Dubrovnik: 6 hours Blue cave & Elaphiti with optional lunch

The Adriatic is your swimming pool. This six-hour cruise from Dubrovnik pairs the Blue Cave with two very different island stops, giving you time to swim, stroll, eat, and simply watch the coast slide by. I especially like the 45-minute Blue Cave stop and the generous two hours on Lopud, where you can choose between Šunj Beach, a village walk, or a slow coffee.

The other strong point is the easygoing onboard setup: unlimited wine, soda, water, and rakija, plus snorkeling masks and shade on the boat. The crew, including captains and hosts such as Marco, Peter, and Mikael, has earned warm praise for friendly service and good food. The main caution is the Blue Cave itself: access requires a swim, and rough seas can make it unavailable. In high summer, several boats may also gather there.

In a nutshell:

• Three distinct island experiences: quiet Kolocep, the Blue Cave near Kolocep, and beach-friendly Lopud.
• Two hours on Lopud: enough time for Šunj Beach, a village stroll, shopping, or a swim.
• Unlimited drinks included: wine, soda, water, and rakija are served during the cruise.
• Lunch costs extra: choose fish, chicken, or vegetarian food for €15, paid in cash on the boat.
• Small group format: the boat carries up to 25 people, though actual numbers may be smaller.
• Hotel pickup is available: it costs an extra €5 per person, or you can meet at Gruž Port.

What the six-hour cruise is really like

This is not a speedboat dash from one photo stop to the next. The boat moves at a relaxed pace, which some people will love and others may find slow. That slower rhythm gives you time to sit in the shade, sip a cold drink, and watch the Elaphiti Islands pass by.

The route begins and ends at Obala Stjepana Radića 16 in Dubrovnik’s Gruž area. You can also arrange pickup and drop-off from a hotel in the Dubrovnik area for €5 per person. The meeting point is on the long promenade at New Port Gruž, where the larger boats are docked. Look for the boat named LORENA or KATE.

The group limit is 25 people. That is not a private cruise, but it is more personal than a large sightseeing ship. On quieter dates, the group may be much smaller. One booking even ended up as a private cruise because only two people joined.

Kolocep offers a quiet first stop

Kolocep is the gentlest introduction to the day. You get 45 minutes to walk along island paths, take photographs, swim, or sit beside the sea. Its pine woods and calm setting make it feel far removed from Dubrovnik’s busy old town.

Do not expect a long island hike. Forty-five minutes passes quickly, especially if you want to combine a walk with swimming. I would use this stop to get your bearings, stretch your legs, and enjoy the quieter side of the Dubrovnik region rather than trying to see all of Kolocep.

This stop also gives you a useful choice. You can stay active with a short walk and swim, or treat it as a peaceful pause before the Blue Cave. Comfortable shoes matter because the tour specifically recommends them, and beachwear should be on your body or close at hand from the start.

The Blue Cave requires a real swim

The Blue Cave is the tour’s headline attraction, but it is also the part that demands the most from you. You cannot simply walk inside. You reach it by swimming, with snorkeling masks provided onboard, and you have about 45 minutes for the stop.

The cave’s color comes from sunlight passing through the sea, creating the blue glow that makes the place special. Inside, you can look beneath the surface and enjoy the clear water, but the experience depends heavily on sea conditions and your swimming ability.

That point deserves attention. If you are not a confident swimmer, this may be uncomfortable. One person described the swim as challenging, even while praising the cave. Life jackets are included, but the supplied information makes clear that access is by water, not by a dry entrance.

Weather can also change the plan. On one outing, rough sea conditions made the Blue Cave inaccessible, so the crew substituted another nearby beach. That is a sensible safety decision, but it means you should not book this cruise solely for a guaranteed cave visit.

Summer crowds are another factor. During the busiest months, boats can gather around the entrance, and you may need to swim around other vessels to reach the cave. The cave can still be beautiful, but the scene may feel more like a shared attraction than a private discovery.

Lopud gives you the longest island break

Lopud is the day’s main stop, with two full hours of free time. That extra time changes the feel of the trip. You are not rushing from one landmark to another. You can choose your own pace and make the stop as active or lazy as you like.

