Private Speedboat Tour over Elaphiti Islands and Hidden Caves

The best part of this private speedboat trip is its variety. In one day, you can swim inside Dubrovnik’s Blue Cave, explore three connected caves near Koločep, stretch out on sandy Šunj Beach, and visit two Elaphiti islands. Skipper Bruno also adds local context and adjusts the pace for your group.

I like the small private format, since up to six people can share the boat without being tied to a large group schedule. I also like the choice of activities: snorkeling gear, drinks, island walks, swimming, and a possible restaurant stop all come together in one outing. The main consideration is the extra fuel charge, which is €60 for four hours or €100 for eight hours, and lunch is not included.

Key points at a glance

• Three connected caves near Koločep: Take the supplied snorkeling gear into a short cave system after visiting the Blue Cave.
• Šunj Beach for easy swimming: Its shallow water suits families and less confident swimmers, with bars and bistros close by.
• A private boat for up to six: Your group controls the pace more than on a standard group excursion.
• Skipper Bruno makes the difference: He is praised for friendly hosting, route guidance, careful driving, and local knowledge.
• Two very different island stops: Lopud offers a monastery and botanical garden, while Šipan brings a small fishing village and local restaurants.
• Plan for a full day if you want lunch: The shorter version is possible, but the eight-hour option gives you time to enjoy the stops without rushing.

Dubrovnik by boat, with caves before lunch

This outing begins at Lapadska obala 5 in Dubrovnik, a practical waterfront departure point. After leaving the port, you have roughly a 20-minute boat ride to the Blue Cave. That first run gets you away from the city quickly and puts the focus on the sea.

You can enter the cave with snorkeling equipment supplied on board, or stay on the boat with a cold drink. That choice matters. You do not have to swim at every stop, and the private setup lets each person enjoy the water in a different way.

The Blue Cave is the trip’s first major visual moment, but it is not the whole point of the day. The route keeps changing. You move from a dark cave to open water, then to a sandy beach and island villages. That mix gives the excursion more substance than a simple swim-and-return boat ride.

Skipper Bruno receives repeated praise for being friendly, accommodating, and clear about the route. He also shares information about Croatia and takes care with the driving. On a speedboat, that personal touch is useful. You want someone who can keep the day relaxed while still watching the clock and sea conditions.

Koločep’s three connected caves

After the Blue Cave, the boat makes a short run to Koločep Island. Here, three caves connect with one another, giving you a second chance to use the snorkeling equipment.

This stop is more active than the first. You can swim from one cave toward another and see how the openings connect, or remain aboard if you prefer not to enter. I would allow enough time to enjoy the water rather than treating it as a quick photo stop. The listed visit lasts about 40 minutes, so you will want to get your mask and gear ready before reaching the caves.

The cave sections are a good reason to bring a swimsuit, towel, and sun protection. Those basics are not listed as supplied items, while snorkeling gear, lifejackets, bottled water, soda, and alcoholic drinks are included. If you plan to stay dry, the boat offers a simple alternative: relax with a drink and take in the rocky coast from the water.

Šunj Beach, the easygoing stop

Šunj Beach is described as the largest and most beautiful sandy beach in the Dubrovnik area. The practical feature is its shallow sea, which makes it a useful stop for children and anyone who prefers an easy entry into the water.

You get about an hour here. That is enough for a swim, a walk along the sand, or time at one of the beach bars and bistros. The stop breaks up the cave visits nicely. After snorkeling, you can trade fins and masks for a simple beach hour.

Do not expect a remote, untouched shore. The presence of several bars and bistros means Šunj is set up for visitors. That can be a plus if your group wants food or a cold drink without returning to the boat, but it also means the beach has a more social feel than the cave stops.

For families, this may be the most useful part of the route. Children can play in shallow water while adults remain close by. For couples or friends, it offers a chance to slow down before the island visits.

Lopud for a walk, monastery, or meal

The next stop is Lopud Island, where you have about an hour. Lopud gives the trip a cultural pause after the swimming stops.

You can visit a 15th-century Franciscan monastery, walk through a botanical garden, or sit down at a local restaurant. The choices are flexible, which is important on a private trip. One person can explore while another prefers lunch or a quiet break.

An hour goes quickly if you want to do all three. I would choose one main goal before stepping off the boat. Pick the monastery and garden for a short cultural visit, or save your appetite for a meal if your group is ready for a longer break later.

This is also where Bruno’s role can help. The available comments describe him as a skipper who shares guidance and makes sure the day runs well. Ask him how much time you need for the walk you want. He can help you avoid turning the stop into a rushed march.

Šipan and the village of Suđurađ

Šipan is the final island stop and the largest of the Elaphiti islands. The boat visits the small fishing village of Suđurađ, where you can walk around or eat at a local restaurant.

The pace here is likely calmer than at the beach. Suđurađ gives you a look at an island settlement rather than another swimming location. If you have spent the day in the water, this final stop lets you dry off, take a walk, and enjoy a meal before heading back.

Lunch is not included in the tour price. The operator can recommend a local restaurant and book a table, which is useful since the day is privately arranged. Several comments point to lunch as a highlight, including one meal at a beautiful setting with access to a pool. That particular arrangement should be confirmed when you book, since the supplied details do not identify the restaurant or guarantee pool access.

If food is central to your day, tell the operator early. The eight-hour option makes more sense for lunch because you will have time to eat without cutting short the caves, beach, or island walks.

Four hours or eight hours?

The advertised duration is approximately four to eight hours. That range is important. This is not one fixed schedule where every group spends the same amount of time at each place.

The listed stops add up to about four hours and 25 minutes before counting the boat rides, lunch, and the panoramic return to the port. That suggests the shorter option will require a brisk pace, while the longer option allows for a more comfortable day.

I would choose four hours if you mainly want the Blue Cave, Koločep’s caves, and Šunj Beach. It may also work if your group has limited time in Dubrovnik and wants a quick taste of the islands.

Choose eight hours if you want to visit Lopud and Šipan properly, stop for lunch, and avoid watching the clock. The full-day version is especially useful for groups with mixed interests. Swimmers can spend time in the water, while others can focus on the monastery, garden, village, or restaurant.

The panoramic boat ride back to the port is part of the return, not a separate stop. It gives you a final chance to see the coast from the water before arriving back at the original meeting point.

What the $398.25 group price really means

The listed rate is $398.25 per group of up to six people. For six passengers, that works out to about $66 per person before the fuel charge. For two people, the same boat costs nearly $200 per person before fuel, so the value improves sharply as your group gets larger.

That is the main financial point: you are paying for a private boat and skipper, not a seat on a shared excursion. A group of friends or a family of four to six can get a more flexible day at a reasonable per-person cost. A solo traveler or couple may find the price harder to justify unless privacy and control matter most.

Fuel is extra. The charge is €60 for four hours or €100 for eight hours. Lunch is also extra, though the operator can help recommend and reserve a restaurant. Drinks on the boat include soda, alcohol, and bottled water, and snorkeling equipment and lifejackets are supplied.

The boat is described as having an air-conditioned vehicle, though the experience itself is centered on the speedboat. Bring a light cover-up anyway. On-water conditions can change the way the day feels, and you will want something dry for the ride back.

Who will enjoy this private boat day?

I would recommend it to families who want shallow water at Šunj Beach, friends who want a private route, and couples who prefer a day that mixes scenery, swimming, and food. It also suits groups with different energy levels because you can choose how actively to use each stop.

The trip works well for people who do not want to spend an entire day in one place. You get caves, a sandy beach, a monastery, a garden, a fishing village, and a panoramic return in one outing.

It may be less suitable if you dislike boat rides, want a formal historical tour, or need a very strict timetable. The experience depends on the sea and weather, and the eight-hour version is a long day on the water. It also does not include lunch, and the fuel charge is separate from the advertised group price.

Service animals are allowed, most people can participate, and the activity is near public transportation. Confirmation is provided at booking. Since the route requires good weather, poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

How to get the best day from the route

Book the eight-hour version if the islands themselves matter as much as the caves. The shorter option is better for a focused swim-and-beach outing, while the longer option gives Lopud and Šipan enough breathing room.

Tell Bruno or BuraBoatTours what your group cares about before departure. Ask for more cave time if snorkeling is your priority. Ask about restaurant choices if lunch is important. If children are aboard, make Šunj Beach a central part of the plan because its shallow water is one of the clearest practical advantages on the route.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. Weather cancellations offer a different date or full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a private, flexible day that combines the Blue Cave, connected caves, easy beach swimming, island culture, and a possible restaurant meal. The strongest feature is the range of experiences, backed by a skipper who receives high praise for his friendly manner, guidance, and careful driving.

For the best value, fill the boat with up to six people and choose the eight-hour option. For a couple or a group focused only on swimming, compare the cost with a shorter shared boat trip. But if you want to set the pace, stop for lunch, and see several sides of the Elaphiti Islands in one day, this private outing makes a strong case.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The meeting point is Lapadska obala 5, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately four to eight hours, depending on the option selected and the time spent at each stop.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private boat accommodates a group of up to six people.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and lifejackets are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but the operator can recommend a local restaurant and book it for you.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, soda, and alcoholic beverages are included.

Is there an extra fuel charge?

Yes. Fuel costs €60 for the four-hour option or €100 for the eight-hour option.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.