Snorkeling in Dubrovnik: Private speedboat with caves and islands

You snorkel inside caves where sunlight makes the water glow blue.

A private speedboat snorkeling tour from Dubrovnik takes you to sea caves, island beaches and reefs across the Elafiti Islands or out to Mljet National Park, with snorkeling equipment, drinks and an English-speaking guide. Choose between a 2-hour sunset run, a 4-hour island loop, or an 8-hour journey to Mljet 50 km away. Groups stay under 12 people, and fuel costs are paid separately in cash.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Elaphite Islands1h
2. Lokrum Island1h
3. Mljet Island3h

Luxury speedboat tour of islands and caves

• Visit Blue cave and three caves on Koločep
• Swim and snorkel inside caves
• Stop for lunch on Šipan Island (not included)
• Explore Lopud Island's churches and beaches
• Relax at Šunj beach and enjoy beach bars

The experience

The boat leaves Dubrovnik and heads straight for the Elafiti Islands, where the first stop is a cluster of sea caves: the Blue Cave and three more on Koločep Island. You drop into the water with snorkeling gear and swim inside them while the sun bounces off the limestone and turns everything turquoise. The caves are shallow enough to stand in parts of it, and the reflection effect the operator mentions is real: the water shifts color as the light angle changes through the day.

From there the route splits depending on which option you book. The standard 4-hour tour moves to Šipan Island (where a restaurant sits ready if you want lunch, paid separately), then Lopud, which has churches, a monastery and sandy beaches you can walk and explore. The final stop is usually Šunj Beach, the main sandy stretch in the area, where you can sit at beach bars with drinks included on the boat. If you book the 8-hour Mljet option instead, the speedboat makes a 2-hour run 50 km south to Mljet Island, where you visit the Odysseus Cave, a special sandy beach called Limuni, and the salty lakes inside the national park: a longer day, but a different landscape entirely. Lokrum Island, which sits in front of Old Town Dubrovnik itself, is available on request, though the operator notes that visiting it means skipping some of the Elafiti stops.

The boat itself is the selling point for comfort: large sundeck on the bow, sunshade on the stern, quality cushions to relax on, cold drinks (water, beer, wine, cola) throughout the day, and snorkeling equipment that is included. Groups max out at 12 people for the standard options or 6 for smaller private runs. An English-speaking guide is with you the whole time. Fuel is extra and paid in cash (calculate it based on the duration you pick), and bring a towel if you have one, since they are not provided.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment.
• bottled water, beer, wine and cola.
• English-speaking guide.
• private speedboat with sundeck and sunshade.
• fuel for the tour duration (paid separately in cash).

Options for this experience

7 options

Sunset tour, 2 hours, up to 6 passengersUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English · 19:00First-class service: On our tours we deliver high-quality service. Our boats are modern and brand new, providing comfort and a touch of luxury. Duration: 2 hours. Enjoy a beautiful sunset from our boat with a glass of champagne. Drinks: beer, wine, water, Coca-Cola and a bottle of champagne. Elaphiti Islands skipper

Sunset tour, 2 hours, up to 12 passengersUp to 12 per booking · Guide in English · 19:00First-class service: On our tours we deliver high-quality service. Our boats are modern and brand new, providing comfort and a touch of luxury. Duration: 2 hours. Enjoy a beautiful sunset from our boat with a glass of champagne. Drinks: beer, wine, water, Coca-Cola and a bottle of champagne. Elaphiti Islands skipper

Private tour, 4 hours, up to 6 passengersUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English · 08:00, 09:00, 10:00 and 15:00First-class service: On our tours we deliver high-quality service. Our boats are modern and brand new, providing comfort and a touch of luxury. Duration: 4 hours. Spend your morning or afternoon away from the city crowds: explore the islands, discover hidden caves and try snorkelling. Drinks: beer, wine, water and Coca-Cola. Elaphiti Islands skipper

See 4 more options

Private tour, 4 hours, up to 12 passengersUp to 12 per booking · Guide in English · 08:00, 09:00, 10:00 and 15:00First-class service: On our tours we deliver high-quality service. Our boats are modern and brand new, offering comfort and a touch of luxury. Duration: 4 hours. Spend your morning or afternoon away from the city crowds: explore the islands, discover hidden caves and try snorkelling. Drinks: beer, wine, water and Coca-Cola. Elaphiti Islands skipper

Private tour, 8 hours, up to 6 passengersUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English · 5 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 12:00First-class service: On our tours we deliver high-quality service. Our boats are modern and brand new, providing comfort and a touch of luxury. Duration: 8 hours. This tour is the ideal way to spend a full day of your holiday. Explore the islands, discover hidden caves and try snorkelling. Drinks: beer, wine, water and Coca-Cola. Elaphiti Islands skipper

Private tour, 8 hours, up to 12 passengersUp to 12 per booking · Guide in English · 5 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 12:00First-class service: On our tours we deliver high-quality service. Our boats are modern and brand new, providing comfort and a touch of luxury. Duration: 8 hours. This tour is the ideal way to spend a full day of your holiday. Explore the islands, discover hidden caves and try snorkelling. Cold drinks: beer, wine, water and Coca-Cola. Elaphiti Islands speedboat skipper

10-hour tour: Blue Cave and Mljet National ParkUp to 8 per booking · Guide in English · 09:00 and 10:00First-class service: On our tours we deliver high-quality service. Our boats are modern and brand new, providing comfort and a touch of luxury. Duration: 10 hours. Enjoy a perfect day at sea as we visit Mljet National Park, the Elaphiti Islands, beautiful beaches and caves. Drinks: beer, wine, water and Coca-Cola. Elaphiti Islands and Mljet National Park skipper

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 19:00

Book up to4h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 390

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Adriatic Boat Tours

Is this one for you?Book the 4-hour option if you want the cave snorkeling and island beaches without committing to a full day. Pick the 8-hour Mljet tour if you're willing to trade the Elafiti stops for a longer boat ride and a national park with a different landscape. The 2-hour sunset run works if you want the caves and the water but not the island stops.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between the 4-hour and 8-hour snorkeling tours from Dubrovnik?

The 4-hour tour stays in the Elafiti Islands, visiting sea caves, Šipan, Lopud and Šunj Beach. The 8-hour tour skips most of the Elafiti stops and instead travels 50 km south to Mljet Island, where you see the Odysseus Cave, Limuni Beach and the national park's salty lakes: a full-day commitment but a different island entirely.

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling gear?

No. Quality snorkeling equipment is included on every tour. Bring a towel if you have one, as towels are not provided.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

Included are snorkeling gear, drinks (water, beer, wine, cola), the guide and the boat itself. Lunch is not included: restaurants are available at stops if you want to eat. Fuel is paid separately in cash and depends on the tour length you choose.

How many people can book a private speedboat tour?

Groups can be up to 12 people on the standard private options, or up to 6 people on smaller private runs. A sunset tour is also available in both sizes.

What happens if I book the Lokrum Island option instead of the Elafiti Islands?

Lokrum Island sits in front of Old Town Dubrovnik on the opposite side from the Elafiti Islands. If you go there, the operator notes you won't be able to see all the Elafiti stops, so it's a trade-off: available on request only.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not a strong swimmer?

The snorkeling happens in shallow water inside caves and around islands where you can stand. The tour is marked suitable for all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with poor cardiovascular health.