Full-Day Elafiti Islands Private Speed Boat Tour by Quicksilver 675

A private speedboat is a fine way to see the Elafiti Islands without being tied to a ferry timetable. From Dubrovnik, you can reach Koločep in about 20 minutes, swim into its Blue Cave, stretch out on Lopud’s sandy Šunj Beach, then slow the pace on Šipan among olive trees, local produce, and quiet coves.

I like the small private group, limited to six people, and the freedom to decide how long you stay at each island. I also like the useful extras: snorkeling masks, a GoPro camera, life jackets, bottled water, beer, and soft drinks are provided.

The main catch is cost. The listed price is $598.87 per group, and a separate €100 fuel surcharge applies to each booking. There is no meal or hotel pickup, so you need to plan those parts yourself.

Key points to know before you book

• You can shape the route: Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan are suggested stops, but your skipper can adjust the timing and activities.
• The Blue Cave is a swim-in stop: You anchor near the cave on Koločep and enter the water with snorkeling gear.
• Šunj Beach gives you real sand: Lopud is the best stop for swimming, sunbathing, and a classic beach afternoon.
• The boat carries up to six people: The price makes more sense for a full group than for one or two people.
• Drinks are included, lunch is not: Bring or arrange food for an eight-hour outing.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Why a private boat works well around Dubrovnik

The Elafiti Islands are close to Dubrovnik, but they feel quieter and more open than the city shore. A private boat lets you treat the day as a custom outing rather than a fixed sightseeing circuit.

You might want a long swim at Koločep, extra beach time on Lopud, or a slower visit to Šipan. You can tell the skipper what suits your group. That flexibility is the central reason to choose this trip over a larger shared cruise.

The boat is a Quicksilver 675 speedboat, used for a full day of coastal travel. The tour lasts about eight hours and returns to the same meeting point at Lapadska obala 4. Since there is no pickup or drop-off, you need to make your own way there and back.

A private group also helps if your party has mixed interests. One person can swim while another prefers to remain aboard. You can spend more time ashore, or keep the day focused on the water. The skipper handles the boat while you decide how active the day should be.

Koločep and the Blue Cave swim

Koločep is the first island, roughly 20 minutes from Dubrovnik by boat. It has two main villages, Gornje Čelo and Donje Čelo, but the main attraction on this outing is the island’s southern Blue Cave.

The boat anchors near the cave, and you swim inside. Snorkeling masks are included, along with a GoPro camera for recording time in the water. Life jackets are available for adults and children, though you should still be comfortable with the physical demands of getting into and out of the sea.

This is one of the more active parts of the day. The cave is not a walk-up viewpoint, so anyone who wants to see it needs to enter the water. That makes the stop especially appealing to swimmers, but less useful for anyone who cannot swim or prefers to avoid boat-to-water transfers.

After the cave, the boat cruises along Koločep’s cliffs. This gives you a chance to see the island from the water rather than spending the whole stop on land. The suggested timing is about two hours, but the private format means you can ask for more or less time.

Koločep works best early in the day, when you are still fresh for swimming. Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a towel, since the schedule is built around time in the water. The included cold drinks are handy here, especially after snorkeling.

Lopud and Šunj Beach for a proper beach break

Lopud is the longest stop, with about three hours suggested. Its main draw is Šunj Beach, a sandy beach where you can swim and sunbathe. Sand is not always easy to find along the Croatian coast, so this stop offers a change from rocky swimming spots and boat ladders.

You can spend the whole visit aboard, or go ashore for the beach. That choice matters. If your group wants a relaxed summer afternoon, Šunj gives you the right setting. If you prefer quiet swimming away from the beach, remain with the boat and ask the skipper about another suitable place nearby.

Lopud also offers more than sand. In the village, you can visit the Dominican and Franciscan monasteries, small churches, and Đorđić-Mayneri Park. The tour does not force you into a walking program, so you can decide how much time to give the village after the beach.

The three-hour stop is long enough for a swim and some exploring, but do not expect the same feel as a quick photo stop. Lopud is where you will likely spend the greatest amount of time ashore. It is also the island most suited to groups that want a balance of beach time and a little culture.

The boat carries cold water, beer, and soft drinks. That helps between swims, but there is no meal included. For a full day on the water, bring food or make sure your group has a plan for eating. The details are easy to overlook when the headline attractions are caves and beaches.

Šipan for a slower, greener finish

Šipan is the largest and most densely populated of the Elafiti Islands. The mood here is quieter than a dedicated beach stop. You can expect turquoise water, olive and pine trees, bird sounds, and a more local feel.

Šipan is associated with homemade goods such as wine, olive oil, marmalade, fruit, and vegetables. The information provided does not promise a tasting or a visit to a particular producer, so treat those products as part of the island’s character rather than a guaranteed activity.

The suggested timing is about three hours. That gives you room for a swim in a secluded bay, time on the boat, or an independent look around the island. Your skipper can tailor the stop to your preferences, which is useful if you have already had plenty of beach time on Lopud.

Šipan is probably the best part of the route for slowing down. Koločep centers on the Blue Cave and cliffs. Lopud centers on sand and the beach village. Šipan gives you open views, natural surroundings, and a less hurried end to the day.

The island also shows why a private boat can be useful. Rather than treating every stop as a fixed checklist, you can ask for a hidden cove, a scenic cruise, or a longer pause on shore. The exact plan depends on weather, sea conditions, and what your group wants that day.

What the skipper can and cannot customize

This is a private tour, but private does not mean every detail is guaranteed. The skipper can adjust the order, length, and focus of stops. You can request more swimming, more time at Šunj Beach, or more time exploring the villages.

The advertised route includes all three islands, but your skipper has room to shape the day around your group. The supplied details also note secluded beaches, hidden bays, and views of the Adriatic coastline along the way.

Keep your requests realistic. You have about eight hours, and boat travel takes part of that time. If you spend extra time at Koločep, you may have less time for Lopud or Šipan. The value of the tour comes from choosing well, not from racing through every possible stop.

The skipper is also responsible for safety and the practical side of the outing. Follow instructions around the boat, wear a life jacket when advised, and be honest about your swimming ability. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the activity calls for a moderate level of physical fitness.

Price, group size, and what you really receive

The listed price is $598.87 per group of up to six people. At six people, that works out to roughly $100 per person before the €100 fuel surcharge. At four people, the per-person cost rises sharply. For a couple, this is a major splurge.

That price buys privacy, a full day on the water, a skipper, the boat, snorkeling equipment, a GoPro, life jackets, bottled water, beer, soft drinks, and all listed taxes and handling charges. The fuel surcharge is separate, so include it when comparing this tour with other boat options.

The value is strongest for families or friends who would otherwise book several separate activities. You get transport between islands, a flexible schedule, and a private setting in one package. You also avoid spending the day waiting for a shared boat to load and unload other groups.

The value is weaker if your main goal is simply to reach one beach. A ferry or a shorter shared boat trip may cost less. This experience earns its price through flexibility and exclusivity, not through meals, luxury service, or a long list of included shore activities.

There is no meal included. Drinks are covered, but food is your responsibility. The tour begins and ends at the stated meeting point, so hotel transportation is another cost or planning task to handle.

Who will enjoy this day most

This tour suits a group of friends, a family, or a small celebration where everyone wants the boat to themselves. It is especially useful when people have different priorities. Swimmers can spend time in the water, beach lovers can go to Šunj, and history-minded visitors can explore Lopud’s monasteries and churches.

It also suits people who dislike rigid schedules. You can decide how much time to spend at each island rather than following a fixed public-cruise program.

You should think twice if nobody in your group wants to swim or if you prefer a fully guided land tour. The Blue Cave is reached from the water, and much of the day is built around swimming, beaches, and coastal cruising.

The activity requires moderate physical fitness. Children are welcome with an adult, and life jackets are available for both adults and children. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

Practical planning for the eight-hour outing

Wear swimwear and bring sun protection. A towel is sensible for a day that includes a cave swim, beach time, and repeated stops in the sea.

Plan your meal before departure. Since lunch is not included, you can bring food or organize your own option during the day. Do not assume that the supplied beer, soft drinks, and water replace a proper meal.

The drinking age is 18. Alcohol is provided, but anyone drinking should remain sensible around the boat and water.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. For that reason, keep some flexibility in your Dubrovnik schedule if this boat day is important to you.

Booking well ahead is sensible. This experience is booked an average of 87 days in advance, which signals strong demand, especially during the summer season. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Elafiti Islands speedboat tour?

Book it if you have four to six people, want a private day, and value the freedom to set the pace. Koločep’s Blue Cave, Lopud’s sandy Šunj Beach, and Šipan’s quieter natural setting give the day three distinct moods rather than one repeated stop.

Think carefully about the extra cost if you are a small party. The $598.87 group price plus the €100 fuel surcharge is easier to justify when shared among six people. Also skip it if you need a meal, hotel transfer, or a fully guided sightseeing program included.

For the right group, this is a strong Dubrovnik day trip. You get a fast route to the islands, useful swimming equipment, cold drinks, and enough freedom to make the day feel personal rather than mass-produced. The high rating of 5 from 171 ratings and a 100 percent recommendation rate fit its main strength: a beautiful day on the water with room to make it your own.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Lapadska obala 4, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia, and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the private boat tour?

The price covers one private group of up to six people.

Are snorkeling equipment and life jackets included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets for adults and children are included.

Is food included?

No. A meal is not included. Bottled water, beer, and soft drinks are provided.

Is there an extra fuel charge?

Yes. A €100 fuel surcharge applies per booking.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the experience to be canceled.