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

The best part of this outing is the chance to swim into Koločep’s Blue Cave, then move on to three very different sea caves before settling onto sandy Šunj Beach. You get a lively half-day on the water, not just a sightseeing cruise.

I like the mix of active stops and downtime, plus the included drinks keep things simple after a swim. I also like the sea-level view of Dubrovnik’s walls, which gives you a fresh angle on the Old Town. The main drawback is that the caves can get crowded, and this is not a gentle boat ride for anyone prone to seasickness.

Key points

• Swim-through Blue Cave: Reach the cave through its narrow sea entrance and float in its turquoise light.
• Three Green Caves: Choose between open cave swimming and a narrow passage through Koločep.
• Šunj Beach finale: Spend about 90 minutes on one of Lopud’s best sandy beaches.
• Drinks included: Local beer, white wine, water, cola, Fanta, and iced tea are available on board.
• Guides set the tone: Ivan, Rino, Mario, Dora, and other crew members are known for friendly hosting, music, and practical help.
• A proper small-group outing: Some boats carry around 14 people, though the exact boat and meeting point can vary.

A half-day on the Adriatic, with caves before the beach

This 4 to 5-hour excursion packs several of Dubrovnik’s most popular sea experiences into one outing. You leave by speedboat from Dubrovnik Old Town, Cavtat, Mlini, or Srebreno, depending on the option you book, and head toward the Elaphiti islands.

The route works well because it has a clear rhythm. First comes the open-water ride and coastal scenery. Then you have two swimming stops at Koločep, followed by a longer break at Šunj Beach on Lopud. The return trip brings more views of Dubrovnik from the sea.

I like that the tour does not force you to choose between adventure and relaxation. You can swim through caves, try a cliff jump if conditions allow, and still spend a full hour and a half on sand with a drink in hand.

The atmosphere is social rather than quiet. Music is often played on the boat, and guides such as Ivan, Rino, Mario, and Dora are praised for keeping drinks available and helping people feel at ease. If you prefer a silent nature trip, this may feel too lively. If you want a fun afternoon with a bit of a party mood on the ride home, it fits nicely.

Leaving Dubrovnik and seeing the city walls from below

The first boat ride takes about 25 minutes. From the water, Dubrovnik’s red roofs and medieval walls rise above the shoreline in a way you cannot appreciate from inside the Old Town.

You pass along the coast with the city behind you, then head toward Koločep. This is one of the strongest visual parts of the outing, especially if you have already spent time walking the city streets. The walls look less like a fortress from this angle and more like a dramatic line above the Adriatic.

A speedboat gives you more coastline in less time than a regular sightseeing boat. The trade-off is movement. You will feel the boat hit waves, particularly on the return trip, and you should hold onto hats and loose items. If you are prone to motion sickness, take appropriate precautions before departure.

The exact departure point matters. The tour may begin at Porat Dubrovnik or another listed pickup location, and the meeting point depends on the option selected. Check that detail carefully so you are not hurrying across town to the wrong pier.

Koločep’s Blue Cave and the first swim

The Blue Cave stop lasts about 30 minutes. You reach the cave by entering the sea and swimming through its narrow opening, so this is not a viewpoint you simply walk up to.

Inside, sunlight reflects through the water and creates the blue-green glow that gives the cave its name. The effect depends on weather, sun position, and water conditions. It is most memorable when you are floating inside rather than looking at the cave from the boat.

Snorkeling equipment is included, with masks and snorkels provided. Noodle floats are also available, and lifejackets are carried for safety. Still, you need basic swimming ability. You should be able to enter the water, resurface, float, turn, and swim to safety. A lifejacket does not replace those skills.

The cave area can be busy in summer. Several boats may arrive at the same time, and swimmers need to pay attention to moving vessels. Strong waves can also make the first entry awkward. Follow the crew’s instructions, wait for a clear moment, and do not treat the cave entrance as a race.

More confident swimmers may be able to try a cliff jump from the nearby rocks, but this depends on conditions and your own comfort. It is an extra option, not the main point of the stop.

The Three Green Caves offer more choice

After roughly 10 minutes by boat, you reach the Three Green Caves, also on Koločep. The stop lasts about 30 minutes and gives you more variety than the first cave.

Two caves are wider and easier for swimming and snorkeling. The third is a narrow passage through the island, where you enter on one side and swim through to an opening on the other. That passage is the more unusual option, but it also requires confidence in the water and enough room to move comfortably.

This is a good stop for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can try the passage, while others can stay in the wider caves or use a float. I like that the crew does not make everyone follow the same level of adventure.

The water around Koločep is a major part of the appeal. It is clear enough for snorkeling, and the rocky cave walls make the setting feel far removed from the city. But this is still a shared excursion, not a private exploration. In high season, other boats and swimmers may be nearby.

The captain can reverse the order of the cave stops. Sun position and weather affect the color inside the caves, so you may visit the Green Caves first and the Blue Cave second. That flexibility is sensible, even if it means your route may not match the printed sequence.

Šunj Beach gives the tour a proper finish

The final main stop is Šunj Beach on Lopud, reached after about 15 minutes by speedboat. You get approximately 90 minutes here, which is enough time to swim, sit on the sand, and have something to eat or drink.

Šunj is known for its long stretch of fine sand and shallow water. The sea stays shallow for nearly 100 meters from shore, making this a more relaxed swimming stop than the rocky caves. The crew anchors as close to the beach as possible, but you may still need to step into shallow water to reach land.

This is the point where the tour changes pace. After the physical effort of swimming through caves, you can simply stretch out and take a break. The beach has bars and places to eat during the operating season, with services beginning in May.

