Islets and Caves of the Vis Archipelago 

Biševo Island – The Adriatic Jewel with the Blue Cave

Biševo is a picturesque island in the central Adriatic, located just 5 km southwest of Komiža on the island of Vis. It is considered one of the most magical corners of the Adriatic Sea. With only 6 km² of surface area and a few dozen inhabitants, the island offers exceptional natural and cultural richness. Biševo is best known for the Blue Cave, sandy beaches, excellent Plavac Mali wine, and other sea caves.

The Blue Cave – A Natural Wonder of the Adriatic

The Blue Cave (Modra špilja) is one of Croatia’s most spectacular natural attractions. It is located in Balun Bay on the eastern coast of the island. Sunlight penetrates the cave through an underwater opening and reflects off the white sandy bottom, creating a magical blue-silver glow - a phenomenon most visible between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Entry is only possible by small boats, and visits last around 10–15 minutes.

Tip: Visit the Blue Cave early in the morning or outside the high season, as up to 2,500 visitors enter daily in summer. Swimming in the cave is not allowed.

Medvedja Cave and Other Caves

On the southeastern coast of Biševo lies another fascinating sea cave - Medvedja špilja, named after the Mediterranean monk seal that once lived there. Entry is free, and you can paddle in with a small boat. The island features many other lesser-known sea caves, often included in private guided tours.

Beaches and Bays

Biševo is famous for its sandy beaches – a rarity on the Croatian coast:

• Porat (Biševska Luka): A stunning sandy beach on the west coast, sheltered from the wind. Ideal for families with children.

• Salbunara: A quiet sandy bay right next to Porat.

• Mezoporat: A small harbor on the eastern coast and starting point for visiting the Blue Cave. Anchoring is prohibited here due to an underwater electric cable.

Wine, Nature, and Tranquility

Biševo is known for cultivating the Plavac Mali grape variety, which thrives on sunny terraces above the sea. The wine has a rich taste and is a true delight for lovers of Dalmatian wines. The island is adorned with cliffs, rocky shores, Mediterranean vegetation, and diverse wildlife. Biševo offers authentic contact with nature and peace far from the everyday crowds.

How to Reach Biševo?

• By boat from Komiža – during summer, a regular line operates twice daily. Local ferry: Komiža ⇄ Biševo.

• By private boat or guided tour – recommended for visiting multiple caves and hidden beaches.

Biševo is part of a protected natural area, so visitors must respect local regulations regarding anchoring and exploration.

Svetac (St. Andrew) – A Remote Island West of Vis 

Svetac is a remote and enigmatic island located approximately 25 km west of Vis. It has no permanent residents today, yet it holds exceptional historical and natural significance.

The island was inhabited as early as prehistoric times. According to legend, the Illyrian queen Teuta threw herself into the sea from its cliffs - remains of a fortress associated with this legend are still visible. From the 11th to the 15th century, Benedictine monks lived on the island and built the Church of St. Andrew, which still stands today.

In the 18th century, the Zanchi family from Italy settled on Svetac. They remain the private owners of the island to this day. At its population peak in 1952, Svetac was home to 73 people, most of them members of the Zanchi family.

The island is known for its rugged natural features:

• On its western side, cliffs rise up to 80 meters high, dropping steeply into the deep Adriatic.

• The surrounding waters were once inhabited by the endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).

• Svetac is the only known habitat of Asperula visianii, a rare endemic plant species found nowhere else in the world.

Svetac is also an important nesting site for several rare bird species:

• The Yelkouan shearwater (Puffinus yelkouan) and Cory’s shearwater (Calonectris diomedea) breed on its cliffs.

• Eleonora’s falcon (Falco eleonorae), one of Europe’s rarest birds of prey, also nests here.

• In the past, locals hunted seabirds for food in the well-known Vitina Cave - one of them was Viktorija Zanchi, one of the last permanent residents of the island.

Svetac, along with the islands of Brusnik and Jabuka, forms part of the volcanic zone of the UNESCO-designated Vis Archipelago Geopark, which combines geological uniqueness, rare flora and fauna, and cultural heritage.

Brusnik – A Mysterious Volcanic Island 

Brusnik is an uninhabited volcanic island in the Adriatic Sea, located approximately 12 nautical miles west of Komiža. It is larger and more accessible than nearby Jabuka, with a small bay on its western side where fishermen once hauled their boats ashore.

The island is composed of dark diabase rock, historically used by locals to sharpen tools - a fact that gave the island its name (“brus” = whetstone). It covers an area of about 5 hectares, and its highest point rises 30 meters above sea level.

Brusnik has rocky shores, and in the northwest lies a beach made of dark pebbles, a rare natural feature. The surrounding waters are rich in marine life, and on the island, one can still see the remains of former lobster pools – stone basins where fishermen kept their catch alive.

The island is home to the rare Dubrovnik knapweed and a unique subspecies of black lizard (Podarcis melisellensis melisellensis), found only in this specific habitat.

Due to its geological and biological significance, Brusnik has been protected as a geological natural monument since 1951. There is no organized transport to the island; visits are possible via private arrangements from Komiža. As a protected area, disturbing the flora and fauna is strictly prohibited.

Palagruža – A Legendary Island in the Middle of the Adriatic 

Palagruža is a remote group of rocky islands and reefs located in the heart of the Adriatic Sea, far from the mainland, between Italy and Croatia. The largest of them is Velika Palagruža, home to one of the most beautiful and highest-positioned lighthouses in the Adriatic.

On the southeastern side of the island lies the only suitable anchorage - Velo Žalo Bay, also known as Zola or Southern Gold. Its seabed is sandy and rocky but hazardous due to submerged rocks broken off from the island. Anchoring requires caution, and the site is exposed to winds - overnight stays are not advised in bad weather.

A narrow path leads to the top of the island, where the lighthouse stands at 92 meters above sea level. Built between 1874 and 1876, its light shines 110 meters above sea level - the highest lighthouse beacon in the Adriatic. Though now automated, it is still manned by two lighthouse keepers - a rare sight in the modern age.

Palagruža is also known as the Island of Diomedes, after the Greek hero who, according to legend, visited the island and found his final resting place here. In 1177, Pope Alexander III is believed to have landed on the island, and a small field known as the Pope’s Garden commemorates this event. The island features archaeological remains from the Bronze Age, the ruins of the Church of St. Michael, and a meteorological station.

Palagruža is a true nature reserve: it is home to more than 220 plant species and 130 animal species, many of which are endemic or rare. The island's symbol is the flowering caper plant, which climbs the rocky slopes from May to August, delighting with its vibrant blossoms.

Today, Palagruža is not only the geographical center of the Adriatic - it is a symbol of untamed nature, maritime heritage, and legendary remoteness. The island remains mysterious and nearly inaccessible, which only adds to its appeal for those who seek wilderness, history, and silence.