Private boat tour- explore the islands, find hidden caves and try snorkelling

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat tour is the freedom to shape your day around the sea. You can swim through Koločep’s blue cave, pause in a quiet cove, walk Lopud, and finish at sandy Šunj Beach, all with your own boat and captain. Bruno, Ivan, Lovro, and other skippers have received especially strong praise for finding good swimming spots and adapting the route.

I like the small private group of up to six, which gives you room to spread out and makes it easier to ask for a longer swim or a slower stop. I also like the practical extras: hotel pickup, drinks, bottled water, a restroom, and snorkeling equipment. The main caution is cost clarity. Lunch is extra, and fuel for the eight-hour tour is listed separately at €70 per booking, so confirm the final price before you set off.

Key points to know before booking

• Swim inside Koločep’s blue cave: The first stop includes the Blue Cave and three additional caves, with time for swimming and snorkeling.
• Your group has the boat to itself: The private format suits families, couples, and friends who want a flexible day rather than a fixed group schedule.
• Šipan is the lunch stop: You get about two hours on the island, but the restaurant meal is not included.
• Lopud adds a change of pace: Walk past churches and a monastery before heading to the sandy shore at Šunj Beach.
• Pickup makes the day easier: Transportation can be arranged from your hotel, apartment, or other address, though distant pickups may cost extra.
• Allow for extra charges: Fuel, lunch, towels, sunscreen, and swimsuits are not included in the basic price.

Why this private Dubrovnik boat tour works so well

Dubrovnik is best understood from the water. The old city walls are famous, but the islands beyond the harbor offer a different kind of day: clear water, rocky coves, small beaches, cave swims, and quiet island villages.

This experience costs $302.46 per group of up to six, before the stated fuel charge for the eight-hour option. Split six ways, that is a reasonable price for a full private day on the Adriatic. For two people, it becomes a much bigger expense. The value depends heavily on your group size and how much you care about having your own captain and boat.

The private setup is the main advantage. You are not tied to a large group’s swimming schedule, and you can ask to linger at a cove, shorten a walk, or make a stop for photos. Captains have adjusted plans for rough water, cold swimming conditions, children, and people who needed a quieter start to the day.

The boat has areas for sun and shade, plus a restroom and drinks. Beer, wine, Coca-Cola, and bottled water are included according to the tour details. Life jackets and flotation noodles have also been provided when needed, but you should still tell the operator about any weak swimmers before departure.

Pickup and the ride to the marina

Pickup is available from hotels, apartments, and arranged addresses. This saves you the trouble of finding the departure point, which is useful in Dubrovnik, where traffic and narrow streets can make a simple transfer less simple than it sounds.

The boat marina is not necessarily right beside the old city. One four-hour booking involved a drive of about 20 minutes from Dubrovnik to the marina on the other side of the bridge. That matters if you are considering a shorter tour and hoping to see Dubrovnik’s walls from the sea. A four-hour route to the Elaphiti Islands may not leave enough time for Lokrum or a full coastal view of the city.

For the eight-hour trip, the transfer is less of a concern because you have enough time to reach the islands and still enjoy several stops. Pickup outside the normal service area may carry an extra fee, so ask about that when arranging your address.

Koločep Island and the Blue Cave

Koločep is the first major stop, and it is the most active part of the day. The route includes the Blue Cave and three other caves in the area. Sunlight reflects through the water and gives the main cave its blue appearance.

You usually enter the caves by swimming from the boat. This is a memorable stop, but it is not a walk-in attraction with a dry path. You need to be comfortable in the water, and a waterproof camera or GoPro is useful if you have one.

The cave stop also shows why a private boat is useful. The skipper can look for a quieter cove or adjust the timing if the water is choppy. Bruno has been praised for finding secluded swimming places, while Ivan has been especially well regarded for asking what each group wanted before setting the route.

Snorkeling equipment is listed as included. Still, one booking raised a concern about not receiving snorkels, so I would confirm the equipment before departure rather than assume every item will be ready. Bring your own mask if you already have one and care about fit.

The sea may not always cooperate. Wind and waves can change the order of stops or make a cave swim less comfortable. Captains have been able to find sheltered places on rougher days, but this is still a weather-dependent boat trip, not a guaranteed calm-water outing.

Šipan for lunch and a longer island pause

After Koločep, the route continues to Šipan, where you have roughly two hours for lunch. The meal is not included, so plan for a separate restaurant bill.

This longer stop gives the day a useful rhythm. You are not spending eight straight hours sitting in the sun or bouncing across the water. You can eat, stretch your legs, and enjoy an island setting before returning to the boat.

The captain may help with the restaurant choice or reservation. One group was taken to Hotel Božica in Suđurađ, while another received help arranging a good lunch stop. The exact restaurant can vary, so do not treat a particular venue as guaranteed.

Ask about menu prices and reservation timing if you are traveling during a busy period. Since lunch is the main scheduled land break, a slow meal could affect the time available for Lopud or Šunj Beach. On the other hand, if your group prefers a relaxed lunch over a rushed checklist of stops, the private format gives you more room to make that choice.

Lopud’s churches, monastery, and walking time

Lopud brings more than another swimming stop. The island is known here for churches, a monastery, and places to walk and explore. After time in the water, this gives you a chance to see a little more of island life without having to spend the whole afternoon on a beach.

The listed stop lasts about an hour. That is enough for a short walk and a look around, but not enough for a slow, detailed visit to every sight. You may also find that the captain changes the plan if your group wants more time in the water or if weather affects the route.

Lopud works best for people who like variety. If your perfect boat day means swimming, sunbathing, and nothing else, you might prefer to spend this hour at a cove. If you want a short island walk and a change from the boat, Lopud earns its place.

Šunj Beach, the easy final stop

Šunj Beach is usually the last stop. It is one of the best-known sandy beaches near Dubrovnik, and it feels different from the rocky swimming areas around the caves.

You can relax on the sand, swim, or buy drinks at the beach bars. The listed stop lasts about an hour, so think of it as a final break rather than a full beach day. Bring your own towel, sunscreen, and swimsuit. None of those are included.

This stop is particularly good for families because it is less demanding than swimming into caves. It also gives mixed-age groups a simple place to unwind before the return ride. The private boat means you can discuss staying longer, though the full route may need to be shortened if you do.

What the boat day feels like

The boat has space at the front for sunbathing and an area toward the back where you can sit in shade and relax. Drinks are stocked on board, including beer, wine, Coca-Cola, and water. That sounds like a small detail, but it matters on a long summer day when you do not want to stop at a shop between islands.

The restroom is another helpful feature, especially for families. However, one booking reported that the toilet was not working. I would ask about its condition before departure, particularly if you are booking the boat for children or older family members.

The captains are a major part of the experience. Bruno has been praised for being friendly with children and for keeping groups comfortable on windy days. Ivan has received strong marks for finding less crowded swimming spots, arranging lunch, and taking photos. Lovro has been appreciated for calm handling of the route and for giving groups enough time at each stop.

The feedback is not uniformly perfect. Two low-rated experiences described captains who felt distant or hard to find during a stop. That does not mean your captain will be the same, but it is a useful reminder to set expectations early. Tell the skipper what matters to you: swimming, caves, walking, lunch, quiet coves, photos, or time at the beach.

Weather, swimming ability, and comfort

This tour requires good weather. If conditions force a cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. If the weather is unsettled but the boat still goes out, the route may change.

You should be a reasonably confident swimmer if you want to get the most from the caves. Life jackets and flotation noodles can help, and the crew has supplied them for less confident swimmers. Still, tell the operator in advance if anyone in your group is nervous in the water.

The tour is not only for strong swimmers. You can enjoy the coast, drinks, island walks, and beach time without entering every cave. The private boat also lets your group split its time more easily, with some people swimming while others remain on board.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, swimsuit, and dry clothing. None of these are included. A waterproof pouch for phones is sensible, and a hat or cover-up will make the long ride more comfortable. Alcohol is provided, but drink cautiously if you plan to swim or if the sea is rough.

Is the eight-hour option good value?

For six people, the base group price works out to about $50 per person, before the listed €70 fuel fee and any lunch or extra pickup cost. That is strong value for a private boat, a full day, hotel transportation, drinks, and several island stops.

For a couple, the same price is much harder to justify. A shorter four-hour option may suit you better, especially if your priority is the caves and a few swim stops. The four-hour trip does not allow enough time to combine every island and Lokrum, so decide what you want before booking.

The tour earns its price when you value flexibility. You are paying not only to move between islands, but also to avoid a fixed group timetable. You can ask for a slower pace, a sheltered swimming area, extra photo stops, or a different balance between beach and walking time.

Check the fuel wording carefully. The experience details list fuel as included only for the sunset tour, while the exclusions state €50 for four hours and €70 for eight hours. Ask for the complete total in writing so the final bill does not surprise you.

Who should book this boat tour?

I would recommend it to a family or group of friends who can fill most of the six seats. The space, private route, and easy pickup make it a good choice for a special day, especially if you want to swim without sharing the boat with strangers.

It also suits couples celebrating a honeymoon or birthday, although the price is better when shared. Champagne is listed for the sunset tour only, and one birthday booking included extra touches arranged by the operator, so ask what is available for your date rather than assuming it comes with the regular day tour.

This is less suitable if you want a tightly timed sightseeing tour with a guaranteed route. The order and length of stops can change, and the sea may force adjustments. It is also not ideal if you dislike boats, cannot swim comfortably, or want lunch and all equipment included in one fixed price.

The cancellation policy is straightforward: cancel at least 24 hours before the start for a full refund. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and poor weather can lead to a new date or full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this private Dubrovnik boat tour if you want a flexible day on the water and can share the cost with a group. The Blue Cave, Koločep’s smaller caves, Šipan’s lunch stop, Lopud’s short walk, and Šunj Beach give you a good mix of swimming, scenery, food, and sand.

Before paying, confirm three things: the captain assigned to your group, the snorkeling equipment, and the final fuel and pickup charges. If you do that, this is a practical way to see the islands near Dubrovnik without spending the day following someone else’s schedule.

FAQ

How long does the private boat tour last?

The main experience lasts approximately eight hours. A four-hour option is also referred to in the tour information and some booking details.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to six people. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is hotel pickup available in Dubrovnik?

Yes. Pickup can be arranged from a hotel, apartment, or other address. Pickup outside the operator’s normal service area may cost extra.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch on Šipan is not included in the tour price. You pay for your own meal at the restaurant.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkeling equipment is listed as included. Since one booking reported that snorkels were not available, confirm the equipment before departure if snorkeling is important to you.

Are fuel costs included?

The tour details list fuel separately at €50 for four hours and €70 for eight hours. Fuel is listed as included for the sunset tour only, so confirm the charge for your booking.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.