Dubrovnik: Elaphite Islands Private Speedboat Full-Day Tour

The best part of this tour is the freedom of having a private speedboat among Dubrovnik’s Elaphite Islands. You can swim at Šunj Beach, stop in quiet coves, and adjust the day with your skipper instead of following a fixed group schedule. It is a full day on clear Adriatic water, with several chances to jump straight from the boat into the sea.

I like the mix of sandy Lopud, quiet Šipan, and small Koločep. I also like that snorkeling equipment, towels, drinks, beer, soda, and bottled water are included. The main consideration is cost: at $500 per person, plus fuel paid at the end, this makes the most sense for a private group that values space and flexibility. Lunch is also on your own.

Key points to know before booking

• Šunj Beach gives you a rare sandy stop: You get about an hour to swim, sunbathe, or buy a drink on Lopud.
• The route is private and adjustable: Your skipper can suggest extra coves and shape the day around swimming, snorkeling, photos, or shore time.
• Šipan offers a taste of island life: Luka Šipanska has a small port, traditional boats, local beach bars, and about 200 residents across the island.
• Sikirica Bay is a special swimming stop: Its turquoise water and hard-to-find location make it one of the day’s more secluded pauses.
• Koločep ends the island-hopping route: You can visit the Blue Cave and swim near a quiet island with fewer than 150 residents.
• Fuel is extra: The $500 price covers the private boat and listed supplies, but fuel is paid separately at the end.

Why a private speedboat changes the day

This is not simply a transfer from Dubrovnik to one beach. The boat is your transport, swimming platform, shaded pause between stops, and private base for the day. With only your group aboard, you can spend more time doing what suits you: swimming, snorkeling, taking photos, or sitting quietly while the skipper finds another cove.

The speedboat also makes the island route practical in eight hours. The first ride through the Elaphiti Channel takes about 40 minutes to Šunj Beach. From there, the route continues to Šipan and Koločep, with swimming stops along the way.

I would choose this format over a large boat cruise if you care about personal space. You are not tied to a crowd’s lunch timetable or forced to stay at a beach once you have had enough. The tradeoff is price. A private boat at $500 per person costs much more than a shared excursion, so the value improves when the cost is split among friends or family who will use the flexibility.

The skipper speaks English and Croatian. The information provided does not name the skipper, so you should not expect to choose a particular guide. The strong point here is the private arrangement and the skipper’s ability to suggest less obvious swimming locations.

10 am departure through the Elaphiti Channel

The day begins at 10 am, when your private skipper meets you for the boat ride. The timing gives you a full eight hours on the water without requiring an especially early start. You should arrive ready for a day outdoors, since most of the schedule involves sun, salt water, and boat travel.

The ride through the Elaphiti Channel is part of the appeal, not just a way to reach the first stop. From the speedboat, you can enjoy open-water views and the changing shape of the islands. Bring a hat, swimwear, beachwear, and sunscreen. Towels and bottled water are provided, so you do not need to pack those.

The boat is supplied with snorkeling equipment, and the package also includes alcoholic drinks, beer, and soda. That is useful because an eight-hour outing can otherwise become expensive through small purchases. Still, I would bring any specific drink or snack you need, since the included list does not promise a full meal or a particular brand.

Šunj Beach on Lopud: a sandy hour

After about 40 minutes, you reach Šunj Beach on Lopud. The beach is sandy, which matters in a part of the coast better known for pebbles and rocks. If you prefer walking into shallow sand rather than stepping over stones, this is one of the most comfortable swimming stops of the day.

You have about an hour here. Use it for a swim, sunbathing, or a drink near the beach. It is a simple opening stop, but it sets a relaxed pace before the more secluded bays later in the route.

The limitation is time. An hour is long enough for a swim and a quick rest, but not enough for a leisurely beach day. You also leave the boat for this stop, so keep your belongings organized and bring only what you need ashore.

Lopud is a good first island because it offers an easy contrast with Dubrovnik. You get sand, open water, and a slower setting without spending the whole morning in transit. If your group is especially interested in Šunj, ask the skipper whether the schedule can allow a little more time, although the route must still fit the eight-hour day.

The first hidden bay and the run to Šipan

After Lopud, the skipper makes a short stop in a hidden bay on the way to Šipan. This pause is deliberately flexible. You can snorkel, swim, jump from the boat, or stay aboard and take photos.

That choice is important. Not everyone in a group wants the same kind of day. One person may want to swim while another prefers a quiet view from the boat. A private stop lets you avoid turning that difference into a problem.

The information provided does not give the bay’s name or guarantee a particular length of stop. Treat it as an optional surprise rather than a fixed attraction with a set schedule. Conditions and your group’s wishes may shape how long you stay.

This is also a good time to use the supplied snorkeling equipment. The water is described as crystal clear, but you should remember that snorkeling conditions can vary with wind and sea movement. The boat gives you a pleasant alternative if the water is not comfortable.

Luka Šipanska and the quietest island stop

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphite Islands, and Luka Šipanska is one of only two inhabited places on the island. About 200 people live across Šipan, giving the stop a small-scale feel that is quite different from Dubrovnik’s busy old town.

You get free time for lunch or drinks at a local beach bar. Lunch is not included, so plan to pay separately for your meal. This is the one stop where you can slow down on land, walk around the port, look at traditional boats, and see a little of local island life.

I would use this pause for more than food. The port and small bays give you a chance to stretch your legs and experience the island at walking speed. After several hours on a boat, that change is welcome.

Do not expect a long list of restaurants, shops, or major sights. The appeal is the quiet setting, not a packed sightseeing program. Since the tour is private, you can tell the skipper how much time you would like to spend ashore, within the needs of the rest of the route.

Sikirica Bay and Koločep’s clear water

From Šipan, the boat continues toward Koločep and stops at Sikirica Bay. The bay is difficult to locate on a map, which helps explain its secluded character. Its turquoise water is the main reason to stop.

This is another swimming and snorkeling break, and you may be able to use a sea scooter if one is available for your group. The supplied details mention sea scooter use as an option, but do not state that a sea scooter is included in the price. Ask before counting on it.

Sikirica is a good place to make the most of the boat itself. You can jump into the water, float near the boat, snorkel, or stay aboard and take photographs. The route is strongest when you treat these pauses as the main event rather than rushing through them to collect island names.

Water access is also the day’s central theme. If you are not comfortable jumping from a boat, you can simply remain on board or ask about entering the water in a more gradual way. The details supplied do not specify a ladder or other boarding arrangement, so ask the provider if that matters to you.

Koločep and the Blue Cave

Koločep is the smallest-feeling island on this route. Fewer than 150 people live there, and in winter the island is almost empty. Its beaches are rocky or pebbly, so pack sturdy beach footwear if you have tender feet, though the tour instructions only specifically require beachwear and swimwear.

The sea around Koločep is the reason to come. You get another chance to swim, sunbathe, and snorkel in clear water, then visit the Blue Cave for photographs. The cave provides a memorable visual stop, but this is not presented as a long cave tour or an underground walking visit. Think of it as a boat-accessible photo and swimming location.

The exact amount of time at Koločep is not listed. That is another reason to discuss your priorities with the skipper early in the day. If you want more swimming, say so. If the Blue Cave is your main goal, make sure you understand how much time the route allows there.

Koločep is a fitting final island because it feels quiet and natural after the more accessible beach stop on Lopud and the inhabited port on Šipan. You get one last chance to swim before returning to Dubrovnik.

Extra coves make the route personal

The skipper may suggest additional bays along the way. These locations are not easy to find on a map, and that is part of their appeal. They are not presented as guaranteed named attractions, so the exact stops can change.

For me, this is one of the strongest reasons to book privately. A fixed cruise can show you the headline sights, but a private skipper can respond to the day. If the group wants more swimming, the boat can pause. If everyone has had enough sun, you can spend more time ashore or move on.

There is also a practical side to this flexibility. You should ask at the start how the skipper sees the timing: Šunj, the first cove, Luka Šipanska, Sikirica, Koločep, the Blue Cave, and the return to Dubrovnik all need to fit into eight hours.

What the $500 price really covers

At $500 per person, this is a premium outing. The price includes private speedboat transport, an English-speaking skipper, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, beer, soda, and towels. Those inclusions reduce the number of extra purchases you need during the day.

Fuel is not included and is paid on the spot at the end of the tour. Since no fuel estimate is provided, ask for the likely additional amount before booking. That is the most important price question, because the final cost is higher than the advertised per-person figure.

Lunch is also separate. You can eat at a local beach bar in Luka Šipanska, but the meal cost is your responsibility. Drinks are listed as included, though you should confirm what quantity is supplied if your group expects to drink throughout the day.

The tour is good value for a group that wants a private boat and a flexible route. It is less attractive if you only want one beach and a short swim. In that case, a shared boat trip or a shorter outing could cost less and still meet your needs.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this tour to couples, families, and groups of friends who agree that time on the water is the main attraction. It suits people who want several swims in one day rather than a long historical talk or a packed land itinerary.

It is also a strong choice for mixed groups. Someone can snorkel while someone else sunbathes. Someone can explore Luka Šipanska while another person enjoys a drink. The private boat gives the group room to make those choices without inconveniencing strangers.

You should think twice if you dislike speedboat travel, prolonged sun exposure, or rocky and pebbly beaches. You also need to be comfortable paying extra for fuel and lunch. The day is built around water access, so it is not the right pick for someone who wants a mostly land-based island visit.

The tour has a 5 out of 5 rating based on four verified bookings, with particular praise for the boat, the guide, and the skipper’s willingness to adjust the itinerary. That matches the practical strength of this outing: it is less about ticking off formal sights and more about having a capable skipper shape a good day at sea.

Practical preparation for eight hours at sea

Pack sunscreen and reapply it often. Bring a hat, swimwear, beachwear, and any personal snacks you want, even though water and several drinks are supplied.

Use a waterproof bag for phones and valuables. The supplied details do not state whether the boat has secure storage, so it is sensible to keep belongings compact and protected.

Wear something easy to change in and out of. You will move between boat, beach, port, and swimming spots. Beach footwear may help at Koločep, where the beaches are rocky or pebbly.

Finally, tell the skipper what matters most before leaving Dubrovnik. Say if your group wants more time at Šunj, a longer lunch in Luka Šipanska, extra snorkeling, or a slower pace at Koločep. The private format is most valuable when you use it.

Should you book the Elaphite Islands speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a full private day of swimming, snorkeling, island scenery, and quiet coves, and if your group is comfortable with the $500 per-person price plus fuel and lunch. The mix of sandy Šunj, lightly populated Šipan, turquoise Sikirica Bay, and Koločep’s Blue Cave gives the day useful variety.

Skip it if you are looking for the cheapest way to see the islands or if you want a detailed cultural tour on land. For the right group, the private boat, included drinks and equipment, and flexible stops make this a strong Dubrovnik day trip. Just confirm the fuel cost and agree on your priorities with the skipper before setting out.

FAQ

How long is the Elaphite Islands tour?

The tour lasts eight hours.

What time does the tour begin?

The private skipper meets you at 10 am.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but you can eat or have drinks at a local beach bar in Luka Šipanska.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel is paid separately on the spot at the end of the tour.

Is the tour private?

Yes. The tour uses private speedboat transportation and is offered for a private group.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

What drinks are included?

The tour includes bottled water, alcoholic beverages, beer, and soda or pop.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, sunscreen, and beachwear. Towels are provided.