Review · SEA CAVE AND GROTTO BOAT TOURS
Dubrovnik: Blue Cave Afternoon Speedboat Tour with Drinks
The best part of this Dubrovnik speedboat tour is the variety packed into five hours. You get city views, a glowing sea cave, several swimming stops, a sandy beach, and a final look at Lokrum without spending the whole day on a boat. Guides such as Petra, Zoki, Oliver, and Dorian are active in the water and help guests through the cave passages.
I especially like the Blue Cave and Three Green Caves, where you can snorkel, swim through rock openings, and choose your own level of adventure. I also like the relaxed stop at Sunj Beach, a useful change of pace after the cave swims. The main thing to consider is that some cave routes require confident swimming, and one passage involves swimming under a low opening.
Key points to know before booking

- The Blue Cave glows with reflected daylight: A crack in the rock lets sunlight create blue patterns inside the cave.
- The Three Green Caves offer the most active section: You can swim around eroded rock, enter smaller spaces, and explore with a guide nearby.
- Sunj Beach gives you two hours to slow down: The shallow water and 100-meter sandy shore suit families, sunbathers, and anyone ready for lunch.
- The speedboat reaches up to 40 miles per hour: Expect sea spray, wind, and a quick way to cover the coast around Dubrovnik.
- Drinks are included: Bottled water, soda, beer, and wine are provided, while food at Sunj Beach costs extra.
- Optional cliff jumps add a burst of excitement: You can choose to jump at local spots, or stay on the boat and enjoy the views.
A fast start from Dubrovnik’s Old Town Harbor

You meet the crew at Ribarnica ul. 1, near the Old Town Harbor. Look for the yellow Vagabundo sign. The meeting area can be busy with boats, so give yourself enough time to find the sign rather than assuming the first speedboat you see is yours.
Once aboard, the boat heads away from Dubrovnik. This first ride takes about 25 minutes and gives you a fine water-level view of the city walls, the old harbor, and the newer part of the city. From the sea, Dubrovnik looks less like a fortress you enter and more like a stone wall rising straight from the coast.
The boat can reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. That makes the ride part of the attraction, not just transport between stops. You will feel the wind and may get spray, so wear swimwear or quick-drying clothes. Keep your sunglasses secure and protect your phone with a waterproof case.
The boat is described as comfortable, but this is still an open-water speedboat trip. If you dislike wind, fast movement, or a wet ride, the transport may feel more demanding than a quiet sightseeing cruise. For most people, though, the speed helps the five-hour outing cover several different places without long stretches of sitting still.
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The Blue Cave on Kolocep Island

The first water stop is the Blue Cave on the south side of Kolocep. A crack in the stone allows daylight into the cave, where it reflects across the walls and water in shifting blue shapes. The effect depends on light and sea conditions, but the short visit gives you a striking natural photo stop.
The boat stops just outside the entrance. You use the supplied snorkeling equipment to look into the cave and swim near the opening. A guide remains involved, which matters because the entrance is a natural rock formation rather than a smooth, built attraction.
This is not a large cave that you walk into and explore at your own pace. Space is limited, and the visit is shaped by water depth, the boat position, and the number of people in the group. You should expect a short, active swim rather than a long cave tour.
Bring your own waterproof phone case if you want pictures from the water. A regular phone is a poor match for this part of the trip, and the best views are close to the cave entrance rather than from dry land.
Swimming through the Three Green Caves

After about ten minutes on the boat, you reach the Three Green Caves area on Kolocep. This stop lasts around an hour, making it the main swimming section of the day.
The caves are formed by eroded stone, with narrow openings and passages near the water. You can swim and snorkel around the rock, look beneath the surface, and follow the guide into selected sections. Oliver, Petra, Dorian, and other guides are described as staying close, explaining what to expect, and helping people enter or leave the water.
You should think of the caves as an optional challenge, not a compulsory test. Strong swimmers can make more of the stop, while less confident swimmers can remain near the boat, snorkel in open water, or skip the tighter passages. Nobody is pushed to do anything, and the guide can help you decide what fits your comfort level.
One cave requires swimming under a low opening of less than a meter. Another route can involve swimming around the rock formation after leaving the cave, and this may leave less confident swimmers tired. The third cave is best suited to people who are comfortable swimming for a longer period and moving over uneven rock.
Water shoes are useful here if you have them. The rock can be awkward underfoot, and shoes give you better protection when entering or leaving the water. You also need to be comfortable with the basic physical demands of getting back onto the boat.
This is the most important suitability point for the tour. You do not need to take every route, but you should be a reasonably capable swimmer if you want to enjoy the full cave section. Guides keep watch and provide help, yet they cannot remove the physical nature of the activity.
Two unhurried hours at Sunj Beach

A ten-minute boat ride brings you to Sunj Beach on Lopud Island. This is the longest stop, with about two hours for swimming, lunch, a walk, or simple rest.
Sunj is popular for its 100-meter sandy shore and shallow, clear water. That makes it a welcome contrast to the rocky cave stops. Children can play in the shallows, while adults can swim, sit in the sun, or find a café or restaurant for food and drinks.
Lunch is not included in the tour price. You can buy a meal or drinks at one of the two beach restaurants, so budget a little extra if you want more than the included onboard refreshments. Food choices and prices are not specified, so treat this as a flexible beach stop rather than a planned meal.
The sandy shore is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip over a tour made entirely of swimming stops. You get time to dry off, eat, and enjoy the island without being hurried straight back onto the boat. On the other hand, two hours may feel long if you do not want to sunbathe or pay for a beach meal.
Lopud is inhabited, and you can rent electric vehicles to cross to the other side of the island. This is optional and not part of the included tour. If you choose to stay at Sunj, you still have enough time for a swim and a relaxed break before the boat leaves.
Several people have found Sunj especially enjoyable at the end of the day, and the beach can catch beautiful evening light. The exact mood depends on the departure time, since starting times vary with availability.
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A final look at Lokrum from the water

After Sunj Beach, the boat takes about 20 minutes to Lokrum. The stop lasts around 15 minutes and gives you a final chance to swim, take pictures, and look back toward Dubrovnik.
Lokrum is close to the city, but viewing it from the sea gives you a different angle than a walk from the Old Town. You can sip included wine or beer while taking in the island and the coast. This short stop works well as a closing pause after the more active cave section.
The Lokrum stop can also include optional cliff jumping at local spots. Heights mentioned by participants reach about nine meters, with different levels available. This is strictly a choice, not a requirement. You can stay aboard, swim without jumping, or watch others take the leap.
The jump is not the main reason to book the tour. It is an extra burst of fun for people who already feel comfortable around open water and rock ledges. If you have any doubt, skip it. The boat ride and views still make the stop worthwhile.
The return past Dubrovnik’s walls

The final speedboat ride takes about 15 minutes back to Ribarnica ul. 1. Near the end, the boat passes the Old Town area again, giving you another chance to photograph the walls from offshore.
This return view is particularly useful if your time in Dubrovnik has mostly been spent inside the historic center. The walls are impressive from street level, but the sea reveals their full position along the headland. It is also a good moment to put away wet gear and make sure you have all your belongings before arriving.
The listed timing adds up to roughly five hours, though the exact pace can shift with sea conditions, the group, and the starting time. You get a live English-speaking guide, a captain, life jacket, snorkeling equipment, insurance, and drinks including bottled water, soda, wine, and beer.
Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Plan to reach the Old Town Harbor on your own. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or pregnant women.
What the $82 price really buys you

At $82 per person, this is not simply a boat transfer to a beach. You are paying for a half-day route that combines fast transport, guided cave swimming, snorkeling gear, drinks, and several coastal stops.
The value is strongest if you want to do many things in one outing. Booking separate transport to Kolocep, finding the caves, arranging snorkeling equipment, reaching Lopud, and returning to Dubrovnik would take more planning and could cost more once boat fares and equipment are added.
The price is less attractive if you mainly want a quiet beach day. You will spend a fair part of the trip moving between islands, and the speedboat ride can be windy. Food is extra, and the activity is not designed for people who want a fully dry sightseeing cruise.
The included drinks are a practical touch. You do not need to worry about carrying all your water for five hours, and wine or beer at the end makes the final Lokrum stop feel relaxed. Still, bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, swimwear, and a towel. A waterproof phone case and water shoes are smart additions.
The booking terms are flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check the available departure before planning the rest of your Dubrovnik day.
Who will enjoy this speedboat day most

I would choose this tour for an active visitor who wants a broad sample of Dubrovnik’s nearby coast without committing to a full-day island trip. It suits couples, groups of friends, solo visitors, and families with confident swimmers.
It is especially good for you if you enjoy:
- Fast boat rides and open-water views
- Swimming and snorkeling in natural rock formations
- A mix of adventure and beach time
- Optional cliff jumping
- Small practical comforts such as included drinks and equipment
Families should note the difference between the easy and difficult parts. Sunj Beach has shallow water, but the caves require more care. Children who swim confidently can enjoy the activity, and guides keep an eye on participants, but nobody should be pressured into a passage or jump.
This is also a workable choice for solo visitors. The guide stays involved in the cave areas, and the group format gives you a shared activity without needing to arrange a private boat.
I would look elsewhere if you are pregnant, use a wheelchair, dislike swimming, or feel uneasy in enclosed spaces. You can skip the harder caves, but the heart of the outing is still a water-based adventure.
Should you book the Dubrovnik Blue Cave tour?

Book it if you want one energetic half-day that covers caves, beach, city views, and Lokrum. The guides are a major part of the experience, with names such as Petra, Zoki, Oliver, and Dorian repeatedly associated with hands-on help, safety checks, and a friendly atmosphere.
Before booking, be honest about your swimming ability. You can stay near the boat and skip the tighter cave routes, but the tour makes the most sense when you are ready to get wet and explore. Bring water shoes, a towel, sun protection, and a waterproof case, then leave room in your budget for lunch at Sunj Beach.
For an active day at a fair price, this is one of the more useful ways to see Dubrovnik from the water.
FAQ
Where does the Dubrovnik speedboat tour start?
The meeting point is Ribarnica ul. 1 near Dubrovnik’s Old Town Harbor. Look for the yellow Vagabundo sign.
How long does the tour last?
The activity lasts five hours. Check the available starting times when booking.
What languages are available?
The tour has a live English-speaking guide.
What is included in the price?
The price includes the speedboat tour, bottled water, soda, wine, beer, snorkeling equipment, a guide or instructor, a life jacket, and insurance.
Is food included?
No. Food is not included, but you can buy lunch or drinks at one of the two restaurants at Sunj Beach.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer?
You should be reasonably comfortable swimming if you want to take part fully in the cave activities. You can skip tighter passages and remain near the boat, but some routes involve swimming under a low opening or swimming around rock formations.
What should I bring?
Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. A waterproof phone case and water shoes are also useful for the cave stops.
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