Hvar: Private Blue Cave and Vis Speedboat Tour

The Blue Cave is only part of the appeal here. The real treat is having a fast, comfortable boat for your own group, so you can combine Vis highlights with quiet bays and secret caves instead of following a fixed public-tour schedule. Captain Stepo and skipper Ivonna, also listed as Stipe and Ivona, are the crew names to look for at the Hvar port office.

I like the 11-meter speedboat, which gives a group of up to 12 people room to spread out, and I like the freedom to stay longer at a favorite swimming stop. The tradeoff is cost: at $1,344 per group, this makes the most sense when shared by a larger party. Lunch and Blue Cave tickets are also extra.

Key points to know before booking

• A private boat for up to 12 people: The full-group price works out to about $112 per person if you fill every seat.
• Eight hours across Vis and the Pakleni Islands: This is a full-day outing, not a short harbor cruise.
• Three major water stops: You visit the Blue Cave, Stiniva Bay, and Budikovac Blue Lagoon.
• Room to personalize the day: The crew can adjust the plan and help you choose where to swim, snorkel, or linger.
• A powerful 11-meter speedboat: The large sundeck and bathing platform make time on the boat more comfortable.
• Two costs to plan for: Bring money for lunch and Blue Cave admission, neither of which is included.

Leaving Hvar harbor on an 11-meter boat

Meet the crew at the Kabina Boats office in Hvar’s main port, at Obala Fabrika 27, next door to Hotel Adriana. The crew will walk you to the boat, so you do not need to search the harbor on your own.

The boat is designed for excursions rather than a quick transfer. You have a large sundeck, a bathing platform, safety equipment, and snorkeling gear. Bottled water, fuel, insurance, and an English-speaking crew are included in the price.

That setup matters on an eight-hour trip. A small open boat can make a long day feel cramped, especially when several people want to sit, dry off, or change places. This boat is built to carry up to 12 people, though the experience will feel more spacious with a smaller family or group of friends.

The boat’s speed also helps cover the distance between Hvar, Vis, and the Pakleni Islands. Still, a speedboat is not a calm lake vessel. If you have back problems, this tour is not suitable, and pregnant women should not book it. Sea conditions can also affect the ride and the order of stops.

The Blue Cave: a striking first major stop

The Blue Cave is the signature sight on the route. Light enters the cave through an underwater opening, giving the interior its famous blue glow. Your visit is arranged as part of the day’s route, but the admission ticket is not included, so budget for that separately.

This stop is best understood as a short, visual highlight rather than a place where you spend hours. The cave is the reason many people choose this excursion, but the experience depends on sea conditions and access arrangements. The tour description does not state the ticket price or exact time inside, so ask Kabina Boats for current details before departure.

I like that the Blue Cave is paired with several outdoor swimming stops. If the cave visit feels brief, the rest of the day gives you time in open water, at beaches, and around small coves. That balance is better than paying for a trip built around one photo stop alone.

Stiniva Bay and the water around Vis

Stiniva Bay is one of the tour’s most memorable swimming locations. It is known for its narrow entrance and sheltered water, and it was voted the best beach in Europe in 2016. The setting is naturally dramatic, with steep sides enclosing a small stretch of shore.

You can swim and snorkel here, using the gear provided by the crew. The bathing platform makes getting into and out of the water easier than climbing over the side of a basic boat. If you prefer not to swim, you can still enjoy the approach and the view from the boat.

The main point to keep in mind is that Stiniva is a popular stop. A private boat gives you control over how long you stay, but it does not guarantee that the bay will feel empty. Ask the crew about the best timing on the day, since they can help shape the route around conditions and the pace of your group.

Budikovac Blue Lagoon for easy swimming

Budikovac offers a different kind of water stop. The Blue Lagoon is known for clear, calm-looking water and an easy setting for a swim or snorkel. Compared with the enclosed character of Stiniva, this stop gives you a more open stretch of sea.

This is a useful part of the itinerary for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can spend time in the water, while anyone who prefers a slower pace can remain aboard and use the sundeck. The crew can provide snorkeling equipment, but you should still bring any personal mask, fins, or sun gear you prefer.

The water is the star here, not a long list of sights on land. If your group wants museums, historic streets, or a long restaurant lunch, this is not that kind of day. It is a day built around coastlines, swimming, boat views, and short stops.

Secret caves on Vis’s southern shore

After the best-known places, the boat can move toward lesser-known caves along the southern shore of Vis. This is where the private format earns its keep. Instead of treating every stop as a fixed checklist, you can ask the crew to spend more time in a cave or bay that suits your group.

The exact caves are not named, and that is part of the appeal. You should not expect a polished attraction with a large visitor center or a formal walking route. You are exploring coastal spaces by boat, with the crew helping you see places that are harder to reach on your own.

