MUST DO: Go Island hopping in Croatia starting in Hvar

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Croatia is known as a delightful destination for anyone who loves being on the water. With a coastline that stretches over 6,000 kilometers (3,728 miles) and more than 1,000 islands, it’s not hard to see why. The Adriatic Sea is calm in most places, crystal clear, and pleasantly warm in temperature. So, during your trip to Croatia, you should definitely spend one or more days on the water. We embarked on a day of island hopping from Hvar and can highly recommend this fantastic tour! Read all of our tips for a day of island hopping below.

Island Hopping from Hvar: These 5 Spots You’ll Visit

After meeting the captain and the rest of the group, the comfortable speedboat departs from the harbor in Hvar Town towards the smaller islands. The first stop is the Budikovac Blue Lagoon, nestled between three islands. This is the clearest blue water we’ve seen in Croatia. It looks just like a swimming pool! After some jumps from the boat and a little swimming, it’s time for the next stop, the Green Cave. You’ll take a smaller boat to enter the cave for a closer look. If it’s calm, you can also take a swim here.

After a brief visit, you’ll head to Stiniva Beach on the island of Vis. This beach is nestled between the rocks and was voted the most beautiful beach in Europe in 2016. There’s a small restaurant on the beach where you can enjoy a beer. Next, you’ll visit the Blue Cave, a cave where the water turns bright blue due to the light coming from underneath. You’ll end the day at the bay of Palmizana on the Pakleni Islands. Here, you’ll find a few beach bars where you can have some drinks or grab a bite to eat.

Please note: The order in which you visit the islands depends on the weather, tides, and crowd. It may happen that you visit the islands in a different order. Along the way, there will be a stop where you can have lunch.

What should you bring on the boat?

  • Sunscreen
  • Cash for lunch and entrance fees
  • Snacks
  • Water
  • Towel
  • Water shoes
  • Swimwear

Where can you book the tour?

The price of the tour depends on the season, and in the months of July and August, the islands can be crowded. During these months, you may need to wait before, for example, entering the Blue Cave with the smaller boat. Therefore, the best time for island hopping is in the spring or fall when it’s quieter and a bit more affordable. You can book this tour here, and it’s good to know that you can cancel it for free up to 24 hours in advance. Enjoy!