BLUE CAVE private speedboat tour with drinks

The best Dubrovnik escape is out on the water. This private four-hour speedboat trip takes you from the city to Kolocep and Lopud, combining glowing caves, clear swimming spots, a sandy beach, and an open bar of beer, wine, juice, and water. You travel only with your own group, up to 10 people, so the day can feel more like a private boat outing than a fixed sightseeing tour.

I especially like the early morning option, which starts at 8:30 a.m. from June 1 through September 15 to reach the caves before larger groups. I also like the easygoing format: your captain can adjust the pace, and snorkel gear is included. The main consideration is cost. The advertised price is $362.81 per group, but fuel and harbor fees add another €100 to €150 depending on group size, and lunch is not included.

Key things to know before booking

• The Blue Cave is the main event: Sunlight reflects through the water and pale sand below, giving the cave its famous blue color.
• You visit three Elaphiti Island locations: Kolocep provides the Blue Cave and Green Caves, while Lopud brings you to sandy Šunj Beach.
• This is a private boat for up to 10 people: You avoid sharing the ride with strangers and have more say over swimming and beach time.
• The early start matters: The 8:30 a.m. departure is designed to avoid the largest cave crowds during the busiest summer period.
• Drinks and snorkel equipment are included: Beer, white wine, water, juice, and life jackets are supplied, but food is extra.
• Expect extra fees at the boat: Fuel and harbor charges are €100 for one or two people, €120 for three to seven, and €150 for eight to ten.

Leaving Dubrovnik from Lapad

The tour begins at Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse, Lapadska obala 4, at the last wooden pier in the small marina. You should arrive 10 minutes early. The boat returns to this same point, which makes the outing simple to fit around the rest of your Dubrovnik plans.

The meeting point is in the Lapad area, rather than at Dubrovnik’s famous Old Town gates. That matters because you need to arrange your own way to the marina. Private transportation is not included, so allow enough time to reach the pier and locate the correct wooden dock.

The speedboat is a practical choice for this route. Kolocep and Lopud are close to Dubrovnik by sea, but a fast boat lets you visit several swimming spots in half a day without spending most of your time simply getting from one island to another.

This is a private experience, with a maximum of 10 people in your booking. That works especially well for families, birthday groups, and friends who want to play their own music or decide how long to stay in the water. A captain named Pavo was praised for playing music and getting close to the best spots early, while Antun and Antonio were also singled out for being accommodating. Your assigned captain may differ, but the guiding style appears to be relaxed and flexible.

Kolocep’s Blue Cave and Green Caves

Kolocep is the first major stop, and the boat spends roughly two hours around its caves. The Blue Cave is on the island’s southern side. Its color comes from sunlight entering the cave, reflecting through the water, and catching the sandy bottom. The effect is natural rather than created by lighting, and it changes with the sun and water conditions.

You reach the cave by boat, then use the water for the closest look. Snorkeling gear is provided, and the clear sea lets you see the color and rock around the entrance. The exact conditions can vary with weather, but this is the spot where the tour earns its name.

The Green Caves offer a different experience. Their underwater passages and rock formations create places for swimming, snorkeling, and jumping from the rocks. The boat generally stays at each cave area for about 30 to 35 minutes, giving you enough time to get in the water without turning the stop into a rushed photo visit.

I would bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a waterproof way to protect your phone. Life jackets are available for children and adults, which is useful for anyone who wants extra support in open water. You should still be comfortable getting on and off a boat and swimming in the sea, since the caves are experienced from the water rather than from a dry walking path.

The cave portion is also where the early departure pays off. From June 1 through September 15, the morning trip leaves at 8:30 a.m. specifically to avoid larger groups. If quiet water access matters to you, this is the departure to choose. An afternoon trip can still be enjoyable, but you should expect the possibility of more boats around popular cave entrances.

Šunj Beach on Lopud

After Kolocep, the boat heads to Lopud and its broad sandy Šunj Beach. Dubrovnik’s nearby swimming places are often rocky or pebbly, so a sandy beach is a welcome change. The water here is shallow and warm, with a lagoon-like shape that shifts from green near shore to blue farther out.

You get about an hour and a half at Šunj, although the stated itinerary also lists the stop as one hour and 30 minutes. The captain drops you near shore, and you can spend the time swimming, resting, or walking toward the beach bars and the small forest restaurant on the hill.

This is the least structured part of the trip, and that is a strength. After the caves, you can slow down instead of rushing to another attraction. One family described stopping for drinks and food here before returning, but lunch is not part of the tour price, so you should plan to pay separately if you want a meal.

