Snorkeling in Dubrovnik: Blue Cave & Elaphiti Islands

Four hours or eight: caves with sunlight turning the water blue, then beaches and island villages.

A private boat snorkeling tour from Dubrovnik visits the Blue Cave and three green caves on Koločep Island, plus sandy beaches and villages across the Elaphiti Islands. The boat carries a sun deck, shower, cabin and ladder for easy water entry. Snorkel gear, bottled water, beer and wine are included. You choose between a 4-hour route (caves and Lopud's Šunj beach) or an 8-hour full-island version with time to explore Šipan and Lopud on foot.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Elaphite Islands2h
2. Elafiti Islands1h

Explore Elaphiti Islands by boat

• Visit Blue cave and three caves
• Lunch stop on Šipan Island
• Walk and explore Lopud Island
• Relax at Šunj sandy beach

The experience

The boat leaves with space to spread out: a big sun deck up front for sunbathing, covered seating in back, and a cabin below where you can change and stow your things. A shower and ladder make getting in and out of the water straightforward. Your guide speaks English and steers toward the caves first, where the sun's reflection off the limestone turns the water an electric blue while you snorkel inside them. Three more green caves wait on Koločep Island, each one a different pocket of water and rock.

On the 4-hour route, you swim at Šunj beach on Lopud Island (the most popular sandy beach in the area), then loop back past Donje Celo, a small village on Koločep. The 8-hour version gives you the full Elaphiti circuit: Šipan Island (where restaurants sit ready if you want lunch, paid separately), Lopud with its churches and monastery to walk through, and the same caves and beaches. Snorkel gear, water, beer and wine travel with you. The boat's restroom is on board.

Fuel costs money on top of the ticket price and must be paid in cash. Ask about the amount when you book, since it depends on which tour length you pick. Nobody provides towels or sunscreen, so bring both. The boat works for families with infants (they can sit on a lap) and service animals are welcome.

What’s included

• Snorkel gear, bottled water, beer and wine.
• private boat with sun deck, covered seating, cabin and shower.
• English-speaking guide.
• restroom on board.

Options for this experience

3 options

Sunset tour-2 hoursGuide in English · 19:00Beer, wine, water, soft drinks and a bottle of champagne are provided. Pickup is included.

Four-hour private tourGuide in English · 09:30 and 14:30Beer, wine, water and soft drinks are provided, along with snorkelling equipment. Pickup is included.

Eight-hour private tourGuide in English · 09:30Beer, wine, water and soft drinks are provided, along with snorkelling equipment. Pickup is included.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:30, 14:30 and 19:00

Book up to4h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 137

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Adriatic Boat Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the 4-hour tour if you want the caves and one beach without a full day on the water. Pick the 8-hour version to walk through island villages and see all three Elaphiti Islands. Fuel is cash-only and extra, so budget for it when you book.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between the 4-hour and 8-hour snorkeling tour from Dubrovnik?

The 4-hour tour visits the Blue Cave, three green caves on Koločep Island, and Šunj beach on Lopud Island before returning. The 8-hour version includes all three Elaphiti Islands (Šipan, Lopud and Koločep) with time to walk through villages and explore more beaches and caves.

Do I need to bring my own snorkel gear or is it provided?

Snorkel equipment is included with the tour. The boat supplies everything you need to snorkel in the caves and at the beaches.

What's included in the price for the private boat tour?

Private transportation on the boat, snorkel gear, bottled water, beer, wine, restroom access on board and an English-speaking guide are all included. Lunch, towels and sunscreen are not, and fuel costs extra (cash only).

Can I bring small children or infants on the snorkeling tour?

Yes. Infants and small children can come along. Infants must sit on an adult's lap during the tour. The boat has a cabin for changing clothes and a shower on board.

What is the Blue Cave like when you snorkel inside it?

The Blue Cave is a limestone cave where sunlight reflects off the water and creates a brilliant blue color. You snorkel inside the cave itself, surrounded by the rock walls and that distinctive light.

Is lunch included, and where do you eat on the islands?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. On the 8-hour tour, you stop at Šipan Island where restaurants are available if you want to eat. On the 4-hour tour, you have time at Šunj beach where beach bars serve drinks.