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

The best part of this four to five-hour speedboat trip is the mix of places you could not easily reach on your own. You’ll see Dubrovnik’s walls from the Adriatic, swim through the glowing Blue Cave on Koločep, pass through the Three Green Caves, then spend a long, lazy stretch on sandy Šunj Beach.

I like the small-group feel, with boats often carrying about 14 people, and I like that drinks, masks, snorkels, lifejackets, and float noodles are included. The main drawback is that the caves can get crowded with other boats in summer, and this is not a good outing for non-swimmers or anyone prone to seasickness.

Key points to know before booking

• Swim through the Blue Cave: The only entrance is a narrow opening at water level, so you must enter by swimming.
• Explore three different caves: The Three Green Caves offer easy snorkeling in two chambers and a more adventurous swim-through in the third.
• Spend 1.5 hours at Šunj Beach: This is a proper sandy beach stop, not just a quick photo pause.
• Drinks are included: Local beer, white wine, iced tea, cola, Fanta, and water are available aboard.
• Guides shape the mood: Ivan, Rino, Mario, Dora, Leo, Peter, and other crew members are noted for friendly hosting, music, and help in the water.
• Weather can change the order: The captain may visit the green caves first if conditions or sun position make that the better choice.

Dubrovnik’s walls look different from the sea

The boat leaves from the Dubrovnik Old Town port, with other departure options available from Cavtat, Mlini, and Srebreno. As you head away from shore, you get a clean view of the old fortifications and the orange roofs packed inside them.

This is one of the most useful sightseeing moments of the trip. From land, Dubrovnik’s walls can feel like a solid barrier around the Old Town. From the water, you see how dramatically the city rises above the Adriatic. Keep your phone ready during the outward ride and again on the return, when the boat passes the Old Port and gives you another scenic look.

The boat ride takes about 25 minutes before the first cave stop. A speedboat makes the islands feel close, but you should expect a lively ride, especially on the way back if the sea is choppy. One person specifically advises taking motion-sickness medicine if you are prone to queasiness. Sit where you can hold on, and protect loose hats and phones when the boat picks up speed.

Swimming into the Blue Cave on Koločep

The Blue Cave is the tour’s signature stop. It is not a cave that you simply walk into from a dock. You enter through a low, narrow opening by swimming, then look back toward the entrance as sunlight reflects through the clear water and gives the cave its blue-green glow.

You get about 30 minutes here for swimming and snorkeling. That sounds brief, but it is enough time for most people to enter, look around, float in the cave, and return to the boat. The included masks and snorkels are useful because the water is the main attraction. You are not visiting a dry chamber with a guide and a flashlight. You are part of the scene, moving through the opening under your own power.

The entrance can be the trickiest part. Strong waves may push swimmers around, and boats can gather near the opening in high season. One useful tip is to keep your head up and pay attention to nearby boat traffic. The crew provides lifejackets and noodle floaters, but those aids do not replace basic swimming ability.

You need to be able to enter the water, resurface, float, turn, and swim to safety. If that describes you, the stop should feel manageable with care. If you cannot swim, choose another Dubrovnik boat trip that lets you remain aboard.

Cliff-jumping may be possible from nearby rocks for the more daring, but it is not the reason to book this tour. Conditions, safety, and the captain’s judgment matter more than checking off a stunt. The cave itself is the worthwhile part.

The Three Green Caves give you more room to roam

After roughly 10 minutes by boat, you reach the Three Green Caves, also on Koločep. This stop lasts about 30 minutes and has a different feel from the Blue Cave.

Two caves are broad enough for relaxed snorkeling. The third is a narrow passage that lets you swim through the island and come out on the other side. That gives the group a choice: stay near the boat and look through the openings, or attempt the passage if you feel comfortable in confined water.

I like this arrangement because it spreads out the activity levels. You do not have to make every stop an athletic challenge. You can snorkel in the wider caves, use a noodle, or simply swim in the clear sea. The more adventurous part is available, but it does not dictate the whole stop.

The water and cave openings are the main sights, not a formal cultural tour. Guides do provide information and help, with names such as Ivan, Rino, Mario, Dora, and Leo appearing across different departures. The tone is generally informal, with music on the boat and drinks offered after the swims. If you prefer a quiet nature excursion with long explanations, this may feel too social. If you want water time and an easygoing boat crew, it fits well.

Šunj Beach is more than a quick final stop

The boat then runs about 15 minutes to Šunj Beach on Lopud, where you get around 1.5 hours of free time. This is the tour’s change of pace. After two active cave stops, you can walk onto the sand, swim in shallow water, or simply sit by the sea.

Šunj is known for its long stretch of pale sand and shallow water. The sea stays shallow for nearly 100 meters from shore, which makes the beach less intimidating for cautious swimmers and pleasant for a slow wade. It also explains why the boat may anchor as close as practical to the beach, since the water remains shallow well offshore.

Beach bars and other services begin operating in May. If you visit during the main season and buy a drink at the beachfront bar with blue umbrellas, you receive a complimentary sunbed and umbrella. This is a useful detail, because the loungers are not simply free for everyone. One person reported paying about €15 for a drink to receive the setup, so ask about the arrangement before ordering if you want a chair.

Lunch is not included. The beach has bars and food choices when open, but you should plan to buy your own meal or snack. With only 1.5 hours here, this is not a full island day. It is enough time for a swim, a drink, and a little sand between your toes.

From November through April, Šunj may not be operating as a beach stop. The boat may instead visit Lopud village or Koločep village, depending on the day and which cafés, restaurants, and shops are open. The sea is also cold for a beach-focused swim during this period, so book this mainly for the warm-season version if Šunj is important to you.

Drinks, music, and the boat atmosphere

The price includes local beer, white wine, iced tea, cola, Fanta, and water. After snorkeling, having a cold drink already on the boat is a real convenience. You do not need to bring a cooler or count every bottle.

The crew often pours drinks and checks if you need anything after a swim. Several guides, especially Ivan, are praised for keeping the mood friendly and upbeat. Music is part of the outing, and the return trip may feel like a small floating party. Some people enjoy that energy. Others may find the music too loud, so this is not a silent sightseeing cruise.

The boats are described as modern and comfortable, though the exact boat can vary. One departure used a boat called Luka, which looked less impressive at first but proved to be a good ride with an excellent skipper. That is a useful reminder not to judge the trip by the boat’s appearance at the dock.

A shared speedboat is more personal than a large sightseeing vessel, but it is still a group experience. You will share the boat, the cave entrances, the drinks, and the timing with other people. In July and August, expect other boats at the popular cave stops. The crew cannot control every boat in the area, but an early departure may help you get calmer water and a less crowded first stop.

How the timing works

The basic pattern is straightforward:

• About 25 minutes from the departure point to Koločep
• Around 30 minutes at the Blue Cave
• About 10 minutes to the Three Green Caves
• Around 30 minutes at the green caves
• About 15 minutes to Šunj Beach
• About 1.5 hours on the beach
• Roughly 25 minutes back toward Dubrovnik
• A final scenic pass by the Old Port

The listed times add up to a little over four hours, while the total activity can run four to five hours depending on the departure point, sea conditions, and time spent moving people on and off the boat. From Cavtat, Mlini, or Srebreno, confirm the exact meeting point and return location when booking, since the departure arrangement may differ.

The captain can change the order of the caves. For example, you might visit the green caves first and the Blue Cave second to make better use of the sun. That is not a loss. The Blue Cave’s color depends on light, so an itinerary change may improve the sight rather than spoil it.

Is $71 a fair price?

At $71 per person, this is good value if you want several activities in one half-day. You are paying for speedboat transport, three island-area stops, snorkeling equipment, a long beach break, and a selection of drinks. You also avoid arranging separate boat transfers to Koločep and Lopud.

The value is strongest for people who would otherwise book a boat ride, rent snorkeling gear, and pay for drinks separately. The price is less compelling if you only want a short swim or a quiet cruise. One person felt the cost was high for the length of the activity, and that is a fair concern if your priority is a full-day island tour.

The group size matters. A boat carrying about 14 people gives you a more relaxed experience than a packed excursion vessel, but it is not private. If you want to choose every stop, linger longer, or avoid music, book a private boat instead.

What to bring and who should skip it

Bring swimwear and a towel. A waterproof phone case is worth considering if you want pictures inside the caves, since the best views are from the water.

You should be comfortable climbing in and out of a speedboat and swimming in open water. The tour is not suitable for people with serious back problems, wheelchair users, non-swimmers, people prone to seasickness, or anyone over 80. A disability does not automatically make the trip impossible, but boarding can be difficult, so ask about your needs before booking.

Toilets are usually available only at Šunj Beach. Sometimes a speedboat with a toilet is used, but you should ask the crew on the day rather than count on it. Plan accordingly before leaving the port.

The guides speak English, Croatian, Bosnian, or Serbian. Their role is part skipper, part host, and part water-safety helper. Ivan, Rino, Mario, Dora, Peter, Tommy, Leo, and others have been singled out for friendly service, good music, clear information, and help with lifejackets or floaters. The exact guide depends on the boat and date.

Should you book the Blue Cave and Šunj Beach tour?

Book it if you want a lively half-day on the water with real swimming time, a striking cave, and a proper sandy beach stop. It works especially well for families with confident swimmers, couples who want more than a city walk, and anyone looking for a fun break from Dubrovnik’s stone streets.

Choose the early morning departure if you want a cooler ride and a better chance of less crowded cave water. Choose another kind of excursion if you dislike waves, loud music, shared boats, or entering caves by swimming.

For most active visitors, the combination is hard to beat: Dubrovnik’s walls from offshore, Koločep’s blue and green caves, free drinks, and Šunj’s shallow sandy bay. Just pack a towel, hold on during the fast sections, and remember that the sea, not the schedule, has the final say.

FAQ

How long is the Blue Cave and Šunj Beach tour?

The tour lasts about four to five hours. The planned stops include around 30 minutes at the Blue Cave, 30 minutes at the Three Green Caves, and 1.5 hours at Šunj Beach.

Where can I join the speedboat?

Departure options include Dubrovnik Old Town port, Cavtat, Mlini, and Srebreno. The exact meeting point depends on the option you book.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are included, along with lifejackets and noodle floaters for use when needed.

What drinks are included?

The boat provides local beer, white wine, iced tea, cola, Fanta, and water. Lunch is not included.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. Basic swimming skills are required because the Blue Cave is reached through a narrow entrance in the water. You must be able to enter the sea, resurface, float, turn, and swim to safety.

Is Šunj Beach open all year?

Šunj Beach bars and services begin operating in May. From November through April, the stop may change to Lopud village or Koločep village, depending on which local businesses are open.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The captain may change the order of the cave stops because of weather or the sun’s position. In colder months, the beach stop may also be replaced by a village visit.