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

The best part of this four-hour speedboat trip is the contrast between Kolocep’s shadowy caves and Lopud’s broad, sandy Šunj Beach. At the Blue Cave, sunlight turns the water an intense blue. At the Green Caves, you can swim, snorkel, and, if comfortable, pass through underwater openings.

I like the early 8:30 a.m. departure, offered from June 1 through September 15, because the caves are easier to enjoy before larger groups arrive. I also like the simple setup: masks, life jackets, pool noodles, and drinks are included, while friendly skippers such as Pavo, Maro, Anthony, and Jacob keep the outing relaxed.

The main thing to weigh is time. You get roughly 30 to 35 minutes at each cave and about 90 minutes at the beach, so if the caves are your priority, ask whether you can spend less time at Šunj. A few people also found the return ride too fast in choppy water, so speak up if you prefer a gentler run.

Key points to know before you book

• Blue Cave and Green Caves: Swim and snorkel around two very different cave sites on Kolocep.
• Early start: The 8:30 a.m. departure is designed to avoid the heaviest cave crowds in summer.
• Šunj Beach stop: Spend about an hour and a half at Lopud’s large sandy beach, with bars and a hillside restaurant nearby.
• Drinks and gear included: Water, juice, beer, white wine, masks, life jackets, and pool noodles are provided.
• Small-group feel: The maximum is 30 people, though groups may be split between boats.
• Ask for your priority: The standard plan favors a long beach break, but you can request more cave time if space allows.

Two caves, one beach, and a fast look at the Elafiti Islands

This outing gives you a neat snapshot of the islands west of Dubrovnik without taking a full day. You leave from the small marina at Lapadska obala 4, near the Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse, then cross by speedboat to Kolocep.

The ride is part of the appeal. You are out in the open air, looking back toward Dubrovnik’s coast and across the island water instead of sitting on a larger ferry. The boat is used for transport, swimming access, and sightseeing, so the whole trip feels active rather than formal.

The tour is described as a private speedboat experience with a driver, but it is also a group outing. The maximum is 30 people per booking, and larger parties may use two boats. That makes this a good middle ground if you want the nimble feel of a speedboat without paying for a fully private charter.

The route is compact. The first stop is Kolocep, followed by Šunj Beach on Lopud, and then the boat returns to Dubrovnik. The total time is about four hours, although one reported outing finished roughly 25 minutes early. If you have a fixed afternoon plan, leave some breathing room.

Kolocep’s Blue Cave: short, striking, and light-sensitive

The Blue Cave sits on the south side of Kolocep. Its color comes from sunlight entering the cave and reflecting through the clear water and sandy bottom. This is not a large sightseeing cavern with a long walking route. You reach it by boat, then experience it from the water.

Plan for around 30 to 35 minutes at the Blue Cave. That is enough time to look around, swim, and use the provided mask to see how the light changes below the surface. The color is strongest when the sun is in the right position, so the effect can vary with weather and timing.

The cave is the sort of stop where the setting does most of the work. Your skipper may explain what you are seeing and help position the boat, but you should not expect a long guided talk. Bring your attention to the water, the rock openings, and the changing blue light.

The short stay is both a strength and a weakness. It keeps the tour moving and lets you see two cave sites in one morning or afternoon. On the other hand, anyone who wants a long swim or plenty of photographs may find the stop rushed.

Green Caves: better for swimming and snorkeling

The Green Caves offer a different experience. They are known for their blue-green water, underwater passages, and places where confident swimmers can jump from the rocks. You spend another 30 to 35 minutes here.

This is the more active cave stop. Put on the supplied mask and look below the surface, swim through the clear water, or use a pool noodle if you want extra support. The underwater openings are appealing, but you should only attempt them if you are fully comfortable in confined spaces and open water.

One useful point is that the caves can feel daunting if you dislike tight spaces. You do not have to pass through every opening or jump from the rocks. You can remain near the boat and enjoy the water at your own pace.

Families can make good use of the equipment. Life jackets are supplied for children and adults, and pool noodles are available. Still, this is a water-based outing, not a passive cruise. You need to be comfortable getting in and out of the boat and swimming in the sea.

Šunj Beach gives you a slower 90 minutes

After the caves, the boat continues to Lopud for about an hour and a half at Šunj Beach. This is the longest stop, and it changes the rhythm of the day from short cave visits to a relaxed beach break.

Šunj is known for its sand and shallow, warm water. The lagoon runs from green to blue, and the beach is backed by trees, bars, and a small restaurant higher on the hillside. You can swim, sit by the water, or walk up for something to eat and drink.

The hillside bar is a useful tip if you want a view with your refreshment. The upper restaurant also offers a pleasant place for an early lunch, though lunch is not included in the tour price. Bring money for food or extra drinks if you plan to eat here.

I see the beach as a welcome pause, particularly on a hot July day. It gives you time to dry off and slow down after the cave stops. But the beach is not the strongest reason to book this excursion. Some people find it less memorable than the caves, and if you agree, ask for more cave time and less time on Lopud.

The beach can also affect your sense of value. If you want a full afternoon at Šunj, 90 minutes may seem short. If you are mainly booking for the caves, the same 90 minutes may feel too long. Know which part matters most to you before you set out.

