Reviewed · BLUE CAVE EXCURSIONS

Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling

5.0 · 62 reviews 2 to 8 hours (approx.) From $362.05 Operated by Adriatic Boat Tours · Bookable on Viator
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Blue cave water turns heads fast. This private speedboat day around Dubrovnik mixes big cave views, easy swims, and classic island beach time, with snorkel equipment included so you can actually see the sea life. I also love that the crew brings the comfort package on board, including beer and wine plus soft drinks, so the trip feels more like a relaxed outing than a rushed tour.

One thing to plan for: fuel is not included, so you’ll likely pay an extra charge at the end based on how long you booked.

I also like that the experience is truly private, up to 4 people, so your skipper can steer the day toward what you care about most. In past departures, skippers named Toni and Rocco have been praised for asking preferences and shaping the route, which is exactly what you want when caves and swim time are the whole point.

Key Things That Make This Boat Tour Worth Your Time

Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling - Key Things That Make This Boat Tour Worth Your Time

  • Blue Cave and nearby caves with snorkelling gear included, so you can enjoy the underwater look without bringing your own setup
  • Drinks on board, including beer and wine, plus soft drinks and bottled water
  • A flexible island route across Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj, depending on your option and timing
  • Sandy beach time is built in, not just a quick photo stop
  • A private group experience up to 4, with a skipper who can adjust where you linger

A Private Speedboat Day in Dubrovnik Waters

Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling - A Private Speedboat Day in Dubrovnik Waters
If your Dubrovnik plans include time on the water, this is one of the simplest ways to do it without dealing with crowds or schedule whiplash. You start on a private speedboat, and the whole rhythm of the day is built around swimming opportunities, cave stops, and island beach time.

The practical win is that you get to focus on what matters: the water. Dubrovnik’s coastline is beautiful, but it’s the Elaphiti islands and cave areas that really feel like a different world. And because it’s private (just your group), you’re not stuck waiting for a big group shuffle before you can jump in.

Expect the day to be weather-dependent. When conditions are good, you’ll get the full run of stops; when they are not, the operator will move you to another date or refund you, so don’t book if you are locked into a single day no matter what.

Snorkel Gear and Drinks: The Comfort Stuff That Matters

Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling - Snorkel Gear and Drinks: The Comfort Stuff That Matters
This tour is priced like an experience, not just transportation, and the included extras help you get the most time in the water without scrambling for items. Snorkel equipment is included, along with bottled water and soft drinks (coca-cola type sodas are listed). That sounds basic, but out on the open water it matters, especially when you’re doing repeat swims.

Alcohol is also part of the included menu. You can count on beer and wine, and if you book the sunset option, there’s a bottle of champagne listed as included. This is a fun touch if you want the day to feel like a celebration, not a chore.

Practical note: a “toilet on board” is not included. If you think you’ll need it, plan ahead before you get on the boat, and don’t assume there will be restroom breaks.

Koločep Island and the Blue Cave Swim

Your first main stop centers on Koločep Island, and this is where the day earns its name. You’ll visit the Blue Cave plus three more caves in the Koločep area. The key detail is that the caves are experienced through swimming and snorkelling, not just from the boat.

Why it’s special: cave water and daylight make the color change. As the sun reflects into the cave openings, the water can look vividly blue, and that effect is hard to recreate from land. If you like photos, you’ll get them. If you care more about being in the action, you’ll still have a good payoff because the plan is built around getting in the water.

Time wise, plan on about an hour for this first cave and swim portion. That’s enough time to suit up, get a look, and still avoid feeling like you are rushing. If you want a slower pace, this is one of the places you should ask your skipper to linger, since it’s the most “once-in-a-day” moment.

Also note the admission ticket for this stop is listed as free. So you are paying for the boat and time, not for each cave fee on top.

Šipan Island Lunch Break and Island Pace

Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling - Šipan Island Lunch Break and Island Pace
After Koločep, the itinerary moves to Šipan. This is more of a “reset and recharge” stop than the intense cave hour. You’ll have about two hours here, and lunch is available at a nice restaurant, but lunch is explicitly not included.

This stop is valuable even if you’re not hungry yet because it helps keep the day balanced. You swim, snorkel, and see caves early, then you get a break to dry off, eat something, and wander at an island pace.

What I’d do if you book this: decide your lunch budget before you get off the boat. Since lunch is not included, you’ll want to avoid surprises, especially if you plan to pair it with a drink or two.

Lopud Island Churches, Monastery, and Sandy Beach Time

Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling - Lopud Island Churches, Monastery, and Sandy Beach Time
Next up is Lopud, which is a good “stroll and breathe” stop. You’ll get about an hour, and the plan calls out churches and a monastery, along with the chance to walk and soak in the island vibe.

Lopud matters on this tour because it adds variety. The morning is mostly water and caves. Lopud brings you back to land, where you can stretch your legs and move at a slower speed than the boat schedule.

The catch is simple: one hour goes fast. If you enjoy sightseeing, prioritize what you care about most and let your skipper know you want short walk breaks rather than a long scenic detour.

Admission is listed as free for this stop too, so again you are not stacking extra ticket costs on top of your boat time.

Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling - Sunj Beach: Relaxing on Dubrovnik’s Most Popular Sand
Sunj Beach is typically your final “easy win” stop on the standard route. It’s described as the most popular sandy beach in the Dubrovnik area, and the plan includes about an hour to relax and enjoy beach bars.

This is a great place to slow down after caves and snorkelling. You can rinse off, put on dry clothes, and spend time doing something you can’t do on a boat.

One practical tip: sandy beaches are better when you arrive with the right mindset. Wear water shoes if you have sensitive feet. Bring something small to protect your skin, since you’ll be out under open sky.

Also, Sunj is where the included alcohol can make sense. You’ll be in “vacation mode,” and beach-bar drinks pair well with the relaxed finish.

Lokrum Island on Request, and Why It Changes the Route

Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling - Lokrum Island on Request, and Why It Changes the Route
Lokrum Island is included only on request. The listing notes that it sits in front of the Old Town Dubrovnik and that it is on a different side from the Elaphiti islands. It also says that if Lokrum is included, you may not see all the Elaphiti islands.

That’s the key consideration. Lokrum can be appealing, but it can also trade away some of the Elaphiti island coverage. If your priority is the full island sweep, you may want to skip Lokrum unless you have a specific reason to go.

Time wise, it’s listed as about an hour, and the admission ticket is not included. So if Lokrum is part of your ideal day, plan for extra cost for entry.

The 8-Hour Option to Mljet National Park

Private Speedboat Tour- Blue cave, sandy beaches and snorkelling - The 8-Hour Option to Mljet National Park
If you book the option that runs up to 8 hours for Blue Cave and NP Mljet, this is where the day expands. Mljet is described as 50 km away from Dubrovnik, about two hours by speedboat, which means travel time becomes part of your overall experience.

Here, you’re looking at a different kind of attraction: National Park sights instead of just caves and beaches. The plan includes visiting Limuni sandy beach, Odysseus cave, and the salty lakes inside the park. Importantly, admission ticket for Mljet is not included.

What this means for you: you’re paying for a long day at sea, plus park time. It’s the kind of option that suits you best if you want variety and you don’t mind giving up a bit of pure beach and snorkel time for a bigger setting.

Keep in mind that this longer option comes with a different fuel surcharge too, so you’ll want to budget beyond the headline price.

Price and Logistics: Where the Real Value Shows Up

The tour price is listed at $362.05 per group, up to 4, with a duration that can run from about 2 to 8 hours depending on the option you choose. That means you can spread the cost across a small group, which often makes private boat time more reasonable than it sounds at first.

Here’s the best way to think about value: the price covers the skipper and the included onboard items. You also get snorkel equipment, bottled water, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages. Those extras add up quickly if you were trying to reproduce the day on your own with rentals, drinks, and transport.

Then comes the one financial wrinkle: fuel is not included. The additional cost is listed as:

  • €50.00 per booking for 4 hours
  • €70.00 per booking for 8 hours
  • €120.00 per booking for NP Mljet

This is the part that can sting if you ignore it. The most honest approach is to treat the fuel charge as part of your true all-in budget. If you want the “it felt effortless” experience that private boats are known for, make sure you’re comfortable with the extra fuel line item when the day ends.

One more logistics detail: pick up and drop off are listed as not included. At the same time, the experience highlights air-conditioned round transfers, and one review mentions a pick-up point about a 10-minute taxi ride from Old Town. So, expect a meeting point you reach on your own, then transfers take over from there.

Tips to Make Your Cave and Snorkel Time Go Smoothly

To get the most out of the caves, snorkelling, and beach stops, think in terms of comfort and timing.

First, for snorkelling, don’t treat it like an afterthought. Snorkel equipment is provided, which is great, but you still want to be ready to use it right away. Bring a simple swim routine mindset: get suited quickly, do one calm pass to look around, then decide if you want another go.

Second, wear the right gear for the water. Even if the tour provides the snorkel equipment, you’ll want shoes if you are the type who gets uncomfortable on sand and rocky edges. And if you burn easily, bring sun protection.

Third, plan your day around the cave hour. The cave portion is the most unique part of the trip, and it comes early. If you are prone to getting distracted, set a goal for that first swim. For example, focus on seeing the light effects inside the caves and spending your time there instead of saving energy for later.

Fourth, set expectations about pacing. The itinerary includes multiple islands and multiple stops, even if some are shorter. If you want a slower, linger-more day, you’ll need to communicate that to your skipper early.

Finally, dry comfort matters. Since there is no toilet on board listed, and since you’ll likely be changing in and out of swim mode, keep a small bag with what you need for that transition.

Should You Book This Private Blue Cave Speedboat Tour?

I think you should book if you want a private day that mixes the big moment of the Blue Cave with actual time to swim and snorkel, plus sandy beach payoff later. The onboard inclusions, especially snorkel gear and drinks, make it feel like a full experience rather than a basic transfer.

I would skip or reconsider if you have a tight budget and don’t want to handle the fuel surcharge at the end, or if you need a guaranteed Lokrum or a guaranteed Mljet stop. Lokrum is on request, and Mljet only appears on the longer 8-hour option.

If you’re okay budgeting for fuel and you value time on the water, this is the kind of Dubrovnik experience that feels like you left town in the best possible way, not just sightseeing nearby.

FAQ

How many people is this private speedboat tour for?

The tour is private, and the group size is up to 4 people.

How long is the tour?

It runs from about 2 to 8 hours, depending on the option you book.

What is included for snorkelling?

Snorkel equipment is included, along with use of the snorkeling equipment.

Are meals included on Šipan Island?

Lunch on Šipan Island is not included in the price.

What drinks are included on board?

You’ll have bottled water, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages (beer and wine) listed as included. Champagne is only included for the sunset tour.

Do I pay extra for fuel?

Yes. Fuel is not included, with additional costs listed per booking for 4 hours, 8 hours, and the NP Mljet option.

Is there a toilet on the boat?

A toilet on board is not included.

Is Lokrum Island included on every tour?

Lokrum Island is only included on request, and if it is included you may not see all of the Elaphiti islands.

Is Mljet National Park included?

Mljet National Park is included only on the option labeled as the 8-hour tour for Blue Cave and NP Mljet. Admission is not included.

What happens if the weather is bad?

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

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