Blue Cave Visitor Centre – Biševo
Blue Cave Visitor Centre – Biševo is a place where visitors can learn much more about Biševo than during a brief visit to its most famous attraction. Located in a renovated building of the former Biševo primary school in the interior of the island, the Centre features a modern multimedia exhibition that presents the Blue Cave and Medvidina Cave, the geological formation of Biševo, marine life, plants and animals, migratory birds, as well as the history and life of the islanders.
This is not a traditional museum with a series of items in display cases. It resembles a modern natural history and interpretation centre where photographs, videos, sounds, projections, interactive screens, and exhibits are used to explain why Biševo is so special.
It is particularly worth visiting if you are not only coming to the island for the Blue Cave but also want to understand what lies above and below the surface of this small offshore island.
Permanent Exhibition on Two Floors of the Former School
The permanent exhibition of the Centre spans two floors of the former primary school on Biševo.
The building itself has an interesting story as it recalls a time when there were enough children on the island for Biševo to have its own school. Part of the exhibition preserves the memory of the former island life.
Visitors can see replicas of old school desks and items that students once used daily, while other parts of the exhibition transition from human history to geology, biology, and the sea.
The Centre thus does not only speak about the Blue Cave but attempts to explain Biševo as a whole.
How Did Biševo Form?
One part of the exhibition is dedicated to the geological formation of the island.
This is useful to view before or after visiting the Blue Cave as it clarifies why Biševo, despite its small size, has so many different natural phenomena.
Visitors can learn about the types of rocks that make up the island, the action of the sea and waves on the coast, and the processes that have shaped the caves, cliffs, and today's bays over a long period.
It is particularly interesting to understand the formation of the Blue Cave, whose interior is still being shaped by the sea today.
After such an introduction, the cave is no longer perceived merely as a place with beautiful blue light but as part of a much larger geological story of the Vis Archipelago.
Blue Cave and Medvidina Cave
A large part of the Centre is naturally dedicated to the two most famous marine caves of Biševo.
The Blue Cave is presented through explanations of its formation, light phenomenon, and life in marine caves.
Visitors are informed about how sunlight passing through the underwater opening and reflecting off the bright bottom creates the characteristic blue color for which the cave has become known worldwide.
Another important topic is Medvidina Cave, which is much larger and of a completely different character. It is named after the Mediterranean monk seal, which the residents of Vis and Biševo traditionally referred to as "sea man".
Thus, the two caves are not presented merely as tourist attractions but as valuable natural habitats.
What Lives Below the Sea Surface?
A particularly interesting part of the exhibition is dedicated to the underwater world of Biševo and the Vis Archipelago.
Visitors can learn what posidonia is and why its underwater meadows are so important for the health of the Adriatic Sea.
The exhibition also explains the coral that grows on the underwater cliffs of Biševo, as well as the life of numerous organisms that inhabit the rocks, caves, and open sea around the island.
A special section is dedicated to bottlenose dolphins and other large marine vertebrates of the Vis Archipelago.
Videos and multimedia content make this part of the exhibition engaging even for visitors who might not typically spend much time reading traditional museum information panels.
Birds of Biševo – An Important Stop on a Major Migration Route
Biševo is also a very important point for birds.
Several species nest on the island, but its location in the middle of the Adriatic is particularly significant during spring and autumn migrations.
Birds migrating from Central Europe to Africa cross the Adriatic over the areas of Vis, Biševo, Palagruža, and the Italian peninsula of Gargano.
This route can be followed in the Centre through multimedia displays.
Particularly noteworthy is the Eleonora's falcon, one of the most interesting birds of the Vis Archipelago, which migrates an exceptionally long distance to Madagascar after nesting in the Mediterranean.
Visitors can also listen to the calls of seabirds, including the characteristic nocturnal call of the cuckoo, which visitors to Biševo often hear after sunset.
The Plant World of a Surprisingly Rich Island
During the dry summer, Biševo may appear as an island of stone, low maquis, and burnt grass, but its plant diversity is much greater than it seems at first glance.
