BLUE CAVE private speedboat tour with drinks

Dubrovnik has the famous walls, but what’s really interesting here is the water, specifically the Blue Cave color show. The tour is timed so you can avoid big crowds at the caves, which makes the whole experience feel more relaxed than the usual day-trip chaos.

Two things I like a lot. First, the tour gives you snorkeling equipment and life jackets as part of the package, so you do not waste time figuring out gear. Second, the free drinks are a real perk, beer, white wine, water, and juice, and some skippers, including Pavo and Ante, are known for keeping the day light and personal.

One consideration: the ticket price can feel different once you add the fuel surcharge and harbor fees, which you pay on the boat, plus this trip is weather-dependent.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Private speedboat, max 10 people so the day feels custom instead of scheduled for strangers
• Blue Cave and Green Caves on Kolocep with time at each spot for swimming and snorkeling
• Free drinks included (alcohol for adults 18+) plus bottled water and juice
• Šunj Beach on Lopud for about 1.5 hours in very clear, sandy water
• Skippers that steer to the best swim spots and keep the vibe friendly (music sometimes included)
• Snorkeling equipment and life jackets included for children and adults

Blue Cave mornings: beating the Dubrovnik cave crowds

This is the kind of tour that makes Dubrovnik feel like more than a walk through stone streets. You start with a speedboat run out to the Elaphiti Islands, and the payoff is a cave-and-sea morning built around bright light and clear water.

The timing matters. The tour runs in the summer season and starts early, around 8:30 AM (June 1 to September 15). That early departure is specifically set up to help you avoid big groups at the caves, so you get better time in the water and less waiting around.

Also, because it is private, your day is not locked to one rigid script. You still follow the main route, but the skipper can guide the pacing so you can spend more time where the water looks good in the moment. That flexibility is a big part of why people have such positive energy about this outing.

Up to 10 people, full gear and free drinks on the water

Let’s talk value, because this trip is more than a ride. The price for your group includes snorkeling equipment and life jackets for both kids and adults, plus a driver or guide onboard. You also get free drinks during the experience: beer, white wine, water, and juice. Alcohol is only for adults age 18 and up.

In plain terms, this means you can show up and go. No hunting for a snorkel set, no scrambling for a place to buy drinks once you are out on the water. If you are traveling with family or friends, that “everything handled” feeling is a real win.

A second value point is the beach stop. You do not just see caves from the boat. You also get time at Šunj Beach on Lopud, around 1.5 hours, so you can dry off, change out of the salty gear, and relax on sand in clear water.

Where to meet at Lapadska obala and how the 4-hour flow works

You meet at Lapadska obala 4, at the last wooden pier in a small marina. The tour’s start is listed near the Petar Sorkocevic Summerhouse area, so if you use a navigation app, search that area and then look specifically for the last wooden pier.

Plan to arrive 10 minutes early. This matters on speedboat tours because you need a quick check-in, fit life jackets, and get settled before you push off.

The duration is about 4 hours. A typical rhythm looks like this: you head to Kolocep first for the Blue Cave and Green Caves with shorter swim windows, then you move on to Lopud for Šunj Beach. Between those stops, you have time on the water, and that is when the included drinks are available.

Kolocep caves: Blue Cave light, Green Cave passages, and rock jump time

The cave portion is the star of the show, and it starts with Kolocep. The Blue Cave sits on the south side of the island of Kolocep. The famous color comes from sunlight refracting through the water and reflecting off the sand below. In real-world terms, it is the kind of place where the light makes the scene feel different every few minutes.

Next are the Green Caves. These are described as having underwater passages, and the tour route includes places where you can jump off rocks (always follow the skipper’s guidance on where it is safe to do so). The idea is that you get multiple ways to enjoy the water: floating, snorkeling, and short swim moments timed for visibility.

You also get dedicated time at the caves. The plan calls for about 30 to 35 minutes at each key cave stop. That is enough time to get your bearings, put on the snorkel gear, and enjoy the water without feeling rushed. It is also long enough that, if you want to focus on photos, you can do that without skipping the swim.

One practical tip: bring reef-safe sunscreen and keep your eyes on the skipper. Cave conditions and swim spots depend on the water that day, and the best captains nudge you toward the spots that look clear at that exact moment.

Lopud’s Šunj Beach: sand, clear water, and a woodland bar break

After the cave time, you shift from rock-and-water to sand-and-swim. The boat drops you at Šunj Beach on Lopud, and you stay about 1.5 hours.

Šunj is popular because it is the big sandy beach on the island. You also get time in extremely clear water, plus a shallow warm zone along the lagoon area, where the colors stretch from green to blue. Translation: it is easier to relax in than a deep rocky coastline.

The tour also builds in a real recovery break. There’s mention of a bar in the woods near the beach area, which is a nice change from spending your entire day standing under the sun. If you want more options, there are also nearby beach bars and a small forest restaurant up the hill.

This stop is where the tour becomes more than “just caves.” It turns into a half-day island break, with enough time to rinse off, eat if you brought snacks (lunch is not included), and enjoy the slow pace.

Private captain details: how skippers like Pavo and Ante shape the day

On a trip like this, the skipper is not just a driver. They influence the entire flow, from where you park the boat for the best water color to how the swim windows feel.

From the experience details and the way the captains are described, the best days have a few shared traits. The boat stays clean and comfortable, the captain gives clear guidance about swimming spots, and they adjust the day based on what your group wants. One group even described a skipper allowing music and lending gear for the swim, which tells you the vibe can be friendly, not stiff.

Names that come up include Pavo and Ante, with Antun also mentioned as an accommodating captain in the same spirit. When you see multiple independent mentions of the same kind of service, it usually means the provider takes the human side seriously.

If you care about getting close to good swim areas before they get crowded, this is where that early schedule and attentive captain really meet. You spend less time watching other boats and more time in the water.

Price and extra fees: what you really pay for this speedboat day

The headline price is $362.81 per group, up to 10 people, for about four hours. That structure can be good value because it is per group, not per person, and the included items are meaningful: snorkeling gear, life jackets, and drinks.

But you should budget for the additional costs listed for the day:

• Fuel surcharge and harbor fees are paid on the boat
• For 1 to 2 passengers: 100 EUR
• For 3 to 7 passengers: 120 EUR
• For 8 to 10 passengers: 150 EUR

So your real “all-in” cost depends on group size. For small groups, those fees can feel noticeable. For a group closer to 8 to 10, the per-person impact is usually much lighter.

Also note that lunch is not included. Drinks are included, but food is not. If you think you’ll get hungry after swimming and beach time, bring simple snacks or plan to eat before or after.

What to bring, who this suits best, and weather reality

This works best if you want a fast, fun water day without planning a ferry route. It also suits families, since life jackets are provided and most travelers can participate.

What to bring:

• Swimsuit and a towel
• Reef-safe sunscreen
• A light layer for sun or wind on the speedboat
• Your own swim shoes if you prefer them (not required, but helpful on beaches and rocky entry areas)
• If you have motion sickness, bring your remedy. Speedboats move quickly.

Weather matters. The tour requires good weather, and if it cannot run due to conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund. That is especially important in a cave-and-snorkel setup, where calm seas help everything go smoothly.

The tour is also adult-friendly for the included alcohol portion. Alcoholic drinks are only for adults 18 and up, while the free drink lineup includes water and juice for everyone.

Should you book this Blue Cave private speedboat tour?

Book it if you fall into one of these groups:

• You want caves plus swimming plus a sandy beach in one half-day.
• You are traveling with friends or family and want a private boat for up to 10 with included snorkeling gear and drinks.
• You care about avoiding peak cave crowds by leaving early, around 8:30 AM in season.

Consider skipping or adjusting expectations if:

• Your group is sensitive to weather changes and you hate plans that depend on conditions.
• You are traveling solo or as a duo, because the on-boat fuel and harbor fees add a noticeable layer on top of the group price.

Overall, if you want the famous Blue Cave experience without spending your day in lines, this is a solid, practical way to do it, with real added value from snorkeling gear and included drinks.

FAQ

How many people are allowed per booking?

The tour is private with a maximum of 10 people per booking.

How long is the Blue Cave private speedboat tour?

The duration is approximately 4 hours.

When does the morning tour run, and what time does it start?

The morning tour runs from June 1 to September 15 and starts at 8:30 AM.

What is included with the tour?

Included are alcoholic beverages, bottled water, the driver or guide, life jackets for children and adults, and snorkeling equipment.

Are alcoholic drinks included for everyone?

Alcoholic drinks are included, but alcohol is only available for adults age 18 and above.

Where do we meet for the tour?

You meet at Lapadska obala 4, at the last wooden pier in a small marina. You should arrive 10 minutes before the start time.

Are there extra costs beyond the ticket price?

Yes. Fuel surcharge and harbor fees are paid on the boat: 100 EUR for 1 to 2 passengers, 120 EUR for 3 to 7 passengers, and 150 EUR for 8 to 10 passengers.

What if the weather is bad?

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 also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.