Reviewed · SPEEDBOAT TOURS

Half-Day Best Beaches & Bays Private Speed Boat Tour

★ 5.0 · 88 reviews 4 hours (approx.) From $338 Operated by Explore Dubrovnik · Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

Four hours can cover a lot. This private speedboat trip from Dubrovnik links Lopud, Sunj Beach, and Kolocep with time for swimming, snorkeling, caves, and cliff jumping. I like the flexible route, shaped around your group, and the personal service shown by skippers such as Tom and Ivan.

I also like that the boat is reserved for up to four people, with beer, soft drinks, water, and snorkeling gear included. The main catch is the extra €100 fuel surcharge per booking, plus no lunch and no hotel pickup, so the final cost is higher than the headline price.

Key points before you book

Half-Day Best Beaches & Bays Private Speed Boat Tour - Key points before you book

  • Private boat for up to four: The $338.62 price is for the whole group, not each person.
  • Three useful island stops: Lopud offers a village and beach setting, Sunj brings a broad sandy bay, and Kolocep is best for caves and cliff jumping.
  • Flexible planning: Your skipper can suggest stops based on your preferred mix of swimming, sightseeing, and activity.
  • Drinks and gear included: Bottled water, beer, soda, and snorkeling equipment are supplied.
  • Strong skipper feedback: Tom and Ivan receive repeated praise for being friendly, patient, flexible, and helpful.
  • Budget for the fuel fee: A €100 surcharge applies per booking, and lunch is not included.

Why this private boat trip works well from Dubrovnik

Half-Day Best Beaches & Bays Private Speed Boat Tour - Why this private boat trip works well from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is famous for its old walls, but the nearby Elaphiti Islands show you a quieter side of the coast. A boat gives you access to small bays and rock-lined swimming spots that are hard to connect by land in half a day.

This is not a large group cruise with a fixed script. Your party of up to four has the boat to itself, and the skipper can adjust the outing to suit your mood. You can lean toward beach time, cave swimming, island walking, or a little of everything.

That private format matters. Four hours is not long enough to see every island in the Dubrovnik area, but it is long enough for a well-planned taste of the coast. You avoid spending much of the day waiting for other groups to board, eat, or finish swimming.

The experience begins at Lapadska obala 4, a practical meeting point in Dubrovnik. There is no pickup or drop-off, so you need to make your own way there and return to the same spot when the boat comes back.

Leaving Lapad for the Elaphiti Islands

Half-Day Best Beaches & Bays Private Speed Boat Tour - Leaving Lapad for the Elaphiti Islands

The first part of the trip is the ride away from Dubrovnik toward the Elaphiti Islands. The speedboat makes the islands feasible in a short window, though the ride itself is part of the experience rather than dead time.

Your skipper helps decide how to use the four hours. If you want a calm morning of swimming and a walk on Lopud, say so. If caves and cliff jumping are the priority, make that clear early. The more specific you are, the easier it is to shape the route around your group.

Tom has been praised for matching the outing to the group’s preferred mood and for adding historical facts along the way. Ivan has also been singled out for patience, good information, and a willingness to let the group help decide where to go. Skippers can vary, but the repeated pattern is useful: this tour works best when you treat the captain as a local guide, not just a driver.

The supplied drinks are a small but welcome touch. Water is important in the sun, while a cold beer or soda helps make the ride feel relaxed. Still, bring anything else you need for four hours, since lunch is not part of the price.

Lopud: a good first stop for island time

Half-Day Best Beaches & Bays Private Speed Boat Tour - Lopud: a good first stop for island time

Lopud is usually the most rounded stop on this route. You can swim, visit a beach, and walk through the island village if your schedule allows. It gives the outing more variety than a simple boat-and-swim trip.

The stop is listed as about one hour, but the exact use of that hour depends on your skipper and your group. You might spend it in the water, take a short walk, or split the time between the two. One past outing included a village visit, and another included lunch and a walk around Lopud, though lunch itself is not included in this experience.

Lopud suits you if you want a little local atmosphere with your sea time. Sunj Beach, the next stop, is more clearly about the beach. Lopud can provide the change of pace: a chance to leave the boat, stretch your legs, and see more than a string of coves.

The limitation is time. An hour disappears quickly once you include getting off the boat, swimming, drying off, and walking. If island village time matters more to you than several swimming stops, tell the skipper at the start so the plan does not become too water-heavy.

Sunj Beach and its wide sandy bay

Half-Day Best Beaches & Bays Private Speed Boat Tour - Sunj Beach and its wide sandy bay

Sunj Beach sits on the southern side of Lopud, about 13 kilometers from Dubrovnik. Its bay runs for roughly 200 meters and is known for its attractive sandy beach, making it a welcome contrast to the rocky coast and cave stops.

This is the best stop for simple beach pleasure. You can sunbathe, swim, or take part in water sports available at the beach. The tour information describes a mix of relaxed beach time and active options, but it does not promise a particular water-sports rental, so ask what is available when you arrive.

Sunj is a strong choice for couples and families who want a conventional beach during their boat day. It is also the place most likely to please someone who does not want to spend the whole outing jumping from rocks or swimming into caves.

The trade-off is that a popular, attractive beach can feel less private than a small cove. The boat is private, but the beach is not reserved for your group. If solitude is your top goal, ask to spend more time in quieter bays instead.

Kolocep for caves, snorkeling, and cliff jumping

Half-Day Best Beaches & Bays Private Speed Boat Tour - Kolocep for caves, snorkeling, and cliff jumping

Kolocep brings the most active part of the route. The planned activities include snorkeling in caves and cliff jumping, with snorkeling equipment supplied by the operator.

Cave swimming is one of the tour’s strongest reasons to book. Several past outings included three caves and a blue cave, while another included swimming in a blue cave. These names should be treated as possible route highlights rather than a fixed guarantee, since the skipper chooses the exact stops according to conditions and your preferences.

The water around rocky caves can be a memorable setting for a swim, but it is not the right choice for everyone. If you are uneasy in enclosed spaces, prefer a sandy beach, or do not want to jump from rocks, you can say so. The private setup makes that conversation much easier than it would be on a group boat.

Cliff jumping deserves a sensible approach. It is listed as an activity, not a requirement. You should only take part if you feel comfortable, and you should follow the skipper’s instructions about suitable spots. A private tour should give you freedom, not pressure.

Snorkeling gear is included, which saves you from packing a mask and fins. You may still want to bring your own equipment if you have a preferred fit, but the included kit covers the basic need.

What the skipper adds to the day

Half-Day Best Beaches & Bays Private Speed Boat Tour - What the skipper adds to the day

The skipper is central to this experience. The boat gets you from place to place, but the captain determines how smoothly the time is used and how well the stops fit your group.

Tom receives the most repeated praise in the available feedback. He is described as accommodating, professional, fun, and able to share useful historical details without turning the outing into a lecture. One group returned for the activity again the following year and hoped to make it an annual part of their Dubrovnik visits.

Ivan is also praised for being friendly, informative, helpful, and patient. His willingness to let the group decide where to go is especially valuable on a private tour.

You should still set expectations at the start. Tell the skipper if you want:

  • More beach time
  • More caves and swimming
  • A walk on Lopud
  • A relaxed pace
  • Cliff jumping
  • The best possible mix within four hours

Some past outings also included dolphins, paddle boarding, and lunch, but those extras are not listed as guaranteed features or included services. Think of them as possible additions, not promises.

Price, fuel, and what you actually receive

Half-Day Best Beaches & Bays Private Speed Boat Tour - Price, fuel, and what you actually receive

The listed price is $338.62 per group of up to four people. For four people, that works out to about $84.66 each before the fuel charge. For two people, the per-person cost is much higher, but you still gain a private boat and a route tailored to your party.

The separate €100 fuel surcharge is the key budget detail. It applies per booking, not per person, and should be included in your calculation before you decide if this is good value. With four people sharing it, the extra cost is easier to absorb. With one or two people, the total becomes a more serious splurge.

Included items are the skipper, bottled water, beer, soda, and snorkeling equipment. Lunch is not included. Since the tour lasts about four hours, you may not need a full meal during the ride, but plan food around the departure time if you do not want to finish the outing hungry.

I see the value in this tour when your group wants privacy and activity. A private boat lets you avoid the compromises of a large excursion, and the ability to choose between beaches, caves, and island time makes the four-hour format useful.

If your main goal is the cheapest way to reach a beach, this is not the obvious pick. You are paying for the boat, the skipper, flexible routing, and a small private group. The value improves when four people share the base price and the fuel fee.

Morning or afternoon: choosing your four hours

Half-Day Best Beaches & Bays Private Speed Boat Tour - Morning or afternoon: choosing your four hours

You can choose a morning or afternoon departure. The better option depends on your wider Dubrovnik plans and your preferred pace.

A morning departure gives you a clear start to the day and leaves the rest of the day open for the old town or dinner. It may also suit you if you like to get active early, before spending the afternoon at a beach.

An afternoon departure can work well if you want to visit Dubrovnik’s sights first and finish with time on the water. You should remember that the outing depends on good weather, so flexibility is useful whichever time you choose.

Because the tour is only about four hours, do not try to force every possible stop into the schedule. Lopud, Sunj Beach, Kolocep, several caves, a village walk, and a long lunch can quickly become too much. The best outing will have a clear priority.

Practical details worth knowing

Confirmation is provided when you book. The tour is offered in English, and the activity is private, with only your group participating.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The meeting point is near public transportation, but no pickup or drop-off is provided. You finish back at Lapadska obala 4.

Good weather is required. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses local time.

The tour is booked, on average, 13 days ahead. That does not guarantee that every departure sells out, but it is a useful reason to reserve early if your Dubrovnik dates are fixed.

Who should book this speedboat tour?

I would point this tour toward a small group that wants to mix swimming with a little island exploring. Four friends can share the cost well, and couples who value privacy may find the price worthwhile.

It is also a good match for active groups interested in snorkeling, caves, and optional cliff jumping. The flexible style suits people who dislike rigid sightseeing schedules and want to decide how much time to spend in the water.

Families may appreciate the private format because the skipper can adjust the pace and skip activities that do not suit everyone. Sunj Beach gives you a gentler option if caves or cliff jumps are not appealing.

I would hesitate if you need hotel pickup, a meal included, guaranteed access to a particular cave, or a very low-cost excursion. I would also think twice if anyone in your group has trouble with boat motion or does not enjoy swimming-based activities, since the sea is the main reason to take this trip.

Should you book the Best Beaches and Bays tour?

Book it if you want a private, flexible half-day on the water and your group can share the cost. The strongest parts are the combination of Lopud, Sunj Beach, and Kolocep, plus the option to shape the route around swimming, caves, beach time, or a village walk.

Before booking, add the €100 fuel surcharge to the advertised price and remember that lunch and transportation to the meeting point are separate. Then tell the operator your priorities, especially if you want the blue cave, more time at Sunj, or a quieter plan.

For four people who want a personal boat day without committing to a full-day island cruise, this is a sensible Dubrovnik splurge. The skippers’ friendly, flexible approach is the extra ingredient that can turn a tight four hours into one of your best coastal outings.

FAQ

How long is the private speedboat tour?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers a private group of up to four travelers.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Lapadska obala 4, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia, and returns to the same meeting point.

Which islands and beaches are included?

The planned stops are Lopud Island, Sunj Beach on Lopud, and Kolocep Island.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, beer, and soda are included.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included.

Is there an extra fuel charge?

Yes. A €100 fuel surcharge applies per booking.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

More like this

Speedboat Tours, compared.

The full Speedboat Tours list →
Blue cave, Mamma Mia and Hvar, 5 islands speedboat tour
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 7,150 reviews· from $111

Blue cave, Mamma Mia and Hvar, 5 islands speedboat tour

Read our review →
Blue Lagoon and 3 Islands Speedboat Tour
★★★★★★★★★★4.8· 3,406 reviews· from $70

Blue Lagoon and 3 Islands Speedboat Tour

Read our review →
Blue Cave & 6 Islands Speedboat Tour From Split or Podstrana
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 3,195 reviews· from $130

Blue Cave & 6 Islands Speedboat Tour From Split or Podstrana

Read our review →
Blue Lagoon & 3 Islands Small-Group Speedboat Tour
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 2,932 reviews· from $84

Blue Lagoon & 3 Islands Small-Group Speedboat Tour

Read our review →
Blue cave, Mama Mia and Hvar, 5 island speedboat tour from Trogir
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 2,861 reviews· from $111

Blue cave, Mama Mia and Hvar, 5 island speedboat tour from Trogir

Read our review →
Blue Cave, Green Cave & Lopud Beach small group Speed boat Tour
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 2,572 reviews· from $84

Blue Cave, Green Cave & Lopud Beach small group Speed boat Tour

Read our review →
Blue Cave, Hvar & 6 Islands Speedboat Trip
★★★★★★★★★★4.6· 1,627 reviews· from $135

Blue Cave, Hvar & 6 Islands Speedboat Trip

Read our review →
Island-Hopping Speedboat Tour with Drinks
★★★★★★★★★★4.9· 1,247 reviews· from $38

Island-Hopping Speedboat Tour with Drinks

Read our review →

Browse the lists this tour appears in

Scroll to Top

Explore Croatia

Pick a harbour, a wall or a waterfall.