Private Speedboat Tour | Caves Beaches Islands and more

The best part of this private speedboat outing is the freedom to shape your day. With skipper Vincenzo at the wheel, you can chase caves and clear swimming spots, spend time on an island beach, stop for lunch, or skip a crowded attraction. The boat carries only your group, up to six people.

I like the local touch. Vincenzo is from Kolocep and can point out places tied to island life, including small bays used by fishermen. I also like the useful extras: snorkeling equipment, towels, drinks, fuel, and a professional skipper are included.

The main catch is time. The advertised stops cover four islands, but a six-hour trip cannot give you meaningful time on all four, especially with the boat rides between them. You will get a better day by choosing your priorities before departure.

Key points to know before you book

• Kolocep is the local highlight: Visit the skipper’s home island, walk toward cliff views, and swim near rocky arches and small caves.
• The route is private and flexible: Your group can focus on beaches, caves, snorkeling, island walks, lunch, or a mix of all five.
• Blue Cave timing matters: It can become crowded with boats and swimmers, so ask Vincenzo about quieter alternatives.
• Lopud offers the easiest shore stop: Sunj Beach, a botanical garden, and a monastery give you a pleasant break from the boat.
• Sipan needs extra time: The island is best suited to a longer stop for local food or a visit to Luka Bay.
• Lokrum is better for a separate visit: Its entry fee is extra, and seeing the island properly can use most of a two-hour stop.

A private boat day from Dubrovnik

This is not a fixed sightseeing cruise where everyone follows the same clock. You meet at Lapadska obala 4 in Dubrovnik, board a private speedboat, and work out the day with the skipper. The listed duration ranges from about two to eight hours, so the length matters as much as the route.

For a couple, the private format gives you room to set an easy pace. For a family or group of six, the $302.34 price becomes much better value because it covers the whole boat rather than charging each person separately. At full capacity, that is roughly $50 per person before any lunch or island admission.

I would book this for the flexibility, not because it guarantees four complete island visits. The islands sit close enough to combine, but each one has its own beaches, walks, caves, and restaurants. Stop too often and you will spend the day climbing aboard and casting off. Pick two or three main goals and the trip will feel far less rushed.

Nono Travel is run by two local brothers, and Vincenzo is the captain most often named for the trip. He speaks English well, handles the boat confidently, and adjusts the route to your interests. That local connection is useful when you want a quiet swim instead of a famous but crowded cave.

Kolocep, the best first stop for swimming and local context

Kolocep is the southernmost inhabited island in Croatia and the home island of the Nono Travel team. That gives the stop a personal quality that you do not get from a standard transfer boat.

You might spend about an hour here, but that hour can go in different directions. You can walk toward the cliffs for views over a beautiful bay, continue toward a beach, or return to the boat for a swim. One particularly good option is to stop in a sheltered bay where you can swim through rocky arches and look for fish with the supplied snorkeling gear.

The island also has the Blue Cave and the Three Green Caves. They are photogenic, but you should not assume they will be quiet. At busy times, more than 10 boats can gather near the Blue Cave, with many swimmers entering on pool noodles. The cave itself may be striking, but the crowd can make the experience noisy and awkward, especially for weak swimmers.

This is where a private skipper earns his keep. Vincenzo can show you smaller caves used by sailors during storms and a cave connected with local spear fishing. You can ask to see the famous cave, then decide if the queue of boats is worth it. If not, a less famous swimming place may give you a better hour.

Bring your own swimsuit. A swimsuit is not included, and sunscreen is not supplied. Towels, drinks, fuel, and snorkeling gear are included, which makes it easy to move between a short walk and a swim without carrying much equipment.

Lopud combines Sunj Beach with a useful shore break

Lopud gives the day a different rhythm. Instead of staying on the boat, you can walk through the island settlement and visit Sunj Beach, one of the area’s better-known sandy beaches. The sand makes it a good choice if your group wants a proper beach stop rather than swimming straight from the boat.

The island also offers cultural sights. You might visit a small botanical garden and walk up to a monastery. The monastery was undergoing repairs at the time described, so do not expect every interior space to be open. Even so, the walk gives you a change of pace and a look at the islands beyond their swimming spots.

Lopud is also the natural place to stop for lunch. Lunch is not included, but Vincenzo can recommend a restaurant and help you choose. One recommended meal included fresh sea bass baked in a salt crust, Swiss chard with potatoes, and salad. That kind of local meal can make the outing feel more connected to Dalmatia than a day spent eating packaged snacks on board.

Allow enough time if you want both Sunj Beach and lunch. A quick landing, a short walk, and a meal can easily use most of an hour. If swimming and caves are your priority, you may prefer to remain offshore and save Lopud for a separate visit.

Sipan rewards a longer, slower stop

Sipan is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands and fits best into a longer tour. The island is known here for local food, and you can ask to visit Luka, a quieter bay with views and swimming areas.

The listed stop is about an hour and a half. That is more realistic than trying to squeeze Sipan into a brief photo stop, but you still need to choose between a meal, a walk, and time in the water. The island makes sense for people who want a calmer day and a taste of local island life.

I would not force Sipan into a short two- or three-hour booking. Boat travel, landing, and returning to the meeting point would leave little time on shore. If Sipan is your main goal, book closer to a full day and tell the skipper before you leave Dubrovnik.

Lokrum is a separate attraction, not just another quick stop

Lokrum sits off Dubrovnik and is easy to recognize from the water, with the Old Town looking toward it. The island has monastery ruins, a botanical garden, peacocks, swimming spots, the fort, and locations connected with Game of Thrones.

The advertised visit is about two hours, and that is a useful minimum if you want more than a quick walk. You can see the botanical garden, visit the Game of Thrones chair, hike to the fort, and swim from one of the beaches. Trying to do all of that while also visiting Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan would make the whole day feel like a checklist.

There is another practical point. Lokrum entry is not included. The entry fee also covers the ferry, so one good strategy is to use the boat to reach Lokrum, finish the charter there, and return to Dubrovnik’s Old Town by ferry. This can work well if you are already staying near the Old Town and want to spend the rest of the afternoon on the island without watching the private boat clock.

A separate sea kayak trip can also reach Lokrum’s caves. If you have the energy, kayaking from the Old Town or hiring a kayak on Lokrum can let you approach the caves independently and avoid some of the boat traffic. That is not part of this tour, but it is worth keeping in mind if Lokrum is your main interest.

Why the flexible route matters

The strongest feature here is not the speedboat itself. It is the ability to change the plan during the day. One group may want a fast ride, caves, and snorkeling. Another may prefer a botanical garden, a long lunch, and a sandy beach. Vincenzo can adjust to those differences.

The speed also lets you cover more water than a slow excursion boat. That matters around Dubrovnik, where the islands are close enough to tempt you into an overambitious itinerary. You can see several types of scenery in one day: Dubrovnik from offshore, low island cliffs, rocky caves, sandy beaches, and quiet bays.

Still, speed does not erase travel time. A six-hour outing that starts with Kolocep and Lopud may not have enough time for Sipan and Lokrum as well. One trip described a roughly one-hour boat ride from Lopud to Lokrum, which used a large part of the remaining charter time. That is why I would speak plainly with the skipper at the start:

• Tell him your top two priorities.
• Ask how much time remains after each longer crossing.
• Decide if a famous cave is worth waiting among other boats.
• Keep lunch flexible if swimming conditions are especially good.
• Treat Lokrum as a main stop, not an afterthought.

What is included, and what will cost extra

The price includes the boat’s fuel, a professional skipper, towels, drinks, and snorkeling equipment. Those small inclusions matter on a hot day. You do not need to rent basic gear at each stop, and you can dry off before moving on.

You must pay for lunch, Lokrum entry, sunscreen, and your swimsuit. The price also does not cover any separate kayak rental or other activity you arrange outside the boat trip.

At $302.34 per group of up to six, the value depends heavily on group size. A full group gets a strong deal for a private boat and a flexible route. Two people pay more per head, but they also get the most control over the schedule. Compared with a rigid group excursion, the private setup can be worth the extra cost if you care about quiet swimming, a particular restaurant, or avoiding crowded caves.

The experience is booked about 49 days ahead on average, so I would not leave it until the last minute if your Dubrovnik dates are fixed. The company offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Bad weather can also lead to a new date or a full refund, which is important for a sea outing.

Who will enjoy this most

I think this tour suits families with older children and teenagers especially well. The boat ride adds excitement, and the day can include swimming, caves, snorkeling, beaches, and fast open-water runs. One family with four sons found it the highlight of a two-week trip, in part because the route could match the group’s energy.

It also works well for couples who want a private day rather than a crowded excursion. You can spend more time swimming and less time waiting for a large group to board.

Active visitors can combine a boat trip with walks on Kolocep, Lopud, or Lokrum. People who want a slow lunch and a short swim can do that too, but they should not try to visit every named island.

Most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed. The experience is near public transportation, and it returns to the meeting point at Lapadska obala 4. Some arrangements have included collection from a hotel or cruise port, but I would confirm that in advance rather than assume it is automatic.

My recommendation

I would book this private speedboat tour if you want a flexible day on the water and are willing to choose your priorities. Vincenzo’s local connection to Kolocep, his practical advice about crowded caves, and the ability to tailor the route are the main reasons to choose it.

I would not book it expecting a relaxed, thorough visit to all four islands in six hours. For that goal, choose a longer outing or focus on one or two islands. For the best balance, I would plan Kolocep for swimming, Lopud for a walk and lunch, then add either Sipan or Lokrum depending on your interests.

The boat, gear, drinks, and private format make the price sensible for a group of four to six. If you want to see Dubrovnik from the sea and have a captain who can change course when conditions or crowds call for it, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

Where does the private speedboat tour start and end?

The tour starts at Lapadska obala 4 in Dubrovnik and ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private boat is for your group only, with up to six people.

How long does the tour last?

The available duration is approximately two to eight hours, depending on the option you book.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, towels, drinks, fuel, and a professional skipper are included.

Are lunch and Lokrum admission included?

No. Lunch and the entry fee for Lokrum cost extra. Sunscreen and a swimsuit are also not provided.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.