Boat transfer Dubrovnik to Cavtat, private sea taxi.

Dubrovnik to Cavtat boat transfer: the route along the coast.

A Dubrovnik to Cavtat boat transfer follows the shore south-east the whole way. From the Old Port the boat clears the eastern tip of Lokrum. It then runs past the beaches of Župa bay, with Kupari, Srebreno and Mlini on the shore and the Adriatic highway high on the hillside. The last stretch rounds the wooded Rat peninsula and the islets of Supetar, Mrkan and Bobara before turning into Cavtat harbour.

If you board in Lapad or at Komolac, the crossing starts on the far side of the city, so the boat first passes under Fort Lovrijenac and the Old Town walls. Even if you are only changing hotels, this short sea taxi to Cavtat doubles as a look at Dubrovnik from the water.

Wind and sea on the south coast.

This is an inshore route with land close by, which makes it one of the more sheltered crossings we run. The wind that matters most here is jugo, the south-easterly that builds a long swell over a day or two, mostly in spring and autumn. Bura, the gusty north-easterly, drops off the hills in squalls but usually leaves the water near the shore flat. In summer the maestral picks up from the north-west in the afternoon; heading for Cavtat it is behind you. Expect some spray on the open deck; a light jacket helps on spring and autumn mornings.

When the skipper judges the sea unsuitable, the trip is moved as described in the FAQ below. Because Cavtat is also an easy drive, a car leg is a simple fallback on a rough day.

Luggage on a private speedboat.

• Soft bags stow more easily than large hard cases. Tell us in advance about bulky items such as golf bags, pushchairs or bikes.
• Keep passports, phones and medication in a small bag that stays with you.

Arriving in Cavtat.

Boats land on the town quay, the palm-lined promenade that wraps around the harbour. Most hotels and apartments are a short walk or a few minutes by car from there. If yours is up the hill, send the address and we can add a short car leg from the quay. The old centre is compact. The Račić family mausoleum by Ivan Meštrović stands on the hill above the harbour, and the birthplace of the painter Vlaho Bukovac is in the village itself.

Cavtat is the closest town to Dubrovnik Airport, which is why many guests stay there on the first or last night of a trip. For the road option, see the Dubrovnik Airport to Cavtat car transfer. To spend longer on the water around the town, there is a private boat tour to Cavtat. Every sea route is listed on the boat transfers page, and quotes are itemised and sent by email or WhatsApp.

Getting between Cavtat and Dubrovnik

There are four ways: the public boats between Cavtat harbour and the Old Port in season, the local bus (Libertas line 10, timetable), a taxi, or a private boat. The private boat takes about 25 minutes from the Old Port, a little longer from Lapad or ACI Marina Komolac. It leaves at the time you choose and can collect you at the pier nearest your hotel.