Dubrovnik:All inclusive Private Tour with Blue Cave Visit

The best part of this boat trip is the Blue Cave, where sunlight turns the water a glowing blue. You can swim when sea conditions allow, then move on to the Three Green Caves, sandy Šunj Beach, quiet coves, and old island villages without sharing the boat with a crowd.

I like the freedom to change the route and the skipper’s practical local help. Kiko, Bruno, Pasko, and other local captains have arranged early starts, secluded swimming stops, and lunch reservations. The main drawback is that rough water can make cave swimming unsafe, and the boat may feel snug with six adults.

Key points to know

• The Blue Cave is best early: An 8 a.m. start can help you reach the first stops before the busiest period.
• You choose the pace: Stop longer for swimming, shorten a beach visit, or spend more time in a village.
• Three time options suit different days: Four hours covers the main sights, six hours adds island time, and eight hours allows a full Elaphiti Islands circuit.
• Lunch is separate: Your skipper can recommend a seaside restaurant and reserve a table, but food is not included.
• The boat comes ready for swimming: Drinks, goggles, pool noodles, lifejackets, fuel, and Bluetooth speakers are included.
• This is a private outing: It works especially well for families, couples, and groups who want their own schedule.

A private way to reach the Blue Cave from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik’s old town gets the attention, but the Elaphiti Islands show you a quieter side of the region. This private trip takes you out by boat to Koločep, Lopud, and, on the longest route, Šipan. The day is built around water, small villages, beaches, and short stops chosen with your skipper.

You pay $352 per group of up to six people. That is not a cheap boat ride for one person, but it becomes a fair price when split among a full group. Fuel, the skipper, drinks, safety equipment, and optional pickup are included, so you are not watching extra fuel or transport charges appear during the day.

The key value is privacy. You do not follow a fixed group schedule or wait for strangers to finish lunch. You can ask to linger in a quiet bay, swim again, or spend more time ashore. Your skipper still controls the boat and makes the final call on safety, but you have a real say in how the day feels.

Choosing between four, six, and eight hours

The four-hour trip is the practical choice if you want the main water stops without giving up half a day. Most people use it for the Blue Cave, Three Green Caves, and Šunj Beach. You can book it in the morning or afternoon.

This shorter option suits families with young children and anyone fitting a boat outing around a Dubrovnik sightseeing day. One family with a six-year-old and a three-year-old found the half-day length comfortable. Without children, I would consider the longer options if you want time to sit down for lunch and explore an island village.

The six-hour version can be booked in the morning. It includes the four-hour route, then gives you time for Lopud or Šipan. This is a good middle ground. You get the major swimming stops but also have room for a meal, a walk, or an unhurried beach break.

The eight-hour trip is the full day. It can include all three Elaphiti Islands: Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. You can combine cave swimming, beach time, rocky coves, secluded bays, village visits, and lunch at a seaside restaurant.

I would choose eight hours for a group that wants a proper island day rather than a quick scenic ride. It also gives you a better chance to slow down. Four hours can cover a surprising amount, but the pace will naturally be tighter.

Entering the Blue Cave

The Blue Cave is the trip’s signature stop. From inside, sunlight enters through the water and gives the cave a striking blue glow. The effect depends on the sun, sea conditions, and timing, so an early departure is useful for more than avoiding crowds.

Your skipper takes you to the cave and explains how to approach it. You may swim inside when conditions are safe. Goggles and pool noodles are provided, and lifejackets are available.

Do not treat cave swimming as guaranteed. Rough water prevented one group from swimming in the caves, so the skipper shifted the focus to Šunj Beach. This is an important practical point: the sea decides the itinerary more than the brochure does.

The journey can also be part of the fun. Kiko has shared local facts and stories on the way, while other skippers have offered tips about where to swim and how long to stay. The best captains are not simply driving you from one pin on a map to another. They help you understand the coast and adjust the day when conditions change.

Exploring the Three Green Caves

The Three Green Caves add variety after the Blue Cave. The cave system gives you more places to swim, look through openings in the rock, and enjoy the clear Adriatic water from the boat.

You may snorkel here, use a pool noodle, or simply float near the boat. One skipper even showed a family a rope swing used by children, giving the stop a playful touch beyond the usual swim-and-go routine.

The caves are not an indoor sightseeing attraction with paths and displays. They are natural sea caves, so your visit is shaped by the water, weather, and your comfort in the sea. If you do not swim, you can still enjoy the rock formations and colors from the boat, though swimmers get the fullest experience.

Bring confidence but not pressure. A good skipper can stay close, offer equipment, and help you decide how much time to spend in the water. Several families appreciated the attention given to children, but parents should still keep a close eye on young swimmers.

Šunj Beach and the Elaphiti Islands

Šunj Beach is a useful change of pace. After the caves, you get sand, sun, and time to relax ashore. The skipper can point you toward places for drinks, including a less obvious bar away from the main beach area.

This stop works well for families because you are not confined to the boat all day. It also gives non-swimmers a more comfortable way to enjoy the outing. Depending on the schedule, you may have time for a drink, a swim, or a simple break before returning to the water.

Lopud offers a village setting and a chance to eat lunch. The island is a strong fit for the six-hour trip because you can combine a seaside meal with the caves and beach without racing through every stop.

Šipan gives the full-day outing more room for a slower island visit. One route included lunch on Šipan after time at the caves and Lopud. Your skipper can call a restaurant and reserve a table, which removes some of the guesswork from choosing where to eat.

Koločep is part of the eight-hour circuit and adds another island setting to the day. The full route is less about checking off a single famous sight and more about sampling different coastal moods: rock, sand, village, open water, and sheltered bay.

A skipper makes the difference

The boat is only part of the value. Your skipper shapes the day.

Kiko has been praised for starting early, timing the Blue Cave before the crowds, choosing sensible swimming durations, and recommending lunch. Bruno has handled family groups, arranged restaurant stops, and adjusted routes around children. Pasko has been described as careful, friendly, and willing to explain local places as he goes.

You may also have a skipper named Bernardo, Christian, or another member of the local team. The important point is that the service is personal rather than scripted. You can request a stop, ask for more time in the water, or explain that your group needs a slower pace.

The skipper can also help with practical decisions. If the sea becomes rough, the cave swim may be dropped. If your children are tiring, you can shorten a stop. If you want lunch on Lopud or Šipan, the skipper can suggest a restaurant and arrange the reservation.

There is a limit to this flexibility. You cannot control the weather, sea state, or boat safety rules. Also, a private itinerary still needs a sensible route. If you ask to see every island, cave, and beach in four hours, you may spend too much time moving and too little time enjoying each place.

What comes on the boat

The included equipment makes this easy to pack for. You get:

• Fuel and an experienced skipper
• A coolbox with drinks
• Goggles and pool noodles
• Lifejackets
• Bluetooth speakers
• Optional pickup and drop-off when selected

Drinks are included, but they are not unlimited. Water, beer, and wine have been available on trips, but you should not treat the coolbox as an open bar for the whole day.

Food is not included. If you take the six or eight-hour option, budget for lunch at an island restaurant. The skipper can recommend a place, book a table, and take you there by boat, but you pay for the meal yourself.

The Bluetooth speaker is a small but worthwhile touch. You can play your own music, which helps the boat feel like your group’s space rather than a standard excursion. Keep the volume reasonable near villages and other boats.

The boat has worked well for groups of four and families of five or six. One group of four found there was plenty of room, while also noting that six adults could feel tight. If you are booking for six, expect a social setup rather than a spacious yacht.

Pickup points and timing around Dubrovnik

The main meeting point is a small wooden pontoon at Lapadska obala 4. It is opposite a small sandy parking lot, and you should arrive at least 10 minutes before departure.

Pickup can also be arranged at several listed points, including Sun Gardens Dubrovnik, Zaton Harbour, Štikovica, Gruž Market, and the Sunshine Sailing Dubrovnik area. If you are staying somewhere directly by the sea, contact the operator before the trip. A boat pickup may be possible if the location can be reached safely by water.

The company confirms the exact time and location before departure. Some groups have been collected near their accommodation or at a nearby beach, which can save a transfer across town.

