Full Day Kayaking and Snorkeling to Green Cave with GoPro photos

Paddle into something special. This full-day trip trades Dubrovnik’s crowded stone streets for open water, small island villages, rock arches, and the unusual Green Cave. I especially like the small-group format, with a guide, quality kayaks, snorkel gear, and GoPro photos included. I also like the mix of activity and downtime: you kayak, swim, snorkel, cliff-jump if you wish, then stop for lunch in Šuđurađ.

The main caution is simple: this is a serious paddling day, not a gentle boat cruise. You may kayak for roughly 90 minutes each way across open water, and several people found the return tiring. Snorkeling in the cave is memorable, but the fish life may be modest compared with better-known snorkel sites.

Key points to know before booking

• The Green Cave is the day’s star: Swim or snorkel through its opening, tie up the kayaks, and enjoy time for cliff-jumping.
• Expect plenty of paddling: The route links Lopud, Šipan, and Ruda, so you spend much of the day moving between islands.
• Lunch is not included: You stop at a local restaurant in Šuđurađ, and you should bring cash for the meal.
• Guides make a real difference: Miro, Ivo, Filip, Luka, Ivica, Marko, and others are praised for safety instruction, patience, and good humor.
• The group is kept small: The tour is advertised for up to eight people, with a maximum of nine, which allows more personal help on the water.
• GoPro photos and videos are included: You can enjoy the day without trying to manage a camera in a kayak.

From Gruž Harbor to Lopud by ferry

Your morning begins at Obala Stjepana Radića 40 near Dubrovnik’s Gruž Harbor. The ferry ride to Lopud takes about an hour, giving you a pleasant start before the physical part of the day begins.

This ferry transfer matters because the tour does not waste your time with a long road journey. You move directly from Dubrovnik toward the Elaphite Islands, with sea views and a gradual change from city traffic to open water.

The meeting time is around 9:30 according to one detailed account, though you should follow the time confirmed at booking. Your guide may meet you at the ferry terminal and help with the arrangements. Since this is a full-day outing with a ferry connection, arriving late could create real problems.

The ferry ride is also a useful chance to eat a small breakfast, check your sunscreen, and drink water. Food and drinks are not included, and once you begin kayaking, you will want to have already prepared for a long morning outside.

Lopud brings the safety talk and first paddle

Once you reach Lopud, the guide gives a safety briefing and explains how to handle the kayaks. This is important even if you have paddled before. The tour provides both single and double kayaks, plus snorkeling equipment, so couples and families can choose a setup that suits them.

Children from age six can join, but they must be accompanied by an adult in a double kayak. Solo participants are welcome too. The group size is small enough that the guide can spend time correcting your stroke, explaining how to steer, and checking that everyone is comfortable.

From Lopud, you paddle across toward Šipan and the Green Cave. This is where the day’s physical demand becomes clear. The route crosses open water between islands, rather than staying close to a sheltered beach the entire time.

You do not need advanced kayaking experience, but a basic level of fitness helps. One first-time paddler found the instruction reassuring, while another account advised people not to underestimate the effort. My advice is to treat this as an active excursion. If you dislike repeated paddling under the sun, choose a boat-based island trip instead.

The Green Cave on Šipan

The Green Cave is reached by kayak and is the main reason many people choose this outing. You tie up the kayaks near the cave, take masks and snorkels, and swim through the cave’s opening. The guide explains how to enter and helps those who feel less confident in the water.

The cave gives you a change of mood from the open sea. Outside, the route is about distance and effort. Inside, it becomes a short water adventure, with rock overhead and the light changing around the cave entrance.

Cliff-jumping is offered here for those who want it. It is optional, and there is no reason to feel pressured. You can enjoy the cave by swimming and snorkeling, then return to the kayak without making the jump.

The snorkeling is interesting, but keep your expectations measured. You may see colorful fish, yet the number and variety may be less than at famous snorkeling destinations. The unusual setting is the attraction more than a huge underwater display.

