Dubrovnik: Blue & Green Caves Private Boat Tour with Drinks

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat trip is getting into the water rather than simply looking at the caves from a boat. You swim with your guide into Kolocep’s Blue Cave, explore several Green Caves, and finish at sandy Sunj Beach. Mario, Robert, Duje, and other captains have earned especially warm praise for making nervous swimmers feel safe and for guiding people through tight cave entrances.

I like the private speedboat setting, which gives you far more freedom than a large group cruise. I also like the generous self-service drinks, including beer, local rakia, water, and juices. The main drawback is that the Blue Cave can be crowded and less intensely blue than online photos suggest, while the time at Sunj Beach may feel short.

• Swim into Kolocep’s Blue Cave with snorkeling gear and guidance from the captain.
• Visit three Green Caves, including narrow spots that may be hard to enter alone.
• Jump from a cliff or the boat if conditions and your confidence allow it.
• Spend about 90 minutes at Sunj Beach, the area’s notable sandy beach.
• Use the included GoPro and receive a link to download your photos and videos when available.
• Enjoy unlimited onboard drinks, with a fair policy covering beer, rakia, water, and juices.

A Four-Hour Speedboat Escape From Dubrovnik

This is a short, active sea excursion rather than a full-day island cruise. You meet at the pier across from Gruz Market, near the construction site, and board at Deck & Cheers. From there, the speedboat heads out past Dubrovnik’s waterfront and into the Elaphiti Islands area.

The four-hour length works well if you want a strong taste of the coast without giving up an entire day. You get several swim stops, a sandy beach, fast boat rides, and enough time for photos. I would allow extra time before the start to find the meeting point, since the directions identify the pier by its position across from Gruz Market rather than by a grand waterfront landmark.

The boat is private, or private groups are available, so you are not signing up for a large sightseeing vessel. That matters here. Cave swimming works better when the group is small enough for the guide to watch people closely and help them through the entrances.

The trip is led in English. Captains named in bookings include Mario, Robert, Duje, Drago, Marin, Ivan, and others. The exact guide depends on the day, but the strongest pattern is clear: the captain is not just steering. The best guides enter the water, point out the safest way through the caves, help less confident swimmers, and keep the mood easygoing.

Cruising Past the Bridge and Grebeni Lighthouse

The first minutes are scenic rather than active. You cruise beneath or near the Franjo Tudman Bridge, giving you a different angle on Dubrovnik’s modern waterfront and the steep coast beyond it.

Grebeni Lighthouse is a photo stop along the way. It is not a long shore visit, so keep your camera ready while the boat slows. This part of the ride helps you settle into the trip, but the real value is the sense of speed and open water between Dubrovnik and the islands.

A speedboat can make this route feel exciting, though it also means a bumpier ride when the sea is choppy. One booking noted that rough water made swimming harder, even though the overall trip remained enjoyable. If you are prone to motion sickness or dislike a fast ride, sit where you feel most stable and keep your expectations realistic on windy days.

Swimming Into the Blue Cave on Kolocep

The Blue Cave is the headline stop. The boat anchors near the entrance, and you use the provided snorkeling equipment to reach the cave through the water. Your guide can swim with you and show you how to approach the opening.

This is not a cave you simply walk into from a beach. Swimming is required for some parts of the tour, though life jackets and flotation aids are available. Guides can assist non-swimmers, but you should still be comfortable getting into the sea and following instructions. Even strong swimmers may want to ask how far they will need to swim before setting off.

Inside, light reflects through the water and gives the cave its blue glow. The effect depends on the sun, sea conditions, and how many boats are around. You may find the cave magical, but you should not expect every photograph from social media to match the real color. Several people found the Blue Cave less intensely blue than expected, and busy periods can make the space feel cramped.

That is why the guide matters. Mario and Robert were praised for taking people through narrow entrances and staying close in the water. One guide helped a less confident swimmer reach the boat, while others used flotation aids and went into the cave with the group.

