Dubrovnik: Blue Cave & Sunj Beach Boat Tour, Small Groups

Swimming into the Blue Cave: What the Elaphiti Islands Keep Hidden

You swim into three sea caves on Koločep Island and the famous Blue Cave, with stops at Sunj Beach on Lopud for swimming and a drink. The boat holds a maximum of 12 passengers, so the skipper can supervise each person and adjust the pace. Snorkeling gear, drinks, and hotel pickup are included; the whole experience takes four to five hours depending on the tour length you choose.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Elaphiti Islands and Blue Cave

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

The Experience

The moment your boat cuts away from Dubrovnik's harbor, you realize the skipper isn't taking you where the big tour groups go. Instead of a crowded pontoon, you're in a small boat with maybe a dozen other people, heading toward something that doesn't show up on the postcard racks. The Blue Cave on Koločep Island is the kind of place that makes you understand why people come back to Croatia — not because it's famous, but because it's real, and because you have to swim to get inside it.

Your first stop is Sunj Beach on Lopud Island, where you'll have time to swim and settle in before the main event. The water here is shallow and warm, stretching from green to blue in layers that look almost painted. There's a beach bar if you want to grab something, and the sand is the kind that actually feels like sand — not rocks pretending to be a beach. You get about 45 minutes here, which is enough to swim, dry off a bit, and drink the white wine or beer the skipper brings along. After that, the boat takes you to three more caves carved into the cliffs of Koločep Island, places where the sea has spent centuries punching through the rock and leaving behind these hollow chambers. You'll swim through them, ducking under low stone lips, watching the light play off the water in ways that feel almost unreal.

Then comes the Blue Cave itself. Your skipper will explain how to enter — it's by swimming, not by boat — and walk you through what to expect. The cave mouth opens onto water so blue it looks like someone mixed it with light. Inside, the color deepens and shifts as the sun hits the water from above and bounces off the limestone walls. You're floating in something between a cave and an aquarium, and the whole thing takes maybe 20 minutes, but it's the kind of 20 minutes that sticks with you. The boat stays close, the skipper watches the whole time, and snorkeling gear is included if you want to look down at what's beneath you. Small groups mean the skipper can actually see you, adjust the pace, and help if the water or the tight space makes anyone nervous. It's not a race through a checklist — it's a morning or afternoon where you get to move at your own speed and actually feel the place instead of just passing through it.

The whole tour runs around four to five hours depending on which version you book. Pickup from your Dubrovnik hotel is included if you choose it, so you don't have to figure out how to get to the harbor. Bring a towel, wear sunscreen, and know that you'll need to be a confident swimmer — the caves are only accessible by water, and the skipper will ask about your swimming ability before you board. If you get seasick easily or you're not comfortable in open water, this isn't the tour for you. But if you want to see something that most Dubrovnik visitors miss, and you're willing to get wet to do it, this is the one.

What’s included

• Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Dubrovnik (if selected), snorkeling equipment, one drink at each stop (white wine or beer), bottled water and soft drinks, and a professional English-speaking skipper who supervises the group throughout.
• You'll swim at Sunj Beach on Lopud Island, explore three hidden caves on Koločep Island, and enter the Blue Cave by swimming.
• Beach bars at Sunj Beach offer food and additional drinks if you want them, but meals are not included in the tour price.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Dubrovnik Islands Tours

Is this one for you?This tour works well if you're a confident swimmer who wants to see the Elaphiti Islands' most famous attraction without arranging a private boat — the small group size means the skipper can actually watch you and adjust the pace, which is what makes the cave swimming feel safe rather than rushed.

Traveler reviews

4.94★★★★★★★★★★

12,856 verified traveler reviews

5 ★12,345

4 ★350

3 ★89

2 ★40

1 ★32

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Do I need to be a strong swimmer to do this tour?

Yes. You need essential swimming skills — the ability to enter and exit the water safely, control your breathing, and move to safety. The caves are only accessible by swimming, not by boat. A lifejacket can be provided on request.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Dubrovnik (if selected), snorkeling equipment, one drink (white wine or beer) at each stop, bottled water, soft drinks, and an English-speaking skipper. Food is not included, but beach bars are available at Sunj Beach.

How many people go on the boat?

Maximum 12 passengers per boat. This is a shared tour, not private.

Can I enter the caves by boat, or do I have to swim?

You must swim to enter the caves. The boat stays moored nearby while you swim inside.

How long does the tour take?

Around four to five hours, depending on which tour option you book. The exact duration can vary based on sea conditions and your preferences.

What if I'm pregnant or have a medical condition?

The tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or seasickness. Contact the operator directly if you have concerns about a specific condition.

What happens if the captain changes the route?

The captain may change the route due to sea conditions or weather. You'll still visit the main attractions, but the exact stops or order may differ.

Are there toilets on the boat or at the stops?

Toilets are available only at Sunj Beach on Lopud Island. Use the toilet before arriving for check-in if possible.

What if I book the afternoon tour instead of the morning?

From September 15 onward, the afternoon tour goes to the village of Lopud instead of Sunj Beach, because Sunj Beach is in shade in the afternoon. The village has sandy beaches, a botanical garden, a Franciscan Monastery, and restaurants.

What if my flight is delayed and I miss the tour?

Refunds are not issued if the tour is missed due to late arrival, delayed flights, or similar circumstances. Make sure you arrive with plenty of time before your scheduled departure.