Dubrovnik: Blue Cave Tour by Speedboat

Dubrovnik’s best short boat trip is built around three very different pleasures: swimming into the Blue Cave, poking around the Three Green Caves, and finishing on the soft sand at Šunj Beach. I like the way this four-hour outing packs real variety into half a day, and I like that snorkeling gear, drinks, fuel, and a waterproof bag are included. The main drawback is that the open speedboat can be windy, wet, and uncomfortable for anyone prone to seasickness.

The cave stops are active rather than purely scenic. You need to swim into the caves, and reaching Šunj requires walking through shallow water. I would also allow extra time to find the correct boat at the meeting point, since several tours leave from the same area.

Key details before you book

• The Blue Cave is a swimming stop: You spend about 30 minutes swimming and snorkeling around Koločep Island’s most popular cave.
• The Three Green Caves get the longest cave visit: Allow roughly 45 minutes for photos, swimming, and snorkeling.
• Šunj is the relaxing finish: You get about 60 to 90 minutes on a sandy beach with a beach bar serving cocktails and food.
• Cold drinks are included: Water, beer, wine, and Coca-Cola are available on the boat.
• The boat is open to the elements: Expect sun, wind, cool air, and sea spray during the rides.
• This is for capable swimmers: You must swim to enter the caves, and there is no toilet on the boat.

Three stops, one fast half-day

This tour makes sense if you want to see the islands around Dubrovnik but do not want to give up a full day. The total time is four hours, including the boat rides from the meeting point at Knjižnica za društvene znanosti.

The schedule gives you three proper stops rather than a string of rushed photo pauses. You get about 30 minutes at the Blue Cave, 45 minutes at the Three Green Caves, and one to one and a half hours at Šunj Beach. That balance matters. The caves provide the action, while the beach gives you time to dry off, eat, and settle into the afternoon.

You join a shared group rather than a private charter. That keeps the $82 price reasonable, but it also means you will not control the pace or route. The trip is guided in Croatian and English, and the crew returns you to the same place where you started.

Leaving Dubrovnik by open speedboat

The meeting point is near Knjižnica za društvene znanosti. Look for Antonio, a red shirt, or the Adriatic Boat Tours name. Several boats reportedly depart from this area, so I would arrive early and ask directly rather than waiting for the correct crew to find you.

The first ride takes about 30 minutes. An open speedboat gives you a clear view and a strong sense of movement, but it is not a quiet, sheltered ferry. You will feel the wind and perhaps some spray. On a hot Croatian day that can be refreshing. In cooler or rougher conditions, you will be glad to have a light layer.

Keep your belongings simple. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, but a waterproof bag is supplied. Sunglasses, swimwear, sunscreen, flip-flops, a camera, and a towel all make sense. You should also bring a credit card or cash for food and drinks at the beach.

There is no toilet on the boat. The only toilet stop is at Šunj Beach, so use the restroom before leaving Dubrovnik. This is the kind of small detail that can shape your comfort during a short but active outing.

Swimming into the Blue Cave at Koločep

The Blue Cave is the headline stop, and the timing gives you about 30 minutes to swim and snorkel. You do not simply step off the boat onto a platform. You need to enter the water and swim into the cave, so this stop works best for confident swimmers.

The cave is most enjoyable when you treat it as a water experience rather than a dry sightseeing stop. Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from packing your own mask and fins. A waterproof bag also helps protect phones and small items, though I would still keep electronics secure.

Thirty minutes is enough for a swim and some photographs, but it is not a long linger. If you want to spend a great deal of time exploring one cave, a private trip would give you more control. For a shared half-day outing, the short visit keeps the route moving and leaves room for the other stops.

Wear sunscreen before boarding. Much of the day is spent exposed to the sun, and the reflection from the sea can catch you off guard. You may also want to bring a shirt or cover-up for the ride between islands.

Forty-five minutes among the Three Green Caves

The Three Green Caves come next, after a boat ride of about 10 minutes. Here you get roughly 45 minutes for photos, swimming, and snorkeling. The longer stop gives you more time to enjoy the setting at your own speed.

This is a good place to use the included snorkeling gear. You can look around the cave entrances and swim through the clear water, while anyone who prefers to stay near the boat can focus on photographs and the surrounding rock formations.

The caves are not a passive attraction. You will be getting into the water, climbing back aboard, and managing your own comfort in a moving group. If you are not a strong swimmer, this stop may feel demanding. The tour information is clear that you should be a decent swimmer, and I would take that requirement seriously.

Captain Mario has received particular praise for his boat control and music selection. Those details matter on a speedboat tour, where a steady captain helps the rides feel more relaxed. The crew also provides cold water, beer, wine, and Coca-Cola, which is welcome after a swim.

A proper beach break at Šunj

After the caves, the boat takes about 15 minutes to Šunj Beach. This is the tour’s change of pace. Instead of swimming into rock openings, you get soft sand, shallow water, and 60 to 90 minutes to relax.

You need to walk through shallow water to reach the beach, so flip-flops are useful. Once there, you can swim, sunbathe, or stop at the beach bar for a cocktail or food. Food is not included, so keep some money available. The bar gives you a chance to turn the final stop into a relaxed lunch or afternoon break rather than another quick activity.

