Full Day Kayaking and Snorkeling to Green Cave with GoPro photos

The Green Cave is the day’s main event: you paddle to a sea grotto on Šipan, secure your kayak and swim through the opening with a mask and snorkel. If conditions and confidence allow, there’s also a chance to jump from the rocks. On the way, the route takes in several island shores, a rock arch and another cave near Ruda.

I like two things in particular: the guide-led format makes a demanding route more manageable, and the day combines active time on the water with a proper break in the village of Šuđurađ. Guides including Miro, Ivo, Filip and Luka have helped make the trip feel welcoming for newcomers as well as experienced kayakers.

The main consideration is the paddling. This is not a short spin around a sheltered cove: you cross open water between islands, and the return leg can feel long, especially in heat or wind. If you want a mostly relaxing boat trip, this is probably not your best fit.

• The Green Cave is the signature stop: Snorkel through its opening and, if you want, try a cliff jump.
• You visit three islands: The route links Lopud, Šipan and Ruda, with time in the fishing village of Šuđurađ.
• Plan for sustained paddling: A brisk crossing between islands can take around 90 minutes each way.
• The group is small: The tour is capped at nine people, with kayaks, snorkels and safety guidance provided.
• Lunch is not included: Bring money for a meal in Šuđurađ, where you get a break from the water.
• GoPro photos and videos are included: A useful extra if you do not want to manage a camera while paddling.

Ferry out from Dubrovnik’s Gruž Harbor

Your day begins at Obala Stjepana Radića 40, in Dubrovnik’s Gruž Harbor. From there, the ferry ride to Lopud takes about an hour, giving you a scenic start before the more active part of the outing. The ferry is part of the day’s transport, not a kayak transfer, so you can sit back and enjoy the island approach.

The tour lasts about nine hours in all and returns to Dubrovnik in the late afternoon. That makes it a substantial day, not a quick add-on between city sights. You’ll want to keep the rest of your schedule loose, particularly if you plan to eat or walk around Dubrovnik after you get back.

Once you reach Lopud, the guide gives a safety talk and basic paddling instructions before the group sets out. The small-group format matters here: a guide can keep an eye on the pace and help people who are still getting the hang of steering. You don’t need previous kayaking experience, but you do need to be willing to spend a good part of the day paddling.

Crossing from Lopud toward Šipan

After the instructions, you head across the channel toward Šipan and the Green Cave. The route links islands rather than following a short loop close to shore, so expect stretches of open water and views of the coast from the kayak. One estimate puts a brisk crossing at around 90 minutes each way. Your pace and conditions can affect how it feels.

That distance is the biggest factor in deciding if this trip suits you. A first-time kayaker can take part, and guides have helped beginners learn the strokes, but being new to kayaking does not make the crossing shorter. If you’re unsure, a double kayak is an option, and children from age six must ride with an adult in one.

There are single and double kayaks, and the equipment is included. Guides give directions and safety support throughout the route. Past days have included wind and high tides, so the plan may need to change when conditions call for it. Do not treat the published route as a promise that every stop will happen in exactly the same order.

Snorkeling inside the Green Cave

The Green Cave is the day’s most distinctive stop. You tie up the kayaks, put on the provided mask and snorkel, and swim toward the cave’s opening. The appeal is the chance to enter a sea grotto from the water, not a long session of reef snorkeling.

Conditions affect how you enter. At a lower tide, it may be possible to swim in without going beneath the surface; at other times, you may need to snorkel through the opening. The time at the cave can feel brief, since the trip also has a long route and several other stops. If cave time is your sole reason for booking, keep that in mind.

The snorkeling itself is more about the setting than a huge variety of fish. You may see a few colorful species, but this is not a tropical reef outing. The cave’s shape and the swim through its entrance are the special parts.

Cliff-jumping is available for those who feel comfortable with it. It is an optional thrill, not a requirement. If you would rather stay in the water or explore the cave by snorkel, you can do that instead. Guides can help you feel at ease, but you should only jump if you are confident and conditions are suitable.

Lunch and a pause in Šuđurađ

After the cave, the group continues to Šuđurađ, a fishing village on Šipan. This is the main land-based break in a day spent moving between islands. You have time for lunch and a little sightseeing before getting back in the kayaks.

Food and drinks are not included in the $89 price, so budget extra for lunch. The village meal is often a welcome chance to sit down, cool off and recharge before the return paddle. Fresh fish and local dishes are among the options described for the stop. Bring money for the meal; do not assume the tour covers it.

The break is practical as well as pleasant. A long paddle is easier when you can stop, eat and let your shoulders rest. It also gives you a chance to chat with the guide and other people in the group. Still, lunch is not a leisurely restaurant day: you’ll need to get back on the water for the return route.

