REVIEW · DUBROVNIK
Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling
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Snorkel in Dubrovnik’s caves by speedboat. This private boat day links the Blue Cave area with Elaphiti island stops, and it’s built for quick swims and long stretches of open-sea cruising. I especially like two things: the included snorkel equipment for exploring the water life up close, and the fact that beverages are part of the onboard experience, with beer and wine available along with bottled water and soft drinks. One thing to plan for: you’ll pay an extra fuel fee at the end.
This is a true private outing for your group (up to 4), so the skipper can steer the day based on what you care about most. On previous departures, skippers such as Toni and Rocco have been known for asking what you want to see and then adjusting the route so you spend your time where it matters. Expect a relaxed pace, plus comfort from the air-conditioned round transfers mentioned for this service.
In This Review
- Key highlights you’ll actually use
- How this private speedboat day feels from Dubrovnik
- Koločep’s caves and the Blue Cave timing: what to expect in the water
- Šipan for lunch you choose: a break from swimming
- Lopud’s churches and monastery areas, plus sandy beach time
- Šunj Beach: where the pace slows and the drinks make sense
- Optional Lokrum, and the 8-hour Mljet National Park upgrade
- Lokrum on request
- The 8-hour option to Mljet National Park
- Price and logistics: what you’re really paying for
- On-board comfort: drinks, equipment, and small things that matter
- Should you book this private Blue Cave speedboat tour?
- FAQ
- How many people are in this private speedboat tour?
- What’s included in the price?
- Is lunch included on Šipan Island?
- Are admission tickets included for all stops?
- Do I need to pay extra for fuel?
- Is there a toilet on the boat?
- Does the tour run only in good weather?
- Is the tour available in English?
Key highlights you’ll actually use

- Cave snorkelling with included gear so you can swim inside the cave areas around Koločep without scrambling for equipment
- Blue-light swimming where sun reflection helps create that striking blue effect inside the cave area
- Drinks onboard: bottled water, soft drinks, and alcoholic options like beer and wine (champagne only on sunset tours)
- Island mix, not just sea time: caves, then Šipan for lunch on your own, then Lopud and sandy beach time
- A flexible full-day upgrade: the 8-hour option adds Mljet National Park features like Limuni and the Odysseus cave
How this private speedboat day feels from Dubrovnik

If you like your tours to feel like a plan, not a shuffle, this one works. You’re on a private speedboat, not a big group bus, so your time is usually spent on the water and at stops instead of waiting around. The itinerary is structured—caves first, islands next, then beaches—but the key is that the skipper can tailor the route to your priorities.
You’ll also appreciate that the experience is designed for easy relaxation. The onboard setup includes drinks and snorkelling gear, so you’re not switching mental modes every few minutes. That matters on a half-day: you want to start enjoying the sea right away, not wasting energy.
One practical note I’d build into your expectations: some services mention air-conditioned round transfers, while the details also say pickup and drop-off aren’t included. Translation: plan to reach the meeting point area, and confirm what’s actually covered for your departure time and where you’ll be picked up.
Finally, this is offered in English with a mobile ticket, so you’re not dealing with paper tickets or complex check-ins. It’s also a good fit if you want to travel without crowds. When your group is small, small things get smoother—timing, swim breaks, and where you spend your time.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Dubrovnik.
Koločep’s caves and the Blue Cave timing: what to expect in the water
This is the heart of the day. Your first main stop is on Koločep Island, where you visit the most popular cave areas in the Dubrovnik region, including the Blue Cave, plus three more caves around Koločep.
Here’s what makes this stop different from basic boat sightseeing: you’re not just looking at rocks from the deck. You have the chance to swim and snorkel inside cave areas, using the provided snorkel equipment. And the timing is tied to light. The idea is that sun reflection creates a strong blue color in the cave water, which is exactly what people come for.
What you should consider before you go:
- Cave swims can feel “short but intense.” You’ll likely want to be ready quickly—equipment on, breathe steady, then enjoy the moment.
- You’ll get a better experience if you’re comfortable staying close to the group and following the skipper’s cues about when conditions are best.
- Because this is all about visibility and weather, good conditions matter. The tour requires good weather, and if conditions are poor, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.
Also, the equipment being included is a big deal. Hiring gear separately can be a hidden cost, and it also means you’re spending less time organizing. Here, the snorkel kit is part of the package, which keeps the day flowing.
Šipan for lunch you choose: a break from swimming

After the cave-focused start, you move to Šipan Island. This stop is mainly about taking a break and changing scenery. You’ll have around 2 hours there.
The main benefit of Šipan is that it gives you a real “island break,” not just another quick photo stop. You’ll find a nice restaurant for lunch (lunch isn’t included in the price). That flexibility is useful because you can match your food choice to your energy level after swimming.
Two things I’d plan around:
- If you’re a light eater, you can treat this as a reset and focus more on beach time later.
- If you want a fuller meal, pick a lunch spot that doesn’t make you rushed before your next swim and beach stretch.
This stop also helps break up the day in a way that makes the whole itinerary feel balanced: caves and sea life first, then a comfortable land-based pause.
Lopud’s churches and monastery areas, plus sandy beach time

Next comes Lopud Island. This is a classic “walk and wander” stop, with churches and monastery sights, plus access to sandy beach areas.
You’ll have about 1 hour here. For me, that timing is perfect if your goal is variety without draining the day. You get a taste of Lopud’s character and enough time to walk around, without feeling like you need to map out a whole hike.
What you’ll probably enjoy most:
- A break from water entry after the caves
- A simple chance to stretch your legs
- The shift from cave light to open-air island views
One thing to keep in mind is that Lopud is all about getting out and moving a bit. If you’re the type who only wants to stay on the boat and hold a towel, you might not use the stop as much as someone who likes strolling.
Šunj Beach: where the pace slows and the drinks make sense

Then you hit Šunj Beach, which is described as the most popular sandy beach area around Dubrovnik. You’ll usually have about 1 hour here.
This is the part of the day that turns active into relaxed. After swimming earlier, you can do the simple stuff: sit, cool off, swim if you want, and use beach bars for drinks. Since the tour includes beverages onboard, you’ll already be refreshed, and the beach time becomes more about atmosphere and downtime.
If you care about comfort, this beach segment is where it pays off that the day isn’t just nonstop sea time. You get a final reset before heading back.
Optional Lokrum, and the 8-hour Mljet National Park upgrade

Not every day is the same on this service, and that’s a good thing. There are options depending on how much you want to pack into your time.
Lokrum on request
Lokrum Island is available on request, and if it’s included, the schedule notes that you won’t be able to see all the Elaphiti islands. It also says admission isn’t included. Translation: Lokrum is a choice, not a guaranteed part of every departure.
The 8-hour option to Mljet National Park
If you pick the 8-hour tour, you go farther: Mljet National Park. This is on Mljet Island, about 50 km away, roughly 2 hours by speedboat from Dubrovnik. The package notes you can visit features like Limuni beach, Odysseus cave, and salty lakes inside the national park.
Two practical points:
- Admission for Mljet National Park isn’t included, so set aside budget for park entry if that’s part of what you’ll want to see.
- This is the option for you if you want more than just caves and beaches. Mljet is the nature-heavy add-on, with specific named spots you can expect to target.
If your schedule allows only a shorter outing, you’ll likely do better focusing on the Elaphiti islands and cave swimming. Mljet is the “go long” version.
Price and logistics: what you’re really paying for

The price is listed as $362.05 per group, up to 4 people. That’s a useful structure if you’re traveling as a couple, friends, or a small family. Compared with per-person tours, private boat pricing can feel more fair because your cost scales with group size, not headcount.
But the real value comes from what’s included with that group price:
- Snorkel equipment
- Bottled water and soft drinks
- Alcoholic beverages, including beer and wine
- A skipper
- Extra celebration detail: a bottle of champagne only for sunset tours
Now the part you should not ignore: fuel. The details specify extra fuel payments depending on how long you go—€50 per booking for 4 hours, €70 per booking for 8 hours, and €120 per booking for the 10-hour (NP Mljet) option. One of the clearest cautions in feedback is that this fuel cost can feel like it should be included.
So my practical advice is simple: when you compare this tour price to other options, add the fuel fee into your mental total. That way there are no surprise feelings at the end of the day.
On-board comfort: drinks, equipment, and small things that matter

This experience is built to keep you comfortable while you’re out on open water. You’ll have bottled water and soft drinks to stay hydrated between swim moments. Alcohol is part of the experience too, with beer and wine available, and those onboard drinks fit the vibe of the day: cruise, swim, relax, repeat.
You’ll also use the provided snorkelling gear for cave exploration. That’s one of those “boring but important” inclusions that changes the day. If you’ve ever tried to coordinate snorkel masks and fins while on a tight schedule, you’ll understand why.
There’s also mention of a bottle of champagne for sunset tours, which is the kind of detail that can make the day feel like a celebration without extra planning.
One small practical limitation: the details say a toilet on board isn’t included. So treat this as a “use facilities before you board” situation. If you’re bringing kids, or if you simply don’t want to worry about timing, plan accordingly.
Finally, the tour notes service animals allowed and that it’s near public transportation. That’s useful if you’re mixing boat time with other parts of Dubrovnik.
Should you book this private Blue Cave speedboat tour?
Yes, if you want your Dubrovnik day to feel like an island hopping cruise with time to actually get in the water. This is especially worth booking if two of your top priorities are snorkelling and cave swimming in the Blue Cave area, plus the chance to relax on sandy beaches later.
Skip or rethink it if:
- You’re trying to keep strict control of your total cost and you don’t want to add a fuel fee at the end.
- You don’t plan to use the snorkelling time much, since the core value is tied to water exploration.
If you do book, I’d choose your option based on energy. Go with the standard Elaphiti-style route for caves and beach time. Choose the 8-hour Mljet version if you want named nature highlights like Limuni, Odysseus cave, and the salty lakes.
FAQ
How many people are in this private speedboat tour?
It’s a private tour/activity, and your group is limited to up to 4 people.
What’s included in the price?
Included items are bottled water, soft drinks (Coca-cola), alcoholic beverages (beer and wine), the skipper, and use of snorkelling equipment.
Is lunch included on Šipan Island?
No. Lunch in a restaurant on Šipan is not included in the price.
Are admission tickets included for all stops?
Kolocep Island cave visits and admission are listed as free. Lopud and the sandy beach stop are also listed as free. Lokrum admission is not included, and Mljet National Park admission is not included.
Do I need to pay extra for fuel?
Yes. Fuel is listed as an extra fee depending on duration: €50 for 4 hours, €70 for 8 hours, and €120 for the NP Mljet option.
Is there a toilet on the boat?
No. A toilet on board is listed as not included.
Does the tour run only in good weather?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Is the tour available in English?
Yes, it’s offered in English.

