The beach can also be the busiest part of the day. That is not a flaw in the tour, but it means Šunj is better for a relaxed swimming break than for solitude. If you want to spend more time at the caves, tell the captain early. The itinerary is described as customizable, and the private format makes that request more realistic than it would be on a large shared boat.

Drinks, snorkeling, and what you bring

The included drinks make this feel like a social boat day rather than a bare transfer between islands. Adults aged 18 and over can have beer and white wine, while water and juice are available as well. Alcoholic drinks are restricted to adults, as you would expect.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to rent a mask and snorkel before departure. The gear is intended for the cave and swimming stops, where the water is described as exceptionally clear. Life jackets for both children and adults are also supplied.

You should bring food if you know you will be hungry. Lunch is not included, and the time at Šunj gives you the option of using a beach bar or small restaurant. The description does not promise a meal arrangement, so do not assume the captain will organize lunch for you.

A towel and dry clothes are sensible additions. The tour centers on swimming, and the speedboat ride back to Dubrovnik will be more comfortable if you have something dry to wear. These are practical preparations, not extra requirements listed by the operator.

Is the private price good value?

The base price is $362.81 for the entire group, not per person, with up to 10 people allowed. For a full group, that works out to about $36 per person before the extra boat charges. For four people, the base price is about $91 per person, and for only two people it is much less attractive.

You must also account for fuel and harbor fees paid on the boat:

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

That changes the final calculation. A full group gets the strongest value because you split both the advertised rate and the extra fee among more people. A couple should compare the total with a shared excursion before booking.

The value comes from more than the number of stops. You get a private boat, a captain, several hours on the water, snorkel hire, life jackets, and drinks. You also avoid paying separately for a cave visit or island transfer. The trip makes the most financial sense for a group that wants privacy and flexibility, not for someone seeking the cheapest way to see the Elaphiti Islands.

The captains make a difference

The captain is central to this experience. Pavo received especially warm praise for explaining island names and local details, helping children feel comfortable, playing music, and positioning the boat near good spots before they filled up. Another account described him as calm and helpful throughout the day.

Antun was appreciated for letting the group decide where to spend its time, while Antonio was described as accommodating. Those details suggest that the captain is not simply steering from one scheduled point to the next. You can expect some local advice on swimming areas and a willingness to adjust the rhythm of the trip.

Still, you cannot guarantee a particular captain unless the operator confirms it. If you have a strong preference, ask at booking. The most useful request is to confirm the departure time, group size, extra fees, and whether a named captain is available.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

This tour is a strong match for a group of friends, a family with swimming children, or a birthday party that wants a private day at sea. The ability to play music, choose how long to swim, and share the boat only with your own group gives it a relaxed party feel without requiring a full-day charter.

It also suits you if you want to see several Elaphiti Island highlights in limited time. The Blue Cave, Green Caves, and Šunj Beach each offer something different, and the speedboat keeps the schedule moving.

You may want another type of excursion if you dislike swimming from a boat, need a full meal included, or are traveling with only one other person and watching every euro. The caves are the focus, but the experience depends on being willing to get into the water. The boat has life jackets, yet the tour is still built around sea activities.

The tour is offered in English, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed, and the departure point is near public transportation. Confirmation is provided when you book.

Weather, cancellation, and planning details

Sea conditions matter. If bad weather forces cancellation, you can receive another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded for a late cancellation. The cut-off follows local Dubrovnik time.

I would book this well ahead during the summer. The experience is booked an average of 32 days in advance, and the early morning departure is likely to be the most sought-after option for people trying to avoid crowds at the caves.

My verdict on the Blue Cave speedboat tour

I would book this tour if I had three or more people to share the cost and wanted a private half-day on the water. The best features are the early cave access, the flexible captain, the included snorkeling equipment and drinks, and the appealing mix of caves and sandy beach.

Before you commit, add the €100 to €150 fuel and harbor fee to the advertised price. Then choose the 8:30 a.m. departure during the June 1 to September 15 period if the Blue Cave is your priority. For a group that values privacy and swimming time, this is a lively, practical way to trade Dubrovnik’s stone streets for clear island water.

FAQ

How long does the Blue Cave speedboat tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse, Lapadska obala 4, Dubrovnik, at the last wooden pier in the small marina.

Where does the tour end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point in Dubrovnik.

How many people can join the private tour?

A maximum of 10 people can be included in one booking, and only your group participates.

What islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Kolocep for the Blue Cave and Green Caves, followed by Lopud for Šunj Beach.

Are drinks included?

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

Are snorkeling equipment and life jackets provided?

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

What extra costs should I expect?

Fuel and harbor fees are paid on the boat. They are €100 for one to two people, €120 for three to seven people, and €150 for eight to ten people. Lunch is not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Bad-weather cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.