Dubrovnik: Blue & Green Caves Private Boat Tour with Drinks

The Adriatic looks best from a speedboat. This four-hour outing pairs swimming inside Kolocep’s Blue Cave with the quieter Green Caves, a stop at sandy Sunj Beach, and a steady supply of beer, rakia, water, and juice. I especially like the small-group feel and the chance to use a GoPro at no extra cost.

The trip is also good value at about $73 per person, particularly if you make full use of the swim stops and drinks. The main catch is that swimming is central to the experience, and the Blue Cave can feel crowded, dark, and less intensely blue than online photos suggest.

Key points to know before you book

• Blue Cave swimming is the main event: You enter the cave from the boat, usually with snorkeling gear and help from your guide.
• The Green Caves often feel more relaxed: There are several cave areas, with time for swimming and photos.
• Sunj Beach is the only sandy beach in the area: You get about an hour and a half there, though some people wish for more time.
• Drinks are included and genuinely useful: Beer, local brandy, water, juices, Coca-Cola, and wine have been available on the boat.
• The guides shape the day: Mario, Duje, Robert, Drago, Marin, and others have been praised for making nervous swimmers feel safe and keeping the mood easy.
• Bring only beach gear: Swimwear and a towel are essential. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

Starting across from Gruz Market

You meet the boat at the pier just across from the Gruz Market construction site, at the Deck & Cheers meeting point. Hotel pickup is not included, so leave enough time to find the pier and arrive ready to board.

This is a private speedboat tour, rather than a large sightseeing boat. That matters in Dubrovnik, where crowded excursions can turn a pretty bay into a floating queue. The boat can move quickly between stops, and the private setup gives the guide more room to adjust the pace for your group.

You may be assigned a captain such as Mario, Duje, Robert, Drago, Marin, or another member of the team. The best guides do more than steer. Mario has been praised for getting everyone involved from the start, while Robert has helped people through tight cave entrances. Duje has also been noted for handling busy water safely and explaining the stops.

The boat ride begins with views of the Franjo Tudman Bridge and the Grebeni Lighthouse. These are passing sights rather than long stops, but they give you a pleasant start and a feel for the coast around Dubrovnik.

Entering Kolocep’s Blue Cave

The first major stop is the Blue Cave on Kolocep Island. You receive snorkeling equipment and swim from the boat toward the cave entrance. The guide can swim with you and show you the easiest way in.

Inside, sunlight filters through the water and gives the cave its blue glow. The effect depends heavily on the sun, sea conditions, and the number of boats nearby. I would come expecting beautiful rock, clear water, and an unusual swim, not a perfectly neon-blue chamber every time.

The cave entrance is not ideal for everyone. You need to swim into it, and the water can feel dark or tight once several people are inside. Life jackets are available, and guides can assist non-swimmers, but you should still be comfortable getting into the sea. If you are a weak swimmer, tell the guide before entering rather than trying to prove something on holiday.

The stated stop lasts about 50 minutes. That gives you time for photos and swimming, but the exact feel depends on boat traffic. The Blue Cave can be crowded even early in the day. An afternoon departure may bring different light and can give you a sunset ride back toward Dubrovnik, as one 2 pm departure did, but conditions and crowds change.

Ask for the GoPro if it is available on your boat. It is included, and the company has provided links for downloading photos and video afterward. This is especially helpful because taking a phone into a dark cave while swimming is a fine way to lose both the phone and your dignity.

The Green Caves and cliff-jumping stop

After the Blue Cave, the boat continues toward the Green Caves. The name covers several cave areas around Kolocep, and the stop is less about one dramatic blue effect and more about exploring clear water, rock openings, and sheltered swimming spots.

You may have about 30 minutes at one Green Cave stop and roughly 45 minutes around the Three Green Caves. The timing gives you several chances to swim and take photographs. Some of the cave entrances are tight or awkward to reach alone, so a guide who enters the water with you can make a real difference.

The Green Caves are often the favorite part for people who find the Blue Cave too busy. You get more freedom to float, look around, and enjoy the water without focusing on getting through a single entrance. The caves also reward curiosity. Guides such as Robert and Mario have taken groups toward narrow sections that other boats skipped.

Cliff jumping is part of the advertised fun, but availability can vary. It depends on sea conditions, the specific stop, and what the guide considers safe that day. Do not assume you must jump. You can swim, stay on the boat, or ask about a safe jumping point.

One practical issue deserves attention: the metal boarding ladder can become slippery when wet. Use both hands and take your time. The boat may also be moving on a small swell, so this is not the moment for a hurried entrance.

Sunj Beach on Lopud

The final major stop is Sunj Beach on Lopud, reached after the cave visits. This is the only sandy beach in the area, which makes it a welcome change from the rocky coast and boat-based swimming.

You get around 1.5 hours here. That is enough for a swim, a drink, and a little time on the sand, but it may feel short if you want a full beach afternoon. Several people have wished for more time at Sunj, especially because the beach is so pleasant.

Food is not included. You can order lunch or drinks at the beach bar, and some beach businesses have offered a lounge chair and umbrella with a drink purchase. Bring cash, since at least one beach bar has accepted cash only. The exact arrangements can change, so do not treat the beach chairs as part of the tour price.

If you want more than sun and water, Lopud also has a medieval monastery and a botanical garden that are free to enter. Golf carts can be rented to explore farther, but remember that every minute spent touring inland is a minute you are not spending on the sand.

For most people, I would use this stop simply: swim first, rinse off, order a drink or lunch, then enjoy the view. The boat provides plenty of water and drinks, but it does not provide food.

What the drinks and boat setup add

The self-service drink policy is one of the strongest practical features. You can help yourself to beer, local rakia, wine, water, juices, and Coca-Cola during the outing. That saves you from carrying a heavy cooler and makes the boat feel more like a relaxed private charter than a basic transfer.

The drinks also improve the value calculation. At $73 per person, you are paying for a private speedboat, a guide, snorkeling equipment, GoPro use, several swim locations, and beach time. If you would otherwise buy several drinks during a half-day out, the price becomes easier to justify.

Still, this is not a luxury yacht charter. The real luxury is privacy and flexibility, not polished service or a formal meal. You should bring your own lunch money and expect a lively, casual outing. Some captains let groups connect a phone and choose music, which can add to the party mood.

The boats have generally been described as modern, comfortable, and well maintained. The speed is part of the appeal. You cover the coastline quickly, with the wind and open water making the journey feel like an attraction in its own right.

Timing, swimming, and comfort

The tour lasts four hours, which is a useful length in Dubrovnik. You see several different settings without giving up an entire day. The balance is roughly one hour around the Blue Cave, about 75 minutes around the Green Caves, and 1.5 hours at Sunj Beach, with travel time between them.

You need swimwear and a towel. Wear shoes that stay secure on your feet if you have them, since the cave approaches and boat ladder can be wet. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so pack light.

Life jackets are available, and guides can help non-swimmers. Even so, several parts of the outing require swimming. The Blue Cave is not a dry sightseeing stop where you simply walk in, take a photo, and leave.

Sea conditions matter. On a calm day, the water can be wonderfully clear and easy to enter. On a choppy day, swimming can be tiring, and even confident swimmers may prefer shorter time in the water. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where the captain suggests and avoid drinking too much alcohol before the speedboat ride.

Is $73 good value?

I think the price is fair, especially for a private group. A basic boat ride that only passes the islands would not justify $73, but this outing includes several swimming areas, guided cave access, snorkeling gear, a GoPro, and drinks.

The strongest value comes if you want an active half-day and plan to use the boat as your base. You can swim without arranging separate equipment, take photos without risking your phone, and move between Kolocep and Lopud without organizing local transport.

The value is weaker if you dislike swimming, rarely drink, or mainly want a long stay on Sunj Beach. In that case, a beach-focused outing may suit you better. You are paying for movement and variety, not for hours in one place.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend it to couples, families with older children, friends, and solo visitors who like meeting a small group while still having a private boat. Solo passengers can enjoy it too. The relaxed captains and shared swim stops make it easy to join the social mood.

It is also a good choice if you want a little adventure without signing up for a serious water-sports trip. You can swim into caves, try a cliff jump if it is offered, snorkel, or simply stay aboard and watch.

I would think twice if you strongly dislike open-water swimming, need a completely quiet boat, or expect the Blue Cave to look exactly like a heavily edited social media image. The Blue Cave can be crowded, dimmer than expected, and less blue depending on the light.

The guide makes a big difference. Mario has been especially good at creating a fun atmosphere, while Robert and Duje have been praised for helping people through cave entrances and managing the boat well. The experience can feel more like a good afternoon with a capable local captain than a formal guided lecture. That is a strength for most people, though anyone seeking detailed narration may want to ask questions directly because some captains speak less than others.

Booking details worth knowing

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. Starting times vary, so check the available schedule when booking.

The tour is offered in English, and a private group option is available. The meeting point is at the pier across from Gruz Market, not a hotel. The tour returns to the Deck & Cheers starting point.

Before boarding, confirm two details if they matter to you: that the GoPro is available and that cliff jumping is suitable that day. Both are part of the advertised experience, but sea conditions and equipment can affect what actually happens.

Should you book the Blue and Green Caves tour?

Book it if you want a fast, social, water-based afternoon with several stops, a private boat, generous drinks, and a guide who will get into the water with you. The Green Caves, clear sea, and Sunj Beach give the outing enough variety that it is not all riding around waiting for one famous cave.

Skip it if you want a long beach day, dislike swimming, or need a carefully scripted cultural tour. For the right visitor, though, $73 buys a lively slice of the Dubrovnik coast, with the freedom to swim, snorkel, jump, relax, and let the captain handle the route.

FAQ

How long is the Dubrovnik Blue and Green Caves tour?

The tour lasts four hours, including the boat ride, cave stops, swimming time, and the visit to Sunj Beach.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Deck & Cheers, at the pier just across from the Gruz Market construction site in Dubrovnik.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

What drinks are included?

Free self-service drinks include beer, local rakia brandy, water, juices, Coca-Cola, and wine. Food is not included.

Do I need to swim to enjoy the tour?

Swimming is necessary for some parts, including access to the caves. Life jackets are available, and guides can assist non-swimmers, but you should be prepared to enter the water.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included in the tour.

Is a GoPro camera available?

Use of a GoPro action camera is included. Availability can depend on the boat and equipment on the day, so confirm before departure if this matters to you.

Can I go cliff jumping?

Cliff jumping is advertised as part of the experience, but it can depend on sea conditions and the guide’s safety decision. You can choose not to jump.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Large bags and luggage are not allowed. Bring cash if you plan to buy food, drinks, or beach services at Sunj Beach.