BLUE CAVE&GREEN CAVES /ŠUNJ beach Speedboat tour- WITH DRINKS

The caves are the main event: sunlight turns the water inside Kolocep’s Blue Cave bright blue, while the Green Caves offer underwater passages to explore by swimming. Then the boat crosses to Lopud for a long, easy pause at Šunj Beach.

I like the contrast between two very different cave stops and the unhurried beach break. Snorkel gear and life jackets are provided, and captains such as Pavo and Maro have helped make the trip feel friendly and well organized.

One thing to weigh: this is a shared group outing, not a private charter, and the cave stops can feel short if you want lots of time in the water. The caves may also feel tight if you are uneasy in enclosed spaces.

• Blue Cave on Kolocep is known for sunlight reflecting through the water and lighting the cave in blue.
• Green Caves offer clear water and underwater passages, plus spots for jumping into the sea.
• Šunj Beach on Lopud gives you about 90 minutes to swim, relax or find a drink and a meal nearby.
• Snorkel gear, life jackets and drinks are included, though the drinks are not a reason to assume unlimited service.
• The early summer morning departure starts at 8:30 a.m. from June 1 through September 15, with the aim of reaching the caves before larger groups.
• The four-hour trip costs $77.43 per person, a fair deal if you plan to swim at every stop and make use of the beach break.

The Blue Cave is the reason to take the boat

Dubrovnik’s old streets and stone walls are only part of the draw here. A short boat outing gives you a different view of the coast, then takes you to Kolocep, where caves and clear water make a welcome break from the city’s heat and crowds.

The Blue Cave is on Kolocep’s south side. Its color comes from sunlight refracting through the water and reflecting off sand on the bottom. That play of light is the point, so the cave is best appreciated from the water, where the color changes with the sun and your angle.

The Green Caves offer a different kind of stop. Their underwater passages make them appealing if you are comfortable swimming through openings and exploring with a mask. Both cave areas have places to jump from rocks, but you do not need to jump to enjoy the visit. You can stay in the water near the boat, snorkel, or simply take in the setting.

This is a group speedboat tour, with a maximum of 30 people. That means you share the boat and stops with others, rather than setting your own schedule as you would on a private charter. The format keeps the price lower than a private boat, but it also means the skipper balances everyone’s time and comfort.

Leaving Dubrovnik’s West Harbour

The meeting point is the last wooden pier in the small marina at Lapadska obala 4, by the Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse. The tour returns to the same spot, which makes it easy to plan around without arranging a separate ride back.

From June 1 to September 15, the morning departure is at 8:30 a.m. The early start is meant to get you to the caves before larger groups arrive. If you care most about swimming in the caves with fewer boats around, that timing is worth choosing. The supplied details do not state the departure time for other dates or afternoon tours, so confirm your selected time when booking.

The full outing lasts about four hours. The schedule allots about two hours for the two cave locations and roughly an hour and a half at Šunj Beach, with the rest of the time used for the harbour departure and boat travel. Actual stop lengths can vary. Some trips have spent around 20 to 25 minutes at a cave, while other descriptions allow 30 to 35 minutes at each location. If cave time matters more to you than beach time, ask the skipper whether the group can adjust the balance.

A few captains praised for their hosting include Pavo, Maro, Anthony and Jacob. They have been described as friendly, clear about what to expect and good at setting a relaxed tone. You cannot count on a particular skipper being assigned, but a good captain matters on a trip built around water stops and short transfers.

Kolocep’s two caves: swim, snorkel and watch the light

Kolocep is the first island stop. The Blue Cave and Green Caves are the focus, with time at each to swim and look beneath the surface. The water’s clarity is a major part of the appeal. Masks are provided, so you do not need to bring your own to see what lies below.

At the Blue Cave, take a moment to look at the water and the changing light before rushing straight into a swim. The striking color is created by natural conditions, so it can vary with the sunlight. You may find it more atmospheric when the light catches the cave just right, but no tour can guarantee a particular shade or brightness.

The Green Caves are appealing for a more active stop. Their underwater passages give confident swimmers something to explore, and the nearby rock-jumping spots add another option. The word passage is worth taking seriously: if narrow or enclosed spaces make you uncomfortable, you can stay outside the openings and enjoy the clear water instead. One person’s ideal swim-through can be another person’s reason to remain close to the boat.

The tour provides snorkel equipment and life jackets for both adults and children. Some trips have also had pool noodles available, a useful extra if you want to float rather than swim continuously. Still, ask the crew what is on board when you arrive, as only snorkel gear and life jackets are listed as included.

This is not a naturalist-led cave expedition. You are there mainly to swim, snorkel and enjoy the scenery, with the skipper guiding the route and explaining what to expect. If you want a long guided talk about the islands, this may feel light on information. If you want a straightforward half-day on the water, that simplicity can be a plus.

