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

Blue water, sandy shores, and a fast ride. This half-day outing packs Dubrovnik’s best seaside scenery into four to five hours, with stops at Koločep’s glowing Blue Cave, the Three Green Caves, and sandy Šunj Beach on Lopud. I especially like the small-group speedboat and the generous drink selection, including local beer, white wine, cola, iced tea, Fanta, and water.

I also like the way the tour mixes active swimming with proper downtime. You can snorkel through caves, float with a noodle, or try a cliff jump, then spend about 90 minutes on a real sandy beach. The main consideration is that the caves can get crowded in summer, and this is not a gentle sightseeing cruise. You need basic swimming skills and should be comfortable with a lively ride.

Quick take: what makes this trip worthwhile

• The Blue Cave is reached by swimming: You enter through a narrow opening and see sunlight turn the water turquoise inside.
• Two cave stops offer different levels of adventure: The Blue Cave is the visual highlight, while the Three Green Caves include wider spaces and a narrow swim-through passage.
• Šunj Beach gives the trip a relaxed finish: You get about 1.5 hours for swimming, sunbathing, drinks, or lunch.
• Drinks are included throughout: Beer, white wine, soft drinks, iced tea, and water are available after the swimming stops.
• Dubrovnik looks different from the water: The city walls and red roofs make a dramatic panorama from the boat.
• The boat ride is part of the entertainment: Music, open water, and a bouncy return ride create a lively atmosphere, especially with guides such as Ivan, Rino, Mario, and Dora.

A fast start from Dubrovnik or Cavtat

The tour leaves from several points around the Dubrovnik area, including Dubrovnik Old Town port, Cavtat, Mlini, and Srebreno. Your exact meeting point depends on the booking option, so check that detail closely before setting out. The main Dubrovnik departure is at Porat, close to the Old Port.

The first 25 minutes are by speedboat. That is enough time to feel the wind, settle into your seat, and see Dubrovnik from an angle that walking the walls cannot provide. The boat passes along the coast, with the fortified Old Town rising above the water and the orange roofs packed behind the medieval walls.

I like this opening because it gives you a quick sense of place without spending half the day on a boat. You are not simply being transported to an island. The coastal view is one of the main attractions.

The ride can be bumpy, particularly on the way back when the boat picks up speed over the waves. Hold on to hats, phones, and loose belongings. If you are prone to seasickness, this is one of the activities where motion sickness tablets are worth considering.

The tour is shared rather than private. Group size varies, but several outings had around 14 people, which is a useful size for a social boat trip without feeling like a large ferry. The precise boat can vary, though the boats used have been described as modern, clean, and comfortable.

Swimming into Koločep’s Blue Cave

After roughly 25 minutes, the boat reaches the Blue Cave on Koločep Island. The entrance is narrow, so you swim from the boat through the opening rather than walking inside. Once you are in, sunlight reflects through the sea and gives the cave its blue-green glow.

You have about 30 minutes here for swimming and snorkeling. Masks and snorkels are supplied, and noodles are available for people who want extra support in the water. Lifejackets are also provided, but they do not replace the ability to enter the water, float, turn, resurface, and swim to safety.

The cave is the most atmospheric stop on the route. The water is clear, and the enclosed space makes even a short swim feel like an adventure. You might also have the chance to try a cliff jump from the surrounding rocks, but that is for confident swimmers and depends on conditions and the guide’s judgment.

There is one practical catch: this is a popular swimming stop. In high summer, several boats may arrive around the same time, making the water feel crowded. Entering the cave can also be less straightforward if waves are moving strongly. Take your time, follow the crew’s instructions, and keep an eye on nearby boats.

The captain can change the order of the stops according to weather and the position of the sun. That matters here because sunlight helps create the cave’s famous color. On some days, the Green Caves may come first and the Blue Cave later.

The Three Green Caves offer more choice

A short 10-minute boat ride brings you to the Three Green Caves, also on Koločep. You get another 30-minute stop for swimming, snorkeling, and looking around.

The three spaces make this stop more flexible than the Blue Cave. Two caves are wider and easier to enter, while the third is a narrow passage that takes swimmers through the island and out the other side. That swim-through is the most exciting option, but you can stay with the open caves if you prefer a calmer swim.

I like this part of the trip because it gives different swimmers a choice. Strong swimmers can try the passage. Others can use the snorkeling equipment, float near the boat, or simply enjoy the clear water.

The Green Caves are less about one famous visual moment and more about variety. Some people prefer the Blue Cave because of its glowing color, while the Green Caves offer more ways to explore. If you are not sure about the narrow passage, there is no need to force it. The wider cave areas still make a worthwhile stop.

Again, boat traffic can affect the mood. During the busiest summer weeks, the caves may not feel private. Still, the crew keeps the stop moving, and the 30-minute timing gives you enough time to swim without turning the trip into a long water session.

Šunj Beach gives you time to slow down

After the cave stops, the speedboat heads for Lopud Island. The ride takes about 15 minutes, followed by around 1.5 hours at Šunj Beach.

This is a welcome change of pace. Šunj is known for its fine white sand and shallow turquoise water. The shallow area extends a long way from shore, nearly 100 meters, making it easier to wade and swim without immediately heading into deep water.

