BLUE CAVE private speedboat tour with drinks

The best Dubrovnik escape starts on the water. This private speedboat trip takes you from the city to Koločep’s Blue Cave and Green Caves, then on to Šunj Beach on Lopud, all within about four hours. The format is simple: your own group, a captain who can adjust the pace, time for swimming and snorkeling, and drinks served along the way.

I especially like the private boat format, which gives you room to choose how long you stay at each stop. I also like the early summer morning departure, designed to reach the caves before larger groups arrive. The main drawback is the extra fuel and harbor charge, which adds €100 to €150 to the advertised group price.

A clean, quick boat, friendly captains, and easy access to some of the best swimming near Dubrovnik make this a strong choice for families, couples, and groups of friends. Just remember that Šunj Beach is not a quiet, untouched cove. It has beach bars and a forest restaurant, which is handy for food and drinks but means you will not have the place entirely to yourself.

Key points to know before booking

• Three island stops in about four hours: You visit Koločep’s Blue Cave and Green Caves, followed by Šunj Beach on Lopud.
• Private groups of up to 10: The boat is reserved for your party, with no unrelated passengers joining you.
• Early departure helps at the caves: From June 1 through September 15, the morning trip leaves at 8:30 a.m. to avoid the heaviest cave crowds.
• Swimming gear and drinks are included: Snorkels, life jackets, water, juice, beer, and white wine are provided.
• The final cost is higher than the base price: Add €100 to €150 for fuel and harbor fees, depending on group size.
• Your captain can shape the day: Time at the swimming stops can be adjusted, within the tour’s overall schedule.

Why this private boat trip works well

Dubrovnik is famous for its old stone walls, but the sea often gives you a better break from the crowds. The Elaphiti Islands sit just offshore, and a speedboat lets you reach their swimming spots without spending most of the day in transit.

The private setup matters. For a group of friends, you can play your own music and settle into the pace that suits you. For a family, you can spend more time where the children are happiest. For a couple, you avoid being tied to a large group’s schedule.

The captains also add a personal touch. Pavo is praised for playing good music and getting close to the best spots before they fill up. Ante is described as helpful with swimming locations, while Antun and Antonio are noted for being accommodating. Captain names can depend on the day, but the consistent theme is a relaxed approach and a willingness to help you make choices on the water.

You should still think of this as a swimming and sightseeing outing, not a formal historical tour. The guide can point out islands and explain some local background, but the main attraction is the sea, the caves, and the freedom to move between them.

Meeting at Dubrovnik’s West Harbour

The departure point is the last wooden pier in the small marina at Lapadska obala 4, beside the Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse. You should arrive 10 minutes before departure. The activity returns to the same place, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride back from another island.

The tour is offered in English and comes with a mobile ticket. Public transportation is nearby, and service animals are allowed. Most people can take part, but you should be comfortable boarding a boat and spending much of the outing in the sun and water.

The morning departure from June 1 through September 15 is 8:30 a.m. That early start is not just a scheduling detail. It is meant to reduce the chance of arriving at the caves alongside several other boats. If your group prefers a slower start, an afternoon option may suit you better, but the supplied details specifically highlight the early morning trip as the best way to avoid busy cave periods.

Koločep’s Blue Cave and Green Caves

Koločep is the first island stop. The boat reaches the Blue Cave on the island’s southern side, where sunlight passes through the water and reflects off the sandy bottom. That combination creates the cave’s blue glow.

The effect depends on the light, the sea conditions, and your position in the water. It is not a painted attraction or a room lit by lamps. You are seeing sunlight filtered through the cave opening and water, which makes the color change as you move. The boat crew can help you reach the cave and point out the best places for swimming.

The Blue Cave visit lasts about 30 to 35 minutes. That gives you time to look around, swim, and use the snorkeling equipment, though you should not expect a long, leisurely stop if the sea is busy or the group wants to continue.

The Green Caves offer a different kind of setting. They are known for clear water, underwater passages, and places where you can jump from the rocks. The water’s color shifts between green and blue, and the cave shapes make this stop feel more active than a simple photo break.

Rock jumping is optional, of course. Life jackets are supplied for both adults and children, and you should use them if you are not a confident swimmer. Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from packing a mask and snorkel, though you may prefer to bring your own if fit matters to you.

The total time around Koločep is about two hours, split between the Blue Cave and Green Caves. This is the most water-focused part of the day. You will want a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and a dry bag for phones or other valuables.

Šunj Beach on Lopud

After Koločep, the boat heads to Lopud and its broad sandy beach at Šunj. This is a useful change of pace after the caves. Instead of swimming in rocky openings, you get a shallow lagoon, warm water, and room to stretch out on shore.

