BLUE CAVE private speedboat tour with drinks

The best part of this private speedboat tour is its easy mix of cave swimming and beach time. You visit Koločep’s Blue Cave and Green Caves, then head to Šunj Beach on Lopud, giving you three very different stops without the hassle of arranging island transport.

I like the freedom to shape the day with your captain, and I like that beer, white wine, water, juice, snorkel equipment, and life jackets are included. The early 8:30 departure from June 1 through September 15 is another smart touch, since the caves are more pleasant before larger boat groups arrive.

The main drawback is the extra charge paid on board for fuel and harbor fees. Depending on your group size, that adds €100 to €150, and lunch at Šunj Beach is not included. Still, splitting the cost among several people can make the outing good value.

Key points to know before booking

• Two cave stops on Koločep: Spend about 30 to 35 minutes at each site for swimming, snorkeling, rock jumping, and exploring the water around the cave entrances.
• A proper sandy beach stop: Šunj Beach gives you about 1.5 hours for shallow-water swimming, drinks, food, and a break from the boat.
• Private group of up to 10: You do not share the boat with unrelated passengers, and the schedule can be adjusted with your captain.
• Early departure matters: From June 1 to September 15, the morning trip leaves at 8:30 a.m. to help avoid the busiest cave periods.
• Drinks and equipment are included: Beer, white wine, water, juice, snorkel gear, and life jackets are provided.
• Budget for the boat surcharge: Fuel and harbor fees cost €100 for one or two people, €120 for three to seven, or €150 for eight to 10.

Why this private Dubrovnik boat trip works

Dubrovnik’s old town can feel crowded in summer, especially around the main streets and city walls. A few hours out on the Adriatic gives you a different side of the area: low green islands, clear water, small coves, and the chance to swim straight from a boat.

This excursion is built around three simple pleasures. You ride quickly between the islands, stop at two cave areas for water time, and finish at a broad sandy beach. That makes the half-day feel varied rather than like four hours spent repeating the same activity.

The private format is important. With up to 10 people in your group, you can ask to spend longer swimming, return to the boat sooner, or settle into the beach stop without following a large group. Captains named in the available information include Pavo, Antun, Ante, and Antonio. The exact captain depends on availability, but the experience is designed around a personal skipper rather than a formal coach-led sightseeing program.

You should think of this as an active coastal outing, not a history tour. The captain can point out islands and local places, and one account describes Pavo explaining island names and local background along the way. The main focus, though, is swimming, snorkeling, music, drinks, and time in the sun.

Starting at Dubrovnik’s West Harbour

The meeting point is the last wooden pier in the small marina at Lapadska obala 4, by the Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse. You should arrive about 10 minutes early. The activity returns to the same place, which keeps the morning or afternoon simple if you have plans in Dubrovnik afterward.

The listed tour length is about four hours. The timings add up to roughly 30 minutes for departure and return, around two hours around Koločep, and 1.5 hours at Šunj Beach. Boat conditions and the pace of your group can affect the exact rhythm.

The boat is a speedboat, so the ride itself is part of the fun. You cover the distance to the islands more quickly than you would on a slower sightseeing vessel, leaving more time for swimming. The tradeoff is that a speedboat can feel exposed in strong sun or choppy water, so bring practical sun protection and be ready for an active ride.

From June 1 through September 15, the morning departure is at 8:30 a.m. This is the best choice if you want a quieter start at the caves. The early hour also gives you a better chance of enjoying the stops before other boats arrive, although no departure can guarantee empty water.

Koločep’s Blue Cave and Green Caves

Koločep is the first major stop. The island is home to the Blue Cave on its south side, where sunlight passes through the water and reflects off the sandy bottom. That combination creates the blue glow that gives the cave its name.

The effect depends on sunlight and water conditions, so expect a natural phenomenon rather than a staged attraction. The best way to experience it is from the water, with time to swim near the entrance and look into the cave. If you are comfortable in the sea, you may also have the chance to enter the water around the cave and see the color change from outside to inside.

The Green Caves are the second Koločep stop. Here, the appeal comes from clear water, rock formations, underwater passages, and places where you can jump from the rocks. You should listen carefully to the captain before any jump, since the safe spot depends on the conditions and the position of the boat.

About 30 to 35 minutes is planned at each cave location. That is enough for a swim and snorkel, but it is not an all-day stop. If your group loves being in the water, ask the captain how flexible the timing is. The private setup should make that conversation easier than it would be on a large scheduled boat.

Snorkel equipment is included, as are life jackets for adults and children. You can use the gear to look at the water around the caves, swim through the clearer areas, and take in the rock walls from below the surface. The tour data does not promise a particular marine sight, so book this for the water, light, and rock scenery rather than expecting a wildlife-focused excursion.

One useful point: the caves are the most active part of the day. You will board, swim, climb back into the boat, and possibly jump from rocks. If you prefer a quiet cruise with little movement, this may feel too energetic. If your group wants a short burst of sea activity, the two cave stops are well judged.

Šunj Beach on Lopud

After Koločep, the boat heads to Lopud and Šunj Beach. This is the longest stop, at about 1.5 hours, and it changes the mood completely. Instead of swimming around rock walls, you get a broad sandy beach with shallow, warm water and a lagoon-like setting.

Šunj is especially useful for groups with mixed interests. Strong swimmers can spend more time in the sea, while anyone who wants a slower break can sit on the sand or visit a nearby beach bar. A small forest restaurant on the hill provides another option for food and drinks, though lunch is not part of the tour price.

The shallow water makes this a comfortable stop for families, but children still need supervision. Life jackets are available, though the beach itself is a shore-based stop and conditions can change. You should not assume that every part of the water is equally suitable for every swimmer.

