Private Three island Tour from Dubrovnik

Lokrum’s cave, Koločep’s Blue Cave, and Lopud’s sandy Sunj Beach give this private boat day a fine mix of scenery and water time. You can swim from the boat, snorkel inside a sea cave, and make the most of a relaxed three-hour stop on Lopud.

I like the privacy for families and small groups, and I like the flexible feel of a day led by skipper Luka, also referred to as Luca in the tour details. The main catch is the cost: $602.06 covers up to eight people, but you must add €100 for the skipper and €100 for fuel, both paid in cash on the boat.

Key points at a glance

• Lokrum by boat: See the uninhabited island from the water and enter its cave by boat.
• Koločep’s Blue Cave: Use the supplied snorkeling gear, swim inside, and consider a cliff jump if you are comfortable.
• Dubrovnik from the sea: The slow ride past the city walls and old harbor gives you a different view of the city.
• Three hours on Lopud: Swim at shallow, sandy Sunj Beach, eat lunch, and walk around the island.
• Private for up to eight: Your group has the boat to itself, with drinks, water, snorkeling equipment, and a restroom included.
• Extra charges matter: The skipper and fuel add €200 in cash to the advertised group price.

Why this private boat day works so well

This is not a sightseeing cruise where you spend the whole day seated and listening to a set script. It is built around stops in the water, short island visits, and time to set your own pace. That matters in Dubrovnik, where the old city can feel crowded and hot in the middle of the day.

The route gives you several different kinds of scenery. Lokrum is close to Dubrovnik and makes a quick opening stop. Koločep brings the most active water time, with snorkeling and the Blue Cave. Šipan adds a quieter rural note, while Lopud gives you the longest break for lunch, swimming, and a walk.

I especially like the private format for a family or group of friends. A price of $602.06 sounds steep for one or two people, but split eight ways it becomes far more reasonable. You still need to count the €100 skipper fee and €100 fuel surcharge, so calculate the full amount before booking.

The advertised duration is approximately four to eight hours. The planned stop times add up to about five hours, beginning at 10:00, but the wide time range suggests that the day can vary. Ask about the expected return time if you have dinner plans, a flight, or another fixed appointment.

Lokrum and Dubrovnik’s walls from the water

Lokrum is an uninhabited island just in front of Dubrovnik. From the boat, you get a clear change of scene almost at once: the stone city gives way to open water, rocky shore, and a green island with no permanent village life.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough for a swim or a jump from the boat if conditions suit you, but not enough for a full island walk. The main point here is the boat approach, including entry into the Lokrum cave.

I like this as the first stop because it gets you into the water early and lets you see Dubrovnik from a fresh angle. Bring a phone or camera that can handle spray, but keep it secure when you are climbing in and out of the water.

On the way toward Koločep, the boat makes a slow pass with views of Dubrovnik’s city walls and old harbor. This is one of the best photo moments of the day. The slower pace gives you time to look up at the fortifications instead of catching a rushed glimpse while speeding past.

There is a practical tradeoff. A boat view gives you a broad picture of the walls, but it does not replace walking Dubrovnik’s old streets or city walls. Think of this as a strong extra view, not a substitute for exploring the town on foot.

Koločep’s Blue Cave is the active stop

Koločep is where the tour shifts from sightseeing to water play. The Blue Cave is the main attraction, with sea that appears blue inside the cave. The boat carries snorkeling equipment, so you can see the water from above and below, then swim into the cave itself.

You can stand on your feet inside the cave, according to the tour details, which makes this less intimidating than a fully open-water swim. Still, you should be comfortable getting into the sea and moving through a cave entrance. Conditions can change, and the skipper will be the right person to judge what is sensible on the day.

The stop lasts about one hour. That gives you time for snorkeling and swimming without turning the visit into a rushed photo stop. If you are feeling adventurous, there is also the option of cliff jumping. Treat that as optional, not as a required part of the experience.

I like the balance here. You can keep things gentle by floating, standing in the cave, and looking through a mask, or add more action with a jump. Families should decide in advance which activities suit each person, especially children who may be happier at the shallow sandy beach later on Lopud.

The boat includes snorkeling gear, bottled water, soda, and a restroom. Towels and floaties were also provided during at least one reported outing, but they are not listed among the formal inclusions, so I would confirm those before relying on them. Bring your own towel unless the operator specifically confirms one.

Šipan adds a quieter island pause

Šipan is the largest of the islands in this group. The stop is listed at about 30 minutes, so you should not expect a long village visit or a serious hike. Its value is the glimpse of a more rural island setting after the caves and swimming.

Two limestone ridges rise above the island, with the higher Velji Vrh reaching 243 meters, or 797 feet. Between the ridges is a cultivated depression where olives, figs, vines, carob, almonds, oranges, and other citrus grow.

That detail helps explain why Šipan feels different from the rocky swimming stops. You are seeing an island shaped by small-scale agriculture, not just a place built around beaches. The short stop works as a scenic pause, though I would not choose this tour mainly for Šipan. Lopud receives much more time and offers more obvious activities.

Lopud gives you the day’s breathing room

Lopud is the second of the Elaphiti islands and the longest stop, at about three hours. This is where the tour becomes less structured. You can swim, sunbathe, eat lunch, and walk around instead of moving from one boat stop to the next.

Sunj Beach is the main draw. It is sandy, shallow, and described as a good choice for children. That is useful in a region where many swimming spots are rocky or reached by ladders from the water. If your group includes young children, this beach may be the reason to choose this tour over a route focused only on caves.

You can have lunch at a local restaurant on Lopud. The skipper can suggest a restaurant and arrange a reservation, which is a worthwhile option if you want to avoid losing time looking for a table. I would still ask about menu choices and prices before settling in, since lunch is not included in the tour price.

Lopud also has several historic sights. You might see churches from the 15th and 16th centuries, the remains of the Rector’s Palace, fortress ruins, and a 15th-century Franciscan Monastery overlooking the village. The information provided does not set out a guided walking route, so treat this part as self-guided exploration unless your skipper offers more detail.

This is the stop where pacing matters most. Three hours is generous if your main goal is swimming and lunch. If you want to see several historic sites as well, keep an eye on the time. It would be easy to settle into a beach chair and discover that the boat is due to leave soon.

What the boat setup means for you

A private boat for up to eight people gives you space to make simple choices without negotiating with a large group. You can spend longer in the water, skip a jump, or settle into lunch without following a crowd.

The skipper is an important part of the experience. The supplied information names him as Luka in one place and Luca in another, so you may see either spelling. The direct feedback about him is especially strong: he is described as kind, considerate, a great guide, and a highly capable seaman. One family group also praised the way he handled a day with adults and children.

The boat has a restroom, which is a small but important comfort on a five-hour sea outing. Bottled water and soda are included, along with snorkeling equipment. The boat also enters caves, so you should expect spray and wet gear rather than a dry, formal sightseeing ride.

The tour is offered in English. Confirmation is provided at booking, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, but the water activities require you to be able to get into the sea and move around in it. The experience also depends on good weather.

Is $602.06 a fair price?

For one or two people, this is an expensive half-day outing. For a full group of eight, the base price works out to about $75 per person before the two cash charges. The €200 added for skipper and fuel changes that calculation, but the cost can still make sense when shared among family or friends.

The value comes from the private boat, not from a long list of included attractions. You are paying for access to several islands in one outing, your own group space, water equipment, and the freedom to spend real time at Lopud. A public boat trip may cost less, but it may not offer the same privacy or control over the day.

The advertised base price should be read carefully. The skipper costs €100 in cash, and the fuel surcharge is another €100 in cash. Keep that money ready and make sure everyone in your group knows about it before booking.

The tour is booked, on average, well ahead of the date, around 48 days in advance. That is useful planning information if your Dubrovnik visit falls in the busy season. A private boat with room for eight is not something I would leave until the last minute.

Who should book this outing?

I would choose this tour for a group that wants swimming and scenery in the same day. It suits families who value shallow water at Sunj Beach, friends who want caves and snorkeling, and anyone who prefers a private boat to a fixed large-group schedule.

It is also a good fit if you have already seen Dubrovnik’s old town and want to spend a day outside the city. The view of the walls and harbor from the water adds something new, while Lokrum, Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud each bring a different type of stop.

I would hesitate if you dislike boats, do not want to swim, or need a precise return time. The itinerary depends on weather, and the water activities are central rather than optional decoration. You should also compare the full price, including the cash charges, with other private boat choices in Dubrovnik.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 10:00 start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

My booking advice

Book this tour if you can fill several seats, want a relaxed private day, and like the idea of alternating caves, swimming, island scenery, and a sandy beach. The strongest part is the variety: you are not spending five hours doing the same thing.

Before you commit, confirm the final total, the expected return time, whether towels and floaties will be supplied, and the meeting point details. If Luka or Luca is your skipper, ask him about the lunch reservation on Lopud and let him know who in your group plans to swim, snorkel, or jump.

FAQ

How much does the private tour cost?

The listed price is $602.06 per group of up to eight people. A €100 skipper fee and a €100 fuel surcharge are paid in cash on the boat.

How many people can join the boat?

The private activity is for up to eight people, and only your group participates.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 10:00 am.

How long does the tour last?

The approximate duration is listed as four to eight hours. The scheduled stops add up to about five hours.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Lokrum, Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with bottled water and soda.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes, an onboard restroom is included.

Is lunch included?

No. You can have lunch at a local restaurant on Lopud, but the meal is not included in the tour price.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.