Dubrovnik: Private Boat Rental for Parties & Alcohol

Dubrovnik’s best swimming spots are often reached by water, and this private boat trip gives you the freedom to reach them without sharing the day with a large tour group. Skipper Mario takes up to eight people comfortably on an 8.3-meter boat, with music, drinks, snorkel gear, and time to stop wherever the sea looks most inviting.

I like the flexible route, which can include Šunj Beach, Three Caves, Lopud, Lapad, or quieter bays chosen with your skipper. I also like the relaxed pace: the boat cruises at about 7 mph toward the first stop, leaving plenty of time for swimming and photos. The main drawback is that food is not included, and the trip depends on good weather.

Key points

• Private boat for up to eight people: The boat can carry 10, but the operator suggests a smaller group for comfort.
• Six hours on the Dubrovnik coast: You can swim, snorkel, listen to music, and stop at several locations.
• Drinks are included: Beer, wine, and one pre-ordered bottle of whisky, gin, or vodka come with the booking.
• Mario is a major part of the experience: He speaks English, handles the boat, suggests stops, and can take photos, including drone footage when available.
• Šunj Beach and Three Caves are possible stops: The final route is shaped by weather, sea conditions, and your group’s wishes.
• Bring your own food: Lunch is not part of the price, though the skipper can suggest a place to stop for a meal.

Why a private boat works well around Dubrovnik

A private boat changes the feel of a day on the coast. You are not tied to a fixed group schedule or a long list of formal sightseeing stops. Instead, you can spend more time swimming, ask to move on when you have had enough, or linger at a bay that suits your group.

That flexibility matters in Dubrovnik, where a short boat ride can take you away from the busiest waterfront areas. The focus here is not a detailed guided tour of every island. It is a relaxed day at sea, with scenic views, swimming, music, and drinks.

The boat is 8.3 meters long and officially holds 10 people. The operator recommends no more than eight, which is sensible. A full boat may be legal, but it will feel less comfortable when people are carrying towels, bags, drinks, and snorkeling equipment. For a group of six to eight, you should have enough room to sit, move around, and enjoy the ride without feeling packed in.

Starting slowly toward the first bay

You meet the skipper at the agreed location, which should be confirmed before the day of the trip. Once everyone boards, the boat heads out at a slow cruising speed of about 7 mph toward the first swimming area.

That gradual start is useful. You can settle into the boat, take in the coastal views, connect to the Bluetooth speaker, and discuss the route with Mario. This is also the right time to tell him what matters most to your group. Some people want several swim stops. Others prefer a longer lunch break, more photos, or a quieter cove away from other boats.

The panoramic views are one of the strongest parts of the trip. From the water, Dubrovnik’s coast and nearby islands appear from a different angle than they do from the Old Town or a road. You get a broad view of the shoreline, open sea, coves, and island villages as the boat moves between stops.

The boat includes Wi-Fi, though the main reason to come is to put your phone down for a while. Still, the connection can be handy for sharing photos or keeping in touch during the day.

Swimming and snorkeling between the stops

The first stop is designed for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing with music. Life jackets and snorkel equipment are included, so you do not need to bring your own mask or flotation gear. You should bring swimwear and a towel, but no special water equipment is required.

The snorkeling here is best treated as a pleasant extra rather than the main purpose of the trip. The information provided does not promise a particular reef, marine-life site, or underwater excursion. The real value is being able to jump into clear coastal water at attractive locations chosen for the day.

You can also use the stops to cool off after sitting in the sun. Bring care with alcohol and swimming, especially since drinks are part of the package. The skipper handles the boat, but you remain responsible for pacing yourself and staying sensible in the water.

The suggested maximum of eight people helps here too. A smaller group can get in and out of the water more easily and share the boat’s space without turning every stop into a queue.

Šunj Beach, Three Caves, and the island options

Šunj Beach is one of the recommended stops. The route description also points to Three Caves and other attractive bays around Dubrovnik. These places give the day variety: you can have a sandy-beach stop, explore a cave area, and then spend time in a quieter swimming bay.

The exact order is not fixed. Weather and sea conditions guide the decision, as does your group’s preference. Ask Mario early in the day which stops are realistic for the available six hours. You may prefer fewer locations with longer swims, or several short stops for photos and variety.

The cave stop is especially useful if your group wants something beyond sunbathing. You can explore the area from the water and take photos, though you should not assume that every cave is suitable for entering. Follow the skipper’s instructions about where it is safe to swim.

The trip can also include island stops such as Lopud. Several groups used their time for lunch on Lopud or Lapad, with one stop described as a sandy beach club with lounge chairs and a sea view. These details are not guaranteed parts of every outing, but they show how the private format can work: you can ask for a meal stop instead of spending the entire day moving between swim sites.

Food is not included, so budget separately for lunch. If you want to eat at an island or beach club, discuss it with Mario early rather than waiting until everyone is hungry. The final choices depend on the day’s route and conditions.

Mario’s role makes the day more personal

The skipper is central to this experience. Mario speaks English and handles the boat while helping shape the day around your group. His role is not limited to steering. He can suggest places to swim, point out suitable stops, answer questions, and adjust the pace.

The strongest pattern in the feedback is his friendly and accommodating approach. He has taken groups to popular locations as well as quieter spots with fewer people, and he has been willing to wait rather than rush everyone through a swim or photo stop.

That patience is important on a private trip. You are paying for time and control, not just transport. If you want to stay longer at a bay, tell him. If you have had enough sun, ask about moving on. The experience works best when you treat the route as a conversation rather than a fixed sightseeing program.

Mario has also taken photographs for groups, including drone footage on some outings. This is a memorable extra, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed inclusion. Ask before departure if photography is important to you.

Drinks, music, and the party angle

This is not a silent sightseeing cruise. The boat has a Bluetooth speaker, and the price includes beer, wine, and one bottle of alcohol selected in advance from whisky, gin, or vodka.

The bottle must be ordered before the trip, so decide what your group wants ahead of time. The included drinks add real value for a celebration group, especially for a hen party or a group of friends sharing the cost. Several bookings have used the boat for that kind of occasion.

Still, the party theme should not obscure the setting. The best part of the day is the combination of music and open water, not simply the amount of alcohol available. You will enjoy the outing more if you bring water, pace your drinking, and leave enough energy for swimming and exploring.

There is no mention of food or soft drinks being included. Bring or arrange anything your group needs, and confirm what is allowed on the boat before you arrive. The provided information specifically says food is not included, so lunch needs a separate budget.

How the $379 price measures up

The advertised price is $379 per group, with the listing wording showing a group size of up to one. That wording is unusual for a private boat booking, so confirm the final price for your party before paying. The boat itself is described as suitable for up to 10 people, with eight recommended for comfort.

At eight people, $379 works out to less than $48 per person before any separate lunch costs. At six people, the per-person cost rises, but you are still paying for a private boat, skipper, fuel, drinks, snorkel gear, Wi-Fi, and about six hours on the water. Compared with paying individual fares for a larger shared excursion, the private format can be good value for a group.

The value is strongest when you use the flexibility. If your group only wants a short ride and one swim, the six-hour booking may be more than you need. If you want a full day with several stops, a meal break, drinks, and time away from crowded shore areas, the price makes more sense.

Remember to add lunch, and possibly any extra drinks or purchases at a beach club. The included bottle and beer and wine cover the advertised package, but they do not make the day all-inclusive.

Timing, weather, and what to pack

The stated duration is about five to six hours, with six hours used as the advertised length. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule when booking.

Weather is the main condition to understand. The boat operates only in good conditions, and the route may change when the sea or weather makes a planned stop unsuitable. A private trip cannot remove that uncertainty. If you have only one day available, keep your plans flexible and avoid arranging an important connection immediately afterward.

Pack swimwear and a towel. You should also plan for time in the sun, although the provided details do not specify the boat’s shade or storage arrangements. Keep your belongings practical and limited, since even a private boat has finite space.

The boat fleet includes several different boats, so the vessel may not look exactly like the photos. The key details are the 8.3-meter size, skipper, capacity, equipment, and private format. If the boat’s exact design matters to you, ask which vessel is assigned.

Cancellation is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. These terms are useful when weather forecasts are still uncertain.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would recommend it most strongly for groups of friends, birthday groups, hen parties, couples traveling with friends, and families or small groups who want control over their day. The private setting lets you set the music, choose the pace, and decide how much time goes to swimming, photos, island stops, or lunch.

It also suits people who prefer a social boat day rather than a formal historical tour. The focus is on sea views and time in the water, not on a long narration about Dubrovnik’s past.

You may want another type of excursion if you need guaranteed stops, a fixed meal, a strict sightseeing itinerary, or a specialist snorkeling program. This trip has a suggested route, but the final plan depends on conditions and discussion with the skipper.

My verdict: a strong choice for a flexible group day

I like this boat trip because it gives you the parts of a Dubrovnik day that are hardest to arrange on your own: a capable boat, a local skipper, access to bays and islands, swimming time, and a flexible route. Mario’s friendly service and willingness to adjust the day add to its appeal, while the drone photos offered on some trips can provide a special record of the outing.

Book it if your group values private space, scenic swimming stops, music, and a relaxed party atmosphere. Confirm the meeting point, exact boat, final group price, lunch plan, and preferred alcohol before you go. If the weather looks poor or your party wants a tightly scheduled sightseeing tour, wait or choose a more structured option.

FAQ

How long does the private boat trip last?

The advertised duration is six hours, though the trip description says it usually lasts about five to six hours.

How many people can ride on the boat?

The boat has a stated capacity of 10 people, but the operator suggests a maximum of eight for a more comfortable experience.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private group experience rather than a shared group tour.

What drinks are included?

The package includes beer, wine, and one bottle of alcohol selected in advance from whisky, gin, or vodka.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included in the price. You can discuss a possible lunch stop with the skipper, including locations such as Lopud or Lapad.

Are snorkeling items provided?

Yes. Snorkel equipment and life jackets are included.

Can I play my own music?

Yes. A Bluetooth speaker is included, so you can connect a device and play music during the trip.

Does the boat operate in bad weather?

No. The activity is weather dependent and operates only in good conditions.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. You should also plan separately for food, since it is not included.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.