Dubrovnik: Blue Cave & Elaphiti Islands Catamaran Tour

4.87

(795 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

We stepped barefoot onto the catamaran in Dubrovnik’s marina—already felt different from those loud speedboats zipping past. Our skipper, Marko, handed out cold water and grinned when someone asked about sea conditions (“You’ll barely notice the waves today!”). The Adriatic was glassy, just a salty breeze and the muffled thump of flip-flops on deck. I found myself stretching out on one of those cushioned benches under the shade—honestly, didn’t expect how much I’d appreciate not roasting in the sun all morning.

The first stop was Koločep Island for the Blue Cave. Marko passed around snorkels and waterproof bags (lifesaver for my phone), then pointed out where sunlight slips through the rock—he called it “the blue window.” I slid into the water and it was colder than I thought at first, but you get used to it fast. Inside, everything glowed electric blue. There was this weird silence except for our own splashing and a couple of fish darting around my ankles. Someone tried to say “plava špilja” (Blue Cave) in Croatian; Marko just laughed and shook his head.

After that we cruised toward Lopud’s Šunj Beach—long stretch of sand that looked almost too pale against all that turquoise water. Here’s the thing: you have to swim from the boat to shore (they give you bags so your stuff stays dry), which sounded like a hassle but ended up being kind of fun. The sand is soft—real sand, not pebbles—and there were families picnicking under pine trees while some locals played cards near the waterline. I lay back for a while with damp hair sticking to my neck and just listened to everyone chatting in Croatian or German or English.

On the way back, people sprawled out quietly or sipped beer as Dubrovnik came into view again—the old city walls catching late afternoon sun. I kept thinking about that blue glow inside the cave; it sticks with you longer than salt on your skin, somehow.