Full- Day Private Speedboat Tour in Dubrovnik on Elaphiti Islands

Dubrovnik’s best escape may be offshore. This private speedboat tour carries your group from the city to three Elaphiti islands, with cave snorkeling, sandy beaches, old villages, and quiet bays packed into one long day.

I like the freedom of a boat reserved for your own group, and I like the range of the route. You get both natural stops, such as the Blue Cave and Sikirica Cove, and places with more character, including Lopud’s Franciscan Monastery and Šipan’s fishing village of Suđurađ.

The main drawback is the pace. Eight and a half hours gives you plenty of variety, but some stops are brief, and lunch is not included. At $611.46 for up to eight people, the price is strongest when you fill most of the seats.

Key points to know before you book

• Blue Cave snorkeling: You spend about 30 minutes snorkeling inside a sea cave near Dubrovnik.
• Three Elaphiti islands: The route includes Kolocep, Lopud, and Šipan, with several stops along the coast.
• Šunj Beach break: You have two hours for sand, swimming, snorkeling, food, or coffee.
• Lopud gets the most time: Three hours allow room for a monastery visit, a shaded botanical garden walk, swimming, or lunch.
• Private for up to eight people: Your group does not share the boat with other customers.
• Captain Maro: A previous booking specifically praised Maro’s local familiarity and personalized approach.

Why this private boat day works so well

This is not simply a ride to one beach. It is a full coastal day with several different moods. You begin with views of Dubrovnik’s western shoreline, then move into caves and coves before spending longer stretches on land at Šunj and Lopud.

I like this mix because it keeps the day from becoming repetitive. One stop asks you to snorkel in a cave. Another gives you a broad sandy beach. Lopud provides the most time to walk and eat, while Šipan offers a look at a smaller island village.

The private format matters. A group of two can enjoy a roomy day without being tied to a large boat schedule, while a family or group of friends can spread the cost across eight people. You can also talk directly with the captain about the available swimming stops, although the route and timing still need to fit the day’s plan.

Captain Maro is the only captain named in the available information, and his local knowledge is an important part of the appeal. A good captain makes a boat day feel less like a transfer and more like a guided look at the coast. The strongest praise attached to this experience focused on Maro knowing where to go and making the outing feel relaxed and personal.

Leaving Dubrovnik by the western coast

The boat leaves from Dubrovnik’s main port. The first and final sightseeing sections last about 15 minutes each, giving you views of the city from the water as you head toward Kolocep and again as you return.

This opening is short, but it helps you shift from Dubrovnik’s stone streets to the open coast. If you have spent several days inside the Old Town, the change is welcome. You get a different view of the city, one shaped by its walls, shoreline, and western approach.

The speedboat also makes the island route practical in a single day. You are not spending the whole morning on a slow transfer. Still, a speedboat day is exposed to sun, wind, and spray, so bring the sort of clothing and protection you would want for several hours on the water.

Blue Cave: a short first swim

The first major stop is the Blue Cave near Dubrovnik. You have about 30 minutes for a snorkeling experience inside the cave, with equipment supplied as part of the tour.

This is a compact stop, not a long beach break. The appeal is the setting: you enter a natural sea cave and see it from the water rather than from a viewpoint. If cave swimming is high on your list, this early stop gives the day a memorable start.

The time limit is worth keeping in mind. Thirty minutes needs to cover getting ready, entering the water, snorkeling, and returning to the boat. You should treat it as a focused cave visit rather than an unhurried swim.

Snorkeling equipment, drinks, and snacks are included. The supplied information does not specify the exact equipment sizes or how much time is spent getting fitted, so if you have particular gear needs, ask before departure.

Kolocep and its three Green Caves

Kolocep brings another 30-minute snorkeling stop, this time at three Green Caves. The close timing between the Blue Cave and Green Caves means the morning is built around short water experiences rather than long time ashore.

That variety is useful. You are not seeing one cave and then repeating the same stop. The route gives you two separate cave settings, with Kolocep adding three caves to explore by snorkel.

The trade-off is the same as at the Blue Cave: half an hour passes quickly. You will get the most from this part of the day if you are comfortable getting into the water without a long pause. If your group includes young children or anyone who prefers slow sightseeing, these stops may feel brisk.

Kolocep is one of the three Elaphiti islands visited on the tour. The day does not ask you to choose between cave snorkeling and island scenery. You receive both, but neither cave stop is designed as a full morning at the beach.

Šunj Beach gives you two hours of sand

Šunj Beach on Lopud is the day’s longest beach stop, with about two hours. It is known for its natural sandy shore, which makes it different from the rocky coastal swimming spots common around the Dubrovnik area.

You can walk on the shallow sandy beach, swim, snorkel, or stop at the restaurant for food. A coffee or snack is also an option. Since lunch is not included, this is one of the natural places to buy a meal, though the cost is yours.

Two hours is a useful amount of time here. You are not forced to choose between a quick swim and a meal. You can spend part of the stop on the sand, then find something to eat before meeting the boat again.

The word sandy matters for families and anyone who prefers an easier shore entry. Still, the tour does not promise a private beach or an empty one. Šunj is described as the most famous sandy beach in the Dubrovnik region, so it is a popular stop rather than a secret corner of the coast.

Lopud: the day’s main island visit

Lopud receives three hours, more than any other stop. This is where the tour shifts from boat-based sightseeing to a proper island visit.

You can walk through the settlement, swim, or visit the Franciscan Monastery, which dates from the 15th century. A shaded botanical garden offers a quieter walk, and you can also eat at a popular fish restaurant.

I like the generous timing here. Three hours gives you room to choose your own pace. You do not have to spend the entire day swimming, and you do not have to turn the visit into a history lesson. You can combine a short walk, a monastery visit, and a meal without racing back to the dock.

Lopud is described as the most popular tourist place in the Elaphiti Islands. That brings useful services, including places to eat, but it also means this is not the most secluded part of the day. The tour balances that busier island stop with quieter water locations later.

If your group has different interests, Lopud may be the easiest place to split your time. One person can walk in the garden, another can swim, and someone else can focus on lunch. Since this is a private tour, you can discuss how your group wants to use the long stop.

Šipan and the old village of Suđurađ

After Lopud, the boat continues to Šipan for about 30 minutes of sightseeing along the island’s south coast and a visit to Suđurađ.

Suđurađ is described as the oldest fishing village in the area. That gives this short stop a different purpose from the caves and beaches. You are seeing a working coastal settlement and getting a glimpse of the islands’ older maritime character.

Thirty minutes is enough for a quick look and some photographs, but not for a long village exploration. Keep your expectations in line with the timing. This is a scenic stop within a larger route, not a separate walking tour of Šipan.

The value is in the contrast. After a long beach break and a historic monastery on Lopud, Suđurađ provides a brief coastal village visit before the final swimming stops.

Sikirica Cove and a secluded beach

The final water section takes place near Brsečine. First comes Sikirica Cove, described as the best snorkeling place in the area, with about 30 minutes in the water.

The wording signals that this is meant to be a strong snorkeling stop, but the visit is still short. You have enough time for a focused swim and a look beneath the surface, not an all-afternoon session. Snorkeling equipment is included, which makes it easier to use this stop without bringing your own set.

Another 30-minute stop follows at a secluded beach. Here, the point is simple: swim somewhere quieter before heading back to Dubrovnik.

These two final stops are useful after the more structured island visits. They give you time for the activity many people most want from a private boat day, getting into the water away from the city. The route does not promise that every stop will be completely empty, but it does include secluded swimming as part of the plan.

What the $611.46 group price really means

The price is $611.46 per group of up to eight people. That works out to about $76 per person if eight people share the boat, before any lunch or other personal spending. For a smaller group, the per-person price rises quickly, so group size is the key value question.

The fare includes fuel, all fees and taxes, drinks, snacks, and snorkeling equipment. Those inclusions matter on an eight-and-a-half-hour boat day. You are not paying separate fuel charges or equipment rental, and you have basic refreshments on board.

Lunch is not included. Plan to buy it at Šunj Beach or Lopud, or budget for your own meal during the day. The stops include restaurants, with fish food specifically noted at Lopud, but no meal price is provided.

The private setup is the main reason to compare this with a shared excursion. You are paying for control over the group experience, not just transportation between islands. If eight people split the cost, that privacy can make good financial sense. For two people, you should decide how much the private boat and flexible group setting are worth to you.

The experience is commonly booked about six days ahead. That is not a guarantee of availability, but it is a useful hint: do not leave a preferred date until the last minute if your Dubrovnik schedule is fixed.

Who should book this Elaphiti Islands tour?

I would point this tour toward people who want to see several sides of the Dubrovnik coast in one day. It suits a family, a group of friends, or a couple who values a private boat more than the lowest possible price.

It is especially good for you if you want:

• Several snorkeling locations instead of one long beach stop
• A sandy beach and quiet swimming coves
• Time on Lopud rather than only a quick boat landing
• A short look at Šipan and Suđurađ
• Drinks, snacks, fuel, and equipment included
• A private group of up to eight people

I would hesitate if you dislike a full day on the water or want a slow, single-island visit. The route covers a lot, and the two cave stops, Šipan, and Sikirica Cove all use short 30-minute blocks. You also need to arrange and pay for lunch yourself.

The tour is suitable for most participants, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation, and confirmation is received at booking. The supplied information does not give specific details about boat seating, shade, boarding steps, or accessibility, so ask the provider if any member of your group has mobility or equipment concerns.

A practical way to plan your day

Wear swim-friendly clothing and bring anything you need for several hours in the sun. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, but personal comfort items are not listed among the inclusions.

Keep some money available for lunch, coffee, or a snack at Šunj or Lopud. The boat includes snacks and drinks, but those do not replace a full meal for most people after a long morning of swimming.

Think about your group’s priorities before departure. If one person wants the monastery and another wants more time in the water, the three-hour Lopud stop offers the best chance to divide your time sensibly. The shorter cave and cove stops are less flexible.

The cancellation policy is friendly but firm: you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the private speedboat tour?

Book it if your ideal Dubrovnik day includes caves, snorkeling, a sandy beach, an old village, and a long stop on Lopud. The combination is unusually broad, and the private format becomes good value when shared by a full group.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the variety, the included boat costs and snorkeling gear, and the personal feel associated with captain Maro. Just accept the trade-offs: lunch costs extra, several stops are short, and the price is harder to justify for only one or two people.

For a group of six to eight, I would consider this a strong full-day choice. For a smaller party, compare the private cost with shared boat options before booking, then decide how much quiet, personal service, and control over your day matter to you.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

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

How many people can join the private tour?

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

Which Elaphiti islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Kolocep, Lopud, and Šipan. It also includes coastal and swimming stops near Dubrovnik and Brsečine.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is at your own expense. You can eat at a restaurant or buy food during the stops at Šunj Beach or Lopud.

What is included in the price?

The price includes drinks, snacks, snorkeling equipment, fuel, and all fees and taxes.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.