Blue Cave Weather Reschedule: What Actually Happens
How weather cancellations and reschedules work on the Blue Cave 5 Island Tour from Split — when the cave closes, who decides, what the operator should do, and how to protect your trip.
By Ante (Co-founder & Engineer) · 6 min read · Updated 2026-05-23
How weather closures work
The Blue Cave on Biševo is operated by a local cave authority that has the final word on whether tours can enter. When the swell at the cave entrance exceeds about 1 metre, the cave closes — there is no way for the rowboat to safely transit the low opening.
On most operating days the cave is open. On 10 to 20 days per full season (April to November), conditions force closure. The closures cluster in spring and autumn but can happen any time, including occasional July storms.
The decision is made the morning of the tour, usually between 06:00 and 07:00, based on actual sea state at the cave entrance.
Two separate weather decisions
One: can the speedboat safely cross the open Adriatic from Split to Biševo? This depends on wind and swell on the route. When the Maestral or Jugo is over 25 knots, the operator may cancel the crossing for safety even if the cave itself is technically open.
Two: is the cave itself open? This depends on swell at the cave entrance specifically. Sometimes the crossing is fine but the cave is closed because of a different wind direction affecting Biševo locally.
A responsible operator considers both. Both need to be safe for the tour to operate as advertised.
What a good operator does
Checks the forecast the evening before. If the next morning looks marginal, they contact you proactively — they do not wait for you to ask.
Makes the call at 06:00 to 07:00 on tour morning. If they cancel, you know before leaving the hotel.
Offers a clear option: reschedule to another day during your stay if possible, refund if not.
Sometimes offers an alternative route. If the cave is closed but the rest of the route is workable (Stiniva, Hvar, Pakleni), they propose this with a corresponding discount.
What a bad operator does
Pretends the cave is open when they know it is not. They take the money, run a shorter route, refund nothing.
Cancels at 07:30 when guests are already at the marina — they could have informed at 06:30.
Offers reschedule only on dates you cannot do, with no refund option.
Avoid operators with this pattern. Reviews usually flag them.
How to protect your trip
Build flexibility into your Split itinerary. Two possible dates instead of one. If the first is cancelled, the second usually works.
Book in shoulder season. June and September have the calmest weather and the fewest cancellations. April and October are statistically worse.
Book directly with the operator, not through a third-party aggregator. Direct booking means direct communication when weather hits.
Save the operator's WhatsApp contact. Communication is faster when you can message rather than phone.
If your tour is cancelled and you cannot reschedule
A reputable operator refunds you in full, no questions asked. This should be in their booking terms.
Some operators offer a partial route as an alternative on the day (e.g., Blue Lagoon and Trogir half-day instead). Whether you accept depends on whether you can come back another day or not.
Travel insurance with trip-cancellation coverage usually covers this kind of disruption if it costs you a flight or a hotel night. Check your policy before traveling.
What happens if the cave closes mid-tour
Rare but possible. A change in wind during the morning can close the cave while you are already on the way.
The skipper makes a judgement call. Usually the tour continues with the cave skipped and an extended swim stop or Vis village visit added. A partial refund applies in some operators' terms; in others the tour proceeds as is.
Confirm this scenario when booking. A clear policy means no friction later.
Forecasts you can check yourself
Windguru.cz — Split or Biševo gives detailed wind and wave forecasts. The metric to watch is "wave" height. Above 1.0m is borderline; above 1.5m and the cave is likely closed.
Croatian Meteorological Service (DHMZ.hr) — official local forecasts in English.
These forecasts are accurate 24 to 48 hours out and useful for planning. Beyond 48 hours, treat them as indicative only.
Further reading: see also the Blue Cave April honest guide, the sea-sickness honest read, the booking-timing how-early piece, and the choosing-an-operator feature for surrounding decisions. Book the route at /tours/blue-cave-5-island-tour, with the half-day fallback at /tours/blue-lagoon-trogir-tour.
Ready to plan the route?
Compare group and private speedboat tours from Split, or go directly to the route mentioned in this guide.
About the author
Ante
Co-founder & Engineer · 15 seasons in Split
Co-founder with over 15 years on the sea and a background in shipbuilding. Ante keeps both boats in peak condition and personally inspects each one before every departure — engine, safety kit, life jackets, radio, flares. The boats run the way they do because he built and maintains them.
Meet the rest of the crew →