Private Full-Day Tour of Elaphiti Islands by Speedboat

The best island days leave room for detours. This private speedboat trip from Dubrovnik gives you eight hours on the sea, with time for Šunj Beach, Šipan, Koločep, hidden bays, snorkeling, and the Blue Cave. I like the flexible pace and the small-group setup, where up to eight people share one boat rather than follow a large excursion. The main drawback is the extra fuel charge, which can add roughly €150 to €200 depending on the boat.

You begin around 9:30 or 10 a.m. and return near the early evening. The skipper can shape the day around swimming, lunch, island walks, or quiet time on board. Captains named in past experiences include Ivan, Nick, Niko, and Luka, and the strongest praise centers on their calm manner, local suggestions, and ability to make families feel at ease.

Quick reasons to consider this boat day

• Šunj Beach is a rare sandy stop: Lopud’s shallow, sandy shore offers a change from Croatia’s usual pebbly and rocky coves.
• The route stays flexible: Your skipper can adjust swimming breaks, lunch, cave visits, and island time to suit your group.
• Šipan feels genuinely quiet: Luka Šipanska has about 200 residents, traditional boats, small bays, and a slower pace.
• Koločep adds caves and clear water: Sikirica Bay and the Blue Cave provide some of the most memorable swimming stops.
• The boat suits private groups: Up to eight people share the boat, with water, beer, soft drinks, towels, and snorkeling gear available.
• Fuel changes the real price: The advertised group price does not tell the whole cost, so confirm the final fuel estimate before booking.

What the day feels like from Dubrovnik

This is not a sightseeing cruise where you sit in one place while someone announces the next stop. It is a full day of moving between islands, swimming spots, beaches, small ports, and caves. You get a private skipper and your own group, so the rhythm can be relaxed rather than fixed.

The speedboat reaches Šunj Beach in about 40 minutes through the Elaphiti Channel. That ride gives you wide sea views without eating up much of the day. Once you reach the islands, the schedule becomes less rigid. You can spend more time swimming, stop for a drink, walk around a village, or remain on board if you prefer the shade.

The boat includes bottled water, beer, soft drinks, and snorkeling equipment. Several past outings also included a well-stocked cooler and fresh towels, useful after repeated swims. A shaded canopy and sunbathing space were also praised, so you are not forced to sit in full sun for eight hours.

The private format matters most if your group has mixed interests. One person can sunbathe, another can snorkel, and someone else can explore a port or stop for coffee. Families with children have found the captains easygoing, while a non-swimmer was carefully helped into the water and taken into a cave on a paddle board with Captain Nick.

Šunj Beach on Lopud: a soft start to the morning

The first stop is Šunj Beach on Lopud, reached after roughly 40 minutes. You get about an hour here, though the listed timing suggests the first portion of the outing may include some extra movement around the stop.

Šunj is special because sandy beaches are uncommon along this part of the Croatian coast. Much of the coast is rocky or covered with pebbles, so the soft sand and shallower water give the morning a different feel. You can swim, have a drink, or simply lie back in the setting.

This is a good first stop because it does not demand much. If you want to ease into the day, you can stay near shore. If you are already eager to get in the water, the beach gives you an easy first swim before the boat moves toward Šipan.

The limitation is time. An hour passes quickly once you walk from the boat, settle in, swim, and return. I would not treat Šunj as a full beach day. Think of it as a pleasant introduction to Lopud and a chance to enjoy one of the area’s less common sandy shores.

Hidden bay snorkeling between Lopud and Šipan

On the way to Šipan, the skipper can stop in a less obvious bay for swimming, snorkeling, or photos. The exact location is not fixed, which is part of the appeal. You are not simply ticking off famous places. The captain can choose a quiet spot based on the conditions and the group’s mood.

The water is described as crystal clear, and you can jump from the speedboat or stay aboard. That choice makes the stop workable for mixed groups. A confident swimmer can use the open water, while someone less comfortable can watch from the boat or ask the skipper for help.

Bring a swimsuit under your clothes and keep a dry layer handy. The day includes several water stops, and the boat’s towels are useful but may not replace having your own light cover-up. You should also expect the sea to be the main event here, not a formal guided snorkeling lesson.

Luka Šipanska: a quiet port and a useful lunch stop

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands, and Luka Šipanska is one of only two inhabited places on the island. About 200 people live on the entire island, giving the port a small-scale character that feels very different from Dubrovnik.

You get around three hours for lunch, drinks, and a walk. That is the longest stop of the day, and it gives you breathing room after the speedboat ride. Walk around the port, look at the traditional boats, and explore the little bays before or after eating.

Lunch is not included, so plan to pay separately. The skipper may recommend or reserve a local restaurant. Past outings included family-run seafood restaurants, grilled fish, vegetables, meat options, and local white wine. One group enjoyed scorpion fish cooked over a wood fire. These recommendations can make the stop feel more local, but you should still ask about menu prices and reservation arrangements before ordering.

The three-hour pause is a major advantage if you dislike rushed meals. You can eat slowly and take a walk rather than squeeze lunch into a narrow slot. The tradeoff is that the quality of this part depends partly on the restaurant you choose and how much time your group wants to spend ashore.

Sikirica Bay and the bright water of Koločep

After Šipan, the boat continues toward Koločep, stopping first at Sikirica Bay. This is described as difficult to locate on a map, and its harder-to-find character helps keep the stop feeling quiet.

The water here has a turquoise color, and you can swim, snorkel, or use a sea scooter. A sea scooter is not specifically listed among the included items, so confirm availability if that activity matters to you. The included snorkeling equipment should cover a basic look below the surface.

Koločep itself is smaller and less populated than Šipan. Fewer than 150 people live there, and the island is almost empty during winter. Its beaches are rocky or pebbly, and the sea is the main reason to stop. Wear sturdy sandals or water shoes if you have them, since rocky and pebbly shores are less comfortable under bare feet.

The island is described as clean and largely untouched. That does not mean you should expect a long list of attractions. Koločep’s value is its quiet coves, swimming, and open space. If you want monuments, museums, or a busy waterfront, this is not that kind of stop.

The Blue Cave and the final swim

At Koločep, you visit the Blue Cave and have another chance to swim, sunbathe, or snorkel. The cave offers a photogenic setting, but the most useful detail is that the skipper may enter the water with you and guide you inside.

That extra help can make a real difference. Past groups included children and a non-swimmer who felt comfortable with the captain’s assistance. Still, a cave visit involves getting into the water, so you should tell the skipper clearly if you are nervous or cannot swim.

Do not assume the cave will look exactly the same at every hour. Light inside a cave depends on the sun and sea conditions, and the exact experience can vary. The boat’s flexible schedule gives the skipper some room to choose the best moment, but nature does not run on a timetable.

The final ride back to Dubrovnik includes possible stops at additional bays. These locations are not easily found on a map, and the skipper may suggest them if they are worth the time. That flexibility is one of the tour’s best features, though it also means the precise day is not identical for every group.

The skipper makes or breaks the experience

A private boat day puts a lot of responsibility in the captain’s hands. Here, the strongest praise is directed at Ivan, Nick, Niko, and Luka for being friendly, patient, relaxed, and attentive.

Ivan is repeatedly described as an experienced host who took groups to secluded swimming spots, helped arrange lunch, and allowed people to stay at a place as long as they wished. He also handled families well, including groups with several children. Niko was praised for his easy manner, local stories, and calm response when a summer thunderstorm interrupted the plan.

Nick’s care with a non-swimmer is especially useful information. He helped the passenger feel safe in the water, guided him into the cave, and used a paddle board so he could take part without being left behind. That suggests the crew can adapt, though you should still explain mobility and swimming concerns before departure.

The skipper is not just driving the boat. He helps decide where to stop, where to eat, and how much time to spend in each place. If you want a fixed route with no changes, this may feel too loose. If you like having choices, it is a strong match.

Price, fuel, and what you really receive

The listed price is $1,023.50 per group of up to eight people. Divided among eight, that is about $128 per person before the fuel charge. For a smaller group, the per-person cost rises quickly. Four people would pay roughly $256 each before fuel, while a couple would be paying for privacy and control rather than low-cost transport.

Fuel is extra. The details give an approximate surcharge of €150 to €200 depending on the boat, while another price note lists €100 per booking. Because those figures do not match, ask Blue Mile Dubrovnik for the current estimate in writing before you commit.

The value is strongest for a full group that wants a private boat, flexible stops, drinks aboard, snorkeling equipment, and a full day at sea. It is less compelling if you only want a quick island transfer or a simple beach outing. Lunch and drinks at island restaurants are also separate costs, even though beer, soft drinks, and water are supplied on the boat.

The high rating of 5 from nine posted reviews supports a strong service record, but the sample is small. I would treat the praise as useful evidence about the captains and boat care, not as a promise that every day will have identical weather or timing.

Who should book this Elaphiti Islands tour?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families who want swimming, short island walks, and a captain who can adjust the day
• Couples or friends who value privacy over the lowest possible price
• Groups with different energy levels, since people can swim, sunbathe, eat, or explore
• Confident swimmers who want several sea stops and cave visits
• Visitors who have already seen Dubrovnik and want a full day outside the city

You should think twice if you dislike speedboat rides, cannot tolerate a day in the sun, or want a formal cultural tour with detailed scheduled commentary. The islands offer local life and traditional ports, but the main focus is the sea.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. Pickup may be arranged from your accommodation if it is far from the nearest speedboat mooring. The advertised start time is around 9:30 a.m., while the route description says the skipper waits at 10 a.m., so confirm your exact pickup time.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather can also lead to a different date or a full refund. Since this is a sea outing, that weather protection is important.

Final verdict: a strong private day with one cost to clarify

I would book this tour if you have enough people to share the cost and want the freedom to shape a full day around swimming, quiet bays, lunch, and caves. The combination of Šunj’s sand, Šipan’s small port, Sikirica Bay, Koločep, and the Blue Cave gives the day plenty of variety.

Before booking, ask three things: which boat you will receive, the current fuel estimate, and whether a sea scooter is available. If you want a restaurant lunch, ask the skipper to help reserve it. With those details settled, this is a very appealing way to see the Elaphiti Islands without being tied to a large group schedule.

FAQ

How long is the private Elaphiti Islands speedboat tour?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours. The route begins around 9:30 or 10 a.m. and typically returns in the early evening.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to eight people. Only your group participates in the activity.

Which islands are included?

The route includes Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep. Stops include Šunj Beach, Luka Šipanska, Sikirica Bay, and the Blue Cave, along with additional bays when the skipper recommends them.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup can be offered if your accommodation is far from the closest speedboat mooring. You should contact the provider in advance to arrange a transfer.

Are food and drinks included?

Bottled water, beer, and soft drinks are included on the boat. Lunch and drinks purchased at island restaurants or beach bars are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the route provides several opportunities to use it. Sea scooter use is mentioned as a possible activity at Sikirica Bay, but you should confirm whether one is available.

Is fuel included in the tour price?

No. Fuel is paid at the end of the tour. The supplied details give estimates ranging from €100 to approximately €150 to €200, depending on the boat, so confirm the current surcharge before booking.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.