Private Full-Day Tour of Elaphiti Islands by Speedboat

The best part of this private Elaphiti Islands tour is the freedom to shape the day around your group. You can swim at a quiet bay, stop for lunch on Šipan, linger at the Blue Cave, or simply sit under the canopy while the speedboat cuts across the channel. Šunj Beach gives you a rare sandy shore, while Koločep and Šipan offer a quieter side of the Dubrovnik coast.

I like two things here. First, the small private group, capped at eight, means you are not tied to a large boat schedule. Second, the skippers, including Ivan, Nick, Niko, and Luka, are praised for helping families, recommending local restaurants, and taking guests to less obvious swimming spots. The main caution is cost: the listed price is $1,023.50 per group, and fuel is extra, with the supplied details giving different fuel estimates. Confirm the final total before booking.

Key points to know before you book

• Šunj Beach gives you a sandy start: Spend about an hour on one of the coast’s less common sandy beaches.
• Šipan offers the most local feel: Luka Šipanska has a small population, a traditional harbor, and time for lunch or a drink.
• Swimming is built into the day: You can stop at Sikirica Bay, a quiet cove, and other small bays for swimming and snorkeling.
• Koločep adds caves and clear water: The Blue Cave is a highlight, with more time for photos, swimming, and snorkeling.
• Your skipper can shape the route: The pace and stops may change around your interests, weather, and sea conditions.
• The cost is for the whole boat: Up to eight people can share the private tour, but fuel is charged separately.

A full day on the Dubrovnik coast

This is an eight-hour private outing, starting at about 9:30 or 10 am and returning around 6 pm. The speedboat is your transport, swimming platform, sun deck, and shaded rest area all in one.

That matters because the Elaphiti Islands are spread across the sea west of Dubrovnik. A private boat lets you move between them without waiting for a public ferry or spending the whole day at one port. You also avoid the fixed rhythm of a large group excursion.

The boat carries bottled water, beer, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, and fresh towels. Reviews also describe a cool box, a canopy for shade, and space for sunbathing. These are useful details on a long day in the sun, though you should still bring swimwear, sunscreen, and anything you need for personal comfort.

The route is not simply a string of fixed photo stops. Your skipper may suggest extra bays that are hard to find on a map. You can also ask for more swimming time, a longer lunch, or a slower afternoon. That flexibility is a major reason to choose a private boat instead of a standard group cruise.

Šunj Beach: a sandy first stop on Lopud

After roughly 40 minutes on the water, you reach Šunj Beach on Lopud. The stop lasts about an hour, giving you time to swim, sunbathe, have a drink, or enjoy the setting without rushing straight back to the boat.

Šunj is special because sandy beaches are not common along this part of the Croatian coast. Much of the region has rocky or pebbly shores, so this is a welcome change if you want to walk into soft sand rather than step over stones.

I would treat this as a gentle opening stop rather than the main event. It gives you a chance to settle into the day, but one hour passes quickly if your group wants both swimming and a drink. If you prefer a quiet morning, ask your skipper how much time can be spent here before moving on.

The beach may also be more appealing to families than a rocky cove. Still, the tour is centered on the sea, so you should expect active boarding, swimming, and moving around rather than a full beach day with a fixed chair and umbrella.

The crossing to Šipan and a quiet bay along the way

The next part takes you toward Šipan, the largest of the Elaphiti Islands. Before reaching the port, the skipper makes a short stop at a secluded bay for swimming, snorkeling, or photographs.

This is where the private format earns its keep. A standard cruise often has to follow a strict timetable. Here, you can choose to jump into the sea, use the snorkeling gear, or remain on board and enjoy the view. If one person in your group is not a confident swimmer, the skipper can help make the stop feel more manageable. Nick was praised for carefully assisting a father who could not swim, including helping him use a paddleboard and visit the cave.

You should not assume every stop will be long or that every cave visit will be suitable for every swimmer. Ask the skipper about water depth, entry points, and conditions before getting in. The boat is well suited to people who want choices, but the sea remains the main setting and requires sensible judgment.

Luka Šipanska: lunch, small-town life, and time to wander

Luka Šipanska is one of only two inhabited places on Šipan. The island has roughly 200 residents, giving the port a much quieter feel than Dubrovnik. You have about three hours here, the longest scheduled stop of the day.

Use that time well. You can have lunch or a drink at a local beach bar, walk around the harbor, look at traditional boats, or simply sit by the water. The appeal is not a packed list of monuments. It is the chance to pause in a small island community and let the day slow down.

The skippers have helped arrange lunch at local restaurants, including family-run places serving grilled seafood, vegetables, meat, and local white wine. One especially specific recommendation was grilled scorpion fish cooked over a wood fire. That kind of meal can be a fine match for a boat day, but lunch is not included in the tour price, so budget separately.

Because the group controls the pace, you can make Šipan the food stop or keep lunch short and spend more time swimming later. If your party includes children, older relatives, or anyone who wants a break from the water, this is likely the most comfortable stop. If everyone mainly wants to snorkel, three hours may feel long unless you agree on a shorter port visit.

Koločep and Sikirica Bay

From Šipan, the boat continues toward Koločep, the smallest of the three main islands on this route. Before reaching it, you stop at Sikirica Bay for swimming and snorkeling.

Sikirica is described as difficult to locate on a map, which is part of its appeal. The water is noted for its turquoise color, and you may be able to use a sea scooter if one is available for your outing. Do not count on a particular accessory unless the operator confirms it, but the supplied equipment does include snorkeling gear.

This stop is a good example of why the skipper matters. The value is not only in reaching a famous island. It is also in finding a cove where you can get off the boat, look below the surface, and enjoy a quieter stretch of sea.

The practical drawback is that a remote bay may offer little shore access. You might spend the whole stop in the water or on the boat rather than walking on land. Bring a towel, use the available shade, and tell the skipper if your group needs a slower pace.

Koločep and the Blue Cave

Koločep has fewer than 150 residents and is almost empty in winter. Its beaches are rocky or pebbly, and the water is a major reason to visit. The setting feels more natural and less developed than Dubrovnik, though you should not expect broad sandy beaches here.

The Blue Cave is the island’s signature stop. You can take photographs, swim, sunbathe, or snorkel before heading back toward Dubrovnik. The cave can look intimidating to less confident swimmers, but one skipper, Ivan, was praised for getting into the water and guiding guests inside with snorkels. That kind of hands-on help is useful, especially for families or anyone who wants reassurance.

Conditions matter here. A cave visit depends on the sea, weather, and your comfort in the water. If you prefer not to enter, you can still enjoy the boat and surrounding coast. The tour does not force everyone into the same activity, which makes it easier for mixed groups.

The scheduled Koločep portion is about 90 minutes, although the skipper may adjust timing. I would save enough energy for this stop. After a morning beach visit and lunch, the cave and final swim can feel like the high point of the day.

The boat, skipper, and private-group advantage

The boat is described as clean and carefully maintained, with a canopy, sunbathing area, cool box, towels, and drinks. Beer, soda, and bottled water are included. That removes some of the small annoyances that can make a full day at sea feel less comfortable.

The operator has used several skippers on these outings. Ivan is repeatedly praised for restaurant suggestions, patience with children, and taking groups to quiet coves. Nick is noted for patient help with a non-swimmer. Niko is described as relaxed with families, including four children aged 8 to 12, while Luka received praise for local recommendations and swim stops.

You cannot choose a particular skipper from the supplied details, so consider those names examples of the company’s style rather than a guarantee. Still, the pattern is clear: the skipper is not just driving the boat. The skipper helps set the pace, suggests lunch, handles swimming stops, and can make the day work for different ages and abilities.

A private group of up to eight is best for families, couples traveling together, or friends who want a special day without strangers on board. For two people, the total price is harder to justify. For eight, the cost per person becomes much more reasonable, especially when you value privacy and flexibility.

What the price really includes

The listed price is $1,023.50 per group, with room for up to eight people. That works out to about $128 per person if the boat is full, before fuel and any lunch or drinks beyond what is provided.

The price includes private transportation, bottled water, snorkeling equipment, beer, and soft drinks. It also buys you a full day rather than a short harbor trip, plus the ability to adjust the schedule. For a full group, that can be fair value.

Fuel is extra, and the supplied details are not consistent. One section gives a fuel surcharge of €100 per booking, while another says the cost is approximately €150 to €200 depending on the boat. Confirm this in writing before you pay. Add lunch, and your final cost will be higher than the headline price.

I would choose this tour if you have a full group and care about personal service. If you are traveling alone or as a couple on a tight budget, compare it with a shared boat trip or public transport to the islands. The private format is the product here, not simply the boat ride.

Timing, pickup, and practical details

Pickup is offered if your accommodation is far from the closest speedboat mooring. You should contact Blue Mile Dubrovnik in advance if you need a transfer. The stated start time is 9:30 am, while the day description says the skipper will meet you at 10 am, so confirm the exact meeting time and location.

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation is provided when you book. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is described as suitable for most people. Since much of the day involves boarding a speedboat, swimming, and moving around coves, ask directly about any mobility concern before reserving.

Good weather is required. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Who should book this boat day

I think this suits you best if you want:

• A private day for up to eight people
• Several chances to swim and snorkel
• A flexible route rather than a fixed group schedule
• Local lunch suggestions and time in small island ports
• A boat with shade, drinks, towels, and snorkeling gear
• Help for mixed-age groups or less confident swimmers

It is less suitable if you want a low-cost way to reach one island, dislike spending hours on the water, or prefer a tightly scheduled sightseeing tour with many historic sites. The focus is the sea, small bays, swimming, caves, and relaxed island time.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands speedboat tour?

Book it if you can fill most of the eight seats and want a flexible day around Dubrovnik. The combination of Šunj’s sand, Šipan’s quiet harbor, Sikirica Bay, Koločep, and the Blue Cave gives you more variety than a simple island transfer.

Before booking, confirm the exact start time, the boat assigned to your group, the fuel charge, and whether a particular skipper is available. If the final price fits your budget, this is a strong choice for families and friends who want control over the day and plenty of time in the water.

FAQ

How long is the private Elaphiti Islands tour?

The tour lasts about eight hours. The published schedule begins around 9:30 or 10 am and returns around 6 pm.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private boat can accommodate up to eight people in your group.

Is pickup from my accommodation available?

Pickup can be arranged if your accommodation is far from the closest speedboat mooring. You should contact the provider in advance to request a transfer.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel is charged separately. The supplied details list both a €100 surcharge and an approximate cost of €150 to €200 depending on the boat, so confirm the final amount before booking.

What is included on the boat?

Bottled water, beer, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, and private transportation are included. Fresh towels, a shaded canopy, and a cool box are also described as available on the boat.

Do I have to swim or enter the Blue Cave?

No. Swimming, snorkeling, and cave visits are optional. You can remain on the boat or choose which activities suit you.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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