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

The best part of this four-hour speedboat trip is the chance to swim into Dubrovnik’s caves rather than simply look at them from a boat. Sunlight turns the Blue Cave’s water electric blue, while the Green Caves glow emerald when conditions are right. You also get a fine view of the old city walls from the sea and a final hour at sandy Šunj Beach.

I like the small maximum group of 18, along with the included snorkeling gear, pool noodles, water, soft drinks, beer, wine, and grappa. The other strong point is the mix of stops: caves for active swimming, then a calm beach break. The main catch is that the boat cannot enter the Blue Cave, so you must swim about 20 meters from the boat to reach it. Rough seas can also force changes to the route.

Key points to know before you book

• Swim to the Blue Cave: The boat anchors about 20 meters away because the entrance is too narrow for the speedboat.
• Four hours, three main stops: Expect a quick coastal cruise, several cave visits, and about one hour at Šunj Beach.
• Small speedboat group: The boat carries no more than 18 people, though the exact number may be smaller.
• Drinks are included: Water, juices, sparkling drinks, local beer, wine, and grappa are provided.
• Šunj is shallow and sandy: Its seabed extends roughly 100 meters from shore, making it useful for children and less confident swimmers.
• Weather matters: Choppy water can make cave access uncomfortable or lead to an altered itinerary, so keep your plans flexible.

A fast start beside Dubrovnik’s old walls

The outing begins with one of Dubrovnik’s best water-level views. As you leave the harbor, your skipper points out the old city walls and shares local legends and basic facts about the city. The boat also passes below Lovrijenac Fortress, built high above the Adriatic on a steep cliff.

This opening ride is brief, but it gives the trip some welcome context. From the water, Dubrovnik’s walls look less like a postcard and more like a great stone barrier rising directly from the coast. If you have already walked the Stradun and crowded lanes inside the old town, this angle feels fresh.

The speedboat ride itself is part of the fun. On a calm day, it gives you a brisk, open-air run along the coast. On a windy day, the same speed can make the ride hard on your back and unpleasant for anyone prone to motion sickness. Several reports describe choppy conditions, with the boat hitting the water firmly, so I would not choose this trip if you want a gentle cruise.

The pickup area can be slightly confusing because several boats load and unload at the pier in quick succession. Allow time to find the right crew and boat. Captains named Ivan, Luca, Marco, Leo, Mario, Tony, and others have led departures, but your skipper is assigned by the operator and can vary.

The Blue Cave requires a swim

The Blue Cave is the star of the trip. Natural light enters through the cave opening and reflects through the water, creating the blue glow that gives the place its name. The color is strongest when the sun and sea conditions cooperate, so it is a natural effect, not artificial lighting.

The speedboat anchors roughly 20 meters from the entrance. The opening is too small for the boat, and you must swim to it. This point deserves attention because it changes the experience completely from a boat-only cave tour. You need to be comfortable getting into open water, swimming with a mask and breathing tube, and moving through a narrow rocky entrance.

Snorkeling masks and breathing tubes are supplied, and pool noodles are available if you want extra support. The guides explain how to get in and out, but the actual cave visits are largely self-guided. That gives you freedom to look around, yet it also means you should pay close attention to the rocks and to the instructions before leaving the boat.

The scheduled stop lasts about 40 minutes, though the actual time spent inside the cave depends on swimming speed, sea conditions, and congestion. The Blue Cave can become crowded, especially when several boats arrive together. A calm day makes entry much easier. If waves are pushing you toward the rocks, the experience can become awkward and stressful rather than magical.

The water may feel cold, especially outside the height of summer. A late October visit, for example, can still bring beautiful clear water but not necessarily a long swim. Bring a towel and wear a swimsuit under your clothes. Beach towels are not included.

Green Caves, narrow passages, and emerald light

The next section is described as the Three Green Caves, with two caves where sunlight produces an emerald color and another cave formed as a natural passage through the cliffs. You may also hear the latter described as Canyon Cave, Dark Cave, or Passage Cave, depending on the skipper’s wording and the route used that day.

These stops offer more active exploring than sightseeing from the deck. You can swim and snorkel in the open water, then move into a narrow rocky passage if conditions allow. One passage requires you to duck under rocks to reach another opening. That is exciting for confident swimmers, but it is not suitable for everyone.

The total stop is scheduled for about 30 minutes. That goes quickly once everyone has entered the water, collected a mask, and taken turns near the cave openings. You are not getting a long, slow cave expedition. Think of it as a sampler of unusual coastal formations with time for a swim.

Sea conditions matter even more here than at the Blue Cave. Wind can make the water too rough or cold for safe swimming. In that case, the skipper may substitute another site or allow only a short look from the boat. One green cave may also be changed because of boat traffic. That is frustrating if you have come for a specific glowing cavern, but safety has to come first.

The guides generally remain with the boat while you explore, so you should be ready to follow directions and manage your own swimming. If you are not a strong swimmer, stay near the boat and use a pool noodle. Ask for a life jacket before departure if you need one, and make sure it is actually provided before the boat leaves the pier.

Šunj Beach gives the trip a slower final hour

After the caves, the speedboat heads to Šunj Beach on the south side of Lopud Island. This is the least hurried part of the trip, with about an hour to swim, sit in the sun, or have something to eat and drink.

Šunj has pale sand and unusually shallow water. The seabed stays shallow for roughly 100 meters from shore, which makes it a better beach choice for children and less confident swimmers than many rocky Adriatic coves. The tradeoff is that it can feel less pristine than the dramatic caves, especially on a busy day.

There is a small amount of food and drink near the beach, including a bar or restaurant and an ice cream shop. You can buy a simple late lunch, fries, or a beer, but lunch is not included in the tour price. Beach chairs also cost extra. If you want to keep the stop inexpensive, bring your own snack or simply use the free beach area.

An hour is enough for a swim and a short rest, but not enough for a full beach day. Some schedules may give you more time at the beach, while others spend more time moving between cave sites. If the beach is your main reason for booking, a separate Lopud outing would give you more freedom.

What is included, and what the $84.65 price buys you

At $84.65 per person, this tour sits in the moderate price range for a half-day boat outing from Dubrovnik. The value comes from combining transport, a skipper, several swimming locations, equipment, and drinks in one compact trip.

Included on board are:

• Snorkeling masks and breathing tubes
• Pool noodles
• Bottled water
• Sparkling drinks and natural juices
• Local beer
• Red and white wine
• Grappa

That drinks cooler is more useful than it may sound. A fast ride, strong sun, and repeated swims make water important, and having drinks ready at each stop keeps the day simple. The alcohol is a pleasant extra, but you should be sensible around the water and on the ride back.

Lunch and beach towels are not included. Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and a dry layer for the ride home. I would also pack a small waterproof pouch for a phone and cash for food, drinks, or a beach chair at Šunj.

The boat carries up to 18 people. That is not a private charter, but it is far more manageable than a large excursion boat. A smaller group means less waiting when getting in and out of the water, though the boat can still feel busy around popular caves.

Captains make a real difference

A good skipper matters on this experience because the trip combines speed, slippery rocks, open-water swimming, and changing sea conditions. Several captains receive praise for being friendly, funny, attentive, and careful with the group.

Ivan is described as warm and attentive with drinks. Marco is known for a lively personality and helpful advice around the water. Luca and Leo have been praised for calm handling and clear direction, while Tony has also made a strong impression on a sunny day. Dora and Mario have led departures together, adding a social touch to the boat ride.

The mood can vary from one departure to another. Some skippers play loud dance music, which suits a party-minded group but may annoy anyone hoping for a quiet ride. Communication in English is available, though the level of commentary and the amount of local information can differ with the skipper.

There is one serious safety point to keep in mind. One reported departure took place in very rough seas, with passengers asking the captain to return. The trip was refunded, but the incident shows why you should pay close attention to the weather forecast and ask about sea conditions before boarding. Most outings are described as safe and enjoyable, but a speedboat in heavy swells is not a minor discomfort.

Who will enjoy this boat tour most?

This is a good match for you if you want an active half-day and like changing locations quickly. Strong swimmers, couples, families with older children, and visitors with limited time in Dubrovnik will get the most from it.

You should be comfortable with:

• Swimming from a boat to a cave entrance
• Moving near rocks in open water
• A fast ride that can become bumpy
• Limited time at each cave
• Sharing the boat with up to 17 other people

Families may appreciate Šunj’s shallow water, but children still need close supervision around the boat and cave entrances. The cave passages are not ideal for anyone who dislikes tight spaces or cannot swim confidently.

This trip is less suitable if you want a quiet sailing experience, a long beach stay, or guaranteed access to every advertised cave. The sea can change the route, and crowding can reduce time inside the most popular sites.

Weather, cancellations, and practical planning

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, the same options apply.

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, so check the forecast early and avoid booking this as your only fixed activity on a doubtful weather day.

The experience is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The boat operates near public transportation, but the exact pier can be busy and confusing, so arrive with time to identify the correct crew.

Should you book the Blue Cave and Šunj tour?

Book it if you want a lively, active boat outing with several swims, a striking natural light show, and a sandy beach finish. The included equipment and drinks add real value to the $84.65 price, and the small boat keeps the experience more personal than a large cruise.

Think twice if you cannot swim 20 meters to the Blue Cave, dislike rough water, or need a fixed itinerary. The caves can be crowded, the water can be cold, and weather may replace the planned stops.

My practical choice would be a calm morning with a warm forecast. You are more likely to enjoy the cave colors, the swimming, and the ride before the sea becomes choppy or the popular sites fill with boats. For the right kind of day, this is an efficient way to trade Dubrovnik’s stone streets for clear water, cliff walls, and a relaxed hour on Lopud.

FAQ

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

The tour lasts approximately four hours. The Blue Cave stop is scheduled for about 40 minutes, the green cave section for about 30 minutes, and Šunj Beach for about one hour.

Do I have to swim to enter the Blue Cave?

Yes. The speedboat anchors about 20 meters from the Blue Cave because the entrance is too small for the boat. You must swim to reach it.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling masks and breathing tubes are included, and pool noodles are available on the boat.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, soft drinks, natural juices, local beer, red and white wine, and grappa are included. Lunch is not included.

Are beach towels and lunch provided?

No. You need to bring your own beach towel. Lunch is also not included, although food and drinks may be available to purchase at Šunj Beach.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered another date or a full refund if the tour is canceled because of poor weather. The itinerary may also be changed when sea conditions are unsafe for the planned cave visits.