From Dubrovnik/Cavtat: Blue Cave, Sunj Beach Speed Boat Tour

The best part of this trip is the chance to swim into Koločep’s Blue Cave, then spend the same outing snorkeling through the Three Green Caves and stretching out on sandy Šunj Beach. You get the coast, caves, islands, and beach in one brisk half-day ride.

I like the mix of adventure and downtime, plus the simple luxury of cold drinks waiting after each swim. I also like the view back toward Dubrovnik’s medieval walls from the water, a far better angle than you get from the crowded streets. The catch is that popular summer days can bring plenty of boats and swimmers around the caves, and rough water can make getting in more demanding.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue Cave entry requires swimming: You reach the glowing interior through a narrow sea entrance, not by walking in.
• Three Green Caves offer different levels of adventure: Two are open for easy snorkeling, while one is a narrow swim-through passage.
• Šunj Beach gives you 90 minutes: Its fine sand and shallow water make it the relaxed final stop.
• Drinks are included: Beer, white wine, water, cola, Fanta, and iced tea are available on the boat.
• The ride is lively: Guides such as Ivan, Rino, Mario, Dora, and others may add music and a friendly party feel on the return.
• It is an active water trip: Basic swimming ability is required, and this is not a good fit if you are prone to seasickness or have back trouble.

Three Croatian highlights in four to five hours

This is a shared small-group speedboat trip built around three simple pleasures: looking at Dubrovnik from the sea, swimming in clear water, and spending time on one of the area’s few sandy beaches.

The route starts from Dubrovnik Old Town port, with departures also available from Cavtat, Mlini, and Srebreno depending on the option you book. The ride itself is part of the fun. A speedboat covers the distance quickly, so you spend less time getting from place to place and more time in the water.

The format suits you best if you want a busy half-day rather than a slow cruise. You will make several stops, climb in and out of the boat, swim through caves, and finish with free time at the beach. The tour is not designed for sitting quietly on deck all day.

Seeing Dubrovnik’s walls from the Adriatic

Early in the outing, the boat passes along the coast with views toward Dubrovnik’s Old Town. From the water, the city walls rise above the shoreline, with the red roofs and stone fortifications packed tightly behind them.

This is a useful reminder that Dubrovnik is more than its famous lanes and church towers. The sea explains the city’s character. The walls were built to protect a busy maritime republic, and from offshore you can see how naturally the fortifications fit the rocky coast.

You will have time for photographs as the boat passes, though this is a scenic portion rather than a full sightseeing stop. Keep your phone or camera ready, but protect it from spray. The boat can move quickly, and the ride back may be lively when the sea is choppy.

Swimming into Koločep’s Blue Cave

After about 25 minutes by speedboat, you reach the Blue Cave on Koločep Island. The cave’s entrance is narrow, and you enter by swimming from the boat. Inside, sunlight reflects through the water and gives the cave its blue-green glow.

The effect depends on the weather, the sun, and the position of the boat. The captain may change the order of the stops to make the most of the light, so the Blue Cave may come first or second. That flexibility is sensible, but it means the exact sequence can change.

You get around 30 minutes here for swimming and snorkeling. Masks and snorkels are included, and flotation noodles are available. Lifejackets are also carried for safety, but they are not a substitute for knowing how to enter the water, float, turn, and swim to safety.

The cave is the most demanding stop physically. You need to climb from the boat into open water, then swim through the entrance. Strong waves can make the entry less comfortable, and several boats may be loading people into the water at once during the busy summer months.

That does not make the stop unappealing. It simply means you should pay attention to the crew, watch for moving boats, and avoid treating the cave entrance like a casual step off a dock. If you are a confident swimmer, this is likely to be the most memorable part of the outing.

The Three Green Caves and the swim-through passage

A short 10-minute ride brings you to the Three Green Caves, also on Koločep. You have about 30 minutes here, with three different cave areas to choose from.

Two caves are wider and easier for relaxed snorkeling. They are a good choice if you want to look into the clear water without committing to a narrow passage. The third cave offers the boldest option: you swim through a tight opening and come out on the other side of the island.

This stop works well for a mixed group. Confident swimmers can try the passage, while others can stay near the boat or explore the wider caves. The guide can point you toward the option that fits your comfort level, but you still need basic swimming skills.

The water is the star at both cave stops. Bring a waterproof phone case if you want photographs below the surface. You should not expect a long guided nature talk here. The appeal is direct and physical: clear water, rock walls, sunlight, and the thrill of swimming somewhere you cannot reach by road.

Ninety minutes at sandy Šunj Beach

From Koločep, the speedboat takes about 15 minutes to Lopud Island and Šunj Beach. This is the longest stop, with roughly an hour and a half of free time.

Šunj is a welcome change after the cave swims. The beach stretches for about one kilometer, with fine pale sand and shallow turquoise water. The sea remains shallow far from shore, almost 100 meters in places, so it is a comfortable spot for an easy swim or a relaxed walk in the water.

The boat anchors as close to the beach as conditions allow, making the transfer easier. You can swim, sunbathe, find a drink, or have something to eat at the beach bars. Lunch is not included, so plan to buy food if you want a proper meal.

