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

The best part of this four-hour speedboat trip is the chance to swim into caves that a boat cannot enter. The Blue Cave glows when sunlight reflects through the water, while the green caves offer a different mix of emerald light, narrow rock passages, and open swimming space. I like the relaxed variety: you get caves, coastal views, and a sandy beach instead of four hours of sightseeing from one seat.

I also like the practical extras. Snorkel gear and float noodles are supplied, and the cooler includes water, soft drinks, beer, local wine, and grappa. The main catch is the sea. Rough water can make the ride uncomfortable and may force a changed route, so this is best for people who enjoy fast boats and can accept some weather-related uncertainty.

Key things to know before you book

• Swim into the Blue Cave: The boat anchors about 20 meters away because the entrance is too small for the speedboat.
• See several cave formations: Expect two green caves and a canyon-like passage, with the exact swimming options affected by sea conditions and boat traffic.
• Spend time at Šunj Beach: Lopud’s shallow sandy seabed extends far from shore and suits children and less confident swimmers.
• Enjoy an open cooler: Water, juices, sparkling drinks, beer, red and white wine, and grappa are included.
• Keep the schedule in mind: The tour lasts about four hours, with roughly 40 minutes at the Blue Cave, 30 minutes at the green caves, and one hour at the beach.
• Expect a small-group ride: The maximum is 18 people, though some departures may be smaller.

Why this half-day boat trip works in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is famous for its old stone walls, but the best view of them is from the water. At the start of this tour, your skipper takes you past the city walls and beneath Lovrijenac Fortress, which rises on a steep 37-meter cliff above the Adriatic.

That opening cruise gives you a fine change of pace from the narrow lanes and crowded viewpoints inside the Old Town. Your skipper shares local legends and facts as you look back at the fortifications from the sea. I like this part because it adds context without turning the trip into a long lecture.

The speedboat is the main character here. It gets you away from Dubrovnik quickly and makes a half-day outing possible. You have a choice of morning or afternoon departure, which helps if you want to pair the tour with a city walk, dinner, or another activity.

The tradeoff is comfort. A speedboat can be lively on the water, especially when wind picks up. Several departures have been described as choppy, with the boat striking the waves hard. If you have back trouble, motion sickness, or dislike fast rides, check the forecast and consider how much sea time you want.

The Blue Cave requires a swim

The Blue Cave is the headline stop. Sunlight enters through an underwater opening and reflects through the cave, giving the water its famous blue glow. The effect is strongest when the light is right, but the experience depends on weather, sea conditions, and how many other boats are nearby.

Your boat anchors around 20 meters from the entrance. You then swim to the opening because the speedboat cannot enter. That detail matters. You should be comfortable in open water and able to swim through a small entrance. The trip supplies masks and breathing tubes, and pool noodles are available if you want extra support.

The entrance may require you to swim under a low section of rock before reaching the inner water. This is not the same as a boat tour that carries you directly inside a large cavern. Read the description carefully and prepare for a hands-on visit.

The Blue Cave can get crowded, particularly during the busier part of the day. Other boats may gather near the entrance, and rough water can make getting in and out awkward. Your skipper may try to time the stop around traffic, but there is no guarantee of solitude.

Still, the payoff is strong. The glowing water, the short swim, and the unusual entrance make this the most memorable stop for many people. Bring a waterproof phone case if you want photographs, but do not expect a quiet, empty cave every time.

Green caves, dark passages, and a little exploration

The next cave stop gives you more variety than the Blue Cave. The route includes two green caves where sunlight creates an emerald tone in the water. You may also see a canyon-like cave, a narrow natural passage formed between the rocks.

The exact experience can change. Depending on boat traffic and sea conditions, your captain may use an alternative green cave rather than the busiest one. That can be practical, but it means the cave you see may not look exactly like the images you had in mind.

Some cave sections are narrow. At certain points, you may swim through a passage or under a rock shelf to reach another opening. The crew explains how to get in and out, but the guides remain on the boat for the cave visits, so you have some self-guided time once you enter the water.

The tour highlights Blue Cave, Green Cave, Dark Cave, and Passage Cave as possible swimming and snorkeling locations. The detailed route describes the green caves and canyon passage, so think of the names as a group of nearby cave formations rather than four guaranteed, separate excursions.

This stop suits you if you enjoy swimming more than simply taking photographs. You can use the provided mask to look beneath the surface, and a noodle helps if you want to float without constant effort. Water temperature can be chilly, especially on cooler or windy days, so children may not stay in long.

Šunj Beach gives the tour a softer finish

After the caves, the speedboat heads to Šunj Beach on the south side of Lopud Island. You get about an hour here, although the amount of beach time has varied on different departures. The beach is sandy, and the water remains shallow for roughly 100 meters from shore.

That shallow seabed is the beach’s practical advantage. Children and less confident swimmers can wade out gradually instead of stepping straight into deep water. It is also a good place to dry off after the caves and let the day slow down.

Do not expect a large resort beach with endless facilities. There is a small bar and restaurant area, and you may find ice cream, snacks, or simple food such as fries. Beach chairs cost extra, and towels are not supplied, so bring your own towel and some cash or a payment card for anything outside the tour’s inclusions.

The beach has received mixed impressions. It can be a pleasant place to swim and rest, but it may feel quiet if you are looking for extensive shopping, sightseeing, or a long list of activities. You should also be prepared for occasional litter or a beach that is less polished than the photographs suggest.

For me, the beach works because it breaks up the active cave stops. Without this final hour, the outing would be one continuous sequence of boat motion and swimming. With it, you get a simple place to sit, eat, and enjoy the island at a slower pace.

What is included for $84.65

At $84.65 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach a beach, but it offers more than transport. The price covers the speedboat ride, an English-speaking skipper, snorkel equipment, float noodles, and drinks.

The drinks are a useful value point. You can have bottled water, sparkling drinks, natural juices, local beer, red and white wine, and grappa. Several captains have been praised for keeping drinks available throughout the trip. If you do not drink alcohol, the soft drinks and water still make the cooler useful.

Lunch is not included. That is reasonable for a four-hour outing, but you should plan for food at Šunj Beach or eat beforehand. Beach chairs also cost extra, and towels are excluded.

The maximum group size is 18 people. That is small enough to keep the boat from feeling like a large excursion vessel, though the actual atmosphere depends on the number booked that day. Some departures have had only a handful of people, while a full boat will feel more social and less private.

The strongest value comes from combining four distinct elements: Dubrovnik views, a fast coastal ride, several swimming caves, and Lopud’s sandy beach. If you only want a short transfer to Šunj, you can find simpler options. If you want all of these in one half-day, the price is easier to justify.

Captains can shape the whole experience

A good skipper matters on a boat trip, and the names associated with especially warm and careful service include Ivan, Luca, Marco, Leo, Mario, Tony, Dora, and Karuzo. Captains have been praised for humor, safety advice, local information, and frequent drink service.

That does not mean every departure will feel identical. The skipper controls the music, pace, route choices, and explanation of the caves. One departure included very loud dance music, which some people enjoyed and others found intrusive. If you prefer a quiet ride, say so politely at the start.

Your skipper also makes the safety decisions. The Blue Cave and narrow passages are affected by waves, wind, and boat traffic. On some days, the green cave swim has been replaced or shortened because the water was too rough or cold.

This is the right approach to take: expect the advertised places when conditions allow, but accept that the captain may modify the plan for safety. A changed stop can be disappointing, particularly if the substitute is only a small cave or a short beach visit. The operator has issued full refunds when weather prevented the planned experience, but you should still ask before departure how weather changes will be handled.

Sea conditions deserve serious attention

This tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That protection is useful, but it does not remove the main risk: a trip can operate in marginal conditions and feel much rougher than expected.

On calm days, the speedboat ride is part of the fun. On windy days, the ride can be intense, with spray, hard impacts, and a greater challenge getting into small cave openings. Swimming in the caves may also be canceled or replaced.

I would not book this as your only important activity on a day when you have a flight, wedding, or fixed evening plan. The tour lasts about four hours, but sea conditions and loading at the pier can affect the rhythm of the day.

The meeting point is at the pier near Dubrovnik’s Old Town, where several boats may load and unload quickly. Give yourself time to identify the right boat and crew. The experience is offered in English, and the booking confirmation arrives at the time of booking.

Who will enjoy this most

This is a strong fit for you if you:

• Like swimming and snorkeling more than guided monument tours
• Enjoy fast boats and open water
• Want a half-day rather than a full-day island excursion
• Prefer several short stops over one long beach visit
• Are traveling with children who benefit from shallow water at Šunj
• Want drinks and equipment included in the price
• Can accept a route change if the sea turns rough

You may want another activity if you cannot swim to a cave entrance, dislike enclosed rock passages, or need a calm boat ride. It is also less suitable if you expect a fully guided cave tour, since the crew stays on the boat while you explore the cave openings.

The tour can work well for families, but remember that the boat ride may be bumpy and the water may be cold. Children should be comfortable following instructions and using the supplied flotation noodles.

Simple planning tips for a better day

Bring a towel, swimwear, sun protection, and a waterproof case for your phone. The tour supplies masks, breathing tubes, and float noodles, but you should not count on beach towels or lunch being provided.

Choose your departure time based on your wider Dubrovnik plans. A morning trip leaves your afternoon open, while an afternoon trip may suit you if you want a slower morning in the Old Town. Cave crowds can vary, so neither departure guarantees a quiet visit.

Stay alert during the speedboat ride and hold on when the water is rough. Listen carefully when the skipper explains how to enter and leave the caves. The openings are natural, uneven, and sometimes narrow.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and a late cancellation is not refunded. The tour also requires a minimum number of people, so a departure can be canceled if that number is not reached.

Should you book the Blue Cave and Lopud tour?

I would book this if you want an active, compact introduction to Dubrovnik’s nearby coast. The Blue Cave swim, green cave passages, included drinks, and sandy Šunj Beach create a good mix, and the Old Town wall views give the trip a memorable start.

I would not book it expecting a private yacht day, an empty beach, or a guaranteed cave route. Crowds, cold water, loud music, and rough seas are all possible. Before paying, make sure you are comfortable swimming to the Blue Cave and willing to accept a safety-related change.

For the right person, $84.65 buys a lively half-day with several experiences packed into one outing. Just treat the sea as a partner in the plan, not a detail you can ignore.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours. The planned timing includes about 40 minutes at the Blue Cave, 30 minutes at the green caves, and one hour at Šunj Beach, along with travel time.

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. Masks and breathing tubes are provided, and pool noodles are available for extra flotation.

What drinks are included?

The tour includes bottled water, sparkling drinks, natural juices, local beer, red and white wine, and grappa.

Is food included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can buy food at or near Šunj Beach, but that cost is separate.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The captain may also adjust individual stops if the sea becomes unsafe.