Review · BLUE CAVE & SEA CAVE TOURS

Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling

★ 5.0 · 62 reviews 2 to 8 hours (approx.) From $363 for the boat, seats 4 Operated by Adriatic Boat Tours · Bookable on Viator
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The best part of this private speedboat trip is the freedom to link several islands and caves in one day without following a fixed group schedule. You can swim in Koločep’s Blue Cave, stop for lunch on Šipan, walk on Lopud, and finish at sandy Šunj Beach.

I like the private boat format, which lets your skipper shape the day around your interests. I also like the practical extras: snorkel gear, bottled water, soft drinks, beer, and wine are included, so you can spend more time in the water and less time arranging supplies.

The main catch is the extra fuel charge. The advertised price of $362.05 covers up to four people, but fuel is added at €50 for four hours, €70 for eight hours, or €120 for the longer Mljet option. Pickup, drop-off, lunch, and boat toilets are not included.

Key points at a glance

Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling - Key points at a glance

  • Swim inside Koločep’s Blue Cave: Sunlight reflects through the water and gives the cave its famous blue glow.
  • Choose a flexible private route: Skippers Toni and Rocco have adjusted trips around each group’s preferred stops.
  • Combine caves, islands, and sand: The route includes Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj Beach.
  • Snorkeling gear and drinks are supplied: Water, soft drinks, beer, and wine are included.
  • Plan for added costs: Lunch, fuel, entry fees where applicable, and transportation to the departure point are extra.
  • Extend the day to Mljet: The eight-hour option reaches Mljet National Park, about 50 kilometers from Dubrovnik.

A private way to see Dubrovnik’s island coast

Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling - A private way to see Dubrovnik’s island coast

Dubrovnik’s Old Town is handsome, but the Adriatic outside the city is where you get room to breathe. This private speedboat trip takes you away from the stone lanes and out among the Elaphiti Islands, where the main pleasures are simple: clear water, small caves, island villages, and a sandy beach.

The boat carries only your own group, up to four people. That matters. You are not trying to keep up with a large crowd or waiting while strangers decide how long to swim. Skippers Toni and Rocco are specifically named with this experience, and the route can be adjusted to suit your group.

You can book a shorter outing of about two hours or choose a longer plan lasting up to eight hours. The supplied route describes four main island stops, each taking about an hour or two, so a full-day trip is the better fit if you want to see Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj without rushing.

There is also a separate option involving Lokrum or Mljet. These are not simple additions to the standard route. Lokrum sits on the opposite side of Dubrovnik from the Elaphiti Islands, and going there means you cannot also see all of the Elaphiti stops. Mljet requires the eight-hour national park option.

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Koločep and the Blue Cave

Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling - Koločep and the Blue Cave

Koločep is the first major stop, and it gives the trip its strongest visual moment. The boat visits the Blue Cave and three other caves around the island. You can swim and snorkel inside the caves, where sunlight reflecting through the water creates the blue color.

This is not just a quick photo stop. Bring a swimsuit and expect to get wet if you want the full experience. The provided snorkel equipment makes the stop easier, especially if you do not want to pack your own mask and fins.

The caves are best for people who like being active in the water. If you prefer to stay aboard, you can still enjoy the view, but the main appeal is swimming into the openings and seeing the changing light from the water. Conditions depend on the weather, so the operator requires good weather and may offer another date or a refund if conditions cancel the trip.

Allow roughly an hour here. That gives you time to visit several caves, swim, and use the snorkel gear without turning the first stop into a rushed photo opportunity.

Šipan brings a proper lunch stop

Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling - Šipan brings a proper lunch stop

After Koločep, the boat heads to Šipan, where you stop at a restaurant for lunch. The visit is planned for about two hours, giving you a useful break from the sun and the boat.

Lunch is not included, so budget for it separately. That is worth knowing before you book because the advertised group price can look like the main expense until fuel and food are added. The restaurant stop also means you do not need to carry a full meal aboard, though you may still want a snack for the gaps between stops.

Šipan works well in the middle of the day. After an hour in the water, a sit-down meal gives you time to cool off and reset. You should not expect the trip to function as an all-inclusive cruise. Drinks supplied aboard are helpful, but lunch remains your responsibility.

The two-hour stop also makes the schedule less frantic. If your group likes long meals, ask the skipper how much time is available before setting off. On a private trip, the pace may be more adaptable than on a large excursion, but the total route still depends on distance and the duration you book.

Lopud offers a walk and a change of pace

Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling - Lopud offers a walk and a change of pace

Lopud is the most useful stop for getting off the boat and stretching your legs. The island is known here for churches, a monastery, and sandy beaches, and you have about an hour to walk around and explore.

This gives the trip some variety. Koločep is about caves and swimming. Šipan is about lunch. Lopud shifts the focus to island sights and a short walk.

An hour is enough for a taste, not a full island visit. Keep your walk focused, especially if you also want time at Šunj Beach later. You will need to choose between lingering near the churches and monastery, finding a beach view, or simply enjoying a quiet stroll.

Lopud is also a good buffer if someone in your group wants a break from snorkeling. A private boat outing can become tiring when every stop involves getting in the water. This island pause keeps the day from becoming one long swim-and-sun routine.

Šunj Beach is the easygoing finale

Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling - Šunj Beach is the easygoing finale

Šunj Beach is usually the last stop on the standard route and is described as the most popular sandy beach in the Dubrovnik area. You can relax on the sand, swim, and buy drinks at beach bars.

The sandy shore is a welcome change from the rocky coast and cave entrances found elsewhere. If you want a simple final stop with no sightseeing agenda, Šunj fits the bill. You can settle in, have a drink, and let the day slow down.

The beach is popular, so do not expect complete solitude. Its appeal is convenience and atmosphere rather than isolation. Since beach-bar drinks are not part of the included onboard beverages, plan to pay for anything you order there.

A group with mixed interests may especially like this stop. One person can swim, another can sit with a drink, and someone else can walk along the beach. It is an easy place to end before returning to Dubrovnik.

Lokrum changes the route

Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling - Lokrum changes the route

Lokrum is an optional alternative, not an extra stop you can simply add without consequence. The island lies in front of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, on the opposite side from the Elaphiti Islands.

If you request Lokrum, the boat cannot also cover all of the Elaphiti Islands. This is the key planning point. If the Blue Cave and Šunj Beach are your priorities, keep the standard island route. If you want an outing centered closer to Dubrovnik and Lokrum, discuss that choice before departure.

Admission to Lokrum is not included. The supplied information does not specify the admission price, so treat it as an added expense and confirm the current details before booking.

The eight-hour Mljet option

Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling - The eight-hour Mljet option

Mljet is for people who want a longer day and a wider reach. It is about 50 kilometers from Dubrovnik, with roughly two hours by speedboat, so this option uses a large part of your day for travel.

The Mljet plan includes Mljet National Park, Limuni sandy beach, Odysseus Cave, and the park’s salty lakes. These are different from the compact Koločep route. You trade some time around the nearer Elaphiti Islands for a farther island with more time spent moving between places.

National park admission is not included. Fuel is also higher for this option, with the published fuel schedule listing €120 for the 10-hour Mljet trip. Elsewhere, the experience is described as an eight-hour Blue Cave and Mljet National Park tour, so confirm the exact duration and fuel charge when you reserve.

I would choose Mljet only if you want a full day on the water and are comfortable with the long ride. For a shorter outing with more time swimming and less time in transit, Koločep, Lopud, and Šunj make better use of a four-hour plan.

What is included, and what is not

Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling - What is included, and what is not

The boat supplies bottled water, Coca-Cola or other soft drinks, beer, and wine. Snorkel equipment is included, which saves you from renting gear separately. A bottle of champagne is included only on the sunset tour.

The skipper is included, and the activity is private for your group of up to four. The description also refers to comfortable, air-conditioned round transfers, but pickup and drop-off are separately listed as not included. To avoid confusion, do not assume hotel transportation is part of the price.

