Blue Cave Tour from Split: The Honest 5 Islands Guide (2026)

The Blue Cave tour from Split is a 10-hour speedboat trip that takes you to five islands: Biševo (home to the Blue Cave), Vis, Budikovac, the Pakleni Islands, and Hvar. The price is about €140 per person, with the cave entrance fee paid separately on site. This is the longest and most adventurous day trip you can take from Split. In this guide, see what really happens, what it costs, and when you might want to choose a different trip.

Stiniva Beach on Vis

The 5 Islands itinerary, hour by hour

Here’s the schedule for Flarent’s 5 Islands tour from Split. The tour departs daily from the Split waterfront at Obala Lazareta 3, right by our office. During the busy season, we start about 30 minutes earlier to avoid long lines at the cave.

Here are important tips about the schedule. The trip to Biševo is the longest open-sea ride of any Split tour. The island is far out in the Adriatic, almost halfway to Italy, so the ride can be bumpy if there are waves. Keep this in mind if you have seasickness. Stiniva Cove on Vis, surrounded by tall cliffs, was named Europe’s best beach in 2016 and is usually the top swimming spot of the day. The length of each stop depends on the weather, and skippers change the order to make the most of the conditions.

The price covers the boat, skipper, and sailor, snorkels, windproof jackets, water, and insurance. Lunch in Hvar and the cave ticket are not included.

Inside the Blue Cave: timing and entrance fees

The Blue Cave (Modra špilja) is on Biševo Island, about five kilometers south of Vis. Sunlight comes in through an underwater opening, bounces off the white seabed, and fills the cave with a bright, electric-blue light. This effect is strongest in late morning, which is why tours from Split leave at 8:00 and try to arrive between 9:45 and 10:30.

You’ll switch from your speedboat to small official boats that take visitors through the low entrance of the cave. The visit lasts about 10 to 15 minutes, and swimming is not allowed. In July and August, there can be a line at the ticket office, but there’s a café next to the kiosk where you can wait.

The entrance fee is not included in any tour price; everyone buys a ticket on the spot:

• Peak season (roughly 20 June – 10 September): €24 per adult, €12 for children aged 6–10
• Shoulder season (April – mid June, mid September – October): €18 per adult, €9 for children
• Children under 6 enter free of charge, and the ticket includes admission to the multimedia exhibition at the Blue Cave visitor center.

The local concession holder sets the prices, and they can change from season to season.

The most magical shade of blue you will see

When the cave closes: weather rules and plan B

Most listings skip this part, but it’s the question we get most at the desk. The cave entrance is just about a meter high, and Biševo is open to all the winds on the Adriatic. When the southerly wind (jugo) blows, or there are big waves, the small boats can’t get through the entrance, so the concession closes the cave for safety. This can happen even on days that seem sunny in Split.

So what happens if the cave is closed? We’ll let you know before you leave if a closure is likely, and the skipper will adjust the plan to spend more time at Stiniva, the Green Cave on Ravnik, Budikovac, and Hvar. The rest of the tour is still great, so your day won’t be wasted. But if seeing the cave is your main goal, plan an extra day in Split so you can try again. Our office checks the conditions on the morning of departure, so feel free to ask when you book.

Is it worth €140? Who will love it, and who won't

You’ll enjoy this tour if you want to see as much of the Adriatic as possible in one day: the open sea, the Blue Cave, Croatia’s most photographed cove, a peaceful lagoon, and Hvar Town in the evening. All without having to change hotels. Many of our guests say it’s the best day of their trip to Croatia, and we couldn’t agree more.

Think twice if you get seasick easily (90 minutes of open water each way), you're traveling with toddlers, or anyone with back problems (speedboats slam on the chop). Or you only have one fixed day, and the forecast is poor. In those cases, a shorter, more sheltered trip such as the Blue Lagoon near Trogir is the safer bet: half the price, a fraction of the sea time.

What to pack

• Wear your swimwear under your clothes. The first swim stop is before noon, and there aren’t many changing rooms.
• Bring waterproof sun cream and a hat. You’ll be on the water for ten hours.
• Pack water shoes, since Stiniva and Budikovac have pebbles and rocks.
• Bring a light windproof jacket. It’s a good idea to have your own warm layer in May, June, or September.
• Bring cash or a card for the cave ticket and lunch in Hvar. Plan to spend €15–30 for a main course in Hvar Town.
• Take a dry bag or a zip-lock bag for your phone, since you’ll get some spray during the ride.
• If you’re prone to motion sickness, bring tablets and take them before you leave, not after.Explore 5 islands in one day trip

Blue Cave vs Blue Lagoon: don't confuse them

These are two very different places, and confusing them is the most common booking mistake. The Blue Cave is a sea cave on the island of Biševo, more than 2.5 hours from Split by speedboat, and is famous for its glowing blue light. You see it from a small boat and can’t swim there. 

The Blue Lagoon is a shallow, turquoise bay at Krknjaši, near the island of Drvenik Veli, near Trogir. It is less than an hour from Split, and is perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The cave trip is a full-day €140 adventure, while the lagoon is a relaxed €75 half-day trip. If you want to visit both, do them on separate days. No reputable operator combines them.

Flarent advice: Book this trip early in your stay so you have time to reschedule if the jugo wind shows up. Flarent is a licensed, family-run agency in Split that’s been running tours since 1999, with daily departures from the Riva. Check availability for the 5 Islands & Blue Cave tour, or message us on WhatsApp at +385 95 336 2332.