Dubrovnik: Blue Cave Afternoon Speedboat Tour with Drinks

The best part of this five-hour trip is getting beyond Dubrovnik’s walls and into the water. You’ll pass the Old Town by speedboat, swim around sea caves on Kolocep, and have time to unwind on sandy Sunj Beach. Guides such as Petra, Oliver and Dorian have led trips, but the crew can vary.

I like the mix of active cave swims and unhurried beach time, and the included drinks make the boat ride feel like part of the outing rather than just transport. One thing to weigh: some cave routes call for strong swimming, and a passage may require you to go briefly underwater. You can skip the more demanding sections, but this trip is not a good fit if you are uncomfortable in the sea.

Key points before you book

• Kolocep’s caves are the main event: Snorkel at the Blue Cave, then swim among eroded rock formations at the Three Green Caves.
• Sunj Beach gives you a proper break: Expect roughly two hours to swim, walk the sand or buy lunch and drinks.
• It is a fast ride between stops: The speedboat can reach 40 miles per hour, with open-water views along the way.
• Cave swimming is optional, but not always easy: Some routes may involve a short underwater passage or a longer swim around the rocks.
• Drinks and snorkel equipment are included: Water, soda, beer, wine, snorkel gear and life jackets are provided.
• The five-hour tour costs $82 per person: Food and hotel transport are extra, so budget for those separately.

From the Old Town Harbor to the open water

Meet at Ribarnica ul. 1, by the harbor in Dubrovnik’s Old Town. Look for the yellow Vagabundo sign. With boats and people moving around the waterfront, the meeting point may not be obvious at first glance, so give yourself a little time to locate the crew.

Once aboard, the first ride takes about 25 minutes. From the water, Dubrovnik’s stone walls make a striking frame for photos, and you’ll also see the modern part of the city from a different angle. This view is one of the trip’s simple pleasures: you leave the familiar streets behind and get a sense of the coast’s shape and scale.

The boat ride itself is part of the appeal, but it is worth knowing what you are signing up for. The speedboat can reach 40 miles per hour, so expect wind and spray rather than a quiet cruise. Secure your hat and sunglasses, and keep your phone safe. A waterproof case is a useful choice if you want photos near the caves.

The Blue Cave on Kolocep

The first cave stop is on the south side of Kolocep. A crack in the rock lets sunlight into the Blue Cave, where it refracts across the stone in blue patterns. The boat stops outside the entrance, and you can use the provided snorkel equipment to look into the cave and swim nearby.

The color depends on the light and sea conditions, so do not expect a staged display on demand. Still, seeing the cave from the water is a very different experience from looking at a coastal opening from shore. You are close to the rock, with the light shifting as you move through the water.

This stop lasts about 30 minutes. Guides have been described as staying close and explaining how to approach the cave safely. If you are nervous in the water, tell your guide before you set off. You do not have to take on every swim, and the crew can help you decide what feels manageable.

Bring a waterproof phone case if photographs matter to you. Inside a cave, keeping a camera dry and ready is harder than it sounds. A towel and change of clothes are useful too, especially if you plan to stay in your swimwear for the rest of the trip.

Swimming through the Three Green Caves

After a short boat ride, you reach the Three Green Caves, with about an hour scheduled here. The water and eroded stone formations make this a more hands-on stop than the first cave. You can swim and snorkel around the rocks, or stay nearer the boat if you prefer a quieter option.

The caves are not all equally easy to reach. Some people choose to swim through passages or around the headland, while others remain outside. One route has been described as requiring a brief underwater swim of less than a metre; another can involve a longer swim and climbing over rocks. These are useful details to take seriously, not reasons to feel you must prove anything.

A guide may accompany swimmers and help them through the cave sections. People who are confident swimmers often find this the most exciting part of the tour. If you are less sure of your ability, you can enjoy the water near the boat instead. You should be comfortable in open water, able to follow instructions and ready to stop if you feel tired.

Life jackets are included, but they do not turn a challenging swim into a casual one. If you have claustrophobia, limited stamina or a fear of swimming through confined spaces, skip the tighter caves. The crew’s supportive approach is helpful, but choosing your own limits is the sensible way to enjoy the stop.

Two hours on Sunj Beach

The boat then takes you to Sunj Beach on Lopud, one of the area’s best-known beaches. The scheduled stop is about two hours, making it the longest stretch of free time on the tour. Here you can swim in shallow water, relax on the sand, take a walk or simply sit with a drink and let the boat’s pace fall away.

