Reviewed · CAVTAT TRIPS

Brand New Mercan Excursion 34 Private Tour From Dubrovnik Cavtat

5.0 · 47 reviews 8 hours (approx.) From $360.44 Operated by Boat hire Dubrovnik - private speedboat tours to Elafiti islands · Bookable on Viator
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Sea caves and sandy islands in one quiet day. This private Mercan Excursion 34 speedboat tour connects Dubrovnik coast views with a real Blue Cave swim, plus stops on the Elafiti islands for beach time. The one thing to consider upfront is that the Blue Cave is reached by jumping into the sea, and the cave is about 4 meters deep, so you need to be comfortable with a cramped, wet entry.

I also love how quiet the boat is. That means you can actually enjoy the moment, with your own playlist audible over the water, instead of shouting over an engine. In my experience of how the day runs, Antonio (the skipper) stood out for being on time and giving helpful details from the start.

This is a private tour for your group, up to 12 people, so the day feels flexible and not like a bus schedule. You also get a full set of included perks for a day on the water: snorkeling gear, bottled water, soda, and even alcoholic beverages, handled by the skipper.

Key things that make this tour worth your time

Brand New Mercan Excursion 34 Private Tour From Dubrovnik Cavtat - Key things that make this tour worth your time

  • Private Mercan Excursion 34 speedboat with a small group of up to 12
  • Blue Cave swim experience where the entry is simple, but the depth is not
  • Kolocep’s Three Green Caves for variety beyond the famous one cave
  • Sunj Beach on Lopud with shallow water and a sandy stretch close to the shore
  • Pasjača Beach as a natural option if you want more raw shoreline time
  • Skipper Antonio’s calm, on-time approach that helps the day flow

A coast-first start from Dubrovnik City Walls

Brand New Mercan Excursion 34 Private Tour From Dubrovnik Cavtat - A coast-first start from Dubrovnik City Walls
Your day kicks off with Dubrovnik City Walls views from the water, then you switch into a panoramic cruise along the coast. You get the best kind of orientation here, seeing the shoreline geometry and fortifications from angles you cannot get from the streets. It is a good warm-up, especially if you came straight from walking the walls earlier.

Then comes a short drive to the Blue Cave area, keeping transit from becoming the main event. The schedule is built so you are not stuck in a long vehicle transfer before the first swim stop. That matters because you are spending most of your time where it counts, on and around the water.

One practical point: you are on a speedboat for much of the day, so even if the weather is decent, plan on sea spray. Bring sunglasses and consider a hat so your eyes and face are not doing all the squinting.

Blue Cave Dubrovnik: swimming where feet do not help

The Blue Cave visit is the centerpiece, and it is described in a very real way: the only way to visit is by jumping into the sea. The cave entrance is small, but it is enough for swimming, and you do not need scuba-style diving.

Depth is the big detail to understand. The cave is around 4 meters deep, and you cannot stand. That means you should go in with swim confidence, and if you are not a strong swimmer, you should think twice about whether this stop fits you.

Why I like this approach: it turns a famous spot into an active experience. You are not just floating past it. You are in the cave itself, with the water doing the work and your body handling the timing. With snorkeling equipment included, you can also take a slow look around while you swim.

A tip that helps here: keep your entry simple and focus on breathing and position. The entrance feels tight because you are moving from open water to a confined opening, so you want steady movements rather than last-second scrambling.

Three Green Caves on Kolocep: more variety than one famous stop

Brand New Mercan Excursion 34 Private Tour From Dubrovnik Cavtat - Three Green Caves on Kolocep: more variety than one famous stop
After the Blue Cave, you head to Kolocep island for the Three Green Caves. This is where you get variety, because it is not just one photo-famous moment. You are looking at two green caves plus a canyon-style cave, all in one stretch.

Time is about an hour at this stop. That is long enough to feel like you actually did something, but short enough that you do not get bored or churn through the same routine over and over. In a day like this, variety matters, because each stop has a different “water mood.”

The green caves are usually about color and light, and the canyon-like section is often more about texture and the way the water moves through space. Even if you are not a professional photographer, this combination makes the overall day feel more complete than a simple line of checkmarks.

If you want to make the most of your time here, treat it like a set of mini-missions:

  • take one calmer look first
  • then move with purpose for the next cave
  • keep your energy for the beach stop later

Sunj Beach on Lopud: shallow, sandy, and easy to enjoy

Brand New Mercan Excursion 34 Private Tour From Dubrovnik Cavtat - Sunj Beach on Lopud: shallow, sandy, and easy to enjoy
Sunj Beach on Lopud is a welcome shift from cave time. You get a shallow sandy beach, about a kilometer long on the south side of Lopud, and it is great for chilling after the water stops. The key detail is how shallow it is: you often have to walk about 100 meters before you can swim. That makes it family-friendly in spirit, and it also makes it less stressful if you want a gentler water experience.

This is also where you can switch gears from “active” to “hang out.” Recreation options are part of the picture, with space for things like volleyball, tennis, and picigin. Even if you do not play, watching or joining in casually is a fun way to keep the day light.

Another reason this stop is valuable is recovery. After time in caves and changing positions in the water, your body tends to want warmth and rest. Sunj gives you that, plus a sandy shore where it is easier to reset between swims.

If you are a sunscreen person, reapply here. The water time can fool you into thinking you are not burning, especially if you have a bit of shade from clouds or cliffs.

Lopud time for lunch and coastline restaurants

Brand New Mercan Excursion 34 Private Tour From Dubrovnik Cavtat - Lopud time for lunch and coastline restaurants
Lopud is known for sandy beaches and restaurants along the coast, and this is your chance to eat without turning lunch into a logistical mission. It is a good break in the day because you can spread out a bit, walk the shore area, and pick a spot that feels comfortable.

This part of the day is also a smart pacing choice. After caves, you are moving into a slower rhythm where you can actually enjoy the island rather than just pass through it. If you like your travel days to include both active moments and quiet ones, Lopud usually hits that balance well.

When you are done, you return toward Dubrovnik. The ride back is about an hour, giving you a clear endpoint so you are not stuck in a long fade-out with no sense of when you will be home.

Practical advice: if you want a smoother meal, eat a bit earlier rather than at the busiest hour. You will still have plenty of time to enjoy Lopud after lunch, and you will feel less rushed.

Pasjača Beach: a natural shoreline stop when you want something different

Brand New Mercan Excursion 34 Private Tour From Dubrovnik Cavtat - Pasjača Beach: a natural shoreline stop when you want something different
If you do not want the standard Elafiti island circuit, or if you have already seen the usual spots, this tour adds Pasjača Beach as an option. It is described as an amazing natural beach, and the stop is about two hours.

This is the kind of stop that works well if you like beaches more than attractions. Pasjača is about the raw setting, the feeling of being somewhere a bit less “touristed,” and spending time in water that feels close to the natural environment.

Two hours is a solid window. It is long enough for a proper swim and some lounging, but not so long that your day becomes one long waiting period. By the time you get here, you have already had the cave highlights, so this feels like a reward stop.

If you like to take photos, this is one place to slow down. The beach setting usually provides a calmer scene than caves, and you can shoot without feeling like you must sprint from one small opening to the next.

What’s included, what costs extra on the boat, and packing reality

Brand New Mercan Excursion 34 Private Tour From Dubrovnik Cavtat - What’s included, what costs extra on the boat, and packing reality
This tour includes:

  • Snorkeling equipment
  • Bottled water
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Soda or pop
  • Skipper

It also lists admissions for the stops as free in the itinerary. That is a big deal for budgeting because you are not adding museum-style entry fees on top of your day.

What costs extra is the fuel surcharge, paid in cash to the boat. The amounts are listed as:

  • 30 EUR for a sunset tour
  • 80 EUR for a half-day
  • 150 EUR for a full day

Since this runs about 8 hours, you should expect it to fall in the full-day category, but double-check the exact amount with the operator when you book so you bring the correct cash.

For packing, the basics are not optional here. Bring:

  • bathing suit
  • towel
  • sunglasses
  • suncream (sunscreen)
  • hat
  • change of clothes
  • camera

This is the practical part that can make or break your comfort. If you forget sunscreen or a towel, you will feel it immediately, especially after multiple water stops.

Price and value: $360.44 per group can be a smart deal

Brand New Mercan Excursion 34 Private Tour From Dubrovnik Cavtat - Price and value: $360.44 per group can be a smart deal
The price is $360.44 per group, up to 12 people, for about 8 hours. Think about value in per-person terms, not just the headline price.

If your group fills the boat near capacity, the cost per person becomes relatively low for a private speedboat day that includes snorkeling equipment and drinks. If you are booking with fewer people, the per-person value drops, because you are still paying the full group rate.

So the sweet spot is simple:

  • book with friends
  • or book as a small group that wants the privacy and flexibility of your own boat

What you are really buying is time. A private speedboat lets you hit the Blue Cave and multiple island stops without spending half your day in transit. You also get a skipper actively managing the day, which tends to reduce stress compared with trying to coordinate your own boat and transfers.

Also, the tour is in English, and you get a mobile ticket, which is handy in a city where you might be bouncing between sights.

A final note on timing: this type of outing can be popular, with an average booking window around 62 days in advance. If you have dates you care about, start early so you are not gambling on last-minute availability.

Who should book this private speedboat day

I think this tour is a great match if you want:

  • a private boat day rather than a crowded group ride
  • the Blue Cave swim as a real active experience
  • a mix of caves and beach time on islands like Kolocep and Lopud
  • included snorkeling gear plus drinks to keep the day easy

It is less ideal if:

  • you do not swim comfortably, because the Blue Cave requires jumping in and you cannot stand inside
  • you want a purely relaxing day with no water entry moments

If you travel with a mixed group, you can still make it work as long as everyone agrees on the water expectations. The shoreline breaks at Sunj Beach and Pasjača help balance the more intense cave part.

Should you book the Mercan Excursion 34 private tour?

Yes, if you want a day that actually uses Dubrovnik’s coastline and the nearby islands instead of treating them as separate half-plans. The included snorkeling gear, bottled water, soda, and alcoholic beverages remove a lot of friction, and the private setup with up to 12 people makes it feel personal.

My “book it” nudge is the combination of timing and atmosphere. Blue Cave gives you the dramatic highlight, Kolocep adds variety with the three caves, and Lopud plus Pasjača gives you space to slow down. Add in the quiet boat feel and Antonio’s on-time, helpful guidance, and you get the sense that the day is run with care, not just speed.

If your group includes strong swimmers and you care about beaches as much as caves, this is a very solid value play. If anyone in your group is unsure about swimming without standing, consider whether another style of tour would fit better.

FAQ

How long is the Mercan Excursion 34 private tour from Dubrovnik?

The duration is approximately 8 hours.

How many people are on the private tour?

It is a private tour, and your group can be up to 12 people.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are drinks and bottled water included?

Yes. Bottled water, soda/pop, and alcoholic beverages are included, along with the skipper.

Do I need to pay a fuel surcharge?

Yes. A fuel surcharge is paid in cash to the boat, with amounts listed as 30 EUR for a sunset tour, 80 EUR for a half day, and 150 EUR for a full day.

What should I bring with me?

Bring a bathing suit, towel, sunglasses, suncream (sunscreen), hat, change of clothes, and a camera.

What if the weather is poor and I want to cancel?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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