Dubrovnik: Blue & Green Caves Private Boat Tour with Drinks

A speedboat turns Dubrovnik into a swimming day. This four-hour trip combines Blue Cave swimming with the quieter Green Caves of Kolocep, then gives you time at Sunj Beach, the region’s rare sandy shore. I like the private boat, the easygoing pace, and the open bar of beer, rakia, water, juices, and soft drinks. The main catch is that the Blue Cave can be crowded, and reaching it requires a swim.

The $73 price is fair if you plan to make good use of the boat, swimming stops, GoPro, and drinks. I would not choose it for a quiet sightseeing cruise or a full beach day, since Sunj gets about an hour and a half and some of that time can disappear quickly.

The quick take

• Swim into Kolocep’s Blue Cave: You receive snorkeling gear and can enter the cave with the guide, though the swim may feel tight for nervous swimmers.
• See several Green Caves: These stops often feel less pressured than the Blue Cave, with time for swimming, snorkeling, and photos.
• Ride a private speedboat: The small-group setup feels much more personal than a large boat excursion.
• Cliff jumping is part of the plan: The guide may join you for a jump, but sea conditions can affect what is possible.
• Sunj Beach is the relaxing finale: This sandy beach on Lopud offers swimming, food, drinks, and optional golf-cart exploring.
• Drinks are included: Beer, local rakia brandy, water, juices, Coca-Cola, and wine are available on the boat.

Leaving Dubrovnik by speedboat

You meet the boat at DECK & CHEERS, on the pier just across from the Gruz Market construction site. Hotel pickup is not included, so give yourself enough time to reach the waterfront and identify the correct pier.

The boat heads out past the Franjo Tudman Bridge, which gives you a fine opening look at Dubrovnik’s harbor and the coast beyond. The Grebeni Lighthouse is another early photo stop, more of a scenic marker than a long visit.

The speedboat is a big part of the appeal. You get the brisk ride between stops rather than spending most of the morning or afternoon chugging along on a slow vessel. Several people have especially liked the modern, comfortable condition of the boat and the sense that the skipper can adjust the route and position around other boats.

The tradeoff is simple: speedboats can feel lively on choppy water. If the sea is rough, sitting securely and holding on matters more than claiming the most glamorous seat. One afternoon trip had enough chop to make swimming harder, even though the passengers still enjoyed the ride.

Entering the Blue Cave on Kolocep

The first major stop is the Blue Cave on Kolocep Island. You receive snorkeling equipment, anchor near the entrance, and swim with the guide toward the cave. Life jackets are available, and guides can assist people who are not confident swimmers.

This is not a cave you simply walk into from a platform. Swimming is required, and you may need to cover enough water to reach the opening. That makes the stop exciting, but it also means you should be honest about your swimming ability before setting out.

Inside, the light can take on a blue tone as it reflects through the water and cave opening. The effect changes with the sun, water conditions, and number of boats nearby. Photos online often make the color look stronger than it appears in person, so keep your expectations sensible. The cave is beautiful, but it is a natural place, not a studio set.

Crowds are the largest issue. The Blue Cave can be busy even in the morning, and the confined space may feel claustrophobic. The private boat helps your group avoid some of the mass-tour feeling, but it cannot make other boats disappear.

A good guide makes a real difference here. Mario, Robert, Duje, Marin, Drago, and other skippers have been praised for helping people enter narrow sections, explaining how to approach the cave, and making less confident swimmers feel safe. Robert was particularly good at guiding people into trickier cave passages, while Mario often joined the group in the water.

Ask for a pool noodle or another flotation aid if you need one. One useful practical point is that the swim can last longer than you first expect, so do not treat the cave entrance as a quick hop from the boat.

The Green Caves and the better swimming stops

After the Blue Cave, the boat visits a Green Cave and then the Three Green Caves of Kolocep. The timing allows roughly 30 minutes at one Green Cave and about 45 minutes at the group of three caves, though exact conditions can influence the order and length of stops.

These caves are less about one famous photographic effect and more about moving through a striking coastal setting at water level. You can swim, snorkel, take photos, and look into narrow openings where the rock and sea meet.

For many people, the Green Caves become the favorite part. The Blue Cave has the name recognition, but the Green Caves can offer more room to enjoy the water without feeling rushed by a line of boats. You may also find the atmosphere more relaxed, especially when the guide takes you toward passages that are awkward to reach alone.

Cliff jumping is offered during the cave portion. It is a good extra for confident swimmers who want a burst of excitement between scenic stops. It is not essential to the trip, and you should never feel pressured to jump. Sea conditions, safety concerns, and the guide’s judgment can change what is available.

There is one important wrinkle: the activity description promises cliff jumping and a GoPro, but one family reported that neither was available on its outing. Most of the supplied feedback describes the GoPro as a real benefit, with photos and videos later shared by link, yet you should treat both the camera and cliff jump as features that may depend on the day.

The metal boarding ladder also deserves care. One person found it slippery when wet and suggested better grip tape. Use the handrails, move slowly, and let the guide help if your feet are unsteady.

Sunj Beach on Lopud

The final major stop is Sunj Beach on Lopud, described as the only sandy beach in the area. After several swims from the boat, the change is welcome. You can walk on the sand, swim in the warm turquoise water, order food or cocktails, and simply dry off in the sun.

The stop lasts about an hour and a half. That sounds generous, but many people would gladly trade one of the shorter sightseeing pauses for more beach time. If your main goal is to lie on the sand, this is not a beach vacation in miniature. It is a useful, attractive break at the end of an active boat trip.

The beach bar is a practical part of the stop. Several people found that buying a drink could provide access to a lounge chair and umbrella, though you should carry cash because the beach bar may not accept cards. That small detail can save you from an unnecessary scramble after getting off the boat.

You can also rent a golf cart to see more of Lopud, including the medieval monastery and botanical garden. The monastery and garden are free to enter, but a golf-cart outing will use some of your limited beach time. I would choose the cart only if you have already had enough swimming and want a quick look around the island.

Food is not included. Sunj gives you a chance to buy lunch or snacks, but you should plan for that expense separately. If you want a proper meal, check how much time remains before ordering, since a slow lunch can cut into your swim.

Drinks, music, and the private-boat mood

The open self-service drinks are more than a minor perk. You can take water and juice between swims, then have a beer, wine, soft drink, or a glass of local rakia brandy while cruising between islands. At $73 per person, that helps the price make sense, especially if you would otherwise spend money on drinks during a half-day outing.

Drink responsibly. Alcohol and slippery boat decks are not a perfect team, particularly when you are climbing ladders or swimming into caves. The best use of the bar is to stay hydrated first and save alcoholic drinks for the cruising and beach portions.

The private format changes the mood. You are not being moved through the day as part of a huge crowd, and the skipper can spend more time with your group. Groups of four, families, couples, solo passengers, and larger private parties can all work, with one reported private group of nine enjoying the setup.

The guide often sets the tone. Mario is repeatedly praised for getting people involved, keeping the energy warm, and joining cliff jumps and cave swims. Duje has been appreciated for professional boat handling and island information. Marin, Drago, Robert, Ivan, and other guides have also been described as friendly and helpful.

Expect different guiding styles. Some captains talk a lot, while others give you space and let the scenery do the work. One useful criticism was that it could be hard to hear the skipper while the boat was moving, so you may get more practical help than formal commentary.

Music can be part of the fun. Depending on the skipper and group, you may be able to connect a phone or suggest music. That suits a social outing, but it may not appeal if you want a quiet nature experience.

Timing, weather, and what to bring

The tour lasts four hours, with the main stops at the Blue Cave, Green Caves, and Sunj Beach. A 2 p.m. departure can be a smart choice if you like a later start and want warm evening light on the ride back. One group enjoyed the sunset while returning to the harbor.

Morning departures may be better if you want cooler conditions or hope to encounter fewer boats, but there is no guarantee that the Blue Cave will be quiet. Weather matters more than the clock. Choppy seas can make the ride rough and swimming less comfortable, while poor conditions can affect cliff jumping or access to narrow cave sections.

Bring:

• Swimwear
• A towel
• Cash for the beach bar
• A small phone or camera if you want backup photos

Do not bring luggage or large bags. Space on a speedboat is limited, and a bulky bag becomes a nuisance when you are moving between the boat, caves, and beach.

The free GoPro is a useful touch when available. It lets you record the cave swim without risking your phone, and the operator has supplied download links for photos and video after the trip. Still, bring realistic expectations: underwater visibility and cave lighting can make footage darker than it appears to your eye.

Is $73 a good value?

At $73 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the coast. The value comes from the combination of a private speedboat, guide, several cave stops, snorkeling equipment, drinks, and beach time in only four hours.

A standard boat trip may offer transport to one scenic location, but this outing packs several distinct experiences into a short window. You get the boat ride, swimming inside the Blue Cave, multiple Green Cave stops, a chance to jump from a cliff, and time at a sandy beach.

The price works best when you actually swim and use the boat’s extras. If you plan to stay dry, skip the caves, and drink only water, the value becomes less convincing. Food, hotel transfers, golf-cart rental, beach drinks, and any lounge-chair arrangement are extra.

The 4.7 rating from 814 reviews supports the idea that the basic formula is reliable, but the less flattering details are worth keeping in mind. The Blue Cave may not look as intensely blue as social media suggests, the beach stop can feel too short, and the sea may be rough. Those are normal limits of a coastal excursion, not reasons to dismiss it.

Who should book this boat tour?

I would recommend it to active couples, families with older children, groups of friends, and solo visitors who enjoy joining a small social group. It is especially good for anyone who wants several water stops without committing to a full-day island cruise.

Strong swimmers will get the most from the cave sections. Non-swimmers are not automatically excluded because life jackets and guide support are available, but you should understand that the main attraction involves swimming away from the boat and through cave openings.

This is less suitable for anyone who dislikes boats, gets uneasy in enclosed spaces, or wants a long, lazy afternoon on the sand. It is also not ideal if you need a fully accessible, walk-on sightseeing experience, since swimming and a wet ladder are central to the day.

The tour ends back at DECK & CHEERS, making it easy to continue your evening in Dubrovnik. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking add useful flexibility, especially when weather could affect your plans.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want action, scenery, and a relaxed private-boat mood in one compact outing. The strongest reasons are the friendly skippers, modern speedboat, generous drinks, and the chance to swim into several caves rather than merely photograph them from offshore.

I would choose it over a large group cruise, particularly if you value personal attention and want the guide to help you through tight cave passages. Just bring a towel, expect the Blue Cave to be crowded at times, keep cash for Sunj Beach, and do not count on a long stretch of sand time.

FAQ

Where does the Dubrovnik Blue and Green Caves tour start?

It starts at DECK & CHEERS, on the pier just across from the Gruz Market construction site.

How long does the boat tour last?

The tour lasts four hours and returns to the original meeting point.

Is the tour private?

A private group option is available, and the experience is operated as a private speedboat tour.

What drinks are included?

Free self-service drinks include beer, local rakia brandy, water, juices, Coca-Cola, and wine.

Do I need to swim?

Swimming is necessary for some parts of the tour, especially entering the Blue Cave. Life jackets are available, and guides can assist non-swimmers.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, but you can buy food at Sunj Beach.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.