Reviewed · DUBROVNIK BLUE CAVE TOURS

Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling

★ 5.0 · 62 reviews 2 to 8 hours (approx.) Operated by Adriatic Boat Tours · Bookable on Viator
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The best part of this private speedboat tour is the chance to swim into caves at Koločep, where sunlight can turn the water a striking blue. From there, your skipper can take you to island villages, a sandy beach, and a waterfront lunch stop, with the route shaped around your interests.

I like two things in particular: the cave stops include snorkel gear, so you can explore the water rather than just admire it from the boat, and the private format gives your group room to ask for a change of pace. Skippers Toni and Rocco have been named by guests as especially good at helping tailor the day.

The main catch is the added cost: fuel is not included, and lunch and some island admission fees are extra. Confirm the route, tour length, and total fuel charge before you set off, especially if you want to go as far as Mljet.

At a glance: caves, islands, and extra costs

Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling - At a glance: caves, islands, and extra costs

  • Koločep’s Blue Cave and three more caves are the main draw, with time to swim and snorkel.
  • Šipan is planned as a lunch stop, but your meal is not part of the tour price.
  • Lopud and Šunj Beach offer two different stops: island sights and a popular sandy beach with beach bars.
  • The tour is private for up to four people, with a skipper and drinks included.
  • Fuel is charged separately, at €50 for four hours, €70 for eight hours, or €120 for the 10-hour Mljet option.
  • Lokrum and Mljet change the route: Lokrum takes the place of some Elaphiti Islands, while Mljet is available only on the longer national park option.

The Blue Cave is the natural headline

Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling - The Blue Cave is the natural headline

The tour begins with Koločep, part of the Elaphiti Islands near Dubrovnik. The listed cave visit includes the Blue Cave and three other caves, with about an hour set aside for swimming and snorkeling. When sunlight reaches the water at the right angle, its reflection gives the cave its blue glow.

That light is the special effect, but the chance to get in the water is what makes this stop more than a quick photo break. Snorkel equipment is included, and you can look for sea life as you swim around the caves. Conditions and visibility can vary, so treat the color as a natural bonus rather than a guaranteed display.

Ask your skipper how much time the group will have at each cave and what swimming conditions are like that day. The tour is private, which can make it easier to talk through preferences, but the route still needs to work with the day’s conditions and the time you have booked.

More Blue Cave trips in Dubrovnik:

Šipan gives the day a proper lunch pause

Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling - Šipan gives the day a proper lunch pause

After Koločep, the route heads to Šipan, where the planned stop is about two hours. The island is used as a lunch break at a local restaurant. Food is not included, so allow for the cost of your meal when comparing the advertised group price with your full-day budget.

I like having a longer stop built into the day. A boat trip can otherwise become a string of short swims and quick photographs, and two hours ashore gives you a chance to eat without watching the clock every few minutes. Ask the skipper which restaurant is planned and whether you should bring cash or make any arrangements before arrival; those details are not specified here.

The stop is listed as free admission, which does not mean lunch is free. The meal is an extra, and the price will depend on what you order.

Lopud pairs island sights with an easy walk

Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling - Lopud pairs island sights with an easy walk

Lopud is the next island stop, planned for about an hour. It is known for churches, a monastery, and sandy beaches, making it a useful change of scene after the caves and lunch. If you want to stretch your legs, this is the stop for a walk and a look around.

An hour is enough for a brief visit, not a leisurely tour of every sight. If you have a particular church, monastery, or beach in mind, tell your skipper early and ask how much time is realistic. The schedule may need to balance your choices against the other stops.

Šunj Beach is the sand-and-swim finish

Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling - Šunj Beach is the sand-and-swim finish

Šunj Beach on Lopud is usually the final stop. It is described as one of the area’s most popular sandy beaches, with beach bars where you can relax and buy drinks. After rocky coves and time afloat, the sand offers a different kind of break: less exploring, more sitting down and enjoying the shore.

The beach stop is planned for about an hour. That can be enough for a swim and a drink, though it is not a long beach day. Drinks at the beach bars are separate from the beer, wine, soft drinks, and bottled water supplied on the boat.

Lokrum and Mljet are special route choices

Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling - Lokrum and Mljet are special route choices

Lokrum sits in front of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, on the opposite side from the Elaphiti Islands. It is available only on request, and choosing it means the boat cannot visit all the Elaphiti Islands. This is a genuine route trade-off, so decide what matters more to your group before you leave: a nearby island stop at Lokrum, or more time among the Elaphiti Islands.

Mljet is a much bigger commitment. It is about 50 kilometres from Dubrovnik, and the speedboat journey is described as taking around two hours. The eight-hour Blue Cave and Mljet National Park option includes time to visit the sandy Limuni beach, Odysseus Cave, and the park’s salt lakes.

There is a detail to pin down before booking: the tour description calls this the eight-hour option, while the fuel charges list a separate 10-hour NP Mljet rate of €120. Ask the operator to confirm the exact schedule and fuel charge for your date. The national park admission is not included, either, so include that in your budget.

Private means a route for your group, not a fixed package

Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling - Private means a route for your group, not a fixed package

The tour is private, with your group alone on the boat and a skipper at the helm. The maximum group size is four, and the starting price is $362.05 per group, not per person. Split four ways, that base price can compare well with separate boat tickets, especially if you value having a say in the day’s plan.

Skippers Toni and Rocco have been praised for asking what the group wanted and suggesting suitable places. That kind of conversation matters here: it helps you choose between more swimming, time on shore, a relaxed lunch, or a longer route. Still, do not assume every stop is guaranteed. Weather, travel time, and the route you select affect what fits.

The tour is offered in English. Bottled water, Coca-Cola, beer, and wine are included, and a bottle of champagne is included only on a sunset tour. The description also lists comfortable, air-conditioned round transfers as a highlight, but pickup and drop-off are not included. Confirm what the transfer wording means for your particular booking and where you need to meet. One group found the pickup point was a 10-minute taxi ride from Old Town, so leave time to get there.

What the price covers, and what it does not

Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling - What the price covers, and what it does not

The base fare covers the skipper, snorkel equipment, bottled water, soft drinks, and beer and wine. For a group of up to four, that is a useful bundle: you are not paying separately to rent masks and snorkels, and you have drinks on board between stops.

Fuel is an additional charge: €50 for four hours, €70 for eight hours, and €120 for a 10-hour Mljet National Park trip. This is the cost most likely to surprise you if you focus only on the headline price. Ask how the fuel charge is collected and confirm which rate applies to your chosen tour before you book.

Lunch is not included. Nor is admission to Lokrum or Mljet National Park when those options are part of your route. There is no toilet on board, another practical detail worth considering for a longer trip. In short, the advertised price is a starting point, not the complete cost of every possible version of the day.

The booking price is listed as $362.05 for a group of up to four. If you are two people, the cost per person is higher; if you fill all four places, it is easier to justify against the privacy and choice of a dedicated boat. Compare the total with fuel and any meals or admissions included in other tours, not just the initial fare.

Timing, weather, and comfort

Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling - Timing, weather, and comfort

Tour length is listed as roughly two to eight hours, depending on the option. The main island itinerary assigns about an hour to Koločep, two hours to Šipan, an hour to Lopud, and an hour to Šunj Beach. Those stops add up to five hours before allowing for boat travel, so ask what is included in your selected duration and how much time you will actually have ashore.

The longer Mljet option needs particular care when comparing schedules. The island is far from Dubrovnik, and the stated boat journey is around two hours each way. Check whether the listed duration includes the return trip and the planned time at the national park.

The tour depends on good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time; changes or cancellations made later are not accepted for a refund.

Who will get the most from this boat trip?

This is a strong fit for a couple, family, or small group that wants a day shaped around swimming and island stops rather than a fixed, large-group schedule. The Blue Cave, the other Koločep caves, and Šunj Beach give the trip a clear mix of scenery and time in the water. The included snorkel kit and drinks also make the boat itself more comfortable between stops.

It suits people who enjoy a flexible day and are happy to make a few decisions along the way. If your group wants a long meal, a particular island, or a beach-first schedule, tell the skipper early and ask what is practical. Families will appreciate the private format, but should keep in mind that the boat has no toilet.

If you mainly want transport from Dubrovnik to one beach, this may be more tour than you need. And if you dislike extra charges, the separate fuel fee, lunch, and possible admission costs may frustrate you. Get the full price in writing before deciding.

Should you book the Dubrovnik speedboat tour?

Book it if your priority is a private day on the water, with cave swimming, several island choices, and a skipper who can help adjust the route. The best value comes when your group fills most or all four places and makes active use of the swim stops and included drinks.

Before paying, settle three points: which route you want, how long it will take, and the exact fuel charge. For Mljet, also confirm the eight-hour versus 10-hour timing and park admission. If those details suit your budget, this is a practical way to trade a standard boat schedule for a more personal day among Dubrovnik’s caves and islands.

FAQ

How many people can join the private tour?

The tour is for your private group, with a maximum of four people.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel costs €50 for a four-hour tour, €70 for an eight-hour tour, and €120 for the 10-hour Mljet National Park option.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Lunch is not included. Bottled water, Coca-Cola, beer, and wine are included on the boat. Champagne is included only on a sunset tour.

Which islands and caves can the tour visit?

The main route includes the caves at Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj Beach. Lokrum is available on request, but visiting it means the boat cannot see all the Elaphiti Islands. Mljet is offered on the national park option.

Is snorkel equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.

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