The Unique Island of Vis
The island of Vis is about 90 km² in size and quite hilly, with the highest point being Mount Hum at 587 meters. From there, you can enjoy a great view of the town of Komiža. An approximately 18 km wide bay separates it from Hvar, the nearest island to the east. Since the island is only accessible by boat, it is perfect for a sailing trip. The only two port towns are Komiža in the west and Vis in the north of the island; however, there are numerous beautiful bays that invite you to anchor and linger.
The island has a fascinating history. It was already inhabited in the Neolithic period: In the 4th century BC, the Greek tyrant of Syracuse, Dionysius, founded the colony Issa on the island, which then became an independent polis. They even minted their own money and founded their own territories, the most famous of which was the present-day city of Split. Until the end of the 18th century, Vis was under the rule of the Republic of Venice; during this time, large settlements developed along the coast, which today bear the names Komiža and Vis. The Venetian influence is still visible in the island's architecture, and part of the local Croatian language has a Venetian dialect.
Vis was once the seat of Marshal Josip Broz Tito, the leader of the Yugoslav partisan resistance movement. Tito is said to have hidden on the summit of Mount Hum. The island was occupied by Italy between 1941 and 1943 and later held by a British fleet. During World War II, allied combat aircraft were stationed there and used for emergency landings.
The Underwater World
The underwater world of Vis has been greatly influenced by the remote location of the island world. The weather and wind have affected the coast. Over the centuries, numerous small bays (Uvalas) and more than 20 caves have formed. The island's geographical location and strategic importance made the waters around the island a battleground during World War II. The battles left a considerable number of shipwrecks, crashed planes, and military tunnel systems.
Right in front of or near the remote island, the following attractions can be found:
Former Yugoslav Submarine Garage
Broz Tito, the leader of the Yugoslav partisans, recognized the island's strategic importance and the usefulness of its many caves and bays. While fighting the Germans, he kept Vis firmly under control and turned the island into a military camp, making it the main base of the Yugoslav People's Army. The entire island was designated a closed military zone, inaccessible to both the Yugoslav civilian population on the mainland and foreigners. The residents were not allowed to enter many areas of the island. Many of the tunnels are now suitable for civilian use; some serve as wine cellars. The main entrance to the main tunnel is located directly in front of the town of Vis on the north side of the island, opposite Rogačić Beach.
Length: about 120 meters, you can swim to the end. Depth: about 12 meters.
Medvedina Cave
At the southern tip of the island of Biševo, there is a monk seal cave, Medvedina Spilja, as it is called in Croatian. The cave got its name from the Mediterranean seals that stayed in these waters until the middle of the last century. Biševo is mainly composed of limestone and is therefore blessed with a variety of caves. These primarily served as resting and spawning grounds for the seals.
Monk seals are now among the most endangered mammals on earth. Unfortunately, they can no longer be found in these waters: They nearly became extinct due to fishing nets, which the seals bit to eat the fish.
Blue Grotto (Modra špilja)
The Blue Grotto, Modra špilja, is a sea cave in a small bay called Balun on the east side of the island of Biševo, about 4.5 nautical miles from Komiža. Due to the sparkling blue light at certain times of the day, the grotto is one of the most beautiful natural beauties in the Adriatic. Biševo is almost entirely made of limestone: The surf has eroded the rock over the years, creating the cave. The cave itself is 24 meters long, 10 to 12 meters deep, and up to 15 meters high.
Originally described and painted by Baron Eugen von Ransonet, the cave was formerly only accessible to divers, as the natural entrance was below sea level. In 1884, an artificial entrance was built that is large enough for small boats. The natural entrance of the cave on the south side resembles an arch at the top of a grotto. Through this underwater opening, sunlight enters and creates a shimmering blue effect throughout the cave.
Depending on the season, the ideal time to visit the cave is between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. At this time of day, sunlight shines through the water, is reflected by the white floor, and illuminates the interior with aquamarine light.
Uvala Porat and Little Cove
The small bay of Uvala Porat is located on the west side of the island of Biševo and is the most beautiful of its kind. With its seclusion from civilization, it attracts sailors and people seeking peace and solitude. The seabed is sandy, and the water is crystal clear. The bay is perfect for a swimming stop, and you can even swim to a small cave (Little Cove). In 2011, the Irish Times named Porat one of the seven most beautiful beaches in the world. This beach is a hidden gem, shielded from crowds and covered by pine forests.
Green Cave (Zelena špilja)
The Green Cave (Zelena Špilja) on the island of Ravnik near the larger island of Vis is a natural attraction in the southwest of the small island. During the day, sunlight enters through a circular hole in the cave ceiling and illuminates the cave with the fascinating green-blue color of the sea. The beam of light is fully visible from the top of the cave vault to the seabed. This unique beam of light creates fascinating light effects in the cave.
SS Teti Shipwreck
Teti was a cargo steamer on the voyage from Venice to Palermo that ran aground near the island of Vis due to a navigational error. The ship landed on May 23, 1930, on the cliffs of Cape Mali Barjak near Komiža. The crew was completely rescued by the fishermen of Komiža. However, it was not possible to salvage the ship. The abandoned ship was slowly flooded by winter storms.
Numerous planes and ships are located in the waters around the island of Vis, but Teti is the only wreck that lies in shallow waters from 8 to 30 meters deep. Easy diving conditions and shallow depth make it an excellent choice for beginner divers. Many moray eels and large eels live on the ship, having become accustomed to divers and seeking their proximity.
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
The Boeing B-17 is a four-engine heavy bomber developed in the 1930s for the US Air Force. The huge aircraft looks as if it landed on the seabed 60 meters deep as planned and unscathed; even the engine and propellers are still intact. It is one of the best-preserved aircraft wrecks from World War II worldwide. The depth and the resulting difficult diving conditions allow only the most experienced divers to view this impressive war machine.