Rent a speed boat and explore beaches and coves of Elaphiti Islands

A private speedboat is a fine way to turn Dubrovnik’s crowded summer coastline into your own day on the water. You can stop at Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep, choosing how long to linger at a sandy beach, a quiet port, or a rocky cove.

I like the flexible schedule and the small private group, capped at six people. I also like the thoughtful extras: snorkel gear, bottled water, soft drinks, wine, beer, a sunshade, fridge, and sundeck. The main catch is the ride itself, which can be bumpy, and some cave entrances require confident swimming.

Key points to know before booking

• Three very different islands: Lopud brings sandy beaches and old paths, Šipan offers a quieter fishing-port feel, and Koločep is best for swimming and coves.
• Your time is flexible: You choose how long to stay at each stop, within the four- to eight-hour tour length.
• Private boat for up to six: This works well for families or friends who want their own skipper rather than a large group.
• Swimming is central: Bring a swimsuit, and be ready for waves, rocky coves, and cave entrances that may not suit weak swimmers.
• Skippers matter: Eric, Roko, Tito, Mark, Ivan, and Luca have all been praised for friendly service, patience, local tips, and careful attention.
• Pickup is limited but useful: Pickup and return are available in Dubrovnik for addresses more than 1 kilometer from Yacht Club Orsan.

A private speedboat day from Dubrovnik

The boat leaves from Yacht Club Orsan on Ul. Ivana pl. Zajca, a practical starting point in Dubrovnik. If you are staying in the Dubrovnik city area, pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned minivan or car are included when your address is more than 1 kilometer from the starting point.

The boat is private, so your group does not share the day with strangers. That makes a real difference here. You can decide if you want a long swim, a slow coffee in port, or a quick look around before moving on. A large public excursion usually runs by the clock. This one gives you more control, though you still need to agree on a sensible pace with your skipper.

You can book four or eight hours, with the exact time at each island left to your group. The listed stops suggest about two hours at Lopud, one hour at Šipan, and one hour at Koločep on a shorter plan, but the skipper can adjust the day around your interests and conditions.

The boat has a sunshade, fridge, and sundeck. Drinks include bottled water, soda, wine, and beer. Snorkel equipment is supplied, which saves you from packing your own mask and fins. You still need to bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and anything else you want for a full day outdoors.

Lopud: sandy Šunj Beach and old island paths

Lopud is likely to be the most varied stop. It has sandy beaches, stone houses, olive groves, vineyards, old woodland paths, and places to eat or buy local products. Unlike some small islands that become quiet after the last boat leaves, Lopud is inhabited and has cocktail bars, restaurants, and shops selling food, wine, and olive oil.

The big draw is Šunj Beach, a sandy stretch that makes a welcome change from the usual Croatian rock and concrete bathing spots. A local story says that couples who swim there together will never part. Take that as island folklore, not a legal guarantee, but it adds a little charm to a swim.

You can also walk toward the old botanical garden, described as one of Europe’s oldest. Another unusual stop is the Temple of the Sun museum, where moving shades create changing effects inside. The provided details do not specify entrance fees or opening hours, so ask the skipper what is operating on your day before building your plan around either attraction.

Lopud is also a good place to slow down. You can sit with a drink, wander the old paths, or make the beach your main event. I would not try to do everything in one short stop. If you want Šunj Beach, the botanical garden, the museum, lunch, and a swim, the longer eight-hour option makes more sense.

The drawback is simple: Lopud has the most things competing for your time. If your priority is quiet water and small coves, do not spend the entire outing on land here.

Šipan: a quieter port with an older island life

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands and feels less polished for tourism than Lopud. The port of Suđurađ is a good place for coffee, a short walk, and a look at working island life. You will see fishing boats, old stone houses, and families who have kept local traditions alive.

The island is linked with olive growing and is recorded in the Guinness Book of Records for its number of olive trees on one island. It was also a summer retreat for Dubrovnik’s wealthy families in the 15th century, leaving behind old villas, a late-Gothic Rector’s Palace, and remains of archbishops’ palaces.

In Suđurađ, look for the 16th-century castle built by the Stjepović-Skočibuha family of Dubrovnik. A nearby defensive tower recalls the period when coastal settlements had to watch for pirates. You do not need a long history lecture to enjoy this stop. The appeal is seeing grand old buildings close to a living port, rather than walking through a preserved site with no daily life around it.

I like Šipan because it gives the trip a human scale. You can have coffee, watch boats come and go, and walk without treating every minute as a sightseeing mission. It is also a useful break from swimming.

The limitation is that this is not the stop for a packed program. The suggested visit is about an hour, and you may find enough to see in a short walk and coffee break. If you want to visit several historic buildings, ask how much walking time you have before leaving the boat.

Koločep: clear water, coves, and a short snorkel stop

Koločep is the final listed island and the strongest choice for swimming. The water is described as clear, with fish and seashells visible below the surface. Snorkel gear is included, so you can spend time looking around the shallows without arranging extra equipment.

The island has small coves, caves, and high cliffs. Several of the strongest comments about the outing focus on cave visits and swimming in blue water. Skippers such as Eric, Roko, Tito, Mark, Ivan, and Luca have been singled out for showing people where to go, offering tips, and helping groups make the most of the conditions.

You should take the cave portion seriously. One account specifically notes waves and a small entrance, with confident swimming needed. This is not a dry sightseeing cruise where you can stay aboard while everyone else takes over. If you are uneasy in open water, ask the skipper to choose a calmer swimming spot and stay close to the boat or beach.

Koločep also offers walks through Gornje Čelo and Donje Čelo, two small Mediterranean settlements. Pines and olive trees cover much of the island, and the tour description notes around 250 sunny days per year. That figure does not promise perfect conditions on your date, but it explains why the island is so well suited to a day outside.

Allow enough time for the water here. On a rushed four-hour plan, you may have to choose between the villages, the beach, and the coves. The eight-hour version gives you a better chance to swim without checking the clock every few minutes.

What the guides add to the day

The skipper is not just a driver on this kind of trip. The right person decides which cove makes sense in the current conditions, helps you find a suitable swimming spot, and keeps the day moving without making it feel rigid.

Eric has been praised for excellent English, warmth, and quick attention to small needs. He gave a windbreaker to a passenger who was cold, a useful reminder that a speedboat can feel chilly once it gets moving, even on a sunny day.

Roko is described as patient and friendly, with a good feel for caves and beaches. Tito has been credited with useful tips and local stories. Mark is praised for being attentive, while Ivan and Luca have been associated with fun, music, cave swims, and special care for birthday groups.

You cannot normally guarantee a particular skipper, so treat those names as examples of the service style rather than a promise. You can ask at booking if a preferred guide is available, but the operator may assign someone else.

The ride, comfort, and things to pack

A speedboat makes the islands feel close, but speed comes with motion. One account describes the ride as fun but bumpy, and that is the right expectation. If you suffer from motion sickness, sit where the skipper recommends and consider preparing before departure.

The sunshade is helpful during the hottest part of the day, while the sundeck gives you a place to stretch out between stops. The fridge keeps drinks cold, and the supplied water and soft drinks reduce the need to carry a heavy bag. Wine and beer are included, but drink lightly if you plan to swim.

Pack a swimsuit because it is not included. I would also bring a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a light jacket or windbreaker, and secure footwear for stone paths. The supplied information does not mention changing rooms, so wear something practical under your clothes.

The boat is limited to six people per booking. That is a comfortable setup for a family or a group of friends, but the price is charged per group, not per person. With six people sharing the $720.84 cost, the rate works out to about $120 per person. With four people, it is about $180 each, and with two people it becomes expensive.

That price can be fair if you use the boat for the full eight hours and value privacy, flexible stops, transport, drinks, and equipment. It is harder to justify for a short four-hour outing with a small group, especially if you only want one swim and a quick beach stop.

Four hours or eight hours?

Choose four hours if you want a compact taste of the islands. You can still visit Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep, but you will need to keep stops brief. This option suits people with limited time in Dubrovnik or those who mainly want a boat ride and a swim.

Choose eight hours if you want the day to feel relaxed. You can give Lopud enough time for Šunj Beach, stop for coffee in Šipan, and still spend a proper stretch swimming around Koločep. The longer plan also gives you room for weather changes, a slow lunch, or an extra pause when you find a cove you like.

Because the schedule is flexible, speak clearly with the skipper at the start. Tell them if your group cares most about beaches, village life, historic buildings, caves, or snorkeling. Otherwise, you may spend too long at the first attractive stop and rush the final swim.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would recommend it most for a group of friends, a family with older children, or a couple willing to pay for privacy. It works particularly well for birthdays and other small celebrations, since the boat can be shaped around your group rather than a fixed public timetable.

You should be comfortable with swimming and outdoor conditions. Children must be accompanied by adults, and the cave stops may not suit anyone who is not confident in the water. Most people can participate, but the operator asks you to share specific requirements when booking.

This is also a good choice if Dubrovnik itself feels too busy. Šipan, in particular, offers a quieter look at island life, while Koločep gives you a natural setting for swimming and snorkeling. If your idea of a perfect day is a guided walk through major monuments, this is the wrong tool. If you want sun, water, small ports, and the freedom to change plans, it fits well.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you can fill most of the six seats and want a private day rather than a basic boat transfer. The best value comes from using the full eight hours, swimming at Koločep, making time for Šunj Beach, and enjoying the flexibility that a private skipper provides.

Think twice if you dislike bumpy rides, cannot swim confidently, or are mainly interested in formal sightseeing. For everyone else, this is a strong way to see the Elaphiti Islands from Dubrovnik, especially when you want a mix of sand, old stone villages, quiet ports, and clear coves in one outing.

The tour can be canceled free of charge up to 24 hours before departure. It requires good weather, and if poor conditions cancel the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

The tour starts at Yacht Club Orsan, Ul. Ivana pl. Zajca 4, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Does the activity end at the starting point?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included for locations in the Dubrovnik city area that are more than 1 kilometer from the starting point.

Is pickup available outside Dubrovnik?

No. Pickup outside the Dubrovnik city area is not included.

How long does the boat trip last?

The experience lasts approximately four to eight hours.

How many people can join one booking?

A maximum of six people can join one booking.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, soda, wine, and beer are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Do I need to bring a swimsuit?

Yes. A swimsuit is not included, so you need to bring your own.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund.