BLUE CAVE private speedboat tour with drinks

The best part of this four-hour trip is the quick leap from Dubrovnik’s harbor into the clear water around the Elaphiti Islands. A private speedboat takes you to Koločep’s glowing Blue Cave and the Green Caves, then gives you time to swim at sandy Šunj Beach on Lopud.

I like the private format, since your group can shape the pace instead of following a crowded boat schedule. I also like the practical extras: snorkel gear, life jackets, water, juice, beer, and white wine are included.

The main thing to watch is the extra fuel surcharge and harbor fee, paid on the boat. It is also a water-focused outing with no lunch included, so you should bring a meal plan for the long beach stop.

Key points to know before you book

• Early departure matters: From June 1 through September 15, the morning trip starts at 8:30 a.m. to reach the caves before larger groups.
• Three strong stops: You visit the Blue Cave, Green Caves, and Šunj Beach, with swimming time built into the route.
• Private boat for up to 10: Only your group participates, making the day easier for families and groups of friends.
• Flexible timing: You spend about 30 to 35 minutes at each cave and roughly 90 minutes at the beach, with some room for personal preferences.
• Drinks and snorkeling are included: Beer, white wine, water, juice, and snorkel equipment are part of the package.
• Budget for the surcharge: Fuel and harbor fees cost 100 euros for one to two passengers, 120 euros for three to seven, or 150 euros for eight to ten.

Why this boat trip works well from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik gives you handsome stone streets and busy viewpoints, but the coast is the real escape from the summer crowds. This trip lets you trade pavement for open water without committing to a full-day island cruise.

The speedboat is useful here. Koločep and Lopud are close enough for a half-day visit, but a faster boat gives you more time at the caves and beach. You are not spending the morning slowly crossing between islands.

The private setup also changes the feel of the outing. You can listen to music, ask to linger at a swimming spot, or make your preferences known without trying to fit a large group’s rhythm. One recent outing even included music for a birthday group, while another allowed the family to decide where to spend more time.

The listed price is $362.81 per group of up to 10, not per person. That can be a fair deal for a full boatload, especially for a family or group of friends. For only one or two people, the value is weaker because the cost is spread across fewer passengers and the extra 100 euro surcharge still applies.

Meeting at Dubrovnik West Harbour

The boat leaves from the last wooden pier in the small marina at Lapadska obala 4, by the Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse. You should arrive at least 10 minutes early. The activity returns to this same meeting point.

Private transportation to the marina is not included, so you need to arrange your own way there. The location is near public transportation, but allow enough time to find the correct pier. A marina can be less obvious than a city-square meeting point, and arriving late cuts into your cave and beach time.

The morning departure is the smart choice from June through mid-September. The advertised 8:30 a.m. start is designed to reach the caves before larger boat groups arrive. If you care most about quiet water and fewer boats at the cave entrances, take that timing seriously.

An afternoon departure may suit you better if sleeping in matters more than having the caves at their calmest. The exact afternoon start is not provided, so confirm it when booking.

Koločep’s Blue Cave and Green Caves

Koločep is the first major stop, and the boat spends about two hours around its cave sites. Each location receives roughly 30 to 35 minutes, with travel and positioning time included in the broader stop.

The Blue Cave gets its color from sunlight passing into the cave and reflecting through the water and sandy bottom. The effect depends on the sun, water conditions, and your angle as you enter, so it is best understood as a natural light show rather than a guaranteed single shade of blue.

This is a swim-and-snorkel stop, not a walk-through cave visit. You use the water to see the cave from inside, and the boat provides snorkel equipment and life jackets for both children and adults. If you want to make the most of the stop, bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a waterproof way to protect your phone.

The Green Caves offer a different kind of setting. The attraction is the clear water, rock openings, and underwater passages. There are also places for jumping from the rocks, but that is optional. Only jump if the skipper confirms the spot is suitable and you feel comfortable with the height and water conditions.

The 30 to 35 minute timing at each cave is enough for a swim and a look around, but it is not an unlimited snorkeling session. If your group wants to spend most of the morning in the water, say so early. The private format gives you more say, although the route still has to cover all three main stops.

The boat crew is an important part of this section. Names connected with particularly well-liked outings include Pavo, Ante, Antun, and Antonio. Pavo was praised for reaching good spots before they became crowded, playing music, and helping children feel at ease. Ante was singled out for pointing out good swimming places, while Antun was flexible about how a family spent its time.

You cannot choose a particular skipper unless the operator confirms availability, but you can ask when booking. The repeated praise for friendly, relaxed captains matters because a cave trip depends on good judgment around rocks, swimmers, and changing conditions.

Šunj Beach on Lopud

After Koločep, the boat heads to Lopud for about 90 minutes at Šunj Beach. This is the longest stop and the place where the schedule slows down.

Šunj is known for its broad sandy beach, shallow water, and lagoon-like shape. That makes it a useful contrast to the cave stops. At Koločep, you are looking into rock formations and snorkeling around the boat. At Lopud, you can simply get out, swim, sit by the water, or take a break from the boat.

Beach bars and a small forest restaurant on the hill provide food and drinks, but lunch is not included in the tour price. You should plan to buy something there or eat before departure. The supplied drinks on the boat include beer, white wine, water, and juice, with alcoholic drinks limited to adults aged 18 and over.

Šunj is likely to be the easiest stop for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can enjoy the clear water, while anyone who prefers a gentler swim has the shallow beach area. Families should still use the provided life jackets as needed and keep an eye on children, since the tour does not replace ordinary beach supervision.

The drawback is time. Ninety minutes is enough to enjoy Šunj, but you may wish for longer if you want a full beach afternoon with lunch. This tour is designed as a compact coast outing, not a long, lazy day on Lopud.

What the private boat adds

The biggest benefit is control. On a shared cruise, you normally accept the group’s pace and music, plus fixed stops. Here, your group is the only group aboard, and the skipper can respond to your interests within the planned route.

That works especially well for birthday groups, families with children, and friends who want a social day on the water. One group was able to play music, while another appreciated being able to choose where to spend more time. The comfortable boat size was also useful for a family outing.

The private format does not mean every detail is unlimited. The trip still lasts about four hours, the cave visits are timed, and the three main locations shape the day. Think of it as a private version of a set coastal route, with room for small adjustments.

The boat’s speed is another plus. It reduces the dull transit time and gives you a better chance of seeing all three stops in one half-day. It also means you should expect wind, spray, and a more active ride than on a large covered excursion boat.

Drinks, equipment, and what to bring

Included snorkel equipment saves you from packing or renting a mask and fins separately. Life jackets are available for adults and children, which is useful when your group includes mixed swimming abilities.

The included drinks are a pleasant touch, especially after swimming. You receive bottled water, juice, beer, and white wine. Alcohol is for adults aged 18 and older, and you should keep your drinking modest while swimming or moving around a boat.

Lunch is not included. Since the Šunj stop lasts about an hour and a half, plan ahead. You can use the beach bars or small forest restaurant, but the supplied information does not give menus, prices, or opening guarantees.

Bring the basics you would want for a full morning outdoors:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Dry clothes for the boat ride back
• Waterproof phone protection
• Cash or a payment method for food and drinks at Šunj
• Any personal snacks or medication you need

The tour requires good weather. If conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is sensible for a small speedboat, but keep a little flexibility in your Dubrovnik schedule.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend it most to groups of four to ten who want a private water day without paying for a full-day charter. Families can benefit from the private setting and included life jackets. Friends can use the boat’s flexibility, music, drinks, and swimming stops for a relaxed celebration.

It also suits you if you care more about swimming and scenery than formal sightseeing. The guide provides island names, local context, and practical swimming advice, but this is not a history-heavy excursion.

Couples and solo visitors can still book, though the group price is harder to justify with only one or two passengers. The 100 euro fuel and harbor fee also affects small groups more sharply.

You should think twice if you dislike boats, want a long visit on land, or need lunch included. The trip is active, exposed to weather, and built around water access. Anyone with limited swimming confidence should ask about the conditions and use the available life jacket.

Costs, timing, and cancellation details

The base price is $362.81 per group of up to 10. Add the required fuel surcharge and harbor fee paid on the boat: 100 euros for one to two people, 120 euros for three to seven, or 150 euros for eight to ten.

That makes the per-person price attractive for a full group. For example, a group of 10 shares the base price and the largest surcharge across many people. A couple pays far more per person, so compare this with shared boat trips before booking.

The activity is offered in English and normally lasts about four hours. Confirmation is provided at booking. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, but the route includes swimming, snorkeling, rock areas, and a speedboat ride.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, and the local time controls the cut-off. The operator may also cancel if the weather is poor or the minimum number of passengers is not met.

Should you book the Blue Cave speedboat tour?

Book it if your ideal Dubrovnik day includes clear water, cave light, snorkeling, a sandy beach, and the freedom of a private boat. The early morning departure is especially appealing because it aims to reach Koločep before the larger groups.

The strongest value comes with six to ten people. You get the private boat, included equipment and drinks, a fast route to three popular coastal stops, and the ability to shape the pace. Ask about skipper availability if you particularly want Pavo, Ante, Antun, or Antonio, but do not assume a specific captain is guaranteed.

Skip it if you want a cheap outing for one or two people, a full lunch, or a long beach stay. For the right group, though, this is a well-shaped half-day escape from Dubrovnik, with enough structure to keep moving and enough flexibility to feel personal.

FAQ

How long does the Blue Cave speedboat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours and returns to the starting point at Dubrovnik West Harbour.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is the last wooden pier in the small marina at Lapadska obala 4, by the Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse in Dubrovnik. You should arrive 10 minutes before departure.

Which places does the tour visit?

The route visits the Blue Cave and Green Caves on Koločep Island, followed by Šunj Beach on Lopud Island.

Are drinks and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Bottled water, juice, beer, white wine, and snorkeling equipment are included. Alcoholic drinks are available only to adults aged 18 and over.

Are fuel and harbor fees included in the price?

No. The fuel surcharge and harbor fees are paid on the boat. They cost 100 euros for one to two passengers, 120 euros for three to seven, and 150 euros for eight to ten.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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