Vis Island
Croatia's most remote inhabited island. Explore Vis by private boat from Hvar with a local expert skipper. Crystal-clear Adriatic waters, the Blue Cave, Stiniva Beach, and Mamma Mia 2 filming locations await.
45-60 min
From Hvar
~3,400
Population
90 km sq
Island Area
Vis & Komiza
Main Towns
1944-1989
Military Era
Blue Cave
Famous For
The Island Time Forgot
Vis is unlike any other Croatian island. As the country's furthest inhabited island from the mainland, it spent 45 years as a Yugoslav military base, closed to all foreign visitors from 1944 to 1989. This isolation was a blessing in disguise - while other Adriatic islands developed tourism infrastructure, Vis remained frozen in time.
Today, Vis is a place where fishermen still mend nets by hand in Komiza, where vineyards of the indigenous Vugava grape cascade down hillsides to the sea, and where the waters are so clear that the seabed glows 20 meters below. The island gained international fame as the primary filming location for Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018), and for good reason - it is simply one of the most beautiful places in the Mediterranean.
Mamma Mia 2 Connection
The fictional Greek island of “Kalokairi” in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is actually Vis. Filming took place in Vis Town, Barjoska Bay, and at Stiniva Beach. Walk the same streets Meryl Streep and Lily James walked.
The pristine waters around Vis Island, preserved by decades of military isolation
Key Attractions on Vis Island
From world-famous sea caves to award-winning beaches, Vis packs an incredible amount of beauty into one compact island
Blue Cave (Modra Spilja)
The famous sea cave on Bisevo Island with its ethereal blue light phenomenon. Best visited 10 AM - noon on sunny days.
Learn more →Green Cave (Zelena Spilja)
A sea cave on Ravnik Island where you can swim and snorkel in luminous green-lit waters. A perfect contrast to the Blue Cave.
Learn more →Stiniva Beach
Voted Europe's Best Beach 2016. A dramatic cove with a 4-meter narrow entrance between 50-meter cliffs and pristine white pebbles.
Learn more →Komiza
A picturesque fishing village on the western coast with waterfront restaurants, a 16th-century fortress, and some of the best seafood on the Adriatic.
Vis Town
The main town on the island with a beautiful harbor, ancient Greek and Roman ruins, elegant architecture, and vibrant nightlife.
How to Visit Vis Island from Hvar
Private Boat Tour (Recommended)
Full-day adventureThe best way to experience Vis from Hvar. A private speedboat takes you directly from Hvar harbor in 45-60 minutes, with stops at the Blue Cave, Green Cave, Stiniva Beach, and lunch in Komiza or Vis Town.
- Full-day tour: 8-10 hours (depart ~9 AM)
- Blue Cave + Green Cave + Stiniva + lunch
- Private boat with your own local skipper
Public Ferry from Split
Independent travelTake the Jadrolinija car ferry or catamaran from Split to Vis Town. Journey time is 2-2.5 hours. Good for overnight stays but not practical for a day trip from Hvar (requires backtracking via Split).
- 2-2.5 hours from Split
- Arrives in Vis Town
- Best for multi-day stays
The Indigenous Vugava Grape
Vis is one of the oldest wine-producing regions in Croatia, with vines planted by Greek settlers over 2,400 years ago. The island's star grape is Vugava, an indigenous white variety found almost nowhere else in the world.
Vugava produces a crisp, aromatic wine with notes of citrus, almond, and Mediterranean herbs. It pairs beautifully with fresh seafood - try it with grilled fish or octopus salad at a waterfront restaurant in Komiza. The island also grows Plavac Mali, Croatia's premier red grape.
Several small family wineries on Vis offer tastings. On a full-day boat tour, your skipper can recommend the best spots to try local wine with lunch.
Vis Island Wines to Try
Vugava (White)
Indigenous grape. Crisp, citrusy, pairs with seafood
Plavac Mali (Red)
Croatia's signature red. Bold, pairs with grilled meats
Local Rose
Light and refreshing, perfect for a sunny boat day
Captain's Tips for Vis Island
Captain Ivan's Local Knowledge
“Vis is my favorite island in Croatia - and I have seen them all. The key to a perfect Vis day trip is starting early. We leave Hvar by 9 AM, hit the Blue Cave before the crowds, swim at Stiniva, and have lunch in Komiza where the fish was caught that morning. It is the best day you will have in Croatia.”
Depart early (9 AM) to reach the Blue Cave before group tours from Split arrive after 11 AM
Try the Vugava wine with lunch in Komiza - ask your skipper for the best restaurant recommendation
Visit Stiniva Beach early or late to avoid the midday crowds - we time it perfectly on our tours
Bring a light jacket for the boat ride back - the afternoon breeze can be cool, especially in June and September
The Green Cave is a must - many guests say it is even better than the Blue Cave because you can swim and snorkel inside
Vis Island FAQs
How do I get to Vis Island from Hvar?
The fastest and most convenient way is by private speedboat from Hvar, which takes 45-60 minutes. There is also a public catamaran from Split (2.5 hours) and a car ferry from Split (2 hours 20 minutes). Our private boat tours from Hvar include Vis as part of a full-day itinerary with the Blue Cave, Stiniva Beach, and more.
Why was Vis Island off-limits until 1989?
Vis served as a Yugoslav military base throughout the Cold War due to its strategic position as Croatia's outermost inhabited island. Foreign visitors were banned from 1944 to 1989. This military isolation ironically preserved the island's natural beauty, traditional architecture, and authentic Mediterranean character that you see today.
Where was Mamma Mia 2 filmed on Vis?
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018) was filmed primarily in the town of Vis (standing in for the fictional Greek island of Kalokairi), at Barjoska Bay, and at the scenic Stiniva Beach. The charming waterfront of Komiza also featured in several scenes. You can visit all these filming locations on a private boat tour.
What is the Blue Cave and where is it?
The Blue Cave (Modra Spilja) is a natural sea cave on Bisevo Island, a tiny island just 5 nautical miles southwest of Vis. Sunlight enters through an underwater opening and reflects off the white limestone floor, creating an otherworldly blue glow. It is best visited between 10 AM and noon on sunny days. Entrance fee is approximately 15-17 EUR per person.
Can you do a day trip to Vis from Hvar?
Yes, a day trip from Hvar is the most popular way to experience Vis. Our full-day tour departs Hvar around 9 AM and returns by 5-6 PM, covering the Blue Cave, Green Cave, Stiniva Beach, and lunch in Komiza or Vis Town. You get to see all the highlights in one incredible day.
What wine is Vis Island known for?
Vis is famous for the indigenous Vugava grape, a white variety found almost nowhere else in the world. It produces a crisp, aromatic wine with notes of citrus and Mediterranean herbs. The island also grows Plavac Mali (red). Many restaurants in Komiza and Vis Town offer local wines - try them with fresh seafood for the full Vis experience.