An early start is worth considering. Starting around 8 a.m. helped one group reach the Blue Cave before the rush, and it also left more time for swimming and lunch. Afternoon departures work for the four-hour option, but the morning gives you more flexibility and usually makes better use of a full day.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this trip to couples, families, birthday groups, and friends who want a private day on the water. It is particularly useful for groups with different interests because you can mix swimming, beach time, village stops, and lunch.

Families with young children should consider the four or six-hour route. The private format lets you adapt the day, but children still need close supervision around the water. One family brought its own child life vests, which is a sensible choice if your children need a particular fit.

It also suits people who dislike crowded group boats. You can play your own music, choose your stops, and avoid waiting for a large party to return from lunch.

This is less suitable for anyone with limited mobility or wheelchair users. The tour involves boarding a boat, getting in and out for swimming, and moving between beaches and villages. If you are not comfortable in open water, the caves may be more enjoyable from the boat than from inside.

Is $352 good value for a private boat?

At $352 for up to six people, the price works best for a full group. Six people splitting the cost pay about $59 each before lunch, while two people pay much more per person. That difference matters.

You are paying for more than a transfer to the islands. Fuel, a skipper, onboard equipment, drinks, and the ability to shape the route are included. You also avoid paying for separate transport to a meeting point if pickup is selected.

The strongest value appears on the six or eight-hour trips. The longer you stay on the water, the more useful the private format becomes. With only four hours, you still get the main caves and Šunj Beach, but the cost per hour feels higher for a couple.

For a group of four to six, I think the price is reasonable if you care about privacy and flexibility. Add lunch to your budget, and remember that included drinks have a limit.

Booking advice before you go

Tell the operator your group size, preferred departure time, and where you are staying. Ask about boat pickup if your accommodation is beside the sea.

Choose a morning start if the Blue Cave is your priority. Choose six hours if you want a relaxed mix of caves, beach, and lunch. Choose eight hours if you want all three Elaphiti Islands and enough time to stop without watching the clock.

The tour allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the exact starting time when you book, since availability changes by date.

Should you book this Dubrovnik boat tour?

Book it if you want a private, flexible day built around swimming and island scenery. It is especially good value for four to six people, and the skipper’s help with early starts, sheltered swimming places, and lunch reservations adds real convenience.

I would choose the six-hour option for most groups. It gives you the Blue Cave, Three Green Caves, Šunj Beach, and time for Lopud or Šipan without making the day feel rushed. Choose eight hours if the Elaphiti Islands are a major reason for your Dubrovnik visit.

Skip it if you need step-free access, dislike boat travel, or only want a guaranteed cave swim. Sea conditions can change the plan. For everyone else, this is one of the more personal ways to trade Dubrovnik’s crowded streets for clear water, small island villages, and a quiet bay.

FAQ

How much does the private boat tour cost?

The listed price is $352 per private group of up to six people. Food is not included.

How long does the tour last?

Options range from 150 minutes to eight hours. The main choices are four hours, six hours, and eight hours.

What is included in the price?

Fuel, the skipper, a coolbox with drinks, Bluetooth speakers, pool noodles, goggles, and lifejackets are included. Pickup and drop-off are included when that option is selected.

Are drinks unlimited?

No. Drinks are included, but the supply is not unlimited.

Can I choose where the boat goes?

Yes. Your skipper suggests a route, but you can discuss where to go and how long to stay at each place. The final route also depends on sea and weather conditions.

Does the tour visit the Blue Cave?

Yes. The Blue Cave is part of the usual four-hour route and longer options. Swimming inside is possible when conditions are safe.

What islands can I visit?

The eight-hour route can include Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. The six-hour route can include Lopud or Šipan, while the four-hour route usually focuses on the caves and Šunj Beach.

Is lunch included?

No. Your skipper can recommend a restaurant, reserve a table, and take you there by boat, but you pay for the meal separately.

Where is the main meeting point?

The main meeting point is at Lapadska obala 4, at the last small wooden pontoon opposite the small sandy parking lot. You should arrive at least 10 minutes before departure.