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

The best part of this four-hour outing is the chance to swim into caves that a speedboat cannot enter. Sunlight turns the Blue Cave’s water electric blue, while the Green Caves glow emerald when conditions are right. The ride also gives you a fine view of Dubrovnik from the sea, including Lovrijenac fortress perched above the water.

I like the useful extras: snorkel gear and float noodles are included, along with water, soft drinks, beer, wine, and grappa. I also like the choice of a morning or afternoon departure, which makes this easy to fit around your time in Dubrovnik.

The main consideration is the sea. Choppy water can make the ride uncomfortable and may force the captain to change the route. Cave entrances also require swimming, sometimes under a low rocky opening, so this is not the right choice if you prefer to stay on the boat.

Key points at a glance

• Swim into four sea caves: The Blue, Green, Dark, and Passage Caves are reached from the water, not by boat.
• See Dubrovnik from offshore: The route passes the Old Town walls and the 37-meter cliff below Lovrijenac fortress.
• Spend time at Šunj Beach: Lopud’s shallow, sandy bay is the most relaxed stop and suits less confident swimmers.
• Drinks are included: Expect bottled water, soft drinks, natural juices, local beer, wine, and grappa.
• Small-group speedboat format: The boat holds no more than 18 people, though the exact group can be smaller.
• Weather matters: Rough seas can shorten or replace the cave portion, and the route may be changed for safety.

A half-day of caves, coastline, and swimming

At $84.65 per person, this tour sits in the middle range for a Dubrovnik boat outing. You are paying for a fast boat, a captain, several swimming stops, equipment, and drinks rather than for a long guided history tour.

That distinction matters. The experience is active and scenic, but not highly structured once you reach the caves. Your captain explains how to enter and where to swim, then you explore the openings from the water. If you want a formal cave tour with a guide inside every cavern, this will feel too loose. If you want a lively half-day on the Adriatic with several chances to get wet, the price is reasonable.

The advertised duration is about four hours. The timing gives you enough room for the main stops without taking an entire day away from Dubrovnik. You can book a morning trip and still have the afternoon for the Old Town, or choose the afternoon and spend the cooler part of the day sightseeing.

Dubrovnik’s walls and Lovrijenac from the sea

The boat begins with one of the quieter pleasures of the trip: seeing Dubrovnik from offshore. From the water, the Old Town walls read as a single dramatic line of stone, with towers and roofs rising behind them.

Your skipper shares local legends and facts while the boat passes beneath Lovrijenac fortress. The fortress rises from a steep cliff about 37 meters above the Adriatic, and its position is especially striking from a low boat. You will not spend long here, but it is a good opening scene and gives the ride some local character before the swimming begins.

This part is also a practical reason to bring sun protection. The route offers open views, and a speedboat can expose you to strong sun and wind even when the air feels comfortable at the dock.

The Blue Cave near Koločep

The Blue Cave is the main attraction for many people. Natural light enters through an opening in the rock and reflects through the water, producing the blue glow that gives the cave its name. The color depends on sunlight, water conditions, and how crowded the entrance is, so the effect will not look identical on every departure.

The boat anchors about 20 meters from the cave. It cannot enter because the opening is too small, so you swim the final stretch with a mask and breathing tube. You may need to pass beneath a low section of rock to get inside. That detail is important: this is not a sightseeing stop where you remain seated and look through a boat window.

Allow about 40 minutes here, including swimming and time in the water. Float noodles are available if you want support, and the snorkel equipment makes it easier to look below the surface. Still, you should be comfortable entering open water and swimming from the boat. The crew provides equipment, but it does not remove the need for basic confidence in the sea.

The Blue Cave can also be crowded, especially in good weather. Other boats may gather near the entrance, and rough water can make getting in and out awkward. The captain may try to time the stop around boat traffic, but you should expect this to be a popular site rather than a private one.

Green Caves, Dark Cave, and Passage Cave

The next stop brings several formations together, usually under the broad description of the Three Green Caves. Sunlight creates an emerald tone in two of the caves, while the Canyon Cave forms a narrow natural passage through the rock.

This stop lasts about 30 minutes, so you will need to make quick choices. You can swim, snorkel, float, or try to pass farther into the rocky channel if conditions allow. Some sections are narrow and require you to move under rock to reach another opening. The crew explains the practical way through, but you should not expect a long narrated tour inside the cave.

Water conditions make a real difference here. On a calm day, the caves offer a playful series of short swims and changing light. On a windy day, the captain may choose a different green cave, limit swimming, or provide an alternative stop. That is sensible for safety, but it can mean the exact cave you pictured is not the cave you see.

Cold water is another factor, especially outside the warmest summer weeks. A sunny day does not always mean warm water, and the combination of wind and wet swimwear can make the second cave stop feel brief. Bring a towel and a dry layer, since beach towels are not included.

Šunj Beach on Lopud

The final stop is Šunj Beach on Lopud, where you get about an hour of free time. This is the least active part of the trip and a welcome break after swimming from the boat.

Šunj has pale sand and a shallow seabed that extends roughly 100 meters from shore. That makes it a good place for children and anyone who prefers gradual water rather than a sudden drop. You can swim, sit in the shallows, or simply dry off in the sun.

The beach has a small selection of places to buy food and drinks, including a bar, restaurant, and ice cream shop. Lunch is not included, so plan to pay separately if you want something more substantial. Beach chairs also require a separate rental fee.

Keep your expectations modest. Šunj is attractive and restful, but it is not a full resort area with a long list of sights. If you want two hours of quiet beach time, the one-hour stop may feel short. If you are mainly booking for the caves and want a final chance to relax, the timing works well.

What is included, and what you should bring

The included drinks add real value to a short boat trip. You receive bottled water, sparkling drinks, natural juices, local beer, red and white wine, and grappa. Several captains, including Ivan, Mario, Leo, Luca, Marco, and Dora on different departures, have been noted for keeping drinks available and checking on people during the ride. Your assigned crew may differ.

Snorkeling masks and breathing tubes are provided. Float noodles are also kept on board, which helps if you want to rest in the water without constantly swimming. Equipment is shared across the group, so bring your own mask if fit and comfort are especially important to you.

Pack these basics:

• Swimsuit and a towel
• Sun cream, sunglasses, and a hat
• A dry shirt or light layer
• Waterproof protection for your phone
• Cash or a card for food, chairs, and other beach purchases

Lunch is not included, and beach towels are not supplied. The boat may have covered seating, but shade is not guaranteed for everyone at every moment. One practical note from the boat experience: music can be played loudly on some departures, so this is better for you if you enjoy an upbeat ride rather than a quiet cruise.

Group size, captains, and the ride itself

The maximum group size is 18 people. That is small enough to keep the outing more personal than a large sightseeing boat, though the boat can still feel busy at the cave entrances and during boarding.

The speedboat makes the trip efficient. You reach the islands and caves faster than on a slower excursion boat, leaving more time for swimming. The tradeoff is a firmer ride. In calm water, the speed adds fun. In rough water, the boat can hit the swells hard, and the ride may be tiring or uncomfortable.

Several captains have received especially warm feedback for being friendly, safety-conscious, and entertaining. Ivan, Marco, Luca, Leo, Mario, and Dora are names associated with strong departures, but captain assignments can change. One especially important practical point is to confirm that you have proper safety equipment before leaving the dock, particularly if anyone in your group needs a life jacket.

A serious complaint involved a subcontracted boat operating in very rough seas. The reported behavior was unsafe, and a full refund was issued afterward. One bad departure does not describe the normal experience, but it shows why you should pay attention to weather and speak up if the ride becomes dangerous. A responsible captain should slow down or turn back when conditions demand it.

Weather, crowding, and changed routes

This excursion requires good weather. When the sea is too rough, the operator may offer another date or a full refund. During the trip, the captain may also adjust the route if waves, wind, or boat traffic make a cave unsafe.

That flexibility is necessary, but it can disappoint you if the Blue Cave or Šunj Beach is the main reason you booked. On a rough day, past departures have included a shortened cave visit, an alternate cave, or extra time at a beach. The quality of the substitute can vary, so it is worth checking the forecast before you commit to a nonrefundable window.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that 24-hour period are not accepted, and the same cutoff applies to the local start time. The operator may also cancel if too few people book, offering another date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this tour if you want a compact introduction to Dubrovnik’s nearby islands and prefer active sightseeing to a long, quiet cruise. It works especially well for couples, friends, and families with older children who are comfortable swimming from a boat.

It is also a good pick if you want flexibility in your day. Four hours gives you a taste of the coast without committing to a full-day island trip. The drinks, snorkel gear, and noodles mean you do not need to organize much yourself.

Think twice if you cannot swim, dislike speedboat motion, or want guaranteed access to every advertised cave. The Blue Cave requires a swim of about 20 meters from the boat, and some openings involve moving under rock. Anyone uneasy in confined spaces or open water may enjoy the boat ride and beach but miss the central attraction.

Should you book the Blue Cave and Šunj Beach tour?

Yes, if you want a lively half-day with beautiful water, short swims, and a sandy beach finish. The strongest value comes from the combination: offshore views of Dubrovnik, several cave stops, equipment, and drinks for $84.65.

Book with realistic expectations. The caves are natural sites, not controlled attractions. They can be crowded, the water can be cold, and weather can change the plan. Confirm that everyone in your group is comfortable swimming from the boat, check the forecast, and keep a little money aside for food or a chair at Šunj.

FAQ

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

The tour lasts approximately four hours, including the coastal cruise, cave stops, and time at Šunj Beach.

Can the speedboat enter the Blue Cave?

No. The boat anchors about 20 meters away because the entrance is too small. You must swim to the cave.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Masks and breathing tubes are provided, and float noodles are available on the boat.

What drinks are included?

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

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, and food at Šunj Beach must be purchased separately.

What happens if the weather is too rough?

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. During an active tour, the captain may change the route or replace a cave stop for safety.