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

Swimming into a sea cave is the main event here. At the Blue Cave, sunlight slips through an underwater opening and turns the water an electric blue. Your speedboat anchors about 20 meters away, since it cannot enter the cave, and you swim to the entrance, sometimes ducking under the rocks to get inside.

I like two things right away: the short half-day format fits neatly into a busy Dubrovnik schedule, and the drink cooler keeps water, juice, soda, beer, wine, and grappa close at hand. You also get a fine view of Dubrovnik’s walls from the sea, plus a look beneath Lovrijenac Fortress.

The main catch is simple: you need to be comfortable swimming in open water. The caves can get crowded, and rough seas may force the skipper to change the route. Most departures earn very high marks, but the speedboat ride can be hard on a windy day.

Key points before you book

• Swim, do not expect the boat to enter the Blue Cave: The entrance is too small, so you must reach it from the boat by swimming.
• Three cave areas offer different experiences: Expect glowing blue water, green-lit chambers, a narrow canyon, and other rocky passages.
• Šunj Beach is shallow and sandy: Its seabed extends roughly 100 meters from shore, making it easier for children and less confident swimmers.
• Drinks are included: Water, sparkling drinks, natural juices, local beer, red and white wine, and grappa are available.
• The boat holds no more than 18 people: That is more personal than a large excursion boat, though the caves themselves may still be crowded.
• Weather matters: Wind and choppy water can make the ride uncomfortable or lead to a modified route.

Setting out from Dubrovnik’s Old Town

The tour begins near the Old Town pier, where several boats may be loading at once. Give yourself a little time to identify the right vessel. The meeting point can feel confusing during a busy departure, although staff around the dock can help point you in the right direction.

Once underway, the first views are excellent. You see Dubrovnik’s famous walls from a fresh angle, with the stone fortifications rising above the water instead of filling your whole view from land. The skipper may share city legends and small facts as you cruise.

The boat passes beneath Lovrijenac Fortress, built on a steep cliff about 37 meters above the Adriatic. From the water, the fortress makes more sense as a defensive outpost. It looks less like a backdrop and more like the hard-edged guardian it was meant to be.

The speedboat is part of the attraction, but do not mistake this for a quiet sightseeing cruise. On a calm day, the ride feels lively and exhilarating. On a windy day, the boat can pound over the waves. Sit securely, hold on when the water turns rough, and tell the skipper if you need a life jacket or a slower pace.

Swimming into the Blue Cave

The Blue Cave is the tour’s strongest stop. Natural light reflects beneath the water and gives the cave its blue glow. The effect is most striking from inside, where the surrounding rock frames the bright water around you.

The boat anchors around 20 meters from the entrance. Because the opening is too small for the speedboat, you swim over with the provided mask and breathing tube. Pool noodles are also available, which helps if you want extra support in the water.

You should understand this point before paying: the Blue Cave is not a boat-entry cave. You must be able to swim from the boat, enter through a small opening, and get back out again. Some visitors find this thrilling. Others arrive expecting to remain dry and are disappointed.

The advertised stop lasts about 40 minutes. That sounds generous until you account for anchoring, fitting equipment, swimming to the cave, and sharing the entrance with other boats. Crowds are a real issue, especially at the Blue Cave. Your skipper may try to avoid the worst of the traffic, but this is a popular coastal attraction, not a private cove.

The water can also feel cold, especially outside the warmest summer period. An October outing may still offer clear, pristine water, but sunshine does not guarantee warm swimming conditions. Bring a towel and be ready for a quick change if you tend to chill.

Three Green Caves and the narrow canyon

The next stop groups several formations under the Three Green Caves name. Sunlight gives two of the caves a green or emerald cast, though the color and mood change with the sun, water, and boat traffic.

This part of the tour is less predictable than a simple photo stop. You may swim and snorkel near the entrances, then look into a narrow canyon cut through the cliffs. One passage can require you to move through a tight rocky opening to reach the next section. That makes it fun for confident swimmers, but it is not suitable for everyone.

The guides normally stay on the boat while you explore, so this is partly self-directed. Listen carefully to the skipper’s instructions about where to go and how to return. You should not assume every cave is easy to enter simply because the stop is described as a swim.

Sea conditions matter even more here. If the water is choppy, the skipper may prevent swimming at a cave and offer another site instead. That is the right safety call, but it can reduce the value of the trip if the replacement spot feels less impressive.

Crowding can change the experience, too. One outing may stop at a different green cave because the preferred site is full of boats. The caves remain attractive, but the exact view and swimming conditions may vary from one departure to the next.

An hour at sandy Šunj Beach

The final scheduled stop is Šunj Beach on the south side of Lopud Island. After the rocks and caves, the sandy shore feels like a welcome change. You get free time to swim, sunbathe, or sit by the water rather than moving from one short stop to another.

Šunj is especially practical for families and weaker swimmers. The seabed remains shallow for about 100 meters from shore, so you can wade a long way out before the water gets deep. Still, keep an eye on children and follow ordinary beach safety rules.

The advertised beach time is about one hour, though some departures have spent closer to two hours there. That may suit you if you want a relaxed finish, but it leaves less time for the caves if the schedule shifts. One useful way to think about the tour is this: you are buying a mix of cave swimming and beach time, not a long visit at every site.

