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

Koločep’s blue cave is the star of this private boat day. You can swim into its cool, shadowy opening, snorkel among the other caves, then spend the afternoon hopping between the Elaphiti Islands. I like the private boat for up to six, since you can ask for more swimming time, a quieter cove, or a different pace. I also like the hotel pickup and the drinks kept aboard.

The main caution is that the advertised route is flexible, not a locked schedule. Most days include Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj Beach, but weather, sea conditions, timing, or communication with the captain can change the plan. Confirm the exact route, fuel charge, snorkeling gear, and working restroom before you set off.

Key points to know before booking

• Swim through Koločep’s blue cave: The first stop includes the Blue Cave and three other caves, with time for swimming and snorkeling.
• A full eight-hour island day: The route usually combines Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj Beach.
• Private space matters: Only your own group, up to six people, joins the boat.
• Lunch is your responsibility: Šipan provides the lunch stop, but the meal is not included.
• Captains shape the experience: Bruno, Ivan, Lovro, and other skippers are praised for finding good swimming spots and adapting the route.
• Budget for extra fuel: The listed price is $302.46 per group, but fuel is separately stated at €70 for the eight-hour option.

Why a private boat makes sense around Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik’s old town gets the attention, but the sea shows you a calmer side of the region. The Elaphiti Islands sit close enough for a day trip, yet the boat gives you a way to reach coves, caves, and beaches that are awkward to combine on land.

At $302.46 for up to six people, the base price works out to about $50 per person for a full group. That is fair for an eight-hour private boat, hotel pickup, a captain, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and the freedom to shape the day. For two people, the cost is much harder to justify. For four to six, the value improves quickly.

You should also count the extra fuel charge. The information supplied lists €70 for the eight-hour tour and €50 for the four-hour option. Since another section says fuel is included only for a sunset tour, ask the operator to confirm the final total before booking.

The private setup is especially useful for families, couples, and small groups with different ideas of fun. One person can swim while another stays in the shade. You can ask for more time at a beach, move on if the sea is rough, or request a quieter place instead of following a large group.

Pickup and the ride to the marina

Pickup is available from a hotel, apartment, or arranged address. Locations outside the operator’s pickup area cost extra, so give the exact address when you book.

The boat does not necessarily leave from Dubrovnik’s old harbor. One four-hour guest was picked up near the Hilton Imperial and driven about 20 minutes to the marina on the other side of the bridge. That transfer is useful, but it also takes time from a shorter outing. If you choose four hours, ask where the boat leaves and how long the road transfer will be.

The eight-hour tour gives you more breathing room. You can spend time getting to the islands, stop for several swims, eat lunch without rushing, and still enjoy Lopud and Šunj Beach. A four-hour trip is better treated as a cave and swimming tour, not a complete visit to every island listed here.

The boat has areas for sun and shade, plus a restroom. Drinks include bottled water, Coca-Cola, beer, and wine. Some people found the onboard toilet disappointing or not working, so I would check its condition before departure and use facilities at the marina if needed.

Koločep’s caves are the morning highlight

The first island is Koločep, where the boat normally visits the Blue Cave and three more caves. Sunlight reaches into the water and creates the blue glow that gives the main cave its name. You can swim and snorkel inside, although the cave experience depends on sea conditions, light, and how busy the area is.

This is the most active part of the day. Bring a swimsuit, and remember that towels and sunscreen are not supplied. The operator says snorkeling equipment is provided, but one booking reported that masks and snorkels were missing, so confirm the gear is aboard before leaving the marina.

You do not need to be an expert swimmer to enjoy the stop, but you should be comfortable entering the sea. Life jackets and pool noodles have been provided for less confident swimmers on some trips. Ask the captain for help if you need flotation support, and do not feel pressured to swim into a cave.

Bruno is one captain repeatedly praised for taking families to the Blue Cave, quiet swimming places, and sandy beaches. Ivan is also noted for knowing Koločep well and choosing less crowded coves. The assigned skipper can vary, so you may receive Bruno, Ivan, Lovro, or another member of the team.

Šipan gives the day a proper lunch break

After the caves, the boat usually continues to Šipan, the largest of the Elaphiti Islands. The planned stop lasts about two hours and includes lunch at a local restaurant.

Lunch is not included, but the captain can suggest a restaurant and may arrange a reservation. Several outings included a particularly good meal stop, with Hotel Božica in Suđurađ mentioned as one option. Another group had a lunch stop with access to an infinity pool, though that is not guaranteed as part of every tour.

This is a useful pause in an otherwise active day. You can get off the boat, eat at a table, and let the captain know what you would like to do for the rest of the afternoon. If your group has dietary needs or a fixed budget, ask about the restaurant before the boat leaves.

Allow time for lunch rather than trying to rush through it. The two-hour stop is part of what makes the eight-hour version feel like a day out instead of a long speedboat transfer.

Lopud combines a village walk with island scenery

Lopud is the next planned stop. It is known here for churches, a monastery, and sandy beaches, giving you a chance to walk instead of spending the entire day in the water.

The island is a useful change of pace. After the caves and lunch, you can stretch your legs, look around, and enjoy a slower hour ashore. The supplied schedule allows about one hour, so you should not expect a long historical tour or an extended island hike.

The route can change. One booking expected Lopud but visited only Koločep, which created real disappointment. That is why I would confirm the intended stops with the captain at the start, especially if Lopud is important to you.

The private format helps here. If your group loves swimming, you can ask for more sea time. If you want churches, a walk, and a beach, explain that clearly. Captains such as Ivan have been praised for asking what guests want and adjusting the day around those preferences.

Šunj Beach is an easygoing final stop

Šunj Beach on Lopud is usually the last stop. It is one of the area’s best-known sandy beaches, with beach bars where you can relax and buy drinks.

A sandy beach is a welcome change from the rocky Adriatic shore. You can swim, sit on the beach, or have a drink before returning to the boat. If your idea of a perfect boat day includes sun, sand, and very little effort, this may be your favorite stop.

It is also likely to be popular. The appeal of Šunj is its sand and easy beach setting, so do not expect the same quiet feeling as a small cove. The captain may suggest a different stop if the sea is rough or the timing does not work.

The planned stop lasts about an hour. Keep an eye on the departure time and make sure everyone in your group knows where to meet the boat. A private tour gives you flexibility, but it still needs clear timing.

Captains can make or break the day

The strongest part of this experience is the captain’s ability to read the sea and your group. Bruno is praised for being friendly with children, keeping people comfortable, and finding good swimming stops even on windy days. Ivan is often described as flexible, engaging, and willing to take groups to cliff-jumping spots or quieter places.

Lovro is also associated with smooth navigation and giving people plenty of time at each stop. Other captains named in the feedback include Tony, Evan, Estevan, and Marco. Your actual captain depends on the date and crew, so do not book on the assumption that one particular person is guaranteed unless the operator confirms it.

The mixed experiences are worth noting. Two bookings described a captain as distant or difficult to connect with, and one group waited about 30 minutes at an island when the skipper was not at the port. Those accounts are not the norm in the supplied ratings, but they show why you should agree on the meeting point and departure time before going ashore.

Weather adds another variable. Wind and waves can make the boat ride less comfortable, but an experienced skipper may still find sheltered places to swim. If the weather is poor enough to cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Drinks, equipment, and what to pack

The boat is stocked with bottled water, Coca-Cola, beer, and wine. That is convenient on a hot day, though you should not treat the drinks as a substitute for food. Lunch remains extra, and the tour does not include towels, sunscreen, or swimsuits.

Pack:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• A waterproof phone pouch or camera
• Comfortable clothing for the ride
• Extra cash or a card for lunch and beach drinks
• Motion-sickness medicine if you are prone to seasickness

A GoPro or waterproof camera would be useful for the caves and swimming stops. One honeymoon group specifically recommended bringing one, but keep your equipment secure around the boat and water.

The snorkeling equipment is supposed to be included. Because one booking found no snorkels aboard, ask the company to confirm the kit before the tour. If you have a favorite mask, bringing it may be sensible, though the supplied information does not require you to do so.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would choose this tour for a group of four to six people who want a private day at sea rather than a fixed group excursion. Families benefit from the space, the drinks, the flotation aids, and the ability to adjust the pace. Couples can use the private setting for a quieter swim, a sunset add-on, or a special occasion.

It also suits active visitors who want to combine caves, snorkeling, beaches, and a walk. You need to be ready for sun, sea spray, and getting in and out of the water.

I would be more cautious if you want a guaranteed, minute-by-minute route. The itinerary is described as flexible, and weather or captain judgment may alter it. I would also think twice if you are booking only for the lowest possible price, since lunch and fuel add to the advertised amount.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, and poor weather may lead to a new date or full refund.

Should you book the Dubrovnik private boat tour?

Yes, if you have a small group and want Dubrovnik’s islands, caves, and beaches in one relaxed day. The best reasons are the private boat, the Blue Cave stop, hotel pickup, onboard drinks, and the captain’s ability to adjust the route.

Before paying, confirm four things: the total price including €70 fuel, the exact pickup point, whether the route will include Lopud and Šunj, and whether snorkeling equipment and the restroom are working. If those details are clear, this is a strong way to trade Dubrovnik’s crowded streets for a day of swimming, island views, and a long lunch by the sea.

FAQ

How long is the private boat tour?

The main experience lasts about eight hours. A four-hour option is also mentioned, but it cannot reasonably include every island and stop in the full route.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat is private for your group, with up to six people.

What islands does the tour visit?

The planned route includes Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj Beach. The exact route can change because of weather, sea conditions, timing, or the group’s preferences.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch at a restaurant on Šipan is not included in the tour price.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkeling equipment is listed as included. Since one booking reported that no snorkels were available, confirm the equipment with the operator before departure.

Is hotel pickup available?

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

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.