Reviewed · ELAPHITI ISLANDS BOAT TOURS FROM DUBROVNIK

Half-Day Elafiti Islands Private Speed Boat Tour by Quicksilver 675

5.0 · 263 reviews 4 hours (approx.) Operated by Explore Dubrovnik · Bookable on Viator
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The best part of this four-hour trip is control. You are not following a rigid boat schedule from one crowded stop to the next. Your skipper can adjust the time at Kolocep’s Blue Cave and Lopud’s Sunj Beach to suit your group, while the Quicksilver 675 gets you across the water quickly.

I like the included snorkel gear, GoPro camera, water, beer, and soft drinks. I also like the personal touch reported by the guides, especially Ivan and Joseph, who are praised for being friendly, accommodating, and willing to take groups away from the busiest spots. The main drawback is the extra €80 fuel surcharge, which is separate from the listed group price.

Key points at a glance

Half-Day Elafiti Islands Private Speed Boat Tour by Quicksilver 675 - Key points at a glance

  • Private Quicksilver 675: Your group of up to six people has the boat and skipper to itself.
  • Kolocep’s Blue Cave: Swim from the boat into the cave, with snorkel masks and a GoPro provided.
  • Lopud’s Sunj Beach: Spend about two hours swimming, sunbathing, or visiting Lopud village.
  • Flexible pacing: You can decide how long to stay at the main stops and which activities suit your group.
  • Gruz Port departure: The route begins and ends at Lapadska obala 4, with Dubrovnik views along the way.
  • Useful inclusions: Water, beer, soft drinks, snorkel equipment, life jackets, skipper, and taxes are included.

A private boat day from Dubrovnik

Half-Day Elafiti Islands Private Speed Boat Tour by Quicksilver 675 - A private boat day from Dubrovnik

The Elafiti Islands sit just off Dubrovnik’s coast, close enough for a half-day outing but far enough to give you a break from city streets and stone walls. This tour uses the time well. You see the coast from the water, stop for swimming, and still have a chance to walk on Lopud.

The boat is a Quicksilver 675, and the trip is private for your group. That matters more than it might sound. A party of two can keep the outing quiet and simple, while a family or group of friends can agree on its own balance of beach time, snorkeling, and sightseeing.

The total price is $399.25 per group of up to six, not per person. For a full group, that can be good value for a private boat and skipper. You should add the stated €80 fuel surcharge when working out the real cost. Meals are not included, so plan to eat before or after the trip, or bring your own expectations down to drinks and swimming rather than a full day on the water.

The tour lasts about four hours. That is long enough to reach the islands and enjoy two meaningful stops, but short enough to fit beside other Dubrovnik plans. If your schedule is tight, this is more practical than a full-day island cruise. If you want long walks, several beaches, and a leisurely island lunch, you may find four hours limiting.

Leaving Gruz Port with Dubrovnik behind you

Half-Day Elafiti Islands Private Speed Boat Tour by Quicksilver 675 - Leaving Gruz Port with Dubrovnik behind you

The meeting point is at Lapadska obala 4 in the Gruz area. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to make your own way to the port. The activity ends at the same meeting point.

The opening 30 minutes are used for the coastal run from Dubrovnik toward Kolocep. This is not dead time. From the boat, you get a broad view of Dubrovnik, including the bridge entering the city, Copacabana, and Daxa Island, sometimes called the island of ghosts.

This first section helps you see Dubrovnik in a new way. From land, the city is framed by walls and hills. From the boat, you see how much of the city faces the sea and how quickly the built-up shore gives way to open water.

The ride also gives you time to get comfortable with the boat and talk with the skipper. That conversation is useful because the tour is customizable. If your group cares most about swimming, say so early. If you want to spend more time walking on Lopud, make that clear before the schedule fills up.

Kolocep and the swim into the Blue Cave

Half-Day Elafiti Islands Private Speed Boat Tour by Quicksilver 675 - Kolocep and the swim into the Blue Cave

Kolocep is roughly 20 to 25 minutes by boat from Dubrovnik. It has two villages, Gornje Celo and Donje Celo, but the main reason to stop here is the Blue Cave on the island’s south side.

The boat anchors near the cave, and you swim inside. Snorkel masks are included, along with a GoPro camera for capturing the experience. You should be comfortable in the water and able to manage a swim from the anchored boat into the cave. Life jackets are available for adults and children, which adds a useful safety option, though the tour still calls for a moderate level of physical fitness.

The stop is planned for about 45 minutes, but the private format gives your skipper room to adjust. You can spend less time in the water if the cave is not your main goal, or ask to linger near the cliffs afterward.

The cliffs along Kolocep are worth seeing from the boat. The water and rock formations provide the kind of close coastal scenery that is easy to miss on a larger cruise. The trade-off is that this stop is activity-focused. There is no long village visit built into the timing, so you should choose Kolocep for swimming, snorkeling, and views rather than shopping or a broad island tour.

Bring swimwear and a way to protect your phone or camera. The tour supplies snorkel equipment and a GoPro, but it does not list towels, meals, or personal waterproof bags among the inclusions.

Two hours on Lopud and Sunj Beach

Half-Day Elafiti Islands Private Speed Boat Tour by Quicksilver 675 - Two hours on Lopud and Sunj Beach

Lopud is the longest stop, with about two hours available. That extra time gives the tour its best chance to feel like an island outing rather than a quick photo stop.

The main attraction is Sunj Beach, a sandy beach where you can swim and sunbathe. Much of the Croatian coast is known for rocky or pebbly swimming areas, so a sandy beach is a useful change. You can stay aboard the boat, swim from the shore, or spend time on the beach.

Cold water, beer, and soft drinks are available onboard. That is handy after swimming, but it is not a meal service. Since lunch is not included, think ahead if your group needs substantial food during the four-hour outing.

Lopud also gives you the option to go beyond the beach. In the village, you can visit the Dominican and Franciscan monastery, the Đorđić-Mayneri park, small churches, and a botanical garden. The details of how much you can see will depend on your group’s pace and the time spent at Sunj.

This is where the private arrangement pays off. A beach-loving group can stay by the water. A group that wants some culture can shorten its swim and walk into the village. You will not have unlimited time for every sight, so decide what matters before you arrive.

The beach is also the likeliest place to feel the limits of a half-day schedule. Two hours sounds generous, but it includes getting from the boat to shore, swimming, drying off, and returning to the boat if you want to continue to the village. If you want a slow island afternoon, book a longer outing. If you want a compact mix of beach and sightseeing, this timing works well.

More boat trips and cruises from Dubrovnik:

The ride back to Gruz Port

Half-Day Elafiti Islands Private Speed Boat Tour by Quicksilver 675 - The ride back to Gruz Port

The return takes about 45 minutes and continues along the coast. It is a pleasant final stretch rather than a separate attraction, giving you more time to look back at the islands and enjoy the boat ride.

Because this is a speedboat tour, the journey between stops is part of the appeal. You cover more ground than you would by swimming between a single beach and a nearby cove, but the ride can also feel exposed to sun and wind. Use the drinks onboard, take the life jacket if needed, and bring sun protection.

The boat returns to the same Gruz meeting point. You will need to arrange your own onward transport, since pickup and drop-off are not included.

What the skipper adds

Half-Day Elafiti Islands Private Speed Boat Tour by Quicksilver 675 - What the skipper adds

A private boat is only as good as the person running it. The guides named for this experience include Ivan and Joseph. Ivan is noted for being easy to find at the pier, friendly, and accommodating. Joseph is praised for shaping the trip around what the group wanted.

That flexibility is not a minor extra. The Elafiti route can serve different kinds of groups. One party may want the Blue Cave and nonstop swimming. Another may care more about beach time and Lopud’s village. A skipper who asks what you want can make the same four-hour route feel quite different.

The experience also benefits from local suggestions. Your skipper can point out places along the coast and recommend how to divide your time. You should still speak up. Customization works best when you tell the skipper your priorities instead of waiting for the schedule to decide for you.

The guide’s role is also practical. They handle the boat, explain the stops, and provide the included equipment. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the minimum drinking age is 18. Service animals are allowed.

What is included, and what is not

Half-Day Elafiti Islands Private Speed Boat Tour by Quicksilver 675 - What is included, and what is not

The useful inclusions are simple:

  • Snorkel equipment
  • Life jackets for adults and children
  • Bottled water
  • Beer and soft drinks
  • Skipper
  • Taxes, fees, and handling charges

These inclusions reduce the small costs that can add up on a boat trip. You do not need to rent a mask at the cave or buy every drink separately. Still, you should remember the gaps. Meals are not included, the €80 fuel surcharge is extra, and there is no hotel transfer.

The stated price of $399.25 covers up to six people, making the math much better for a full group. For two people, the cost per person is considerably higher, but you are paying for privacy and control rather than a seat on a shared boat.

The booking can be canceled for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. The tour depends on good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who will get the most from this tour

Half-Day Elafiti Islands Private Speed Boat Tour by Quicksilver 675 - Who will get the most from this tour

I would point this tour toward couples, families, and small groups of friends who want a private day on the water without committing to a full-day cruise. It is especially useful if swimming and beach time matter more to you than a long guided history tour.

Families should appreciate the private boat and the availability of children’s life jackets, but every child needs adult supervision. The Blue Cave stop requires swimming, so make your group’s comfort in the water part of the decision.

It also suits people who dislike fixed group schedules. You can ask for more time at Sunj, cut short a stop, or focus on the cave. The boat allows some choice, though the four-hour duration still imposes limits.

I would be less enthusiastic for anyone who wants a long, unhurried island walk, a restaurant meal, or extensive village sightseeing. The tour gives you a taste of several places. It does not provide enough time to know Lopud or Kolocep in depth.

Should you book the Elafiti speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a private and flexible half-day with Dubrovnik views, a cave swim, and a sandy beach. The included drinks and snorkel gear keep things easy, while the skipper can shape the outing around your group.

Before paying, factor in the €80 fuel surcharge, make your own plan for reaching Gruz Port, and decide how important lunch and long island walks are to you. For up to six people who value privacy and swimming, the price can work well. For a small party seeking a slow cultural visit, a longer island trip may be the better choice.

FAQ

How long is the Elafiti Islands speedboat tour?

The tour lasts approximately four hours, including the outbound and return boat rides.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Lapadska obala 4 in Dubrovnik’s Gruz area.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private boat is available for a group of up to six people.

Is hotel pickup or drop-off included?

No. You need to reach the Gruz meeting point independently, and return transportation is not included.

Is the fuel surcharge included in the listed price?

No. An €80 fuel surcharge applies per booking.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel equipment is included, and you can use it during the Kolocep Blue Cave stop.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, beer, and soft drinks are included. A meal is not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You are offered a different date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.

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