Brand New Mercan Excursion 34 Private Tour From Dubrovnik Cavtat

The best part of this private boat tour is the freedom to move between Dubrovnik’s sea caves and the Elaphiti Islands at your own pace. You cruise along the city walls, swim into the Blue Cave, explore three caves near Kolocep, then slow down at sandy Sunj Beach. The quiet Mercan 34 boat and your own music make the day feel personal rather than packaged.

I like the generous private capacity, up to 12 people for $360.44 per group, and the useful extras: snorkeling gear, bottled water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks. I also like that Antonio, the skipper named in the booking experience, is described as punctual, helpful, and available with details before departure. The main consideration is the extra fuel charge, paid in cash on the boat, which can add $150 for a full-day trip.

Key points before you book

• Swim into the Blue Cave: The entrance is small but wide enough for swimming, and the cave is about four meters deep, with no place to stand.
• Private boat for up to 12: Your group has the boat to itself, with room for your own music and a flexible day.
• Three cave stops near Kolocep: Two Green Caves and one canyon-style cave make up the main cave section.
• Sunj Beach is shallow and sandy: You may walk about 100 meters before reaching swimming depth, which suits families and relaxed beach time.
• Fuel is extra: Pay 30 euros for a sunset tour, 80 euros for a half-day trip, or 150 euros for a full-day trip in cash.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, while cancellations made at least 24 hours ahead qualify for a full refund.

A private speedboat along Dubrovnik’s walls

This is an eight-hour private outing aboard a Mercan 34, a boat suited to a small group that wants a full day on the water rather than a short sightseeing cruise. The boat takes you from Dubrovnik or Cavtat into the coastal waters around the city and toward the Elaphiti Islands.

Your first view is Dubrovnik from offshore. The city walls look different from the water, where you can take in the full sweep of the coast without walking the hot stone streets. The first sightseeing cruise lasts about 25 minutes, then the boat travels for roughly 20 minutes toward the Blue Cave.

I like this opening because it gives you a calm start before the swimming begins. It also helps you see why a boat tour adds something that a land-based Dubrovnik visit cannot. You are not simply being taken from one beach to another. The route gives you changing views of the city, cliffs, islands, and coves.

The private format matters most here. With only your group aboard, you do not need to match the pace of a large excursion. You can use your own playlist, an especially nice touch for a long day at sea, and the boat is described as notably quiet. That makes conversation and relaxed coastal viewing easier.

The Blue Cave requires a swim inside

After the coastal cruise and short ride, you reach the Blue Cave near Dubrovnik. The entrance is small, but you can swim through it without going underwater. The cave reaches about four meters in depth, and you cannot stand on the bottom.

Allow about 35 minutes at this stop. The attraction is simple but memorable: you leave the boat and swim into a dark opening in the rock. The experience depends on being comfortable in open water, since there is no firm footing inside the cave. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, but you should bring a swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, sun cream, hat, a change of clothes, and a camera.

This stop is not a good fit for anyone who cannot swim or who feels uneasy in water where they cannot stand. The supplied information says most people can participate, but the cave itself clearly requires confidence in the sea. Ask the skipper for practical guidance if you are unsure before entering.

The time here is enough for a swim and a look around, but it is not a long beach stop. Keep your belongings secure on the boat, and remember that a camera is only useful if you can handle it safely around salt water.

Three caves around Kolocep

The boat then heads to Kolocep for about an hour among two Green Caves and a third cave described as a canyon. This is the main cave-exploration section of the day, and it gives the tour more variety than a simple beach transfer.

The two Green Caves offer enclosed rock spaces and water-level views. The canyon cave adds a different shape to the route, so the stops do not all feel identical. You can use the snorkeling gear here, swim, and see the coastal rock formations from close range.

The exact time spent at each cave can vary within the one-hour stop, so this is a place where a private boat is useful. You can focus on swimming if that is what you enjoy, or spend more time looking at the rock walls and taking photographs from the boat.

Bring footwear and clothing you are comfortable using around a boat, but do not assume every cave stop has a dock or easy beach access. The Blue Cave information specifically requires a swim, and the other cave visits are also centered on being out on the water. A towel and change of clothes are not included, so pack them yourself.

Sunj Beach is made for a long, easy pause

After the caves, the pace changes at Sunj Beach on Lopud. This sandy beach stretches for almost a kilometer on the island’s south side. The water is so shallow that you may walk about 100 meters before reaching swimming depth.

That shallow entry is a plus for families with small children and for anyone who wants to sit in the water rather than swim immediately. It is also useful after the cave stops, when you may prefer an unhurried beach break instead of another active swim.

Sunj is not ideal if you want instant deep water. Strong swimmers may find the long shallow section a little slow, and the beach can take time to cross if you are carrying towels or other belongings. Still, its broad sand and gentle entry give the day a welcome change of pace.

The beach also has room for recreation, including volleyball, tennis, and picigin. The tour details do not promise equipment for these activities, so treat them as possibilities rather than included features. The supplied snorkeling gear is the equipment you can count on.

