Dubrovnik:All inclusive Private Tour with Blue Cave Visit

The Adriatic looks best from the water. This private trip combines the Blue Cave, Three Green Caves, sandy Šunj Beach, and the Elaphiti Islands, with a local skipper who can shape the day around your group. I especially like the freedom to stop for a swim when you want and the option to use the boat’s Bluetooth speakers, goggles, pool noodles, and drinks. The main point to consider is that the boat is private but not especially large, so six adults may find the space snug during a full day.

The tour costs $352 per group of up to six, making it good value when shared by a family or group of friends. I also like that fuel, the skipper, and optional pickup are included, although lunch is extra and the drinks in the coolbox are limited rather than unlimited.

Five things to know before you book

• Start early for the Blue Cave: An 8 or 9 a.m. departure can help you reach the first stops before the busiest period.
• Choose four, six, or eight hours: Four hours covers the main swimming stops, while six and eight hours allow time for island villages and lunch.
• The skipper shapes the day: Bruno, Kiko, Pasko, Bernardo, Christian, and other local skippers have helped guests adjust routes, swimming time, and meal stops.
• Šunj gives you a sandy beach break: This is a useful change from rocky swimming coves and cave entrances.
• Food costs extra: Your skipper can suggest a seaside restaurant and reserve a table, but you pay for the meal yourself.
• This is an active boat day: It is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

What this private boat trip is really like

This is not a fixed sightseeing cruise where everyone follows the same clock. You travel with only your own group and an English-speaking skipper, then decide how long to spend at each stop. The skipper suggests a route based on conditions and your interests, but you can ask for more time at a beach, a quiet cove, or an island village.

That flexibility is the heart of the experience. A family with young children might want fewer stops and a longer beach break. A group of friends may prefer more time swimming, snorkeling, or listening to music on the boat. Couples can use the longer tour for an unhurried lunch and a quiet drink in a sheltered bay.

The boat has lifejackets, goggles, pool noodles, a coolbox with drinks, and Bluetooth speakers. Reviews also mention towels and snorkeling equipment being available on some trips, but the official inclusions specifically list goggles and pool noodles, so I would confirm towel and snorkel details before departure.

Meeting the boat in Dubrovnik

The main meeting point is at Lapadska obala 4, at the last small wooden pontoon opposite a small sandy parking lot. You should arrive at least 10 minutes before departure. The operator can also arrange pickup and drop-off if you select that option.

Pickup may be possible elsewhere if the location can be reached by boat. This is useful if you are staying beside the sea, but you need to contact the company in advance. Several families appreciated being collected close to their accommodation, and one group was picked up at a beach near its apartment.

The exact departure time depends on the option you choose. Communication before the trip has been a repeated strength, with the team sending meeting details, map pins, and pickup instructions. Still, Dubrovnik has several waterfront piers, so do not simply walk to the first boat you see. Check the exact point and arrive early.

Entering the Blue Cave

The Blue Cave is the signature stop. Sunlight enters through an underwater opening and gives the water its famous blue glow. Depending on sea conditions and the skipper’s judgment, you may be able to enter, swim, or look around from the boat.

This is where an early start matters. Kiko has taken groups toward the caves early to avoid the busiest period, and that is sound advice during the summer. A crowded cave loses some of its quiet magic, especially when several boats are trying to position themselves near the entrance.

You should also keep your expectations practical. Cave access depends on the water. One July group found the sea too rough for swimming inside the caves, but the skipper adapted the plan and gave them more time at Šunj Beach. That is an important advantage of a private tour: the day can change without forcing your whole group to follow a rigid schedule.

If you are nervous about entering the cave, tell your skipper. Pasko offered to accompany swimmers who felt unsure, and the skippers generally pay close attention to safety in the water. You should still be comfortable stepping from a boat into the sea and swimming without a ramp.

Exploring the Three Green Caves

The Three Green Caves add a different feel from the Blue Cave. The attraction is not simply one striking color, but a small cave system where you can look into openings, swim, and inspect the rocky shoreline from the water.

This is a good place to use the goggles and pool noodles. You can float near the boat, swim into suitable sections, and see the light change across the water. Some groups also enjoyed snorkeling around the caves, though conditions determine how clear and calm the water will be.

The caves are more about active time than a formal guided visit. Your skipper may explain local details and point out the best place to enter, but you are not walking through a developed attraction with paths or facilities. Bring a secure way to protect your phone, since the best views are close to the water.

Šunj Beach and the Elaphiti Islands

Šunj Beach gives the day a welcome change of pace. After rocky coves and cave swimming, a sandy beach lets you stretch out, swim without climbing into a cave, or stop for a drink. Families with children particularly appreciated having a longer beach pause.

The skipper may point you toward a less obvious bar near the beach. Ellen’s skipper, Kiko, recommended a tucked-away place for drinks before the group continued to Lopud. Details can change, so treat this as a local suggestion rather than a guaranteed part of every route.

The longer tours also reach the Elaphiti Islands: Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. Each offers a different reason to stop:

• Koločep: Useful for swimming, rocky coves, and a quieter feel close to Dubrovnik.
• Lopud: A good choice for a village walk, lunch, ice cream, and time near Šunj Beach.
• Šipan: A strong option for a seaside meal and a slower island stop.

You will not experience all three islands in depth during a four-hour trip. The four-hour plan usually focuses on the Blue Cave, Three Green Caves, and Šunj. Six hours gives you room to add Lopud or Šipan, while eight hours is the sensible choice if you want all three islands plus several swims and lunch.

Four hours, six hours, or eight hours?

The four-hour trip is the most efficient choice. It works well if you have children, limited time, or only want the main cave and beach stops. A family of five adults and two small children found a half-day trip manageable, and another family said four hours gave them enough time for the key places.

The drawback is pace. You may enjoy every stop but feel ready for a longer, quieter pause just as the boat turns back toward Dubrovnik. If you want a restaurant meal, an island village, and relaxed swimming, four hours will feel tight.

The six-hour option is the best middle ground for many groups. It includes the usual cave and beach route, with extra time for Lopud or Šipan. You can stop for lunch without turning the day into a race, though the restaurant bill is not included.

The eight-hour trip is a full-day outing. You can visit Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, combine caves and beaches, look for rocky coves, spend time in sheltered bays, and eat at a seaside restaurant. This is the right choice if the boat is one of your main Dubrovnik activities rather than a short add-on.

A full day on the water can also be tiring. If anyone in your group dislikes boat travel, gets seasick, or has trouble climbing in and out for swimming, the shorter option may be wiser.

Lunch on Lopud or Šipan

Food is not included, but the skipper can recommend a restaurant, reserve a table, and bring you there by boat. This removes much of the guesswork, especially when you are visiting an island for only a short time.

The restaurant stop is more than a practical meal break. It gives you time to see an island at walking speed instead of only from the deck. Several groups enjoyed lunches with sea views, and one group stopped for ice cream in a village before returning to the water.

Ask about the expected meal timing before you leave. The skipper can help fit lunch around the tide, weather, and your preferred swimming stops, but you should budget separately for food. The experience is described as all inclusive in some booking language, yet lunch is clearly not part of the price.

Your skipper makes the difference

The boat and route matter, but the skipper shapes the day. The strongest part of this experience is the local, personal service. Bruno has been praised for family-friendly suggestions and easygoing help. Kiko has been especially good at early starts, restaurant advice, and finding a sensible order for the stops. Pasko has been described as attentive, careful, and generous with local information.

The skippers do more than drive. They suggest how long to stay, help you find suitable swimming spots, explain parts of the coast, and arrange restaurant reservations. One skipper even showed children a rope swing spot, while another let members of a group briefly take the wheel under supervision.

Do not expect a formal lecture at every stop. The value is practical local guidance: where to swim, when to leave, which island suits your group, and how to avoid wasting time. You can also play your own music through the Bluetooth speaker, which gives the trip a relaxed, personal mood.

Price and value for groups of six

At $352 per group of up to six, the cost works out to about $59 per person when the boat is full. For six people, that is a strong price for a private boat, skipper, fuel, equipment, and possible pickup. Two people pay much more per person, but they also receive complete control over the route and timing.

The value improves if you would otherwise book several separate activities. You get cave swimming, beaches, island visits, transport across the water, and help arranging lunch in one outing. Fuel is included, so the advertised price does not suddenly rise because you request a longer route within your chosen time.

Drinks are included in the coolbox, but they are not unlimited. Water, beer, and wine have been available on trips, but you should not treat the boat as an open bar. Ask what is stocked, especially if you are traveling with children or have particular drink needs.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this tour for families, couples, and groups of friends who want a private day rather than a crowded boat excursion. It is especially good for people who care about swimming time, local restaurant advice, and the freedom to change plans.

It also suits a group celebrating something. A six-person hen party enjoyed using the boat to reach beaches, caves, and island lunch spots without dealing with strangers. Couples can choose the quieter coves and slow the day down.

You should think twice if you want a fully accessible boat, a land-based sightseeing tour, or a tightly scripted historical presentation. The experience requires stepping on and off a boat, swimming in open water, and dealing with changing sea conditions. It is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

Practical tips for a better day

• Choose an early start when the Blue Cave is a priority.
• Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring sun protection.
• Keep valuables in a waterproof pouch.
• Tell the skipper if your group includes young children or nervous swimmers.
• Ask what drinks and extra snorkeling items are provided.
• Reserve the eight-hour option if lunch and all three Elaphiti Islands matter to you.
• Pick four hours if your group wants a simple cave and beach outing.
• Confirm your meeting point, especially if you are coming from a cruise ship or waterfront accommodation.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Availability and starting times vary, so check the selected duration carefully.

FAQ

How long does the private boat tour last?

Available options range from 150 minutes to eight hours, with the main choices being four, six, and eight hours. Check the selected option for the exact duration and starting time.

What does the four-hour tour usually include?

The four-hour route usually visits the Blue Cave, the Three Green Caves, and Šunj Beach. The route can be adjusted with the skipper.

What does the six-hour tour add?

The six-hour option includes the usual cave and beach stops, plus extra time to explore Lopud or Šipan. You can also use the additional time for lunch on an island.

What is included in the price?

Fuel, the skipper, a coolbox with drinks, Bluetooth speakers, pool noodles, goggles, and lifejackets are included. Pickup and drop-off are included only if that option is selected.

Is lunch included?

No. Food is not included, but the skipper can recommend a restaurant, reserve a table, and take you there by boat.

Where is the main meeting point?

The meeting point is at Lapadska obala 4, at the last small wooden pontoon opposite a small sandy parking lot. You should arrive at least 10 minutes early.

Can the boat pick me up somewhere else?

Yes, pickup elsewhere may be possible if the location can be reached by boat. Contact the operator in advance if you are staying beside the sea.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

Should you book the Blue Cave tour?

Book it if you want Dubrovnik’s coast on your own terms. The private format, flexible route, local skipper, and mix of caves, beaches, villages, and lunch make this more than a simple boat ride.

For most groups, I would choose six hours. It gives you the main swimming stops without making the day too long, and it leaves room for an island meal. Choose four hours for a compact family outing, or eight hours if you want all three Elaphiti Islands and a full day on the Adriatic. Just remember that food costs extra, drinks are limited, and the sea does not always follow the printed plan. That uncertainty is part of boating, and a good skipper is exactly what makes it work.