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

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat trip is the freedom to trade crowded city streets for clear water, small islands, and caves you can reach only by boat. You can swim at Koločep, eat lunch on Šipan, stroll Lopud, and finish at sandy Šunj Beach.

I like the private boat and the way captains such as Bruno, Ivan, and Lovro have adjusted routes for families, honeymooners, and groups with mixed swimming ability. I also like the included drinks, hotel pickup, shade and sun areas, and the chance to stop for photographs or a quiet swim.

The main caution is that the day depends on weather and communication. One group reached only Koločep instead of the full planned route, while another found the toilet out of order and had no snorkeling gear. Confirm the route, fuel charge, equipment, and boat facilities before setting off.

Key points to know before booking

• Koločep supplies the best water time: Plan on blue-cave swims, smaller caves, coves, and snorkeling near the island.
• Šipan is the lunch island: You get about two hours here, but lunch is extra and restaurant prices are not included.
• The private format is the real value: Your group of up to six can request more swimming, less walking, or extra photo stops.
• Šunj Beach has sand: Lopud and Šunj offer a welcome change from the rocky Adriatic shore.
• Pickup keeps the day simple: Transport can be arranged from your hotel, apartment, or address, with an extra charge outside the pickup area.
• Budget beyond the headline price: Add lunch and fuel, listed as €70 for the eight-hour option or €50 for four hours.

Why this private Dubrovnik boat day works so well

Dubrovnik is lovely from land, but its best summer moments often happen offshore. This tour takes you out toward the Elaphiti islands, where the pace slows to engine hum, swimming stops, and the sound of water against the hull.

At $302.46 for up to six people, the starting price works out to about $50 per person if you fill the boat. That is a fair price for a full private day, especially when pickup, boat transport, drinks, and snorkeling equipment are included. It becomes less of a bargain for one or two people, since fuel, lunch, and any extra pickup cost still need to be added.

The private setup matters more than it may first appear. You are not tied to a large group’s timetable, and the captain can spend longer at a cave, shorten a swim, or change the plan when wind and waves make one stop less pleasant. Several captains have also helped with photographs, found quieter swimming spots, and made room for children or less confident swimmers.

You should still think of this as a boating day rather than a tightly scripted sightseeing tour. The listed stops give you a useful framework, but the actual order and amount of time can change with conditions and your wishes.

Hotel pickup and the ride to the marina

Pickup is available from a hotel, apartment, or arranged address. The company uses a separate vehicle for at least some pickups, and the ride takes you to the marina near the bridge rather than sending you to find the boat on your own.

That is handy in Dubrovnik, where getting from the old city area to a marina can add a little confusion to an early start. One important detail: the marina is not right beside the Old Town. A four-hour group noted that the drive took about 20 minutes, which reduced the time available for seeing Dubrovnik from the sea or visiting Lokrum.

For the eight-hour trip, that transfer matters less because you have a full day on the water. Still, ask where you will board and how much time the vehicle takes from your accommodation. Pickup beyond the normal service area costs extra, so settle that before paying.

Once aboard, you can expect room to sit in the sun or shade, a restroom, bottled water, Coca-Cola, beer, and wine. A few groups found the toilet or snorkeling supply unreliable, so I would confirm both shortly before departure rather than assume every advertised item will be available in perfect working order.

Koločep Island and the blue caves

Koločep is the first major stop and the main reason to choose this boat day. The route includes the popular Blue Cave and three other caves around the island, with time to swim and snorkel inside them.

The color comes from sunlight entering the cave and reflecting through the water. Conditions change by hour, weather, and water clarity, so do not expect the same shade every day. Still, swimming into a sea cave is a more memorable experience than simply looking at the coastline from the boat.

You may also stop in a quieter cove or at a rocky swimming spot. Captains who know these waters can adjust the exact location when wind makes one side of the island rough. That flexibility proved useful on breezy days, when the captain found calmer places for swimming instead of forcing the original plan.

Bring a waterproof camera or GoPro if you have one. The caves, boat approach, and views back toward the island are the most photograph-friendly parts of the day, though you should protect your phone and camera around the water.

The swimming is not only for strong swimmers, but you do need to be comfortable getting in and out of the sea. Life jackets and pool noodles have been provided for people who needed extra confidence. Ask for them before entering the water, and tell the captain clearly if anyone in your group is uneasy.

Snorkeling equipment is listed as included. One party was disappointed that masks and snorkels were not available, so confirm the equipment at pickup. If snorkeling is central to your plan, bringing your own mask is sensible if you have room.

Šipan for lunch and a slower island hour

After the cave and swimming stops, the boat heads to Šipan. The planned stay is about two hours, giving you time for a sit-down meal rather than a rushed sandwich between swims.

Lunch is not included. The captain may suggest or arrange a restaurant, and one group appreciated having a reservation at Hotel Božica in Suđurađ. Another group enjoyed a lunch stop with broad views and access to an infinity pool, but those extras should not be treated as guaranteed features of every departure.

This stop gives you a needed pause from the sun. You can eat, stretch your legs, and let anyone who felt seasick settle down before the boat continues. One group had two people feeling ill during the first hour, and the crew stopped so they could recover. That kind of practical adjustment is one of the benefits of booking privately.

Ask about the restaurant plan before leaving Dubrovnik. If you have dietary needs, want a particular budget, or prefer more time in the water, say so early. The listed two-hour stop is generous, but lunch prices and menu choices are your responsibility.

Lopud’s churches, monastery, and walking time

Lopud changes the mood again. Instead of staying in the water, you can walk around the island and see churches, a monastery, and the local settlement.

The planned visit lasts about an hour. That is enough for a short look around, but not enough for a long island walk. Keep your expectations realistic: this is a brief taste of Lopud, not a full cultural tour.

It is also the stop most affected by timing. One group expected Lopud but visited only Koločep, while other groups spent time there as planned. Weather, sea conditions, late lunches, and your own requests can all alter the route. If Lopud matters to you, confirm it with the captain at the start and keep lunch from running over.

The island stop is particularly useful for families or anyone who does not want eight straight hours of swimming. You get a chance to walk, look at local buildings, and break up the day with something besides sun and saltwater.

Šunj Beach, the sandy finish

Šunj Beach on Lopud is usually the last major stop. It is one of the most popular sandy beaches near Dubrovnik, a welcome contrast to the rocky shore found in many Adriatic swimming places.

You can relax on the sand, swim close to shore, or have a drink at one of the beach bars. The planned stop is about an hour, though a private boat gives you a chance to discuss how much time you want here.

This is a good final stop because it asks little of you. After caves, lunch, and island walking, you can simply sit down and enjoy the afternoon. If your group includes children, the sand is easier for play than a rocky cove, though normal sea and beach safety still applies.

Some departures may finish with a sunset element. A bottle of champagne is specified for sunset tours, not for the standard daytime trip, so check which version you are booking if an evening return is important to you.

What the captains add to the day

The company uses several captains, and the experience can feel different depending on who takes your group. Bruno has been praised for handling families and windy days, finding good swimming spots, and keeping the boat comfortable. Ivan has often adjusted routes around requests, found quieter coves, and helped groups with photographs. Lovro has been valued for careful navigation and allowing plenty of time at each stop.

Other named crew members include Tony, Evan, Esteban, and Marco. The crew can be friendly and engaging, but the personal connection is not guaranteed. Two groups found their captain courteous but distant, and one group waited about 30 minutes when the skipper was temporarily away from the port.

That contrast is worth keeping in mind. A private boat makes you more aware of the captain’s communication style than you would be on a large group cruise. At the start, explain what your group wants: swimming, caves, walking, quiet bays, cliff jumping, photographs, or a relaxed lunch. Clear requests give the captain something useful to work with.

The boat itself has space at the front for sunbathing and at the back for sitting in shade or relaxing. Drinks are provided, including water, soft drinks, beer, and wine. Alcohol is best treated as a pleasant extra, not as the focus of the day, since you still need to stay safe around the water.

What to budget beyond $302.46

The listed price is $302.46 per group of up to six. For six people, that is about $50 each before additional costs. For a couple, the same boat costs about $151 each, so the value improves sharply when you share it with family or friends.

Plan for these extra expenses:

• Lunch on Šipan
• Fuel, listed as €70 for the eight-hour option
• An extra pickup charge if your address is outside the normal service area
• Towels
• Sunscreen
• Swimsuits

The fuel information needs special attention because the inclusions describe fuel differently for sunset tours, while the exclusions list €70 for eight hours and €50 for four hours. Ask the operator to confirm the exact fuel charge for your booking.

The drink supply helps offset some costs, since you do not need to buy water and soft drinks for the boat. Still, bring anything specific you need, especially if someone in your group dislikes the available choices or does not drink alcohol.

Weather, swimming, and practical comfort

This trip requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes made inside that window are not accepted.

Sea conditions affect the day even when the tour goes ahead. A windy day can mean a rougher ride, fewer cave options, or a change to the swimming order. If anyone is prone to seasickness, eat lightly before departure, tell the captain early, and use the private format to request a calmer stop if needed.

Wear a swimsuit from the start and pack sunscreen, since neither is supplied. Towels are also not included. You will want footwear that can handle a boat deck and a rocky shoreline, though the supplied details do not specify a particular shoe type.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour is private, but it is still an active day involving boat movement, ladders or steps into the sea, walking on an island, and time in direct sun. Ask the operator about any specific mobility or medical concern before booking.

Who should book this boat tour?

I would choose this for a family, group of friends, or couple that wants a full day outside Dubrovnik and prefers control over the pace. It suits people who value swimming, small-island scenery, informal restaurant stops, and time to spread out on a private boat.

It is also a strong choice for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can explore caves while others use life jackets or noodles, and non-swimmers can spend more time on the boat or at the beach. The private format makes those different interests easier to manage.

I would look elsewhere if you want a fixed cultural schedule, guaranteed visits to every listed island, or a formal guided history tour. The emphasis is on the sea, scenery, swimming, and a flexible day, not detailed commentary at every stop.

Should you book it?

Book it if you can fill most of the six seats and want Dubrovnik’s islands on your own terms. The combination of Koločep caves, a Šipan lunch break, Lopud, Šunj Beach, pickup, drinks, and a private captain offers good value for a full day.

Before confirming, ask four simple questions: Is fuel included or charged separately? Which islands are realistic for your date? Is the snorkeling equipment on board? Is the restroom working? If the answers are clear and the forecast is good, this is one of the better ways to spend a hot day near Dubrovnik.

FAQ

How much does the private boat tour cost?

The listed price is $302.46 per private group of up to six people. Lunch, towels, sunscreen, swimsuits, and fuel charges are not included.

How long does the tour last?

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

Which islands and beaches does the tour visit?

The planned route includes Koločep Island, Šipan Island, Lopud Island, and Šunj Beach. The exact route can change because of weather, timing, and group requests.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup can be arranged from a hotel, apartment, or other address. Addresses outside the normal pickup area may cost extra.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch on Šipan is not included in the price. The captain may help arrange a restaurant stop, but you pay for the meal yourself.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkeling equipment is listed as included. Because one departure did not have snorkels available, confirm the equipment before leaving if snorkeling is important to you.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted.