From Rovinj: Sea Caves & Sandy Levan Island Speedboat Tour

Cape Kamenjak is best seen from the water, where limestone cliffs, sea caves, and small coves replace the usual roadside view. This private speedboat day gives you room to swim, snorkel, cliff jump, or simply ask your skipper to find a quieter stretch of coast.

I especially like the custom route, which lets you change plans when a cave is crowded or a cove looks better. I also like the simple comforts: shaded seating, a sunny bow, cold drinks, snorkeling equipment, and enough time for a proper seafood lunch on Levan Island. The main drawback is the price: $777 for up to three people is sensible for a small private group, but steep for one or two passengers.

• Kolobarica Sea Cave: Swim toward a cave with a small beach inside and clear water around the entrance.
• Levan Island’s sandy beach: Take a long pause for swimming, snorkeling, a seaside meal, or optional tubing.
• A private, changeable route: Ask to linger at a favorite cove or skip a packed stop.
• Seagull’s Rocks: Snorkel, swim through a cave, and try cliff jumping if conditions suit you.
• Dolphin sightings are possible: They are a lucky bonus, not a promised part of the trip.
• Rovinj pickup choices: Meet at selected piers, docks, ferry points, or the Andana Sea Tours harbor.

Why a private speedboat makes sense here

This is not a rigid sightseeing cruise where everyone follows the same whistle. You book the whole boat for up to three people, then spend eight hours with an English-speaking skipper who can adjust the day around sea conditions, crowds, and your interests.

That matters around Cape Kamenjak. The reserve has many attractive swimming spots, but the best one for you may depend on the wind, the time of day, or how busy a cave has become. A private boat gives you a better chance to say, Let’s stay here a little longer or Can we find somewhere quieter?

The boat has seating in the shade at the back and room to stretch out in the sun at the front. That setup earned high praise from Ann, who took the trip with a friend and found plenty of room for both shade and sunbathing. Captain Nikola also adjusted the day to suit the group, including the music and swimming stops.

You should still keep your expectations realistic. Customizable does not mean every request is possible. The skipper must work with wind, waves, safety, and the time needed to return to Rovinj. The tour is subject to weather and sea conditions, and it is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, anyone over 75, or babies under one year.

Leaving Rovinj for the Istrian coast

Pickup is available at several points, including Rovinj Port, the Delfin Dock Station, the Island Hotel Ferry, the Taxi Boat point, Molo traghetto per Rovigno, and the Andana Sea Tours location. The company also serves selected hotel and resort areas, including the Amarin pier, Red Island, and Katarina Island.

Pay attention to the exact meeting point. The boat is not necessarily waiting on the pier. The skipper comes to the very end of the pier at the scheduled start time to collect you. Look for a boat marked Goat a Boat or Andana Sea Tours, and keep your phone available in case the skipper needs to locate you.

If you arrive by car, the main Andana Sea Tours location in the small harbor of the hospital Martin Horvat is the recommended meeting point. From Rovinj’s old town, Rovinj Port near the Valdibora parking area is the practical choice. If you are staying near Grand Park, Monte Mulini, Lone, or Eden, the Dolphin Dock Station is the suggested pickup.

The first speedboat run lasts about 70 minutes. That is a useful stretch of open-water cruising, but it also means the day is not eight hours of nonstop swimming. You will spend part of the time moving between sites, with the reward of reaching coves and islands that are difficult to connect by land.

Bring a towel, swimsuit, and strong sunscreen. There is no toilet on board, though the route includes several stops. It is wise to use facilities before departure and take the skipper’s scheduled breaks seriously.

Seagull’s Rocks and the first swim

One of the early stops is Seagull’s Rocks Beach, with about 45 minutes set aside for swimming and snorkeling. This is a good place to settle into the boat day before the longer cave and island stops.

The appeal is the water access. Rather than walking down to one fixed beach, you can get in from the boat and explore around the rocks. The stop is also associated with cave swimming and cliff jumping, so it may suit you if you want more than a quick dip.

Cliff jumping is optional, of course, and you should only do it if the skipper indicates that conditions are safe and you feel comfortable. The tour description also includes swimming near Seagulls Rocks and a stop where beer or tea may be available, along with more time for snorkeling.

The snorkeling equipment provided includes masks and related gear, but fins are not included. If you like to cover much ground underwater, bring your own fins if you have room. Otherwise, plan on short swims close to the boat and shoreline.

The sea caves at Kolobarica and Cape Kamenjak

The cave stops are the visual heart of the trip. Kolobarica Sea Cave is scheduled for roughly 30 minutes of swimming and snorkeling. Its special feature is a small beach inside the cave, framed by clear water and pale rock.

You will want a waterproof camera here. The combination of an inside beach, rock walls, and open sea makes this one of the places where a few simple photographs can capture more than a standard beach snapshot.

Cape Kamenjak, at the southern tip of Istria, adds another cave and swimming area to the day. You may snorkel, jump from cliffs where appropriate, and visit the authentic Safari Bar. The exact order and length of these stops can change, since the route is intended to remain flexible.

That flexibility is not just a sales line. On one Sunday trip, the caves were too crowded to be worthwhile, so the group skipped them and stopped at another excellent swimming place instead. That is a sensible choice. A cave can lose much of its charm when boats are packed around the entrance, while a less famous cove may give you better water time.

The reserve is also one reason this trip works better from the sea. You see the rugged southern edge of Istria at water level, with cliffs and openings that are easy to miss from roads and walking paths. Just remember that the reserve does not guarantee solitude. Popular places can still fill up, especially in summer.

Levan Island, the long lunch stop

Levan Island is the longest stop, with about an hour and a half for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing. Its main attraction is straightforward: a gorgeous sandy beach and translucent water, a welcome change from the rockier coast around Kamenjak.

You can use this pause at your own speed. Swim from the beach, snorkel near shore, sit with a drink, or eat at the seaside restaurant. A seafood stop is built into the day, but food and drinks at bars and restaurants are not included in the tour price, so budget separately for lunch.

An optional tube ride is available for an additional €50, payable on site. The tour also mentions cliff jumping around the island area, though the skipper should be your guide on where and when that is safe. You do not need to pay for extras to have a full day. Levan’s beach and swimming time are central to the experience on their own.

This is also where the private format feels most useful. You are not being hurried through lunch to meet a large group schedule. If your group wants a slow meal and a swim, that is possible within the planned stop. If you prefer a shorter restaurant visit and more time in the water, you can ask about adjusting the timing.

Quiet coves on the way back

The return trip takes about 45 minutes before another walk and swimming stop, followed by time at Sveti Jerolim. The listed schedule allows about 30 minutes for one walk and swim stop and 45 minutes at Sveti Jerolim.

These later pauses give the day a calmer finish. After the more active cave swimming, snorkeling, and possible cliff jumping, you can sunbathe, float, and enjoy a less structured stretch of coast. The route also promises a stop at one of the hidden coves on the way back, depending on conditions and timing.

Sveti Jerolim adds another chance to walk and swim rather than simply remain on the boat. Since the tour is private, you can tell the skipper if you need a quieter break after a busy morning. You may also prefer to spend the final stops in the water instead of walking. The important point is that the day has room for both active and lazy moments.

The final speedboat ride back to Rovinj takes about an hour. That makes for a full day on the water, not a short morning outing. If you get seasick, consider how you normally handle speedboats and open water before booking.

Drinks, equipment, and what you pay for

The $777 price covers the whole group of up to three people, not each passenger. Fuel, insurance, the professional skipper, onboard drinks, snorkeling gear, and pickup and drop-off at the listed Rovinj points are included.

The drinks include water, beer, Coca-Cola, Fanta, and iced tea. That is handy on a hot day, though it does not replace carrying a sensible amount of water for yourself. You will need to pay separately for restaurant food and drinks, and for the optional €50 tube.

For three people, the cost works out to $259 per person before lunch and extras. For two people, it is $388.50 each, and for one person the value is poor unless having a private boat is your main priority. Compared with a standard group boat excursion, you are paying for control, privacy, flexibility, and the ability to shape the day.

I think the price is easiest to justify for three friends or a small family group that plans to swim a lot and would rather not spend the day following strangers. It is harder to justify if you mainly want a short scenic cruise or a simple beach transfer.

How to make the day more comfortable

This is an active outing, though you can take it easy once on board. You will be climbing in and out of the water, moving around rocky swimming areas, and riding a speedboat for several hours.

Pack:

• Swimsuit and towel
• High-protection sunscreen
• Waterproof phone case or camera
• Comfortable footwear for beach and rocky stops
• Any personal snacks you may want between restaurant stops

Glass objects and pets are not allowed. Towels are not provided, and the snorkeling kit has no fins. Use the supplied gear if it fits you well, or bring your own mask and fins if snorkeling is a major reason you are booking.

The boat has no toilet. Several stops help with this, but plan ahead. The tour is also not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments because the boat, piers, beaches, and water entries require physical movement.

Who will enjoy this private day most

I would choose this for a small group that wants a full day of swimming and coastal scenery, not for someone seeking a formal history tour of Istria. The guide’s role is mainly to captain the boat, manage the route, point out places, and help you make good choices about stops.

It suits friends who want music, sun, caves, cliff jumps, and a seafood lunch. It also works for a couple who values privacy and can accept the high total price. Captain Nikola’s approach, including a good playlist and a willingness to shape the day around the group, shows the kind of personal service you can expect from a private outing.

Dolphins are another pleasant possibility. One trip spotted them during the return journey, but sightings depend entirely on luck and conditions. Book for the caves, beaches, and swimming, then treat dolphins as a bonus.

The rating is based on only two recorded ratings, both at five stars, so I would not treat that as a large statistical sample. The more useful point is what the experience is designed to do: give a small group a flexible day on the water with a skipper rather than a fixed public cruise.

Should you book the Cape Kamenjak boat tour?

Book it if you have three people to share the cost, enjoy swimming and snorkeling, and want the freedom to skip a crowded cave or linger at a quiet cove. The mix of Kolobarica Sea Cave, Seagull’s Rocks, Levan’s sand, Cape Kamenjak, and late-day coves gives the day plenty of variety.

Think twice if you dislike speedboats, need a toilet on board, have limited mobility, or want all meals and activities included. Also check the weather forecast and keep your schedule flexible, since the sea determines what the skipper can safely do.

For the right small group, this is a strong way to see southern Istria from the water. The best reason to book is not one single cave or beach. It is the chance to let the skipper build the day around your group, your energy, and the sea.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts eight hours, including speedboat travel, swimming, snorkeling, walking, and the stop at Levan Island.

What is the price?

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

Is the tour private?

Yes. The experience is for a private group rather than a shared public boat.

What is included in the price?

The price includes fuel, insurance, a professional skipper, snorkeling equipment without fins, onboard drinks, and pickup and drop-off at the listed Rovinj locations.

Are food and restaurant drinks included?

No. Food and drinks at bars and restaurants are paid separately. The boat does provide water, beer, Coca-Cola, Fanta, and iced tea.

Is there a toilet on the boat?

No. The boat has no toilet, but the route includes several stops.

Can I bring a towel?

You need to bring your own towel. Swimwear and sunscreen are also recommended.

Is the optional tube included?

No. The tube costs an additional €50, payable on site.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour depends on weather and sea conditions. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, according to the booking conditions.