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

The best part of this private boat tour is the freedom to shape your day around the water. You can swim through the blue cave on Koločep, linger at a quiet cove, stop for lunch on Šipan, and finish with sand and beach bars at Šunj. You are not packed into a large group, which makes a real difference on a long day at sea.

I like the easy hotel pickup and the room to spread out on board. I also like the captains’ flexible approach. Bruno, Ivan, and Lovro are praised for finding good swimming spots, helping families, and adjusting the route when wind or sea conditions change. Drinks are supplied, including water, soft drinks, beer, and wine.

The main caution is that the advertised route is not always followed exactly. Sea conditions, timing, and the captain’s judgment can change the plan, and one guest reported visiting only Koločep rather than Lopud. Fuel for an eight-hour trip is also listed as an extra €70, so confirm the final cost before you book.

Key points to know before you go

• Blue-cave swimming on Koločep: The first stop includes the area’s popular caves, with time to swim and snorkel inside the blue-lit water.
• A full island day: The usual route covers Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj Beach in about eight hours.
• Private space for up to six: Your group has the boat to itself, making it easier to set the pace and choose how long to stay in the water.
• Lunch is on Šipan, but you pay separately: The captain can suggest or arrange a restaurant, but food is not included.
• Pickup makes the day simple: Transport can be arranged from a hotel, apartment, or other address, with an extra charge possible outside the normal pickup area.
• Weather matters: The tour depends on good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Why this private boat day works so well from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is best known for its old walls, but the city’s offshore islands offer a calmer side of the region. Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud sit close enough for a day trip, yet each has a different feel. From the boat, you trade city streets for clear water, rocky coves, small ports, and long views across the Adriatic.

This tour is a good fit if you want several island experiences in one day without arranging ferries and taxis yourself. You can see caves, swim from the boat, stop for a proper meal, walk through an island village, and spend time on a sandy beach. A private boat also gives you more control than a fixed group excursion.

The group limit is six people, and the listed price is $302.46 per group. Split six ways, that is about $50 per person before extra fuel and lunch. For a couple, it is a more expensive outing, but for a family or group of friends, the price becomes much more reasonable.

The price also buys privacy. You are not waiting for a large group to finish swimming or lunch, and you can talk with the captain about changing the pace. That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour instead of a standard island boat trip.

Pickup across Dubrovnik and the ride to the marina

Pickup can be arranged from your hotel, apartment, or another address. This is useful because the boat does not necessarily leave from a point beside Dubrovnik’s old town. One four-hour outing included a roughly 20-minute drive to the marina on the other side of the bridge, so allow time for the road transfer as well as the boat journey.

The pickup service removes much of the usual guesswork. You do not have to find the marina, arrange a separate taxi, or carry beach gear through the city. The company has used drivers such as Ana Maria for this part of the day, and pickup and return transport were especially useful for groups staying in villas or away from central Dubrovnik.

Ask about the pickup radius when you reserve. Addresses outside the normal area cost extra, and the advertised $302.46 price does not necessarily cover every transport or fuel charge.

Once aboard, you can expect a private boat with areas for sun and shade, a restroom, and space to sit at the front or rear. Drinks include bottled water, Coca-Cola, beer, and wine. Towels, sunscreen, and swimwear are not supplied, so pack all three, along with a hat and a dry change of clothes.

Koločep Island and the blue caves

Koločep is the day’s main swimming stop. The usual plan includes the Blue Cave and three additional caves around the island. Sunlight entering the caves creates the blue glow that gives the main cave its name, and you can swim and snorkel inside when conditions allow.

This is the most memorable part of the trip for many people because it feels active rather than purely scenic. You are not simply looking at the coastline from the boat. You can get into the water, swim toward a cave opening, and see the changing color on the rock and water around you.

The captain makes a difference here. Bruno has been praised for taking families to sheltered swimming spots, while Ivan is described as using his local knowledge of Koločep to find less crowded coves. Lovro has also been singled out for giving groups plenty of time at each stop.

Do not treat the cave stop as a guaranteed swimming session in all conditions. Wind and waves can affect where the boat stops, and the captain may choose a safer cove instead. One group had rough water but still found good places to swim because the skipper adjusted the route.

Snorkeling equipment is listed as included, but one group reported that no snorkels were available. That conflict is worth clearing up before departure. If snorkeling is important to you, ask exactly what equipment will be on board and consider bringing your own mask.

You should also be comfortable in open water, or tell the captain if you are not. Life jackets and pool noodles were provided for one group that included a less confident swimmer. That is encouraging, but you should still bring your own comfort level into the decision and ask for flotation support before entering the water.

Šipan for lunch and a slower island break

After Koločep, the boat usually continues to Šipan, the largest of the Elaphiti Islands. The planned stop lasts about two hours, giving you time to eat and slow the pace after the morning’s swimming.

Lunch is not included in the tour price. The captain can recommend a restaurant, and several groups had lunch reservations arranged for them. One particularly well-received stop was at Hotel Božica in Suđurađ, where the setting and views made the meal part of the day rather than a quick refueling stop.

You should confirm the restaurant and menu before you set off if you have a tight budget or dietary needs. The information supplied does not give a fixed lunch price, and the restaurant can affect the total cost considerably.

Šipan works well as a middle stop because it breaks up the time on the boat. You can sit down for a meal, enjoy the island setting, and let anyone who felt queasy during the first hour recover on land. One group reported that two people became seasick early in the trip, and the captain stopped at an island so they could rest.

