Blue Cave, Green Cave & Lopud Beach small group Speed boat Tour

The best part of this four-hour trip is the chance to swim into Kolocep’s Blue Cave, where reflected sunlight turns the water an eerie blue. I also like the mix of cave stops and an easy beach hour at Šunj, plus the free drinks and snorkeling gear. The main catch is simple: the speedboat cannot enter the Blue Cave, so you must swim roughly 20 meters from the boat and pass through a small opening.

I like the Old Town views from the water, especially the run beneath Lovrijenac Fortress. I also like the choice of morning or afternoon departures, which lets you fit this outing around a day of walking Dubrovnik’s walls. Caves can be crowded, and rough seas may force the skipper to change the route, so this is best for flexible swimmers who accept that the sea sets the schedule.

Key points to know before you book

• Blue Cave access is by swimming: The boat anchors about 20 meters away because the entrance is too small for the speedboat.
• Šunj Beach gives you a full hour: Its seabed stays shallow for about 100 meters, making it a gentle place to swim.
• Drinks are included: Expect bottled water, soft drinks, natural juices, local beer, red and white wine, and grappa.
• The boat holds up to 18 people: It is a small-group trip, though the caves themselves may be busy with other boats.
• Skippers make a real difference: Ivan, Luca, Leo, Marco, Mario, Dora, and others receive strong praise for being friendly and attentive.
• Weather matters: Wind and choppy water can make the ride uncomfortable or lead to a changed itinerary.

A half-day escape from Dubrovnik’s stone streets

Dubrovnik is wonderful, but its Old Town can feel hot and crowded after a few hours of stone steps and polished pavement. This trip gives you a quick change of scene: open water, pale beaches, and rocky islands close to the city.

The boat leaves from the Old Town pier area, where several boats may load at once. Give yourself time to identify the right crew, since the meeting point can be confusing when boats arrive and depart quickly. Staff from nearby boats are often able to point you in the right direction.

The speedboat carries no more than 18 people. That does not mean you will have a private cruise, but it is a more personal setup than a large sightseeing vessel. A partly covered section provides some relief from the sun, while the front offers a more exposed ride and, on some boats, a place to stretch out.

The opening run gives you a different view of Dubrovnik. From the water, you can see the Old Town walls as a complete defensive ring rather than a series of streets and towers. The skipper also shares local legends and facts while the boat passes below Lovrijenac Fortress, built on a steep 37-meter cliff above the Adriatic.

That short introduction is worth paying attention to. It gives the boat ride a sense of place instead of treating Dubrovnik as nothing more than a departure point.

Swimming into the Blue Cave at Kolocep

The Blue Cave is the tour’s main draw. Natural light enters through the rocky opening and reflects through the seawater, creating the blue glow that gives the cave its name.

The boat anchors about 20 meters from the entrance. Since the opening is too small for the speedboat, you swim from the boat to the cave. You may need to pass beneath a low rock at the entrance, so this is not a simple boat-viewing stop.

That detail matters. If you expected to remain seated on the boat, this is the place where the tour may not suit you. You need to be comfortable in open water and able to swim to the cave entrance. Snorkeling masks and breathing tubes are supplied, and foam noodles are available if you want extra support.

The stop lasts about 40 minutes, which gives you time to swim, look around, and spend a little time in the glowing water. It does not guarantee a long, quiet visit. Blue Cave is popular, and several boats may arrive around the same time. The small entrance also limits how many people can be inside at once.

Water conditions change the feel of the stop. In calm weather, the short swim can be a highlight of the day. In rough water, getting in and out near the rocks can be awkward, particularly for children or anyone who is not a confident swimmer. Follow the skipper’s instructions closely, and use the noodles if you need them.

The cave photographs well, but the real appeal is the change in color as you look from the darker rock toward the entrance. You are not visiting a large cavern with a walkway. You are making a short water approach to a natural opening, then returning to the boat.

Green caves, a canyon, and short water adventures

After the Blue Cave, the boat visits several other rocky formations. The exact mix is described as three green caves, with two caves showing an emerald glow and another forming a narrow natural passage between cliffs.

Sunlight reflecting off the water gives these caves their green color. The effect is less dramatic than the Blue Cave, but the stops add variety. One location may feel like a shaded pool, while another is more like a narrow canyon carved through the rock.

Swimming and snorkeling are optional at these stops. Some routes let you move through a confined passage and under low rocks to reach another opening. That can be exciting, but it is not suitable for everyone. You should be ready for a little self-guided exploring, since the skippers generally stay with the boat rather than escorting each person into the caves.

The cave stops are not all equally impressive. Sea traffic can lead the boat to use a different green cave from the one you expected, and rough conditions can prevent swimming at a particular site. The skipper may offer an alternative location when safety requires it.

This is where the trip’s flexibility matters. On a calm, sunny day, the caves form a varied sequence of short swims and photo stops. On a windy day, the same route may become a fast ride with limited time in the water. One excursion operated in altered form because of severe sea conditions and received a full refund, but you should still understand that poor weather can affect the experience before you set out.

Šunj Beach on Lopud: the relaxed final stop

The final stop is Šunj Beach on the south side of Lopud Island. You get about an hour here, though some accounts describe longer beach time depending on the day’s timing.

Šunj is a sandy beach, a welcome change after the rocky cave entries. Its seabed remains shallow for roughly 100 meters from shore, so it is a comfortable place for children and less confident swimmers. The water is clear, and the beach gives you time to cool off without having to climb into a cave or hold onto a boat ladder.

There is not a long list of activities at Šunj. You can swim, sunbathe, have a drink, or eat something at one of the waterfront spots. A small bar and restaurant provide food and drinks, and you may find ice cream and souvenirs nearby. Beach chairs cost extra, and towels are not supplied, so bring your own towel and do not assume a lounger is part of the price.

This stop has a different mood from the cave visits. It is less about seeing one major sight and more about slowing down before returning to Dubrovnik. I would not choose this tour expecting a full island visit or a wide range of things to do at Lopud. The appeal is the sand, shallow water, and unhurried break.

If you want a substantial lunch, plan ahead. Lunch is not included, and one hour can pass quickly if you need to order and eat before boarding. The included drinks cover the boat ride, but they do not replace a meal.

Drinks, equipment, and the real value of $84.65

At $84.65 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning or afternoon in Dubrovnik. The price becomes easier to justify when you count what is included: the speedboat, skipper, cave route, snorkeling masks and breathing tubes, foam noodles, water, soft drinks, juices, local beer, red and white wine, and grappa.

You are paying for access to several swimming locations in a short period, not just transport to a beach. A public boat or independent beach outing might cost less, but it would not provide the same combination of caves, equipment, commentary, and drinks.

The value also depends on your use of the included features. If you plan to swim and snorkel at each stop, the gear and noodles are useful. If you prefer to stay dry and spend most of the time taking pictures, the price may feel high, especially if weather cuts the cave time short.

The drinks are a nice touch, though the selection varies slightly by boat. Beer is clearly available, along with wine and grappa, while one account noted mostly beer, iced tea, cola, and water. If you want a particular drink, ask the crew at the start rather than assume every boat carries the same choices.

The boat’s partly covered area is another practical plus. You get some shelter from strong sun, though the trip is still an outdoor sea outing. Bring sun protection, a swimsuit, a towel, and a dry change of clothes.

What the skipper can change

The quality of this outing depends heavily on the skipper. Several guides receive especially warm praise for keeping the group safe, explaining cave entries, and keeping the mood light. Ivan, Luca, Leo, Marco, Mario, Dora, and Tony are among the names associated with highly rated trips.

A good skipper makes a difference at the cave entrances. You need clear instructions about where to swim, how to approach the rocks, and when to return to the boat. A friendly guide also helps the half-day feel relaxed rather than rushed.

The guide cannot control the sea. Wind and swell can make the speedboat ride hard, and some people find the repeated impacts uncomfortable. One badly handled trip involved unsafe speed in large waves and a captain who ignored requests for a life jacket. That experience is not consistent with the many positive accounts, but it is an important reminder to speak up if you feel unsafe.

Ask for a life jacket if you want one. If conditions become severe, you should expect the route to change or the trip to be canceled. This is a fast boat on open water, not a sheltered harbor cruise.

Music can also affect your enjoyment. Some skippers play loud dance music throughout the ride, while others keep the atmosphere quieter and talk more. If you prefer conversation or a calm trip, mention it politely to the crew.

Crowds, swimming ability, and who should book

This tour suits you best if you want an active half-day with several short water stops. You should be comfortable swimming from a boat, entering small rocky openings, and handling a fast ride that may become bumpy.

Families can enjoy Šunj’s shallow seabed, and the foam noodles help at the cave stops. Still, the Blue Cave requires a swim from the boat, and the cave passages may be too tight or difficult for some children. A child who is happy in shallow beach water may not be ready for a small rock opening.

You should think twice if you cannot swim, dislike boats in choppy water, or want a slow sightseeing cruise. You should also skip it if your main goal is a long, quiet beach day. The tour visits Šunj, but only as the final part of a cave-focused route.

Crowds are another part of the equation. Blue Cave is popular, and other boats may be waiting. The skipper may try to avoid the busiest moments, but no small boat can make a major attraction private.

The tour is offered in English, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, but the swimming requirements and natural rock surfaces make this a physically active outing.

Booking, cancellations, and weather planning

The experience is often reserved about 20 days ahead, so morning and afternoon places can fill during the busy season. You receive a mobile ticket, and confirmation is provided when you book.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Good weather is required. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions or does not reach the minimum number of participants, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund. Even when the boat runs, rough seas may lead to a modified route, so keep this in mind if the caves are the main reason you are booking.

Should you book the Blue Cave and Lopud trip?

Book it if you want a compact, active sea outing with a memorable Blue Cave swim, several rocky stops, included drinks, and a sandy finish at Šunj Beach. The $84.65 price is fair for the equipment, refreshments, skipper, and number of locations covered in four hours.

I would choose this trip over a plain beach transfer if you enjoy swimming and do not mind a little uncertainty. I would not book it for a guaranteed cave itinerary, a quiet boat ride, or a full Lopud visit. Check the weather, bring a towel, and understand that the Blue Cave is reached by swimming. With those expectations in place, this is a lively way to trade Dubrovnik’s walls for the open Adriatic.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $84.65 per person.

Can the speedboat enter the Blue Cave?

No. The entrance is too small for the boat, so the boat anchors about 20 meters away and you swim to the cave.

Do I need to be able to swim?

Yes. Swimming is required to reach the Blue Cave, and some other cave stops may also involve swimming through narrow rocky openings.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling masks and breathing tubes are provided. Foam noodles are also available on the boat.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The tour includes bottled water, soft drinks, natural juices, local beer, red and white wine, and grappa.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can buy food during the stop at Šunj Beach.

Are beach towels included?

No. You need to bring your own beach towel.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 18 people.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Rough seas may also cause the skipper to change the route during an operating tour.