Full- Day Private Speedboat Tour in Dubrovnik on Elaphiti Islands

The best part of this private speedboat tour is its freedom. You can move from cave snorkeling to a sandy beach, then to old villages and quiet swimming spots without being tied to a large group’s pace. Captain Maro knows the area well, and that local familiarity matters when your day depends on sea conditions and timing.

I like the mix of three islands and several swimming stops, especially the Blue Cave, Kolocep’s Green Caves, and Sikirica Cove. I also like the simple pricing for a group: $611.46 for up to eight people, with fuel, drinks, snacks, taxes, and snorkeling gear included. The main consideration is the long day and the extra cost of lunch, which you buy yourself at Šunj or Lopud.

Key points to know before you book

• Three Elaphiti Islands in one day: Visit Kolocep, Lopud, and Šipan, with stops along the mainland coast near Brsečine.
• Blue Cave and Green Caves: Snorkel inside several sea caves rather than only viewing them from the boat.
• Two hours at Šunj Beach: Enjoy one of the Dubrovnik region’s best-known sandy beaches, with swimming, walking, food, and coffee.
• Three hours on Lopud: Leave time for the Franciscan Monastery, botanical garden shade, swimming, and lunch.
• Private group of up to eight: You share the boat only with your own group, which makes the schedule more flexible.
• Useful inclusions: Snorkeling equipment, drinks, snacks, fuel, and all fees are covered, but lunch is not.

Why this private Dubrovnik boat day works well

Dubrovnik’s old town can feel crowded, especially in the warmer months. The Elaphiti Islands offer a different kind of day: open water, small bays, sea caves, sandy shorelines, and old island villages. You still see plenty, but the focus shifts from stone walls and city streets to swimming and time outdoors.

This is not a quick island transfer. At about 8 hours and 30 minutes, it gives you room to stop often. The schedule includes short sightseeing legs, longer beach and island visits, and several chances to get into the water.

The private setup is the key advantage. Up to eight people can book together, and nobody outside your party joins the boat. That helps if some people want to snorkel while others prefer a shaded walk, or if you want to spend more time at Lopud and less time at a swimming cove.

You should still think of this as an active sea day. You will board a speedboat, spend time in the sun, and get in and out of the water several times. If your ideal holiday outing involves a slow, shaded boat ride with little activity, this may feel too busy.

Sailing west from Dubrovnik

The outing begins at Dubrovnik’s main port. The first 15 minutes are given to sailing out and viewing the western coast of Dubrovnik on the way toward Kolocep.

That opening ride is useful because it lets you see the city from the water before the island stops begin. The view changes quickly as you leave the port, and you get a different sense of Dubrovnik’s coastal setting than you do from the old town walls.

The first and final portions of the day are short sightseeing cruises, not major stops. I would treat them as scenic transitions rather than part of the main activity. Keep your camera ready, but save your energy for the caves and beaches.

Snorkeling inside the Blue Cave

The Blue Cave stop lasts about 30 minutes. Here, you snorkel inside the cave rather than simply looking at it from a boat.

Cave stops are one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. The setting is more memorable than a standard beach visit, and the included snorkeling equipment means you do not need to bring your own mask and gear. Drinks and snacks are also included, which is handy during a day built around short swims.

Thirty minutes is enough for a focused stop, but it is not a long snorkeling session. You should expect time for getting ready, entering the water, looking around inside the cave, and returning to the boat. Sea conditions can affect how comfortable the stop feels, so keep your expectations practical.

Kolocep’s three Green Caves

The next stop is Kolocep, where you snorkel at three Green Caves for about 30 minutes. Seeing several caves in one stop gives this part of the day a different feel from the Blue Cave visit.

Kolocep is one of the Elaphiti Islands, and the cave visit is built around the water rather than a formal island tour. You will not spend much time walking here. Instead, the point is to swim, look into the caves, and enjoy the coast from sea level.

I like the way the two cave stops are placed early in the schedule. You get the most water-focused activities before the longer beach and village visits. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, these are the stops to prioritize.

Two hours at sandy Šunj Beach

Šunj Beach receives about two hours, making it one of the day’s most relaxed stops. It is known as the most famous sandy beach in the Dubrovnik region, which matters in a part of Croatia better known for rocky shores and clear swimming coves.

You can walk along the shallow sandy beach, swim, snorkel, or stop at the restaurant for food. You can also simply use the time to slow down after the cave visits. The shallow water makes a beach walk possible even if you are not eager to swim for long.

Lunch is not included, so Šunj is one place to buy a meal or snack at your own expense. Drinks and snacks from the tour are included, but do not confuse that with a full lunch. If you want to keep costs down, bring your own plan for food or use the included snacks to bridge the gap until Lopud.

Two hours sounds generous, but it goes quickly once you account for swimming, walking, changing, and eating. If you prefer a quiet beach day, this is the stop where you may wish the boat could linger longer. The private format gives the day a personal feel, but the published schedule still divides your time among many places.

Three hours to explore Lopud

Lopud gets the longest single visit, about three hours. It is described as the most popular tourist place in the Elaphiti Islands, and it gives you a chance to do more than swim.

