Blue Cave and Sunj Beach Catamaran Cruise with Snorkelling Dubrovnik
- Duration4 hours
- Daily
- Group
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Overview
This four-hour catamaran trip from Dubrovnik is made for swimming. A spacious, stable catamaran with cushioned seating carries you out to the Elaphiti Islands, where you stop at the Green Cave and at the famous Blue Cave on Koločep Island, swimming into its glowing water with snorkelling gear supplied. The last stop is Šunj Beach on Lopud, a rare sandy beach in a region of pebbles, where you swim ashore and relax. It is a shared trip with an English and Spanish-speaking host and crew, soft drinks or water at the swimming stops, waterproof bags, floats, a deck shower and a toilet on board. It suits confident swimmers, couples, friends and families with older children.
Highlights
- Swim inside the glowing Blue Cave on Koločep Island
- Snorkel in the clear water of the Green Cave
- Relax on Šunj Beach, the sandy beach of Lopud Island
- Stable, spacious catamaran with cushioned seats and room to move
- Snorkelling gear, waterproof bags and floats included
- Soft drinks or water at the swimming stops
- Deck shower and toilet on board
- Departs at midday, when the light in the caves is at its best
Full Description
The Blue Cave on Koločep Island
The Blue Cave is the most famous swim near Dubrovnik. It lies on the rocky southwest coast of Koločep, the closest of the inhabited Elaphiti Islands, and its entrance is a low opening at sea level. Sunlight passes under the rock through a submerged gap and lights the water inside an intense electric blue, while the walls and ceiling stay in shadow.
Boats cannot enter, so you swim in from the anchored catamaran with mask and fins; the stop lasts about 45 minutes. People often ask about the best time to visit the Blue Cave in Dubrovnik: the glow is strongest around midday on sunny days, which is exactly when this trip arrives. You need to be comfortable swimming in open water, and the host explains the route before you jump.
The Green Cave and the Elaphiti coast
The first stop is the Green Cave, a sea cave where the light filtering through the rock turns the water a vivid emerald. Around it the Elaphiti coast is a mix of pine-covered slopes, pale limestone cliffs and tiny coves that you can only reach by boat. The name Elaphiti comes from the Greek word for deer, once common on the islands.
You have around 45 minutes here to swim and snorkel among rocks where small fish, sea urchins and starfish are easy to spot in the clear water. Floats and pool noodles are on board for anyone who prefers to relax on the surface, and waterproof bags keep phones dry if you want photos from the water.
Šunj Beach on Lopud
Lopud is a car-free island with a long waterfront village, a fifteenth-century Franciscan monastery and, on its southeast side, Šunj Beach: a wide crescent of soft sand sloping gently into shallow turquoise water. In a country famous for pebble beaches, sand like this is rare, which is why Šunj is often called the best beach near Dubrovnik.
The catamaran anchors off the beach because it cannot dock, so guests swim the short distance to shore, carrying belongings in the waterproof bags provided. You then have time to sunbathe, paddle in the shallows or simply enjoy the view of the bay. It is a natural finish to a day trip from Dubrovnik to the Elaphiti Islands.
Life on board the catamaran
A catamaran is wider and more stable than a single-hull boat, which means less rolling, more shade and plenty of room to move around the deck. Cushioned seating faces the sea, the nets at the bow are a favourite spot in calm weather, and a deck shower lets you rinse off the salt after each swim.
The crew handles the sailing while the host explains each stop in English and Spanish and hands out snorkelling gear. Soft drinks or water are served at the swimming stops, up to three per guest, and there is a toilet on board. Bring your own snacks if you like, since food is not included on this four-hour trip.
Itinerary
- Check-in at the Lapad meeting pointCheck in 15 minutes before the 12:00 departure and board the catamaran.
- Cruise towards KoločepSail out past the Dubrovnik coast towards the Elaphiti Islands, about 30 minutes.
- Green CaveSwim and snorkel in the emerald water around the cave, about 45 minutes.
- Blue Cave, KoločepSwim into the glowing blue cave from the anchored catamaran, about 45 minutes.
- Šunj Beach, LopudSwim ashore to the sandy beach to relax and sunbathe, about 45 minutes.
- Return to DubrovnikSail back to the starting point, arriving about four hours after departure.
What's included
- Catamaran trip with captain and crew
- English and Spanish-speaking host
- Soft drinks or water at the swimming stops (up to 3 per guest)
- Snorkelling equipment
- Waterproof bags, pool noodles and floats
- Deck shower and toilet on board
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Snacks and food
- Swimsuit and towel
- Tips
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Anyone who wants to see it from the water
- A half-day plan — about 4 hours
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.8/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
- You get seasick easily
Not suitable for
- People with heart problems
- Wheelchair users
- Non-swimmers
Meeting point
Check in 15 minutes before departure at the main meeting point on the Lapad harbour front (Lapadska obala) in Gruž, where the catamaran is moored. Some guests can board in the Old Town port, but only when our team confirms it in advance, so please do not go straight to the boat in the Old Town. We send exact directions and the map pin with your confirmation. The trip returns to the same point. There is no hotel pickup; local buses and taxis reach Gruž easily from all parts of Dubrovnik.
Important information
- Basic swimming ability is required: you must swim in open water and back to the boat
- At Šunj Beach the boat cannot dock, so guests swim to shore; waterproof bags are provided
- Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and snacks
- Life jackets are available on request
- Arrive 15 minutes early; late arrivals cannot be refunded
- Times are approximate and the captain may change the route for weather or sea conditions
- Food is not included; soft drinks or water are served at the swimming stops
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
Is this a shared or a private experience?
It is a shared catamaran trip with other travellers, a host and the boat crew.
How long does the Blue Cave trip from Dubrovnik take?
About four hours, departing at midday, with roughly 45 minutes at each of the three swimming stops.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. You check in at the Lapad harbour front in Gruž; Old Town port boarding is possible only when our team confirms it in advance.
What is included?
The catamaran trip with crew and host, snorkelling equipment, waterproof bags, floats, a deck shower, a toilet on board and soft drinks or water at the swimming stops.
Is the price per person or per group?
The price is per person. The booking panel on this page shows the current price before you confirm.
Is it suitable for children and people with reduced mobility?
Children who can swim confidently enjoy it, but the trip is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with heart problems, since every stop involves swimming in open water.
Can you go inside the Blue Cave by boat?
No. The entrance is too low for boats, so you swim in from the catamaran; the host explains how before you enter the water.
What is the best time to see the Blue Cave?
Around midday on a sunny day, when the light under the rock is strongest. This trip departs at 12:00 to arrive in that window.
Is Šunj Beach sandy?
Yes, Šunj on Lopud is one of the few sandy beaches near Dubrovnik, with shallow water that is pleasant for swimming and paddling.
What should I bring?
Swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, snacks and a waterproof phone case if you have one; snorkelling gear and dry bags are provided.
What happens in bad weather?
If wind or waves make the trip unsafe, the captain cancels or changes the route and we offer you a new date or a full refund.
How do I book and confirm?
Select your date in the booking panel; our team confirms your booking on WhatsApp within minutes and sends the check-in details.
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