Brand New Mercan Excursion 34 Private Tour From Dubrovnik Cavtat

A private speedboat day around Dubrovnik is interesting because you get big water views with real swim stops, not just a drive-by. This outing mixes a panoramic cruise near Dubrovnik City Walls with cave time, then relaxes on sandy islands beaches. You also get a private setup for up to 12 people, so the day feels flexible and personal.

Two things I love here are the Blue Cave swim experience and how the boat time is paced with actual breaks. The main consideration is that the Blue Cave visit involves entering from the sea and you cannot stand inside the cave, so comfortable swimming helps a lot.

Key highlights you will care about

• Private group size up to 12, so you are not stuck with strangers and you can move at a natural pace
• Blue Cave access from the sea, with a short swim and no need for scuba-style diving gear
• Koločep Island for Three Green Caves, including two green caves plus a canyon cave
• Sunj Beach on Lopud, shallow sand for an easy splash, plus time for lunch nearby
• Snorkeling equipment included, with bottled water and drinks on board
• Easy, direct guide support, with a notably punctual and helpful skipper (Antonio is name-checked in feedback)

A private speedboat day that links Dubrovnik views with real swim time

This is the kind of tour that makes Dubrovnik feel larger than the old town. You start out with coastal sightseeing, then the day pivots fast into water time. The caves are the headline, but the best part is that the plan also includes proper beach lounging so you are not just chasing the next photo.

On board, you get the basics covered: a skipper, bottled water, soda, and alcoholic beverages. You also get snorkeling equipment, which is useful for the shoreline and cave-entry moments where it is easier to glance around than to plan a whole swim routine.

The tour runs about 8 hours and is offered in English. It is a private experience, so only your group participates, which is a big deal if you want a quieter day on the water.

Price and value for up to 12 people

The cost is $360.44 per group for up to 12 people. That pricing model is what can make this feel like good value, because you are essentially paying for the boat day as a group package, not per head for every stop.

To judge value, do one quick math step: if you fill 8 to 12 seats, the per-person cost drops a lot. If you only have a small group, it can still feel worthwhile if you really want a private boat day and you plan to use the snorkel gear and enjoy the drink-and-relax pace.

One extra detail to budget: there is a fuel surcharge paid in cash on the boat, with amounts listed as 30€ for a sunset tour, 80€ for a half day, and 150€ for a full day. Since this tour is around 8 hours, it is wise to assume it will fall into the full-day range unless your operator confirms otherwise.

What you get on board, plus what to bring so the day runs smooth

The included items are practical and worth paying attention to:

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

This matters because it means you can pack lighter. If you are traveling with limited luggage, having gear and drinks sorted makes the day feel effortless.

What is not included is also important because it affects comfort at the caves and on the beaches:

• Bathing suit
• Towel
• Sunglasses, suncream, hat
• Camera
• Change of clothes

I also recommend thinking about shoes. The tour is beach and cave focused, and you will likely be walking a bit on shore and stepping around entry points. If you have water shoes, they can save you from slippery moments, even if the plan is not a hiking route.

One more small but meaningful point from feedback: the boat experience is described as very quiet. That changes the mood, especially when you want to talk with your group or listen to your own music.

Stop 1: Dubrovnik City Walls coastline views, then off to the Blue Cave

The day starts with sightseeing that frames Dubrovnik from the water. You get a private panoramic cruise around the coast of Dubrovnik, then you move on to the Blue Cave with about a 20-minute drive built into the schedule. Stop time for this first segment is around 25 minutes, so it is not long, but it is enough to get the lay of the coastline and understand the cliffs you see from land.

Why this first stop works: it helps you understand the geography before you go into the caves. When you later swim near the cave entrance, you tend to appreciate the coastal structure more because you have already seen it from multiple angles.

A possible drawback is timing. The early sightseeing is short, so if you want lots of onboard time just to linger, you may feel rushed. The tradeoff is that the tour rapidly delivers its main activities.

Stop 2: Blue Cave swim visit, entrance rules, and depth reality

This is the signature stop, and the tour description makes the rules clear. The only way to visit the Blue Cave is to enter from the sea. The entrance to the cave itself is small, and once you are inside, it is about 4 meters deep, with you not able to stand.

Also, you do not need to dive. You swim in, stay where it is comfortable, and you use the cave like a short, contained swim moment rather than a prolonged underwater mission. The time scheduled here is about 35 minutes, which is typically long enough to enter, enjoy the effect, and get out without turning it into a long stress test.

What to do to make this easier:

• Be comfortable getting in from the water, even if you do not love cold entry
• Keep your movements calm once inside the cave, because you cannot stand
• Bring sunscreen planning into your cave time, since you might spend more time out in the sun than you expect

One more note: the entrance is small. If someone in your group is nervous about squeezing through, this is a spot where it helps to set expectations before you jump in.

If you are looking for a “wow” moment, this stop is where it happens. The tour is designed around giving you a realistic chance to actually experience the cave rather than just viewing it.

Stop 3: Koločep’s Three Green Caves, a change of scenery from the Blue Cave

After the Blue Cave, the plan moves to Three Green Caves on Koločep Island. You get two green caves and one canyon cave, and the scheduled time here is about 1 hour.

This matters because the day stops being just one cave story. You are switching between different cave shapes and lighting effects, which can feel like a variety pack. The green caves also change the color mood compared with the Blue Cave, and that makes the photos less repetitive.

The main consideration is stamina and comfort with repeated water entry. Even if each swim is manageable, you are still doing multiple water-based segments in one day. If you pace yourself and treat it as short swim sessions, it feels fun. If you push too hard early, you might feel tired by the beach portion.

Stop 4: Sunj Beach on Lopud, long shallow sand and actual downtime

Next comes the recovery stop that makes the whole itinerary make sense: Sunj Beach on Lopud. It is described as a shallow sandy beach that is about 1 kilometer long on the south side of the island. The key feature for many groups is that it is so shallow you might walk around 100 meters before you are in swimming depth.

Why I think this is smart: after caves, you do not want another technical water segment. Sunj Beach gives you an easy reset. It is also family-friendly in a practical way because the water is not deep immediately, and you can relax without constant worry.

The scheduled time here is about 1 hour. That is enough for a swim, a towel break, and some sun time without taking over your day.

The tour also mentions activities like volleyball, tennis, and picigin. Even if you do not plan to play, it is a sign the beach has an energetic, social feel, so you get that island-atmosphere without needing to arrange anything.

Stop 5: Lopud lunch time along the coast, then heading back to Dubrovnik

After Sunj Beach, you continue to Lopud itself, where you can enjoy restaurants along the coast. The stop is about 3 hours, which is valuable because it is not just a quick stop for a snack. This is where you can slow down and do lunch like a normal person.

This segment is also where a private tour shines. You can manage your time based on your group. If you want a long lunch and more beach walking, you can usually do that. If you want to eat quickly and freshen up before the boat ride back, you also can.

Then the plan includes the return to Dubrovnik, which takes about 1 hour. That return block matters because it gives you a natural ending, rather than finishing abruptly after the last swim.

A practical drawback: because Lopud time is long, people can over-plan, like trying to squeeze in both a long beach walk and a full multi-course meal. If your group is hungry and tired, keep the plan simple. You are here for the sea day first.

Stop 6: Pasjača Beach as the alternative when you skip the Elaphiti loop

The tour has a conditional option that changes the whole feel of the day: Pasjača Beach. The provider notes they may take you to Pasjača if you do not want to go to the Elaphiti Islands or if you have already seen them.

Pasjača is described as an amazing natural beach, with about 2 hours allotted in the schedule when this option is used. If you are already familiar with the classic island stops around Dubrovnik, Pasjača can keep the day from feeling like a repeat circuit.

How to choose between the two moods:

• If you want island beaches, caves, and a classic Elaphiti feel, stick with Koločep and Lopud
• If you want a different kind of nature beach day, Pasjača can be a smarter use of time

Because this is framed as a possible substitution, it is worth asking when you confirm the booking. You want clarity on whether your day will include the full Elaphiti set or shift toward Pasjača.

Timing, weather, and how the day often lands around sunset vibes

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

From a practical standpoint, water tours like this are much more enjoyable when the sea is calm and visibility is decent for swimming and snorkeling. If you are booking late in your trip, it is wise to have flexibility for rescheduling.

One detail from feedback that is genuinely useful: the boat time can stretch into sunset, and you can enjoy swimming right up until the light changes. The quiet boat setup helps here too, because music and conversation carry differently when the engine noise is not dominating.

So if you are planning your Dubrovnik itinerary, try to place this on a day when you are not rushing to catch other tours immediately afterward. Let it be the anchor activity.

Who this tour is best for, and who should think twice

This private speedboat tour suits you if you want:

• A small group day on the water
• Real swim stops at caves and beaches
• Included snorkeling gear and drinks
• A calmer boat experience, where the atmosphere feels comfortable and not chaotic

It also helps if your group is comfortable with cave entry. The Blue Cave requires getting in from the sea, the cave entrance is small, and you cannot stand inside. If you are traveling with swimmers who feel confident, the experience becomes straightforward and fun.

Consider another style of tour if your group is strongly uncomfortable with water-based activities or if you are planning around strict mobility limitations. The tour notes that most travelers can participate, but the Blue Cave rules are specific.

The quality details that made feedback shine

One recurring theme in feedback is the human side. Antonio is specifically described as adorable, helpful, and very available from the moment of booking with all the necessary details. That kind of communication matters because it reduces day-of uncertainty, especially for a schedule that includes multiple water stops.

Another praised aspect is punctuality. When a tour starts on time in a city like Dubrovnik, your whole day feels less pressured.

And then there is the boat itself. Feedback highlights that the boat was sublime and notably quiet. That matters more than you might think. A quieter boat makes the trip feel more like cruising and less like commuting, and it lets you enjoy your own playlist while still hearing each other.

Should you book this private Mercan Excursion 34 day?

If you want a private day that combines Dubrovnik coast views, the Blue Cave swim, and a real beach reset on Lopud, this is a strong choice. The included snorkeling gear, drinks, and short but well-timed stops make it feel efficient without being rushed.

Book it if your group includes comfortable swimmers and you appreciate that the Blue Cave is a sea-entry swim, not a standing visit. It is also a good fit if you will fill enough of the group seats to get value from a per-group price.

I would hesitate only if your group hates any form of cave swimming or you cannot be flexible with weather. Since the tour depends on good conditions, pick a day where you can handle a reschedule.

FAQ

How long is the Brand New Mercan Excursion 34 private tour?

The duration is approximately 8 hours.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It is a private tour/activity, and only your group will participate.

How many people can be on the tour?

The tour price is per group up to 12 people.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What is included in the tour price?

Included are snorkeling equipment, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, soda or pop, and the skipper.

Are admission tickets included for the stops?

The stop descriptions list admission tickets as free for the included stops.

Is there an extra fuel surcharge?

Yes. Fuel surcharge is paid in cash on the boat, with amounts listed as 30€ for a sunset tour, 80€ for a half day, and 150€ for a full day.

What should I bring if I want to swim and stay comfortable?

You should bring a bathing suit, towel, sunglasses, suncream, hat, and change of clothes. Camera is also listed as not included.

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.