The planned stay is about 90 minutes. You can swim from the beach, relax in the clear water, or walk toward the nearby beach bars and small forest restaurant on the hill. Lunch is not included, so this is the natural point to buy food if you need a meal.

Šunj is often described as Dubrovnik’s biggest sandy beach, which explains its popularity. The sand is easier on your feet than the rocky edges around many Croatian swimming areas, and the shallow water can work well for families. The tradeoff is that the beach is a developed stop, not a deserted island cove. You will find places to buy refreshments, but you may also find more people and less silence.

I like that the stop is long enough to feel worthwhile. A quick 20-minute beach visit would feel rushed, especially after getting changed and walking from the boat. Ninety minutes gives you time to swim, eat something, and relax before the ride back to Dubrovnik.

What is included, and what costs extra

The advertised price is $362.81 per group of up to 10 people. Judged per person, that can be good value for a full private boat, especially if you fill most of the available spaces. A group of 10 pays roughly $36 per person before the extra boat charges, while a group of two pays much more per person.

You must also pay fuel and harbor fees on the boat:

• One to two passengers: €100
• Three to seven passengers: €120
• Eight to 10 passengers: €150

That means the real group cost is higher than the headline price. For a full group, the extra charge is spread across more people and makes better financial sense. For two people, you should compare the total against a shared boat trip before booking.

Included in the price are bottled water, juice, beer, white wine, snorkeling equipment, and life jackets for children and adults. The free drinks are a pleasant touch, especially after swimming in the sun. Alcohol is available only to adults aged 18 and over.

Lunch is not included. You can buy food at Šunj Beach, but you should not assume that a full meal is part of the boat package. If you have dietary needs, the safest plan is to eat before departure or bring suitable snacks, provided the operator permits them.

Private transportation to the marina is also not included. The boat itself is your transport during the experience, but you need to make your own way to Lapadska obala 4.

Boat comfort, pace, and flexibility

The boat is described as clean, comfortable, and quick. Speed is important here because it gives you more time at the islands instead of spending the whole morning getting from one stop to another. The ride can still be active, so anyone prone to seasickness should consider the conditions and bring suitable medication.

The private format allows some flexibility. Captains have let groups choose where they wanted to spend more time, and they have helped families find good swimming areas. That does not mean the schedule is unlimited. The experience still has a set length, and the main stops are built into the day.

Music is another small but useful detail. Pavo has allowed groups to play their own music, which suits a birthday outing or a group of friends. If you prefer a quieter ride, you can ask the captain to keep the music low.

Families appear to be a good match for this outing. Life jackets are available in both child and adult sizes, and the mix of caves, beach, and swimming gives children several different things to do. Still, the boat portion and rock areas require close supervision. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not promise that every part will suit very young children or anyone with mobility concerns.

Who should book this experience?

You should consider this boat trip if you want to:

• Visit several Elaphiti Island swimming spots in one half-day
• Keep the day private for your own group
• Spend more time in the water than on guided walks
• Combine caves, snorkeling, rock jumping, and a sandy beach
• Have drinks included without arranging every refreshment yourself
• Let a captain suggest good swimming places and adjust the pace

It is especially suitable for groups of friends, families with older children, and couples who prefer a private outing. The birthday group format also makes sense because you can play music and keep the day informal.

This is less suitable if you want a quiet cultural tour, a guaranteed secluded beach, or a full meal included. It is also not the best value for only one or two people once the €100 fuel and harbor charge is added.

Booking timing and cancellation details

The experience is commonly reserved well ahead of the date, with an average booking time of about 32 days. That suggests you should plan early if you want a particular date during the busy summer season, especially for a private group.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The tour also depends on suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

FAQ

Where does the Blue Cave speedboat tour start?

The tour starts at the last wooden pier in the small marina at Lapadska obala 4, beside the Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse in Dubrovnik’s West Harbour.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours. The planned stops include about two hours at Koločep and about 90 minutes at Šunj Beach, with the remaining time used for travel and departure arrangements.

How many people can join the private boat?

A maximum of 10 people can be included in one booking, and only your group takes part in the private activity.

Are drinks included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but food and drinks can be purchased at the beach bars and small forest restaurant near Šunj Beach.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Blue Cave speedboat tour?

I would book this tour if I had a group large enough to share the added boat charges. The combination of Koločep’s glowing cave, the Green Caves, and a long stop at Šunj Beach gives you a good range of experiences without committing a full day.

The strongest reason to choose it is control. You get a private boat, a captain who can help shape the swimming stops, and drinks and snorkeling gear already provided. Choose the early 8:30 a.m. departure from June 1 through September 15 if avoiding crowds matters to you.

Before paying, add the €100 to €150 fuel and harbor fee to the advertised price. If that total works for your group, this is a relaxed and active way to trade Dubrovnik’s crowded streets for clear island water, rocky caves, and a sandy beach.