Facilities are limited compared with Dubrovnik. You may find a waterfront bar or restaurant, an ice cream shop, and places to buy small souvenirs, but there is not a great deal to do beyond swimming, eating, and resting. Beach chairs may cost extra, and towels are not supplied.

Food is not included. You can bring your own lunch or buy something at the beach, but you should not count on a full meal being part of the tour. A cold drink and a plate of fries can make a pleasant late lunch, yet the available food choices may be modest.

What is included on the boat

The included drinks are one of the better practical touches. You receive bottled water, soft drinks, natural juices, local beer, red and white wine, and grappa. Skippers such as Ivan, Luca, Marco, Leo, Mario, Tony, and Dora are frequently singled out for being friendly, attentive, funny, or helpful during the ride.

The exact onboard atmosphere can vary by skipper. Some captains keep the mood light and refill drinks at the stops. One outing had loud dance music playing throughout the ride, which suited some people but not everyone. If you prefer conversation and quiet views, say so politely.

Snorkeling equipment is supplied, including masks and breathing tubes. The gear is described as basic but sufficient for looking into the clear water around the caves. Pool noodles are a useful extra, especially when you want to float rather than swim hard against a current.

Bring your own beach towel. Lunch is also extra. Since the tour includes alcohol, you should pace yourself carefully, particularly after swimming and during a fast ride in the sun.

How good is the value at $84.65?

At $84.65 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning or afternoon in Dubrovnik. The price makes more sense when you add up the speedboat transport, several coastal stops, snorkeling equipment, and drinks.

You also avoid arranging separate transport to Lopud or trying to find the caves on your own. For a first visit, that convenience matters. In four hours, you see the coast, swim at several formations, and finish at one of the area’s sandy beaches.

The value drops if rough weather cancels the main stops or if crowded caves limit your time in the water. The operator states that poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. A modified trip may still operate, so ask clearly what will be visited if the sea is rough.

The maximum group size is 18. That is a sensible middle ground. You are not on a huge boat with dozens of people, but you should not expect a private charter. A smaller group can make it easier to get equipment, ask questions, and move in and out of the water.

Choosing the right departure and guide

You can choose a morning or afternoon departure. Morning trips may help you avoid the worst heat, while an afternoon trip can work well if you want to spend the earlier part of the day exploring Dubrovnik’s walls and streets. The most important factor is the forecast, not the clock.

Specific skippers can shape the mood. Ivan is described as engaging and attentive, Marco as especially funny and helpful, while Luca and Leo receive praise for safe, friendly handling. Dora and Mario are also noted as warm hosts. You cannot always guarantee a particular captain, but the names give you an idea of the personal style found on the better-run departures.

There is one serious safety concern to keep in mind. A very poor outing involved a subcontracted boat, rough seas, a passenger requesting a life jacket, and a captain who continued too fast in large swells. The group eventually returned and received a full refund. This appears to be an outlier among the strong overall ratings, but it is still important information.

You should never stay quiet if the sea feels unsafe. Ask for a life jacket, request a slower speed, and speak up if the boat is hitting waves hard. A good captain will treat that as a normal safety request.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

This trip suits you if you want active sightseeing rather than a passive cruise. You should be happy swimming from a boat, wearing basic snorkeling gear, and moving through narrow rocky entrances. Confident swimmers will get the most from the Blue Cave and canyon sections.

Families may like Šunj’s shallow water, though the speedboat ride and cave entrances require good judgment. Children who dislike cold water, loud music, or bouncing boats may prefer a calmer beach excursion.

The tour also works well for solo visitors and couples who want an easy way to meet a small group. The drink service and shared swimming stops create a social atmosphere without committing you to a full-day cruise.

You may want another option if you need a guaranteed cave visit, dislike open-water swimming, have back problems, or prefer a quiet boat. You should also avoid booking on a day with a poor marine forecast if seeing the named caves is the main reason for going.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

You receive confirmation at booking, and the ticket is mobile. The activity is offered in English and operates near public transportation. Service animals are allowed, and the information says most people can participate, but the required swim to the Blue Cave is the key limitation.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. If the operator cancels because of poor weather or because the minimum number of participants is not reached, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

Pack swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and a little money for food, beach chairs, or other purchases at Šunj. Keep your phone in a waterproof pouch. The best photos come from the water, but you should not sacrifice a secure grip or safe swimming position to take one.

Should you book the Blue Cave and Šunj tour?

I would book it if you have four hours to spare, want a brisk ride, and are genuinely comfortable swimming into small caves. The glowing Blue Cave, green-lit rock chambers, Dubrovnik wall views, and sandy finish at Šunj give the trip a good range of experiences for one afternoon.

I would not book it blindly. Check the weather, confirm the meeting point, and read the Blue Cave swimming requirement before you pay. If the sea is rough, ask how the route will change and do not hesitate to request a life jacket or slower ride.

For the right person, $84.65 is fair value for a compact coastal outing with drinks and equipment included. Just remember what you are buying: an active speedboat adventure with changeable sea conditions, not a guaranteed private cave tour.

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.

Can I choose a morning or afternoon departure?

Yes. Morning and afternoon tour options are available.

Can the speedboat enter the Blue Cave?

No. The entrance is too small for the boat, so you must swim about 20 meters from the anchored boat to reach it.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks and breathing tubes are provided, and pool noodles are available on the boat.

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. You can buy food at Šunj Beach, or bring your own.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.