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

Dubrovnik’s best coastal views come from the water, and this small-group speedboat trip gives you several good reasons to leave the Old Town behind. You’ll swim through Koločep’s narrow Blue Cave entrance, snorkel at the Three Green Caves, and finish on the soft sand of Šunj Beach on Lopud.

I like the easy mix of active and lazy time: clear-water cave swimming first, then an hour and a half to stretch out on a real sandy beach. I also like that beer, wine, soft drinks, water, masks, and snorkels are included, so you are not paying extra every time you climb back aboard.

The main catch is simple: this is not a sightseeing cruise for people who want to stay dry. You need basic swimming skills, and summer cave stops can be crowded with other boats. The speedboat ride can also feel rough if you are prone to seasickness.

The quick take

• Blue Cave swim: Enter Koločep’s glowing cave by swimming through its narrow opening.
• Three Green Caves: Choose between easy snorkeling spots and a narrow passage through the island.
• Šunj Beach finale: Enjoy about 90 minutes on Lopud’s long sandy beach and shallow water.
• Drinks included: Beer, white wine, iced tea, cola, Fanta, and water are available on the boat.
• Good guide energy: Ivan, Rino, Mario, Dora, and others are praised for friendly service, music, and steady boat handling.
• Best for swimmers: Lifejackets and noodle floats are available, but they do not replace swimming ability.

Why this four-hour boat trip works

At $71 per person, this tour sits in the reasonable middle range for a half-day on the Dubrovnik coast. You are paying for a speedboat, fuel, a skipper, snorkeling equipment, drinks, several swimming stops, and beach time. If you bought drinks and arranged separate boat transport to Koločep and Lopud, the price would rise quickly.

The value is strongest if you want variety. In roughly four to five hours, you get views of Dubrovnik’s walls, three cave areas, open-water swimming, a sandy beach, and a fast ride between islands. You do not need to plan ferries, beach transfers, or equipment rentals.

This is a shared small-group trip, not a private charter. Boats have commonly carried around 14 people, although the exact setup can vary. That is small enough to feel social without turning into a full sightseeing boat, but you should not expect a quiet, private outing.

Music is part of the mood. Guides such as Ivan, Rino, Mario, Dora, and others have been praised for keeping the atmosphere relaxed and fun, with music playing on the way out or back. That suits an afternoon of swimming and drinks, though one passenger found the music too loud. If you prefer a calm, silent cruise, this may not be your ideal boat trip.

Leaving Dubrovnik with a view of the city walls

Departures are available from Dubrovnik Old Town port, Cavtat, Mlini, and Srebreno, depending on the option you choose. Meeting points can vary, so check the exact departure location rather than assuming every boat leaves from the same pier.

The first part of the ride gives you a view Dubrovnik cannot provide from land. The Old Town walls, towers, and orange rooftops rise above the sea, and the speedboat puts you far enough offshore to see the whole waterfront at once. This is one of the strongest parts of the outing for anyone who wants photographs of Dubrovnik beyond the usual street-level views.

The ride to Koločep takes about 25 minutes. That is long enough to enjoy the sea and islands, but short enough that the morning or afternoon does not disappear in transit. Hold onto loose hats and phones, especially when the skipper opens the throttle or the boat meets choppy water.

Swimming into Koločep’s Blue Cave

The Blue Cave is the tour’s signature stop. It has a narrow entrance that you reach by swimming from the boat, so the experience starts before you enter the cave. Inside, sunlight reflects through the seawater and creates the blue-green glow that gives the cave its name.

You get around 30 minutes here for swimming and snorkeling. That sounds short, but it is enough time to enter the cave, look around, float in the clear water, and return to the boat without making the whole trip feel rushed. The cave is more about the strange light and the swim through the opening than a long guided visit on land.

Bring a waterproof phone case if you want photographs inside. You will have both hands free for swimming, and the cave’s color is difficult to capture with a phone held above the water.

The Blue Cave can be busy in high summer. Several boats may arrive around the same time, and swimmers need to watch for moving vessels as well as people entering the cave. Conditions at the entrance can also be rough if the sea is not calm. Listen closely to the guide before getting in, and do not attempt the cave if you are not comfortable swimming in open water.

Cliff-jumping may be offered from nearby rocks for confident swimmers, but it is optional. This is not a required part of the tour, and a lifejacket or noodle float is a better choice if you are uncertain in the water.

Choosing your route through the Three Green Caves

About 10 minutes after leaving the Blue Cave, the speedboat reaches the Three Green Caves. You get another 30-minute stop for swimming, snorkeling, and looking around.

The three openings give this stop a useful range of options. Two caves are broad and easier to enter, making them suitable for relaxed swimming and snorkeling. The third is a narrow passage that takes you through the island and out the other side. That passage is the more memorable choice for strong swimmers who want a little adventure.

This stop feels different from the Blue Cave. The Blue Cave is about light and color. The Green Caves give you more freedom to choose your level of activity. You can stay near the boat, swim into the wider openings, or attempt the through passage if you are comfortable in confined water.

The water is clear, which makes snorkeling worthwhile even during a short stop. Still, this is not a serious marine-life excursion. The main appeal is the rock formations, the openings, and the feeling of swimming through a natural passage.

Relaxing at Šunj Beach on Lopud

After the cave swims, the boat heads to Šunj Beach on Lopud. The ride takes about 15 minutes, and you get about an hour and a half on shore. This longer stop is what keeps the outing from becoming a nonstop series of jumps into the sea.

Šunj is one of the few well-known sandy beaches in the Dubrovnik area. It stretches for about one kilometer, with pale sand and shallow water that stays shallow for nearly 100 meters from shore. That makes it easier to wade, cool off, or relax without immediately dealing with deep water.

The boat anchors as close to the beach as conditions allow. You may still need to step into shallow water to reach the sand, so keep your towel and phone protected. Once ashore, you can swim, sunbathe, eat, or simply take a break from the boat.

Beach bars with blue umbrellas offer a useful arrangement: order a drink and you receive a complimentary sunbed and umbrella. The drinks themselves are not included in the tour, so keep some money available if you want that setup. The arrangement can be good value if you planned to rent a lounger anyway, but it is not a completely cost-free beach service.

Šunj’s bars and services generally operate from May onward. From November through April, the beach stop changes because the bars may be closed and the sea is cold. The boat may instead stop at Lopud village or Koločep village, depending on which cafés, restaurants, and shops are open that day. If a sandy beach is central to your plans, book this experience in the warmer operating season.

The return ride and Dubrovnik panorama

The ride back takes about 25 minutes, followed by a scenic pass along Dubrovnik’s Old Port and waterfront. This is another chance to photograph the fortifications from sea level, now with the islands and open water behind you.

The return can be lively. Music often comes back on, and the boat may bounce over the waves. That is fun for many people, but it is also the point when seasickness can catch up with you after swimming and drinking. If you are sensitive to motion, sit where the boat moves least, keep your eyes on the horizon, and consider bringing appropriate medication.

Drinks are available throughout the trip. The included selection covers local beer, white wine, iced tea, cola, Fanta, and water. That is a thoughtful touch after swimming, especially because you do not need to carry a cooler or buy a drink at every stop. The amount available can vary with the group and the day, so I would still bring water if you drink a lot in the sun.

There is usually no toilet on the boat. Toilets are generally available at Šunj Beach, and sometimes the assigned speedboat has one. Ask the crew at the start rather than waiting until you are offshore.

What the guides add to the experience

The guide matters on a trip like this because the schedule is tight and the water stops require clear instructions. Ivan is especially noted for friendly service, steady handling, useful information, and keeping drinks moving. Rino, Mario, Dora, Leo, Peter, Tommy, and other crew members have also led trips, so your exact experience depends on the departure.

You should expect English, Croatian, Bosnian, or Serbian to be available. The guide normally explains where to swim, when to return, and how to handle the cave entrances. The best guides also adjust the mood to the group, offering music and conversation without turning every minute into a formal narration.

The captain can change the order of the stops when weather or sun position affects the caves. You might visit the Green Caves first and the Blue Cave second. That is a practical decision, not a lost attraction. The purpose is to give you the best conditions possible at each site.

Who should book this tour

I would choose this for couples, families with confident swimmers, and friends who want an active half-day without committing to a full-day island cruise. It works well if you want a quick taste of the Elaphiti island area and still have most of the day free.

The tour is less suitable for people with back problems because speedboat rides can be bumpy. It is also not designed for wheelchair users, non-swimmers, people prone to seasickness, or anyone over 80. Basic swimming ability is required: you should be able to enter the water, resurface, float, turn, and swim to safety.

Lifejackets are always available, and noodle floats can be used as a more comfortable aid. Do not treat the equipment as a substitute for swimming skills. The crew may help with boarding, but the boat and cave stops still require mobility and confidence around water.

Bring swimwear and a towel. A waterproof phone case, sun protection, and a dry bag are sensible additions, though only swimwear and a towel are specifically required. Lunch is not included, so eat beforehand or plan to buy food at Šunj Beach when the services are open.

Booking flexibility and practical value

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. That matters in Dubrovnik, where weather can change quickly and sea conditions affect the cave order.

The activity has a 4.8 rating from 502 ratings, with 87 percent giving the transport a perfect score. The most consistent strengths are the friendly skippers, fun music, clear water, good boat atmosphere, and the combination of cave swimming with Šunj’s sand.

The main compromises are also consistent: busy cave areas in July and August, possible rough water, no guaranteed sandy beach experience outside the main season, and no lunch. You are buying an active shared outing, not a private nature tour.

Should you book the Blue Cave speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a high-energy half-day with several different stops, included drinks, and plenty of time in the water. The Blue Cave is the visual highlight, the Green Caves offer more adventurous swimming, and Šunj Beach gives you a proper rest at the end.

Skip it if you dislike speedboats, struggle with seasickness, cannot swim, or want a quiet cruise with detailed history at every stop. For most capable swimmers, though, the $71 price is fair because it combines transport, equipment, refreshments, and three distinct coastal experiences in about four to five hours.

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, so check your selected departure location carefully.

How long is the tour?

The total duration is about four to five hours. The listed schedule includes about 30 minutes at the Blue Cave, 30 minutes at the Three Green Caves, and approximately 1.5 hours at Šunj Beach.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are included, along with lifejackets and noodle floats when needed.

What drinks are included?

The boat provides 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. You must be able to enter the water, resurface, float, turn, and swim to safety. Lifejackets and noodle floats are available but do not replace swimming ability.

What happens to the Šunj Beach stop outside the main season?

Šunj Beach bars and services generally operate from May. From November through April, the boat may instead stop at Lopud village or Koločep village, depending on which cafés, restaurants, and shops are open.