BLUE CAVE&GREEN CAVES /ŠUNJ beach Speedboat tour- WITH DRINKS

The best part of this four-hour trip is the quick hop from Dubrovnik to Kolocep’s Blue and Green Caves, where clear water, rock passages, and sunlit colors make swimming feel like a small adventure. You get two cave stops, snorkeling gear, life jackets, and time to swim before heading to Lopud.

I like the early departure, offered from June 1 through September 15 at 8:30 a.m., because it aims to reach the caves before the larger crowds. I also like the simple mix of cave swimming and Šunj Beach time, with cold water, beer, wine, juice, and soft drinks available on board.

The main caution is pacing. Each cave stop lasts about 30 to 35 minutes, while Šunj gets roughly 90 minutes. If you care most about the caves, ask if you can trade some beach time for longer in the water. One complaint also described a rough, uncomfortable ride back, so sea conditions and driving style can affect the day.

Key points to know before booking

• Kolocep gets the action: You visit the Blue Cave and Green Caves, with time for swimming, snorkeling, and rock jumping.
• The 8:30 a.m. departure matters: From June 1 through September 15, the morning trip is designed to reach the caves before bigger groups arrive.
• Šunj Beach is the slow-down stop: You get about 90 minutes for shallow water, sun, a drink, or food at the beach bars and hillside restaurant.
• It is a shared boat trip: The maximum is 30 people, not a private charter, despite the comfortable speedboat format.
• Pavo and Maro are names worth noting: They are repeatedly praised for friendly hosting, clear explanations, and a relaxed feel on board.
• The value is strongest for swimmers: At about $77.43 per person, the price covers transport, fuel, equipment, a guide, and drinks, but not lunch.

A fast route from Dubrovnik to Kolocep

You meet at the last wooden pier in the small marina at Lapadska obala 4, beside the Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse in Dubrovnik’s West Harbour. The boat returns to this same point, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup across town.

The ride out is part of the appeal. From the water, you see the Dubrovnik coast from a lower, more open angle, then head toward the Elafiti Islands. The speedboat keeps the outing compact, making it possible to fit two cave stops and a beach break into half a day.

This is a shared group tour, with up to 30 people in one booking or departure. Some larger parties are divided between two boats. That makes the trip social rather than private, and the small-boat setting helps you meet people, but you should not expect the quiet or flexible schedule of a private charter.

The morning option is the smart pick if you have a choice. The operator specifically schedules the 8:30 a.m. departure during the main summer season to avoid the biggest cave crowds. An afternoon trip can still be enjoyable, especially for a relaxed swim, but the cave areas may feel busier.

The Blue Cave on Kolocep

Kolocep is the first island stop and the focus of the most memorable part of the trip. The Blue Cave sits on the island’s south side, where sunlight enters the opening and reflects through the water. The result is a blue glow that changes with the light and the position of the boat.

You normally have around 30 to 35 minutes here. That is enough time to look inside, swim near the entrance, use a mask, and take in the color. The water is the main attraction, not a long guided talk, so bring your attention to the cave itself and be ready to get wet.

The tour supplies snorkeling equipment, including masks, and some boats also provide pool noodles. Adult and child life jackets are available. These extras matter because the cave visit is centered on being in the water rather than simply viewing the cave from the boat.

Rock jumping is also possible at the cave locations. Treat that as an option, not an obligation. The cave environment can feel tight for anyone uneasy in enclosed spaces, and one piece of practical feedback is worth taking seriously: the Blue Cave and Green Caves are better suited to confident swimmers and younger adults than to anyone who dislikes narrow passages.

The time limit can feel short. If the Blue Cave is your main reason for booking, ask the guide early in the trip if more cave time is possible at the expense of some beach time. That trade can make sense, since the cave stops are the most distinctive part of the outing.

Swimming through the Green Caves

The Green Caves are also on Kolocep, and the experience differs from the Blue Cave. Here, the rock shape creates darker openings and underwater routes, with blue-green water and places where you can swim under the rock.

The water is described as exceptionally clear, which makes the supplied masks useful. You can see the underwater shape of the cave and the color changes around the rocks. The stop also allows swimming and rock jumping, so you get a more active experience than a simple sightseeing cruise.

Again, expect about 30 to 35 minutes. That sounds reasonable on paper, but changing between swimming, snorkeling, rock jumping, and photography takes time. If you want to enjoy both caves without rushing, keep your belongings organized and be ready when the boat arrives.

The caves are not presented as a formal historical tour. Guides including Pavo, Maro, Anthony, and Jacob are praised for explaining the route and setting expectations, but the main appeal is the setting and the water. I would choose this trip for swimming and scenery rather than for a long lesson about geology or island history.

The boat crew also affects the mood. Pavo is repeatedly singled out for being friendly, easygoing, and helpful, while Maro receives praise as a gracious captain and guide. Anthony and Jacob are also noted for making the trip enjoyable. Names can change by departure, but the experience is clearly shaped by the individual skipper.

Ninety minutes at Šunj Beach

After Kolocep, the boat heads to Lopud for around an hour and a half at Šunj Beach. This is one of Dubrovnik’s best-known sandy beaches, with a broad, shallow lagoon and clear water that can feel warmer than the open sea.

Šunj is a useful change of pace. After two active cave stops, you can swim close to shore, lie in the sun, or simply sit by the water. The beach has bars, and a small restaurant sits higher up among the trees. Several people particularly like the hillside setting, and one useful tip is to walk up to the restaurant for food and views rather than staying only at the shoreline.

You are not given lunch, so plan to buy food if you want a meal. The tour includes drinks, but the description does not promise a full selection at every point in the trip. Beer, white wine, water, and juice are listed, with alcoholic drinks limited to adults aged 18 and above.

