Dubrovnik: All-inclusive Islands and Caves Private Boat Tour

The best part of this trip happens below the waterline. You swim into Dubrovnik’s Blue Cave, then work through three Green Caves, including a narrow passage that requires a few short underwater swims. Afterward, the boat carries you between quiet coves, sandy beaches, and small island villages at a pace your private group can shape.

I like the personal skipper service, with guides such as Pasko, Bruno, Kiko, Bernardo, Chico, and Christian praised for being friendly, careful, and flexible. I also like the simple extras that matter on a hot day: fuel, pickup and return, drinks, a coolbox, towels, and snorkeling gear are provided.

The main drawback is that this is an active day on the water, not a sightseeing cruise from a dry seat. The caves require swimming and, in places, ducking underwater, while the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. Lunch costs extra, and the 4-hour option may feel rushed if you want plenty of beach time.

Key points to know before booking

• Swim through four caves: Enter the Blue Cave, then explore three Green Caves with different shapes and levels of difficulty.
• Choose your pace: Private groups can spend more time swimming, visiting villages, or stopping for lunch.
• See three Elaphiti islands: The route can include Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, each with a different feel.
• Sikirica Cove is the final swim stop: Shallow water, sea plants, and clear visibility make it ideal for snorkeling.
• Lunch is arranged but not included: Your skipper can recommend a restaurant, reserve a table, and take you there by boat.
• Four hours is compact, six to eight hours is more relaxed: The longer trip gives you time to enjoy the islands instead of checking the clock.

Why the private boat works so well around Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik’s old town can feel crowded, especially when cruise ships are in port. Out on the water, the mood changes quickly. The city fades behind you, and the day becomes a mix of swimming, sun, short walks, and quiet bays.

A private boat is useful here because the islands are not just one attraction. You may want a long swim, while someone else in your group wants a village walk or a restaurant lunch. With your own skipper, you can adjust the day instead of following a fixed group schedule.

The listed price is $454 for a group of up to four. That works out to about $114 per person for four people before any lunch costs. Fuel and pickup are included, so you are not watching the price rise with every mile. For a couple, the per-person price is much higher, but the privacy and control may still appeal if you value a custom day on the sea.

The tour runs from four to eight hours. Four hours can cover the main caves and one or two island stops, but six hours is a better middle choice for most people. Eight hours gives you the luxury of lingering at the beach, eating lunch without hurrying, and adding more swimming time.

The Blue Cave: a short swim into another world

The Blue Cave is reached only by boat, and the experience begins with getting into the water and swimming inside. Sunlight filtering through the water gives the cave its blue glow. You should expect a short, active approach rather than a walk-in attraction with a viewing platform.

Your skipper can help if you feel unsure about entering. Pasko, for example, is described as offering to accompany nervous swimmers into the cave. That kind of hands-on help is valuable because the cave is the tour’s headline stop, but not everyone is equally comfortable swimming into a dark opening.

Bring a swimsuit, and wear something that stays secure in the water. Snorkels are provided, though you should still be comfortable swimming without standing on the bottom. The boat carries drinks, and some departures also provide pool noodles, which can help less confident swimmers relax between cave stops.

The three Green Caves, from easy to adventurous

The nearby Green Cave system gives the tour more variety than a single photo stop. The first cave is large and straightforward, making it a good warm-up. You can swim inside, look around, and get used to the conditions.

The second cave is smaller and darker. It feels more enclosed, so it may not suit anyone who dislikes tight spaces. You can decide how far to go, and your skipper can help set a comfortable pace.

The third cave is the most active section. It is a long, narrow channel that you can enter and exit from the other side, then swim around to return to the boat. You need to duck underwater several times to pass through. There is also a side route to a small open cave with a shallow sandy bottom.

This is the point where you should be realistic about your group. Children who swim confidently may love the route, while young children or anyone uneasy in enclosed water may prefer to stay near the wider openings. The private format helps because nobody has to force the same activity on everyone.

Koločep brings a quiet village pause

After the caves, the boat can stop at Koločep, a small fishing village. This is a chance to dry off, walk around, buy an ice cream or drink, and see a slower side of the coast.

Koločep is not a major sightseeing center, and that is part of its appeal. You will find a small shop and a coffee bar by the sea rather than a long list of formal attractions. Allow extra time if your group wants a relaxed break, since even a short walk can be welcome after several swims.

Families may particularly like this stop because it breaks up the water activities. Several families describe the skippers as attentive with children, adjusting the day to include easy swimming, beach time, and simple village stops.

Šunj Beach on Lopud is the family-friendly stop

Šunj is one of Dubrovnik’s best-known sandy beaches, on Lopud Island. Its broad shallow area makes it a sensible stop for children and for anyone who wants to wade rather than swim in deep water.

You will find beach bars and restaurants, sun beds, umbrellas, and pedal cars for rent. That makes Šunj more developed than the quiet coves elsewhere on the route. It is a good place for an easy lunch break, but it will not feel secluded during a busy summer afternoon.

From Šunj, golf carts can take you across the island to Lopud village. If your tour does not use the golf carts, the boat can instead dock in the village harbor. The village gives you access to Dominican and Franciscan monasteries, small churches, and Đorđić-Mayneri Park.

You do not have to choose a cultural visit. You can simply swim at one of the smaller sandy beaches nearby. This flexibility is one reason the private format works better than a fixed island-hopping cruise for families or mixed-age groups.