I like this part of the schedule because it prevents the outing from becoming three straight water challenges. The beach lets you warm up, dry off, and decide how active you want to be. If you have had enough snorkeling, you can simply sit in the sand and enjoy the setting.

The trade-off is time. The beach stop can be as short as an hour, and the return ride still takes about 30 minutes. If you want a long beach day, book a beach excursion instead. Here, Šunj is a pleasant finish to a cave-focused trip.

What the $82 price really covers

At $82 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the islands, but the price includes several costs that can add up separately. Fuel, snorkeling equipment, drinks, and a waterproof bag are included. You also get transport between three stops and a guide in Croatian and English.

The value is strongest if you intend to swim and snorkel. Someone who stays on the boat and skips the caves is paying for activities they cannot fully use. A private speedboat would offer more privacy and flexibility, but this shared option gives you a simpler way to reach several popular spots without arranging separate transport.

You should budget extra for food and beach-bar drinks. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and neither are towels or crew tips. Since the meeting point is in Dubrovnik and the tour ends there, you need to arrange your own way to and from the departure area.

The tour has a 4.7 rating from 46 reviews, and 86 percent of participants gave the transport a perfect score. The strongest praise has focused on the captain’s handling, the music, the caves, and the sandy beach. That matches the tour’s main strength: it combines energetic boat travel with a comfortable final stop.

The open boat is part of the experience

A speedboat is not just a faster way to travel. It changes how the day feels. You sit close to the sea, feel the wind, and get a more direct view of the islands. The rides between stops are short enough that you are not stuck onboard for hours, with the longest stretches lasting about 30 minutes.

The same openness can be a problem. Sea spray, cold air, and strong sun are all possible. People prone to seasickness are advised not to take this tour, and the route is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or people over 70. Babies under one year are also excluded.

There is no smoking and no pets are allowed. Wheelchair users cannot be accommodated. These are not minor technical points, since access to the caves and beach involves swimming or walking through shallow water.

If conditions are warm and calm, the open boat should feel lively and pleasant. If you dislike wind, motion, or getting wet, you may prefer a larger covered boat or a land-based beach day.

How to make the four hours easier

I would prepare for this trip as a swimming day, not as a sightseeing cruise. Wear your swimsuit from the start and apply sunscreen before boarding. Bring a towel, sunglasses, flip-flops, and a small amount of cash or a card for Šunj Beach.

Leave large bags behind. Luggage is not allowed, and space on a shared speedboat is limited. The waterproof bag is useful, but it should not be treated as an excuse to bring everything you own.

Arrive early at the meeting point and look for Antonio, a red shirt, or Adriatic Boat Tours. Since several boats use the same departure area, clear signs may not be obvious. Finding the crew before departure removes needless stress.

Pay close attention to the swimming requirement. You do not need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable entering open water and swimming into caves. If you are uneasy in the sea, the beach stop may not make up for the cave portions you miss.

The sun can be intense, even when the breeze feels cool. Reapply sunscreen after swimming, drink water, and use the supplied drinks sensibly. Beer and wine are available, but combining alcohol with strong sun and active swimming is not a good plan.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this tour to couples, friends, and active families with older children who want a compact taste of Dubrovnik’s islands. It suits you especially well if you want to swim, take photographs, and still have time to relax on sand.

It is also a good fit for cruise visitors or anyone with only half a day free. Four hours is long enough to reach several island stops, yet short enough to leave room for Dubrovnik in the morning or evening.

You should think twice if you need shade, a toilet, a stable boat, or easy access into and out of the water. The tour is not designed for people with mobility limits, back trouble, seasickness, or a strong dislike of open-water swimming.

The shared format also matters. You will be traveling with other people, so the schedule is fixed and the atmosphere depends partly on the group. If you want a quiet trip with complete control over each stop, spend more on a private boat.

Should you book the Blue Cave speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a lively four-hour outing with real swimming time, three distinct stops, and a sandy beach at the end. At $82, the included gear, drinks, fuel, and transport make the price fair for an active half-day around Dubrovnik.

Skip it if you are prone to seasickness, cannot swim confidently, or want a slow, sheltered cruise. The best reason to choose this trip is its variety: caves for adventure, clear water for snorkeling, and Šunj Beach for a proper break. Just arrive early, pack lightly, and remember that the boat is open to the sun and sea.

FAQ

How long is the Dubrovnik Blue Cave speedboat tour?

The tour lasts four hours, including the speedboat rides between Dubrovnik, Koločep Island, the Three Green Caves, Šunj Beach, and the return meeting point.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and finishes at Knjižnica za društvene znanosti in Dubrovnik. Look for Antonio, a staff member in a red shirt, or the Adriatic Boat Tours name.

Do I need to be able to swim?

Yes. You need to swim to enter the caves, and you should be a decent swimmer. You also need to walk through shallow water to reach the sandy beach.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included in the tour price.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The boat provides water, beer, wine, and Coca-Cola. Food is not included.

Is there a toilet on the speedboat?

No. The only toilet is at Šunj Beach, so use the restroom before departure.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must make your own way to the meeting point.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, a camera, sunscreen, flip-flops, and cash or a credit card. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.