Half-Day Private Speed Boat Tour in Dubrovnik on Elaphiti Islands

The best Dubrovnik escape starts on the water. This private speedboat tour gives you four and a half hours among Kolocep’s caves and Lopud’s sandy Šunj Beach, with a skipper who can adjust the day to your group. I like the easy mix of swimming and sightseeing, and I like that drinks, snacks, fuel, and snorkeling gear are included. The main tradeoff is simple: four hours is enough for two islands, but not enough for a slow, unhurried island day.

I also like the small-group setup. Your party of up to eight has the boat to itself, so you can spend more time swimming, sunbathing, or stopping for a snack instead of following a large group. Skippers Maro and Luka have both received especially warm praise for their English, kindness, local knowledge, and willingness to shape the outing around the group. Just remember that lunch is not included, and rough water or a delayed start could make the schedule feel tight.

Key points to know before you book

• Two Elaphiti Islands in 4 hours 30 minutes: You visit Kolocep for caves and coastal views, then Lopud for Šunj Beach.
• Three cave stops on Kolocep: The route includes the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves, with time to swim and use snorkeling equipment.
• A genuinely private boat: Only your group participates, with capacity for up to eight people.
• Šunj Beach gets the longest stop: You have about 90 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, walking on the shallow sand, or buying lunch.
• Drinks and snacks are included: Water, soft drinks, iced tea, beer, wine, floating devices, and fuel are provided.
• Flexible guiding is part of the value: Maro and Luka have been praised for clear English, thoughtful service, and adjusting the route to suit the group.

Why this private Dubrovnik boat trip works

Dubrovnik’s old town can feel packed, especially during the main sightseeing hours. This excursion gives you a different view of the city before moving into the quieter rhythm of the Elaphiti Islands. You see the western coast from the water, then trade city walls for cliffs, bays, caves, and open swimming spots.

The price is $431.62 per group, not per person. With eight people aboard, that works out to about $54 per person, which is strong value for a private four-hour boat outing. With only two people, the cost per person is much higher, but you are paying for privacy, a dedicated skipper, fuel, equipment, drinks, and the ability to set the pace.

The boat is a speedboat, so the ride between stops is part of the experience. You get more range than you would on a slow boat, but the trip is not designed for lingering at every cove. If your ideal day means covering ground and making several swim stops, this format fits well. If you want a quiet full-day visit to one island, you may prefer a longer island excursion.

The schedule includes about 30 minutes for pickup and drop-off, 15 minutes at each end. That leaves roughly four hours on the water and at the stops. The pickup arrangement is useful because the experience can collect you from your hotel, according to the details provided, but you should confirm the exact meeting point when booking.

Leaving Dubrovnik along the western coast

The boat leaves Dubrovnik’s main port and spends about 20 minutes sightseeing along the western coast. This opening section helps you get your bearings and gives you a calm start before the swimming begins.

From the water, the coast has a different character than it does from the old town. You see the city from the outside, then watch it recede as Kolocep comes closer. I like this part because it is not treated as mere transport. The return ride also follows the mainland coast, giving you another 30 minutes of coastal views on the way back.

Because this is a speedboat, you should be ready for wind and spray while underway. The supplied information does not specify the boat’s seating arrangement or cover, so bring sun protection and a layer you can keep handy. The experience includes drinks and floating devices, but you should not assume that every personal comfort item is supplied.

Green Cave beneath the Kolocep lighthouse

The first cave stop is the Green Cave, located under the lighthouse on the eastern side of Kolocep. The skipper enters the cave with the boat, allowing you to see the interior without immediately having to swim.

You get about 10 minutes here. That is enough for a quick look and some photographs, but it is not a long stop. The boat entry makes this a good introduction to the island’s rocky shore, especially if some people in your group would rather observe first before getting in the water.

The Green Cave is also a reminder that the trip is built around several short experiences rather than one long beach stay. Keep your camera ready, but protect it carefully around the water. The tour does not specify whether waterproof phone cases are supplied.

Swimming inside the Blue Cave

Around the corner on Kolocep’s eastern side, the boat anchors at the Blue Cave. You have about 40 minutes to swim inside and use the snorkeling equipment provided.

This is likely to be one of the main highlights of the day. The cave gives you a more active stop than the Green Cave, and the combination of swimming, rock walls, and filtered light makes it feel quite different from an ordinary beach swim. Floating devices are included, which helps if you want to spend time in the water without constantly swimming.

You should be comfortable entering the sea from the boat. The description specifically calls for swimming into the cave, so this stop is not ideal for anyone who wants to remain on board throughout. The tour is suitable for most people, but the practical question is your own comfort in open water. Children and less confident swimmers may need closer supervision from their own adults.

The snorkeling gear is a useful inclusion. You do not need to arrange a separate rental, and you can use the equipment at more than one stop. Still, personal masks sometimes fit better, so experienced snorkelers may prefer to bring their own if they have room.

Kolocep’s outer coast and Three Caves

After the Blue Cave, the skipper travels slowly along Kolocep’s outer coast for about 10 minutes. This is a scenic pause between swimming stops, with views of bays and the island’s rocky shoreline.

The next stop is the Three Caves on the western side of Kolocep. The boat anchors again, and you have about 40 minutes to swim inside the caves and look beneath the surface with the provided snorkeling equipment.

I like the way these stops break up the morning. You are not simply racing from Dubrovnik to a beach, spending a few minutes there, and racing back. Kolocep gets several different views: a cave visited by boat, a cave reached by swimming, a slow coastal pass, and another swimming area on the western side.

The drawback is that cave conditions can affect how much time you actually enjoy in the water. The supplied information does not give details about water temperature, visibility, currents, or whether every cave can always be entered. Your skipper will be the person making the practical call on the day.

Šunj Beach on Lopud

The longest stop is Šunj Beach on Lopud, with about 90 minutes available. This is the sandy beach portion of the trip, and it gives you a change from the rocky caves of Kolocep.

Šunj is known in the tour description as the most popular sandy beach in the area. You can walk on the shallow sand, swim, snorkel, relax, or order lunch or a snack at your own expense. The included drinks and snacks help, but they do not replace a proper meal if you are hungry after the cave stops.

The shallow sandy water makes Šunj a practical choice for a mixed group. Strong swimmers can get in the water, while others can stay closer to shore. You can also use the stop as your quietest part of the day, especially after the more active cave swims.

Ninety minutes is useful but not generous. If you want lunch, a swim, a walk, and plenty of time to relax, you will need to choose your priorities. A private skipper may be able to adjust the timing, but the listed route still has several stops to cover.

One especially appealing detail from the feedback is the mention of Luka finding an excellent restaurant on a private island for lunch. That sounds like the kind of flexibility a private trip can offer, but lunch remains your own expense and restaurant arrangements are not guaranteed as part of the package. Ask the skipper early if a restaurant stop matters to you.

Returning to Dubrovnik by the mainland coast

The return takes about 30 minutes along the mainland side. You can use this time to cool down, finish a drink, and look back at the coast from a different angle.

The route gives the trip a tidy shape. You begin with Dubrovnik, spend most of the day among Kolocep’s caves and Lopud’s beach, then return with another coastal view rather than simply reversing the exact outward route.

The total duration is listed as approximately four hours and 30 minutes, including the 15-minute pickup and 15-minute drop-off allowance. If you are planning a dinner reservation, airport transfer, or another timed activity, leave a buffer. Boat schedules depend on the water and on how long your group spends at each stop.

What the skipper adds to the experience

A private boat is only as good as the person driving it. The strongest praise here goes to the skippers, particularly Maro and Luka.

Maro contacted a group through WhatsApp soon after confirmation, helped with arrangements, and picked them up from their hotel. That early communication matters in Dubrovnik, where meeting points and waterfront access can be confusing. It also suggests a more personal service than simply showing up at a dock with a printed voucher.

Luka has been praised for speaking excellent English, showing flexibility with the four-hour route, and being kind and considerate. He was also credited with finding good snorkeling spots and helping arrange a memorable lunch stop. These details matter because the day is not just a fixed transport loop. A good skipper can decide when to slow down, where to anchor, and how to balance the wishes of swimmers, sunbathers, and children.

The provider is Nauticstar Excursions. The activity is private, and only your party takes part. That makes it especially appealing for families, couples traveling with friends, and groups that do not want to follow a shared boat schedule.

Drinks, equipment, and what you should bring

The price includes fuel, snorkeling equipment, floating devices, snacks, and drinks. The drink selection includes water, Coke, iced tea, beer, and wine.

That is a practical package for a half-day on the sea. You do not need to budget for fuel surcharges, and you can start swimming without arranging equipment separately. Alcohol is included, but sensible timing matters when you are in the sun and swimming. Water should be your main drink during the active parts of the trip.

Lunch is not included. You can buy a meal or snack at Šunj Beach, and a restaurant stop may be possible if arranged with the skipper, but you should budget separately. Bringing a personal towel, sunscreen, swimwear, sunglasses, and a waterproof way to protect your phone would be sensible, although only the listed inclusions are guaranteed.

Who should book this tour

I would recommend this trip to you if you want several coastal experiences in one compact outing. It suits people who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, short boat rides, cave visits, and a sandy beach without committing to a full day at sea.

Families may appreciate the private format and floating devices, though adults remain responsible for children in the water. Couples and small friend groups get the most privacy, while groups of six to eight receive the strongest value per person.

You should think twice if you dislike speedboats, cannot comfortably swim from a boat, or want a long, quiet beach day. The route is active and fairly full. You also need to accept that cave access and swimming conditions can change with the sea.

The tour is near public transportation, service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The supplied details do not provide specific information about wheelchair access, boat boarding, or the exact pickup location, so ask Nauticstar Excursions before booking if those points matter to you.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a private, active half-day with three cave areas, two islands, and a proper sandy beach stop. The included equipment and drinks keep the extra costs down, while the flexible approach from skippers such as Maro and Luka adds real value.

The clearest reason to choose this trip is control. Your group can snorkel, swim, rest, or ask for a different balance within the available time. The clearest reason to skip it is the tight schedule: four hours on the water goes quickly when you are covering Kolocep, Lopud, and the return to Dubrovnik.

For a small group that can share the cost, this is a strong way to see the Elaphiti Islands without giving up a full day. Just pack for sun and swimming, keep lunch money aside, and treat the caves as weather-dependent rather than guaranteed in exactly the same form every day.

FAQ

How long does the private speedboat tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes. About 30 minutes of that time is reserved for pickup and drop-off, with 15 minutes allotted to each.

How many people can join the private boat tour?

The private group can include up to eight people. Only your group participates in the activity.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Kolocep Island and Lopud Island in the Elaphiti Islands.

Which caves are included on Kolocep?

The route includes the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves. The Green Cave is visited by boat, while the Blue Cave and Three Caves include time for swimming and snorkeling.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with floating devices.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks are water, Coke, iced tea, beer, and wine. Snacks are also included.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is at your own expense. You can eat at or near Šunj Beach, and a restaurant stop may be possible with the skipper.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $431.62 per group of up to eight people. The cost is not listed per person.

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.

Is the tour suitable for most people?

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. Since several stops involve swimming from the boat, you should consider your own comfort in the water before booking.