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

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat tour is the freedom to spend a full day on the water without sharing the boat with strangers. You can swim into the Blue Cave and other caves around Koločep Island, stop for lunch on Šipan, then slow down at Lopud and Šunj Beach.

I like the easy hotel pickup and the private setting, which makes this a good choice for families or groups of friends. I also like the practical touches: drinks on board, space in sun or shade, a restroom, and a captain such as Bruno, Ivan, or Lovro who can adjust stops to the weather and your wishes.

The main caution is that the advertised route covers a lot of ground. Lunch is extra, fuel fees may apply, and a few bookings have had problems with the restroom, missing snorkeling gear, or communication with the captain. Confirm the details before you set off.

Key points to know before you book

• Swim inside Koločep’s sea caves: The Blue Cave and three other caves are the main event, with sunlight creating the famous blue glow.
• A private boat for up to six: You get room to spread out and a more flexible day than on a shared excursion.
• Four island and beach stops: The route covers Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj Beach, though exact timing can change.
• Hotel pickup is offered: Pickup can be arranged from hotels, apartments, and other addresses, with an extra charge outside the normal area.
• Drinks are supplied: Beer, wine, Coca-Cola, and bottled water are included, while lunch, towels, sunscreen, and swimsuits are not.
• Weather controls the day: Poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund, and rough seas may require the captain to change the swimming spots.

Why a private boat works well around Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is beautiful from land, but the nearby islands show you a different side of the area. From the water, the old city gives way to pale rock, small coves, pine-covered slopes, stone villages, and beaches that are hard to reach by road.

This tour is not a quick harbor ride. The full version lasts about eight hours, giving you enough time for several stops and a proper lunch break. That matters because the islands are not all next door to one another, and rushing from cave to beach would miss the point.

The private format is the biggest advantage. If your group wants more swimming, less walking, a longer lunch, or a quiet ride, you can discuss that with the captain. Families especially benefit from this freedom. A child who needs a break does not hold up a busload of people, and confident swimmers can ask for extra time in the water.

The boat has areas for sun and shade, along with room at the front for sunbathing and space at the back to sit and relax. Drinks are kept on board, including beer, wine, Coca-Cola, and water. That sounds simple, but on a hot day it saves you from carrying a large supply of bottles.

You should still think of this as an active day. Swimming into caves requires comfort in the water, and some people found the sea rough or became seasick during the first hour. Life jackets and flotation noodles have been provided when needed, but you should tell the captain early if anyone in your group is nervous in open water.

Koločep and the Blue Cave: the day’s main attraction

Koločep is usually the first major stop, and it is where the tour feels most special. The boat visits the Blue Cave and three other caves in the area, allowing you to swim and snorkel inside rather than simply viewing them from the deck.

The blue color comes from sunlight entering the cave and reflecting through the water. The effect changes with the angle of the sun, sea conditions, and the time of day, so do not expect a theatrical show on every visit. Even so, entering a sea cave by water is a memorable experience, especially when the boat finds a quieter cove nearby for swimming.

Your captain’s local judgment matters here. Bruno and Ivan receive repeated praise for finding pleasant swimming places, while Lovro is noted for allowing plenty of time at each stop. Captains have also moved to sheltered spots when the wind or waves made the original plan less comfortable.

Bring a waterproof phone pouch or a small action camera if you have one. You will want both hands free in the water, and the combination of rock, reflected light, and clear Adriatic water is well suited to photographs.

There are a few practical uncertainties. Snorkeling equipment is listed as included, but one booking reported that masks and snorkels were not available. I would ask about the equipment before departure and bring your own mask if you already have one. Towels, sunscreen, and swimsuits are not supplied, so pack them yourself.

Šipan and Sudurad: make lunch part of the plan

After Koločep, the boat heads to Šipan for about two hours. This is the longest land stop, and lunch is not included in the tour price.

The break gives you a chance to get off the boat, eat at a local restaurant, and take a rest from the sun. Captains have helped arrange tables, and one recommended lunch setting included broad sea views and access to an infinity pool. Another group ate at Hotel Božica in Sudurad after the captain made a reservation.

That flexibility is useful, but you should not assume the meal is covered or that a specific restaurant is guaranteed. Ask your operator what is planned, how reservations work, and what sort of meal budget you should allow.

I would also use this stop to pace the rest of your day. Eight hours in bright sun can feel long, even with shade on the boat. A leisurely meal, water, and a little time out of the direct heat will make the afternoon more enjoyable.

Šipan is a good fit if you want more than swimming. You can have a proper meal and see a quieter island setting rather than spending every minute in the water. If your group would rather keep moving, tell the captain before the day begins. The private format should allow some adjustment, but the route still has to fit the boat time and sea conditions.

Lopud: a short walk among churches and beaches

Lopud is scheduled for roughly one hour. It offers a change of pace after the caves and lunch, with churches, a monastery, and a chance to walk around.

Do not expect a long island tour in this amount of time. You will have enough time for a short wander and a look at the local setting, but you may need to choose between exploring on foot and lingering at the waterfront.

This stop is also one reason to book the eight-hour version instead of trying to cram the islands into a shorter outing. Feedback from shorter tours points out that it is not practical to combine the Elaphiti Islands with Lokrum in only four hours. If you specifically want to see Dubrovnik from the sea or visit Lokrum, ask about it before booking. It is not part of the standard full-day route described here.

Šunj Beach: a soft landing at the end

Šunj Beach on Lopud is usually the final stop. It is known as one of the most popular sandy beaches near Dubrovnik, which makes it a welcome contrast to the rocky coves and cave entrances earlier in the day.

You can relax, swim, or have a drink at one of the beach bars. The one-hour stop is not designed for a long beach day, but it gives you time to dry off and enjoy a proper stretch of sand before the return ride.

