Private Speedboat Tour | Caves Beaches Islands and more

A private boat lets you see Dubrovnik from its best angle: offshore, with the Old Town and islands spread behind you. Skipper Vincenzo and his brother run Nono Travel, and Vincenzo can adjust the day for swimming, snorkeling, island walks, food, or a faster ride between stops. Kolocep’s caves and the Elaphiti Islands are the main draw.

I like the personal scale of the trip. Your group of up to six has the boat to itself, and you can trade a crowded attraction for a quiet swimming bay if the mood changes. I also like the practical extras: snorkeling gear, towels, drinks, fuel, and a professional skipper are included.

The main catch is time. On a six-hour outing, visiting all four listed islands properly is not realistic because the boat needs time to move between them. The famous Blue and Three Green Caves can also be crowded, especially when several boats arrive together.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six: You avoid a large-group schedule and can shape the day around your own interests.
• Kolocep is the local highlight: Vincenzo’s home island offers cliff walks, swimming bays, and sea caves.
• Lopud mixes beach and culture: Sunj Beach, a botanical garden, and a monastery give you more than a swim stop.
• Sipan adds food and quiet coves: Luka Bay is a good choice if you want views and swimming away from the main sights.
• Lokrum works best with extra time: Its monastery ruins, peacocks, Game of Thrones props, and fort are hard to fit into a short boat hire.
• The price favors groups: At $302.34 per group, the cost is easier to justify when six people share it.

Why a private speedboat makes sense in Dubrovnik

This is less a fixed sightseeing ride than a private day on the water. You book for your own group, then discuss what matters most: caves, swimming, snorkeling, island scenery, food, history, or simply moving fast across the Adriatic.

That flexibility is the strongest part of the experience. One family used its six hours for a cliff walk, snorkeling, a botanical garden, lunch, and a trip toward Lokrum. Another group changed plans and focused almost entirely on swimming and snorkeling. If your group has mixed interests, that freedom matters.

Vincenzo is central to the experience. He speaks English well, explains the islands, and knows the coves around Dubrovnik. He can suggest a restaurant, point out places connected with local life, and steer you away from crowded sites when they are no longer worth the wait.

The speedboat also gives you a different view of Dubrovnik. From the water, you see the city walls, rocky coast, and islands as part of one connected setting. The ride itself can be lively, but the water may be choppy. If you are prone to seasickness, take that into account before booking.

Kolocep: caves, cliffs, and Vincenzo’s home island

Kolocep is usually the most personal stop because it is Vincenzo’s home island. It is Croatia’s southernmost inhabited island and has a strong sense of place, with natural attractions close to the water.

Plan on about an hour here, though the exact use of that time is up to you. You might walk toward the cliffs for views over a bay, then return to the boat for a swim. This is also the area for sea caves, including the Blue Cave and the Three Green Caves.

The Blue Cave can be beautiful when conditions are right. You enter by boat or swim, and the light inside creates the color that gives the cave its name. But timing matters. On busy days, more than ten boats may gather outside, with many people waiting to enter. A narrow cave can quickly feel less like a quiet natural site and more like a queue on the water.

Vincenzo can help you decide if the famous caves are worth your time that day. He also knows smaller spots, including a cave once used by sailors during storms and a favorite spearfishing cave. Those less-famous stops may offer a better experience than chasing a well-known name.

The snorkeling here is a real strength. You can swim through rocky arches, look for fish, and use the boat as a base for towels and drinks. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you prefer, but equipment is supplied.

Lopud: Sunj Beach and a slower island walk

Lopud gives the day a welcome change of pace. After the speed and salt water, you can walk through the island settlement and visit cultural sights on land.

Sunj Beach is the main draw. Its sandy shore is a pleasant contrast to the rocky coves around the other islands, and it suits anyone who wants a straightforward beach stop rather than a cave swim. You may also visit a small botanical garden and walk up toward a monastery.

The monastery may be undergoing renovation, so do not expect every interior space to be open. Even so, the walk gives you a look at the island beyond its beaches. It is a useful stop for a group that wants a little history and scenery without spending the whole day in the boat.

Lopud is also the most natural place to pause for lunch. Vincenzo can recommend a restaurant, and one suggested stop served fresh sea bass in a salt crust with Swiss chard, potatoes, and salad. Lunch is not included, so you should budget separately. The benefit is choice: you can eat a proper meal, keep swimming, or shorten the stop if your group prefers the water.

Sipan and Luka Bay: a quieter final island

Sipan is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands and adds a more relaxed, local feel to the route. You can use the stop for food, island scenery, or a visit to Luka, a sheltered bay with views and swimming spots.

The planned visit is about an hour and a half, which gives you more breathing room than a quick photo stop. Still, you need to make choices if you are also visiting Kolocep and Lopud. Every extra island means less time for swimming, walking, or eating.

Sipan is a good fit for people who want a less polished day. Its appeal is not one single attraction, but the chance to slow down, eat local food, and swim in a quieter setting. If your group wants famous caves above all else, you may prefer to keep Sipan for a longer tour.

Lokrum: save enough time for the island itself

Lokrum sits just offshore from Dubrovnik, overlooked by the Old Town. It is easy to reach by boat, but it deserves more than a rushed stop.

The island has monastery ruins, a botanical garden with peacocks, a fort reached by walking uphill, and props connected with Game of Thrones. There are also places to swim. Admission is not included, and the entry fee includes the regular ferry connection, even if you arrive by private boat.

That ferry detail can make Lokrum a smart place to finish. Instead of using private-boat time for the return trip, you can leave the boat at Lokrum and spend as long as you like on the island, then take the ferry back toward Dubrovnik. Check the last ferry time on your date, since your plan depends on catching it.

A six-hour charter may not leave enough time to enjoy Lokrum properly if you first visit several Elaphiti Islands. One group spent about an hour traveling from Lopud to Lokrum, which used much of the remaining boat time. If Lokrum is important to you, say so before departure and build the day around it.

How long should you book?

The experience can last from about two to eight hours. That range is useful, but it also makes planning important.

A two-hour booking suits a short coastal ride, a swim, or a nearby cave visit. It is not enough for a serious island-hopping day. Six hours gives you a satisfying private outing, but you still need to limit the number of stops. Eight hours is the better choice if you want several islands, a long lunch, swimming, and time to explore on foot.

Here is the practical tradeoff:

• Two to four hours: Choose one main area, such as Kolocep caves or a nearby swimming route.
• Six hours: Combine Kolocep and Lopud, then add either Sipan or Lokrum if you keep stops brief.
• Eight hours: Give yourself the best chance to include several islands without turning every visit into a five-minute photo stop.

Do not treat the listed stops as a promise that you will explore every island in depth. Boat travel takes time, and the most enjoyable day usually has a clear priority.

What is included, and what will cost extra?

The price is $302.34 per group of up to six people. That makes the per-person cost about $50.39 if six people share the boat. For a couple, the same price is a much larger spend, but the private setting and flexible route may still appeal if you value control over the day.

Included are:

• Professional skipper
• Fuel
• Towels
• Drinks
• Snorkeling equipment

Lunch is not included, so plan for a restaurant stop on Lopud or Sipan if you want a meal. Lokrum admission also costs extra. You need to bring your own swimsuit and sunscreen, two easy items to forget when the booking includes so many boat supplies.

The included towels and drinks are small but useful touches. You can swim without packing as if you are moving to the beach, and you do not need to pay separately for fuel as the route changes.

Meeting point, pickup, and practical details

The listed meeting point is Lapadska obala 4 in Dubrovnik, with the boat returning there at the end. Some groups have arranged pickup from a hotel or cruise port before being taken to the boat, but confirm that arrangement directly when booking rather than assuming it is automatic.

You receive confirmation at booking. The tour is offered in English, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, but this remains a speedboat outing with swimming, uneven island paths, and possible choppy water.

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes, bring sunscreen, and pack a dry change of clothes if you have room. Good walking shoes help on Kolocep and Lokrum, especially if you plan to reach cliffs or a fort.

Because the trip depends on good weather, the operator may offer another date or a full refund if conditions force cancellation. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

This is a strong choice for families, couples, and small groups who want a private day rather than a fixed group cruise. Teenagers and young adults may especially enjoy the speed, swimming, snorkeling, and freedom to change the plan.

It also suits groups with different priorities. One person can care about history and monasteries, another about food, and another about cave swimming. Vincenzo’s flexible approach helps bring those interests together.

I would be more cautious if you want a quiet, fully scheduled sightseeing tour with no decisions to make. You also need to be comfortable with a moving boat, some rougher water, and the possibility that a famous cave will be crowded.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want to see Dubrovnik from the water and prefer a day built around your group. The combination of Kolocep’s caves, Lopud’s beach and lunch options, Sipan’s quieter bays, and Lokrum’s ruins gives you plenty of choice.

For the best value, bring five or six people and book closer to eight hours if you want more than two islands. Tell Vincenzo your top priority before setting off, and do not insist on visiting every named stop. A shorter list with time to swim and walk will feel far better than a rushed island checklist.

If you mainly want Lokrum, visit it separately and use the boat for Kolocep and Lopud. If you want caves and snorkeling, put Kolocep first and stay flexible about the crowded Blue Cave and Three Green Caves. That approach makes the private format work in your favor.

FAQ

How many people can join the private speedboat tour?

The boat is private for your group, with up to six people included in the group price.

Where does the tour start and end?

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

Which islands are included in the route?

The planned stops are Kolocep, Lopud, Sipan, and Lokrum. The exact route can be adjusted around your group’s interests and available time.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you will pay separately if you eat at a restaurant on Lopud or Sipan.

Is Lokrum admission included?

No. Entry to Lokrum is not included. The admission fee includes the regular ferry connection, even if you arrive on the private boat.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.