Full- Day Private Speedboat Tour in Dubrovnik on Elaphiti Islands

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat tour is its range. In one long day, you can slip into the Blue Cave, snorkel around Kolocep’s Green Caves, stretch out on sandy Šunj Beach, and visit old villages on Lopud and Šipan. It gives you far more than a quick boat ride along the coast.

I like the private format, which lets your group spend more time swimming or walking instead of following a fixed crowd. I also like that drinks, snacks, fuel, taxes, and snorkeling gear are included. The main drawback is the price: at $611.46 per group, it makes the most sense for several people sharing the boat, not one or two passengers.

Key points to know before booking

• Three Elaphiti islands in one day: Kolocep, Lopud, and Šipan each offer a different feel, from caves and coves to villages and beaches.
• Private boat for up to eight: Your group has the full experience rather than sharing space with strangers.
• Šunj Beach gets two hours: You have time for swimming, a walk on the shallow sand, a snack, or lunch at your own cost.
• Lopud gets three hours: This is the longest stop, with time for the Franciscan Monastery, botanical garden, swimming, and a meal.
• Snorkeling is built into the day: Equipment is supplied for the Blue Cave, Green Caves, and Sikirica Cove.
• Captain Maro received specific praise: One booking party described him as familiar with the area and good at choosing places that made the day feel personal.

A full day on the water from Dubrovnik

This is an 8-hour-30-minute private speedboat outing that begins and ends at Dubrovnik’s main port. You first see the western coast of Dubrovnik from the water, then head toward the Elaphiti Islands, a small group close enough for a day trip but varied enough to fill it.

The schedule mixes sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and village visits. That balance matters. A boat day made up only of swimming can feel repetitive, while a string of historic stops can leave you wishing for a towel and a quiet bay. Here, the water activities and shore time take turns.

The group limit is eight people, so the $611.46 price works out to roughly $76 per person if you fill every place. For a family or group of friends, that is a more reasonable calculation than looking only at the total. For two people, it becomes a costly private outing, though the privacy and flexible feel may still be worth it for a special day.

The operator provides drinks, snacks, snorkeling equipment, fuel, and all fees and taxes. You still pay for lunch, so keep that in mind when planning the day. Since this is a private activity, only your own group participates.

Leaving Dubrovnik by the western coast

The trip starts with about 15 minutes of sailing out of the main port and viewing Dubrovnik’s western approach from the water. This is a short opening segment, but it gives you a different angle on the city before the island stops begin.

I like this start because it eases you into the day. You are not rushed straight into a beach stop or asked to unpack your gear immediately. You get a short coastal view, then the boat moves on toward Kolocep.

The exact rhythm of the outing can depend on conditions and the captain’s choices. A private boat is useful here. Captain Maro was praised for knowing the area and choosing good places to go, though you should understand that the assigned captain may not always be Maro.

Blue Cave snorkeling near Dubrovnik

The first major stop is the Blue Cave, with about 30 minutes set aside for snorkeling inside it. This is a short visit, so think of it as a focused water stop rather than a long caving excursion.

The appeal is simple: you get to see the cave from the water instead of only looking at it from a boat. Snorkeling gear is included, which saves you from packing your own equipment or arranging a separate rental.

You should be comfortable getting into the water to get the full benefit of this stop. If you prefer to stay aboard, the visit will be much less active, though the cave remains part of the route. The short time also means you will want to listen closely to the captain’s instructions and be ready when the boat arrives.

Kolocep’s three Green Caves

Kolocep follows with another 30-minute snorkeling stop, this time at three Green Caves. Having three small cave areas in one visit gives this section a different feel from the Blue Cave, though both are built around getting into the water.

Kolocep is one of the Elaphiti Islands included in the route, and this stop shows why the tour works better as a full-day plan than as a simple beach transfer. You are not just moving between ports. You are seeing rocky coves and water-level features that are hard to appreciate from the mainland.

The limitation is time. Thirty minutes passes quickly once you account for stopping the boat, putting on equipment, and getting back aboard. Treat this as a concentrated snorkeling session, not a leisurely half-day at Kolocep.

Two hours at sandy Šunj Beach

Šunj Beach is the first long shore stop, with about two hours to enjoy the sand and water. It is described as the most famous sandy beach in the Dubrovnik region, which makes it a useful change after the cave stops.

You can walk along the shallow sandy beach, swim, snorkel, or stop at the restaurant for a snack or lunch. Since lunch is not included, this is one of the natural places to buy a meal, but you should budget for it separately.

Two hours is a good amount of time here. You can enjoy the beach without feeling that you have only stepped ashore long enough to take a photograph. Still, popularity can be part of the trade-off. The beach is the best-known sandy stop in the area, so it may not feel as secluded as the later swimming cove.

If your group includes people with different ideas about a boat day, Šunj works well. One person can swim, another can walk on the sand, and someone else can sit down for coffee or food. That flexibility is more useful than a stop that offers only one activity.

Three hours on Lopud

Lopud receives the longest stop, about three hours, and this is the cultural center of the day. You can walk through the popular settlement, swim, visit the 15th-century Franciscan Monastery, and spend time in the shade of its botanical garden.

That longer stay gives Lopud room to breathe. You are not forced to choose between a walk and a swim. You might visit the monastery first, cool off in the water, then stop for food or a drink before returning to the boat.

