Full- Day Private Speedboat Tour in Dubrovnik on Elaphiti Islands

The Adriatic feels best from the water. This private speedboat trip takes you from Dubrovnik to three Elaphiti Islands, with time for caves, beaches, villages, swimming, snorkeling, and a relaxed lunch stop.

I like the private format, since your group of up to eight people does not have to follow a large boatload of strangers. I also like the range of stops: the Blue Cave, Kolocep’s Green Caves, Šunj Beach, Lopud, Šipan, and two swimming spots near Brsečine. The main consideration is the long day. At about eight and a half hours, this is a full outing, not a quick coastal cruise.

Captain Maro has been praised for knowing where to go and for making the trip feel calm and personal. That matters on a boat tour, since a good captain can shape the day around swimming, snorkeling, walking, or simply enjoying the sea. Lunch is not included, so you should budget extra for a meal at Šunj Beach or Lopud.

Key points to know before booking

• Three Elaphiti Islands in one day: The route includes Kolocep, Lopud, and Šipan, with additional stops near Brsečine.
• Private boat for up to eight people: Your group has the boat to itself, which makes the pace more flexible than a standard group cruise.
• Blue Cave and Green Caves: You get dedicated snorkeling time inside the Blue Cave and three Green Caves.
• Two hours at Šunj Beach: This is the main sandy beach stop, with swimming, shallow water, snacks, coffee, and a restaurant.
• Three hours on Lopud: You have time for a walk, a swim, the 15th-century Franciscan Monastery, and a meal.
• Drinks, snacks, fuel, and snorkeling gear included: Lunch is the main extra cost.

Why a private boat makes sense around Dubrovnik

The Elaphiti Islands sit off Dubrovnik’s coast, close enough for a day trip but far enough to feel separate from the city. A private speedboat gives you a broad taste of the area without asking you to arrange several smaller trips.

The boat leaves Dubrovnik’s main port and first follows the western side of the city. This opening fifteen minutes is more than just transport. You get a look back at Dubrovnik from the sea, including the western approach that many visitors miss when they stay inside the Old Town.

The group limit is eight people. That makes the $611.46 group price easier to judge. Split among eight, it works out to about $76 per person before lunch. For two people, the cost per person is much higher, so this tour makes the strongest financial sense for families or groups of friends who can fill most of the boat.

The private setup also reduces one common boat-trip annoyance: a fixed crowd schedule. The supplied details do not promise unlimited changes to the route, so you should not assume you can skip every planned stop. Still, the option to spend time swimming in secluded places gives the day a more personal feel than a simple island transfer.

Blue Cave Dubrovnik: a short first swim

The first main stop is the Blue Cave, with about 30 minutes set aside for snorkeling inside the cave. This is a good early stop because it gets you into the water soon after leaving Dubrovnik.

You receive snorkeling equipment as part of the tour, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins. Drinks and snacks are also included, useful on a day when the schedule moves between several islands.

Thirty minutes is enough for a focused look, but it is not a long beach session. If you want time to swim slowly, take photos, and settle into the water, the later stops offer more room. At the cave, enjoy the setting and use the time well.

Kolocep and its three Green Caves

The boat then reaches Kolocep, one of the three Elaphiti Islands included in the route. Here, you get another 30-minute snorkeling stop, this time at three Green Caves.

The appeal is variety. Rather than spending the whole day at one beach, you see different rock formations and sheltered water. The caves make this part especially attractive for anyone who likes short swims with a clear purpose.

The schedule is tight enough that you should have your swimwear ready before reaching Kolocep. This is not a stop built around a long walk or a café visit. It is about getting in the water, looking around, and moving on.

Šunj Beach: two hours on Dubrovnik’s best-known sand

Šunj Beach on Lopud is the longest beach stop before the island visit itself, with about two hours available. It is described as the most famous sandy beach in the Dubrovnik region, and its shallow sandy water gives you a change from the rocky coves found elsewhere along the coast.

I would treat Šunj as the easygoing part of the day. You can walk along the shallow beach, swim, snorkel, have coffee, buy a snack, or eat at the restaurant. Since lunch is not included, this is one of the natural places to purchase a meal.

The sandy bottom is a practical advantage for families and anyone who finds Croatia’s usual pebbly beaches less comfortable. Still, the tour information does not give details about sunbeds, changing rooms, or menu prices, so plan around what is confirmed: beach time, swimming, snorkeling, and restaurant access.

Two hours is enough to enjoy the beach without making the entire day feel like a single resort stop. If you prefer quiet coves to a recognized beach, you may find this the less peaceful part of the route. The tradeoff is comfort and convenience.

Lopud: three hours for a walk, a swim, and lunch

Lopud receives the largest block of time, about three hours. That tells you something about its role in the day. This is not just a photo stop. You have time to walk, swim, visit the Franciscan Monastery, explore the botanical garden, and eat a meal.

The Franciscan Monastery dates from the 15th century. Its age gives Lopud a useful cultural pause after the morning’s caves and swimming. You are not limited to a beach day, and the monastery helps connect the island to the older settlements of the Dubrovnik area.

The botanical garden offers shade, which can be welcome after time in the sun. The tour also identifies Lopud as the most popular tourist place on the Elaphiti Islands, so you should expect this to be the most developed and social stop on the route.

Lunch at Lopud is at your own expense. You can also eat at Šunj Beach, but having three hours on Lopud makes it the more natural place for a proper meal. The exact restaurant is not specified, so you should view the food stop as flexible rather than a reserved dining experience.

For me, Lopud is the part that gives the tour balance. The caves are striking, but three hours lets you set your own pace. You can make the day active with a walk and swim, or keep it gentle with shade, lunch, and a little sightseeing.

Šipan and Suđurađ: a glimpse of island life

After Lopud, the boat continues to Šipan, the largest of the Elaphiti Islands, though the supplied route focuses on the south coast and Suđurađ village. The stop lasts about 30 minutes.

Suđurađ is described as the oldest fishing village in the area. That makes this a brief cultural and scenic stop rather than another long swim. You will see a different side of the islands, one tied to a working coastal settlement rather than only beaches and caves.

Thirty minutes goes quickly. Think of it as a short look at the village and coastline, not enough time for an extended island walk. The value is in adding a sense of place to a day that could otherwise become a string of swimming stops.

Sikirica Cove near Brsečine: the best snorkeling stop

The boat then reaches Sikirica Cove near Brsečine for another 30 minutes. The route describes it as the best snorkeling place in the region, so this is likely to be one of the day’s key water stops.

You already have snorkeling gear included, and the earlier cave stops let you get comfortable in the water. At Sikirica, you can focus on the open cove rather than the enclosed rock spaces of the morning.

The information does not specify what marine life you will see, so I would not book this expecting a particular fish or underwater sight. The safer expectation is clear coastal water and a dedicated snorkeling stop in a favored bay.

A final secluded swim before Dubrovnik

The last activity stop is another 30-minute swim at a secluded beach near Brsečine. This gives the day a quiet finish before the return to Dubrovnik.

It is a smart part of the route. After the busier beach and village stops, you get one more chance to swim without needing to make the stop about sightseeing. If you are tired by this point, you can simply enjoy the water and boat rather than trying to fit in another walk.

The return journey includes about 15 minutes of sightseeing as the boat approaches Dubrovnik from the west. Seeing the city from offshore at the end of a full day provides a satisfying final view and reminds you how close the islands are to the mainland.

What is included, and what you should bring

The price includes drinks, snacks, fuel, all fees and taxes, and the use of snorkeling equipment. Those inclusions remove several small costs that can quietly add up on a full-day boat trip.

Lunch is not included. You should plan to buy it at Šunj Beach or Lopud, or ask the operator about the practical choices when booking. The supplied information does not say that outside food is prohibited, but it is safest to confirm any special food plans directly.

Bring the basics for a long day around the water:

• Swimsuit and a towel
• Sun protection
• Comfortable footwear for walking on the islands
• Money for lunch
• A phone or camera that can handle water exposure

The tour has a mobile ticket, and confirmation is provided at booking. Service animals are allowed, and the departure point is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the information does not give specific details about boat access or mobility accommodations, so anyone with accessibility concerns should ask before reserving.

Is the $611.46 price good value?

Value depends heavily on the size of your group. At the full capacity of eight, the cost is reasonable for a private, fuel-included day with several stops and equipment provided. For a smaller party, the same fixed group price becomes a more serious splurge.

You are paying for more than a boat ride. The route covers three islands, cave snorkeling, two beach or cove swims, island sightseeing, drinks, snacks, fuel, and a private captain. A shared excursion may cost less per person, but it will not offer the same private setting.

The strongest value comes from filling the boat and using the whole day. If you only want a short swim and a single beach, this is too much tour. If you want to see several parts of the Elaphiti Islands without arranging separate transport, the price makes more sense.

The five-star rating and 100 percent recommendation mark are encouraging, though the total number of ratings is small, at 21. The most useful praise centers on Captain Maro, who was described as familiar with the area and able to make the outing relaxing and personal. That is exactly the quality you want when the day depends on local route choices and timing.

Who should book this Elaphiti Islands tour?

I would recommend it to families, couples traveling with friends, and groups that want a private day on the water. It suits people who like variety: a little history, a village, a sandy beach, several caves, and repeated chances to swim.

It is also a good fit if you dislike the feel of a large organized boat excursion. The private group limit lets you spend more of the day with your own companions, and Captain Maro’s reported approach suggests that the human side of the trip is one of its strengths.

You may want a different plan if you dislike speedboats, do not enjoy snorkeling, or want a slow island holiday with long stretches in one place. The schedule covers a lot of ground, and several stops last only 30 minutes.

The cancellation terms are friendly if your plans may change: you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

Should you book it?

Book this private speedboat tour if you want a full coastal day that mixes swimming with real island stops. Its best features are the private group format, the range of locations, the included snorkeling equipment and refreshments, and the three-hour pause on Lopud.

I would book it most readily for a group of six to eight people, since the fixed price then offers good value. For a smaller party, compare the cost with shared boat trips before deciding.

The main warning is simple: this is a busy day on the water. But if that sounds better than choosing between caves, beaches, and islands, this is a strong way to see the Elaphiti Islands from Dubrovnik.

FAQ

How long does the private Elaphiti Islands tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private tour is for your group only, with a maximum of eight people.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Kolocep, Lopud, and Šipan.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The tour includes the use of snorkeling equipment.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included and must be paid for separately.

Where can you eat lunch?

You can eat at a restaurant at Šunj Beach or dine on Lopud. Lunch is at your own expense.

What drinks and food are included?

Drinks and snacks are included. Fuel, fees, and taxes are also covered.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund.

Is the tour accessible by public transportation?

The experience is near public transportation. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate.