From Dubrovnik/Cavtat: Blue Cave, Sunj Beach Speed Boat Tour

Dubrovnik’s stone walls look different from the sea: red roofs rise above the ramparts, and the islands feel close enough to touch. This small-group speedboat tour pairs that coastal view with swims at Koločep’s caves and a proper stretch of sand at Šunj Beach.

I like the balance of active cave stops and relaxed beach time, and the included masks, snorkels, and drinks make the half-day easier to plan. The catch is that the caves can be crowded, and you need basic swimming skills to take part safely.

• Blue Cave access is by swimming: Enter through a narrow opening and swim into its turquoise-lit interior.
• Three Green Caves offer different challenges: Two are broad, while a third is a narrow swim-through passage.
• Šunj gets the longest stop: Plan on about 90 minutes for its sand, shallow water, and beach bars.
• Drinks and snorkeling equipment are included: Beer, white wine, soft drinks, water, masks, and snorkels are provided.
• The ride is part of the fun: Expect open-water speedboat crossings, sea spray, and music on some trips.
• The route can change: Weather and conditions may affect which cave you visit first or where the boat stops.

Dubrovnik’s walls from the water

The tour begins from one of several departure points: Dubrovnik Old Town port, Cavtat, Mlini, or Srebreno, depending on the option you book. Check your exact meeting point before setting out, since the pickup location varies.

As the boat pulls away, Dubrovnik’s fortified Old Town becomes a coastal panorama rather than a maze of lanes and stairways. The view gives you a quick sense of how the city sits above the Adriatic, with its walls and red rooftops rising directly from the shore. Keep your phone ready, but hold on when the boat picks up speed.

The first crossing to Koločep takes about 25 minutes. A speedboat covers the distance quickly, leaving more of this four-to-five-hour outing for swimming and time on the islands. The trade-off is a livelier ride than you would get on a larger, slower boat. If you are prone to seasickness, this trip is specifically listed as unsuitable for you.

Swimming into Koločep’s Blue Cave

The first cave stop is the Blue Cave on Koločep, usually scheduled for about 30 minutes. Its entrance is narrow, and you reach the interior by swimming through it. Sunlight reflected through the water gives the cave its blue-green glow, a small natural show that depends on the light and sea conditions.

Snorkeling masks and snorkels are included, so you do not need to bring your own. The stop is about getting into the water, not viewing the cave from a dry boat. Basic swimming ability is required: you must be able to enter the water, resurface, float, turn, and swim to safety. Lifejackets are available, but they are not a substitute for being able to swim. Noodle floats may also be available.

Take care when entering the water. The cave area can have several boats and swimmers at once, and waves can make the approach more challenging. Keep an eye on where boats are moving, listen to the crew, and do not feel obliged to attempt a swim you are not comfortable with. Cliff-jumping may be possible at nearby rocks, but treat it as optional, not a required part of the outing.

Choosing your route through the Three Green Caves

After about 10 minutes by boat, you reach the Three Green Caves, also on Koločep. The planned stop is around 30 minutes, giving you time to swim and look around. Two caves are wide and relatively easy to enter; the third is a narrow passage that swimmers can go through to reach an exit on the other side of the island.

That range makes this stop more flexible than the Blue Cave. You can stay with the wider openings if you want an easier swim, or try the passage if you are confident in the water and the conditions suit you. The guide may adjust the order of the Blue and Green Caves based on weather or the sun’s position, so do not treat the sequence as fixed.

There is no guarantee the caves will feel secluded. In summer, other boats and swimmers can gather in the same area, which can make entering and moving around feel busy. The surroundings are still striking, but patience and awareness matter more than a perfect photograph.

Šunj Beach’s sand and shallow water

The final major stop is Šunj Beach on Lopud, with about an hour and a half of free time. Its roughly one-kilometer stretch of fine sand is a welcome change after rocky cave entrances and open water. The seabed stays shallow for a long way from shore, making this the easiest place on the route to settle into a relaxed swim.

The boat anchors as close as possible to the beach for disembarkation. You can swim, sunbathe, or take a break at a beach bar. If you buy a drink at the bar with blue umbrellas, a sunbed and umbrella are offered at no extra charge. That is a useful bonus, but the drink purchase is the condition, so bring some money if you want a lounger.

Pack a towel and swimwear, and remember that lunch is not included. Šunj has bars and food options when they are operating, but you should not assume you will have a full meal included in the tour. Beach bars and services begin operating in May. From November through April, when Šunj is not open and the sea is cold for a beach stop, the outing shifts to Lopud village or Koločep village, depending on the day and which cafés, restaurants, and shops are open.

