Half-Day Private Speed Boat Tour in Dubrovnik on Elaphiti Islands

The Adriatic looks best from the water. This private speedboat trip gives you four and a half hours to see Dubrovnik’s western coast, explore the caves of Kolocep, and relax at Šunj Beach on Lopud. I like the small-group setup and the freedom to adjust the pace with your skipper. I also like that drinks, snacks, fuel, and snorkeling gear are included.

The main drawback is time. Four and a half hours sounds generous, but transfers, cave stops, and beach time pass quickly. Lunch costs extra, and the boat ride can feel brisk if you prefer a slow, quiet day on the water.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to eight people: Your group does not share the boat with strangers, and the schedule can be adjusted to suit your party.
• Three cave areas around Kolocep: You visit the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves, with time to swim and use snorkeling equipment.
• Šunj Beach for 90 minutes: Lopud’s sandy beach gives you the longest stop for swimming, a snack, lunch, or a cocktail.
• Drinks and snacks included: Water, Coke, iced tea, beer, and wine are provided, along with light snacks.
• Strong skipper service: Maro and Luka are praised for clear communication, English skills, flexibility, and careful attention to the group.
• Useful value for larger groups: The $431.62 group price works out to about $54 per person for eight people, before any lunch costs.

Why this private Dubrovnik boat trip works well

This is a good choice if you want to see the Elaphiti Islands without giving up half a day to a large organized cruise. You leave from Dubrovnik’s main port, head along the city’s western coast, and spend most of your time around Kolocep and Lopud.

The private format matters here. A cave stop can be quick if everyone is ready, or longer if your group wants more time in the water. You are not waiting for a busload of people to reboard the boat after every swim. The supplied details also note that only your group participates, with a maximum of eight people.

I especially like the combination of sightseeing and swimming. Some boat excursions give you a long list of stops but little time to enjoy any of them. This one reserves 40 minutes at the Blue Cave, 40 minutes at the Three Caves, and 90 minutes at Šunj Beach. That gives you real water time rather than only a quick photo stop.

The boat is a speedboat, so you should expect a more active ride than you would get on a slow sightseeing vessel. That is part of the appeal, since you can cover the coast and islands efficiently. It also means you should be comfortable with open-water movement and sitting outside for much of the trip.

Leaving Dubrovnik along the western coast

The tour begins with roughly 20 minutes of sightseeing as you leave Dubrovnik’s main port. You see the western approach to the city from the water before heading toward Kolocep.

This opening section is short, but it helps put the excursion in context. From shore, Dubrovnik is usually viewed from its walls or crowded streets. From the boat, you get a different angle on the coast and the city’s outer edge. It is a pleasant start before the swimming stops begin.

Another 15 minutes is set aside for pickup and another 15 minutes for drop-off. That remaining half hour is included within the overall experience, so the actual time among the caves and beaches is less than four and a half hours. Keep that in mind when comparing this trip with longer island excursions.

The pickup arrangement is not described in detail, but one party was collected from its hotel. The skipper also contacted that group through WhatsApp soon after confirmation. That suggests communication may be direct and useful, particularly if you need help coordinating the meeting point.

Kolocep’s Green Cave and Blue Cave

Kolocep is the main focus of the outing. The first cave stop is the Green Cave, located below the lighthouse on the eastern side of the island. The skipper takes the boat into the cave, allowing you to look around without immediately getting into the water.

This is a brief 10-minute stop. Think of it as a scenic introduction rather than a full swim. The boat entering the cave gives you an easy view of the rock space and the water around it, which works well for anyone in your group who would rather stay aboard.

The Blue Cave follows, just around the corner on Kolocep’s eastern side. Here the skipper anchors the boat, and you can swim inside the cave. You have about 40 minutes for swimming and snorkeling, so this is one of the trip’s main active stops.

Bring a swimsuit from the start. You will not want to waste cave time changing or sorting your things on the boat. The supplied equipment includes snorkeling gear, which saves you from packing your own mask and snorkel, though you may still prefer to bring personal gear if you have it.

The Blue Cave stop is likely to appeal most to confident swimmers. The information provided does not specify water depth, current conditions, or whether a ladder is available, so ask the skipper before entering if anyone in your group has concerns. Floating devices are included, which adds a useful option for people who want support in the water.

Kolocep’s outer coast and Three Caves

After the Blue Cave, the skipper sails slowly along Kolocep’s outer coast for about 10 minutes. This is one of the quieter parts of the tour, with views of small bays and the island’s rocky shoreline.

I like this section because it breaks up the swimming. A half-day spent jumping from one cave into another can feel rushed and repetitive. The slower cruise gives you time to sit back, take photographs, and see the coast from a wider angle.

The next stop is the Three Caves on the western side of Kolocep. The boat anchors again, and you have another 40 minutes to swim into the caves and use the snorkeling equipment. Underwater scenery is part of the appeal, although the details can vary with light, water clarity, and the day’s conditions.

The cave sequence is the heart of the trip. You get a mix of boat entry at the Green Cave and swimming at the Blue Cave and Three Caves. That variety is better than visiting only one cave, especially if your group includes both active swimmers and people who prefer sightseeing from the boat.

Still, three cave areas in one outing may be more than some people need. If you are not interested in snorkeling, the beach stop becomes especially important because it offers a more relaxed way to enjoy the islands.

Ninety minutes at Šunj Beach on Lopud

After Kolocep, the boat continues to Lopud and Šunj Beach. This is described as the most popular sandy beach in the area, and it provides the longest single stop, about one hour and 30 minutes.

The sandy shore makes Šunj a useful change from the rocky cave settings. You can walk into the shallow water, swim, snorkel, or simply sit on the beach. The stop also gives you time for a cocktail, snack, or lunch.

