Private Full-Day Tour of Elaphiti Islands by Speedboat

The best part of this private boat day is the freedom to shape it as you go. You can swim at Šunj Beach, stop in quiet bays that are hard to find from land, and spend as much time as you like in the water instead of following a crowded group schedule. I especially like the mix of sandy Lopud, sleepy Šipan, and the rocky coves of Koločep.

I also like the human touch. Skippers such as Ivan, Nick, Luka, and Niko are praised for helping with lunch plans, guiding nervous swimmers into the water, and adjusting the pace for children and older family members. The main drawback is cost: at $1,023.50 for up to eight people, plus fuel, this is a splurge unless you fill the boat.

Key points to know before you book

• Three very different islands: Sandy Šunj, quiet Šipan, and nature-focused Koločep each offer a distinct feel.
• A private, flexible day: Your group can choose when to swim, stop for photos, eat, or stay aboard.
• Several swimming stops: The route includes a hidden bay, Sikirica Bay, and the Blue Cave area.
• A strong family option: Skippers have helped young children and non-swimmers enjoy the sea safely.
• Lunch is not included: You pay for food and drinks at your chosen stop, and the skipper can help arrange a table.
• Budget for fuel: The tour price does not cover fuel, with the stated surcharge varying by boat.

Why this private boat day works so well from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is famous for its walls and old stone streets, but the view from the sea gives you a different sense of the region. The Elaphiti Islands sit just offshore, close enough for a full-day outing but far enough to feel removed from the city.

This is not a rigid sightseeing circuit. You have a private speedboat and skipper for roughly eight hours, with room to change the order or linger at a favorite swimming spot. That matters because the best moments on the Adriatic are often simple ones: a quiet cove, a short swim, or a cold drink while the boat rocks at anchor.

The standard day begins around 9:30 or 10 am and returns around 6 pm. Pickup can be arranged from your accommodation if it is far from the nearest speedboat mooring. Confirm the exact meeting point before the day, especially if you are staying outside central Dubrovnik.

The boat carries bottled water, beer, soft drinks, towels, and snorkeling equipment. A shaded canopy and a sunbathing area are also mentioned in the boat details. Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a dry bag for phones and cameras.

Šunj Beach gives the morning a soft start

Your first major stop is Šunj Beach on Lopud, reached after about 40 minutes through the Elaphiti Channel. The ride itself is part of the pleasure. You get open views of the islands and a fast, breezy run across the water.

Šunj is unusual for this coast because it has sand. Much of the Dubrovnik area has rocky or pebbly swimming spots, so this beach offers a change of texture and an easier place to wade into the sea. You have about an hour and a half here for swimming, sunbathing, or a drink.

I would use this first stop to settle into the day rather than rush around. The beach is likely to be the most conventional stop on the route, so it may feel less secluded than the later coves. Still, it is a good choice for families and anyone who prefers sand underfoot.

If your group includes children, this is also a practical early swim. You can enjoy the beach before the day moves toward smaller bays and boat-only stops.

Šipan brings a slower island pace

From Lopud, the boat heads toward Šipan, the largest of the Elaphiti Islands. Before reaching Luka Šipanska, the skipper plans a short stop in a quiet bay for swimming, snorkeling, or photos.

This small pause is important because it shows what makes a private boat trip different from a simple ferry ride. You are not only visiting a port. You are also getting chances to stop where the water looks inviting, even if the place has no obvious name on a map.

Luka Šipanska is one of only two inhabited settlements on Šipan. About 200 people live on the island, so the port has a small-community feel rather than a resort-town mood. You can walk around, look at traditional boats, browse the little bays, or sit at a local beach bar.

You have about three hours in this part of the day, including the approach and the time in the bay. That gives you the most breathing room for lunch. Food is not included, but the skipper may help you arrange a table. Past outings have included family-run restaurants and grilled seafood, with choices for meat and vegetable dishes too.

This is where you should ask for local advice. Skippers Ivan and Niko have been praised for suggesting relaxed places to eat, while Ivan has also helped arrange lunch reservations at short notice. You should still confirm the meal plan and payment arrangements directly, since the restaurant cost is separate from the boat price.

Šipan is less about checking off a sight and more about giving you time to slow down. If you want a long lunch and a short walk, this is the best stop. If your group wants constant swimming, tell the skipper early so the schedule can lean more toward the water.

Sikirica Bay is a quiet water stop

After Šipan, the route continues toward Koločep, with a stop at Sikirica Bay. The location is difficult to identify on a map, which is part of its appeal. You are going there for clear turquoise water, snorkeling, photos, and time off the boat.

The stop is flexible. You can jump from the boat, use the snorkeling gear, or try a sea scooter if one is available for your outing. The information supplied for the tour specifically mentions the option of using a sea scooter, but you should confirm its availability when booking.

Sikirica is a good example of why this trip costs more than a basic island transfer. The boat is not simply taking you from port to port. It is giving you access to small coves where you can swim without having to locate them yourself.

There is also a practical point here: the more your day centers on swimming, the more useful the boat’s towels, drinks, shade, and snorkeling equipment become. If you prefer to stay dry, you can remain aboard and enjoy the scenery, but this section clearly favors people who want time in the sea.

Koločep and the Blue Cave finish the island route

Koločep is smaller and quieter than Šipan, with fewer than 150 residents. The island is described as especially empty in winter, while summer brings the main activity. Its shore is rocky or pebbly, and the water is a major reason to stop.

The highlight is the Blue Cave, where you can take photos and swim. The skipper may guide you toward the cave, which can be useful if you are unsure about entering. One family outing included help for a non-swimmer who wanted to take part, and another had the captain guide swimmers into the cave with masks.

That kind of support matters, but you should still be honest about your swimming ability before setting out. This is a boat-based day with repeated water stops, not a sightseeing cruise where you remain on deck. If you are not comfortable in open water, ask about life jackets, staying near the boat, and the safest way to approach the cave.

Koločep gives the final island stop a wilder feel. There are no grand town sights to visit. Instead, you get clean water, small beaches, rocky edges, and time to sit in the sun. The Blue Cave is photogenic, but the real value is the combination of cave, water, and quiet shoreline.

The skipper makes the difference

A private boat tour depends heavily on the person at the wheel. The supplied names include Nick, Ivan, Luka, and Niko, though your assigned skipper may be different.

The strongest pattern is flexibility. Ivan is praised for allowing a group to choose how long to stay in each place, while Niko is described as relaxed with children and willing to keep the day moving at an easy pace. Nick helped a non-swimmer take part without pressure, and Luka offered suggestions for swimming and sightseeing.

That does not mean every day will be identical. Your skipper will have to work with sea conditions, timing, restaurant availability, and the interests of your group. A private booking gives you a better chance of adjusting the day, but it does not guarantee that every requested stop will be possible.

Tell the skipper what matters most at the start. You might say that your group wants more swimming, a long lunch, quiet coves, or a slower pace for children. Clear priorities make the eight hours work better.

The boat itself is another strong point. It is described as clean and carefully maintained, with a cooler stocked with water, beer, and soft drinks. The canopy gives you shade, while the open area lets you sit in the sun. These details matter on a long summer day when you are alternating between hot sun, salt water, and fast boat rides.

What the $1,023.50 price really buys you

The listed price is $1,023.50 per group of up to eight people. If eight people share the boat, that works out to about $128 per person before fuel and lunch. For two people, the same price is much harder to justify.

The value comes from privacy and flexibility. You are paying for a full boat, a skipper, drinks, snorkeling equipment, private transport, and the ability to shape the day around your own group. A busy family or group of friends can get good value from that arrangement, especially if several people want to swim while others prefer to sit in the shade.

The price does not include lunch, and fuel is extra. The tour details give two different fuel figures: the extra charge is listed as €100 per booking in one place, while the fuller note says fuel generally costs about €150 to €200 depending on the boat. Treat the higher range as the safer budget figure and confirm the exact amount before paying.

This is not the right pick for someone seeking the cheapest way to see the islands. Public boats or shared excursions may cost less, though they will not give you the same control over stops and timing. For a birthday, family day, or group trip where everyone wants a private boat, the added cost can make sense.

Who should book this Elaphiti Islands tour

I would recommend it most strongly to a group of friends or family members who can share the fixed price. It suits people who want several swims, scenic boat rides, and a local lunch without packing every minute into a strict schedule.

It is also a good option for families. The skipper can adjust the day for children, and the boat offers shade, drinks, towels, and a place to rest between swims. Parents should note that the route includes open-water swimming and a cave, so children need close supervision.

The tour can work for mixed groups too. One person can sunbathe on board, another can snorkel, and someone else can explore a port or take a long lunch. That range of choices is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private boat.

I would think twice if you dislike speedboat travel, want extensive walking, or prefer a fixed cultural program. The focus here is the sea, swimming, coves, beaches, and relaxed island time. Šipan provides the main chance for a walk and local atmosphere, but this is not a history tour.

Bring a swimsuit, a hat, sunscreen, and a waterproof case. Wear something comfortable for getting in and out of the boat. Since lunch and fuel are separate, carry a payment method for those costs and ask about the final fuel charge ahead of time.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you have a full group, want a private skipper, and care more about swimming in beautiful places than following a fixed sightseeing plan. The mix of sandy Šunj, quiet Šipan, Sikirica Bay, Koločep, and the Blue Cave gives you a full day with plenty of variety.

The strongest reason to book is the skipper-led flexibility. The main warning is the price, especially for one or two people, plus fuel and lunch. If your group can share the cost and you are happy spending much of the day on or in the water, this is one of the more personal ways to see the Elaphiti Islands from Dubrovnik.

FAQ

How long is the private Elaphiti Islands tour?

The tour lasts about eight hours. The stated start time is around 9:30 am, with the speedboat departure described as about 10 am. A full day generally returns around 6 pm.

How many people can join the boat?

The private tour is priced for a group of up to eight people. Only your group participates in the activity.

What islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Lopud, where Šunj Beach is located, Šipan, and Koločep. It also includes several smaller bays and swimming areas.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included. You have free time for food and drinks in Luka Šipanska, and the skipper may help you arrange a local restaurant.

Is fuel included?

No. Fuel is paid separately at the end of the tour. The stated information gives an approximate cost of €150 to €200 depending on the boat, while another price note lists €100 per booking, so confirm the exact surcharge before departure.

Are snorkeling items provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. The route also includes stops for swimming and snorkeling, including Sikirica Bay and the Blue Cave area.

Can the skipper pick me up from my accommodation?

Pickup can be offered if your accommodation is far from the closest speedboat mooring. You should contact the provider to arrange a transfer.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.