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

The best part of this outing is the Green Cave on Šipan, reached by kayak rather than by a large sightseeing boat. Sunlight reflecting from the sandy bottom gives the cave its green glow, and the spacious interior lets you swim and even stand in places. Add a stone arch, a third island, and a stop for lunch in a fishing village, and you get a full day on the water.

I like the small-group format, with no more than nine people, and I like that the price includes good kayaking gear, snorkels, masks, and waterproof bags. The main drawback is simple: this is an active day. You must paddle across open channels, and the tour depends on favorable weather. Lunch and drinks cost extra, and cliff jumping is optional rather than suitable for everyone.

At a glance

• Three islands in one outing: Start on Lopud, paddle to Šipan, and finish with a cave stop near Ruda.
• A rare cave stop: Swim through the opening of Green Cave and see the green light created by the sun and sandy bottom.
• A real kayaking day: Expect several hours on the water, not just a short introductory paddle.
• A useful gear package: Single and double kayaks, waterproof bags, masks, and snorkels are supplied.
• An easygoing village break: Stop in Šuđurađ for about two hours of lunch and free sightseeing.
• A good fit for active families: Children from age six can join in a double kayak with an adult.

Starting from Lopud and crossing to Šipan

You meet at the kayak center at Ul. Miha Pracata 2-8 on Lopud. The day begins with a safety talk and basic paddling instructions, which matters if you are new to sea kayaking or need a quick refresher before setting off.

The first crossing takes about 45 minutes. You paddle from Lopud across the channel toward Šipan, so this is not a shore-hugging beginner lesson. The guide sets the pace, but you still need to be comfortable sitting in a kayak and working with your paddle for a sustained stretch.

The equipment includes single and double kayaks. A double can be useful for families or pairs who prefer to share the work, while a single gives you more control and independence. Children at least six years old are allowed, but they must be accompanied by an adult in a double kayak.

The group size helps here. With a maximum of nine people and a small-group setup, you should have room to ask questions and receive help with your stroke or boat handling. The guide speaks English, and the day is built around instruction, water time, and stops rather than a rushed transfer from one attraction to another.

Paddling beneath Šipan’s stone arch

Once you reach Šipan, you head south and west along the coast. The first main stop is a natural stone arch, a striking opening where you can frame the Adriatic through the rock.

This is a fine early stop because it breaks up the crossing before the more active swimming section. You get time for photographs and a chance to look at the coast from water level. A kayak also gives you a quieter viewpoint than a motorboat, with the water and rock forming most of the scene.

The route section around the arch lasts about an hour. You should still think of it as part of a working paddle, not a passive cruise. If you want the easiest possible island outing, a boat trip may suit you better. If you like being part of the movement and choosing your own line through the water, this is where the trip starts to feel worthwhile.

Keep your camera or phone protected. Waterproof bags are provided, but you should still follow the guide’s instructions for storing anything you cannot afford to lose. The supplied bags are especially useful because the day includes repeated movement between kayak, cave, cove, and village.

Swimming inside the Green Cave

The Green Cave is the heart of the outing. After paddling along Šipan’s coast, the group ties up the kayaks and prepares for swimming and snorkeling.

You first use a mask and snorkel to swim through the cave opening. Inside, there is enough room for swimming and standing in some places. The green color comes from sunlight reflecting off the sandy bottom, giving the cave its unusual glow without the need for artificial lighting or a staged attraction.

This is also the point where the tour feels more personal than a standard coastal sightseeing trip. The cave is described as little known, even among local people, and reaching it by kayak keeps the stop tied to the surrounding coast. You are not simply being dropped at a photo stop. You have paddled there, secured your boat, and entered from the water.

Snorkeling equipment is included, but you should be honest with yourself about your comfort in the sea before booking. The cave stop involves swimming through the opening, followed by time in the deep cove outside. The tour is suitable for most people who can take part in normal physical activity, but it is not a dry, sightseeing-only experience.

Cliff jumping follows for anyone who wants it. You can treat this as an optional burst of fun rather than a required test. If you would rather stay in the water at a lower level, you can enjoy the cove and snorkeling without making the jump. Listen closely to the guide, since the guide controls how the group uses the area.

Šuđurađ: two hours for lunch and a break

After the cave and cove, you continue by kayak to Šuđurađ, a fishing village on Šipan. This is the longest stop away from the kayaks, with about two hours for lunch and sightseeing.

Food and drinks are not included in the tour price, so budget separately for the meal. The stop is built around local delicacies rather than a packed lunch supplied by the operator. That gives you more choice, but it also means the final value depends partly on what you order.

