Dubrovnik: Blue & Green Caves Private Boat Tour with Drinks

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat tour is getting into the caves by water, rather than simply viewing them from offshore. At Koločep, your skipper can guide you through the Blue Cave and Three Green Caves, with time to swim, snorkel, and, when conditions allow, jump from a cliff. The private speedboat keeps the outing lively and more personal than a large cruise.

I especially like the unlimited drinks, which include beer, local rakia, water, and juices, and the free GoPro, which gives you a way to capture the moments without risking your phone. The main thing to consider is that swimming is needed for some parts of the tour, and the Blue Cave can be crowded, dark, tight, and less blue than online photos suggest.

Key points before you book

• Three cave stops on Koločep: The Blue Cave and several Green Caves give you more than one swim stop, each with a different feel.
• A real private-boat atmosphere: You travel by speedboat with your own group rather than joining a large sightseeing vessel.
• Sunj Beach is the final pause: Lopud’s sandy beach offers warm water, food, drinks, and a slower finish to the trip.
• Skippers make the difference: Mario, Duje, Robert, Drago, and other guides are praised for helping people through narrow cave entrances and keeping the mood easy.
• GoPro and drinks are included: Snorkeling gear, life jackets, and an action camera are provided, while drinks are self-service on board.
• Swimming ability matters: Flotation aids are available, but you should be comfortable in the sea or tell the guide if you need extra help.

What the four-hour route feels like

You meet at Deck & Cheers, on the pier just across from Gruž Market and the construction site. There is no hotel pickup, so allow time to reach the waterfront on your own. From there, the speedboat heads out of Dubrovnik Harbor, passing the Franjo Tuđman Bridge and Grebeni Lighthouse.

The ride is part of the fun. A speedboat gives you open views and a brisk trip between islands, though the sea can feel choppy on windy days. You will want swimwear and a towel, but leave large bags and luggage behind. There is limited room on a small boat, and this outing is built around moving lightly.

The tour lasts four hours, which is a useful length for a beach-and-caves outing. You get several water stops without giving up an entire day, though some people will wish for more time at Sunj Beach.

Entering the Blue Cave at Koločep Island

The first major stop is the Blue Cave on Koločep. You receive snorkeling equipment and swim from the boat toward the entrance. Depending on the sea and the crowd, the swim can feel easy or demanding, especially for anyone who is not a confident swimmer.

Inside, light reflects through the water and creates the cave’s blue glow. The effect is strongest when the sun is right, but do not expect the same intense color shown in carefully edited photographs. The cave can be busy, and several people have found it tight or somewhat claustrophobic.

That does not make it a poor stop. The pleasure comes from swimming into a natural chamber, looking back toward the opening, and seeing the water change color around you. Your guide can swim with the group and show you how to enter safely. Life jackets are available, and guides have helped less confident swimmers, but you should still take the swimming requirement seriously.

Ask for the flotation aids if you need them. One useful point is that the swim distance to the cave entrance may not be obvious at first, so ask your skipper how long you will be in the water before setting off.

You get about 50 minutes at the Blue Cave area, including swimming, snorkeling, photographs, and time on the boat. A free GoPro is available, and the company provides a link for downloading the images afterward. Bring an underwater light only if you have one and want to see farther into darker sections. It is not listed as part of the equipment.

The Green Caves offer more room to explore

After the Blue Cave, the speedboat continues to the Green Cave area. The route includes a Green Cave stop of about 30 minutes and a later visit to the Three Green Caves for about 45 minutes. The exact order can vary with the sea and the skipper’s judgment.

For me, this is where the trip gains balance. The Blue Cave is the famous stop, but the Green Caves can feel less pressured. You can swim through openings, look into shadowed rock chambers, and enjoy the clear water without focusing only on getting the perfect photograph.

Some cave entrances are narrow and require careful movement. Skippers such as Robert and Mario have guided people through tricky sections, which matters because the best parts are not always the easiest to find alone. You should follow instructions and avoid forcing yourself into a gap that feels uncomfortable.

Cliff jumping is also offered, but conditions and the guide’s decision matter. Only jump if your skipper says it is suitable and you feel fully comfortable. This is a fun extra, not a reason to ignore safety.

The Green Caves are also a better fit for people who want a relaxed swim rather than a quick sightseeing stop. You can float, snorkel, take photographs, or stay aboard and watch the others. The crew generally lets you choose your level of activity.

Sunj Beach gives the trip a slower finish

The final major stop is Sunj Beach on Lopud, reached after the Koločep cave stops. This is the only sandy beach in the area, and its warm turquoise water gives you a change from the rocky cave entries.

You get about an hour and a half here, though the time can feel short if you want lunch, a swim, a beach chair, and a walk. The beach has places to buy food, cocktails, and other drinks, but food is not included in the tour price.

A practical beach tip is to ask about the lounge chairs. Several people found that buying a drink at the beach bar could provide access to a chair and umbrella. Bring cash because at least one beach bar has been reported to accept cash only. This is separate from the free drinks on the boat.

You can also rent a golf cart to see more of Lopud, including the medieval monastery and botanical garden, which are free to enter. Keep in mind that a golf cart visit uses time you could otherwise spend swimming or relaxing. With only four hours for the whole outing, I would choose one priority rather than trying to do everything.

Sunj Beach is a good place to order lunch, but the meal is on your own. If you want a full beach afternoon, book this tour only if you are happy with a short visit. If you want caves, a speedboat ride, and one sandy beach in a single outing, the timing works well.

The skippers shape the experience

The company uses several guides and skippers, and the strongest part of the experience is often the person at the wheel. Mario is repeatedly described as friendly, funny, and good at getting everyone involved. Duje is praised for calm boat handling and for explaining the stops. Robert has taken groups through more difficult cave sections, while Drago and Marin have been noted for making the outing feel relaxed.

The guide style is not identical every time. Some skippers provide plenty of conversation and local information. Others give you more space and act mainly as a careful driver. If you want a history lesson about the islands, this may feel light. If you prefer swimming, music, drinks, and time without constant commentary, that may suit you.

The boat itself has been described as modern, comfortable, and well kept. The speed adds a little James Bond feeling, especially when you leave the harbor and head toward the islands. You can usually sit in different areas of the boat, and music may be played through the sound system. Do not assume you can bring large personal items, though, because large bags are not allowed.

The company has also handled changes by text when a boat problem forced a last-minute switch. That kind of communication matters, but you should still confirm your meeting details before departure.

Drinks, music, and the private-boat value

At $73 per person, the price is fair if you plan to use the boat, swimming stops, equipment, GoPro, and included drinks. A private speedboat can cost much more when booked as a fully custom charter, so this fixed-price format gives you a taste of that experience without paying for a whole day.

The free drinks help the value. Beer, local brandy, water, and juices are available on a self-service basis, and the supply is described as generous. You can enjoy a cold drink after swimming without buying each one separately. Drink responsibly, especially if you plan to swim or try a cliff jump.

The atmosphere can be social. Music, conversation, and drinks make it easy to meet the rest of your group, even though the boat itself remains private. Solo visitors can fit in, and couples or families can enjoy the boat without the scale of a large group cruise.

The main limitation is that you do not get food. Budget for lunch, cocktails, or beach drinks at Sunj. The beach bar is convenient, but its prices and payment methods are separate from the tour.

Swimming, safety, and what to pack

You need swimwear and a towel. Snorkeling equipment is included, and life jackets are available. Guides can assist non-swimmers, but the activity still includes swimming from the boat to cave entrances, so you should tell the skipper about your comfort level before entering the water.

Wet metal ladders can become slippery. Use the handrails, move slowly, and wait until the person ahead has cleared the steps. Some cave sections are dark, and you should not push ahead of the guide.

Pack as lightly as possible. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and a small waterproof pouch is more practical than a suitcase. Your phone is useful for photos, but the GoPro gives you better protection in the water. The company provides a download link for the captured images.

Weather can affect the outing. Choppy water may make swimming harder, and the Blue Cave may look less dramatic under changing light. The route can also be adjusted by the skipper. A good guide will put comfort and sea conditions ahead of forcing every activity.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this trip if you want an active half-day from Dubrovnik, especially if you like swimming, snorkeling, short boat rides, and a social atmosphere. It works well for couples, families with confident swimmers, solo visitors, and groups that want a private boat without arranging a full custom charter.

It is less suitable if you want a quiet sightseeing cruise, a long guided history tour, or a full afternoon on one beach. It also may not be right for anyone who dislikes enclosed spaces, cannot swim comfortably, or expects the Blue Cave to look exactly like social media photographs.

The tour suits people who can be flexible. The sea, light, crowd levels, and guide all affect the details. That is part of the nature of a cave boat trip, not a flaw unique to this outing.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour if the Blue and Green Caves are high on your Dubrovnik wish list and you want more than a quick boat ride past them. The combination of several swim stops, a private speedboat, free drinks, snorkeling gear, a GoPro, and Sunj Beach makes $73 a solid price.

Book it with realistic expectations. The Blue Cave can be crowded and not as intensely blue as the photographs, and the beach time may feel brief. Choose an afternoon departure if you like the idea of returning near sunset, as the later ride back can have especially attractive light. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later, which gives you some flexibility.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Deck & Cheers, on the pier just across from Gruž Market and the construction site in Dubrovnik.

How long does the boat tour last?

The experience lasts four hours, including the boat ride, cave stops, swimming, snorkeling, and time at Sunj Beach.

Is the boat private?

A private speedboat tour is included, and a private group option is available. The boat is intended for your booked group rather than a large sightseeing cruise.

Which caves will I visit?

The route includes the Blue Cave on Koločep Island, a Green Cave stop, and the Three Green Caves at Koločep.

Do I need to swim?

Swimming is necessary for some parts of the tour, especially reaching cave entrances from the boat. Life jackets are available, and guides can assist non-swimmers.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included in the tour price.

Is a GoPro included?

Yes. You can use a GoPro action camera free of charge, with a link provided for downloading the photographs and videos.

What drinks are included?

Free self-service drinks include beer, local rakia brandy, water, and juices.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, but you can buy food and drinks at Sunj Beach.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.