Private Three island Tour from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik’s best views may be the ones you see from the water. This private boat trip takes you past Lokrum’s sea caves, into Koločep’s Blue Cave, and on to Lopud’s sandy Sunj Beach, with time to swim, snorkel, and jump from the boat. The route lists four island stops, despite the tour’s three-island name.

I like the private format, which lets your group set the pace, and I like the mix of short sightseeing stops with several chances to get wet. Skippers Luca or Luka are named in the tour information, and past outings included towels, masks, and floaties. The main catch is the extra €200 in cash for the skipper and fuel, so the real cost is higher than the advertised $602.06.

Key points at a glance

• Enter Lokrum Cave by boat, then swim or jump straight from the boat near Dubrovnik.
• Snorkel inside Koločep’s Blue Cave, where the water is shallow enough to stand in.
• See Dubrovnik’s walls and old harbor from offshore, a fine photo stop during the slow cruise toward Koločep.
• Spend up to three hours on Lopud, with Sunj Beach, shallow water, local restaurants, churches, and island walks.
• Bring enough cash for the €100 skipper fee and €100 fuel surcharge, both paid on the boat.
• Best for groups of up to eight, especially families and friends who want a flexible day on the sea.

A private boat day with four island stops

This is a water day first and a sightseeing day second. You board at 10:00 a.m. and return to the same meeting point, spending roughly four to eight hours on the water depending on how the day unfolds.

The route includes Lokrum, Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud. That is worth noting before you book. The name says three islands, but the published schedule includes four separate island stops. The stop at Šipan is brief, while Lopud receives the longest visit.

Because the boat is private, only your group takes part. The capacity is up to eight people, which makes the $602.06 group price more attractive for a full party than for only two passengers. You should also add the €100 skipper charge and €100 fuel surcharge, both paid in cash on board. At the advertised maximum, the base price works out to about $75 per person before those extra fees. For two people, it is a much more expensive outing.

The boat includes bottled water, soda, snorkeling equipment, and a restroom. The tour information also mentions towels and floaties in connection with previous outings, but I would confirm those items before setting off. English is offered, and you receive a mobile ticket.

Lokrum Cave and the first swim

Lokrum sits directly in front of Dubrovnik and makes a natural first stop. The island is uninhabited, green, and close enough to the city that you can enjoy a quick change of scene without a long ride.

The boat enters Lokrum Cave, giving you a look at the island from sea level rather than from the usual city viewpoint. You can swim and jump from the boat here, so pack your swimsuit under your clothes and keep your phone in a waterproof case.

The scheduled stop is about 30 minutes. That is enough for a swim and a quick look inside the cave, but not enough for a full island visit. You will not be walking through Lokrum’s grounds or touring its historic sites on this schedule.

I like this opening because it gets you into the water quickly. It also gives children and less experienced swimmers a chance to see how they feel before the more adventurous Blue Cave stop. Still, the sea can change the mood of the outing. If you prefer dry sightseeing, this tour gives you only a short view of Lokrum from the boat.

Dubrovnik’s walls from the water

On the way to Koločep, the boat makes a slow pass with views of Dubrovnik’s city walls and old harbor. This is one of the most useful parts of the trip for anyone who has already walked the Old Town and wants a different angle.

From the water, the walls read as a complete defensive ring rather than a series of streets and stairways. The old harbor also looks different when you are moving away from the crowds and looking back toward the city.

This section is mainly for photographs. The boat moves slowly, giving you time to take pictures without trying to frame a shot while bouncing across open water. Keep your camera ready, but do not expect a formal city tour or a long history talk. The supplied details describe a panorama stop, not a guided lecture.

Koločep’s Blue Cave and cliff-jump option

Koločep brings the most memorable water activity of the day. The boat carries snorkeling equipment, and you can enter the Blue Cave to see the blue color of the water from inside. The cave is described as shallow enough for you to stand on your feet, which makes it less intimidating than a deep-water swim.

You can snorkel around the cave and look beneath the surface. If you like a little extra excitement, the area also offers cliff jumping. That option is not required, and you should treat it as a choice for confident swimmers rather than a central obligation.

The scheduled visit lasts about one hour. That gives you a fair amount of time for snorkeling, cave photos, and swimming. It also means you should listen carefully when the skipper tells you when to return to the boat. The rest of the group may want to keep moving even if you could happily spend all day in the water.

This is where the private format helps. Your group can discuss how much time to spend swimming, within the skipper’s safety limits and the day’s schedule. Luca or Luka is identified as the skipper in the supplied trip information, with the name appearing in two spellings. If having a particular skipper matters to you, ask who is assigned when you book.

A short look at Šipan’s olive and citrus country

Šipan is the largest island in this group and gets about 30 minutes on the schedule. It is not a long walking visit, but the stop adds a quieter, more rural note to a day otherwise built around caves and beaches.

The island rises to 243 meters at Velji Vrh. Its two limestone ridges surround a lower dolomite area where olives, figs, vines, carob trees, almonds, oranges, and other citrus are cultivated. Those details help explain why Šipan feels different from a simple swimming stop. Its appeal is the cultivated interior and the scale of the island, not a single headline attraction.

With only half an hour, you should expect a brief look rather than a proper island tour. Use this stop to stretch your legs, take in the setting, and see a little of the island’s rural character. If you want long walks, extensive sightseeing, or time among the fields, the schedule will feel tight.

Lopud, Sunj Beach, and three hours to slow down

Lopud is the longest stop, with about three hours available. This is the part of the day that turns the trip from a boat ride into a proper beach outing.

Sunj Beach is sandy, shallow, and described as especially suitable for children. That matters in a region where many swimming spots are rocky or pebbly. You can sunbathe, swim in shallow water, and let younger children play without needing the deep-water confidence required for a cliff jump or cave swim.

You can also eat lunch at a local restaurant. One useful tip from the tour experience is to ask the skipper to arrange a reservation at his suggested restaurant. That can save you from spending your limited beach time looking for a table, especially if your party is large. The price of lunch is not included, so keep that separate from the tour budget.

After lunch and swimming, you can walk around Lopud. The island has churches from the 15th and 16th centuries, the remains of a Rector’s Palace, fortress ruins, and a 15th-century Franciscan Monastery overlooking the village. The schedule does not promise a guided historical walk, so you should think of these sights as places to explore on your own rather than a formal monument tour.

The three-hour stop is generous compared with the other visits. You can choose your balance: beach first, lunch in the middle, then a short walk, or more time on shore and less in the water. This flexibility is a major reason to choose a private trip over a tightly timed shared excursion.

What the private format is really worth

The private boat is the strongest feature for groups. Your party does not have to share the boat with strangers, and the day can suit a mix of swimmers, children, photographers, and people who would rather sit in the shade.

A group of six to eight gets the clearest value from the $602.06 price. Split among eight, the base cost is reasonable for a full day with boat transport, equipment, drinks, and several stops. Add the €200 in cash charges, and the final bill rises, but it can still make sense for a full group that would otherwise book several smaller outings.

For two or three people, the calculation changes. You are paying for the whole boat rather than a seat, and the skipper and fuel charges remain. A small group may still prefer the privacy, but it is not the budget choice.

The duration is listed as approximately four to eight hours. The scheduled stops add up to about five hours before counting the ride between islands and the Dubrovnik panorama. That explains the broad time range. You should allow most of the day, especially if lunch, swimming, and walking on Lopud take their natural amount of time.

Food, equipment, and what to bring

Water, soda, snorkeling gear, and a restroom are included. The boat equipment makes the Blue Cave stop easier, since you do not need to arrange a separate mask and snorkel rental.

I would still pack a few practical items:

• Swimsuit, towel, hat, sunscreen, and a dry change of clothes
• Waterproof protection for your phone and camera
• Cash for the skipper and fuel charges
• Extra cash or a payment method for lunch
• Shoes suitable for walking on the island

The beach stop is sandy, but the caves and other swimming areas may not be. Water shoes can be useful, though they are not listed as included equipment.

The boat’s restroom is a real convenience on a long day at sea. It does not remove the need to use facilities when you stop on shore, but it makes the ride between islands more comfortable.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this outing for a family or group of friends that wants control over its day. The shallow water at Sunj Beach suits children, while the Blue Cave and cliff-jump option give older children and adults something more thrilling.

It also suits a group with mixed interests. One person can swim, another can photograph Dubrovnik’s walls, and someone else can spend more time walking on Lopud. A shared boat often forces everyone into the same rhythm. This one gives you more room to make decisions together.

You should think twice if you want a detailed history tour, long visits on every island, or a low-cost boat trip for one or two people. The sightseeing is brief at Lokrum and Šipan, and much of the day centers on swimming, beach time, and relaxed movement between islands.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book the Dubrovnik island boat trip?

Book it if your ideal Dubrovnik day includes caves, swimming, snorkeling, a sandy beach, and a private boat rather than a formal city tour. The route gives you a good range of experiences, from the walls and harbor to Lokrum Cave, Koločep’s Blue Cave, rural Šipan, and Lopud’s Sunj Beach.

I especially like it for groups of six to eight. The price becomes easier to justify, the private format has real value, and the three-hour Lopud stop gives you time to enjoy the day without racing from one photo stop to the next.

Before paying, make sure your group understands the extra €100 skipper fee and €100 fuel surcharge, both in cash. If everyone is happy in the water and you want a flexible day at sea, this is a strong pick. If you mainly want ruins, churches, and guided history, choose a land-based excursion instead.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at the designated meeting point at 10:00 a.m. The exact meeting point is not provided in the available tour details.

Does the tour return to the starting point?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the private boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four to eight hours. The listed island visits total about five hours, before adding travel time between stops.

How many people can join the private tour?

Up to eight people can join your private group. Only your group participates in the activity.

Which islands are included?

The route includes Lokrum, Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud. The tour name refers to three islands, but the listed schedule includes four island stops.

Are snorkeling equipment and drinks included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and soda are included. A restroom is also available on board.

Are there extra charges?

Yes. A €100 skipper fee and a €100 fuel surcharge are paid in cash on the boat. Lunch is not listed as included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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