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

The Adriatic is best seen from the water. This private Dubrovnik boat tour links the Blue Cave, Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj Beach in one relaxed day, with time to swim, snorkel, eat lunch, and stretch out on board. I especially like the private format and the chance to adjust the pace with your skipper. I also like the included drinks, hotel pickup, and roomy boat. The main caution is that fuel may cost extra, and a few past departures have had problems with working toilets, snorkeling gear, or an agreed stop being skipped.

The tour costs $302.46 for a group of up to six, which can be strong value when shared among family or friends. Captain Bruno receives especially warm praise for his handling of windy days and his easy manner with children, while Ivan, Lovro, Tony, Evan, and Marco have also led well-liked trips. Still, this is a full day on the sea, and the experience depends greatly on weather, sea conditions, and the captain assigned to your boat.

Key points to know before you book

• Blue Cave swimming on Koločep: Enter several caves by water and watch sunlight turn the interior blue.
• Four island stops in about eight hours: The route includes Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj Beach.
• Private space for up to six people: You can discuss the pace and stops with your skipper instead of following a large group.
• Drinks are supplied on board: Beer, wine, Coca-Cola, and bottled water are included.
• Lunch is not included: You stop at a restaurant on Šipan, so plan to pay separately for your meal.
• Confirm fuel and equipment details: The information lists extra fuel charges and snorkeling gear, but one past booking reported missing snorkels.

Why this private boat day works so well

Dubrovnik is famous for its old walls, but the islands just offshore show a quieter side of the region. From the boat, you trade crowded streets for open water, rocky coves, small harbors, sandy beaches, and low island hills dotted with churches and homes.

I like the way this tour combines several different experiences. You get a splashy start at Koločep, a proper lunch break on Šipan, a walk through Lopud, and a lazy beach stop at Šunj. It is not simply eight hours of cruising with a few photo stops.

The private setup matters. With a maximum of six people, you can ask for more swimming time, shorten a stop, or spend longer at a beach if the conditions allow. Several people enjoyed being able to shape the day around their own group, rather than being tied to a rigid schedule.

The boat has areas for sun and shade, a restroom, and room to sit at the front or back. Drinks are stocked, which saves you from carrying a large supply of water and makes the hot middle hours easier. Life jackets and pool noodles were provided for one group that included a less confident swimmer, but you should still ask in advance about safety equipment that matters to you.

Pickup from Dubrovnik and the ride to port

Pickup can be arranged from a hotel, apartment, or other address. The company uses a van for some transfers, and one pickup near the Hilton Imperial involved a drive to the marina on the other side of the bridge.

That transfer is convenient, but it also affects your expectations. One four-hour booking found that reaching the marina took about 20 minutes, meaning there was not enough time to add Lokrum Island and the Elaphiti Islands to the same outing. For the full eight-hour trip, this is less of a concern, but ask where you will board and how much transfer time is included.

Pickups outside the company’s normal service radius cost extra. The published price is $302.46 per group of up to six, but fuel is listed separately at €70 for eight hours and €50 for four hours. The inclusion notes also say fuel is included only for the sunset tour, so confirm the final total before you pay.

That price can be quite fair for six people. Split six ways, the base cost is about $50 per person, before any fuel or meal costs. For two people, it is a much more expensive day, though the privacy and flexibility may still justify it for a honeymoon or special occasion.

Koločep and the Blue Cave swimming stops

Koločep is the tour’s most memorable opening act. The boat visits the Blue Cave and three other caves in the Dubrovnik area, where you can swim and snorkel inside the openings.

The blue color comes from sunlight reflecting through the water and onto the cave walls. The effect changes with the angle of the sun and the sea conditions, so do not expect a theatrical glow at every moment. Still, getting into the water and looking back toward the cave entrance is the kind of simple experience that stays with you.

You should be comfortable entering the sea from the boat. One honeymoon group advised bringing a GoPro and being a strong swimmer, which is useful advice for anyone hoping to swim into the caves. If you are unsure in the water, say so clearly before departure and ask about a life jacket or noodle.

Snorkeling equipment is advertised as included. However, one booking reported that no snorkels were available, so I would confirm masks and snorkels directly before the day begins. Towels, sunscreen, and swimsuits are not supplied. Bring all three, along with dry clothing if you dislike sitting in a wet swimsuit for the rest of the afternoon.

Sea conditions can change the feel of this stop. On windy days, captains Bruno and Ivan were praised for finding calmer places to swim and keeping the day enjoyable. That is an important strength of a private boat: a good skipper can adjust the route instead of forcing you into an uncomfortable cove.

Šipan, Sudurad, and the long lunch break

The next stop is Šipan, where you have about two hours for lunch. The meal is not included, but the skipper can suggest a restaurant, and some departures have had lunch reservations arranged in advance.

This is a useful pause after the active cave stop. You can sit down, dry off, eat a proper meal, and enjoy the island setting instead of rushing through another short photo stop. One group had lunch at Hotel Božica in Sudurad, while another praised a restaurant with fine views and access to an infinity pool.

Do not assume that every group receives the same restaurant or pool arrangement. Ask where lunch will be and whether a reservation can be made, especially in the busy summer season. You will pay for the meal yourself, and drinks or facilities at the restaurant may also cost extra.

The two-hour stop helps make the eight-hour outing feel less frantic. It also means this tour is not ideal if you want constant activity. You will spend a meaningful part of the day sitting down, eating, and taking in the harbor.

Lopud’s churches, monastery, and sandy shore

Lopud brings a different mood. The island is known here for churches, a monastery, and sandy beaches, and the suggested hour gives you time for a walk and some exploring.

I like this stop because it adds a little land time between swims. A boat day can blur into a string of coves if you never leave the deck. Lopud gives you a chance to walk, look around, and see more of the island beyond its shoreline.

An hour is enough for a short wander, but not for a serious island visit. If Lopud is important to your group, tell the skipper early and ask how much time you can spend there. One disappointing booking expected Lopud but only visited Koločep, showing why it is worth confirming the exact plan before leaving port.

The route may also be adjusted for sea conditions, timing, or your group’s wishes. Flexibility is one of the tour’s strengths, but it can produce uncertainty if you expect every printed stop to happen exactly as described.

Šunj Beach for the final swim and a drink

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 buy drinks.

After the caves and lunch, this is the easygoing finish. You can swim from the sand, sit at a bar, or simply let the day wind down. Families may prefer it to a rocky cove, while anyone wanting a quiet beach should remember that popularity can mean more activity.

The stop is usually about an hour. If you want more time on Šunj, mention it to the skipper, though the final schedule depends on the return journey and conditions. For a sunset departure, the experience may follow a different pattern, with champagne listed only for sunset tours.

The captains make a real difference

The strongest praise goes to the captains. Bruno is repeatedly described as friendly, smooth at the controls, and good with children. He handled windy weather well and took groups to quieter swim spots.

Ivan is also praised for asking what the group wanted and shaping the day around those wishes. He took one group to more secluded places and two cliff-jumping locations, then arranged lunch at Hotel Božica. Those cliff jumps are not listed as a standard feature, so treat them as an example of possible customization, not a guarantee.

Lovro has been appreciated for giving groups plenty of time at each stop and for handling a honeymoon outing well. Tony, Evan, Marco, and the transfer driver Anna Maria also received positive comments for being helpful or friendly.

The less positive experiences point to the risk of personality. Two bookings found their skipper distant or hard to connect with, and one group waited about 30 minutes when the skipper was not immediately at the port. These accounts are unusual beside the strong overall score, but they are worth keeping in mind. If communication and warmth matter greatly to you, request a captain if the operator allows it.

The tour is rated 4.9 from 164 ratings, with 98 percent recommending it. That is a strong record, but it does not remove the need to confirm the day’s details.

Boat comfort, drinks, and what to bring

The boat offers both shaded and sunny areas, with space at the back to relax and at the front to sunbathe. Beer, wine, Coca-Cola, and bottled water are included, so you can stay refreshed without stopping at a shop before departure.

A restroom is listed on board, but one booking reported that it was not working. I would ask about its condition when you confirm the tour, especially for children, older family members, or anyone sensitive to a full day at sea.

Pack:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Dry clothes
• Waterproof phone case or action camera
• Any medication you need for motion sickness
• Extra cash or a card for lunch and beach-bar drinks

The sea can be wavy, and two people in one group became seasick during the first hour. The skipper stopped at an island so they could recover, but prevention is better than rescue. Eat lightly before departure and bring whatever motion-sickness treatment you normally use.

Who should book this eight-hour tour?

I would choose this for a family or group of friends who want a private day with a mix of swimming, food, walking, and beach time. It also suits couples who want a special outing, particularly if the operator can arrange a sunset finish or a small celebration.

It is a good match for confident swimmers, but less confident swimmers can still take part if they discuss safety equipment in advance. Children enjoyed the boat with Bruno and Ivan, though parents should be comfortable supervising them around open water and rocky cave entrances.

I would not choose it if you want a tightly fixed schedule, guaranteed access to every advertised stop, or a full cultural tour of each island. The emphasis is on the sea, scenery, swimming, and relaxed choices, not on long guided walks or formal historical commentary.

Is $302.46 good value for six people?

For a full private boat day, the base price is attractive when divided among six. You receive pickup arrangements, private transport, the boat, drinks, a restroom, snorkeling equipment as advertised, and a skipper who can alter the pace.

The extra costs matter. Fuel may be €70 for the eight-hour option, lunch is separate, and drinks at Šunj Beach are not included. Pickup outside the normal radius may also add a charge. Even so, a group of six can get a more personal day than a standard shared cruise for a reasonable per-person cost.

For two people, the calculation is different. You are paying for privacy and control rather than the cheapest way to reach the islands. That can still be worthwhile for a honeymoon, birthday, or final day in Dubrovnik.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. The tour requires good weather, and if poor conditions cause cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

My verdict: book it, with three confirmations

I would book this tour if I had six people and wanted to see the Dubrovnik islands by boat. The Blue Cave swim, flexible route, sandy Šunj Beach, and well-stocked boat create a varied day, and the captains have often made the experience feel personal rather than mechanical.

Before paying, I would confirm three things: the total price including fuel, the exact stops planned for your departure, and that the restroom and snorkeling equipment are available. I would also request extra time at any island that matters most to you.

Book it for sea views, swimming, caves, and an easy private day. Skip it if you need a guaranteed, tightly timed program or prefer a land-based history tour. For the right group, this can be one of the most enjoyable ways to see the coast around Dubrovnik.

FAQ

How long is the private boat tour?

The main experience lasts about eight hours. A four-hour option is also mentioned in the tour details and booking information.

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 tour.

Which islands are included on the eight-hour route?

The usual route includes Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj Beach on Lopud. Stops can be affected by timing, weather, sea conditions, and requests made to the skipper.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is taken at a restaurant on Šipan and must be paid for separately.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkeling equipment is listed as included. Because one past booking reported that snorkels were not available, confirm the equipment directly before departure.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup can be arranged from hotels, apartments, and other addresses. Locations outside the company’s normal pickup radius may cost extra.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the company cancels because of poor conditions, you can select another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.