Guided Kayaking and Snorkeling Tour to Green Cave and Sipan Island from Lopud

The best part of this outing is the route itself: you leave Lopud by kayak, cross to Šipan, and get a day shaped by open water, rocky coves, and a small fishing village. If conditions cooperate, your guide will also take you to the Green Cave, where swimming in and out may be an option for confident swimmers.

I like that the trip combines active time on the water with a proper break ashore for a coffee, ice cream, or a look around Suđurađ. I also like the small-group format and the chance to snorkel and swim along the way. One thing to weigh: this is a five-hour paddle, and the cave stop depends on the weather. You’ll also need to reach Lopud yourself.

At a glance

• The route starts and ends on Lopud: The meeting point is at Obala I. Kuljevana 12, so plan how you’ll get to the island separately.
• Šipan offers a land break: After paddling and swimming, you’ll have free time in the fishing village of Suđurađ.
• The Green Cave is weather dependent: Your guide may show it if conditions allow, but it isn’t guaranteed.
• Cave swimming calls for confidence: One account describes swimming into a cave and exiting beneath the water. It labels the cave Blue Cave, so don’t assume that detail refers to the Green Cave on this route.
• The stated group limit is inconsistent: The highlights say up to 15 people, while the additional information says a maximum of 9. Check the group size when booking.
• The price is $81.39 per person: Kayaks, paddling equipment, snorkel gear, a dry bag, and an English-speaking guide are included. Food, drinks, and hotel transfers are not.

Starting from Lopud, not Dubrovnik’s mainland

Although the tour is presented as an outing from Dubrovnik, the meeting point is on Lopud Island. You’ll meet at Mjesni odbor Lopud, Obala I. Kuljevana 12, and return there at the end. The tour does not include hotel pickup or drop-off, and the provided details don’t specify transport to Lopud, so sort out your island connection before you book.

That distinction matters. The five-hour duration describes the kayaking activity, not your full door-to-door day from Dubrovnik. Allow extra time for getting to Lopud and for any onward plans. If you’re staying on the mainland, confirm your transport arrangements rather than assuming the tour begins at a central Dubrovnik meeting spot.

Once the group is together, the guide gives kayaking and safety instructions before you set off. Kayaks and their equipment are included, along with snorkel gear and a dry bag. The dry bag is useful for keeping small essentials protected while you’re on the water, but the tour details don’t specify its size, so keep what you bring compact.

Paddling from Lopud toward Šipan

The first stretch takes you by kayak from Lopud toward Šipan, through the Elaphite Islands. The route is the main event: you’ll paddle across clear Adriatic water and pass rocky formations, with stops planned for swimming, snorkeling, and, for those who want it, cliff jumping.

This is an active outing rather than a boat trip with a short paddle tacked on. The tour description calls for a moderate fitness level, and you should be comfortable spending a substantial part of five hours on the water. You don’t need to treat every stop as a test of courage, though. Swimming, snorkeling, and cliff jumping are opportunities, not a checklist you have to complete.

Your guide sets the pace and gives the safety briefing, which is particularly useful if you’re new to sea kayaking. Still, the available details don’t promise a particular route length or a set amount of paddling time for each leg. Expect the exact plan to depend in part on conditions, especially around the cave.

Swimming and snorkeling near the Green Cave

The Green Cave is the most distinctive possible stop, but the important words are weather permitting. Your guide will decide whether conditions make a visit possible. If the cave isn’t accessible that day, the tour still includes opportunities to swim, snorkel, and explore secluded bays.

A short review describes swimming into a cave and leaving by going under the water, and it specifically cautions that this is only for confident swimmers. But that account labels its cave Blue Cave, while this tour names the Green Cave. Treat it as a useful warning about the kind of cave swimming that may be involved, not as a guarantee that you’ll swim through the Green Cave in exactly that way.

If the guide offers a cave swim, be honest with yourself about your comfort in the water. You can enjoy the outing without attempting an underwater exit or any cliff jump. The tour includes snorkel equipment, but the supplied information doesn’t promise particular marine life or underwater sights. The practical appeal is having time to look beneath the surface in clear water and cool off between paddling stretches.

A pause in Suđurađ on Šipan

After the swimming and snorkeling stops, the group continues by kayak for about 20 minutes to Suđurađ, described as the first fishing village on Šipan. Here, the pace changes. You’ll have free time to explore, get an ice cream, or sit down for a macchiato at a local restaurant.

That break gives the trip a welcome bit of island life beyond the water. It’s not a guided village tour, and the details don’t include a meal or drink. Bring money if you’d like to buy something, since food and drinks are not included. Keep an eye on the group’s return time so your coffee stop doesn’t become a race back to the kayaks.

The village pause also breaks up the physical effort. You’ll have a chance to stretch your legs before getting back on the water, though the tour continues by kayak after the stop. If your idea of a good half-day includes both outdoor activity and a little time ashore, this is a useful balance.

Returning past rock formations and another island

After free time in Suđurađ, you’ll launch again and continue the return journey toward Lopud. The route passes a third island, with the guide leading you by rock formations before you paddle back to the starting point. This closes the loop without relying on a road transfer between islands.

The return is still part of the kayaking outing, not a ride back by boat. That makes the trip appealing if you want to see the islands from water level, but it also means you should be ready to paddle after your village break. Your guide can help with the route and safety, but the tour’s moderate-fitness guidance is worth taking seriously.

What $81.39 buys you

At $81.39 per person, the price covers a guided, five-hour island outing with a kayak and equipment, snorkel gear, a dry bag, and a local English-speaking kayaking guide. You’re paying for a guided route that links Lopud, swimming and snorkeling stops, Šipan’s village, and the return paddle, rather than for equipment rental alone.

The value depends on what you want from a day out. If you’re keen to paddle, swim, and see more than one island, the combination makes good use of the time. The chance to stop in Suđurađ adds variety, while the possible Green Cave visit gives the route a memorable focal point. If you mainly want a relaxed boat ride, or would rather not paddle for much of the outing, this is probably not the best fit.

Budget separately for food and drinks, and for getting to Lopud. The tour does not include hotel transport. Its advertised small-group feel is another possible plus, but there’s a discrepancy in the stated maximum: one section says 15 people and another says 9. Ask the provider to confirm the expected group size before booking if that will affect your decision.

Who should book this paddle

This tour suits confident swimmers and active visitors who want to spend several hours outside and are happy to paddle between stops. It could also work for families with older children: the minimum age is 8, but each person should be comfortable with the physical demands and water-based setting. The listed fitness level is moderate, so this isn’t a good pick if you’re looking for a low-effort island excursion.

It may be less suitable if your plans are tight, if you need transport from your hotel, or if the thought of a long paddle makes you hesitate. The Green Cave visit depends on weather, so book for the overall route and time on the water, not for a guaranteed cave swim. The single cave account also makes clear that entering and exiting a cave underwater is for confident swimmers only.

The tour is offered in English, and service animals are allowed. It is listed as being near public transportation, but that doesn’t replace checking how you’ll reach the Lopud meeting point. Confirmation is normally received at booking; if you book within nine hours of departure, confirmation comes as soon as possible and depends on availability.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure aren’t accepted, and a late cancellation isn’t refunded. The tour requires good weather; if poor weather cancels it, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.

My take: book for the paddle, not just the cave

I’d book this if you want a genuinely active way to see the Elaphite Islands, enjoy swimming breaks, and like the idea of stepping ashore in Suđurađ before paddling back. The included gear and guide make the $81.39 price easier to justify for someone who plans to use the full five hours.

I’d think twice if you’re uncomfortable in open water, don’t want a sustained kayaking outing, or are counting on a particular cave visit. Before paying, confirm the group size and plan your trip to Lopud. If those details work for you, this is a strong choice for an island day built around your own effort, with a village stop to keep it from being five hours of paddling alone.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Mjesni odbor Lopud, Obala I. Kuljevana 12, on Lopud Island. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about five hours.

Is the Green Cave visit guaranteed?

No. The guide will show you the Green Cave only if weather conditions allow.

Is swimming or snorkeling included?

Yes. The tour includes opportunities to swim and snorkel, and snorkel equipment is provided.

Is cliff jumping required?

No. Cliff jumping is listed as an opportunity along the route, not a requirement.

What is included in the price?

A local English-speaking kayaking guide, kayaks and equipment, snorkel equipment, and a dry bag are included.

Are food, drinks, or hotel transfers included?

No. Food and drinks are not included unless specified, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 8. Participants should have a moderate level of physical fitness.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.