The Green Cave Near Dubrovnik — The Sea Cave Nobody Tells You About

The Blue Cave gets the headlines. Fair enough, the glow is something else. But on almost every tour, the stop where people stay in the water longest, and the one they mention when they write a review, is the Green Cave.

It’s a sea cave on the same island, Koločep, a short run from the Blue Cave. Very few people have heard of it before they arrive, which is exactly why it’s worth writing this.

What the Green Cave Is

It’s a cave in the limestone coast of Koločep where daylight comes in from above rather than from below the water. Sunlight filters through the opening and reflects off the rock and the seabed, and the water inside takes on deep emerald and jade tones instead of the electric blue of its neighbour.

The two caves are a good pair for that reason. The Blue Cave is a light show you float into and stare at. The Green Cave is a place you swim around in, duck under overhangs, and watch the colour shift as you move.

Where It Is and How to Get There

Koločep is the closest of the Elaphiti Islands to Dubrovnik. The Green Cave is on the outer coast, the side facing the open sea, where the cliffs drop straight into deep water. There is no path from the village and no beach access. You get there by boat.

From the Old Town Port it’s about twenty minutes by speedboat. Our Blue Cave tour goes to both caves in the same morning or afternoon, then continues to Sunj Beach on Lopud. Private charters can stop there too if you ask the skipper.

Swimming and Snorkelling

This is the swimming cave. Unless the sea is rough, you go in. The water is deep and clear, the rock walls are covered in small life, and the light changes every metre you swim. Snorkel gear is on board our boats, and it’s worth using here more than anywhere else on the route.

A few practical notes:

• Wear water shoes if you have them. The rock near the entrance is sharp.
• Stay near the group. The cave is open and safe, but currents outside the mouth can be stronger than they look.
• Non-swimmers can still enjoy it. The boat goes in close and you see the colour from deck. Life jackets are on board in all sizes.

Best Time to Visit

The Green Cave is more forgiving than the Blue Cave when it comes to timing. The colour holds up through the whole day because the light comes from above. Late morning still gives the strongest greens, but an afternoon visit isn’t a compromise the way it can be for the blue glow.

What matters more is the sea state. After a day of southerly wind the water clouds up and the colour dulls. We check conditions every morning and adjust the route if needed.

Green Cave vs Blue Cave

	Blue Cave	Green Cave
Light comes from	Below the water	Above, through the opening
Colour	Electric blue	Emerald and jade
Best for	Looking, photos, a short swim	Swimming and snorkelling
Swimming	Only on calm days	Most days
Time inside	20 to 30 min	About 30 min
Best time	Late morning	Morning or afternoon

You don’t have to choose. They’re a few minutes apart and every Blue Cave tour visits both.

What Else Is Nearby

After the caves, most people want a beach. Sunj Beach on Lopud is the answer: sandy, shallow, with a couple of places to eat. It’s the third stop on the tour. If you’re on a private boat, the coves along Koločep’s southern shore are quiet even in August. Read more in our Koločep island guide.

Quick Answers

Is there an entrance fee? No. There’s nobody there to charge one.

Can I visit the Green Cave alone? You’d need your own boat or a kayak on a very calm day. The easiest way is a tour or a private charter from Dubrovnik.

Is it good for kids? Yes, with a life jacket. The water is calm inside and the boat stays close.

How long is the whole trip? Four hours for the group tour, including the Blue Cave, the Green Cave and Sunj Beach.

Which departure should I pick? 10:00 for the best Blue Cave light, 14:30 for warmer swimming and a quieter beach. The Green Cave is good either way.

See dates and prices for the Blue Cave and Green Cave tour. If you’re deciding between the two famous caves, our Blue Cave guide explains why the Dubrovnik one isn’t the Biševo one.