Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat trip is the chance to swim inside the Blue Cave on Koločep Island, then shape the rest of the day around beaches, caves, lunch, and island walks. Skippers Toni and Rocco have shown a knack for adjusting the route to suit each group, which matters far more than following a rigid timetable.

I like the private boat for up to four people, and I like that snorkel equipment, bottled water, soft drinks, beer, and wine are supplied. The main catch is the extra fuel charge, which is paid separately, and lunch and some admission fees are also outside the tour price.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue Cave swimming: Koločep includes the famous Blue Cave plus three other caves where you can swim and snorkel.
• Private and flexible: Your group of up to four has the boat to itself, with a skipper who can adjust the day to your preferences.
• Three island styles: Šipan offers lunch, Lopud brings churches and walking, and Šunj supplies the sandy beach stop.
• Drinks included: Water, Coca-Cola, beer, and wine are provided. A champagne bottle is included only on sunset tours.
• Fuel costs extra: Allow €50 for four hours, €70 for eight hours, or €120 for the Mljet National Park option.
• Mljet changes the plan: The eight-hour Mljet trip takes about two hours by speedboat each way, so you will not see all the Elaphiti Islands.

The Blue Cave is the reason to book

Dubrovnik is famous for its stone walls, but the coast is where the day gets interesting. This tour takes you away from the Old Town and into the Elaphiti Islands, where caves, clear water, small harbors, and sandy beaches replace city streets.

Koločep is the opening stop and the strongest part of the trip for many people. You visit the Blue Cave and three other caves, with time to swim and snorkel inside them. Sunlight reflecting through the water creates the blue glow, so the effect depends on the weather and the position of the sun. The skipper can help time your visit, but nature gets the final say.

The one-hour stop is long enough to get in the water without letting the cave visit swallow the whole day. Snorkel gear is supplied, which saves you from packing your own equipment. You also have bottled water and soft drinks on board, useful after swimming in the open sea.

I would bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and a dry change of clothes. The boat has no toilet, so plan your comfort around the stops and ask the skipper about restroom options before leaving.

What a private boat changes

A private tour feels different from a large excursion boat. You are not trying to hear instructions over dozens of other people, and your group can discuss what matters most: more swimming, a longer beach stop, lunch, or a walk on shore.

The boat takes up to four people, and the price is listed per group at $362.05. Split four ways, that is about $90.51 per person before fuel, lunch, and any extra admission fees. For a couple, the cost per person is much higher, but the private format may still make sense if you value control over the day.

The skipper is central to the experience. Toni has been praised for asking what the group wanted to see and suggesting places that fitted those preferences. Rocco has also been singled out for building a customized route. Those details suggest you should speak up early. If you want more time in the water, say so. If lunch and a walk matter more than another cave, say that too.

The published duration ranges from two to eight hours, so the exact shape depends on the option you choose. This is not a single fixed route in which every stop is guaranteed for every booking. Lokrum is available only on request, and choosing it means you cannot see all the Elaphiti Islands.

Šipan gives the day a proper lunch break

After Koločep, the usual route continues to Šipan, the largest of the three main Elaphiti Islands. The stop lasts about two hours and is built around lunch at a local restaurant.

Lunch is not included, so treat this as both a pleasant break and a cost to add to your budget. Two hours gives you time to eat without rushing back to the boat, though the available restaurant and final timing are not specified. Ask the skipper what is planned before departure if lunch is important to you.

Šipan is a useful middle stop because a full day of swimming can become tiring. Sitting down for a meal breaks up the boat ride and gives you a chance to dry off. It also keeps the trip from feeling like a string of quick photo stops.

If you prefer to spend every possible minute in the water, this is the part of the route you may find less exciting. If you like a slower day with a real meal, it adds welcome balance.

Lopud combines a walk with a sandy shore

Lopud brings a different mood. The island is known here for beautiful churches, a monastery, and sandy beaches, giving you a reason to leave the boat and walk around.

The scheduled stop is about one hour. That is enough for a short look and some exploring, but not enough for a long island visit. Think of it as a compact shore break rather than a full cultural tour.

I like this stop because it keeps the experience from becoming only about swimming. Dubrovnik’s nearby islands have their own character, and seeing a church or monastery gives you a small sense of local life between the water stops.

Still, your priorities matter. If you want an unhurried walk, tell the skipper. The day is flexible, but flexibility works best when you make your wishes clear before the boat leaves.

Šunj Beach is the easygoing finale

Šunj Beach on Lopud is usually the final stop. It is described as the most popular sandy beach in the Dubrovnik area, a useful distinction in a region better known for rocky shorelines and pebbled coves.

You can relax on the sand, swim, and use the beach bars for drinks. After caves, snorkeling, and a restaurant stop, Šunj offers a simple finish. There is no need to squeeze in another sight. You can just sit by the water and let the day wind down.

The beach’s popularity is also the obvious drawback. A well-known sandy beach may feel busier than a quiet cave or a less visited swimming spot. If peace and privacy are your top goals, ask whether the timing can be adjusted or whether more time should go to another island.

The supplied drinks make this stop more convenient. Water, Coca-Cola, beer, and wine are included, though the beach bar itself may involve separate purchases. A champagne bottle is listed only for the sunset version of the tour.

Lokrum is an optional alternative

Lokrum sits directly in front of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, on the opposite side from the Elaphiti Islands. It is a logical choice if you want to keep the city in view or prefer a shorter route away from Dubrovnik.

The important point is that Lokrum is visited only on request. If you choose it, you will not be able to see all the Elaphiti Islands. That is not a small scheduling detail. It changes the character of the day.

Lokrum admission is not included. Since no admission price is supplied here, ask for the current cost before booking or before you commit to this option. The stop is listed as one hour, so expect a brief visit rather than a full island outing.

I would choose Lokrum only if it has a clear appeal for your group. If the Blue Cave, island beaches, and Elaphiti scenery are the main reasons you are booking, stay with the standard island route.

Mljet turns the trip into an eight-hour outing

The Mljet option is the most ambitious version. Mljet is about 50 kilometers from Dubrovnik, and the speedboat ride takes about two hours. That means a large share of the day is spent in transit, so this is not simply a longer version of the Blue Cave trip.

The reward is a broader range of sights. The route can include Limuni, described as a special sandy beach, Odysseus Cave, and the salt lakes in Mljet National Park. The national park admission is not included, and the fuel charge for the Mljet option is €120.

This choice suits you if Mljet itself is high on your list and you are comfortable giving up the full Elaphiti route. The timing makes it impossible to combine everything. The description specifically notes that the Mljet option is the only version that visits the island.

I would not choose Mljet simply because eight hours sounds better than four. Choose it for Mljet. For a first boat day around Dubrovnik, Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj create a more varied route with less time spent traveling to and from the destination.

The price is fair, but calculate the real total

The advertised rate is $362.05 for the whole boat, up to four people. That structure works best for a small family or group of friends. The private setting, skipper, boat, snorkeling equipment, and drinks give you more control than a basic seat on a shared cruise.

But the listed price is not the complete cost. Fuel is charged separately:

• Four-hour tour: €50 per booking
• Eight-hour tour: €70 per booking
• Mljet National Park option: €120 per booking

Lunch is also excluded, as are Lokrum and Mljet admission fees. Put those extras into your calculation before deciding that this is a bargain.

One past booking found the extra fuel charge disappointing because it was expected to be included. I agree that this should be clarified before you pay. Ask which duration applies to your chosen route and whether the fuel amount is fixed for your booking.

For four people, the added fuel cost is fairly manageable per person. For two people, the same boat and fuel charges weigh more heavily. The tour is strongest in value when you want privacy and can fill all four places.

Timing, transfers, and practical details

The experience is offered in English and comes with a mobile ticket. Confirmation arrives at booking, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting area is near public transportation.

Pick-up and drop-off are not included, even though the tour information also refers to comfortable, air-conditioned round transfers. That wording deserves a direct question when you book. One booking used a taxi from Dubrovnik’s Old Town that took about ten minutes to reach the pick-up point, so you should allow time and budget for getting there.

The boat has no toilet. This is easy to overlook when you are focused on caves and beaches, but it matters on the longer options. Use facilities before departure and during the restaurant or beach stops.

The tour depends on good weather. If poor conditions cancel the outing, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

Who will enjoy this most

This tour fits a small group that wants a private day on the water without having to organize every detail alone. Families can choose swimming and the sandy beach, while couples or friends may prefer the caves, drinks, lunch, and a short island walk.

It is also a good match for people who dislike fixed sightseeing schedules. Toni and Rocco are noted for shaping the route around what the group wants, so your input can make a real difference.

You should think twice if you need a bathroom on board, want every expense included in the headline price, or prefer a quiet beach with no popular resort feel. You should also be realistic about the Mljet option. Two hours each way is a serious time commitment.

Should you book the Blue Cave speedboat tour?

Book it if your ideal Dubrovnik day includes swimming in caves, a private boat, cold drinks, a sandy beach, and the freedom to adjust the route. The strongest plan for most people is the Elaphiti Islands route with Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj.

Before confirming, ask about the exact meeting point, fuel charge, restaurant plan, and whether the boat’s air-conditioning and transfer wording applies to your booking. If those costs and details are clear, the tour offers a lively, flexible way to see more than Dubrovnik’s Old Town in a single day.

Choose Lokrum only if you specifically want the island in front of the city. Choose Mljet only if its national park and caves matter more to you than seeing the full Elaphiti route. For everyone else, the Blue Cave and sandy beach combination is the better-balanced choice.

FAQ

How much does the private speedboat tour cost?

The tour costs $362.05 per group of up to four people. Fuel, lunch, and certain admission fees are additional.

What fuel charges should I expect?

Fuel costs €50 per booking for four hours, €70 for eight hours, and €120 for the option visiting Mljet National Park.

How long does the tour last?

Available options range from about two to eight hours. The Mljet National Park version is the eight-hour option and includes about two hours of speedboat travel to reach Mljet.

Is lunch included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and you can use it around Koločep’s Blue Cave and the other caves.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, Coca-Cola, beer, and wine are included. A bottle of champagne is included only with the sunset tour.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Poor-weather cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.