From Rovinj: Sea Caves & Sandy Levan Island Speedboat Tour

Cape Kamenjak is the star of this private day on the water, but the best part is the freedom to shape the route. You can swim in a sea cave, snorkel at Seagulls Rocks, stretch out on sandy Levan Island, and ask your skipper to stop at a quieter cove when the mood strikes.

I like the private format, which gives you room to choose between sunbathing and shade without sharing the boat with a large group. I also like the practical extras, including cold drinks, snorkeling gear, fuel, and several Rovinj pickup points. The main drawback is the lack of a toilet onboard, and the ride can be lively in rougher sea conditions.

Key points to know

• Cape Kamenjak from the sea: See Kolobarica Sea Cave, swim near its small inside beach, and visit the Safari bar area.
• A private, flexible route: Your skipper can adjust stops and skip crowded places when conditions allow.
• Levan Island’s sandy beach: Spend about 90 minutes swimming, relaxing, or eating at a seaside restaurant.
• Several snorkeling stops: Seagulls Rocks, sea caves, Sveti Jerolim, and quiet coves all offer time in the water.
• Comfortable for a small group: The price is $777 for up to three people, with shade in back and sunbathing space in front.
• Bring your own basics: Pack a towel, sunscreen, swimwear, and cash or a card for food, drinks, and the optional tube.

An eight-hour escape from Rovinj

This is a full-day private boat outing, not a quick coastal cruise. You leave Rovinj by speedboat and spend the day moving between rocky swimming spots, sea caves, islands, and beach coves around southern Istria.

The boat has room at the front for sunbathing and shaded seating toward the back. That small detail matters during eight hours on the water. You can move around rather than spend the entire day in one exposed seat.

The route is designed for people who want more than a view from the boat. You will have repeated chances to swim and snorkel, with breaks for a walk, coffee, lunch, or a lazy hour on the sand.

Because this is a private group, the skipper can respond to your preferences. If you want more swimming, you can ask for it. If a cave is crowded, you can spend the time at another cove instead. The sea and weather still control the day, but the private setup gives you more choice than a fixed group excursion.

Meeting your skipper at the pier

Pickup is available from several places around Rovinj, including Rovinj Port, the Delfin Dock Station, the Island Hotel Ferry, the Taxi Boat point, and the Andana Sea Tours location. There are also pickup options near the Amarin resort, Red Island, and Katarina Island.

The instructions are worth reading carefully. The boat is not waiting directly on the pier. Your skipper comes to the very end of the pier at the scheduled time to meet you and lead you to the boat. Look for a speedboat marked with Goat a Boat or Andana Sea Tours.

If you arrive by car, the Andana Sea Tours location in the small harbor near Martin Horvat Hospital is the recommended meeting point. From Rovinj’s old town, the Rovinj Port pickup at Valdibora parking is the more convenient choice. Hotel guests near Grand Park, Monte Mulini, Lone, or Eden can use the Dolphin Dock Station.

This is one place where arriving early helps. You will not want to be scanning the harbor at the last minute while the boat is preparing to leave. The skipper has your phone number and can call if you cannot find each other.

Speeding south along the Istrian coast

The first boat ride lasts about 70 minutes. That is long enough to make the speedboat itself part of the experience. You get open views of the coast and the refreshing sensation of moving quickly between stops, but you should expect wind, sun, and spray.

Bring sunscreen and apply it before leaving. A towel is also essential because you will be getting in and out of the water several times. The supplied snorkeling equipment includes masks and related gear, but not fins, so do not expect a full set of diving equipment.

Cold water, beer, Coca-Cola, Fanta, and iced tea are included onboard. These drinks are useful on a hot day, though food and drinks purchased at restaurants or beach bars are extra.

The boat ride is best suited to people comfortable with an active day at sea. Pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, people over 75, and babies under one year are not considered suitable for this activity. The operator also does not allow pets or glass objects.

Seagulls Rocks and the first swim

Seagulls Rocks is the first major swimming stop, with about 45 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. It is known for rocky formations, clear water, and the chance to swim near a cave. Cliff jumping is also part of the area’s appeal, but you should make your own decision based on the conditions and your comfort level.

This is a good early stop because it gets you into the water before the day becomes too hot. It also gives you a quick test of the boat’s rhythm: ride, swim, dry off, and move on.

The rockier setting means this is not the place for a long sandy-beach stay. Wear sturdy water shoes if you have them, though they are not listed as included equipment. Stay aware of the skipper’s instructions around rocks, caves, and jumping points.

A further stop provides time for a drink, swimming, and snorkeling. The exact spot can depend on the sea and the skipper’s judgment. That flexibility is useful when one area feels too busy or conditions are not ideal.

Cape Kamenjak by sea, not by road

Cape Kamenjak is a protected nature reserve at the southern tip of Istria. Seeing it from the water gives you a different angle than a land visit. You approach the rocky coast by boat, swim near the famous sea cave, and see the small beach inside the cave when conditions allow.

Kolobarica Sea Cave gets about 30 minutes. The attraction is not a long walk or a formal cave tour. It is a short, memorable water stop where you can swim and snorkel near the cave entrance and look into its clear interior.

Bring a waterproof camera if you have one. The combination of rock, water, and the cave’s inside beach makes this one of the most photographable parts of the day. Keep your expectations practical, though. Cave conditions and crowd levels can change, and the skipper may choose not to stop at the cave if it is too busy or unsafe.

That flexibility proved useful on one Sunday outing when the caves were crowded. Instead of forcing the stop, skipper Nikola took the group to another good swimming location. This is exactly the kind of decision that can protect the quality of your day. You are paying for access to the coast and a private route, not for one single cave at any cost.

Cape Kamenjak also gives you a chance to visit the distinctive Safari bar area. It is a casual stop with an unusual setting, but drinks there are not included. You will need to budget separately for anything you order ashore.

Levan Island and its sandy beach

Levan Island is the day’s longest stop, with about 90 minutes. Its sandy beach and translucent water offer a welcome change from the rocky coast around Cape Kamenjak.

This is the place to slow down. You can swim, sit on the sand, and have lunch at a seaside restaurant. Seafood is suggested as a possible meal stop, but food and restaurant drinks are not part of the tour price.

The beach is appealing because sandy shores are not the main feature of this stretch of Istrian coast. If you have spent the morning climbing in and out of a boat or swimming around rocks, Levan gives you a more relaxed break.

You can also try tubing here for an added €50, payable onsite. That fee is separate, so ask about the activity before committing. Cliff jumping is also mentioned as an option, but the same rule applies: inspect the setting and follow the skipper’s guidance rather than treating it as a required part of the day.

Ninety minutes is enough for a swim and meal, but it is not an entire afternoon at the beach. If you want to spend most of your day on land, this tour may feel too boat-focused. If you like alternating between short shore breaks and swimming, the timing works well.

The return route, Sveti Jerolim, and quiet coves

After Levan, the boat heads back toward Rovinj, with about 45 minutes of travel before another walking and swimming stop. Sveti Jerolim receives about 45 minutes for a walk and a swim.

The exact feel of this stop depends on the sea conditions and the day’s route. It gives you another chance to stretch your legs and get back in the water before the final ride. Along the way, the skipper may also stop at hidden coves for sunbathing and swimming.

That final freedom is one of the strongest reasons to book this as a private tour. You are not limited to a single beach schedule. If the group wants a quiet cove instead of another busy attraction, you can ask for that kind of break.

There is also a chance of seeing dolphins during the day. This is a lucky extra, not something the operator can promise. One outing included dolphin sightings on the return route, which shows why it pays to keep watching the water rather than treating the boat rides as dead time.

The last speedboat ride lasts about an hour. After a full day of salt water and sun, that can feel long, especially if the sea becomes choppy. It is also a final chance to enjoy the coastline from the boat before returning to one of the Rovinj drop-off points.

What the $777 price really buys you

The price is $777 for a private group of up to three people. Split three ways, that works out to $259 per person. For one or two people, the per-person cost rises quickly, so the value is strongest for three friends, a couple wanting privacy, or a small family group that meets the suitability rules.

Fuel, insurance, a professional skipper, onboard soft drinks and beer, snorkeling equipment without fins, and pickup and drop-off from designated Rovinj locations are included. These inclusions reduce the number of small expenses that can collect during a long day on the water.

You still need to pay for lunch, beach-bar drinks, and the optional €50 tube. There is no toilet onboard, although the route includes several stops. Plan to use facilities whenever you reach a restaurant or other shore stop.

The price makes more sense if you value flexibility. A cheaper shared boat may suit you better if you simply want a short ride and one swim. This experience is aimed at people who want a whole day, a private boat, repeated water stops, and the ability to change plans.

Is this tour comfortable and practical?

The boat offers shaded seating in the back and open space at the front. That layout lets you choose between protection from the sun and a better position for sunbathing or views.

The tour is not a luxury yacht charter. You will not have a toilet, towels, or fins, and the ride is exposed to weather. Bring everything you need for a long day outdoors, especially sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, and a waterproof pouch for valuables.

The skipper speaks English. On one outing, Nikola was the captain, and the group found that he kept the day responsive to their preferences, including changing plans when the caves were crowded. A good skipper matters here because the quality of the day depends on choosing sensible swimming spots and managing the timing between them.

The tour can be canceled for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve without paying immediately. The sea and weather can still affect the route, so keep your schedule flexible even after booking.

Who should book this day on the water?

I would choose this tour for three active adults or a small group that wants privacy and does not mind paying for it. It fits people who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, short walks, scenic boat rides, and the occasional adventurous option such as cliff jumping or tubing.

It is also a good match if you want both rocky nature and a sandy beach. Cape Kamenjak gives you dramatic coastal swimming, while Levan supplies the softer beach break.

I would think twice if you need a toilet onboard, dislike speedboat travel, or want a slow beach day with minimal movement. The route covers a lot of water, and the day includes several transfers between stops.

Book at least 24 hours ahead if you want the most flexibility under the cancellation terms. At the meeting point, arrive at the end of the pier and watch for the Andana Sea Tours or Goat a Boat markings.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your ideal Istrian day includes a private boat, clear swimming water, sea caves, a sandy island beach, and the freedom to change the plan. The strongest value comes from filling all three places in the group and making full use of the eight hours.

Skip it if you want guaranteed dolphin sightings, a toilet onboard, or a low-cost shared excursion. For the right small group, though, this is a well-rounded way to see the southern Istrian coast without being tied to one crowded swimming stop.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts eight hours, including speedboat travel, swimming, snorkeling, walking, and time on Levan Island.

Where can I be picked up in Rovinj?

Pickup is available at several designated points, including Rovinj Port, Delfin Dock Station, Island Hotel Ferry, Taxi Boat, Andana Sea Tours, Amarin pier, Red Island, and Katarina Island.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks at restaurants and beach bars cost extra. The tour does include onboard water, beer, Coca-Cola, Fanta, and iced tea.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, but fins are not provided.

Is there a toilet on the boat?

No. There is no toilet onboard, but the tour makes several stops during the day.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.