Private speedboat three island tour from Dubrovnik or Cavtat

The best part of this private boat trip is the freedom to mix sightseeing with proper swim stops. You cruise past Dubrovnik’s walls from the sea, enter caves by boat, and reach quiet beaches and small islands that are awkward to visit on a tight land-based schedule. I like the supplied snorkeling gear and the private group format, which means your day can focus on swimming rather than waiting for strangers.

I also like the mix of scenery: the old harbor, Lokrum, the Elaphiti islands, and the sandy beach at Šunj. The main point to watch is the extra cash payment on board. The advertised group price is $506 for up to eight people, but fuel costs €80 for a half-day or €100 for a full day, and the details also mention a €100 skipper charge, so confirm the final total before booking.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to eight: You get your own group rather than a crowded shared excursion.
• Cavtat or Dubrovnik departure: You can begin near your stay, with pickup options listed in both areas.
• Several swim locations: Betina Cave, Lokrum Cave, and Koločep’s Blue Cave each offer a different setting.
• A real sandy beach stop: Šunj Beach on Lopud has shallow water and is a practical choice for families.
• Useful equipment included: Snorkels, life jackets, towels, waterproof bags, drinks, and insurance are provided.
• Budget carefully: Fuel is paid in cash on the boat, and the skipper fee needs clarification before you commit.

Why this private speedboat trip works well

This is not simply a fast ride from one photo stop to another. It combines the coast around Dubrovnik with three Elaphiti islands, giving you old stone walls, sea caves, rocky swimming spots, and a sandy beach in one outing.

You can choose a shorter four-hour trip or a full eight-hour day, depending on availability. That range matters. A four-hour outing gives you a taste of the coast and a couple of swims. The longer version makes more sense if you want time at Koločep and Lopud without rushing every stop.

The private format is the main value. A price of $506 sounds high for one person, but it covers up to eight people. Split between eight, the base cost is about $63 per person before the extra boat charges. For a couple, it is a much more expensive way to see the coast. For a family or group of friends, the calculation is more favorable, especially if you value control over the pace.

The boat has an English-speaking driver or skipper. No individual skipper name is provided, so do not book this expecting a named guide or a formal historical tour. You are paying mainly for transport, local boat handling, access to sea-only sites, and the privacy of your own group.

Leaving Cavtat with Supetar in view

From Cavtat, the boat begins with broad views of Cavtat Bay, Župa Bay, and Supetar Island. Supetar is uninhabited and often linked with the Robinson Crusoe idea because of its quiet, simple character.

The islet also has a place in local medical history. On January 20, 1431, the first stone house was built there to shelter people with the plague. It was the first facility made specifically for that purpose and served as the first Dubrovnik infirmary in the Republic of Dubrovnik.

You will not be stopping for a museum visit or a long shore walk here. The value is in seeing the island from the water and understanding why a small, isolated place could be used for quarantine. If you leave from Dubrovnik instead of Cavtat, the early views will differ, but the listed pickup points allow either starting area.

Betina Cave, a quiet beach reached only by sea

Betina Cave sits close to Dubrovnik’s Old Town, near Scheherazade Villa. Inside is a pebble beach that can only be reached by sea, which helps explain its quieter feel.

This is one of the most appealing stops for anyone who wants a short break from busy public beaches. You can swim, sit on the pebbles, or simply look into the cave from the boat. The beach is not sandy, so bring the right expectations. It is a sea cave and swim stop, not a developed beach resort.

The cave also shows why a private boat is useful here. You are not tied to a long scheduled stay. If the water and conditions suit you, you can spend time swimming. If you would rather keep moving, the boat can continue toward the next stop.

Lokrum and the Dubrovnik walls from the water

The route includes a cruise around Lokrum and a slow ride past the panorama of Dubrovnik’s city walls and old harbor. This is one of the strongest sightseeing moments of the day.

From the sea, the walls form a clear, wide view that is hard to get from the crowded streets inside the Old Town. The slower passage is deliberate, giving you time to take photographs. You can see the relationship between Dubrovnik’s fortifications, harbor, island, and open water in a way that a walking tour cannot show.

The information describes entering the Lokrum cave by boat. Do not confuse this with the Blue Cave at Koločep. They are separate stops, and each offers a different setting. Lokrum is close to Dubrovnik and works well as part of the coastal sightseeing section. Koločep comes later as one of the main swimming highlights.

The Elaphiti islands: three different moods

The Elaphiti archipelago lies northwest of Dubrovnik and includes six islands, along with smaller islets. This trip focuses on the three main islands associated with visits and local life: Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan.

Koločep and Lopud are car-free, which gives them a slower feel than the mainland. The islands are named after the Greek word for deer, and they were reportedly once home to a large deer population. They are also known for skilled seafarers, a detail that fits the islands’ long connection with the water.

You will see only part of this setting during a day trip. That is both the strength and the limit of the excursion. You get a broad introduction to the islands, but you will not have time to explore every village, church, or trail. Šipan is included in the places seen, but the detailed stops focus more heavily on Koločep and Lopud.

Koločep’s Blue Cave and the best swim stop

The Blue Cave on Koločep is the most distinctive water stop. The boat is equipped with snorkeling gear, so you can look below the surface and enter the cave. The water takes on a blue color inside, and the information notes that you can stand on your feet within the cave.

That detail makes this stop more approachable than a deep-water snorkeling site. You still need to be comfortable in the water, but you are not expected to swim far out into open sea. Life jackets are provided as well.

If you enjoy a little adventure, the area also allows cliff jumping. Take that as an option, not a requirement. You can swim, snorkel, or remain on the boat if jumping is not your thing. The private setup helps here because nobody in your group has to participate in every activity.

Snorkeling gear is included, but I would still bring a change of clothes. After several water stops, you will be glad to have something dry for the ride home. Waterproof bags are supplied for belongings, but cash and small personal items are still worth protecting carefully.

Lopud and the sandy stretch of Šunj Beach

After Koločep, the boat continues to Lopud, the second of the main Elaphiti islands. Lopud has several churches from the 15th and 16th centuries, so this is the stop where you can add a little walking and island sightseeing to the swimming.

The main attraction is Šunj Beach, a sandy beach described as one of the most beautiful in Croatia. Its shallow water makes it especially practical for children, though parents should still supervise closely and follow normal beach safety.

Šunj offers a change from the rocky coastline and pebble beaches earlier in the day. You can sunbathe, swim, and walk on the island after leaving the boat. That combination gives the full-day version its strongest finish: sea caves and rock swimming first, then a broader beach stop where you are not confined to the boat.

The drawback is time. If you choose the four-hour option, you may have to limit how long you spend on Lopud or skip some smaller pauses along the route. If Šunj is a priority, check that the available departure length allows enough time for both Koločep and Lopud.

What you get on the boat

The practical inclusions are well chosen for a swim-heavy day:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Life jackets
• Towels
• Waterproof bags
• Drinks
• Insurance
• Skipper

These supplies reduce the amount of beach equipment you need to carry. Towels are particularly useful when several stops involve getting in and out of the water.

The driver speaks English, and the group is private. Pickup is optional, with listed locations connected to the Dubrovnik and Cavtat boat offices. The boat registration is 248202 DB, which may help you identify the correct operator or vessel at the meeting point.

The boat is a speedboat, so expect an open-water ride rather than a slow sightseeing cruise throughout. The slow passage near Dubrovnik’s walls is designed for photographs, but other stretches may be quicker. If you are sensitive to motion, bring only what you need and keep valuables secured in the waterproof bags.

The real cost for a group of eight

The listed price is $506 for a private group of up to eight people. That is a group price, not a per-person fare. At full capacity, the base cost works out to roughly $63 per person.

The extra charges need careful attention. Fuel is listed as €80 for a half-day and €100 for a full day, paid in cash on the boat. Another note says fuel and skipper are not included and identifies the skipper as €100. Since the included section also names a skipper, the terms are not perfectly clear.

I would contact Perun Cavtat before booking and ask for one final figure that includes the boat, skipper, and fuel. Bring cash either way, because the fuel charge is specifically payable on board. This is the most important practical issue in the booking.

The value is strongest for a group that would otherwise need several separate tickets or a private charter. You are also paying for access to locations reached only by sea, such as Betina Cave. For one or two people, a shared boat may cost less, but it would not offer the same control over stops and timing.

Who should book this outing

I would recommend it for families, couples traveling with friends, and small groups who want swimming built into a Dubrovnik sightseeing day. It also suits people who dislike crowded group boats and want to choose how long they spend at a cave or beach.

The trip is less suitable if you want a detailed guided tour of island churches or a full historical presentation. The emphasis is on the coast, swimming, photographs, and relaxed stops rather than extended talks.

There are also stated restrictions. It is not suitable for babies under one year, people with diabetes, people over 135 kilograms, or people over 95. If anyone in your group falls into one of these categories, ask the operator about safety before reserving.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, with a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Dubrovnik plans depend on weather or changing schedules. Starting times vary, so check availability before building the rest of your day around the boat.

Should you book the Dubrovnik or Cavtat speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a private day on the water with several strong stops rather than one isolated beach visit. The combination of Dubrovnik’s walls, Betina Cave, Lokrum, Koločep’s Blue Cave, and Šunj Beach gives you a good range of coastal experiences.

I would choose the full eight-hour option for the best value if you have a group of six to eight people. It gives the route room to breathe. Choose the shorter option if you mainly want the walls, a cave swim, and a quick taste of the islands.

Before paying, confirm the skipper and fuel charges in writing. Once that cost is clear, this is a practical choice for a small group that wants sea access, snorkeling, and the freedom to set its own pace.

FAQ

Where does the private speedboat tour depart from?

The tour can depart from Dubrovnik or Cavtat. Several pickup locations are listed near the Dubrovnik Boat Trips and Dubrovnik Explore offices, including addresses on Obala and Šetalište Marka Marojice.

How long does the boat trip last?

The experience lasts between four and eight hours. Available starting times depend on the date you select.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers a private group of up to eight people.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear, life jackets, towels, waterproof bags, drinks, insurance, and a skipper are included in the listed inclusions.

Do I need to bring cash?

Yes. Fuel is paid in cash on the boat, at €80 for a half-day or €100 for a full day. The information also lists a €100 skipper charge, so confirm the exact total before departure.

Which islands and coastal sites does the tour visit?

The route includes views of Cavtat, Supetar Island, Župa Bay, Betina Cave, Lokrum, Dubrovnik’s city walls and old harbor, Koločep and its Blue Cave, Lopud and Šunj Beach, and Šipan.

Who cannot take this tour?

The experience is not suitable for people with diabetes, babies under one year, people over 135 kilograms, or people over 95 years old.