Full- Day Private Speedboat Tour in Dubrovnik on Elaphiti Islands

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat trip is the freedom of a private speedboat. You visit three Elaphiti Islands, stop for swims and snorkeling, and have room to adjust the pace with your captain instead of following a large group on a fixed route. The Blue Cave, Kolocep’s Green Caves, and Šunj Beach give the day a good mix of water, nature, and island time.

I like the personal feel and the fact that drinks, snacks, fuel, taxes, and snorkeling equipment are included. I also like the range of stops, from the old fishing village of Suđurađ to the Franciscan monastery on Lopud. The main consideration is simple: this is a long day on the water, and lunch costs extra. At $611.46 for up to eight people, the value is strongest when you fill the boat.

Key points at a glance

• Three Elaphiti Islands in one day: See Kolocep, Lopud, and Šipan without arranging separate ferries or excursions.
• Blue Cave and three Green Caves: Snorkel inside several striking sea caves, with about 30 minutes at each cave stop.
• Two hours at Šunj Beach: Swim, walk across the shallow sand, have a snack, or eat at the beach restaurant.
• Three hours on Lopud: Allow time for swimming, a botanical garden walk, the 15th-century Franciscan Monastery, and lunch.
• Private group of up to eight: You share the boat only with your own party, which makes the pace more flexible.
• Extra swimming stops: Sikirica Cove is used for snorkeling, followed by a secluded beach stop near Brsečine.

Why a private speedboat works well around Dubrovnik

The Elaphiti Islands sit close enough to Dubrovnik for a full-day outing, but far enough away to feel like a change of scene. A speedboat lets you cover several islands in one outing, with time left for swimming, walking, and a proper lunch stop.

You begin at Dubrovnik’s main port and follow the city’s western coast toward Kolocep. That short opening ride, about 15 minutes, gives you a different view of Dubrovnik before the day shifts from city sights to open water and small island bays.

The boat is private for your group, with a maximum of eight people. That matters more than it may sound. You are not sharing the day with a busload-sized crowd, and the tour can feel more relaxed for families, couples traveling together, or friends who want to choose between swimming and walking at a stop.

Captain Maro is specifically named in the available feedback, with praise for knowing the area and choosing good places to stop. Since no larger guide team is listed, you should expect the captain to be the main person shaping the day on the water.

Blue Cave and Kolocep’s three Green Caves

The first major stop is the Blue Cave, where you spend about 30 minutes snorkeling inside the cave. This is a short stop, but it gives the morning a clear purpose right away. You are not simply looking at caves from the boat. The plan is to get into the water and see them from inside.

Snorkeling equipment is supplied, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins. Still, bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and a dry bag for small valuables. The experience is water-based from the start, and you will be more comfortable if you arrive ready to swim.

The next stop is Kolocep, one of the Elaphiti Islands. Here, you get about 30 minutes to snorkel around three Green Caves. Three caves in one stop gives you more variety than a single photo opportunity, though the time is still limited.

I would treat both cave visits as active swim stops rather than long sightseeing sessions. If you like snorkeling and unusual rock formations, these are likely to be among the day’s highlights. If you prefer to stay dry, you may find the short water-based schedule less appealing.

Two hours at sandy Šunj Beach

Šunj Beach is one of the major pauses in the day, with roughly two hours set aside. It is described as the most famous sandy beach in the Dubrovnik region, and the sand is the main reason this stop feels different from the cave and rocky-bay visits.

You can walk along the shallow sandy water, swim, or snorkel. There is also a restaurant where you can buy lunch or a snack, although food is not included in the tour price. This is a useful place to plan your meal because the schedule allows enough time to sit down rather than eat in a hurry.

The shallow water should appeal to anyone who wants a gentler swim. It may also suit families, though the supplied information does not specify children’s facilities or supervision, so you should make your own arrangements for young swimmers.

Šunj is a good spot for a slower break, but two hours can feel long if all you want is a quick swim. That is not a flaw in the tour so much as a question of fit. You get the most from this stop if you enjoy beach time, a restaurant meal, and a walk along the sand.

Three hours to choose your Lopud pace

Lopud receives the longest stop, about three hours. That gives you enough time to do more than step ashore, take a photograph, and hurry back to the boat.

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

This is where the private format earns its keep. You can divide the time in the way your group prefers. One person may want the monastery and garden, another may want to swim, and someone else may be ready for lunch. You are not forced to make the same choice at every minute.

The Franciscan Monastery adds a cultural stop to what could otherwise be a day of beaches and caves. The botanical garden gives you a cooler walking option after time in the sun. If you want the day to include more than water activities, Lopud is the most useful stop.

The drawback is that the schedule may feel packed if you try to do everything. Three hours sounds generous, but a swim, a meal, a monastery visit, and a garden walk can quickly fill it. Pick your priorities before you arrive at Lopud.

Šipan and the old village of Suđurađ

After Lopud, the boat continues to Šipan, the largest of the Elaphiti Islands according to the route description. The stop focuses on the island’s southern coast and Suđurađ, described as the oldest fishing village in the area.

You have about 30 minutes here. That is enough for a short look at the village and a change of pace after Lopud, but not enough for an extended island exploration. Think of Suđurađ as a scenic village visit built into the boat day, not as a full historical tour.

This stop helps give the outing some local character. The caves and beaches are the obvious attractions, while Suđurađ shows you a settled island community and its fishing tradition. If you enjoy seeing how people live in a place, not just its swimming spots, keep your eyes open during this short visit.

Sikirica Cove and a final secluded swim

The final water stops are near Brsečine. First comes Sikirica Cove, described as one of the best snorkeling places in the area, with about 30 minutes for swimming and snorkeling.

The route then allows another 30 minutes for swimming at a secluded beach. These stops are useful because they leave room for a quieter finish. You have already seen the named caves and visited the main beaches, so the final swims can be about enjoying the water without another sightseeing task.

The word secluded should be read as a description of the type of stop, not a guarantee that you will have a beach entirely to yourself. The exact feel of any cove can change with conditions and other boats. Still, the plan gives you two separate chances to swim away from the more organized beach stop at Šunj.

For snorkelers, this part of the day may be especially appealing. You get another chance to use the supplied equipment in a cove rather than only inside a cave.

What the $611.46 price really buys

The listed price is $611.46 per group of up to eight people. If eight people share the boat, that works out to about $76.43 per person for approximately eight and a half hours. At that group size, the cost is competitive for a private full-day outing with fuel and equipment included.

The value is less clear for a small party. Two people would carry the full group price between them, so a private boat day becomes a premium choice. You are paying for privacy, a long route, and the ability to keep the experience within your own group, not simply for transport to one beach.

Included items are drinks, snacks, snorkeling equipment, fuel, and all fees and taxes. Those inclusions reduce the small extra costs that can add up on a full day at sea. Lunch is the main planned expense beyond the booking price, and you can buy it at Šunj Beach or Lopud.

This is a good fit if you want to combine several islands in one day and value a private setting. If your main goal is simply to reach one beach as cheaply as possible, a public ferry or a shorter group boat may be a better match.

Timing, comfort, and what to bring

The total duration is approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes. That includes the outbound and return views of Dubrovnik’s western coast, the cave stops, island visits, swimming, and time for lunch.

You should expect a day with repeated transitions between boat, beach, village, and water. Wear swim-friendly clothing and bring a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. The supplied information confirms drinks and snacks, but it does not specify what type or quantity, so do not treat those as a full replacement for lunch.

A mobile ticket is provided, and confirmation is received at booking. The departure and return point is Dubrovnik’s main port. The experience is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, but anyone with mobility or swimming concerns should consider the repeated boat and shore transfers before booking.

The route includes several chances to swim, but you can use the island stops for walking or sightseeing instead. That flexibility is helpful, although the tour is still built around the sea. Someone who dislikes boats, sun, or getting wet will probably not enjoy the full day.

Who will enjoy this island day most

I would recommend this trip to a group of friends, a family that enjoys swimming, or a couple willing to pay more for privacy. It also suits first-time Dubrovnik visitors who want to see more of the nearby islands without piecing together ferries, taxis, restaurants, and snorkel gear.

You will get the most from it if you like variety. In one day, you can snorkel in caves, walk on a sandy beach, visit a monastery, see an old fishing village, eat fish on Lopud, and swim in smaller coves.

The route is less suitable if you want a quiet cultural tour with little physical activity. It is also not ideal if your party cannot agree on a water-heavy day. The best feature of a private boat is flexibility, but the route still spends much of its time around beaches and swimming spots.

The experience has a 5 out of 5 rating from 21 reviews, with 100 percent recommending it. That is a small sample, so I would not use the rating alone to make your choice. The specific praise for Captain Maro’s local knowledge and relaxed, personalized approach is more useful when judging the feel of the day.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a full private day that covers several different sides of the Dubrovnik island area. The caves, Šunj Beach, Lopud, Suđurađ, and Sikirica Cove give you a fuller outing than a single beach transfer, while the group limit of eight keeps the experience personal.

I would book it for a group large enough to share the $611.46 price comfortably, especially if snorkeling and swimming are high on your list. I would skip it if you want the lowest-cost island transport, dislike long boat days, or would rather spend all your time at one beach.

Before booking, agree on your group’s priorities. If some people want the monastery and lunch while others want to swim, the three hours on Lopud should work well. If everyone wants a fast, nonstop sightseeing schedule, the beach and village pauses may feel too slow. For the right group, this is a well-rounded way to trade Dubrovnik’s city streets for caves, coves, and island time.

FAQ

How long is the private speedboat tour?

The tour lasts approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes, including the return to Dubrovnik’s main port.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private tour is for your group only, with up to eight people.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Kolocep, Lopud, and Šipan in the Elaphiti Islands.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, drinks, snacks, fuel, and all fees and taxes are included.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is at your own expense, with restaurant options mentioned at Šunj Beach and Lopud.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.