Have you thought about having your favourite island? Biševo, a little pearl of the Mediterranean, could deserve that title. The islet of its 6 square meters, which you can almost reach swimming from Komiža because only five nautical miles separate them, will introduce you to the dimension of easy existence in the land of our ancestors. Time is a relative item here. From the moment you step on the ground of the island of Biševo all your senses will be awakened.
For the fifteen residents of Biševo, the search for peace and happiness made sense. If you hang out, they will delight you with their hospitality and simplicity. Here you will experience another world in which the material wealth that is so essential to modern man loses its meaning. The beauty of living in a natural environment is certainly the main and basic meaning of the island.
We can add to that philosophy the nature which has flourished here with its beauty, giving to the island the Blue Cave, Medvidina Cave, fertile soil where its renowned small blue grape know as Plavac Mali is planted, sandy beaches as from a dream, Biševo will indubitably become your favourite island.
The island of Biševo is exceptionally diverse with botanical species. Botanists have registered as many as 480 plants species existing in Biševo’s plant ecosystem.
There are 8 hamlets: Mezuporat, Porat, Poje, Velo Gora, Nevaja, Potok and Gornja and Donja Salbunara, almost deserted during the winter. The small village of Porat on the western coast of Biševo is the birthplace of Martin Bogdanovic (b. 1882) who became the founder of the fishing industry in the United States of America and the largest industrialist in the history of world fishing.
The inhabitants of Biševo emigrated to far-reaching ends of the world, from the Americas to Australia.
In the 16th century church of St. Sylvester, a mass is held every New Year’s Eve. Around a fire which is lit next to the church, the local population and their guests gather, and then, with songs, dances and excellent food, they say goodbye to the Old Year and greet the New One.
The most visited places on the island are its beautiful sea caves.
To find out more: bisevo.hr
Caves
The Blue Cave – almost a magical cave, a theatrical backdrop in which nature plays with shapes and colours creating an image in front of which no one can remain indifferent. The Blue Grotto or Blue Cave (Croatian: Modra špilja), is a waterlogged sea cave located in a small bay called Balun, on the east side of the island. The skilled fishermen of Komiža have known of it since ancient times, but it was only from 1884 when the external entrance was breached, which made it possible to enter by boat, the Blue Cave has become an unavoidable mecca for sailors and tourists from all over the world.
The Blue Cave owes its attractive name to the reflection of the sunlight that around noon, during calm seas, penetrate through the underwater opening into the cave, reflecting off the white bottom and giving the cave an aquamarine colour, while objects in the water appear to be silver.
The cave is not so deep, from 3 to 20 meters, and its typical karst shape, which includes underwater cracks, that makes it very interesting for divers.
It is open for sightseeing from May, but it is better to make an appointment at least 24 hours before the visit.
The Monk seal’s grotto (Medvidina cave) – a mysterious cave located in the bay Trešjavac, in the southern part of the island. In 1967 it was declared a geomorphological monument of nature. The cave is 160 m long in total which makes it the longest sea cave in the Adriatic.
The Monk seal’s grotto was named after the Mediterranean seal, the rarest species of seal, which inhabited the cave. This most endangered mammal in the world has been called “the seaman” by local fishermen. “The Seaman” is rarely seen on the Adriatic today.
Tip: If you decide to swim through the narrow canal of the cave you will reach a beautiful pebble beach called Malo žalo.
There are eight smaller and larger caves on Biševo, right next to the coast of the island. This gives the island a certain mystical note and inspires all the pioneering spirits. After all, Biševo got its name from the caves – L’ísola dei busi (from Italian: the island of holes).
Beaches and coves
Mezoporat bay – located on the east side of the island. The bay has a pebble beach and it is the starting point for trips to the Blue Cave.
Porat bay – located in the southern part of the island, proclaimed to be the best hidden beach in Croatia. Its sandy beach, one of the most beautiful on the island, is hidden under cliffs covered with a pine forest. In its several restaurants, you can enjoy the dense and robust notes of the local red wine Plavac Mali.
Salbunara bay – created for enjoyment. It is a small bay with a small sandy beach, enough shade and crystal clear sea for every spoiled summer lover.
Where to eat
- konoba Tomić, Porat 4, Biševo, +385 98 950 7485
- restoran Kod Jakše, Uvala Porat, Biševo,+ 385 21 713 454
What to do
TREKKING
A leisurely trek around the island is an ideal activity to enjoy admiring nature, in an excellent combination of exercising the body and feeding the spirit. After about twenty minutes of walking, you will reach the hill of Biševo and the hamlet of Polje. There is the church of St. Sylvester, the only church on the island, an old school and several stone houses.
You can climb to the highest peak of the island, Stražbenica, at 240 meters and relax enjoying the view of Palagruža, a small, remote Croatian archipelago, and the islands of Svetac, Brusnik and Jabuka.
Wherever you decide go from that point, you can complete the perfection of this unique trekking trail by swimming and refreshing in the sea.
ASTROTOURISM
Even though the island of Biševo has not yet been granted the status of an International Dark Sky Park, by preserving the island’s traditions and nature, the sky above Biševo is extremely dark and the stars on it are especially bright. There is no light pollution here and the preservation of the night sky is actively promoted for all generations who are already here and who are yet to come.
The goal is to popularize astronomy, but also romantic walks under the sky full of stars.
Info
Biševo is connected to Komiža by a regular ferry line, and in the summer months, there are several excursion lines.
You can choose one of the tourist agencies located in Komiža, which offer trips to the island of Biševo. You can reach Mezoporat Bay where the Blue Cave tour starts, by a fast boat or speedboat in 15 minutes. On the Komiža waterfront, there are info desks where you will get all the information related to excursions.
Tip: You can book private accommodation on the island.