The island of Vis has been blessed not only with beautiful nature and crystal clear sea, but also with numerous beautiful beaches. Unlike other offshore islands in Croatia, the island of Vis does not have steep and inaccessible shores, but rather gentle and tame coast with numerous well protected bays that hide numerous pristine beaches preserved in the authentic beauty. You can find all types of beaches on the island of Vis: large gravel beaches, small secluded pebble spots, long and shallow sandy beaches as well as isolated stone slabs that offer unique experience far from the summer rush of crowded beaches near tourist centres. Although the area of the town of Komiza and the bay of Komiza is known for largest number of excellent beaches on the island of Vis, the town of Vis also has an ace or two up its sleeve.
Prirovo is the most popular beach in the town of Vis. It stretches along the promenade on the northern shore of small peninsula also named Prirovo, located in the port of the town of Vis. The peninsula Prirovo is home to Franciscan monastery and church that were built in 16. century on the ruins of the Roman theatre from first century B.C., which itself was built on the foundations of Hellenistic theatre - talk about the continuity of civilization in the town of Vis. The peninsula is encircled with long concrete and stone promenade along the sea, which is also used for swimming and sunbathing during hot summer months. Prirovo beach is a pebble beach, about 100 metres long, with natural shade of the tamarisk trees, in the immediate proximity of hotel "Issa" and several bars/restaurants. In the vicinity there are courts for beach volleyball and soccer. Even though the beach is located deep in the bay and close to the town port, the sea is perfectly clear and clean here, mainly thanks to favourable sea currents that constantly bring fresh water from the open sea. There are showers on the beach, and it is possible to rent beach lounge chairs. The area is very interesting for snorkelling due to the underwater ruins of the old medieval port which are still visible.
Beach Grandovac is located on the eastern side of the bay of the town Vis ("St. George's bay"), overlooking the islet "Host", on the base of small peninsula named "St. George", close to "Czech Villa" - once beautiful and renowned holiday building that was used by former Yugoslav army. Grandovac beach is closest beach to the village of "Kut", the eastern suburb of the town of Vis. It takes around 15 minutes (approximately 1.5 kilometres) of relaxing walk to get to the beach from the village of "Kut". Car access to the beach is also possible, using the main island road that connects the town of Vis with the town of Komiza. Grandovac is approximately 60 metres long pebble beach, located in beautiful natural environment, with crystal clear sea and lots of natural shade of tamarisk and pine trees. There is also a part of coast there with concrete slabs, which is also used from swimming and sunbathing. Just above the beach there is a small beach bar, where it is possible to enjoy cold refreshing drinks in very nice friendly and relaxing atmosphere under the shade of pine trees overlooking the Grandovac beach - ideal for short break from the hot summer sun. Thanks to secluded location but also vicinity to the town of Vis, Grandovac beach is very popular among young people - during night hours there are often musical concerts and other happenings that take place in the beach bar. Snorkelling is very interesting in this area because of abundant underwater life and interesting underwater spots. Grandovac beach is located at the entrance to Vis bay, so one must be very careful while diving and swimming far from the coast, because there is lot of water traffic there.
Punta od Biskupa is a line of rocky, stone slab coast on the eastern side of the bay of the town of Vis, that stretches from Stonca (small bay with pebble beach) all the way to the islet of "Host", below the "Fort George", constructed by British in 1812. This area is officially designated naturist (nudist) beach. The name "Punta od Biskupa" is Croatian for "Bishop's Cape". There is a dirt road that goes along the coast, above the beach which makes it easily accessible in all its length, which is about 1 kilometre. The shade is scarce, although some can be found, mainly on the beginning of the beach, near Stonca bay. The underwater life is very rich, with lush meadows of Mediterranean tapeweed (Posidonia oceanica) which provide shelter and breeding grounds for many fish and other marine species.
This small pebble beach is located in Stonca bay, on the western side of the bay of the town of Vis, close to hotel "Issa" and between peninsula "Prirovo" and "Punta od Biskupa". It used to be very popular swimming spot for local people, but this has changed mainly because the bay is used for boat anchoring, ferry traffic and possibly as a hydroplane terminal in the future. Stonca bay is well protected from almost all winds, except those from south. The beach is located just under the road, and shade can be found underneath pine trees above the beach.
Vela Svitnja is a bay located on the opposite side of the "Fort George" from "Punta od Biskupa". It is a small bay with rocky shore and stone slabs that stretch into the sea, which are suitable for swimming and sunbathing. It is accessible by a path through the nature which leads to "Parja" and "Rogacic". There is a nice vineyard in the bay, and the beach there is used mainly by naturists / nudists. The seabed there is very interesting for snorkelling, and Vela Svitnja was a place of one of the most important hydro archaeological findings on the island of Vis: a collection of 634 amphorae from 1st century BC which are today displayed in the Museum of the town of Vis.
