BLUE CAVE private speedboat tour with drinks

The best part of this private speedboat tour is the way it links three very different coastal stops in only four hours. You move from the glowing Blue Cave and swim-through Green Caves on Koločep to the broad sandy shore of Šunj Beach on Lopud, without spending the day on a large group boat.

I like the early morning departure, offered from June 1 through September 15 at 8:30 a.m., because it is designed to reach the caves before the biggest groups. I also like the freedom of a private boat: skippers such as Pavo, Ante, Antun, and Antonio have allowed groups to choose how long they spend swimming, listening to music, or relaxing ashore.

The main drawback is the extra fuel and harbor charge, which is not included in the headline price. You pay 100 euros for one or two passengers, 120 euros for three to seven, or 150 euros for eight to ten, so the tour makes better financial sense for a full group.

Key points at a glance

• Blue Cave on Koločep: Sunlight reflecting through the water creates the cave’s blue glow, with time to swim nearby.
• Green Caves: Clear water, underwater passages, snorkeling, and rock-jumping spots make this the more active stop.
• Šunj Beach on Lopud: You get about 90 minutes at Dubrovnik’s best-known sandy beach, with shallow water and nearby bars.
• Private boat for up to 10: Your group travels alone, with room to shape the pace and choose where to linger.
• Drinks and gear included: Beer, white wine, water, juice, life jackets, and snorkeling equipment are provided.
• Early departure matters: The 8:30 a.m. morning trip aims to reach the caves before they become crowded.

Why this four-hour boat trip works well

Dubrovnik’s old town can feel packed during the summer. A half-day on the water gives you a sharp change of pace, and the Elaphiti Islands are close enough to visit without committing to a full-day cruise.

The route is especially appealing because it does not rely on one attraction. The caves provide drama and swimming, while Šunj Beach gives you a slower hour and a half on land. You get a little adventure, a little rest, and plenty of time in the sea.

The private format changes the mood. You are not sharing a schedule with dozens of people, and your skipper can respond to your group. If your family wants more time in the water, or your friends prefer music and a relaxed ride, that flexibility matters.

The boat carries a maximum of ten people per booking. For a couple, the fixed group price is expensive. For eight to ten people, the cost per person becomes much more reasonable, especially since drinks and snorkeling equipment are already included.

The advertised price is $362.81 per group, but you should budget for the separate fuel and harbor fee. At the top rate of 150 euros for eight to ten passengers, the total cost is still easier to justify when split among a larger party. Lunch is not included, so bring money for food at Šunj Beach.

Meeting at Dubrovnik’s West Harbour

The meeting point is at Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse, Lapadska obala 4, in the small marina. Look for the last wooden pier and arrive at least ten minutes before departure.

This is not a hotel pickup. You need to make your own way to the marina, and private transportation is not included. The meeting point is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying outside the immediate harbor area.

The boat trip itself begins with roughly 30 minutes at the departure area and launch. From there, the speedboat heads toward Koločep, the first island stop.

From June 1 through September 15, the morning departure begins at 8:30 a.m. That is an early start for a holiday, but it is the smartest choice if the caves are your priority. The timing is intended to reduce the chance of arriving alongside the largest groups.

An afternoon departure is available as well, but the provided schedule does not specify its exact start time. If you want the best chance of a quieter cave visit, choose the morning option.

Koločep’s Blue Cave and Green Caves

Koločep is the main attraction of the outing. The island’s south side contains the Blue Cave, where sunlight enters and reflects off the water and sandy bottom. The result is a blue glow that changes with the light and looks strongest from the water.

You should not treat this as a long cave tour on foot. The experience is based around arriving by boat, swimming, snorkeling, and looking into the openings and passages from the sea. Each cave location receives about 30 to 35 minutes, giving you enough time to get in the water without turning the stop into a rushed photo pause.

The Blue Cave is the calmer visual highlight. You can expect clear water and striking color, but conditions and light affect how strong the blue effect appears. This is a natural setting, not a controlled attraction, so the spectacle depends on the day.

The Green Caves offer more to do. Their underwater passages invite swimming through, and there are spots for jumping from the rocks. The supplied equipment includes snorkeling gear, and life jackets are available for children and adults.

You should still judge the water honestly before jumping. The description confirms places for rock jumping, but it does not give heights or water depth. If you are unsure, ask the skipper and stay with the safer swimming option.

The cave stop suits active groups best. Teenagers, confident swimmers, and friends who want to snorkel should have plenty to enjoy. Families can also take part, since children’s life jackets are provided, but every child’s comfort in open water will differ.

Skippers have been praised for taking groups close to good swimming areas and helping them find the right spots. Pavo is known for playing music and making the boat feel relaxed, while Ante has been singled out for pointing out good places to swim. The exact skipper is not guaranteed, but the company uses several named guides, including Antun and Antonio.

The slower hour at Šunj Beach

After Koločep, the boat continues to Lopud and Šunj Beach. This is the longest stop, lasting around 90 minutes, and it gives the trip a useful change of rhythm.

Šunj is known for its sandy beach, shallow water, and warm lagoon-like setting. Much of the Dubrovnik coast is rocky, so the sand is the point here. You can swim close to shore, stretch out on the beach, or sit at one of the nearby beach bars.

A small forest restaurant and bar area sits up the hill, giving you somewhere to relax away from the water. Food is not included, so this is the place to buy lunch or a snack if you need one. The tour does not specify a set restaurant or meal, so you should regard food as an independent purchase.

I like the balance this stop provides. After snorkeling and swimming around the caves, you can spend time on land without feeling that you are simply waiting for the boat. It is also the easiest part of the trip for people who are less keen on open-water activity.

The drawback is that Šunj is popular. The early start helps at the caves, but it does not guarantee a quiet beach. If your ideal boat day means total solitude, this route may feel too established at its final stop.

The boat drops you off for shore swimming and beach time, then returns to the marina. The activity ends at the same meeting point in Dubrovnik.

What is included, and what is not

The included drinks are a useful touch on a warm Croatian day. You receive beer, white wine, water, and juice, with alcoholic drinks limited to adults aged 18 and above.

You also receive snorkeling equipment, so you do not have to pack your own mask and fins. Life jackets are supplied for both adults and children. The tour includes a driver and guide, so the skipper handles both the boat and the practical side of the route.

Lunch is not included. You should also pay attention to the fuel surcharge and harbor fee, since these are paid on the boat and can change the final price calculation:

• One or two passengers: 100 euros
• Three to seven passengers: 120 euros
• Eight to ten passengers: 150 euros

Private transportation to and from the marina is also not included. That means the advertised group price covers the boat experience, but not your journey to the departure point, food, or the additional boat charges.

How much value do you get for $362.81?

The value depends almost entirely on group size. A couple pays a high per-person rate once the 100-euro charge is added. A group of eight to ten splits both the base price and the 150-euro fee, making the private boat a much stronger deal.

You are paying for more than transport between islands. The price includes a private setting, a speedboat, a skipper, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and drinks. You also avoid the rigid feel of a large shared excursion.

The four-hour length is another factor. This is not a full-day island cruise with a long lunch and extended time ashore. It is a compact outing that fits neatly into a Dubrovnik schedule, leaving you part of the day for the old town or other plans.

I would compare this tour with the cost of booking separate boat transport, cave visits, and beach time. The private format is most valuable if your group wants control over the pace. It is less compelling if you are alone, on a tight budget, or happy to follow a fixed group schedule.

The fact that the experience is often booked about 32 days ahead suggests you should not leave it until the final week during summer. That is especially true if you want the morning departure or are arranging the boat for a larger group.

What the skipper adds to the experience

The skipper is central to this trip. The boat ride itself is only part of the day, and the person at the helm affects how easily you find the caves, swimming areas, and beach access.

Pavo has been praised for welcoming groups at the dock, explaining the islands and local surroundings, playing music, and helping families feel at ease. Ante has been noted for recommending good swimming spots. Antun and Antonio have also been described as accommodating captains.

That does not mean you can request a particular skipper with certainty. You can ask if Pavo, Ante, Antun, or Antonio is available, but the provider may assign another captain.

The private setup also gives you a chance to speak directly with the skipper about your group’s needs. You can explain if you want more swimming, less rock jumping, or extra time at Šunj. The route is described as customizable, though weather and sea conditions will still affect what is practical.

Who should book this speedboat tour?

This is a strong match for a group of friends, a birthday outing, or a family that wants a private day on the water. The boat holds up to ten, and the ability to play music and adjust the pace adds a social feel.

It also suits families with older children and teenagers. The caves, snorkeling, and rock-jumping spots provide more action than a simple sightseeing cruise, while Šunj offers an easy place to slow down.

You should be comfortable with a boat-based outing and swimming in the sea. Most people can participate, service animals are allowed, and both adult and child life jackets are supplied. Still, the description does not promise wheelchair access or a step-free boat, so you should confirm those details directly if they matter to you.

I would choose the morning option for first-time visitors who care most about the caves. Choose the afternoon if you prefer a later start and are less concerned about sharing the sites with other boats.

The trip is not ideal for someone seeking a long cultural tour. You will see the Elaphiti Islands and may hear about their names and history from the skipper, but the core experience is swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and the ride itself.

Weather, cancellation, and practical planning

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same choice applies if the minimum number of participants is not met.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

Plan to arrive ten minutes early, since the marina meeting point can be more stressful if you are searching for the last wooden pier at departure time. Bring anything you need for lunch at Šunj Beach, since no meal is included.

The provider supplies drinks, but you may still want sun protection and a towel for the swimming stops. Those items are not listed among the inclusions, so do not assume the boat provides them.

Should you book the Blue Cave private speedboat tour?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want a lively, flexible half-day away from Dubrovnik’s streets. The combination of Koločep’s caves, clear swimming water, included snorkeling gear, and sandy Šunj Beach gives you a well-rounded outing.

Choose the early 8:30 a.m. departure from June 1 through September 15 if avoiding crowds matters. Before booking, add the separate fuel and harbor fee to the advertised price and decide if the total works for your group.

For two people, the cost is harder to justify. For eight to ten people, it is a practical way to turn a short boat excursion into a private island day, with drinks, a skipper, and enough freedom to make the route your own.

FAQ

Where does the Blue Cave speedboat tour begin?

The tour begins at Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse, Lapadska obala 4, in Dubrovnik’s West Harbour. The meeting point is the last wooden pier in the small marina.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive at the meeting point ten minutes before the scheduled start.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

A maximum of ten people can be included in one booking, and only your group participates.

What time does the morning tour start?

From June 1 through September 15, the morning tour starts at 8:30 a.m.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Koločep and Lopud, two of the Elaphiti Islands. The experience is described as a visit to three Elaphiti Islands, with the cave and beach stops forming the main route.

What will I see on Koločep?

You will visit the Blue Cave and the Green Caves. The stop includes time for swimming, snorkeling, and rock jumping where available.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with life jackets for children and adults.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Beer, white wine, bottled water, and juice are included. Alcoholic drinks are available only to adults aged 18 and above.

Are fuel and harbor fees included in the advertised price?

No. These fees are paid on the boat. The charge is 100 euros for one or two passengers, 120 euros for three to seven passengers, and 150 euros for eight to ten passengers.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can buy food at or near Šunj Beach.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can also result in a different date or a full refund.