Private Speedboat Guided Tour: Explore the best of Dubrovnik Islands

Dubrovnik looks best from the water. This private eight-hour speedboat trip combines the city walls, Kolocep’s Blue Cave, Lopud, Šunj Beach, and Sipan in one full day. I especially like the freedom of a private boat and the chance to swim through sea caves with masks and flippers provided.

I also like that you can shape the day around your group. Skippers such as Niksa, Antonio, and Nick have helped families, couples, and larger groups find the right pace. The main drawback is the extra €100 fuel surcharge in cash, plus lunch, and the day can feel long if you mainly want a short boat ride.

Quick take: what makes this boat day special

• Private boat for up to 12 people: Your group gets the boat to itself, rather than joining a crowded island-hopping vessel.
• Blue Cave swimming at Kolocep: You can put on the supplied snorkeling gear and swim through the cave entrance.
• A full view of Dubrovnik’s walls: The opening cruise passes below Lovrijenac Fortress and gives you a fine angle on the old town.
• Šunj Beach has shallow water: The sandy bay is a good choice for families and relaxed swimming.
• Lunch is flexible: Your skipper can suggest an island restaurant, but the meal is not part of the tour price.
• The day depends on the weather: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

The value of a private speedboat for eight hours

The advertised price is $802.84 per group of up to 12 people. That sounds high at first, but the calculation changes when you fill the boat. A group of 12 pays about $67 per person before the fuel surcharge and lunch. A smaller group of two pays much more per person, though couples may still value the privacy and flexibility.

The price includes the boat, skipper and host, bottled water, soda, local beer, red and white wine, and snorkeling equipment. It does not include lunch or the €100 fuel surcharge, which must be paid in cash on the day. Put those costs into your budget before booking.

The private format is the biggest reason to choose this trip. You are not tied to the interests of a large group. If your children need more time at a beach, or you want extra swimming instead of a long stop ashore, the skipper can adjust the day. One group of seven had enough room on an Atlantic 750, with space to sit in the shade at the back or in the sun at the front, though the exact boat should not be assumed for every departure.

For a couple, the price is harder to justify on cost alone. For a family or group of friends, the math is much better. The tour has received a five-star rating from all 35 recorded ratings, with particular praise for the guides, private setting, swimming stops, and the ability to tailor the route.

Starting with Dubrovnik’s walls and Lovrijenac Fortress

The day begins offshore, where Dubrovnik’s old town takes on a different character. From a boat, you can see the city walls in one broad sweep instead of looking at them from street level. Your skipper explains local legends and facts as you pass.

The boat also runs below Lovrijenac Fortress, perched on a steep 37-meter cliff above the Adriatic. This is a useful early orientation point, especially if you have already walked the old town and want to understand how the fort protected the western approach.

I like this opening because it gives the trip a sense of place before the swimming starts. It is not just a transfer to the islands. You get a short introduction to Dubrovnik from the water, with the walls and fortress providing the visual anchor.

One practical point matters here: meeting-point confusion affected at least one departure, even though the skipper, Niksa, handled the problem kindly. Check the meeting instructions carefully and allow time to get your bearings before departure. The tour is near public transportation, but the exact starting instructions still deserve attention.

Kolocep and the Blue Cave swim

Kolocep is the first major island stop, with about an hour set aside for the Blue Cave. The entrance may look narrow from the outside. Once inside, the cave opens up, and sunlight reflects off the walls to create the blue color that gives the place its name.

This is an active stop. You can use the supplied mask and flippers, swim through the entrance, and look back toward the opening from inside. That makes the visit more memorable than simply photographing a cave from the boat.

The same area is also described as having three sea caves along Kolocep’s cliff side. Waves gradually cut through the rock, leaving openings where you can swim. Conditions in any sea cave depend on the weather and water movement, so listen to the skipper before entering and do not treat the stop as a guaranteed swim in every condition.

You do not need previous boating or snorkeling experience. The skipper leads the trip, and the equipment is provided. Still, you should be comfortable in the water if you plan to swim through the cave. If you prefer to remain on the boat, the stop can still work as a coastal view, but swimming is the main attraction.

Lopud village, lunch, and old island buildings

Next comes Lopud, with roughly an hour for the village and a possible lunch stop. Lunch is not included, but the skipper can arrange or recommend a restaurant. Antonio directed one group to Restaurant Obala, where they enjoyed Croatian food with a sea view.

That kind of help is useful because a private boat day can otherwise leave you guessing where to eat. You should still confirm the restaurant plan and meal costs with the skipper. The tour price covers drinks on the boat, not your meal ashore.

Lopud also offers more than food. You might find old botanical gardens linked to the era of the Dubrovnik Republic, when sailors brought unusual plants back from their voyages. A 15th-century Franciscan monastery adds another layer, and a newer museum of light offers a modern contrast.

The one-hour stop is enough for a meal and a short look around, but not for a slow visit to every site. If your group cares more about swimming than buildings, you may prefer a shorter walk. If you like history and local architecture, ask the skipper how to use the time before you sit down for lunch.

Šunj Beach and two hours of easy swimming

After Lopud, the boat heads to Šunj Beach on the island’s southern side. The tour allows about two hours here, making it the longest stop of the day.

