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

Kolocep’s Blue Cave is the star of this four-hour trip. Sunlight slips through the cave opening and reflects off the sandy bottom, turning the water an intense blue. You then swim around Kolocep’s Green Caves before finishing at sandy Šunj Beach on Lopud, a welcome change from Dubrovnik’s stone shore.

I like two things right away: snorkel equipment and drinks are included, so you can step aboard without gathering much gear, and the route gives you two very different kinds of swimming. The caves offer rock walls and underwater passages, while Šunj gives you shallow water, sand, and beach bars.

The main consideration is the time split. You get roughly 30 to 35 minutes at each cave and about 90 minutes at the beach. If the caves are your priority, ask whether you can shorten the beach stop. Also, a speedboat can feel rough in choppy water, so families should pay close attention to the captain’s driving and sea conditions.

Key points to know before booking

• The 8:30 morning departure matters: From June 1 through September 15, the early trip is designed to reach the caves before larger crowds.
• Two cave stops on Kolocep: Expect about 30 to 35 minutes at the Blue Cave and a similar amount of time at the Green Caves.
• Šunj is a long, relaxed final stop: You have around 90 minutes for swimming, food, drinks, and shade near the beach.
• Snorkel gear and pool noodles are supplied: Life jackets are available for children and adults, and masks help you see the water around the caves.
• This is a shared group outing: The maximum is 30 people, even though you travel by speedboat with a driver-guide.
• Adult drinks are included: Beer, white wine, water, and juice are available, but alcohol is only for people aged 18 and over.

Why the Blue Cave is worth the boat ride

The Blue Cave sits on the south side of Kolocep, one of the Elafiti Islands near Dubrovnik. Its appeal is simple and visual: sunlight enters the cave, reflects below the surface, and gives the water a strong blue glow.

You normally have around half an hour here. That is enough time to look inside, swim, use a mask, and take in the color, but it is not a long cave exploration. The entrance and interior can feel tight, especially if you are not comfortable in enclosed spaces. You should be ready to follow the captain’s directions and share the area with other boats during busier parts of the day.

The early start is the smartest choice if your schedule allows it. The morning tour runs at 8:30 from June 1 through September 15 specifically to reach the caves before the largest groups. Several guides, including Pavo, Maro, Anthony, and Jacob, have been praised for keeping the outing moving and arriving at stops before they become crowded.

Your boat leaves from the last wooden pier in the small marina at Lapadska obala 4, beside the Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse. From Dubrovnik’s West Harbour, the ride to the first stop takes roughly 20 to 25 minutes, depending on conditions and the exact running of the trip.

Green Caves bring more active swimming

The Green Caves are also on Kolocep, but they offer a different experience. Instead of focusing only on the color inside one chamber, you can swim through underwater passages and look for places to jump from the rocks.

The water is described as especially clear, and the supplied masks are useful here. You can look beneath the surface around the cave walls, though the time is still limited to around 30 to 35 minutes. If you love swimming more than sightseeing from a boat, this is likely your favorite part of the route.

You should know that the cave stops are not formal, guided cave tours. Your captain or guide explains where you are and what to expect, then gives you time to swim and explore on your own. Pavo has been singled out for clear explanations and a relaxed manner, while Maro and Jacob have also been praised for making the stops easy to enjoy.

The rocks and underwater openings make this stop more exciting, but they also call for care. You will have a life jacket if you want one, and children’s and adult life jackets are supplied. If you are not a confident swimmer, stay close to the boat and use the available flotation equipment rather than treating the cave as a free-for-all.

Šunj Beach gives you a slower finish

After Kolocep, the speedboat heads to Lopud and the broad sandy shore of Šunj Beach. The stop lasts about an hour and a half, giving you time to swim, sit in the sand, find shade, or buy food and drinks.

Šunj is popular because sandy beaches are not common around Dubrovnik, where many swimming spots have stone, pebbles, or concrete edges. The lagoon has shallow water that can feel warm, and the color changes from green near shore to blue farther out.

This is also the most flexible part of the tour. You can stay by the water or walk toward the nearby bar and forest restaurant. Several guides recommend the hillside bar for its view over the beach, and one useful tip is to walk up to the restaurant behind the beach if you want a proper meal rather than a quick drink.

The beach is pleasant, but it will not be the highlight for everyone. If you have already spent time on sandy beaches, you may prefer more time at the caves. Some people have found the beach stop too long compared with the cave visits. Ask your guide if changing the balance is possible. The tour description specifically allows for the option of requesting more cave time and less time at Šunj, though this may depend on the day’s conditions and schedule.

What the speedboat ride feels like

The boat is a practical way to cover the islands in half a day. You avoid arranging separate ferries, taxis, and snorkel rentals, and the driver handles the route between Dubrovnik, Kolocep, and Lopud.

The ride itself is part of the experience. You get views of Dubrovnik’s coast and the Elafiti Islands, with open water between each stop. The boat moves quickly, which means less time spent simply getting from one place to another and more time in the water.

That speed has a tradeoff. On a calm day, it can feel lively and refreshing. In choppy conditions, you may be bounced around and get splashed. One particularly negative account described a rough return ride and unsafe-feeling driving, while most of the available feedback describes friendly captains and a well-run outing. I would treat this as a real safety consideration, not a reason to dismiss the trip outright: tell the captain if the ride feels too fast, keep children seated, and remember that poor weather can cancel the experience.

