Dubrovnik: Morning Blue Cave speedboat tour with drinks

The sea gives Dubrovnik a new face. This five-hour speedboat trip combines a fast ride beside the Old Town walls with swimming at Koločep’s Blue Cave, the nearby green caves, sandy Šunj Beach, and a final stop near Lokrum. I especially like the mix of active water time and relaxed beach time, plus the included snorkeling gear, guide, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages.

The main caution is the boat itself. You will travel at speeds of up to 40 mph, and the tour is not suitable for people with back problems or wheelchair users. The schedule is full, too, so this is best for you if you want several stops and plenty of swimming rather than a slow, quiet cruise.

Five details that shape the experience

• A 20-minute run to Koločep: You get a quick panoramic view of Dubrovnik’s sea-facing walls and newer districts before the first swim.
• The Blue Cave is entered from the water: Light slips through a crack in the rock, giving the cave its blue color. The boat comes close to the entrance, which helps children avoid a long swim.
• Three smaller caves follow: You have about an hour around the green caves for swimming, snorkeling, photos, and possible cliff jumping.
• Šunj Beach gets the longest stop: Two hours allow time for its sandy shallows, pine trees, beach restaurants, and a proper break from the boat.
• Drinks are part of the package: Bottled water, soda, beer, wine, and other alcoholic drinks are included, though food at Šunj is extra.
• The crew gets high marks: Guides and captains named in feedback include Dorian, Oliver, Zoran, and Mario, with repeated praise for friendly help and regular drink service.

Starting beside Dubrovnik’s Old Town walls

The meeting point is at Ribarnica ul. 1, where you should look for the yellow Sea Safari sign marked Vagabundo. This location is convenient if you are staying near the Old Town harbor, and the tour begins with one of its best sightseeing moments before the boat even reaches the caves.

As the speedboat leaves Dubrovnik, you get a broad view of the city walls from the sea. The angle changes quickly as the boat passes the historic center and the modern part of the city. I like this opening because it gives you a clear sense of Dubrovnik’s setting: a compact old city backed by stone and surrounded by open Adriatic water.

The ride to the Blue Cave takes about 20 to 25 minutes. That is long enough to enjoy the view without losing half the morning in transit. It is also short enough to make the cave stops practical on a five-hour schedule.

The boat travels quickly, reportedly up to 40 mph. That makes the ride part of the fun, but it also means you should bring a firm grip, sunglasses, and a hat that will not blow away. The tour is not designed for people with back problems, and the speedboat format may feel rougher than a larger sightseeing boat.

Koločep’s Blue Cave and the first swim

The Blue Cave sits on the south side of Koločep Island. Its color comes from sunlight entering through a crack in the stone and reflecting through the water. The effect depends on the light and conditions, but the enclosed rock and bright water give this stop a strong visual payoff.

Your captain brings the boat close to the cave entrance. That matters, especially if you are traveling with children or are not a confident swimmer. You will not need to make a long swim from the boat to the opening.

The guide provides snorkeling equipment and helps you explore. The scheduled stop lasts about 30 minutes, including the visit, photographs, swimming, snorkeling, and a drink. That is enough for a focused look inside the cave, but not enough for you to linger at length if the group is large or the water entry takes time.

Bring a waterproof pouch or dry bag for phones and small valuables. One useful piece of advice from the tour feedback was to bring a GoPro, and that makes sense here. The best views are from the water, where ordinary phones are awkward to handle.

You may find this stop more exciting than relaxing. Getting into the cave requires swimming, and the boat is built for access and speed rather than shade or spacious lounging. If you want a classic beach morning, this is not that. If you like short swims into unusual rock formations, it is an excellent start.

The three green caves on Koločep

Only about 10 minutes after the Blue Cave, the boat reaches three smaller colored caves. The setting changes from one famous blue chamber to a small group of natural spaces shaped by sea force, warm weather, and erosion.

The planned time here is about an hour. That gives you more freedom than the first stop. You can swim between the rocks, use the snorkeling gear, take photographs, and watch the water below the cave openings. The clear water may reveal fish, and one outing included swimming beside a school of fish.

This is also where the tour feels most active. Cliff jumping has been part of some departures, including at the green caves and later at Lokrum. It is an optional thrill, not something you need to do. If you prefer to stay in the water at a lower level, you can still enjoy the caves by swimming and snorkeling.

I like the way this stop balances the Blue Cave. The first cave is about a single dramatic color effect. The green caves give you several shapes and angles to explore. You will want water shoes if you have them, but the listed essentials are swimwear and a towel.

The cave section does require comfort with water. The tour is not a dry sightseeing trip where you remain seated on the boat. You should expect repeated entries into the sea, wet equipment, and a bit of scrambling around natural rock. That is the appeal for active visitors, but it may not suit anyone looking for a gentle, low-effort outing.

Two hours at sandy Šunj Beach

After the cave stops, the boat runs about 10 minutes to Šunj Beach on Lopud Island. This is the longest stop, with roughly two hours for swimming, walking, lunch, drinks, or simply sitting by the water.

Šunj is known for its sandy shallows, which extend about 100 meters from the shore. That makes it a different kind of swim from the caves. You can wade out gradually, play in the shallows, or enjoy a more relaxed swim without entering enclosed rock spaces.

The beach combines sea on one side with pine forest on the other. It is a good reset after an active hour in the caves. Families may appreciate the shallow water, while younger visitors can use the open area for ball games. The beach also has two restaurants where you can buy food and drinks.

Lunch is not listed as included, so plan to pay separately if you eat at the beach. The tour does include drinks on the boat, including water, soda, beer, and wine. One account also noted free chairs and umbrellas at the beach, but you should treat that as a useful possibility rather than the main reason to book.

There is an optional electric vehicle ride across Lopud to the other side of the inhabited island. The information provided does not include its price or exact arrangement, so ask locally before counting on it. You can also simply stay at Šunj, which is the safer choice if you want to use every minute for swimming and rest.

Šunj is the tour’s most forgiving stop. You are not racing from cave to cave, and you do not have to keep snorkeling. Still, two hours can feel long if you are not interested in beach time, especially on a hot day. Bring your towel, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, and use the break to dry out before the ride back.

The last splash at Lokrum

The return journey includes a 20-minute speedboat ride toward Dubrovnik, then a short stop near Lokrum Island. About 15 minutes is set aside for photographs and swimming.

Lokrum is close to Dubrovnik, so this stop works well as a final burst of activity before returning to the harbor. Cliff jumping has been a favorite part for some people, and the crew may point out suitable spots. Again, it is optional. You can swim, take photographs, or remain on the boat if you do not want the extra adrenaline.

The short timing is worth noting. Lokrum is not a full island visit, and you should not expect time to walk around or see its sights on land. This is a water stop with a Dubrovnik view, not a separate Lokrum excursion.

Afterward, the boat takes about 15 minutes to return to the starting point. The final approach gives you another view of the Old Town from the sea, with wine served as part of the goodbye. Music has also been played on the ride back, adding a casual finish after a busy morning.

What the $82 price really buys

At $82 per person, this is not simply a boat transfer to one beach. The price covers five hours of transport, a live English-speaking guide, an instructor, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, soda, and alcoholic beverages. You also get four distinct sightseeing areas: Dubrovnik’s walls from the water, Koločep’s caves, Šunj Beach, and Lokrum.

That is strong value if you plan to swim and use the equipment. Booking separate boat transport, cave access, beach travel, and drinks could easily become more complicated, even if the exact comparison depends on local prices.

The value is weaker if you mainly want to sit on a boat. The tour’s best moments involve getting wet, snorkeling, entering caves, and possibly jumping from rocks. Food at Šunj is extra, and optional activities on Lopud are not priced in the information provided.

The high transport score, with 94 percent of ratings giving it a perfect mark, fits the tour’s main strength: it covers a lot in half a day. The overall rating is 4.9 from 39 ratings, with repeated praise for the crew, the cave stops, the beach, and the small-group feel. Names such as Dorian, Oliver, Zoran, and Mario appear in positive feedback, especially for polite help, clear English, and keeping people supplied with water and other drinks.

Who should book this Dubrovnik boat trip?

I would choose this tour if you want a high-energy half-day away from Dubrovnik’s stone streets. It suits couples, friends, families with confident swimmers, and anyone who wants several water activities without spending a full day at sea.

It is especially good for you if:

• You want caves, snorkeling, swimming, and a sandy beach in one outing.
• You like a fast boat ride and sea views of Dubrovnik.
• You want drinks and snorkeling equipment included.
• You are happy with a structured schedule and several short transfers.
• You may enjoy optional cliff jumping.

I would look elsewhere if you have back problems, use a wheelchair, dislike speedboats, or want a quiet sightseeing cruise. You should also skip it if you prefer a long, unhurried beach day. The schedule gives you two hours at Šunj, but the rest of the outing keeps moving.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, and a sun hat, then add a dry bag if you have one.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want action, variety, and good use of five hours. The Blue Cave and green caves are the main reasons to go, while Šunj Beach keeps the day from becoming one long sequence of boat transfers and cave swims.

For $82, the included gear, drinks, guide, and transport make this a sensible choice for active visitors. Just set the right expectations: this is a speedy, wet, social outing with a packed route, not a slow cruise or a full visit to Lokrum. If that sounds like your kind of morning, it is one of the more efficient ways to see Dubrovnik from the water.

FAQ

Where does the Blue Cave speedboat tour meet?

The meeting point is at Ribarnica ul. 1. Look for the yellow Sea Safari sign marked Vagabundo.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts five hours, including the speedboat rides, cave stops, Šunj Beach, Lokrum, and the return to Dubrovnik.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The tour has a live guide in English.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and an instructor are included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, soda, and alcoholic beverages are included. Beer and wine are specifically listed among the available drinks.

Is lunch included in the price?

No lunch is listed as included. Šunj Beach has two restaurants where you can buy food and drinks during the two-hour stop.

How much time do you spend at Šunj Beach?

The planned stop at Šunj Beach is about two hours.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, and a towel. A dry bag and an underwater camera may also be useful for the cave stops, though they are not listed as required items.