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

The best part of this four-hour Dubrovnik boat trip is the pair of sea caves on Kolocep. Sunlight turns the Blue Cave’s water an intense blue, while the Green Caves offer clear swimming, underwater passages, and spots for jumping from the rocks. You get a real taste of the Elafiti Islands without giving up a full day.

I like the short travel time from Dubrovnik and the useful mix of swimming, snorkeling, and beach time. I also like the practical extras: masks, life jackets, pool noodles, and cold drinks are provided. Captains such as Pavo, Maro, Anthony, and Jacob are described as friendly hosts who explain the stops and keep the mood easygoing.

The main thing to weigh is the time split. You spend about 30 to 35 minutes at each cave and roughly 90 minutes at Šunj Beach, so cave fans may want more time in the water. The trip is also a group outing, not a fully private charter, and one poor experience involved an overly fast return in choppy water.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue and Green Caves on Kolocep: You get two separate swimming stops, each lasting about 30 to 35 minutes.
• Early departure matters: From June 1 through September 15, the 8:30 a.m. morning tour is designed to reach the caves before larger crowds.
• Šunj Beach is the longest stop: Plan on about 90 minutes for swimming, sun, and a drink or meal near the beach.
• Snorkeling gear is supplied: Masks, life jackets, and pool noodles are available, so you do not need to bring your own equipment.
• Drinks are included: Adults age 18 and over can have beer or white wine, while water and juice are also provided.
• Good value for a half-day: At $77.43 per person, the price covers the boat, driver-guide, fuel, equipment, and beverages, but not lunch.

The short ride from Dubrovnik’s West Harbour

You meet at the last wooden pier in the small marina at Lapadska obala 4, near the Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse. The tour returns to this same point, which keeps the outing simple if you are staying in Dubrovnik and want to fit another activity into the afternoon.

The boat ride gets you away from the city quickly. Kolocep is close enough for the trip to spend its time on swimming and exploring rather than on a long transfer across open water. You also get broad views of Dubrovnik’s coast and the Elafiti Islands along the way.

The experience is sold as a private speedboat ride with a driver, but the operating details make clear that it is a group tour, with up to 30 people in a booking and 30 travelers at most on the activity. That distinction matters. You should expect the comfort and speed of a smaller boat, but not the freedom of choosing every stop or having the boat to yourself.

The supplied details do not promise a specific captain. Names connected with especially well-received outings include Pavo, Maro, Anthony, and Jacob. Pavo is repeatedly described as an easygoing host who gave clear explanations and good suggestions, while Maro is noted as both captain and gracious guide. The exact person on your boat may differ.

Why the 8:30 a.m. departure is worth considering

The morning departure from June 1 through September 15 starts at 8:30 a.m. specifically to avoid the largest groups at the caves. This is one of the most useful details about the trip, since cave stops can feel far less special when several boats arrive at once.

An early start also gives you cooler conditions for the boat ride. By the time you reach Šunj Beach, you still have a good portion of the day ahead of you, though you will need to be ready to leave the hotel early.

The afternoon option may suit you better if you dislike early starts or want a relaxed morning in Dubrovnik. The caves remain the central attraction, but the timing can affect how crowded they feel. If seeing the Blue Cave with fewer boats around is your priority, I would choose the morning trip.

The full outing lasts about four hours. Most of that time is split between the two cave stops and the beach, rather than spent listening to a long formal commentary. You get information from the captain as you travel, but this is mainly an active sea outing, not a history-focused sightseeing cruise.

Kolocep’s Blue Cave, where sunlight changes the water

Kolocep is the first island stop. The Blue Cave sits on the island’s south side, and its color comes from sunlight entering the cave, reflecting through the water, and lighting the sandy bottom. The effect changes with the angle of the sun and the position of the boat, so the cave is best understood as a short visual and swimming stop rather than a large cavern you walk through.

You stay about 30 to 35 minutes. The boat brings snorkeling equipment, and the clear water lets you look below the surface around the cave. Some people may find the entrance or the enclosed space a little daunting, especially if tight areas make you uneasy.

This stop is best for you if you enjoy a quick natural spectacle and do not need a long explanation of geology. You can swim, use the mask, and take in the unusual color before the boat moves on. The time is enough for a refreshing visit, but not enough for an unhurried exploration if the cave is busy.

The captain’s instructions matter here. Listen carefully before entering the water, use the supplied life jacket if you need it, and remember that the boat schedule controls the stop. The cave is the sort of place where a few minutes can pass quickly once you are swimming.

The Green Caves and their clear swimming water

The Green Caves provide a different experience from the Blue Cave. Instead of one famous color effect, you get clear water, rock formations, and underwater passages. The setting invites swimming and snorkeling, with places where confident swimmers can jump from the rocks.

Again, the stop lasts about 30 to 35 minutes. That gives you time to enter the water, look around with a mask, and enjoy a few swims, but you may feel rushed if you want to spend the whole stop exploring every opening.

I would pay attention to your own comfort level here. The water can look inviting, yet rock passages and jumping areas are not equally suitable for everyone. You do not need to jump or enter an underwater passage to enjoy the stop. You can stay near the boat, use a pool noodle, and appreciate the clear water at your own pace.

The two cave visits work well together. The Blue Cave supplies the striking color effect, while the Green Caves offer more active swimming. Together, they give you more variety than a single cave excursion.

Šunj Beach on Lopud, a slower final stop

After Kolocep, the boat continues to Lopud for about 90 minutes at Šunj Beach. This is the longest pause of the trip and changes the pace from quick cave visits to a more ordinary beach break.

Šunj is known for its broad sandy shore, shallow water, and a lagoon that shifts from green to blue. The gentle entry makes it a useful stop for families and for anyone who prefers wading and relaxed swimming to open-water snorkeling.

You can also use the beach bars and the small forest restaurant on the hillside. One particularly useful tip is to walk up the stairs to the restaurant or cliffside bar if you want a meal or cocktail with a view. The food has been singled out as good, and the hillside bar is described as more affordable than expected.

Still, you should set your expectations correctly. The beach is pleasant, but the caves are the more distinctive part of the outing. If you mainly want a sandy beach, Šunj gives you that. If you booked because of the caves, 90 minutes here may feel long, especially after you have already spent time swimming.

Some groups have arranged to spend less time at the beach and more time at the caves. You should ask the captain early if that flexibility is possible on your departure. It is not guaranteed, but it can improve the day for anyone more interested in rock formations and snorkeling than sunbathing.

Drinks, equipment, and what the price really covers

At $77.43 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Elafiti Islands, but the price includes several costs that can add up on a boat outing. You get the driver-guide, fuel surcharge, snorkeling equipment, life jackets for children and adults, and drinks.

The drink selection includes beer, white wine, water, and juice. Alcohol is only for adults 18 and over. The cold drinks are most useful after swimming and during the ride back, although you should not assume you will be drinking continuously throughout the four hours.

One point needs clarification in your own planning: the tour details say beverages are included, while one booking experience described receiving only one drink during the trip. That may reflect the way the boat was managed that day, so if drinks are a major reason you are booking, ask how they are served.

Lunch is not included. You can buy food at Šunj Beach, including at the hillside restaurant, but that cost is separate. Bringing a small amount of cash or another accepted payment method would be sensible, though the provided details do not specify payment options at the beach.

The equipment makes the trip easier for occasional swimmers. You do not need to pack a mask, and pool noodles can help children or less confident adults enjoy the water. Life jackets are available for both children and adults.

What the boat ride feels like in changing weather

A speedboat is efficient and fun in calm conditions. You reach the islands quickly, feel the wind, and get a close view of the coast. It is also more exposed than a large ferry, so the ride can become wet and bumpy when the sea is rough.

The experience requires good weather and may be canceled if conditions are poor. If that happens, you can receive a full refund or choose another date. This is sensible for a water activity, but it also means you should avoid building an unchangeable schedule around this one outing.

There is one serious caution in the feedback. One group described a reckless, very fast return in choppy water that left people drenched and frightened, especially the children. That account conflicts with the many positive descriptions of organized, enjoyable trips, but it is still worth noting.

If you are traveling with children, older adults, or anyone nervous on boats, tell the captain about your concerns at the start. Sit where you feel secure, hold on when the water is rough, and do not treat speed as a measure of a good excursion. Most of the favorable experiences praise the hosts for being attentive, but boat handling can affect the whole outing.

Who will get the most from this half-day tour

I think this trip suits you if you want several classic Dubrovnik-area experiences in one compact outing: island views, sea caves, snorkeling, swimming, a sandy beach, and a boat ride. It works especially well when you have only a few days in Dubrovnik and do not want to give up a full day to island-hopping.

Families can make good use of the supplied life jackets, masks, and pool noodles. The beach’s shallow water adds another comfortable element. Teens and young adults may get the most from the cave swimming and rock-jumping spots, though you can skip the jumps and still enjoy the stops.

The tour also fits couples and friends who want a social boat outing. The group format can make it easy to meet people, but it means you will share the schedule and space. If you want silence, a custom route, or complete control over how long you stay in each cave, a private charter would be a better match, though likely at a higher total cost.

You should think twice if you dislike enclosed spaces, rough speedboat rides, or short timed stops. The Blue Cave entrance can feel tight, and both cave visits pass quickly. You may prefer a beach-focused outing if your main goal is a long, slow swim.

Practical details before you reserve

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity is offered in English. The meeting point is the last wooden pier at the small marina at Lapadska obala 4, Dubrovnik, and the boat returns there at the end.

The tour is listed as suitable for most people, with service animals allowed and public transportation nearby. It has a maximum of 30 people. Since the experience combines swimming and a speedboat ride, wear a swimsuit and bring anything you need for sun protection, though the supplied information does not specify whether towels or storage are provided.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. The cut-off follows local time in Dubrovnik.

The current rating is 4.9 out of 5, with 99 percent of customers recommending the experience. That strong score matches the most common strengths: attractive caves, clear water, friendly captains, helpful equipment, and an easy four-hour format. It does not erase the practical limits of a group trip or the isolated concern about an unsafe return, so those details should guide your decision.

Should you book the Blue Cave and Green Caves tour?

I would book this tour if you want a well-priced half-day on the water and the caves are your main goal. The combination of two very different cave stops, supplied snorkeling gear, drinks, and a long pause at Šunj Beach gives you plenty to do for $77.43.

Choose the early 8:30 a.m. departure from June through mid-September if you can manage it. Ask about spending more time at the caves if the beach matters less to you, and confirm how drinks will be handled.

Skip it if you want a private boat, a quiet cruise, or a long cave exploration without a fixed schedule. For most people who want a lively, practical introduction to Dubrovnik’s nearby islands, this is a strong choice, provided the sea is calm and you are comfortable with a group speedboat.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse, Lapadska obala 4, at the last wooden pier in the small marina. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours. You spend about two hours visiting the Blue and Green Caves on Kolocep and about 90 minutes at Šunj Beach on Lopud, with the remaining time used for boat travel.

What is included in the price?

The price includes beverages, a driver-guide, fuel surcharge, snorkeling equipment, life jackets for children and adults, and alcoholic beverages for adults age 18 and over. Lunch is not included.

Are drinks available for children?

Water and juice are included. Beer and white wine are only available to adults age 18 and over.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided, along with life jackets and pool noodles for use during the outing.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded, and poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.