Bisevo Island

Bisevo Island sits about 4.5 nautical miles off Komiža, on the south side of Vis Island, and it's one of the more secluded spots in this part of the Adriatic — fewer than 100 people live here year-round.

The island's main draw is the Blue Cave (Modra špilja) at Balun Cove: between 11am and noon on a sunny day, sunlight bounces off the limestone floor and turns the water a striking blue. The cave's entrance was actually widened with dynamite back in 1884, by Baron Eugen Rensonneta — before that it was too narrow for boats to enter. It's since become one of the more popular snorkeling stops in Croatia, so July and August can mean queues of up to three hours to get in.

Bisevo also has real history: a Benedictine monastery was founded here in 1050 by Ivan Grlić, a priest from Split, though it was abandoned centuries later after pirate raids. The nearby Church of St. Sylvester still stands, and it holds one of the oldest paintings of the Virgin Mary in Dalmatia — a Venetian work from 1220.

For anchoring, Port Bisevka on the west coast and Mezuporat Bay on the east (close to the Blue Cave) are the two main options, with the best swimming conditions from June to September. With its caves and secluded bays, Bisevo Island is a classic stop on a Croatia blue cruise itinerary.