Sea Kayaking and Snorkeling to Green Cave on Sipan island from Lopud

The best part of this six-hour trip is the swim through Šipan’s Green Cave. You paddle into a broad opening, leave the kayaks outside, and swim through the cave’s entrance to a roomy chamber where sunlight reflects off the sandy bottom. The result is a soft green glow, not a staged attraction but a quiet Adriatic surprise.

I like the small group of up to eight people, which makes it easier to hear the guide and keep the outing moving at a sensible pace. I also like the mix of activities: kayaking, snorkeling, cave swimming, cliff jumping, a village stop, and a second cave near Ruda. Guide Ivo has been praised for being friendly, inclusive, and well-informed, and the kayaking is active without being out of reach for many teenagers.

The main consideration is effort. You paddle for much of the day, and the open channel can make kayaking harder at times. Lunch and drinks cost extra, and the trip depends on good weather, so this is not the right choice if you want a passive boat outing or a loose, unplanned beach day.

At a glance

• Swim through a green-lit sea cave: The Green Cave has room to swim and even stand inside, with sunlight reflecting from the sandy bottom.
• Visit three islands in one day: The route links Lopud, Šipan, and Ruda rather than keeping you in one small bay.
• Stop in Šuđurađ for lunch: You get about two hours in the fishing village for local food and a little sightseeing.
• Keep the group personal: The activity has a maximum of nine people, with small-group guiding and single or double kayaks.
• Bring your adventurous side: Snorkeling and cliff jumping are built into the stop near the cave, along with swimming in the cove.
• Use supplied gear: Kayaks, masks, snorkels, and waterproof bags are included, so you do not need to bring specialist equipment.

Why the Green Cave is the day’s main prize

The Green Cave is not just a photo stop viewed from the water. You tie up the kayaks outside, take masks and snorkels, and swim through the opening into the cave. Its interior is large enough for swimming and standing, which makes the experience less intimidating than a tight sea grotto.

The green color comes from sunlight bouncing off the sandy bottom beneath the water. That detail matters because the effect changes with the light, and the cave feels like part of the natural setting rather than a room prepared for visitors. You will want a waterproof camera if you have one, but the supplied waterproof bags are also useful for keeping small items dry while you swim.

You should still treat the cave as a natural place. Conditions can affect visibility, and the tour is subject to suitable weather. The description presents the cave as safe for swimming, but you should follow the guide’s instructions, especially around the opening and while getting in and out of the water.

After the cave, the group swims in the deep cove outside and has the chance to try cliff jumping. You do not need to mistake this for a test of courage. The value is that the day lets you choose your level of adventure, from floating and snorkeling to jumping from the rocks if you are comfortable and the guide says conditions are suitable.

Starting from Lopud and crossing to Šipan

You meet at the kayak center at Ul. Miha Pracata 2-8 on Lopud. The morning begins with a safety talk and instruction on handling the kayaks, which is important if you are new to paddling or have only used a kayak on calm water.

The first crossing toward Šipan takes about 45 minutes. That is enough time to learn the rhythm of the boat, but it also gives you an early sense of the physical demand. In a double kayak, two people need to paddle together. Children from age six can join, but they must be accompanied by an adult in a double kayak.

Single and double kayaks are available. Solo travelers are welcome, and the small group helps the guide keep an eye on different paddling speeds. If you are unsure about your stamina, a double kayak may feel more manageable, especially on a day with wind or choppy water.

The trip is offered in English. The guide handles the route and safety instructions, while the group moves between stops together. That structure is useful in an open-water setting, where you want clear directions rather than a vague rental agreement and a map.

Šipan’s stone arch and the open Adriatic

Once on Šipan, you head south and west toward a natural stone arch. The paddle to the arch takes about an hour, and the formation gives the group a clear photo stop. You pass beneath or near the arch and see the open Adriatic framed by the stone.

This is one of those stops where the kayak itself improves the view. From shore, you would be looking outward from a fixed point. From the water, you can approach the arch at a low angle, see the channel between the islands, and take in the bay from a moving boat.

The route is scenic, but remember that kayaking time is active time. You are not being carried from one viewpoint to the next. I would wear clothing that dries quickly, use sunscreen, and keep a hat secure. Beach or sporty clothing is the stated dress code, and that is exactly right for the combination of paddling and swimming.

Swimming and cliff jumping near the cave

The group regathers before paddling along Šipan’s coast to the Green Cave. At this point, you will be ready for a break from the paddle, and the cave stop changes the pace of the morning.

Masks and snorkels are provided. You swim down through the cave’s opening to see the green-lit interior, then return to the cove outside. The route includes enough time for swimming and cliff jumping, but the guide remains central to the activity. Follow the instructions about where to enter the water and where jumping is allowed.

The snorkeling equipment is included, which improves the value of the tour. You do not have to rent a mask on Lopud or carry bulky equipment from Dubrovnik. The same applies to the kayaks and waterproof bags, all supplied as part of the trip.

Still, this is not a full-day snorkeling expedition. The cave and cove are one section of a broader route, and the day continues to Šuđurađ. If your main goal is spending hours in the water, a dedicated snorkeling trip may suit you better. If you want snorkeling as one part of a more varied outing, this format works well.

Two hours in Šuđurađ for food and a break

The next stop is Šuđurađ, a fishing village on Šipan. You get about two hours for lunch featuring local delicacies and free time to look around.

Food and drinks are not included in the tour price, so plan for that extra expense. The two-hour pause is long enough to eat without rushing straight back into a kayak, and it gives your arms a break after the morning crossing and cave route.

This village stop also keeps the experience tied to island life. You are not spending the whole day on a marked water route with no contact with the shore. You get time to see a settlement on Šipan and choose how much of the break goes toward lunch or sightseeing.

The restaurant stop has been singled out as excellent, and Ivo has been praised for making the group feel included. Those details matter on a small active tour. A guide who keeps different ages and ability levels involved can make the day feel like a shared outing rather than a race between kayaks.

The return route through Ruda

After lunch, you paddle back toward Lopud, but the route adds one more island. Ruda is the third island of the day, and the group stops to explore and kayak into another cave.

This final cave gives the return journey a proper destination instead of a straight paddle home. It also means the day includes a second cave experience with a different setting from the Green Cave. The supplied details do not describe its size or lighting, so expect exploration rather than a repeat of the morning’s green glow.

The return section lasts about an hour and a half, including the Ruda stop, and the group arrives back at Lopud in the afternoon. By then, the day has covered a lot: the initial crossing, the stone arch, the Green Cave, Šuđurađ, Ruda, and the return paddle. You should not book this expecting to be finished by lunchtime.

Is $88.67 a fair price?

At $88.67 per person, the price is reasonable for a six-hour, small-group outing that combines equipment, guiding, and several activities. You are paying for more than kayak hire. The fee includes a professional local guide, single or double kayaks, snorkeling equipment, waterproof bags, the Green Cave visit, and the guided route across three islands.

The small group improves the value. With a maximum of nine participants, you get more direct attention than on a large excursion boat, and the guide can give clearer help to beginners or pairs who are paddling at different speeds.

Lunch and drinks are not included. You should add money for the meal in Šuđurađ, plus anything else you want during the break. Even with that extra cost, the tour offers a full day of activity rather than a short kayak rental.

The price makes the most sense if you intend to use the whole package. If you only want to paddle for an hour, renting a kayak may be cheaper. If you want guided access to the Green Cave, snorkeling gear, a village stop, and a second cave, the combined format saves you from arranging each part separately.

Who will enjoy this most?

This outing fits active visitors who want to see the Elaphiti islands from the water and do not mind a steady day of paddling. It suits couples, friends, solo participants, and families with children age six or older, provided children share a double kayak with an adult.

Teenagers may especially enjoy the balance of physical activity, cave swimming, and cliff jumping. One useful point from the experience is that the kayaking has been manageable for teenage children, though still challenging enough to feel like an active holiday.

You should be comfortable getting wet and spending time outdoors. Sporty or beach clothing works best, and you will need to manage sun exposure during the open-water sections. The supplied waterproof bags help, but you should still limit what you bring into the kayak.

This is less suitable if you dislike open-water paddling, need a highly relaxed schedule, or want guaranteed conditions. The tour requires favorable weather, and the operator offers another date or a full refund if poor weather forces cancellation.

Practical details before you book

The tour begins and ends at the kayak center on Lopud, at Ul. Miha Pracata 2-8. It is offered in English, and confirmation is provided when you book.

The experience is described as suitable for most participants, but kayaking remains physical exercise. I would think honestly about your comfort with paddling for several hours, swimming in a cove, and getting in and out of a kayak. The route includes breaks, but the return paddle still comes after the morning’s activity and lunch.

Book early if your dates are fixed. The activity is booked an average of 52 days ahead, which suggests that small-group space can disappear well before a Dubrovnik trip begins. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Green Cave kayak tour?

I would book this if you want an active island day with a clear route and plenty of variety. The Green Cave swim, the natural arch, the stop in Šuđurađ, and the extra cave at Ruda make the $88.67 fee easier to justify than a simple kayak rental.

I would skip it if you want a lazy beach day, do not want to pay separately for lunch, or are uneasy about several hours on the water. For everyone else, especially couples, solo visitors, and families with older children, this is a well-balanced way to experience Lopud, Šipan, and Ruda without sitting on a large boat all day.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

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

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours and returns to Lopud in the afternoon.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, although the route includes about two hours in Šuđurađ for lunch and sightseeing.

What equipment is provided?

The tour provides single and double kayaks, snorkeling equipment, masks, snorkels, and waterproof bags.

Can children join the tour?

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

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires favorable weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered an alternative date or a full refund.