Dubrovnik: 6 hours Blue cave & Elaphiti with optional lunch

The Blue Cave is the unusual centerpiece of this six-hour trip: you reach it by swimming, not by stepping ashore, then have time to snorkel in its clear water. The day also gives you two very different island stops, pine-shaded Koločep and beach-focused Lopud.

I like the 45-minute Blue Cave stop and the two full hours on Lopud. That’s enough time to swim at Šunj Beach or wander the village without spending the whole day watching the clock. Unlimited drinks are included, too.

One consideration: this is a boat-and-swimming day, not a guided tour with long explanations at every stop. The Blue Cave is accessible only through the water, and the onboard commentary may be hard to hear while the boat is moving.

The best parts of the day at a glance

• The Blue Cave is reached by swimming. Snorkel masks are provided, but bring your own beachwear and be ready to enter the water.
• Koločep gets 45 minutes. Use the short stop for a walk, a swim or a pause by the sea.
• Lopud gets two hours. You can visit sandy Šunj Beach, browse the village or simply settle in for a longer break.
• Drinks are unlimited. Wine, soda, water and rakija are included onboard.
• Lunch is optional and costs €20. Choose fish, chicken or a vegetarian meal, with cash requested on the boat.
• The group is capped at 25. Some trips may be much smaller, but the maximum group size is not a promise of a private cruise.

A six-hour island trip with a swimming-first focus

This tour is a straightforward way to see three sides of the Elaphiti Islands without arranging separate boat transport. You cruise from Dubrovnik, spend time on Koločep, swim at the Blue Cave and finish with the longest stop on Lopud. The balance leans toward swimming and free time rather than a packed schedule of guided sightseeing.

That suits you if you want a relaxed day on the water and are happy to make your own plans ashore. You won’t be led through a detailed island tour at each stop. Instead, the boat provides the connections, the views and the basics for a swim, while you choose whether to walk, sunbathe or sit by the sea.

The advertised maximum is 25 people, which keeps the group smaller than a large excursion boat. Actual numbers can vary. One guest described a trip with only their party onboard, which made it feel private, but you should treat that as a possibility rather than a guarantee.

The cruise is about six hours, with three 30-minute stretches listed for sailing and drinks, followed by stops of 45 minutes on Koločep, 45 minutes at the cave and two hours on Lopud. The exact departure time varies, so check availability for your date before planning the rest of your day.

Starting from Dubrovnik’s Gruž port

The stated meeting point is the large dock at Dubrovnik’s New Port in Gruž, beside the TP LINE ferry. Look for the boat named LORENA or KATE. The trip returns to the same meeting point, so you won’t need to arrange a separate return from an island.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are also offered in the Dubrovnik area for €5, payable on the spot. The operator contacts you the day before departure to confirm your preferred hotel. If you plan to meet at the port instead, make that clear when confirming the details.

Bring cash. The optional lunch is €20, payable onboard, and the pickup charge is also listed as a cash payment. One person found it possible to pay by card, but the stated payment instructions ask you to have cash ready, so I wouldn’t rely on card acceptance.

Koločep: a short pause among pines and paths

The first island stop is Koločep, where you have 45 minutes to walk, take photos, swim or enjoy the quiet setting. The island is described for its pine forests and peaceful feel, so this is a good chance to stretch your legs before the cave stop.

Keep an eye on the time. Forty-five minutes is enough for a short wander or a quick dip, but not a leisurely island ramble followed by a long lunch. Choose one priority: walk a nearby path, sit by the water or get straight into the sea.

There is another 30-minute cruise segment between this stop and the Blue Cave. The route itself is part of the appeal, with views across the Elaphiti Islands and drinks served onboard. The itinerary includes an aperitif and wine, spirits and other refreshments during the cruise, though it doesn’t specify a formal tasting presentation.

The Blue Cave: bring swimwear and expect to enter the water

The Blue Cave stop lasts 45 minutes and is the most distinctive part of the tour. You can swim and snorkel, with masks provided onboard. The cave is accessible only by swimming, so this is not a stop where you remain on the boat and step inside by a walkway.

That detail matters when you decide if the tour is right for you. Bring beachwear and be comfortable getting into the water. Life jackets are included, but the available information does not describe the swimming conditions or offer an alternative way to enter the cave. If swimming is not for you, ask the operator before booking rather than assuming you can see the cave from dry land.

The stop is relatively short, especially once you account for getting ready and returning to the boat. Keep your belongings and time in mind, and don’t leave your swim until the final few minutes. Snorkeling gear is supplied, but you may prefer to bring your own mask if you have one you find more comfortable.

Lopud: two hours for Šunj Beach or the village

Lopud is the longest stop, with two hours of free time. Its main draw is Šunj, a sandy beach that gives the day a different feel from the rocky shoreline you may encounter elsewhere along the coast. You can spend the time swimming and sunbathing, or head into the village for a walk and a look around.

Two hours is a useful amount of breathing room, but it is still a defined stop within a boat schedule. If the beach is your priority, make that your first plan rather than leaving it until you have wandered around. If you prefer a slower break, choose a comfortable spot and enjoy the pause before the return cruise.

The stop also includes time for shopping, sightseeing and walking, but there is no fixed guided route. That freedom is part of the appeal: couples can take a quiet beach break, friends can swim and explore, and families can decide how active they want the stop to be. Just keep track of the return time.

Drinks and lunch: what is included, and what costs extra

Unlimited onboard drinks are included: wine, soda, water and rakija. That makes the cruise feel more like a relaxed outing than a simple transfer between islands. Water is especially useful on a warm day, while the other drinks let you settle in during the scenic stretches.

Lunch is not included in the €57 per-person price. You can order a fish, chicken or vegetarian meal for €20, paid in cash on the boat. The operator contacts you the day before to confirm your choice, so you can decide ahead rather than trying to sort it out at the dock.

The listed price is good value if you want a six-hour boat trip with several stops, masks, life jackets and unlimited drinks. The total rises to €77 if you add lunch, or €82 if you also use the €5 hotel pickup service. Those extras are worth including in your budget before comparing the trip with other boat outings.

What the crew and commentary add

The service is part of the day’s appeal, and the crew has been described as kind and helpful. A crew member introduced as Super Mario was singled out by name. That’s a small but useful reminder that the crew can shape the mood of a trip, especially when you need help with drinks, equipment or timing.

There is one practical point about the onboard information: the speaker may be difficult to hear while the boat is underway. One guest could hear the guide’s information only when the volume was raised near the end of the trip. If you care about the commentary, ask the crew to turn it up earlier or sit close to the speaker.

Don’t book this primarily for a detailed spoken account of the islands. The trip’s strongest draw is the combination of water, scenery and free time, with the crew helping the day run smoothly.

Is this tour a good fit for you?

I’d consider this trip if you want a manageable half-day at sea, enjoy swimming and prefer a few unhurried stops to a schedule full of short photo breaks. The Blue Cave gives the day a clear focal point, while Lopud’s two-hour stop lets you spend real time at a beach rather than just glimpsing it from the boat.

It is a better fit for couples, friends and families who can manage boarding, walking and swimming independently. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the cave requires you to swim in. Comfortable shoes are useful for island paths, while beachwear is essential for the cave and beach stops.

Book it if you’re comfortable with a free-time format and have cash for any extras. If you want a private boat, guaranteed quiet commentary or a cave visit that does not involve swimming, check those points directly before reserving. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and the reserve-now, pay-later option can help keep plans flexible.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts six hours. Check the available start times for your chosen date.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is at the large dock in Dubrovnik’s New Port, Gruž, beside the TP LINE ferry. The boat is named LORENA or KATE.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered from hotels in the Dubrovnik area for €5, paid on the spot. You’ll be contacted the day before to confirm your preferred hotel.

How large is the group?

The group can have up to 25 people. The actual number may be smaller.

Do I need to swim to enter the Blue Cave?

Yes. The Blue Cave is accessible only by swimming. Snorkeling masks and life jackets are provided onboard.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited wine, soda, water and rakija are included onboard.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

No. Lunch costs €20 and is paid in cash on the boat. You can choose fish, chicken or a vegetarian meal.

How long do we stop on each island?

You have 45 minutes on Koločep and two hours on Lopud. The Blue Cave stop is also 45 minutes.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, beachwear and cash. Beachwear is needed for the Blue Cave and swimming stops.

Can I cancel, and do I need to pay when I book?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you book without paying immediately.