The beach is attractive, but it may not be the highlight for everyone. If you have already spent time on Croatian beaches, Šunj can feel less special than the caves. Families may prefer the shallow water and open space, while active swimmers may want the extra cave time. The best use of the stop depends on your priorities.

What the $77.43 price really covers

At roughly $77.43 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Elafiti Islands. It is also not simply a boat transfer. The cost includes the driver-guide, fuel surcharge, snorkeling equipment, adult and child life jackets, and beverages, including alcoholic options for adults.

That package makes the price reasonable for a half-day outing if you would otherwise need to arrange island transport, equipment, and separate stops yourself. You are paying for a ready-made route with two cave visits and a beach break, rather than for a long cruise with little time in the water.

The value is strongest if you plan to swim. Someone who stays on the boat, skips snorkeling, and spends little time at Šunj may find the price harder to justify. You also need to buy lunch separately, and beach drinks or restaurant food are not included.

The speedboat is comfortable enough for a shared trip, but comfort depends on the sea. One serious complaint described a fast and rough return journey that left several children frightened and soaked. Most of the available feedback is very positive, but this warning is important if you are sensitive to choppy water or traveling with children who are not confident on boats.

Drinks, equipment, and practical comfort

The included gear removes some planning. You do not need to bring your own mask, and life jackets are available for both children and adults. Pool noodles are also provided on some departures, which can help less confident swimmers enjoy the water without treating every cave stop as a test.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes. The supplied information does not list lockers or a place to keep valuables, so keep your belongings limited and protected from spray.

The drinks are a pleasant extra, but keep expectations clear. Beer, white wine, water, and juice are included, and the drinks are described as cold. At least one person felt that only one drink was offered during the trip, so the exact serving arrangement may vary. You should not book this as an open-bar cruise.

Children can participate, and child life jackets are supplied. The tour is generally suitable for most people, but the cave passages and boat ride deserve thought. If your group includes young children, older adults, or anyone uncomfortable in confined spaces, ask about the sea conditions and the amount of time spent swimming before you commit.

Timing, group size, and the feel of the day

The advertised duration is about four hours. A typical outline is around 30 minutes to meet and depart, approximately two hours at Kolocep split between the two caves, and about 90 minutes at Šunj Beach. The precise travel time between stops can vary.

Some departures have finished about 25 minutes early. That may not bother you if you have evening plans, but it is worth remembering if you expect every minute of the advertised four hours.

A group of up to 30 is large enough to create a social atmosphere but small enough to keep the route focused. Several people describe making quick friends on board, and families and groups with teenagers fit naturally into the format. If you want complete control over stop lengths, music, speed, and swimming time, this is not the right setup.

The strongest departures seem to have a good skipper. Pavo is praised for explaining where the boat is going and what to expect, while Maro is described as kind and relaxed. A good guide makes the short stops feel organized rather than hurried.

Who should book this speedboat trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see the Elafiti Islands without giving up most of a day. It works especially well for people who want a mix of fast coastal transport, clear-water swimming, simple snorkeling, and one sandy beach.

It is also a good fit for families with older children and teenagers. The masks, noodles, life jackets, and rock-jumping options give everyone something to do. Just make sure the children are comfortable with a speedboat and swimming in open water.

You may want a different trip if you prefer history, long explanations, a quiet private boat, or a leisurely island lunch. The focus here is physical and scenic. You move quickly, spend short periods at the caves, then settle into a longer beach break.

If you get seasick, ask about conditions before departure. The speedboat can feel rough when the sea is choppy, and the return ride may be fast. That is the main practical risk in an otherwise straightforward outing.

How to get the most from the four hours

Choose the early departure from June 1 through September 15 if possible. Reaching the caves ahead of larger groups can make the difference between a calm swim and a crowded one.

Tell your guide if the caves are your priority. The normal plan gives Šunj about 90 minutes, and several people would gladly shorten the beach stop for more time at the caves. You may be able to request that balance, though it depends on the group and schedule.

Use the snorkeling equipment at both cave stops, not just for looking into the water from the surface. The clear sea and underwater rock openings are central to the experience.

At Šunj, consider walking up to the hillside bar or restaurant. The setting above the beach offers a better view, and the food there can turn the beach stop into a proper break rather than a quick swim.

Finally, pay attention to the skipper’s instructions. The boat returns to the same West Harbour meeting point, and the schedule is compact. Being ready to board keeps the group moving and protects your swimming time.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the image of swimming through bright cave water appeals to you more than spending a full day at sea. The Blue and Green Caves are the reason to go, and the combination of masks, drinks, a speedboat, and a stop at Šunj gives you a lot in four hours.

I would choose the early departure and ask for extra cave time if the guide can arrange it. I would skip it if you need a private boat, dislike confined spaces, or are worried about a rough ride with small children.

At $77.43, the trip offers fair value for an active half-day in Dubrovnik. It is not perfect, and the cave stops can feel brief, but for swimming, island views, and an easy route out of the city, it is a practical choice.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at the last wooden pier in the small marina at Lapadska obala 4, beside the Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse in Dubrovnik’s West Harbour.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Dubrovnik’s West Harbour.

How long does the boat trip last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

What time does the morning tour depart?

From June 1 through September 15, the morning tour starts at 8:30 a.m. This departure is intended to help avoid larger groups at the caves.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Kolocep for the Blue Cave and Green Caves, then Lopud for Šunj Beach.

How much time is spent at the caves?

The two Kolocep cave stops together take about two hours, with roughly 30 to 35 minutes at each cave location.

How long is the stop at Šunj Beach?

You spend around one and a half hours at Šunj Beach.

Are snorkeling equipment and life jackets included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets for children and adults are included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks consist of beer, white wine, water, and juice. Alcoholic drinks are only available to adults aged 18 and above.