Full- Day Private Speedboat Tour in Dubrovnik on Elaphiti Islands

This private speedboat day links three Elaphiti islands with caves, sandy beaches, old villages, and quiet swimming stops. I like the freedom of having your own group, and I like that drinks, snacks, fuel, fees, and snorkeling gear are included. Captain Maro is praised for knowing where to go and making the day feel personal rather than packaged.

The main drawback is the price if you have only two or three people. At $611.46 for up to eight, it becomes good value for a full boat, but lunch costs extra and the day includes a lot of time on the water. If you want a slow beach day in one place, this schedule may feel busy.

Key points to know before booking

• Three islands in one day: You visit Kolocep, Lopud, and Šipan, with several stops around the coast.
• Private boat for up to eight: Your group does not share the activity with strangers.
• Best water stops: The Blue Cave, Kolocep’s three Green Caves, Sikirica Cove, and a secluded swimming beach are the main attractions.
• Šunj Beach gives you sand: This is a rare sandy beach in a region better known for rocky shores and clear water.
• Lopud offers more than swimming: You can walk to the Franciscan Monastery, explore a shaded botanical garden, and stop for lunch.
• Bring money for lunch: Snacks and drinks are included, but your meal at Šunj or Lopud is not.

A full day among Dubrovnik’s Elaphiti Islands

From Dubrovnik’s main port, this 8-hour-30-minute private tour takes you west along the city coast and out toward the Elaphiti Islands. The route mixes short sightseeing cruises with swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and a little village history.

That mix is the real appeal. You are not simply riding a boat to one beach and back. You get several different settings in one day: a cave lit by natural blue light, small coves around Kolocep, a sandy beach, Lopud’s pedestrian-friendly village area, Šipan’s old fishing settlement, and a final swim away from the main stops.

I also like the private format. Up to eight people can book the boat, so the price makes more sense for a family or a group of friends. You can spend more time swimming if that suits your group, or walk and eat onshore if you need a break from the water.

The tour is described as suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. Since the day includes snorkeling and swimming, you should be comfortable around water. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the tour is available with a mobile ticket.

Leaving Dubrovnik along the western coast

The boat leaves from Dubrovnik’s main port and spends about 15 minutes sightseeing along the western approach to the city before heading toward Kolocep. This opening stretch is brief, but it gives you a different view of Dubrovnik than you get from the Old Town walls.

I would treat this as a pleasant start rather than a major sightseeing stop. The main reward begins once you reach the caves and open water. Because the ride is by speedboat, the journey between stops should feel efficient, which matters on a day with nine planned sections.

The boat includes fuel, so there is no extra charge added for the distance between islands. Drinks and snacks are also supplied. You will still want to bring anything personal you need for a long day outside, especially swimwear and sun protection.

Blue Cave Dubrovnik: a short, memorable first swim

The Blue Cave stop lasts about 30 minutes and is built around snorkeling inside the cave. The natural light and water are the point here, not a long visit on land.

Thirty minutes is enough for a focused swim, but it is not a leisurely cave expedition. You will want to be ready when the boat arrives, with snorkeling equipment close at hand. The required gear is included, which saves you from bringing your own mask and snorkel.

The cave stop works well early in the day because it gets you into the water quickly. If you are not keen on snorkeling, this will be one of the less rewarding sections, since the activity is specifically centered on seeing the cave from the water.

Kolocep’s three Green Caves

The next stop is Kolocep, where you spend about 30 minutes snorkeling in three Green Caves. Visiting three caves in one stop gives this section more variety than a single swim at one location.

The timing remains fairly tight. You can snorkel, look around, and enjoy the setting, but you should not expect a long beach break here. This is one reason the private format helps: your group can focus on the water without the feel of a large outing trying to move everyone along.

Kolocep is one of the Elaphiti Islands, and the cave stop shows why the islands are worth visiting by boat. The coastline is best appreciated from the water, where small openings and coves are part of the experience.

Šunj Beach and two hours on the sand

Šunj Beach is the longest beach stop, with about two hours to swim, snorkel, walk across the shallow sandy water, or buy a meal or coffee at the restaurant. It is described as the most famous sandy beach in the Dubrovnik area.

That sand makes Šunj different from many coastal stops around Dubrovnik. You can walk into shallow water rather than stepping straight from stone into depth, and you have room to stretch out between swims. For families or anyone who wants a proper beach pause, this is likely the most comfortable part of the day.

Lunch is not included, so this is one of the places where you can buy food at your own expense. Snacks and drinks from the tour help, but do not treat the included provisions as a substitute for lunch.

Two hours is a useful amount of time here. It lets you swim without rushing, though the stop may feel long if you are not interested in sitting on a beach. You can use the time for a walk or a meal instead of staying in the water.

Lopud for a slower island walk

Lopud receives the longest stop, about three hours. It is the most popular tourist place on the Elaphiti Islands, and this is where the tour shifts from water activities to island time.

You can walk, swim, visit the Franciscan Monastery from the 15th century, or spend time in the shade of the botanical garden. You can also eat at a local fish restaurant, with lunch paid separately.

