Blue cave and Dubrovnik are famous for their stunning coastline and historic charm, but just off the shore lies a hidden treasure on the island of Koločep. Here, you’ll find some of the Adriatic’s most beautiful sea caves, including the vibrant Blue Cave and the trio of Green Caves. These magical spots are only reachable by swimming, offering a unique way to experience the natural beauty of the area.
We love showing these special places to visitors on our Private Dubrovnik Boat Tours. This guide will help you discover what makes these caves so remarkable and how you can explore them with us. If you have any questions about the tours, we’re always ready to help.
Discovering the Stunning Blue Cave near Dubrovnik
The Blue Cave on Koločep Island is famous for its glowing turquoise waters. This effect happens when sunlight passes through the cave’s entrance and reflects off the sand bottom, creating a vibrant blue glow that fills the entire space.
Located within the Elaphiti Islands, Koločep’s Blue Cave is easily reached from Dubrovnik, making it a popular spot for those looking to explore natural beauty close to the city. The cave itself is accessible only by boat, and entering means swimming into the clear water, which is ideal for snorkeling.
Compared to other Blue Caves along the Croatian coast, such as the one on Bisevo Island, this cave offers a quieter, more peaceful experience. While visitors do come in numbers, it generally feels less crowded, allowing us to enjoy the calm atmosphere and swim alongside local fish in crystal-clear Adriatic Sea
Discovering the Stunning Blue Cave near Dubrovnik
The Blue Cave on Koločep Island is famous for its glowing turquoise waters. This effect happens when sunlight passes through the cave’s entrance and reflects off the sand bottom, creating a vibrant blue glow that fills the entire space.
Located within the Elaphiti Islands, Koločep’s Blue Cave is easily reached from Dubrovnik, making it a popular spot for those looking to explore natural beauty close to the city. The cave itself is accessible only by boat, and entering means swimming into the clear water, which is ideal for snorkeling.
Compared to other Blue Caves along the Croatian coast, such as the one on Bisevo Island, this cave offers a quieter, more peaceful experience. While visitors do come in numbers, it generally feels less crowded, allowing us to enjoy the calm atmosphere and swim alongside local fish in crystal-clear Adriatic Sea
Key features:
- Location: Koločep Island, part of the Elaphiti Islands
- Access: Boat only, entrance by swimming
- Ideal for: Snorkeling and caves exploring
- Best visited as part of: Half-day private boat tours from Dubrovnik
Exploring the Three Caves on Elafiti Islands
Off the coast of Koločep Island, we find three unique sea caves known for their striking crystal clear waters. This vibrant color comes from sunlight passing through the rocky layers, giving each cave a special atmosphere.
The largest cave is the easiest to access and perfect for snorkeling, as it hosts many fish. The second cave is narrower and may feel a bit tight for those sensitive to small spaces. The third cave is darker and quieter, offering a mysterious vibe that’s quite different from the others.
When we visit, it’s important to follow the skipper’s instructions closely to navigate safely through these natural formations. Using our provided snorkeling gear enhances the experience, allowing you to explore beneath the shimmering surface.
Key features:
When to Visit the Blue and Green Caves
We find that the months from May to October offer the most comfortable weather and warm sea temperatures for visiting the caves. The best light, which makes the colors inside the caves truly pop, usually occurs between 10 am and 2 pm when the sun is highest.
These hours tend to be popular, so the caves can get crowded, especially during the high season peak from June to August. To avoid the busiest times, we suggest planning tours in the shoulder seasons or visiting them early in the morning or later in the afternoon. This way, you can enjoy the caves’ natural beauty without the noise of large crowds.
How We Explore the Caves on Our Dubrovnik Boat Tour
To reach the Blue Cave, the Green Cave, and the Three Caves, traveling by private boat is the only option. We use modern speedboats and skilled skippers who navigate the Elaphiti Islands, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable ride.
Our half-day tours let you visit Šunj Sandy Beach for a swim after visiting the caves. Departing in the morning or late afternoon helps avoid crowds, so we get a more private experience exploring these natural wonders.
For those wanting to spend more time, our full-day tours cover Lopud Island, Koločep, and the quieter islet Sikirica. We time our arrival at the caves in the afternoon, after most other boats have left, giving us the freedom to swim and explore without rush.
Since the tours are private, the boat is exclusively ours, allowing us to decide the pace and stops, and we don’t force guests to follow the same repeated loop every day, so you get to choose what to do and when to visit them. Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, towels, and floatation devices are all included. Plus, we bring along a selection of alcoholic drinks same as soft drinks and water to enjoy while soaking up the beautiful seascape.
Tips for Your Cave Adventure
To make the most of your cave trip, we bring a waterproof GoPro camera to capture those unique colors and special moments. After the tour, we edit the video of the highlights from the tour and send it to you. Wearing water-friendly shoes helps us move safely inside, but it is not a must. It’s important to follow the skipper’s safety advice, especially near tight cave entrances, and if the weather is choppy, it is safer not to go inside the caves. Also, using reef-safe sunscreen keeps you protected without harming the environment.
Reserve Your Spot for a Dubrovnik Cave Tour with Sea Fun Dubrovnik
We invite you to join us on a cave boat tour that takes you along the beautiful Adriatic coastline to explore stunning sea caves. Our tours offer more than a ride—they provide an unforgettable journey into Croatia’s crystal-clear waters around Elafiti Islands.
