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

Koločep’s Blue Cave is the star here. You ride out from Dubrovnik, swim into sea caves, stop at quiet coves, and spend the day moving at your own pace rather than following a crowded boatload. Captains including Bruno, Ivan, and Lovro are praised for finding good swimming spots and adjusting the route to the weather.

I like the private format, especially for families or a group of friends, and I like the practical touches: hotel pickup, drinks aboard, a toilet, and room for both sun and shade. The main caution is that the advertised route can change, and fuel charges may apply, so confirm the final stops, boat facilities, and total cost before you set out.

Key points at a glance

• Swim inside Koločep’s Blue Cave: Sunlight reflects through the water and gives the cave its blue glow.
• A full day across three islands: The route usually includes Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj Beach.
• Private space for up to six: You can shape the pace around swimming, lunch, walking, or relaxing.
• Hotel and apartment pickup: Transport to the marina is arranged, though distant pickups may cost extra.
• Drinks and snorkelling equipment included: Beer, wine, cola, and bottled water are provided, but bring your own towel and sunscreen.
• Check the extras carefully: Lunch is not included, and fuel is listed separately at €50 for four hours or €70 for eight hours.

Why a private boat works so well from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is best understood from the water. From offshore, the old city walls sit above the Adriatic, while the nearby Elaphiti Islands offer a quieter day of coves, beaches, and small settlements. A private boat lets you trade sightseeing time for swimming time when the mood strikes.

The boat takes up to six people, making the $302.46 group price potentially good value. Split six ways, the base cost is about $50 per person, before any fuel or personal spending. For two people, it is a much more expensive outing, but you are paying for privacy, transport, and control of the day rather than a seat on a fixed group cruise.

The flexibility matters. Captains have changed the timing to suit sea conditions, stopped at quieter swimming places, helped children feel safe, and arranged restaurant reservations. On one outing, a pair of passengers felt seasick early in the day, so the boat stopped at an island to give them time to recover.

That said, private does not mean every requested stop is guaranteed. A four-hour trip cannot reasonably cover the Elaphiti Islands and Lokrum Island, and even the eight-hour route may change with wind, waves, or local operating decisions. Tell the operator what matters most before departure: caves, sandy beaches, a long lunch, cliff jumping, island walking, or a sunset return.

Starting with pickup and the ride to the marina

Pickup is available from hotels, apartments, and arranged addresses. This removes one awkward part of a boat day: figuring out how to reach the departure point while carrying towels, bags, and swimming gear.

The marina is not necessarily in central Dubrovnik. One account notes a drive of about 20 minutes, which matters on a shorter four-hour option. If you want views of Dubrovnik from the sea or hope to add Lokrum, ask about the departure point and route before booking. The Elaphiti Islands and Lokrum are not practical to combine in four hours.

The transfer is also a useful moment to confirm the basics. Ask who your captain will be, where the boat will return, if fuel is extra, and which stops are most likely that day. The company has used captains called Bruno, Ivan, Lovro, Tony, Evan, and others, so the exact crew can vary.

Koločep and the Blue Cave

Koločep is the most memorable stop for many people. The boat visits the Blue Cave and three other caves around the island, with time to swim and snorkel inside. Sunlight entering the cave creates the blue reflection, but the effect depends on the weather, time of day, and water conditions.

You should be comfortable in open water to get the most from this stop. One passenger specifically advised bringing a GoPro and being a strong swimmer. Life jackets and pool noodles have been provided when needed, which is helpful for children and less confident swimmers, but you should still tell the captain about any concerns before entering the water.

The caves are not a dry sightseeing attraction with paths and signs. You experience them from the water, often by swimming in. That makes the stop exciting, but it also means you need a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a reasonable level of comfort in the sea. None of those personal items is supplied.

Snorkelling equipment is listed as included, though one person reported that masks and snorkels were not available on their trip. I would confirm this directly before departure, especially if seeing underwater life is central to your plans. Bringing your own mask is sensible if you have room.

Šipan for lunch and a slower middle of the day

The boat usually continues to Šipan, where you have about two hours for lunch at a local restaurant. Food is not included, so allow for the meal when calculating the day’s cost.

This long stop gives the outing a welcome change of pace. After a morning of sun, spray, and swimming, you can sit down properly rather than eating from a snack box on the boat. Captains have suggested restaurants and, in some cases, made reservations. One group ate at Hotel Božica in Suđurađ, while another had a lunch stop with access to an infinity pool.

Those details are not guaranteed, so treat them as possibilities rather than promises. Ask where lunch is planned and if the restaurant accepts card payments or requires advance booking. If your group has dietary needs, raise them before leaving Dubrovnik.

Two hours is enough for a relaxed meal, but it can feel long if you would rather spend the day in the water. This is another place where the private setup helps. You can tell the captain if you prefer a shorter lunch and more time at the next beach, subject to the day’s conditions and the restaurant booking.

Lopud, churches, and a rare sandy beach

Lopud offers a more land-based break. The island is known here for its churches, monastery, walking opportunities, and sandy beaches. You get about an hour to explore, which is enough for a short stroll and a look around, but not a full island visit.

The walking stop is valuable because the day is otherwise centered on the boat. You can stretch your legs, see a little of island life, and take a break from the sun. Keep your expectations modest: an hour passes quickly, especially if you are also trying to find a café, take photographs, and reach the beach.

Lopud’s sandy shoreline is a welcome contrast to the rocky Adriatic swimming spots. Croatia’s coast is famous for clear water, but many beaches are pebbly or rocky. If your group includes children, anyone who dislikes entering the sea from a boat, or anyone who simply wants to lie on sand, Lopud adds something important to the day.

The route has not always included every planned island, however. At least one booking covered only Koločep when the passenger expected Lopud as well. Confirm the planned order and ask what happens if weather, sea conditions, or timing forces a change.

Šunj Beach for the final swim

Šunj Beach on Lopud is usually the last major stop. It is one of the area’s best-known sandy beaches, with beach bars where you can relax and buy drinks.

This is a straightforward finish. After cave swimming and island sightseeing, you can spend an hour in the shallows or on the sand without needing to keep moving. Beach bars make it easy to buy a cold drink, but those purchases are separate from the beer, wine, cola, and water supplied on the boat.

The beach may be popular, so do not expect complete solitude. Its appeal is convenience and sand, not secrecy. If your ideal final stop is a quiet cove, tell the captain early and ask if the route can end somewhere less busy.

What the boat day feels like

The boat has areas for sun and shade, plus space at the front for sunbathing and at the back for sitting. Drinks listed as included are beer, wine, Coca-Cola, and bottled water. A bottle of champagne is included only on sunset tours, not automatically on the regular full-day outing.

The captain’s role makes a big difference. Bruno is repeatedly praised for being friendly with children, finding swimming spots in windy weather, and acting as both guide and captain. Ivan has been praised for asking what groups wanted, offering local suggestions, and taking people to quieter caves and coves. Lovro has been described as a capable skipper who allowed plenty of time at each stop.

The tone is usually informal and personal. You may get help with photographs, suggestions for lunch, and changes to the route. But service style can vary. Two people found their captain distant and felt more like passengers being transported than a group being hosted. That is not a reason to reject the tour, but it is a reminder that the captain shapes the experience.

Sea conditions also matter. Several outings took place on windy or wavy days, yet the captain found sheltered places for swimming. A private boat gives the crew more room to adapt, but it cannot remove the motion of the sea. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where you feel best, watch the horizon, and mention it before departure.

One practical warning concerns the onboard toilet. A restroom is listed, but one person found it was not working. Ask about its condition if that facility matters to you, particularly for a full eight-hour day.

The real cost and what to bring

The base price is $302.46 per private group of up to six. That is attractive for a full day when divided among a larger group. The price includes private transportation, snorkelling equipment, onboard drinks, and the boat itself.

The cost picture needs one careful check. Fuel is listed separately at €50 for a four-hour booking and €70 for an eight-hour booking, while the inclusion notes mention fuel only for sunset tours. Lunch, towels, sunscreen, and swimsuits are also excluded. Ask the operator to confirm the exact fuel charge and total payable amount.

Pack light, but do not forget the basics:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Waterproof phone case or camera
• A dry change of clothes
• Any personal medication
• Cash or a payment card for lunch and beach bars

The boat supplies drinks, so you do not need to load up with bottled water. Still, bring anything specific you need, especially snacks or drinks for children, since the included selection is limited to the items stated above.

Who should book this private island tour

I would choose this for a family, a group of friends, or a couple celebrating a special occasion who values privacy. It works particularly well when your group has mixed interests: one person wants caves, another wants lunch, another wants a sandy beach, and someone else wants to sit in the shade.

It is also a strong choice if you want swimming to be the main event. The day includes several opportunities to enter the water, and the captain can look for calmer places when conditions allow.

The tour is less suited to anyone seeking a tightly timed cultural tour with guaranteed stops. Island visits can change, and the experience depends on weather, sea conditions, the captain, and the group’s preferences. It is also not ideal if you dislike boat motion or need a fully reliable toilet and guaranteed snorkelling equipment.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. Children have been welcomed, with life jackets and noodles available when required. Still, tell the operator about swimming ability, mobility needs, or medical concerns ahead of time.

Booking advice and cancellation terms

This experience is often reserved well ahead, with bookings averaging about 53 days in advance. That suggests you should plan early for summer dates, especially if you need a particular day.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that period are not accepted for a refund. The tour also requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Before paying, confirm four things: the exact duration, the fuel charge, the working toilet, and whether snorkelling gear will be aboard. Also ask which islands are planned for your date. Those quick questions can prevent the main sources of disappointment.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want to see Dubrovnik’s nearby islands from the water, swim in Koločep’s caves, and set the rhythm of a private day. The strongest reasons are the flexible route, hotel pickup, family-friendly approach, drinks aboard, and the chance to use local captains such as Bruno or Ivan to find sheltered swimming places.

Think twice if your budget is tight for a small group, if every named stop must happen, or if you need guaranteed equipment and a working toilet. For six people who want a relaxed day on the Adriatic, the price can be very fair. For two people, compare it with other boat options and include lunch and fuel before deciding.

FAQ

How long is the private boat tour?

The full-day experience lasts approximately eight hours. A four-hour option is also referenced in the tour details and booking information.

How many people can join the private boat tour?

The private group price covers up to six people. Only your own group participates.

Which islands and places does the route visit?

The usual route includes Koločep Island, Šipan Island, Lopud Island, and Šunj Beach. Koločep includes the Blue Cave and three additional caves. Stops can change with conditions and timing.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price. The route includes a stop on Šipan for lunch at a restaurant, and the captain may help arrange a reservation.

Is snorkelling equipment provided?

Snorkelling equipment is listed as included. Because one booking reported that snorkels were unavailable, confirm the equipment directly before departure if you rely on it.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund.