BLUE CAVE&GREEN CAVES /ŠUNJ beach Speedboat tour- WITH DRINKS

The best part of this four-hour speedboat trip is the pair of sea caves near Kolocep. Sunlight gives the Blue Cave its famous blue glow, while the Green Caves offer clear water, rock ledges, and underwater passages for confident swimmers. The morning departure, at 8:30 from June 1 through September 15, is the smart choice if you want calmer cave stops before larger boatloads arrive.

I like the easy mix of swimming and sightseeing, and I like that snorkel masks, life jackets, and drinks are supplied. The stop at Šunj Beach gives you a sandy place to dry off, eat, or have a drink at a hillside bar instead of keeping you on the boat all morning.

The main thing to consider is the time split. You get roughly 30 to 35 minutes at each cave and about 90 minutes at the beach, so anyone who cares most about the caves may wish for more time in the water. This is also a shared group trip, not a private outing just for your party.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue and Green Caves: Swim and snorkel at two striking spots on Kolocep, with about 30 to 35 minutes at each.
• Early start matters: The 8:30 morning trip is designed to reach the caves before the biggest crowds.
• Šunj Beach break: Spend around 90 minutes at Lopud’s broad sandy beach, with bars and a restaurant nearby.
• Useful gear included: Snorkel equipment, adult and child life jackets, pool noodles, fuel, and drinks are provided.
• Friendly captains: Pavo, Maro, Anthony, and Jacob are named by guests as personable guides on different departures.
• Shared speedboat format: Groups can reach as many as 30 people, so expect a social outing rather than a private charter.

Why the caves are the real reason to go

Dubrovnik’s old town gets most of the attention, but the Elafiti Islands offer a welcome change of pace. The Blue and Green Caves on Kolocep put you in clear seawater, close to the rock, with a chance to swim rather than simply look at the coast from a boat.

The Blue Cave is on Kolocep’s south side. Its color comes from sunlight passing through the water and reflecting off the sandy bottom. The effect changes with the light and water conditions, so you should think of it as a natural swimming stop, not a polished attraction with a fixed display.

The Green Caves have a different feel. Their appeal comes from the rock formations, clear water, and underwater openings. You can use the supplied mask to look below the surface, and there are places for jumping from the rocks. Only do that if you are comfortable with the height and the conditions on the day.

Each cave stop lasts about 30 to 35 minutes. That is enough time to swim, look around, and take photos from the boat, but it is not a long exploration session. If the caves are your priority, ask the captain whether the group can spend a little more time there and reduce the beach stop. This suggestion appears repeatedly in the practical feedback, and it is the most useful way to tailor the trip.

The water can feel refreshing even in warm weather. One late September outing was described as having comfortable water temperatures, while the July trips offered a welcome break from the heat. Conditions vary, of course, but the swimming is central to the experience.

Leaving Dubrovnik from the West Harbour

The meeting point is the last wooden pier in the small marina at Lapadska obala 4, by the Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse. The boat ride begins from Dubrovnik’s West Harbour, and the activity returns to the same point at the end.

The exact trip length is advertised as about four hours. Most of that time is spent moving between the islands and at the three stops. One account describes returning roughly 25 minutes early, so do not build a tight connection around the full advertised duration.

The boat is a speedboat, which means the ride itself is part of the fun, but it can also be bumpy when the sea is choppy. One family reported an uncomfortable return ride in rougher water and felt the captain drove too fast. That was not the common pattern in the supplied feedback, but it is a fair reminder to speak up if the ride feels too aggressive, especially with children or older adults aboard.

The group size can reach 30 people. That is small enough to feel more personal than a large sightseeing vessel, but not small enough for everyone to choose their own timing. The boat has a driver and guide, and different departures have been led by Pavo, Maro, Anthony, or Jacob.

Pavo receives especially warm praise for keeping the mood relaxed and explaining what to expect. Maro is also named as a friendly captain, while Anthony and Jacob are described as helpful hosts on other trips. Your guide depends on the departure, so treat those names as examples rather than a guarantee.

Kolocep’s Blue Cave and Green Caves

The first island stop is Kolocep, one of the Elafiti Islands close to Dubrovnik. The operator plans to visit the Blue Cave and Green Caves in the same area, with swimming at both.

At the Blue Cave, the main sight is the color of the water. The space is naturally formed, and the blue effect is strongest when the light and sea conditions cooperate. You will likely spend part of the stop swimming near the entrance and part looking into the cave from the boat or water.

The Green Caves provide more active fun. You can snorkel around the rock, look through underwater openings, and use selected rock ledges for jumping. The word cave can sound more dramatic than the actual experience, but some people may find tight spaces uncomfortable. If you dislike enclosed areas, stay near the entrance or enjoy the water outside.

Snorkel equipment is provided, which saves you from packing a mask and allows you to see more than you would from the surface. Adult and child life jackets are included, and past outings also had pool noodles available. The gear is particularly useful for children who want support in the water, although the caves still require basic comfort with swimming.

There is not much time for a full lesson or a slow guided explanation at each location. The focus is on reaching the site, getting into the water, and enjoying it. If you want a detailed geology talk, this will feel light. If you want a straightforward way to swim in two unusual places, the format works well.

Šunj Beach on Lopud, with time to slow down

After Kolocep, the boat heads to Lopud for the longest stop of the trip. Šunj Beach is known for its sand, shallow water, and sheltered lagoon-like setting. Compared with rocky swimming spots around the islands, it is an easier place to walk into the sea and relax.

You get about 90 minutes here. That gives you enough time for a swim, a little sun, and a drink or early meal without turning the outing into a rushed shore visit.

Bars sit near the beach, and a small restaurant is up the hill through the trees. The upper restaurant has received praise for its food, while a hillside bar offers a pleasant view down toward the sand. Pavo specifically recommended the hillside bar as a more affordable place for cocktails, which is a useful tip if you want a scenic drink without paying for the first place you see.

Šunj is attractive, but it may not be the highlight for everyone. People who book mainly for the caves sometimes find the beach stop too long and would prefer more time in the water near Kolocep. The beach is best understood as a comfortable pause after the cave swimming, not as the central reason to book.

If you are traveling with children, the sandy shore and shallow water can make Šunj the easiest part of the day. If you are an adult who wants maximum snorkeling time, you may see the beach as a compromise. Tell the captain early if your group would prefer to trade some beach time for another few minutes at the caves, though any change depends on the day’s schedule and group agreement.

What is included for $77.43?

At $77.43 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Elafiti Islands, but it bundles several costs into one half-day outing. You get the speedboat, driver-guide, fuel surcharge, snorkel equipment, life jackets, and drinks.

Adult drinks include beer, white wine, water, and juice, with alcohol limited to people aged 18 and over. The wording suggests an open supply of drinks, but one piece of feedback said only one drink was offered during that particular trip. I would treat the drinks as a useful extra rather than the main value of the booking.

Lunch is not included. Bring money for the beach bar or restaurant if you want food, and remember that the 90-minute stop may land around a meal time depending on your departure. The hillside restaurant and bar are part of the stop, not part of the tour price.

The real value is the combination of transport and access. You do not need to arrange separate boat transfers to Kolocep and Lopud, and you can reach two cave areas plus a sandy beach in a single morning or afternoon. For a visitor with limited time in Dubrovnik, that makes the price easier to justify.

The value drops if you want long cave sessions, a private boat, or a detailed cultural tour. This is an active coastal outing with a driver-guide, not a private charter or a formal history lesson.

Morning or afternoon?

From June 1 through September 15, the morning departure begins at 8:30. That timing is specifically intended to avoid the largest groups at the caves, and several outings found the early option quieter and easier.

I would choose the morning if the caves are your main goal. You have better odds of enjoying the swimming areas before they fill up, and you can spend the afternoon back in Dubrovnik or elsewhere on the coast.

The afternoon departure is useful if you prefer a slower start or already have plans in the morning. It can still deliver the same cave and beach route, but crowded conditions are more likely during the busy summer period. The schedule and exact start time should be confirmed when booking.

The tour is offered in English. The activity is suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. Still, the swimming, boat motion, rock ledges, and cave entrances mean you should judge your own comfort honestly. Children can participate, with child life jackets available, but the caves are not a passive sightseeing stop.

Who will enjoy this speedboat trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a simple half-day on the water with a mix of swimming, scenery, and beach time. It suits couples, families with water-loving children, and solo visitors who like meeting a small group while exploring.

It is also a good fit if you are staying in Dubrovnik and want to see more than the old town without committing to a full-day island cruise. The four-hour length leaves room for another activity the same day.

You may want another tour if you prefer a quiet private boat, extensive local history, or a carefully paced snorkeling excursion. The group can be as large as 30 people, the cave stops are fairly short, and the guide commentary may be brief compared with the time spent riding and swimming.

Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and money for lunch. Wear something you can move in on the boat, and keep your expectations focused on water time rather than a formal guided tour. The supplied masks and flotation aids help, but you should still be comfortable around open water.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. Last-minute cancellations and changes are not accepted, and the local start time controls the cutoff.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if Kolocep’s caves are high on your Dubrovnik list and you want an uncomplicated way to reach them. The strongest combination is the early start, the included snorkel gear, the friendly guide style associated with captains such as Pavo and Maro, and the chance to finish at sandy Šunj Beach.

Before paying, decide which matters more to you: cave time or beach time. If you want caves, choose the morning and ask about spending longer at Kolocep. If you want a balanced day with swimming, drinks, and a relaxed shore stop, the standard schedule makes good sense.

At $77.43, it offers fair value for a shared four-hour speedboat outing, but it is not a private luxury charter. Accept the group format, keep an eye on sea conditions, and this can be one of the easiest ways to add clear water and island scenery to a Dubrovnik stay.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse, Lapadska obala 4, at the last wooden pier in the small marina.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Dubrovnik.

How long does the tour last?

The advertised duration is approximately four hours.

What time does the morning tour start?

From June 1 through September 15, the morning tour starts at 8:30 AM.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Kolocep for the Blue and Green Caves, then Lopud for Šunj Beach.

How long do you spend at the caves?

The planned time is about 30 to 35 minutes at each cave location.

How long is the stop at Šunj Beach?

The beach stop lasts approximately one and a half hours.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Water, juice, beer, and white wine are listed as included. Alcoholic drinks are for adults aged 18 and over.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with life jackets for children and adults.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.