Lopud gives you time for lunch

Lopud follows Sunj Beach and offers the most natural break for a meal. The island is known for sandy beaches and restaurants along the coast, so you can choose a restaurant for lunch rather than eating only on the boat.

This part of the day is valuable because eight hours on the water works better with a proper pause. You can dry off, eat, and spend time on land before the return journey. The supplied information allows about three hours for Lopud and the return home, with roughly one hour needed to get back.

Lunch is not included in the tour price. Plan for that extra cost, and keep in mind that restaurant choice and meal length will affect how much time remains for the island. Ask Antonio about timing on the day if you want a longer meal or more beach time.

The route description also includes Pasjaca Beach as an alternative if you do not want to visit the Elaphiti Islands or have already seen them. Pasjaca is described as a striking natural beach, and the alternative stop can take about two hours. Because the information presents it as an option, confirm the route before departure rather than assuming both Lopud and Pasjaca are included in the same day.

What the $360.44 group price really covers

At $360.44 for up to 12 people, the price works out well for a full private boat if you fill most of the available places. A group of 12 pays about $30 per person before fuel, while a smaller group pays more per person. The price becomes easier to justify when you value privacy, flexible pacing, and a full day on the coast.

Included items are:

• Skipper
• Snorkeling equipment
• Bottled water
• Soda and other soft drinks
• Alcoholic beverages

The fuel charge is separate and must be paid in cash on the boat. The listed amounts are 30 euros for a sunset tour, 80 euros for a half-day tour, and 150 euros for a full-day tour. Since this experience lasts about eight hours, budget for the 150-euro full-day amount unless the provider confirms another figure.

Lunch at Lopud is also your responsibility. The price does not include swimwear, towels, sun cream, hats, sunglasses, or a change of clothes. Those omissions are normal for a boat outing, but forgetting them can make the day less comfortable.

The included drinks are a practical benefit, especially during a long hot-weather outing. Use good judgment with alcohol, since swimming and moving around a boat require care. Bring extra personal water if you prefer a particular drink or need more than the supplied amount.

Antonio and the feel of the day

Antonio is the named contact connected with the experience. The service details describe him as helpful before the booking, clear with information, punctual at pickup, and attentive during the outing. Those details matter because a private boat day depends heavily on communication.

A late start can cut into beach or lunch time, while unclear fuel costs can cause an unpleasant surprise. Here, the information about punctual arrival and pre-trip availability is useful. Contact the provider ahead of time to confirm the meeting point, the selected route, and the fuel amount.

The boat itself is described as beautiful and quiet. That is more than a cosmetic point. A quieter boat lets you listen to your own playlist, talk with your group, and enjoy the coast without constant engine noise. You can also make the day feel less formal, with time to swim until sunset on suitable departures.

The tour is offered in English. It has a mobile ticket, confirmation at booking, and a meeting area near public transportation. Only your group participates, so the experience suits families, couples, and groups of friends who want control over the day.

Who should book this Dubrovnik boat tour?

I would choose this outing for a group that wants several different coastal stops in one day. It works especially well for people who value privacy and want a mix of sightseeing, swimming, caves, beach time, and lunch rather than a single focused activity.

Families may like Sunj Beach because of its shallow water, though the Blue Cave requires swimming in water too deep to stand. Families with small children should decide if they are comfortable with that contrast.

It also suits couples and friends who want a relaxed private setting, their own music, and the option to spend time in the water without a large group setting. The quiet boat and sunset possibility add appeal for a special day.

I would be cautious if you dislike open-water swimming, want a heavily guided historical tour, or prefer every expense to be included in one price. The skipper’s role is central, but the main attraction is the coast and the freedom of the boat, not detailed museum-style commentary.

Book at least a day ahead if your plans are firm, and note that this experience is often reserved well in advance. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Since the tour depends on good weather, poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book it if you have a small group, want a full day on the water, and like the idea of choosing between caves, swimming, a shallow sandy beach, and lunch on Lopud. The group price is strongest when shared by several people, and the included drinks and snorkeling equipment add real convenience.

Think twice if the extra 150-euro full-day fuel charge, lunch, or open-water swimming does not fit your plans. For the right group, though, this is a well-rounded way to get beyond Dubrovnik’s walls and see the coast from the water, with enough freedom to make the day feel like your own.

FAQ

How long does the private Dubrovnik boat tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours. The route includes coastal sightseeing, cave stops, Sunj Beach, Lopud, and the return journey.

How many people can join the private tour?

The boat is private for your group and can accommodate up to 12 people.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel is paid in cash on the boat. The listed charges are 30 euros for a sunset tour, 80 euros for a half-day tour, and 150 euros for a full-day tour.

Do I need to swim into the Blue Cave?

Yes. The only way to enter the Blue Cave is by swimming through its small entrance. The cave is about four meters deep, and you cannot stand inside it.

What is included with the tour?

The tour includes a skipper, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, soda or soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.