The island is home to 485 plant species and subspecies.
Among them are dozens of endangered and protected species, as well as several endemics.
Particularly interesting are the sandy areas around Salbunare, where plants adapted to a very unusual island habitat grow.
The Centre thus complements the visit to the island well. If Biševo is visited in mid-August when the vegetation is driest, the exhibition can help understand how different the island looks in spring.
The History of Biševo and the Memories of the Islanders
The Centre does not only talk about nature.
Part of the permanent exhibition is dedicated to the cultural heritage and life of the residents of Biševo.
Through photographs, stories, objects, and multimedia content, visitors can learn about the daily life of an island that once had significantly more inhabitants than it does today.
Particularly interesting are the recorded testimonies of the remaining islanders.
When their stories are combined with the renovated old school, vineyards, the church of St. Sylvester, and the abandoned houses that can be seen during a walk around Biševo, a much fuller picture of the island emerges.
Biševo then ceases to be just the "island of the Blue Cave".
A Multimedia Exhibition Instead of a Traditional Museum
The Centre is particularly suitable for visitors who do not enjoy traditional museums filled with long texts.
On the ground floor, a film about the Blue Cave is shown, while other screens display the underwater world, dolphins, and the nature of the Vis Archipelago.
On the upper floor, visitors pass through a display of the migratory path of birds, and in one part of the exhibition, projections give the impression of observing Biševo from a bird's perspective.
There are also interactive quizzes to test what has been learned during the visit.
Due to the combination of images, sounds, videos, and physical exhibits, the exhibition is engaging for children as well.
A Good Choice for Families with Children
If Biševo is visited with children, the Visitor Centre is one of the better attractions on the island.
The Blue Cave itself is attractive to children, but the visit is very brief. In the Centre, they can better understand why the cave is blue, what animals live around Biševo, and why the sea, plants, and birds in this area are protected.
Interactive content, projections, and sounds are much more accessible to younger visitors than traditional reading of information panels.
The Centre also provides a good respite from the strong summer sun before continuing to hike around the island.
How to Reach the Visitor Centre?
To get to Biševo, one must first travel by boat from Komiža, by private vessel, or through an organized excursion.
If arriving via Mezuporat, the main starting point for the Blue Cave, visitors continue on foot towards the interior of Biševo.
The path leads to the central part of the island and the former school where the Centre is located.
For walking, sneakers or good sandals are much more practical than footwear designed solely for the beach.
For individuals with reduced mobility, electric shuttle transport is available between Mezuporat and the Centre as part of certain organized programs.
The Centre and Geostaza Biševo
The Centre is naturally connected to Geostaza Biševo, a network of marked walking routes that connect the most interesting parts of the island.
The total network of Geostaza is approximately 19 kilometers long and passes by geological sites, old island paths, sandy bays, cultural heritage, and viewpoints.
It is not necessary to walk all 19 kilometers.
The Centre can serve as one of the main stops during a shorter exploration of the interior, after which visitors can continue towards Porat, Salbunari, Stražbenica, or other parts of Biševo.
For walking in July and August, it is best to avoid the hottest part of the day.
Restaurant Gatula is Located Within the Centre
The complex also includes Restaurant Gatula, allowing visitors to easily combine their visit with lunch.
Unlike small beach restaurants in Porat, Gatula is located in the interior of Biševo and offers a more modern Mediterranean cuisine, local ingredients, and wines with a panoramic view of the sea and Vis.
This allows for a very good daily plan: the Blue Cave in the morning, then the Visitor Centre, lunch at Gatula, and afterwards heading down to one of the sandy beaches.
The Centre also features a souvenir shop.
Entry to the Blue Cave May Include the Centre
When planning a visit, it is advisable to check the current entry conditions.
In the official system for visiting the Blue Cave, the ticket for the cave included entry to the multimedia exhibition of the Visitor Centre, which is another good reason not to head straight back to Komiža after visiting the cave.