The island also offers a chance to slow the pace. After several short snorkeling stops, three hours on shore feels substantial. You can pay more attention to the village and the monastery instead of treating them as quick background scenery.

Lunch here is at your own expense. The stop includes the chance to dine at a popular fish restaurant, but the meal is not part of the tour price. If you want to control spending, plan to use the included snacks and drinks as a supplement rather than assuming lunch is covered.

Lopud may be the most satisfying stop for anyone who wants more than swimming. The monastery and garden add a cultural layer, while the beach and restaurant options keep the visit from becoming a formal sightseeing exercise.

Šipan and the old fishing village of Suđurađ

The boat then spends about 30 minutes sightseeing along the south coast of Šipan and visiting Suđurađ, described as the oldest fishing village in the area. This is a short stop, so expect a compact look rather than an extended island visit.

Suđurađ adds a village atmosphere after the beach time on Šunj and the longer visit on Lopud. It also helps show that the Elaphiti Islands are not all interchangeable. The route includes natural sites, a popular beach, a monastery, and a historic fishing settlement.

Because the stop is brief, you may want to focus on the village rather than trying to cover a large section of Šipan. The value here is contrast. You see another side of island life without giving up the final snorkeling and swimming stops.

Sikirica Cove and a secluded swim

The final water section takes place at Sikirica Cove near Brsečine, with about 30 minutes for snorkeling. It is described as the best snorkeling place in the region, giving the day another chance to get into the water after the cave visits.

A second 30-minute stop at Brsečine allows swimming at a secluded beach. This is a smart way to finish. After the more structured visits, you get time for a quieter swim without a major sightseeing task attached.

The word secluded should be treated as a description of the setting, not a guarantee that you will have the entire place to yourself. Conditions, timing, and other boats can affect how private it feels. Still, the stop gives the captain room to adapt the day to your group’s preference for swimming.

If your group enjoys the water, these final stops are important. If you are not a confident swimmer, you can still enjoy the boat and shoreline, but much of the tour’s appeal comes from participating in the snorkeling and swimming portions.

Returning to Dubrovnik by boat

The return trip takes about 15 minutes and includes sightseeing along the western approach to Dubrovnik before reaching the main port. By then, you will have had a long day with several changes of scene.

The route is active, but it is not a race from one attraction to another. The longest stops are Šunj Beach and Lopud, while the caves, Šipan, and Sikirica Cove are shorter. That pattern keeps the day moving without making every stop feel rushed.

Bring practical beach clothing, though the provided snorkeling equipment means you do not need to arrange that separately. You should also plan for lunch costs and be ready for a full day outdoors. The supplied snacks and drinks are useful, but they do not replace a proper meal for most people.

What the private format is worth

The strongest reason to book this experience is control. You and your group are not sharing the day with a busload of people, and the captain can make the outing feel more personal. A booking party specifically praised Captain Maro for knowing the area and choosing good stops, describing the day as relaxed and personalized.

That praise points to the real advantage of a private boat: the experience is not only about the places on the schedule. It is also about how smoothly the day fits your group. If some people want more swimming and others want more time ashore, a private setup gives you a better chance of finding a workable balance.

There are limits. The published route still has a clear structure, and short cave and village stops will not turn into long explorations. Also, the price is fixed per group, so the value depends heavily on how many people share it.

At full capacity, the cost is easier to justify. A family, two couples, or a group of friends can split the price eight ways while receiving a private boat, equipment, fuel, snacks, drinks, and taxes. A small party should compare that cost with shared excursions before booking.

Who should book this Elaphiti Islands tour?

I would choose this for a group that wants a broad sample of the islands in one day. It suits people who want caves, snorkeling, beaches, a monastery, a fishing village, and a private boat without arranging each part separately.

It is also a good fit for active families and friends. The schedule gives you several chances to swim and snorkel, but it also includes walks, food, and sightseeing for anyone who wants a break from the water.

I would think twice if you want a very quiet, slow boat day with only one beach and no fixed route. I would also be cautious if nobody in your group wants to swim or snorkel, since several of the most distinctive stops are water-based.

Confirmation is provided at booking, service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book it?

Book this private Dubrovnik speedboat tour if you can fill several places and want variety more than a single perfect beach. The best value comes from the combination of three islands, supplied snorkeling gear, included drinks and snacks, and enough time on Lopud and Šunj to do more than stop for a photograph.

Skip it if the per-group price is too high for your party or if you prefer a shorter, less active outing. For everyone else, this is a well-balanced way to reach the Elaphiti Islands, with the Blue Cave, Kolocep’s Green Caves, sandy Šunj, Lopud’s monastery, Suđurađ, and Sikirica Cove all in one long day.

FAQ

How long is the private speedboat tour?

The experience lasts approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes, including the boat ride from Dubrovnik, island stops, swimming, snorkeling, and the return to the main port.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers a private group of up to eight people. Only your group participates in the activity.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Kolocep, Lopud, and Šipan. It also includes stops near Brsečine for snorkeling and swimming.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included, along with drinks, snacks, fuel, and all fees and taxes.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is at your own expense. You can eat at a restaurant during the Šunj Beach or Lopud stops.

Does the tour include a visit to a monastery?

Yes. During the Lopud stop, you can visit the 15th-century Franciscan Monastery and walk in the shade of its botanical garden.

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 before the start are not accepted for a refund.