Dubrovnik Blue Cave & Elaphiti Islands Small Group Boat Tour

Summary

Swim in blue cave sunlight float at lopud sunj beach wander koločep caves

You’ll float over turquoise water at Sunj beach on Lopud Island, swim through echoing caves at Koločep with your local skipper nearby, then slip into the surreal blue glow of the Blue Cave itself. Includes hotel pickup from Dubrovnik and drinks at each stop — bring your swimsuit and a little curiosity.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the salt in the air — not sharp, just kind of soft, mixing with sunscreen and that faint engine smell as we left Dubrovnik behind. Our skipper, Marin, grinned and told us to keep our eyes open for dolphins (no luck, but I kept looking). The boat was small enough that you could hear everyone’s stories if you wanted. We hit Lopud Island first, and Sunj beach looked like something out of an old postcard: shallow green water stretching out forever, sand so fine it stuck to everything. I tried one of those little beach bars — white wine in a plastic cup, which tasted way better than it should’ve after a swim.

Back on board, someone passed around Fanta and we headed to Koločep. The cliffs there are rough and yellowish up close, with these three caves just kind of lurking in the rock. Marin explained how the sea carved them out over years — he said it like he’d told the story a hundred times but still liked it. Swimming through the first cave felt colder than I expected; the echo inside was weirdly loud for such a small space. My friend lost her snorkel for a minute and everyone laughed about it later over beers.

I honestly didn’t expect the Blue Cave to feel so… quiet? You swim in through this slit of light and suddenly everything goes electric blue under you. It’s not silent — you can hear people splashing outside — but inside it’s muffled, like being underwater even when your head’s up. I floated there for a bit longer than I meant to, just watching my hands glow blue below me. Marin kept an eye on us from the boat (he waved when I poked my head out), but mostly let us drift around as long as we wanted. I still think about that color sometimes when I close my eyes at night.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Elaphiti Islands and Blue Cave

• Visit Lopud Island
• Swim at Sunj Beach
• Visit three caves on Koločep Island
• Swim through the caves
• Explore Blue Cave on Koločep Island
• Swim inside Blue Cave

Top questions

How long does the Blue Cave boat tour from Dubrovnik last?

The tour duration varies depending on group preferences but usually lasts several hours with stops at Lopud Island, Koločep caves, and the Blue Cave.

Is hotel pickup included in this small group boat tour?

Yes, hotel or accommodation pickup and drop-off in Dubrovnik is available if selected during booking.

Do I need to be able to swim for this tour?

Yes, swimming skills are essential as entering the caves is only possible by swimming from the boat.

What drinks are included on the tour?

You get one drink at each stop: choices include white wine, beer, Coca-Cola, Fanta or water.

Are snorkeling equipment and lifejackets provided?

Snorkeling equipment is included; lifejackets are available upon request for those who need them.

How many people are on each boat?

This is a shared small-group tour with up to 12 passengers per boat.

Can infants or non-swimmers join this tour?

The tour is not recommended for infants or non-swimmers due to safety requirements.

Are toilets available during the trip?

Toilets are only available at Sunj beach; guests should use facilities before check-in.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or accommodation pickup and drop-off within Dubrovnik if you choose that option, all fuel costs covered by your skipper Marin (or whoever’s steering), snorkeling gear ready for every cave stop, plus one drink per stop — white wine if you want it or something softer — before heading back salty-haired and probably smiling more than you expected.