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

See Dubrovnik from the water. This eight-hour private boat trip links Koločep’s blue cave, Šipan’s lunch restaurants, Lopud’s sandy beaches, and Šunj Beach in one relaxed day. I like the flexible route and the chance to stop for swimming and snorkelling, while hotel pickup and drinks on board keep the day easy.

I also like the space that comes with a private boat for up to six people. Captains such as Bruno and Ivan have adjusted routes for weather, swimming ability, lunch plans, and quieter coves. The main caution is that the advertised facilities may need checking before you go: one booking party found the toilet unusable, and another expected snorkels that were not available.

Key points at a glance

• Four island stops in one day: Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj give you caves, lunch, walking, and beach time.
• The blue cave is the main event: Sunlight reflects through the water and walls, creating the blue glow that makes swimming inside memorable.
• A genuinely private outing: Your group controls the pace more than on a standard boat excursion.
• Bruno and Ivan receive especially strong praise: Both captains are described as friendly, capable, and good with children.
• Drinks are provided: Beer, wine, Coca-Cola, and bottled water are available on board.
• Budget beyond the headline price: Lunch, towels, sunscreen, swimwear, and fuel charges are not included.

Why this boat day works so well

Dubrovnik is best understood from the sea. From the boat, the city gives way to a chain of low islands, sheltered bays, rocky coves, and beaches that are difficult to reach by road. This tour makes good use of that setting without forcing you into a large group or a fixed sightseeing script.

The listed price is $302.46 per group of up to six. For six people, that is about $50 per person before fuel, which is strong value for an eight-hour private outing. For two people, the same price is much harder to justify, though the privacy and personal attention may still suit a special occasion.

The day is designed around four broad stops, but the captain can adjust the order and length. Several parties had extra swim stops, quieter places, cliff-jumping locations, or time to help someone recover from seasickness. That flexibility is one of the main reasons to choose this rather than a scheduled island ferry.

Pickup makes the morning easier

Pickup is offered from hotels, apartments, and arranged addresses within the company’s normal service area. Transport brings you to the marina, then returns you after the trip. That matters in Dubrovnik, where getting from the old city area to a boat departure point can add time and fuss.

One pickup was near the Hilton Imperial, followed by a drive to the marina on the other side of the bridge. Allow for that transfer when planning your day. You are not necessarily sailing directly from the old city walls, and the route does not automatically include a coastal view of Dubrovnik itself.

Addresses outside the usual pickup radius cost extra. Confirm your exact pickup point and any added charge before departure. A timely pickup can make an eight-hour day feel calm, while a vague meeting arrangement can create an unnecessary start-of-day scramble.

Koločep and the blue cave swim

Koločep is the most active part of the route. The boat visits the well-known Blue Cave and three additional caves around the island. You can swim and snorkel inside them, where sunlight catches the water and creates the blue reflection.

This is not a walk-up cave attraction. You reach the caves from the boat, then enter the water. You should be comfortable swimming, though life jackets and flotation noodles have been provided for people who were less confident in the water. Ask the captain about the safest way to enter and leave the sea before jumping in.

Koločep also gives the captain room to respond to the day’s conditions. On windy or wavy outings, Bruno and Ivan found calmer places for swimming. That practical judgment is important. The Adriatic can look peaceful from shore and still feel lively once you are in an open boat.

Bring a waterproof phone case or action camera if you have one. The cave light, rock openings, and clear water are the sort of scenes you will want to photograph, but keep your hands free when entering the water.

Snorkelling equipment is listed as included, yet one party reported that no snorkels were available. I would confirm this directly before departure, especially if seeing underwater life is central to your plans. You should also bring your own towel, sunscreen, and swimsuit.

Šipan turns sightseeing into lunch

After Koločep, the boat heads to Šipan for about two hours. This is the slowest and most food-focused stop. Lunch is taken at a local restaurant and is not included in the tour price.

The captain may suggest a restaurant or arrange a reservation. One group was taken to Sudurad and had lunch at Hotel Božica, while another praised a restaurant with good views and access to an infinity pool. These details are not guaranteed, but they show how useful the captain’s local suggestions can be.

You should ask about the lunch plan early in the day. Find out where you are stopping, what time you need to return to the boat, and whether the restaurant accepts your preferred payment method. Since the meal is extra, budget for it separately.

Šipan is also a good pause between swimming stops. If you are travelling with children, older family members, or anyone who gets seasick, the two-hour island break gives everyone time to eat, walk a little, and settle before returning to the boat.

Lopud offers churches, walking, and a different pace

Lopud is scheduled for about an hour. It brings a change of rhythm, with churches, a monastery, and a chance to walk around instead of spending the whole day in the water.

Do not expect a long island tour in sixty minutes. This is enough for a brief look and a stretch of the legs, but not enough for a detailed exploration of every building and path. If walking matters more to you than swimming, tell the captain at the start so the route can be shaped around that preference.

One party booked a route that was meant to include Lopud but visited only Koločep. That was a clear disappointment. Since the itinerary can shift with weather, timing, and sea conditions, confirm the planned stops before leaving the marina and speak up if Lopud is important to you.

Šunj Beach is the easy final stop

Šunj Beach on Lopud is usually the last stop. It is described as the most popular sandy beach near Dubrovnik, with beach bars where you can relax and buy drinks.

The appeal is simple: after caves, boat time, and lunch, you get a proper sandy beach. It is a useful choice for families and for anyone who prefers a gentle finish rather than another rocky swimming cove.

Popularity is also the drawback. Do not expect complete solitude. The beach bars add comfort, but prices and availability are outside the tour’s control. If you want a quieter final stop, ask whether the captain can offer another bay instead.

The boat, drinks, and onboard comfort

The private boat has room at the back to sit in shade and space at the front for sunbathing. That split is useful on a long day. You can change position as the heat builds, and different members of your group can relax in different ways.

Beer, wine, Coca-Cola, and bottled water are provided. This is a welcome touch, particularly during the hot middle of the day. Bottled water is available, but I would still ask how much is stocked for your group and bring anything specific that you need.

A restroom is listed on board, though it was reportedly not working for one booking party. Check its condition before setting off. Boat toilets are basic even when functioning, so use facilities at the marina or lunch stop when you can.

The package does not include towels, sunscreen, or swimwear. Those omissions are easy to handle, but they matter. Pack a towel for every swimmer, high-factor sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a dry bag for phones and wallets.

Captains can make or break the day

The strongest part of the experience is the crew. Bruno is repeatedly praised for being friendly, safe with children, and willing to find good places in poor weather. Ivan is also described as an excellent captain who asked what the group wanted and adapted the route, including quieter places and cliff-jumping stops.

Lovro received similar praise for giving a honeymooning couple enough time at each stop and handling the water well. Other captains named in the feedback include Tony, Evan, Esteban, and Marco. Marco was new to the operation when one group sailed with him, but that party still found the crew professional and capable.

The tone can vary. Two parties found a captain courteous but distant, which made the day feel less personal. Another group waited about thirty minutes for the skipper to return after an island stop. Those experiences were not typical of the praise, but they are worth keeping in mind because a private tour depends heavily on the person at the helm.

At the start, tell the captain what matters most to you. You might want more cave time, a long lunch, a beach stop, a quiet cove, or fewer fast boat transfers. Clear requests give the captain something useful to work with.

How the weather affects the route

This experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. The policy is sensible because caves, swimming, and an open boat are all dependent on sea conditions.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, so watch the local time and the forecast.

Even when the tour runs, wind may change the route. One party had a very windy day but still found enjoyable swim locations. Another group dealt with waves and praised the skipper for choosing suitable places. This is where a private boat has an advantage over a fixed group schedule.

If you are prone to seasickness, take that seriously. Sit where the captain recommends, avoid a heavy meal immediately before departure, and tell the crew as soon as you feel unwell. One captain stopped at an island so sick passengers could recover.

Is $302.46 good value?

The price works best for a group of four to six. You receive private transportation, an eight-hour boat, several island stops, drinks, snorkelling equipment, and pickup and return service. Splitting the cost among six people makes it much cheaper than booking six separate private outings.

There is an additional fuel charge listed as €70 for the eight-hour option and €50 for the four-hour option. The supplied details also describe fuel as included only for sunset tours, so confirm the final total before paying. Lunch is extra, and you may spend more at Šunj’s beach bars or the restaurant on Šipan.

For a small group, the value comes less from the per-person price and more from control. You can choose how long to swim, avoid a stop that does not suit you, and ask for a lunch reservation. Families, couples celebrating a honeymoon, and groups with mixed interests may find that worth paying for.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to a group that wants a full day outdoors and does not want to share a boat with strangers. It works particularly well for families because the route can include flotation aids, swimming breaks, beach time, and a proper lunch.

It also suits people who want photographs, cave swimming, and a taste of several islands without arranging separate ferries. Strong swimmers will get the most from the cave stops, but less confident swimmers can still take part if they use the provided safety equipment and follow the captain’s advice.

This is less suitable if you want a quiet cultural tour with long guided walks. The island visits are short, and the center of the day is the sea. It may also disappoint you if you expect every advertised stop to happen in the same order regardless of weather or timing.

Should you book the Dubrovnik private boat tour?

Book it if you have four to six people, want a flexible day on the Adriatic, and like the sound of caves, swimming, sandy beaches, and a relaxed island lunch. The captain’s ability to adjust for wind and personal preferences is the biggest advantage, and Bruno, Ivan, and Lovro have all been praised for making the day feel personal.

Before booking, confirm four things: the exact fuel charge, the assigned captain, that snorkelling equipment is on board, and that the toilet is working. Also confirm whether Lopud and Šunj are definitely planned for your date.

With those details settled, this is a strong way to see the islands near Dubrovnik. It offers more freedom than a standard excursion and enough variety to keep an eight-hour day moving.

FAQ

How long is the private boat tour?

The full tour lasts approximately eight hours. A four-hour option is also referenced in the supplied details.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to six people. Only your group participates in the boat activity.

Is hotel pickup available in Dubrovnik?

Yes. Pickup can be arranged from hotels, apartments, and addresses within the company’s normal pickup area. Locations outside that radius may cost extra.

Which islands does the eight-hour route visit?

The planned route includes Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud, with a usual final stop at Šunj Beach on Lopud.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price. The captain can suggest or arrange a restaurant stop on Šipan.

Is snorkelling equipment provided?

Snorkelling equipment is listed as included. However, one booking party reported that snorkels were not available, so confirm the equipment before departure.

Are drinks included on the boat?

Yes. The included drinks are listed as beer, wine, Coca-Cola, and bottled water.

Is fuel included in the price?

The supplied details list a €70 fuel charge for the eight-hour option and €50 for the four-hour option. Fuel is described as included for sunset tours only, so confirm the final cost when booking.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes 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.