From Vis: Speedboat tour – Vis, Biševo & Blue Cave (shared)

The best thing about this trip is its mix of famous sights and quiet swimming stops. You see the Blue Cave and Stiniva, but you also reach places a larger boat may struggle with, including the military tunnel at Parja and small coves along Vis’s southern coast.

I like the small group, usually no more than 10 people, and the amount of time set aside for swimming. I also like that Luka, the local skipper, adjusts the route and timing to the sea and crowds. The catch is simple: the day is spent on an open speedboat, so rough water can make the ride lively, and cave entrance tickets are not included in the $117 price.

Key points

• Local skipper Luka: Expect Croatian, English or Italian commentary, plus stories about Vis and its coastline.
• Fast Blue Cave entry: As a Vis-based operator, the boat uses a separate fast-entry arrangement, which can save significant waiting time.
• Six and a half hours on the water: The route packs in beaches, caves, a lagoon, a submarine tunnel and several scenic coastal stops.
• Swimming is central: You get free time at Pritišćina, Stiniva, Green Cave, Budihovac and Smokova.
• Small shared boat: The usual group size is up to 10 people, with a 7.5-meter RIB marked with NEMO stickers.
• Bring cash for cave tickets: Blue Cave and Green Cave admission is paid separately.

A full day around Vis, not just a Blue Cave run

Many boat trips from Vis focus almost entirely on the Blue Cave. This one uses the cave as an early highlight, then spends the rest of the day showing you why Vis deserves more than a quick photo stop.

You leave Vis town at about 8 a.m. and return after roughly 390 minutes, or six and a half hours. That early start matters. The Blue Cave is easier to visit before the day’s crowds build, and the local fast-entry arrangement can save you from a long wait.

The boat is a shared speedboat, not a private charter. That keeps the price at a reasonable $117 per person, but you give up some control over the day. You will follow the skipper’s route and share the swim stops with the rest of the group.

That said, the group remains fairly small. The normal capacity is around 10 people, and one outing had only seven aboard. NEMO may also use a second boat when numbers require it, which helps keep the ride comfortable.

Setting out from Vis town

Pickup is available anywhere inside the Vis town marina, or farther along the route if the location fits. Look for the 7.5-meter RIB with NEMO stickers. The boats listed for the experience include a Bat Arctic 745 with a 250-horsepower Suzuki outboard and a RIS Marine Scorpio 300 with an inboard engine.

Both boats have a sun canopy, sun deck and sea ladder. You also get bottled water, an onboard refrigerator and basic snorkeling equipment, meaning a mask and snorkel, but no fins.

The first stretch is a fast ride across the water. A speedboat lets you cover a surprising amount of coast in one day, but you should expect wind, spray and movement. People with back problems or anyone who is pregnant should not book this trip.

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunglasses and a camera. A dry bag is sensible for phones and other small items, though one is not listed as included.

The Blue Cave on Biševo

The Blue Cave is the headline stop, and it earns its place. You transfer into the cave crew’s smaller boat, which takes you inside for a short guided visit of about 20 minutes.

The cave’s appeal comes from the blue light that fills the interior when sunlight enters through an underwater opening. The effect changes with the angle of the sun and the sea conditions, so the visit is atmospheric rather than a long sightseeing stop.

You cannot simply take your own speedboat inside. The Blue Cave crew handles the visit, while Luka arranges the ticket purchase using the local fast-entry card. You pay him for the ticket, and the price is the same as the regular entrance charge.

This arrangement is one of the strongest practical reasons to choose a Vis-based boat. On busy summer days, waiting for the cave can eat up a large part of your morning. The fast-entry access does not remove the cave admission cost, but it can protect the rest of your itinerary.

The cave ticket is extra, and it is wise to carry cash. The exact ticket cost is not given here, so check the current price when booking.

Pritišćina and the first swim

After Biševo, the boat heads back toward Vis and stops at Pritišćina for about 45 minutes. This is where the day changes pace. Instead of looking at the coast from the boat, you get time to swim, snorkel and look for marine life.

Pritišćina is a good early swimming stop because it gives you time in the water before the longer sequence of sights later in the day. The boat carries masks and snorkels, so you do not have to bring your own equipment.

Do not expect a full beach day here. The stop is part of a packed route, and the boat will later move on to several more coves. Still, 45 minutes is enough for a swim and a look beneath the surface without making you feel hurried.

The itinerary also includes a short photo stop at another lesser-known coastal location. Some places are passed by from the boat rather than visited on foot. That is part of the tradeoff: you see more of Vis, but not every stop allows you to get ashore.

Stiniva Cove without the steep walk

Stiniva is one of the most famous places on Vis. Its narrow opening, high rock walls and small beach make it instantly recognizable, but reaching it overland involves a difficult hike down and back up.

This boat tour avoids that climb. You approach Stiniva from the sea and spend at least an hour there. You can swim, snorkel, sit on the beach, or buy coffee and beer at the beach bar. The itinerary also allows time for breakfast, though you should not treat the tour as a meal-inclusive excursion.

This is one of the clearest advantages for anyone who wants to see Stiniva but does not want the rough access path. You arrive directly by boat and can return to the boat without carrying gear up a steep trail.

The drawback is that Stiniva is a famous stop, so it may not feel secluded. Luka’s timing is important here. Several outings were arranged to avoid the worst crowds, but no skipper can guarantee an empty cove during the high season.

Entering the Green Cave at Ravnik

The next cave is different. At the Green Cave on the islet of Ravnik, you can either enter by boat or swim inside after paying the separate entrance fee to the Green Cave team.

That choice gives you a little more freedom than at the Blue Cave. If you prefer to stay dry, you can view the cave from the boat. If conditions and confidence allow, you can swim into it with your mask and snorkel.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes, including the boat cruise and sightseeing. It is not a long cave expedition, but it adds variety to the day. The Blue Cave is about light and atmosphere, while the Green Cave gives you the chance to be part of the visit physically.

Remember that the cave entry is optional and extra. If one person in your group wants to go inside while another does not, the boat can accommodate both choices.

Budihovac and the blue lagoon

From Ravnik, it is only a short ride to Budihovac, also called the Budikovac Blue Lagoon. You get about 45 minutes for swimming, snorkeling and looking around.

This is another place where the boat format works well. You are not spending time on roads or trails between stops. Instead, you move directly from one sheltered piece of coast to the next, with the sea itself connecting the day.

The lagoon stop is also a useful break after the caves and Stiniva. You can cool off, use the snorkeling gear, and enjoy the clear water at your own pace. A safety briefing is included before water activities.

As with the other swim stops, there is no promise of total privacy. The appeal is the water and setting, not a long visit to a developed beach.

Smokova, the sandy finish

The final major swim stop is Vela Smokova, a sandy beach that makes a pleasant contrast to the rockier coves. You get about 45 minutes here for swimming, snorkeling, photographs and quiet time on the sand.

Several details make Smokova more than a routine last stop. The skipper Luka grew up near this beach, so the visit can carry a personal connection rather than being just another point on a route. It is also the kind of place where a group can spread out a little, with some people swimming and others staying on shore.

If you are choosing this tour for beaches, Smokova may be your favorite stop. If you prefer dramatic cliffs and caves, Stiniva or the Blue Cave will likely make the stronger impression.

After Smokova, the boat passes a viewpoint and continues to Parja Bay before returning to Vis town.

Parja Bay and the military tunnel

The military tunnel at Parja is an unusual final stop. It adds context to Vis beyond beaches and bright water, showing part of the island’s military past.

The stop lasts around 25 minutes and includes a guided visit and sightseeing. The boat trip to and from the tunnel also gives you a different view of the coastline, with Luka pointing out features along the way.

