Mamma Mia Filming Locations on Vis: How to Visit Stiniva, Komiža & Hvar in a Day from Split

You can actually visit the Mamma Mia island in a day from Split

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018) wasn't shot on a Greek island. The fictional Kalokairi is Vis — the farthest inhabited island in the Croatian Adriatic, roughly 55 km of open sea south-west of Split. The horseshoe beach where the boat arrives, the fishing town where Sky finds Sophie, the cliff-top chapel, the swimming scenes — all real, all on Vis, all reachable in a single day if you've got the right boat.

The "right boat" is the catch. Vis sits past Šolta and Brač in open water that turns choppy as the afternoon thermal wind builds. A standard 6-metre group-tour speedboat doing Blue Cave is already at its limit. To do Stiniva + Komiža + the Blue Cave + Hvar in comfort and get back before sunset, you want a proper cabin cruiser. We own two of them.

The Mamma Mia spots, in the order you'll see them

Stiniva Cove — the "Kalokairi" arrival scene

Stiniva is the one you're picturing: a perfect horseshoe of white pebbles enclosed by 50-metre cliffs, with a narrow rock arch opening to the sea. In Mamma Mia, it's where Sophie and her bridesmaids row ashore. In real life, voted Europe's best beach by European Best Destinations in 2016. The opening is barely 10 metres wide and the cove inside is fully protected, which is why the big tour boats can't enter. We anchor outside the arch and you swim or take the tender in.

Komiža — Sky and Sophie's fishing town

The Mediterranean fishing village on the western side of Vis. Stone houses, fishing nets, harbour cafés that haven't changed in a century. Most of the dialogue scenes between Lily James and Josh Dylan were shot here. Two hours docked is enough for lunch at a local konoba and a walk through the old town.

The Blue Cave on Biševo

Not used directly in the movie, but it's right next door — Biševo is 4 km south of Komiža. While you're already out here, Modra Špilja around noon (when the sun angle lights the cave from below) is the standard add-on. Our honest take on whether the Blue Cave alone is worth a Split trip is here — but bundled with Vis, it absolutely is.

Hvar town on the way back

Coming back, we route through Hvar for late afternoon — coffee at the main square, walk up to the fortress for the view over Pakleni Islands, then run home before the afternoon meltemi kicks up.

The two boats that make this trip work

Leader 36 — luxury cruiser, up to 8 guests

The Leader 36 is a French-built day cruiser with a hard top, indoor cabin, proper toilet, sundeck and twin 300 hp engines. Comfortable enough to do Split → Vis → Komiža → Biševo → Hvar → Split in a day without anyone getting wet or shaken. Best for couples or small groups up to 8.

Prestige 400 — flybridge yacht, up to 6 guests

The Prestige 400 is a 40-foot flybridge cruiser — bigger interior, two cabins, kitchen, two heads, swim platform. The slower of the two but the most comfortable. Good for groups who want a private floating villa for the day rather than a fast boat.

Book direct — not through Viator or GetYourGuide

The same Vis day trip on Viator or GetYourGuide costs 20–30% more because of platform commission. We're the boat owners, not a middleman: inquire here or WhatsApp the captain directly and you'll get the captain's price.

Practical details

• Departure: 08:00 from Split harbour (city centre)
• Return: 18:30 – 19:00, depending on stops and sea state
• Distance: ~110 km return; you're on the water most of the day
• Bring: swimwear, towel, hat, sunscreen, light jacket for the return leg
• Best season: May – September. July and August get hot and the Blue Cave queues; June and September are perfect.

If the open-sea Vis crossing isn't for you, the Blue Lagoon half-day is the protected-water alternative and runs every day on our group tour. But if part of why you came to Split is to see the Mamma Mia island for real — book one of the two boats above and we'll get you there.