Reviewed · ELAPHITI ISLANDS BOAT TOURS FROM DUBROVNIK

Blue & Green cave,Šunj beach – with drinks small group speedboat

5.0 · 391 reviews 4 hours (approx.) From $78 Operated by DUBROVNIK BOAT TRIPS · Bookable on Viator
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The best part of this four-hour speedboat trip is the contrast between two very different stops: glowing seawater inside Kolocep’s caves, followed by a long, lazy break at Šunj, Dubrovnik’s best-known sandy beach. You get a taste of the islands without giving up a full day.

I like the small-group format, which makes it easier to ask your skipper to slow down, point out sights, or adjust the pace. I also like the balance of swimming time and beach time. The main thing to check before booking is the snorkeling setup. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, but one unhappy account reported receiving masks without snorkels and questioned the availability of life jackets.

At a glance

Blue & Green cave,Šunj beach - with drinks small group speedboat - At a glance

  • Two cave stops on Kolocep: Spend roughly 30 to 35 minutes at the Blue Cave and another 30 to 35 minutes around the Green Caves.
  • A proper beach break: You get about 90 minutes at Šunj Beach on Lopud, enough time to swim, eat, or sit at a beach bar.
  • A speedboat, not a large excursion vessel: The boat is about 8 meters long and usually carries around 8 to 10 people, though the maximum booking size is 20 and the total activity limit is 30.
  • Skippers who shape the experience: Maro, Jakov, Antun, Anton, and Paulo are named in the feedback, with particular praise for friendly guidance and flexible pacing.
  • Morning or afternoon departures: A half-day schedule leaves room for other Dubrovnik plans.
  • Drinks included: Bottled water, soda, and alcoholic drinks are listed as included, along with fuel, taxes, and the guide.

Kolocep’s Blue Cave is the star of the morning

Blue & Green cave,Šunj beach - with drinks small group speedboat - Kolocep’s Blue Cave is the star of the morning

From the meeting point at Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse on Lapadska obala, the boat heads out from Dubrovnik Port toward Kolocep Island. The ride itself gives you open views of the coast and a clear sense of why a speedboat works well here: you reach the islands quickly and spend more of your limited time in the water.

The Blue Cave is the first major stop. Its appeal comes from the way daylight enters the cave and reflects through the clear seawater. The interior takes on a striking blue tone, and the effect changes with the sun, water movement, and position of the boat.

You have about half an hour here, which is enough to swim into or around the cave area and take photos without turning the visit into a rushed photo stop. You may also have the chance to jump from nearby rocks, though you should only do so if the skipper confirms that the water and conditions are safe.

This is a natural site, not a polished attraction with platforms and changing rooms. That is part of its charm, but it also means you need to be comfortable getting in and out of the water from a boat. Wear swimwear under your clothes and keep phones or cameras protected from splashes.

The Green Caves add swimming and rock-jump time

The second Kolocep stop is at the Green Caves, where the appeal is less about one dramatic color effect and more about the cave formations, clear water, and underwater passages. The tour allows another 30 to 35 minutes here.

You can swim, use the provided equipment, and look through the water around the cave openings. The Green Caves are also used for rock jumps, giving the stop a livelier feel than a simple sightseeing cruise. If you prefer to stay in the water at a slower pace, there should be room to do that too, since the group is smaller than on a large party boat.

The word snorkeling equipment needs a small footnote. It is included in the tour details, and several accounts describe goggles or snorkeling gear being available. One account specifically reported masks but no snorkels, while another noted that not everyone wants to use shared snorkels for hygiene reasons. If snorkeling is central to your plans, ask the operator what is supplied on your departure and bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them.

The sea is a bigger part of this tour than the sightseeing. The water around the caves is described as very clear, but the amount of marine life can vary. You are going for the water color, rock formations, and swimming access more than for a serious wildlife outing.

Šunj Beach gives the tour its easygoing finish

Blue & Green cave,Šunj beach - with drinks small group speedboat - Šunj Beach gives the tour its easygoing finish

After Kolocep, the boat continues to Lopud Island and Šunj Beach. This is the longest stop, lasting about an hour and a half, and it gives the outing a useful change of pace.

Šunj is known for its broad sandy shore and shallow, warm water. That makes it more comfortable for relaxed swimming than the rocky cave stops. The lagoon shifts from green near the shallow edge to blue farther out, and the sand gives you a proper place to sit rather than balancing on a rock or boat ladder.

You can spend the time in the water, rest on the beach, or walk up toward the nearby bars and small restaurant. The food is not included, so bring money if you want a meal or drink beyond what is supplied on the boat. One useful detail from the experience is that the beach area can have music, cocktails, and a lively atmosphere, while the hilltop restaurant offers a higher view over the bay.

The 90-minute stop is well judged. A shorter visit would make the beach feel like a quick photo stop, while a much longer stay could make the overall tour repetitive. You have time to swim and eat, but you will not spend the entire afternoon here.

Why the small speedboat matters

Blue & Green cave,Šunj beach - with drinks small group speedboat - Why the small speedboat matters

The boat is described as an 8-meter vessel carrying around 8 to 10 people. That is small compared with a large sightseeing boat, but it is not a private yacht, and space can feel close when everyone is seated with bags and beach gear.

The benefit is flexibility. Skippers such as Maro, Jakov, Antun, and Paulo are praised for adjusting the speed, giving local background, and offering alternatives when water conditions are rough. One account noted that the water was choppy and the skipper slowed down while keeping a backup plan in mind if the caves could not be reached.