You should also know that there is no toilet aboard. That is manageable on shorter trips, but it becomes more important on an eight-hour day, particularly if you are traveling with children or anyone who needs regular facilities.

The main extra is fuel:

  • Four-hour tour: €50 per booking
  • Eight-hour tour: €70 per booking
  • Longer Mljet option: €120 per booking

The fuel surcharge drew an understandable complaint from one customer who felt it should have been included. I agree that this cost deserves attention before you compare prices. Ask for the total cost, including fuel and any admission charges, rather than judging the trip by the base price alone.

Is $362.05 good value for four people?

At $362.05 per group of up to four, the base price works out to about $90.50 per person if your group is full. That is a different proposition from paying the same amount for one or two people.

Add the fuel charge, and a four-hour group of four would pay roughly $102.50 per person before lunch and any beach or island costs. The eight-hour version adds more fuel but also gives you a much longer private day. Bottled water, soft drinks, beer, wine, the skipper, and snorkel equipment help control the smaller costs.

The value depends on how much you prize privacy and flexibility. A shared boat may be cheaper per person, but you will have less control over the stops and timing. Here, you can tell the skipper what matters most. One group worked with Toni to focus on swimming, the caves, and the sandy beach. Another had skipper Rocco customize the route around its preferences.

For four people who plan to use the boat for several hours, the price is easier to justify. For one or two people, the fixed group price becomes less attractive. In either case, include fuel in your calculation from the start.

How to plan your day well

Start by deciding what you care about most. If the Blue Cave is essential, make Koločep the priority. If you want sand and beach-bar time, protect enough time for Šunj. If you want history and a walk, give Lopud its full hour.

Tell the skipper your priorities early. The private format is most useful when you use it to shape the route rather than simply accept every possible stop. You cannot realistically treat Lokrum, all the Elaphiti Islands, and Mljet as interchangeable additions.

Wear swimwear and bring anything you need for sun protection. The supplied details confirm snorkel gear, water, and drinks, but they do not list towels or personal sun supplies. Keep your belongings limited, since a small private boat is not the place for bulky luggage.

Good weather matters. This is an outdoor sea trip, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

The activity is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can participate. The operator does not provide a boat toilet, so factor that into your choice of trip length.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would recommend it to a couple, family, or small group of friends who want several coastal experiences in one outing. It suits people who like swimming, snorkeling, short walks, and the freedom to adjust the day.

It is also a strong option for families who want a private boat rather than a large shared excursion. The reviews specifically praise the way Toni and Rocco adapted the route, and that personal attention is a major reason to choose this format.

You may want another type of outing if you dislike speedboat travel, need a toilet aboard, or want every cost included in advance. The extra fuel charge, separate lunch, and possible admission costs make the final bill less simple than the base price suggests.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your ideal Dubrovnik day includes the Blue Cave, several island stops, a sandy beach, and a skipper who can adjust the route for your group. The combination of private space, snorkel gear, and included drinks gives the trip real practical value, especially with four people sharing the cost.

Choose the shorter route for Koločep, Lopud, and Šunj if you want more swimming and less time in transit. Choose Mljet only if the national park, Odysseus Cave, and salty lakes justify a long day on the boat. Before paying, confirm the exact duration, fuel charge, departure arrangements, and any admission fees. With those costs clear, this is a flexible and enjoyable way to get beyond Dubrovnik’s Old Town.

FAQ

How much does the private speedboat tour cost?

The price is $362.05 per group of up to four people. Fuel is charged separately at €50 for four hours, €70 for eight hours, or €120 for the longer Mljet option.

How long does the tour last?

The experience can last from about two to eight hours. The Mljet option is described as an eight-hour Blue Cave and national park trip, though the fuel schedule also refers to a 10-hour Mljet outing, so confirm the exact duration when booking.

Is lunch included?

No. The Šipan stop includes time to eat at a restaurant, but lunch is not included in the tour price.

What drinks and equipment are included?

Bottled water, Coca-Cola or other soft drinks, beer, wine, and snorkel equipment are included. Champagne is included only on the sunset tour.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are not included. The activity is near public transportation.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

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