July the 26th, 2026 – The Green Cave is one of the beautiful Vis archipelago’s most incredible natural wonders, and instead of being limited to viewing it by boat, you can swim inside it.
Just off the southern coast of the far-flung island of Vis, the tiny, uninhabited islet of Ravnik is home to one of Croatia’s most spectacular natural attractions, the remarkable Green Cave (Zelena špilja). Putni kofer reveals that unlike very many sea caves in Croatia and indeed elsewhere that can only be admired from a boat, this one offers visitors the rare opportunity to swim inside and experience its unique beauty up close and personal.
This unusual cave gets its name from the remarkable emerald-green glow that fills the interior. Sunlight enters through a circular opening in the cave’s ceiling and reflects off the seabed, which is covered with various types of green algae. Around midday, when the sun is at its highest, the effect is at its most dramatic, bathing the water in an almost unreal green light. Unlike the famous Blue Cave on nearby Biševo, the Green Cave has two large entrances, allowing smaller boats to sail directly inside. Visitors can also jump into the crystal-clear sea and swim beneath the beam of sunlight that shines through the roof, creating one of the Adriatic’s most memorable swimming experiences.
The cave has been protected as a geomorphological natural monument since 1967, while the islet of Ravnik itself is a protected significant landscape. Over the years, the cave has inspired countless visitors, including Emperor Franz Joseph I, who is said to have visited during his tour of the Adriatic back during the 19th century and who was left thoroughly enchanted by it. During World War II, local stories suggest that its spacious interior even provided secretive shelter for small military vessels.
Most visitors reach the Green Cave as part of a boat excursion departing from Vis, Komiža or Hvar, often combined with stops at the Blue Cave, Stiniva Cove and other highlights of the Vis archipelago. Entry is managed under a concession system, with visitors paying a small admission fee before entering or swimming inside the cave.
Although the Blue Cave often attracts the bigger crowds and is definitely much better known globally, many travellers consider the Green Cave an equally unforgettable experience. Its combination of emerald light, clear Adriatic waters and the chance to swim inside a protected natural monument makes it one of the hidden gems of Croatia’s coastline.