The boat anchors as close to the beach as conditions allow, but you may still need to enter the water to reach shore. Bring your towel and protect anything that should not get wet. Once on the beach, you can swim, sunbathe, or find a drink and something to eat.

The beach bars and services operate from May. If you buy a drink at the beachfront bar with blue umbrellas, you can receive a complimentary sunbed and umbrella. This is useful, but remember that the drink purchase is part of the arrangement. One drink has been reported to cost about €15, so do not treat the sunbed as entirely free.

Lunch is not included. The stop is long enough to buy food at the beach, but bring a little extra money if you want more than the drinks supplied on the boat. From November through April, Šunj’s beach services may not be operating, and the stop can change to Lopud village or Koločep village, depending on which cafés, restaurants, and shops are open.

For many people, the beach is the strongest part of the day after the caves. It gives you time to dry off and relax instead of rushing from one swim to the next. The sand also makes Šunj different from the rocky swimming spots common along the Dalmatian coast.

Drinks, music, and the personality of the crew

The included drinks add real value, especially after snorkeling. You can choose from local beer, white wine, iced tea, cola, Fanta, and water. The crew regularly checks if you need something after a swim, and guides such as Ivan, Rino, Mario, Dora, Peter, Leo, and Tommy have been praised for keeping the mood easy and friendly.

Music is part of the experience. Several guides play songs during the ride, and the return trip can feel like a small boat party. That will appeal to you if you like a lively atmosphere. It may be less appealing if you want a quiet, nature-focused cruise.

Do not expect a formal historical tour. The main focus is swimming, scenery, music, and good timing. Guides do provide information about the places you visit, but the tone is relaxed and social. Ivan, in particular, is often singled out for his humor, steady handling of the boat, and attention to drinks and safety.

The crew has also shown flexibility when weather changes the plan or a booking problem arises. In rough conditions, the captain may swap the order of the caves or choose other swimming spots. One trip even shifted toward favorite cliff-jumping locations when the sea was not suitable for the planned route.

The ride back to Dubrovnik

The return journey takes about 25 minutes, followed by a scenic pass along Dubrovnik’s Old Port. You get another look at the city walls from the water before returning to your starting area.

Some trips take a calm route back. Others are more energetic, with the boat bouncing over the waves and music playing. That difference depends on sea conditions and the skipper. Either way, the return gives you a final coastal panorama and closes the loop without a long transfer by road.

If you have a late afternoon plan in Dubrovnik, leave extra time. The advertised duration is four to five hours, and weather, sea conditions, and loading passengers can affect the exact finish.

Is $71 a good value?

At $71 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the islands, but it combines several costs into one outing. You get speedboat transport, two cave stops, beach time, snorkeling equipment, and a range of drinks. You also avoid arranging separate boat transfers to Koločep and Lopud.

The value is strongest if you plan to swim and snorkel. You are paying for access to places that are easiest to reach by boat, plus the convenience of moving between three very different stops in one morning or afternoon.

The value is weaker if you dislike boats, do not swim, or mainly want to sit on a beach. A large part of the experience happens in the water, and the boat ride can be rough. A basic swimming ability is required, even though noodles and lifejackets are available.

The 4.8 rating from 502 bookings reflects a very strong record, with 87 percent giving the transport a perfect score. Still, do not read that as a promise of empty caves or perfect sea conditions. Summer crowds are part of the setting, and the captain may need to adjust the route.

Who should book this speedboat trip?

I would choose this tour if you want an active half-day with plenty of scenery but do not want to commit to a full-day island cruise. It suits couples, families with confident swimmers, and friends who enjoy music, drinks, and a social boat.

It is especially good for a first visit to Dubrovnik because you see the city walls from the sea, visit two of the Elaphiti Islands area’s best-known cave stops, and get time on a sandy beach. The mix is efficient without feeling like a checklist.

I would think twice if you have back problems, are over 80, use a wheelchair, do not swim, or are easily seasick. Getting on and off a speedboat also requires some physical effort. One person with a disability found the crew helpful, but boarding can still be difficult depending on your mobility and the boat used.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and a waterproof phone case if you want pictures inside the cave. Keep your expectations practical: the caves are beautiful, but busy; the beach is relaxing, but beach services cost extra; and the boat is fun, but not always smooth.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want a lively, well-priced water day built around swimming, caves, drinks, and a sandy beach. The strongest reasons are the Blue Cave, the choice of Green Cave swims, the generous 1.5-hour stop at Šunj, and the consistently warm crew service.

Skip it if you want silence, a private boat, or a dry sightseeing tour. For confident swimmers who enjoy a bit of speed and do not mind sharing popular spots, this is one of the more efficient ways to experience Dubrovnik’s coast in half a day.

FAQ

How long does the Blue Cave and Šunj Beach tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four to five hours, depending on the departure option, sea conditions, and the day’s timing.

Where can I join the tour?

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

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are included, and noodles are available for additional support in the water.

What drinks are included?

The boat provides local beer, white wine, iced tea, cola, Fanta, and water.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, though you can buy food during the free time at Šunj Beach when beach services are operating.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. Basic swimming skills are required. You should be able to enter the water, resurface, float, turn, and swim to safety. Lifejackets and noodle floaters are available, but they do not replace swimming ability.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The captain may change the order or route because of bad weather, sea conditions, or the position of the sun. From November through April, the Šunj stop may be replaced by Lopud village or Koločep village when beach services are closed.