Island hopping is an absolute must-do activity when in Croatia. The easiest way to do that is by booking an organized group tour. My parents and I recently did the 5 island speedboat tour from Viator on our trip to the Balkans and absolutely loved it. Here’s a recap of everything we saw and some tips on visiting if you’d prefer to organize it yourself!
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About the tour
- Duration: 10 hours
- Cost: $130 per person
- Port of departure: Trogir or Split
- Islands visited: Biševo, Vis, Budikovac, Ravnik, Hvar
Unlike most speedboat tours I’ve taken in the past, this one was actually comfortable and didn’t make me feel nauseous — important because the tour lasts all day! Each boat fits 12 people. The seats were aligned in two rows of six, with each person sitting behind the next. To me, the boat ride felt like riding on a mechanical bull at times (in an easy, not too aggressive kind of way).
Our tour guides, Roko and Neno, were great. They gave us a bit of background information on each stop and were friendly and professional the whole time. Although the price of the tour is a bit steep for those on a budget, I’d definitely say that it’s worth the money. We saw so many places that we wouldn’t have otherwise seen on our own. The boat rides between islands were fun and not something I just wanted to get over with.
Croatia Island Hopping: Biševo
Our first stop was Biševo Island, a 1.5-hour speedboat ride from Split. With a permanent population of just 20 people, Biševo is most famous for being home to the Blue Cave (or Blue Grotto).
The Blue Cave appears to glow bright blue on sunny days because of its white limestone floor. The cave can only be accessed by boat and with a timed ticket, which was included with our tour.
The easiest way to get to Biševo is with a guided tour. Otherwise, you’ll need to take a ferry from Split to Komiža and then on to the Mezuporat stop on Biševo. You can find a timetable on the Croatian Coastal Shipping Agency website. One-way tickets cost 25 kunas ($3.89 USD).
Croatia Island Hopping: Vis
Vis Island is the farthest inhabited island from Croatia’s mainland. It has a population of about 3,600 people over 35 square miles (90 sq km). The two largest towns on the island are Komiža on the west coast and Vis, the town the island is named after, on the east coast.
Komiža
Komiža is a 12th-century coastal town known for its fishing, winemaking, and farming. Nowadays, tourists come to see the St. Nicholas Monastery and the charming white stone streets. We had about an hour to spend in Komiža, so we strolled around the harbor, ate our packed lunches, and got iced coffees. It’s definitely a cute town and well worth the visit on a sunny day!
There is no direct connection from Split to Komiža. If you’re traveling independently, you’ll have to take the ferry to Milna on Brač Island, the catamaran to Vis town, and a taxi to Komiža.
Southern coast
The southern coast of Vis is filled with stunning rock formations and ancient, hardened lava flows. Millions of years ago, a large volcanic eruption created the jagged oceanside cliffs that exist today. Between the cliffs, you’ll find caves, coves, and sandy beaches.
If you’re not on an organized tour, the only way to see these rock formations is with your own boat. The area around the cliffs is generally calm and good for swimming, snorkeling, or scuba diving.
Stiniva beach
Stiniva beach is one of the many small beaches along Vis’ southern coast. Surrounded by towering cliffs on three sides, Stiniva is only accessible by hiking down a steep path or by swimming (boats can only be docked a certain distance outside of the beach’s outer walls).
Warm, turquoise water, a sheltered cove, and a bar on the beach (!!!) make Stiniva a popular spot for visitors to Vis. CNN Travel also voted Stiniva one of Europe’s best beaches in 2019, adding to its popularity.
Many different boat tours stop at Stiniva beach. Otherwise, to hike down, you’ll need to park in the lot at the top of the hill. The trail is a combination of gravel and rocks and takes approximately 20-30 minutes one way. Make sure to wear close-toed shoes and plenty of sunscreen.
Budikovac Island
Although not technically a part of Vis Island, I’ve included Budikovac under this section because it is only 1.8 mi (3 km) away. Budikovac Island is a small, almost uninhabited island with sunny skies, clear water, and pebble beaches.
This was my favorite stop of the day on our tour — the color of the water was unlike anything I’d ever seen in real life. When I was snorkeling, I saw schools of brightly colored fish, funky coral, and lots of sea urchins. Budikovac truly felt like a tropical paradise.
There are no commercial ferries that run to Budikovac Island. If you want to visit, you’ll need to come with an organized tour or with your own boat.
Side note: we were warned about purchasing from the restaurant on the island. Our tour guides told us that the owner has a habit of charging tourists whatever he feels like based on his mood that day. As the island’s only permanent resident, I guess he has that right!
Croatia Island Hopping: Hvar
Hvar is one of the most popular islands in Croatia to visit. Its gorgeous beaches and laidback lifestyle make it a great place to stop for a day trip or to spend a few nights.
Inhabited since prehistoric times, Hvar now has a population of about 11,000 people. Its largest settlements are Hvar town and Stari Grad (founded in 384 BC, making it one of the oldest towns in Europe!).
We got to spend about 3 hours in Hvar on our tour. This was the perfect amount of time to see the Spanish Fortress, wander the old streets, and grab a drink.
It’s pretty easy to get to Hvar from Split on your own. Ferries and catamarans run every few hours — you can buy tickets through the Jadrolinija or Kapetan Luka websites. Tickets cost about 100 kunas ($15.60 USD) one way. Hot tip: if you’re prone to seasickness, try to choose the fastest boat you can. The slower the boat, the more motion you’ll feel!
Things to do in Hvar
- Hike up to the top of the Spanish Fortress (Tvrđava Fortica)
- Go inside the Cathedral of St. Stephen
- Walk around the Franciscan Monastery
- Pokonji dol Beach
Best restaurants in Hvar
- Ka’lavanda Music Bar
- Hula Hula Beach Bar
- Konoba Menego
Book a Croatia island tour
Thank you for reading this recap of our Croatia island hopping tour! It was truly magical and an experience that I couldn’t recommend enough.
xoxo Niki
