Blue Cave of Biševo by Speedboat from Split

What it is

The Blue Cave (Modra špilja) is on the island of Biševo, next to Vis: it is the farthest point of the excursion from Split. When the sun enters the cave, the light bounces off the water and the white floor and tints everything an intense blue. From Split you go by speedboat on a full-day excursion that adds other swimming stops at Vis, in the Pakleni islands and in Hvar town. It is a long day, with a lot of time on the boat in open sea.

Who runs it

Sugaman Tours, a Split agency with an office at Obala Lazareta 3, next to the Riva, near the Terminal F restaurant. It operates every day from April to October by speedboat and in a small group.

• Price: from €125 per person.
• Duration: about 10 hours.
• Departure: at 7:30 from 16 June to 31 August, and at 8:00 from 1 April to 15 June and from 1 September to 31 October. You meet a quarter of an hour earlier at the office.
• Includes: insurance, skipper and guide, and snorkelling goggles.
• Does not include: entry to the Blue Cave, lunch (can be booked or paid for there) and tips.
• Pick-up: only at some hotels (Le Méridien Lav and Radisson Blu), on request.

The day, stop by stop

This is the mid-season timetable; in July and August everything moves forward half an hour.

1. 8:00, departure from the Riva. About 90 minutes by speedboat to Biševo.
2. 9:45, Blue Cave. From the little port of Biševo a wooden boat, the only one that fits through the mouth, takes you into the cave. You make a slow circuit of about 15 minutes. You can take photos without flash; you cannot swim inside.
3. Monk Seal Cave. South of Biševo, the longest cave on the island, 160 m, which owes its name to the Mediterranean monk seal.
4. 10:30, Stiniva. A stop to swim in the Vis cove enclosed between cliffs.
5. 11:15, Budikovac. Swimming and snorkelling in the turquoise lagoon of this islet.
6. 12:30, Pakleni islands. Free time in one of their bays.
7. 14:45, Hvar town. A walk round the old town and the harbour.
8. 18:00, arrival in Split.

The cave ticket

The ticket is not included: the agency buys it at Biševo for the whole group and charges you at its office when you register, in euros and with the exact amount. According to Sugaman, it costs €12 per adult from 1 April to 19 June and from 11 September to 31 October, and €18 from 20 June to 10 September; children aged 6 to 12 pay half. Other companies leaving from Hvar publish higher prices (€18 and €24): confirm the figure when booking.

If the sea does not cooperate

The excursion depends on the weather. In bad seas the agency may cancel it or change the route, and the times of each stop vary with the weather and the crowds. If it is cancelled, they offer you another date or refund your money.

Who should not go

Sugaman does not recommend it to pregnant women, anyone with back or neck injuries, or babies of 2 years or under, and it is not wheelchair accessible. For children under 3 it advises against the speedboat. If you get seasick, the agency suggests taking a travel-sickness tablet half an hour before setting off.

What to bring

Swimming costume, towel, sun cream, hat, sunglasses with a strap, a jacket for the early start and cash for the cave ticket and lunch. Have breakfast first: you set off very early.

From Hvar

If you sleep in Hvar, the same cave is visited on a shorter day from Hvar town: see the excursion from Hvar.