Ruda, the rock arch and the way back

After lunch, you paddle back toward Lopud. The route includes Ruda, the third island of the day, where the group can explore another cave by kayak. The day also includes paddling beneath a rock arch, adding a different kind of coastal feature to the Green Cave stop.

These shorter discoveries help break up the crossings, but they do not change the trip’s basic character. You are spending many hours outdoors and covering real distance. If you tire easily, or dislike paddling against wind and waves, the return leg may be the hardest part. Take the guide’s instructions seriously, and pace yourself rather than trying to race ahead.

You return to Lopud in time for the late-afternoon ferry to Dubrovnik. Depending on timing, there may be a little room for a walk or a drink on the island, but the main plan is to catch the ferry back. Do not count on a long free afternoon in Lopud after the kayaking.

What the $89 price includes

At $89, the price covers a full guided day, ferry-based access to the islands, kayaking, snorkel equipment, the Green Cave visit and GoPro photos and videos. Kayaks are available in single and double formats. You also get a local English-speaking guide and a small group, advertised with a maximum of nine participants.

That is solid value if you want a full day of active island exploration and would otherwise need to arrange transport, gear and route guidance yourself. The guide is more than a convenience on an open-water crossing: clear instructions and help with group pace can make a challenging outing less daunting. The GoPro material is a nice extra, especially when you would rather keep your hands free.

The price does not include lunch, drinks or a tip. Add the cost of a meal in Šuđurađ when you compare it with other excursions. You are paying for a guided outdoor day, not an all-inclusive island cruise.

Who will enjoy this day most

I’d recommend this trip if you enjoy being active, want to see the islands from the water and are curious about the Green Cave. It suits people who can handle several hours of paddling, including beginners willing to learn and keep going. Solo participants are welcome, and the small group can make it easier to get individual help.

Families can bring children from age six, but the child must share a double kayak with an adult. That age rule does not mean the paddle is easy for every family: consider your child’s stamina and comfort on the water. The tour is open to most participants, but no one should book it expecting a low-effort boat ride.

Wear beach or sporty clothing, and expect to get wet. Water shoes or flip-flops are useful, and it is sensible to keep anything you do not want soaked out of the kayak. Sun, heat and open water make breaks and hydration important. The tour supplies the main kayaking and snorkeling equipment, but the details of personal items are up to you.

The experience has a 4.8 rating from 91 reviews, with 97 percent recommending it. That strong track record aligns with the elements that matter most: striking island scenery, the unusual cave stop and guides who help people feel safe. Names that come up include Miro, Ivo, Filip, Luka, Marko and Ivica. Individual guides vary, of course, but careful instruction and a friendly approach are central to this kind of outing.

Booking, weather and practical details

The tour needs good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather cancels the outing, you’re offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum is not met, you’re offered a different date or experience, or a refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start; cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

The meeting and return point is Obala Stjepana Radića 40 in Gruž Harbor. Confirmation is issued at booking, and the guide speaks English. Because conditions can affect the route, keep an open mind about the exact sequence of stops. A past outing was changed when the weather made the original plan unsuitable, a reminder that safety takes priority over ticking off every feature.

Should you book the Green Cave kayak trip?

Book it if you want an active, guided day and are happy to trade a leisurely island visit for a long paddle, a memorable cave swim and a village lunch stop. The Green Cave, rock arch and three-island route give the day plenty of variety, while the guide and supplied gear make the logistics simpler.

Skip it if you want calm sightseeing with little effort, or if several hours of paddling sounds like work rather than fun. The most useful question is not whether you have kayaked before, but whether you’re ready for open-water crossings and a long return leg. If the answer is yes, this is a rewarding way to spend a day beyond Dubrovnik’s old town.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It lasts approximately nine hours, including the ferry trips between Dubrovnik and Lopud.

Where does the tour start?

Meet at Obala Stjepana Radića 40, in Dubrovnik’s Gruž Harbor. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How much does it cost?

The listed price is $89. Lunch, drinks and a tip for the guide are not included.

Is kayaking equipment provided?

Yes. The tour provides top-end single and double kayaks, along with snorkeling equipment.

Are GoPro photos and videos included?

Yes. GoPro photos and videos are included in the tour.

Do I need kayaking experience?

The tour is open to all experience levels, and the guide provides a safety talk and paddling instructions. The route includes long stretches of paddling.

Can children join?

Children are welcome from age six, but they must be accompanied by an adult in a double kayak.

Is the tour suitable for solo participants?

Yes. Solo participants are welcome.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

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