Review · BLUE CAVE & GROTTO TOURS
Private Blue cave, Mamma Mia and Hvar, 5 islands tour from Trogir
The Adriatic packs a lot into one long day. This private speedboat trip from Trogir links the Blue Cave, Vis, Stiniva Cove, Budikovac, and Hvar without making you arrange several boats or ferries. I like the private format, which lets your group enjoy more personal attention, and I like that snorkeling gear, safety equipment, and fuel are included. The main drawback is the price, $1,572.79 per group, plus lunch, drinks, and Blue Cave tickets.
You will spend about 10 to 12 hours on an open-air speedboat, so this is an active outing rather than a gentle harbor cruise. The route is packed, but the stops are varied: a glowing cave, a fishing village, swimming coves, a small island beach bar, and time in historic Hvar.
Key points to know before you book

- The Blue Cave visit is the day’s headline stop: Skip-the-line service helps reduce waiting, though admission still costs extra.
- A private boat changes the experience: Your group of up to 10 receives the guide’s attention and can enjoy a more flexible pace.
- You see five island areas in one day: Bisevo, Vis, Budikovac, Hvar, and the waters around them are covered by speedboat.
- Bring cash for the Blue Cave: Tickets cost from €12 to €24 per person, depending on the date.
- Swimming gear is supplied: Masks and snorkels are available at Budikovac, so you do not need to pack your own.
- Hvar is not rushed: You get about two and a half hours for food, walking, the cathedral, or the hilltop fortress.
Why this private boat trip works

The great strength of this tour is its range. In one day, you move from a small cave with bright blue water to the old fishing village of Komiza, then on to a sea-only cove, a swimming stop, and Hvar’s stone streets.
That variety matters. A day built around only one beach can feel repetitive, especially for a mixed group. Here, you can swim, take photos, hear local stories, eat lunch, and walk through a town before returning to Trogir.
The private setup also makes the high price easier to understand. The boat is reserved for your group, with up to 10 people included in the quoted group rate. For a full group, the cost works out far better per person than it does for a couple or a small family. I would compare the group size carefully before booking. This is a strong value for eight to 10 people, but a serious splurge for two.
The tour has a 4.9 rating from 192 reviews, with 99 percent recommending it. One family of seven singled out guide Branko for making the day feel safe and exciting, explaining each stop, and paying attention to the group’s needs. Branko may not be your guide, but that description gives you a useful picture of the service standard to hope for.
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Setting out from Trogir in an open-air speedboat

The meeting point is Obala bana Berislavića 30 in Trogir. From there, you board an open-air speedboat for a full day on the water.
The boat lets you cover distances quickly. That is the practical reason this route can include so much. The tradeoff is exposure. Wind, spray, and sun are part of the deal, so wear casual clothing that can handle water and bring sun protection. Wind and life jackets are provided.
The tour runs only in suitable weather. If conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date, take an alternative tour that day, or receive a full refund. This is worth remembering when planning a tight Croatian itinerary. Keep some flexibility around the booking if the weather forecast looks uncertain.
The activity is not suitable for children under six, pregnant people, or anyone with back or mobility problems. The boat ride and repeated boarding, swimming, and walking require a moderate level of fitness.
The Blue Cave on Bisevo
Bisevo is the first main stop, and its Blue Cave is the reason many people book this trip. Inside, sunlight creates the cave’s famous blue water effect. The visit itself lasts about 20 minutes, while time on Bisevo can vary with the season and the waiting conditions.
The skip-the-line service is useful here. The Blue Cave is a popular stop, and delays can eat into the rest of a tightly timed day. This service minimizes the wait, but it does not remove the admission fee. You should prepare cash for the tickets:
- €12 per person from April 1 to May 31
- €18 per person from June 1 to June 19
- €24 per person from June 20 to September 10
- €18 per person from September 11 to October 31
The peak summer price is not trivial, especially for a large family. Still, the cave is a brief, unusual experience, and the tour’s timing system helps protect the rest of your day.
I would keep expectations sensible. This is a short visit, not a long cave expedition. The appeal is the light, the water, and the setting. Your time inside depends on local operating conditions and the queue.
Monk Seal Cave and Komiza on Vis

After Bisevo, the boat continues toward Vis and the Monk Seal Cave. The stop lasts about 15 minutes. You hear the story of the cave and its former connection with protected monk seals, along with information about their natural habitat.
This is more of a scenic and educational pause than a major walking stop. If you enjoy the natural side of the islands, it adds useful context. If your priority is swimming time, you may find the stop brief.
Komiza gives you a change of pace. This fishing village is a good place to stroll, have breakfast, or sit with coffee on the waterfront. The scheduled visit lasts about an hour.
I like this stop because it gives the day a human scale. After several minutes on open water and a quick cave visit, you get time to walk and settle into a real island town. You are not simply collecting viewpoints from a boat.
The one-hour window is enough for a short wander and a drink, but not for a slow, extended meal. If you want breakfast here, keep an eye on the departure time. The tour has many stops still ahead.
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Stiniva Cove and Srebrena Beach

Stiniva Cove is reached from the sea, and the boat pauses for about 20 minutes. You can take a short swim and try to reach the beach from the boat.
This is a good moment to bring your swimwear under your clothes. The stop is short, and there is no suggestion of a long stay on the beach. The pleasure is getting into the water and seeing the narrow cove from the sea.
The boat also passes Srebrena Beach. The skipper can slow down so you can take photos. That small detail is valuable on a route moving at speed. You get a chance to enjoy the view instead of watching it flash past.
Do not treat every stop as a full beach afternoon. The schedule is designed for variety. You will see several places, but most visits are short enough to keep the boat moving.
Snorkeling and a donkey on Budikovac

Budikovac is one of the more relaxed stops. You spend about one hour and 15 minutes at its Blue Lagoon, with masks and snorkels supplied by the tour.
That makes this a simple swim stop. You do not need to carry your own equipment, and you can explore the water below the surface at your own pace. The supplied gear is one of the tour’s practical advantages, particularly for families or groups packing light.
There is also a local beach bar where you can buy a cocktail or juice. Drinks are not included, so bring money for purchases. The island’s friendly donkey is another small but memorable feature. It is described as very social and likely to attract attention at the beach bar.
Budikovac gives you the best chance to slow down after the cave visits and boat transfers. Still, the stop is not a full resort day. Your time includes swimming, snorkeling, the bar, and the return to the boat.
Two and a half hours in Hvar

Hvar is the longest stop, with about two hours and 30 minutes of free time. Lunch is at your own expense, and you can choose a local restaurant, walk through town, visit Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, or climb to Tvrdava Fortica.
This free time is important because Hvar offers more than a photo stop. You can choose your own pace instead of following the guide from one sight to the next. If you are hungry, use the early part of the stop for lunch. If you want the fortress, leave enough time for the uphill walk and return.
Saint Stephen’s Cathedral is an optional visit during your free time. The tour company does not organize the cathedral visit, and no admission fee is listed in the supplied details. You can spend about 20 minutes there if you want a closer look at its architecture and decorative details.
Tvrdava Fortica is also optional and not included in the tour organization. The visit takes about 30 minutes, and the reward is a view over Hvar town and the Pakleni Islands. The climb adds physical effort to an already active day, so I would choose it only if the view matters more to you than a relaxed lunch or extra walking through town.
Hvar can be busy during the summer season, but the tour’s private format does not give you extra time beyond the scheduled two and a half hours. Plan your priorities before arriving. Trying to fit lunch, the cathedral, the fortress, and a full town walk into one stop will feel rushed.
What the price really includes

The quoted cost is $1,572.79 per group of up to 10 people. It covers the private speedboat, an English-speaking driver and guide, fuel, insurance, safety equipment, wind jackets, life jackets, snorkeling equipment, and skip-the-line service at the Blue Cave.
Lunch and drinks are not included. Blue Cave admission is also extra, with the seasonal prices listed earlier. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included either, although they can be arranged by request.
For a large group, this can be a sensible way to see several islands without arranging private transport yourself. You are paying for a full day, a dedicated boat, speed, and a route that would be hard to recreate with public ferries.
For a small group, the calculation changes. Two people would carry the full private-group price, then add food, drinks, and cave tickets. If you mainly want the Blue Cave and one swimming stop, a cheaper shared excursion may offer better value. If you care about privacy, direct attention, and seeing this many places in one day, the price is easier to defend.
What to pack for the 10 to 12 hour day
Keep your packing simple. You will want a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, casual clothes, and cash. The tour supplies masks, snorkels, wind and life jackets, and other safety equipment.
Cash matters for the Blue Cave tickets and may be useful at the beach bar. Lunch and drinks are your responsibility, so do not assume the boat includes refreshments.
A dry bag or water-resistant pouch would be sensible for phones and small valuables, though one is not listed as included. Keep your footwear practical for walking in Komiza and Hvar, and remember that the open boat exposes you to wind and spray.
Who should book this experience?
I would recommend it to a family or group of friends that wants a full Adriatic day with private space and many different stops. It suits people who enjoy swimming, short walks, photography, historic towns, and a fast-moving schedule.
It is also a good choice if you have limited time in the Trogir area and want to see Vis, Bisevo, Budikovac, and Hvar without planning a series of connections.
I would think twice if you dislike speedboats, need a quiet pace, have back or mobility problems, or want long stretches on a single beach. The tour is active and exposed to weather. Children under six cannot join, and pregnant people are not permitted.
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The weather exception is generous: if poor conditions cancel the tour, you can choose another date, an alternative tour, or a full refund.
Should you book the Trogir Blue Cave and Hvar tour?
Book it if your group can share the cost and you want maximum variety in one day. The private boat, provided snorkeling gear, reduced Blue Cave waiting time, and long Hvar stop give the day real practical value.
I would not book it for a small group on a tight budget, or if you prefer slow travel with more time in each place. For everyone else, especially a group of six to 10, it is a strong way to combine the Blue Cave’s unusual light, Vis’s coastal character, Budikovac’s swimming, and Hvar’s town and views in one well-filled day.
FAQ
Where does the tour start?
It starts at Obala bana Berislavića 30, 21220 Trogir, Croatia.
Where does the tour end?
The tour ends back at the meeting point in Trogir.
How long does the tour last?
The tour lasts approximately 10 to 12 hours.
How many people can join the private tour?
The private tour is available for a group of up to 10 people.
Is transportation included?
Yes. Transport by open-air speedboat is included.
Is snorkeling equipment provided?
Yes. Masks and snorkels are provided for the snorkeling stop at Budikovac Island.
Are Blue Cave tickets included?
No. Blue Cave admission costs extra. The price is €12, €18, or €24 per person depending on the travel date.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch and drinks are not included. You have free time in Hvar to buy lunch at your own expense.
Can children under six join?
No. The tour is strictly forbidden for children under six.
What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?
You can choose an alternative tour that day, select another date, or receive a full refund.
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