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

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat trip is the quick change of scenery: one moment you are swimming into sea caves on Kolocep, and soon after you are stretched out beside the shallow water of Sunj Beach on Lopud. The Blue Cave is the visual star, while the Green Caves offer more active swimming through underwater passages and places to jump from the rocks.

I like the four-hour length, which gives you a proper outing without eating a whole day, and I like the small-group speedboat format, which feels more personal than a large excursion boat. The main caution is that the boat can feel tight when full, and the supply of snorkeling equipment and safety gear appears inconsistent, so ask your skipper what is available before leaving the dock.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different islands in one half-day: Kolocep brings caves and clear water, while Lopud brings sandy beach time.
• About 30 to 35 minutes at each cave: Enough for swimming, photos, and rock jumps, but not a leisurely cave visit.
• Around 90 minutes at Sunj Beach: You can swim, relax, or walk up to a bar or restaurant with a view.
• Small-group speedboat: The advertised maximum is 30 people, though many departures are much smaller, sometimes around eight passengers.
• Drinks are included: Expect bottled water, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages, though the exact selection may vary.
• Weather matters: Rough water can make cave access difficult, and the operator may offer a backup plan, a new date, or a refund.

Why the Blue Cave is the main attraction

The Blue Cave on Kolocep is the sort of place that gives this trip its name. Sunlight passes through the sea and reflects inside the cave, creating the blue glow that makes the short swim or boat approach feel special.

You should not expect a long underground expedition. The scheduled stop is about 30 to 35 minutes, shared with the nearby Green Caves. That is enough time to enter, look around, swim, and take photographs, but the experience depends on sea conditions and how many boats arrive at the same time.

The water is described as very clear, and several guides have been praised for reaching the caves before larger groups. If you can choose between morning and afternoon, an earlier departure may give you a better chance of finding the caves quieter, although the exact crowd level will vary by day.

Bring a phone case or waterproof camera if you want pictures. The strongest view is not from the dry seat of the boat. It comes when you are close to the water, looking into the cave as the color shifts around you.

Kolocep’s Green Caves are more active

The Green Caves provide a different kind of stop. Instead of simply admiring the light, you can swim through underwater openings and explore the rock from the water. There are also spots for jumping from the rocks, though you should use your own judgment and follow the skipper’s instructions.

This is a good reason to choose the tour over a basic sightseeing cruise. You are not only looking at the coast. You have time to get into the sea at both cave areas.

That said, this is not the right trip if you want a formal snorkeling lesson or a long session cataloging marine life. One report praised the snorkeling, while another noted that few fish were seen. The sea, visibility, and location on the day will shape what you find.

Snorkeling equipment is listed as included, and many people have found masks and goggles available. One detailed complaint said masks were present but no snorkels were supplied, while another said snorkeling gear was provided. I would ask the guide directly at the start, especially if snorkeling is central to your plans. Do not assume that every item will be available in the same quantity on every departure.

The 90-minute pause at Sunj Beach

After Kolocep, the speedboat heads to Lopud for roughly an hour and a half at Sunj Beach. This is the trip’s slower, easier half. Sunj is known for its broad sandy shore, shallow warm water, and lagoon-like setting, a welcome change from Croatia’s many rocky swimming spots.

The shallow sea is useful if you want to wade rather than swim, and it gives families and less confident swimmers a more comfortable place to enjoy the water. You can stay near the beach, or walk toward the nearby bars and the small forest restaurant on the hill.

You will need to pay for lunch yourself. Food and drinks are not part of the listed tour price, apart from the beverages supplied on the boat. Several accounts describe the beach bar setting as a highlight, with food, cocktails, and views over the sand and water. The atmosphere can also include music, so do not expect a completely quiet beach stop.

Ninety minutes is a sensible amount of time. You can swim, dry off, eat something, and still have a little time to enjoy the setting. It is not enough for a long walk around Lopud, though, so treat the island as a beach stop rather than a full island visit.

What the speedboat format feels like

The boat is about eight meters long and is intended for a small group. Some departures have had only around eight passengers, leaving enough room for people to spread out. That is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing instead of a large boat tour.

A small boat also reaches the caves quickly and can feel more flexible. Guides including Maro, Jakov, Antun, Anton, Paulo, and Anthony have been singled out for being friendly, helpful, or good at explaining the area. The guide’s style may vary. One account described a quieter skipper, while others praised the guides for conversation, local background, music, and recommendations.

There is a trade-off. Small-group does not mean spacious if the boat is full. One unhappy customer found the seating shoulder to shoulder and felt the boat was too small for the group. The stated maximum for the activity is 30 people, with a maximum of 20 people per booking, but actual boat loads can differ by departure. If open space and a roomy seat matter greatly to you, ask how many people are booked before setting out.

The ride may also be bumpy when the sea is choppy. One guide slowed down and had another plan ready when the caves were harder to reach. That is a good sign of sensible handling, but it also shows why you should not book this as a guaranteed, fixed cave-access experience in poor weather.

Drinks, equipment, and what to bring

Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, bottled water, fuel, taxes, the driver-guide, and snorkeling equipment are included in the price. Several people particularly appreciated having drinks on board, and some described the boat atmosphere as relaxed, with music during the ride.

The exact drink service deserves a little caution. One account expected more than one alcoholic drink and did not receive soft drinks. The safest approach is to see the included drinks as a useful extra, not as an open bar.

Pack the practical basics:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Waterproof protection for your phone
• Cash or a card for food and drinks at Sunj Beach
• A light cover-up for the boat ride back

Life jackets and other safety equipment are a point worth clarifying. Most of the praise focuses on the guides and the scenery, but one detailed complaint said there was no safety briefing and that life jackets were not readily available for swimming. The information supplied for the tour does not promise a safety briefing or flotation equipment. Ask the skipper where the safety gear is before departure, and do not enter the water if you are uncomfortable with the conditions.

Is $78.64 a fair price?

At $78.64 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get to the islands, but it offers more than a simple transfer. Your fare covers a speedboat trip, two cave areas, beach time on Lopud, fuel, taxes, water, drinks, a guide, and snorkeling equipment.

The value is strongest if you want several things in one outing. You get a cave experience, two swim areas, a sandy beach, and a guide without having to arrange separate transport. The four-hour schedule also leaves most of your day free for Dubrovnik’s old town or another activity.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a quiet beach day or a large, comfortable boat. Food at Sunj Beach costs extra, and equipment availability should be checked. You are paying for access and variety rather than luxury seating or a fully organized watersports program.

The tour is often booked about 20 days ahead, which suggests that popular dates can fill early. Morning and afternoon departures give you some control over your schedule. I would choose morning if cave access and lighter crowds are your priority, and afternoon if you prefer a slower start and beach time later in the day.

Meeting at Dubrovnik Port

The stated meeting point is the Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse at Lapadska obala 4 in Dubrovnik. The tour returns to the same meeting point, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Allow time to find the exact address. Most people have located the boat without trouble, but one person had difficulty because the meeting point seemed unclear on arrival. Use the full address rather than relying only on a general map pin, and arrive early enough to ask around if needed.

The location is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying outside the immediate port area. Since this is a boat departure, being late is more serious than arriving late for a museum visit. The boat cannot wait indefinitely for a missing passenger.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would choose this tour if you want active sea time but only have half a day. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who are comfortable boarding a speedboat, swimming from the boat, and spending time in open water.

It also works well for first-time visitors to Dubrovnik who want to see more than the old town. Kolocep and Lopud give you a quick look at the nearby islands without committing to a full-day cruise.

You may want a different outing if you dislike choppy rides, need a large boat with lots of room, or want guaranteed snorkeling gear for everyone. It may also disappoint you if you expect a guided historical tour. Guides do offer background about the areas and pass on useful recommendations, but the focus is swimming, scenery, and free time rather than formal history.

Weather, cancellation, and final practical advice

This activity requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can be offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of people is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, so keep an eye on the forecast and your schedule.

I would also confirm three things before boarding: the number of people on your departure, the snorkeling equipment available, and the location of the safety gear. Those questions take a minute and remove the main sources of disappointment.

Should you book the Blue and Green Cave speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a lively, compact Dubrovnik outing with strong scenery and real time in the water. The Blue Cave, Green Caves, and Sunj Beach make a well-balanced route, and the smaller boat can feel far more personal than a crowded day cruise.

The best parts are the clear sea, the unusual cave light, the sandy beach, and guides such as Maro, Jakov, Antun, and Paulo who have earned praise for their friendly approach. The main compromises are limited space when the boat is full, extra cost for lunch, and uncertainty about exactly which snorkeling and safety items will be available.

For most people seeking a half-day on the Adriatic, I think the mix is worth the price. Just confirm the equipment and group size, bring sun protection, and treat cave access as weather-dependent rather than guaranteed.

FAQ

How long is the Blue and Green Cave tour?

The tour lasts approximately four hours. About two hours are allocated to the Kolocep area, including the Blue Cave and Green Caves, followed by around 90 minutes at Sunj Beach on Lopud.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is the Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse at Lapadska obala 4, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The meeting point is near public transportation.

Are morning and afternoon departures available?

Yes. You can choose between morning and afternoon departure times, subject to availability.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling equipment is listed as included. Because availability has been described differently by people on separate departures, ask your skipper what is on board before leaving.

Is food included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can buy food and drinks at the bars or small restaurant near Sunj Beach.

What drinks are included?

The tour includes alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and bottled water. The exact selection and quantity may vary, so do not treat the boat service as an unlimited bar.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund.