BOAT-COMPARATOR Guide
Renting a Boat to Vis and the Blue Cave of Bisevo
The military island closed to visitors until 1989, the Blue Cave's light explained by geology, and Komiža, the small fishing port: the guide to renting a boat on Vis, central Dalmatia.
More than two hours by boat off Split, Vis remains one of the least crowded islands in central Dalmatia — an isolation partly inherited from its military past, which has made it today one of skippers' favourite destinations for a more authentic feel.
An island closed until 1989
A strategic Yugoslav naval base during the Cold War, Vis stayed off-limits to foreign visitors until 1989 — long after the rest of the Croatian coast had opened up to tourism. That late opening spared it the overdevelopment seen on some other Dalmatian islands: the coves remain wild, and the villages have kept their original scale.
The Blue Cave of Bisevo, a geological phenomenon
About thirty minutes by boat south-west of Vis, the Blue Cave (Modra Špilja) on the islet of Bisevo owes its famous blue glow to a submerged opening that filters sunlight and lights up the cave's pale seabed. A recent geological study on the structure of Bisevo's sea caves shows their formation is directly linked to the tectonic history of the Vis archipelago, now a UNESCO Global Geopark (Mišur, Budić, Kurečić & Korbar, Tectonic Influence on Speleogenesis of Sea Caves on Biševo Island, Geosciences, 2021, see the study on Google Scholar). The effect is most striking mid-morning, generally between 11am and 1pm, when the sun is highest.
Komiza, the small fishing port
On Vis's west coast, Komiža has kept the soul of a fishing village, with its traditional fleet and a fishing museum housed in a Venetian tower on the harbour. It's the closest starting point for reaching the Blue Cave and the neighbouring island of Bisevo.
Wind and season
Like the rest of Dalmatia, Vis can be affected by the bura, a north-easterly wind that can pick up with little warning — worth checking the forecast before a crossing from Split or Hvar. The useful season runs from May to October.
Budget and where to book
Expect €200-550/day for a RIB from Komiža or Vis Town, more for a sailboat or catamaran over several days. Boat-Comparator compares Boataround, SamBoat and Click&Boat live for central Dalmatia; see also our guides to Split, Hvar and the Pakleni Islands and Korčula.
Free checklist
Rent a boat with no nasty surprises
Deposit, insurance, check-in inspection, fuel, navigation areas, weather: our checklist covers everything to verify before booking and on departure day. Sign up to access it and receive our tips by email.
Thank you! Your checklist is ready: Rent a boat with no nasty surprises →