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

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat trip is the chance to swim into the Blue Cave, where sunlight turns the water an eerie blue. You also get a fast ride along the coast, views of the Old Town from the sea, several rocky caves, and a final stop at sandy Šunj Beach.

I like the useful extras: snorkel gear and floating noodles are provided, and drinks include local beer, wine, grappa, soft drinks, juice, and water. Captains such as Ivan, Luca, Leo, Marco, and Mario are often praised for keeping the mood easy and helping people enter and leave the caves. The main caution is rough weather. A speedboat can pound hard in heavy seas, and poor conditions may force the crew to change the route.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue Cave access requires swimming: The boat anchors about 20 meters away because its entrance is too small for the boat.
• Four hours covers a lot: You see several caves, cruise past Dubrovnik, and spend time at Šunj Beach.
• The Old Town view is excellent: The route passes beneath Lovrijenac Fortress and gives you a broad look at the city walls.
• Drinks are included: Expect beer, red and white wine, grappa, soft drinks, juice, and bottled water.
• The caves can be crowded: Other boats may be waiting, especially at the Blue Cave.
• Weather matters: Rough seas can make the ride uncomfortable and may lead to substitute stops or a refund.

Why the Blue Cave is the main event

The Blue Cave on Kolocep Island is the reason many people book this excursion. Natural light reflects inside the cave, giving the water its blue glow. It is not a boat-through cave experience. The speedboat anchors roughly 20 meters away, and you swim to the entrance.

That detail matters. You need to be comfortable in open water and able to pass through a small rocky opening. In some conditions, entering means moving under the rocks to reach the chamber. The crew provides masks, breathing tubes, and pool noodles, but you still need to make the swim yourself.

The scheduled stop is about 40 minutes. That sounds generous, but the time includes anchoring, getting people into the water, swimming to the cave, and returning to the boat. If several boats arrive together, the cave can feel crowded. The skipper may try to avoid the busiest moments, but this is a popular coastal excursion, not a private wilderness outing.

The water is usually the star. It is clear enough to make the short swim feel special, and the blue light gives the cave a different character from the open Adriatic. Bring confidence, not expectations of a long guided cave tour. The guides remain on the boat at the cave stops, so you will explore the entrance and water under your own direction while following the crew’s safety instructions.

The Green Caves and narrow rocky passages

The next stop includes two Green Caves and a canyon-like passage cut through the cliffs. Sunlight gives parts of the caves an emerald tint, though the exact effect depends on the sun, the water, and your position.

This stop offers more freedom than sightseeing from the boat. You can swim and snorkel around the openings, and some routes involve passing through narrow gaps in the rock. One passage can feel like a short natural corridor between two sides of a rocky peninsula. It is fun for confident swimmers, but not every person in the group will want to attempt it.

The scheduled cave time is about 30 minutes. That makes this a quick water stop rather than a long snorkel session. Cold water, wind, boat traffic, or choppy conditions can shorten the time in the sea. On a rough day, the skipper may choose a different cave or another safe swimming site.

That flexibility is sensible, but it can affect value. You are paying for a particular mix of places, and weather may mean you see alternatives instead. The provider states that poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund, while the tour itself may also operate with a modified route. Ask the crew early if the conditions have changed and what you can realistically expect.

Cruising below Lovrijenac Fortress

Before or between the swimming stops, you get a fine coastal view of Dubrovnik. The boat passes beneath Lovrijenac Fortress, which rises on a steep 37-meter cliff above the Adriatic. From the water, the fortress and Old Town walls look more dramatic than they do from the crowded streets inside the city.

The skipper shares city legends and local facts as you cruise. This is not a formal history tour, but it adds context to the ride and gives you something to look at while the boat moves between islands and caves.

The Old Town view is one of the most worthwhile parts for anyone spending several days in Dubrovnik. You see the fortifications from a fresh angle, with no uphill walk and no need to fight for space on a city overlook. Keep your phone or camera ready, but protect it from spray. A speedboat ride can be wet, particularly when the sea is unsettled.

One hour at sandy Šunj Beach

Šunj Beach on Lopud Island is the final stop. This is a welcome change from the rocks. You get free time to swim, sunbathe, eat, or simply sit near the water before returning to Dubrovnik.

The seabed stays shallow for roughly 100 meters from shore, making Šunj a sensible choice for children and less confident swimmers. It is also a better place to relax after the active cave stops. The sand is pale, and the clear water is well suited to a calm swim when the weather is good.

Do not expect a full resort day. The beach has limited facilities, with a small selection of places to buy food or drinks. Beach chairs cost extra, and lunch is not included. Some people may find the stop too long if they are not interested in sunbathing or swimming, particularly if the beach is untidy or crowded.

The listed stop is about one hour, though the exact schedule can vary. Some departures have allowed longer beach time, around two hours or more, while others have kept to a shorter plan. Ask your skipper how much time is planned on your departure. If you want a proper meal, budget for it separately.

What comes with the $84.65 price

At $84.65 per person, this is a reasonable half-day outing if you want several sights in one trip. The price includes the speedboat ride, snorkeling equipment, pool noodles, and a broad drink selection. Local beer, red and white wine, grappa, sparkling drinks, natural juices, and bottled water are included.