A two-hour break is welcome after the morning paddle. You can eat, walk around, and let your arms rest before returning to the water. One strong point from the available feedback is the quality of the lunch stop, described as excellent, so this is more than a quick sandwich break in the middle of a demanding route.

The village pause also adds a useful change of pace. The morning is mostly water, rock, and swimming. Šuđurađ gives you time on land and a chance to see a smaller island settlement without trying to fit a separate island-hopping excursion into your schedule.

Returning via Ruda and a second cave

After lunch, you paddle back toward Lopud. The return is not simply a repeat of the morning crossing. You stop at Ruda, the third island of the day, and kayak into another cave before heading back.

This extra island and cave stop give the route a proper sense of variety. You begin on Lopud, spend most of the day around Šipan, and then add Ruda before returning to your starting point. The final section lasts about an hour and a half, so you should expect to still be active in the afternoon.

By this stage, you may feel the day in your shoulders. That is not a flaw, but it is important when judging the tour. The kayaking is described as challenging but manageable, including for teenagers. I would call this a good choice for someone who wants an active holiday day, not for someone hoping to conserve energy for a long evening in Dubrovnik.

The tour ends back at the Lopud meeting point. You do not need to arrange a separate return transfer from the activity, though you do need to plan how you will reach Lopud in the first place. The supplied information confirms the meeting point but does not include transport to the island.

What the $88.67 price gets you

At $88.67 per person, the value comes from the amount packed into six hours. You receive a guided sea-kayaking route, a professional local guide, the Green Cave visit, snorkeling equipment, waterproof bags, and a stop at a third island. You also get both single and double kayak options.

The price does not include lunch or drinks, so the final cost will be higher. Still, the outing covers much more than a short paddle followed by a beach stop. You are paying for instruction, route planning, equipment, several activity areas, and a guide who keeps the group together across open water.

The small-group size is another reason the price feels reasonable. A maximum of nine people allows the guide to give practical help and keep an eye on the group during the cave and cliff-jumping portions. The operator is Outdoor Croatia, and the guide is English-speaking. One guide named in the available information is Ivo, who is described as friendly, inclusive, and well informed about the outing. Your guide may differ, so treat Ivo’s name as useful context rather than a guarantee.

The tour is often reserved well ahead of time, with an average booking lead time of about 52 days. That suggests you should not leave it until the last minute if this is a priority, especially during the busy season.

Who should book this kayaking day

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy being active outdoors and want more than a standard boat ride. The combination of paddling, snorkeling, cave swimming, cliff jumping, village time, and a second cave gives the day plenty of variety.

It also suits solo visitors. Solo participants are welcome, and the small group makes it easier to meet people without turning the activity into a large organized outing.

Families can consider it too, provided children are at least six and share a double kayak with an adult. Teenagers who are comfortable with physical activity should find the route manageable, but younger children may tire during the longer paddling sections.

You should think twice if you dislike open-water activity, do not want to swim, or prefer a fixed schedule on land. The tour is subject to weather, and the operator can cancel for poor conditions. In that case, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund.

Wear beach or sporty clothing. Bring anything you normally need for a full day outdoors, but keep valuables limited because the day involves water, swimming, and repeated handling of gear.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation arrives at booking. It is near public transportation, though the supplied information does not specify the transport route to Lopud.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local time.

Weather matters more than it does on a land tour. Wind and sea conditions can affect the crossing, cave access, swimming, and safety of the route. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Green Cave tour?

Book it if you want a full, active day around the Elaphiti islands and like the idea of reaching special coastal spots under your own power. The Green Cave, the stone arch, Šuđurađ lunch stop, and Ruda return route give you a stronger mix than a basic kayak rental.

Skip it if your ideal day means very little exertion, guaranteed sunshine, or no extra spending after the ticket. The route is long enough to feel like a workout, and the weather can change the plan.

For most reasonably active visitors, the strongest reasons to book are the small group, the included gear, and the unusual cave access. Add a lunch budget, prepare for several hours of paddling, and you will have a clear idea of what you are buying.

FAQ

Where does the sea kayaking tour start?

The tour starts at the kayak center at Ul. Miha Pracata 2-8 on Lopud, Croatia.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point on Lopud.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours.

Which islands does the route visit?

The route starts on Lopud, continues to Šipan, and includes a stop at Ruda on the return journey.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but the tour stops in Šuđurađ for lunch and free sightseeing.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are included, along with kayaking equipment and waterproof bags.

Are single and double kayaks available?

Yes. The tour provides both single and double kayaks.

Can children join the tour?

Children can join from age six, but they must be accompanied by an adult in a double kayak.

Is cliff jumping required?

The tour includes time for cliff jumping, but the supplied information does not state that it is mandatory. You can also spend time swimming and snorkeling in the cove.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered an alternative date or a full refund.