Elafiti Islands Private Tour with Fisher 20 Speedboat

The best thing about this Elafiti Islands tour is the freedom to make the day your own. Instead of following a fixed group schedule, you can ask your skipper to linger at Šunj Beach, find a quiet swim stop, or spend more time exploring Lopud. The Blue Cave near Koločep adds a proper wow moment, especially if you like getting in the water.

I like the private boat for up to six people, which makes the $464.43 group price easier to justify for a family or group of friends. I also like the practical extras: hotel pickup and drop-off in Dubrovnik, fuel, drinks, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, Wi-Fi, and even a shower on board.

The main consideration is timing. The advertised outing lasts roughly four to eight hours, but you cannot do every island activity in depth during a short half-day. Lunch is not included, and one restaurant recommendation received praise for quality but a warning about high prices.

Key points to know before you book

• The route is flexible: You decide how long to stay at Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj Beach.
• The Blue Cave is part of the fun: Koločep combines cave viewing with swimming, snorkeling, and possible cliff jumping.
• The price is per boat: $464.43 covers up to six people, not just one seat.
• Pickup saves time: Hotel pickup and return transportation in Dubrovnik are included.
• The boat is set up for a full day: Drinks, Wi-Fi, fuel, and a shower are included.
• Bring lunch money: Restaurant meals are not included, and dining on Lopud can be expensive.

Why a private speedboat works well around Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik’s old town can feel crowded, particularly when cruise ships are in port. The Elafiti Islands offer a useful change of pace: open water, small island villages, swimming stops, and a slower rhythm once you leave the city behind.

A private Fisher 20 speedboat gives you more control than a standard group cruise. You are not tied to a fixed number of minutes at each beach, and you can tell the skipper what matters most. For one group, that may mean a long swim and a cold drink. For another, it may mean churches, old buildings, and lunch on Lopud.

That flexibility is the real product here. The islands are attractive, but the ability to adjust the route makes the trip work for mixed groups. Children can enjoy shallow water at Šunj, active adults can try snorkeling or cliff jumping, and history-minded visitors can walk to old churches and a castle.

The skipper is also a key part of the experience. Blue Boat’s past departures have featured skippers named Nico, Nikola, Ante, Ivo, Peter, Marco, Marko, and Miro. Their roles go beyond steering. They can suggest swim stops, share local stories, help arrange lunch details, and adjust the ride to conditions. One especially useful touch is careful handling for passengers prone to seasickness.

Koločep and the Blue Cave: the most active first stop

Koločep is usually the most action-packed part of the route. The Blue Cave is the headline attraction, but it is only one part of the stop. You can swim, snorkel, and, if conditions and confidence allow, try cliff jumping.

The cave is best treated as a short natural feature within a wider water stop, not as a huge sightseeing attraction that fills the entire morning. Bring swimwear, a towel, and footwear you can manage around rocks. The supplied boat includes a shower, which is useful after salt water, though you should still keep a dry change of clothes in a bag.

Koločep also offers walking and old churches. That gives you a choice between active time in the water and a quieter look at island life. If you want the Blue Cave, swimming, snorkeling, cliff jumping, and a walk, tell the skipper early. A four-hour booking may require you to choose your priorities.

The water can be calm or choppy depending on the day. Calm conditions make the speedboat ride more pleasant and help you get more from swimming stops. Poor weather can cancel the activity, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

Šipan: a short stop with old buildings

Šipan is the briefest scheduled stop, listed at about 30 minutes. The plan here is simple: walk, see the island, swim if you wish, and look for an old castle and churches.

I would treat Šipan as a compact taste of the islands rather than a long village visit. Thirty minutes goes quickly, particularly if you want both a walk and time in the water. It makes sense for a group that wants variety, but you can ask to stay longer if Šipan is your favorite stop and your overall timing allows it.

This is also where the private format helps. A standard cruise might give you a fixed stop regardless of your interests. Here, your skipper can explain what is practical within the available time and adjust the balance between sightseeing and swimming.

Lopud: the best all-round island stop

Lopud gives the itinerary its strongest mix of culture, walking, and food. You can see the monastery, old churches, and botanical garden, then have lunch at one of the island restaurants.

The scheduled visit is about an hour, but lunch changes the math. If you want to eat and also see the island, you should consider booking closer to eight hours rather than four. You can also spend less time at another stop and give Lopud the extra time.

Dining is the main cost to watch. Lunch is not included, and one dining recommendation was considered good but roughly twice the price of an already expensive meal in Dubrovnik’s Old Town. That does not mean you should skip Lopud. It means you should ask about the menu and prices before sitting down, especially if you are feeding a family.

Lopud is a good choice for a group with different interests. Someone can walk to a church or garden while others enjoy the waterfront. The island also provides a welcome break from the boat, which matters on a long, sunny outing.

Šunj Beach: soft sand and shallow water

Šunj is the most family-friendly stop on the route. It is known for white sand, clear shallow water, and beach bars serving refreshments. The gentle entry suits children and anyone who prefers an easy swim rather than rocks or a dramatic jump.

This is also a useful place to build in unhurried time. A one-hour stop gives you enough room for a swim and a drink, but the private schedule lets you stay longer. If your group mainly wants a beach day, you can reduce the time spent walking on the islands.

The beach may be busier than a secluded swim cove, since it is one of Dubrovnik’s better-known beaches. That is the trade-off for sand, shallow water, and services. Ask the skipper about quieter swimming spots if escaping crowds matters more than having a sandy beach and nearby bars.

What the private price really buys you

The listed price is $464.43 per group of up to six. Split six ways, that is about $77.41 per person. For two people, the same boat costs about $232.22 each, so the value improves sharply as your group grows.

The price includes more than transport. Fuel, skipper, bottled water, drinks, alcoholic beverages, Wi-Fi, hotel pickup and drop-off, and a shower are all included. Those extras reduce the small costs that often collect around a boat day.

Still, you need to budget for lunch. You may also want to allow for personal snacks, though the included drinks cover much of the basic refreshment need. If you plan to spend several hours on the water, the inclusion of hotel transfers is especially useful. You do not need to arrange your own ride to Marina Frapa Dubrovnik at Lapadska obala 21a.

For a full group of six, this is a strong value compared with buying six separate seats on a premium boat outing. For a couple, it is a splurge. The best reason to choose it as a couple is not low cost, but privacy and control.

Pickup, boat time, and practical comfort

Pickup and drop-off from Dubrovnik are included, and the activity returns to the starting marina. The official meeting point is Marina Frapa Dubrovnik on Lapadska obala 21a.

The boat carries up to six people, so you get a more personal setup than a large shared vessel. The crew can keep your own music playing through Bluetooth, a detail that suits groups marking a birthday, anniversary, or final day in town. Keep the volume reasonable near island villages and beaches.

Wi-Fi is included, though the value of that feature depends on the signal offshore. I would use it as a useful extra, not the reason to book. The shower is more practical. After swimming, snorkeling, or cliff jumping, it lets you rinse off before walking around Lopud or returning to Dubrovnik.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can take part, and the experience is near public transportation. The private setup also makes it easier to plan around a young child, though the tour still depends on sea conditions and the child’s comfort on a speedboat.

Choosing four hours or closer to eight

A four-hour trip can work if your aim is a quick island sampler. You might focus on Koločep and the Blue Cave, add a swim at Šunj, and make short sightseeing stops at one or two other islands.

The longer option makes more sense if you want the full route. Koločep alone can fill time with the cave, swimming, snorkeling, cliff jumping, and churches. Add Šipan, Lopud’s monastery and garden, lunch, and a relaxed hour at Šunj, and the day needs room to breathe.

I would choose the longer duration for a first visit if your budget allows. The islands are not just a list of stops to collect. The appeal is staying when the water is good, walking when you feel like it, and not rushing back to the boat because another group is waiting.

If your group is unsure about swimming, tell the skipper before departure. The route can lean toward sightseeing and short walks instead. If everyone wants water time, make that clear as well. The private format is most valuable when you use it.

Who will enjoy this tour most

This trip suits families, couples, and friend groups who want a private day on the Adriatic. It is particularly good for people who dislike fixed group schedules or who want a skipper to help find less crowded swim spots.

It also works for a mixed-age group. Children can enjoy Šunj’s shallow water, active adults can snorkel or cliff jump, and older family members can focus on churches, old buildings, and the boat ride.

You should think twice if you dislike speedboat travel, want a fully guided historical tour, or need every meal and activity included in the price. The skipper can share local stories and explain places, but the core experience is a flexible cruise rather than a formal walking tour.

The route is also weather-dependent. A sunny forecast helps, but conditions can still affect the ride and water activities. The cancellation terms are fair: cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, except when poor weather forces the operator to cancel.

My take: a strong choice for a private island day

I would book this tour if I had four to six people and wanted one flexible day away from Dubrovnik. The Blue Cave, Šunj’s sand, Lopud’s churches and gardens, and the chance to stop for a swim give the outing enough variety to suit most groups.

The strongest reasons to book are the private boat, the included pickup, and the skipper’s ability to adjust the plan. The main cautions are the cost for small groups, the extra price of lunch, and the limited time if you choose only four hours.

Ask for a clear plan before leaving: how much time you want for swimming, whether you want cliff jumping, where lunch should happen, and which island matters most. With those decisions made early, this private Elafiti Islands trip can be one of the best uses of a day in Dubrovnik.

FAQ

How much does the private Elafiti Islands tour cost?

The price is $464.43 per group, with up to six people included. The cost does not change based on whether your group has two, four, or six participants.

How long does the boat tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four to eight hours. The private format lets you decide how long to stay at the islands, within your booked duration.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from Dubrovnik are included. The listed marina meeting point is Marina Frapa Dubrovnik, Lapadska obala 21a.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Lopud has restaurants where you can eat, but you should ask about prices before ordering.

What is included on the boat?

The tour includes fuel, a skipper or captain, drinks, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, Wi-Fi, and a shower. The private boat carries up to six people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.