Reviewed · SPEEDBOAT TOURS

Speed Boat Private Tour From Cavtat/Dubrovnik

★ 5.0 · 73 reviews 4 to 8 hours (approx.) Operated by Boat hire Dubrovnik - private speedboat tours to Elafiti islands · Bookable on Viator
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The best part of this private boat trip is the freedom to shape your day around the Adriatic. You can circle Dubrovnik’s Old Town, visit caves and quiet swimming spots, spend time on Lopud or Šipan, or skip the Elafiti Islands for Pasjača Beach. The skipper, often Antonio, Lukša, Nikša, or Nick, helps adjust the route to suit your interests.

I like the private format, which gives your group room to linger instead of following a fixed schedule. I also like the practical touches: snorkeling equipment, water, soft drinks, beer, wine, and other listed beverages are included. The main thing to watch is the extra fuel charge, which is €80 for a half-day, €130 for a full day, or €40 for a sunset trip. Lunch is also separate.

Key points to know before booking

Speed Boat Private Tour From Cavtat/Dubrovnik - Key points to know before booking

  • A genuinely flexible route: You can focus on caves, beaches, swimming, island villages, or Dubrovnik from the water.
  • A strong full-day option: Eight hours gives you time for lunch, swimming, island stops, and a relaxed pace.
  • Good for private groups: The listed price is $301.70 per group, with the main summary stating up to seven people. Another description mentions up to 10, so confirm the exact capacity before paying.
  • Skippers shape the experience: Antonio, Lukša, Nikša, and Nick are named as guides and captains associated with the trips.
  • Useful extras are included: Snorkeling gear, water, juice, soft drinks, wine, and beer are provided.
  • Fuel is not included: Add the stated fuel charge to the advertised price when comparing this with other boat tours.

Why a private boat makes sense around Dubrovnik

Speed Boat Private Tour From Cavtat/Dubrovnik - Why a private boat makes sense around Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik’s coast looks different from the water. The Old Town walls, harbor, rocky shore, and nearby islands form one wide view that you cannot get from the city streets. A private speedboat lets you see more in one day, while still leaving time to swim and sit down for lunch.

I especially like this setup for a group of friends, a family, or a couple celebrating something special. You are not paying per person, so the flat group price can work well when the boat is reasonably full. For one or two people, the same price becomes much harder to justify.

The trip runs from about four to eight hours. That range matters. A half-day can cover Dubrovnik’s coast, one island, a cave, or a beach. The eight-hour version gives you enough time for several stops without turning the day into a race.

The listed price does not include fuel. That is not unusual for a private charter, but it changes the real cost. At the stated rates, fuel is €80 for a half-day and €130 for a full day. Ask for the complete total in advance, especially if you are comparing this with a tour that advertises a higher starting price but includes fuel.

Other boats leaving Dubrovnik:

Starting with Dubrovnik’s walls from the sea

Speed Boat Private Tour From Cavtat/Dubrovnik - Starting with Dubrovnik’s walls from the sea

The first suggested stop is a 20-minute panoramic cruise around Dubrovnik’s coast. You do not pay an admission fee for this part, and it gives you a quick view of the city from a much better angle than a pavement walk.

From the boat, you can take in the Old Town walls, the harbor area, and the rocky coastline. This is not a guided museum visit, so do not expect a long historical lecture. The value is visual: you get your bearings and see how tightly the medieval city sits between the sea and the hills.

Some departures also include Lokrum and nearby caves, particularly on shorter or sunset trips. A sunset route can be a good choice if you have already explored Dubrovnik on foot and want a calmer few hours on the water. The boat may circle Lokrum, enter caves, and return as the sun drops behind the Old Town.

If you choose the sunset option, check the weather before leaving. One account specifically notes that the sea and air can feel cold, even when the day has seemed warm. Bring a light layer rather than assuming the evening will stay hot.

Koločep and the Elafiti island coves

Speed Boat Private Tour From Cavtat/Dubrovnik - Koločep and the Elafiti island coves

Koločep is one of the Elafiti Islands, the island group just northwest of Dubrovnik. The suggested stop lasts about 30 minutes, but the actual time can shift because this is a private trip.

The appeal here is the water and the coast. The route may include caves, small bays, and places for a quick swim or snorkel. Snorkeling gear is supplied, which saves you from packing your own equipment. Still, the amount of underwater activity depends on sea conditions, your interests, and how much time you want to give each stop.

This is one place where a private skipper can make a real difference. You can ask to stay longer in a quiet cove, move on if a stop feels crowded, or spend more time in the water. The route is not a rigid checklist.

Koločep works best for people who want natural scenery and short swimming stops rather than a full day on one beach. If you want a long lunch or time in a village, Lopud or Šipan may suit you better.

Šunj Beach on Lopud

Speed Boat Private Tour From Cavtat/Dubrovnik - Šunj Beach on Lopud

Šunj Beach sits on the south side of Lopud, another Elafiti island. The beach is almost a kilometer long, with shallow water that remains knee-deep for roughly 100 meters in places. That makes it a practical stop for families with small children, although you should still supervise children closely around the sea.

The suggested visit lasts one hour, but a full-day booking gives you more flexibility. You might use Šunj for swimming, a walk along the sand, or a casual lunch nearby. The beach is also set up for recreation, with activities such as volleyball, tennis, and picigin mentioned as options.

The shallow water is both a strength and a limitation. Families may appreciate the easy entry, while strong swimmers may find that they need to walk a long way before reaching deeper water. If you prefer rocky coves, snorkeling, or a more secluded swim, tell the skipper. The route can be adjusted.

Lopud can also make a pleasant lunch stop. The skipper may call ahead and reserve a restaurant, and one suggested lunch spot had a view toward the monastery. After eating, you can explore the island’s lanes, visit the monastery, and return to the water for a swim.

Lunch is not included, so budget separately. The advantage is choice. You are not tied to a meal selected for a large boat group, but you also need to decide what and where you want to eat.

Šipan and the BOWA option

Speed Boat Private Tour From Cavtat/Dubrovnik - Šipan and the BOWA option

Šipan is the largest island in the Elafiti group, covering about 15.5 square kilometers and stretching roughly nine kilometers in length. It lies about 8.3 nautical miles from Dubrovnik, or approximately 12.5 kilometers, and has around 410 permanent residents.

The suggested visit lasts one hour. Šipan offers a slower island setting, particularly around the bay of Vrbova. One named option is BOWA, an upmarket restaurant and beach bar about a 30-minute walk from Suđurađ. Its menu includes local oysters from nearby Ston, fresh seafood, wine, and other higher-priced choices.

BOWA may suit you if you want a polished meal in a scenic setting. It is not the best match for a tight budget, and the walk from Suđurađ means you should allow more time than the one-hour stop suggests. Ask the skipper how the timing would work before choosing it.

Šipan is better for a full-day itinerary than a rushed half-day. If you spend time traveling there, eating, and walking, you will have less time for caves and swimming. That tradeoff is worthwhile if you prefer island life and a proper meal over a rapid series of photo stops.

Pasjača Beach as an alternative route

Speed Boat Private Tour From Cavtat/Dubrovnik - Pasjača Beach as an alternative route

Pasjača Beach is the main alternative to the Elafiti Islands. It is described as a natural beach and is a smart choice if you have already visited the islands or simply want to head south from Dubrovnik.

The suggested stop lasts two hours, making it the longest single beach visit in the listed route. That gives you time to swim, relax, and enjoy the setting without constantly watching the clock.

Pasjača is also useful for repeat visitors. You do not have to spend your private charter repeating an island trip you have already done. One group that had previously visited the Blue Caves chose Pasjača instead and still had a full day built around swimming and other coastal stops.

You should discuss the route before departure if Pasjača is your priority. The listed itinerary presents the Elafiti Islands and Pasjača as alternatives rather than promising that every stop will fit into every booking. Four hours is not enough for a leisurely version of everything.

Caves, snorkeling, and swimming away from crowds

Speed Boat Private Tour From Cavtat/Dubrovnik - Caves, snorkeling, and swimming away from crowds

The boat can visit blue and green caves, along with smaller caves and bays around the islands. The exact cave route is not fixed in the information provided, so treat these as possible stops rather than guaranteed features for every departure.

Caves are weather-dependent and can be busy at popular times. A private boat does not remove the need to share popular sites with other boats, but it does let you leave when the stop no longer feels worthwhile. You can also ask for a quieter swimming place instead.

Snorkeling equipment is included. That makes the tour more than a sightseeing cruise, especially if you enjoy short swims between coastal stops. The boat may also take you to a private-feeling swimming area away from the busiest beaches, although you should understand that private-feeling does not necessarily mean exclusive.

The included drinks make the day easier. Water, juice, Coca-Cola, Fanta, wine, and beer are listed, so you do not need to organize every refreshment yourself. Alcohol and speedboats require common sense. Save the beer and wine for when the boat is stopped or moving calmly, and keep water close at hand.

The skipper matters more than the boat brochure

Speed Boat Private Tour From Cavtat/Dubrovnik - The skipper matters more than the boat brochure

The strongest part of this experience is the captain-led service. Antonio is repeatedly associated with customized routes, restaurant reservations, and local suggestions. Lukša is also named as a skipper, including on a sunset cruise around Lokrum, while Nikša and Nick are mentioned as other family-business captains.

The useful point is not simply the names. It is the role the skipper plays. A good captain can adjust the day when the sea is choppy, suggest a better lunch stop, or help you avoid wasting time at a crowded location.

Nick, for example, is described as driving carefully when conditions were choppy. That is the sort of detail I value more than a promise of speed. On a boat trip, a safe and comfortable ride matters as much as reaching the next island quickly.

Communication also appears to be a strong feature. A captain may call a restaurant ahead, discuss your preferred route, and help arrange a different drop-off. One group was picked up in Cavtat and dropped in Dubrovnik, allowing time afterward for the city walls, Buža Bar, the old lanes, and dinner. Do not assume every booking includes that exact arrangement, but ask if a one-way drop-off would help your plans.

Price, group size, and what you really pay

The advertised price is $301.70 per group. The main tour details state that the booking covers up to seven people, while another description refers to groups of up to 10. Because those numbers differ, confirm the maximum group size and the boat capacity before booking.

At seven people, the base price works out to about $43 per person before fuel and lunch. At four people, it is about $75. At two, it is roughly $151 each. That makes the tour most attractive for a full or near-full group.

Then add fuel: €80 for a half-day, €130 for a full day, or €40 for a sunset cruise. Lunch is extra. Drinks and snorkeling equipment are included, which softens the additional cost, but you should still compare the full price rather than the headline figure.

I see the best value in the eight-hour trip for a group that wants a private day on the water. The longer booking gives you time to stop for lunch, swim, visit an island, and change plans without rushing. A four-hour trip makes more sense if you only want a coastal look at Dubrovnik, a short cave visit, or a sunset outing.

Who should book this boat trip

I would recommend it most strongly for:

  • Families who want shallow water at Šunj Beach and a private schedule
  • Couples looking for a special day or sunset cruise
  • Friends who can split the group price
  • Repeat visitors who want Pasjača or less familiar coastal stops
  • People staying in Cavtat who want a convenient boat day instead of returning to Dubrovnik first
  • Anyone who values a flexible route more than a fixed sightseeing program

I would think twice if you are traveling alone on a tight budget. The flat fee is harder to justify without a group. I would also avoid booking the full day if you dislike boats, swimming, or unstructured time. Eight hours on the water is a long outing, even with several stops.

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a private Adriatic day where the route can change with your mood. The best version combines Dubrovnik’s walls, a cave or two, a swim, lunch on Lopud or Šipan, and a quiet stop away from the busiest beaches.

Choose the full eight hours if your group can share the cost and you want the day to feel unhurried. Choose four hours for a focused coastal outing. Confirm the group limit, fuel cost, pickup point, and preferred route before booking. If you do that, this is a strong choice for seeing Dubrovnik and the nearby islands from the water, with enough freedom to make the day your own.

FAQ

How long does the private speedboat tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four to eight hours. A half-day trip suits a shorter coastal route, while the eight-hour option allows more time for islands, swimming, caves, and lunch.

Where can I join the tour?

Pickup is available from Dubrovnik or Cavtat. The trip may also be able to arrange a different drop-off, but you should confirm that before booking.

What islands can I visit?

The suggested route includes Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan in the Elafiti Islands. The exact combination depends on the length of your trip and the route you arrange with the skipper.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The included drinks list covers water, juice, Coca-Cola, Fanta, wine, and beer. Lunch is not included.

Do I have to pay extra for fuel?

Yes. The stated fuel charges are €40 for a sunset tour, €80 for a half-day tour, and €130 for a full-day tour.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

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