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 view them from a boat. Sunlight gives the Blue Cave its blue glow, while the green caves turn the water emerald. I also like the Old Town run at the start and the stop at sandy Šunj Beach, a welcome change from Dubrovnik’s stone streets.

I like that snorkeling gear and drinks are included, so you can keep things simple once you reach the pier. The choice of a morning or afternoon departure is useful, too. The catch is important: the boat cannot enter the Blue Cave. You must swim roughly 20 meters to its small opening, and rough seas, crowds, or poor weather can alter the plan.

Key points to know before you book

• You swim into the Blue Cave: The boat anchors outside, and the entrance is too small for it to pass through.
• The caves are the main event: You can swim or snorkel at the Blue Cave, Green Caves, Canyon Cave, Dark Cave, and Passage Cave, depending on conditions and the route used.
• Šunj Beach has unusually shallow water: The seabed stays shallow for about 100 meters from shore, making this a good stop for children and less confident swimmers.
• Drinks are part of the fare: Expect bottled water, soft drinks, juices, local beer, red and white wine, and grappa.
• The group can reach 18 people: Some departures are smaller, but this is not a private boat trip.
• Sea conditions matter: Wind and waves can make the ride rough and may force the skipper to replace or shorten cave stops.

What the four-hour route is really like

This is a compact sea outing, not a full island day. In roughly four hours, you get a quick look at Dubrovnik from the water, several cave stops, and free time at Šunj Beach on Lopud Island.

That tight schedule gives the trip good variety. You are not spending the whole morning in one place, but you also should not expect long, quiet swims at every cave. The skipper has to balance swimming time, boat traffic, weather, and the return to Dubrovnik.

The small-group format helps. The maximum is 18 people, and some departures have been much smaller. A group of six, for example, gives everyone more room to move around the boat and makes it easier to get help with masks, noodles, or getting back aboard.

The boat has both sunny and partly covered areas according to direct tour accounts. That matters on a hot afternoon, especially if you do not want four hours of full sun. Bring a towel, since beach towels are not supplied.

A water-level view of Dubrovnik’s Old Town

Before the caves, the boat passes below Lovrijenac Fortress and gives you a broad view of Dubrovnik’s walls from the Adriatic. The fortress rises on a steep cliff about 37 meters above the sea, and it looks particularly dramatic from below.

The skipper shares city legends and local facts during this opening stretch. You get a different sense of the Old Town from the water: the walls look less like a tourist backdrop and more like a defensive barrier built directly into the coast.

This part is brief, but it is a smart use of the departure. If you have already walked the Stradun and circled the walls, the boat angle adds something new. If this is your first look at Dubrovnik, it gives you a useful orientation before the trip heads toward the caves.

Meeting the boat can be slightly confusing because several boats may load and unload quickly at the pier. Give yourself time to find the right crew and confirm the boat before boarding.

The Blue Cave requires a swim

The Blue Cave is the signature stop. Natural light reflects through the water and creates the blue glow inside, but the boat stays outside because the opening is too small. The anchor point is about 20 meters from the entrance.

You need to swim to the cave. The opening can also require you to duck under rocks, depending on the approach and sea level. That detail changes the experience completely from a boat tour where you simply sit inside a cave.

Snorkeling masks and breathing tubes are supplied, and pool noodles are available if you want extra support. The listed stop lasts about 40 minutes, though that time includes organizing swimmers and dealing with conditions. The skipper remains on the boat, so you should be comfortable following the entry instructions and managing a short swim on your own.

I would not book this tour if you cannot swim or if getting through a small rocky entrance makes you uneasy. Most people can participate, but the attraction is not fully accessible from the boat. A life jacket request should be taken seriously, so ask the crew before leaving the pier if you need one.

The Blue Cave can also be crowded. Other boats may be waiting nearby, and several groups can be trying to enter at once. Early or late departures may help, but there is no promise of an empty cave. Rough water makes the entrance harder and can lead to a shorter visit or a different stop.

Green Caves, Canyon Cave, and narrow passages

The next section includes two Green Caves and a canyon-like cave formed between rocky cliffs. The tour description also refers to Dark Cave and Passage Cave, so the exact names and order may vary with the route and sea conditions.

Here, sunlight creates green or emerald tones in the water. The color may not look identical at every stop. Cloud cover, the angle of the sun, water conditions, and the number of boats nearby all affect what you see.

Some of these places are simple swim-through points. Others have narrow rocky passages where you may need to duck under an opening to reach another pool. That makes the Green Cave portion more active than a standard sightseeing cruise.

You can snorkel with the supplied equipment, but this is not a guided marine-life tour. The guides stay on the boat at the cave stops, so you will have some freedom to explore, along with responsibility for judging your own comfort and ability.

The caves are beautiful, but they are not secret. Boats can gather at the most popular spots, particularly the Blue Cave and the main Green Cave. Skippers sometimes use another green cave when traffic is heavy. That can be a reasonable safety and crowd-management choice, though it may disappoint you if you have a particular cave in mind.

Water temperature is another practical concern. On cooler or windy days, children may only stay in briefly. Pack a dry layer for the boat ride back, even in warm weather.

Šunj Beach gives the trip a slower finish

After the caves, the boat heads to Šunj Beach on the south side of Lopud Island. The stated stop is about one hour, although the skipper may adjust the timing to fit the sea conditions and the earlier cave visits.

Šunj is a sandy beach, which makes it feel different from Dubrovnik’s rocky swimming spots. Its shallow seabed extends about 100 meters from shore, so children and less confident swimmers can wade well out without suddenly reaching deep water.

This is the relaxed part of the trip. You can swim, sit on the sand, or order something at a beach bar if it is open. Direct accounts also refer to fries, beer, ice cream, and souvenirs around the beach area, but you should not treat any single venue or menu item as guaranteed.

Beach chairs cost extra, and lunch is not included. If you want a proper meal, bring money and allow for the short stop to feel more like beach time than a restaurant visit. The beach may also be less clean than you expect on a busy day.

One important tradeoff is time. If you want long cave swims, you may wish the beach stop were shorter. If you prefer a quiet hour in shallow water and sun, you may wish the opposite. The guide controls the schedule, so this tour gives you variety rather than complete freedom at each stop.

Drinks and equipment add real value

At $84.65 per person, the price is reasonable for a four-hour boat outing if you plan to swim. The cost includes snorkeling equipment, pool noodles, bottled water, sparkling drinks, natural juices, local beer, red and white wine, and grappa.

That is more useful than it may sound. A half-day on the water in summer can leave you thirsty, and having cold drinks aboard means you do not need to buy something at every stop. The local wine and grappa also add a small Croatian touch to the ride.

Do not assume the alcohol makes this a party boat. The boat is still a cave and beach excursion, and safe swimming comes first. One direct account described loud dance music, while another praised the calm, friendly service. The atmosphere can depend heavily on the skipper and the group on your departure.

Lunch and beach towels are excluded. Bring your own towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and money for anything at Šunj Beach. A waterproof phone pouch is sensible, since the best views and the cave entry happen near the water.

The skipper can shape the whole day

The strongest part of this experience is often the person at the wheel. Ivan, Leo, Luca, Marco, Mario, Tony, Dora, and Karuzo have all been identified as skippers or hosts on different departures.

The best guides do more than drive. They explain how to enter and leave the caves, keep an eye on swimmers, refill drinks, answer questions, and keep the mood easy. Ivan is repeatedly singled out for his friendly manner, while Marco is praised for humor and careful handling of the water. Leo and Luca are also described as attentive and professional.

That praise comes with an important warning: not every departure is identical. The operator may use subcontracted boats, and one serious account described unsafe behavior in rough seas, including a refusal to slow down after a passenger was hurt. A refund was issued in that case, but the incident is worth taking seriously.

If the sea looks rough, speak up before departure. You are entitled to ask about the route, the life jackets, and whether the caves will be visited. A good skipper will put safety before the advertised schedule. If the weather prevents the planned experience, the policy offers a different date or a full refund.

Rough seas can change the advertised route

A speedboat is fun when the sea is calm. On choppy water, it can be a hard ride, especially for anyone with back problems, motion sickness, or a fear of open water.

The boat may slam into waves, and children can find the ride uncomfortable. One account describes a rough-weather trip that was cut short after the group objected to the conditions. Another describes an alternate cave and no swimming at the Green Cave because the water was too rough.

That is not necessarily poor tour planning. Caves have tight entrances, slippery rocks, and open-water swims, so the skipper must change the route when conditions turn unsafe. The problem comes when the change is not explained clearly or the replacement stop feels much less worthwhile.

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Last-minute cancellations or changes are not accepted under the stated policy.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would choose this tour if I wanted a lively half-day with several short experiences rather than a slow, polished cruise. It suits people who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, a fast boat ride, and a little uncertainty in the schedule.

It is particularly good for:

• Couples and friends who want cave swimming without booking a private boat
• Families with children who are comfortable in open water
• First-time boat passengers who want a short introduction to the Dubrovnik coast
• People who appreciate included drinks and a beach finish
• Visitors with only half a day available

I would think twice if you need guaranteed access to every listed cave, dislike crowded swimming spots, or cannot swim to the Blue Cave. It is also a poor match for anyone expecting a long guided tour inside the caves, since the crew stays aboard while you explore.

The maximum group size is 18, so check your expectations. This is small-group compared with a large sightseeing vessel, but it is not private. A smaller departure will feel more personal, while a full boat may make the cave stops feel busy.

Should you book the Blue Cave and Lopud tour?

I would book it for the variety and active cave access. The view of Dubrovnik from the sea, the glowing Blue Cave, the green-lit passages, and the sandy finish at Šunj Beach give you a lot in four hours. Included drinks and snorkeling equipment make the $84.65 fare easier to justify.

Book with realistic expectations. You must swim into the Blue Cave, the caves may be crowded, the beach stop is fairly short, and the route can change with wind and waves. Confirm the meeting boat at the pier, ask about conditions, use the supplied noodles if needed, and speak up if you require a life jacket.

If the sea is calm and your skipper is attentive, this is one of the more enjoyable ways to leave Dubrovnik for half a day. If the forecast is poor, postpone if you can.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $84.65 per person.

Where does the tour operate?

The tour departs from Dubrovnik and visits the caves around Koločep and Šunj Beach on Lopud Island.

Can the speedboat enter the Blue Cave?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks and breathing tubes are included.

Are pool noodles available?

Yes. Pool noodles are available on the boat for anyone who wants extra flotation support.

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 you should bring money if you want food at Šunj Beach.

Are beach towels provided?

No. Beach towels are not included, so bring your own.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund.