Budikovac Island and Blue Lagoon Vis – Turquoise Sea and Boat Excursion
Budikovac and its Blue Lagoon are among the most beautiful swimming spots in the Vis archipelago. This small island is located off the southeastern coast of Vis, opposite the areas of Milna and Rukavac. The reason for visiting lies between Veliki Budikovac, Mali Budikovac, and the surrounding low reefs – a shallow lagoon with such bright water that it has simply been named Blue Lagoon by visitors.
On official maps and in local sources, the name Veli Budihovac is often used, while the form Budikovac is much more familiar among tourists. What is more important for visitors is that there is no road or ferry access to the island, so it can only be reached by boat.
This is a place for a few hours of swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing by the sea, rather than an island to explore for settlements or numerous attractions.
Why is the sea in the Blue Lagoon so turquoise?
The first impression of Budikovac is almost always the color of the sea.
The lagoon is very shallow, and beneath the clear water lies a light sandy and fine gravel bottom. Sunlight reflects off this substrate, giving the entire bay an intense turquoise color, especially in calm and sunny weather.
The water is so clear that the bottom, rocks, and shadow of boats can often be seen very clearly from the surface.
The geology of Budikovac further explains why this small island looks different from most of Vis. Approximately 25,000 years ago, the sea level was about 120 meters lower than today, and strong southern winds deposited sand across what is now the island. Some of these ancient sandy deposits can still be found among the rocks and on the beaches of Budikovac.
Beach in the Blue Lagoon
At the end of the main lagoon, there is a light natural beach of very fine pebbles mixed with sand.
This is not a classic long sandy beach like Zaglav, but the fine light material underfoot and the shallow water provide a completely different feel compared to the large pebbles common on Vis.
The entry into the sea is gentle, and due to the shallow bottom, this is a very pleasant place for swimming. In some areas, one can walk quite far from the shore before the water becomes significantly deep.
The shallow water is very appealing for children, but it should be noted that small boats and excursion speedboats move around the lagoon during the day. When swimming further from the shore, it is always important to monitor maritime traffic.
Excellent Spot for Snorkeling
Budikovac is not interesting only because of the water color.
Clear water, rocky edges of the lagoon, and the transition from very shallow areas to deeper water provide good conditions for snorkeling. In the middle of the lagoon, the bottom is mostly light and open, while the rocky edges have more marine life and more interesting spots to explore.
If you are on an organized excursion, there is usually enough time for at least swimming and a brief exploration of the underwater world. With your own or a private boat, you can stay much longer and explore other parts of the coast.
Budikovac Actually Has Two Beaches
Most visitors only see the main beach in the Blue Lagoon, but Veli Budikovac has two main beaches.
The second beach is located on the eastern side of the island, in a smaller and more secluded cove. It can be reached by crossing the island or by boat.
If the main Blue Lagoon is crowded with excursion boats, this second part of Budikovac is appealing to those seeking a quieter atmosphere.
How to Get to Budikovac and the Blue Lagoon?
Budikovac can only be reached by sea.
The easiest way is to take a taxi boat or a smaller local excursion from the southeastern side of Vis. Budikovac is particularly close to Milna and Rukavac, so there is no need to take a large full-day excursion if you are staying in this part of the island.
Short trips to Budikovac are organized from Milna and Rukavac during the season, while the island is also a regular stop on excursions departing from the town of Vis and other parts of the island.
Budikovac is often associated with the Green Cave on Ravnik, as the two islands are located close to each other. If taking a private boat, the combination of Ravnik – Green Cave – Budikovac is a very natural half-day route.
Arriving by Your Own Boat Requires Caution
The Blue Lagoon appears simple to navigate due to its clear water, but its shallow depth is the greatest danger for sailors who are unfamiliar with it.
There are more shallows around Mali Budikovac and the surrounding reefs, and at lower sea levels, the depth in certain places within the lagoon can drop to approximately two meters.
Therefore, it is not wise to simply follow another boat and assume that every direction will be deep enough.
With a smaller vessel and good knowledge of the draft, access is easier, while sailboats and larger vessels with deeper drafts need to be significantly more cautious and often remain in the deeper parts.
Anchoring in the Blue Lagoon
The lagoon is a well-known anchorage, and its position between the islands provides some shelter from certain winds.
The bottom is partly sandy, which is favorable for anchoring, but due to shallow depths, shallow rocks, and a large number of vessels during the season, careful selection of the anchoring spot is necessary, leaving enough space for maneuvering.
However, Budikovac is not a marina or a completely safe shelter for all weather conditions. In stronger southern and southwestern winds, the situation can be quite different than on a calm summer day.
If planning to stay longer or overnight, the forecast, draft of the vessel, and specific anchoring location are more important than how calm the lagoon appears upon arrival.
Are There Food and Drinks on Budikovac?
During the summer season, a seasonal catering offer appears on Budikovac, but it is not advisable to rely on it for the entire excursion.
The facilities and operations on the island can change, so it is especially important to bring enough water if planning to stay for several hours.
There are no shops, pharmacies, gas stations, or infrastructure one would expect in a proper settlement on the island.
If a seasonal catering facility is operating, it is good for a drink or a bite to eat, but Budikovac should primarily be planned as a natural excursion and swimming spot.
Plavac Mali on the Small Island
One detail that many swimmers do not notice is that Plavac Mali is cultivated on Budikovac.
The sandy soil created by ancient deposits has favored the cultivation of vines, and small vineyards can be seen behind the beach.
This shows well that Budikovac is not just a bare rock around the popular lagoon. Behind the coast lies a small Mediterranean land that has long been used for agriculture.
Is There Shade?
In the open parts of the main beach, one should not count on serious natural shade throughout the day.
There is some vegetation, but Budikovac is not like Srebrna with large pines right behind the shore. If coming with children or planning to stay for several hours in the middle of summer, sun protection is very useful.
It is especially important to bring water, as the heat is strongly felt on the shallow and open beach under the strong sun.
When is the Best Time to Visit?
If you want to see the true intense turquoise color for which Budikovac is known as the Blue Lagoon, a sunny day is the best choice.
For a calmer experience, the timing of your arrival is even more important.
During July and August, Budikovac is a regular stop for a large number of excursion boats from Vis, Hvar, and other surrounding areas. Therefore, the lagoon can be quite busy around midday, with many anchored boats and swimmers.
If arriving by private boat or taxi boat and there is an option to choose the timing, early morning or late afternoon provides a much nicer sense of space.
In June and September, the atmosphere is usually calmer, and the water remains comfortable for long swims.
Budikovac, Ravnik, or Both?
If staying in the Milna or Rukavac area, there is little reason to choose only one island if organizing a private excursion.
Ravnik is interesting primarily because of the Green Cave and swimming inside the large sea cave.
Budikovac is completely different – its main value is the open shallow lagoon, turquoise sea, and swimming on the light seabed.
For this reason, they work well together. At Ravnik, one can explore the natural phenomenon of the cave, while at Budikovac, it makes more sense to stay longer in the water and explore the underwater world with a mask and snorkel.
Is a Visit to the Blue Lagoon Worth It?
If you expect a completely hidden lagoon that no one else knows about, Budikovac in July and August is no longer such a place. The Blue Lagoon is one of the most popular stops on boat excursions around Vis.
However, popularity does not change the reasons for coming here.
Shallow turquoise water, light bottom, small natural beach, and low islands that enclose the lagoon create a scene that is not found in many places on Vis.
It is best experienced without haste – not just to sail in, take a photo, and leave after ten minutes. It is worth swimming, taking a mask and snorkel, walking around the island, and, if time allows, checking out the other beach on its eastern side.
For guests staying in Milna or Rukavac, Budikovac is an especially good choice as one of the most well-known spots in the Vis archipelago is practically right in front of them, just a short boat trip away.
Name: Veli Budikovac / Veli Budihovac
Known as: Plava laguna / Blue Lagoon Vis
Location: Southeast of the island of Vis, in front of the areas of Milna and Rukavac
Access: By boat only
Beaches: Two natural beaches
Main beach: Small light pebbles mixed with sand
Sea: Very shallow, clear, and distinctly turquoise
Snorkeling: Very good conditions
Natural shade: Limited
Anchoring: Possible, but caution is needed due to shallows and low depths
Facilities: Seasonal catering options may vary
Best for: Swimming, snorkeling, and boat excursions
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