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, where sunlight turns the water turquoise. You also get the Three Green Caves, a fast ride along Dubrovnik’s coast, and a long stop at sandy Šunj Beach. I like the mix of active water time and easy beach time, plus the included drinks make the $71 price easier to justify.

I also like the friendly, informal guiding style. Ivan, Rino, Mario, Dora, and others are praised for keeping drinks moving, explaining the area, and creating a fun boat atmosphere with music. The main drawback is that popular cave stops can get crowded, and this is not a good choice if you are a non-swimmer, prone to seasickness, or uncomfortable with a lively ride.

Key Points

• Swim into the Blue Cave: The cave entrance is narrow, so you enter from the sea with a mask and snorkel.
• Try three different cave experiences: The Three Green Caves include two open swimming areas and one narrow passage through the island.
• Spend 90 minutes at Šunj Beach: This sandy Lopud beach offers shallow water, beach bars, sunbeds, and umbrellas.
• Enjoy drinks throughout the trip: Beer, white wine, soft drinks, iced tea, and water are included.
• See Dubrovnik from offshore: The return route gives you a striking view of the Old Town walls and red rooftops.
• Expect a shared, active outing: You need basic swimming ability, and summer cave stops may be busy with other boats.

Why This Speedboat Tour Works So Well

This is a well-balanced half-day on the Adriatic. You get the excitement of a speedboat, two unusual cave stops, and enough time at Šunj Beach to actually relax. Many boat trips around Dubrovnik focus on sightseeing from the deck. This one asks you to get into the water, which makes the scenery feel much more immediate.

The tour lasts about four to five hours, depending on the departure point and sea conditions. It runs from Dubrovnik Old Town port, Cavtat, Mlini, and Srebreno, so you may have a convenient pickup close to where you are staying. Check the exact meeting point carefully when booking, since it depends on the option selected.

I see this as a good choice for couples, families with confident swimmers, and friends who want a social afternoon rather than a quiet private cruise. It is also a useful way to get out of Dubrovnik for a few hours without giving up an entire day.

The Speedboat Ride Along Dubrovnik’s Walls

The boat ride itself is part of the appeal. From the water, Dubrovnik’s medieval walls rise above the sea, backed by the city’s famous orange rooftops. You get a perspective that is hard to find from the crowded streets inside the Old Town.

The first ride to Koločep takes about 25 minutes. On the way, you can expect open sea views and a brisk pace. Speedboats are fun, but they are not gentle sightseeing boats. Depending on the weather, the ride can include plenty of bouncing, so hold on and consider motion sickness tablets if you are prone to seasickness.

The crew often plays music, and the mood is relaxed rather than formal. Guides such as Ivan, Rino, Mario, and Dora have received particularly warm praise for being friendly, attentive, and good at keeping the group in a cheerful mood. Music volume can vary, so do not expect a quiet naturalist cruise.

Swimming Into Koločep’s Blue Cave

The Blue Cave is the first major stop, reached in about 25 minutes from Dubrovnik. You do not simply look into it from the boat. You swim through a narrow opening, wearing the supplied mask and snorkel, and enter a darker chamber where the sea glows with reflected blue-green light.

That entrance is part of the fun, but it also sets the limits of the experience. You need to be able to enter the water, resurface, float, turn around, and swim to safety. Lifejackets are available, and noodle floats may be offered, but these are safety aids, not a substitute for swimming ability.

Allow about 30 minutes here. That is enough time for a swim, a look inside the cave, and some snorkeling, though the exact order may change. The captain can switch the Blue Cave and Green Caves if weather or the sun’s position makes the other order better.

In summer, the Blue Cave can feel crowded. Several boats may arrive around the same time, and swimmers need to watch for moving vessels near the entrance. Follow the crew’s instructions, stay alert, and do not treat the cave as a place for careless cliff jumping. The surrounding rocks may offer jumping spots for confident participants, but only under safe conditions and at the crew’s direction.

The Three Green Caves Bring More Choice

After roughly ten minutes by boat, you reach the Three Green Caves on Koločep. This stop also lasts about 30 minutes, but it offers more variety than the Blue Cave.

Two caves are wider and easier for relaxed snorkeling. The third is a narrow passage that lets swimmers move through the island and come out on the other side. That tunnel is the memorable part for people who enjoy a little adventure, although it may not suit anyone who dislikes tight spaces or has limited swimming confidence.

I like the way these two cave stops complement each other. The Blue Cave is about color and atmosphere. The Green Caves give you options: stay in open water, snorkel around the entrances, or attempt the passage. You are not locked into one level of activity.

Water clarity is a major reason to bring your own waterproof phone case. The supplied gear includes masks and snorkels, but not an underwater camera. If you want pictures inside the cave, protect your phone properly before you leave the boat.

Šunj Beach Is the Relaxed Finale

The final main stop is Šunj Beach on Lopud, reached after about 15 minutes by speedboat. This is a long sandy beach with pale sand and shallow turquoise water. It is a welcome change after the rocky cave entrances and active swimming.

You get about an hour and a half here, enough time for a proper swim, a walk along the sand, or a drink at one of the beach bars. The water stays shallow for a considerable distance, reportedly close to 100 meters offshore, which makes this the easiest swimming stop of the day.

The boat anchors as near to the beach as conditions allow, but you may still need to walk through shallow water to shore. Bring a towel and keep anything you do not want wet in a secure bag.

Beach chairs and umbrellas may be available at the bar with blue umbrellas when you buy a drink. The supplied information notes that the loungers are offered with a purchase, and one recent price mentioned for a drink was €15. Treat that as a possible current cost, not a guaranteed fixed price. The tour itself does not include lunch, so budget separately for food or beach drinks.

Šunj’s bars and services generally begin operating in May. From November through April, the stop changes because the beach facilities may be closed and the sea is colder. Depending on the day, the crew may instead take you to Lopud village or Koločep village, where open cafés, restaurants, and shops are available.

Drinks, Gear, and What the $71 Covers

The price is $71 per person. For a four to five-hour shared speedboat tour, that is reasonable if you plan to use the included drinks and snorkeling equipment. You receive local beer, white wine, iced tea, cola, Fanta, and water. Several people especially appreciated having refreshments after each swim.

The drinks are not a full meal, and lunch is not included. Eat beforehand or plan to buy something at Šunj Beach during the long stop. You should also bring your own towel and swimwear, since neither is supplied.

Snorkeling masks and snorkels are included. Lifejackets and noodle floats are available for safety and support. Still, the tour is built around swimming from the boat, through cave openings, and around rocky areas. If you are not comfortable in open water, you may spend much of the trip watching from the boat rather than taking part.

The Ride Back and the Dubrovnik View

After Šunj Beach, the boat takes about 25 minutes to return. The final stretch can be the liveliest part of the outing. Music often continues, drinks are available, and the speedboat may bounce over the waves. Some guides turn the boat into a small floating party, while others keep the tone calmer.

The return route includes another scenic pass by Dubrovnik’s Old Port and city walls. If you want photographs, keep your phone ready before reaching the city. The boat moves quickly, and the best view may last only a few moments.

The drop-off may be at the Old Port or another location tied to your selected departure option. Confirm the starting and ending points when you book, especially if you are departing from Cavtat, Mlini, or Srebreno.

Crowds, Weather, and Comfort

The main weakness is not the destination. It is the number of boats using the same popular locations in high season. The Blue Cave entrance can become congested, with swimmers and boats sharing a small area. The Green Caves offer more room, but they can also be busy.

Weather matters as well. The captain can change the order of the stops or adjust the route if conditions are poor. That is sensible, but it means you should treat the published sequence as a plan rather than a promise.

This is not ideal for people with back problems. The speedboat ride can be bumpy, and getting in or out of the boat may require stepping down into the sea. The activity is also not suitable for wheelchair users, non-swimmers, people prone to seasickness, or anyone over 80 according to the stated restrictions.

People with disabilities should ask before booking. One participant with a disability found the crew helpful, but boarding was difficult. The boat may not be equipped for every mobility need.

Who Should Book This Tour?

I would choose this trip if you want to combine swimming, snorkeling, island scenery, and a sandy beach without arranging several separate outings. It is especially good for people who like a friendly boat atmosphere and do not mind music, shared space, and a little wave action.

Families should consider the swimming requirements carefully. Confident older children may enjoy the caves, but the narrow entrances, moving boats, and open-water conditions call for close supervision.

This is less suitable if your ideal boat trip means sitting quietly while a guide gives long historical explanations. The guides share information, but the heart of the outing is water time, scenery, music, and relaxed social energy.

The free cancellation period is up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those options are useful when your weather plans are uncertain, though you still need to check the exact departure time and meeting point.

Should You Book the Blue Cave and Šunj Beach Tour?

Book it if you can swim, want an active half-day, and like the idea of moving between caves and beach rather than staying on a sightseeing boat. The strongest reasons are the Blue Cave’s glowing water, the unusual swim-through passage at the Green Caves, the 90 minutes at Šunj Beach, and the steady supply of included drinks.

Think twice if you get seasick, have back trouble, dislike crowded water sites, or want a private and peaceful experience. For everyone else, $71 buys a lively coastal outing with several different experiences packed into one manageable trip. Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and a waterproof phone case, then let the captain adjust the route to the sea.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

Departure options include Dubrovnik Old Town port, Cavtat, Mlini, and Srebreno. The exact meeting point depends on the option booked.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts about four to five hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

Is this a private boat tour?

No. This is a shared small-group speedboat tour.

What stops are included?

The planned stops are Koločep’s Blue Cave, the Three Green Caves on Koločep, and Šunj Beach on Lopud. The route also includes coastal views of Dubrovnik and its Old Port.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. Basic swimming ability is required. You must be able to enter the water, resurface, float, turn, and swim to safety.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are included. Lifejackets and noodle floats are also available for safety and support.

What drinks are included?

The included choices are local beer, white wine, iced tea, cola, Fanta, and water.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can buy food at Šunj Beach when the beach services are operating.

Are toilets available during the tour?

Toilets are usually available only at Šunj Beach. Sometimes the speedboat has a toilet, so ask the crew on the day.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The captain may change the order or adjust the stops because of weather or the sun’s position. From November through April, the Šunj Beach stop may be replaced by Lopud village or Koločep village when beach services are closed.