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

The Adriatic is your swimming pool. This four-hour speedboat trip combines Dubrovnik’s sea views with swims through the Blue Cave, Green Caves, Dark Cave, and Passage Cave, then gives you time at sandy Šunj Beach. I especially like the small-group format, with a maximum of 18 people, and the practical extras: snorkel gear, floating noodles, water, soft drinks, beer, wine, and grappa are included.

The price is $84.65 per person, which is fair for a half-day on the water if you plan to swim and make use of the drinks and equipment. The main catch is that the boat cannot enter the Blue Cave. You must swim about 20 meters from the boat and pass through a small opening, so this is not a good choice if you are uncomfortable in open water or ducking under rocks.

Quick points before you book

• The Blue Cave is reached by swimming: The speedboat anchors roughly 20 meters away because the entrance is too small for the boat.
• Šunj Beach has unusually shallow water: The sandy seabed extends about 100 meters from shore, useful for children and less confident swimmers.
• The boat ride includes excellent Dubrovnik views: You pass beneath Lovrijenac Fortress and see the Old Town walls from the Adriatic.
• Drinks are included: Expect bottled water, soft drinks, natural juices, local beer, red and white wine, and grappa.
• Sea conditions matter greatly: Rough water can make the ride uncomfortable and may force changes to the cave stops.
• Guide quality can shape the day: Captains including Ivan, Luca, Marco, Leo, Mario, Tony, and Dora have received strong praise for being friendly, careful, and helpful.

A fast start beneath Dubrovnik’s city walls

The trip begins with one of the best views of Dubrovnik: the Old Town seen from the water. From a speedboat, the famous walls rise above the sea in a way you cannot appreciate from the crowded streets inside.

Your skipper also points out Lovrijenac Fortress, built on a steep cliff 37 meters above the Adriatic. The short sightseeing run is not a full history tour, but it adds useful context before the swimming begins. You may hear local legends and small facts about the city as the boat heads toward the caves.

Pickup is from the pier in the Old Town area. The meeting point can be a little confusing because several boats may load and unload quickly, so arrive with enough time to identify the correct crew and boat. Once aboard, the setup is simple. The boat has a partly covered area, which gives you some shelter from strong sun.

The speedboat itself is part of the attraction. You get open-water views and a brisk ride rather than a slow sightseeing cruise. That is fun in calm conditions, but the same speed can feel rough when the sea is choppy. If you have a sensitive back, motion sickness, or young children who dislike jolting rides, check the forecast and ask about sea conditions before departure.

Swimming into the Blue Cave

The Blue Cave is the main reason most people book this trip. Natural light reflects through the water and creates a blue glow inside the rock. The effect is strongest when the light and sea conditions cooperate, and the short swim makes the visit feel more like an adventure than a simple photo stop.

The boat anchors about 20 meters from the opening. You then swim to the entrance with a mask and breathing tube supplied by the crew. The opening is too small for the speedboat, and you cannot simply step inside from the deck.

Be prepared for a compact entrance. You may need to duck beneath a rocky lip to get into the cave, depending on the water level and the exact approach. Pool noodles are available, which helps if you want extra support while looking around.

This detail deserves more attention than it usually gets. The Blue Cave is not a boat-access cave where you remain seated and take photographs. You need to be comfortable swimming from the boat, handling snorkeling equipment, and entering a narrow rocky opening. The crew remains on the boat at the cave stops, so you have some independence once you reach the water.

The scheduled stop is about 40 minutes, though that includes getting people into the water and back aboard. Crowding can also affect the experience. Several boats may gather near the most popular cave, and rough water makes getting through the opening harder. Your captain may adjust the order or use an alternative cave if conditions or boat traffic make the original stop unsafe.

Still, this is the most memorable part of the outing for many people. The combination of the short swim, the dark rock, and the glowing water gives the stop a real sense of place. Bring a waterproof phone pouch if you want photographs, but do not let the camera distract you from watching the light change around you.

Three Green Caves, a canyon, and more open water

The next stop groups together several formations often described as the Three Green Caves. Sunlight gives parts of the rock a green or emerald cast, especially where the water reflects against the walls.

One section is a canyon-like passage cut through the cliffs. You can swim and snorkel around the opening, and some routes continue through narrow sections beneath the rocks to another opening. This can be exciting, but it is not equally easy for everyone.

The crew provides masks and breathing tubes, but the cave visits are largely self-guided. Your skipper explains how to enter and exit, then stays with the boat while you explore from the water. Pay close attention to those instructions, keep your distance from the rocks, and do not force yourself through a tight passage simply because someone else has done it.

The Green Cave stop can be less predictable than the Blue Cave. Sea traffic may mean using a different green cave or nearby formation, and cold water or wind may make swimming unpleasant. On one outing, rough conditions meant an alternative site was used instead. That is the sensible choice from a safety point of view, but it can disappoint you if you have booked specifically for a particular cave.

You should also expect some waiting or congestion around popular formations. The captain may try to avoid the busiest moments, but Dubrovnik’s cave trips are not private explorations. If you want total quiet and unlimited time at each cave, a private charter is a better fit.

The payoff is variety. You are not seeing the same cave three times. You get the blue light of the first stop, green reflections at the next, and narrow rock passages that make the swimming more active.

Šunj Beach on Lopud Island

After the cave stops, the boat heads to Šunj Beach on the south side of Lopud Island. This is the relaxed part of the day, with about one hour for swimming and sunbathing.

