As you can see from the headline, Red Rocks Hvar are our favorite place on this famous island in Croatia. Why is that so? The answer is simple: it was one of the first places we visited on this island some time ago, and the first place where we encountered such a crystal clear sea. We live on the mainland, and the Adriatic Sea there is clean, there’s no doubt about that. But nothing compares to the clarity of the sea on the Croatian islands. It’s even hard to describe how clear it is. This article takes you to Red Rocks on Hvar island, one of the most unique places located between Sveta Nedjelja and Hvar Town.
The Red Rocks (or Crvene Stijene in Croatia) on the island of Hvar are one of the most unique natural attractions. They are red limestone cliffs that rise from the sea and create a landscape that is among the most visited on Hvar island. In this guide, we’ll cover all you need to know about visiting the Red Rocks, how to reach them, what to expect, and so on.
What Are the Red Rocks of Hvar? The Red Rocks, locally known as Crvene Stijene (or Crvene Stine on the local dialect) are a series of high red limestone cliffs located on the southern coast of Hvar, in between Hvar Town and Sveta Nedjelja. As you can tell from their name, the red color is what makes these cliffs many from any other similar cliffs that can be found basically anywhere.
Add a bit of the blue sea, and you get the best contrast ever. Over thousands of years, erosion has created many caves and crevices inside of the Red Rocks on Hvar so you can go inside and explore them. Our first encounter with this unique rock formation on Hvar Island was some 10 years ago when we documented an elopement of a couple on Hvar. The day after, we organized a kayaking tour from Sveta Nedjelja to Red Rocks.
Fun fact – the guy that got married just a day before lost his ring at the Red Rocks and it fell in the depth of around 8 meters. After a bit of snorkeling, we were able to spot it and retrieve it, that’s how the sea is clear on the Hvar Island. You simply have to experience it for yourself to know what we’re talking about here.
How to Get to Red Rocks Hvar As we already mentioned, Red Rocks on Hvar Island are located between Sveta Nedjelja and Hvar town and can be approached mainly by boa,t which is the most common way of reaching them. There are many tours from Hvar to Red Rocks leaving Hvar port each day.
By Boat
The easiest and most scenic way to reach the Red Rocks is by boat. There are many available tours and some of them include additional stops at other famous places such as Sveta Nedjelja, Lučišća Bay, or similar.
You can either rent a boat or join a guided tour to Red Rocks. Make sure to check whether the tour operator provides the snorkeling equipment. If it doesn’t, make sure you bring your own gear.
By Kayak
Our favorite way of reaching Red Rocks is by kayaking. There are also available guided kayaking tours, and they offer a great adventurous way of reaching this unique place on Hvar Island.
The sea is calmer in the summer, especially in the morning, and this makes kayaking on Hvar a zen activity.
Hiking
This is the hardest way of reaching Red Rocks since there is no direct hiking trail to them. You have the option to hike to nearby spots and then swim to these red cliffs.
The area around Zarače and Dubovica has some nice hiking trails with stunning views of the coast of Hvar.
Best Things to Do at the Red Rocks Once you reach the Red Rocks, you don’t have much to do, but just these few popular things people usually do, there are more than enough to have a great time.
1. Cliff Jumping
The Red Rocks are a popular spot for cliff jumping on Hvar Island. The sea in front ot them is deep enough for the safe cliff jumping experience.
Make sure to jump only in designated areas and check the water depths as well as if there’s anyone underneath you.
2. Snorkeling and Swimming
We can never get enough of such a clear sea. The waters around the Red Rocks are just perfect for snorkeling and swimming. Who knows, maybe you’ll even find a ring on the seabed.
Many boat tours from Hvar to Red Rocks provide snorkeling equipment, but check this before you make a booking.
3. Cave Exploration
Thousands of years of erosion have formed a few caves within the Red Rocks. You can easily enter into these and leave your kayak inside while swimming around the rocks (if you have arrived by kayak).
4. Photography and Relaxing
If you have a red cliffs against the blue sea, it already sounds very photogenic. Red Rocks provide you with some great photo opportunities, especially during sunset.
When to Visit the Red Rocks Hvar You can visit Red Rocks any time, but some periods are better than the others. Also, having a calm sea during your visit can lift your overall experience so always check the weather conditions before you embark on this adventure. Winter offers the worst conditions since it’s cold and all of the tour operators that can take you to these rocks on Hvar Island are not operating.
Summer (June to September): The best period to visit because of water activities you can enjoy, warm weather, and the best overall sea conditions.Spring and Autumn: Expect a more peaceful experience of the Red Rocks with fewer tourists, while it can still be pleasant for swimming.Winter: The worst period to visit. It’s cold and the sea is often rough.
Tips for Visiting the Red Rocks
Bring Water and Snacks: There are no shops or cafes anywhere near the cliffs. They are far from everything which is great.Wear Water Shoes: The rocks can be sharp, water shoes are advised to provide better grip.Safety First: Always follow safety instructions if you join a guided tour. Avoid cliff jumping if the sea is not calm and you don’t know the depth. Cliff jumping can be dangerous so take care.Waterproof Camera: If you bring a waterproof camera such as GoPro or any other, you’ll be able to capture some great images at the Red Rocks on Hvar.
Combine Your Visit with Other Attractions If you plan to visit Red Rocks on Hvar island, here are a few more locations we suggest to combine with your visit to these stunning cliffs:
Dubovica Beach: A nearby pebble beach is perfect for enjoying and relaxing under the Mediterranean sun.Paklinski Islands: Many boat tours from Hvar combine a visit to the Red Rocks with the Paklinski Islands. If you book such a tour, you get to enjoy two of the most famous coastal places of Hvar Island.Hvar Town: If you haven’t started your tour from Hvar Town, we definitely suggest you visit it since it’s the most famous destination on the whole island.Sveta Nedjelja: Red Rocks are located near Sveta Nedjelja on Hvar, a place famous for its wines and one of the most unique underwater wine cellars that you can visit.Sveti Nikola (St. Nicholas) : The highest peak of the Hvar Island is located just above Sveta Nedjelja and you can reach it via the hiking trails from this village.Via Ferrata Hvar: Have you heard about Via Ferrata trails? It’s the unique mix of hiking and rock climbing and one of such trails in the cliffs above Sveta Nedjelja.
Before You Venture to Red Rocks on Hvar Thank you for reaching the end of this article. We also believe it was useful and that you discovered a new go-to place on Hvar Island . We tried to present you Red Rocks as best as we can and we hope you’ll include it in your Hvar itinerary. It’s one of our favorite places on this island and we visit it at least 3 times a year through our Love and Ventures – Croatia Elopement and Wedding photography and videography project. They serve us as the perfect backdrop for photography.
Enjoy your stay on Hvar Island and visit the Red Rocks!
