Dubrovnik: Private Boat Island Tour

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat trip is the freedom to shape the day around your group. You can spend less time at crowded sights and more time in a quiet cove, a clear lagoon, or a cave where your local skipper may swim in beside you. Marko, Antun, Borna, Nikola, and other skippers lead the tours, and each brings local knowledge of the Elafiti Islands.

I like the private format, which works especially well for families and small groups with different ideas about the perfect day. I also like the practical extras: towels, snorkeling masks, floats, cold drinks, and Bluetooth speakers are already on the boat. The main drawback is that fuel costs extra, paid in cash on board, and lunch is not included.

The best reasons to book

• Local skippers from Dubrovnik: Marko and the other captains know how to adjust the route, avoid busy periods, and point out quieter swimming spots.
• Koločep’s caves and lagoons: The Blue Cave, Green Caves, and clear water are the main attractions on the shorter tour.
• A true private outing: Your group decides how much time to spend swimming, walking, eating, or relaxing on board.
• Šunj Beach on Lopud: This sandy beach gives the tour a change of pace from rocky coves and cave swims.
• A comfortable, well-equipped boat: Towels, masks, floats, drinks, and music make packing simple.
• Flexible timing: Four, six, and eight-hour trips are available, along with a two-hour sunset cruise.

Why a private boat makes sense around Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is famous for its Old Town, but the sea gives you a different view of the region. From the water, you see the city walls from offshore, then head toward the Elafiti Islands, a group of islands northwest of Dubrovnik.

A shared boat trip gives you a fixed plan. This one gives you room to adjust. If your children want more swimming, you can stay in the water longer. If someone in your group prefers a walk or lunch, the skipper can build that in. The setup is also useful for couples who want a quiet day, families with older children, and groups of friends who do not want to follow a large party around.

The meeting point is at Lapadska obala 31, where the skipper waits beside the boat at the pier. The tour is private for up to six people, and the advertised group price is $352. That price becomes much better value when shared by five or six people, though you should add the separate fuel charge to your budget.

Fuel costs €70 for four hours, €80 for six hours, and €100 for eight hours. It is paid in cash on the boat. This extra charge is easy to miss when comparing tours, so include it before you book. Drinks are included, but they are not unlimited, and food is separate.

Four hours: a quick route through Koločep and Lopud

The four-hour option is the practical choice if you want a taste of the islands without giving up most of your day in Dubrovnik. It usually centers on Koločep, the Blue Cave, several lagoons, two villages, and Šunj Beach on Lopud.

The boat first heads toward Koločep, where you have about an hour for a visit and free time. Koločep is one of the closest Elafiti Islands to Dubrovnik, so you get to the island scenery quickly. The village stops offer a pleasant contrast to the open water, though the exact time at each place depends on your group and the skipper’s route.

The Blue Cave is the big event. You reach it by boat, then swim and snorkel near the entrance. The cave is best enjoyed when the water is calm and the light reaches inside. You may also visit the Green Caves and other small caves. The skipper can help you enter, and several skippers are happy to get into the water with you.

You should be comfortable in the sea before attempting a cave swim. Bring swimwear, and use the provided floats if you want extra support. The boat supplies snorkeling masks, but you can bring your own equipment if you prefer.

The route usually continues toward the Elafiti Islands, with time for swimming, snorkeling, and views from the water. You then get a break on Lopud, including time at Šunj Beach. This is one of the larger sandy beaches in the area, a useful stop if your group wants a beach rather than another rocky swimming cove.

Four hours can pass quickly. One person who booked this length later wished they had chosen eight hours, and that is easy to understand. The shorter route works well for a first taste, but it gives you less room for long swims, lunch, and island walks.

Six hours: more Lopud, less rushing

The six-hour trip keeps the main Koločep and Lopud stops but gives you more breathing room. That extra time matters because you are not forced to choose between a cave swim, a beach stop, and a proper island visit.

On Lopud, you can walk beyond the beach and see the 16th-century Franciscan monastery, historic churches, and old palaces. Lopud is the most visited of the nearby islands, but it still offers a slower pace than Dubrovnik’s Old Town. The island is a good place to let the day pause for a while.

If time allows, the skipper may add Šipan, the largest of the Elafiti Islands. The route remains flexible, so the final plan depends on sea conditions, your interests, and how long you stay at each stop.

This length suits most people who want a full outing but do not need an entire day at sea. It also gives the skipper a better chance to take you to a quieter cove after visiting the most popular sights. Some groups start early to reach the Blue Cave and Šunj Beach before larger boats arrive. Ask about an earlier departure if avoiding crowds matters to you.

Eight hours: the full Elafiti Islands day

The eight-hour trip is the strongest choice if you want the boat day to be a major part of your Dubrovnik visit. You can include Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan without squeezing every stop into a short window.

The day can include cave swims, hidden lagoons, snorkeling, sandy beaches, island walks, and historic sights. You also have time for a relaxed meal at a seaside restaurant on Lopud or Šipan. The skipper can suggest a restaurant based on what your group wants, but lunch costs extra. A meal may run around €50 per person.

I see the eight-hour option as the best value for a group that plans to spend the day on the water anyway. The price difference from the shorter trips is modest once split among six people, and the longer route gives you time to slow down. You can swim without checking the clock, take a proper lunch break, and still visit more than one island.

The tradeoff is simple: eight hours is a long time in the sun and on moving water. If some people in your group tire easily, the four or six-hour format may be a better fit. The private setup helps because you can rest whenever you want, but you should still bring sun protection and water.

What each island adds to the day

Koločep is the natural choice for caves, swimming, and clear lagoons. The Blue Cave is the headline stop, while the Green Caves and smaller coves give the skipper room to adjust the route. The island is close enough to Dubrovnik for a half-day trip.

Lopud offers the most variety. You get Šunj Beach, a sandy break, plus old buildings and a slower island walk. It is also the most likely place for lunch, with restaurants close to the water.

Šipan adds a quieter, more extended island stop when the schedule allows. It works best on the six or eight-hour tour, when you can visit without cutting short the cave and beach stops.

The islands are not just a string of swimming locations. Together, they give the day a useful rhythm: open water, a cave, a village, a beach, lunch, and time to sit back while the boat moves between stops.

What is included on the boat

The boat is described as brand new, and several recent departures used boats that were only a few weeks old. It comes with the equipment you need for a relaxed day:

• Snorkeling masks
• Towels
• Floating devices
• An ice box with water, Coca-Cola, local beer, and a bottle of white wine
• Bluetooth speakers
• Standard boat equipment

The drinks are a nice touch, especially after a swim, but do not treat them as an unlimited supply. Bring anything specific your group needs, and ask ahead if you have special drink or food requirements.

The Bluetooth speakers let you connect your phone and choose the music. That can make the private setting feel more personal, though you should also be willing to turn the music down when the skipper is explaining a stop or sharing local stories.

The skippers make the difference

The company uses several skippers, including Marko, Antun, Borna, Nikola, Toni, and Keno. The strongest praise centers on their attitude on the water: friendly, flexible, careful, and willing to adjust the route.

Marko is especially good at keeping communication clear before the trip and tailoring the day once you are on board. Antun is often praised for finding quieter swimming spots, helping people into caves, and joining in with cliff jumps when conditions are suitable. Borna is known for finding good snorkeling areas and recommending a well-placed lunch stop. Nikola is described as attentive and calm behind the wheel.

These details matter because the advertised route is only a framework. Your skipper decides what works best on the day, based on weather, sea conditions, boat traffic, and your group’s comfort. A local skipper can also tell you more about the coast and islands than you would get from simply renting a boat.

