Blue Cave and Pakleni Islands group Tour from Hvar

Caves, coves, and serious sea time in one day. This Blue Cave and Pakleni Islands boat day stacks the top sights in a speedboat format, with time to swim in handpicked stops like Stiniva Cove. I love the small-group feel (up to 12) and the way the skipper makes the day flow from one photo stop to the next. One consideration is that the boat rides can feel choppy and fast, so if you get seasick easily, plan accordingly.

You also get a flexible route, with the order of stops adjusted to help avoid crowds and respond to sea conditions. That means you might not follow a rigid timetable to the minute, but the payoff is a calmer, less-rushed experience at each swimming spot. Lunch usually lands at Palmižana, so you often get the “sit, snack, and swim again” rhythm without hunting around.

Tickets for the caves are separate, and the on-site fees add up a bit. Expect to pay for Blue Cave and Green Cave entries when you reach them, and note that Blue Cave entry uses a small shuttle boat and involves squeezing through a low entrance.

Key highlights worth your attention

• Up to 12 travelers, which keeps the pacing more human than big-bus group tours
• Blue Cave visit is timed with a small-boat shuttle (about 15 minutes inside, photos allowed)
• Multiple swim opportunities, including Stiniva where you swim in from around 20 meters
• Skipper-led routing, designed to dodge crowds and adjust for weather
• Snorkels, bottled water, and an icebox, so you are not hauling your own supplies

From Riva 13 to the first cove: how the day starts

The tour kicks off at 10:30 am from Riva 13, Hvar. You meet at the HvarBoats location in the bay of Križna Luka or at the main port area in front of the HvarBoats agency. This is not a long, drawn-out waiting scene. You show up, confirm your group, then you are moving.

The vibe here is practical: you are on a speedboat day, not a floating sightseeing museum. In the morning you settle into the rhythm of island hopping, with the skipper driving you between natural stops and then anchoring close enough to make swimming the main event. Reviews tied this tour’s success to strong skippers, with names like Ivan, Jay, Leo, Ash, Harris, Simon, and Milos showing up repeatedly in a good way, especially for safe, confident driving and keeping the atmosphere fun.

Green Cave stop: what you actually get for the ticket

About 35 minutes into the ride, you reach the Green Cave stop. The tour builds in about 1 hour at this location. The skipper parks the boat in front of the cave, then you buy Green Cave tickets on site.

The Green Cave price is €8 in low season and €12 in high season for adults, with kids 6 to 12 at 50% off and under 6 free. Tickets are cash only for Green Cave.

Here is the useful part: you are not just standing there looking at rock. After you purchase tickets, you can choose between going inside with a small port authority boat or visiting by swimming. If you like water time more than cave time, the swim option makes the ticket feel more connected to your day.

A note of balance: at least one review flat-out felt Green Cave was not worth bothering with beyond seeing it from outside. So if you are watching your budget, decide what kind of traveler you are. If you want “water first” and you are already paying for Blue Cave, you may judge Green Cave more critically.

Stiniva Cove: the hour you will remember

Next up is Stiniva Cove, one of those spots that turns up in Croatia conversations for a reason. You get about 1 hour of free time here, with the boat anchored at the entrance.

This is a swim-centered stop. You can enter Stiniva by swimming about 20 meters, or you can go in with a small rubber boat. There is also a bar right at the beach, so you can cool off and relax without trekking for snacks.

Why I like this stop for practical reasons: Stiniva gives you flexibility. If you want quick dips and photos, you can do that. If you want to linger and soak in the cove atmosphere, you can. The tour is designed so you are not rushed out after a 20 minute drive-by.

One caution from the real-world feel of the day: this is a speedboat tour with water time, so if you want maximum comfort, bring a plan. Wear swim-friendly footwear if you have it, and keep your phone protected in a dry bag or sealed pouch if you plan to handle cameras while in the water.

Blue Cave (Cave Bisevo): tickets, timing, and the low entrance detail

This is the main draw. When you arrive at Cave Bisevo, the skipper anchors at the dock, steps out with you, and points you to where to buy tickets. Plan on spending roughly 2 hours in this whole stop area, because Blue Cave includes ticketing, waiting for your turn, and then the actual visit.

Blue Cave tickets are €12 low season or €18 high season for adults, and they are bought on site with cash or card. Once you have your ticket, you can get refreshments while you wait.

Then comes the mechanics that matter for your comfort: entry to Blue Cave uses a small motor boat that holds up to 12 passengers. That shuttle covers a short ride to the entrance, about 2 minutes away from the dock. The entrance is small, so you will need to bow your head as you go in.

Inside, you spend about 15 minutes. You are allowed to take photos and videos. Many people come for the blue reflection on the water and the silver shine effect around the cave objects, and that short time window is built around keeping the flow smooth.

Value check: people consistently treat Blue Cave as the splurge that pays off. If you do only one cave inside the tour, make it Blue Cave.

Pakleni Islands and Palmižana: car-free beach time on Sveti Klement

After Blue Cave, the tour shifts to the Pakleni Islands experience, which is where your day turns from “cave logistics” back into “just relax and swim.”

The final major stop is Palmižana on the biggest Pakleni island, Sveti Klement. The boat time here is about 2 hours. Palmižana is a sandy beach, and the big selling point is that this island has no cars. You get that quiet, Mediterranean-breeze feel, even though it is part of one of the most popular island clusters near Hvar.