Šipan offers lunch and a calmer harbor

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands, and the boat may stop at Suđurađ, a small fishing village. It is a pleasant place for a walk and another look at everyday island life.

Lunch is not included in the tour price, but the skipper can recommend a restaurant, reserve a table, and bring you there by boat. You can also choose Bowa, a well-known restaurant in one of Šipan’s bays. That arrangement is convenient, but remember to budget separately for the meal.

A restaurant stop can take a large part of a shorter tour. On a 4-hour outing, you may prefer to spend your limited time swimming and seeing the caves. On a 6 or 8-hour trip, lunch fits more naturally and gives you a proper break from the sun.

The skippers receive strong praise for making these arrangements easy. Bernardo is specifically credited with taking a group to a village, serving cold local beer and water, and booking a pleasant lunch stop. Pasko is also described as handling lunch plans on Šipan while keeping the day comfortable and relaxed.

Sikirica Cove saves the best swim for last

Sikirica Cove is planned as the final major swim stop before returning to Dubrovnik. The water is shallow and clear, with plenty of sea vegetation for you to see while snorkeling.

This cove is less about a dramatic cave entrance and more about calm water and time to float. It gives you space to settle into the day’s rhythm before climbing back aboard. You can snorkel, swim, or simply remain in the water while the boat sits at anchor.

After the swim, you can return to the bow with a drink and watch the sun lower over the horizon. The coolbox includes drinks, and specific feedback mentions water and beer being available. The exact selection should be confirmed when booking, but the basic setup is designed for a relaxed end to the trip.

Your skipper makes the biggest difference

The company uses several skippers, and the guide can shape the day as much as the route does. Kiko is praised for local knowledge and clear communication, while Bruno is noted for tailoring stops to families with young children. Chico is described as courteous and attentive, and Christian is credited with taking groups to secluded swimming spots and allowing children to take a turn at the controls.

That last detail should not be treated as a guaranteed part of every departure. It shows the informal, personal style some groups have experienced, but the skipper remains responsible for the boat and safety.

Pasko receives especially strong praise for hospitality, responsible boat handling, and practical help. He has reportedly jumped back into the water to retrieve forgotten snorkeling equipment, which captures the hands-on service this tour aims to provide.

You can bring your own music on some boats because a speaker may be available, but this should also be confirmed before departure. The consistent theme is flexibility: tell the skipper what matters to you, then agree on a realistic route.

What is included, and what will cost extra

The tour includes:

• Pickup and drop-off in Dubrovnik
• Fuel
• A coolbox with drinks
• Snorkeling equipment
• An English-speaking live guide
• A private group boat

Lunch is not included. You can eat at a restaurant in Lopud or Šipan, and the company can help with a reservation. You should also allow for optional beach rentals, such as sun beds, umbrellas, pedal cars, or golf cart transport, since these are not listed as included.

The price makes the most sense for four people sharing the boat. For a family or two couples, you are paying for time, privacy, transport between islands, and a skipper who can handle the route. For one or two people, a shared excursion may be cheaper, but it will not offer the same control over swimming and lunch stops.

Who should book this boat day?

You will get the most from this trip if you enjoy swimming, snorkeling, small villages, and changing scenery. It is especially good for families with confident swimmers, couples who want a private day, and groups that cannot agree on one fixed activity.

The 6-hour option is likely the best balance. It allows time for the Blue Cave, Green Caves, at least one village, Lopud or Šunj, and Sikirica Cove without turning every stop into a rushed photo opportunity.

Choose eight hours if you want lunch, beach time, a village walk, and plenty of time in the water. Choose four hours if your schedule is tight and you mainly want the caves and a quick island taste.

This is not the right pick if you want a gentle sightseeing boat with no swimming. It is also a poor fit for wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments. You need to get on and off the boat, swim into cave openings, and manage uneven or wet surfaces.

Booking advice and cancellation terms

Pickup and return are in Dubrovnik, and the activity is offered in English. The group is private, with a maximum price based on four people. Some families and groups described outings with five or six people, but you should confirm capacity and pricing for your own party before booking.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. Reserve-now, pay-later booking is available, which helps if your coastal plans depend on weather or changing schedules.

Do not litter, and keep your belongings secure around the water. Ask in advance about the exact boat, drink selection, meeting point, and lunch plan, especially if your group includes children or nervous swimmers.

Should you book the Dubrovnik islands and caves tour?

Book it if you want a private, active day that mixes caves, swimming, villages, and beaches without being tied to a large group. The strongest part is the freedom to spend more time where your group is having fun, whether that means snorkeling at Sikirica Cove, lingering at Šunj, or stopping for lunch on Šipan.

I would choose six hours for most people and eight hours if the budget allows. Four hours works for a highlights trip, but it gives you less room for the relaxed pauses that make a private boat worthwhile.

If your group of four shares the $454 cost, the value is solid, especially with fuel, pickup, equipment, and drinks included. Just remember that lunch and optional island activities cost extra, and the caves demand real swimming ability.

FAQ

How long does the Dubrovnik private boat tour last?

The tour lasts between four and eight hours. Starting times depend on availability, so you should check the available departure options when booking.

What islands does the tour visit?

The route can include Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. Stops may include Koločep village, Šunj Beach and Lopud village, and Suđurađ on Šipan.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included, but the company can recommend a restaurant, reserve a table, and take you there by boat.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkels are provided for the cave and cove stops.

Are drinks included?

Yes. A coolbox with drinks is included. Specific feedback also mentions water and beer being available.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Reserve-now, pay-later booking is also available.