Green Cave (Zelena Špilja)
A hidden gem on Ravnik Island where sunlight pours through the ceiling to create an emerald-green glow in crystal-clear Adriatic waters. Unlike the Blue Cave, you can swim and snorkel inside this magical sea cave on a private boat tour from Hvar.
25 meters
Cave Length
15 meters
Cave Width
~30 min
From Hvar
10 AM - 1 PM
Best Light
Free
Entrance Fee
Yes
Swimming Inside
May - Sep
Open Season
5.0
Guest Rating
Croatia's Best-Kept Secret Sea Cave
Tucked away on the uninhabited Ravnik Island, just a short hop from Vis, the Green Cave (Zelena Špilja in Croatian) is one of the most enchanting natural wonders along the Dalmatian coast. While the famous Blue Cave on nearby Biševo draws the headlines, many of our guests tell us the Green Cave is their favourite stop of the entire private boat tour from Hvar — and it is easy to see why.
What sets the Green Cave apart is simple: you can swim inside. As sunlight streams through a natural opening in the cave's ceiling, it bathes the interior in a luminous emerald-green glow, turning the crystal-clear Adriatic water below into something that looks lifted from a fantasy film. Float on your back, look up at the sunbeam piercing through the rock, and you will understand why visitors call this experience “otherworldly.”
Captain Ivan's Tip
“The Green Cave is my personal favourite spot on the entire Vis route. I always tell guests to bring their snorkel mask — when you dive below the surface inside the cave, the green light refracting through the water is absolutely magical. It is like swimming inside an emerald.”
Sunlight entering through the ceiling creates the legendary emerald-green glow
What Makes the Green Cave Special
A unique combination of geology, light, and accessibility that creates one of the most memorable experiences in the Adriatic
The Emerald Light Phenomenon
A natural opening in the cave's ceiling — roughly two metres wide — acts as a skylight for the sea below. When the midday sun shines directly through this hole, it illuminates the cave with a shimmering, emerald-green glow. The effect is caused by sunlight passing through the seawater and reflecting off the sandy bottom, producing a vivid green luminescence that dances across the cave walls and ceiling. On bright, cloudless days, the intensity of the colour is breathtaking.
Swim and Snorkel Inside
Unlike the Blue Cave, the Green Cave is large enough and safe enough for swimming. You can jump off the boat, swim through the partially submerged entrance (about 1.5 metres clearance), and float in the heart of the cave surrounded by that ethereal green light. Bring a snorkel mask and look below the surface — the underwater world is equally mesmerising, with visibility often exceeding 20 metres in the crystal-clear Adriatic.
No Entrance Fee
While the Blue Cave charges €15-17 per person for entrance, the Green Cave is completely free to visit. There is no ticket office, no queue, and no time limit inside. You simply arrive by boat, anchor nearby, and swim in at your own pace. Our skippers typically allow 20-30 minutes here so everyone can swim, snorkel, and soak up the atmosphere.
Marine Life and Snorkeling
The waters around the Green Cave are teeming with marine life. Inside the cave, you can often spot small fish darting through the green-lit water. Outside, the rocky coastline of Ravnik Island offers excellent snorkeling with sea urchins, starfish, and colourful reef fish. For snorkeling enthusiasts, this is one of the best spots along the entire Vis route.
Captain Nikola's Insider Knowledge
The emerald light is most vivid on clear, sunny days between 10 AM and 1 PM when the sun is directly overhead
Bring a waterproof camera — the emerald glow photographs beautifully from inside the water
We visit the Green Cave right after the Blue Cave, so you have a perfect contrast between blue and green light
The entrance is wide enough for most boats, but we anchor outside and you swim in — it is part of the adventure
Snorkeling gear is included on all our private boat tours — the underwater views inside the cave are unforgettable
Our guests rate us 5.0 stars across all platforms
How to Visit the Green Cave from Hvar
Getting there is straightforward — a private boat tour Hvar is the easiest and most enjoyable way to experience this hidden gem
Location
Ravnik Island, between Hvar and Vis. About 30 minutes by speedboat from Hvar Town harbor.
