Hvar: Private Blue Cave and Vis Speedboat Tour

The Blue Cave and Vis speedboat tour packs a full day of sea scenery into one private outing. You leave Hvar aboard an 11-meter boat built for excursions, then move between Vis, small bays, sea caves, and the Pakleni Islands without sharing your space with a large group. The Blue Cave is the headline, but the best part may be choosing how long to stay at each swimming stop.

I like the private route, since your crew can adjust the day to your group rather than run a fixed schedule. I also like the boat itself: a broad sundeck, bathing platform, snorkeling gear, and enough room for up to 12 people make a long day on the water much easier.

The main consideration is cost. At $1,344 per group, it is expensive for a couple or small party, though a full group of 12 works out to about $112 per person before lunch and Blue Cave tickets. The day is also weather dependent, and a fast boat can be uncomfortable for anyone with back problems.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue Cave and Stiniva Bay in one day: You cover Vis Island’s most famous sights, then add swimming, snorkeling, and smaller coastal stops.
• Private 11-meter speedboat: The boat has a large sundeck and bathing platform, with space for groups of up to 12.
• Flexible timing: Your crew can help shape the route and adjust time at each stop.
• Named crew members: The crew names provided are Captain Stepo and Skipper Ivonna, also written as Stipe and Ivona in the tour details.
• Extra costs: Lunch and entry tickets for the Blue Cave are not included.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

A full day from Hvar to Vis by private boat

This is not a quick harbor cruise. The tour lasts eight hours, giving you time to reach Vis Island, visit several coastal sights, swim, and continue toward the Pakleni Islands.

You meet the crew at the Kabina Boats office in Hvar’s main port, at Obala Fabrika 27, next door to Hotel Adriana. From there, the crew guides you to the boat. Since the meeting point is in the harbor itself, you avoid the confusion of searching for a distant marina.

The boat is 11 meters long and designed for day excursions. That matters on a full day at sea. You have a large sundeck for sitting or stretching out, plus a bathing platform that makes getting into and out of the water simpler. Bottled water, snorkeling gear, fuel, safety equipment, and insurance are included.

The private setup also changes the mood of the day. You are not tied to a large group’s pace, and the crew can help choose the order of stops. If your group wants more swimming time and fewer photo stops, you can ask for that. If you care most about seeing the major sights, the crew can organize the day around them.

The Blue Cave sets the tone

The Blue Cave is the tour’s signature stop. Its appeal comes from the pale blue light inside the cave, created when sunlight enters through an underwater opening. The result is a brief but memorable sight, particularly when the water below you takes on that striking blue glow.

You should think of this as a sightseeing stop rather than a long swimming session. The Blue Cave requires a separate entrance ticket, and that ticket is not included in the tour price. The supplied information does not give the ticket cost, so you should ask Kabina Boats for the current amount before departure.

The cave can also be one of the more time-sensitive parts of the day. Sea conditions and access arrangements can affect the visit, which is one reason the crew’s local judgment matters. A private tour gives you flexibility around the rest of the day, but it does not remove the limits created by weather or cave access.

Stiniva Bay brings the best swimming stop

Stiniva Bay is known for its narrow entrance and sheltered beach on Vis Island. It was voted the best beach in Europe in 2016, but the real reason to visit is the setting: steep coastal rock frames a small pocket of clear water.

This is a strong stop for swimming and snorkeling. The tour includes snorkeling gear, so you do not need to bring your own equipment unless you prefer a personal mask or fins. The bathing platform should also make water access convenient from the boat.

Space can be limited at a small bay such as Stiniva, especially when other boats are present. That is a practical reason to value the private format and the crew’s ability to adjust the timing. You may not have the cove to yourself, but you can ask about spending more or less time there based on conditions.

Budikovac Blue Lagoon is made for a swim

The Budikovac Blue Lagoon offers another chance to get into the water, this time in a broad area known for clear, calm-looking water. The tour description puts this stop alongside Stiniva as one of the main places for swimming and snorkeling.

I would treat Budikovac as a relaxed water stop rather than a cultural visit. Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a towel, since much of the pleasure here comes from time in the sea or on the boat’s sundeck. Bottled water is provided, but lunch is not, so plan for food during an eight-hour outing.

The lagoon is also a good place for groups with mixed interests. Some people can swim and snorkel while others stay aboard and enjoy the views from the sundeck. That choice is easier on a private boat than on a tightly scheduled shared excursion.

Southern Vis offers the quieter side of the coast

After the headline stops, the crew can take you toward lesser-known areas along Vis Island’s southern shore. The tour includes secret caves and smaller bays, giving the day more variety than a simple checklist of famous sights.

This part of the route is where the private format earns its keep. The crew can help you spend more time at a spot that suits your group, rather than moving everyone along because a fixed departure time is approaching. You might find a quiet bay for a swim, a cave suited to a short look, or a coastal stretch best appreciated from the boat.

The exact caves and bays are not specified, and that is worth keeping in mind. You are booking a flexible coastal day, not a guaranteed list of named minor stops. Conditions, timing, and the captain’s judgment will shape what is possible.

The two supplied crew names are Captain Stepo and Skipper Ivonna, with another version spelling them Stipe and Ivona. They are described as friendly hosts who help organize the route and suggest places for swimming and jumping into the water. That personal guidance is especially useful when you want more than the standard stops.

The Pakleni Islands finish the day

The final part of the trip takes you toward the Pakleni Islands, the island chain just off Hvar. The tour promises a look at the best areas there, though it does not name a specific island or bay.

That flexibility can work well at the end of a long day. You may prefer one last swim, a quiet ride along the coast, or time on the sundeck before returning to Hvar. Tell the crew what kind of finish you want instead of assuming the final stop will suit everyone in your party.

The Pakleni Islands are also a useful contrast to Vis. Vis gives you the Blue Cave, Stiniva, Budikovac, and the southern coast. The Pakleni section lets the boat include more of the island world close to Hvar before the tour ends.

What the $1,344 price really buys

The price is $1,344 for a private group of up to 12 people. If you fill every seat, that comes to $112 per person. For a large family or group of friends, that is a much more reasonable calculation than the headline group price suggests.

The fee covers the private boat, English-speaking crew, fuel, bottled water, snorkeling gear, safety equipment, and insurance. It does not cover lunch or Blue Cave tickets. Those extras should be included in your budget from the beginning.

For two people, the price is hard to justify unless privacy and schedule control are especially important to you. For six people, the cost is about $224 per person. For 12, it becomes a practical way to split the cost of a private boat and crew while still getting the flexibility of a custom route.

The value is strongest for groups that would otherwise book several separate boat seats. You are paying for space, control, and a full day that can be adjusted around your priorities. You are not paying for a luxury yacht with a full meal service, since lunch is your responsibility and the details of the boat’s onboard amenities are limited to the stated equipment.

Comfort, safety, and who should skip it

The 11-meter boat is spacious for a speedboat excursion, and the sundeck gives you a place to sit out between swims. The bathing platform is a useful detail for repeated water access. Still, this is a fast boat traveling over open water, not a slow sightseeing vessel.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. That warning matters because a full day of speedboat movement can be demanding, even when the boat has room to move around.

The boat includes safety equipment and insurance, and the crew speaks English. You should still expect a sea-based day with exposure to sun, wind, and changing conditions. Bring the personal items you need for swimming and sun protection, along with money or a payment method for lunch and cave admission.

If weather causes cancellation, you can choose an alternative date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve now and pay later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which helps if your Hvar plans are still taking shape.

How to decide if this private tour fits you

I would choose this tour for a group that wants the famous Vis sights but does not want to spend the day in a large shared boat. Families and friends who enjoy swimming, photos, coastal scenery, and a flexible schedule should get the most from it.

I would also choose it if your group values personal attention. The crew can help identify good places for swimming and jumping into the water, and the supplied experiences with Stepo and Ivonna, or Stipe and Ivona, point to a friendly, hands-on style.

I would hesitate if you are traveling alone or as a couple on a tight budget. The group price only becomes attractive when shared. I would also look elsewhere if you want a slow cultural tour, a guaranteed meal, or an outing with no physical demands.

Book this experience if your priority is a private day on the water with major Vis sights, extra caves and bays, and time to swim. Before confirming, ask about the current Blue Cave ticket price, the expected route for your date, and the crew names. That small check will help you know exactly what your $1,344 is buying.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

You meet at the Kabina Boats office in Hvar’s main port, at Obala Fabrika 27, next door to Hotel Adriana. The crew will guide you from the office to the boat.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts eight hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private boat can accommodate a group of up to 12 people.

Is the boat private?

Yes. The tour includes a private boat and a private group arrangement.

What language does the crew speak?

The live tour guide and crew speak English.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

Are Blue Cave entrance tickets included?

No. Tickets to the Blue Cave are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose an alternative date or receive a full refund.

Can I cancel before the tour?

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