This is a good reminder that the tour is not simply a swim-and-sun package. Vis has a long strategic story, and the military sites help explain why parts of the island remained less developed for so long. The information provided does not specify how far inside the tunnel you go, so expect a short visit rather than an extended underground tour.

What Luka adds to the day

The skipper can make or break a shared boat trip, and Luka receives particularly strong praise for his manner, local knowledge and timing. He is described as friendly, calm and attentive, with stories about Vis, its coastline and his own childhood on the island.

That local connection matters. Instead of hearing only a standard script, you may learn why certain beaches matter to people who grew up there, how rock formations were shaped, or when a stop is likely to be quieter.

Luka has also adjusted plans around the weather. One group was advised to change dates for better conditions, which is a useful sign that the operator takes the sea seriously rather than treating every booking as fixed.

The guiding is available in Croatian, English and Italian. Commentary happens between stops as well as at the sites, so the travel time becomes part of the experience instead of dead time.

Is $117 good value?

At $117, this is not the cheapest way to see one attraction, but it covers much more than a simple Blue Cave transfer. You get about six and a half hours on the water, a skipper, fuel, pickup and return within the Vis marina area, bottled water, snorkeling masks and snorkels, insurance, and several swimming stops.

The value is strongest if you want to see many parts of Vis in one day. Booking separate transport to the Blue Cave, Stiniva, Green Cave, Budihovac and Smokova would be difficult and could cost more once boat fares are added.

The price is less attractive if you only want the Blue Cave. You should also add the cost of the Blue Cave and Green Cave tickets, since neither is included. Carry cash, and ask for the current cave fees before departure.

Food is not listed as included. You can buy coffee or beer at Stiniva, but pack lunch or snacks if you need a proper meal. One previous group specifically advised bringing lunch, a practical suggestion for a six-and-a-half-hour outing.

Who should book this boat tour?

I would choose this tour if you have at least a day or two on Vis and want a broad view of the island without hiring a private boat. It suits people who want several swims, a small group, local stories and a busy but well-spaced route.

It also works well for families with older children and teenagers who enjoy jumping into the water, as long as everyone is comfortable on a fast boat. The included goggles and snorkeling masks are handy if you forget your own equipment.

You should think twice if you dislike speedboats, get motion sickness easily, need a slow pace, or want long stretches of quiet beach time. The itinerary is full, and several stops are short. The boat ride can also feel rough when the sea is unsettled.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your schedule depends on weather, but the sea itself remains the main factor in how comfortable the day feels.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want the greatest variety in one day: Blue Cave, Green Cave, Stiniva, Budihovac, Pritišćina, Smokova and the Parja military tunnel. The local fast-entry arrangement is a real benefit, and Luka’s personal connection to Vis gives the trip more character than a basic boat shuttle.

Skip it if the extra cave fees stretch your budget, if you want a private itinerary, or if six hours of speedboat travel sounds tiring. For most active visitors staying in Vis, though, this is a strong way to see the island’s southern coast, especially when you value swimming time as much as famous sights.

FAQ

How long is the Vis speedboat tour?

The tour lasts 390 minutes, or about six and a half hours. It starts at around 8 a.m. and returns to Vis town after the final stops.

Where does the tour start and finish?

Pickup and drop-off are available inside the Vis town marina. Pickup farther away may be possible if the location is along the route.

Is the Blue Cave ticket included?

No. The Blue Cave ticket is paid separately. The skipper buys tickets using a fast-entry card, and you pay him for the ticket.

Is Green Cave admission included?

No. Green Cave admission is also separate. You pay the Green Cave team if you want to enter by boat or swim inside.

Can I swim into the Green Cave?

Yes. After the boat moors near the cave, you can pay the entrance fee and choose to swim inside or enter by boat.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are provided, but fins are not listed as included.

How many people are usually on the boat?

The shared boat usually carries up to 10 people. A second boat may be arranged when needed.

Which languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in Croatian, English and Italian.

Is the tour suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems?

No. The activity is not considered suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems.