Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling

The best views of Dubrovnik are offshore. This private speedboat trip takes you from the city to the Blue Cave, quiet swimming spots, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj Beach, with a skipper who can shape the day around your group. I like the small private format, which gives you far more freedom than a packed boat cruise. I also like the simple extras: snorkel gear, bottled water, soft drinks, beer, and wine are included. The main drawback is the extra fuel charge, which is paid separately and should be confirmed before you set out.

The standard trip can be arranged from roughly two to eight hours, so you can plan a short cave outing or a full day among the islands. The route is flexible, but you will not fit every possible stop into every tour. Lokrum and Mljet require special planning, and the longest options involve more time on the water.

Quick take: five things to know before booking

• Blue Cave swimming: You can swim and snorkel inside the Blue Cave and three other caves on Koločep Island.
• Private boat, private choices: Only your group participates, with up to four people covered by the listed price.
• Fuel is extra: The stated fuel charge is €50 for four hours, €70 for eight hours, and €120 for the 10-hour Mljet option.
• Šunj is the beach stop: Lopud’s sandy Šunj Beach gives you time to relax, walk, and buy drinks at beach bars.
• The skipper shapes the day: Previous bookings specifically praised Toni and Rocco for adjusting the route to suit the group.
• Plan for the basics: Pick-up and drop-off are not included, and there is no toilet on board.

Why a private speedboat makes sense around Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik’s famous Old Town is only one part of the local picture. Out on the water, the city gives way to small islands, rocky coves, caves, and beaches that are difficult to reach by land. A speedboat lets you cover several places in one day without relying on a fixed public boat schedule.

The private setup matters most if your group has different ideas about the perfect day. You may want to spend longer swimming, while someone else would rather walk around Lopud or stop for lunch on Šipan. The skipper can suggest a practical route and adjust the pace, within the limits of the time you book.

The boat takes up to four people for the listed price of $362.05 per group. That works out to about $90.51 each if four people share it, before fuel and any lunch or other personal spending. For one or two people, the cost per person is much higher, but you are paying for a private outing rather than a seat on a large shared cruise.

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation arrives at booking. It is also available to most participants, with service animals allowed. Since there is no toilet on board, I would plan bathroom stops before departure and avoid treating the boat as a full-day base without preparation.

Koločep Island and the Blue Cave

Koločep is the main attraction for many people booking this outing. The route includes the Blue Cave and three additional caves in the area. Inside the Blue Cave, sunlight reflects through the water and creates the blue glow that gives the cave its name.

This is not a look-from-the-boat-only experience. You have the opportunity to swim and snorkel inside the caves, using the provided equipment. That makes the stop more active and personal than a simple coastal sightseeing cruise. You can look into the water, see marine life, and enjoy the unusual light inside the rock.

The cave stop lasts about one hour. That is enough time for a swim and snorkel, but it is not an unlimited cave expedition. If this is your main reason for booking, tell the skipper early and make sure the route gives Koločep the attention it deserves.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, and anything you need to feel comfortable in the water. Snorkel equipment is supplied, along with bottled water and soft drinks. The boat also includes beer and wine, but I would save alcohol until after swimming. A private boat day is more enjoyable when everyone remains comfortable and alert around the water.

Šipan Island gives the day a proper lunch break

After Koločep, the boat continues to Šipan Island. The planned stop lasts about two hours and includes time for lunch at a local restaurant. Food is not included, so you should budget separately for the meal.

Šipan is useful as a pause in the middle of an active day. The cave stop is about swimming and snorkeling, while lunch gives you a chance to sit down, eat, and slow the pace. If you are traveling with family or with people who do not want to spend every minute in the water, this longer stop helps keep the outing balanced.

The meal is not a forced part of the package, but the route is designed around eating at a restaurant on the island. Ask about the lunch plan when booking if you have dietary needs or a firm budget. The supplied information does not specify a restaurant menu or meal price, so you should not assume lunch is covered by the tour cost.

Lopud and Šunj Beach: the best land-based portion

Lopud brings a different mood. The island has churches, a monastery, and sandy beaches, with about an hour set aside for walking and exploring. This is the stop to choose if you want more than swimming and boat views.

You can use the time for a short walk, a look at the island’s religious buildings, or a simple break on shore. The one-hour visit is fairly brief, so do not expect a full island tour. If walking and local sights matter more to you than another swim, mention that to the skipper so the timing feels worthwhile.

The usual final stop is Šunj Beach, described as the most popular sandy beach in the Dubrovnik area. You can relax on the sand, swim, and buy drinks at the beach bars. After several hours on a speedboat, this is a pleasant way to finish without another tight schedule.

Šunj is also a practical choice for groups with mixed interests. One person can sit with a drink, another can swim, and someone else can walk along the beach. The beach is popular, so do not expect total solitude. Its appeal is easy access to sand and refreshments, not isolation.

Lokrum is an either-or choice

Lokrum Island sits in front of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, on the opposite side from the Elaphiti Islands. It can be visited on request, but adding it changes the route. If you go to Lokrum, the boat cannot also see all of the Elaphiti Islands.

That choice is important. Lokrum is the better fit if your priority is staying close to Dubrovnik and seeing the island directly opposite the city. The Elaphiti route is better if you want the Blue Cave, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj in one outing.

Do not assume Lokrum is automatically added to the standard itinerary. It is a request-only option, and it comes with a trade-off. Tell the provider your priorities before departure rather than trying to squeeze every island into one day.

The eight-hour Mljet option

Mljet is available only on the eight-hour Blue Cave and Mljet National Park option. The island is about 50 kilometers from Dubrovnik, with roughly two hours by speedboat. Because of that travel time, this is a much bigger commitment than the shorter Elaphiti Islands route.

The Mljet option includes time for Limuni Beach, Odysseus Cave, and the salty lakes in Mljet National Park. The planned stop is about two hours. You will see more of the wider Dubrovnik area, but the long ride means less flexibility elsewhere.

The fuel charge for the Mljet option is listed as €120 for 10 hours, while the tour description also identifies the Mljet route as an eight-hour option. That difference deserves clarification before booking. Ask exactly how long your selected version lasts and which fuel fee applies.

I would choose Mljet only if seeing that island is a major goal. If you mainly want caves, snorkeling, and a sandy beach, the Koločep, Lopud, and Šunj route gives you more time focused on those activities.

What is included, and what can catch you out

The included extras are useful rather than flashy:

• Bottled water
• Coca-Cola and other soft drinks
• Beer and wine
• Snorkeling equipment
• Skipper
• Champagne on sunset tours only

These supplies can save you from buying drinks at every stop. The alcoholic drinks are a nice touch for a relaxed boat day, but they should not be confused with a full meal or open bar at every location. Lunch on Šipan is separate.

Fuel is the biggest cost detail. The stated charges are:

• €50 per booking for four hours
• €70 per booking for eight hours
• €120 per booking for the Mljet option listed at 10 hours

One booking specifically praised the boat, equipment, and staff but felt the fuel cost should have been included. That is a fair concern. The headline price is $362.05 for up to four people, but your real total will be higher once fuel, lunch, and any beach purchases are added.

Pick-up and drop-off are not included. The departure point is about a 10-minute taxi ride from the Old Town, according to booking information shared by one family. Build that transfer into your schedule and budget. The boat itself has no toilet, so take care of that before boarding.

The skipper can make or break the day

A private boat tour depends heavily on the person at the helm. The supplied experience identifies Toni and Rocco as skippers who received especially strong praise for listening to the group and adjusting the route.

Toni was noted for asking what the family wanted to see and suggesting stops that made the day work well for swimming, cave visits, and the sandy beach. Rocco was also praised for creating a custom trip and choosing exceptional stops, with the caves receiving special attention.

That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to book privately. Before leaving, tell the skipper what matters most:

• More time in the Blue Cave
• Longer swimming stops
• Lunch on Šipan
• A walk on Lopud
• Šunj Beach and beach bars
• Lokrum instead of some Elaphiti stops
• Mljet National Park on the extended option

The tour has a 5 out of 5 rating from 62 reviews and is recommended by 98 percent of people who rated it. Those figures suggest a consistently strong experience, but they do not remove the need to understand the extra fuel cost and route limits.

Which duration should you choose?

The short version is best if you want a focused outing. A two-hour trip can work for a quick taste of the coast, but the supplied route descriptions assign about one hour to Koločep alone. Ask what can realistically fit into your selected duration.

Four hours gives you room for the Blue Cave and additional swimming, with perhaps one more carefully chosen stop. The stated fuel charge is €50 per booking.

Eight hours is the most complete Elaphiti Islands option. You can combine Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj, with time for lunch and a walk. The stated fuel fee is €70 per booking.

The extended Mljet option is for people who want to spend much of the day reaching and exploring the farther island. It adds Limuni Beach, Odysseus Cave, and the national park lakes, but the longer journey means you should not expect every Elaphiti stop as well.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this tour to couples, families, and small groups of friends who value privacy and control over the schedule. It suits people who want to swim and snorkel but also want a proper meal, a sandy beach, and some time walking ashore.

It is especially good for a group of four, since the advertised price covers the whole group rather than charging each person separately. Families should appreciate the ability to adjust the pace, while friends may enjoy the included beer, wine, and soft drinks.

This may be less suitable if you want a low-cost outing, guaranteed hotel transfers, a toilet on board, or a fixed all-inclusive price. It is also not the best choice for someone who wants to visit Lokrum, Mljet, and every Elaphiti Island in one day. The route involves real choices.

Weather matters, too. If poor weather cancels the trip, you receive the choice of a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but later cancellations are not refunded.

Should you book the Blue Cave speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a private day built around caves, swimming, and sandy beaches, and you are comfortable paying fuel separately. The strongest parts are the Blue Cave, the flexible skipper, the small group size, and the mix of water time with lunch and island walks.

For the best value, fill all four places and choose the route that matches your priorities. Confirm the departure point, fuel charge, exact duration, and whether you want Lokrum or Mljet before paying. If you do that, this is a practical way to see much more of the Dubrovnik area than you can from the Old Town waterfront.

FAQ

How much does the private speedboat tour cost?

The listed price is $362.05 per group of up to four people. Fuel, lunch, and personal purchases are not included.

How long does the tour last?

Options range from about two to eight hours. The Mljet option is described as an eight-hour tour, with another fuel listing referring to 10 hours, so confirm the exact duration when booking.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates, with up to four people covered by the listed group price.

Is fuel included?

No. The stated fuel charges are €50 for four hours, €70 for eight hours, and €120 for the Mljet option listed at 10 hours.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and you can use it at the caves on Koločep Island.

Is lunch included?

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

Is hotel pick-up included?

No. Pick-up and drop-off are not included. The departure point is about a 10-minute taxi ride from Dubrovnik’s Old Town.

Can the tour visit Lokrum Island?

Yes, Lokrum can be visited on request. If you go to Lokrum, the boat cannot see all of the Elaphiti Islands.

What is included to drink?

Bottled water, Coca-Cola, beer, and wine are included. Champagne is included only on sunset tours.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor weather cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.

Is there a toilet on the boat?

No. The boat does not have a toilet on board.

Can the tour visit Mljet National Park?

Yes, but only on the Blue Cave and Mljet National Park option. That route includes Limuni Beach, Odysseus Cave, and the salty lakes in the park.