Brand New Mercan Excursion 34 Private Tour From Dubrovnik Cavtat

Dubrovnik’s best coastal sights are made for the water, and this private speedboat tour gets you away from the city walls and into small caves, clear swimming spots, and sandy island beaches. You can swim into the Blue Cave, explore three caves near Koločep, and settle into the shallow water at Šunj Beach. Antonio is the named contact and skipper, and the boat is reserved only for your group.

I like the freedom of a private outing and the good mix of activity and downtime. You get snorkeling gear, drinks, and room for up to 12 people, while your group controls the mood with its own playlist. The quiet boat and the chance to stay out until sunset are two especially nice touches.

The main drawback is the extra fuel charge, paid in cash on the boat. You should also note that the full Elaphiti Islands route and the Pasjača Beach option are alternatives, not a promise that every listed stop will fit into one eight-hour day.

Key points at a glance

• Swim into Dubrovnik’s Blue Cave: The opening is small but wide enough for swimming, and the cave is about four meters deep, with no place to stand.
• Private boat for up to 12 people: Your group has the skipper and speedboat to itself, with no shared-tour schedule.
• Three caves near Koločep: The stop includes two green caves and a canyon-like cave, with about an hour for exploring.
• Šunj Beach offers a sandy break: The beach is shallow for roughly 100 meters, making it a calm stop after time in the caves.
• Lopud adds lunch time: You can leave the boat for a meal at one of the restaurants along the island’s coast.
• Pasjača can replace the islands: If you have already seen the Elaphiti Islands, the boat may instead head to this dramatic natural beach.

A private speedboat day beyond Dubrovnik’s city walls

This is not a standard sightseeing cruise where you sit in one place and watch the shore pass by. It is a full day built around swimming, short coastal rides, caves, and a relaxed island stop.

The boat first gives you a panoramic look at Dubrovnik from the sea. That view matters. From the water, you see the city walls as part of the coast rather than as a single crowded attraction, and the cruise makes a useful opening to the day before the swimming begins.

The tour lasts about eight hours. That sounds generous, but time goes quickly once you add the boat ride, cave stops, beach time, and lunch. I would treat this as a flexible coastal outing rather than a tightly measured checklist of every island stop.

Because this is a private activity, only your group participates. That makes a real difference for families, couples, or a group of friends who want to set their own pace. You can spend longer in the water, return to the boat sooner, or keep your own music playing while the boat heads back toward Dubrovnik.

The Blue Cave requires a confident swim

After the first coastal cruise, the boat takes about 20 minutes to reach the Blue Cave. The visit lasts around 35 minutes, and there is no separate admission charge listed.

The key fact is simple: you enter the cave from the sea. The opening is small, but you can swim through it without going below the surface. The cave is about four meters deep, and you cannot stand on the bottom, so you need to be comfortable in open water.

Snorkeling equipment is included, but the supplied details do not promise a specific type or size for every person. If you plan to spend much of the day in the water, bring a swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, sun cream, a hat, and a change of clothes. A camera is also recommended, though you will want to protect it carefully around the water.

This stop is less about a long cave visit and more about the fun of reaching a place that can only be entered by swimming. If anyone in your party is uneasy in the sea, the Blue Cave may be the most demanding part of the day. The private format helps here because you can discuss the pace with the skipper rather than being pushed along with a large group.

Three Green Caves on Koločep

The next major stop is on Koločep, one of the Elaphiti Islands. You spend about an hour visiting two green caves and a third cave described as a canyon.

This is a good counterpoint to the Blue Cave. Instead of one short swim into a single enclosed space, you get a broader cave area with time to move between different formations and swimming spots. The word green refers to the color and light inside the caves, which changes as the sun reaches the water and rock.

The caves are reached by boat and water, so you should expect another active stop rather than a dry-land walk. The snorkeling gear provided with the tour is useful here, although the experience is still primarily about swimming and looking around at close range.

An hour gives you enough time to enjoy the stop without letting it take over the day. I would not expect a formal guided history talk or a long shore visit. This is a natural-water stop, and its appeal comes from the setting and the chance to see several cave spaces in one visit.

Šunj Beach brings sand and shallow water

After the caves, the boat heads to Šunj Beach on Lopud. The stop lasts about an hour, but the beach is also where your group may want to slow down and simply rest.

Šunj is known for its sandy shore and unusually shallow water. You may walk about 100 meters before reaching swimming depth, which makes it a practical break for families with small children. It also gives less confident swimmers a calmer place to enjoy the sea than the Blue Cave.

The shallow water can be a drawback if you want to swim immediately. You will need to walk out a long way, and the beach may feel less appealing to strong swimmers looking for a quick plunge. Still, after several cave stops, the soft sand and easy water can be exactly what the day needs.

The beach also has room for casual activities such as volleyball, tennis, and picigin. The tour information does not say that equipment is supplied, so plan on treating these as optional possibilities rather than guaranteed inclusions.

Lopud is the practical lunch stop

Lopud is more than a beach stop. It is the likely place to pause for lunch, with restaurants along the coast. The tour allows about three hours for Lopud and the onward portion of the day, including the return home, so the exact amount of time on the island will depend on the group’s plans and the boat schedule.

I like this part of the route because it breaks up the water time. Eight hours on a boat can feel long if every stop involves swimming. A meal on land gives you a chance to dry off, sit at a table, and enjoy the island at a slower pace.

Lunch is not included in the price, so you should budget for it separately. The supplied details do not identify a particular restaurant or set menu. That gives you flexibility, but it also means you should ask Antonio or the skipper about the day’s lunch plan before departure.

Lopud is described as a romantic island with sandy beaches and coastal restaurants. The appeal here is not a long list of organized sights. It is a pleasant pause in a small island setting, with time to eat and wander before the return journey.

Pasjača Beach is an alternative route

Pasjača Beach is offered for people who do not want to visit the Elaphiti Islands or have already seen them. It is an alternative to the island route, not an additional stop that should automatically be added to the same day.

The beach is described as an amazing natural beach, and the visit can take about two hours. That makes Pasjača a better choice for someone who wants a simpler day focused on one striking coastal setting rather than several island stops.

The choice is worth discussing when you book. If your priority is variety, caves, Lopud, and Šunj Beach give you more changes of scene. If you prefer a longer stop at a natural beach, Pasjača may suit you better.

The available information does not give a detailed description of the swimming conditions or facilities at Pasjača, so do not assume it offers the same shallow water or restaurant access as Šunj and Lopud.

What the $360.44 group price really means

The listed price is $360.44 per group, for up to 12 people. That is not a per-person fare. With a full group, the base cost works out to roughly $30 per person before the fuel surcharge, lunch, and any other personal spending.

For two people, the same price becomes much less of a bargain. For a family or larger group, the private boat format can make the price quite reasonable, especially since the boat, skipper, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages are included.

The fuel charge needs careful attention. It is paid in cash on the boat and is listed as €30 for a sunset tour, €80 for a half-day tour, and €150 for a full-day tour. Since this experience lasts about eight hours, ask which fuel category applies to your booking and confirm the total before setting out.

The fuel payment is the most important cost detail to clarify. Add lunch and personal beach expenses, then compare the final amount with the cost of a shared boat trip. If you have six or more people, the private arrangement becomes easier to justify. You are paying for privacy, control of the day, and space for your own group, not only transportation.

Antonio, the quiet boat, and your own playlist

Antonio is the named contact connected with the experience, and the service details emphasize prompt communication and on-time arrival. The boat is described as especially quiet, which should make the rides between stops more comfortable.

A quiet boat matters on a long day. You can talk without shouting, take in the coastline, and enjoy the ride instead of treating every transfer as noise and vibration. The private setup also lets you play your own playlist, a small detail that can make the outing feel personal rather than packaged.

The skipper is included, as are drinks and snorkeling equipment. Alcoholic beverages are included too, but you should still use good judgment around swimming and moving on and off the boat.

The boat is a Mercan 34 model, and the group limit is 12 people. The available details do not give cabin, toilet, shade, or seating information, so ask about those features if they affect your comfort. For an eight-hour outing, those are sensible questions.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this trip to a group that wants a private day with several types of scenery and plenty of time in the water. It suits families who value a shallow sandy beach, couples who want a quieter boat outing, and friends who would rather control the music and timing themselves.

It is also a good fit if you have already visited Dubrovnik’s main sights and want to see the coast from another angle. The city walls appear at the beginning, but the heart of the day is outside the old center.

You should think twice if nobody in your group is comfortable swimming. The Blue Cave requires you to enter from the sea, and the green caves are also water-based stops. You may still enjoy the boat ride and island lunch, but the most distinctive parts of the day involve being in the water.

The tour is also less suitable for anyone who wants a tightly scheduled cultural excursion. There is no stated museum visit, guided historical tour, or long walking route. This is a boat day first.

Packing and timing advice for a smoother day

Bring the basics: swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, sun cream, hat, dry clothes, and a camera. Bottled water, soda, alcoholic drinks, and snorkeling equipment are included, so you do not need to buy those before boarding.

Keep cash available for the fuel surcharge and lunch. The fuel payment is specifically listed as cash on the boat, and lunch at Lopud is not included.

Good weather is necessary. If poor weather cancels the tour, you can receive a full refund or arrange another date. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted.

The tour is available in English, confirmation is provided when booking, and the meeting area is near public transportation. Most people can take part, but the Blue Cave’s swimming requirement is the practical point to consider before booking.

Should you book this Dubrovnik boat tour?

Book it if you want a private, active coastal day with caves, swimming, a sandy beach, island lunch, and your own music. The strongest features are the private format, the quiet boat, the variety of stops, and the chance to enter the Blue Cave rather than only view it from outside.

For a full group, $360.44 can be solid value. For only one or two people, the price is harder to defend unless privacy and flexibility matter more to you than saving money.

Before paying, confirm the route, the fuel category, and whether your day will include the Elaphiti Islands or Pasjača Beach. If everyone in your group is comfortable in the water and you want more than a standard Dubrovnik harbor cruise, this is a strong choice. If you prefer dry sightseeing, a shared cruise, or a fixed cultural itinerary, spend your money elsewhere.

FAQ

How long does the private Dubrovnik boat tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The boat can accommodate a private group of up to 12 people.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

Do I need to swim into the Blue Cave?

Yes. The only way to enter the Blue Cave is from the sea. The entrance is small but wide enough for swimming, and you cannot stand inside because the cave is about four meters deep.

Is lunch included at Lopud?

No. Lopud has restaurants along the coast where you can stop for lunch, but the meal is not included in the tour price.

What is the fuel surcharge?

The fuel surcharge is paid in cash on the boat. The listed amounts are €30 for a sunset tour, €80 for a half-day tour, and €150 for a full-day tour.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered another date or a full refund if poor weather causes the experience to be canceled.