Blue Cave Croatia
Not only is the Blue Cave one of the unique natural phenomena in the world, but this bright and beryl attraction on Bisevo island is destined to be the highlight of your Croatian holiday. The magnificent work of Mother Nature, this cerulean oasis is so unique because it is formed due to seawater eroding limestone, a rock Biševo island is wholly composed of. Thanks to the sunlight’s reflection off of the white seabed, which creeps through the opening of a vault at the top of the cave, a mesmerizing blue hue fills its capacity. The Blue Cave only recently opened to the public and has proved its worth as a Croatian hotspot in a short time.
Visit this Amazing Croatian Natural Phenomena
If you’re planning on visiting the Croatian coast in the summer, a foolproof one-day getaway should be one of the Dalmatian islands. Whether you’re after stillness and peace or want to ride the party train around Split’s archipelago, you can craft your dream holiday.
This post aims to guide those of you after an adventure dipped in nature, and won’t do as much for the thirsty partiers in the group. However, even if you are, we suggest you keep reading.
Here’s a scenario – you’re on holiday in Dalmatia, and precisely in the region’s capital – Split. If you’ve already dashed around the historic city center, which includes the ancient and UNESCO-protected Diocletian’s Palace, the ‘green lungs of Split’ (what locals also call Marjan hill), bustling beaches, bars, and boutiques, choosing what’s next on your „to do list“ is simple – plan a day at the Blue Cave.
SO, WHERE IS THE BLUE CAVE IN CROATIA, ANYWAY?
Grab a tangible map of Croatia (which you can get for free at any tourist info office or most hotel/hostel/private accommodation receptions), or whip out the map on your trusty smartphone and take a good look at Croatia’s coast – there are over a thousand islands, and you get to explore one of them.
FYI, if you’re researching the Blue Cave beforehand, it’s in your best interest to know that the Blue Cave you’ll be sailing to is on Bisevo island, not on Cres island in northwestern Croatia.
Now that our focus is on the same place, let’s dig into the details of the Blue Cave.
But first, a bit of geography. When looking at your map, you’ll notice that the closest island to Split is the island of Šolta, followed by Brač, Hvar, Vis and finally a small island southwest of Vis – Bisevo. Yes, you guessed it – the home of the Blue cave.
This might look frighteningly far away from your home base in Split, but we promise you shouldn’t fret – there are hundreds of quick and easy speedboat tours that jet you off from Split and back in a day.
Moving on to the logistics, it takes around one hour and 45 minutes to get to the Blue cave with a speedboat from Split, though this ride is not nearly as long as it sounds. You are on a speedboat cruising around Croatia’s coast, remember?
So what’s all the fuss about the Blue cave ?
When you get to Biševo island, you’ll disembark the speedboat and the skipper will give you your entrance ticket for the cave. You’ll notice that only small wooden boats are authorized to take you inside, and once you get in, you’ll see why.
The entrance sits low, so you’ll bee asked to bend down in the center of the boat while your Blue Cave skipper steers you inside.
Inside the Blue Cave
Visit the Blue Cave on a daily tour from Split
We’ve already told you that the Blue Cave is one of the unique natural phenomena in the world, and, without a doubt, it will be the highlight of your Croatian holiday. This cerulean oasis is so unique because it is formed due to seawater eroding limestone, a rock Biševo island is wholly composed of. Thanks to the sunlight’s reflection off of the white seabed, which creeps through the opening of a vault at the top of the cave, a mesmerizing blue hue fills its capacity. Lucky for you, the Blue Cave is open for business – and we can take you there.
We’ll take you to visit this extraordinary work of Mother Nature at the best time of day to enjoy its light show – between 11 am and 12 pm.
Unfortunately, we can’t stay inside too long (usually any longer than 15 minutes) and swimming is prohibited. However, our next island stop will make up for it.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE BLUE CAVE TOUR
Our step-by-step guide
Once you get to Bisevo island, you’ll head straight to the small office where the Blue Cave tickets are sold. Fortunately, the Blue Cave ticket office can be spotted at the dock where you moor the speedboat. There is also a little cafe bar, and really no way you can miss it.
Once you purchase tickets for the Blue Cave sightseeing tour, you’ll notice that the tickets are numbered. Namely, in front of the office, you will see a large screen displaying the ticket numbers next in line to enter the Blue Cave.
When your number is called, you will board the small wooden boat run by the Blue Cave Bisevo crew. This is your golden transportation into the famous Blue Cave.
The ticket numbers give you a good sense of when you’ll be called up for the tour, which helps determine how you can spend your time – either at the cafe bar or setting off to explore more of Bisevo island and its beaches (which are shown on the map above).
This is, of course, if you are visiting the Blue Cave on your own.
If you are visiting the Blue Cave through an agency and have chosen a Blue Cave tour from Split, Hvar, Omis, Makarska or any other destination, then your tour guide will purchase the tickets for the whole group. The guide will usually plan that the entire group enters the cave together, if possible.
Price of the Blue Cave entrance
The entrance ticket for the Blue Cave is 13,5 euros from 1 July to 31 August 2019, and 9,50 euros for all other periods.
Can I enter the Blue Cave with my own boat?
Unfortunately, even if you have a boat small enough to enter the cave (the entrance is 1,5 meters high and 3 meters wide), only Blue Cave authorized boats are permitted.
