Brand New Mercan Excursion 34 Private Tour From Dubrovnik Cavtat

Dubrovnik’s best views may be from the water. This private Mercan 34 boat tour circles the city walls, then heads toward caves, quiet coves, and the Elaphiti Islands. You can swim into the Blue Cave, snorkel around Kolocep, stretch out at sandy Sunj Beach, and play your own music as the boat runs toward sunset.

I like the private format, which keeps the day flexible for your own group of up to 12 people. I also like the thoughtful extras: snorkeling equipment, bottled water, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages are included. The main catch is the extra fuel charge, paid in cash, which can add €80 for a half-day or €150 for a full-day outing.

Key things to know before booking

• The Blue Cave requires a sea swim: The opening is small but wide enough for swimming. The cave is about 4 meters deep, and you cannot stand inside.
• Kolocep brings three unusual stops: You visit two green caves and a canyon-like cave during about an hour on the island.
• Sunj Beach is very shallow: You may walk roughly 100 meters before reaching swimming depth, making it pleasant for families but less appealing if you want an immediate swim.
• The tour is private for up to 12 people: You share the boat only with your own group and skipper.
• Antonio is praised for punctual, helpful service: If he is your skipper, you can expect clear booking support and a prompt start based on the available account.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Dubrovnik’s city walls from a quiet boat

The tour begins with a panoramic cruise along Dubrovnik’s coast. From the water, the old city’s walls take on a different scale. You see the fortified edge as a single sweep rather than as a series of streets and stairways, and the boat gives you a useful sense of how the city meets the Adriatic.

This first portion lasts about 25 minutes and includes no separate admission charge. It is a short opening, but it gives you a good orientation before the boat turns toward the caves.

The trip then takes about 20 minutes to reach the Blue Cave. That transfer is part of the pleasure of a private boat day, although you should expect engine time between stops. Bring a hat and cover your skin, since the open boat provides little relief from the sun unless there is shade on board.

Swimming into the Blue Cave

The Blue Cave is the tour’s most physical stop. You do not enter by a walkway or small tender. The only way inside is to jump into the sea and swim through the narrow opening.

The entrance is small, though it is large enough for a swimmer. The cave reaches about 4 meters in depth, and you cannot put your feet down. That detail matters. You should be comfortable in open water and able to swim without relying on the bottom for support.

You get about 35 minutes here. That is enough time for a swim and a look around, but not a long beach stop. Wear a bathing suit under your clothes and keep a towel and spare clothes handy. Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat also belong on your packing list.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins. Still, comfort in the water is the key question. If anyone in your group is uneasy about entering a narrow cave by swimming, this stop may feel more stressful than special. You can ask the skipper about spending more time on the surface instead, but the supplied details do not promise a substitute activity.

Kolocep’s two green caves and canyon cave

Next comes Kolocep, one of the Elaphiti Islands. The stop lasts about an hour and includes two green caves plus a cave shaped more like a canyon.

This is a good part of the day for exploring by water rather than collecting beach time. The caves give the trip variety, and the private boat makes it easier to pause for swimming and photos within the available schedule. Your skipper is the person to follow here, since exact sea conditions can affect how close the boat gets to each opening.

Do not expect a long walk or a formal site with signs and facilities. These are natural formations experienced from the boat and water. You should carry your camera carefully and follow instructions around the cave entrances.

Kolocep also shows why a private tour can be better than a large group outing. Your own party can spend its attention on the water, the rocks, and the swim instead of waiting for a crowded boat to gather. On the other hand, the price makes most sense when you have a reasonably large group sharing it.

Sunj Beach on Lopud

After the caves, the boat heads to Sunj Beach on Lopud. This is the day’s easiest place to relax. The beach is sandy, almost a kilometer long, and sits on the island’s south side.

Sunj is unusually shallow. You may walk about 100 meters before reaching a depth suitable for swimming. That makes it a strong choice for families with small children, though adults looking for a quick swim may find the long shallows a little inconvenient.

The beach also works well after time in the caves. You can sit on the sand, wade, swim once you reach deeper water, or take part in activities such as volleyball, tennis, and picigin. The supplied tour details do not say that equipment for these activities is provided, so consider them optional possibilities rather than guaranteed inclusions.

You get about an hour here. That is enough for a proper pause, but it will pass quickly if you want both a meal and beach time. Keep your belongings together, especially if you leave the boat to swim or walk along the shore.

Lunch and a slower hour on Lopud

Lopud follows Sunj Beach and offers restaurants along the coast. This is the natural point for lunch, but food is not included in the tour price.

The stated timing gives Lopud about three hours, including the lunch stop and the return journey afterward. In practical terms, that means the island is more than a quick photo stop. You have room for a meal and some unhurried time by the coast, though you should confirm the exact schedule with the skipper at the beginning of the day.

I like this balance. A full boat itinerary can become a tiring string of short stops, but Lopud gives you a chance to slow down. If you prefer swimming to sitting at a restaurant, you may want to keep lunch simple and save more time for the shoreline.

The return to the starting point takes about an hour after Lopud. That is worth remembering when you look at the advertised eight-hour duration. Travel time uses a meaningful part of the day, but it also lets you enjoy the coast without arranging separate transport between islands.

Pasjaca Beach as an alternative

Pasjaca Beach is presented as an alternative for people who do not want to visit the Elaphiti Islands or have already seen them. The stop lasts about two hours.

That flexibility is useful, but it needs clarification before departure. Pasjaca is not simply an additional stop on top of the Blue Cave, Kolocep, Sunj, Lopud, and the return trip. The available plan suggests choosing it instead of the island route. Ask the provider which version you are booking, how the timing changes, and whether the fuel charge remains the same.

Pasjaca is described as an amazing natural beach, but no further details are provided about facilities, water depth, access, or what equipment is available there. If you choose this option, ask practical questions before setting off. The Elaphiti route offers a broader mix of caves, beach, and lunch, while Pasjaca may suit you better if you want to replace the island circuit with a single beach stop.

What the private boat format changes

A private tour for up to 12 people is not automatically a bargain for one or two passengers. At $360.44 per group, the value improves sharply when you divide the base price among family or friends. For 12 people, the base cost works out to about $30 per person before the fuel surcharge. For four people, it is about $90 each before fuel.

The full-day fuel surcharge is €150, paid in cash on the boat. A half-day surcharge is €80, while a sunset tour costs €30. Since this experience is described as approximately eight hours and includes the full island route, confirm which fuel charge applies to your chosen departure.

The private setup gives you control over your group’s atmosphere. You can listen to your own playlist, and one account specifically praises the boat’s quiet running, punctual arrival, and helpful service from Antonio. Music is a nice touch for a sunset return, but keep the volume respectful if the skipper needs to give safety instructions.

The included drinks also add convenience. You receive bottled water, soda, and alcoholic beverages, along with snorkeling equipment. You still need to bring your own bathing suit, towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, change of clothes, and camera.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this outing for a group that wants a full day on the sea rather than a short city excursion. It suits friends, families, and couples who value privacy and want several kinds of stops in one booking.

It is especially suitable if you enjoy:

• Swimming into natural caves
• Snorkeling and open-water stops
• Sandy beaches rather than only rocky coves
• A restaurant lunch on an island
• A flexible private boat for your own group
• A sunset-style return with your own music

Families should pay close attention to the Blue Cave. Sunj Beach is family-friendly because of its shallow water, but the cave requires a swim in water too deep to stand in. The tour data says most people can participate, yet that does not remove the need for basic swimming ability.

This may be less suitable if you want a guided history tour, a long visit inside Dubrovnik, or a schedule built around walking. The day focuses on coastlines, swimming, caves, beach time, and boat travel. Dubrovnik’s city walls appear from the sea, but you do not tour them on foot.

Timing, weather, and small practical details

The experience lasts about eight hours, and confirmation is provided at booking. It is offered in English and is near public transportation. Only your group participates, which keeps the arrangement simple once you reach the departure point.

Weather is a real factor. This is a sea-based trip, so poor conditions can cancel the outing. You can choose another date or receive a full refund if weather forces cancellation. If you need to cancel for your own reasons, you must do so at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

Plan to carry cash for the fuel surcharge. Pack light, but do not leave out dry clothes. After several swims, you will appreciate having something clean and dry for the ride back.

You should also clarify the route at booking. The listed plan includes the Elaphiti Islands and separately describes Pasjaca as an alternative. That is not a problem, but it is an important choice. The island route offers more variety, while Pasjaca may give you a simpler beach-focused day.

Should you book the Mercan 34 tour?

Book it if you want a private Dubrovnik boat day with caves, swimming, a sandy beach, and an island lunch in one outing. The price is fair for a full private boat when shared by a larger group, and the included drinks and snorkeling gear make the day easier to organize.

I would hesitate only if you dislike open-water swimming, need a low-cost trip for one or two people, or want a tightly defined route with no fuel surcharge. Before paying, confirm the departure point, the exact fuel fee, and whether you want the Elaphiti Islands or Pasjaca.

For a group that can share the cost and enjoys being outside, this is a strong way to see more of the Dubrovnik coast in a single day.

FAQ

How long is the private boat tour?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The boat is available for your private group of up to 12 people.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

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

Do I need to swim into the Blue Cave?

Yes. The only way to enter the Blue Cave is to jump into the sea and swim through its small opening. The cave is about 4 meters deep, and you cannot stand inside.

Is lunch included on Lopud?

No. Lopud has restaurants along the coast where you can stop for lunch, but the meal is not listed as included.

What is the fuel surcharge?

The fuel surcharge is paid in cash on the boat. The stated amounts are €30 for a sunset tour, €80 for a half-day tour, and €150 for a full-day tour.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can be offered a different date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes cancellation.