Blue Cave: A Shimmering Adriatic Wonder
Experience the magic of the Blue Cave on Biševo Island, Croatia: a natural wonder of shimmering blue light and stunning beauty.
Located on the small island of Biševo, near Vis, the Blue Cave is one of Croatia's most spectacular natural wonders. Known locally as Modra Špilja, the cave's unique beauty stems from a natural phenomenon: sunlight penetrates through an underwater opening and reflects off the white limestone seafloor, bathing the cave in an otherworldly blue light. This creates a breathtaking, silvery-blue illumination that has captivated visitors since the cave was opened to the public in 1884. The cave itself is approximately 24 meters long, 10 to 12 meters deep, and up to 15 meters high, with a narrow entrance only 2.5 meters wide and 1.5 meters high. This small entrance requires visitors to transfer to smaller boats to enter. The best time to witness the full effect of the blue light is on a sunny day between 11 AM and 12 PM, when the sun's rays are at their strongest. However, the cave maintains its magic throughout the day, with the shade of blue shifting depending on the sunlight. Biševo island itself is a small, remote island with a population of only around 12 permanent residents, most of whom are involved in tourism related to the Blue Cave. Besides the Blue Cave, Biševo boasts other natural attractions, including sandy bays and other caves, as well as local products like Biševo Plavac wine.
Local tips
- Visit on a sunny day between late morning and early afternoon for the most intense blue light.
- Book your tour in advance, especially during peak season (June to September), to avoid long queues.
- Be aware that access to the cave is weather-dependent; tours may be canceled if the sea is too rough.
- Bring cash for the Blue Cave entrance ticket, as card payments are not usually accepted.
A brief summary to Blue Cave
- X2JC+3R, Biševo, HR
Getting There
-
Boat Tour
The most common way to reach the Blue Cave is by organized boat tour from Split, Hvar, or Vis. These tours typically include transport to Biševo Island, transfer to a smaller boat to enter the cave, and often include stops at other nearby attractions. Tours from Split or Hvar range from €80-€140 per person, depending on the length and inclusions. The boat ride to Biševo from Split is approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.
-
Ferry and Local Boat
Alternatively, take a public ferry from Komiža on Vis to Biševo Island. The ferry stops at Mezuporat, from where you can join the queue for the small boats that enter the Blue Cave. The ferry from Komiža to Biševo costs approximately €4.38 one way (€3.19 outside of high season) and takes 45 minutes to Mezuporat. From Mezuporat, the entrance ticket to the Blue Cave costs €24 per person during high season (June 1 to September 10).
