Luxury motor yacht on clear blue water near Dubrovnik island Sipan, waiting for clients in front of popular Bowa restaurant.
Private Shore Excursions

VIP Dubrovnik Shore Excursion with Lunch at Bowa

Cruise-port pickup, private boat pacing, an Old Town sea finish, and a private return to your ship

A premium hybrid shore day for cruise guests who want a private boat departure, lunch at Bowa, a panorama of Dubrovnik Old Town from the sea, Old Town Port disembarkation, and a private car transfer back to the cruise port.

Dubrovnik

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About This Activity

Private Dubrovnik shore excursion with cruise-port pickup, optional snorkelling support, lunch at Bowa, Old Town Port drop-off, self-guided Stradun time, and a private car return to the ship.

Dubrovnik Shore Excursion: VIP Boat Tour with Lunch at Bowa

This private Dubrovnik shore excursion is built for cruise guests who want more than a standard island stop. Begin with pickup at the Gruž cruise port and a private boat departure, keep any swim or snorkelling moment secondary to the day, sit down for lunch at Bowa on Šipan, cruise back for a panorama of Dubrovnik Old Town from the sea, disembark at Old Town Port, enjoy a self-guided walk on Stradun, and return to the ship by private car with timing managed around your docking window.

Why This Hybrid Route Is Different

Most Dubrovnik shore excursions either stay island-first the whole time or switch into a city-only finish with no sea element. This page is designed for guests who want both: a polished private-boat experience with a destination lunch and an elegant Old Town ending before a ship-safe return transfer.

The Route

After embarkation in Gruž, your skipper heads out on the shortest practical private-boat line for your port window. If sea conditions and timing are comfortable, there can be a short swim or snorkelling stop in clear water before lunch, but the excursion is not sold as a snorkelling-led product. Bowa is the centerpiece of the middle of the day, with the lunch reservation coordinated in advance rather than left as an afterthought.

After lunch, the private boat returns toward Dubrovnik for the sea view that many cruise guests never get from land: the city walls, fortresses, and Old Town coastline from the water. Instead of ending back at the cruise port, the route is designed to finish at Dubrovnik Old Town Port so you can step directly into a short self-guided walk on Stradun.

Cruise Timing Without Shared-Boat Stress

The final part of the product promise is the private car return to the cruise ship port. That hybrid finish is what separates this page from generic Bowa boat tours, city-only excursions, and Elaphiti-only shore pages. If sea conditions, local port instructions, or vessel suitability make an Old Town Port drop-off impractical, the route is adjusted to the nearest sensible handoff without losing the core cruise-safe timing logic.

Activity Details

Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation may be available, but the exact cutoff and any Bowa reservation commitments are reconfirmed in your final booking setup.
Available Days
Daily, subject to ship schedule, Bowa availability, skipper availability, and sea conditions.
Available Start Times
Matched to your ship's docking or tender timing, with lunch pacing at Bowa and return-to-ship buffer built in.
Destination / City
Dubrovnik
Area / Neighborhood
Dubrovnik cruise port (Gruž), Šipan / Bowa, Dubrovnik Old Town coastline, and Stradun.
Duration
Usually around 5 to 6 hours, shaped around your docking window, lunch pacing at Bowa, and time reserved for the Old Town finish.
Guide(s)
Private skipper and private return driver
Minimum Group Size
1
Maximum Group Size
8
Ship Return Guarantee
✓ Yes
Transport Included
✓ Yes
Air Conditioning
✗ No
Port Pickup
✓ Yes
Port Drop-off
✓ Yes
Guided Tour
✓ Yes
Licensed Local Guide
✗ No
Wheelchair Accessible
✗ No
Kid Friendly
✓ Yes
Advance Booking Required
✓ Yes
Difficulty Level
Easy to moderate
Languages Available
English
Cruise Port
Dubrovnik cruise port (Gruž)
Guide Speciality
Cruise-timed private boat routing, Bowa lunch coordination, Dubrovnik Old Town sea panoramas, and ship-safe return planning.
Highlights
- Cruise-port pickup and direct private boat departure from Gruž - Optional swim or snorkelling stop only when timing and sea conditions support it - Reserved lunch timing at Bowa on Šipan - Panorama of Dubrovnik Old Town from the sea - Old Town Port drop-off and self-guided Stradun walk - Private car return to the cruise ship port
Itinerary
Cruise-port pickup and embarkation in Gruž → optional swim or snorkelling stop when conditions allow → lunch at Bowa → Dubrovnik Old Town panorama by sea → Old Town Port disembarkation → self-guided Stradun walk → private car return to the cruise port.
Meeting Point at Port
Dubrovnik cruise port in Gruž or a nearby dock handoff confirmed before your ship arrives.
Physical Requirements
Suitable for guests comfortable stepping on and off a speedboat and walking independently in Dubrovnik Old Town. Swimming is optional, and uneven stone surfaces in the Old Town can require basic balance and mobility.
Return to Ship Notes
The route is designed around an Old Town Port finish and private car return to Gruž, with enough buffer to shorten lunch, swim time, or walking time if ship schedules, sea conditions, or port traffic change.
Tour Name
Dubrovnik Shore Excursion: VIP Boat Tour with Lunch at Bowa
Tour Type
Private VIP shore excursion by speedboat with a Bowa lunch, Old Town Port finish, and private return transfer.
Vehicle Type
Private speedboat with skipper for the sea segment, plus a private car return to the cruise port.
What's Included
- Private shore-excursion timing around your ship schedule - Dubrovnik cruise-port pickup and private boat departure - Private skipper service and flexible route pacing - Bowa lunch reservation coordination - Old Town Port finish when operationally practical - Private car return to the cruise ship port
What's Not Included
- Lunch and drinks at Bowa unless your final booking setup states otherwise - Personal purchases and gratuities - Guided walking tour inside Dubrovnik Old Town - Guaranteed Old Town Port drop-off when vessel suitability or port conditions require a fallback handoff
What to Bring
- Soft deck shoes or sandals suitable for boat boarding - Swimwear and towel only if you want the optional swim stop - Sun protection and water in warmer months - Comfortable shoes for Stradun and the Old Town stone streets - Cruise card and phone for day-of coordination

Itinerary

Dubrovnik Shore Excursion: VIP Boat Tour with Lunch at Bowa Itinerary

Hybrid Dubrovnik cruise-port route with private boat departure, optional swim support, Bowa lunch, Old Town sea panorama, Old Town Port finish, Stradun walk, and private car return.

  1. Step 1

    Cruise-port pickup and private boat departure from Gruž

    ⏱ 15-20 min

    Meet your skipper at Dubrovnik cruise port or a nearby dock handoff and move efficiently from ship logistics onto the water. The first step is about protecting your available shore time and starting the day privately from the outset.

    Dubrovnik Port Gruz
    Highlight Port
    15 min

    Gruz Port, Dubrovnik

    Meet your skipper and board the private boat.

    Private-yacht embarkation point in Dubrovnik for a seamless Adriatic departure with Tendo-style service.

    Exact dock handoff is reconfirmed around ship logistics.

    Map preview

    Dubrovnik Port Gruz

    Gruz Port, Dubrovnik

    15 min Port

  2. Step 2

    Optional swim or snorkelling stop before lunch

    ⏱ 30-45 min

    If conditions are calm and your group wants it, the skipper can build in a short clear-water swim or snorkelling pause before lunch. If not, that time stays invested in relaxed cruising and the Bowa arrival rather than forcing a stop.

  3. Step 3

    Lunch at Bowa on Šipan

    ⏱ 90-120 min

    Bowa is the centerpiece of the route: a polished waterfront lunch stop reached by private boat rather than by road. Reservation timing is coordinated around your ship window so the meal feels like a signature moment, not a risky detour.

    Google photo of Bowa Restaurant, Sipan

    Photo by José Antonio Solozábal Benito

    Bowa Restaurant, Sipan
    Highlight Restaurant
    4.6 480 reviews 2h Popular

    Reserved lunch stop at Bowa.

    Boat-access Sipan lunch stop for premium private tours.

    Meal spend and reservation terms are confirmed in the final booking setup.

    Map preview

    Bowa Restaurant, Sipan
    4.6 · 480 reviews 2h Restaurant

  4. Step 4

    Panorama of Dubrovnik Old Town from the sea

    ⏱ 30-40 min

    After lunch, cruise back toward Dubrovnik for one of the defining views of the day: the city walls, fortresses, and Old Town coastline seen from the water. This keeps the route distinct from lunch-only island days and city tours that never include the sea perspective.

  5. Step 5

    Old Town Port disembarkation and self-guided Stradun walk

    ⏱ 45-75 min

    The planned finish is at Dubrovnik Old Town Port so you can step directly into a short self-guided walk through the center and along Stradun. If local conditions require a nearby fallback handoff, the city stop is still preserved as part of the shore-day logic.

    Dubrovnik Old Town
    Highlight Old town
    2h Popular

    Old Town, Dubrovnik, Croatia

    Self-guided walk through Dubrovnik Old Town and along Stradun.

    Historic center inside Dubrovnik's walls

    Old Town Port finish remains subject to operational suitability on the day.

    Map preview

    Dubrovnik Old Town

    Old Town, Dubrovnik, Croatia

    2h Old town

  6. Step 6

    Private car return to the cruise ship port

    ⏱ 20-30 min

    Close the day with a private transfer back to Gruž instead of navigating port logistics on your own. This final leg keeps cruise timing under control and allows the sea finish and city walk to work together in one shore excursion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do we meet for this shore excursion?

The standard arrangement is pickup at Dubrovnik cruise port in Gruž, with the exact dock handoff or nearby meeting point reconfirmed before your ship arrives. The goal is to move you from port logistics onto the water quickly and smoothly rather than lose time waiting for a shared departure.

Is lunch at Bowa included, and how is the reservation handled?

Bowa is the planned lunch anchor for this route, and the reservation timing is coordinated as part of the private shore-day setup. Meal spend is confirmed in the final offer rather than assumed automatically, so any reservation conditions or minimum spend are clarified before the day is locked in.

Is snorkelling required on this excursion?

No. A short swim or snorkelling stop can be added when sea conditions, timing, and guest preference all line up, but it is treated as a supporting moment rather than the main reason to book the day. If your group prefers to stay dry, the route can stay focused on cruising, lunch, and the Old Town finish.

What happens if sea conditions are poor or Old Town Port is not practical?

The route is adapted rather than forced. If open-water conditions are not comfortable, the skipper can shorten or remove the swim segment and keep the day focused on smoother cruising and lunch timing. If vessel suitability, port traffic, or local instructions make an Old Town Port drop-off impractical, the finish shifts to the nearest sensible handoff while preserving the city time and private return logic.

How much time do we usually have for the Stradun walk?

The Old Town walk is meant to be flexible inside your ship window, not a fixed group march. In most cases there is time for a short self-guided stroll along Stradun and a quick look around the center before the private car return, but the exact duration can be trimmed if lunch runs long or port timing changes.

How much return buffer do you keep before the ship sails?

Cruise-safe timing is part of the product promise. The private boat segment, Old Town stop, and car return are paced with a practical buffer, and the team can shorten swim time, city time, or lunch pacing if docking updates, tender timing, traffic, or weather shift on the day.

Why choose Tendo luxury travel

Tendo luxury travel is a regional expert and leading specialist for holiday planning and provision of complete tourist services in southern Dalmatia, the Dubrovnik area, and wider. Our business is based on quality presentation and complete tourist offers, professional and individual service oriented to client wishes and needs. 

