Blue cave, Mama Mia and Hvar, 5 island speedboat tour from Trogir

The Blue Cave sets the tone for this long day on the Adriatic. You leave Trogir by open-air speedboat, cross to the island of Biševo, then work your way through Vis, Stiniva, Budikovac, the Pakleni Islands, and Hvar. It is an ambitious route that packs a lot of coast into one outing.

I like the range of places you see in one day, from a tiny fishing village to a fortress town and quiet swimming coves. I also like the small-boat format, with up to 12 people per boat, plus snorkeling gear and an English-speaking driver-guide.

The main caution is the ride itself. An open speedboat can be loud, windy, and rough on the open sea. This is not a gentle sightseeing cruise, and people with back problems, mobility issues, or pregnancy cannot join. Children under 10 are also not permitted.

Key points before you book

• Blue Cave admission costs extra: Bring cash for the seasonal fee of €12, €18, or €24 per person. The tour helps reduce the wait, but the ticket is not included in the price.
• The boat ride is part of the attraction: You travel quickly between islands, but the open-air boat can be bumpy, especially on the return crossing.
• You get real free time in Hvar: The 2.5-hour stop lets you eat, walk the old streets, visit the cathedral, or climb to Fortica Fortress.
• Budikovac is your main swim stop: Snorkeling equipment is supplied, and you get about an hour near the Blue Lagoon area.
• Weather can change the plan: The captain may alter the route, and the Blue Cave can close for safety reasons. A different date or full refund is offered if the whole tour is canceled for poor weather.
• Arrive early and carefully: The boat leaves from Obala bana Berislavića 30 in Trogir and cannot wait for late arrivals.

Why this route works from Trogir

At about $111.26 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day on the water. Still, the price covers transport for roughly 10 to 12 hours, the driver-guide, safety gear, snorkeling equipment, and the chance to reach islands that would be difficult to connect independently in a single day.

The value comes from the amount of ground covered. You see Biševo and Vis, stop at several coves, pass the Pakleni Islands, and finish with substantial time in Hvar. A public ferry plan would require careful timing and would not offer the same access to Stiniva Cove or Budikovac.

There are extra costs. Breakfast, lunch, bottled water, and the Blue Cave ticket are not included. The cave fee changes by date:

• April 1 to May 31: €12 per person
• June 1 to June 19: €18 per person
• June 20 to September 10: €24 per person
• September 11 to October 31: €18 per person

Pack water and food for the boat, then plan to buy lunch in Hvar. Bring cash for the cave ticket, even though the tour is booked in advance. That small detail matters because the first stop can involve a wait, and you do not want to begin the day searching for an ATM.

The Blue Cave on Biševo

Biševo is the first major stop and the reason many people choose this tour. The Blue Cave is a small sea cave where sunlight passes through an underwater opening, giving the water its famous blue glow. Your visit inside lasts about 20 minutes, though the total time at Biševo depends on the season and the queue.

The tour includes a skip-the-line service intended to reduce waiting time. That does not mean there can never be a delay. The cave is reached by a separate local boat operation, and busy summer days can still affect the schedule.

The cave is also weather-sensitive. Strong wind and rough seas can close it for safety. On one outing, the Blue Cave was shut and the group visited the Green Cave instead. That is a useful way to think about this stop: the cave is a highlight, but it should not be the only reason you book the day. If seeing the Blue Cave is your single priority, choose a plan with flexibility and accept that nature makes the final decision.

The admission fee is listed as included in one part of the tour description, but the cost details clearly state that you must pay it separately. Treat the ticket as an extra expense and carry the correct cash amount.

Komiža, Vis, and a slower hour

After Biševo, the boat heads to Komiža on Vis. This is one of the best-balanced stops because it gives you a break from the engine and open water. You get about an hour to stroll along the waterfront, have breakfast, or sit with a coffee.

Komiža is a fishing village rather than a grand resort town. Its appeal is the harbor, the compact streets, and the chance to see a more everyday side of island life. After the early start, this pause also has practical value. You can eat something before the swimming stops and recover from the boat ride.

Do not expect a long cultural visit. An hour goes quickly, especially if you want food and a walk. Still, I would rather have this stop than another rushed photo pass. It gives the day a change of pace.

Stiniva Cove from the water

Stiniva Cove is reached from the sea and is known for its narrow entrance and sheltered shape. The boat stops for about 20 minutes, giving you a short swim and the chance to try to reach the beach from the boat.

This is a scenic stop, but the short time limit is important. You are not settling in for a full beach afternoon. You may have time for a quick swim, a few photos, and a look toward the shore, but not much more.

The cove can feel crowded in high season, and the boat is the practical way to see it on this route. If swimming from a boat is not comfortable for you, this stop may feel rushed. If you enjoy a quick dip in clear coastal water, it adds a welcome break to the morning.

Srebrena, the Mamma Mia photo stop

Srebrena beach is a passing stop rather than a landing. The skipper slows the boat for roughly five minutes so you can take photographs of the beach associated with the film Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

Five minutes is enough for a quick picture, not a proper beach visit. You will not have time to walk the shore or swim here. The value is in the view from the water and the film connection. It is a small stop, but it breaks up the longer stretches of travel.

If you have watched the movie, this will likely mean more to you. If not, treat it as a scenic pass rather than a major attraction.

Budikovac and the Blue Lagoon swim

Budikovac is the main water stop of the afternoon. You get about an hour to swim and snorkel in the Blue Lagoon area near Vis. Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from packing your own mask and gear.

This is also the stop that best shows the trade-off of a packed itinerary. An hour is enough for a swim, but some people may wish they had more time in the bay. If you are comfortable in the water and ready to get in soon after the boat arrives, you can make good use of the stop.

The experience may depend on the season. Facilities such as a beach bar may not be open outside the busiest months. Bring your own bottled water rather than counting on buying drinks at the stop, since water is not included.

Pakleni Islands and the approach to Hvar

The Pakleni Islands receive a quick five-minute stop for a view and photographs. This is another passing moment, not a shore visit. You get a glimpse of the island chain before heading to Hvar.

The route is designed for variety, not long stays at every location. That works well if your aim is to see many famous spots. It works less well if you want to sit quietly in one cove for half a day.

The captain and the sea conditions shape the mood of this part of the journey. Some people enjoy the speed and the playlist on board. Others find the music and fast handling too much. The boat can cross the wakes of larger vessels, and the open sea can become rough. I would bring a light jacket, secure loose items, and expect spray.

Two and a half hours in Hvar

Hvar is the final large stop and gives you about 2.5 hours on land. This is enough time for lunch, a walk through town, and one main sight if you keep moving.

You can visit Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, inspect its architecture, or climb toward Fortica Fortress for views over Hvar and the Pakleni Islands. Neither visit is organized or ticketed by the tour. You choose how to spend your free time, and the fortress admission is not included.

I suggest deciding before you arrive. A relaxed lunch and town walk will use most of the time. The cathedral is more manageable because it is in town. Fortica requires a climb and about 30 minutes for the visit itself, so it suits you only if you are willing to make the walk a priority.

Hvar is a good place to end the sightseeing portion because you can choose your own pace. After hours on a boat, you may prefer a long meal and a slow walk instead of another landmark. The schedule allows that choice, though you still need to return to the boat on time.

What the speedboat ride is really like

The boat carries up to 12 people, creating a smaller group than a large day cruiser. That makes boarding and moving between stops quicker, and it can give the skipper more room to respond to the group.

The boat is open to the air. Wind, sun, spray, engine noise, and sea movement are part of the deal. Some outings feel exciting, especially when the skipper handles the waves well. On rough days, the crossing back to Trogir can be tiring.

The tour supplies wind jackets, life jackets, and safety equipment. Optional outerwear is useful, but I would still bring a thin layer of your own. Wear secure shoes and avoid bringing anything that can blow away.

Music may play during the ride. Past crew members have included a guide named Lucy and a skipper called Z, but your crew may be different. The guide’s personality can shape the day, especially during the long stretches between islands.

This format suits you if you want movement and variety. It does not suit you if you want a quiet cruise, a stable deck, or a slow look at every island.

Who should book this day

I would choose this tour if you are staying in Trogir and want to cover the main island sights without arranging several ferries. It suits active adults, couples, friends, and older children who are at least 10 and comfortable with a full day outside.

It is also a good fit if you care more about seeing several places than spending hours at one beach. You can swim, snorkel, take photographs, eat in Hvar, and see the Blue Cave in one demanding day.

I would think twice if you have back problems, mobility limits, or are pregnant. The tour is not suitable for those conditions. I would also avoid it if you dislike rough water, loud engines, strong wind, or a fast pace.

The published recommendation rate is 99 percent, with a 4.9 rating from 2,861 reviews. That strong score fits the tour’s best qualities: a full route, attractive stops, friendly crews on many departures, and a memorable mix of water and town time. It does not erase the practical warnings about weather, timing, and comfort.

Practical details that matter

The meeting point is Obala bana Berislavića 30 in Trogir. The tour returns to the same place. Confirmation is provided when you book, and the maximum overall activity capacity is listed as 150 people, though each individual boat can carry up to 12.

Arrive early. A missed departure can mean losing the full booking, since the boat cannot return for late arrivals. Check the meeting instructions carefully and allow extra time to reach the waterfront.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded. If bad weather cancels the whole activity, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Pets are not allowed. The tour is offered in English.

Should you book the Trogir five-island tour?

Book it if you want an energetic, high-value day that connects the Blue Cave, Vis, Stiniva, Budikovac, the Pakleni Islands, and Hvar without complicated transport planning. The route is unusually full, and the 2.5 hours in Hvar give you more freedom than a simple photo tour.

Skip it if you want calm water, long beach time, or a quiet cruise. The open speedboat is fast and can be rough, and several stops last only five to 20 minutes. Budget separately for the Blue Cave ticket, lunch, and water.

For the right person, this is one of the most efficient ways to see the central Dalmatian islands from Trogir. Just book it for the whole package: the cave, the swims, the village, Hvar, and the ride between them. Do not book it expecting a peaceful boat trip.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Obala bana Berislavića 30 in Trogir, Croatia, and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 10 to 12 hours.

Is the Blue Cave ticket included?

No. You must pay the Blue Cave admission separately in cash. The fee is €12 from April 1 to May 31, €18 from June 1 to June 19, €24 from June 20 to September 10, and €18 from September 11 to October 31.

What is included in the price?

The price includes transport by open-air speedboat, snorkeling equipment, an English-speaking driver-guide, wind and life jackets, safety equipment, and skip-the-line service intended to reduce waiting time at the Blue Cave.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children under 10 are not allowed. The tour is also not suitable for people with back problems, mobility issues, or pregnancy.

What happens if bad weather affects the tour?

The captain can change the itinerary during the day if weather conditions require it. If poor weather causes the entire tour to be canceled, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.