed to Blue Cave Tourist Agency, we hired an 18ft semi-rigid inflatable with a 130 h.p. outboard motor. It was ours from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Make the Blue Cave your priority. It is best viewed between the hours 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and we recommend arriving before the first Tour boats do at 10.20 a.m. We suggest by 9.30 a.m.
Read on for other options to visit the Bisevo Blue Cave on Bisevo Island. Remember, it doesn’t matter how you get to Bisevo Island because once there everyone enters and leaves the cave the same way.
Cost of Bisevo Blue Cave Tour
Prices correct at time of publishing.
- Cost of Blue Cave Tour from Biševo Harbour. Half hour tour of cave only. 100 Kuna per adult, 50 kuna for child 6 y.o. to 12 y.o. (2021 price) This is included in the cost of Tour from Split/Trogir.
- Our personal boat rental for the day from Vis Island was 1125 kuna (2021 price 1500 kuna) with a further 600 kuna spent on fuel.
- Tourist Boat Tours from Komiza to Biševo and the Blue Cave from 150 kuna (2021 price on application) per person. Link in Item 4 below.
2. Split to Blue Cave Tour or Trogir to Blue Cave Tour
Are you up for a 10 hour Tour? If so this 5 island tour, departing from either Trogir or Split City on Mainland Croatia is great value.
This Blue Cave Tour from Split/Trogir scores 4.8 from a possible 5 from 286 reviews, which is very good. All these reviews are from people who have taken the tour. Having such a high score from so many reviews shows they are consistently good.
We recommend this tour for adventurous people who love a good time and going fast in a small speed boat as opposed to sailing or large ferry type boats. It is totally safe and lots of fun. Small boats are the way to explore to explore the Croatian Islands. Music is played on board to pass time in transit. Lifejackets are supplied as is snorkelling gear (for Budikovac Island). I like to take something warm for the way home although wind-cheaters are also provided.
This 5 island tour really ticks a lot of boxes. Hvar Island is Croatia’s premier island and is drop dead gorgeous, as is the Blue Cave. If the weather prohibits entering the Blue Cave the crew will find you a lovely deserted beach to swim at. These guys know all the best places.
If you are exhausted by the time you reach Hvar and don’t wish to climb to the fortress, we recommend settling in at one of the waterfront cafes. They are beautiful and a great place to people and boat watch. Watching boats arrive and depart in Croatia is always fun.
Islands visited are Hvar, Biševo, Vis, Ravnik and Budikovac. Most tourists don’t get to see (and swim and snorkel) at Budikovac so this is a big plus.
This tour is also great for people who are time poor as it really covers a lot in a short time frame.
I would not hesitate to take this tour. We have taken a very similar one from Airlie Beach in Queensland Australia.
Trogir or Split to Blue Cave is a breathtaking 90 minute speed boat ride direct to Bisevo Blue Cave. The Cave is the first stop.
Blue Cave Entry is included in this tour.
Small Boat Harbour Split Croatia
- Blue Cave (includes transferring to a smaller boat on Bisevo Island).
- Explore the cute fishing town of Komiza on Vis Island, where part of Mamma Mia – Here We Go Again was filmed.
- Swim at Stiniva Beach one of the most spectacular beaches on Vis Island.
Swim at Stiniva, Vis Island
- Pass by Green Cave on Ravnik Island on the way to Budikovac Island (extra charge to see inside the Green Cave).
- An hour to swim and snorkel on Budikovac Island near Ravnik and Vis Island. Budikovac is a special little island that most tourists don’t see. The Island Vis, is an interesting place for many reasons, but enjoying Komizo waterfront for an hour is perfect. Walking with a Gelato on a hot day is even better.
- Explore castles and churches on Hvar Island and coffee on the iconic Hvar Promenade. Hvar is Croatia’s premier island destination.
- Lunch not included in Tour Cost.
Have Lunch on the Riva at Hvar Island Croatia
CLICK HERE TO BOOK THIS FABULOUS ADVENTURE FILLED TOUR FROM SPLIT OR TROGIR.
3. Hvar Tour Blue Cave
Click here for a similar style tour leaves from Hvar Island.
4.5 starts out of 5 from 97 Reviews. Duration 7 hours.
Departing from Hvar Waterfront a speedboat goes direct to:
- Green Cave (Ravnik Islet), then
- Bisevo Island Blue Cave, then
- Stiniva Cove (Vis Island), then
- Pakleni Island. Lunch can be purchased on Pakleni Island just off Hvar on the return trip. That would be quite late in the day, so take money or food with you on other islands, i.e. s pre-packed lunch could be eaten while waiting for the Blue Cave tour. Stiniva Cove has a beach bar where food and drink can be purchased although time here is limited.
Blue Cave and Green Cave Entry is not included in this tour. Lunch not included.
4. Blue Cave tour from Komizo on Vis Island
Contact Blue Cave Tours in Komiza. They organize trips from Vis Island which include the cost of the Blue Cave Tour and preference in the line up for the cave tour. This is the perfect solution if you are staying on Vis Island and don’t wish to hire a boat yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions answered
- Swimming is not allowed in the boat harbour or in the Blue Cave.
- Allow half an hour between boarding the boat to the Blue Cave and returning to Bisevo Harbour.
- In July and August the queues to board could be long.
- Boats run continuously and there may be two or three in the cave at the same time.
- Toilets are situated at the top of a small headland at Bisevo Harbour, behind the ticket office.
- The road to the amenities block offers excellent photo opportunities.
Read about the beaches of Split.
This post forms part of the Ten Weeks In Europe series.
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Beautiful…
Thanks as always for your comments Lily.
Hi Jan. Now that is BLUE and beautiful! I can see why it’s a popular spot. Where does the light come from in the cave? Is it just the glare of the clear blue water, or from the opening? (Does that make sense?) Thanks for linking up this week. Great to have you back. #TPThursday
Hi Nancie, There is a small opening in the roof of the cave where the sun shines and reflects light back from the white (limestone) floor of the cave. It really packs a punch!
Such an incredible colour. Do you know why it’s so blue? I think it’s great it can’t be swum in no matter how tempting as everybody’s sunscreen and other cosmetic chemicals would undoubtedly alter the purity of the water
Wow, what a stunning blue. It almost seems like something out of a movie. The color outside the cave is beautiful but truly amazing on the inside. I’m glad you splurged.
Now I wish we had made time to take the tour to the cave! It really is a fabulous shade of blue. Thanks for the photo for the the link!
It is hard to prioritise things and I usually find something I wish we’d seen after we leave. I am happy to link to this comprehensive post on the beautiful island of Vis.
This looks like the sort of thing that my hubby and I would like to do on a holiday. I agree totally – save money on accommodation but splurge a little on tours.That water is so blue – it makes me want to pack my suitcase and head for Croatia!
You would love the Croatian islands Kathy!
That blue looks unreal. I had to go Google to find out why it’s so blue but I couldn’t find any info.
I think it is the sunlight being reflected from the sandstone bottom that causes the blue. Thanks for commenting 🙂
Wow, the colour of the water is incredible, I’ve never seen anything like that before. What a good idea to hire the boat for the day and explore the area, we would have enjoyed it much better to go as you did than with a tour group.
I was a little sceptical about spending the money on the boat but it will definitely be remembered – we had a lovely time that day. Having said that I think the cheaper option would be good too. Not many sleeps now 🙂
Hi Jan! Though I’m still on my leave from blogging I wanted to stop by and say hi to you and Marty. This looks soooo beautiful! I love being on the water and it looks so serene. I would have no problem adhering to the no swimming policy there 🙂 I hope you both are doing terrific, my friend! 🙂
We are Mike. I have been thinking of you. Didn’t realize you were on blogging leave though. We are currently on a short 3 day trip in our caravan in N.Q. Australia. I am going to the Problogger conference at the Gold Coast mid August and Marty is coming with me. We are driving down (1500km) and towing our caravan. It is brand new and we had to do 500 km in it in order to get it serviced before we leave for the Gold Coast, hence our 600km trip around NQ. Currently in Ravenshoe on the Atherton Tablelands. Can’t wait till you’re back blogging. Take Care.
What a beautiful cave! The colour of the water is amazing. I’m glad you were able to take a few moments to ‘just be’ as well as taking photos. Precious memories 🙂
All details about Blue Cave you can get on our live chat on website. -20% for online booking
Did u drive the boat yourself for the 1125 Kuna if you had a personal driver who took you to the caves and payed him 1125 Kuna for the day
The 1125 Kuna was to hire a boat from Komiza on Vis Island for the day. We drove it ourselves. Keep in mind this was in 2015 so prices would no doubt be more today. We drove it all around the Island of Vis plus over to the Blue Cave on Bisevo. On Bisevo we moored the boat in the Harbour and purchased a ticket on another small boat with a boatful of other people for 40 Kuna each (2015 prices).