Dubrovnik Elaphiti Blue cave best offer private speedboat tour

The best part of this private speedboat trip is the freedom to shape your day around the water. You can swim into Koločep’s glowing Blue Cave, pause at quiet coves near Lopud and Šipan, or spend longer at sandy Šunj Beach instead of rushing from one stop to the next. Borna and Anna are named as possible hosts, and the trip is designed for your group alone.

I like the generous inclusions: unlimited soft and alcoholic drinks, snacks, snorkeling gear, fuel, and pickup are all covered. I also like the practical flexibility, especially for families or groups who want extra swimming time, a lunch stop, or a sunset finish. The main consideration is that the experience depends on good weather and a working boat, so keep your plans flexible.

Key points at a glance

• Koločep’s Blue and Green Caves: Swim and snorkel in sea caves lit by blue and green sunlight.
• A car-free island pair: Walk through the quiet villages of Koločep and Lopud without traffic.
• Šunj Beach’s soft sand: Allow extra time here if swimming and relaxing matter more than sightseeing.
• A private group of up to eight: You are not sharing the boat with strangers, and the route can be adjusted.
• Šipan for a quieter island stop: See olive groves, old stone villages, churches, and small harbors.
• Dubrovnik at the end: Sunset trips and some full-day routes include views of Lokrum and the Old Town from the water.

Why this private Dubrovnik boat trip works

Dubrovnik’s Elaphiti Islands are close enough for a boat day but feel removed from the city’s stone streets and summer crowds. This tour uses a blue speedboat with a Honda 150 outboard engine, taking your group between caves, beaches, villages, and open-water swimming spots.

The private format matters. A standard boat excursion often follows a fixed timetable, while this one lets you ask for more time at a favorite stop. One group used the extra flexibility to spend longer at Šunj Beach, and the crew adjusted without fuss. That is particularly useful if someone in your party swims slowly, tires easily, or simply prefers one beautiful beach to five rushed photo stops.

The tour can last about two to eight hours, depending on the program you choose. That is a wide range, so check the exact departure length before booking. A half-day outing can focus on the caves and one or two islands. A full-day plan gives you time for Šipan, a meal stop, longer swims, and a slower pace.

The price is $240.28 for the whole group, up to eight people. For a full group, that is strong value for a private boat day. For two people, it is a more substantial expense, but the included fuel, pickup, drinks, snacks, equipment, and skipper reduce the number of add-on costs. You are paying for privacy and control as much as transportation.

Koločep’s Blue Cave and Green Caves

The first major stop is Koločep, one of the closest Elaphiti Islands to Dubrovnik. The Blue Cave and Green Caves are reached only by boat, which gives this part of the outing a natural sense of arrival. Sunlight enters through openings beneath the water and creates colored light inside the caves.

You are given about 30 minutes for the cave stop. That is enough for a short swim, photos, and snorkeling, but it is not a long caving expedition. The point is the light and the clear sea, not a large network of passages. Bring a swimsuit and use the supplied snorkeling equipment if you want to look beneath the surface.

The water is described as clear, with marine life visible around the cave entrances. Conditions can affect how strong the blue and green colors appear. On a bright day, the light effect should be at its best, but the operator can cancel or reschedule if the weather is poor.

A boat-only cave visit also means you should be comfortable boarding, swimming, and moving around a speedboat. Lifejackets and other safety equipment are provided. Towels are not, so pack your own.

Walking around Koločep

After the caves, the itinerary allows about 90 minutes on Koločep. This is where the trip becomes more than a checklist of swimming stops. The island has two main villages, Gornje Čelo and Donje Čelo, connected by walking paths through woods and olive groves.

Koločep is car-free, which changes the pace immediately. You can wander narrow lanes, look at stone homes, and visit small local shops without the sound of road traffic. The churches of St. Nicholas in Donje Čelo and St. Mary in Gornje Čelo offer modest historic stops for anyone who wants a break from the water.

The island also has beaches and viewpoints, though 90 minutes is not enough to explore every path. Choose your priority before you leave the boat. If you want a quick walk and a swim, stay near the village and coast. If you prefer views, ask the skipper how much walking time is realistic.

This stop may feel less exciting than the caves, but it gives the day a more local character. You see an inhabited island rather than only its best swimming spots.

Šunj Beach on Lopud

Šunj Beach is one of the strongest stops for anyone who wants sand. The crescent-shaped beach has shallow, clear water and a setting framed by pine trees and rocky slopes. Compared with Dubrovnik’s busy city beaches, it offers a slower place to swim and sit.

The planned beach time is about one hour, but the private setup may allow adjustments. One group specifically preferred more time at Šunj, and the crew was happy to change the balance of the day. If your party includes children, less confident swimmers, or people who simply want to lie in the sun, this is the stop to protect.

Loungers and umbrellas may be rented at the beach, and cafés serve drinks and light food. Kayaking and paddleboarding are also available as possible activities. These extras are not listed as included, so expect to pay separately if you choose them.

There is a short walk through scenic paths to reach the beach. That is worth noting if you have mobility limits or are carrying beach gear. A guest with a bad knee received help from Borna and Anna during a full-day outing, but the tour still involves boat access, walking, and beach movement. Contact the operator ahead of time if anyone in your group has physical limitations.

Lopud beyond the beach

Lopud receives about two hours in the program, giving you time to see more than Šunj. The island is car-free, with stone lanes, Mediterranean buildings, quiet cafés, and a relaxed waterfront.

You can walk toward the 15th-century Franciscan Monastery, explore the village, or return to the water for swimming and snorkeling. Lopud suits people who want a mixture of easy walking and beach time. It is less suitable if your main goal is a packed schedule of formal sightseeing, since the attraction here is the calm rhythm of the island.

The route may also include a lunch reservation on Lopud. The operator arranged a lunch booking for one group, but lunch itself is not listed as included. Ask about the plan before departure, especially if you want a sit-down meal rather than snacks from the boat.

I would treat Lopud as the day’s balancing point. Koločep supplies the caves, Šunj supplies the sand, and Lopud gives you time to walk, eat, and settle into island life.

Šipan and the quieter coast

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands and receives about 90 minutes in the listed plan. The boat also visits smaller islands, beaches, and coastal areas around Lopud and Šipan, with the aim of finding quieter stretches of Adriatic water.

Šipan has two main villages, Suđurađ and Luka. Their narrow stone streets, traditional houses, and small harbors offer a different feel from the beach stops. The island is also known for olive groves, vineyards, and walking or cycling routes.

Historic sights include Šipan Castle and the Church of the Holy Spirit, noted for its frescoes. You should not expect a long guided history tour, since this is primarily a boat-and-swimming excursion. Still, the island stop gives you a chance to see a slower side of the region and perhaps have seafood at a small tavern.

The wording of the program suggests that the boat may stop at quieter coastal areas with few or no other people around. Exact locations depend on the skipper, sea conditions, and the time available. Ask for extra swimming time if that is more important to you than visiting the villages.

The return past Lokrum and Dubrovnik

If you choose a sunset or golden-hour outing, the return includes a water-level view of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, Porporela, Banje Beach, and the coast around the harbor. The boat can anchor near the Old Town harbor and Lokrum, creating a strong final scene as the light changes.

The sunset portion lasts about 20 minutes in the stated schedule, though the wider experience can be longer. Music is included, and you can bring your own mood to the boat, from a quiet drink to a small celebration. A night swim around the boat may be possible in safe conditions, with lights in the water attracting small fish and squid near the surface.

GoPro or Instax cameras are provided at no extra charge for photos. That is a useful touch because swimming and boat rides leave you with wet hands and limited chances to handle your own phone safely.

If you start and finish at Dubrovnik Old Town Harbour on a half-day or full-day program, the return includes a panorama around Lokrum. From other pickup points, the boat makes a panorama of another part of the Dubrovnik coast. Confirm the exact route if the city views are a key reason for booking.

Drinks, equipment, and comfort

This tour includes more than the boat ride. You receive snorkeling equipment, lifejackets, inflatable sea toys, bottled water, fruit, cookies, snacks, a bottle of rosé and white wine, and unlimited soft and alcoholic drinks. Music onboard can be chosen to suit your group.

That package is helpful for a long day because you do not need to organize every drink and small snack before departure. It also makes the price easier to judge. Still, bring a swimsuit and towel, since neither is supplied. Sunscreen and any personal items you need are also sensible to pack, though the supplied information does not specify additional onboard storage or shade.

Birthday decorations such as balloons and confetti are available. Champagne service can be arranged by contacting the operator. These details make the boat suitable for a small celebration, but ask about any extra charge before confirming.

Pickup and drop-off are included from any location in Dubrovnik that you specify. Pickup usually begins about 30 minutes before the tour, depending on your location. If you do not request pickup, the blue speedboat waits at the chosen meeting point about 10 minutes before the agreed start time.

Who should book this boat day

I would recommend this experience to a group of friends, a family, or a couple who values privacy and wants a flexible day on the water. It is especially good for people who want several kinds of stops: caves, snorkeling, a sandy beach, village walks, and coastal views.

It also suits groups celebrating a birthday or special occasion. The drinks, music, camera, decorations, and private setting make the boat more personal than a basic island transfer.

You should think twice if you dislike speedboats, need a fully step-free outing, or want a carefully timed museum-and-monument tour. The day includes swimming, boat boarding, walking, and changing weather. It is also not the best choice if you want to know the exact minute-by-minute schedule before you leave.

The provider has a 4.9 rating from 30 reviews, with 97 percent recommending the experience. That is a strong record, but one booking was canceled the night before because of an engine problem. The operator explained that the fault occurred after a sunset trip and offered a new date, a discount, or help finding another provider. I would keep a backup plan for an important final vacation day, even though free cancellation is available until 24 hours before departure.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a private, adjustable day that treats the Elaphiti Islands as places to swim, walk, and slow down, not just names on a route map. The best value comes when you fill the boat with several people and make good use of the included drinks, equipment, and pickup.

Choose the full-day version if Šipan, lunch, and longer swimming stops appeal to you. Choose a shorter outing if your priorities are the Blue Cave, Šunj Beach, and a look at Dubrovnik from the sea. Before booking, confirm the exact duration, departure point, sunset option, and weather backup plan. For a group seeking a relaxed Adriatic day with room to change course, this is a well-priced and appealing choice.

FAQ

How much does the private speedboat tour cost?

The price is $240.28 per group of up to eight people.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two to eight hours, depending on the program selected.

What islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. Stops include the Blue and Green Caves, Šunj Beach, island villages, and coastal areas around Lopud and Šipan.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from any location in Dubrovnik that you specify.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, lifejackets, and other safety equipment are included.

Are drinks and snacks included?

Yes. Bottled water, snacks, cookies, fruit, a bottle of rosé and white wine, and unlimited soft and alcoholic drinks are included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.