You can walk through the settlement, visit the 15th-century Franciscan Monastery, and spend time in the shade of its botanical garden. You can also swim or dine at a local fish restaurant, with lunch paid separately.

This is the most varied stop of the day. The monastery adds cultural interest, while the garden offers a break from the sun. The waterfront and swimming options keep the visit from feeling like a purely historical detour.

I would plan your priorities before arriving. Three hours is enough to combine a walk, a look at the monastery, and lunch, but you may not want to do everything at a leisurely pace. If swimming is more important to you than sightseeing, make that clear to the captain early.

Lopud also provides the best chance to feel the character of an island community rather than simply visiting a beach. You get time to step off the boat, walk around, and choose how active the middle of your day should be.

Šipan and the old fishing village of Suđurađ

After Lopud, the boat continues to Šipan. The stop lasts about 30 minutes and includes sightseeing along the island’s south coast and a visit to Suđurađ, described as the oldest fishing village in the area.

This is a short visit, so expect a look at the coast and village rather than a long walking tour. The appeal is the change of pace. After caves, swimming, and beach time, Suđurađ gives you a brief glimpse of island life and the area’s fishing tradition.

If you like fitting several different experiences into one day, this stop earns its place. If you prefer long, unhurried visits, you may find 30 minutes too short. That tradeoff applies throughout the tour: you see a lot, but some stops are deliberately brief.

Sikirica Cove at Brsečine

The boat then reaches Sikirica Cove near Brsečine for another 30-minute snorkeling stop. It is presented as one of the best snorkeling places in the region.

This stop gives you another chance to get into the water after the longer visits to Šunj and Lopud. The cove setting should appeal to anyone who prefers a quieter swim away from the main beach areas.

Because snorkeling conditions can vary, bring a flexible attitude. The tour includes equipment, but your comfort and enjoyment will still depend on the sea, weather, and how much energy you have left late in the day. The advantage of a private boat is that your group can discuss the pace with the captain rather than being part of a large crowd.

A final secluded swim before Dubrovnik

The last activity stop is another 30-minute swim at a secluded beach near Brsečine. It is a simple finish, but a good one. After a day of caves, sightseeing, and island walking, you can use the final stop for one more swim without needing to make it a major event.

I like this closing swim because it avoids ending the day with only a ride back to port. You get a final chance to cool off before the return cruise. After that, the boat spends about 15 minutes returning to Dubrovnik while you view the western approach to the city from the water.

What the $611.46 group price really means

The price is $611.46 for a private group of up to eight people. At full capacity, that works out to about $76 per person, before any lunch or other personal spending.

That is solid value if you can fill the boat. You are paying for a full day, fuel, drinks, snacks, snorkeling equipment, taxes, and a private experience rather than a basic boat transfer. You also avoid the compromises that come with a large shared excursion.

The value drops if only one or two people book. The price remains per group, so a small party pays much more per person. For a family or group of friends, however, the private arrangement makes more financial sense.

Lunch is the main extra cost listed. You may buy food at Šunj or Lopud, and the tour does not include it. Plan for that separately rather than assuming the snacks replace a meal.

Who should book this Elaphiti Islands tour

I would recommend it most strongly to people who want a full day on the water and enjoy variety. You get caves, snorkeling, sandy beach time, island walking, a monastery, a fishing village, and secluded swimming in one outing.

It suits groups of friends, couples traveling together, and families who want their own boat. The private format is particularly useful when people in your group have different interests or swimming habits.

You should think twice if you dislike boats, hot sun, repeated water stops, or a packed sightseeing schedule. The day is long, and the itinerary covers several places. It is not designed for a single slow beach visit.

The tour also works best for people who can participate in ordinary boat and swimming activities. Service animals are allowed, the departure area is near public transportation, and most people can take part, but the tour data does not provide more detailed accessibility information.

Booking, timing, and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity is offered with a mobile ticket. The experience is booked, on average, about six days ahead, so I would not leave it until the last moment if your Dubrovnik dates are fixed.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local time.

Nauticstar Excursions operates the experience. Captain Maro is specifically associated with the tour, and the personal captain-led format is one of its most appealing features.

Should you book this private speedboat tour?

Book it if you want to see a broad slice of the Elaphiti Islands in one day and your group can share the $611.46 cost. The strongest reasons are the private boat, the Blue Cave and Green Caves, the long visit to Lopud, and the useful inclusions.

Skip it if you want a cheap shared excursion, a single quiet beach day, or a slow cultural tour with lots of time at one site. The schedule is active and ambitious.

For a group of up to eight that values flexibility, swimming, and a captain familiar with Dubrovnik’s coast, this is a well-rounded day away from the city.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private boat accommodates a group of up to eight people.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Kolocep, Lopud, and Šipan.

Does the tour include snorkeling equipment?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

Are drinks and snacks included?

Yes. Drinks and snacks are included in the tour price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is at your own expense, with opportunities to eat at Šunj Beach or Lopud.

What caves are included in the route?

The tour includes snorkeling inside the Blue Cave and three Green Caves on Kolocep.

How long is the stop at Šunj Beach?

The visit to Šunj Beach lasts about two hours.

Can I visit a monastery during the tour?

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

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted.