From Rovinj: Sea Caves & Sandy Levan Island Speedboat Tour

The best Croatian beach day comes with a skipper. This private speedboat trip from Rovinj combines sea caves and secluded swim stops with the easy pleasure of Levan Island’s sandy beach. I especially like the freedom to change the route and the generous supply of onboard drinks. The chance to spot dolphins adds a little extra magic, though sightings are never guaranteed.

I also like that the boat suits different moods. You can snorkel at Seagull’s Rocks, jump from cliffs, relax in the shade, or stop for lunch at a local seafood restaurant. The main consideration is the price: $777 for up to three people is a serious outlay for a day on the water, and the boat has no toilet.

Key points to know before booking

• A private, customizable route: Your skipper can adjust stops and swimming time instead of running a fixed group schedule.
• Kolobarica Sea Cave: You can swim and snorkel inside a sea cave with a small beach and clear water.
• Levan Island’s sandy shore: This is the tour’s best choice for a longer, easygoing beach stop and a restaurant lunch.
• Seagull’s Rocks near Pula: Expect snorkeling, cave swimming, and possible cliff jumping in a striking coastal setting.
• Comfortable boat setup: There is room to sit in the shade at the back or sunbathe at the front.
• Dolphins are possible, not promised: Keep your eyes on the water during the return journey.

Why this private speedboat day works

This is not simply a boat transfer from Rovinj to one beach. It is a full day built around the southern Istrian coast, with several chances to swim, snorkel, stroll, eat, and change plans.

The private format matters. You are not tied to the interests of a large group. If you want more time in the water, the skipper can make room for it. If a cave is crowded, you can skip it and find another cove. That flexibility proved useful for Ann and her friend, who found the caves busy on a Sunday and chose a different swimming spot instead.

The boat has space at both ends. The rear offers shade, while the front is set up for sunbathing. That simple choice can make a big difference during an eight-hour outing. You can move around rather than spend the whole day in one position.

Cold drinks are included throughout the trip: water, beer, Coca-Cola, Fanta, and iced tea. Snorkeling equipment is also supplied, though fins are not included. Bring your own if you prefer to swim with them.

The trip is led in English by a professional skipper. Nikola, who captained the reported outing, was praised for shaping the day around what the guests wanted and keeping the mood relaxed with a good playlist. That personal touch is important here. A private boat day can feel either stiff or wonderfully informal, and the skipper sets the tone.

Leaving Rovinj for the southern coast

Pickup is available at several Rovinj locations, including Rovinj Port, Delfin Dock Station, the Island Hotel Ferry, the Taxi Boat point, Molo traghetto per Rovigno, and the Andana Sea Tours location.

Pay close attention to the meeting instructions. The boat is not waiting directly on the pier. Your skipper meets you at the very end of the pier at the scheduled start time, then brings you to the boat. Boats are marked with Goat a Boat or Andana Sea Tours, making them easier to identify.

If you are driving, the main Andana Sea Tours location in the small harbor by Hospital Martin Horvat is the suggested pickup point. From the old town, Rovinj Port by the Valdibora parking area is more practical. Guests staying around Grand Park, Monte Mulini, Lone, or Eden hotels can use the Delfin Dock Station. Amarin Resort, Red Island, and Katarina Island have their own listed pickup points.

The first speedboat ride lasts about 70 minutes. That is a significant stretch of open-water travel, but it gets you quickly toward the southern part of Istria. Bring sunscreen and a towel, and keep your swimwear on under your clothes. The day is built around frequent water stops.

Seagull’s Rocks: snorkeling and a first swim

The first major stop is Seagull’s Rocks Beach, with about 45 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. This area is known for rock formations, cave swimming, and cliff jumping.

The appeal is variety. You can stay in the water with a mask, swim around the rocks, or watch others make the jump. You do not need to cliff jump to enjoy the stop. The supplied snorkeling gear makes it easy to explore without renting equipment separately.

After another boat ride of roughly 30 minutes, there is a further stop listed for drinks, swimming, and snorkeling. Beer and tea are available, and the stop gives you a chance to slow down after the first stretch of sightseeing.

Because the tour is private, you can tell the skipper how active you want the day to be. Some people will want to chase every cliff jump. Others will be happier floating in clear water and keeping their heads above the rocks. The route allows for both.

Kolobarica Sea Cave at Cape Kamenjak

Cape Kamenjak is the main natural attraction on the southern tip of Istria. The tour approaches its sea cave from the water, giving you a view that is hard to get from land.

At Kolobarica Sea Cave, you have about 30 minutes to swim and snorkel. The cave includes an inside beach and clear water, making it a strong spot for waterproof-camera photos. The enclosed setting also gives the swim a different feel from the open coves earlier in the day.

Crowds can affect this stop. On a busy Sunday, the cave may be too crowded to feel special. The private format gives you a useful advantage: you can ask to move on rather than wait in line for a swim. Ann and her friend did exactly that, and the alternate swimming stop still worked well.

Cape Kamenjak also offers the chance to visit the Safari Bar, an unusual stop connected with the reserve. The exact amount of time spent there depends on how the route is shaped and how long you choose to swim.

The nature reserve is best appreciated from the sea. You see the rocky coast, small inlets, and cave entrances without spending the day walking between them. Still, remember that this is a boat-and-water outing, not a land tour of every part of Kamenjak.

Levan Island and its sandy beach

Levan Island is the tour’s longest scheduled stop, with about 90 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, drinks, and beach time. It is known for a sandy beach and translucent water, a welcome change from the rocky swimming areas around Cape Kamenjak.

This is where the day becomes less about activity and more about ease. You can stretch out on the sand, swim close to shore, or have lunch at the seaside restaurant. Food is not included, so plan to pay separately for anything you order. A seafood stop at a local restaurant is part of the suggested experience, and Levan is the most natural place to make it happen.

You can also try tubing for an extra €50, payable on site. That fee is not included in the tour price. Cliff jumping is another option for those who want more excitement, but again, you can simply enjoy the beach.

Levan is a particularly good match for a mixed group. One person can swim, another can eat, and another can relax on the sand without feeling that the whole party is missing an important sight. The one limitation is time. Ninety minutes passes quickly if you want a full lunch, a long swim, and time on the beach.

The return route: coves, Sveti Jerolim, and dolphins

After Levan Island, the boat heads back toward Rovinj with roughly 45 minutes of travel before another walking and swimming stop. The route includes a hidden cove for sunbathing, relaxing, and swimming, followed by time at Sveti Jerolim.

Sveti Jerolim gives you another chance to walk and swim, with about 45 minutes listed for the stop. This keeps the return journey from becoming one long ride. After a day of sun and salt water, a final land break is useful.

The return boat ride takes about an hour. Keep watching the water, especially if the sea is calm. Dolphins have been spotted along the way, but this is a matter of luck, not a promised part of the tour. The reported outing included dolphin sightings, which added a memorable finish to the day.

The full day lasts eight hours, so expect plenty of boat time. That is part of the pleasure if you enjoy being on the water, but it may feel long if you want a short excursion with only one destination.

What the $777 price really means

The advertised price is $777 per private group of up to three people. For three people, that works out to $259 each. For two people, it is $388.50 each, and a solo booking would carry the full group price.

That makes this a premium outing, but the comparison should be with a private charter rather than a standard shared boat trip. Fuel, insurance, the skipper, pickup and drop-off at selected Rovinj points, drinks, and snorkeling gear are included. You are also paying for control over the day, not just transportation.

The value is strongest for three friends or a small family who want a full day with their own route. It is less attractive if you are happy with a fixed itinerary, do not care about privacy, or mainly want one beach. Food, restaurant drinks, towels, and the €50 tube fee are extra, so leave room in your budget.

There is no onboard toilet. The tour makes several stops, but this remains an important practical point during an eight-hour outing. Pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, people over 75, and babies under one year are not considered suitable for this activity.

What to pack and how to handle the day

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. A waterproof camera is useful for the cave, but glass objects are not allowed on board.

You may also want to bring your own snorkeling fins, since the included gear does not contain them. Food is not supplied, so you can budget for a restaurant meal and drinks on Levan or at another local stop.

Wear something that makes it easy to move between sitting, swimming, and walking. The front of the boat is good for sun, but the shaded rear is valuable during a long ride. You can choose your spot according to the heat and wind.

Sea conditions control the route. Stops can change if the weather or water is unsuitable, and the private format works in your favor here. You can also skip a crowded cave and spend more time in a quieter cove.

Who should book this boat tour?

I would recommend it most strongly to couples, friends, or a family of up to three who value privacy and want a full day outside. It suits people who enjoy swimming and snorkeling but also want time on a sandy beach and a restaurant meal.

It is a good pick for an active group because Seagull’s Rocks and Cape Kamenjak offer cliff jumping, cave swimming, and snorkeling. It also works for a less athletic group because you can sunbathe, sip a cold drink, and let the skipper adjust the pace.

I would think twice if you need a toilet onboard, dislike long periods on a speedboat, or want a low-cost excursion. You should also avoid booking if anyone in your party has mobility needs that make boat access or rocky swimming stops difficult.

Final booking advice

Book this tour if you want a private, flexible day on the Istrian coast and can share the cost with two other people. The strongest features are the adjustable route, the mix of rocky coves and Levan’s sand, and the skipper’s ability to turn a crowded stop into a better swim elsewhere.

If you do book, confirm your exact pickup point, arrive at the end of the pier, bring a towel and sunscreen, and keep your expectations flexible. The cave, dolphins, and calm sea all depend on conditions. For the right small group, this is a generous day of swimming, scenery, and freedom rather than a rushed checklist of stops.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts eight hours, including boat travel, swimming stops, beach time, walking, and the return journey to Rovinj.

How much does the private tour cost?

The price is $777 for a private group of up to three people.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is not provided. Pickup is available only at the listed points in Rovinj, including the port, Delfin Dock Station, hotel-area docks, selected resort piers, and the Andana Sea Tours location.

Where do I meet the skipper?

You meet the skipper at the very end of the selected pier at the scheduled start time. The boat is not stationed directly on the pier.

What drinks are included?

Included onboard drinks are water, beer, Coca-Cola, Fanta, and iced tea.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, but fins are not provided.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks bought at bars and restaurants are not included. You can stop for a meal, including a seafood meal at a local restaurant.

Can I use a tube during the tour?

Yes, tubing is available for an additional €50, payable on site.

Is there a toilet on the boat?

No. There is no toilet onboard, but the tour includes several stops.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour is subject to weather and sea conditions. The route and stops may need to change if conditions are unsuitable.