Blue Cave, Green Cave & Lopud Beach small group Speed boat Tour

The best part of this four-hour speedboat trip is the chance to swim into caves that larger boats cannot enter. You cruise beneath Dubrovnik’s walls and Lovrijenac Fortress, then reach the Blue Cave by water rather than by boat, using a mask, snorkel, or pool noodle if needed. I like the striking cave light and the final stop at sandy Šunj Beach. The main consideration is simple: rough seas, crowds, or cold water can change the experience quickly.

I also like the easy, social setup. Your skipper provides snorkel gear, water, soft drinks, local beer, wine, and grappa, and the group is capped at 18 people. Skippers including Ivan, Luca, Marco, Leo, Mario, and others are praised for being friendly and safety-minded. But this is still a fast boat ride, not a quiet cruise, and one serious complaint involved unsafe handling in bad weather. Ask about sea conditions before departure and speak up if you need a life jacket or a slower ride.

Key points to know before booking

• The Blue Cave requires swimming: The boat anchors about 20 meters away because its entrance is too small for the speedboat.
• You get several water stops: The plan includes the Blue Cave, two Green Caves, and a canyon-like passage, with swimming and snorkeling where conditions allow.
• Šunj is the only sandy beach stop: Its shallow seabed extends roughly 100 meters from shore, useful for children and less confident swimmers.
• Drinks are included: Expect bottled water, sparkling drinks, juices, local beer, red and white wine, and grappa.
• The sea controls the schedule: Choppy water can make cave access uncomfortable or force an alternate route.
• The $84.65 price covers a lot: For a half-day on the water with equipment, drinks, and several stops, the fare is reasonable, though lunch and beach towels cost extra.

Starting beside Dubrovnik’s old walls

The trip begins from a pier near Dubrovnik’s Old Town, where several boats may load at once. Give yourself enough time to identify the correct boat and crew, since the dock can feel confusing during quick departures and arrivals.

The first minutes on the water provide one of the most rewarding views of the day. From offshore, you see Dubrovnik’s city walls as a complete fortified band rather than as a series of streets and towers. Your skipper shares local legends and facts while the boat passes beneath Lovrijenac Fortress, built on a steep 37-meter cliff above the Adriatic.

This opening is brief, but it gives the ride a useful sense of place. You are not simply heading to swimming spots. You are seeing how Dubrovnik’s walls, fortress, cliffs, and sea fit together.

The speedboat itself usually has some covered seating, along with open areas and, on some boats, a front sunbed. Music may play during the ride. Some people enjoy the holiday atmosphere, while others find loud dance music tiring, especially on a longer stretch of open water.

Swimming into the Blue Cave

The Blue Cave is the headline stop, and it earns that billing when the light is right. Natural sunlight reflects through the water and gives the interior a blue glow. The effect depends on the time of day, sea conditions, and how many boats are gathered near the entrance.

The boat anchors about 20 meters from the cave. It cannot enter, so you swim to the opening and pass beneath the rocks. That detail matters more than the tour title suggests. You need to be comfortable in open water and able to manage a narrow entrance. Snorkel masks and breathing tubes are supplied, and pool noodles are available for extra support.

Your skipper stays with the boat rather than leading you through each cave. You receive instructions, then explore under your own judgment. Pay attention to the rocks, use the flotation noodle if you want one, and do not treat the Blue Cave as a simple boat-access attraction.

The scheduled visit lasts about 40 minutes, though that includes anchoring, getting in and out, and swimming to the entrance. The cave can become crowded, particularly during popular summer hours. Several boats may wait in the same area, and rough water can make the short swim and rock entry more awkward.

I would bring water shoes if you own them, though they are not listed as included equipment. At minimum, take care when moving near the rocks. The water may also feel cold, particularly outside the hottest part of summer. A late October departure can still offer clear water and beautiful views, but swimming comfort is less predictable.

The Green Caves and narrow canyon

The next section includes two Green Caves, where sunlight creates an emerald tone in the water. The color is subtler than the Blue Cave’s glow, but the setting gives you a different kind of spectacle: open water, cliff walls, and light changing across the rock.

The itinerary also includes a canyon cave, a natural passage cut through the cliffs. One route is described as a narrow channel between rocky sides, with the option to continue beneath rocks toward another opening. This can be the most adventurous part of the trip, but it is not suitable for everyone.

You may swim or snorkel at these stops if the skipper says conditions are safe. In rough water, the crew may skip swimming, change the cave, or offer an alternate site. That is the right call from a safety point of view, but it can leave you feeling that the advertised route was only partly delivered.

Crowding can also affect the choice of cave. If the preferred Green Cave is packed with boats, the skipper may take you to another nearby cave. That keeps the boat moving, but the substitute may not look as impressive as the spot you expected.

Plan on roughly 30 minutes for this section. That is enough for a refreshing swim and a look around, but not enough for a leisurely snorkel at every opening. If cave exploration is your main reason for booking, keep your expectations realistic. This is a rapid sampler of several sites, not a full-day expedition dedicated to one cave system.

Šunj Beach on Lopud Island

The final stop is Šunj Beach on the south side of Lopud Island. Unlike Dubrovnik’s usual rocky swimming spots, Šunj has pale sand and a shallow seabed that continues for about 100 meters from the shore.

That shallow water is valuable for families and anyone who is not a strong swimmer. It also makes the beach a calmer finish after the speed and movement of the boat. You have about one hour in the stated schedule for swimming, sunbathing, a drink, or a quick meal.

Do not expect a major resort town at the beach. You might find a small selection of bars, restaurants, ice cream, and souvenir options, but there is not a long list of activities. Beach chairs may require a separate rental fee, and towels are not included.

The beach’s condition can vary. On a good day, the sand and clear water are the perfect contrast to Dubrovnik’s stone streets. On a busy day, the shore may feel crowded or less clean than expected. If you want a chair, check the price before settling in. If you plan to eat, lunch is not included, so bring payment for food and beach extras.

The one-hour stop may feel short, especially if you want both lunch and a swim. Several accounts of the experience describe wishing for more beach time, while others found the final stop long enough to relax. Your view will depend on how much time the boat spends at the caves and whether sea conditions disrupt the schedule.

Drinks, equipment, and the small-group setup

The inclusions make this tour easier than arranging a boat and swimming stops on your own. You receive:

• Snorkeling masks and breathing tubes
• Pool noodles for flotation
• Bottled water
• Sparkling drinks and natural juices
• Local beer
• Red and white wine
• Grappa

The drinks are served from a cooler and are often offered during the ride and at stops. The selection is not a full bar. If you do not drink beer, the alcohol choices may feel limited, though wine and grappa are available in the stated inclusions.

At up to 18 people, this is smaller than a standard excursion boat. That helps with boarding, drink service, and finding a place to sit, but it does not guarantee a private or quiet outing. A group of six can feel pleasantly personal. A full boat will feel more social, with less room to move around.

The speedboat design is part of the appeal and part of the risk. On calm water, you cover ground quickly and reach several sites in half a day. On choppy water, the ride can become bouncy and physically demanding. One account describes passengers being badly frightened during an unsafe trip in very rough seas, followed by a refund. That is an extreme report, but it gives you a useful rule: do not ignore weather warnings, and tell the crew immediately if the ride feels unsafe.

Is $84.65 good value?

At $84.65 per person, the tour is fairly priced for a four-hour outing that includes transport, snorkel equipment, flotation noodles, several cave stops, a beach visit, and drinks. You also avoid the effort of arranging separate transport to Kolocep and Lopud.

The value is strongest if you want variety. In one half-day, you see Dubrovnik from the water, visit several caves, swim in clear sea, and finish on a sandy beach. The included drinks are a practical bonus, particularly in hot weather.

The value is weaker if you want long, unhurried cave visits or a full beach day. The Blue Cave stop is about 40 minutes, the Green Cave section about 30 minutes, and the planned beach time about one hour. Add travel time, boarding, and swimming logistics, and each stop passes quickly.

Lunch and beach towels are not included. You can buy food at Šunj, but budget extra for that, plus any sunbed rental. If you already have a towel, pack it. You should also bring a swimsuit, sun protection, a dry change of clothes, and a waterproof case for your phone.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would choose this tour if you want an active half-day and are happy to swim into natural openings. It suits couples, families with older children, solo visitors, and small groups who prefer a speedboat to a large sightseeing vessel.

It is a particularly good fit for you if:

• You want to see the Old Town from offshore
• You are comfortable entering the water away from shore
• You enjoy short, varied stops rather than one long visit
• You like having drinks and snorkel gear supplied
• You want a sandy beach without committing to a full beach day

I would think twice if you dislike fast boats, get seasick, cannot swim, or need guaranteed access to every advertised cave. The Blue Cave is not accessible from the boat itself, and the narrow canyon may require swimming beneath rocks. Children can benefit from Šunj’s shallow water, but the speedboat ride and cave entries still require close parental judgment.

The tour requires good weather and may be canceled if the minimum number of people is not reached. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, but the swimming requirements make this more demanding than a standard coastal cruise.

My verdict: book it for variety, not certainty

This is a strong Dubrovnik half-day for people who want to get on the water, see several unusual swimming places, and end on sand. The Blue Cave is the main prize, while the Green Caves and canyon add variety. The Old Town view and included drinks help the $84.65 fare make sense.

Book it with a flexible attitude. The sea may be cold or rough, the caves may be crowded, and an alternate cave or beach plan may be necessary. Before boarding, confirm that the Blue Cave requires a swim from the boat, ask about current conditions, and make sure you know where life jackets are stored.

If the weather is calm and you enjoy active sightseeing, I would book it. If you need a guaranteed cave visit, a quiet ride, or extensive beach time, choose a slower and more predictable coastal experience instead.

FAQ

How long does the Blue Cave, Green Cave, and Lopud Beach tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours. The stated schedule allows about 40 minutes at the Blue Cave, 30 minutes around the Green Caves and canyon cave, and one hour at Šunj Beach, with the remaining time used for boat travel.

Can the speedboat enter the Blue Cave?

No. The entrance is too small for the boat. The speedboat anchors about 20 meters away, and you swim to the cave entrance.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks and breathing tubes are included. Pool noodles are also available on the boat for flotation support.

Are drinks included in the price?

Yes. The tour includes bottled water, sparkling drinks, natural juices, local beer, red and white wine, and grappa.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can use your free time at Šunj Beach to buy food or drinks, and you should budget separately for any beach chair rental.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.