The drawback is exposure. A speedboat ride can be bumpy, especially in open water, and there is less room to move around than on a larger vessel. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where the ride feels most stable and avoid a heavy meal before departure.

There is also a practical safety point. Most accounts describe a smooth, enjoyable outing, but one complaint raised concerns about the lack of a safety briefing and life jackets. The tour information does not spell out the safety equipment in detail. Ask where the life jackets are before leaving the dock, especially if you are not a confident swimmer or are traveling with children.

More Blue Cave boat trips from Dubrovnik:

Guides can make the half-day feel personal

Blue & Green cave,Šunj beach - with drinks small group speedboat - Guides can make the half-day feel personal

The listed guides and skippers include Maro, Jakov, Antun, Anton, and Paulo. The strongest praise centers on friendly service, calm boat handling, useful recommendations, and background information about the islands.

Maro is repeatedly described as engaging and attentive. Jakov is praised for a relaxed manner and good handling around the caves. Antun and Anton are noted for being flexible and easy to talk with, while Paulo receives praise for an enjoyable afternoon outing.

The actual style may vary by departure. One account described a guide as quiet, though the trip itself remained highly enjoyable. That is worth keeping in mind if you want a full running commentary. This is mainly a swimming and sightseeing trip, not a formal historical tour.

The smaller group helps here. You can ask about the islands, request help with the equipment, or check the best place to enter the water. You are not simply being moved from one stop to another with dozens of other people.

Price, timing, and what you receive for $78.64

Blue & Green cave,Šunj beach - with drinks small group speedboat - Price, timing, and what you receive for $78.64

At $78.64 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to reach the islands, but it offers a reasonable amount for a half-day outing. The price includes the speedboat, fuel, guide, bottled water, soda, alcoholic beverages, snorkeling equipment, taxes, and the two cave stops plus Šunj Beach.

You still pay separately for lunch, food, and drinks purchased on Lopud. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach the meeting point yourself. The activity ends back at the same location.

I see the value in the combination. A simple beach visit would cost less, but it would not include the Blue and Green Caves or the boat ride. A full-day island cruise might give you more stops, but it would take more time and may place you on a much larger boat.

The four-hour length also works well in Dubrovnik. A morning departure leaves your afternoon open for the Old Town or dinner. An afternoon departure lets you spend the morning sightseeing before heading to the water. The tour is often booked around 20 days ahead, so reserve earlier if your schedule is fixed.

Who should book this Dubrovnik boat trip?

Blue & Green cave,Šunj beach - with drinks small group speedboat - Who should book this Dubrovnik boat trip?

This outing suits you if you want several water experiences in one compact package. It works particularly well for couples, friends, and families with older children who are comfortable swimming from a boat and spending time in the sun.

You should book it if:

  • You want the Blue Cave without committing to a full-day cruise.
  • You prefer a small boat to a large group vessel.
  • You enjoy swimming, short rock jumps, and beach time.
  • You want drinks included and do not need a full meal provided.
  • You like having both a natural cave stop and a sandy beach in one trip.

Think twice if you need a spacious boat, guaranteed snorkeling equipment, a detailed safety presentation, or a fully organized lunch. The tour is built around simple outdoor fun, not luxury service or a formal cultural program.

Also consider the weather. The trip requires good conditions, and rough seas can affect the route or make the ride uncomfortable. If weather forces cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

Practical advice before you leave Dubrovnik

Blue & Green cave,Šunj beach - with drinks small group speedboat - Practical advice before you leave Dubrovnik

The meeting point is Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse, Lapadska obala 4. Use the exact address rather than relying only on a general marina name, and allow enough time to find the boat. One person had difficulty locating it, while others found the dock without trouble.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a dry bag for valuables. The tour provides bottled water and drinks, but lunch is not included. Bring cash or another payment method for the beach bars and restaurant on Lopud.

Ask the skipper about the equipment before departure. Confirm whether the boat has masks, snorkels, and life jackets available for your group. This is especially important if you expect to spend most of the cave stops snorkeling rather than simply swimming.

The activity is offered in English, and confirmation is received at booking. Most people can take part, but the cave stops require entering the water and climbing back onto the boat. If that may be difficult for you, ask the operator before reserving.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour if your ideal Dubrovnik day includes clear water, a fast boat, two unusual cave stops, and a sandy beach without spending eight hours at sea. The Blue Cave and Šunj Beach provide the strongest pairing, while the small group and guides such as Maro, Jakov, and Antun add a personal touch.

I would not book it without asking about the exact snorkeling and safety equipment if those details matter to you. For everyone else, the $78.64 price is fair for a four-hour trip that covers the boat, fuel, drinks, guide, caves, and beach time. It is a focused half-day outing, and that is its main strength.

FAQ

How long is the Blue and Green Cave and Šunj Beach tour?

The experience lasts approximately four hours. About two hours are spent around Kolocep Island, followed by roughly one hour and 30 minutes at Šunj Beach.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse, Lapadska obala 4, Dubrovnik. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, soda, and alcoholic beverages are listed as included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but you can purchase food or drinks at the bars and restaurant near Šunj Beach.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkeling equipment is listed as included. However, the information from the experience is not fully consistent about exactly what is available, so confirm whether masks and snorkels will be provided before departure.

Can I choose a morning or afternoon departure?

Yes. The tour offers both morning and afternoon departure options.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Free cancellation is also available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.

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