That drink service adds real value, especially on a hot afternoon. You do not need to buy water at every stop, and a cold drink after swimming is a small but welcome comfort. One point to note is that the alcoholic selection may be limited in practice, with beer more consistently available than spirits or wine on some boats.

Lunch is not included. Beach chairs at Šunj also require a separate fee, and towels are not provided. Bring your own towel, swimsuit, sun protection, and some money for food or a chair.

A maximum of 18 people keeps this smaller than a large sightseeing boat, but it is not necessarily an intimate private charter. Some departures may have only a handful of people, while others can approach the limit. A smaller group usually means less waiting when getting in and out of the water, plus more room to hear the skipper.

Choosing a morning or afternoon departure

You can choose a morning or afternoon tour. The better option depends on your plans and your tolerance for heat, crowds, and changing sea conditions.

A morning departure gives you a useful start before a full afternoon in Dubrovnik. An afternoon trip can be a good escape from the hottest part of the day and may leave you with time for a slow morning in the Old Town. Sunlight also affects the cave colors, so conditions matter more than the clock.

The tour lasts about four hours. Allow extra time around the departure point because several boats may load and unload at the pier. The meeting area can be confusing when boats arrive quickly, so arrive early and confirm the boat and crew before boarding.

The experience is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. It is near public transportation, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed. Still, the cave swims are the key physical requirement, not a minor detail hidden in the fine print.

Handling choppy seas and changed routes

This is a sea excursion, so weather is part of the decision. Several departures have gone out in windy conditions with rough water. On a speedboat, that can mean sharp impacts as the hull meets the waves. If you have back problems, motion sickness, or a strong dislike of fast boats, check the forecast before committing.

A responsible skipper should slow down, adjust the route, or cancel when the sea is unsafe. The provider says the experience requires good weather and offers a different date or full refund if the tour is canceled because of poor conditions. If the tour runs but the route changes, the experience may feel less satisfying, even if the crew is doing the sensible thing.

There has been at least one serious complaint about a subcontracted boat operating recklessly in large swells and failing to respond properly to a request for a life jacket. That is not the normal picture of the tour, but it is a useful reminder: ask for a life jacket if you want one, speak up if the ride feels unsafe, and do not feel pressured to enter the water or continue at speed.

Most of the named captains receive strong praise for friendliness, safety, and help at the caves. Ivan is often described as warm and attentive, while Marco, Luca, Leo, Mario, and Dora are also associated with enjoyable departures. Captain personalities vary, as does the music. One captain played loud dance music throughout the ride, which some people enjoyed and others found irritating.

Who will enjoy this Dubrovnik boat trip?

This tour suits you if you want an active half-day with several short stops rather than a slow cruise. You should be comfortable swimming from a boat, squeezing through small cave entrances, and climbing back aboard with help from the crew.

It works well for:

• Couples who want sea views and swimming without booking a private boat
• Families with older children who are confident in the water
• Solo visitors looking for a social small-group activity
• First-time boat users who want equipment and drinks included
• Anyone needing a break from Dubrovnik’s stone streets and summer heat

It is less suitable if you want a quiet luxury charter, a long guided history lesson, a guaranteed cave route, or a full beach day. It is also a poor match if you cannot swim to the Blue Cave or dislike rough water.

The 4.9 rating from 2,572 reviews and 98 percent recommendation rate point to a consistently popular experience, but those numbers should not hide the conditions. The best departures combine calm seas, a capable skipper, and manageable crowds. The weakest experiences happen when weather forces changes or a subcontracted crew handles the boat badly.

Practical advice for a smoother outing

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel. Towels are not included, and you will likely get wet before reaching Šunj Beach. Use a waterproof phone case if you plan to take pictures from the boat or inside the caves.

Arrive early at the pier and look for the correct crew. The dock can be busy, with several boats loading at once. Confirm the boat name or captain rather than boarding the first vessel that appears.

Use the provided pool noodle if you are uncertain in the water. It is also useful for relaxing near the cave entrance, where you may need to wait for space. Follow the skipper’s instructions around the rocks, and do not attempt a narrow passage if the sea is moving strongly.

Choose free cancellation if your schedule is not firm. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, except when the provider cancels because of weather or insufficient numbers.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the idea of swimming into a glowing cave appeals to you more than the idea of sitting on a boat all day. The combination of Old Town views, four cave areas, included drinks, and Šunj’s shallow sandy water gives you a lot for four hours.

Before paying, check the forecast and be honest about your swimming ability. If you want guaranteed access to every advertised cave, wait for calm conditions or choose a private arrangement with more flexibility. If the sea is settled and you are ready for a brisk boat ride, this is a strong-value way to see Dubrovnik from the water.

FAQ

How long does the Blue Cave, Green Cave and Lopud Beach tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

What is the price of the tour?

The listed price is $84.65 per person.

Can the speedboat enter the Blue Cave?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks and breathing tubes are provided, along with pool noodles for floating.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks are local beer, red and white wine, grappa, sparkling drinks, natural juices, and bottled water.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so bring money if you want food at Šunj Beach.

Are beach towels provided?

No. Beach towels are not included.

How many people can join the boat?

The tour has a maximum of 18 travelers.

Is Šunj Beach suitable for children?

Šunj Beach has a shallow seabed extending about 100 meters from shore, making it suitable for children and less confident swimmers.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.