Speed Boat Private Tour From Cavtat/Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik’s Old Town looks different from the water, and a private speedboat lets you pair that coastal view with island stops chosen for your group. You might spend the day around the Elafiti Islands, swim near caves and beaches, or head to Pasjača if you have already seen the islands.

I like two things in particular: you can tailor the route, and the included snorkel gear and drinks make it easy to spend more time swimming without turning the day into a list of add-on purchases. Skippers including Antonio, Lukša, Nikša and Nick have helped shape days around guests’ interests and suggested lunch stops.

One thing to budget for: the advertised group price does not include fuel or lunch, and the tour details give two different group limits. The price summary says up to seven people, while the highlights say up to ten, so confirm the boat’s capacity and total cost before booking.

At a glance

• See Dubrovnik from the sea: Begin with a panoramic cruise along the city walls and coastline.
• Build your own island day: The route can include Koločep, Lopud, Šipan, caves, beaches or quieter swimming spots.
• Make room for a long lunch: The eight-hour option gives you time to stop for a meal and still enjoy the water.
• Bring your own soundtrack: One group enjoyed playing their own music aboard.
• Account for extra costs: Fuel is listed separately at €80 for a half day or €130 for a full day; lunch is not included.
• Check the group limit: The pricing details say up to seven people, but another tour highlight says up to ten.

Dubrovnik’s walls from the water

The tour begins with a short panoramic cruise around Dubrovnik’s coast, including a view of the city walls from the sea. From a boat, the Old Town’s stone defenses meet the water in a way you do not get from the crowded streets above. It is a useful opening, too: you get a sense of the coastline before leaving the city behind.

The listed time for this part is about 20 minutes. Think of it as a scenic introduction, not a full sightseeing tour of Dubrovnik. If you want to walk the walls or explore the Old Town’s lanes, plan that separately. One group arranged to finish in Dubrovnik after being picked up in Cavtat, then spent the evening in the city, but a different drop-off should be agreed with the operator rather than assumed.

From there, the day can turn toward the Elafiti Islands or another route that suits your group. The exact stops are flexible, so tell your skipper what you have already seen and what you hope to do. Some groups have asked for caves and swimming coves; others have chosen Pasjača instead of revisiting the islands.

Koločep, caves and clear-water stops

Koločep is one of the suggested island stops, with time set aside for bays and caves. The plan describes this as a chance to reach places with clear water and less developed surroundings. The exact caves and swim stops depend on the route, conditions and your skipper’s choices, so treat them as possibilities rather than a guaranteed checklist.

Blue and green caves have featured in some routes, and snorkeling gear is included. That makes the boat useful for more than sightseeing: you can stop to swim and look underwater without bringing your own mask and snorkel. The tour details do not promise a particular cave visit, however, so ask about the route if a specific cave is a priority.

A skipper can also steer you toward swimming spots away from busier areas. That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private boat over a fixed group excursion. If you prefer quiet coves, say so. If you would rather spend time ashore, ask for a route that leaves room for it.

Lopud’s sandy Šunj Beach

Šunj Beach sits on Lopud, between Koločep and Šipan. It is a long sandy beach, a rare change from the rocky coastline found around much of the Adriatic. The suggested stop is about an hour, though a private itinerary gives you room to discuss how the day is divided.

The water here is very shallow near shore. The beach description notes that you may walk about 100 metres before reaching water deep enough to swim, which can suit families with small children but may frustrate anyone hoping to step straight in and float. The wide, sandy setting is also better for lounging and beach games than a small cove.

Lopud is more than a quick beach stop if you give it time. You can ask to have lunch on the island and explore its lanes or visit the monastery, as one group did. A skipper may be able to recommend a restaurant and call ahead, but lunch is at your own expense. If a sit-down meal and time ashore matter to you, the full-day option makes more sense than trying to squeeze everything into a half day.

Šipan and a leisurely lunch

Šipan is the largest island in the Elafiti group, about 8.3 nautical miles from Dubrovnik. The tour description gives it a small permanent population and points to Vrbova Bay, where the BOWA restaurant and beach bar serves seafood, including oysters from nearby Ston and Pelješac.

This can be a good place to slow down and eat, but it is not a budget lunch stop. BOWA is described as upmarket and pricey, and it is about a 30-minute walk from Suđurađ. If you want to visit, consider the walking time as part of your plan and check with your skipper about the best way to fit it into the route.