Drinks, snorkeling gear, and what is actually included

The price is $77.43 per person. That is a fair mid-range cost for a half-day outing that includes fuel, a skipper, swimming equipment, and drinks. You are paying for the speedboat transfer as much as for the stops, since reaching two islands independently would take more planning and separate transport.

Included drinks are water, juice, beer, and white wine. Alcohol is available only to adults aged 18 and over. One important practical point is that the amount of time you spend on the boat is limited, so the drinks are a pleasant extra rather than the central value of the tour. One person felt only one drink was offered during the trip, so do not book this expecting an open bar.

Masks and snorkeling equipment are supplied, along with life jackets for children and adults. Pool noodles are also available. You may still want to bring your own towel, sunscreen, swimwear, and a dry way to protect your phone, since the main activities involve getting wet.

Lunch is not included. The food options at Šunj are convenient, but you pay separately. If you have dietary needs, the available tour details do not promise a particular menu, so plan accordingly.

Skippers can shape the whole outing

The listed experience uses drivers and guides, and several skipper names appear in the operating team. Pavo is often associated with a friendly, easy-going approach and practical suggestions, including the hillside bar at Šunj. Maro is described as a gracious captain, while Anthony and Jacob have also led outings.

The quality of a speedboat trip depends heavily on the person at the helm. A good skipper explains where you are going, helps you understand what to expect at each cave, and keeps the group moving without making the experience feel hurried. The strongest outings here seem to combine clear organization with a relaxed tone.

Safety and comfort deserve equal attention. One report described a rough return in choppy water, with passengers being thrown around and soaked. That may have been an isolated handling problem, but it is still useful information. If the sea becomes bumpy, tell the skipper if the speed feels uncomfortable, and keep children seated and secured.

Most of the feedback is highly positive, with a 4.9 rating and 99 percent recommending the experience. That points to a consistently strong outing, but it does not remove the usual speedboat tradeoff: you gain speed and access to small cave sites, but you feel the water more than you would on a large boat.

Timing, meeting point, and group size

The meeting point is the last wooden pier in the small marina at Lapadska obala 4, Dubrovnik. The trip ends at the same place. Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity is offered in English.

From June 1 through September 15, the morning tour begins at 8:30 a.m. The early time is worth choosing if you can manage it. Cave sites are popular, and getting there early can mean less waiting and fewer people in the water.

An afternoon departure is also available, though the exact start time is not provided here. If you choose the afternoon, expect the same basic route but potentially a busier cave experience.

The maximum is 30 people. That is not a private outing in the strict sense, so do not expect the boat to be reserved just for your party. The group size is still limited compared with a large sightseeing vessel, and groups of 14 have been divided between two boats.

Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can take part. The main physical demands are boarding the boat, swimming or floating in the sea, and managing a short period of movement on the water.

Who will get the most from this trip?

I would choose this for someone who wants a simple way to combine swimming, caves, and an island beach in half a day. It works well for couples, families with older children, and groups of friends who want an active outing without spending an entire day at sea.

It is especially suitable if you enjoy swimming but do not need a long lecture about local history. The focus is on scenery, clear water, snorkeling, and time outside. The skippers provide guidance, but this is not primarily a cultural tour.

Families should appreciate the life jackets and pool noodles, though parents need to supervise children around cave entrances, rock jumps, and open water. People who dislike confined spaces may prefer to enjoy the caves from outside rather than swim through every passage.

I would be more cautious if you are highly sensitive to fast boat rides, motion, or rough water. The speedboat is part of the fun, but it can also make the trip uncomfortable when the sea is choppy. Anyone wanting a slow, quiet cruise should look for a larger vessel or a private charter with a gentler schedule.

Is the $77.43 price good value?

For four hours, two cave stops, a beach visit, equipment, drinks, fuel, and a return to Dubrovnik, the price is reasonable. You avoid arranging separate boat transfers to Kolocep and Lopud, and the speedboat lets you fit several locations into a short morning or afternoon.

The value is strongest when the caves are your main goal. They are the distinctive part of the route, and the combination of blue light, green water, snorkeling, and rock formations is hard to reproduce from the Dubrovnik waterfront.

The value is weaker if you expect a full guided sightseeing program, unlimited drinks, or a long stay at every stop. The cave visits are brief, the beach takes a large part of the schedule, and lunch costs extra. Think of it as an efficient coastal outing rather than a luxury charter.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a lively half-day on the water and you are happy to swim, snorkel, and share the boat with a group. Choose the early departure when possible, and tell the skipper at the start that the caves matter most if you would prefer extra cave time over a longer beach break.

Skip it if you want a slow cruise, a detailed historical tour, or complete control over the route. Also think twice if fast rides make you uneasy. For most people who want to see Kolocep’s caves and still have time to relax at Šunj, this is a well-priced, neatly planned slice of the Dubrovnik coast.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at the last wooden pier in the small marina at Lapadska obala 4, near the Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse in Dubrovnik. The boat returns to the same meeting point.

How long is the experience?

The tour lasts about four hours. The schedule includes around 30 to 35 minutes at each cave and about 90 minutes at Šunj Beach.

What time does the morning tour leave?

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

Are drinks included?

Yes. Water, juice, beer, and white wine are included. Alcoholic drinks are available only to adults aged 18 and over.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with life jackets for children and adults. Pool noodles may also be available for swimming.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can purchase food and drinks separately at or near Šunj Beach.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum is 30 people per booking and 30 travelers on the activity. Larger parties may be divided between two boats.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.