Private Speedboat Guided Tour: Explore the best of Dubrovnik Islands

Forget crowded boats, take the coast by speedboat. This is a private day trip that lets you look at Dubrovnik from the water, then chase the light in the Blue Cave area on Kolocep, with time on Lopud and Sipan. I like that the day is skipper-led, so you do not need any experience. I also like the hands-on snorkeling option, with gear included and a real sense of place because skippers like Niksa and Antonio keep the stops moving with stories and local context.

One catch to plan for: there is a fuel surcharge of 100 EUR in cash on the day, and the tour depends on good weather.

Key things I’d plan around

• Private group up to 12 means you avoid the big-boat bottlenecks and get a calmer schedule
• Skipper-led and no experience required keeps this realistic even if you are not a boat person
• Snorkeling equipment included makes the cave swims simple, just show up ready
• Kolocep and Lopud beach time gives you both cave-and-water action and actual shore breaks
• Drinks onboard included (water, soda, local beer, red and white wine) for a smoother day
• A second Blue Cave stop adds variety if conditions let you spend more time in the water

Cruising the Dubrovnik islands at your own pace

This tour is built around a private speedboat, sized for up to 12 people. That matters because you are not waiting around for other groups, and the skipper can adjust pacing to how your group feels.

The vibe is relaxed but active. You get cruising time to see the coastline properly, then real swim stops where the scenery is the point. You can hang in the shade or move to the sun, and the day includes snacks and drinks onboard, with bottled water, soda, local beer, and red and white wine.

And because it is skipper-led, you are not responsible for route choices or navigation. You just follow along, listen when the skipper shares legends and facts, and make the call on how much swimming you want to do.

Dubrovnik’s old town walls from the water, under Lovrijenac

Before you head island-hopping, you start with a panoramic viewpoint of Dubrovnik’s old town city walls. This is the kind of angle you rarely get from land, because the walls look different when you are floating beside them.

Your skipper will talk through legends and interesting facts, including what you see beneath Lovrijenac fortress. Lovrijenac sits on a steep 37 m cliff above the Adriatic Sea, so from the boat you get a strong sense of how dramatically this area rises out of the water.

Practical takeaway: bring your camera early. This is a great moment for photos before the day gets fully focused on swimming and beaches.

Kolocep and the Blue Cave swim with provided snorkel gear

Kolocep is where the day turns into a full-on water experience. You get a dedicated stop to explore the Blue Cave area on Kolocep, and the plan is simple: put on your mask and flippers, then swim through the cave entrance.

One detail worth knowing is how the cave feels. The entrance appears small, but once you get inside, it turns into a much larger space. The light is the showpiece, with sun rays reflecting off the cave walls and creating that famous blue coloring.

The tour includes snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to pack your own gear. You still want to be comfortable in the water, but you do not need special skills beyond following the skipper’s guidance.

Timing note: you have about an hour at Kolocep for this part. That is usually enough for a relaxed swim and photos, but if your group wants extra time in the water, you will feel the clock.

Lopud island: gardens, a Franciscan monastery, and a lunch option

After Kolocep, you head to Lopud, where the day shifts to island exploring. Lopud has a village vibe where lunch can be organized at popular restaurants, so you can choose what fits your taste and budget rather than being rushed into one fixed menu.

Lopud is also known for older botanical gardens created during the Dubrovnik Republic era. The story here is tied to sailors bringing back exotic plants from their voyages, so the gardens became a living collection of what the seafarers found.

You will also have time to look at a Franciscan monastery from the 15th century. And there is a modern touch too: a museum of light opened more recently, which gives Lopud some range between classic and contemporary.

The drawback to keep in mind: the stop is about an hour. That means you can enjoy a short walk and pick a couple of sights, but you likely will not do a slow, deep exploration.

Šunj Beach on Lopud, built for relaxed swims

If you want a break from caves, this is the stop that makes the day feel balanced. Šunj Beach sits on the south side of Lopud, and the schedule gives you a longer break here, around two hours.

The standout practical feature is the water depth. It stays shallow for many meters, roughly up to your waist. That usually means warmer water and easier wading for anyone who prefers not to swim far from shore.

It is also a family-friendly option based on that shallow stretch, plus there are a few beach bars where you can grab coffee, a cocktail, or lunch if you did not eat earlier.

My advice: if your group includes kids, this is the moment to settle in. It is where the day slows down, and it also gives you a buffer before the later cave and island stops.

Sipan and Sudurad for views and noble-era stories

Next you hop to Sipan, with a shorter stop focused on a fishing village called Sudurad. This is more about atmosphere than a long checklist, and it fits well after the beach time.

You get a rocky beach setting and big views, plus history tied to aristocratic Dubrovnik families. Sipan, like several islands in the area, was popular with Dubrovnik’s nobles, so the skipper can connect what you are seeing to that past.

Timing note: your Sipan stop is about 30 minutes. That is enough for a quick look around, a swim if conditions allow, and some viewpoint time, but not enough for a full walking tour.

Blue Cave Dubrovnik, three caves and another swim window

Later in the day, you get another look at the cave experience with Blue Cave Dubrovnik. Here the description gets more specific: three caves were formed by the abrasive effect of the sea piercing through Kolocep’s cliff side.

The practical plan is still similar. You can swim through the cave passages and enjoy the sense of scale and light. If earlier cave time left you wanting more, this second window often feels like the closer.

Timing is around 40 minutes for this part. That feels deliberate, enough for a meaningful swim session without turning the whole day into one long cave stop.

Drinks, snorkel gear, and what is actually included

Here is what you do not have to worry about. The tour includes use of snorkeling equipment, plus bottled water and soda onboard. Local beer and red and white wine are included too, which can make the day feel more like a private outing and less like a strict sightseeing schedule.

The boat rental and skipper/host are also included, which matters because you are paying for the experience of having a guide and a craft dedicated to your group.

Also, multiple stops list admission ticket as free, so you are not hit with extra gate fees for the cave and island activities noted in the schedule.

Price and logistics: when this is good value

The price is 802.84 USD per group, up to 12 people, for about 8 hours. That can sound steep if you think of it as a per-person outing, but private boat pricing works differently.

The key value driver is that you are sharing the cost across your group. If you have enough people, it becomes a very practical way to get on the water for a full day without dealing with crowded boats. You also get a skipper, snorkel gear, and onboard drinks included, which reduces the number of add-ons you would normally handle yourself.

One item you should treat as non-negotiable budgeting: a fuel surcharge of 100 EUR paid in cash on the day. Plan for that so you are not surprised at the end of the trip.

If you are traveling as only two or three people, you might feel the cost more. In that case, it helps to compare against other Dubrovnik island options and decide if the private feel and cave access are worth paying for.

Who this tour suits best, and who might want a different day

This is a strong fit if you want a mix of viewpoints, swimming, and island time with minimal planning. The schedule has enough variety to work for couples, groups of friends, and families who want beach time plus a cave swim.

It is also a great pick if you want to snorkel but do not want to manage the logistics. The gear is included, and the skipper handles the route and the stop flow.

The main consideration is pacing. Each island stop is time-limited, so if you like long walks or extended museum-style time, you may find 30 minutes or one hour feels short. The day is designed for movement and water time, not for slow wandering.

Should you book this speedboat island day?

I would book this if you want a private speedboat day that actually spends time where the scenery matters, from Dubrovnik’s walls to Kolocep’s Blue Cave and the Lopud beach break. The included snorkeling gear and onboard drinks make it feel like you are paying for a complete outing, not piecing together a bunch of separate plans.

I would think twice if your group is budget-sensitive, or if you know you want a very slow island day with lots of shore time. The cave and swim slots are the heart of the experience, and the island stops are structured to keep the day moving.

If you are flexible on weather, and your group is 4 to 12 people, this one often makes the most sense.

FAQ

How long is the Dubrovnik islands private speedboat tour?

It runs for about 8 hours.

What is the group size for this private tour?

It is a private experience for your group, up to 12 people.

Is snorkeling included, and do I need to bring equipment?

Yes, snorkeling equipment is included, and the skipper leads the tour, so you do not need prior experience.

What stops are included during the day?

You’ll visit Dubrovnik viewpoints near Lovrijenac, Kolocep (Blue Cave area), Lopud (including time for the village and Šunj Beach), Sipan (Sudurad), and Blue Cave Dubrovnik (three cave passages).

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included, but you can organize lunch at restaurants on the islands.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The tour includes soda, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages like local beer, red, and white wine.

Is there an extra fuel charge?

Yes. There is a fuel surcharge of 100 EUR paid in cash on the day of the tour.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What happens if weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.