Not only is the Blue Cave in Croatia a natural phenomena, but this unique attraction is destined to be one of your vacation highlights. The Blue Cave, known locally as Modra Spilja or Blue Grotto, is a sea cave known for its incredible blue color.
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Location
The Blue Cave is located in a small inlet called Bisun Bay on the tiny island of Biševo in the Adriatic Sea. Biševo is the most remote and least populated Croatian island, just a few square miles in size with only about 15 residents. Biševo island’s landscape is a mix of rocky shrub, fertile fields, picturesque vineyards, and pine forests.
In addition to the Blue Cave, there are more than two dozen other caves carved into the steep limestone cliffs of Biševo. However, the Blue Cave is the only cave where you can witness that natural phenomenon of an interior flooded with a blue glow. The cave is 24 meters long, up to 15 meters high, and 10 to 12 meters deep, while the entrance is only 2.5 meters wide and 1.5 meters high. Like most sea caves, it was formed by centuries of sea waves eroding the limestone.
History
Although we do not know who or exactly when the Blue Cave was first discovered, we do know that the local fishermen were aware of its existence long before the rest of the world. In the early 1880s Austrian explorer and artist, Baron Eugene von Ransonnet discovered the Blu Cave when he stumbled upon it during a diving expedition. He eloquently described the cave’s silvery-blue hue reminiscent to Capri’s Blue Grotto. The cave was solely accessible by diving because the entrance was below sea level.
In 1884 and based on the Baron’s suggestion, an artificial entrance, 1.5 meters high and 2.5 meters wide, was created by blasting the rock with dynamite so that small boats could enter. The new opening is large enough to fit small vessels but small enough so the opening doe not affect the lighting inside.
Description
As you enter the cave through the narrow entrance, you’ll be struck by the hypnotizing turquoise shimmers that cast an extraordinary glow all around you. The interplay of the sunlight reflecting through the water and bouncing off the white limestone seabed creates a magical image.
Aside from its entrance by boat, the Blue Cave boasts two additional access points—one by underwater and the other by land. The Blue Cave serves as a refuge for many organisms which live amidst partial darkness. Research conducted in 2019 identified almost 120 marine species within the Blue Cave.
Once you see it with your own eyes, you’ll know it isn’t the work of a magician or an app, but almighty Mother Nature.
Transportation
The Blue Cave might look far away from Split, Dubrovnik, Trogir, Vis, and Hvar but there are a lot of quick and easy speedboat tours that jet you there and back in a day. Logistically, the trip from Split takes around one hour and 45 minutes to get to the Blue Cave in a speedboat.
If you are traveling via your own boat to get to the Blue Cave, bear in mind that you must moor at the marina in Biševo then buy a ticket before being transported aboard an official boat to the cave. Only Blue Cave authorized boats are permitted to enter the cave.
Picking the best Blue Cave tour will depend largely on where you are staying in Croatia. If you’re staying on Vis or Hvar, you can arrive early and avoid the queues. Keep in mind that even though the waters of the Adriatic are generally calm, it can get a little choppy, so the larger the boat, the smoother the ride. Find a comfortable vessel, read the reviews and check the forecast at sea.
Best Time to Visit
The Blue Cave is always open; however, trips to the cave only operate between April 1st and November 1st as sea conditions during the rest of the year usually make entering impossible. The best time to visit Croatia’s Blue Cave is on a sunny day as the cave only glows when the sun shines through the arched opening. Try to get there first thing in the morning, and if you can, visit off-season to avoid the worst of the crowds.
The best period for visiting is mid-June through early October when the sea is calmest. While you might read that the best time of day to visit is between 11 am and noon, the reality is that while the light might be the most intense during that hour, it’s always a magical experience. The shade of blue changes from a pale to a brilliant glow depending on the time of day. If it is a cloudy day it is recommended to visit close to noon when the sunlight is at its brightest.
There are times when it is not possible to enter the cave. If the wind is strong, the waves will be too high, and it will be too dangerous to enter the cave.
Visiting
Upon arrival to Biševo island, you will disembark the speedboat, personal boat, or small yacht and either the skipper will give you an entrance ticket for the cave or you will purchase tickets at the small marina office. The tickets are numbered and there is a large screen displaying the next numbers in line.
The ticket numbers provides a good sense of waiting time, which helps determine how to spend your time, either at the cafe bar or exploring more of Biševo island and its beaches. When your number is called, you will board the small boat run by the Blue Cave Biševo crew.
The cave is only accessible for about 4-6 hours a day due to tidal activity, so it is important to check the schedules before planning your visit. Although it does not occur frequently, if the waves are too big, it’s possible the tour might be canceled as the boats will not be able to enter the cave through its small opening. Also, keep in mind that witnessing the Blue Cave’s magic is only worthwhile if it is a sunny day and the sun can reflect off the blue waters of the cave.
Upon reaching the entrance of the cave, duck your head and enjoy the passage from the open sea to the calm waters inside the cave.
Tickets
Tickets to the Blue Cave can be purchased in the gift shop in Mezuporat Cove near the cave entrance.
| CATEGORY | 20 June – 10 Sept | 1 April – 19 June & 11 Sept – 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| ADULT (<12yrs) | 18 EUR per person | 12 EUR per person |
| CHILDREN (6-12 yrs) | 9 EUR per person | 6 EUR per person |
| SMALL CHILDREN (up to 6 yrs) | Free of charge | Free of charge |
The waiting area can get a little chaotic during high season, a ticket counter sign displays the next 12 tickets to board the vessel to avoid mob mentalities. During high season, the line can take 2-3 hours.
Inside the Cave
You will enter the cave through the small man-made hole, which requires you to duck and huddle inside the boat. Once you’re inside the Blue Cave, your guide will slowly circle the cave by using a paddle to move the boat around. The entire Blue Cave trip, from when you enter to when you exit, usually takes about 15 minutes. Although this does not feel like much time to fully take in all of the cave’s beauty, it is.
Do not expect a historical guided tour though the cave, only tidbits of information are recited. Your boat will hold a total of 12 passengers and your guide will do a full circle of the cave before exiting.
While you may have seen photos of people swimming in the Blue Cave, it was banned in 2014. The cave is small and with many boats going in and out, it would be too dangerous.
Photography
Photography is allowed in the cave. Turn your flash off to capture postcard-perfect pictures. Using the flash tends to wash out all the depth. Increase the ISO to get a clear picture which keeps the shutter speed moving fast enough without the need for a flash. However, do not worry too much about the lighting; there is enough natural light inside to provide awesome photos.
What to Bring
Wear comfortable clothing and suitable footwear for the boat. In addition, bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a camera or smartphone to capture the experience.
Before boarding your vessel to the Blue Cave, you will wait at Mezuporat bay which has little to no shade. The only shade is inside the cafe’s patio, where you need to be a paying customer to sit. The small cafe has all the basics you might need—food, water, coffee, etc—but it is overpriced and crowded.
Regulations
The visit to the Blue Cave is not managed by the tour agencies or operators from whom you buy your ticket, but by national tourism agency who controls the flow of visitors in and out of the cave. The Blue Cave can only be visited with an organized tour operator and private charters or personal vessels are not allowed inside the cave. Entering and exiting the cave can be quite challenging and only experienced boat operators are allowed to make the journey. In addition, with over 150,000 visitors a year, the time allotted in the caves is decided not by your captain but by the Nautical Center Komiža, who limits the stay in the cave to just 5-15 minutes per boat.
That’s a Wrap
The Blue Cave is the sparkly blue jeweled crown of Biševo! This blue cavern is a phenomenal sight for nature lovers and photographers. The Blue Cave stands as a timeless testament to Mother Nature’s artistic mastery and a destination which has captivated the hearts of travelers for decades.
Until next time…
· izzy
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