Conditions and prices may change between seasons, so it is best to check shortly before arrival.
For organized groups, it is possible to arrange guided tours through the Centre, presenting the geological formation of Biševo, marine ecology and biology, and the cultural heritage of the island.
How Much Time is Needed for a Visit?
For independent exploration, it is advisable to plan approximately 45 minutes to an hour, especially if you wish to watch the films and multimedia content.
Those who only quickly pass through the main rooms may finish earlier, but they will miss a lot of the exhibition's meaning.
If the visit is combined with Restaurant Gatula and part of Geostaza, the Centre can easily become part of an outing lasting several hours.
This is the best way to visit it – not as a separate building to "check off," but as a place that helps understand everything that will be seen while walking around Biševo.
Is It Worth Visiting the Centre After the Blue Cave?
Yes, especially if there is enough time on Biševo.
The Blue Cave is spectacular, but the visit lasts only a few minutes. In that time, it is nearly impossible to understand how the cave was formed, what life exists in it, and why the entire area is so valuable from a natural perspective.
The Centre provides just that context.
Even more importantly, the story does not end with the cave. After the visit, one notices much more sandy deposits of Salbunare, birds above the island, old vineyards, the former school, island houses, and the specific landscape of Biševo.
Therefore, the Blue Cave Visitor Centre is one of the places that best demonstrates that this small island has much more to offer than what short tourist excursions suggest.
A Modern "Museum of Biševo" Without a Traditional Museum Format
Although it is not officially a museum, the Visitor Centre practically fulfills many of its functions.
It preserves the stories of the residents, presents natural and cultural heritage, has a permanent exhibition, displays, educational content, and multimedia presentations, and explains to visitors what they see in the field.
Thus, it can be described as a modern interpretation centre for the nature and heritage of Biševo.
If you want to understand the island and not just photograph the Blue Cave, this is one of the most important places to visit.
Official Name: Blue Cave Visitor Centre – Biševo
English Name: Blue Cave Visitor Centre
Type of Content: visitor and interpretation centre with a permanent exhibition
Location: former primary school on Biševo
Exhibition: two floors
Main Themes: geology, Blue Cave and Medvidina Cave, marine world, flora, fauna, birds, and cultural heritage of Biševo
Facilities: multimedia permanent exhibition, projections, interactive content, souvenir shop, and restaurant
Restaurant: Gatula
Access by Car: not for tourist vehicles
Arrival at Biševo: by boat from Komiža
Access from Mezuporat: on foot; for certain users and programs, electric shuttle available
Suitable for Children: yes
Best Combined With: Blue Cave, Geostaza Biševo, Porat, and Salbunare
Blue Cave Visitor Centre / Comments
Looks like you are not signed in!
How would you like to proceed?
Anonymous comment
Login
Register
Your comment was submitted successfully and it will be published after approval by administrator!
General Conditions of Publication
General Conditions of Publiciation
1. Web page
Web page www.holiday-link.com is an interactive web page where the visitors can put texts, news, photos and video movies regarding the content about tourism, gastronomy, culture and entertainment. Information can be uploaded by the owners, managers, employees, tourist boards, residents and tourists, basically all those who want to introduce the public to the specific content (facilities). The site allows evaluation of the attractiveness of a specific content and it allows writing comments by other visitors. Visitors, who log in and want to publish an information about some content (facility) or promote some tourist service, become users or suppliers and they agree to the general terms and conditions that are stipulated here and are obliged to act in accordance with the general terms and conditions (general conditions do not apply if a person is only visiting the page). A person can become a user by signing up with a user name and a password. The user agrees to put the accurate access data, name and surname and the address. Contents that users publish will be signed with a nickname they choose, while the personal data will be used in accordance with the privacy statement. Persons under the age of thirteen are not allowed to enter any content. General terms can be changed from time to time and if the user or supplier doesn’t agree with the changed general terms and conditions he can remove his content from the site.
2. Content
The page is not the media that publishes editorial program contents but the page where the visitors publish information that serve for the educational and cultural public informing about the touristic, cultural and gastronomic contents (facilities). The goal of the site is to collect the information that will give the tourists, as well as the locals, the insight into touristic, cultural and gastronomic offer of the certain location (city, region and country). Publishing the information about the content (information on facilities) is completely free of charge. Except the touristic content , on these pages, providers of various services in tourism may publish and advertise services they offer. These are, further in the text, referred to as a suppliers. Users and suppliers are solely responsible for the publication of their contents in accordance with the statement of responsibility.
3. User obligations
Each user is obliged to use the website in accordance with the general terms and conditions. By publishing the certain text, comment, photo or video movie on the site, the user guarantees that the published information are true, and that they are not copyrighted by a third party. Each user is morally and materially responsible for the publication of content. It is forbidden to copy texts from other websites. Administrators review entered contents and approve them for publishing. Holiday-Link.com has the right not to show the content it finds inappropriate, untrue or offensive. The owners, managers or employees of the gastronomic facilities (eg. restaurants) have the right to reply to the articles and comments on their own content. The owners have the right to request the removal of the text regarding their facilities if they find it inappropriate. The complaint can be send to complain@holiday-link.com. By publishing the content, the user is giving the exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual transferable, irrevocable and fully sublicensable licence (copyright) to use, reproduce modify, adapt, translate, distribute, publish and publicly display subscribed content to the Holiday-Link.com and its affiliates.
4. The obligations of suppliers of tourist services (accommodation and other services)
Company Holiday-Link.com Ltd acts as advertising website on this website and not as a tour operator or intermediary travel agency. Suppliers of tourist services who register their capacity on this site, pay the commercial advertising model they choose. Interaction, regarding arranging a specific accommodation or other tourist service, is done directly between supplier and visitor. Visitors arrange the accommodation or some other touristic service directly with the suppliers and pay the arranged service to them. Suppliers are responsible for all entered data, images, prices and more. Suppliers guarantee that they have all licences necessary to carry out the services they offer, and to operate in accordance with the laws of their home country. By purchasing certain service, visitor accepts the terms and conditions of a supplier from whom he purchased the service. Holiday-Link will check each supplier before putting its facilities to be visible on the page.
5. Statement of Responsibility
The information, that users and suppliers are entering, can be wrong. Holiday-Link.com does not check the entry of the information, pictures and movies and cannot guarantee their accuracy and it disclaims any responsibility for any incorrect data. If you notice a certain misstatement, inaccuracy or inadequacy in any content, please contact us by e-mail: complain@holiday-link.com The responsibility, for every information about some content, is on the user who entered the information. Suppliers, who advertise touristic services via this website, act as independent entrepreneurs. They enter the data about their services , as well as the pictures and the prices, on their own. Holiday-Link.com does not check entered data and disclaims responsibility regarding the errors that can occur during the entering. Suppliers have to own all the licences regarding the services they offer, and they have to respect the laws and regulations of the home country. Visitor arranges the specific service directly with the supplier, on the basis of data that is entered by a supplier as independent entrepreneur, and he pays it directly to the supplier. Therefore, Holiday-Link.com disclaims responsibility for any problem related to the certain reservation.
6. Privacy Policy
When logging into the website, users and suppliers have to enter some personal data (name and surname, e-mail, address, phone number, etc.). Holiday-Link.com guarantees that this data will be kept secret and will not be forwarded to the third parties. Holiday-Link.com can use an user and a supplier e-mail for sending necessarry informaion and for advertising.
7. Cookie Policy
Cookies are small text files that can be stored into device of a visitor if it is allowed by a web browser. Holiday-Link.com uses cookies to provide a better user experience on the website for the visitors. Also, while visiting Holiday-Link.com, you can automatically collect a certain data.
8. Court Jurisdiction
In case of any dispute, related to the site holiday-link.com, the court in Split and the Croatian law are competent.