Hvar: Private Blue Cave and Vis Speedboat Tour

The best part of this Hvar excursion is the private 11-meter speedboat, which gives your group room to stretch out while crossing between Hvar, Vis, and the Pakleni Islands. I like the freedom to stay longer at a favorite swimming spot, and I like that the crew can adjust the day instead of forcing everyone through a fixed schedule.

I also like the mix of famous sights and quieter stops, from the Blue Cave and Stiniva Bay to secret caves on Vis’s southern coast. The main drawback is cost: at $1,344 per group, this makes the most sense for a larger party, and you still pay separately for lunch and Blue Cave tickets.

Key points to know

• Private boat for up to 12 people: The $1,344 price covers the group, not each person, so the value improves sharply when you fill the boat.
• An 8-hour day on the water: You cover several islands and bays, but the schedule can feel full if you want long swims at every stop.
• Blue Cave, Stiniva, and Budikovac: The route combines Croatia’s best-known coastal sights with time for swimming and snorkeling.
• A spacious 11-meter speedboat: You get a large sundeck, bathing platform, bottled water, fuel, safety gear, and snorkeling equipment.
• Flexible planning: The English-speaking crew can help decide how long to stay and which lesser-known areas to visit.
• Weather matters: Rough conditions can cancel the trip, with a choice of another date or a full refund.

Why this private Vis tour works so well

A private boat changes the feel of an island-hopping day. You are not simply following a guide from one stop to the next. Your group has the boat to itself, and the crew can shape the outing around your interests.

That matters in the Vis area because the best moments are not all the same. One person may want to see the Blue Cave. Another may prefer snorkeling in clear water. Someone else may want photos from a quiet bay or a quick look at a small coastal town. With a private group, you can discuss those choices as the day unfolds.

The boat leaves from the Kabina Boats office at Obala, Fabrika 27, in Hvar’s main harbor, next door to Hotel Adriana. The crew meets you there and guides you to the boat, so you do not need to search the marina on your own.

The day lasts eight hours. That gives you enough time for a broad route, but do not think of it as eight relaxed hours at one beach. You are covering open water between Hvar, Vis, and the Pakleni Islands, with several stops along the way.

The 11-meter boat and what it means for your day

The boat is designed for excursions rather than quick point-to-point transport. It has a large sundeck and a bathing platform, two features that matter once you spend most of a day outside.

The sundeck gives you a place to sit or lie down between stops. The bathing platform makes getting into and out of the sea easier than climbing over the side. Bottled water is included, along with snorkeling gear, fuel, safety equipment, and insurance.

The boat can carry up to 12 people. That is a useful maximum, but comfort depends on your group and how much personal space you want. A full boat is still private, yet a smaller group will have more room to spread out.

A speedboat also means the ride itself is part of the experience. You will spend time in the open air, crossing from one island to another. People with back problems and pregnant women should not book this activity. The company also warns that the tour depends on weather conditions, a sensible rule for a full day at sea.

Starting with the Blue Cave

The Blue Cave is the headline sight, and it is easy to see why. Light entering the cave creates a strong blue glow on the water, giving the place a look that feels quite different from the bright coast outside.

You should know that the Blue Cave ticket is not included in the tour price. Bring that extra cost into your budget before booking. Lunch is also separate, so the $1,344 covers the private boat, crew, fuel, water, snorkeling gear, and safety equipment, but not the two most likely additional expenses.

The cave is also a popular stop, so the pace of this part of the outing may depend on conditions and access. The crew can help organize the visit, but a private boat does not mean the cave itself belongs only to your group.

Still, the Blue Cave makes a strong opening or early highlight. It gives you an unusual sight before the day turns toward swimming and quiet coves. If this is your first visit to the Vis area, it is the stop most likely to define the excursion.

Stiniva Bay and the appeal of a short swim

Stiniva Bay is known for its enclosed shape and clear water. It was voted the best beach in Europe in 2016, and the tour includes time to swim and snorkel there.

The appeal is not just the beach itself. Stiniva gives you a chance to see how the Croatian coast changes from open sea to a more sheltered cove. The water is the main event, so bring a swimsuit and use the snorkeling equipment provided.

Because this is a private trip, you can tell the crew if you want more time in the water. The tradeoff is that extra time here leaves less time for other stops. You cannot linger everywhere for a long time and still cover the full route in eight hours.

That choice is one of the tour’s strengths. You are not locked into the same amount of time as a large shared group. If Stiniva is your priority, say so early.

Budikovac Blue Lagoon for clear-water swimming

The Budikovac Blue Lagoon is another major swimming stop. The description of the water here is exactly what you hope for from a Croatian boat day: clear, calm-looking water suited to a swim and snorkel.

This stop works well after the Blue Cave because it shifts the focus from looking at a natural formation to getting into the sea. The bathing platform makes that transition simple, and snorkeling gear is included.

I would treat the lagoon as a place to slow down rather than a quick photo stop. You can swim, float, and look below the surface. The crew can suggest how to use your time, but the final choice belongs to your group.

Keep your expectations practical. The tour does not promise a particular marine life encounter or a set amount of time at the lagoon. It promises access to the area, swimming, snorkeling, and a private boat that lets you adjust the schedule.

Secret caves on Vis’s southern shore

The southern coast of Vis adds variety to the better-known stops. Here, the crew takes you toward lesser-known caves and bays rather than only checking off the standard sights.

This is where the private format earns its keep. The crew can help you explore places that may not be part of a basic group route, and you can decide how much time to give them. These stops may feel less programmed than the Blue Cave or Stiniva.

You should not expect a formal walking tour or a long land visit at every location. The trip is built around the water, the boat, and short stops along the coast. If you prefer a day with museums, historic buildings, or long café breaks, this is not the right choice.

If you like changing views and small discoveries, the southern shore is likely to be one of the most satisfying parts of the day. Captain Stepo and skipper Ivonna were praised for taking one group to out-of-the-way beaches, charming towns, and secret caves. Another family specifically appreciated being offered several options for swimming and jumping into the water.

The names also appear as Stipe and Ivona in another booking record, so you may see those forms when communicating with Kabina Boats. The important point is that your English-speaking crew handles the route and helps tailor the stops.

Finishing around the Pakleni Islands

The Pakleni Islands are a natural fit for the final section of a private boat day from Hvar. The group of islands gives the crew more bays and swimming areas to consider after Vis.

The value here is flexibility. You may want one last swim, a quiet place to rest on the boat, or a final coastal view before returning to Hvar. The crew can help choose the best option based on your group’s energy and the day’s conditions.

The Pakleni Islands also keep the return leg from feeling like a simple ride back. You continue seeing the coast from the water instead of ending the excursion immediately after Vis.

At the same time, the route covers a lot. Blue Cave, Stiniva, Budikovac, the southern Vis caves, and the Pakleni Islands are ambitious targets in eight hours. You will see plenty, but you should not assume every stop will receive a long, unhurried visit.

How the $1,344 price works for your group

The price is $1,344 for up to 12 people. At full capacity, that works out to $112 per person before lunch and the Blue Cave ticket. For a group of six, the boat costs $224 per person, and for four people it costs $336 each.

That calculation tells you who gets the best value. A large family, wedding group, or group of friends can share the cost and enjoy a private boat for the day. For two or three people, the price is much harder to justify unless having a private schedule matters more to you than minimizing cost.

You are paying for more than transport. The package includes the boat, English-speaking crew, fuel, water, snorkeling equipment, safety equipment, and insurance. The crew also handles the practical work of arranging the route, which is useful when several islands and bays are involved.

You are not paying for lunch, and the Blue Cave ticket is extra. Plan for those costs before you compare this tour with a shared excursion. The private format is the main value, not a low base price.

The reserve-now, pay-later option also gives you some planning flexibility. You can book without paying immediately, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Who should book this speedboat day

I would recommend this tour to a group that wants a full day on the water and cares about privacy. It is especially suitable for families and friends who want to swim together, choose their own pace, and avoid sharing a boat with strangers.

It also fits people who want both famous sights and less familiar coastal stops. You get the Blue Cave, Stiniva, and Budikovac, but you also have time for southern Vis caves and bays that are not presented as the main attractions.

The boat format is less suitable for anyone who finds fast boat rides uncomfortable or who needs special support for a back condition. Pregnant women and people with back problems are specifically advised not to take the tour.

You should also be comfortable with a day shaped by weather. The company may cancel in poor conditions, and the alternative is a new date or a refund. That policy protects you from being sent out in unsafe conditions, but it means you should keep some flexibility in your Hvar schedule.

Practical advice before leaving Hvar

Meet at the Kabina Boats office in the main Hvar harbor, at Obala, Fabrika 27, next to Hotel Adriana. Arrive with enough time to find the office without rushing, especially if you are unfamiliar with Hvar’s waterfront.

Bring money for lunch and the Blue Cave ticket. Bottled water is supplied, and snorkeling gear is included, so you do not need to arrange those through another operator.

Tell the crew what matters most to your group at the start. If you care most about swimming, say so. If the Blue Cave is the priority, ask how the crew plans to fit it into the day. A private tour gives you choices, but it works best when you use them.

The tour is conducted in English. The crew members named in the booking information are Captain Stepo or Stipe and skipper Ivonna or Ivona, depending on the record. Their role is not just to drive the boat. They help plan the route and manage the practical details while you enjoy the coast.

Should you book this Hvar private boat tour?

Book it if you have a medium-sized or large group, want a full day at sea, and value control over the schedule. The mix of Blue Cave, Stiniva, Budikovac, Vis’s southern shore, and the Pakleni Islands gives you a strong sample of the area in one outing.

Think twice if you are a couple or small group watching every kuna, euro, or dollar. The price can become steep once divided among only a few people, especially after adding lunch and the Blue Cave ticket.

For the right group, this is a well-rounded private excursion with a practical boat, friendly English-speaking crew, and room to make the day your own. Just accept the limits: eight hours passes quickly, the sea can be rough, and the most famous stops come with extra costs.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet in Hvar?

The meeting point is the Kabina Boats office at Obala, Fabrika 27, in Hvar’s main harbor, next door to Hotel Adriana. The crew will meet you there and guide you to the boat.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts eight hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private group can include up to 12 people.

Is the boat private?

Yes. The tour includes a private boat for your group.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

Are Blue Cave tickets included?

No. Tickets to the Blue Cave are an additional cost.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

What happens if the weather is poor?

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