BlueCave
Journal

What to Expect on a Blue Cave Tour

By Captain Luke

What to Expect on a Blue Cave Tour from Dubrovnik — Hour by Hour

I still remember my first Blue Cave tour. I had read every review, watched every YouTube clip, and I was still not sure what I was signing up for. Would the boat be terrifying? Would I actually see the blue glow everyone raves about? Would I spend the whole day trying not to throw up?

Now, dozens of trips later — some as a guest, most helping run them — I can walk you through the entire day so there are zero surprises. Here is your hour-by-hour guide to the Blue Cave tour from Dubrovnik, from the moment your alarm goes off to the moment you step back onto the dock with a sunburnt nose and a camera full of memories.

The Night Before: Packing and Preparation

Start here, because mornings are early enough that you do not want to be scrambling.

What to bring:

  • Swimsuit (worn under clothes — there is no changing room on the boat)
  • Towel (a quick-dry microfiber towel is ideal)
  • Sunscreen, SPF 50 or higher, reef-safe if possible
  • Sunglasses with a strap or cord so they do not end up at the bottom of the Adriatic
  • A light jacket or windbreaker for the ride out
  • Water bottle and a few snacks (we hand out bottled water on board too)
  • Waterproof phone pouch — I cannot stress this enough
  • Cash or card for the €49 tour price and lunch or drinks on the way back

What to wear: Comfortable, quick-drying clothes. Sneakers or sport sandals with a grip. Flip-flops are fine on the boat but not great for walking around the islands. If you run cold, bring a hoodie — the wind on the open water at 10:00 is bracing even in July.

Motion sickness tip: If you are prone to seasickness, take your preferred remedy (Dramamine, ginger tablets, acupressure bands) 30 to 45 minutes before departure. Sit near the back of the boat, keep your eyes on the horizon, and stay hydrated. In four years of tours, the vast majority of guests have been absolutely fine, but there is no shame in being prepared.

09:15 — Head to the Meeting Point

Grab breakfast wherever you are staying — we depart at 10:00, so you have time. Head down to Marina Frapa, Lapadska obala 21a, 20000 Dubrovnik (Gruž Harbour). It is about 10 minutes by taxi from the Old Town (Pile Gate), or 25 minutes on bus 1A / 1B. Free daytime parking on-site for tour guests, and it is a five-minute walk from the Dubrovnik cruise port.

Your confirmation email has exact coordinates and a photo of the pontoon. Arrive by 09:45 — Mia checks you in, hands out life jackets, and the skipper runs the safety briefing before we cast off.

09:50 — Meeting the Skipper and Setting Off

This is the part where nerves tend to kick in. Let me calm them.

Is the boat safe? Yes. Our vessels are licensed by the Croatian Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure (vessel registration 271547 DB). Both Captain Luke and Captain Avi are certified professionals who have made this trip more than 1,500 times between them. Life jackets are on board for everyone, and no tour goes out when conditions are unsafe.

What if the weather changes? We check multiple weather forecasts before departure and call your tour by 07:00 CET on the tour day if the sea is not safe. Cancelled tours are rebooked or refunded — nobody wants to fight three-metre swells for a cave visit. If weather shifts mid-trip, the skipper adjusts the route. You are in experienced hands.

Once everyone is on board, you get a quick safety briefing, the engine rumbles to life, and you are off. The first stretch takes you past the Dubrovnik city walls from the water — a view most tourists never see. Have your camera ready.

10:00–10:20 — Crossing to Koločep

The ride from Gruž to the cave takes only about 20 minutes — Koločep is the closest of the Elaphiti Islands, sitting just off Dubrovnik’s coast. The boat cuts through blue-green water at a good clip, and the wind is bracing and wonderful once you settle into it.

This is where a windbreaker earns its place in your bag. The spray can be refreshing or freezing depending on your tolerance. Sit at the back for a smoother ride, or up front if you want the full action-movie experience.

Photo tip: Shoot the coastline as you pull away from Dubrovnik. The layered terracotta rooftops against the blue sea is a shot you will not get from the walls.

Stop 1: The Blue Cave on Koločep

The main event. As you approach the north side of Koločep, the skipper eases the speedboat right up to the cave entrance — the opening is only about a metre and a half high, so you duck down and slip inside. Then it hits you.

The water glows. Electric, neon, impossible blue. Sunlight enters through an underwater opening and refracts off the pale limestone floor, turning the entire grotto into something that looks digitally enhanced. It is not. It is just physics and geology doing something extraordinary.

You will spend about 15 to 20 minutes inside. Swimming is allowed and encouraged — the water is 3 to 5 metres deep, calm, and warm. Snorkelling gear is provided. The blue light peaks between 11:00 and 13:00 on sunny days, which is exactly why we depart at 10:00.

Photo tip: Turn off your flash — it kills the natural blue. Use your phone’s night mode or a slow shutter. But honestly, put the phone down for a minute and just look. Photos never fully capture it.

Stop 2: Blue Lagoon

A short hop north-east from Koločep — a shallow, turquoise bay tucked between three small islets. You anchor a few metres off the pebble shore in water so clear you can count the pebbles below. Swim, snorkel, jump off the bow, or just float and stare at the cliff walls.

The name is not marketing — the light really does turn the entire bay a Caribbean turquoise. On a calm midday, this is one of the most photogenic swim stops on the whole Adriatic coast.

Stop 3: The Green Cave

Smaller and less famous than the Blue Cave — and in some ways more fun. The Green Cave gets its colour from algae on the ceiling reflecting sunlight off the water. You can actually swim inside this one.

Jump off the boat, swim through the entrance, and float inside a glowing green cathedral. The acoustics are wild — every splash echoes. This is the stop where people laugh the most.

Photo tip: Underwater shots work brilliantly here. If you have a waterproof phone case, dip your camera halfway below the surface for a split-level shot — green light above, clear water below.

Stop 4: Šunj Beach on Lopud — Lunch Break

By now it is early afternoon, the sun is high, and you are hungry. The boat docks at Šunj on the sheltered south side of Lopud island for a lunch break of about 45 minutes.

Šunj is one of the only real sandy beaches in the Dubrovnik area — long, shallow, calm water perfect for a swim after cave-splashing. Two or three seasonal beach cafes along the sand serve grilled fish, salads, cold beer, and Croatian wine. Lunch is not included in the tour price, so bring cash or a card. Budget €15 to €25 for a meal with a drink, or grab something lighter if you had a big breakfast.

Stop 5: A Hidden Cove Back Toward Dubrovnik

Before we head home, the skipper picks one of a handful of local-only swim spots along the coast — a coastline cove not on any tour brochure, chosen on the day based on wind, light, and how the group is feeling. This is where you get the “I want to move here” moment.

13:30–14:00 — Back to Gruž

The ride back is calmer, warmer, and slower — the boat cruises rather than sprints. You step off the boat sun-warmed and salt-crusted, roughly 4 hours after you departed. If you want to head straight into town, the taxi rank at Gruž is right there, or bus 1A takes you back to Pile Gate in about 20 minutes.

The Rest of Your Day

Most guests treat the tour as the “morning half” of a full Dubrovnik day. That gives you the afternoon for the walls (best from 15:00 onward when tour buses thin out), an aperitivo at Buža Bar on the sea wall, and dinner in the Old Town. If you want a full 12-hour itinerary planned around the tour, read our companion post: Blue Cave Dubrovnik itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I swim inside the Blue Cave?

Yes — the water inside is 3–5 metres deep, calm, and warm, and swimming is one of the highlights of the tour. Snorkelling gear is provided free. Life jackets are available for non-swimmers, and you can stay on the boat if you prefer.

How long does the tour take door-to-door?

About 4 hours from departure. Add 15 minutes for check-in and 15 minutes for the taxi from the Old Town if you are staying there. Plan a 5-hour block from your hotel.

What if I get seasick on the way out?

The crossing from Gruž to Koločep is only 20 minutes and mostly in the sheltered water behind the Elaphiti islands, so seasickness is rare. If you are prone to it, take your remedy 30–45 minutes before boarding and sit near the back — the motion is calmer there.

Do you visit the Biševo Blue Cave near Vis?

No — this tour visits the Blue Cave on Koločep island in the Elaphiti archipelago, 20 minutes from Dubrovnik. The Biševo Blue Cave (Modra špilja) is a different cave near Vis, about 5 hours from Dubrovnik and not practical as a day trip from here. If you want the Biševo cave specifically, you need to be based closer to Split.

What if the weather is bad on my tour day?

If sea conditions make the cave unsafe, we call your tour by 07:00 CET that morning and offer a rebook or full refund. Safety first — no cave view is worth an unsafe crossing.

WhatsApp