Šunj is known for its sandy shore and shallow water. The sea remains waist-deep for many meters, so it warms quickly and feels less intimidating for children. This is the most relaxed part of the route, especially after the cave swim and lunch.

You can sunbathe, swim, or stop at one of the beach bars for coffee, a cocktail, or another meal. The word beach is important here. Much of the Dubrovnik coast is rocky, so a sandy bay gives you a change of texture as well as an easier place to enter the water.

Families may find Šunj the most practical stop. One group brought two five-year-olds, and the skipper, Antonio, was described as friendly and helpful with them. The shallow water is a clear plus, though you should still supervise children closely.

The possible downside is timing. Two hours is generous if you only want a quick swim, but it is welcome if your group wants a proper break. Tell the skipper what pace suits you. The private boat gives you more room to make that choice than a fixed group cruise would.

Sipan and the village of Sudurad

Sipan is a shorter stop, lasting about 30 minutes. The boat visits the area around Sudurad, a fishing village linked with Dubrovnik’s aristocratic past.

Here, the focus shifts from swimming to atmosphere and history. The island was once popular with Dubrovnik’s noble families, and your skipper can point out connections to the old aristocratic way of life. You can enjoy the view, see the rocky shoreline, and take in a quieter side of the Elaphiti islands.

Do not expect a long island walk during this part of the day. Thirty minutes is enough for a brief look, a few photographs, and some context. It is better treated as a compact scenic and historical stop rather than a full village visit.

This short pause also helps break up the day. After the longer time at Šunj, Sipan gives you another look at island life without adding a demanding excursion.

A second look at Kolocep’s sea caves

The route information includes another Blue Cave stop at Kolocep, listed for about 40 minutes. It describes three caves cut into the island’s cliffs by the sea, with time to swim through them.

This may be a separate cave visit from the earlier one-hour Kolocep stop, or part of the same cave area described in more detail. Ask your skipper at the start how the day’s cave time will be arranged. That small clarification matters because the itinerary presents Kolocep and Blue Cave as separate entries, while both concern the same island and cave area.

Either way, the caves are the trip’s most distinctive natural feature. Dubrovnik has no shortage of boat tours, but swimming into a dark opening and seeing the water and rock turn blue gives this route a clear identity.

Water conditions can change the plan. The tour requires good weather, and a cave swim depends on safe sea conditions as well. If the weather forces a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

What it is like onboard

The boat is private, and the format suits groups that want a flexible day on the sea. Drinks are supplied, including water, soda, local beer, and red and white wine. That is convenient, especially during a warm afternoon, but alcohol and swimming should be handled sensibly.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and flippers. The supplied gear is particularly useful at the caves, where the point is to get into the water rather than simply admire the cliffs.

The tour is offered in English. A skipper leads the boat and shares stories about Dubrovnik and the islands. The guide quality appears to be a major part of the experience. Niksa helped one group recover from a confusing start, Nick guided a private outing for a couple, and Antonio was praised for helping a larger family group shape the day around its children.

The boat is not a silent sightseeing platform. Speed, wind, spray, and movement are part of the deal. If you want a calm, slow cruise with no swimming, this may feel too active. If you like moving between beaches and coves under your own group’s control, it is a strong match.

Who should book this island tour?

I would consider this trip a good choice for:

• Families who want shallow water and a private skipper
• Couples looking for a more personal day away from crowded boats
• Groups of friends who can share the cost
• Swimmers who want cave and beach stops
• Visitors who want Dubrovnik views plus several islands in one day
• People who value flexible timing more than a low-cost fixed itinerary

I would think twice if you dislike boats, are not comfortable swimming, or mainly want a short trip with one simple destination. The day lasts about eight hours, and the fuel fee and lunch come on top of the advertised price.

The itinerary also moves at a fairly brisk pace. You see the old town from the sea, Kolocep, Lopud, Šunj, and Sipan, but some stops are short. For a slower island visit, you might prefer to spend a full day on one island instead.

Booking and cancellation details to know

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The tour is private, and only your group takes part. Most people can participate, and the experience is near public transportation.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted. Since the tour requires good weather, a weather cancellation brings the choice of another date or a full refund.

FAQ

How long does the private speedboat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The advertised rate covers one group of up to 12 people.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Masks and flippers are provided for the cave and swimming stops.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is extra, but the skipper can organize or recommend a restaurant on Lopud.

Is fuel included?

No. A €100 fuel surcharge must be paid in cash on the day of the tour.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Kolocep, Lopud, Šunj Beach on Lopud, and Sipan, including the village of Sudurad.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this private speedboat tour if you want a full day built around swimming, sea caves, beaches, and Dubrovnik views, and if your group can share the cost. The private format, supplied snorkeling gear, island lunch advice, and friendly skipper service make it more useful than a simple boat transfer.

Before paying, calculate the full price with the €100 fuel surcharge and lunch. Then confirm the meeting point and ask how the two Kolocep cave entries will be handled. If those details suit you, this is a lively and flexible way to see the islands, with Šunj’s shallow sand and the Blue Cave providing the day’s strongest moments.