Best Light
Late morning to early afternoon on sunny days. The sun must be high overhead for the green light effect.
Swimming
You can swim and snorkel inside the cave. Bring your swimsuit and we provide snorkeling gear.
Time Inside
20-30 minutes. Plenty of time to swim, snorkel, take photos, and soak up the atmosphere.
Usually Combined with the Blue Cave Tour
Most visitors experience the Green Cave as part of a full-day Vis & Blue Cave tour from Hvar. The typical route is: Hvar Town departure, Blue Cave on Biševo, then Green Cave on Ravnik, followed by Stiniva Beach, and lunch in Komiža or Vis Town. This gives you the best of both caves plus the crystal-clear Adriatic's finest swimming spots — all in one unforgettable day with your own local expert skipper.
Best Time to Visit the Green Cave
Timing matters at the Green Cave, though it is more forgiving than the Blue Cave. The emerald glow depends on the sun being high enough to shine through the ceiling opening — here is what our skippers recommend.
Time of Day: 10 AM - 1 PM
The sun needs to be nearly overhead to shine directly through the ceiling opening. Between late morning and early afternoon, the green glow is at its most vivid. We usually arrive around 11 AM after visiting the Blue Cave first.
Best Months: May - September
The cave is accessible throughout the boating season. June and September are ideal — warm water temperatures (22-25°C) make swimming inside the cave comfortable, and there are far fewer boats than in July and August. Even in May, the water is refreshing enough for an exhilarating swim.
Sea Conditions: More Accessible
The Green Cave entrance is wider and more sheltered than the Blue Cave, so it is accessible on more days. While the Blue Cave closes in rough seas, the Green Cave often remains swimmable. This makes it a perfect alternative when the Blue Cave is weather-closed — and many guests end up preferring it.
Just 30 minutes from Hvar — our local expert skippers know the perfect route
What to Expect at the Green Cave
From arrival to that first moment swimming in emerald light — here is your complete Green Cave experience
Arriving at Ravnik Island
Your skipper anchors the boat just outside the cave entrance. Ravnik is a small, uninhabited island between Hvar and Vis — no buildings, no crowds, just raw Dalmatian coastline. The water here is exceptionally clear, often with visibility exceeding 25 metres. You can see the seabed from the boat, and the anticipation builds as you spot the dark cave opening in the cliff face ahead.
Swimming Through the Entrance
The cave entrance is partially submerged — about 1.5 metres of clearance above the waterline. You slip into the crystal-clear Adriatic and swim through, with your skipper guiding you. Within seconds, the outside world disappears and you are floating inside a cathedral of rock bathed in green light. The water temperature inside is slightly cooler than outside, adding to the sense of entering another world.
Inside the Emerald Chamber
The cave interior is roughly 25 metres long and 15 metres wide — spacious enough to swim freely. Above you, the ceiling opening lets in a shaft of sunlight that turns the water an electric emerald green. Float on your back and look up at the rock formations; dive below and watch the light play through the water in shifting patterns. With a snorkel mask, the underwater vista is mesmerising — beams of green light pierce the depths, and small fish dart through the illuminated water around you.
Photography Tips
The Green Cave photographs beautifully — the emerald light is vivid and dramatic. A waterproof camera or phone case is essential since you will be swimming. Shoot from water level for the most atmospheric images, or use an underwater camera to capture the green light refracting through the water. Video tends to capture the experience even better than still photos, especially the play of light on the cave walls.
Captain's Tips for the Green Cave
Insider knowledge from Captain Ivan and Captain Nikola, who visit the Green Cave hundreds of times every season
We always visit the Green Cave after the Blue Cave — the contrast between the blue and green light makes both experiences more memorable. It is the perfect one-two punch on our Vis full-day tour.
Bring a waterproof phone case or GoPro. The emerald light inside photographs incredibly well from the water, and you will want to capture those underwater green reflections.
The Green Cave is our go-to alternative when the Blue Cave is closed due to south wind. The wider entrance means it is accessible on many days when the Blue Cave is not — and guests often prefer it.