This section also makes the tour feel less like a simple Blue Cave transfer. You get the headline attraction, then time for the quieter side of Vis. Based on the itinerary, the southern shore is a good place for photos, a swim, or a short look inside a sea cave, depending on weather and the captain’s judgment.

The Pakleni Islands add a second island group

The final major part of the day is the Pakleni Islands, the island chain close to Hvar. Visiting them after Vis gives you a second coastal setting rather than repeating the same kind of stop all day.

Your crew can help decide which areas suit your group. Some people may want one more swim, while others may prefer a scenic pass by the islands before returning to Hvar. The tour does not promise a particular Pakleni Island stop, so treat this as a flexible part of the route rather than a fixed attraction with a set schedule.

That flexibility is valuable on a private tour. If everyone is tired after Vis, you do not have to force a long stop. If the group still has energy, you can make the most of the remaining time on the water.

What private touring changes

A shared boat tour usually asks you to accept the operator’s timing. Here, you can request more time at a swimming area, choose between several suggested stops, and ask the crew to help find the best place for a jump into the water. The crew’s role is not only to drive the boat. They also help organize the day and handle the practical details.

This matters most for families and groups of friends with different interests. One person can snorkel, another can take photos, and someone else can stay on the sundeck. You are not spending the whole day trying to match the pace of strangers.

The private setup also makes the price easier to judge. At $1,344 for up to 12 people, the cost is about $112 per person when the boat is full. A group of six would pay about $224 each, before lunch and Blue Cave tickets, so the value drops quickly with a smaller party.

I would book it for a family reunion, a birthday group, or friends already sharing a Hvar stay. For two or three people, a shared excursion may be more economical unless privacy and control matter more than price.

Crew, comfort, and the practical details

The crew is English-speaking, and the names connected with the trip are Captain Stepo and skipper Ivonna. A separate booking records the names as Stipe and Ivona, so the spelling may vary. At the Kabina Boats office, you can confirm the names when you arrive.

The strongest part of the service is the crew’s flexibility. They can suggest places to swim and jump into the water, help with the itinerary, and keep the day moving without making it feel rushed. That is especially helpful if you have never visited Vis and do not know which coves are worth your time.

Fuel and bottled water are included, as are snorkeling gear, safety equipment, and insurance. Lunch is not included, and the supplied information does not specify a restaurant stop or meal arrangement. Ask about the day’s lunch plan before leaving Hvar, or make sure your group knows that food is an extra cost.

The tour lasts eight hours. Starting times depend on availability, so check the booking calendar for the date you want. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Hvar plans are still shifting.

Weather is the main condition to watch. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The boat route and comfort can change with sea conditions, so keep a little flexibility in your schedule.

Who will enjoy this Hvar day trip most

This is a strong match for people who want a full day on the water and do not want to settle for one standard route. It suits groups that care about swimming, snorkeling, photos, and quiet coastal stops more than long time ashore.

Families can benefit from the private boat because the crew can adjust the pace. Friends will appreciate the sundeck, bathing platform, and room to spread out. Couples can book it too, but the group price makes it much harder to justify unless privacy is the main goal.

You should reconsider if anyone in your group has back problems, is pregnant, or dislikes fast boat travel. You should also know that lunch and Blue Cave admission add to the listed price. The tour is built around sea time, so it is not a replacement for a walking tour of Vis or a cultural day in Hvar.

Should you book the private Vis speedboat tour?

Book this if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want control over an active day at sea. The combination of the Blue Cave, Stiniva Bay, Budikovac Blue Lagoon, Vis’s southern caves, and the Pakleni Islands gives you plenty of variety.

I would be more cautious for a small party on a tight budget. The base price is high before lunch and cave tickets, and the most famous stop is only one part of a long day. For a full group, though, the private format offers real value: a powerful boat, English-speaking crew, flexible stops, snorkeling gear, and a route shaped around your own pace.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet in Hvar?

Meet at the Kabina Boats office in the main port of Hvar, at Obala Fabrika 27, next door to Hotel Adriana. The crew will guide you to the boat.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts eight hours. Starting times depend on availability, so check the available times for your chosen date.

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 experience includes a private boat and a private group, so you do not share the boat with other booking parties.

Is the Blue Cave ticket included?

No. Tickets to the Blue Cave are not included in the tour price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, along with bottled water, safety equipment, fuel, and insurance.

Who leads the tour?

The tour has a friendly English-speaking crew. The crew names are listed as Captain Stepo and skipper Ivonna, with the names also written as Stipe and Ivona in booking information.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour depends on weather conditions. If it is cancelled because of poor weather, you can choose an alternative date or receive a full refund.