Šunj Beach: a proper pause on Lopud

After Kolocep, the boat heads to Lopud and Šunj Beach, a wide sandy stretch that differs from the rocky coves and cave entrances earlier in the trip. The tour allows about 90 minutes here, enough for a swim and a breather without turning the outing into a full beach day.

The sea around the beach is shallow near shore and warms in the lagoon. That makes this the easiest stop for a relaxed swim, especially if you have had enough of the cave passages or want time to dry off. The beach is also a good place to slow down and enjoy the island setting rather than moving from one activity straight to the next.

There are beach bars and a small restaurant in the wooded area on the hill. Food is not included, so bring money if you want lunch or a drink ashore. A hillside bar has been recommended as a scenic and more affordable option for cocktails, and the restaurant above the beach has been praised for its setting and food. Those are useful ideas, but prices and opening hours can change.

The beach break is a genuine part of the tour, not a quick photo stop. That is good news if you want a mix of swimming and lounging. It may feel too long if you would rather spend more time at the caves, which are the more distinctive part of the route. Tell the skipper early if you would prefer to trade some beach time for more cave time, though any change depends on the group and schedule.

What the $77.43 fare includes

At $77.43 per person, the price covers the speedboat trip, driver-guide, fuel surcharge, snorkel equipment, life jackets and beverages. The listed drinks include beer, white wine, water and juice. Alcoholic drinks are for adults aged 18 and over.

Treat the drinks as a welcome extra rather than a promise of unlimited refreshments. Some passengers have had just one drink, served on the outbound leg, and there is little time aboard while you are swimming or on the beach. If you want drinks throughout the day, bring water or plan to buy something at Šunj.

Lunch is not included, and private transportation is not included. The tour starts and ends at its marina meeting point, so you need to get yourself there. Since the trip lasts about four hours and includes water activities, a small amount of cash for food or a beach drink is handy.

The value depends on what you want from a boat trip. If you are keen to see the caves, use the snorkel gear and have a long beach stop, the fare covers a lot of the day’s essentials. If you are mainly looking for an informative island tour or a private experience, the group format and modest guiding element may not feel like the best use of your money.

Group size, sea conditions and comfort

The activity is capped at 30 people, but it is still a shared group trip. A larger booking can also be split across two boats. Expect to share the ride and coordinate swim stops with other people, rather than having the boat to yourself.

A speedboat makes the islands accessible within a half-day, but it is an open-water ride. One report describes an uncomfortable return in choppy conditions, with a skipper travelling too fast for the group’s comfort. That is not a reason to assume every trip will be rough, but it is a sensible reminder to speak up if the ride feels unsafe. Conditions can affect whether the tour runs; poor weather can lead to a different date or a refund.

The caves are not ideal for everyone. If you are nervous in tight spaces, the Green Cave passages may feel daunting. You can still enjoy the trip by swimming outside them or staying aboard, but this tour is most rewarding if you are comfortable getting into the water.

Families can join, and life jackets are supplied for children and adults. The trip has suited families with teenagers as well as adults looking for an active swim day. You will want to keep an eye on children around cave openings and rocky jumping spots, and choose only the water activities that feel comfortable for your group.

Is this the right Dubrovnik boat trip for you?

Book this tour if you want to see the Blue and Green Caves, swim in clear water and finish with time on a sandy beach, all in about four hours. The combination of two cave stops and a substantial pause at Šunj makes it a balanced outing, and the included equipment means you can snorkel without bringing your own mask.

Choose the early morning departure between June 1 and September 15 if avoiding larger cave crowds is important. If you would rather have more cave time than beach time, ask about adjusting the schedule before you set off. Bring water, money for lunch and a light touch about the included drinks.

Look elsewhere if you want a private boat, a long interpretive tour, or guaranteed extended time inside the caves. For a shared, swim-focused escape from Dubrovnik, though, this is a good-value way to see Kolocep and Lopud in one outing.

FAQ

How long is the speedboat tour?

The trip lasts about four hours, including the cave stops and time at Šunj Beach.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at the last wooden pier in the small marina at Lapadska obala 4, by Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse in Dubrovnik. The tour returns to the same meeting point.

What time does the morning tour leave?

From June 1 through September 15, the morning tour starts at 8:30 a.m. The provided details do not specify departure times for other dates or afternoon tours.

Is snorkel equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets for adults and children are included.

What drinks are included?

The included beverages are beer, white wine, water and juice. Alcoholic drinks are for adults aged 18 and above.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, though bars and a small restaurant are available near Šunj Beach.

How much time is spent at Šunj Beach?

The stop is about an hour and a half, giving you time to swim, relax or find food and drinks nearby.