BLUE CAVE private speedboat tour with drinks

Dubrovnik’s best escape from stone streets and cruise-ship crowds is out on the water. This private speedboat tour takes you to the glowing Blue Cave and the Green Caves of Kolocep, then gives you time to swim at sandy Sunj Beach on Lopud. I like the flexible pace and the fact that beer, wine, water, and juice are included. I also like the small-group setup, which lets your skipper adjust the stops instead of herding you from one sight to the next.

The main catch is the extra fuel surcharge and harbor fee, paid on the boat. That adds 100 to 150 euros depending on your group size, so the advertised price is not the full cost. Sunj Beach can also feel busy in high season, and four hours goes quickly if your group wants long swims at every stop.

Key points at a glance

• Reach the Blue Cave early: From June 1 to September 15, the morning departure is at 8:30 a.m., timed to help avoid larger cave groups.
• Explore two cave areas on Kolocep: Plan around 30 to 35 minutes at each location, with clear water, snorkeling, rock jumps, and underwater passages.
• Spend about 90 minutes at Sunj Beach: Lopud’s broad sandy beach is the relaxing part of the trip, with shallow water, beach bars, and a small forest restaurant.
• Book the boat for your own group: The speedboat carries a maximum of 10 people, making it useful for families, friends, and birthday outings.
• Drinks and snorkel gear are included: Beer, white wine, water, and juice come with the tour. Alcohol is for adults age 18 and older.
• Budget for the added boat charge: Fuel and harbor fees cost 100 euros for one or two people, 120 euros for three to seven, or 150 euros for eight to ten.

Why this boat trip works well from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is easy to admire from the walls, but the city can feel crowded and hot once the day gets going. A speedboat gives you a quick change of scene. Instead of spending the day on a large vessel with a fixed schedule, you head into the Elaphiti Islands with your own group and a skipper at the controls.

The route focuses on water rather than formal sightseeing. You will not spend the day stepping ashore for museums or village tours. The payoff is swimming, snorkeling, cave light, and a long pause on one of the area’s most popular sandy beaches.

The tour costs $362.81 per group of up to 10 people, before the fuel and harbor surcharge. For a full group, that can be good value because the base cost is shared. A couple pays much more per person, especially after the added 100 euro charge. I would compare the full boat cost with other private excursions before booking, rather than treating the headline price as the final total.

The boat returns to the same marina where you start. You meet at the last wooden pier in the small marina at Lapadska obala 4, by the Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse. Arrive at least 10 minutes early. The tour does not include private transportation to the marina, so you need to make your own way there.

Setting out from the West Harbour

The morning departure from June 1 through September 15 is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. The early start matters here. The Blue Cave is a major reason people book this trip, and reaching it before larger groups arrive can make the short cave visit feel calmer.

You get roughly four hours on the water. The first part is the ride from Dubrovnik toward Kolocep. A speedboat makes the islands practical in a half day, leaving enough time for two cave stops and Sunj Beach without turning the trip into an all-day commitment.

The private format is particularly useful if your group has mixed interests. One person can focus on snorkeling, another can stay aboard, and children can spend more time swimming at the beach. You can also ask the skipper where to spend more or less time, within the limits of the route and the weather.

Skippers named in the tour’s experiences include Ante, Antun, Antonio, and Pavo. The exact captain depends on the date, but the common thread is a relaxed, personal approach. Pavo is known for playing music and getting close to the better swimming spots, while Ante and Antun are praised for helping groups choose where to swim and allowing them to set the pace. Do not assume you can choose a particular skipper, but you can ask when booking.

Kolocep’s Blue Cave and Green Caves

Kolocep is the most dramatic part of the trip. The Blue Cave sits on the island’s south side, where sunlight enters the cave and reflects off the sandy bottom. That combination gives the water its bright blue color.

The cave is not a long underground expedition. You visit by boat and water, with about 30 to 35 minutes planned at each cave area. That is enough time to look around, swim, and take photos, but it can pass quickly if everyone wants a turn in the water.

The light inside the Blue Cave depends on the sun and the angle of the boat. On a bright day, the color should be the main attraction. On a cloudy day, the effect may be less intense. This is one reason the weather policy matters, although even good weather cannot guarantee a perfect shade of blue at every moment.

The nearby Green Caves offer a different setting. Their water has blue and green tones, and the rock formation includes underwater passages. You can snorkel around the openings and, where conditions allow, jump from the rocks. The tour provides snorkeling equipment and life jackets for adults and children.

You should be comfortable in the water to get the most from this part of the trip. The caves are not just photo stops. Their appeal comes from swimming through clear water, looking into the rock openings, and seeing the color change around you. If you prefer to stay dry, you can still enjoy the boat ride and scenery, but you will miss much of what makes Kolocep worthwhile.

The captain’s judgment matters at the caves. Sea conditions, boat traffic, and safety concerns can affect where you swim or jump. Follow the guide’s instructions, use the provided life jacket if needed, and do not treat the rock jumps as compulsory. They are an option, not the point of the tour.

Taking a longer pause at Sunj Beach

After Kolocep, the boat heads to Lopud and its famous Sunj Beach. This is the slower part of the outing, with about an hour and a half set aside for swimming and relaxing.

Sunj is known for its sand, a welcome change from the rocky coastline common around Dubrovnik. The water near shore is shallow and warm, and the bay stretches from green around the edges to blue farther out. That makes it a good place for a relaxed swim, especially if children are in your group.

You can spend the time in the water or walk up toward the nearby beach bars and small forest restaurant. Drinks and food at the beach are not included, and lunch is not part of the boat price. The tour includes beer, white wine, water, and juice on board, but you should bring extra money if you want something from the beach.

Sunj is also the stop most likely to feel less private. It is a popular beach, so you share the shoreline with other people. The private boat gives your group privacy on the ride, but it does not reserve the beach for you. That is not a serious flaw, but it is worth knowing if you expect an empty bay.

The generous time at Sunj balances the quick cave visits. You are not rushed straight back to Dubrovnik after the swimming stops. Families may appreciate the shallow water, while groups of friends can use the beach pause for food, music, and a less structured break.

What is included, and what you still pay for

The tour includes a driver-guide, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and life jackets for both children and adults. Beer, white wine, and juice are also included, with alcoholic drinks available only to people aged 18 and over.

Lunch is not included. The tour does not include private transportation to or from the marina either. You also need to pay the fuel surcharge and harbor fees on the boat:

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

That charge is important when you calculate value. A group of eight to ten can split the fee across many people, making the private boat a sensible choice for a birthday, family gathering, or group of friends. For only one or two people, the total can become expensive for a four-hour outing.

The included drinks add convenience, but they should not be the reason you book. The real value is the private boat, the early access to the caves, the equipment, and the ability to spend your time swimming instead of waiting for a large group.

Who will get the most from this experience

I would choose this tour for a group that wants an active half day without committing to a full-day island cruise. It fits families with older children, couples who want privacy, and friends looking for a boat day with swimming and music.

It also suits people who prefer a loose plan. The route is set, but the experience is not built around a strict series of announcements and photo stops. Captains such as Pavo have allowed groups to play their own music, and captains such as Antun have adjusted the day around where people wanted to spend time.

The tour is less suitable if you want a quiet cultural visit to the islands. You will not have much time for a long walk through Lopud or a detailed look at island life. This is a water outing first.

It may also disappoint anyone expecting a private beach. The boat is private, but Sunj is a public, popular beach. Likewise, the cave visits are fairly short, so you should not book this expecting hours inside the caves.

Timing, weather, and practical comfort

The tour needs good weather. If poor conditions cause a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not met, you are also offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.

You receive confirmation at booking, and the activity is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Most people can take part, but the swimming and boat setting mean you should think honestly about your own comfort in the water.

Wear a swimsuit and bring sun protection. The supplied information confirms snorkeling equipment and life jackets, but it does not promise towels, changing facilities, or a meal, so plan accordingly. Keep valuables to a minimum and arrive ready to board rather than expecting a long check-in process.

The four-hour length is a strength for many people. You get the best parts of a boat day without giving up the entire day in Dubrovnik. Still, the timing is tight: around an hour at the two cave areas together and about 90 minutes at Sunj leaves the rest for travel and boarding. If your group is slow to get in and out of the water, the stops may feel shorter than expected.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

How the boat experience feels for different groups

For families, the life jackets for children and adults are useful, and Sunj’s shallow water is easier than a rocky swimming cove. You should still keep a close eye on children around the boat, cave entrances, and rock-jump areas.

For friends, the private format is the big advantage. You can play music, share drinks, and make the swimming stops your own. The captain’s local choices can also help you reach good spots before they become crowded, especially on the early departure.

For couples, the cost deserves careful thought. A private boat is more personal than a shared excursion, but the fixed group price and 100 euro surcharge make it better value when shared with several people.

For a birthday or special occasion, the mix of music, swimming, drinks, and a sandy beach works well. One group used the outing for a birthday and appreciated being able to play music and borrow goggles. That sort of flexibility is hard to get on a large scheduled cruise.

Should you book this private speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a short, active boat day with caves, snorkeling, drinks, and a sandy beach, especially if you can fill much of the 10-person capacity. The early summer departure is the smart choice for the Blue Cave, and the private format gives you far more control than a standard group cruise.

Think twice if you are traveling alone or as a couple and are focused on low cost. The fuel and harbor surcharge changes the value calculation. Also skip it if your priority is a long island walk, a formal guide to Dubrovnik’s past, or a completely empty beach.

For the right group, this is a well-shaped outing: striking cave colors first, a swim-focused middle section, and a relaxed beach finish. Ask about the day’s skipper when you book, choose the early departure when available, and budget for the extra boat charge from the start.

FAQ

How long is the Blue Cave private speedboat tour?

The tour lasts approximately four hours and returns to the same meeting point at Dubrovnik’s West Harbour.

Where does the tour leave from?

You meet at Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse, Lapadska obala 4, at the last wooden pier in the small marina. You should arrive 10 minutes before departure.

What islands and stops are included?

The route visits the Blue Cave and Green Caves on Kolocep, followed by Sunj Beach on Lopud.

Are drinks and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Beer, white wine, bottled water, and juice are included, along with snorkeling equipment and life jackets for children and adults. Alcohol is available only to people aged 18 and older.

Are there extra costs beyond the listed price?

Yes. Fuel and harbor fees are paid on the boat. The charge is 100 euros for one or two people, 120 euros for three to seven people, and 150 euros for eight to ten people. Lunch is not included.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is also available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins.