⚠️ Public Notice: Rules of Conduct in Medvidina Cave on Biševo

The Vis Archipelago Geopark wishes to further inform the public, local residents, day-trippers, seafarers, tourism professionals, and all visitors to Biševo Island about the rules of conduct in Medvidina Cave.

Medvidina Cave is a protected area, categorized as a natural monument, managed by the Public Institution Sea and Karst. It also represents the target habitat type 8330 – submerged and partially submerged sea caves within the Natura 2000 ecological network, and is of exceptional importance for the preservation of the natural heritage of the Republic of Croatia.

It is one of the most valuable natural sites in the Vis Archipelago. Medvidina Cave is protected due to its exceptional geomorphological features and is also known as a former habitat of the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus), one of the most endangered marine species in the Mediterranean.

For many years, this area has been exposed to intense tourist pressure. A particular problem is the entry of a large number of motorized vessels into the cave's interior. This leads to the emission of exhaust gases which, due to poor air circulation, linger for a long time inside the cave, especially in its deepest part.

In addition to air pollution, vessels often come into contact with the cave's cliffs and rocks when entering and staying inside, which represent its fundamental geomorphological value. Mechanical damage has already been observed in certain areas, which constitutes a direct negative impact on the features for which the area is protected.

Medvidina Cave is also a valuable habitat for numerous marine organisms that find suitable living conditions there. Intensive and inappropriate tourist exploitation disrupts the conditions necessary for preserving biodiversity and the favorable state of the habitat.

The Public Institution Sea and Karst has been undertaking activities for several years aimed at establishing a sustainable visitor system for this protected area. Following the employment of a local nature warden, prerequisites for more effective supervision and implementation of protection measures have been created.

In accordance with the Nature Protection Inspectorate's Order from 2018 and the opinion of the then Ministry of Environmental Protection and Energy, the Public Institution Sea and Karst implemented a ban on motorized vessels entering the cave's interior and established rules of conduct that all visitors are obliged to adhere to.

It is important to emphasize that activities such as swimming and diving, when adhering to prescribed rules, can take place without significant negative impact on the cave's natural values. However, if monitoring reveals that these activities also impair the habitat quality or geomorphological features of the cave, the competent institution may consider limiting or prohibiting them.

We particularly warn that commercial use of the protected area and organized visitor tours must comply with regulations and valid concession terms. Interested economic entities have the option to initiate a procedure for obtaining a concession for the commercial use of maritime domain, for which legal prerequisites have been established.

Protective infrastructure and rules of conduct are not put in place to "take away" a place from local residents or visitors, but rather to prevent further degradation of one of the most sensitive natural sites in the Vis Archipelago. Medvidina Cave is part of a shared natural heritage, but also an area with a clearly defined protection regime.

Therefore, we call on all who visit Medvidina Cave to behave responsibly: not to enter the cave with motorized vessels, not to damage the installed infrastructure, not to leave waste, not to disturb wildlife, and to respect informational signs and instructions from competent authorities.

The Public Institution Sea and Karst, established by the Split-Dalmatia County, is responsible for managing protected areas and Natura 2000 ecological network areas in this region.

The Vis Archipelago Geopark, as a UNESCO Global Geopark and a stakeholder in the preservation of the natural heritage of this area, has the responsibility to actively inform the public about the values, sensitivity, and rules of conduct at protected sites. Therefore, we are publishing this notice so that all users of the area — local residents, visitors, seafarers, and tourism professionals — are clearly aware of the rules that apply to Medvidina Cave.

The preservation of Medvidina Cave is not just a matter of protecting one site. It is a question of our relationship with the natural heritage of Biševo, the Vis Archipelago, and the entire local community.

We thank everyone whose behavior contributes to the preservation of this exceptional area for future generations.

Source: Public Institution Sea and Karst; Conservation Plan for Natura 2000 Habitat Type 8330 – Submerged or Partially Submerged Sea Caves in the Vis Archipelago Area, Interreg project ASPEH, 2026.