Blue Cave Three Green Caves Private Tour, free drinks and pickup

Dubrovnik’s best coastal escape is not on the city wall. It is out on the water, where a private speedboat carries you to the Blue Cave, the Three Green Caves and sandy Šunj Beach. The cave stops bring clear water and striking light, while the beach gives you time to slow down.

I like the freedom of a private boat for up to six people, and I like the useful extras: pickup, towels, drinks and snorkeling equipment. The main drawback is the short four-hour schedule. Travel between islands takes part of that time, and the caves are not suitable for weak or nonswimmers.

Key points at a glance

• The Blue Cave glows with natural blue light: Sunlight passing through the water creates the cave’s famous blue color.
• Three Green Caves offer a quieter swim: Crystal-clear water, cave walls and green algae make this stop feel different from the Blue Cave.
• Šunj Beach gives you a full two-hour break: This sandy beach is a welcome change from Dubrovnik’s usual rocky swimming spots.
• Your group has the boat to itself: The private format works well for families and friends who want control over swimming and beach time.
• Pickup and drinks simplify the day: Bottled water, soda, towels and snorkeling equipment are included.
• The four-hour length is compact: You get three distinct stops, but the remaining time is used for speedboat travel.

Why this private boat trip works so well from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is famous for its old stone center, but the coast looks different from a boat. You see the city from a wider angle, then leave the crowds behind for the Elaphite Islands and their swimming spots.

This tour is built around contrast. The Blue Cave is a short, atmospheric stop. The Three Green Caves are more about swimming and natural surroundings. Šunj Beach then gives you the longest pause, with two hours to relax, eat, walk or try water sports.

I find the private setup especially useful here. Your group of up to six does not have to follow a large boat full of strangers. You can ask the skipper to adjust the pace, spend more time swimming, or keep moving if the sea conditions change. The exact route and timing still depend on the day, weather and boat schedule, but the format gives you more breathing room than a standard shared excursion.

Pickup is offered, and private transportation is included. That matters in Dubrovnik, where getting to a marina can be less simple than the map suggests. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, so you should not leave the reservation until the last minute if your schedule is tight.

Entering the Blue Cave near Koločep

The first stop is the Blue Cave on Koločep Island, with about 45 minutes set aside. The cave gets its color from sunlight passing through the water and lighting the interior from below. The effect changes with the sun, sea conditions and time of day, so this is a natural show rather than a fixed display.

You can explore the cave and swim in its clear water. The compact visit suits people who want a striking photo and a quick swim without spending the whole morning in one place. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, along with towels, so you do not need to pack every piece of beach gear.

The Blue Cave is also the stop where practical judgment matters most. This is not a museum visit with a dry walkway and handrails. You are dealing with water, a boat and a cave setting, and the experience is specifically not recommended for nonswimmers. Even confident swimmers should listen carefully to the skipper and follow instructions around the entrance.

If the sea is rough or the weather turns poor, the operator may need to change the plan. The tour requires good weather, and that is sensible for a small speedboat outing. A calm, sunny day gives you the best chance of seeing the blue color clearly.

Swimming among the Three Green Caves

The Three Green Caves receive about 45 minutes. This stop has a different character from the Blue Cave. Instead of focusing mainly on blue light, you get a cave system with clear water, greenery and three types of green algae that give the site its name.

I would treat this as the more relaxed swimming stop. The water lets you cool off, use the supplied masks and snorkeling equipment, and look around at the cave walls. The caves offer shade and a quieter feeling than an open beach, though the exact atmosphere will depend on how many boats are nearby.

Forty-five minutes is enough for a swim and a look around, but not for a long snorkeling session. You will want to keep track of time so that the group can move on to Šunj Beach. Towels and bottled water are included, which helps when you are going in and out of the sea.

The setting is naturally appealing, but the cave stops are not ideal for every kind of visitor. If you prefer to stay dry, have limited mobility, or dislike boarding and leaving a boat, you may find the pace less comfortable. The tour is aimed at people with a moderate level of physical fitness, and swimming is a central part of the experience.

Two hours on sandy Šunj Beach

Šunj Beach on Lopud Island is the longest stop, with about two hours available. That extra time is important because it keeps the day from becoming a rushed sequence of photo stops. You can swim, sunbathe, walk along the coast or sit at one of the beachfront cafés and restaurants.

Šunj is one of the few sandy beaches around Dubrovnik. If you have spent time on Croatia’s more typical pebble and rock beaches, the sand is a welcome change. It is easier to stretch out, settle in and let the morning or afternoon unfold at a slower pace.

The beach also offers kayaking, paddleboarding and snorkeling. These activities are listed as options at the beach, but the tour includes snorkeling equipment rather than a full package of paid water sports. If you want to rent equipment or order food, plan to handle those costs separately.

You can also walk along the coastline or visit nearby sights on Lopud, including a historic Franciscan monastery and the gardens of Villa Elafiti. The excursion does not promise a guided visit to those places, so I would see them as optional possibilities rather than guaranteed parts of the schedule.

The two-hour stop gives your group some choice. A family might spend most of it swimming. Friends may prefer a café and a walk. A couple could use the time for a long beach break after the more active cave stops. That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose this private tour over a tightly timed group cruise.

What the boat service adds to the day

The package includes a skipper, guide, private transportation, bottled water, soda, towels and snorkeling equipment. These are practical inclusions, not decorative extras. A towel saves space in your luggage, drinks reduce the need to buy refreshments immediately, and masks make it easier to swim without arranging equipment at every stop.

Music has also been part of the experience for some groups, with the ability to choose what plays on board. That may appeal to you, though it should not be treated as the central feature. The main attraction remains the coast, caves and swimming.

Several crew members have been praised by name, including Robbie, Maro and Tommy. Their roles appear to include handling the boat, explaining the stops and helping people feel comfortable in the water. Adil, associated with Bluewaves Tours Dubrovnik, has also been involved in arranging the service and answering questions.

Crew names can change, so I would not book on the assumption that one particular skipper will be assigned. Still, the repeated attention to friendly service, clean equipment and a well-equipped boat gives you a useful idea of the standard to expect. The boat has been described as new and comfortable, with seating at the front and back.

There is no restroom on board. That is easy to overlook when you are thinking about swimming, but it matters on a four-hour trip. Use facilities before departure and take advantage of the beach stop when possible.

How the timing really works

The listed stops add up to three and a half hours: 45 minutes at the Blue Cave, 45 minutes at the Three Green Caves and two hours at Šunj Beach. The tour lasts about four hours, so the remaining time covers boat travel to and from the attractions.

That makes this a compact coastal outing rather than a full-day island cruise. You get a good sample of three locations, but you should not expect long visits at both cave sites. If you want a slow day with extended snorkeling, a long lunch and several island walks, you may prefer a longer charter.

On the other hand, the four-hour length is useful if you have limited time in Dubrovnik. You can see the coast, swim in two cave areas and enjoy a beach without giving up an entire day. It also leaves room for other plans, such as exploring the Old Town later.

The speedboat itself helps cover more ground than a slower vessel. That comes with a tradeoff: the ride can feel active, and sea conditions affect comfort. Bring sun protection, wear clothing that can handle spray, and keep valuables secure. Those are simple precautions for any open-water trip.

Is the $541.85 group price good value?

The price is $541.85 per group of up to six people. At full capacity, that works out to roughly $90 per person. For a private boat with a skipper, guide, pickup, drinks, towels, snorkeling equipment, transportation and three coastal stops, that is a reasonable group price.

The value drops if only one or two people book. You are paying for the boat and crew rather than buying six individual seats, so the private format makes the most financial sense for a family or group of friends. Splitting the cost among five or six people turns the price into a more attractive alternative to separate taxis, beach arrangements and equipment rentals.

You are also paying for control. A shared trip may cost less per person, but you may have less say over how long you swim or how the day flows. Here, the boat is reserved for your group, and that privacy is the main value.

The price does not include meals, beach café purchases or optional water sports at Šunj Beach. Those costs are easy to manage, but you should budget for them if you want a restaurant lunch or a rented paddleboard.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend this trip to families with older children, couples, and groups of friends who enjoy swimming and want to see several coastal sites in a short time. It is also a good fit if your Dubrovnik plans are packed and you want a half-day on the water rather than a full-day cruise.

It suits confident swimmers best. The caves are water-based stops, and the tour is not recommended for nonswimmers. You should also be comfortable with moderate physical activity, boarding a boat and moving between swimming and beach areas.

This is less suitable if you want a serious history tour, a long guided visit on land or a fully accessible outing. The main focus is the sea, natural scenery and leisure time. The Franciscan monastery and Villa Elafiti gardens are nearby possibilities, but they are not the heart of the scheduled experience.

It is also worth considering your weather flexibility. Poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund, but that does not help if you have only one free morning in Dubrovnik. Keep a little room in your schedule if possible.

Final decision: should you book the private speedboat?

Book it if you want three very different coastal stops, prefer a boat reserved for your own group, and are happy to spend much of the outing swimming. The Blue Cave supplies the visual highlight, the Three Green Caves provide a more secluded swim, and Šunj Beach gives you a proper break on sand.

I would skip it if you are a nonswimmer, need a restroom on board, or want a long cultural tour on the islands. For everyone else, the private format and included equipment make this a practical way to see more of Dubrovnik’s coast without surrendering the whole day.

FAQ

How long is the Blue Cave Three Green Caves Private Tour?

The tour lasts approximately four hours. The remaining time after the scheduled stops is used for travel to and from the attractions.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to six people. Only your group participates in the activity.

What locations does the tour visit?

The tour visits the Blue Cave on Koločep, the Three Green Caves and Šunj Beach on Lopud Island.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and private transportation is included.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes a skipper, guide, private transportation, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, soda, towels, and all fees and taxes.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

No. A restroom is not available on board.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts.