Blue Cave speedboat trip from Trogir

The best part of this trip is the variety packed into one long day: a glowing sea cave, a fishing town, quiet swimming stops, and Hvar’s handsome harbor. The Blue Cave is the headline, but the appeal is really the movement between very different corners of Dalmatia.

I like the small-group speedboat format, which gets you across the open water far faster than a standard ferry. I also like the mix of stops, especially Komiža and the chance to swim at Velu Žolo and Budikovac. The catch is simple: this is roughly ten hours at sea, with sun, waves, and a bumpy ride, so it is not a good choice if you have back or heart problems, cannot swim, or want a slow sightseeing day.

Key points to know before booking

• The Blue Cave is the first major stop, reached by about 90 minutes of speedboat travel from Trogir.
• Komiža gives the day a local feel, with time for a walk, coffee, and breakfast on Vis Island.
• Swimming time comes in two forms, from snorkeling at Velu Žolo to a shorter break at Budikovac Blue Lagoon.
• Hvar town closes the day with culture and cafes, including St. Stephen’s Square, Hvar Cathedral, and Hvar Fortress.
• The €24 Blue Cave entrance fee is extra, and it must be paid in cash.
• The trip suits active adults and older children, but children under eight, non-swimmers, and people with several health or mobility concerns should not book.

Why the Blue Cave deserves the early start

The Blue Cave on Biševo Island is the reason most people choose this outing. Sunlight enters through an underwater opening and reflects through the sea, giving the cave an aquamarine glow. Objects below the surface can appear silver in the dim light.

The cave is not enormous. It measures about 24 meters long and 11 meters deep, with an entrance only about 1.5 meters high and 2.5 meters wide. Those measurements matter because the visit feels enclosed and carefully controlled, not like a large cavern where you wander freely.

Your boat ride from Trogir takes about 90 minutes. The speed is useful here. Biševo and Vis are a long way from Trogir by ordinary road transport, and a slower boat would leave less time for the islands themselves.

The schedule allows about an hour for the Blue Cave stop, including the boat visit and sightseeing. The actual time inside the cave can depend on conditions and the operating process at the entrance, so you should not expect to linger as long as you would in a museum. Still, the light effect is unusual enough to make this the day’s natural centerpiece.

The cave ticket costs €24 in cash, and it is not included in the $147 tour price. Bring the correct amount if possible. The tour price covers the passenger speedboat, English-speaking skipper, gasoline, taxes, and VAT, but not food, drinks, or this admission.

Komiža: a useful break on Vis Island

After the cave, the boat continues to Komiža, a coastal town on Vis Island. The stop lasts about an hour and includes time for coffee, a walk, and breakfast.

Komiža is a good counterweight to the Blue Cave. The cave is all atmosphere and natural light; Komiža gives you streets, harbor views, and a chance to get your legs moving after the boat ride. If you want a full sit-down breakfast, keep an eye on the clock. An hour passes quickly when you are ordering food, eating, and trying to see the town.

I like this stop because it is not just a photo pause. You get a taste of a working island town rather than spending the entire day shuttling between famous viewpoints. The fishing-village character also makes Vis feel different from Hvar, which has a more polished summer-resort identity.

Do not expect a long town visit. The schedule is built around several islands and bays, so Komiža is a compact introduction, not a full tour of Vis. Use the time well: walk near the waterfront, have coffee or breakfast, and return to the boat promptly.

Velu Žolo brings the first proper swim

The next stop is Velu Žolo, where you have about an hour for swimming and snorkeling. This is the part of the day that lets you trade sightseeing for a more relaxed pace.

The setting is described as an unspoiled bay with a pebbled beach. That means you should expect a natural shore rather than a sandy resort beach. Water shoes may be useful for comfort on pebbles, though they are not listed as an included item.

You are given enough time to swim, snorkel, sit in the sun, or simply enjoy being off the boat for a while. Bring your own swimwear, towel, and sun protection. Food and drinks are not included, so pack water and snacks unless you plan to buy them during the town stop.

This stop also shows why the tour requires a moderate level of fitness. You will spend much of the day in motion, getting on and off a boat, walking in towns, and entering the water if you choose. A full hour in the sun can be tiring, especially after the early ride to Biševo.

Budikovac Blue Lagoon is short but scenic

A 40-minute speedboat ride brings you to Budikovac Blue Lagoon. The planned stop lasts about 30 minutes and includes a break and swimming.

Half an hour is enough for a quick swim and a look around, but it is not enough for a leisurely beach afternoon. Think of Budikovac as a refreshing pause between longer stretches of cruising and the final visit to Hvar.

The shorter time can be a benefit. After a full hour at Velu Žolo, you may appreciate a brief stop that does not add another long block to an already packed day. On the other hand, if swimming is your main reason for booking, you may wish the schedule allowed more time here.

The sequence works well: Komiža provides a town break, Velu Žolo offers the main swim and snorkeling period, and Budikovac gives you one more chance to get in the water before Hvar. It is a busy program, but each stop has a different purpose.

Hvar town combines landmarks and free time

The final major stop is Hvar town, where you have about two hours for a visit, lunch, and possibly swimming. Hvar is known as a Croatian summer resort, and its harbor gives the town a more cosmopolitan feel than Komiža.

Use the two hours for a focused walk rather than trying to see everything. St. Stephen’s Square is a natural place to get your bearings. Hvar Cathedral faces the square, while Hvar Fortress offers a higher viewpoint and a stronger sense of the town’s position above the harbor.