A useful beach detail is the sunbed arrangement. If you buy a drink at the beachfront bar with blue umbrellas, you receive a complimentary sunbed and umbrella. The drink purchase is not included in the tour price, and one reported price was €15, so check the current charge before ordering. It can still be worthwhile if you want shade and a proper place to relax.

Šunj is not an isolated beach. It can feel pleasantly social in summer, but it will not give you a private-island experience. The shallow water, sand, and cafés make it comfortable, though they also attract plenty of other people.

From November through April, Šunj’s bars and beach services may be closed, and the sea may be too cold for the planned beach stop. The outing then changes to Lopud village or Koločep village, depending on the day and which cafés, restaurants, and shops are open. Check the seasonal plan if you are visiting outside the main beach months.

Drinks, music, and the character of the boat

The price includes local beer, white wine, water, iced tea, cola, and Fanta. That is useful on a warm boat, especially after swimming, and it means you do not need to organize drinks between stops.

The supply is not a meal. Lunch is not included, so eat beforehand or plan to buy food at Šunj Beach if the bars are open. You should also bring water in addition to what is supplied if you know you drink a lot in the sun.

Music is part of the experience. Several guides, especially Ivan, are praised for creating a fun atmosphere, and some boats become almost disco-like on the ride home. The volume can be high for some people. This is a social speedboat trip, not a quiet sailing excursion.

The crew varies by departure. Ivan is frequently singled out for his humor, steady driving, drink service, and care with less confident swimmers. Rino is noted for friendly hosting and good music, while Mario and Dora have also been praised for keeping the trip organized and enjoyable. You may not get a particular guide, but the crew style is clearly an important part of the outing.

Is the $71 price good value?

At $71 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to reach a beach or take a boat ride in Dubrovnik. But the price includes a speedboat, several transfers between islands and caves, snorkeling equipment, drinks, a guided outing, and about 90 minutes at Šunj Beach.

For you to get good value, you need to enjoy swimming. The tour’s best moments are in the water, not from a seat on the boat. If you plan to stay dry, much of what you are paying for loses its appeal.

The small-group format also matters. Some departures have carried no more than 14 people, though the boat and group size can vary. That is a better setup for cave stops than a large excursion boat, but you should not expect the quiet or flexibility of a private charter.

The drink service adds real convenience, especially after snorkeling. It does not turn the tour into a full-day package, and the overall outing is only four to five hours. Still, for a half-day that combines three island stops, cave swimming, a sandy beach, and city views, the price is reasonable for an active summer afternoon.

The strongest value comes from the variety. You see Dubrovnik from offshore, visit two cave areas, and reach a sandy island beach without arranging separate transport.

Practical details before you reserve

Bring swimwear and a towel. A waterproof phone case is also a smart addition if you want photos inside the cave, though no underwater photography service is included.

The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, people with serious back problems, wheelchair users, people prone to seasickness, or people over 80. Getting on and off the boat may be difficult for anyone with limited mobility, even though crew members may help when possible.

Toilets are usually available only at Šunj Beach. Sometimes a speedboat with a toilet is used, but you should ask the crew on the day rather than assume one is available.

The captain may change the route because of bad weather, waves, or the position of the sun. That is particularly relevant to the cave order. A change may also be needed for safety, so treat the advertised sequence as a plan rather than a promise.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The tour is offered in English, Croatian, Bosnian, and Serbian.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would choose this for you if you want a compact way to see the islands and you are happy to spend much of the day in swimwear. Families with older children, couples, and groups of friends should find the mix of caves, music, drinks, and beach time appealing.

It is also a good choice for a first visit to Dubrovnik. You get a memorable view of the city walls, then move beyond the city to Koločep and Lopud without spending a full day away.

I would hesitate if you want a slow, quiet cruise, dislike loud music, or feel uneasy in open water. I would also avoid it if you cannot swim confidently or if motion sickness regularly affects you.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an active half-day with plenty of variety and the idea of swimming through a glowing cave sounds better than spending the afternoon on a standard boat cruise. The Blue Cave is the main draw, but the Three Green Caves and Šunj Beach give the outing enough range to feel worthwhile.

Go in with realistic expectations. Summer brings other boats, the sea can be choppy, and Šunj is a popular beach rather than a private retreat. If you accept that, the included drinks, capable guides, good music, and useful 90-minute beach break make this a strong choice for a fun day on the Dubrovnik coast.

FAQ

How long does the Blue Cave speedboat tour last?

The tour lasts about 4 to 5 hours. The listed route includes about 25 minutes to the Blue Cave, 30 minutes there, 10 minutes to the Three Green Caves, 30 minutes at those caves, 15 minutes to Šunj Beach, and about 90 minutes at the beach.

Where does the tour depart from?

Departure options include Dubrovnik Old Town, Cavtat, Mlini, and Srebreno. The exact meeting point depends on the option you book, so check your selected departure location carefully.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are included, and lifejackets and noodle floats are available for use.

What drinks are included?

The included drinks are local beer, white wine, water, iced tea, cola, and Fanta. Lunch is not included.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. Basic swimming skills are required because the cave stops involve entering the sea and swimming. You must be able to enter the water, resurface, float, turn, and swim to safety.

Can I visit Šunj Beach outside the summer season?

From November through April, the beach stop may be changed to Lopud village or Koločep village because Šunj’s services may be closed and the sea may be cold. The exact alternative depends on the day and which local businesses are open.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The captain may change the order of the caves or adjust the route because of weather, sea conditions, or the position of the sun.