Time inside the cave can also depend on conditions and the group’s pace. One account described only a short stop, while another mentioned that low tide made it possible to enter without much snorkeling. Weather, tide, and timing can change how the cave visit feels. That is normal for a sea-based tour, but it is worth knowing before you book.

Šuđurađ offers lunch and a proper break

After the cave, you continue by kayak to Šuđurađ, a fishing village on Šipan. This is a welcome pause after the first long stretch on the water.

Lunch is at a local restaurant and focuses on local food, with fresh fish receiving especially warm praise. The meal is not part of the $89 tour price, so bring cash. The supplied information does not specify the restaurant menu or exact cost, so budget separately rather than assuming the lunch is covered.

This stop does more than fill your stomach. Sitting down in the village gives your arms a break and lets you see a quieter side of the islands. You have time for some sightseeing after eating, though the amount of free time depends on the day’s pace, conditions, and ferry schedule.

The lunch stop is one of the tour’s strongest features because it breaks up the physical work. Without it, nine hours of paddling and swimming would feel like an endurance test. With it, the day has a more relaxed rhythm: paddle, explore, eat, rest, then return.

Still, do not expect a long independent visit to Šipan. This is primarily a kayaking trip, and the village stop supports the route rather than replacing a full island tour.

Returning via Ruda and another cave

After lunch, you paddle back toward Lopud. The return can feel harder than the morning crossing, especially if you have spent energy on the cave, swimming, and cliff-jumping.

Before reaching Lopud, the route stops at Ruda, the third island of the day. Here you explore another cave and kayak into it. This second cave adds variety, even though the Green Cave remains the more important stop.

The route gives you several different views of the Elaphite Islands: rugged coastline from the water, beaches, rock formations, island channels, and villages. You are not simply paddling in circles near one resort beach. The tradeoff is the distance. The scenery changes, but your arms know you are covering ground.

The guide’s role is particularly important on the return. Several guides, including Miro, Filip, Ivo, Luka, and Ivica, are praised for helping slower paddlers, keeping an eye on safety, and adjusting the pace when conditions changed. One group had windy weather and high tides, yet the guide altered the plan and made sure everyone felt secure.

That flexibility is worth more than polished commentary on a day like this. A calm guide who watches the weather and keeps the group together can turn a difficult crossing into a manageable one.

Lopud before the evening ferry

You return to Lopud in the late afternoon, with time for a short walk or a drink if the ferry schedule allows. Some accounts describe a quick opportunity to see the island or walk toward Šunj Beach, while others suggest that the timing may leave only enough time to dry off and board the ferry.

Do not count on a long beach visit. Treat any time on Lopud as a bonus, not a promised part of the main program.

The ferry then returns you to Gruž Harbor and the original meeting point. The full outing lasts about nine hours, including the ferry rides, preparation, paddling, cave stops, lunch, and return journey.

What the $89 price really covers

At $89, this is a good value if you want several activities in one day. The price includes a professional English-speaking guide, ferry-connected island access, kayaking, snorkeling, the Green Cave visit, all kayaking and snorkeling equipment, and GoPro photos and videos.

The small group improves the value. With only a handful of people, you get more direct instruction than you would on a large beach activity. The guide can help you with a double kayak, give advice on paddling technique, and respond more quickly if weather or ability levels vary.

The cost does not include lunch, drinks, or a tip. You should also plan for personal spending in Šuđurađ. The lunch stop is convenient, but you are paying separately for the food.

GoPro coverage is a useful extra. Kayaking makes photography awkward, especially when you are managing a paddle, dry bags, and changing conditions. Having the guide take photos and videos means you can focus on the cave and the views. You may still want a waterproof phone or underwater camera if you want your own photos inside the cave, but do not rely on carrying expensive gear without protection.

The guides are a major part of the experience

The strongest pattern across this experience is the quality of the guides. Miro is praised for making beginners feel comfortable, keeping conversation going during the longer paddles, and handling rougher conditions carefully. Ivo is described as entertaining and helpful, including on a day when the original plan changed because of weather.

Filip is praised for guiding safely and taking photos. Luka receives credit for letting stronger paddlers move freely while still checking on the group. Ivica is singled out for teaching a nervous first-time kayaker how to paddle.

These details matter because the route can be tiring and the sea can change. You are not just paying for equipment. You are paying for route planning, instruction, group control, and someone who knows when to slow down or adjust the day.

The guide style seems friendly rather than formal. You can expect local stories and information about Dubrovnik and the islands, mixed with practical help. That informal approach suits an outdoor day better than a long lecture.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would recommend it most strongly to active couples, friends, solo participants, and families with older children who are comfortable spending hours on the water.

It is also a good choice if you want to combine several Dubrovnik-area highlights without arranging separate trips. You get island transport, kayaking, snorkeling, caves, a village lunch, and a little free time in one outing.

Beginners can join. The guide provides instructions, and the reviews include positive experiences from people who had never kayaked before. However, being a beginner does not remove the physical demand. You still need to paddle for long stretches.

This is less suitable if you want a slow sightseeing day, dislike getting wet, or hope to spend most of the time snorkeling. The snorkeling is one part of a broader day, not the entire focus.

Children must be at least six and accompanied by an adult in a double kayak. Most people can participate, but you should be honest about your stamina and comfort in open water.

What to bring and how to prepare

Wear beach or sporty clothing that can get wet. One useful tip is to remove clothing you do not want soaked before getting into the kayak. Water shoes or flip-flops are also recommended in the practical advice from the experience.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, water, and cash for lunch and drinks. A waterproof phone pouch is sensible. GoPro photos are included, but you may want your own protected camera for personal shots.

Do not pack too much into the kayak. Keep essentials secure and avoid loose items that can blow into the sea. The supplied information does not specify storage arrangements, so ask the guide where to place valuables before setting off.

Check the weather before the day. The tour requires good conditions, and the operator may offer another date or a full refund if poor weather forces cancellation. The sea is part of the experience, but it also controls the plan.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that period, changes and refunds are not accepted under the stated policy. The trip also requires a minimum number of participants, so a low booking count can lead to a new date, another experience, or a refund.

Should you book the Green Cave kayaking trip?

Book it if you want an active, full-day view of the Elaphite Islands and are happy to work for the scenery. The Green Cave, cliff-jumping, second cave, village lunch, and GoPro photos create a varied day for $89, especially with a small group and equipment included.

Think twice if you want effortless sightseeing or a long snorkeling session. The open-water paddles can be tiring, the fish life may be limited, and the cave stop may feel brief if conditions or timing are tight.

For most reasonably fit visitors, I think the trip offers strong value. Bring cash, protect yourself from the sun, expect to paddle hard, and let the guide set the pace. If you do that, this is one of the more memorable ways to trade Dubrovnik’s busy harbor for the quieter islands offshore.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Obala Stjepana Radića 40, 20000 Dubrovnik, near Gruž Harbor.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point in Dubrovnik after the return ferry.

How long does the tour last?

The full experience lasts approximately nine hours, including the ferry rides and island activities.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and drinks are not included. The route stops at a local restaurant in Šuđurađ, and you should bring cash.

Is kayaking equipment provided?

Yes. The tour supplies single and double kayaks, top-end kayaking equipment, and snorkeling equipment.

Are GoPro photos and videos included?

Yes. GoPro photos and videos are included as part of the experience.

Can beginners join the tour?

Yes. The tour is designed for all experience levels and includes a safety briefing and kayaking instruction. The route does involve long stretches of paddling, so basic fitness is helpful.

Can children participate?

Children can join from age six, but they must be accompanied by an adult in a double kayak.