The listed capacity is up to 30 people, so do not assume you are booking an exclusive private charter. The wording describes a private speedboat with a driver, but the activity itself is a group tour. Groups may be placed on one or more boats, depending on the booking.

Guides can shape the whole half-day

This route is straightforward, but the guide makes a difference. The strongest experiences come from captains who explain the stops, point out what to expect, and manage the timing without making you feel hurried.

Pavo is repeatedly identified as a friendly captain who gives useful explanations and recommends good places to eat or drink at Šunj. Maro is described as a gracious captain and guide, while Anthony is praised for explaining the route. Jacob is noted for taking groups to the stops before they became busier.

The guide names are not guaranteed at booking, so consider them examples rather than a promise. The important point is that you should expect a driver-guide rather than a specialist historian or marine biologist. The focus is swimming, scenery, and simple orientation, not a long lecture about the islands.

That suits the tour well. You are not spending four hours listening to facts from a seat. You are moving between short stops, getting in the water, and making your own use of the time.

Drinks, equipment, and what to bring

The price includes beer, white wine, water, and juice. Alcohol is reserved for adults aged 18 and over. The drinks are a nice touch after swimming, though you should not assume unlimited service. One account expected more than one drink during the trip, so think of the drinks as a modest inclusion rather than an open bar.

Masks and other snorkeling equipment are provided. Life jackets are available for both children and adults, and some boats also provide pool noodles. This saves you from packing a mask, though you may still prefer to bring your own if fit matters to you.

Lunch is not included. You can use your time at Šunj to buy food at a beach bar or restaurant, but prices and opening arrangements are not specified. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a dry bag for phones and wallets. These are practical suggestions for a swimming trip, not supplied items.

The meeting point is at the last wooden pier in the small marina at Lapadska obala 4. The trip returns to the same place. You receive confirmation when booking, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

Is the $77 price good value?

At $77.43 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Elafiti Islands. Still, the price covers the speedboat, driver-guide, fuel surcharge, snorkel equipment, life jackets, and drinks, all within a four-hour outing.

I see the value in the convenience. You visit two cave areas and one beach without arranging island transport, and the boat gets you there quickly. If you would otherwise pay separately for a boat ride and equipment rental, the package becomes easier to justify.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a long beach afternoon. About half the time is spent traveling and visiting the two caves, with roughly 90 minutes at Šunj. It is also less appealing if you want a private charter with a custom schedule, since this is a group trip with up to 30 people.

For a first visit to Dubrovnik, I think the price is reasonable if you care about seeing the coast from the water and swimming at the caves. It is less convincing for repeat visitors who already know the islands or who would rather spend the entire day at one beach.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

This trip suits couples, families with older children, and friends who want a short break from Dubrovnik’s streets and summer heat. The route includes easy swimming, provided equipment, and a beach stop, so you do not need advanced boating or snorkeling skills.

It works especially well for people with limited time. Four hours is long enough to see Kolocep and Lopud but short enough to leave most of your day free. The morning departure is useful if you want to return to Dubrovnik around midday, while an afternoon option suits anyone who prefers a slower start.

You should think twice if you dislike small enclosed spaces, rough boat rides, or shared excursions. The Blue Cave entrance can feel daunting, the speedboat may be uncomfortable in choppy water, and a group of up to 30 can make the cave stops feel busy.

Families should also note the contrast between calm beach time and fast boat travel. Children who enjoy swimming and can follow safety instructions should have plenty to do, but adults need to keep an eye on them around rocks, cave openings, and the boat.

Timing, cancellation, and practical limits

The advertised duration is about four hours, though one outing returned roughly 25 minutes early. Keep that possibility in mind if you have a tight afternoon reservation. The schedule includes about 30 minutes at the Dubrovnik meeting point for boarding and the overall departure process, followed by the cave and beach stops.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions lead to cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. Private transportation to the marina is not included, so you need to make your own way to Lapadska obala 4.

Should you book the Blue Cave and Green Caves tour?

Book it if you want a well-priced half-day boat outing with two cave swims, island views, basic snorkel gear, and a relaxed beach finish. Choose the 8:30 morning departure in summer, and ask about spending more time at the caves if they are your main reason for going.

I would skip it if your ideal day means a private boat, a long beach stay, or detailed cultural guiding. I would also avoid booking it alongside a tightly timed afternoon plan, since sea conditions and group timing can shift.

For most first-time visitors to Dubrovnik, this is a smart way to see more of the coast without giving up a full day. Just keep your expectations clear: it is a fast, social swimming trip, not a private cruise or a lengthy cave expedition.

FAQ

How long does the Blue Cave and Green Caves tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours and returns to the meeting point at Lapadska obala 4 in Dubrovnik.

Where does the tour leave from?

The meeting point is the last wooden pier in the small marina at Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse, Lapadska obala 4, Dubrovnik.

What islands does the tour visit?

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

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with life jackets for children and adults. Pool noodles may also be available on the boat.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Beer, white wine, water, and juice are included. Alcoholic drinks are only for adults aged 18 and over. Lunch is not included.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.