Dubrovnik Private Blue cave Tour with Pick up and Drinks

Blue Cave days feel unreal in the Adriatic sun. This is a private boat where you control the pace, and the Blue Cave swim is the headline. I also like that the trip is built around multiple water stops, not a rushed checklist, so you get real time to snorkel and relax.

The main thing to plan for is cost stacking. Your tour price covers the boat and crew, but fuel is extra and is paid to the skipper in cash, depending on tour length.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Private means just your group on board, so you can set the timing without juggling strangers.
• Blue Cave plus the three Green Caves for that blue versus green water contrast.
• Smart timing options (like starting early) to reduce time spent waiting around crowded stops.
• Snorkel kit and pool noodles are on hand, so you can hop in quickly.
• Secluded bay time anchored calmly, great for floating and staying off your feet.
• Skippers like Kiko, Bruno, and Pasko are repeatedly praised for route sense and restaurant help.

Why this private Blue Cave tour is different from the usual speedboat day

Dubrovnik has plenty of boat trips, but most have one big problem: you share the day with other groups and you all get dragged by the same schedule. This one works the other way. You are the only guests on the boat, and your skipper suggests a route, then you steer the decisions, including where to stop and how long to stay.

The value is in how the stops are timed and spaced. You are not just “seen at” a place and moved on, you get swim time, snorkel time, and quiet time. One rider even called out that starting early helps you reach the Blue Cave before the crowds.

A second win is the way the skipper adds local problem solving. If sea conditions are rough, you still keep the experience moving. If your group wants more beach time instead of more caves, that swap usually makes sense.

Choosing 4 hours, 6 hours, or 8 hours for the Elaphiti islands

You can book this as a 4, 6, or 8 hour private outing, and the best choice depends on how much you want to hop around versus linger.

A 4 hour half-day works well if your priority is the water highlights. Most people choose the Blue Cave, the three green caves, and Šunj beach. It is a tight, satisfying rhythm: arrive, swim, snorkel, then end with beach time.

A 6 hour option keeps everything from the 4 hour plan and adds a chance to explore an island with lunch. The extra time is often used to visit Lopud or Šipan, where you can stop for food at a seaside spot.

For a full day, 8 hours, you get the widest island mix. Think the three Elaphiti islands: Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. You still get cave and beach time, plus more village wandering and a lunch stop in a restaurant by the sea.

My practical take: if you are traveling as a couple or a small group that really wants the island vibe, go longer. If your group is mainly about caves and swimming and you want to be back in town early, 4 hours is a great fit.

Blue Cave entry: what to expect in that famous blue water

The Blue Cave is the signature stop for a reason. When you enter, you are looking for clear, bright water that turns that deep blue shade that photographers chase. Your skipper brings you in at the right moment, and you have time to swim and enjoy it at your own pace.

A few skippers in the mix, including Kiko and Bruno, are specifically praised for planning around crowd flow. Translation: arriving early can mean less waiting and more time with your mask on.

Important reality check: you should be comfortable with a cave swim setting. You are using snorkel gear, so you will likely spend time floating and breathing through your snorkel. If your group prefers beach breaks over active swimming, you can still do it, but you may want the shorter option so you do not feel pushed to keep moving.

Also, the sea can be choppy sometimes. One family noted rough water during their day, but the skipper still made it feel smooth and safe.

The three Green Caves: snorkel-friendly variety, not just one more stop

After the Blue Cave, the day typically continues to the three green caves. The contrast is part of the fun. Blue Cave is about dramatic blue light and a cave swim vibe, while the green caves offer a different color mood and a more varied set of water moments.

You are not limited to one tiny look. You get to explore the cave system areas as the skipper times the stops and manages the flow for your group size.

This is also a great place for a “try it, then decide” approach. If you feel good in the water, you can stay longer. If you want a calmer moment to float and watch, you can ask for that too. Private touring turns cave time from a mandatory sprint into a choose-your-own-feelings experience.

Šunj beach and the day’s best kind of pause: calm anchoring in a secluded bay

One of the most underrated parts of a private boat day is what happens between the big attractions. This tour includes time anchored in calmer water in a secluded bay, which is where the whole experience stops feeling like transportation and starts feeling like vacation.

From there, Šunj beach is a common favorite. It gives you a mix of beach relaxation and the option to re-enter the water later. One skipper also pointed a group to a small drinks stop near Šunj that felt off the beaten path, not like a tourist trap.

If you like simple moments, this is where you get them. Expect sandy and rocky beach time depending on where you land and what your skipper recommends. Your group can spread out, dry off when you want, and keep the day on your schedule.

Practical note: sunscreen matters. Even if you keep moving from stop to stop, you are in open sun between cave visits and you will feel it by the afternoon.

Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep: village time, lunch by the sea, and real island rhythm

The longer tours add the Elaphiti islands in a way that feels like an island day, not just a ferry ride with swims.

For Lopud, people tend to like the combination of shoreline time and village energy. On a 6 hour or 8 hour day, the skipper can also set up lunch. One captain even helped book a table and then took the group to the restaurant by boat.

Šipan fits the same pattern, with that slower, seaside pace. If your group wants a sit-down lunch rather than snacks, the 6 or 8 hour option makes it easier.

For the full day, you add Koločep too, which rounds out the mix of beaches, coves, and small-scale village exploring. The best part is flexibility. Your skipper can suggest the order based on what you like, like more swimming spots versus more time on land.

Here is a realistic expectation: you will not “tour every corner” of these islands in 8 hours. What you will do is get enough time to feel the atmosphere, plus the water highlights that Dubrovnik land tourists do not usually get.

Onboard setup that makes swimming and snacking easy

This boat is designed for comfort and quick water access. On board you get a coolbox with drinks, snorkeling gear, and safety gear, so you are not scrambling to find equipment after meeting at the dock.

Included items you will actually use:

• Masks and snorkels
• Lifejackets
• Pool noodles
• Speakers with Bluetooth (so you can play your own playlist)
• A skipper who manages the timing and stops

Drinks are included, but not unlimited. Based on recent days, that often means you are offered options like water plus beer and wine, then the cooler keeps things going until it reaches its limit.

If you have kids or you have anyone who prefers extra safety, you can also bring your own comfort gear. One family noted they brought extra life vests for children, even though lifejackets are provided.

Also, the boat setup matters for logistics. Pickups and drop-offs are built into the experience, so you are not hunting for parking and walking to a random dock.

Pickup and drop-off around Dubrovnik: how to meet without stress

This is built for convenience. Pickup and drop-off are offered where selected, and there are multiple pickup options so you can meet closer to where you are staying.

Pickup locations include places like:

• Gruž Market
• Sun Gardens Dubrovnik
• Zaton Harbour
• Štikovica 22
• AdriaWave Dubrovnik
• Sunshine Sailing Dubrovnik
• Dubrovnik, Gruž Market is also listed as an option

Drop-off locations mirror those same convenient points, including Sun Gardens Dubrovnik, Zaton Harbour, and Gruž Market among others.

My advice: choose the pickup option closest to you to save time and reduce stress. Then arrive 10 minutes early so the crew can start on schedule. Several skippers are praised for being prompt.

The real cost: tour price plus fuel and the lunch choice

Pricing is structured like this:

• Tour price is $329 per group up to 6
• Fuel is not included and is paid to the skipper in cash
• Fuel add-ons depend on tour length: 4 hours costs 65 euro, 6 hours costs 80 euro, 8 hours costs 95 euro

That means your total spend is not just the headline price. For a true budget, you should assume you will add the fuel fee at the end.

Is it worth it? For a private cave and island swim day, the answer is usually yes if your group wants flexibility. You are paying for two things: privacy and time control. The skipper can tailor the day so you do not feel trapped in a rigid schedule.

Lunch is not provided. Instead, the skipper can recommend restaurants, book a table, and take you there with the boat. That’s a big deal if you want food without scrambling around with taxis while you are on island time.

Who this tour is best for, and who should skip it

This works best for small groups who want control and comfort. It is also a smart pick for families who want a short, swim-focused day, as long as everyone can handle getting in and out of the water comfortably.

It is not suitable for:

• People with mobility impairments
• Wheelchair users

Also, there is a simple conduct rule: no littering.

If your group includes swimmers and snorkelers, you will feel the payoff fastest. If your group prefers to stay mostly on land, you might still enjoy it, but you should lean toward the longer duration so you get enough beach and island time.

Who you will probably enjoy it with most

This is an experience I would point toward:

• Couples who want the Blue Cave without the stress of a crowded boat
• Friend groups up to 6 who want a day that can flex based on mood
• Families who want safety gear on board and time to swim in shorter bursts

One extra plus from the way skippers run the day: they often share local stories and keep the day friendly. Names like Kiko, Bruno, Pasko, and Christian come up in positive notes for being warm hosts and for helping make the timing work.

Tips to get more fun out of the day

• Start with the time of day that helps you beat crowds. If you can choose, early starts are repeatedly praised for making the Blue Cave smoother.
• Plan for shade breaks. Even with swims, you will spend long stretches in sun between stops.
• Bring a water-friendly bag. You will likely have phones, towels, and snorkel items, and you want a simple way to keep them dry.
• If you get nervous about cave swims, tell the skipper early. This is private, so you can adjust your comfort level and still enjoy the best views.

Should you book this Dubrovnik private Blue Cave tour?

If your dream Dubrovnik day includes swimming in the Blue Cave, mixing in Green Caves, and finishing with beach and anchored bay relaxation, booking is an easy yes. The private setup, snorkel gear, and skipper support make it feel like a day that fits your group, not a conveyor belt.

I would skip it only if your group needs wheelchair access or if everyone wants mostly land sightseeing with minimal water time. Otherwise, the combination of caves, islands, and flexible pacing is exactly the kind of day that turns Dubrovnik from a postcard city into something you remember by the water.

If you are weighing options, my quick rule is simple: choose 4 hours for caves and swimming with a fast return, choose 6 or 8 hours if you want real island flavor plus lunch and more time to breathe.

FAQ

What locations can the pickup happen from?

Pickup is available from several Dubrovnik area points, including Zaton Harbour, Sun Gardens Dubrovnik, Štikovica 22, AdriaWave Dubrovnik – boat tours and rentals, Dubrovnik, Gruž Market, Sunshine Sailing Dubrovnik.

What does the tour include besides the boat and skipper?

The tour includes a coolbox with drinks (not unlimited), Bluetooth speakers, pool noodles, masks and snorkels, lifejackets, and pickup and drop-off if you select that option.

Are drinks included, and are they unlimited?

Drinks are included on every tour, but they are not unlimited. A coolbox is provided, and you can expect drinks during the day up to the included limit.

What fuel costs should I expect?

Fuel is not included in the tour price. The fuel fee is paid to the skipper in cash, and it depends on the tour length: 65 euro for 4 hours, 80 euro for 6 hours, and 95 euro for 8 hours.

Is lunch provided on the tour?

Lunch is not provided. Instead, the skipper can recommend restaurants, book a table for you, and take you there by boat.

Who is this tour not suitable for?

It is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or for wheelchair users.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.