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

The best part of this private speedboat trip is control. You can spend more time swimming at Koločep, linger over coffee on Šipan, or head ashore on Lopud for sandy Šunj Beach and old stone lanes. The boat carries only your group, up to six people, so the day feels personal rather than packaged.

I like the mix of three very different islands and the fact that your stop times can be adjusted. I also like the practical extras: hotel pickup in Dubrovnik, snorkeling gear, a sunshade, a fridge, water, soft drinks, wine, and beer. Guides including Eric, Roko, Ivan, Luca, and Tito have been praised for friendly care and useful tips.

The main drawback is the ride itself. A speedboat gets you around quickly, but it can be bumpy in waves, and swimming into smaller caves calls for confidence in the water. Bring a swimsuit, since one is not provided, and avoid booking if poor weather is likely.

Key points to know before booking

• A private boat for up to six: The $720.84 price covers the group, not each person.
• Choose a 4-hour or 8-hour outing: A shorter trip gives you a taste of the islands, while a full day allows real beach and swimming time.
• Flexible stops: You can decide how long to stay at Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep.
• Lopud has the best beach time: Visit sandy Šunj Beach, old gardens, forest paths, bars, and restaurants.
• Šipan feels least commercial: Suđurađ offers fishing boats, stone houses, olive trees, and old summer villas.
• Koločep is for water time: Snorkel, swim, look for caves and cliffs, and walk between Donje Čelo and Gornje Čelo.

Why this private Dubrovnik boat trip works

Dubrovnik’s old town is beautiful, but the coast makes more sense from the water. A private speedboat lets you trade crowded streets and fixed ferry schedules for open views, small coves, and a day shaped around your group.

The route visits Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep, three islands in the Elaphiti group. They are close enough for a single outing, yet each offers a different reason to stop. Lopud is the most polished for a beach day, Šipan gives you a quieter look at island life, and Koločep is the strongest choice for swimming and snorkeling.

You can book the experience for about four or eight hours. That choice matters. A four-hour trip is better if you want a brisk coastal escape. An eight-hour trip gives you time to swim without rushing, eat or have a drink ashore, and adjust the pace when a cove looks too good to leave.

The boat is private for your party, with a maximum of six people. That makes the cost easier to justify for a small group. At the listed price of $720.84, six people pay about $120 each. Four people pay about $180 each. For a couple, the total becomes a serious splurge, but for a family or group of friends, it can compare well with several separate boat seats while giving you far more control.

Starting at Yacht Club Orsan

The meeting point is Yacht Club Orsan at Ul. Ivana pl. Zajca 4 in Dubrovnik. Pickup is included for locations more than one kilometer from the starting point, as long as you are staying within the Dubrovnik city area. Pickup is by air-conditioned minivan or car.

That transfer is useful if you are staying away from the marina. It also removes some morning fuss, though you should check the exact pickup details when booking. Pickup is not included for locations under one kilometer from the start, and accommodation outside Dubrovnik city is not covered.

The boat includes a sunshade, sundeck, fridge, bottled water, soda, wine, and beer. Snorkeling equipment is provided too. These details matter on a long, sunny outing. You can keep drinks cold, get out of the sun for a while, and spend more time in the water without renting gear separately.

There is no admission charge for the island stops. Your main extra costs are personal food or drinks ashore, if you choose to buy them, and anything you need to bring yourself. Most important, bring your swimsuit. It is specifically not included.

Lopud: Šunj Beach, gardens, and old stone paths

Lopud is usually the most varied stop. You can treat it as a beach break, a short walk, or a chance to sit down with a drink. The island is known for sandy beaches, rocky paths, olive groves, vineyards, old stone houses, and forested hills.

Šunj Beach is the big draw. Sandy beaches are less common along this rocky stretch of the Croatian coast, so this is the place to settle in if you want a proper beach stop rather than a quick swim from the boat. The island’s local legend says that couples who bathe together at Šunj will never part. You can decide for yourself how much faith to place in that, but it is a pleasant story for a swim.

Lopud also offers more than sun and water. You can visit one of Europe’s oldest botanical gardens, walk through old paths, or seek out the Temple of the Sun museum on the hill. The museum is described as a place where different shades move around you, giving the visit a slightly unusual edge after the ordinary beach routine.

Because Lopud is inhabited, you will find cocktail bars, restaurants, olive oil, wine, and other local products for sale. That makes it the easiest island on this route for a relaxed shore break, but it also means it may feel less quiet than Šipan or a small cove on Koločep.

The suggested stop is about two hours, though the captain can adjust the time according to your chosen tour length and interests. If you want Šunj, a drink, and a short walk, two hours can pass quickly. If you mainly want to swim, ask to keep the stop shorter and save time for Koločep.

Šipan: the quietest look at island life

Šipan is the largest of the three islands and has a different mood from Lopud. The port at Suđurađ is a good place to have coffee, look at the fishing boats, and walk among old stone houses.

The island is known for its many olive trees and was once a summer retreat for Dubrovnik’s wealthy families. You can still see traces of that past in the late-Gothic Rector’s Palace, the remains of archbishop’s palaces, and the 16th-century castle of the Stjepović-Skočibuha family.

Suđurađ’s defensive tower beside the castle recalls the days when pirate attacks were a real concern. You do not need a long history lecture to enjoy the setting. A few old buildings beside a working port tell the story well enough.

Šipan is also the stop that gives you the clearest sense of everyday island life. Fishing families have kept their traditions, and the port has small and large boats, old homes, and children selling seashells. Tourism has not taken over the island in the same way it has in more heavily visited coastal spots.

The suggested stop is about one hour. That is enough for coffee and a short look around, but not enough for a long island walk. If your group cares about old buildings and local life, tell the captain you would like to protect this stop. If everyone is eager to swim, Šipan may be the place where you spend less time.

Koločep: the best stop for swimming and snorkeling

Koločep is the water stop. The island has clear sea, fish, seashells, small coves, caves, and high cliffs. You can use the supplied snorkeling equipment, swim from the boat, or take a short break on the beach.

The route also gives you time to walk through Donje Čelo and Gornje Čelo, two small Mediterranean settlements. That option is useful if your group includes someone who would rather stay dry for a while. Still, Koločep’s main appeal is the sea.

The caves are a highlight, but keep your expectations sensible. A speedboat can bring you close to striking openings in the cliffs, yet waves can make entering a cave harder than it looks from outside. One account of the trip notes that the entrance is not very large and that swimming ability matters when the sea is moving.

Some outings also include a visit to a blue cave. Since the exact route can change with weather and sea conditions, treat this as something to ask about rather than a guaranteed feature. Guides such as Eric, Roko, Mark, Ivan, Luca, and Tito have been singled out for patience, safety-minded help, stories, and good suggestions about where to swim.

Koločep is listed as a roughly one-hour stop, but you can request more time on the longer outing. I would give this island priority if your main goal is snorkeling, cave exploring, and clear water.

The speedboat ride and the guide make a difference

The boat is part of the attraction, not just transport. You move between islands quickly, get broad coastal views, and can reach small coves that are not practical to visit on foot.

The tradeoff is comfort. A speedboat can be bumpy, particularly when the sea is not calm. If you get motion sick, sit where the ride feels easiest and tell the skipper early. A windbreaker can also help, even on a warm day. One guide, Eric, was praised for lending his own jacket when a passenger felt cold, which shows why an attentive captain matters on an open boat.

The guide’s role goes beyond steering. A good skipper helps you choose between a beach, a cave, a village walk, and a longer swim. Eric has been described as warm and fluent in English, while Roko, Ivan, Luca, Mark, and Tito have also been praised for their help and easy manner. Guides are assigned by availability, so you may not receive a particular captain, but you can ask when booking if one is important to you.

Music, birthday celebrations, and a relaxed boat atmosphere have also featured on some outings. That does not mean every trip follows the same script. It means the private format leaves room for your group’s style, from quiet sightseeing to a more social afternoon.

Is the $720.84 price good value?

The price makes the most sense when you fill the boat. Six people share the cost, and you receive private transport, a flexible route, drinks, snorkeling gear, and pickup within Dubrovnik city limits.

For a full eight-hour day, the value is stronger because you have time to use the boat as intended. You can visit all three islands without making every stop feel rushed. The four-hour version is still useful, but you should accept that one or more stops will be brief.

For two people, this is a luxury outing. You are paying for privacy and control, not the cheapest way to reach the Elaphiti Islands. For a family or close group, the ability to set the pace can be worth more than a lower-cost shared excursion.

The perfect weather clause is important. The trip requires good weather, and a cancellation caused by poor conditions brings a choice of another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book this island day?

I would choose this trip for a group that wants swimming, coast views, and freedom to change plans. It suits families with adult supervision, couples who want a private day, and friends who will use the boat’s social space.

It is also a good fit if your group cannot agree on one activity. One person can walk around Lopud, another can sit at a café on Šipan, and everyone can meet back at the boat for Koločep’s swimming stop.

You should think twice if you dislike bumpy boat rides, cannot swim confidently, or want a tightly scheduled sightseeing tour with long guided explanations. The experience is built around the sea and your group’s choices, not a formal museum-style program.

Should you book it?

Book this private speedboat trip if you want to see the Elaphiti Islands in one day and care about choosing your own pace. The strongest plan is the eight-hour option with enough time for Šunj Beach on Lopud, a coffee and short walk in Suđurađ, and extended swimming at Koločep.

Choose the four-hour trip if you have limited time in Dubrovnik and want a fast taste of island life. Either way, confirm the pickup point, ask which guide is assigned, bring a swimsuit, and check the forecast. If the boat is full with six people, the price becomes much easier to defend, and the private format gives you a better coastal day than a fixed group schedule.

FAQ

How much does the private speedboat trip cost?

The listed price is $720.84 per group of up to six people. The cost does not change into separate per-person pricing in the supplied information.

How long does the experience last?

You can choose an outing of approximately four to eight hours. Stop times can be adjusted according to the length of your tour and your group’s preferences.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The planned stops are Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep in the Elaphiti Islands.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included for accommodation more than one kilometer from Yacht Club Orsan, provided it is within the Dubrovnik city area. Pickup is not included for locations under one kilometer from the starting point or outside Dubrovnik city.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Yacht Club Orsan, Ul. Ivana pl. Zajca 4, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private activity for your group, with a maximum of six people per booking.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, soda, wine, and beer are included. The boat also has a fridge and sunshade.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. A swimsuit is not provided, 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 can choose another date or receive a full refund. For other cancellations, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund.