Dubrovnik: All-inclusive Islands and Caves Private Boat Tour

Trade city streets for open water. This private boat trip takes you from Dubrovnik to blue and green sea caves, quiet coves, fishing villages, and the Elaphiti islands, with time to swim, snorkel, and stop for lunch. I like the flexible four-to-eight-hour format, and I like that fuel, hotel pickup and drop-off, drinks, and snorkeling gear are included.

The main consideration is simple: lunch is not included, and the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. The cave stops also require swimming underwater, so you should feel comfortable in the sea. For a family or small group that wants its own pace, this can be far more appealing than a fixed sightseeing cruise.

• Blue Cave swim: Enter by swimming underwater into a famous sea cave filled with clear water.
• Three Green Caves: Try three different cave passages, including a narrow channel that requires several underwater swims.
• Sikirica Cove: Finish with calm snorkeling in shallow water filled with sea vegetation.
• Lopud and Šipan: Mix beach time, village walks, historic buildings, and a possible seaside meal.
• Private skipper service: Skippers such as Pasko, Bruno, Bernardo, Kiko, Chico, and Christian are praised for friendly service and custom suggestions.
• Drinks and equipment included: The boat carries water, beer, other drinks, a coolbox, towels, and snorkeling equipment according to the tour details and recent guest experiences.

Why This Private Boat Trip Works So Well

Dubrovnik is beautiful, but its old streets and roads can feel crowded in summer. A boat gives you a clean break from the traffic and lets you see the coast from the right angle: low cliffs, small bays, bright water, and islands that feel close but separate from the city.

The private format is the biggest advantage. You are not following a large group through every stop at the same pace. Your skipper can spend more time at a favorite swimming spot, shorten a village visit, or adjust the day around children, confident swimmers, or anyone who would rather sunbathe than explore another cave.

The tour costs $454 for a private group of up to four people. That is not a cheap solo excursion, but it becomes a reasonable split for four people, especially since fuel, pickup and drop-off, drinks, and snorkeling equipment are covered. You are paying for a private boat and a flexible day, not just transportation between islands.

The word all-inclusive needs a little care here. Lunch is not part of the price. Your skipper can recommend a restaurant, reserve a table, and take you there by boat, but you pay for the meal separately. That arrangement is useful because you can choose a seaside restaurant instead of being locked into a set menu.

Leaving Dubrovnik for the Elaphiti Islands

Pickup and return are both in Dubrovnik. The exact starting time depends on availability, and the trip can last four, six, or eight hours, giving you some control over the pace and cost of your day.

A four-hour outing is enough for the main caves and at least one island stop, but it will feel active. You can see a great deal in that time, yet you may have less freedom to linger over lunch, walk through a village, and swim without watching the clock.

I would choose six hours for most people. It gives you time for the Blue Cave, the Green Caves, an island stop, and Sikirica Cove without making every swim feel hurried. Eight hours makes more sense if you want a long lunch, a proper beach visit, several villages, and plenty of time anchored in a quiet bay.

The boat is described as comfortable, though one recent booking with four people noted that it had plenty of room for that group but might feel small with a larger party. Since the listed price covers up to four people, that is a useful guide. Families with more than four people should confirm the boat size and pricing before booking.

The Blue Cave: A Short Swim Into Blue Light

The first major stop is the Blue Cave, reached only by boat. You do not simply walk inside. You swim underwater into the cave, where the clear sea gives the interior its appeal.

This is the sort of stop that rewards confidence in the water. The underwater entry is brief, but you need to be willing to put your face in the sea and swim through the opening. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, so you do not need to pack your own mask and snorkel.

The skipper can help you judge the entry and may swim with you if you are nervous. That personal help matters more here than a long speech about geology. The best part of a private boat is having someone nearby who can explain what to do, watch the group, and avoid pushing anyone beyond their comfort level.

The Blue Cave is a visual stop, but it is also an active one. You will not get the same experience if you want to remain dry on the boat. Bring swimwear, and think of this as a sea excursion first, sightseeing trip second.

Three Green Caves With Three Different Challenges

Near the Blue Cave are three additional green caves. They are not identical, which keeps this part of the outing from becoming a repeat of the first stop.

The first cave is large and easy to enter. It works as a warm-up, allowing you to get used to swimming into a rock opening before attempting the tighter passages.

The second is darker and smaller. It feels more enclosed, and you should expect less room to move. If you dislike confined spaces, you can simply enjoy the water outside rather than forcing yourself inside.

The third is the most demanding. It forms a long, narrow channel that you can swim through and exit on the other side, then return around the outside. You need to swim underwater several times to get through. There is also a side route leading to a small open cave with a shallow sandy bottom.

That variety is one of the strongest parts of the tour, but it is also where you should be realistic about your abilities. This is not a passive boat ride. You need basic swimming confidence, and you should listen closely to your skipper before entering the narrower sections.

Children who are strong swimmers may love the challenge. Younger children or hesitant swimmers may prefer the larger cave, the open sea, or the beach stops. A private skipper can adjust the plan, which is much better than having to keep up with a whole boatload of strangers.

Koločep, a Small Village With Time to Wander

Koločep is a small fishing village and a welcome change after the cave swims. Instead of another quick photo stop, you can walk around, browse the small shop, or sit at the coffee bar beside the sea.

This is the kind of stop that gives the day a local feel. You are not only collecting scenic views from the boat. You are stepping ashore in a modest village where the pace is slower and the setting is more everyday than Dubrovnik’s famous old center.

Do not expect a large choice of shops or attractions. Koločep is appealing because it is small. If you need a full afternoon of sightseeing, it may feel limited, but as a short break between swims, it fits the day well.

A coffee or ice cream stop can also help families reset. Several family groups have valued the skipper’s ability to suggest stops that suit young children rather than following a rigid adult schedule.

Šunj Beach on Lopud: Sand, Shallow Water, and Services

Šunj is described as Dubrovnik’s best-known sandy beach, on the island of Lopud. Its broad shallow area makes it especially practical for children and for anyone who prefers to ease into the sea.

You can rent sunbeds and umbrellas, and there are bars and restaurants near the beach. Paddle cars are also available, adding a little activity beyond swimming. The sandy shore is a useful contrast to the rocky coves and cave entrances earlier in the day.

The drawback is that a famous beach with services is less secluded than the quiet coves. If your dream is complete solitude, Šunj may feel busier and more developed. Its value is convenience: easy swimming, food nearby, and enough space for a proper beach break.

You can also reach Lopud village by golf cart from the beach. If you skip that ride, the boat can dock in the small harbor at the village. From there, you can visit Dominican and Franciscan monasteries, small churches, and Đorđić-Mayneri Park.

I would not try to squeeze every option into a short tour. On a four-hour trip, choose either a beach swim or a village walk. On a six or eight-hour trip, you have a better chance of doing both without turning the day into a race.

Lopud Village and a Seaside Lunch

Lopud village offers a more settled island stop than Koločep. You can walk through the harbor area, visit religious buildings, or find another small sandy beach for swimming and snorkeling.

Lunch can be arranged at a restaurant by the sea. The operator can recommend a place, book a table, and bring you there by boat. This is a practical service in a busy summer destination, especially if you care about eating somewhere with a water view.

Still, keep the extra cost in mind. The meal is separate from the tour price, and the phrase all-inclusive does not cover it. Ask about the restaurant recommendation and meal budget before setting off if you want to avoid surprises.

The lunch stop also affects your timing. A relaxed meal can use a large part of a six-hour tour. That is not a bad thing, but you may need to choose between a long restaurant break and additional swimming.

Šipan and Suđurađ: A Quieter Island Finish

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphiti islands included in the route. The village of Suđurađ offers another chance to see a small fishing settlement and take a slower walk before returning to Dubrovnik.

The skipper may also take you to Bowa, a well-known restaurant in one of Šipan’s many bays. This gives you another lunch option and a more secluded setting, though again, the meal is not included in the tour price.

I like having both choices. You can spend time in Suđurađ if you want a village visit, or choose a bay and make the day more about food and swimming. The right choice depends on your group. Couples may prefer a long meal in a quiet cove, while families may get more from a short village stop followed by another swim.

With four hours, Šipan may be too much to add comfortably after the caves, Lopud, and Sikirica Cove. With eight hours, it becomes a sensible part of the route. The private format lets you decide how much island sightseeing you actually want.

Sikirica Cove and the Final Swim

Sikirica Cove is saved for near the end of the trip. Its shallow, clear water and sea vegetation make it a strong place for snorkeling before the boat heads back to Dubrovnik.

This is less about checking off a famous sight and more about enjoying the sea. You can swim over the vegetation, look through the clear water, and spend time anchored in a sheltered bay. The calm pause is welcome after moving between caves, beaches, and villages.

The boat carries drinks in a coolbox, including water and, according to several bookings, cold local beer. Towels and pool noodles have also been available on recent outings, though you should confirm what is supplied when you book. After the swim, you can return to the boat, enjoy a drink, and watch the sun lower over the horizon.

That final pause is one reason I would favor six or eight hours. The trip works best when you are not rushing away from the water just as you have found a peaceful place to enjoy it.

The Skippers Make the Difference

The company’s strongest praise centers on its skippers. Pasko is repeatedly described as friendly, careful, hospitable, and attentive. Bruno is praised for family-friendly suggestions and for tailoring stops to children. Bernardo is noted for arranging lunch and providing drinks, while Kiko is valued for local insight and clear communication.

Chico and Christian are also named for warm, personal service. Christian is praised for taking a group to quiet swimming spots and cliff-jumping areas, while also allowing the children to have a turn at the boat controls. Any activity involving the controls or jumping should, of course, follow the skipper’s instructions.

These details show what you are paying for beyond fuel and transport. A good skipper can turn a standard route into a day that suits your group. You might want music through the boat speaker, extra time at a beach, a village visit, or help with a nervous swimmer. The feedback indicates that the crew is generally willing to listen and adjust.

The tour is conducted in English. Communication before pickup has also been praised, including for a booking made only the night before. That is useful if your plans change quickly, though I would not rely on last-minute availability during the busiest periods.

Who Should Book It?

This tour suits you best if you want a private day on the water rather than a formal sightseeing program. It works particularly well for couples, small families, and groups of friends who want to combine swimming with a little village exploring.

Families should appreciate Šunj’s shallow water, the ability to shorten cave visits, and the skipper’s freedom to change the pace. Strong-swimming children may enjoy the cave passages, while younger children can stay with the open-water and beach portions.

It is less suitable if you cannot swim comfortably, dislike enclosed spaces, or need step-free access. The tour is specifically not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. Rocky shores, boat boarding, and underwater cave entrances make this a physically active outing.

You should also decide how much sightseeing you want. If you want a quiet beach day with long swims, tell the skipper. If you want monasteries, churches, villages, and lunch, choose a longer duration and accept fewer swim stops.

Practical Value, Timing, and What to Bring

At $454 for up to four people, the price works best when shared. Fuel is included, so you are not watching the cost rise with every island or cave. Pickup and drop-off also remove the need to arrange separate transport to the harbor.

The four-hour option gives you a taste of the route. Six hours offers the best balance for most groups. Eight hours is the relaxed choice if you want lunch, Lopud, Šipan, several swims, and time anchored in a bay.

Pack swimwear, sun protection, a change of clothes, and anything you need for a comfortable boat ride. Snorkels are provided, and drinks are included, but lunch is not. Do not litter, and follow the skipper’s safety directions around the cave entrances.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. The tour has a 4.9 rating from 48 reviews, with repeated praise for service, flexibility, comfort, and the quality of the swimming stops.

Should You Book This Dubrovnik Boat Tour?

I would book it if your idea of a good Dubrovnik day includes clear water, cave swims, a sandy beach, and a skipper who can tailor the route to your group. The strongest value comes from sharing the private price with up to four people and choosing at least six hours.

Choose four hours if your schedule is tight and you mainly want the caves. Choose eight hours if you want the islands to feel like a real escape, not a rapid series of stops.

Skip it if you need an accessible boat, do not feel safe swimming underwater, or want lunch included in the advertised price. For everyone else, this is a lively and practical way to trade Dubrovnik’s crowds for the sea, with enough local stops to keep the day from becoming just another beach transfer.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start and finish?

The tour includes pickup in Dubrovnik and returns you to Dubrovnik.

How long does the tour last?

You can choose a duration from four to eight hours, depending on availability and starting times.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is operated as a private group experience.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkels are provided for the cave and cove swimming stops.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included. The operator can recommend restaurants, reserve a table, and take you there by boat.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Fuel and a coolbox with drinks are included. Recent bookings also describe water and beer being available on board.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.