Šunj is a sandy beach, a welcome change from Dubrovnik’s stone edges and rocky swimming platforms. Its seabed stays shallow for roughly 100 meters from shore, so children and cautious swimmers can get into the water without immediately stepping into deep sea.

The beach stop also gives you a chance to dry off and slow down after the cave swims. You might find a bar or restaurant nearby, along with ice cream and simple food such as fries. Lunch is not included, so bring money if you want something to eat. Beach chairs also require a separate rental fee, and towels are not provided.

Expect a more developed beach setting rather than an untouched cove. At busy times, the sand and water may be crowded, and cleanliness can vary. The beach is attractive and easy to enjoy, but some people may find an hour too short, while others may feel there is not enough to do beyond swimming, eating, and sitting in the sun.

The shallow water is the real strength here. Families can relax more easily, and you can finish the day without another demanding swim through a cave. If you want a long beach afternoon, though, this tour may feel rushed. The main purpose is the combination of caves and coast, not a full day at Lopud.

Drinks, equipment, and the value of $84.65

At $84.65, this is not the cheapest way to reach the islands, but the price includes several things that add up. You receive snorkeling equipment, pool noodles, bottled water, sparkling drinks, natural juices, local beer, red and white wine, and grappa.

That matters on a speedboat. You do not need to pack a full supply of drinks, and the crew can offer refreshments between swims. Captains such as Ivan and Mario have been praised for keeping drinks available at the stops, while other outings included a good mix of nonalcoholic options.

The alcohol is a nice extra, but do not book the trip mainly for the wine or beer. The value lies in the transport, cave access, equipment, and guided boat handling. Since lunch and towels are excluded, pack a towel and plan for your own food if you need more than a snack.

The maximum group size is 18, though the actual group may be smaller. A group of six, for example, makes boarding and swimming feel easier. Even with a full boat, this should feel more personal than a large excursion vessel, but it is not a private tour.

The four-hour length also works well for a busy Dubrovnik schedule. You can spend the morning or afternoon at sea and still have time for the Old Town, dinner, or another activity. The tradeoff is that each cave stop has a firm time limit.

Choosing the right captain and handling safety

The strongest part of the operation is often the skipper. Ivan, Luca, Marco, Leo, Mario, Tony, and Dora have all been singled out for warm, attentive service. Good captains explain how to get into and out of the caves, keep an eye on swimmers, answer questions, and adjust plans when the sea turns rough.

Marco has been praised for humor and reassurance. Luca has been described as friendly and professional, while Ivan is often noted for being engaging and careful. These personal touches matter because cave swimming requires clear instructions and calm boat handling.

There is also a serious warning. One trip operated in very rough weather and involved unsafe driving, a missed request for a life jacket, hard impacts from large waves, and an abrupt return after passengers objected. That is not a minor comfort issue. A speedboat can become dangerous when the sea is too rough, and you should speak up immediately if you feel unsafe.

Another outing was changed because the sea was too choppy for the advertised caves. The group was taken to alternative locations and later received a full refund. That response is reassuring, but it does not erase the disappointment of missing the planned sites.

The tour requires good weather and may be canceled if conditions are poor. You can then choose another date or receive a full refund. I would avoid scheduling this as your only possible sea outing, especially if your Dubrovnik visit is short and the forecast looks unsettled.

Who will enjoy this half-day on the Adriatic?

I would recommend it most strongly if you:

• Enjoy swimming and snorkeling in natural rock formations
• Want a fast, active outing rather than a slow island cruise
• Have only half a day available
• Like mixing scenery, adventure, and a sandy beach
• Are comfortable with changing plans when sea conditions require it
• Appreciate having drinks and equipment included

Families can enjoy Šunj Beach because of the shallow seabed, but the cave portions need more care. Children must be comfortable swimming from the boat, and parents should judge the sea conditions for themselves.

This is not ideal if you cannot swim, dislike small cave openings, need a very gentle boat ride, or want guaranteed access to every advertised site. The cave stops are weather-dependent, and the most important cave requires swimming from the boat.

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation is provided at booking. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, but the water-based nature of the outing means you should consider your own mobility and swimming ability before reserving.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, and poor-weather cancellations qualify for a different date or a full refund. The trip also needs a minimum number of participants, so a low booking count can lead to a rescheduled outing or refund.

Should you book the Blue Cave and Lopud tour?

Book it if you want a lively, well-priced way to see Dubrovnik from the sea and are genuinely happy to swim into caves. The Blue Cave is the star, the Green Caves add variety, and Šunj Beach gives you a comfortable final stop. The included gear and drinks make the $84.65 price easier to justify.

Before booking, make two checks. First, confirm that every person in your group understands that the Blue Cave is reached by swimming, not by boat. Second, check the forecast and ask the crew about conditions on the morning of departure.

If the water is calm and you get a careful captain such as Ivan, Luca, Marco, Leo, Mario, Tony, or Dora, this can be a terrific four-hour break from Dubrovnik’s crowded streets. If the sea is rough, the ride may be uncomfortable and the cave plan may change. In that case, safety has to come first, even if the substitute stop is less impressive.

FAQ

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

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

How much does the speedboat tour cost?

The listed price is $84.65 per person.

Can the speedboat enter the Blue Cave?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks and breathing tubes are provided, and pool noodles are available on the boat.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks are bottled water, sparkling drinks, natural juices, local beer, red and white wine, and grappa.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You may find food at or near Šunj Beach, but you pay for it separately.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the tour to be canceled.