Wear your swimsuit for the entire boat trip. The Green Cave requires swimming to enter, and you will be in and out of the water at every stop on our Vis route.
Mid-morning arrivals (around 11 AM) offer the best light and typically fewer boats than midday. We time our Blue Cave visit for 10 AM and reach the Green Cave by 11.
If anyone in your group is not a confident swimmer, do not worry. We provide life jackets and our skippers swim alongside you. The cave entrance is calm and the water inside is sheltered.
Nearby Attractions on Your Green Cave Tour
The Green Cave is one stop on a full day exploring the crystal-clear Adriatic around Vis Island — here is what else awaits
Blue Cave (Modra Špilja)
Croatia's most famous sea cave on Biševo Island. An otherworldly blue glow created by light refracting through an underwater opening. The perfect companion to the Green Cave experience.
Vis Island
Croatia's most remote inhabited island, filming location for Mamma Mia 2. Stop for a fresh Dalmatian lunch in Komiža or explore the ancient Greek ruins in Vis Town.
Stiniva Beach
Voted "Best Beach in Europe" — a hidden pebble beach accessed through dramatically narrow cliffs. Arrive by boat and swim through the entrance for unforgettable photos.
Budikovac Lagoon
A turquoise lagoon between two small islands with a sandy seabed. Perfect for snorkeling in shallow, crystal-clear water — especially beautiful in the afternoon light.
All these stops are included in our full-day private boat tour from Hvar
Love Snorkeling? The Green Cave Delivers
The Green Cave is one of the best snorkeling spots in the Adriatic. Swimming through the emerald-lit water with a snorkel mask reveals an underwater world of shifting light, marine life, and extraordinary visibility. All our private boat tours include snorkeling gear at no extra charge.
Swim inside the cave
Emerald underwater light
20m+ visibility
Gear included free
Green Cave FAQs
Everything our guests ask before visiting the Green Cave on their private boat tour from Hvar
Can you swim inside the Green Cave?
Yes! Unlike the Blue Cave where swimming is prohibited, the Green Cave on Ravnik Island allows swimming and snorkeling inside. You can swim through the partially submerged entrance and float beneath the emerald-green light — it is one of the most magical swimming experiences in Croatia. We provide snorkeling gear on all our private boat tours.
How much does it cost to visit the Green Cave?
The Green Cave has no entrance fee, making it a fantastic free attraction. You simply need a boat to reach Ravnik Island, as it is not accessible by land. Our private boat tours from Hvar include the Green Cave as a stop on the Vis & Blue Cave full-day itinerary, along with Blue Cave, Stiniva Beach, and lunch on Vis Island.
How do you get to the Green Cave from Hvar?
The Green Cave is located on Ravnik Island, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Hvar Town harbor. It is not accessible by ferry or on foot — you need a private boat or tour boat. Most visitors combine the Green Cave with a Blue Cave tour, as both are along the same route toward Vis Island. Our local expert skippers know the perfect timing for the best light inside.
What is the difference between the Green Cave and the Blue Cave?
The Blue Cave on Biševo Island features an otherworldly blue glow from underwater light refraction but does not allow swimming inside. The Green Cave on Ravnik Island produces an emerald-green glow from sunlight entering through a hole in the ceiling, and you CAN swim and snorkel inside. The Blue Cave has an entrance fee (€15-17), while the Green Cave is free. Both are spectacular in different ways and usually visited on the same tour.
When is the best time to visit the Green Cave?
The green light effect inside the cave is most vivid between 10 AM and 1 PM, when the sun is high enough to shine directly through the opening in the ceiling. Sunny days produce the most spectacular emerald glow. The season runs from May to September, with June and September offering warm water, good light, and fewer crowds than peak summer.
Is the Green Cave suitable for children?
Yes, the Green Cave is generally suitable for families with children who are comfortable swimmers. The cave entrance is wider than the Blue Cave, the water inside is calm, and there are no strong currents. Children can swim and snorkel alongside adults. Our skippers always assess conditions before entering and provide life jackets and snorkeling gear for all ages.