Five Island Cruise

Monday, July 11th, Five Island Cruise.

I stuff John’s pack with sunscreen, snorkeling gear and changes of clothes and the three of us walk to the waterfront making a quick stop at the local market for strong cappuccinos and breakfast sandwiches. The cappuccinos here cost just .90 euros and are strong and served in small espresso cups. When we arrive at the dock our tour group is gathering and John and I quickly board our boat and wave good bye to Art who is staying in Split for the day.

Pontoon Boat - Five Island Tour

John and his octopus ring

There are just 9 passengers plus captain and guide and our pontoon boat has minimal shade. John and I get the bench seat under the canopy,  probably because of my age. We take the coveted seats happily and begin the trip out to the blue cave grotto. The trip to Biševo island takes 1 1/2 hours and we are one of the first tour boats to arrive at the staging dock for the visit the Blue Cave Grotto. Each person in our group is handed a numbered ticket to board a smaller motor boat that will take us out to the cave. The system is well organized and within 15 minutes we are onboard one of the smaller boats and motoring around the island to the cave entrance.

Entrance to Blue Cave Grotto

Dock staging area for the Blue Cave

John, enjoying the ride

The tide is high and the opening low and I wonder how many tourists have suffered concussions or death entering the cave. We all crouch down and glide through the cave mouth opening. The interior opens up and the water below glows a brilliant turquoise, illuminated only by the natural sunlight seeping into the cave from outside. We are inside just ten minutes, duck again to exit the cave and return to our pontoon boat.

Looking down in the Blue Cave Grotto

Blue Cave entrance from inside

We continue to onto Vis Island and anchor at the entrance to a narrow cove flanked by tall cliffs. There are many other boats anchored here and John and I slip into the water and snorkel for an hour, swimming along the rock walls and into the beach cove, although neither of us are compelled to go onto the pebbly beach.

Vis Island Cove

From here we motor to the Green Cave where outside, the white sandy bottom shimmers a near emerald green and a beam of light penetrates the interior of the cave through an opening in the roof. The cave is crowded with boats and swimmers, some with inflatable floats. I am especially amused by the pink flamingo.

Pink Flamingo in the Green Cave Grotto

John - Green Cave

Our group is not allowed to swim inside the cave and we continue towards Vis Island where we have two hours to relax, swim and to eat lunch.

Beach at Vis Island

Vis Island Folaige

The path to the other side of the island

John’s and my tour includes lunch and our captain walks us up and over the tiny island, through lush foliage to a small harbor on the other side of the island. Our lunch is at the Yacht club and we take advantage of the showers to rinse off the salt water before sitting down to enjoy our lunch. Beer and wine are included and we return to our boat feeling relaxed and in island mode.

Island harbor

Drinks at the island's yacht harbor

Drinks overlooking the harbor

We have another snorkeling stop along and around several submerged sand bar islands. The water is extremely shallow and sea grass is the main attraction. John dives down and comes up with a large and perfect crab carapace and as we motor onto Havar, we discuss jewelry design possibilities for the crab shell.

Havar Island Town

Havar is our last island stop and the day is brutally hot and blindingly bright. A fortress sits atop the island and I stroll the shaded town streets in the sweltering heat while John sprints up to the fortress to take in the views of the Pakleni islands and Havar city below.

The center square, Havar Town

Narrow street of Havar Town

Rooftops of Havar City

Narrow street of Havar Town

Our island tour started with the farthest island stop first and we have circled back to islands closer to Split. it is only a 30 minutes ride back to Split. When we arrive, Art greets us at the dock and recounts his day in Split, at his own pace and we share the adventures of our day with him.

Returning to Split harbor

Art greets us at the dock

We wander the streets of the old city and after examining many restaurant menus finally settle on one and enjoy a relatively good meal.

Reading restaurant menus to choose where to dine.

Night cafes on the waterfront

After dinner, we wander the waterfront and dance to the music of the outdoor band. The heat of the day has abated and we join in the festivities and relax in the cool of the evening.

Nighttime waterfront festivities

Live waterfront music