You do not have to choose Šipan or BOWA. A skipper may suggest a different restaurant on Lopud or another island, and the appeal of a private tour is being able to discuss those trade-offs directly. You pay for your own meal, so say early whether your priority is a long lunch, more swimming, or seeing several places.

Pasjača as an alternative

If you have already visited the Elafiti Islands, the tour can head to Pasjača Beach instead. The beach is described as a striking natural stop, with about two hours allotted in the suggested itinerary. That longer pause can suit a group that wants a beach-focused day rather than a series of short island visits.

Pasjača is an alternative, not necessarily an extra stop to add on top of a full Elafiti route. Ask the skipper how travel time will affect the day before settling on a plan. On an eight-hour outing, a route with a few well-chosen stops is often more comfortable than trying to collect every location.

Four hours or eight?

The tour lasts approximately four to eight hours, with sunset, half-day and full-day fuel charges listed separately. A half day can work if you want a coastal cruise, a cave or beach stop, and a swim. It leaves less time for a relaxed meal or several island visits.

The full eight hours gives you more breathing room. You can stop for lunch, spend time on an island, swim in more than one place and adjust the plan as the day unfolds. Several groups chose the full day and found the time passed quickly, but it is still a long stretch on a boat. Choose it because you want an unhurried day on the water, not just because longer sounds better.

Sunset trips offer a different kind of outing. One route went around Lokrum near Dubrovnik’s Old Port, stopping at caves before the sun dropped behind the Old Town. The views can be striking, but weather matters: the sea can feel cool, so check conditions before setting off and bring a layer if needed.

What the price covers, and what it does not

The listed price is $301.70 per group, with the pricing summary specifying up to seven people. At seven, that works out to about $43 per person before fuel and any meal. For a smaller group, the per-person cost rises, but you are paying for a private boat and a route shaped around your group rather than a seat on a set excursion.

The tour includes a skipper, snorkeling equipment, water, juice, Coca-Cola, Fanta, wine and beer. Lunch is not included. Fuel is also extra: the stated charges are €40 for a sunset tour, €80 for a half day and €130 for a full day. Because the group limit differs elsewhere in the tour details, confirm both capacity and the final price for your party before you pay.

The practical value comes from the combination of private scheduling and included basics. You can bring your own music, spend longer where you like and ask for suggestions on swimming spots or lunch. But this is not an all-inclusive day, and the advertised starting price is not the whole bill.

Skippers, weather and planning your day

The skippers named for the tour include Antonio, Lukša, Nikša and Nick. The experience can depend a great deal on the person at the helm: past outings have included restaurant recommendations and bookings, route changes based on places a group had already visited, and careful handling when the sea was choppy.

That does not mean every detail is guaranteed. The route, sea conditions and available time shape what is practical on the day. This experience requires good weather; if poor weather cancels it, you can be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.

Pickup is offered from Dubrovnik or Cavtat. The tour is private, so only your group participates, and the details say service animals are allowed and that most people can take part. Public transportation is nearby. Confirm your pickup point and any special arrangements ahead of time, particularly if you hope to finish somewhere different from where you started.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would choose this tour if your group wants a flexible day that mixes coastal views, swimming and island time. It is especially suited to families who value a sandy beach, couples looking for a private outing, and friends who want to set their own pace rather than follow a large group.

It is less suitable if you want a fixed, fully priced package with lunch and fuel already covered, or if you need a guaranteed visit to one particular cave or island. In those cases, ask specific questions before booking. You will get the most from the trip by deciding what matters most, then letting your skipper build a sensible route around it.

Book it if a private boat day sounds worth the extra fuel and meal costs, and you are happy to adapt to weather and sea conditions. For the best balance of swimming, lunch and time ashore, consider the eight-hour option. If you mainly want a short cruise and one swim stop, a half day may be enough.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately four to eight hours. Sunset, half-day and full-day options are described, with different fuel charges for each.

What is the listed price?

The listed price is $301.70 per group. The price summary says the group can include up to seven people, while another tour highlight says up to ten, so confirm the limit for your booking.

Is fuel included?

No. The stated fuel charges are €40 for a sunset tour, €80 for a half day and €130 for a full day.

Are drinks and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with water, juice, Coca-Cola, Fanta, wine and beer.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, and you pay separately for any meal.

Where can the tour pick me up?

Pickup is offered from Dubrovnik or Cavtat. Confirm your preferred location with the operator.

Can the route be customized?

Yes. The tour is private, and the day can be tailored to your group’s interests. Suggested locations include the Elafiti Islands, Šunj Beach, Šipan and Pasjača Beach.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather cancels the experience, 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.