Dubrovnik: Morning Blue Cave speedboat tour with drinks

The best part of this five-hour speedboat tour is how much coastline it covers before lunch or early afternoon. From Dubrovnik’s Old Town harbour, you race past the city walls, swim in sea caves on Koločep, spend two hours at sandy Šunj Beach, then return by way of Lokrum.

I like the mix of active stops and easy beach time. You can snorkel, jump from rocks, or simply sit with a drink, and the crew supplies water, soft drinks, beer, and wine. I also like the practical design for a short stay in Dubrovnik.

The main drawback is the pace. You are on and off the boat several times, and people with back problems may find the fast ride uncomfortable. Šunj Beach also has two hours, so the stop can feel short if you want a long lunch and a slow swim.

Key points at a glance

• Blue Cave on Koločep: Reach the entrance by boat, then swim and snorkel into the blue-lit cavern.
• Three Green Caves: Spend about an hour swimming and exploring several small sea caves near the Blue Cave.
• Šunj Beach: Enjoy two hours at one of the area’s best-known sandy beaches, with shallow water and beach restaurants.
• Fast coastal views: The speedboat can reach about 40 mph, giving you striking views of Dubrovnik’s walls and modern shoreline.
• Drinks included: Bottled water, soda, beer, and wine are available during the outing.
• A compact Dubrovnik escape: This is a strong choice if you want islands, swimming, and sea views without giving up a full day.

Why this half-day boat trip works so well

Dubrovnik is easy to admire from land, but the city changes completely from the water. The Old Town walls look especially impressive from sea level, and the speedboat gives you a quick look at both the historic centre and the newer parts of the city before reaching the islands.

I like this tour for people who have only one or two days in Dubrovnik. It avoids the time commitment of a full-day island cruise while still giving you several distinct experiences: a cave visit, snorkeling, a sandy beach, and a final look at Lokrum.

The ride is part of the entertainment. The boat can move at speeds of up to 40 mph, although the actual journey varies with sea conditions and the route. If you enjoy wind, spray, and a lively ride, this adds energy to the morning. If you prefer a quiet, slow cruise, you may find the speed tiring.

The guides speak English, and Zoran and Mario are among the crew members associated with this outing. Their role is practical as well as social: they provide the snorkeling equipment, guide you through the stops, and keep drinks available on board.

From Ribarnica Street to Dubrovnik’s sea walls

The meeting point is at Ribarnica ul. 1, by the yellow Sea Safari, Vagabundo sign. From there, you board the speedboat and head out from the Old Town harbour.

The first ride lasts roughly 20 to 25 minutes. That is enough time to settle into your seat and take in Dubrovnik from a useful angle. Look back toward the walls, towers, and clustered roofs of the Old Town, then watch the newer parts of the city spread along the shore.

You should bring sunglasses and a hat because there is little shade on an open speedboat. A towel and swimwear are essential, even if you are not sure how much swimming you will do. A dry bag is also a smart extra for phones, cameras, and wallets, especially since you will move between boat, cave, and beach.

Koločep’s Blue Cave and its blue light

The Blue Cave is the first main stop, on the southern side of Koločep Island. The boat comes close to the cave entrance, which is helpful for children and anyone who does not want a long swim before reaching the rock opening.

The colour comes from sunlight entering through a crack in the stone and reflecting through the water. Inside, the effect depends on the sun, water clarity, and the position of the boat, so do not expect the cave to look identical at every moment. Still, the setting gives you something more interesting than a standard swimming stop.

The crew provides snorkeling equipment and an instructor or guide to help with the visit. You can swim into the cave and look beneath the surface, while stronger swimmers may enjoy spending extra time around the entrance.

This stop lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough for a short swim, photographs, and a look inside, but not enough for an unhurried cave session. Keep your belongings secure on the boat, and remember that wet hands and phones are a poor combination.

The Blue Cave is also the most popular-sounding part of the trip, so the atmosphere may feel more active than private. The value here is not solitude. It is the chance to see a distinctive natural feature without spending hours reaching it.

Three Green Caves, more swimming and more freedom

A short ride takes you to three smaller coloured caves near the Blue Cave. These formations were shaped by sea action, warm weather, and erosion, leaving different textures and shapes in the rock.

I like this stop because it gives you more room to choose how you spend your time. You can snorkel, swim between the cave openings, take photographs, or stay on the boat and watch others explore. The scheduled time is about one hour, so this is the best part of the trip for people who want more than a quick dip.

The caves are smaller and less dramatic than the Blue Cave, but that is not a bad thing. Several small spaces create a more active visit, with short swims and changing views instead of one single attraction.

The supplied equipment makes this stop easier for casual snorkelers. You do not need to bring your own mask and fins, though you should bring your own towel. The tour also includes water, soft drinks, beer, and wine, but save alcohol for after swimming if you want to enjoy the water safely.

The boat ride between stops is short, around 10 minutes at a time. That keeps the day moving, but it also means you should be ready when the captain announces the next stop.

Two hours at sandy Šunj Beach

After the caves, the boat heads to Šunj Beach on Lopud Island. This is the longest stop, with about two hours for swimming, walking, lunch, or simply sitting in the sun.

Šunj is known for its sandy shallows, which extend well out from the shore. That makes it a better choice for families with children than many rocky Adriatic beaches, provided children remain supervised. The shallow water also suits ball games and relaxed wading.

The beach is backed by pine trees, giving you a pleasant contrast between open sea and greenery. Two restaurants provide places to buy a drink or meal, and the tour information includes lunch as an available activity rather than a stated inclusion. Plan to pay separately for food unless your booking says otherwise.

The beach stop is where this trip becomes less structured. You can use the two hours for a proper swim, walk along the shore, or settle under an umbrella. The supplied details indicate that beach chairs and umbrellas may be available without a charge, but availability can vary.

You may also find electric vehicles for crossing to the other side of the inhabited island. The tour does not promise this as part of the price, so treat it as an optional extra rather than a central feature.

Šunj is a useful counterweight to the caves. After a fast boat and several swims, you get time on solid ground. The trade-off is that two hours can disappear quickly if you want lunch, a long swim, and a walk. I would choose your priority early instead of trying to do everything.

A final look at Lokrum Island

On the return journey, the boat stops near Lokrum for about 15 minutes. This is mainly a scenic pause, with time for a photograph and, if conditions allow, a final swim.

Lokrum sits close to Dubrovnik, so the stop gives you a different view of the city as you head back toward the Old Town. It is not a full visit to the island. You will not have time to walk its paths or see its sights, so think of this as a coastal viewpoint from the boat.

The tour finishes with a glass of wine and views around Lokrum and Dubrovnik. That closing drink is a pleasant way to slow the pace after the more active cave stops. The final speedboat ride takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes, returning you to the original meeting point.

What the $79 price includes

At $79 per person, I see this as a reasonable value for a visitor who wants several water-based activities in one short outing. The price includes the speedboat trip, a live English-speaking guide, snorkeling equipment, an instructor, bottled water, soda, and alcoholic drinks.

The strongest value comes from the combination of transport and access. You are not arranging separate trips to Koločep, Lopud, and the waters near Lokrum. You also avoid the time and uncertainty of finding equipment at each stop.

Food at Šunj Beach is not clearly included, so budget separately for lunch or snacks. Cocktails, coffee, and beach purchases may also cost extra. The tour gives you two hours at the beach, but you control how much you spend there.

A small-group setting is one of the appealing details associated with this experience. It makes the cave stops more manageable than a large excursion, though the exact boat capacity is not specified. Newer speedboats are also noted as part of the experience, which matters when you are spending much of the morning on the water.

Who should book it, and who should skip it

I would choose this tour if you want a short, active introduction to Dubrovnik’s nearby islands. It suits couples, families with confident swimmers, and friends who like a mix of sightseeing and recreation.

It is also a good fit for people who enjoy a social boat outing. The crew may play music on the return ride, and the drinks service makes the trip feel informal rather than rigidly scheduled.

You should think twice if you have back problems. A speedboat moving quickly over open water can produce a rough ride, and the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

You also need to be comfortable getting wet and moving between boat, caves, and beach. The Blue Cave requires a swim from the boat into the entrance, although the captain comes close to the opening. If you do not swim, you may miss the most distinctive part of the tour.

The schedule is busy but not frantic. You have about 30 minutes at the Blue Cave, an hour at the Green Caves, two hours at Šunj, and a short stop near Lokrum. That balance works well for a half-day, but it will not satisfy you if you want a slow island day with long meals and extensive walks.

Practical tips for a smoother morning

Arrive at the yellow Sea Safari, Vagabundo sign with your swimwear already on. Bring a towel, sunglasses, a sun hat, and a dry bag if you have one.

Keep valuables to a minimum. You will be swimming and snorkeling, and the boat is not the place to manage a large day bag.

If you want photographs inside the caves, use a waterproof phone case or action camera. A dry bag protects your gear on the boat, but it does not help much once you enter the water.

Use the beach stop wisely. If lunch matters most, find the restaurant early. If swimming is your priority, head toward the shallows before settling down with a drink.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule before building the rest of your Dubrovnik day around it.

Should you book this Blue Cave tour?

Book it if you want a well-packed five hours on the Adriatic and like the idea of combining caves, snorkeling, a sandy beach, and Dubrovnik views without committing to a full-day cruise.

I would be especially keen to book it for a short Dubrovnik stay, a warm-weather family outing, or a day when you want activity instead of another historic building. The crew, included drinks, snorkeling gear, and newer boats add useful value at $79.

Skip it if you dislike fast boat rides, need full accessibility, have back problems, or want a quiet beach day with no fixed schedule. For everyone else, this is a lively and practical way to see more of Dalmatia in half a day.

FAQ

How long does the Dubrovnik Blue Cave tour last?

The tour lasts five hours and returns to the meeting point at Ribarnica ul. 1.

Where does the tour start?

Meet at the yellow Sea Safari, Vagabundo sign at Ribarnica ul. 1.

Which languages are available?

The live tour guide and instruction are provided in English.

What islands and sights does the tour visit?

The tour visits the Blue Cave and three Green Caves on Koločep, Šunj Beach on Lopud, and the waters near Lokrum Island. It also includes coastal views of Dubrovnik’s Old Town.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and an instructor are included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, soda, beer, and wine are included. Food at Šunj Beach is not stated as included.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, and a towel. A dry bag is useful for protecting cameras, phones, and other valuables.

Is the tour suitable for people with back problems or wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with back problems or wheelchair users.