Šunj Beach is the obvious choice if you want sand and swimming. Lopud is known for its sandy beaches, a useful contrast in a region where many shorelines are rocky. Bring beachwear, and keep some cash with you for purchases during your free time.

You can also wander through the village, browse small shops, find a coffee, or take photographs of the island setting. Two hours is enough to fit in more than one activity, although you should allow time to return to the boat at the agreed meeting point.

I like this part of the schedule because it gives you control. Some organized boat trips allow only a quick photo and a rushed swim. Lopud lets you settle into the place. Families can choose an easy beach stop, couples can split the time between a walk and lunch, and friends can swim before meeting back aboard.

Lunch is a worthwhile €15 option

Lunch is optional and costs €15 per person, paid in cash on the boat. You choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian menu, and the crew asks for your choice the day before departure.

The food has become one of the strongest parts of the experience. Fish and grilled meat receive especially warm praise, while the vegetarian option is described as satisfactory rather than exceptional. The meal can include potatoes and fresh vegetables, and it is prepared onboard, with the grill operating at the boat in Lopud’s harbor on at least some departures.

If you enjoy a proper meal after swimming, I would add lunch. At $68 for the cruise, another €15 is reasonable for a freshly prepared meal, especially since you are not spending time searching for food during your limited island break. The meal also turns the return cruise into a social part of the day rather than just a ride back to Dubrovnik.

If you prefer to keep costs down, you can skip lunch. The cruise still includes unlimited drinks, and you can spend your Lopud time as you wish. Just remember that the tour information specifically advises bringing cash, and the lunch payment is listed as cash on the boat.

Unlimited drinks make the slow pace work

Wine, soda, water, and rakija are available without a per-drink charge. That is a useful inclusion on a warm day, particularly when the boat spends long stretches cruising between islands.

The drinks also shape the mood of the tour. This is a relaxed social outing, not a silent nature trip. You can sit under the shade, talk with the people around you, and enjoy the view while the crew serves refreshments. Chilled red wine received specific praise, as did the general supply of drinks.

Do keep your own limits in mind. Rakija is a strong spirit, and the combination of sun, swimming, and alcohol can catch up with you. Water should be your main drink during the active parts of the day.

The boat itself is described as clean and comfortable, with enough shade for everyone. The slower speed is part of the tradeoff. You do not get the fast, thrilling ride of a speedboat, but you also get a calmer cruise that suits a six-hour outing with lunch and island time.

The crew adds warmth to the experience

The crew is a major reason this tour scores well. Marco, Peter, Mikael, and other hosts are praised for being welcoming, attentive, and easy to spend a day with. One captain was singled out for making people feel at home, while another was praised for both the lunch and the relaxed atmosphere.

That personal service matters on a boat tour. Clear communication begins the day before, when you are contacted about your meal selection and hotel pickup. Onboard, the crew handles drinks, snorkeling equipment, safety gear, and the meal, so you do not have to manage each detail yourself.

The guiding may be less polished than a formal history tour. One person had trouble hearing the guide’s information through the speaker until the volume was raised later in the trip. If you care about detailed commentary, ask questions directly when the boat is stopped. This is primarily a scenic and swimming day, not a lecture about island history.

Timing and transport: useful details before you book

The advertised duration is six hours, with start times depending on availability. The schedule includes several cruising periods, roughly 30 minutes at a time, plus about 70 minutes for the return cruise and onboard meal.

The day typically follows this pattern:

• Cruise from Gruž through the Elaphiti Islands with drinks and views.
• Spend 45 minutes at Kolocep.
• Cruise onward to the Blue Cave area.
• Spend 45 minutes swimming and snorkeling.
• Continue to Lopud for two hours of free time.
• Return by boat while enjoying lunch, if added, and refreshments.
• Arrive back at Obala Stjepana Radića 16.

The exact order or route can change in bad weather. That flexibility is important in the Adriatic, where sea conditions can determine whether a cave swim is safe.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are available in the Dubrovnik area for €5 per person. If you meet at the port, allow enough time to find the promenade and identify LORENA or KATE. The port is in Gruž, not beside the old city walls, so the pickup option may be worth the small extra charge if you are staying near Pile Gate or farther away.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this cruise to couples, families with confident swimmers, and friends who want a full day on the water without paying for a private boat. The mix of swimming, beach time, food, and drinks means you do not need to organize separate activities.

It suits you especially well if you like having free time rather than following a guide from one tightly timed sight to another. Lopud gives you room to choose your own activity, and Kolocep provides a quieter stop before the more popular cave.

You should think twice if you dislike shared boats, want a fast ride, or need guaranteed access to the Blue Cave. The group can reach 25 people, the boat is not described as wheelchair accessible, and the cave may be crowded or closed because of sea conditions.

Strong swimmers will get the most from the cave stop. If you are uneasy in open water, you can still enjoy the cruise, Kolocep, Lopud, and the onboard atmosphere, but the tour’s most famous feature may not be comfortable for you.

Is the $68 price good value?

At $68 per person, the basic price is fair for a six-hour boat outing that includes the Elaphiti cruise, three sightseeing or swimming areas, snorkeling masks, life jackets, and unlimited drinks. You are paying for a full half-day on the water rather than a short transfer to one island.

Add €15 for lunch and €5 for hotel pickup if you want both extras. That brings the total to €20 beyond the advertised tour price, so check the payment details carefully and carry cash. The lunch is likely worthwhile if you value convenience and a hot meal, while pickup is most useful if you do not want to make your own way to Gruž.

The value is strongest when you use the free time well. Swim at Kolocep or the Blue Cave, make the most of two hours on Lopud, and treat the cruise itself as part of the experience. If you only want a quick Blue Cave visit, a shorter excursion may suit you better.

What to bring for a smoother day

Pack beachwear, comfortable shoes, and cash. Keep your swimsuit accessible rather than buried in a day bag, since the Blue Cave stop requires swimming and Kolocep may also tempt you into the water.

A towel is sensible, though it is not specifically listed among the included items. You should also protect anything sensitive to spray, and keep your phone ready for photographs without letting it distract you from the swim.

The boat provides snorkeling masks and life jackets. Lunch choices are confirmed the day before, so answer that message promptly and tell the operator if you need hotel pickup.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The tour is conducted in English. It is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands cruise?

Book it if you want an easygoing day that combines the Blue Cave, a sandy beach, island walks, unlimited drinks, and a good onboard meal. The friendly crew, generous Lopud stop, and reasonable base price give this tour broad appeal.

Skip it if you need a private or fast boat, cannot swim, or would be disappointed by a weather-related change to the cave visit. The Blue Cave is the draw, but Kolocep, Lopud, the food, and the relaxed cruise are what make the day worthwhile even when the sea changes the plan.

For most people staying in Dubrovnik, this is a solid value choice. Add lunch if you want the full experience, pay for pickup if Gruž is inconvenient, and approach the cave as a special possibility rather than an absolute promise.

FAQ

How long does the Dubrovnik Elaphiti Islands tour last?

The tour lasts six hours, including the boat cruise, island stops, Blue Cave visit, and return journey.

Where does the tour depart?

The main meeting point is at Obala Stjepana Radića 16 on the long promenade at New Port Gruž. The boat is named LORENA or KATE.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are available from hotels in the Dubrovnik area for an extra €5 per person.

What islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Kolocep and Lopud, with a Blue Cave stop near Kolocep Island.

Can I swim inside the Blue Cave?

Yes, but the Blue Cave is accessible only by swimming. Snorkeling masks are provided onboard.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

No. Lunch costs an extra €15 per person. You can choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian menu, with payment made in cash on the boat.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited wine, soda, water, and rakija are included onboard.

How much free time do I get on the islands?

You get about 45 minutes at Kolocep, 45 minutes at the Blue Cave, and two hours on Lopud.

Can the itinerary change because of weather?

Yes. The operator can change the itinerary in bad weather or sea conditions. If the Blue Cave is not safe to enter, another nearby beach may be used instead.