There is a useful beach detail to know. If you buy a drink at the bar with the blue umbrellas, you receive a complimentary sunbed and umbrella. This is not an entirely free beach setup, since the drink purchase is required, but it can be worthwhile if you want shade after the water stops. One drink may cost about 15 euros according to one reported experience, so check the price before ordering.

The bars and other services generally operate from May. From November through April, Šunj may not be open for the usual beach stop, and the tour may instead visit Lopud village or Koločep village. Those alternatives depend on the day and on which cafés, restaurants, and shops are open. The sea is also cold in the cooler months, so this outing is most naturally suited to the warmer season.

What the speedboat ride is really like

The speedboat saves time and adds excitement, but it also affects comfort. You can expect wind, spray, engine noise, and a bouncy ride when the sea is rough. Sit securely, hold onto your hat, and take motion-sickness medicine if you know you need it.

Many guides create a cheerful atmosphere with music, and the ride back may feel more like a small floating party than a quiet transfer. Ivan is often praised for keeping drinks flowing, handling the boat confidently, and making people feel at ease. Rino, Mario, Dora, Leo, Peter, and other crew members have also led outings, so the exact personality and music selection depend on your guide.

That social atmosphere is a plus if you want a fun group day. It may be less appealing if you prefer silence, a formal tour, or a slow boat with plenty of room to move around. One person found the music a little loud, so bring that preference into your decision.

The boat carries snorkeling equipment, flotation aids, and drinks. Included choices are local beer, white wine, iced tea, cola, Fanta, and water. Drinks are particularly welcome after each swim, though you should not expect a full lunch service or fresh fruit spread.

Is $71 good value?

At $71 per person, the tour offers a solid amount for a four to five-hour outing. You get speedboat transportation, two cave stops, about 90 minutes at a sandy beach, snorkeling gear, drinks, and coastal views of Dubrovnik.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat ride, equipment rental, and transport to the islands. The route covers several places in one morning or afternoon, and the speedboat keeps the travel time short.

The price feels less compelling if you mainly want to sit on a beach. In that case, a simple beach trip may cost less and give you more time on shore. This tour is priced for variety and convenience. You are paying for the boat, the route, the equipment, the crew, and the ability to see three very different coastal settings in one booking.

The overall rating is 4.8 from 502 ratings, and 87 percent of ratings give the transport a perfect score. That fits the nature of the experience: the boat, crew, music, drinks, and location mix are the main reasons to book.

Practical advice for a smoother outing

Wear swimwear from the start. Bring a towel, sun protection, and a waterproof case if you want photos in the caves. Keep valuables to a minimum, since there is no reason to bring anything you cannot manage safely on a boat or beach.

Ask the crew about toilets when you board. Toilets are usually available only at Šunj Beach, although a boat with a toilet may sometimes be used. Do not assume there will be one onboard.

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with back problems, non-swimmers, people prone to seasickness, or people over 80. The information also states that basic swimming ability is required. If you are not a strong swimmer but can manage the essential water skills, ask the crew about a lifejacket or noodle before entering.

The captain can change the route if the weather or sun position affects the caves. This is worth accepting as part of the deal. The Blue Cave looks best under the right conditions, and a change in order may produce a better visit rather than a lesser one.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option helps if your schedule is still shifting. Check the exact meeting point carefully, since it varies by departure option. Pickup and drop-off may be at the Old Town port or another selected location in Dubrovnik, Cavtat, Mlini, or Srebreno.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would choose this outing if you like active sightseeing, clear water, island scenery, and a friendly group mood. Families with confident swimmers, couples, and friends looking for a half-day break from Dubrovnik’s streets should find the format easy to enjoy.

It is also a good first boat trip around Dubrovnik because you get a little of everything: city views, caves, snorkeling, a beach, and a fast ride between islands. The route does not ask you to spend a whole day away from town.

I would think twice if you dislike speedboats, crowded swimming areas, loud music, or getting in and out of the water several times. The caves can be busy in July and August, and rough seas can make the first swim less comfortable. Šunj Beach is attractive, but it is not a deserted patch of sand, and beach drinks and services cost extra.

Should you book the Blue Cave and Šunj Beach tour?

Book it if you want the most variety from a short Dubrovnik excursion. The strongest combination is the glowing Blue Cave, the choice of three Green Cave swims, and a long final stop at a genuinely sandy beach. Included drinks and equipment make the $71 price easier to justify.

Skip it if you are a non-swimmer, suffer badly from seasickness, or want a quiet sightseeing cruise. For everyone else, this is a lively, practical way to get beyond Dubrovnik’s walls and into the clear water of the nearby islands.

FAQ

Where does the Blue Cave speedboat tour depart from?

Departure options include Dubrovnik Old Town port, Cavtat, Mlini, and Srebreno. The exact meeting point depends on the option booked.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four to five hours. Availability should be checked for the specific departure time.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes snorkeling equipment, local beer, white wine, iced tea, cola, Fanta, and water. Lunch is not included.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. Basic swimming skills are required, including entering the water, resurfacing, floating, turning, and swimming to safety. Lifejackets and flotation noodles are available, but they do not replace swimming ability.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. A waterproof phone case is also useful if you want to take photographs in the caves.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The captain may change the order or adjust the itinerary because of weather or the position of the sun. From November through April, the Šunj Beach stop may be replaced by a visit to Lopud village or Koločep village if the beach services are closed.