Palladium Sea Guide · Hvar
Little Blue Cave on Hvar: what it is, where it is and what the swim is really like
From the boat, the entrance looks surprisingly small. Swim through it and the cave opens into a much larger chamber, with clear water and an intense blue light that can appear almost fluorescent.
Exact location
Where exactly is Little Blue Cave?
Little Blue Cave lies on the northern coast of Hvar, in the Zastražišće area, between the Kruševa and Pokrivenik bays.
43.159242, 16.882684
Open in Google Maps
From Makarska, the cave is approximately 35 minutes away by speedboat in normal operating conditions.
It is on Hvar, but nowhere near Hvar Town. It is also not the famous Blue Cave on Biševo near Vis.
From the boat, the entrance looks small. It can even look slightly claustrophobic from outside.
Swim in, and it opens up. A much wider chamber, with enough space to swim around.
What it is really like
It looks small from the boat. Inside, it opens up.
The opening leads into a much wider chamber with enough space to swim around rather than simply pass through a narrow tunnel. The rocky seabed is normally clearly visible, and in a few places along the sides shallow rock shelves allow you to stand.
Our on-water estimate. Not an official survey.
When you arrive
What actually happens?
The skipper approaches the cave, checks conditions at the opening and anchors a short distance outside, depending on the sea and other boats nearby.
- Check the entrance Sea conditions are assessed before anyone swims.
- Anchor outside The motorboat remains outside the cave.
- Enter the water Use the ladder or jump in.
- Swim to the opening Reaching it normally takes only a couple of minutes.
You do not have to dive underwater. You enter at the surface and your head can remain above water throughout the entry.
What if the sea is too rough?
Entry depends on the sea state and wave action at the opening. Because the cave is on Hvar's northern coast, conditions can differ from nearby sheltered bays. The skipper decides before anyone enters the water.
Why it is blue
Why does the water look so blue?
Clear seawater absorbs red and orange wavelengths more quickly than blue. Inside the darker cave, blue light becomes visually dominant and can look almost fluorescent.
Science: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Best light
Strongest around 08:00–15:00
From repeated visits, this is usually when we see the strongest blue effect.
Time at the cave
Exact timing varies with sea conditions and the people in the water. Illustrative split.
Crowds
Groups tend to arrive in waves.
There is no fixed timetable, so quieter gaps often appear between organised boat arrivals.
Based on repeated Palladium summer operations; private boats can arrive at any time.
Access
How do you get to Little Blue Cave?
The final approach is by sea. The most practical route depends on where you are staying.
Kayak or SUP? They can be used locally in suitable calm conditions, but this is an exposed stretch of Hvar's northern coastline, so wind and sea state matter.
Visiting from Makarska?
Harbour to cave in about 35 minutes.
Little Blue Cave is on Hvar near Zastražišće. The famous Blue Cave is on Biševo near Vis. They are two different caves.
FAQ