What are the Blue Cave dimensions?
The Blue Cave is 24 meters long, the highest point is 14 meters, and the depth is up to 12 meters.
How long is the tour of Bisevo’s Blue Cave?
Once you’re inside the Blue Cave, you’ll circle it slowly led by the guide who uses a paddle to move the boat around. The entire Blue Cave trip, from when you enter to when you exit, usually takes about 15 minutes. While this doesn’t seem like much time, it is enough to fully take in all the mystique and beauty of this natural attraction.
Is photography allowed inside the Blue Cave?
Yes, you can take photos inside the cave, but without using the flash.
Is swimming allowed inside the Blue Cave?
Unlike the Monk Seal cave on Bisevo island or the nearby Green Cave on Ravnik, swimming inside the Blue Cave is prohibited. Since it’s relatively small in size and rising in popularity, there is an increasing effort to preserve the cave for generations to come. Because you want your grandchildren to see it too, don’t you?
You can Visit Blue Cave on our daily speedboat tour from Split
Tour Itinerary
08:00 Departure from Split Riva
09:45 Sightseeing of Blue Cave
10:30 Exploring the Monk Seal Cave
11:15 Swimming and snorkeling in Stiniva Cove
12:00 Swiming break at Island Budikovac
13:15 Free time in Palmižana
16:00 Free time in Hvar Town, free wine tasting
19:00 Arrival to Split
Duration: 10 Hours (approx.)
Destinations/Attractions: Blue Cave, Monk Seal Cave, Stiniva Cove, Budikovac Island, Hvar town, Palmižana Bay
Visit more Attractions on Blue Cave tour from Split
Blue Cave Tour Map
Stiniva bay
Stiniva cove on Vis island is such a mighty sight it’ll make you feel small. While it’s difficult to spot for some skippers, our experienced staff will lead the way to this perfect dose of paradise. It is believed that Stiniva was created many, many years ago when a cave collapsed. Today, two massive cliffs encircle the cove, making every entrance extra dramatic. It’s no surprise that Stiniva has been protected as a natural monument in Croatia since 1967 – and it was rated Europe’s best beach in 2016!
Our next stop is even harder to find – and no, your trusty smartphone map won’t get you there. We’re taking you somewhere some Croatians can’t even locate! Meet the Green Cave, which is not on the famous Vis island, but on the islet of Ravnik, just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Vis.
Green Cave
The Green cave has two entrances big enough to go inside with our speedboat. Above the cave, there is an opening that allows the sunlight to peek through. And yes, you guessed it – you can swim here! We’ll even lend you a snorkeling mask so you can uncover the most of this green underwater world.
Because of the administrative changes in Green Cave operations, you can only visit this cave as a part of a private tour to Blue Cave.
Monk Seal Cave
The Monk Seal Cave on Bisevo island is the largest cave in this archipelago. Unlike its popular neighbor the Blue Cave, the Monk Seal Cave never really had its chance in the spotlight – but that does not mean it is any less attractive. Going 120 meters deep inside the island, the Monk Seal Cave allows your adventurous spirit to shine.
Budikovac island
If you’re a fan of swimming in a sea adorned in a rainbow of green, we think you’ll like our next stop. The small and unpopulated island of Budikovac will transport you into a tropical paradise. Because the seabed surrounding the island is pearly white, the sea itself shimmers in a myriad of colors. It’s so clear here; you don’t even need snorkeling gear. We promise it’s hard to find a better place for a swim break!
Palmizana, Pakleni islands
But this tour is far from over yet. From one island paradise to the next, we’re changing the pace of this tour to bring you something a little bit different; a group of islands called Pakleni (named after a pine resin used in shipbuilding) and its most popular Palmižana bay. Dressed with lounge bars, swanky restaurants, vibey music, and a pine forest, this island oasis creates the perfect combination for the longest break on this Blue Cave and Hvar tour.
Indulge in fresh seafood, octopus salad, local cheese, and cured meat or treat yourself to a glass of Croatian wine. This stop is designed to put your Croatian holiday mode to use.
Hvar Town
The last stop on the tour is probably the most popular, and a destination you might know well. Hello, Hvar Town!
One of Croatia’s best-known island hotspots, Hvar Town is the historical core of the island of the same name.
Hvar has been shaped by its history, which can be seen in the fact that it is the island with the most UNESCO heritage in the world. Our guide will tell you the story about lace made out of agave leaves, the Stari Grad Plain, and the procession ‘Za križem’.
Another interesting fact about Hvar is that it is home to the first public theatre in Europe – the Arsenal. We promise it won’t be easy to find another European theatre as well preserved as this one!
However, the most visited historical site in Hvar is Fortica, the fortress that sits on the hill above the town. If you climb to the top, you’ll be welcomed with a stellar view that’ll make for an incredible panoramic photo of the Pakleni islands.
On this short stop, you can also enjoy an ice cream or coffee in the main city square or visit the St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
After a long and eventful day, we’ll head back to Split, just in time to catch the sunset. Many locals think that the best view of Split is upon entering the harbor when the last rays of sunlight shine on Diocletian palace. You can decide for yourself.
Trust us when we say there is no better way to enjoy the Blue Cave. Won’t you join us for the experience of a lifetime?