You may not have time to climb to the fortress, explore every street, and sit down for a full meal. Choose your priorities before you arrive. If architecture interests you, stay near the cathedral and square. If views matter more, give the fortress your first attention and leave time for lunch afterward.

The tour also allows time for a meal and perhaps a drink at one of Hvar’s cafes. Since food and drinks are not included, this is another expense to add to the $147 price. Hvar is a good place to choose what suits you, from a quick meal to a slower cafe stop, but the two-hour limit means you should not treat it as an open-ended afternoon.

The mention of swimming at this point should be read as an option, not a promise of a long beach session. Hvar town is primarily the cultural and urban stop of the day, and the earlier bays are better suited to swimming.

What the speedboat changes

The boat is central to the experience, not just a way to get from one stop to the next. You cover the distance between Trogir, Biševo, Vis, Budikovac, Hvar, and the return point in a single day because the vessel is a passenger speedboat.

That speed gives you access to more islands than a standard half-day cruise. It also creates the main physical drawback. The trip involves roughly ten hours on the sea, with sun and waves, and the ride can feel demanding if you are not comfortable on open water.

Wear practical clothes and secure loose items. A hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, and a light layer are sensible choices. You should also expect spray and movement rather than a quiet, level ride.

The tour is not suitable for children under eight, people with back problems, heart problems, or mobility impairments, wheelchair users, non-swimmers, or anyone over 125 kilograms. These restrictions are important because the trip includes boat movement, repeated transfers, and water-based stops. If you have doubts about your physical condition, this is the sort of excursion to discuss with a medical professional before booking.

Is $147 a fair price?

At $147 per person, the value depends on how you like to travel. You are paying for a full day of transport across several islands, an English-speaking skipper, gasoline, taxes, and the convenience of returning to Trogir without arranging separate ferries.

The price is easier to justify if you want to see the Blue Cave, Vis, Budikovac, the Pakleni Islands, and Hvar in one day. Organizing that route independently would require careful ferry research, different departure points, and much more attention to timing. The speedboat turns a complicated island-hopping plan into one organized outing.

Still, the extras add up. The €24 cave admission is separate, and you pay for breakfast, lunch, coffee, drinks, and snacks yourself. The tour also gives you limited time in each place, so you are paying for range and convenience rather than deep exploration.

I would call it good value for a first taste of several Dalmatian islands. It is less suitable if you prefer to spend a whole day on Vis or Hvar, or if you measure value by the amount of time spent off the boat.

Meeting in Trogir and planning the day

The meeting point is next to Kamerlengo Castle on the waterfront, at the Blue Lagoon Trogir Boat Tours location. Have your voucher ready on your phone or another electronic device. The skipper calls passengers by name, so listen for your name at the meeting point.

The activity lasts 11 hours, making it a full-day commitment. Starting times depend on availability, so check the departure time carefully when booking and plan to arrive with enough time to find the waterfront meeting point.

The English-speaking skipper handles the boat and provides the guiding language for the trip. No individual skipper name is supplied, so you should not expect to select a particular guide.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your weather plans are still unsettled.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want maximum variety and do not mind a long day. It works especially well for people visiting the Trogir area who want to see the Blue Cave but also want swimming, island towns, and Hvar in the same outing.

It is a strong choice for confident swimmers, active adults, and families with children aged eight and older who are comfortable with a fast boat and a full schedule. The swimming and snorkeling stops add real value if you would otherwise spend your holiday only walking through towns.

I would skip it if you want a calm boat ride, long meals, extensive sightseeing, or a beach day with no clock to watch. The pace is fixed by the distance between islands. You will get variety, but not much spare time.

The 4.9 rating from three reviews is encouraging, and the one named review from Mary-Stella of Australia specifically praised the island stops. That matches the tour’s strongest feature: it is not only a Blue Cave transfer. It gives you several distinct places in one day.

Final decision: book it for variety, not slow travel

Book this speedboat trip if the thought of seeing the Blue Cave, Komiža, two swimming areas, the Pakleni Islands, and Hvar sounds better than spending a full day in one place. Bring €24 in cash for the cave, budget separately for meals and drinks, and prepare for a long stretch under the sun.

Skip it if waves, speedboats, or repeated boarding would make you uncomfortable. The Blue Cave is memorable, but the real value comes from the complete route and the number of island stops. For an active introduction to Dalmatia from Trogir, it packs a lot into one demanding but rewarding day.

FAQ

How long does the Blue Cave speedboat trip from Trogir last?

The tour lasts 11 hours, including the boat journey from Trogir, island stops, swimming breaks, time in Hvar, and the return to Trogir.

What is included in the price?

The price includes transport in a comfortable passenger speedboat, an English-speaking skipper, gasoline, all taxes, and VAT.

Is the Blue Cave entrance ticket included?

No. The Blue Cave entrance ticket costs €24 and must be paid in cash.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. The schedule gives you time for breakfast in Komiža and lunch in Hvar, but you pay for those yourself.

Where does the tour meet in Trogir?

The meeting point is next to Kamerlengo Castle on the waterfront, at Blue Lagoon Trogir Boat Tours. Have your electronic voucher ready, and the skipper will call you by name.

Who should not take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under eight, people with back or heart problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, non-swimmers, or people over 125 kilograms. A moderate level of fitness is required because you spend much of the day on the sea, in the sun, and around moving boat conditions.