The beach break also gives you time to dry off and cool down after the caves. Several hours on a boat can feel surprisingly tiring, especially in full sun. I like that the itinerary does not rush straight from one water activity to another. Šunj gives you a chance to stretch your legs and choose your own pace.

The possible weakness is that a sandy beach is less private than a cave stop. Depending on the day, you may find other people, beach bars, and activity around the shore. The tour still gives you a private boat, but it cannot make a public beach exclusive.

What is included, and what is not

The price includes alcoholic drinks for adults age 18 and above, along with water and juice. Beer and white wine are specified, so this is not an open bar with unlimited choices. Still, having cold drinks ready on a warm boat is a real convenience.

Snorkel equipment is included, and life jackets are available for both children and adults. A driver and guide are also included. The private boat carries only your group, with a maximum of 10 people per booking.

Lunch is not included. You can buy food at Šunj Beach, but you may want to confirm the plan with your captain before departure, particularly if you have children or dietary needs. Private transportation to the marina is also not included, so you need to reach Lapadska obala 4 on your own.

The largest budget detail is the fuel surcharge and harbor fee, paid on the boat:

• One or two people: €100
• Three to seven people: €120
• Eight to 10 people: €150

The advertised group price is $362.81 for up to 10 people, but you should add the relevant boat charge when working out your real budget. For a full group, the base cost works out well per person, even with the €150 extra fee. For one or two people, the surcharge has a much bigger effect on the final price.

Is the private format good value?

For a couple, this can be an expensive half-day once the €100 fee is added. You are paying for a private boat, a captain, flexible timing, equipment, and drinks, not simply a seat on a scheduled ferry. That can still be worthwhile if privacy and control matter to you.

For a family or group of friends, the calculation improves. Ten people can share the base price and the €150 surcharge, making the cost per person far more reasonable than it first appears. You also avoid coordinating separate bookings or trying to keep a large group together on a public excursion.

The private format has another advantage: music and atmosphere can suit your group. One group arranged music for a birthday outing, and the captain allowed them to enjoy the boat in their own way. That kind of flexibility is valuable for celebrations, provided everyone is comfortable with the same pace and volume.

The experience is not the best fit if you want a long historical explanation, a full meal, or a luxury yacht service. It is a practical, active boat day with simple inclusions and a clear route.

Captains, comfort, and the feel on board

The captains named in the available details include Pavo, Antun, Ante, and Antonio. Descriptions of the outing highlight captains who helped choose good swimming spots, adjusted time at stops, explained the islands, and made families feel comfortable.

You should still treat the captain as the person in charge of sea safety. The boat may be private, but the route cannot be changed without regard to weather, water conditions, or safe access to the caves. If you want more time at one stop, ask early rather than assuming the schedule can be changed at the last minute.

The boat is described as clean, comfortable, and quick. That is a useful combination for this route because the speed reduces travel time, while the smaller private setting keeps the group together. Space on any small boat is limited, so pack lightly and keep beach items easy to manage.

The experience is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can take part, but you should be realistic about the swimming, boat boarding, rock areas, and time in the sun.

Timing, weather, and cancellation

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and the cut-off follows local time.

Weather matters here. If poor conditions cause the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The activity also requires a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation for that reason brings the same choice of another date, another activity, or a full refund.

I would avoid placing this tour on the most important day of a short Dubrovnik visit if your schedule has no flexibility. Sea trips depend on weather more than walking tours do. On the other hand, the free cancellation window gives you a useful chance to check the forecast before the deadline.

Who should book this boat tour?

I would choose this excursion for a group of friends, a family that enjoys swimming, or a couple who values a private boat more than the lowest possible price. It is particularly good for people who want several water stops without spending a full day at sea.

The early summer morning trip is best for anyone trying to avoid the busiest cave periods. A later departure may suit people who dislike early starts, but the caves may feel more crowded and the sun will be stronger.

You should reconsider if you do not swim, dislike small boats, need lunch included, or want a formal sightseeing program. The main rewards are the Blue Cave’s changing light, the Green Caves’ rock passages, clear water, and a relaxed finish at Šunj Beach.

FAQ

How long does the Blue Cave private speedboat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours, including the ride from Dubrovnik, the cave stops, the Šunj Beach visit, and the return to the marina.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the last wooden pier in the small marina at Lapadska obala 4, by the Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse in Dubrovnik. You should arrive 10 minutes before departure.

Where does the tour end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at Dubrovnik’s West Harbour.

How many people can join the private tour?

The maximum is 10 people per booking, and only your group participates in the private activity.

What islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Koločep and Lopud, both part of the Elaphiti Islands. The tour is described as exploring three Elaphiti Islands with the route focused on Koločep’s caves and Lopud’s Šunj Beach.

What drinks are included?

Beer, white wine, water, and juice are included. Alcoholic drinks are available only to adults aged 18 and above.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets for children and adults are included.

Are fuel and harbor fees included in the listed price?

No. These charges are paid on the boat. The amount is €100 for one or two people, €120 for three to seven people, and €150 for eight to 10 people.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a private, active half-day with two cave stops, clear swimming water, included drinks, and a proper sandy beach break. The best value comes with a larger group, since up to 10 people can share the base price and the extra boat fees.

My practical advice is to choose the 8:30 a.m. departure from June 1 through September 15 if you can manage the early start. Ask about the captain assigned to your date, confirm your food plan for Šunj Beach, and budget for the fuel and harbor surcharge before booking. If those details suit you, this is a strong way to trade Dubrovnik’s crowds for a few hours on the Adriatic.