Why Locals Never Swim from Dubrovnik’s Beaches

What no one tells you about swimming off Dubrovnik's coast (until you rent a boat) ?

You arrive in Dubrovnik.
You stare at the coastline.
You think: “I just want to swim.”

The water is calling. It’s clear, impossibly blue and alive with salt and sun.

So you head to Banje Beach or Lapad Bay, towel in hand, full of hope. But within an hour, you’re dodging crowds, slippery stones and jet skis buzzing by just meters away.

You think: Is this what people meant when they raved about swimming here?

Not quite.

Here’s what no one tells you: not even in blogs, brochures or in reviews.

The real swimming spots in Dubrovnik?
 The safest, most magical ones?

They’re only accessible by boat.
 And once you discover them, you'll never swim the same way again.

The coastline hides more than it shows:

Why? Because the real Adriatic experience isn’t in the crowds. It’s in the caves only boats can reach.

Think:

• Emerald lagoons between cliffs
• Soft sandbanks tucked into pine-covered islands
• Silence, except for the splash of your own dive
• Places with no concrete, no beer cans and no 100-euro sunbeds.

“Safe” doesn’t just mean shallow water:

Swimming safety isn’t only about depth. It’s about:

• Current strength
• Boat traffic
• Underwater terrain
• Entry and exit points
• Jellyfish zones

And if you’re swimming near the city’s main beaches or ports, you’re often sharing space with boats, rocks or rough underwater surfaces.

Now imagine anchoring off Lopud Island’s Šunj Bay:

• Soft sandy bottom
• Gradual depth
• Calm, shallow entrance
• Zero motor traffic near the swimmer zone

Renting a boat gives you freedom + control. You choose when to stop, where to drop anchor and who gets to swim beside you.

Here are the top 4 safest swim spots near Dubrovnik (only by boat):

1. Šunj Beach, Lopud Island:

     A natural lagoon famous among locals. Boats anchor far from shore, and the sandy shallows extend 100+ meters. Perfect for beginners and children.

2. Blue Cave, Koločep Island:

     You can’t walk here — only swim. Enter via boat, hop off, and dive into sapphire light. It’s otherworldly. Early mornings = empty cave = silent swim.

 3. Betina Cave:

      This tiny beach is tucked under a rock arch. No way to walk in — you must come by boat. Calm, shady, peaceful. Feels like your private slice of the Adriatic.

4. Sikirica Bay, Šipan Island:

     Unmarked on most tourist maps. Shallow reefs, zero noise, and amazing snorkeling visibility. If you bring a mask, this place will ruin other spots for you.

Snorkeling off the boat = freedom without fear !

Don’t think you’re a strong swimmer? No problem.

When you rent a boat with Garitransfer, they provide:

• Life vests
• Floatation boards
• Easy-on ladder access

Plus, most swim stops are in calm bays, not open sea.
 The captain drops anchor where the water welcomes you, obviously not where it tests you.

But I’m not a boat person...

That’s the biggest myth.
Renting a boat here doesn’t mean you’re navigating on your own.
 With Garitransfer’s private charters, you get:

• A local skipper who knows every reef and rock
• Customizable routes (want to swim more, snorkel less? Just say so)
• Drinking water, sunshade, music, and sometimes snorkeling gear included
  
  

You don’t need to be a sailor.
 You just need to say yes to seeing what most visitors miss.

What does the sea teach you?

When you swim in the open sea…  far from the beach clubs, beyond the jet ski noise… something shifts in your heart.

The salt doesn’t just sting your skin.
 It strips away stress.

You float, and the sun covers your back like a warm prayer.
 The cliffs rise around you, ancient and unmoved.
 You look down and see fish.
 You look up and see the sky.

And for a moment, you remember:

• You are small
• You are lucky
• And this world is more beautiful than your phone could ever show

How to make it happen? Tips to rent a swim-friendly boat in dubrovnik:

• Book with a trusted local company, like Garitransfer
• Choose a tour that includes Blue Cave, Lopud or Šipan
• Ask the skipper to stop at lesser-known coves along the way
• Bring a dry bag, snorkel mask, reef-safe sunscreen, and towel
• Don’t rush, even 4 hours is enough to feel reset
  
  

closing words: Why will this swim stay with you ?

Most tourists dip their toes. But you? You’ll dive.

And that moment, when you swim off a boat, into silence, surrounded by cliffs and sunlight. It will stay with you long after your tan fades.

This is how locals swim.  This is how the Adriatic heals.

So don’t just rent a boat.
 Rent freedom
 Rent joy.
 Rent the chance to swim where the land ends and the real story begins.