Dubrovnik: Blue Cave Tour by Speedboat

The best part of this Dubrovnik outing is the variety packed into four hours: sea caves, open-water swimming, and a real sandy beach. You ride an open speedboat to Koločep, swim into the Blue Cave and Three Green Caves, then finish at Šunj Beach with time for the beach bar.

I like the easy, active format and the useful inclusions: snorkeling gear, drinks, fuel, and a waterproof bag. I also like that you get a proper beach stop, not just a quick photo pause. The catch is simple: you need to swim well enough to enter the caves, and the exposed boat can be windy, cold, and wet.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue Cave swimming: Spend about 30 minutes swimming and snorkeling around Koločep’s best-known cave.
• Three Green Caves: Allow roughly 45 minutes for photos, shallow-water exploring, and a swim.
• Šunj Beach: Get 60 to 90 minutes on a sandy beach with a beach bar and restroom.
• Open speedboat ride: Expect sun, wind, sea spray, and no onboard toilet.
• Practical inclusions: Snorkeling equipment, water, beer, wine, Coca-Cola, fuel, and a waterproof bag are provided.
• Best for active adults: The tour is not suited to pregnant women, people with back problems, wheelchair users, people prone to seasickness, babies under one, or people over 70.

Dubrovnik’s caves in a four-hour outing

At $82 per person, this is a midrange half-day boat trip rather than a bare-bones transfer. You are paying for the boat, fuel, crew, equipment, drinks, and three different coastal stops, all without giving up a full day in Dubrovnik.

That matters if your schedule is tight. You can spend the morning or afternoon on the water and still have time for the Old Town, a museum, or dinner. The pace is active, but not frantic. You have around 30 minutes at the Blue Cave, 45 minutes at the Three Green Caves, and an hour to an hour and a half at Šunj Beach.

I would choose this tour for variety. If you want a long, quiet beach day, Šunj alone would make more sense. If you want a serious snorkeling session, a dedicated snorkeling trip may give you more water time. This tour works best when you want a little of everything.

The overall rating is 4.7 from 46 ratings, and 86 percent of participants gave the transport a perfect score. That fits the shape of the trip: the speedboat is not just a way to get from point A to point B. It is part of the fun, and the open ride gives you a strong sense of the sea.

Meeting at the library and finding the right boat

The meeting point is Knjižnica za društvene znanosti, a place used by several boat tours. Staff should be waiting for you. Look for Antonio, a red shirt, or the Adriatic Boat Tours name.

Give yourself a few extra minutes to get oriented. Several boats can leave from the same area, and one recent departure involved some confusion before the correct boat was found. Better signs at the meeting point would help, so do not arrive at the last second and assume the first boat you see is yours.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You return to the same meeting point after the tour. Bring a credit card and some cash, especially if you want food or a drink at the beach bar. Food is not included, and towels are not supplied.

Use a restroom before boarding. The speedboat has no toilet, and the only restroom mentioned for the trip is at the beach.

The open speedboat ride to Koločep

The first ride takes about 30 minutes. The boat is open, so you get the full effect of the weather. On a warm, calm day, that means a pleasant breeze and a good view of the sea. If conditions turn cool or choppy, you will feel the wind and spray.

Wear swimwear under light clothes, and keep sunscreen, sunglasses, and a towel handy. Flip-flops are useful for the beach, but secure anything loose before the boat moves. A waterproof bag is provided, which is helpful for phones, wallets, and cameras, though I would still pack carefully.

The boat carries cold drinks including water, beer, wine, and Coca-Cola. That is a nice touch, especially after swimming, but do not mistake the drink supply for a meal. Food is your responsibility, and the beach stop gives you the main chance to buy something.

The crew speaks Croatian and English. One captain praised for the trip was Mario, who was noted for smooth boat control and a well-chosen music selection. Crew assignments can change, so I would not book solely on the hope that a particular captain will be at the helm. Still, the note gives you a useful sense of the style: this is a social, upbeat boat ride rather than a silent sightseeing cruise.

The Blue Cave, 30 minutes of swimming

The Blue Cave on Koločep is the tour’s headline stop. You get about 30 minutes to swim and use the provided snorkeling gear around the cave.

The important detail is access. You need to swim into the caves rather than simply walk inside on a paved path. That makes the stop more exciting, but it also sets a clear limit for anyone who is not comfortable in open water. If you are only a weak swimmer, this is not the place to test your limits.

Bring a camera if you want photos, but protect it from water and keep your hands free when entering the cave. You may find the light and water color change as you move inside, though the exact effect depends on conditions. The tour description calls this the most popular cave around Dubrovnik, so it is likely to be the busiest-feeling stop on the route.

Thirty minutes goes quickly. You will need to get in, swim, look around, and return to the boat within that window. Think of this as a brisk cave visit with swimming, not a long snorkeling session.

Three Green Caves and shallow-water exploring

The Three Green Caves receive about 45 minutes, giving you more time than the Blue Cave for photos and water activities. The stop includes free time, swimming, and snorkeling.

This is a good place to slow down after the first boat ride. You can take pictures from the boat, enter the water, and explore around the cave openings at your own pace. The name gives the stop its character, but the real appeal is the chance to see several cave spaces in one short visit.

The wording of the schedule places the Blue Cave before the Three Green Caves. Boat routes can sometimes shift with conditions, so follow the crew’s instructions on the day. Either way, the two cave stops are close in theme but different in rhythm: the Blue Cave is the short signature visit, while the Three Green Caves allow a longer pause.

Again, swimming ability matters. You should be comfortable getting in and out of the water and managing yourself without a ladder-style sightseeing setup. If you would rather stay dry, you can take photos from the boat, but you would miss the main point of the stop.

Šunj Beach, the relaxed finish

Šunj Beach is where the tour changes gear. After the caves, you get about 60 to 90 minutes on soft sand, with time to swim, sit in the sun, and visit the beach bar.

This is one of the tour’s strongest features. Many short boat trips give you one quick swim and then rush back. Here, the beach stop is long enough to feel like a break. You can put your towel down, get your bearings, and enjoy a drink or food without watching the clock every few minutes.

You will need to walk through shallow water to reach the sandy beach. That is easy for most able-bodied swimmers, but it is worth knowing if you are carrying electronics, wearing unsuitable shoes, or traveling with someone who has limited mobility.

Food and cocktails are not included. The beach bar gives you the option to buy them, but bring cash or a card as advised. The tour information specifically suggests both. A restroom is available at the beach, which makes this your only planned bathroom stop.

Sun protection matters here. The sun can be strong, and the combination of reflected light from the water and time on pale sand can catch you quickly. Reapply sunscreen after swimming, wear sunglasses, and do not assume the sea breeze means the sun is weak.

What the $82 price really covers

The price makes the most sense if you will use the included equipment and drinks. A separate boat trip, snorkeling rental, fuel, and refreshments could add up quickly. You also avoid arranging transport between Dubrovnik and the islands yourself.

The value is less clear if you do not plan to swim. The caves are the main reason to book, and both require water access for the full experience. If you only want a scenic boat ride and a beach, a cheaper transfer or beach excursion might suit you better.

The four-hour limit is another part of the value calculation. You are not buying a slow day at sea. You are buying a compact route with three stops and fairly quick transfers. That is useful for a short Dubrovnik stay, but it means the beach and caves will not feel unhurried in the way a full-day island trip might.

The tour includes fuel, which is worth noting for a speedboat. It also includes a waterproof bag, snorkeling gear, and drinks. Hotel transport, food, towels, and crew gratuity are separate.

Who should book this speedboat trip

I would recommend it to confident swimmers, couples, friends, and active adults who want a lively half-day on the water. It is also a good fit if you want a beach stop but do not want to spend your entire day at Šunj.

It suits people who like a clear plan. You know you will get two cave visits, a sandy beach, and a return to the same starting point. The Croatian and English-speaking crew can give practical instructions and guide the group between stops.

I would be cautious if you suffer from seasickness. The boat is open, and the ride can expose you to wind and motion. People with back problems should also avoid it, as should pregnant women, wheelchair users, babies under one, and people over 70 according to the stated restrictions.

The same advice applies if you dislike sharing space. This is a group tour, not a private charter. The social atmosphere may be part of the appeal, but you will not control the departure time, stop length, or music.

Practical packing advice for a wet afternoon

Pack as if you will spend most of the outing outdoors because you will. Bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Flip-flops or secure water-friendly footwear
• A camera or phone in a waterproof case
• A credit card and cash
• Light clothing for the boat ride

Leave large bags and luggage behind. Pets and smoking are not allowed. Keep your belongings compact because an open speedboat has limited room, even with the supplied waterproof bag.

Use the refund option wisely. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. But a no-show, delay, or incorrectly booked date does not qualify for a refund, so check your date and meeting point before you commit.

Should you book the Blue Cave tour?

Book it if you want three very different coastal moments in one short trip: cave swimming, open-sea speedboat travel, and a sandy beach with a bar. The included gear and drinks make $82 reasonable, particularly for a visitor who wants an active outing without spending the whole day away from Dubrovnik.

Skip it if you cannot swim confidently, dislike wind and sea spray, or need a private and very relaxed schedule. The strongest reason to book is the combination of stops, not any single one alone. For the right person, that mix makes this a cheerful, efficient way to see more of Dubrovnik’s island coast.

FAQ

How long is the Dubrovnik Blue Cave speedboat tour?

The tour lasts four hours, including the boat rides and stops at the Blue Cave, Three Green Caves, and Šunj Beach.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and finishes at Knjižnica za društvene znanosti in Dubrovnik.

What should I look for at the meeting point?

Look for Antonio, a staff member in a red shirt, or the Adriatic Boat Tours name. Several tours may leave from the same area.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You return to the same meeting point after the tour.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. You need to swim to enter the caves, and you should be a decent swimmer. You also walk through shallow water to reach Šunj Beach.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included.

What drinks are included?

The boat provides water, beer, wine, and Coca-Cola.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, but you can buy food or drinks at the beach bar at Šunj Beach.

Is there a toilet on the speedboat?

No. The only planned restroom is at the beach, so use the restroom before departure.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Refunds are not available for a delay, no-show, or incorrectly booked date.