We are an active member of UHPA ( ACTA /Association of Croatian Travel Agencies) which guarantee of the service quality and authenticity of products and services. We’re taking special care of our clients during their stay at their destination or use of our services and we are always at your disposal ready to help and share useful and helpful information.

Throughout the past, we had countless satisfied and returning clients which present our success and pride and we hope that you will become one of them in a near future. Our goal is satisfied clients and professional service which goes beyond your expectations!

You can count on our kind and knowledgeable staff to offer you the attention, care, and service necessary to have a trip that is both memorable and trouble-free.

Where can I learn more about your agency?

Our business is based on quality presentation and complete tourist offers, professional and individual service oriented to client wishes and needs. You can read reviews about our agency on our Reviews page or on official our TripAdvisor page.

What do you have in your offer?

We offer private luxury tours and transfers across Croatia and Montenegro — all fully private, no group join-ins.

Private Boat Tours

Day trips by speedboat or yacht to the islands around Dubrovnik, Hvar, Split and more. Swim in hidden coves, visit sea caves, and enjoy the Adriatic at your own pace.

  • Private cave tours & island excursions
  • Speedboats (25–40 ft) and sailing yachts (40 ft+)
  • Snorkelling stops, lunch recommendations, fully flexible itinerary

Private Excursions & Day Tours

Tailor-made day tours by land or sea — just your group, your guide, your schedule.

  • Cultural tours: Dubrovnik, Split, Korčula, Kotor
  • National parks: Krka, Mljet
  • Game of Thrones filming location tours
  • Wine & food tours in Dalmatia and Montenegro

Yacht & Speedboat Charter

Rent a private vessel with a professional skipper for a full day on the Adriatic. We offer everything from 25 ft speedboats to 50 ft sailing yachts — for 2 to 12 guests.

Private Transfers

By sea: Direct boat transfers between Croatian and Montenegrin ports — Dubrovnik, Hvar, Split, Korčula, Kotor, Budva. Skip the ferry, travel in style.

By car: Private vehicle transfers with a registered driver. Airport pickups, inter-city transfers, Croatia ↔ Montenegro ↔ Italy routes available.

Contact us to arrange a transfer

Groups & Corporate Events

We plan complete programmes for groups, incentive trips, and corporate events — from logistics to on-site guides.

Get in touch for a custom quote

How do I pay for a confirmed reservation?

We accept three payment methods: credit/debit card, PayPal, and bank transfer.

Credit / Debit Card (Online)

Pay securely online via our payment gateway. Once your booking is confirmed, our team will send you an email with a secure payment link. All transactions are protected with SSL encryption and 3D Secure (Verified by Visa / MasterCard Secure Code).

PayPal

We accept PayPal payments. Please let us know at the time of booking if you prefer this method and we will send you a PayPal payment request.

Bank Transfer

For international customers, payment by bank transfer is also available.

Bank: Raiffeisenbank Austria d.d. / www.rba.hr Bank address: Petrinjska 59, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia Beneficiary: Tendo d.o.o., Andrije Hebranga 106A, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia IBAN: HR2524840081107216972 SWIFT: RZBHHR2X

Notes

  • Transaction fees are covered by the customer and are included in quoted prices.
  • After payment, you may be asked to send a confirmation of payment by email.
  • Payment confirmation or receipt of a signed credit card authorisation form constitutes confirmation of your reservation.
What is the current currency of payment in Croatia?

The euro

As of 01 January 2023, the currency of Croatia is the euro.

What is your cancellation policy?

For all our services mostly you can cancel up to 48-24 hours before the tour check-in. Always In case of client illness, physical condition, accident, or injury prior to service star agency will in good manners offer a full refund.

Do you offer any discounts?

Yes! Contact us to find out more about discounts.

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