A lively ride back to the harbor

The return crossing takes about 25 minutes, followed by a short scenic pass near Dubrovnik’s Old Port. On the way back, guides may play music, and some trips have a festive, informal feel. Several guides named during the season include Ivan, Mario, Rino, Dora, Leo, and Peter, though you cannot count on a particular person being assigned to your departure.

The crew provides local beer, white wine, iced tea, cola, Fanta, and water. These are welcome after a few swims, especially on a warm day. Drinks are included, but lunch is not, and the exact supply may vary with the trip. Keep a drink in hand only when it is safe to do so, and secure your belongings when the boat is moving.

The itinerary gives you roughly 30 minutes at each cave and 90 minutes at the beach, with short boat transfers between stops. That is enough time to swim at each location without making the outing feel like a full-day commitment. If you want long, quiet hours on an island, this is not that kind of trip. It is a fast sampler of coast, caves, and beach.

What $71 buys you

At $71 per person, this tour bundles the boat ride, several island stops, snorkeling gear, and a selection of drinks into one half-day outing. That can be good value if you want to see the coast and swim at multiple sites without arranging separate boat transport. The included refreshments also mean you are not paying for every drink aboard.

The value depends on what you want from the day. If you enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and a lively boat ride, the mix of caves and sand covers several experiences in one booking. If you prefer a quiet cruise, a private boat, or a long stay in one place, the shared format and brisk route may feel less appealing. This is not a private tour, and group size can vary. Some departures have carried around 14 people, while several boats may be operating at once.

The guides are an important part of the atmosphere. Names such as Ivan, Mario, and Rino come up often in connection with friendly hosting, music, helpful information, and keeping drinks available. Those are good signs of a warm, informal outing, but individual guides and music choices cannot be guaranteed. If you prefer quiet, note that some trips play music at a noticeable volume.

Who should book this trip

This tour suits confident swimmers who want a mix of action and downtime. Families who enjoy sea swimming, couples looking for an easy half-day excursion, and groups who like music and a sociable boat ride should find plenty to enjoy. The caves make the outing more than a simple beach transfer, while Šunj gives you room to slow down at the end.

It is not a good choice for non-swimmers, people with back problems, wheelchair users, people over 80, or anyone prone to seasickness, according to the activity restrictions. Getting on and off a speedboat may also be difficult if you have mobility limitations. If you are unsure about the swim requirements, ask the operator before booking rather than relying on a lifejacket to make cave swimming safe.

The captain can change the route in bad weather. That flexibility is sensible on the Adriatic, but it means the order of stops and even the destination may vary. In the colder months, expect a village stop instead of Šunj Beach. Consider the season, sea conditions, and your comfort in open water before you choose a departure.

Should you book?

Book this tour if you can swim, want to see Dubrovnik from the water, and like the idea of moving between caves and a sandy beach in one outing. The strongest combination is the Blue Cave swim, the choice of routes through the Green Caves, and the unhurried time at Šunj, with drinks and gear already covered.

Skip it if you need a quiet, private cruise, cannot swim confidently, or are sensitive to boat motion. For the best fit, choose a warm-weather date when Šunj’s services are open, bring swimwear and a towel, and confirm your departure point. If those basics suit you, this is a lively and practical way to trade Dubrovnik’s stone lanes for an afternoon on the water.

FAQ

How long is the Blue Cave and Šunj Beach tour?

The tour lasts about four to five hours. The itinerary allows about 30 minutes at the Blue Cave, 30 minutes at the Three Green Caves, and 90 minutes at Šunj Beach, plus boat transfers.

Where does the tour depart from?

Departure options include Dubrovnik Old Town port, Cavtat, Mlini, and Srebreno. The meeting point depends on the option booked, so check the location on your reservation.

Is this a private boat tour?

No. It is a shared small-group tour, not a private charter. Group size can vary.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are included for the cave and swimming stops.

What drinks are included?

The included drinks are local beer, white wine, iced tea, cola, Fanta, and water.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Šunj has beach bars and food options when they are operating, but food is at your own expense.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. Basic swimming skills are required, including being able to enter the water, resurface, float, turn, and swim to safety. Lifejackets are available but are not a replacement for swimming ability.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. You may also want money if you plan to buy a drink at the beach bar for access to a sunbed and umbrella.

Are Šunj Beach’s bars open all year?

No. Beach bars and services begin operating in May. From November to April, the stop changes to Lopud village or Koločep village, depending on the day and which businesses are open.

Can the captain change the route?

Yes. The captain may change the itinerary because of bad weather. The order of cave visits can also change, for example, to account for the sun’s position.