Because Šunj is popular, it may feel less private than the earlier caves and coves. That is not necessarily a flaw. After a day of moving between islands, a lively beach bar can be an easy, low-effort finish. If you prefer a quiet cove, ask the captain if the final stop can change with conditions and your group’s mood.

Captains make more difference than the route

The route is attractive, but the captain can determine whether the day feels relaxed or awkward. Bruno is frequently described as friendly with children, flexible, and good at finding swim spots in windy weather. Ivan is praised for asking what each group wants, suggesting quieter places, arranging lunch, and taking photos. Lovro is noted for calm navigation and generous time at stops.

That does not mean every departure will feel the same. A small number of bookings describe a captain as distant or hard to find during a short island stop. One group waited around 30 minutes at a port before the skipper returned. That is a serious service concern, even though it appears inconsistent with the many positive accounts.

You can reduce the risk of crossed expectations by discussing the day at the start. Say clearly if you want cave swimming, cliff jumping, beach time, a long lunch, or a quieter pace. Also agree on where and when to meet after going ashore. The private setting gives you a voice, but you still need to use it.

Sea conditions may force changes. Several captains have handled windy or wavy days by finding sheltered places to swim. That is a good sign of practical seamanship, but it also means the exact order and number of stops cannot be guaranteed.

What is included, and what will cost extra

The listed price is $302.46 per group of up to six people. At full capacity, that works out to about $50 per person for an eight-hour private boat day, before any extra charges. For six people, that is strong value compared with booking several separate activities, especially when hotel pickup, a private boat, fuel for the sunset version, and drinks are part of the arrangement.

For a smaller group, the per-person price rises. Two people would be paying for the private setting rather than simply buying two seats on a shared boat. That can still make sense for a honeymoon or a special occasion, but you should compare it with shorter private options.

The following are listed as included:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Private transportation
• Restroom on board
• Beer and wine
• Coca-Cola
• Bottled water

A bottle of champagne and fuel are listed for sunset tours only. Elsewhere, fuel is shown as an additional charge of €50 for four hours or €70 for eight hours. Because the supplied details are not perfectly consistent, confirm the fuel cost for your exact booking before paying.

Lunch is not included. Neither are towels, sunscreen, or a swimsuit. Pack a swimsuit, cover-up, dry clothes, sun protection, and something waterproof for your phone. You should also bring cash or a card for lunch and beach drinks, though the payment method for each stop is not specified.

The boat restroom is a useful feature, but one booking found it was not working. If anyone in your group needs reliable toilet access, ask for a current update before departure rather than taking the feature for granted.

Pickup, timing, and the small print that matters

Pickup can be arranged from your hotel, apartment, or another address. This is especially helpful in Dubrovnik, where getting to the marina can be less straightforward than it looks on a map. Some pickup locations outside the normal service radius cost extra, so give the operator your exact address.

The experience lasts about eight hours, including boat travel and the island stops. The listed stop times add up to about five hours: one hour at Koločep, two at Šipan, one at Lopud, and one at Šunj. The remaining time is used for travel, boarding, and moving between the islands.

The tour is offered in English. Confirmation arrives at booking, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, but the swimming sections require sensible judgment. If you are prone to seasickness, take precautions before departure and tell the captain as soon as you feel unwell. One group had two people become sick early in the day, and the boat stopped so they could recover.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. A cancellation within 24 hours is not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. The experience depends on good weather. If poor conditions cause the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Who should book this Dubrovnik boat tour?

I would choose this for a group of friends, a family with older children, or a couple celebrating a special occasion. It is particularly good for people who would rather spend a full day outdoors than follow a rigid sightseeing schedule.

It also suits you if you want a mix of experiences: sea caves, snorkeling, a restaurant lunch, a short island walk, and a sandy beach. The private boat gives you more room than a shared excursion and makes it easier to match the day to your group.

I would be more cautious if you dislike boats, get seasick easily, or want guaranteed access to a working restroom and snorkeling gear. I would also avoid booking it without clarification if your main goal is Lokrum or a view of Dubrovnik’s old city from the water, since those are not part of the standard route.

The high overall score, 4.9 from 164 ratings, and 98 percent recommendation rate point to a strong experience, but the less positive accounts are useful. They show that captain communication, equipment, and exact route details deserve attention before you pay.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you have a group of up to six and want the freedom to shape a full day around the Adriatic. The Blue Cave, quiet swim stops, Šipan lunch break, Lopud walk, and Šunj Beach make a varied day, while pickup and drinks remove some of the usual hassle.

Before confirming, ask four things: who your captain will be, whether snorkeling equipment is currently on board, whether the restroom works, and exactly how the fuel charge applies. If those details are clear and the weather looks good, this is one of the better ways to trade Dubrovnik’s crowded streets for a day among the nearby islands.

FAQ

How long is the private boat tour?

The full experience lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to six people.

Where does the tour go?

The standard route includes Koločep Island, Šipan Island, Lopud Island, and Šunj Beach.

Can I swim in the caves?

Yes. At Koločep, you can swim and snorkel inside the Blue Cave and three other caves, depending on sea and weather conditions.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling equipment is listed as included. One booking reported that snorkels were not available, so you should confirm this before departure.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch on Šipan is not included.

Are drinks provided on the boat?

Yes. The included drinks are beer, wine, Coca-Cola, and bottled water.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup can be arranged from hotels, apartments, and other addresses. Locations outside the usual pickup area may cost extra.

Are fuel charges included?

The supplied details show extra fuel charges of €50 for a four-hour booking and €70 for an eight-hour booking. Confirm the charge for your specific tour, since the inclusion details vary by tour type.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can receive a full refund or choose a different date if the operator cancels because of poor weather. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.