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Exploring the Best of Vis Island

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Chilling on the Jadrolinija ferry heading to Vis Island in April 2023.

Getting to Vis from Split, Croatia is extremely easy (and fun)! There are daily roundtrip ferries going from Split to Vis Island, even in the “off-season.” We typically use the Jadrolinija ferry and for the two of us, it costs €26 ($28 USD) round trip. If we wanted to take our trusty 50cc scooter or our car, it costs a little bit more, but it is still affordable. Also, Jadrolinija ferries are very dog-friendly and all 4-legged friends travel for free!

The ferry ride to Vis Island takes about 2 hours, but to occupy your time, the ferry has a café/bar, plenty of comfy tables and chairs to sit on, and if it is a nice day, places to sit outside in the sun and take in the passing scenery. Upon arrival at the port town of Vis, you are greeted with massive palm trees, lush mountains, crystal clear blue water, an enchanting church, and so many other historical buildings. We have been to Vis Island multiple times during all times of the year. During peak tourism season (summertime), there are an abundance of restaurants, konobas, cafes, shops, and convenience stores open and ready to serve you their local specialties. If you happen to go during the “off-season,” most shops and restaurants will be closed, but you’ll still be able to find a few open cafes and a Konzum grocery store, where you can buy plenty of snacks and drinks.

St. Nicholas Church and the town of Komiža in the background

Once you’re on Vis Island, the island is your oyster! There are so many things to do, places to visit, and sights to see! So, without further ado, lets dive into the crystal-clear waters of things to do on Vis Island!

St. Jerome’s Church, located near the Vis Town ferry port, welcomes visitors to Vis Island

One of the most famous things to do on Vis Island is to visit the Blue Cave (Modra špilja). While it is not technically on Vis Island, it is located on the nearby island of Biševo, which is uninhabited. The Blue Cave is known for its mesmerizing blue light caused by the reflection of sunlight off the cave’s white bottom. There are tour guides aplenty in Vis Town and the nearby town of Komiža waiting to take you there. They typically leave every few hours, as long as the weather permits. If the wind is too strong or blowing in an unfavorable direction, the Blue Cave will be closed, as it is not safe to allow people inside. The Blue Cave actually closes more often that you’d think, so most tour guides have a backup plan in case this occurs. We have attempted to go to the Blue Cave on at least three different occasions and all three times the cave was closed due to weather, despite it seeming like a beautiful day to us.

Speaking of tours, Vis Island is well-known for its military history. Therefore, military tours are extremely popular on Vis Island. While we did not partake in an official military tour, we did our own research, located the places we were most interested in seeing, and set out on our way! The first notable spot that we visited was Tito’s Cave, which is situated on the southern side of Vis Island near the town of Podšpilje. Josip Broz Tito was a former President of Yugoslavia and the leader of the Partisan resistance movement during World War II.

Well, this cave that we visited, which is tucked high up in the mountains, was where Mr. Tito sheltered himself and his closest associates during their time on the island. It is quite interesting to see and imagine that someone, especially a person of wealth and power, actually resided there at one time. The next place of military interest that we visited was the “secret” submarine garage. It is located on the northern side of Vis Island, in the area known as Rogačić Bay, near the town of Vis. Today, its entrance is surrounded by gorgeous sailboats and swimmers enjoying the refreshing sea and beautiful surroundings, but during World War II, this area was chosen because of its discreet location. The submarine garages were designed to protect submarines and other naval vessels from aerial bombardment and enemy attacks.

The World War II era submarine garage near Rogačić

If you have your own transportation on Vis Island (or take advantage of the plentiful taxis that await at the ferry port), then I’d also suggest checking out the town of Komiža. It is located about 15 minutes from Vis Town, but is on the other side of the island. As you make your way down steep, winding roads, pass by St. Nicholas’ Church (Crkva sv. Nikola), and breeze past vineyards, you’ll catch your initial glimpse of this captivating coastal town. Komiža dates back to the 12th century and its tightly squeezed houses, beautiful beaches, and bustling harbor are sure to captivate you.

The riva, which is the promenade that lines the harbor in the center of town, is filled with restaurants and cafes serving local cuisine, some of which may have been caught by local fishermen earlier that same day. Being the dog-lovers that we are, one of our favorite places in Komiža was the Dog Bar. It was about a 10 minutes’ walk along the coast outside the city center. When we arrived, the beach was full of pups playing in the sea and on the pebble beach while their owners looked on from their lounge chairs or the open-air bar. This is also where we watched the sun set, and it was gorgeous!

The Lighthouse Stončica

I am kind of a lighthouse junkie. Maybe that’s my Michigan roots speaking, since the Great Lakes State has an abundance of beautiful lighthouses, but anytime I know I have the opportunity to see a new lighthouse, I take it! As I mentioned, we have visited Vis Island multiple times. Most of those times we did not have transportation on the island besides our own two legs (or, in Otto’s case, four legs). But, we knew that whenever we did visit Vis Island and had our own set of wheels, we would visit the beautiful lighthouse that greets the ferries as they arrive on the island. I am talking about Lighthouse Stončica.

We assumed that we could drive right to the lighthouse, but we were wrong. Luckily, we love hiking just as much as we love lighthouses. Google Maps took us to a parking lot near Stončica Beach. From there, we hiked about 20 minutes along the rugged path that hugged the rocky shoreline below. Because it was 95°F (35°C) that day (make sure you pack water!), the lighthouse was a welcome sight when we finally got close. Much to our surprise, there was a fence (with a photo of a cute, but I’m sure serious, guard dog on it) that prevented us from actually going up to the working lighthouse. Luckily, our drone was able to capture its beauty from the air.

Near Rogačić, this bay showcases crystal-clear blue waters.

Last, but not least, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the gorgeous beaches! Vis Island is the epitome of island vibes and the beaches are exuding pomalo energy. Pomalo is a term in the Croatian language that encapsulates the idea of a relaxed and unhurried approach to life, encouraging people to enjoy the moment and not rush through things. And what better place to do that than a beach with some of the bluest water you have ever seen?

Many of the beaches also have beach bars serving up cold beer, rakija, and any other beverage you may want after a refreshing swim in the Adriatic Sea. A few of the beaches we visited are: Gusarica Beach in Komiža, Srebrna Beach near Rukavac, Stončica Beach near the lighthouse, and Prirovo Beach in Vis Town. Vis Island is also home to several nude beaches, which are marked “FKK” on their signs, in case you are feeling adventurous.

Welcome to Vis Island!

No matter what you are looking for, embarking on an adventure on Vis Island promises an exhilarating journey. From its stunning beaches and captivating coves to the remnants of Tito’s wartime presence and the enigmatic submarine garages of the Cold War era, the island continuously unveils layers of intrigue. Visitors can embrace the island’s rich heritage, discover hidden gems, all while relishing the local ‘pomalo’ spirit. Whether hiking along scenic trails, unraveling the mysteries of Tito’s Cave, or gazing upon the breathtaking coastline, a Vis Island adventure promises unforgettable experiences. 

Ready for more Croatian island adventures? Check out our fun and informative vlog of Vis, Croatia or dive into our blog post about one Hvar, Croatia– one of the most popular vacation destinations in Croatia!

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