Full Day Kayaking and Snorkeling to Green Cave with GoPro photos

Green Cave is the star here. You paddle from Lopud across open water to Šipan, tie up near the cave, then swim and snorkel through its opening before deciding if you want to try the cliff jump. The cave is compact, atmospheric, and best suited to people who like active outings rather than sitting on a boat all day.

I like the small group of up to nine, which lets guides such as Miro, Ivo, Milo, and Filip give useful help without turning the trip into a herd. I also like the mix of kayaking, swimming, a rock arch, island scenery, and lunch in Šuđurađ. The main caution is simple: there is a lot of paddling, including long open-water stretches, and strong beginners may find the return tiring.

Key points to know before booking

• Green Cave is the main event: Swim or snorkel through its opening, then try cliff-jumping if you feel ready.
• Expect a real kayaking day: The route links Lopud, Šipan, and Ruda, with long stretches across open water.
• Lunch is not included: You stop at a local restaurant in Šuđurađ, and bringing cash is wise.
• The group stays small: The maximum is nine people, with single and double kayaks available.
• GoPro photos and videos are included: Your guide can record parts of the day on the water.
• The ferry adds scenic island time: The morning ride from Gruž Harbor to Lopud takes about an hour.

From Gruž Harbor to Lopud by ferry

Your day starts at Obala Stjepana Radića 40 in Dubrovnik’s Gruž Harbor. The ferry ride to Lopud takes about one hour, giving you time to watch Dubrovnik recede and get your first views of the Elaphite Islands.

This is a useful beginning rather than dead time. You are not rushing straight from a city street into a kayak. The ferry carries you to the island where the paddling starts, and the guide can help organize the group and explain what lies ahead.

The overall outing lasts about nine hours, so you should treat it as a full day outdoors. Wear a swimsuit or quick-drying sports clothes, and expect to get wet. Water shoes or secure sandals are practical, especially around cave entrances and rocky swimming spots.

The exact meeting time is set for the morning, with one booking note giving a 9:30 start. Check your confirmation carefully, since ferry timing matters. The activity ends back at the same Gruž Harbor meeting point in the late afternoon.

Lopud provides the first paddle

Once you reach Lopud, you receive a safety briefing and basic kayaking instruction. The equipment includes single and double kayaks, paddles, and snorkeling gear. The boats are described as sturdy, which helps, but this is still a physical activity rather than a gentle sightseeing ride.

From Lopud, you cross toward Šipan and the Green Cave. This is where the character of the day changes. You leave the ferry behind and begin moving under your own power, with the guide setting the route and keeping an eye on the group.

You do not need previous kayaking experience, and children from age six can take part when accompanied by an adult in a double kayak. Still, I would not confuse suitable for beginners with effortless. One account describes roughly 90 minutes of paddling each way at a brisk pace, and even fit teenagers found the distance tiring.

The guide can adjust the pace and offer instruction. Ivica, for example, was praised for giving extra help to a first-time kayaker, while other guides were described as patient with both slower and faster paddlers. That matters in a small group, since nobody wants to spend the whole day feeling like they are holding everyone back.

Green Cave combines swimming, snorkeling, and cliff-jumping

The Green Cave stop is the most unusual part of the route. You pull the kayaks together near the cave, collect a mask and snorkel, and swim through the opening. Depending on the tide and conditions, you might snorkel into the cave or enter without needing to swim far underwater.

Inside, the light and rock walls create the atmosphere. The cave is not a huge underground chamber, and you should not expect a major reef or a long snorkeling session. The snorkeling is pleasant, but the fish life can be modest compared with famous snorkeling areas elsewhere. The setting, the swim, and the feeling of reaching the cave by kayak are the real rewards.

Cliff-jumping is offered for those who want it. It is optional, so you can stay in the water, snorkel, or simply enjoy the stop without jumping. A guide is present to explain the activity and help people who feel uncertain in the water.

This is also where the tour’s safety briefing earns its keep. Conditions can change with wind, tides, and waves. One outing had to be adjusted because of weather, and another took place in wind and high tide with the guide changing the approach to keep the group comfortable. The exact cave time can vary, so do not book this expecting a fixed number of minutes in one spot.

Šipan and Šuđurađ bring a welcome break

After the cave, you continue along Šipan to Šuđurađ, a small fishing village where you stop for lunch. Food and drinks are not part of the $89 price, so plan to pay for your meal separately. Bringing cash is a sensible move because the stop is at a local restaurant and payment arrangements may not be as convenient as in Dubrovnik.

The meal is often described as a highlight, especially fresh seafood and fish. The food gives you more than calories after the first long paddle. It also creates a proper pause, with time to sit down, talk with the group, and look around the village before returning to the kayaks.

This break is one reason the tour works better than a nonstop paddle. You get a taste of island life rather than seeing the Elaphites only from sea level. Do keep an eye on the clock, though. The schedule includes about two hours for lunch and sightseeing, and the ferry home waits at the end of the day.

If you are hoping for a long independent visit to Šuđurađ, this is not that kind of excursion. You have free time, but the group still has to return to Lopud and catch the afternoon ferry.

Ruda adds one more cave before the return

After lunch, you paddle back toward Lopud and stop at Ruda, the third island on the route. Here you explore another cave by kayak before finishing the water portion of the trip.

This final stop helps break up the return journey, which can otherwise feel like a long straight paddle after lunch. It also gives you another chance to see the coast from the kayak instead of simply retracing the morning route.

The return can be demanding. You may have strong sun, wind, or a changing tide, and tired arms make the same distance feel longer. Guides have been praised for offering extra breaks and swims on hot days, as well as for changing plans when weather makes the original route less suitable.

Depending on the timing, you may have a short chance to walk on Lopud, get a drink, or visit Šunj Beach before the ferry. Do not count on a long stop. Some days leave only enough time to dry off and board the ferry.

What the small group changes

The maximum group size is nine, while the activity information also describes groups of up to eight. Either way, this is much smaller than a mass-market boat excursion. You receive personal instruction, and the guide can keep track of how everyone is handling the open-water crossings.

That small size also makes the social side easier. You share lunch and the ferry ride with the same people, and the paddling gives you time to chat. Guides such as Miro and Ivo are frequently praised for being relaxed, friendly, and attentive to safety. Filip is also noted for taking photos and helping people feel comfortable on the water.

The group size does not remove every practical issue. If you are booking as a couple, make sure your kayak arrangement is clear. One booking note warns that people sharing a double kayak must be on the same kayaking activity, not split between a different bike or cave program. That is worth sorting out before the day begins.

Solo participants are welcome. A solo paddler may be placed in a single kayak or paired in a double kayak, depending on the group and equipment available. The tour is in English.

The $89 price and what it covers

At $89, this is a solid value if you want a full day of activity. The price includes the guided experience, ferry-based island access, kayaking, safety instruction, snorkeling equipment, the Green Cave visit, and GoPro photos and videos. You are getting several separate activities in one day rather than paying for a short kayak rental.

The price does not include lunch, drinks, or a tip for the guide. Add the cost of your meal and any refreshments when comparing this with other Dubrovnik excursions. The restaurant stop is part of the schedule, so skipping food is not a practical way to reduce the cost.

I see the strongest value for people who want to combine three things: time on the water, a taste of the islands, and an active stop at Green Cave. If your priority is simply reaching the cave with the least effort, a boat trip may suit you better.

The GoPro photos are a useful extra, especially if you do not want to risk carrying your own camera in a kayak. Bring an underwater camera only if you want extra control over your pictures, since the included images depend on what the guide captures during the day.

How hard is the kayaking?

The tour is advertised for all experience levels, but the distance deserves an honest warning. You may paddle for long stretches between islands, and one reported estimate puts the crossing at about 90 minutes each way at a brisk pace.

You should be comfortable with repeated paddling and sitting in a kayak for much of the day. The guide teaches basic technique, but this is not a short introductory lesson followed by a quick photo stop.

A double kayak can help families and pairs share the work. Children must be at least six and accompanied by an adult in a double kayak. Most people can participate, but you should think twice if you have limited stamina, dislike open water, or want a relaxed day with minimal exertion.

The payoff is that you see the coast at a human pace. You can stop for swims, paddle under a rock arch, and approach caves that a larger boat may not enter. Just be ready for the effort required to reach them.

Weather, timing, and what to bring

The route depends on good weather. If poor conditions cancel the outing, you are offered another date or a full refund. Guides may also alter the plan during the day when wind or tides make the original route less comfortable.

Pack swimwear, quick-drying clothes, sun protection, and water shoes or secure sandals. Take drinking water and some cash for lunch and drinks. Since the ferry, kayaking, swimming, and lunch fill most of the day, bring only what you can keep secure and dry.

You receive confirmation when booking, and the activity uses a mobile ticket. The meeting point is near public transportation at Gruž Harbor, and the tour finishes there after the afternoon ferry.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded, except when the operator cancels for bad weather or because the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Who should book this Elaphite Islands day?

I would choose this for an active couple, a group of friends, or a family with older children who want more than a standard boat excursion. It suits people who enjoy paddling, swimming, simple island food, and a little controlled adventure.

It is also a good choice for a first-time kayaker who wants instruction and a guide nearby. The small group and supportive approach described by the guides make the activity less intimidating than renting a kayak alone.

I would look elsewhere if you want a quiet day, dislike physical work, or need a highly predictable schedule. The cave stop can be shorter than expected, snorkeling may be fairly modest, and the return paddle can be tiring. The tour earns its strong 4.8 rating from the combination of scenery, guides, food, and variety, but it is not a soft adventure.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want to earn your island views by paddling for them. The Green Cave, cliff-jump option, Ruda cave, Šuđurađ lunch, and GoPro photos make the $89 price reasonable, especially with a small group and equipment supplied.

Skip it if your ideal day means sitting back on a boat or spending a long time snorkeling in a busy underwater world. For active visitors who can handle several hours on the water, this is one of the more engaging ways to reach the Elaphite Islands from Dubrovnik.

FAQ

Where does the kayaking and snorkeling tour start?

It starts at Obala Stjepana Radića 40 in Gruž Harbor, Dubrovnik. The activity also ends back at this meeting point after the ferry ride home.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately nine hours, including the ferry rides, kayaking, cave stops, lunch, and time on the islands.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Lopud, Šipan, and Ruda. You kayak from Lopud toward Šipan, visit Šuđurađ village, and stop at Ruda on the return.

Is previous kayaking experience required?

No. The tour includes safety instructions and kayaking guidance, and it is suitable for different experience levels. You should still be prepared for long periods of paddling.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a professional English-speaking guide, guided kayaking, single or double kayaks, snorkeling equipment, the Green Cave visit, and GoPro photos and videos.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and drinks are not included. The route includes a stop at a local restaurant in Šuđurađ, and bringing cash is recommended.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Children are welcome from age six, but they must be accompanied by an adult in a double kayak.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same choice applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.