Review · BLUE CAVE TOURS
Private Elafiti Boat Tour- Visit Blue Cave and beach Sunj
Blue Cave looks better from your own boat. On this private Elafiti islands trip, you get Blue Cave time, cave stops, and snorkel breaks from a 2023 Atlantic Open 670 with a professional English-speaking skipper.
I especially like two parts: the tight, small-group feel (priced for up to 6) and the skipper who keeps the day flexible based on what you want to see. You also get a real break at Šunj sandy beach, plus snorkeling gear and towels ready onboard.
One thing to plan for: food is not included, so you will want to budget for lunch or snacks ashore during the day.
In This Review
- Key things I’d circle before you book
- Elafiti Islands From Dubrovnik: Why This Feels Different
- The Boat Setup: Atlantic Open 670 Comfort Perks You Notice Fast
- Half-Day Timing: What to Expect in a 10:00 to 14:00 or 14:00 to 18:00 Window
- Blue Cave: The Color Moment, Plus Time to Actually Enjoy It
- Three Caves and Rock Jumping: Fun, But Only If Your Group Feels Ready
- Šunj Sandy Beach: The Break That Keeps the Half-Day From Feeling Rushed
- Drinks and Snacks: What’s Included, What’s Not, and How to Handle Lunch
- Value Check: Why the $471 Per Group Price Can Actually Make Sense
- Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Skip It)
- Practical Tips for Your Dubrovnik Blue Cave Day
- Weather, Rescheduling, and Keeping Your Plans Tight
- Should You Book This Private Elafiti Boat Tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the private boat tour?
- How many people can the boat accommodate?
- What does the tour cost?
- Who will be on the boat with you?
- What is included in the price?
- Is food included?
- Will there be snorkeling and swimming?
- What beach stop is included?
- What languages are available?
- What happens if the weather is bad?
- Who should not book this tour?
Key things I’d circle before you book
- Brand-new boat (Atlantic Open 670, 2023) with shade (bimini), shower, and Wi-Fi
- Blue Cave + three caves on the same half-day outing, reachable only by boat
- Šunj sandy beach for a proper swim and sand-between-your-toes moment
- Snorkeling gear and towels included, so you travel lighter
- Cold drinks onboard, including beer and wine, not just soda
- Rock jumping and cave swimming breaks led by a skipper who picks calmer spots when needed
Elafiti Islands From Dubrovnik: Why This Feels Different

If you only base yourself around Dubrovnik’s old streets, it is easy to miss how dramatic the coastline gets once you leave shore. The Elafiti islands sit right off Dubrovnik, and from the water the scenery shifts fast, from cliffs and coves to open stretches where the sea looks almost metallic in the sun.
This tour works because it is built for the “water day” mindset. You are not stuck watching the same view from one viewpoint. You move between caves and swimming spots, and that constant change is what makes the half-day feel full. You get the best kind of variety: sand at Šunj, then rockier, wilder scenery in and around the caves.
There is also a practical benefit: you are going by boat, not just by bus. That means you can reach places that feel remote, and you spend less time traveling and more time actually in the water.
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The Boat Setup: Atlantic Open 670 Comfort Perks You Notice Fast

This is a private charter using an Atlantic Open 670 (2023). It is compact enough to feel personal, but it comes with the comfort items you actually care about when you are out on the Adriatic for hours.
Here is what matters day-to-day:
- Bimini shade helps when the sun ramps up.
- Shower onboard is a big quality-of-life thing after saltwater swims.
- Boss Marine audio means you can play music through the day.
- Wi-Fi onboard is included, handy for quick messages or navigation help if you want it.
- Cold drinks are provided, so you are not scrambling for cash or shops once you are out.
You also have a professional English-speaking skipper, and that is not just a language checkbox. A good skipper helps you time the swims and choose calmer bays when the sea gets choppy.
Half-Day Timing: What to Expect in a 10:00 to 14:00 or 14:00 to 18:00 Window

You have two half-day options: 10:00 to 14:00 or 14:00 to 18:00. Either way, the day is designed to feel like a sequence of short highlights rather than one long transit.
In plain terms, you should expect:
- Getting onto the boat right from the dock where the skipper is waiting.
- A run to the Elafiti islands area, with cave and swim time built into the route.
- Blue Cave and three cave stops, plus snorkeling and rock jumping opportunities when conditions allow.
- A walking and relaxing break at Šunj sandy beach.
- Returning back to the same meeting point when the half-day ends.
Because it is private, the pace can be shaped to your group. Some people want more swim time. Others prefer photos, cave views, and fewer jumps. The skipper can suggest what fits best, and you can tailor the route since the plan is suggested, not fixed.
Blue Cave: The Color Moment, Plus Time to Actually Enjoy It

The headline is Blue Cave, and it earns its reputation because it is one of those places where the light on the water does the work for you. You are going for a swim break there, not just a drive-by photo stop.
What makes this worthwhile on a private boat is control:
- If the sea is rougher, your skipper can look for calmer conditions and smoother timing.
- You can spend enough time swimming so it feels like a real break, not a quick dip.
You should be ready for a cave swim vibe: the water can feel cool at first, and it is best to go at your own comfort level. If you like snorkeling, the included gear helps you get a better look at what is under the surface without bringing your own kit.
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Three Caves and Rock Jumping: Fun, But Only If Your Group Feels Ready

After Blue Cave, the day continues with three caves. This is where the trip feels like a “real sea adventure” rather than a shore excursion. You get repeated moments of cliff and water, with chances to swim at different spots.
Rock jumping is listed as part of the experience, and that changes how you should think about the day. It is not mandatory for everyone, but it is there if you want it. The key is your comfort and the conditions.
Here is a simple way to approach it:
- If you want to jump, pick a level that matches your confidence and do it when the water looks calm.
- If you do not, you can still enjoy the caves with snorkeling and swimming.
Because the tour includes snorkeling gear, you can focus on “see more underwater” instead of “jump more off rocks.” Both can work in the same day.
Also, the skipper’s suggestions matter here. One of the best parts of this kind of trip is when the person driving your boat also helps you choose the safest-feeling places to swim.
Šunj Sandy Beach: The Break That Keeps the Half-Day From Feeling Rushed

After caves and swimming, you need a landing pad. That is exactly what Šunj sandy beach is for.
This stop adds balance to the day. Cave time is cooler, rockier, and more active. A sandy beach break is slower and more forgiving. It is a good moment to:
- Dry off on the sand.
- Stretch your legs after being on the water.
- Swap roles in the group, since not everyone wants to snorkel or jump the same amount.
Since the boat includes towels, you are not stuck finding your own. You can change into dry clothes and regroup before the next leg of the trip.
Drinks and Snacks: What’s Included, What’s Not, and How to Handle Lunch
Your boat time includes cold drinks onboard: soft drinks, water, beer, and wine. That is a nice touch because it turns the charter into a true relaxation session, not just a tour with logistics.
What is not included is food. So while you will likely have time to eat during the day, you should plan to pay for your lunch or snacks ashore.
A smart approach:
- Eat something light before you go, so you are not starving halfway through the cave-and-swim sequence.
- Bring a small snack if your group tends to get hungry, then buy lunch when the skipper recommends a Mediterranean spot.
Some captains are known for being proactive about where to eat, so it helps to ask the skipper once you are on board what they recommend for the best meal that fits your timing.
Value Check: Why the $471 Per Group Price Can Actually Make Sense

The price is $471 per group up to 6 for a half-day. That number looks high if you compare it to bus tours. But it makes more sense when you compare it to what you are paying for: a private boat, fuel covered, an English-speaking skipper, and included gear and drinks.
Here is where the value comes from:
- You are paying for privacy and flexibility, not just transportation.
- Fuel is included.
- You get snorkeling gear and towels, plus Wi-Fi and cold drinks.
- You are visiting multiple major areas in one outing: the Elafiti islands, Blue Cave, three caves, and Šunj sandy beach.
The biggest “value limiter” is if you are traveling as two people and you could also rent a cheaper shared option. But if you have a group of 4 to 6, or you want the freedom to tailor your day, the price can feel much more reasonable.
And because you can choose between two half-day time windows, it can also fit into your wider Dubrovnik schedule without losing an entire day.
Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

This is a great fit if you want:
- A small-group, private boat experience near Dubrovnik
- Cave-and-swim time with snorkeling gear provided
- A skipper who is comfortable running the day in a practical, English-speaking way
- Enough variety to keep everyone interested: caves, rock jumping, and Šunj sandy beach
It is not suitable for:
- Pregnant women
- People with mobility impairments
If your group includes someone who prefers a gentler plan, you can still enjoy the caves and swimming breaks. The rock-jumping part is simply an option, not the only activity.
Practical Tips for Your Dubrovnik Blue Cave Day

A private boat day runs on comfort and swim readiness. Here is what I would do before you show up:
- Bring a swimsuit you are comfortable wearing for repeated swims.
- Plan for sun exposure since you will be out on open water at times.
- Bring a dry layer for the ride back, especially if you run the later half-day slot.
- If your group likes snorkeling, use the included gear but check that everyone knows how it fits before you start moving.
Also, wear footwear that works around docks and rocks. You will be getting in and out near cave and swimming spots, and those surfaces can be slippery.
Finally, use the skipper’s knowledge. Ask what the sea conditions look like and where the calmest swim breaks will be. That is the difference between a good day and a great one.
Weather, Rescheduling, and Keeping Your Plans Tight
The tour notes that if weather is not allowing, it will be rescheduled. That matters in Dubrovnik, because sea conditions can change quickly.
If you are booking during shoulder season or right after a windy stretch, keep your schedule flexible. This is especially important for a half-day charter, since the sea needs to be right for caves and swimming.
Should You Book This Private Elafiti Boat Tour?
Book it if you want a private, boat-based half-day that hits the big highlights around Dubrovnik: Blue Cave, multiple cave stops, snorkeling with gear included, and a real sandy beach break at Šunj. The included drinks, towels, shower, and Wi-Fi make it feel like a proper outing, not a bare-bones cruise.
Skip it if food is a dealbreaker for you and you do not want to budget for lunch, since meals are not included. Also skip if anyone in your group falls into the stated unsuitability categories, like pregnancy or mobility limitations.
If your group is flexible and you care about comfort and access, this one is an easy yes.
FAQ
How long is the private boat tour?
It runs as a half-day or full-day option. The half-day times are 10:00 to 14:00 or 14:00 to 18:00.
How many people can the boat accommodate?
The boat can accommodate up to seven persons. The price is listed per group up to 6.
What does the tour cost?
The price is $471 per group (up to 6).
Who will be on the boat with you?
A professional English-speaking skipper is included.
What is included in the price?
Fuel, cold drinks on board (soft drinks, water, beer, wine), Wi-Fi, snorkeling gear, towels, final cleaning, and VAT are included.
Is food included?
No, food is not included.
Will there be snorkeling and swimming?
Yes. The experience includes snorkeling gear and swimming breaks around places like the Blue Cave and cave stops.
What beach stop is included?
Šunj sandy beach is included as one of the highlights.
What languages are available?
The tour is available in English and Croatian.
What happens if the weather is bad?
If weather is not allowing, the tour will be rescheduled.
Who should not book this tour?
It is not suitable for pregnant women and people with mobility impairments.
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