Private Full-Day Tour of Elaphiti Islands by Speedboat

The best part of this private speedboat tour is the freedom to shape your day around the sea. You can swim at Šunj Beach, stop in quiet bays that are hard to locate, eat lunch on Šipan or Lopud, and visit the Blue Cave without being tied to a large group schedule.

I like the mix of rare sandy beach time and clear-water swimming stops. I also like the human touch: skippers such as Ivan, Nick, Niko, and Luka have helped families arrange lunch, guided nervous swimmers into the Blue Cave, and adjusted the pace for children and older relatives.

The main drawback is cost. At $1,023.50 for up to eight people, this makes the most sense for a full group. Fuel is also extra, and the published fuel figures conflict, so confirm the final amount before you go.

Key points to know before booking

• Šunj Beach gives you a rare sandy shoreline in a part of Croatia known more for pebbles and rocks.
• The route includes several swim stops, including Sikirica Bay and a quiet cove on the way to Šipan.
• Your skipper can shape the day, with time for lunch, drinks, walks, snorkeling, or extra swimming.
• Šipan and Koločep offer very different moods, from a small island port to a nearly empty winter village.
• The Blue Cave is a highlight, especially if your skipper helps you enter by water.
• Fuel is not included, and the listed surcharge needs clarification before departure.

A private day on the water from Dubrovnik

This is not a fixed sightseeing cruise where you sit in one place and follow a guide’s script. It is a private boat day for your own group, with a skipper who takes you between the Elaphiti Islands and pauses wherever the water, weather, and group mood suggest.

The planned day lasts about eight hours. The listed start time is 9:30 am, while the route description says the skipper meets you at 10 am, so confirm the exact departure time when booking. Pickup can be arranged from your accommodation if it is far from the nearest speedboat mooring.

The boat carries up to eight people in your private party. That matters. You are not sharing the boat with strangers, and you can decide if the afternoon calls for another swim, a long lunch, a walk through a village, or a quick return to Dubrovnik.

Drinking water, beer, soft drinks, and snorkeling equipment are included. Previous outings with this operator have also included fresh towels, shaded seating, and a cooler, although you should confirm exactly what will be aboard your chosen boat.

Šunj Beach, a sandy start on Lopud

The first stop is Šunj Beach on Lopud, reached after about 40 minutes through the Elaphiti Channel. You get roughly an hour and a half for swimming, sunbathing, or a drink by the shore.

Šunj is worth the stop because sandy beaches are unusual along this part of the Croatian coast. Much of the shoreline around Dubrovnik is rocky or pebbly, so the softer footing makes this opening stop feel different right away.

I would use this first pause to settle into the day rather than rush through it. The sea is the main attraction, and the beach gives you time to swim before the boat begins hopping between smaller coves and island ports.

There is one practical point to keep in mind. A beach stop is less private than a remote bay, so Šunj may feel more social than the later swimming locations. If quiet water is your priority, save your longest swim for one of the skipper’s other stops.

Šipan and the quiet port of Luka Šipanska

From Lopud, the boat continues toward Šipan, the largest of the Elaphiti Islands. Before reaching Luka Šipanska, the skipper plans a short pause in a secluded bay for swimming, snorkeling, or photographs.

This is where a private boat earns its keep. You can jump straight into the clear water, stay aboard and enjoy the view, or ask for more time if everyone is having fun. The point is not to check off a stop, but to use the island route as a string of pleasant sea breaks.

Luka Šipanska is one of only two inhabited settlements on the island. Around 200 people live across Šipan, giving the port a small-scale feel. You can have lunch or drinks at a local beach bar, walk around the harbor, and look at the small traditional boats tied along the waterfront.

The planned time here is about three hours, making it the best opportunity for a proper meal and a little time on land. Lunch is not included, and the choice of restaurant is not fixed. Skippers Ivan and Niko have arranged local restaurants for families in the past, including places serving grilled seafood and local wine, but ask your skipper to reserve a table if you want to eat at a particular hour.

A long stop on Šipan also helps balance the day. Eight hours of sun and boat motion can be tiring, especially for young children. A walk, a meal, and a drink in the shade give everyone a break before the next swim.

Sikirica Bay and the appeal of an unmarked stop

After Šipan, the boat heads toward Koločep and pauses at Sikirica Bay. The location is difficult to identify on a map, which is part of its appeal. The water is described as turquoise, and the stop is intended for swimming, snorkeling, and, when available, use of a sea scooter.

You do not need to be an expert swimmer to enjoy this part, but you should be comfortable around open water if you plan to jump from the boat. One especially helpful detail from the skipper feedback is the care shown to people who are less confident in the sea. Nick helped a non-swimming parent take part safely, including time in the cave and on a paddleboard.

That kind of support is useful, but it is still wise to tell the skipper about swimming ability before leaving Dubrovnik. The boat crew can then suggest the best way to approach each stop. You can always remain on the boat, use the snorkeling equipment near the surface, or skip a swim altogether.

Sikirica is also a good place for photographs. The stop is less about a named landmark and more about the color of the water, the quiet setting, and the pleasure of having room to choose your own pace.

Koločep and the Blue Cave

Koločep is the smallest of the three main islands on the route. Fewer than 150 people live there, and the island is almost empty in winter. Its beaches are mainly rocky or pebbly, with clear water that suits swimming and snorkeling better than long sandy beach walks.

The island is described as a nature oasis, but you should understand what that means in practical terms. This is a quiet, lightly settled stop, not a place filled with shops and attractions. You come here for clean water, small coves, and time outside.

The Blue Cave is the signature sight. You can take photographs near the entrance, swim, sunbathe, or snorkel before the boat returns to Dubrovnik. The cave may look intimidating to some swimmers, particularly children or anyone uneasy in open water. Skippers have entered the cave with passengers and guided them through, which can make the visit much easier for a nervous member of your group.

Do not assume every person must enter. The boat provides a comfortable alternative for anyone who prefers to watch from outside. This is another reason a private tour works well for mixed groups, since confident swimmers and cautious passengers do not have to follow the same plan.

What the skipper adds to the day

The islands are attractive, but the skipper can make the difference between a good boat ride and a memorable day. The strongest pattern in the feedback is not simply praise for the scenery. It is praise for captains who pay attention.

Ivan is described as relaxed, considerate, and especially good with children. He has taken families to quiet swimming spots, helped arrange meals, and allowed people to stay in one place until they were ready to move. Nick has been praised for helping a non-swimmer enjoy the water and the cave. Niko is described as calm with a family of four children and good at sharing local stories. Luka has offered useful suggestions about places to see and swim.

You should not assume you will receive a particular captain unless the company confirms it. Still, these details give you a useful idea of the service style to request: tell the operator about children, older relatives, swimming concerns, food preferences, and your ideal pace.

The private format also lets you ask for small changes. You might want more swimming and less walking, a longer lunch, or a quieter cove instead of another busy beach. Weather and sea conditions may limit the choices, but the route is designed with flexibility in mind.

Lunch, drinks, and the cost of a private boat

The price is $1,023.50 per group of up to eight people. That is a serious amount for two people, but the calculation changes with a full party. Split eight ways, the listed tour price is about $128 per person before fuel and lunch. For four people, it is about $256 each before those extras.

The value comes from privacy and time, not from included meals or admission tickets. You are paying for a private speedboat, a skipper, transportation between several islands, snorkeling gear, drinks, and the ability to adjust the schedule.

Lunch is your responsibility. The route allows time for a local beach bar or restaurant, and the skippers have suggested family-run places serving grilled fish, vegetables, meat, and local white wine. A meal can become one of the day’s best moments, but budget for it separately and ask about reservations.

Fuel is also extra. The information provided gives two different figures: one note says about 150 to 200 euros depending on the boat, while another lists a 100 euro surcharge per booking. I would not treat either number as final. Ask for the exact boat and fuel charge in writing before departure.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this day to a family or group of friends who wants a private boat and does not want to spend the day following a fixed crowd. It is particularly well suited to groups with mixed interests. One person can sunbathe, another can snorkel, children can swim, and the group can stop for lunch without splitting up.

It also suits repeat visitors to Dubrovnik who have already seen the old city and want a full day outdoors. The islands feel slower and less built-up than Dubrovnik, especially around Šipan and Koločep.

This may not be the best choice if you dislike speedboats, want a structured history tour, or prefer every expense to be included in the upfront price. It is also not ideal for anyone expecting broad sandy beaches at every stop. Most of the swimming locations are rocky or pebbly, and the route is built around the sea rather than formal sightseeing.

Families should tell the operator if anyone cannot swim. The service is suitable for most participants, and service animals are allowed, but the day includes boat boarding, swimming options, and time around uneven shorelines.

Timing, weather, and what to bring

Plan on about eight hours, with an approximate return around 6 pm if you start at 10 am. The schedule can shift with weather, swimming time, lunch, and the skipper’s judgment.

Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, a hat, and something dry to wear after swimming. A waterproof phone pouch is useful for the caves and boat stops. Since lunch is not included, take a card or cash for the restaurant and drinks, and ask the skipper which payment methods are accepted at the chosen stop.

The tour needs good weather. If conditions are poor, the operator offers another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book this private Elaphiti Islands tour?

Book it if you can fill most of the eight seats and want a relaxed private day built around swimming, small ports, and quiet coves. The strongest reasons are the flexible pace, the range of stops, and the skipper’s ability to help different ages and swimming abilities enjoy the same outing.

I would be more cautious if you are traveling as only two people, since the fixed group price becomes hard to justify. In that case, compare it with a shared boat trip or a shorter private outing.

For a full family group, though, this is a strong way to see the Elaphiti Islands. Confirm the departure time, chosen boat, skipper, and fuel charge before paying. Then let the day unfold around the water, with Šunj for sand, Šipan for lunch and village life, Sikirica for a swim, and Koločep for the Blue Cave.

FAQ

How long is the private Elaphiti Islands tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 9:30 am, but the route description says the skipper will meet you at 10 am. Confirm the exact meeting time when booking.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to eight people.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep, along with additional bays around the Elaphiti Islands.

Is pickup from my accommodation available?

Pickup can be arranged if your accommodation is far from the closest speedboat mooring. Contact the operator to arrange it.

Is lunch included?

No. You have free time to arrange lunch or drinks at a local beach bar or restaurant.

Are drinks included?

Bottled water, beer, and soft drinks are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel is charged separately. The provided information lists figures ranging from 100 euros to about 150 to 200 euros, depending on the boat, so confirm the exact surcharge before departure.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If bad weather causes the tour to be canceled, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.