Dubrovnik: Blue & Green Caves Private Boat Tour with Drinks

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat trip is getting into the caves by swimming, not simply admiring them from a boat. You visit the Blue Cave and several Green Caves around Koločep, then trade the rocky coves for a stretch of sand at Šunj Beach on Lopud.

I like two things in particular: the private speedboat gives your group room to enjoy the stops at its own pace, and drinks and snorkel gear are included, so you can focus on the water instead of organizing extras. Captains such as Mario, Duje and Robert have been praised for helping people through the caves and keeping the mood easygoing.

One thing to weigh: the Blue Cave can be crowded, dark and tight, and reaching some cave spots means swimming. The schedule also leaves only about an hour and a half at Šunj, which may feel short if beach time is your main reason for booking.

At a glance

• Swim into Koločep’s Blue Cave with snorkel equipment and guidance from your skipper.
• See several Green Caves, with stops for swimming and snorkeling as conditions allow.
• Relax at Šunj Beach, a sandy stretch on Lopud, with roughly 90 minutes of free time.
• Cruise by private speedboat for about four hours, with a guide and drinks on board.
• Use a GoPro and snorkel gear provided for the trip, and bring your own towel and swimwear.
• Budget for food and beach extras: neither is included, and hotel transfers are not provided.

From Dubrovnik harbor to Koločep’s caves

The tour begins at the pier across from Gruž Market, near a construction site. There is no hotel pickup, so plan your own route to the meeting point and allow time to find the correct pier. You’ll board a speedboat with your private group and English-speaking guide.

The first part of the ride is a small excursion in its own right. The boat passes the Franjo Tuđman Bridge and Grebeni Lighthouse, with views along the coast and time for photos. A speedboat makes the journey feel brisk and open to the sea, though it also means you should expect some wind and spray. If the water is choppy, the ride and swimming can feel less comfortable.

The private format is a major part of the appeal. You aren’t joining a large shared boat with a fixed crowd, and the skipper can help your group get settled before the first swim. The experience is still a boat tour, not a formal history lesson: guides vary in how much they talk. Some captains, including Mario and Duje, have been praised for their humor, local explanations and calm help in the water. Others may give you more space to enjoy the stops quietly.

Swimming into the Blue Cave

Koločep’s Blue Cave is the first main stop, with around 50 minutes scheduled. You’ll receive snorkeling gear and swim from the boat toward the cave with the guide. The water’s changing light is the draw, but photos can set expectations too high: the cave may not look as intensely blue as it does in edited images, and the effect depends on the light and conditions.

The cave entrance and interior can feel close, and the Blue Cave is sometimes busy with other boats. If you dislike enclosed spaces, crowds or swimming in open water, this is the stop to think about carefully. It’s not a shore-side viewpoint where you can simply walk in, and the activity information says swimming is needed for some parts of the tour.

Life jackets are available, and guides can assist people who are not confident swimmers. That help is reassuring, but it doesn’t make the swim optional. Ask your skipper how far you’ll be swimming and what assistance is available before entering the water. The crew may guide people through trickier passages, which can make the cave visit more manageable than going in alone.

A GoPro is included for use during the tour, and some captains have shared a link to photos and videos afterward. Confirm with the crew at the start that the camera is on board and how to access any images. Bring your own waterproof camera if capturing the swim is especially important to you.

The Green Caves and a chance to jump

After the Blue Cave, the boat continues to the Green Caves. The route lists a 30-minute stop at one cave area and another stop at Three Green Caves, with about 45 minutes for visiting, swimming and snorkeling. These rocky openings offer a different kind of stop from the Blue Cave, and some groups enjoy them most because there is room to explore more than one spot.

Your skipper can make a real difference here. Some cave entrances or passages are more difficult to reach, and experienced guides may lead you through places you might not try on your own. You can also stay near the boat if you prefer a calmer swim. There is no need to treat every cave as a challenge; the point is to enjoy the clear water and coastline at a pace that feels right for you.

Cliff jumping is advertised as an opportunity, but don’t make it the sole reason you book. It depends on the stop, conditions and what the guide offers that day. If you’re keen, ask the skipper whether there will be a suitable place to jump. If you’d rather not, swimming and snorkeling are still central to the trip.

Take care getting back aboard. One practical comment from the trip was that the metal ladder could be slippery when wet. Use the handholds, take your time and avoid rushing when the boat is moving or other people are waiting.

A sandy pause at Šunj Beach

The final major stop is Lopud’s Šunj Beach, where you’ll have about an hour and a half. It is known as the region’s only sandy beach, a welcome change from the rocky coves and swimming stops earlier in the trip. You can swim, snorkel, relax on shore or look into renting a golf cart to see more of the island.

The beach stop is the tour’s best chance to slow down, but it is not a long beach day. If you want lunch, food is not included, so set aside extra money and time to order it. A beach bar is available, but don’t assume a drink, sun lounger or umbrella is part of your tour price. Carry some cash as a precaution, since one visitor found the beach bar accepted cash only.

There are also island sights beyond the sand, including a medieval monastery and botanical garden that are free to enter. With only around 90 minutes on shore, though, you may have to choose between a meal, a swim and a short wander. Several people would have liked more beach time, so if lounging is your priority, a trip focused on Lopud may suit you better.

Drinks, price and what the tour includes

At $73 per person, this four-hour trip offers strong value if you want a private boat, several swim stops and drinks without having to arrange separate transport to the islands. The boat, guide, snorkel gear, GoPro use and free self-service drinks are included. Drinks listed are beer, local rakia brandy, water and juices.

The price does not cover food, hotel pickup or drop-off, or anything you choose to buy at Šunj Beach. This is worth noting because the beach is a natural time to eat, and the stop is short enough that you may want to decide beforehand whether to swim first or find lunch. The value is strongest for people who plan to make full use of the water stops and onboard drinks.

The tour is listed as private, so your group has the boat to itself rather than sharing the ride with unrelated bookings. That can make the day feel more personal, particularly if your group wants to swim together, choose its own mood or keep the ride relaxed. The skipper still sets the route and must account for sea conditions, traffic at the caves and the four-hour limit.

Who will enjoy this boat trip

This tour suits confident swimmers, couples, families with older children and groups of friends who want an active half-day on the water. It also works for solo visitors who are comfortable joining a private group booking; one solo participant said the trip was still fun. The friendly, social setup and drinks make it easy to chat with the rest of your party, though you can keep to yourself if you prefer.

It is less suited to anyone who wants a long beach stay, a quiet cave visit guaranteed free of crowds, or a mostly dry sightseeing cruise. The caves are best approached as natural swimming stops, not polished attractions with fixed lighting and a clear entrance at all times. Choppy water can also affect how pleasant swimming feels.

Choose a morning or afternoon departure based on the sort of light and schedule you prefer, but don’t assume one time guarantees empty caves. An afternoon trip can bring sunset views on the return to Dubrovnik, while crowd levels and water conditions can change throughout the day. Check the available start times when booking.

Practical details before you go

Bring swimwear and a towel. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so leave suitcases elsewhere and pack only what you need for a few hours on a boat. A small dry bag may be useful for personal items, though it is not listed as provided.

Swimming is necessary to experience some parts of the tour. Life jackets are available, and the guides can assist non-swimmers, but tell the skipper about your comfort level before the group enters the water. If you are unsure about swimming into a cave, ask what the stop involves and whether you can remain near the boat.

The meeting point is on the pier across from Gruž Market, by a construction site. Make sure you have the exact location before setting out, since the description is a landmark rather than a hotel pickup. The activity is guided in English, and you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. Reserve-now, pay-later booking is also available.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a lively, water-focused way to see Koločep and Lopud, and the idea of swimming into caves appeals more than a long stretch on the beach. The private speedboat, multiple cave stops, included drinks and capable guides give the four-hour outing a lot to do for the price.

Skip it if you dislike swimming, feel uneasy in enclosed caves, or want most of your day devoted to Šunj Beach. For everyone else, bring a towel, keep expectations realistic about the Blue Cave’s light and crowds, and ask the skipper about swimming conditions and cliff jumping before you set off.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts four hours, including the boat ride and stops at the caves and Šunj Beach.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet on the pier across from Gruž Market, near a construction site. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is the boat shared with other groups?

The tour is offered as a private group experience, so your booking is for your own group.

Do I need to swim?

Swimming is needed to experience some parts of the tour, including entering the Blue Cave. Life jackets are available, and guides can assist non-swimmers.

What drinks are included?

Free self-service drinks include beer, local rakia brandy, water and juices.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, along with use of a GoPro action camera.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, so bring money if you plan to eat at Šunj Beach.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.