Blue & Green Cave,Sunj beach Small Group Tour with Speedboat

The best part of this Dubrovnik outing is simple: you get cave swimming and a sandy beach in one brisk half-day. A fast boat carries you from Lapad to Kolocep Island, where you can swim into the Blue Cave and explore three more caves before settling in at Sunj Beach.

I like the freedom to choose a morning or afternoon departure, and I like that beer, white wine, water, snorkel gear, and pool noodles are included. The main catch is the cold water and the fact that this is not a good choice for non-swimmers. Also, the advertised maximum is 50 people, so ask about the expected group size if a truly intimate boat trip matters to you.

Key points to know before you book

• Blue Cave swimming lasts about 40 minutes: You have time to swim rather than simply take a quick look from the boat.
• Three more caves follow on Kolocep: Plan on another 40 to 45 minutes for snorkeling and exploring.
• Sunj Beach gets nearly two hours: You can swim, rest, or buy food and drinks at one of the beach restaurants.
• Early departures help with crowds: Boats can queue at the Blue Cave later in the day.
• Toni, Luka, Matej, and other captains may operate the trip: The captain assigned to your boat varies, but the guides are central to the experience.
• The meeting point is at Lapadska obala 4: The tour returns to the same place after roughly four hours.

A fast boat ride from Dubrovnik to Kolocep

This is a water day, not a sightseeing cruise with a long list of monuments. You spend most of your time swimming, snorkeling, and sitting on a beach, with the speedboat ride linking the stops.

The departure point is at Lapadska obala 4 in the Lapad area of Dubrovnik. If you are coming from a cruise ship, allow about 20 minutes to walk from the port to the dock, based on the route described by past participants. That walk can save you a taxi fare, but leave enough time to find the exact meeting spot. One booking problem has been reported, so I would not cut the arrival time close.

The boat ride itself is part of the fun. The speedboat gets you out to the Elafiti Islands much faster than a slow sightseeing vessel, and the open-water trip gives you wide views of the coast. Conditions can change, though. One captain had to manage a windy, choppy day carefully, so expect the crew to adjust the pace or plans when the sea is rough.

The boat may carry a small handful of people, or it can be booked up to the stated maximum of 50. Several outings have had groups of six to ten, which creates a friendly, personal feel. Still, the maximum matters. If you want the small boat atmosphere shown in many accounts, ask the operator how many people are scheduled before booking.

Swimming into the Blue Cave

Kolocep Island is the first main stop. The Blue Cave gives you the signature moment of the trip: you swim from the boat toward the cave entrance and into the darker space inside.

You get about 40 minutes here. That is a useful amount of time because you can swim, look around, take photographs, and return to the boat without feeling hurried. The cave’s color depends on the sun, the water, and the angle of the light, so the effect will not look exactly the same every day.

The water can be cold, even in warmer months. A report of swimming in mid-October shows that it can still be manageable, but that does not mean it will feel warm. If you are sensitive to cold water, bring a towel and use the pool noodles provided on some boats for support. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, but you need to bring your own towel and suncream.

This stop rewards people who want to get in the water. If you prefer to stay dry, you may still enjoy the scenery from the boat, but you will miss the main point of the stop. The operator specifically says the tour is not recommended for non-swimmers.

Early timing makes a real difference here. Morning groups have sometimes reached the Blue Cave before the larger queues formed. Later in the day, the cave entrance can become crowded with boats waiting their turn. Pick the earliest departure available if clear water and a quieter swim matter most to you.

Three caves and some of Kolocep’s best swimming

After the Blue Cave, the boat moves to three nearby caves on Kolocep. This section lasts roughly 40 to 45 minutes and is set up for snorkeling and swimming.

The appeal is variety. You are not spending the whole trip at one famous photo stop. You get several cave openings, clear water, and a chance to move around at your own speed. The captain may come with you into a cave or show you the safest way to approach it. That help is useful, especially when the entrance is unfamiliar or the water is moving.

Descriptions of the tour refer to these sites as the Three Caves, while some people call one of the stops the Green Cave. The names can blur together, but the practical point is the same: you visit several cave spots around Kolocep, not only the Blue Cave.

Snorkel gear is included, which saves you from packing fins or a mask. It also makes the stop more than a quick swim. You can look below the surface, float with a noodle, or simply enjoy the water without taking part in a formal guided lesson.

The captain’s role is important here. Toni is mentioned often as a friendly and capable host, while Luka, Nick, Mate, Matej, Mataya, and Metaj have also led different outings. You should expect the exact captain to vary. The strongest part of the service is the practical help: finding the cave entrances, explaining where to swim, keeping an eye on conditions, and making the boat ride pleasant.

Sunj Beach gives the afternoon a slower pace

The final major stop is Sunj Beach, where you get about one hour and 40 minutes of free time. After the cave swimming, that long pause is welcome. You can lie back, swim in the shallows, walk along the sand, or have lunch.

Sunj has three restaurants, so food and drinks are available for purchase. Bring a payment card, since card payment has been accepted at the beach. Some beach seating may require you to buy food or a drink, particularly for shaded lounge chairs. That is worth knowing before you settle in, though purchasing something is a reasonable trade for shade on a hot day.

The beach is not included as a meal stop with prepaid food. You pay for anything you order there, so keep some budget aside. The menu may include local seafood, and fried calamari has received a specific recommendation. You can also use the time for another swim instead of eating.

Sunj is a good counterweight to the active cave stops. This tour does not force you to keep moving for four hours. The schedule gives you room to slow down, which makes it a good match for couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants a beach break after snorkeling.

Do not expect an empty beach in high season. Early departures help at the caves, but the beach can still have other visitors. The stop works best if you see it as a comfortable place to relax rather than a private island beach.

What is included, and what you still need to pack

The boat provides beer, white wine, soda, and bottled water, along with snorkel equipment. Pool noodles have also been available on some boats, a small but useful touch for anyone who wants to float without constant swimming.

You need to bring your own towel and suncream. I would also pack a swimsuit, a dry change of clothes, sunglasses, and a waterproof way to carry your phone. Those items are sensible for any four-hour boat trip, but the operator only specifically includes drinks and snorkeling equipment.

Alcohol is offered on the boat, but the sea comes first. If you are swimming or the water is choppy, take it slowly. The crew’s priority should be safety, and captains have adjusted their handling of the boat in windy conditions.

The tour is offered in English. Most people can participate, but the non-swimmer warning is important. Cave swimming requires comfort in open water, and the trip has no substitute activity for someone who does not want to enter the sea.

Is $78.60 a fair price?

At $78.60 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Elafiti Islands. You are paying for a speedboat, a captain, several swimming locations, snorkel gear, drinks, and almost two hours at Sunj Beach. For a visitor who wants all of those pieces in one half-day, the price is reasonable.

The value improves if you make full use of the stops. A quick ride past the caves would not justify the fare as well as swimming at the Blue Cave, snorkeling at the other caves, and staying for lunch or a swim at Sunj.

The included drinks also remove a few small costs during the boat ride. Food at the beach is extra, as are towels and suncream, so do not read the price as an all-inclusive beach day.

Compared with arranging separate transport to the islands, finding the caves yourself, renting snorkeling equipment, and organizing a return trip, this is a convenient package. The tradeoff is less control over the schedule and possible crowding if the boat fills up.

Morning or afternoon: which departure should you choose?

Choose the morning if the caves are your main reason for booking. Earlier boats have reached the Blue Cave before the queues grew, and the water stops can feel calmer and more spacious when fewer boats are present.

Choose the afternoon if you are arriving from a cruise ship and want a slower start. One afternoon group had time to leave the ship, walk to the dock, complete the tour, and return with time to spare. You still need to check your own ship schedule carefully, but the later option can remove a rushed start.

The afternoon light may make the caves look different, but crowd levels matter more than perfect timing. This is a four-hour tour, not a full-day expedition, so you can fit it around other Dubrovnik plans.

Weather also matters. The trip requires good conditions. If poor weather cancels it, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund. If you cancel yourself, do so at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Who will enjoy this Dubrovnik boat trip?

I would choose this for confident swimmers, couples, active families, and friends who want both adventure and downtime. The route has enough variety to keep the morning interesting without turning into a packed island-hopping marathon.

It is especially good for people who like a guide with personality. Captains such as Toni and Luka have been described as conversational and attentive, and the local knowledge adds useful context about the caves, food, and nearby islands. The crew may recommend a restaurant or accompany you into a cave, which makes the route easier to manage.

It is less suitable for non-swimmers, anyone who dislikes cold water, or people looking for a quiet sailing boat with no schedule. It is also not ideal if you want complete privacy unless you confirm a small group in advance.

The tour has received a 5.0 rating from 677 reviews, with 100 percent recommending it, but one no-show complaint is worth keeping in mind. That isolated problem does not define the whole outing, yet it is a good reason to confirm the meeting details and arrive early.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the most active version of a short Dubrovnik island trip: fast boat travel, cave swimming, snorkeling, included drinks, and a long beach stop. Choose the early morning departure if the Blue Cave is your top priority and you want the best chance of avoiding a queue.

Skip it if you cannot swim comfortably, dislike cold sea water, or want a guaranteed tiny group. For everyone else, $78.60 buys a well-packed half-day with a clear rhythm: Kolocep for the water, Sunj for the rest, and a captain such as Toni, Luka, or Matej to connect the two.

FAQ

How long does the Blue and Green Cave tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours. It includes time at Kolocep Island and Sunj Beach, then returns to the meeting point at Lapadska obala 4 in Dubrovnik.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Lapadska obala 4, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia. The boat returns to the same meeting point at the end.

What do I see at Kolocep Island?

You first visit the Blue Cave for about 40 minutes of swimming. You then visit three more caves on Kolocep for roughly 40 to 45 minutes of snorkeling and swimming.

How much time do I get at Sunj Beach?

You have about one hour and 40 minutes of free time at Sunj Beach. Three restaurants are available if you want to buy food or drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with bottled water, beer, white wine, and soda. Towels and suncream are not included.

Is this tour suitable for non-swimmers?

No. The activity is not recommended for non-swimmers because swimming and snorkeling are central parts of the tour.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.