Blue Cave our Way – private 6 island tour

The Blue Cave is the headline, but the real appeal is the range packed into one long day: a fishing village, a sea cave, a narrow cove, a swimming stop, a family-run lunch, and Hvar Town. A private boat also gives you room to adjust the pace instead of following a large group from one stop to the next.

I like the free pickup anywhere a boat can reach in Split or Trogir, and I like that the skipper can adapt the plan. Toma once protected passengers from heavy spray, lent a jacket to a chilly child, and brought his group back before a storm worsened. The main drawback is cost: $1,262.90 per group of up to six, before lunch and Blue Cave tickets, so this makes much better financial sense for a full group than for one or two people.

Key points to know before you book

• Six major stops in about ten hours: Komiza, the Blue Cave, Stiniva Cove, Budikovac, Milna, and Hvar Town.
• Private boat, private pace: Only your group takes part, with a skipper who can adjust the day around weather and timing.
• Pickup from Split or Trogir: Free pickup is offered at boat-accessible spots in both areas.
• Blue Cave tickets cost extra: You stop at Mezoporat around 9:45 am to buy the required tickets.
• Lunch is separate: The two-hour stop in Milna includes time at a family-run restaurant, but you pay for your meal.
• Weather matters: Rough conditions can change or cancel the trip, with a new date or full refund offered if the operator cancels.

Why this private six-island day works

This is a fast-moving Adriatic outing designed for people who want to see a lot in one day. You leave early, cover significant stretches of open water, and return to Split or Trogir around 6:45 pm. The schedule is full, but it is not just a race to one famous photo stop.

You get a useful mix of places. Komiza gives you time on land in a working coastal village. The Blue Cave supplies the unusual natural attraction. Stiniva and Budikovac bring the water time. Milna gives you a proper lunch break, and Hvar Town finishes the day with an hour to wander.

I especially like the private format for families and small groups. You are not sharing the boat with strangers, and you can contact Tamaris Charter in advance with questions. The company sends the skipper’s name and contact information the day before departure, which is useful if you are running late or need to reach the boat that morning.

The schedule still requires discipline. An hour in Komiza can disappear quickly, and Hvar Town gets only about 75 minutes. This is a highlights tour, not a slow island stay. You should book it for variety and access, not for lingering in one village.

Leaving Trogir or Split before the crowds

The boat leaves Trogir at 7:30 am or Split at 8:00 am. The listed meeting point in Split is Matejuška, at Trumbićeva obala 3, but free pickup is available at boat-accessible places in the Split and Trogir area. Pickup from another central Dalmatian location may be possible if arranged in advance.

That pickup option has real value. You do not need to build your morning around finding a distant marina, and a boat-side pickup can be especially handy if you are staying near the waterfront. Ask for the exact pickup point when booking, since access depends on where the boat can safely reach.

Bring a light jacket even in summer. The boat can feel cool at speed, and the weather may change during a long day at sea. The skipper can help with practical problems, as Toma did for one family on a cold, wet day, but you should still dress for wind and spray.

The tour includes bottled water, fuel, taxes, local charges, a driver-guide, and snorkeling equipment. That makes the price easier to judge, since several common boat-trip extras are already covered.

Komiza, a one-hour taste of Vis

The first stop is Komiza, from about 10:00 to 11:00 am. This small village on Vis gives you a proper land break before the Blue Cave. You can walk along the waterfront, get your bearings, and see a different side of the island from the open-water views.

One hour is enough for a short stroll and a look at the harbor. It is not enough for a relaxed meal or an extensive visit, so keep your expectations in check. I would use this stop for photos, a quick walk, and a chance to stretch your legs.

The early arrival also gives the day a pleasant rhythm. You are not going straight from the departure pier into a long sequence of boat stops. Instead, you begin with a village where you can briefly slow down before the main attraction.

The Blue Cave and the ticket question

Around 9:45 am, the boat makes a quick stop at Mezoporat so you can buy tickets for the Blue Cave. The cave admission is not included in the tour price, and the tour description does not give a fixed ticket cost. Plan for this as an extra expense rather than assuming the advertised group price covers every part of the day.

The Blue Cave visit is scheduled for about 11:15 to 11:45 am. The visit itself lasts roughly 30 minutes. The cave is known for its blue-lit interior, created when sunlight enters through an underwater opening and reflects through the sea. The effect depends on conditions and light, so the timing matters.

A half-hour is brief, but it suits the format. You get the signature sight without losing the rest of the island day. The downside is that this popular stop can involve waiting or changes in timing, especially when sea conditions affect access. The early ticket stop is one way the skipper keeps the day moving.

You should also understand that the Blue Cave is not a free-form swim stop. It is a short organized visit, separate from the snorkeling time later in the day. If your main goal is swimming, the stops at Budikovac and possibly Stiniva will matter more.

Stiniva Cove from the water

After the Blue Cave, the boat heads toward Budikovac with a panoramic cruise and a short stop at Stiniva Bay. The scheduled window is about 11:45 am to 12:30 pm, listed as roughly one hour.

Stiniva is known for its tight opening and enclosed cove. Seeing it from the water gives you a clear sense of how the cliffs close around the bay. The plan describes a short stop rather than a long beach visit, so you should treat this as a scenic pause and photo opportunity.

This section is also where the skipper’s judgment matters. Weather and sea conditions can shape how close the boat gets and how long you remain. The private setup helps because the skipper can plan the route with your group in mind, but it cannot remove the limits created by wind or waves.

Budikovac Blue Oasis and snorkeling time

Budikovac follows from about 12:30 to 1:15 pm. This is the day’s clearest chance to relax by the water, with time to swim and use the included snorkeling equipment.

The name Blue Oasis says what this stop is meant to provide: a break from the schedule and a chance to cool off. Forty-five minutes is enough for a swim, but you will want to move quickly if you need time to change, snorkel, and sit in the sun.

This is one of the places where a private tour feels more useful than a large shared excursion. Your group can decide how much of the stop to spend in the water, within the overall schedule. Still, the day remains tightly timed, so do not expect a full afternoon at Budikovac.

Pack swimwear beneath your clothes if possible. It saves time and makes a short swimming stop more enjoyable. Snorkeling equipment is included, but the supplied information does not specify the sizes or type of gear, so bring your own mask if you have a favorite fit.

Milna on Hvar, with two hours for lunch

The boat reaches Milna on Hvar around 2:00 pm. The schedule allows two hours for lunch at a family-run restaurant, described as a favorite local choice with excellent food. Lunch is not included, so budget separately for your meal and drinks.

This is a smart pause in an otherwise active day. After several boat stops, you get time to sit down, eat, and recharge. A family-run restaurant can also feel more personal than a quick meal grabbed near a major port, though the exact menu and prices are not provided.

The wording of the schedule may cause some confusion: this stop is listed under Hvar, while the next stop is Hvar Town. Milna is a separate village on Hvar Island, and the two-hour meal stop comes before the visit to the island’s main town.

Because the day is private, you can ask the skipper about timing and restaurant arrangements. You should not assume lunch is prepaid or included in the $1,262.90. For a group of six, the base cost works out to about $210 per person before lunch and Blue Cave admission. For two people, the same boat costs about $631 each before those extras, which is a much harder value call.

Hvar Town, the final stop

From about 4:15 to 5:30 pm, you have free time in Hvar Town. This is the most urban stop of the day, with time to walk around, take in the harbor, and get a feel for the town before returning to the boat.

The 75-minute visit is enough for a short walk and photos. It is not enough for a full museum visit, a long meal, and a relaxed exploration of every corner. If Hvar Town is your main reason for booking, a dedicated stay on Hvar would give you more time.

As the final stop, it works well. You have already had nature, swimming, and lunch, so the town provides a change of pace. Keep track of the meeting time. The boat needs to leave for the return journey, and a private tour still follows a full-day schedule.

The return to Split or Trogir is planned for about 6:45 pm. That makes this a full day, not a short morning outing. Plan a quiet evening afterward, especially if you have another early start the next day.

What the skipper adds to the day

The skipper is more than a person at the wheel. On a route with open-water travel, several timed stops, and changing weather, local judgment affects the whole experience.

Tamaris Charter has used skippers including Ivan, Toma, Filip, Marco, and Marko. The strongest practical pattern is communication. Toni, the company’s CEO and founder, has handled questions promptly and sends the skipper’s contact details before departure.

One group arrived about ten minutes late because of jet lag and could contact Toma directly. Another had cold, wet conditions, and Toma adjusted the plan, shielded the sides of the boat from spray, lent a jacket to a child, and returned before the storm became more serious. Those details matter more than polished sales language because they show how the trip can work on a difficult day.

Filip has also taken groups to less obvious spots when time allowed. You should not expect secret locations to be guaranteed, but a private skipper may be able to add a short extra stop if the route and weather permit.

Price, group size, and what is included

The listed price is $1,262.90 for the entire group, up to six people. That is the right way to assess it. For six people, the cost is about $210 per person before the Blue Cave ticket and lunch. For four people, it is about $316 per person. For two, it is about $631 each.

The package includes:

• Private tour for your group
• Driver-guide and fuel surcharge
• Port pickup and drop-off
• Bottled water
• Snorkeling equipment
• Taxes, local taxes, fees, and handling charges

You pay separately for lunch and Blue Cave tickets. Since the trip covers a long route and includes private pickup, fuel, equipment, and a full-day skipper, the price can be reasonable for a family or group of friends who value control over the day. It is less compelling for a couple on a tight budget.

The private format also avoids the social tradeoff of a shared boat. You are paying for space, flexibility, and direct coordination, not just transport to the Blue Cave.

Weather, cancellation, and practical details

This experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force the operator to cancel, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part. The listed dress code is smart casual, but for a boat day I would prioritize practical clothing, a light jacket, swimwear, and shoes suited to getting on and off the boat.

The activity is offered in English. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the end point is back at the meeting point or arranged pickup area.

Who should book this tour?

Book it if you have a group of up to six, limited time around Split, and a strong wish to combine the Blue Cave with Hvar and several swimming or scenic stops. It is also a good fit for families who want a private setting and couples traveling with friends who can share the cost.

Think twice if you want long, unhurried visits. Komiza gets one hour, Budikovac 45 minutes, and Hvar Town about 75 minutes. Lunch receives the longest land stop, but it is still a busy day on the water.

My call is simple: book this for variety, private space, and efficient island coverage. Skip it if the price is too high for your group or if one destination deserves your full attention. For six people who want to see the Blue Cave, Vis, Hvar, and several coastal sights in one day, Tamaris Charter offers a practical and flexible way to do it.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed Split meeting point is Matejuška, Trumbićeva obala 3, 21000 Split. Departure is at 8:00 am from Split or 7:30 am from Trogir.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Free pickup is available at boat-accessible spots in Split and Trogir. Pickup from another central Dalmatian location may be possible by request.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts about 10 hours. The planned return to Split or Trogir is around 6:45 pm.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to six people.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. The schedule allows two hours in Milna on Hvar for a meal at a family-run restaurant.

Are Blue Cave tickets included?

No. You stop at Mezoporat to purchase the Blue Cave tickets, which are an additional cost.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

Is bottled water included?

Yes. Bottled water is included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted.