Dubrovnik: Blue Cave Tour by Speedboat

Your best Dubrovnik swim may be offshore. This four-hour speedboat trip links the Blue Cave, Three Green Caves, and sandy Sunj Beach in one brisk outing around Koločep and nearby islands. I like the mix of cave swimming and beach time, plus the fact that snorkeling gear, drinks, fuel, and a waterproof bag are included.

I also like the open-air feel of the boat, especially with a captain such as Mario, who earned praise for his music choices and smooth boat handling. The main drawback is simple: you need to be a decent swimmer, and there is no toilet on the boat. That matters on a warm, windy ride far from shore.

The tour costs $82 per person, which is a fair price if you want several stops without arranging boats, fuel, gear, and drinks separately. It is a shared group trip, not a private charter, so expect a social outing rather than a quiet personal cruise.

Key points at a glance

• Three separate water stops: Swim and snorkel at the Blue Cave, Three Green Caves, and Sunj Beach.
• Sunj provides the longest pause: You get about 60 to 90 minutes for sand, swimming, a beach bar, cocktails, or food.
• The open speedboat is part of the fun: Expect wind, sun, cold drinks, and some sea spray rather than a sheltered cabin.
• Swimming ability matters: You must swim into the caves and walk through shallow water to reach the sandy beach.
• Included extras save hassle: Snorkeling equipment, water, beer, wine, Coca-Cola, fuel, and a waterproof bag are provided.
• Meet clearly at the starting point: Look for Antonio, a red shirt, or the Adriatic Boat Tours name near Knjižnica za društvene znanosti.

Setting off from Dubrovnik on an open speedboat

The meeting point is Knjižnica za društvene znanosti, a place used by several tour operators. Staff are meant to wait there, but allow extra time to identify the right boat. Several boats may depart from the area, and one person had trouble finding the correct one before spotting the Adriatic Boat Tours staff.

Look for Antonio, a red shirt, or the Adriatic Boat Tours name. This is a small but useful detail. You do not want to begin a four-hour trip already feeling rushed or unsure.

Once aboard, the boat heads across the water toward the islands. The first ride lasts about 30 minutes. An open boat gives you a fine view and plenty of fresh air, but it also exposes you to wind and spray. Wear swimwear under light clothing, keep sunglasses secure, and bring sunscreen even if the morning feels mild.

The boat is equipped with cold drinks, including water, beer, wine, and Coca-Cola. There is also a waterproof bag for small essentials. You should still avoid bringing luggage or large bags, since storage space on a shared speedboat is limited.

The ride itself is part of the appeal, but it is not a luxury transfer. If you are prone to seasickness, this is a poor match. Pregnant people, anyone with back problems, wheelchair users, babies under one year, and people over 70 are advised not to join.

Swimming into the Blue Cave on Koločep

The Blue Cave stop lasts about 30 minutes. You have time to swim, use the provided snorkeling equipment, and explore the cave area from the water.

This is not a walk-in cave attraction. You need to enter by swimming, so you should feel comfortable in open water and be able to manage the short swim without help. The cave is the tour’s most famous stop, but the visit is brief. Think of it as a refreshing water stop with a striking setting, not a long guided cave tour.

The short time works well if you want variety. You will not spend half the morning in one place, and the water gives you a chance to cool off early in the outing. On the other hand, swimmers who want to linger, photograph every angle, or snorkel at a relaxed pace may find 30 minutes tight.

Use the waterproof bag for your phone or camera, but take care with any device you bring into the water. Sunglasses and sunscreen are especially useful during the swim, since you move between bright open water and the darker cave entrance.

The cave can also be the most demanding stop physically. You climb down from the boat, swim in, and return to the boat before the group moves on. If you are unsure about your swimming fitness, Sunj Beach is the easier part of the day, but the Blue Cave still forms a central reason to book this trip.

The Three Green Caves and 45 minutes in the water

After another short speedboat ride of about 10 minutes, the boat reaches the Three Green Caves on Koločep. You get roughly 45 minutes here for photographs, swimming, and snorkeling.

The longer stop gives you more breathing room than the Blue Cave. You can spend time looking around from the boat, then enter the water when you are ready. The caves are suited to an active stop rather than a formal sightseeing visit. There is no indication of a long shore walk or extensive commentary, so your enjoyment comes mainly from the water, rock formations, and freedom to explore at your own pace.

I like this part of the schedule because it breaks up the quick transfers. You are not simply being taken from one famous point to another for a photograph. You get a useful block of time to swim and cool down.

Still, the same swimming rule applies. You need to get into the caves from the boat, and the group will eventually move on. If you prefer staying dry, this is not the right tour. The cave stops are built around swimming, not viewing from a comfortable dock.

The captain also affects the mood here. Mario received strong praise for his boat control and music selection, details that matter more than they may sound. A skilled captain makes boarding, stopping, and moving between swimmers feel easier, while good music helps the short rides pass quickly.

Sunj Beach gives you time to slow down

The boat then travels about 15 minutes to Sunj Beach, where you spend approximately one hour, sometimes up to 90 minutes. This is the most relaxed stop and the place where the fast pace of the morning finally eases.

Sunj has soft sand, a welcome change from the rocky edges and boat access at the caves. You need to walk through shallow water to reach the beach, so flip-flops are useful. Once ashore, you can swim, sit on the sand, visit the beach bar, or order a cocktail or food at your own expense.

This stop is a strong reason to choose the tour over a cave-only boat trip. You get a proper break, not just a quick swim before the engine starts again. The combination of sand, a beach bar, and open time makes the outing feel less like a checklist.

There are limits. Food and cocktails are not included, and towels are not provided. Bring cash or a credit card, as both are listed among the useful items to carry. If you want a quiet beach day with many hours on shore, one hour to 90 minutes will not be enough. If you want a compact island outing with a comfortable finish, it works well.

The beach is also the only place with a toilet. Use the restroom before departure anyway, since there is no toilet on the speedboat and the cave stops are away from shore.

What the $82 price really covers

At $82 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend time by the sea, but the price covers more than a simple boat transfer. You receive a four-hour shared outing, fuel, snorkeling equipment, drinks, and a waterproof bag. Those inclusions reduce the small expenses that can add up on a water trip.

The package is strongest for you if you want a ready-made plan. You do not need to rent snorkeling gear, work out island connections, or find a captain for three separate stops. The boat also returns you to the same starting point, which keeps the day simple.

The price does not include hotel pickup, food, beach drinks, towels, or a tip for the crew. Plan to reach the meeting point yourself and bring a towel from your accommodation. Add some spending money if you want a cocktail or meal at Sunj.

This is also a shared tour. You will not control the route, music, timing, or number of people aboard. For some people, that is a fair trade for a lower cost and a lively boat ride. If you want a private schedule or a quiet day built around long swims, a private charter would suit you better, though this tour does not claim to provide one.

Sun, spray, and the practical packing list

The Croatian sun can be strong, especially on an open boat and pale sand. Apply sunscreen before you leave and bring more for later. A hat can help, but secure it well in the wind.

Pack swimwear, sunglasses, sunscreen, a towel, flip-flops, and a camera. Keep valuables to a minimum because large bags and luggage are not allowed. The waterproof bag is useful, but it is still sensible to protect anything fragile.

A light layer is worth bringing for the boat ride. The sea breeze can feel cool even in warm weather, and spray is possible. Dress for movement, wet steps, and a quick change in conditions rather than for a formal sightseeing boat.

The boat does not allow smoking or pets. The trip also is not suitable for anyone prone to seasickness. If you often feel ill on fast boats, the open-air setting will not necessarily solve the problem.

Timing, guide language, and the pace of the day

The published schedule adds up to about four hours, including the boat rides. The listed route begins with a 30-minute transfer, about 30 minutes at the Blue Cave, a 10-minute ride to the Three Green Caves, 45 minutes there, a 15-minute ride to Sunj, about an hour on the beach, and a 30-minute return.

That leaves little spare time, so be ready when the crew calls you back to the boat. The reward is variety: three different settings in half a day. The tradeoff is that each cave stop feels short if you want a slow swim.

Guiding is available in Croatian and English. The tour is more about the stops and the captain’s handling than about a long stream of historical explanation. That suits you if you want active time on the water rather than a lecture.

The trip has received a 4.7 rating from 46 reviews, with 86 percent giving the transport a perfect score. The strongest praise centers on the caves, the soft sand and beach bar at Sunj, and the captain’s control and music. Those comments point to the tour’s real strengths: smooth movement between stops, plenty of water time, and a pleasant finish on land.

Who should book this Dubrovnik boat trip?

I would choose this trip if you want to see several island highlights in one morning or afternoon and you enjoy swimming. It suits couples, friends, and active families with older children who can manage open-water access and the speedboat ride.

It is also a good choice if you have limited time in Dubrovnik. Four hours gives you a clear island break without taking up an entire day. The return to the original meeting point makes it easier to plan another activity afterward, though you should allow time to dry off and change.

I would not choose it for a passive sightseeing day. You cannot simply stay on board and admire the views at every stop. The Blue Cave and Three Green Caves require swimming, while Sunj requires a short walk through shallow water.

Skip it if you need easy boarding, a toilet on board, shelter from the weather, or a private itinerary. The open boat, sun, spray, and shared schedule are central parts of the outing, not minor details.

Should you book the Blue Cave speedboat tour?

Book it if you want three water stops, a sandy beach, and a lively four-hour boat ride for $82. The included gear and drinks make the price reasonable, and the combination of caves and Sunj is more satisfying than a trip focused on only one swim stop.

Before booking, be honest about your swimming ability and comfort on an open boat. Arrive early enough to find the correct staff, look for Antonio or the red shirt, use the restroom beforehand, and pack a towel, sunscreen, and small personal items only.

This is a compact, active way to see the islands around Dubrovnik. It will not suit everyone, but for a confident swimmer who wants cave water, soft sand, and a captain who knows how to handle the boat, it offers a lot in half a day.

FAQ

How long is the Dubrovnik Blue Cave speedboat tour?

The tour lasts four hours, including the boat rides between Dubrovnik, the caves, Sunj Beach, and the return meeting point.

What stops are included?

The route includes the Blue Cave on Koločep Island, the Three Green Caves on Koločep, and Sunj Beach. The stops include swimming, snorkeling, photographs, and free time.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. You need to swim to enter the caves, and you must walk through shallow water to reach the sandy beach. You should be a decent swimmer to join.

What is included in the price?

The price includes snorkeling equipment, fuel, water, beer, wine, Coca-Cola, and a waterproof bag.

Are food and towels included?

No. Food, beach bar purchases, cocktails, and towels are not included. Bring your own towel and money for anything you want to buy at Sunj Beach.

Is there a toilet on the boat?

No. The speedboat has no toilet. The only toilet is at the beach, so use the restroom before departure.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at Knjižnica za društvene znanosti. Look for Antonio, a staff member wearing a red shirt, or the Adriatic Boat Tours name.