The day is long, so this pause matters. Eight hours at sea can feel tiring if every minute is spent in the sun or on moving water. Lunch gives you a proper break before the afternoon stops.

Lopud’s churches, monastery, and sandy shore

The next scheduled island is Lopud, with about an hour for walking and exploring. The island is known here for its churches, monastery, and beaches, so this is the part of the day to leave the boat and stretch your legs.

Lopud provides a useful change of scenery. Koločep is mainly about caves and swimming, while Lopud gives you a chance to see more of island life and local buildings. You can walk, take photographs, or simply enjoy the slower pace before returning to the water.

Keep in mind that the route can change. One unhappy group expected both Koločep and Lopud but visited only Koločep. That appears to be an exception within a generally flexible service, but it shows why you should discuss the route clearly with the captain at the start.

A private tour is not the same as a guaranteed timetable. The captain may shorten one stop because of wind, waves, delays at lunch, or the needs of your group. If Lopud is a priority, say so before leaving the marina and ask how much time can realistically be set aside for it.

Šunj Beach and the final hour

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

The sand is a welcome contrast to the rocky shoreline found at many Adriatic swimming places. You can swim, sit on the beach, or have a drink before the boat returns. Families may appreciate the easygoing finish, while couples and friends can use the final stop for a relaxed hour rather than another packed sightseeing visit.

Because Šunj is popular, it may not feel secluded. If you want complete peace and quiet, ask the captain if a quieter cove is possible instead. If you prefer sand and a beach bar, this is likely to be one of the most useful stops on the route.

The captains and the value of a private itinerary

The captain is central to the quality of this experience. Bruno receives repeated praise for being friendly with children, finding good swimming spots, and making groups feel safe. Ivan is often described as flexible and good at listening to what a group wants, including extra photo stops and less busy coves. Lovro is praised for calm handling of the boat and for allowing enough time at each stop.

The company also uses other captains, including Evan and Antonio’s wider team, so you may not receive a particular skipper unless that is confirmed in advance. The experience can vary with the person at the helm. Two groups found their captains distant or unwelcoming, and one group waited about 30 minutes when the skipper was not at the agreed departure point on the island.

That does not erase the strong record of positive outings, but it is a useful reminder to set expectations. The captain is responsible for navigation, safety, and timing first. A warm, chatty guide can make the day feel special, but the level of commentary and personal interaction may differ.

The best way to use the private format is to speak up early. Tell the captain if you want more swimming, more walking, a shorter lunch, a quieter cove, or extra time at Šunj. The groups that had the strongest days appear to have treated the itinerary as a conversation rather than a fixed script.

What the boat provides, and what you need to pack

The boat includes private transport on the water, a restroom, drinks, fuel for the sunset tour only, and snorkeling equipment according to the inclusions. The eight-hour fuel charge is listed separately at €70 per booking, while fuel for the four-hour option is listed as €50.

Because the fuel information is not perfectly clear, ask for the total before booking. The displayed price, fuel, lunch, pickup outside the normal area, and beach-bar purchases may all affect what you finally spend.

Pack:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Water shoes if you prefer extra grip on rocky entries
• Dry clothing for the ride home
• Waterproof phone protection
• Your own mask if reliable snorkeling gear is important to you

There is no mention of onboard Wi-Fi or charging facilities, so do not depend on either. Bring your phone fully charged if you want photographs, especially since the blue cave and island coastline are major parts of the day.

The restroom is a useful feature on an eight-hour trip, but one group reported that it was not working. Ask about its condition before departure, particularly if you are traveling with children or anyone who needs regular access.

Who should book this Dubrovnik boat tour

I would choose this tour for a family, a group of friends, or a couple that values privacy more than the lowest possible price. It is also a good match for people who want swimming and scenery in equal measure, rather than a history-focused excursion.

Families benefit from the flexible pace, onboard drinks, flotation aids, and captains who have been praised for working well with children. Strong swimmers will get the most from the caves and swimming coves, but less confident swimmers can still participate with support and by staying close to the boat or using a life jacket.

This is less suitable if you need a strict, guaranteed schedule. It may also disappoint you if you expect a fully guided historical tour, a fixed restaurant, or a completely secluded beach. The focus is the sea, the caves, the islands, and the freedom to adjust the day.

The tour is weather dependent. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want to see Dubrovnik’s islands without managing ferries, if swimming in caves appeals to you, and if your group will use the private format. At $302.46 for up to six people, it can be good value when shared among a family or group, even after adding fuel and lunch.

Before paying, confirm four things: the exact pickup point, the €70 fuel charge for eight hours, the available snorkeling equipment, and which islands your captain expects to visit. If you want Lopud, Šipan, or a particular lunch stop, make that clear from the start.

I would book it for the private space, the strong choice of swimming stops, and the chance to let the captain adjust the route to the weather. I would skip it only if you want a low-cost group outing, a guaranteed timetable, or an entirely land-based day.

FAQ

How long is the private boat tour?

The main tour lasts approximately eight hours. A four-hour option is also referred to in the tour information and experiences.

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.

Which islands are usually included?

The usual route includes Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj Beach. The exact route can change because of weather, sea conditions, timing, and the captain’s judgment.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup can be arranged from a hotel, apartment, or another address. Locations outside the normal pickup radius may incur an additional charge.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. The usual lunch stop is on Šipan, and the captain may recommend or arrange a restaurant.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkeling equipment is listed as included. Since one group reported that snorkels were unavailable, confirm the equipment details before departure if snorkeling is important to you.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, Coca-Cola, beer, and wine are listed as included. A champagne bottle is included only on the sunset tour.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund.