Dubrovnik Private Blue cave Tour with Pick up and Drinks

Blue Cave in private beats packed days. This Dubrovnik private boat tour takes you out from convenient pickup spots into clear Adriatic water, where you control the pace and still hit the Blue Cave and nearby cave stops.

I especially like the calm freedom of a private day on the sea, plus the way the skipper can build the route around your interests. The tour also comes with practical extras like snorkel masks and pool noodles, so you can actually enjoy the water time.

One thing to plan for: fuel is not included and is paid to the skipper in cash, and the included drinks are not unlimited.

Key highlights at a glance

• Private boat, only your group onboard, so you can tailor stops and timing
• Blue Cave swim time, plus the nearby three green caves
• Flexible tour lengths (4, 6, or 8 hours) that match how much island hopping you want
• Pickup options across Dubrovnik, with drop-off at selected docks
• Snorkel gear and comfort items included, like masks, snorkels, and lifejackets
• Skipper-led restaurant help, including booking lunch and taking you by boat

A private boat means you control the day around Dubrovnik’s coast

Dubrovnik is a famous port city. That also means crowded viewpoints and tight schedules ashore. A private boat flips the whole experience, because you are not waiting your turn or rushing to fit someone else’s timetable.

What you get is a captain who is local and experienced, but the day is still yours to shape. You can choose where to go and how long to stay at each spot. In real life, that often turns into a much calmer day, with swims when conditions look good and shorter stops when you want more time in one place.

I also like the small touches that make “on the water” feel effortless. The boat includes a coolbox with drinks, pool noodles, masks and snorkels, and lifejackets. Plus there is a Bluetooth speaker, so you can play your own music while you’re moving between coves.

Choosing 4, 6, or 8 hours on the water

The tour comes in three time blocks, and picking the right one is the key to feeling satisfied instead of rushed.

The 4-hour half-day: caves plus a beach break

This is the fastest route. You can book it in the morning or afternoon, and it typically focuses on the Blue Cave, the three green caves, and Šunj beach. If your goal is water time first, this is often the sweet spot.

A half-day also helps if you know you’ll spend most of your energy walking Dubrovnik’s Old Town. You do the scenic sea stuff, swim, snorkel, then you’re back with time left for dinner.

The 6-hour day: caves plus one island lunch stop

The 6-hour version runs in the morning and builds on the 4-hour plan. You get the same cave and beach highlights, with extra time that can be used to explore Lopud or Šipan where lunch is possible.

This is the version I’d recommend if you want the caves but also want a real break from constant movement. You’ll have time to slow down, eat by the water, and not feel like you’re constantly packing up and heading out.

The 8-hour full day: Koločep, Lopud, Šipan, and more variety

The full day is for people who want a proper island day. You visit all three Elaphiti islands: Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. In practice, that means a mix of cave and swimming time, rocky coves, secluded bays, quaint village stops, and time for lunch at a seaside restaurant.

If you’re traveling with a group of adults and want variety, this is the safest choice. It gives you enough slack for longer swims and slower scenic breaks, even if you change your mind once you’re out there.

Pickup and drop-off in Dubrovnik: meeting points that save time

Pickup is part of the experience, but it depends on your selected option. If pickup and drop-off are included, you can be collected from several Dubrovnik-area locations, including places like Zaton Harbour, Sun Gardens Dubrovnik, Štikovica 22, Gruž Market, and sailing tour hubs such as Sunshine Sailing Dubrovnik and AdriaWave Dubrovnik.

This matters more than it sounds. Dubrovnik’s old streets are not built for dragging bags to far docks. With pickup from a convenient spot, you spend less time figuring out where the boat is and more time getting to the water.

In recent experiences, captains like Kiko have been praised for making the start smooth, including easy meetup and timing that helps you reach the first cave stop before crowds. That early start can make the Blue Cave experience feel more relaxed.

Blue Cave and the three Green Caves: what to expect in the water

Let’s talk about the part you came for. The tour’s core highlights are entering the famous Blue Cave and exploring the three green caves. This is not just sightseeing from above. The goal is swimming and snorkeling in clear water, and the boat is set up for that.

The Blue Cave stop

You can expect to enter the Blue Cave to swim in clear blue water. The best practical tip is to treat time like a budget. If you’re going to snorkel, do it efficiently, then spend the rest of the time floating and enjoying the color of the water.

Several recent days highlight an early approach. Starting early helps you see the area with less crowd pressure, which makes it easier to enjoy the cave water without feeling rushed.

The green caves stop

The three green caves add variety to the day, especially if you like repeating the pattern of “boat to cave, swim, then move on.” The tour includes masks and snorkels and pool noodles, which helps if not everyone in the group is a strong swimmer.

If you are traveling with kids, the lifejackets on board are a big plus. One family even brought their own life vests for extra comfort, which tells me it can be worth considering extra flotation for small children if they prefer it.

Comfort notes that keep the day pleasant

The Adriatic can be calm, and it can also be choppy. If you know you get motion-sensitive, pack for comfort and be ready for a little bounce between stops. The upside is that the captain controls the pace and picks times for swims and cave access.

Also, bring a practical attitude to cave swimming. You are working around the physics of a small-water environment, so even if you cannot stay in the water for the full time, you can still spend time snorkeling and then rest on the boat between swims.

Šunj beach and the float in secluded bays

Caves are the headline. But the “wow” often comes after, when you shift from active swimming to relaxing mode.

The 4-hour plan includes Šunj beach, and it tends to be the place where people feel like they got real time in the sun, not just cave time. One traveler even shared that rougher water can limit cave swimming, which makes Šunj beach time even more valuable.

Another high point in the experience is the calmness of floating anchored in a secluded bay. That floating time is the part you do not get on big group boats. Here, it tends to feel like a pause button, where you can breathe, chat, and look at the coastline without a schedule pressuring you.

Practical tip: if your group includes mixed swimmers, anchor-time is where everyone can enjoy the water. Strong swimmers can snorkel closer, while less confident swimmers can use noodles and stay relaxed.

Elaphiti Islands in a full day: Lopud, Koločep, and Šipan

If you choose the 6-hour or 8-hour tour, you add the Elaphiti islands, which is where Dubrovnik turns into a chain of small, coastal worlds.

Lopud: lunch and village feel

Lopud is often tied to lunch time. The idea is simple: you get a scenic sea route, then you reach an island with the right setting for a seaside meal. A standout moment in recent experiences is when a captain books your table and takes you there by boat, so you do not spend your precious island time searching for restaurants.

Koločep: more coastline and more water stops

With the 8-hour plan, Koločep is part of the mix. This tends to appeal if you want additional rocky coves and more swim moments. It also helps break up the day so it does not feel like one long transit.

Šipan: beach time plus lunch opportunities

Šipan is another lunch-capable island on the longer tours. Some itineraries specifically mention exploring Lopud or Šipan during the 6-hour day, so you might get a more “island day” rhythm rather than only cave-focused stops.

One more reason the full day works: it lets the captain adjust. If your group wants a slower pace, the captain has enough time to swap in extra beach time or village time without feeling like everything has to be perfect.

Drinks, snorkel gear, and onboard comfort that actually help

This tour is not built like a barebones rental. You get enough onboard support that people can focus on enjoying the water.

Included gear

You get:

• Masks and snorkels
• Pool noodles
• Lifejackets
• A coolbox with drinks
• Bluetooth speakers

That combination matters. Snorkel time is only fun if you have the gear ready immediately, and noodles and lifejackets reduce stress for families.

Drinks are included, but not endless

Drinks are included on every tour, but they are not unlimited. People report being offered water and adult drinks like beer and wine. Expect a friendly onboard setup, but still think of it as part of the experience, not a free-for-all.

If you want specific non-alcohol options or a large amount of drinks, it is smart to plan for that mindset. The drinks you get are a nice perk, not a guarantee for hours of unlimited refills.

Music and the small freedom factor

Bluetooth speakers can sound like a gimmick. On a boat, it’s different. It helps the day feel like a private hangout while you’re moving between stops. Several recent experiences also mention using personal music during the ride, which makes the whole day more fun and less “tour-schedule monotone.”

Price and fuel math: when the tour is a good value

The tour price is $329 per group up to 6 people, with durations ranging from 4 to 8 hours. That sounds straightforward, but the real value equation includes the extras you still need to account for.

Fuel is separate

Fuel is not included. It is paid to the skipper in cash, and the price depends on tour length:

• 4 hours: 65 euro
• 6 hours: 80 euro
• 8 hours: 95 euro

So the tour price gets you the private boat experience and the onboard items, and you handle fuel directly with the captain. In many cases, that still makes the day feel like good value because you are paying for privacy, timing flexibility, and access to multiple swim stops.

Lunch is not included, but the skipper can handle it

Lunch is not provided. Instead, the skipper can recommend restaurants, book a table, and take you there with the boat. That is a big deal for value because you avoid the time cost of figuring out food logistics once you are on an island.

One note to manage expectations: lunch is an additional cost since it is not included, but your captain helps you avoid awkward planning.

Where the value really shows

You’re essentially buying three things:

1. Private time on a boat with a local skipper
2. Cave and swim access during the most important part of the coastline experience
3. Less friction thanks to pickup, gear, and restaurant coordination

If you were planning to do caves plus beach time plus island hopping on your own, you would spend a lot of effort and still might not get the same timing flexibility.

Who this tour fits best, and who should reconsider

This private boat tour is a strong match for:

• Couples who want the Blue Cave without cruise-boat crowds
• Families with kids who want equipment on board and calm anchored time
• Groups up to 6 who want control over where they stop and how long they swim

It may be less suitable for:

• People with mobility impairments or wheelchair users, since it is not set up for wheelchair access
• Anyone expecting an all-inclusive open bar or unlimited drinks

If you know your group will want extra time in the water, the longer options tend to feel better. Short tours are great, but they work best if you accept that you will be making quick decisions and moving between a few major highlights.

Should you book Dubrovnik Private Blue Cave Tour with Pick up and Drinks?

If your top priority is a private Blue Cave day with real swim and snorkel time, I think this is the kind of tour you should book. The combination of cave access, snorkel gear, and a skipper who can tailor stops makes the day feel like it fits your group instead of forcing you into someone else’s routine.

I would book with confidence if you are traveling with up to 6 people and you want either a half-day hit (4 hours), a balanced day (6 hours with lunch potential), or a full Elaphiti island loop (8 hours). Just budget for fuel paid in cash and remember drinks are included but not unlimited, so plan your expectations around that.

If you want, tell me your travel month and whether you prefer morning or afternoon, and I’ll suggest which tour length usually feels best for that kind of day.

FAQ

How long is the Dubrovnik Blue Cave private boat tour?

You can choose a 4 hour, 6 hour, or 8 hour experience. The overall duration range is 4 to 8 hours, depending on the option you book.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It is a private group experience, meaning you are the only guests on board.

What is included on the boat?

The included items are the skipper, a coolbox with drinks (not unlimited), Bluetooth speakers, pool noodles, masks and snorkels, lifejackets, and pickup and drop-off if that option is selected.

Are the drinks unlimited?

No. Drinks are included on every tour, but they are not unlimited.

Is fuel included in the price?

Fuel is not included. It is paid to the skipper in cash, with the fuel amount depending on the tour length (4 hours, 65 euro, 6 hours, 80 euro, 8 hours, 95 euro).

Can lunch be arranged during the tour?

Lunch is not provided. Instead, your skipper can recommend restaurants, book a table for you, and take you there by boat.

Do you offer pickup in Dubrovnik?

Pickup may be included if you select that option. Pickup locations listed include Zaton Harbour, Sun Gardens Dubrovnik, Štikovica 22, AdriaWave Dubrovnik – boat tours and rentals, Dubrovnik (Gruž Market), and Sunshine Sailing Dubrovnik.

Final call

Book this if you want a private Dubrovnik boat day that actually builds around swimming, caves, and your timing. Skip it if you need wheelchair-friendly access or you want truly unlimited drinks, because those are not how this tour is set up.