Private tour: Sea Kayaking & Snorkeling to Green Cave on Sipan island from Lopud

The best part of this private sea-kayaking trip is the Green Cave on Šipan, where sunlight reflects off the sandy bottom and fills the water and stone walls with an unusual green glow. You also paddle beneath a natural limestone arch, visit three islands, and stop for an optional cliff jump.

I like the private format, which lets your guide adjust the pace for your group, and I like the mix of activity and local life: a morning on the water followed by lunch and free time in the fishing village of Šuđurađ. The main consideration is the roughly 10-kilometer paddle, so this is not a lazy boat outing. You need to be comfortable sitting in a kayak for several hours and swimming in open water.

Key points at a glance

• Three islands in one day: Paddle between Lopud, Šipan, and Ruda rather than staying in one small bay.
• A rare cave stop: Swim through the opening of Šipan’s Green Cave and see its green-lit interior.
• A natural archway: Kayak beneath a stone arch on Šipan for one of the day’s best photo stops.
• Optional cliff jumping: Take the jump if you want it, or remain in the cove and swim.
• Private guiding: Your group alone takes part, with space for a guide to adapt the outing to your ability.
• Lunch in Šuđurađ: Break up the paddling with local food and time to look around this medieval village.

Why this island day feels different from a standard kayak trip

This is a full island circuit rather than a short paddle close to Dubrovnik. You begin on Lopud, cross to Šipan, continue along its coast, stop at the Green Cave, eat in Šuđurađ, then paddle back toward Lopud with a final cave stop on Ruda.

That variety is the real value. In one outing, you get instruction, open-water kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, a stone arch, a cave, cliff jumping, lunch, and a little village sightseeing. Many water activities offer one main attraction. This one keeps changing.

The tour is private for up to eight people. That matters if your group includes mixed ability levels. A confident paddler can keep moving, while someone less sure can ask for another explanation or a slower rhythm. Guides named in the tour’s feedback include Marko, Ivica, and Ivo, all local English-speaking guides.

The price is $423.40 per group, not per person. With eight people, that works out to about $53 per person. For four people, it is about $106 each, and for two, about $212 each. The value improves sharply with a larger group, since the price stays the same up to eight people.

Food and drinks are not included, so allow extra money for lunch in Šuđurađ. That arrangement also gives you a chance to eat at a local restaurant rather than being tied to a fixed tour menu.

Starting on Lopud with a safety briefing

You meet at the kayak center at Ul. Miha Pracata 2 to 8 on Lopud. The day begins with a safety talk and paddling instruction before you set off.

The equipment includes single and double kayaks, snorkeling gear, water shoes, and watertight bags for personal belongings. Those bags are especially useful for phones, wallets, and cameras, though I would still pack only what you need. Free photos are provided at the end, so you can spend less time worrying about taking pictures while paddling.

The activity is offered from May 15 through September 30, Monday to Saturday. The stated schedule runs from about 10 or 11 in the morning until 5 or 6 in the afternoon, depending on the selected start time. Confirm the exact departure when booking, since the published operating hours also show an 11 a.m. opening.

You should arrive ready for the water. Beach or sporty clothing is suitable, and water shoes are included. Bring sunscreen, a hat if you use one, and a spare layer for the trip back if you tend to cool off after swimming.

Crossing to Šipan and passing beneath the stone arch

After the introduction, you paddle across the channel from Lopud toward Šipan. The route then follows the southern and western coast of the island.

The first major stop is a natural stone arch. Your kayak takes you beneath the opening, where the view shifts from close limestone walls to a broad view of the Adriatic. It is a fine early photo stop because you see the water, rock, and open horizon from a low position close to sea level.

The crossing is also the first part of the tour that tests your comfort. The total kayaking distance is about 10 kilometers, and this section involves open-water paddling rather than a quick loop beside the beach. Your guide gives instructions before departure, but you should still expect to paddle actively.

A double kayak can make the crossing easier for children or less experienced paddlers. Children are welcome from age six, but they must be accompanied by an adult in a double kayak. The private setting helps families, since the guide can keep the group together without adding strangers to the pace.

Swimming into Šipan’s Green Cave

The Green Cave is the central stop. The group ties up the kayaks, takes masks and snorkels, and swims through the cave’s opening.

Inside, there is enough room to swim and even stand. Sunlight reflects off the sandy bottom, creating the green light that gives the cave its name. The effect depends on the sun and water conditions, so do not expect the same look at every hour, but the cave’s shape and sheltered interior make this a memorable pause.

The cave is not simply a place to look at from the kayak. You enter it by swimming, which makes the stop more active and personal. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, and the guide provides instructions before the water portion.

Outside the entrance, you can swim in the deeper cove. This is also where the optional cliff jumping takes place. You can make the jump if you want the extra thrill, but it is not required. You can stay in the water, snorkel, or watch from the kayak instead.

This part deserves a practical note: you should be a confident swimmer in open water. The tour includes swimming through a cave opening and spending time in a deep cove. Children can participate, but adult supervision is required, and the guide’s instructions matter.

Taking a lunch break in Šuđurađ

After the cave and swimming stop, you continue to Šuđurađ, a fishing village on Šipan. The tour allows about two hours here for lunch and sightseeing.

This is a welcome change of pace. Rather than eating beside the kayaks or rushing through a snack stop, you get time away from the water. Lunch consists of local delicacies, but food and drinks are not included in the tour price, so budget separately for the meal.

Šuđurađ also gives you a chance to see a different side of the Elaphiti Islands. The day is not only about paddling and physical activity. You can sit down, look around the medieval village, and let your arms recover before the return journey.

Two hours is generous enough for a proper meal and a short walk, but the exact restaurant and menu are not specified. If dietary needs matter to you, ask about the lunch arrangements before departure.

The village stop is one reason this outing works well for couples, families, and small groups with different interests. A keen kayaker gets a long route, while someone who wants culture and food gets a real break on land.

Returning by way of Ruda’s cave

After lunch, you paddle back toward Lopud. The route includes a stop at Ruda, the third island of the day, where you can explore another cave by kayak.

This final cave gives the return journey a clear purpose. You are not simply retracing the morning route as quickly as possible. Instead, you get another short exploration stop before heading back to Lopud.

The return section comes after several hours of paddling, swimming, and lunch. That makes the private format useful again. Your guide can watch the group’s energy and help maintain a sensible pace. Still, you should not underestimate the total effort. The full outing lasts about five to eight hours, depending on the schedule and conditions.

You return to the same meeting point on Lopud in the late afternoon. The free photos supplied afterward are a nice touch, especially for a water activity where carrying a camera can be awkward.

What the private setup is worth

A private tour is not automatically better, but here it has practical benefits. Your group has its own guide, so you are not matched with a large mixed crowd. That can make the safety briefing clearer and the paddling rhythm easier to manage.

It also gives your guide room to respond to your interests. You might spend more time snorkeling, take the cliff jump, or focus on steady paddling and the caves. The trip still follows its basic route, but the day does not have to feel rigid.

The downside is price for small groups. At $423.40, two people pay much more per head than a full group of eight. If you are traveling as a couple, compare the cost with other half-day or full-day water outings in Dubrovnik. If you have six to eight people, the price becomes much more attractive.

The equipment package adds useful value. You do not need to arrange a kayak, paddle, snorkel, mask, water shoes, or dry storage separately. Professional instruction and an English-speaking local guide are also included.

Who should book this outing

I would choose this for people who want an active day with several different stops rather than a simple beach excursion. It suits you if you enjoy kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, and the option of a little adrenaline.

It is also a strong fit for families with older children. The minimum age is six, and younger participants must ride in a double kayak with an adult. The private format can be reassuring when children need a break or extra help with paddling.

Couples and friend groups will get the best financial value when they can share the fixed group price among several people. The trip is also useful for a group with mixed interests, since the day includes a village, lunch, caves, and water activities.

I would think twice if you dislike open water, are uncomfortable swimming through a cave opening, or want a very relaxed boat tour. The 10-kilometer kayaking route is a real workout, and the day’s pleasures come partly from earning the next stop.

The activity requires good weather. If conditions are poor, the operator offers another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but late cancellations and late changes are not accepted.

The best way to prepare for the paddle

Wear a swimsuit or quick-drying sports clothing from the start. You will move between kayak, cave, cove, and village, so simple clothing is more useful than anything formal.

Use the watertight bags for essentials, but keep your load light. A phone, sun protection, and any required medication are sensible. Since food and drinks are not included, confirm whether you want to buy lunch and carry any water you need.

Listen closely during the safety talk. The first crossing sets the tone for the day, and good paddling technique will save your shoulders later. If you are new to kayaking, say so at the start rather than trying to match a stronger paddler.

You do not have to take part in the cliff jumping. The cave swim and cove stop are worthwhile on their own, so treat the jump as an optional extra, not a test.

Should you book the Green Cave kayak tour?

Book it if you want a full day that combines active sea kayaking with island life. The Green Cave, the stone arch, the Ruda cave, and lunch in Šuđurađ give the outing more range than a standard coastal paddle.

It is especially good value for groups of six to eight, and the private guide makes it easier to manage different skill levels. Marko, Ivica, and Ivo are among the guides associated with the experience, and the local guiding adds useful context to the islands as you move between stops.

Skip it if you want a short, effortless excursion or if open-water swimming is not for you. For the right group, though, this is one of the more varied ways to spend a day around Dubrovnik: active, scenic, and broken up with enough time on land to keep it from feeling like one long paddle.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the kayak center at Ul. Miha Pracata 2 to 8 on Lopud, Croatia.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point on Lopud.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately five to eight hours. The listed schedules run from around 10 or 11 a.m. until 5 or 6 p.m.

How far do you kayak?

The total kayaking distance is about 10 kilometers.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Lopud, Šipan, and Ruda.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and drinks are not included, although the tour stops in Šuđurađ for local food and sightseeing.

Is the cliff jumping required?

No. Cliff jumping is optional. You can swim and snorkel in the cove instead.

Are children allowed?

Yes. Children are welcome from age six, but they must be accompanied by an adult in a double kayak.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes single and double kayaks, snorkeling equipment, water shoes, watertight bags, professional instruction, and free photos at the end.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.