REVIEW · DUBROVNIK

Private Speedboat Tour | Caves Beaches Islands and more

5.0 · 126 reviews 2 to 8 hours (approx.) Operated by Nono Travel · Bookable on Viator
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The best thing about this private speedboat trip is the freedom to change the day as you go. With Vincenzo at the helm, you can visit island beaches, swim through rocky arches, stop for lunch, or skip crowded caves when the water is jammed with boats. Kolocep’s clear bays and Lopud’s sandy Sunj Beach are natural highlights, while Lokrum adds ruins and Game of Thrones sights.

I like two things here: the boat is private for your group of up to six, and the route can match your interests instead of forcing everyone through the same schedule. Drinks, towels, fuel, and snorkeling gear are included. The main drawback is time. A six-hour trip cannot comfortably cover every listed island, especially if you want real swimming or walking time at each stop.

Key points to know before booking

Private Speedboat Tour | Caves Beaches Islands and more - Key points to know before booking

  • Private boat for up to six: You get the skipper’s attention and can shape the route around swimming, caves, food, or island walks.
  • Vincenzo knows the local waters: He can steer you toward quieter bays and away from packed cave stops when conditions are poor.
  • Kolocep is the local favorite: Expect rocky arches, snorkeling, sea caves, and a chance to see the skipper’s home island.
  • Lopud offers the best land break: Sunj Beach, a botanical garden, a monastery, and a good lunch stop can fill a pleasant hour or two.
  • Six hours means choosing: Kolocep, Lopud, and Lokrum work better than trying to squeeze in all four islands.
  • The price works best for a full group: At $302.34 for up to six people, the per-person cost is reasonable when the boat is filled.

A private boat makes the day your own

Private Speedboat Tour | Caves Beaches Islands and more - A private boat makes the day your own

This is not a fixed sightseeing cruise with a large group and a loud schedule. You meet at Lapadska obala 4 in Dubrovnik, board a private speedboat, and discuss what matters most to your group. Some people want to swim all day. Others want caves, island walks, lunch, or a fast ride across the channel.

That flexibility is the tour’s strongest feature. Vincenzo has adjusted routes for families, couples, and groups with older children. He can also suggest places to eat and explain what you are seeing along the way. His brother helps run Nono Travel, and the small family operation is part of the personal feel.

The listed duration ranges from two to eight hours, so check the exact length you are booking. A two-hour outing can focus on nearby swimming and caves. A six to eight-hour hire gives you time for two or three substantial stops, but not every island at leisure.

You may be able to arrange collection from a hotel or cruise port, but the stated meeting point is Lapadska obala 4. Confirm transport before booking rather than assuming it is included. The activity returns to the meeting point unless you and the operator arrange otherwise.

Kolocep, the first taste of the Elaphiti Islands

Private Speedboat Tour | Caves Beaches Islands and more - Kolocep, the first taste of the Elaphiti Islands

Kolocep is a smart first stop because it gives you both scenery and water time. It is the southernmost inhabited island in Croatia and Vincenzo’s home island, so this is where his local connection feels strongest.

You may get off the boat for a short walk toward the cliffs and a view over a small bay. You can also return to the boat and swim in one of the sheltered areas. Rocky arches create a memorable setting for snorkeling, and the supplied equipment is useful if you do not bring your own. Towels and soft drinks are also included.

The island’s Blue Cave and Three Green Caves are part of the appeal, but they need a practical warning. Famous cave stops can become crowded, especially at popular times. When several boats gather at one entrance, the experience becomes less peaceful, and swimming inside can be uncomfortable for anyone who is not a strong swimmer.

A good skipper will judge the conditions and crowd. Vincenzo has directed groups to less crowded caves and quiet swimming bays, rather than treating the most famous name as an automatic must-see. That is a real advantage of booking a private boat. You can still ask to see the Blue Cave, but you should be ready to change plans if the entrance is packed.

Plan about an hour here, though the actual balance between walking, swimming, and sightseeing depends on your group. If you want a serious walk to the cliffs, say so early. If swimming is your priority, the boat can become your base.

Lopud brings beach time and old island sights

Lopud is the most rounded stop for a break on land. Its Sunj Beach is sandy, which makes it a welcome change from the rocky shorelines common around Dubrovnik. You can spend time by the water, walk through a small botanical garden, or visit a monastery and other historic sights connected to the old Ragusa Republic.

The monastery may be undergoing renovation, so do not expect every interior space to be open. The value here is the mix of a pleasant walk, island history, and a beach that works well for a relaxed pause.

Lopud is also a natural lunch stop. Vincenzo can recommend a restaurant, and one suggested meal included fresh sea bass in a salt crust, Swiss chard with potatoes, and salad. Lunch is not included in the tour price, so budget separately. Ask about the restaurant before you arrive if food is important to your day.

I would allow more than the basic one-hour stop if you want lunch and a walk. A quick visit can cover the beach and one sight. A longer pause lets you enjoy the island without rushing back to the boat.

Sipan is best for food and a quieter bay

Private Speedboat Tour | Caves Beaches Islands and more - Sipan is best for food and a quieter bay

Sipan is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands and offers a different pace from a quick cave stop. The appeal here is local food and the chance to visit Luka, a sheltered bay with views and swimming areas.

The listed time is about one and a half hours, but you still need to decide what you want from the stop. A meal takes time. So does swimming, and the two activities can quickly use up the entire visit. If you hope to do both, tell Vincenzo before the boat leaves Dubrovnik.

Sipan may be the right choice for you if your ideal boat day includes a proper meal and less rushing. It is less useful if you mainly want to collect photographs from every island. The private format lets you choose, but it cannot remove the travel time between islands.

That travel time matters. One group found that going from Lopud to Lokrum took about an hour by boat. The ride itself can be enjoyable, but every long crossing reduces time for walking and swimming. Treat the islands as options, not a promise that you will explore each one fully.

More Private Speedboat Charters in Dubrovnik

Lokrum combines ruins, peacocks, and Dubrovnik views

Private Speedboat Tour | Caves Beaches Islands and more - Lokrum combines ruins, peacocks, and Dubrovnik views

Lokrum sits just off Dubrovnik and is easy to recognize from the Old Town. It offers a change from the open-water stops, with the remains of an old monastery, a botanical garden, peacocks, a fort, and Game of Thrones props including the familiar chair.

The island entrance is not included. The admission fee also covers the ferry, so you can use the ferry to return to Dubrovnik after your speedboat time ends. This can be a very efficient plan if Lokrum is important to you. Instead of using the boat hire to wait while you explore, you can finish the water portion and spend as long as you like on the island before catching the ferry.

Give Lokrum at least two hours if you want more than a quick photograph. The botanical garden, fort walk, swimming areas, and television filming sights are spread out. Wear practical shoes for walking and bring sun protection, since sunscreen is not supplied.

Lokrum can also be visited by sea kayak from Dubrovnik, and kayaks are available on the island. The sea caves are worth considering if you want to see them without joining a crowd of boats. That is not part of this speedboat tour, but it is a useful alternative if your main goal is quiet cave exploring.

What the boat day feels like in real terms

Private Speedboat Tour | Caves Beaches Islands and more - What the boat day feels like in real terms

The speedboat lets you cover water quickly, but speed also means wind, spray, and a bumpier ride when the sea is choppy. One group specifically noted rough water and still felt well cared for by the skipper. If you are prone to motion sickness, prepare accordingly and tell Vincenzo if you need a calmer route.

You can expect a practical setup rather than a luxury yacht experience. Fuel, a professional skipper, drinks, towels, and snorkeling equipment are included. Your swimsuit and sunscreen are not. Bring both, along with anything else you need for a full day in the sun.

The small group size is a major benefit. You do not have to wait for dozens of people to climb back aboard, and you can change plans without a vote. A family with teenagers may prefer speed, caves, and repeated swims. A couple may want a slower route with lunch and a beach. The same boat can support both styles.

English is the offered language. Vincenzo has been praised for clear communication, local stories, and safe boat handling. You should still explain your priorities plainly at the start. Say if you care most about snorkeling, beaches, historic sights, food, or avoiding crowds.

The six-hour question: see everything or choose well

Private Speedboat Tour | Caves Beaches Islands and more - The six-hour question: see everything or choose well

The route names four islands, but a six-hour booking should not be treated as a four-island checklist. Boat travel takes time, and each landing involves getting ashore, walking, swimming, or eating. If you spend only a few minutes at each stop, you may technically see more places but enjoy less of them.

For a six-hour day, I would choose one of these approaches:

  • Kolocep and Lopud: Best for caves, snorkeling, a sandy beach, a walk, and lunch.
  • Kolocep, Lopud, and a short Sipan visit: Good for a taste of three islands, but keep the land stops focused.
  • Kolocep and Lokrum: Strong for swimming followed by ruins, gardens, the fort, and Game of Thrones sights.
  • Swimming and caves only: Best for a group that cares more about the sea than island walks or lunch.

An eight-hour booking gives you more breathing room, but even then, agree on priorities. A private tour is most valuable when you use its flexibility, not when you try to reproduce a packed ferry schedule.

Is $302.34 good value for your group?

Private Speedboat Tour | Caves Beaches Islands and more - Is $302.34 good value for your group?

The price is $302.34 for the entire group, up to six people. That makes the value much better for five or six people than for one or two. At full capacity, you are paying roughly $50 per person before lunch and the Lokrum admission fee.

The price includes the boat, skipper, fuel, drinks, towels, and snorkeling equipment. Those inclusions matter because a long day on the water can otherwise collect small extra charges. Lunch is separate, and Lokrum admission is separate, so include both in your budget.

You are also paying for control over the day. A shared boat may cost less per person, but it will not let you leave a crowded cave, linger at a swimming bay, or swap Sipan for Lokrum because your plans changed. If your group values privacy and flexibility, the rate is fair.

For a short two-hour outing, the value depends on how many people are sharing the cost. For six to eight hours with a full group, the price is easier to justify.

Who should book this experience?

This tour suits families, couples, and friend groups who want a private day and do not need a rigid schedule. It is especially good for people who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, short walks, local food, and seeing Dubrovnik from the water.

It also works well for repeat visitors who have already explored the Old Town and want a different view of the region. Families with teenagers may like the boat speed and freedom to stop for swims. Older participants can choose shorter walks and spend more time aboard, though choppy water may still be uncomfortable.

I would think twice if you want a formal historical tour with long guided visits at every site. The emphasis is on the sea, scenery, local recommendations, and flexible stops. I would also avoid booking the shortest duration if your main aim is to see several islands.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can participate, but ask the operator about any specific mobility concern.

Should you book the Nono Travel speedboat?

Book it if you want a private, adjustable day on the water and your group can agree on a few priorities. Vincenzo’s local connection, practical advice, and willingness to change course are the main reasons this experience works so well. Kolocep’s swimming bays, Lopud’s beach and lunch, and Lokrum’s ruins give you plenty to choose from.

Do not book it expecting to thoroughly explore Kolocep, Lopud, Sipan, and Lokrum in six hours. Choose two main goals, perhaps caves and swimming or Lopud and Lokrum, then let the skipper build the day around them. With a full group, the price is sensible, and the private format gives you a far more personal outing than a standard island cruise.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

The stated meeting point is Lapadska obala 4, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to six people. Only your group participates in the activity.

How long does the tour last?

The available duration is approximately two to eight hours. The exact length depends on the option you book.

Are snorkeling equipment and drinks included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, drinks, towels, fuel, and a professional skipper are included.

Are lunch and Lokrum admission included?

No. Lunch is not included, and the entry fee for Lokrum Island is separate.

Can I cancel if my plans change or the weather is poor?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

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