Lunch is not included, so budget for it separately. The tour includes snacks and drinks, but not a full meal. If you want to keep costs down, the provided snacks may be enough for a short outing. If you prefer a proper lunch, you have time to buy one during the Lopud stop.

One particularly helpful detail comes from the experience of a group whose skipper, Luka, found an excellent restaurant for lunch on a private island. That is not a guaranteed part of every booking, but it shows how the private format can work in practice. Ask your skipper what food options fit the timing rather than assuming a restaurant reservation is included.

Šunj Beach is also the best stop for people who do not want to spend the entire excursion in the water. You can split up for a while, with some of your group snorkeling and others relaxing on shore. The 90-minute window is long enough to make that choice without feeling hurried, though it is not a full beach day.

Returning to Dubrovnik by the mainland coast

The return journey takes about 30 minutes and follows the mainland side toward Dubrovnik. You can use this time for more coastal sightseeing and a final look at the western approach to the city.

After cave swimming and beach time, the ride back is a natural wind-down. You may be ready for a shower, lunch in town, or a slower afternoon. The trip ends where it began, with the pickup and drop-off time accounting for the additional 30 minutes noted in the schedule.

Because the route is private, you can ask the skipper about the return pace. The published plan allows 30 minutes, but conditions and the group’s timing will shape the exact experience. Do not count on adding a long extra stop unless you arrange it with the operator in advance.

The skipper can shape the day

The skipper is more than a driver on this kind of outing. Your comfort around the caves, the quality of the snorkeling locations, and the timing at Šunj Beach all depend on good judgment at sea.

Maro is praised for contacting the group promptly through WhatsApp, arranging hotel pickup, and tailoring the day to the family. The group was able to snorkel, sunbathe, and enjoy drinks without feeling locked into a rigid schedule.

Luka is praised for fluent English, kindness, flexibility, and finding good snorkeling spots. He also helped locate a restaurant for lunch on a private island. Those details matter because a short private excursion works best when the skipper listens rather than simply follows a fixed script.

The strongest praise is consistent: the skippers are described as experienced, considerate, and willing to adapt. I would still confirm your priorities at the beginning. Tell the skipper if you want more swimming, more sightseeing, extra beach time, or a restaurant stop. Four and a half hours leaves little room for vague plans.

What is included, and what is not

The price is $431.62 per group of up to eight people. That is not a cheap solo excursion, but the calculation changes quickly with a full group:

• Eight people: about $54 per person
• Four people: about $108 per person
• Two people: about $216 per person

For a family or group of friends, the private boat can offer good value. You receive the boat, fuel, snorkeling equipment, floating devices, snacks, and a useful range of drinks: water, Coke, iced tea, beer, and wine.

Lunch is the main extra cost. You might also want to plan for any personal beach spending, although no additional required fees are listed. Since cave entry and beach access are included in the activity, you are paying mainly for the boat, skipper, time, and private arrangement.

For two people, the price is harder to justify unless you strongly value privacy and flexibility. A larger group gets far better value, especially if the alternative is booking several separate seats through a hotel tour desk. One direct comparison in the supplied experiences found the private option considerably cheaper than hotel tour desk offerings.

Who should book this excursion

I would recommend it most strongly for:

• Families who want swimming, beach time, and an easy private schedule
• Couples or friends who value privacy and can share the group price
• Confident swimmers who want several cave stops
• Visitors with only half a day available
• Anyone who prefers a speedboat to a large shared cruise
• Groups that want help choosing snorkeling areas or arranging lunch

You should think twice if you dislike boat motion, prefer a slow beach day, or want a full meal included. The tour is also not designed as a long island visit. You see two islands, but much of the time is spent around the water and caves rather than walking through island settlements.

The information says most people can participate, service animals are allowed, and the meeting area is near public transportation. It does not provide detailed information about mobility access, boat boarding, or facilities at the caves and beach. If those details matter to you, contact Nauticstar Excursions before booking.

Timing, weather, and cancellation

The full experience lasts approximately four hours and 30 minutes, including 15 minutes for pickup and 15 minutes for drop-off. The listed stop times total the active portion of the trip, so keep your expectations realistic when planning another activity afterward.

The operator offers free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead do not qualify for a refund, and the cutoff follows local time.

The tour has an average booking lead time of 19 days. That is a useful planning hint if you are visiting Dubrovnik during a busy season, especially with a group of eight. I would book early, then use the cancellation window if your plans change.

Final verdict: is it worth booking?

Book this tour if you want a private, active half-day on the water and your group can share the cost. The combination of Kolocep’s caves, snorkeling time, Šunj Beach, included drinks, and a flexible skipper gives you more control than a standard shared excursion.

I would choose it over a large boat trip for a family or group of friends. The strongest reasons are the private setting and the skipper service associated with Maro and Luka. I would skip it only if you want a long, lazy beach day, a guaranteed included lunch, or a slower boat ride.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours and 30 minutes. About 30 minutes of that time is assigned to pickup and drop-off, with 15 minutes for each.

How many islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits two Elaphiti Islands, Kolocep and Lopud.

How many people can join the private tour?

The boat accommodates a private group of up to eight people. Only your group participates.

Which caves do you visit?

The route includes the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves, all around Kolocep Island.

Can I swim and snorkel inside the caves?

Yes. The Blue Cave and Three Caves stops include time to swim and snorkel. The skipper enters the Green Cave by boat, and that stop is mainly for viewing.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and floating devices are included.

What food and drinks are included?

Snacks are included. Drinks include water, Coke, iced tea, beer, and wine. Lunch is not included and must be paid for separately.

How much does the private boat tour cost?

The listed price is $431.62 per group of up to eight people. The cost per person depends on how many people are in your group.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.