The planned stop here lasts about 50 minutes. That includes swimming, snorkeling, photos, and time around the boat. Bring a waterproof phone case if you have one, but the company also provides a GoPro action camera. When available, you receive a link to download the photographs and videos afterward.

The GoPro is more than a small extra. Cave photos are hard to take with a normal phone, and an underwater camera lets you focus on the experience instead of worrying about your own equipment. Still, availability and use should be confirmed with the crew at the start, since one booking reported that the advertised camera and cliff jump were not provided.

Green Caves, Narrow Entrances, and Clear Water

After the Blue Cave, the boat continues to the Green Caves. The route includes a stop of about 30 minutes and another visit to the Three Green Caves for roughly 45 minutes, with additional photo stops along the way.

These stops are less about one famous color effect and more about exploring the shapes of the coast. You may see dark openings, rock walls, and small passages where the sea has cut into the island. The captain can show you which sections are suitable for swimming and where the boat can safely anchor.

The Green Caves were a favorite for some people precisely because they felt less crowded than the Blue Cave. One booking found the Blue Cave very busy but preferred the Green Caves, while another praised the guide for entering two difficult spots that other boats skipped. That is useful information if you want active exploration rather than a quick photo stop.

The experience varies with sea conditions. Water that looks calm from the boat can feel more demanding once you are swimming near rocks and cave openings. Listen carefully to the guide, use the flotation equipment if needed, and do not attempt a tight passage on your own.

There is also room to make the stop your own. You can snorkel, take photos, float near the boat, or stay aboard with a drink. Some captains join the group in the water and may encourage a cliff jump. The activity is advertised with cliff jumping, but it depends on the location, weather, and captain. Treat it as an option, not a guarantee.

Cliff Jumping for the Willing

Cliff jumping adds a burst of fun to what could otherwise be a relaxed swim tour. The advertised activity includes the chance to jump from cliffs, and some guides join in or show you suitable places. You might also jump from the boat, depending on the stop.

This is entirely optional. If you do not want to jump, you can snorkel, swim, or sit on deck. Ask the captain to explain the landing area first, and follow any safety instructions. The provided information does not promise a particular jump height or a fixed cliff-jumping site.

Families and mixed groups should appreciate that flexibility. Confident swimmers can seek a little adrenaline, while others can enjoy the caves without taking part. One family had a great time with a guide who led them through the harder cave sections, while another group was disappointed when the advertised cliff jump did not happen. The right mindset is to see it as a possible extra within a water-based trip.

Sunj Beach, the Sandy Finale

The final major stop is Sunj Beach on Lopud, reached after the cave visits. The stop is scheduled for about an hour and a half, making it the longest time spent in one place.

Sunj is notable because sandy beaches are unusual around Dubrovnik, where many swimming spots are rocky or made of concrete platforms. Here you can swim in warm turquoise water, relax on the sand, or have food and drinks at the beach area. The beach is a welcome change after repeated swims from the boat.

You can also rent a golf cart to see more of Lopud, including a medieval monastery and a botanical garden that are free to enter. With only 90 minutes, I would choose one priority rather than trying to tour the whole island, especially if you want time to swim and eat.

A practical detail matters here: beach bars may require cash. One booking also noted that buying a drink at the beach bar could provide access to a lounge chair and umbrella, though that arrangement may depend on the bar. Food is not included in the tour, so Sunj is your chance to buy lunch or a snack.

The main complaint about the itinerary is time. Several people wanted longer at Sunj Beach, particularly because it is attractive and offers a pleasant place to eat. If the beach is your main goal, a dedicated beach outing will give you more time. If the caves are the reason you are booking, 90 minutes is a useful final stop.

Free Drinks and the Private-Boat Atmosphere

The drinks policy adds real value to a four-hour trip. You can help yourself to beer, local rakia brandy, water, and juices on the boat. The selection is simple, but it means you do not need to pack a large supply of drinks for the afternoon.

The phrase unlimited drinks should not distract from the main activity. You are still on a boat in the sun, swimming and moving between islands. Water is important, and the alcohol is best saved for moments when you are safely back aboard and finished with active swimming.

The private setting also gives the trip a social but not crowded feel. Groups have connected over music, and some captains have allowed passengers to connect a phone to the boat’s audio system. That is not the central feature, but it can make a birthday outing or small group celebration feel personal.

The boat itself has been described as new, comfortable, and in top condition. One practical issue came up: a wet metal ladder felt slippery. Hold on carefully when boarding after a swim, and take your time rather than rushing up.

Is $73 a Fair Price?

At $73 per person, the price is strong if you plan to use the main inclusions. You receive a private speedboat trip, an English-speaking guide, snorkeling equipment, free drinks, and use of a GoPro action camera. You also visit several cave sites and Sunj Beach in four hours.

A comparable public boat trip may cost less, but you would not necessarily get the same freedom, smaller group setting, or direct help inside the caves. Here, the captain can choose a better approach to the cave entrances and spend more attention on your group.

The value is weaker if you do not swim, avoid speedboats, or mainly want time on the beach. Food, golf cart rental, beach purchases, and hotel transfers are extra. The private boat is most worthwhile for couples, families, and friends who want a shared outing with a flexible, upbeat feel.

The score of 4.7 from 814 bookings supports a high level of satisfaction, but the details behind that number matter more than the number itself. The praise centers on the captains, the boat, the swimming spots, the drinks, and the overall fun. The repeated cautions concern crowded Blue Cave conditions, short beach time, choppy seas, and occasional differences between the advertised extras and what happens on a particular departure.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour Most?

I would choose this excursion if you want several activities packed into half a day. It suits confident swimmers, adventurous couples, families with older children, and groups celebrating a birthday or special occasion.

You should also consider it if you value the guide’s personal help. The strongest captains, including Mario, Robert, and Duje, have been praised for professional boat handling, friendly conversation, and leading swimmers through passages that can be difficult to find alone.

It is less suitable if you want a quiet sightseeing cruise with no water entry. Swimming is central, and the Blue Cave can feel narrow or claustrophobic. Non-swimmers can receive guidance and use life jackets, but the tour is still built around getting into the sea.

Pack swimwear and a towel. Leave luggage and large bags behind. An underwater flashlight might help inside darker caves, but it is not listed as an included item, so do not count on having one supplied.

The afternoon departure can be a good choice if you like warmer light and a sunset return. One group enjoyed seeing the sunset while cruising back to Dubrovnik on the 2 p.m. departure. Starting times vary, so check the available slot that suits your plans.

Should You Book the Blue and Green Caves Boat Tour?

Book it if you want an active, social half-day on the water and you are happy to trade a little beach time for several cave stops. The combination of a private speedboat, swimming access, helpful captains, snorkeling gear, onboard drinks, and a GoPro makes $73 reasonable for many visitors.

I would book with three expectations: the Blue Cave may be crowded, its blue color may be subtle, and cliff jumping or the GoPro should be confirmed with the crew on the day. If those points do not bother you, this is a lively way to see the coast beyond Dubrovnik without committing to a full-day island trip.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms help if your plans or the sea forecast are uncertain, but they do not remove the need to check conditions before you set out.

FAQ

Where does the Dubrovnik Blue and Green Caves tour start?

The meeting point is at the pier across from Gruz Market, near the construction site. The tour begins at Deck & Cheers and returns to the same starting point.

How long does the boat tour last?

The experience lasts four hours. The listed stops include about 50 minutes at the Blue Cave, 30 minutes at a Green Cave, 45 minutes around the Three Green Caves, and about 1.5 hours at Sunj Beach, plus cruising time.

Is swimming required?

Swimming is necessary for some parts of the tour, including reaching cave entrances. Life jackets are available, and guides can assist non-swimmers, but you should be prepared for a water-based outing.

What drinks are included?

Free self-service drinks include beer, local rakia brandy, water, and juices. Food is not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, along with use of a GoPro action camera.

What should I bring, and what is not allowed?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Luggage and large bags are not allowed on the boat.