I like this balance. After the caves and short swims, three hours gives you room to slow down. You are not forced to choose between an inland walk and a swim because the stop is long enough for both, depending on your pace.

The monastery adds a cultural reason to leave the beach. The botanical garden provides a shaded setting, which is useful after several hours in the sun. You should keep track of your return time, though, since the boat needs to continue to Šipan and the final coves.

Lopud may be the best stop for people who want more than scenery. Šunj is the main beach break, but Lopud gives you a village, a religious site, a garden, restaurants, and swimming in one place.

Šipan and the old fishing village of Suđurađ

The boat then spends about 30 minutes sightseeing along the south coast of Šipan and visiting Suđurađ. Suđurađ is described as the oldest fishing village in the area.

This is a short stop, so think of it as a coastal visit rather than a full island tour. You will see the village from the water and get a sense of the older, working side of the Elaphiti Islands after the more leisure-focused stops at Šunj and Lopud.

The contrast is useful. The tour is not limited to beaches and caves. It also shows how these islands have long been connected to fishing and small coastal settlements. If you want extended time in Suđurađ, this itinerary does not provide it, but the brief visit adds character to the day.

Sikirica Cove, the final snorkeling stop

The boat reaches Brsečine for a 30-minute stop at Sikirica Cove, described as the best snorkeling place in the area. This is another chance to get in the water, but the cove is presented as the strongest snorkeling location on the route.

You will have the included snorkeling equipment available, so there is no need to arrange gear separately. Since this is late in a long day, you can decide how much energy you have left for another swim. The private setting also means your group can make the most of the stop without adjusting to a larger crowd.

The cove is followed by another 30-minute swimming stop at a secluded beach in Brsečine. That final swim is a nice change from the organized feel of Šunj. You are not being sent to another major beach attraction. Instead, you get a quieter place to swim before heading back.

Returning to Dubrovnik by speedboat

The return to Dubrovnik takes about 15 minutes and includes sightseeing along the western approach to the city. By this point, you will have spent most of the day outside, so the short return is welcome.

A speedboat is especially practical here. The route covers several islands and separate coves, and a slower boat could make the same schedule feel much longer. You still spend a lot of time sitting in the open air, so consider your comfort with sun, wind, and motion before booking.

The schedule is full, but it is not packed with long transfers. Most stops run from 30 minutes to three hours, and the short cave and cove visits keep the route moving.

What the $611.46 group price really means

The price is $611.46 per group of up to eight people. At full capacity, that works out to about $76 per person before lunch. For four people, it is about $153 per person, and for two people, about $306 per person.

That makes group size the key value question. A full boat gets you private use of the experience, a long day on the water, several island stops, snorkeling equipment, fuel, snacks, drinks, and all fees. For eight people, that is a strong package for a full-day private outing.

For a smaller group, the cost is much harder to justify unless privacy matters a great deal. You are paying for the boat and private service, not simply for admission to individual attractions. Lunch is extra, so budget for that at Šunj Beach or Lopud.

The tour is booked around six days ahead on average. That suggests you should not leave it until the last minute if you have a fixed Dubrovnik schedule, especially if you want a particular date.

Who should book this private island day?

I would choose this tour if you want to see several sides of the Dubrovnik coast without arranging separate boat trips. It suits people who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, short walks, village scenery, and a relaxed lunch stop in the same day.

It is particularly sensible for a group of six to eight. Families, friends, and couples traveling together can divide the group price and enjoy a boat that is reserved for them. Captain Maro is specifically associated with knowing the area well and choosing good places to stop, which matters on a route with several short water breaks.

I would think twice if you dislike boats, do not swim, or want a quiet day with only one beach. The Blue Cave, Green Caves, Sikirica Cove, and the secluded beach all depend on getting into the water for their full effect.

You also need to accept that lunch is not part of the price. The included snacks and drinks are useful, but the longer Lopud stop is designed to give you the option of eating ashore.

Cancellation and practical details

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

The tour operates as a private activity, so only your own group takes part. It is near public transportation, and confirmation is provided at the time of booking. The mobile ticket keeps the arrival process simple.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a private, active day that combines caves, beaches, snorkeling, Lopud’s monastery and garden, and the old fishing village of Suđurađ. The best value comes when you fill most of the eight available places.

Skip it if you want a cheap shared excursion, a single beach day, or a long cultural visit on one island. For the right group, though, the route gives you a broad taste of the Elaphiti Islands in one well-organized day, with enough flexibility to make the private format worthwhile.

FAQ

How long is the private speedboat tour?

The experience lasts approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes, including the stops and the return to Dubrovnik.

How many people can join the private tour?

The boat is private for your group and can accommodate up to eight people.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Kolocep, Lopud, and Šipan, with additional stops around Brsečine.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included, along with drinks, snacks, fuel, and all fees and taxes.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is at your own expense. You can eat at a restaurant during the Šunj Beach or Lopud stops.

Can I cancel the booking for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund.

Does the tour include a visit to the Blue Cave and Green Caves?

Yes. The itinerary includes about 30 minutes of snorkeling in the Blue Cave and another 30 minutes snorkeling in three Green Caves on Kolocep.