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

Swim into Dubrovnik’s glowing blue world. This four-hour speedboat trip combines four sea caves, open-water swimming, views of the Old Town walls, and a final hour at sandy Šunj Beach on Lopud Island. I like the mix of active cave stops and easy beach time, and the included beer, wine, soft drinks, juice, and water make the price of $84.65 feel fair for a half-day on the Adriatic.

I also like the small-group setup, capped at 18 people, along with the choice of morning or afternoon departure. The main catch is important: the boat cannot enter the Blue Cave. You must swim about 20 metres from the anchored boat, and some cave entrances require you to pass beneath low rocks. Rough seas can also force the skipper to change the route.

Key points to know before booking

• Swim-in Blue Cave: The boat anchors offshore because the entrance is too small. Snorkel gear and floating noodles are supplied.
• Three different cave areas: Expect two green-lit caves plus Canyon Cave, along with references to Dark Cave and Passage Cave in the overall experience.
• Šunj Beach is the longest stop: You get about one hour there, with shallow water extending roughly 100 metres from shore.
• Drinks are included: Local beer, red and white wine, grappa, soft drinks, juice, and bottled water are available.
• Small boat, fast ride: The group limit is 18, but a speedboat can feel lively, especially in wind or choppy water.
• Weather matters: Poor sea conditions may lead to a changed itinerary, a different date, or a full refund.

Setting out beneath Dubrovnik’s fortress

The tour begins with one of Dubrovnik’s best views, seen from the water. As the boat leaves the harbor, you get a broad look back at the Old Town walls, a welcome change from the tight lanes inside the historic center.

The route passes beneath Lovrijenac Fortress, perched on a steep 37-metre cliff above the Adriatic. The skipper provides a few local legends and facts as you cruise by. This opening section is brief, but it gives the ride a sense of place rather than sending you straight to the swimming stops.

Meeting the boat at the Old Town pier can be slightly confusing because several boats load and unload quickly in the same area. Give yourself time to identify the right crew and vessel. Once aboard, the ride is informal and social, with a partly covered boat offering some shelter from the sun.

The small-group format is a real advantage. With up to 18 people, you are not dealing with a large excursion boat and a crowd moving through one narrow cave entrance. Groups can be smaller, sometimes only six people, though the exact number depends on the departure.

Swimming into the Blue Cave

The Blue Cave is the star of the trip. Natural light reflects through the water and gives the cave its blue glow, a simple effect that looks far more dramatic once you are floating inside it.

The boat anchors around 20 metres from the entrance. It cannot go inside because the opening is too small, so you swim from the boat to the rocks. Snorkeling masks and breathing tubes are included, and pool noodles are available if you prefer extra support in the water.

This detail deserves attention when you book. The Blue Cave is not a ride-through attraction. You need to be comfortable entering the sea, swimming to the opening, and dealing with a low or narrow entrance. Some descriptions of the experience refer to moving beneath the rocks to get inside, so this is not ideal for anyone uneasy in confined spaces or unable to swim.

Your captain remains on the boat during the cave visits, so you have some freedom to explore rather than following a formal guided route inside. That gives the stop a sense of independence, but you should listen carefully to the safety instructions about entering and leaving the cave.

The Blue Cave can also become crowded. Several boats may arrive at once, and water conditions can make the entry awkward. On a calm day, the swim is a memorable highlight. In rougher conditions, getting through the opening can mean bumping against rocks or waiting your turn.

The planned stop lasts about 40 minutes. That sounds generous, but the time includes anchoring, handing out equipment, swimming to the entrance, and returning to the boat. If you want quiet photographs inside, you may find the visit feels shorter than expected.

Green light, dark corners, and narrow passages

The next section includes two Green Caves and Canyon Cave, a natural passage cut through the rock. Sunlight gives the Green Caves an emerald color, though the exact shade depends on the sun, water clarity, and weather.

You can swim and snorkel here, and some sections require you to pass beneath rocks or through a narrow opening to reach another chamber. One green cave is described as a long, narrow canyon between rocky sides, while another can feel more like a short natural tunnel.

This is the most adventurous part of the outing. You are not simply looking at cliffs from the boat. You may swim into openings, look beneath the surface, and move through natural passageways. The snorkeling equipment is basic but useful, and the noodles are helpful for floating while you look around.

The cave stop lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough for a few swims, but not enough for a slow expedition through every opening. The skipper may also choose a different cave if the preferred one is crowded or sea conditions make it unsafe. That can be disappointing if you have a particular photograph in mind, but it is a sensible trade-off for safety and smoother timing.

The caves are not uniformly dramatic. The Blue Cave usually provides the strongest visual payoff, while the green and passage areas offer more variety and activity. I would treat the second stop as a chance to swim through changing rock formations rather than expecting three equally spectacular chambers.

Šunj Beach gives you time to slow down

After the caves, the boat heads to Šunj Beach on the south side of Lopud Island. This is the most relaxed part of the trip, with about one hour to swim, sunbathe, or sit by the water.

Šunj has pale sand and unusually shallow water. The seabed stays shallow for roughly 100 metres from the shore, making it a good choice for children and people who are less confident in deep water. After a fast ride and several cave swims, the gentle shoreline feels like a useful change of pace.

The beach has some practical limits. You are not getting a full island tour, and there is not a long list of activities at the stop. The area has a small number of bars and places to buy food, drinks, ice cream, or souvenirs. Beach chairs cost extra, and towels are not included, so bring your own towel if you want to lie on the sand or dry off between swims.

The one-hour allocation may feel short if you want lunch and a proper swim. Some people would prefer a longer beach visit, while others find the time just right for a final dip. You do not need to buy lunch, but it is not included in the tour price. Fries and beer are among the simple food and drink choices available at the beach.

The sand and shallow water are the reason to book this stop, not a long list of attractions. If you want a quiet beach hour after the caves, Šunj works well. If you want to explore Lopud in depth, this tour does not leave enough time.

What the $84.65 price covers

At $84.65 per person, the tour sits in the middle range for a Dubrovnik boat outing. You are paying for a four-hour speedboat experience, a skipper, several stops, snorkeling equipment, and drinks throughout the ride.

The included refreshments add real value. You can expect local beer, red and white wine, grappa, soft drinks, natural juices, and bottled water. The selection may vary in practice, and one account described beer as the only alcoholic option available on that departure, so do not book solely for a particular drink.

Lunch and beach towels are not included. That is easy to plan around, but it means your actual cost may be higher if you buy food at Šunj or rent a chair. Bring water-resistant footwear if you have it, since cave entrances and rocky edges can be awkward underfoot, though this tour does supply flotation noodles and snorkeling gear.

The strongest value comes from the variety. A simple beach transfer would cost less, but it would not include the Old Town views, fortress pass, four cave areas, open-water swimming, and drinks. The price makes less sense if bad weather removes the main caves, which is why the weather policy matters.

Speed, comfort, and sea conditions

This is a speedboat tour, not a slow sightseeing cruise. The ride itself can be exhilarating on a calm day, with quick movement between Dubrovnik, Koločep, and Lopud. It can also be rough when the wind rises.

Several people enjoyed the lively ride, but choppy water can make the boat hit hard. In poor conditions, passengers have reported discomfort and fear, including children struggling with the motion. A serious complaint described a subcontracted boat continuing in very rough seas before returning, followed by a full refund. That appears to be an exception rather than the normal experience, but it is worth taking seriously.

Ask for a life jacket if you want one, and pay attention to how the skipper handles the water before settling into the ride. The operator says the trip requires good weather, and a modified route or cancellation may be necessary when sea conditions are unsafe.

The boat has a partly covered area, which helps if you need a break from direct sun. Some skippers play music, occasionally at a volume not everyone enjoys. The atmosphere depends heavily on the captain and the group, but the better-known captains in the feedback include Ivan, Marco, Luca, Leo, Mario, Tony, Dora, and Karuzo. Ivan and Marco receive especially warm praise for being friendly, helpful, and attentive, while Luca and Leo are noted for calm, professional handling.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

You are a good match for this experience if you:

• Can swim and feel comfortable in open water
• Enjoy a fast boat ride rather than a slow cruise
• Want several short activities instead of one long beach visit
• Like snorkeling, rock formations, and natural swimming spots
• Are happy with a casual group setting
• Want drinks included and do not need lunch provided
• Have a flexible attitude about weather-related route changes

Families can enjoy Šunj Beach because of its shallow water, but the cave sections may be less suitable for young children or anyone who dislikes narrow entrances. The boat ride can also be bumpy, so the day works best for children who are comfortable on fast boats.

This is not the right choice if you cannot swim, do not want to enter the sea, or expect the boat to carry you inside the Blue Cave. It is also a poor fit if your priority is a long beach day or a quiet, slow cruise.

Practical tips for a better half-day

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and dry clothing. Towels are not supplied, and you will be wet after the cave stops.

Keep your phone in a waterproof case. The Blue Cave is photogenic, but getting a good picture depends on light, crowding, and how steady you can hold a phone in the water.

Wear footwear that can handle rocky edges. The entrances are natural rather than paved, and entering or leaving the water takes care.

If you are sensitive to motion, choose the calmest weather available and consider sitting where the ride feels most stable. The morning and afternoon departures give you some scheduling flexibility, but the sea can change during the day.

Finally, confirm the meeting point at the Old Town pier. Several boats operate from the same area, and the quick pace of loading can make the correct boat less obvious than expected.

Should you book the Blue Cave and Šunj tour?

I would book this tour if you want an active half-day that packs in cave swimming, coastal views, drinks, and a sandy beach without committing to a full-day island cruise. The Blue Cave is the main prize, while the Green Caves and Canyon Cave keep the outing varied. Šunj then gives you a simple, shallow-water finish.

I would skip it if you are not comfortable swimming from the boat, passing through narrow rocky openings, or riding in a fast boat. Also keep your expectations flexible: caves may be crowded, the beach is not a full island experience, and rough weather can change the route.

At a 4.9 rating from 2,572 reviews, with 98 percent recommending the experience, the overall record is very strong. Still, safety and conditions matter more here than on a land tour. Book on a good-weather day, listen to the skipper, and remember that the most important detail is also the easiest to miss: you swim into the Blue Cave rather than riding into it.

FAQ

How long is the Blue Cave, Green Cave and Lopud Beach tour?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

What is the price of the tour?

The listed price is $84.65 per person.

Can the speedboat enter the Blue Cave?

No. The entrance is too small for the boat. The boat anchors about 20 metres away, and you swim to the cave.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks and breathing tubes are provided, along with floating noodles for anyone who wants extra support.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks are local beer, red and white wine, grappa, soft drinks, natural juices, and bottled water. The exact alcoholic selection may vary by departure.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

Are beach towels included?

No. You need to bring your own towel.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The tour has a maximum capacity of 18 people.

What happens if the weather is too rough?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The route may also be changed for safety reasons.