This is also where lunch often happens. The tour notes that lunch is usually at Palmižana, at seaside restaurants, with occasional variations depending on the route. Lunch itself is not included in the tour price, but the setup is convenient: you are already at the beach, so you can eat, then swim again, then walk the paths or just hang out.

You might notice the tour description leans into local flavors, naming places like Bacchus, Totos, Zori, and Laganini cocktail bar. Even if you do not eat at one of those exact spots, you get the idea: lots of restaurant options at sea level, plus a walkable area scented with Mediterranean herbs.

The Vis stop and why it feels less touristy

You also get a stop on Vis island for about 1 hour. The exact bay or quiet beach depends on the day’s conditions and your group’s vibe, chosen by the skipper.

That “pick the quiet spot” philosophy is what makes this part feel different from the typical checklist tour. You are not just doing famous landmarks, you are doing one more swim or resting location that the skipper thinks will match the water and the mood.

If you care about photos but also want time to actually enjoy the sea, the Vis stop can be a nice balance. You get a break from cave intensity and a chance to slow down for swimming, diving, or just floating.

One reality check: weather can change things. The tour states that if Blue Cave is closed, the route may be adjusted to include other optional places to compensate. In practice, that can mean you see different parts of the islands than the original plan.

Boat comfort, speed, and the seasickness question

This is the place where you should calibrate expectations. The boat is a speedboat style vessel and the day is active, with multiple jumps and swim stops. The tour caps the group at 12, and several reviews praise how roomy the boat felt for that size.

But comfort is not only about space. A few reviews mentioned seats not being ideal for reclining, and one person warned the ride can shake in rougher water. Another review criticized how long rides between stops could feel cramped when conditions were choppy.

So here is my practical advice. If you are sensitive to motion, treat this like you would any fast boat day: consider motion-sickness support, bring sunglasses and a towel, and have a plan for when waves get bigger. If you hate fast rides, a slower day on larger boats might suit you better.

Value breakdown: the $120.93 price vs. the extra costs

At $120.93 per person, this tour is not a “cheap cruise.” The question is what you get for that price.

Included items reduce your hassle and cost:

• fuel surcharge
• passenger insurance
• snorkels
• bottled water
• icebox
• skipper

Those are meaningful because you are paying for an operator, a local skipper, and the basic comfort supplies that matter during swim stops.

What is not included is the cave ticketing and your meals:

• Blue Cave entrance (on site): €12 low season or €18 high season for adults
• Green Cave ticket (on site, cash only): €8 low season or €12 high season for adults
• lunch (usually at Palmižana, sometimes other island towns depending on route)

So the value comes down to two cave-related choices. Blue Cave is the big payoff, and most people feel it is worth the entrance fee. Green Cave is more polarizing. If you want to maximize value, go in with the mindset that Blue Cave is the must-pay, and Green Cave is optional depending on your interest and budget.

Who this tour suits best

This is a strong match if you:

• want a full-day island hopping plan without renting your own boat
• love swimming and short snorkeling sessions
• enjoy a skipper who drives you to the best timing and less-crowded spots
• are comfortable with a speedboat day and water entry logistics

It may feel like a tough fit if you:

• get seasick easily or dislike fast boats
• want lots of onboard lounging and cushy seating
• do not want to handle swim-entry distances at stops

Should you book this Hvar boat tour?

I would book it if you are the type of traveler who wants your day to be active and water-focused, and you are excited about Blue Cave as a top priority. The small-group format, the swim-heavy itinerary, and the included snorkels and water make this feel like a real day on the Adriatic, not just a photo bus.

I would think twice if your #1 goal is strict scheduling and total predictability, because the route can be adjusted for crowds and weather. I would also budget for cave entry fees and accept that some cave or swim plans might change if conditions are rough.

If your priority is a fun skipper and safe, energetic island time, this tour has a lot going for it. Names like Ivan, Jay, Leo, and Harris show up in the feedback for a reason, and that kind of repeat praise usually means you are booking more than the scenery.

FAQ

What time does the tour start, and where do I meet?

The tour starts at 10:30 am. You meet at Riva 13, 21450, Hvar, at the HvarBoats office in Križna Luka or in front of the HvarBoats tourist agency in the main port.

How long is the boat tour?

It runs about 8 hours (approx.) for the full day.

What is the price per person?

The price is $120.93 per person.

Are snorkels and water included?

Yes. The tour includes snorkels and bottled water, plus an icebox onboard.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. The tour usually stops for lunch at Palmižana, but it can be different depending on the route, sometimes including Komiža or Vis.

How much are the cave entrance fees for Blue Cave?

Blue Cave entrance is €12 low season and €18 high season for adults, bought on site. (Kids 6–12 get 50% off, under 6 are free.)

How much are the cave entrance fees for Green Cave?

Green Cave tickets cost €8 in low season and €12 in high season for adults. Green Cave tickets are cash only and are bought on site.

What happens if Blue Cave is closed due to weather?

If Blue Cave is closed and weather conditions are good, the tour may run with an adjusted plan, including one more optional place to compensate. If it’s canceled due to weather, you are offered an alternative date or a full refund.

How many people are on the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.

Is the ticket digital?

You receive a mobile ticket, and confirmation is received at booking time.