How to get to the Blue Cave from Split?

If you’re staying or passing through Split while on vacation in Croatia, take advantage of its proximity to the many Croatian islands and seaside gems. Ships, ferries and speedboats in this Croatian harbour will take you almost anywhere you want. The Blue Cave is a wonderful choice for a day of exploration! Especially if you’re a nature lover.

‘Modra Špilja’, as it’s known in Croatian, is a place where the sun plays with the sea in a most beautiful way, resulting in a hypnotising deep shade of blue. This is why it attracts thousands of tourists each year. But getting to it can be a little tricky. To learn more about how to reach the Blue Cave from Split, read on!

How far is the Blue Cave from Split?

First things first. The famous Blue Cave, also known as the Blue Grotto, is located on the island of Biševo in the bay called Balun (a local word for ‘ball’).  Biševo is a tiny island just southwest of its bigger brother – the island of Vis. If you take a look at your map, you’ll see that it’s the farthest island from the Split harbour.

To reach the Blue Cave from Split, you’ll have to cross a distance of about 70km or around 43 miles. With a speedboat, you can get there in 1 hour and 45 minutes, which leaves you with plenty of time to explore and have fun. So, don’t let the distance discourage you! After all, the best of jewels aren’t exactly found close to home.

How to get to the Blue Cave?

If you wish to see the Blue Cave and be back to Split by lunch or dinner, then the ferry ride is a bad option for you. It takes more than 5 hours to get to Vis island and then you’d have to look for a local ride to the Cave. This can be a decent option only if you’re planning to stay on Vis for a few days and explore further.

Luckily, there are plenty of local skippers in Split who grew up by the sea exploring the islands with their fathers and grandfathers. They can offer you private speedboat rides or tours for a good price, like this one. You can go as a group of friends, a family with children or a couple looking for a romantic getaway. And maybe you’ll even get to hear some exciting local tales along the way!

The best thing about this way of travelling to the Blue Cave is that you can use this opportunity to also explore other nearby gems of the Croatian coast. Like the Vis island and many of its hidden beaches and coves. By hiring a private speedboat tour, you have the freedom to tailor your own experience instead of adapting to a crowd or a group. It truly is the best value for money option. Just hop on board and let the local sailor lead the way!

Things you need to know before visiting the Blue Cave

They say that the image is worth a thousand words. But the experience in the Blue Cave will leave you speechless! The silence, the peace and the most incredible shade of blue – all crafted by nature over millions of years. And you get to see it.

Once you get there, you’ll have to buy the ticket to enter the Cave – unless it’s already included in the price of your boat tour. When your turn comes, a guide will lead you into the cave in a small boat. The entrance is quite narrow so you might have to bend a little to enter.

You get to spend 15 peaceful minutes of your life in the Blue Cave. It may not seem like much, but the locals are working hard to find the right balance between preserving the natural wonder of the Cave and letting people experience its almost magical spirit. This is why activities within the cave are limited and no swimming is allowed. You can take pictures but without a flash.

The private skipper you hired to get to the Blue Cave from Split will be waiting for you. Once you’re out of the cave, they’ll lead you onwards – to your next adventure!