Brand New Mercan Excursion 34 Private Tour From Dubrovnik Cavtat

Make Dubrovnik your launch point.

This private boat trip trades crowded streets for open water, quiet coves, and the small islands scattered off the coast. I like the private format, which gives your group control over the pace, music, swimming time, and stops. I also like the variety: you get coastal views, the Blue Cave, three green caves, a sandy beach, and time on Lopud.

The main thing to consider is the extra fuel charge, paid in cash on the boat. That can add €150 for a full-day outing, so the attractive group price needs a closer look. Cave access also requires you to jump into the sea, and the Blue Cave is not suitable if you cannot swim.

Key points at a glance

• A private boat for up to 12 people: Your group does not share the activity with strangers.
• The Blue Cave requires a sea entry: You swim through a small opening, with water around 4 meters deep.
• Three green caves on Kolocep: The stop includes two green caves and a canyon-style cave.
• Sunj Beach offers a sandy break: The shallow water and broad beach give you an easy change of pace after cave visits.
• Lopud works well for lunch: Restaurants line the coast, giving you time to eat at your own expense.
• Pasjaca Beach is an alternative: If you have already seen the Elaphiti Islands, the skipper may take you there instead.

A full day on the water from Dubrovnik Cavtat

The tour lasts about eight hours, making it a substantial day rather than a quick boat ride. The route begins with a panoramic cruise around Dubrovnik’s coast before moving toward the caves and islands.

That first view of Dubrovnik from the water matters. The city is often seen from its streets and walls, but a boat gives you a different sense of its setting. You get a broad coastal view before the day turns toward swimming and beach time.

This is a private activity for your own group, with space for up to 12 people. That setup is especially useful for families, groups of friends, or couples who do not want to fit into someone else’s timetable. You can listen to your own playlist, an appealing detail confirmed by the experience of a French-speaking customer who enjoyed swimming and staying out until sunset with personal music.

The boat is described as a new Mercan Excursion 34. One especially praised detail is how quiet the boat is. A quieter ride makes conversation easier and lets you enjoy the coast without constant engine noise.

Dubrovnik’s coast before the caves

The opening cruise around Dubrovnik takes about 25 minutes. It is a short portion of the day, but it sets the tone and gives you a panoramic look at the city from offshore.

Afterward, the boat makes an expected 20-minute trip to the Blue Cave. Those short transfers are part of the appeal of a speedboat day. You spend less time getting from one place to the next and more time at the actual swimming and beach stops.

Your skipper is included, along with bottled water, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and snorkeling equipment. The information does not specify which drinks are offered or how much snorkeling equipment is available, so I would still pack your own essentials, especially if several people in your group want to use it at once.

The boat has a practical, social feel. You can spend the ride talking, listening to music, or watching the shoreline pass. It is less structured than a large sightseeing cruise, which may be exactly what you want. If you prefer constant historical commentary or a formal guided tour, this experience may feel more relaxed than informative.

Entering Dubrovnik’s Blue Cave

The Blue Cave stop lasts about 35 minutes. The key fact is simple: you must enter the sea to reach the cave. The opening is small, but you can swim through it without going underwater for the entire entry.

Inside, the water reaches about 4 meters, and you cannot stand on the bottom. That makes this stop exciting for confident swimmers, but it is not a casual look from a boat. If you are uneasy in open water, ask yourself honestly if this will feel fun or stressful.

The included snorkeling equipment adds value here, especially if you want to see more around the cave entrance. You should bring a bathing suit, towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and a change of clothes. A camera can also be useful, though you will need to protect it carefully around the water.

The 35-minute stop is enough for a swim and a look inside, but it is not a long cave visit. The experience depends more on the setting and the swim than on walking around or receiving a detailed explanation.

Kolocep’s two green caves and canyon cave

The next stop lasts about one hour and includes three formations on Kolocep Island: two green caves and one cave described as a canyon. This is the most varied cave portion of the route.

I like the fact that the tour does not stop after just one dramatic opening. You get several different forms of shoreline scenery in one visit. The caves also give you more chances to swim and use the snorkeling equipment.

The word green refers to the character of the caves, but the information does not promise a specific color effect at a particular time of day. Conditions can affect how the water and rock look, so keep your expectations flexible. You are visiting natural sites, not a controlled attraction with fixed lighting.

One hour gives you room to enjoy the stop without rushing from one opening to the next. Still, the day includes several water activities, so you should expect an active schedule. Bring footwear and clothing you can manage around a boat and wet shoreline, though the supplied information does not specify what type of landing is used at each cave.

Sunj Beach on Lopud Island

After the caves, the tour slows down at Sunj Beach for about one hour. This sandy beach sits on the south side of Lopud, one of the small islands near Dubrovnik.

Sunj is known for its shallow water. You may walk roughly 100 meters before reaching swimming depth, which makes it more useful for wading, relaxing, and family play than for a quick plunge. Families with small children may appreciate the gentle entry, while strong swimmers may find the shallow stretch a little frustrating.

The beach is nearly a kilometer long, giving you plenty of room to spread out compared with a tiny cove. The area also offers activities such as volleyball, tennis, and picigin, though the tour information does not say that equipment or court access is included.

This is a smart point in the route. After swimming through caves, you get a simple beach break where you can dry off, rest, and enjoy the sand. Bring your own towel and sunscreen, since neither is listed as included. The one-hour stop is enough to relax, but you should not expect a long resort-style beach day.

Lunch and free time on Lopud

The tour then allows time on Lopud, with the island’s coastal restaurants suggested as places to eat. The schedule gives three hours to this part of the outing before the return home, although the exact amount of time used for lunch and wandering may depend on your group and skipper.

That long pause is valuable. Many boat trips pack in so many stops that lunch becomes a hurried snack. Here, you have the chance to sit down, order a proper meal, and take the day at a slower pace.

The information does not include lunch, so budget separately for your meal. Restaurant choice and prices are not specified. If you are traveling with a large group, keep in mind that finding a table for everyone may take more planning than it would for two people.

Lopud is also a useful reset between the water stops and the ride back. You can change clothes, eat, and enjoy time on land before returning to the boat. For some people, this will be the most comfortable part of the day. For others, the extra island time may feel long if the main goal is swimming and caves.

Pasjaca Beach as an alternative route

Pasjaca Beach may replace the Elaphiti Islands portion if you do not want to visit those islands or have already seen them. It is described as an amazing natural beach, and the stop can last about two hours.

This option gives the skipper some flexibility. You are not locked into the same route if you have already explored the Elaphiti Islands. It also gives repeat visitors a way to build a different day around a beach rather than repeating familiar island stops.

The supplied details do not explain exactly when you must request Pasjaca, how the decision is made, or what the beach access is like. If Pasjaca is important to you, ask about it before departure. Do not assume it is automatically included alongside the Elaphiti Islands stops, because it is presented as an alternative.

You should also note that the stated route can read in two ways: the island route includes the caves, Sunj Beach, and Lopud, while Pasjaca is an alternate choice. Clarifying the route in advance will help you understand how your eight hours will be divided.

What the $360.44 group price really means

The listed price is $360.44 for a group of up to 12 people. At the maximum group size, that is an excellent per-person starting price. For four people, it is a much larger individual expense, though the privacy and flexibility may still justify it.

The major catch is the fuel surcharge, paid in cash on the boat:

• Sunset tour: €30
• Half-day tour: €80
• Full-day tour: €150

Because the experience lasts about eight hours, you should ask which fuel category applies to your booking. If the full-day €150 charge applies, add it to your total before comparing this trip with other Dubrovnik boat tours.

The included drinks also help the value. Bottled water, soda, and alcoholic beverages are provided, along with snorkeling equipment and the skipper. Lunch, personal beach items, and the fuel charge are not included.

For a group of friends or a family splitting the bill, this can be a sensible way to get a private day at sea. For a solo visitor or couple, the price is harder to justify unless privacy is a high priority.

The skipper and the feel of the trip

The skipper is central to the experience because this is not a large coach-style excursion. You are relying on one person to handle the boat, manage the timing, and help the group move between the caves, beach, and island.

Antonio is specifically associated with the tour and received praise for being helpful, available, and punctual. The booking communication was described as clear, and the pickup was on time with no waiting. Those details matter in Dubrovnik, where a late start can quickly reduce beach and swimming time.

The boat was also praised for being beautiful and very quiet. That combination gives the trip a more polished feel than a basic transfer boat. You can enjoy your own playlist, talk with your group, and listen to the water without fighting a loud motor.

The experience has earned a five-star rating from 47 ratings, with 100 percent recommending it. That is a strong record, though you should still match the tour to your own needs. The route favors swimming, sun, and informal time over museums, monuments, or detailed cultural explanation.

What to pack and what to clarify

The most important packing list is practical:

• Bathing suit
• Towel
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Change of clothes
• Camera

The boat supplies water, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and snorkeling equipment. You should still bring anything personal that helps you stay comfortable during a full day outside.

Before you book, I would confirm four points:

• Which fuel surcharge applies to your exact tour
• Whether you want the Elaphiti Islands route or Pasjaca Beach
• How the time on Lopud will be divided between lunch and free time
• Whether everyone in your group is comfortable entering water where they cannot stand

The activity is offered in English and is near public transportation. Confirmation is provided at booking, and most people can participate. Since the Blue Cave requires a sea entry, however, general participation does not mean every stop will suit every person.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Who should book this Dubrovnik boat tour?

I would choose this trip for a group that wants a private day with several different stops. Families may like Sunj Beach’s shallow water, while friends may prefer the caves, drinks, and personal music. It also suits people who have already seen Dubrovnik’s main sights and want a day outside the city.

Confident swimmers will get the most from the Blue Cave. If you cannot swim comfortably in water where you cannot stand, the cave portion may be more worry than pleasure. You can still enjoy the boat and beach stops, but you should discuss your concerns before booking.

I would be less likely to recommend it to someone seeking a formal history tour, a fixed lunch arrangement, or a low-cost shared excursion. The private price is best when several people split it, and the fuel surcharge must be included in your budget.

Should you book the Mercan Excursion 34?

Book it if you want a private, flexible day on the Adriatic with cave swims, a sandy beach, island time, drinks, and a quiet boat. The mix of Dubrovnik views, the Blue Cave, Kolocep’s three caves, Sunj Beach, and Lopud gives the day plenty of variety.

Before paying, get the fuel cost and exact route confirmed. If your group is comfortable in the water and can share the total, this is a strong-value choice for a full day away from Dubrovnik’s crowded center. If not, look for a shorter boat ride with easier water access.

FAQ

How long does the private boat tour last?

The tour 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 the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Do I need to swim to enter the Blue Cave?

Yes. The only way to enter the Blue Cave is to jump into the sea and swim through its small opening. You do not need to go underwater to enter, but the cave is about 4 meters deep and you cannot stand.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included with the tour.

Are drinks provided?

Yes. Bottled water, soda, and alcoholic beverages are included.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. A fuel surcharge is paid in cash on the boat. The stated charges are €30 for a sunset tour, €80 for a half-day tour, and €150 for a full-day tour.

Can Pasjaca Beach replace the Elaphiti Islands?

Yes. Pasjaca Beach may be selected as an alternative if you do not want to visit the Elaphiti Islands or have already seen them.