Reviewed · SPEEDBOAT TOURS

Private Speedboat Tour

★ 5.0 · 49 reviews Operated by Dubrovnik Tour Guide · Bookable on Viator
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The best part of this outing is the freedom to shape a full day on the water. You can spend more time swimming near the Blue Cave and Green Caves, linger at Sunj Beach, or stop for lunch on Lopud instead of rushing through a fixed schedule. I also like the personal service from guide Damir, who is praised for his local knowledge, calm boat handling, and thoughtful recommendations. The drinks provided on board are another welcome touch.

The main consideration is the price: $917.25 per group of up to six is a serious spend for a day trip. It makes much more sense for a family or group of friends than for one or two people. Good weather is essential, too, and rough seas may change which caves and beaches are practical.

Key points to know before you go

Private Speedboat Tour - Key points to know before you go

  • A private Quicksilver 675 speedboat: Your group travels together, without strangers setting the pace or choosing the stops.
  • An eight-hour island day: The schedule is long enough for caves, beaches, villages, and a relaxed meal.
  • Blue Cave and Green Caves: These are among the most memorable stops, though access can depend on sea conditions.
  • Sunj Beach on Lopud: A good choice if swimming and beach time matter more to you than sightseeing alone.
  • Flexible island routing: You can choose from Lopud, Sipan, fishing villages, cave stops, and lunch suggestions.
  • Drinks included: Bottled water, soda, and alcoholic beverages are provided during the boat trip.

Why a private boat makes sense around Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik’s old town gets much of the attention, but the coast is where you see how the city fits into the Adriatic. The Elafiti Islands sit northwest of Dubrovnik, close enough for a day trip but far enough to give you a change of pace.

I like this tour because it treats the islands as a collection of places rather than one single attraction. You are not simply taken to a beach, given a short stop, and hurried back. Your group can decide how much time to give caves, swimming, village streets, or lunch.

That flexibility matters most for families and mixed-age groups. One person may want to swim, another may prefer a quiet village, and someone else may care most about a good meal. On a shared cruise, the timetable usually wins. Here, your group’s preferences guide the day.

The boat is a Quicksilver 675 speedboat. It is a practical match for the route because the boat lets you cover several island stops in one day rather than committing to just one destination. The ride itself is part of the experience, with open views of the Dubrovnik coast and the islands.

The tradeoff is cost. At $917.25 for up to six people, the effective price is about $153 per person if you fill every seat. For six people, that can compare well with booking several separate activities. For two people, the same total feels much harder to justify. Think of this as a private boat charter with guiding, not a basic ferry ride.

Starting at Ribarnica Street at 10 a.m.

Private Speedboat Tour - Starting at Ribarnica Street at 10 a.m.

The meeting point is Ribarnica ul. 1 in Dubrovnik, and the stated start time is 10 a.m. The tour returns to the same meeting point after roughly eight hours.

That start gives you a full morning and afternoon on the water. You do not need to spend time arranging separate transport between islands, and you finish back in Dubrovnik rather than solving your own return journey.

The meeting point is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying elsewhere in the city. Confirmation is sent at booking, so check the meeting instructions carefully before the day begins.

Communication is one of the areas where Damir receives particularly strong praise. If he is your guide, you can expect him to discuss the route with you and suggest places based on your interests. The experience is designed to be adjusted in advance, so it is worth telling the operator if your group cares most about swimming, caves, beaches, villages, or a long lunch.

Blue Cave and Green Caves

Private Speedboat Tour - Blue Cave and Green Caves

The cave stops are likely to be the visual centerpiece of the day. The Blue Cave offers the kind of enclosed coastal setting that looks very different from the open sea, while the Green Caves add another cave option to the route.

These stops are not just quick photo opportunities. The cave visit can give the day a sense of discovery, especially if you enjoy seeing how the islands meet the sea at close range. Some groups choose to swim near the caves, and the tour’s private format makes it easier to spend more time in a place that suits you.

You should keep expectations practical. Cave access depends on the weather and the condition of the sea. One account describes the guide adjusting the cave plan when waves were heavier, rather than forcing the original route. That is a good sign of sensible boat management, but it also means the advertised stops are not guaranteed in every condition.

If you are especially keen on the caves, ask about them when arranging the tour. A private schedule gives you a better chance of fitting them in, but safety and sea conditions remain the deciding factors.

Sunj Beach on Lopud

Private Speedboat Tour - Sunj Beach on Lopud

Sunj Beach, on Lopud, is the clearest choice for a classic beach stop. It gives the day a pause after the speedboat ride and cave visits, with time to swim, relax, and enjoy the island setting.

Families may find this stop especially useful. One account specifically praises the guide’s patience with children, and a beach stop gives younger passengers something simple to look forward to between boat rides and sightseeing.

The drawback is that beach time can compete with island time. If your group wants to see several villages and eat a leisurely lunch, you may not have hours to spend at Sunj. Tell the guide how important swimming is to you before the route is settled.

I would choose Sunj Beach if your perfect boat day includes a proper swim and time on shore. If you care more about local life and scenery from the water, you might prefer to shorten the beach stop and give that time to Lopud or Sipan.

Same stretch of coast, a completely different kind of day:

Lopud’s port and a recommended lunch

Private Speedboat Tour - Lopud’s port and a recommended lunch

Lopud offers more than a beach. The itinerary includes the port of Lopud Island, and the island can also serve as the place for lunch. The operator recommends restaurants based on the day’s route and your preferences.

This is one of the tour’s useful personal touches. A meal stop is not treated as an afterthought squeezed between attractions. The feedback describes lunches that were booked in advance and not rushed, which matters during a long day when you want to sit down properly rather than eat quickly beside the boat.

A recommended restaurant is not the same as a meal included in the price. Plan for lunch to be an extra expense unless the operator tells you otherwise. You should also explain your food preferences before departure if they matter to your group.

Lopud works well for people who want a little island time without giving up the boat day. You can step ashore, eat, browse, and then continue by water. The precise length of the stop is flexible, so confirm the balance you want between lunch and other islands.

Sipan and its fishing village

Private Speedboat Tour - Sipan and its fishing village

Sipan adds a different feel to the day. Instead of focusing only on caves and swimming, the route can include a fisherman village on the island. That gives you a closer look at island life and makes the trip feel less like a simple coastal cruise.

The value here is contrast. The caves provide natural drama, Sunj provides beach time, and Sipan offers a human setting. You get a broader sense of the Elafiti Islands by seeing how the places differ rather than spending the full day in one cove.

The itinerary describes the Sipan stop as optional, so your group does not have to include it. If your party wants a fast-moving day with many photo stops, you may prefer to skip it. If you like local character and a slower shore visit, Sipan deserves a place in the plan.

A licensed guide such as Damir can add context about the islands and Dubrovnik’s coastal setting. The information provided does not promise a formal historical lecture at every stop, but the guiding element is more substantial than simply hiring a boat and driver.

Bowa Restaurant and the art of choosing less

Private Speedboat Tour - Bowa Restaurant and the art of choosing less

Bowa Restaurant is another possible stop in the island route. It is listed alongside the caves, beach, port, and fishing village, so you should think of it as one option rather than a required part of the day.

The temptation on an eight-hour private tour is to collect every listed stop. That may not produce the best day. Each extra landing takes time, and a schedule packed with caves, beaches, villages, and lunch can leave you watching the clock.

I would choose three priorities before departure. For example, you might select caves, Sunj Beach, and a slow lunch. Or you might choose the caves, Sipan, and Bowa Restaurant. Having a short list helps the guide shape a day that feels relaxed rather than rushed.

This is where a private tour earns its keep. You can change the balance as the day unfolds, within the limits of distance and sea conditions. The guide can suggest what fits, while you decide what matters most.

What the guide and crew add

Private Speedboat Tour - What the guide and crew add

Damir is the guide most often associated with this experience. The strongest praise focuses on his communication, local information, flexibility, and attention to the group’s needs. He is described as both a boat captain and a host, which helps explain why the outing feels more personal than a standard transfer.

Some past accounts also name Bruno as captain, with a crew assisting on a particularly special outing. Since the exact crew may vary, confirm who will be operating the boat when you book.

You can expect a clean boat and a supply of cold drinks, including bottled water, soda, and alcoholic beverages. That sounds like a small detail, but it matters on a hot day when you are moving between stops and do not want to organize every drink yourself.

The feedback also includes a positive experience for a group traveling with a dog. The supplied information does not state a formal pet policy, so do not assume every animal is accepted. Ask first if you plan to bring one.

Weather, comfort, and practical limits

This is an outdoor boat trip, and the weather rule is clear. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That protects you from losing the full cost when conditions make the trip unsafe or unpleasant.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 10 a.m. start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. Because the total booking price is high, mark that deadline on your calendar.

Most people can participate, and the experience is near public transportation. The available details do not provide specific information about wheelchair access, child seats, shade, onboard toilets, or snorkeling equipment. Ask about those points if they affect your group.

The boat is designed for up to six people in your private group. That limit is important for comfort and value. Six friends or a family group can spread the cost and still keep the day personal. A couple gets the same privacy, but at a much higher cost per person.

Who will get the most from this day

I would recommend this tour most strongly to:

  • Families who want control over the pace
  • Friends sharing the cost of a private boat
  • Couples celebrating a special occasion
  • Cruise passengers with one well-planned day in Dubrovnik
  • Groups that want caves, swimming, lunch, and island villages in one outing
  • Visitors who prefer a guide and boat crew to handling island connections alone

It is less suited to a solo visitor or budget-conscious couple. It may also disappoint you if you want a tightly scripted historical tour, because the main strength is the flexible mix of scenery, swimming, food, and island stops.

The trip is also a good fit for people who dislike crowded group excursions. You decide the rhythm, and the guide can adjust the route rather than following a large boat’s fixed timetable.

Is the $917.25 cost worth it?

The price is easiest to defend when six people share it. At full capacity, you are paying for private use of the boat, a guide, a full day on the water, drinks, and the ability to customize the route.

You are not paying only for transport. The useful part is the local planning. A good guide can help you avoid wasting time, recommend a sensible lunch stop, and adjust the route if waves affect a cave or beach. That service has more value when you want several different experiences in one day.

Still, lunch is not stated as included, and the price does not guarantee every possible stop. If you book mainly for one beach or one cave, a cheaper, shorter excursion may be enough. If you want a full private day with room to change plans, the cost becomes more reasonable.

Should you book this Elafiti Islands tour?

Book it if you have a group of up to six, want a private day, and care more about freedom than the lowest price. Put your priorities in writing before the trip: perhaps Blue Cave, Sunj Beach, and a relaxed lunch on Lopud. That will help the guide build a day that feels personal.

I would skip it if you are traveling alone, watching every kuna, or mainly want a short boat ride. For everyone else, this is a strong way to pair Dubrovnik’s coast with the Elafiti Islands, especially when Damir is guiding and the sea allows the full cave and beach route.

FAQ

How long is the private speedboat tour?

The tour lasts about eight hours. It starts at 10 a.m. and ends back at the meeting point in Dubrovnik.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The meeting point is Ribarnica ul. 1, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia. The activity returns to the same meeting point.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private booking is for a group of up to six people. Only your group participates in the activity.

Which places can the tour visit?

Optional stops include the Blue Cave, Green Caves, Sunj Beach on Lopud, the port of Lopud, a fisherman village on Sipan, and Bowa Restaurant. The exact route can be customized.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, soda, and alcoholic beverages are provided during the tour.

What happens if the weather is poor or I need to cancel?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded. If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered another date or a full refund.

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