Sunj’s sandy shore is a welcome contrast to the rocky cave stops. The beach stretches for about 100 metres, and the shallow water is useful if you want a gentler swim after the more active sections. Families may appreciate the easier water, though children still need close supervision.

There are two restaurants at the beach where you can buy food or drinks. Lunch is not included, so bring money and allow time to order if you plan to eat. Sun loungers may be available with a purchase, according to one account of the stop, but do not assume a lounger is part of your tour price.

You can also rent an electric vehicle to cross to the other side of Lopud, an option for anyone who wants to see more of the inhabited island. With only around two hours at the beach, though, you may prefer to keep things simple: swim, eat, and enjoy the sand without watching the clock too closely.

Lokrum and the return to Dubrovnik

The next ride takes about 20 minutes to Lokrum. The stop is listed as about 15 minutes, with time for a photo, a swim and a view back toward Dubrovnik. It is a short pause rather than a full visit to the island, so think of it as a final chance to get into the water or take in the coastline.

Some outings have included optional cliff jumps here, with one account describing a jump of about nine metres. That is not something you should treat as guaranteed: the route details do not promise a jump, and the water or conditions may affect what is offered. If the crew does offer one, it is entirely optional. You can stay on the boat or watch from the water.

The final ride returns along the coast, with roughly 15 minutes for views and photos near the Old Town before you reach the original meeting point. From the sea, the city walls look especially dramatic. It is a fitting end to a trip that has traded narrow lanes and stone steps for salt water and open views.

What the $82 price includes

At $82 per person, the value depends on whether you want a full half-day of varied activities. The fare covers the speedboat, an English-speaking guide, a captain, snorkel equipment, life jackets, insurance, bottled water, soda, beer and wine. You are paying for transport between several locations as well as guided time in the water, rather than simply hiring a boat to reach one beach.

Food is not included, and neither is hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to reach the harbor yourself and should budget for lunch or snacks at Sunj if you want them. Drinks at the beach restaurants are also separate from the drinks provided aboard.

The tour’s most praised qualities are its friendly, attentive crew, the cave swims and the range of stops. Names that have come up include Petra, Oliver, Dorian and guides called Zoki or Zokie, as well as captains Marin and Mario. Staff change, so book for the route and activities, not a particular person. The strongest practical point is that guides have been described as watching swimmers closely and helping people through cave sections without forcing anyone to join.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I’d choose this tour if you like being in the water and want more than a city sightseeing cruise. It suits confident swimmers who are excited by caves, snorkeling and the chance to jump from rocks if an opportunity arises. The beach stop balances the active parts, so you get time to rest rather than spending all five hours moving from one swim to the next.

It can also work if you are not the strongest swimmer, provided you are comfortable in the sea and willing to stay out of the more demanding cave routes. One person’s experience is not another’s, and the cave sections can feel tight or tiring. Make your own call at each stop, and let the guide know if you need help.

This is not suitable for pregnant women or wheelchair users. It is also a poor choice if you cannot swim, dislike speedboats or want a quiet, dry sightseeing trip. The ride is lively, and the caves are the point. If you would rather spend the day on land, Dubrovnik offers plenty of other ways to fill your time.

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel and sunscreen. Wear gear you can swim in, and consider water shoes for the rocky cave areas. Keep in mind that the tour lasts five hours, and the start time depends on availability. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option offers some booking flexibility.

Should you book the Dubrovnik cave tour?

Book it if you want a lively coastal outing with real swimming, a generous beach break and a fast ride past Dubrovnik’s walls. The combination of Kolocep’s caves, Sunj’s sand and Lokrum’s coastal views gives the day a pleasing variety, while included drinks and snorkel gear help make the $82 fare reasonable.

Skip it if underwater passages or open-water swimming sound stressful. You can opt out of specific cave sections, but the trip is built around being at sea. If that suits you, bring sun protection, a waterproof phone case and a sensible sense of your swimming limits, then let the guide help you choose how far to go.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at Ribarnica ul. 1 in Dubrovnik’s Old Town Harbor. Look for the yellow Vagabundo sign.

How long is the speedboat tour?

The tour lasts five hours. Check availability for the start time.

What drinks and equipment are included?

Bottled water, soda, beer, wine, snorkel equipment and life jackets are included.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, but you can buy a meal or drinks at one of the two restaurants at Sunj Beach.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer?

You should be comfortable swimming in the sea. Some cave routes may require a short underwater passage or a longer swim, but you can skip the more demanding sections.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel and sunscreen. A waterproof phone case can help protect your camera near the caves.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for pregnant women or wheelchair users.