Hvar Blue Cave Tour: My Private Boat Trip Review

Thinking about hopping on a private boat to check out the Blue Cave and Pakleni Islands from Hvar? So, I wanted to share all about my adventure. Like your average tourist, I’m often trying to figure out the coolest ways to see what Croatia has to offer, and this trip definitely grabbed my attention. I will give you the full scoop to hopefully make your decision easier.

Why a Private Boat Tour is the way to explore the Blue Cave

Ok, so you could go with a regular tour, but that’s just not my vibe, is it? I ended up choosing a private boat tour for a few simple reasons. Like your tour, freedom! So, having the flexibility to make changes to our itinerary on the fly was really appealing. So, if we found a neat little cove we wanted to spend more time at, no worries, we just stayed! The tour was customized for us, stopping to allow time for snacks and cocktails when needed!

Next, so, privacy is king! Crowded group tours are ok, yet sometimes, so it’s cool to chill with just your family or friends, right? On top of that, the comfort level is way higher. Often, these private boats have shaded areas, comfier seating, and a bit more space to spread out. Anyway, is it just me, or is that super important after a long day in the sun?

Finally, so you can ask questions and learn lots more from the skipper. Anyway, these people often are locals who know all the secret spots and stories. They are much more able to interact with you on a personal level and give you an insight regular tour guides are unable to do.

Setting off from Hvar

We began our day in the Hvar harbor, where our skipper met us. I always feel the energy in this location to be amazing with such sights! Of course, Hvar town is like something out of a movie with its fancy yachts and old buildings. Like, getting on the boat, it felt like we were ready to have a fancy adventure. The skipper explained our itinerary which covered the day ahead, asking what we hoped to see, what our timescales were like, giving guidance on making it an experience just for us. Safety was mentioned, but never highlighted, or made to feel more important that just general advice.

And so, as we motored out of the harbor, so the views of Hvar disappearing behind us were gorgeous. It’s almost as though the anticipation was building with every nautical mile we were getting under the keel. Plus, the anticipation of seeing the Blue Cave and the Pakleni Islands, which were really starting to ramp up.

First Stop: The Stunning Blue Cave on Biševo

The Blue Cave is, like, the highlight of the trip, to be honest. The cave sits on the island of Biševo, a bit away from Hvar. You might be interested to hear the private boat, in order to see the attraction, took us right to the entrance, where we transferred to a smaller boat operated by local experts, as large vessels cannot enter! Often, I see travelers missing the importance of the smaller vessels.

Entering the cave, so it felt almost magical. And so, the sunlight comes in through an underwater opening, giving the whole cave this awesome blue glow. Anyway, I have never witnessed the light as that experienced in this area, is it the location, the ecosystem?

As we glided in, the reflective shimmering light lit up the inside, giving us this unearthly feeling. The whole thing was so calming, serene, almost spiritual, in a way. Plus, photos really don’t do it justice; that has to be seen with your own eyes to appreciate it!

Island Hopping Around the Pakleni Islands

The Pakleni Islands are a collection of little islands right near Hvar. Following the adventure through the magical Blue Cave, this cluster is very pretty.

Anyway, with our private boat, we moved from island to island, discovering lots of small coves and neat spots. Palmizana was definitely a favorite of mine with its sandy shore and restaurants. So, it’s cool you can grab some food and drink right on the coast and really savor that holiday vibe. Similarly to other beaches I’ve been too, the clear, blue waters were perfect for a dip, or just lounging around on the deck.

Stipanska Beach and Carpe Diem Beach, where also points that stood out. As a matter of fact, a party happens on those islands.

Swimming and Snorkeling in Secluded Coves

One of the coolest parts of the private boat tour was, actually, all the chances we had to swim and snorkel. So, our skipper knew about several hidden coves that you would never see otherwise. Usually, the water was incredibly clear, ideal for seeing the sea life down below.

He provided us with snorkeling gear, which made exploring under the surface quite fun. In fact, a range of small colorful fish that swam right by you. Anyway, I found a small bit of beach, where I was the only one there! You see no sign of another human. It was a special location with views all around!

Lunch with a View

So, talk to your skipper about the place you hope to have some grub. Our captain suggested an incredible konoba (a local restaurant) located in one of the bays. It has outdoor seating overlooking the crystal Adriatic sea.

The menu had plenty of authentic Croatian dishes. Think freshly caught seafood, grilled meats, and tasty salads. We choose a range of Tapas, enabling to us try numerous meals. Paired, naturally with some lovely wine from the local area. The view was almost breathtaking, making lunch extra amazing. To be honest, there isn’t any way to improve a moment like that. Perfect in all forms!

The Perks of a Private Skipper

Going with a private skipper, like, makes the whole experience smoother and more fulfilling. The guy knew his stuff about the area, almost the best times to visit each spot, and often where to dodge the crowds. And so, it was cool to get some local history and tales about the islands.

The best part was when he changed our plans according to what we desired. So, if we wanted to hang out longer at a particular beach, not a worry! It was all about what we desired at the moment. He had, in the back of his mind, a series of different options which he put to us depending upon time and our excitement levels at various locations.

Is a Private Boat Tour Worth the Extra Dough?

You are likely reading all this, asking whether the price is worth the private boat tour! Anyhow, from my view, that’s a big yes, that! It enhances your experiences and make it magical.

The convenience of zipping around at our speed, avoiding those flocks of people, so it made our time more memorable and enjoyable. You should keep your personal tastes, budget and desired in mind, but if you can extend too it, you wont regret it!