Full- Day Private Speedboat Tour in Dubrovnik on Elaphiti Islands

The sea is your shortcut to Dubrovnik’s islands. This 8.5-hour private speedboat tour takes your group from the city to Koločep, Lopud, Šipan, and several small coves, with time for swimming, snorkeling, walking, and lunch. I like the mix of famous spots and quieter swimming stops, and I like that your group has the boat to itself.

The tour also earns praise for its personal service. Captain Maro is described as relaxed, familiar with the area, and good at choosing places that suit the day. The main drawback is the pace: eight stops in one day means some visits are brief, and lunch costs extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to eight people: The price is $611.46 per group, which works out to about $76 per person if you fill all eight places.
• Three Elaphiti islands in one day: You visit Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, with extra swimming time near Brsečine.
• Three different water experiences: The Blue Cave, Koločep’s Green Caves, and Sikirica Cove each offer a different setting for snorkeling.
• Šunj Beach gives you a proper beach break: You have two hours for sand, shallow water, swimming, snacks, or lunch.
• Lopud gets the longest stop: Three hours allow time for the Franciscan Monastery, botanical garden, waterfront, and a meal.
• Drinks, snacks, fuel, and snorkeling gear are included: You only need to budget separately for lunch and any food you choose to buy.

Why this private speedboat day works well

Dubrovnik’s Old Town can feel crowded, especially during the main sightseeing hours. This excursion gives you a full day away from the stone streets and walls, with the sea doing most of the work. You leave from Dubrovnik’s main port, pass the western side of the city, and reach the islands without spending the day on a large shared boat.

The private format matters. Your group, and only your group, takes part. That gives you more room to set the mood of the day. You can spend your time swimming, walking, eating, or simply sitting aboard between stops without adjusting to a large crowd.

I especially like the balance between scheduled highlights and optional swimming. The Blue Cave, Green Caves, Šunj Beach, Lopud, and Šipan give the day structure. The secluded beach near Brsečine gives the captain room to finish the outing at a slower pace.

The speedboat is practical rather than just flashy. It lets you cover three islands in one day, something that would be harder by ordinary local transport. The tradeoff is that this is an active sightseeing day, not a slow cruise with long stretches in one place.

Leaving Dubrovnik along the western coast

The day begins at Dubrovnik’s main port. The first 15 minutes are spent sailing out and looking back at the city’s western approach. This is a useful opening because you get a different view of Dubrovnik than the one from the Old Town walls.

Keep your camera ready, but do not expect a long stop here. It is a short orientation ride before the boat reaches Koločep and the first cave. The route itself helps you see how quickly the built-up city gives way to open water and small island bays.

Because the tour lasts about eight hours and 30 minutes, an early start is helpful if you want to make the most of the swimming stops. The exact departure time is not provided, so check it carefully when booking.

Blue Cave Dubrovnik: a short first swim

The Blue Cave stop lasts about 30 minutes. The main activity is snorkeling inside the cave, with the water and rock forming the focus of the visit.

Half an hour is enough for a quick look and swim, but it is not a long cave expedition. You will want to listen closely to the captain’s instructions and get your mask and snorkel ready before entering the water. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own gear unless you prefer familiar equipment.

This stop is best approached as a visual introduction to the day. You get a striking cave setting early, then move on to a second cave area with a different character. If you are not comfortable in the water, the short stop may feel less useful, since the main point is snorkeling inside the cave.

Koločep and its three Green Caves

The next 30-minute stop takes you to three Green Caves on Koločep. Like the Blue Cave, this is a swimming and snorkeling visit, but the appeal comes from seeing several cave spaces in one compact stop.

Koločep is one of the three Elaphiti islands included in the tour. The cave visit gives you a quick taste of the island’s rocky coast without using up the longer beach and village stops later in the day.

The practical point is timing. Two half-hour cave stops come one after another, so you should treat them as short water sessions, not leisurely beach visits. If your group has children or mixed swimming ability, speak with the captain about how to use the time safely and comfortably.

Two hours at Šunj Beach

Šunj Beach is the day’s proper sand-and-water break. It is described as the best-known sandy beach in the Dubrovnik region, and the two-hour stop gives you enough time to do more than take a quick photograph.

You can walk along the shallow sandy water, swim, snorkel, have a coffee, or order lunch at the restaurant. That range makes Šunj useful for a group with different interests. One person can stay near the water, another can walk, and someone else can sit down for a meal.

The shallow sand is also a pleasant change from the rocky coves found elsewhere along the coast. Still, the stop is not an all-inclusive beach visit. Lunch is not included, so you should bring money for a meal or snack purchased there. Snacks and drinks from the tour are included, which helps between meals.

Two hours sounds generous, but it can pass quickly if you want to swim, eat, and walk. I would decide in advance whether lunch matters more than water time. Trying to do everything may leave you rushing.

Three hours on Lopud

Lopud receives the longest stop, about three hours. That is sensible because this is more than a swimming stop. Lopud is presented as the most popular tourist place among the Elaphiti Islands, with a Franciscan Monastery dating from the 15th century, a botanical garden with deep shade, places to walk, and restaurants serving fish.

This is where the tour becomes more than a string of coves. You can step ashore, stretch your legs, and see some of the island’s cultural side. The Franciscan Monastery gives the stop historical interest, while the shaded botanical garden offers relief from the sun.

You also have the option to swim or eat. The three-hour window lets you divide your time according to your group’s priorities. I would not treat Lopud as a forced march through every attraction. Pick one main land activity, then leave time for lunch or the water.

The main question is how much island time you prefer. If you want to spend most of the day in the boat and at secluded beaches, three hours on Lopud may feel long. If you appreciate a village stop with food, shade, and a historic building, it is the most useful part of the schedule.

Šipan and the old fishing village of Suđurađ

The boat then heads to Šipan, the third Elaphiti island. This portion lasts about 30 minutes and includes a look at the island’s southern coast and a visit to Suđurađ, described as the oldest fishing village in the area.

This is a sightseeing stop rather than a long shore visit. You get a quick look at a traditional coastal settlement and another side of island life. After caves, sand, and Lopud’s walking options, Suđurađ adds a quieter village note.

Do not book this expecting a full afternoon on Šipan. The time is short, but that is part of the appeal for anyone who wants to sample three islands in one day instead of settling on one.

Sikirica Cove near Brsečine

The final water-focused section takes place at Sikirica Cove near Brsečine. The stop lasts about 30 minutes and is described as the best snorkeling place in the area.

The cove gives you another chance to use the provided snorkeling equipment after the cave visits. By this point, you will have seen several underwater settings, so Sikirica works as a final chance to swim without the walls of a cave around you.

The description is enthusiastic, but conditions can affect any snorkeling stop. Water visibility, wind, and comfort in the sea all matter. The private format helps because your group can discuss how much time to spend in the water, although the planned stop remains about half an hour.

A secluded beach before returning to Dubrovnik

The second Brsečine stop is another 30 minutes, this time for swimming at a secluded beach. It is a welcome change from Šunj Beach, where the focus is a known sandy shore and restaurant access.

Here, the point is simple: get into the water, relax, and enjoy a less structured final swim. There is no stated restaurant or cultural sight at this stop, so bring your expectations down to the basics. It is a quiet finishing pause rather than another major attraction.

I like this choice in the schedule. After several named sites, the day ends with time that does not require you to look at anything or follow a walking route. You can use it to cool off before the return ride.

The ride back and Dubrovnik from the water

The return to the main port takes about 15 minutes and includes views of Dubrovnik’s western approach. It gives the day a clear close, with another chance to see the city from the sea.

The short return also means most of your paid time is spent among the islands rather than on the transfer. That is one reason the private speedboat format has good value for a group that wants several stops in a single day.

What the $611.46 price includes

The listed price is $611.46 per group of up to eight people. With eight passengers, that is about $76.43 per person for roughly eight and a half hours. For a couple, the per-person cost is much higher, so the tour makes the strongest financial sense for a family or group of friends.

The price includes:

• Drinks
• Snacks
• Fuel
• Snorkeling equipment
• All fees and taxes
• The private boat experience

Lunch is extra. That is important because both Šunj Beach and Lopud offer opportunities to eat, and the three-hour Lopud stop makes a meal there quite likely for many groups.

The value comes from combining private transport, several islands, multiple swim locations, equipment, and a full day on the water. A cheaper shared excursion may work better if you mainly want one beach and a short boat ride. This tour is aimed at people who value control, variety, and a small group.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend it most to groups of four to eight who want to see a lot in one day. Families, couples traveling with friends, and small groups with mixed interests can use the private setup well.

It suits you if you want:

• Several swimming and snorkeling locations
• A sandy beach plus rocky caves
• Time on three islands
• A historic monastery and botanical garden
• A restaurant stop without giving up the boat experience
• A captain who can help shape the day

It may be less suitable if you dislike boats, do not swim, or want a slow visit to one island. The cave and cove stops are short, and the full schedule asks you to change locations often.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour is near public transportation, and confirmation is provided at booking. Those details make the outing fairly straightforward to arrange, but you should still check the meeting point and departure time carefully.

Captain Maro and the personal touch

Captain Maro receives the clearest praise connected with this experience. His strengths are local familiarity, a relaxed manner, and the ability to choose places that fit the group. That matters on a private boat because the captain shapes much of the day.

A private excursion can feel very different from a large boat trip leaving the Old Town. You avoid a fixed crowd and get a more personal pace. The captain’s local knowledge is especially useful when deciding how to divide time between swimming, walking, lunch, and the less busy coves.

No captain can control sea conditions or make every stop equally appealing to every person. Still, the personal service is a major reason to choose this outing over a standard group cruise.

Booking, cancellation, and practical planning

You receive confirmation when you book, and the tour is usually reserved about six days ahead. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour period are not accepted for a refund.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a towel if you plan to use the water stops, although the supplied information does not specify what personal items are provided. Since lunch is separate, plan for that expense at Šunj Beach or Lopud.

The day includes snacks and drinks, but those do not replace lunch for most people. If your group has different eating preferences, the longer Lopud stop gives you the clearest chance to choose your own meal.

Should you book this Elaphiti Islands tour?

Book it if you want a full, active day that combines caves, snorkeling, a sandy beach, an old fishing village, a monastery, and quiet swimming coves. The price is reasonable for a full group, especially when you value a private boat and included equipment.

Skip it if you want to linger in one place or prefer a lower-cost shared cruise. The schedule is busy, and several stops last only 30 minutes. For a group that wants variety and personal service, though, this is a strong Dubrovnik day trip, with Captain Maro’s local touch adding real value.

FAQ

How long does the private speedboat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private boat accommodates a group of up to eight people, and only your group participates.

Which Elaphiti Islands are included?

The tour visits Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

Is lunch included?

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

What is included in the price?

The price includes drinks, snacks, fuel, snorkeling equipment, and all fees and taxes.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.