The fun, active side of the tours comes with a safety point. Cliff jumping appears in several outings, but it is not something you should feel pressured to do. Swim only where you feel comfortable, listen to the skipper, and use the boat’s floats if you prefer an easy swim.

Price, fuel, lunch, and overall value

The listed cost is $352 for a private group of up to six. For two people, that is a significant day-trip expense. For six, the base price works out to about $59 per person before fuel and food, which makes the private arrangement much more attractive.

Add €70 for the four-hour trip, €80 for six hours, or €100 for eight hours. Fuel is paid in cash on board. Lunch is also separate, with island restaurant meals starting at roughly €50 per person.

I like the value best for five or six people who want flexibility. You are paying for a private boat, a local captain, equipment, drinks, and the ability to change the pace. A shared trip may cost less per person, but you give up control over the swimming time and route.

The separate fuel charge is the one financial irritation. It should be part of your first price comparison, not a surprise at the end. Ask about the exact total in your booking currency and keep euros available for the fuel payment.

Weather and timing tips

The trip runs on the sea, so conditions matter. One outing remained enjoyable in poor weather, but calm water makes cave swims, snorkeling, and beach time more comfortable.

An early start can help you reach the Blue Cave and Šunj Beach before larger boats. The timing is not guaranteed, but your skipper can use local conditions to suggest the best order for the stops.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and anything you need for a long day outside. The tour includes towels, but you should still plan for wet clothes and strong sun. Sharp objects, weapons, fireworks, and explosive substances are not allowed.

The tour is offered in English. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Dubrovnik schedule is still changing.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would choose this for a small group that wants a relaxed day with plenty of swimming and some choice over the route. Families with older children can benefit from the private setting, especially if the skipper joins the children in the water and helps them feel comfortable.

It also suits couples who want a quiet sunset cruise. The two-hour sunset option follows the coast, shows Dubrovnik’s Old Town from the sea, and includes music with wine or champagne as the light fades behind the city walls.

You may prefer a different outing if you dislike boats, do not want to swim, or want a tightly scheduled sightseeing tour focused on monuments. Lopud offers historic buildings, but this is primarily a sea day. The caves, lagoons, beaches, and local restaurants are the main draw.

Should you book the Dubrovnik private boat island tour?

Book it if you want to see more than Dubrovnik’s walls and beaches, especially if your group can share the cost. The four-hour tour gives you a useful introduction, but I would choose six hours for a balanced outing and eight hours if the islands are a priority.

The strongest reason to book is the combination of a local skipper and a private route. You can visit the famous Blue Cave, then move away from the crowds, swim in clear water, stop for lunch, or simply lie back with a cold drink. Just budget for fuel and lunch, carry cash, and choose the tour length carefully. Once those costs are clear, this is one of the better ways to turn a Dubrovnik visit into a full Adriatic day.

FAQ

Where does the private boat tour start?

The meeting point is at Lapadska obala 31 in Dubrovnik. The skipper waits beside the boat at the pier.

How many people can join the private tour?

The advertised price covers one private group of up to six people.

How long is the boat tour?

You can choose a four-hour half-day tour, a six-hour tour, an eight-hour full-day tour, or a two-hour sunset tour.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The routes focus on Koločep, Lopud, and, when time allows, Šipan. The exact route is customized with your skipper.

Can I swim in the Blue Cave?

Yes. The itinerary includes swimming and snorkeling at Koločep’s Blue Cave. The skipper can show you how to enter, and may swim in with you.

Is food included?

No. Food is separate. Your skipper can take you to a restaurant on Lopud or Šipan, with meals starting at approximately €50 per person.

What does the fuel charge cost?

Fuel costs €70 for four hours, €80 for six hours, and €100 for eight hours. You pay this in cash on the boat.

What is included in the tour price?

The boat, local skipper, snorkeling masks, towels, floating devices, Bluetooth speakers, and an ice box with water, Coca-Cola, local beer, and a bottle of white wine are included. Drinks are not unlimited.