Private Full-Day Tour of Elaphiti Islands by Speedboat

The best Dubrovnik days happen offshore. This private speedboat trip links Šunj Beach, Šipan, and Koločep with quiet coves, swimming stops, and the Blue Cave, while your skipper adjusts the pace to suit your group. I especially like the choice of a rare sandy beach and the freedom to stop for a swim whenever the water looks inviting. The main catch is cost: $1,023.50 covers up to eight people, but fuel is extra, and the published fuel figures are not fully consistent.

You get bottled water, beer, soft drinks, snorkeling gear, and private transport, so this is more than a simple boat ride from one island to another. Skippers such as Ivan, Nick, Niko, and Luka have been praised for their friendly care, family skills, and local suggestions. Still, the day depends on good weather, and the speedboat format may feel too exposed or fast for anyone who prefers a slow ferry.

At a glance: what makes this boat day special

• Three Elaphiti Islands in one day: Visit Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep without juggling ferry times.
• A real sandy beach: Šunj Beach offers a softer shore than the rocky and pebbly beaches common along this coast.
• Swimming stops chosen on the day: Sikirica Bay and other small coves provide clear water and fewer people.
• A private group of up to eight: You can shape the pace, choose how long to swim, and ask for local food suggestions.
• Blue Cave on Koločep: Swim, snorkel, and take photos inside one of the day’s most atmospheric stops.
• Useful onboard extras: Water, beer, soda, towels, shade, and snorkeling equipment make the long day easier.

Why a private speedboat works well from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik’s old town gets most of the attention, but the sea is where the region begins to feel spacious. The Elaphiti Islands sit just offshore, close enough for a day trip yet different from the city’s stone streets and busy viewpoints.

A private boat lets you avoid the rigid pattern of a public excursion. You are not simply dropped at an island and told when to return. Your skipper can stop in a quiet bay, pause for a swim, or suggest a different lunch plan. That flexibility matters most when your group has mixed interests. One person can sunbathe, another can snorkel, and children can stay on the boat with drinks and shade.

The boat carries up to eight people, which makes the $1,023.50 group price easier to understand. Split eight ways, the base cost is about $128 per person before fuel, though your final amount depends on the exchange rate and the number in your party. For two or three people, it becomes a major splurge. For a full group that wants a private day, the value is much better than paying separate fares for several activities.

Fuel is extra, and this is important to clarify before you go. The tour information gives an estimated fuel surcharge of about €150 to €200 depending on the boat, while another price note lists €100 per booking. Ask Blue Mile Dubrovnik for the current amount and boat choice before confirming. A surprise charge at the end is easy to avoid with one direct question.

Starting through the Elaphiti Channel

The listed start time is 9:30 a.m., while the day’s route describes the skipper meeting you at 10 a.m. Pickup can be arranged from your accommodation if you are far from the nearest speedboat mooring, so confirm the exact meeting point and departure time in advance.

Once underway, the ride through the Elaphiti Channel becomes part of the attraction. You will see the coast from water level, with the city gradually giving way to open sea and island shores. A speedboat gets you to the first stop in roughly 40 minutes, leaving plenty of time for the islands themselves.

This is not a quiet wooden boat cruise. The speedboat is built to cover distance and reach small bays, so expect wind, spray, and a brisk ride. Bring sun protection and secure anything loose. The boat has shaded areas and a place for sunbathing, but you should still plan for strong exposure during an eight-hour day.

Šunj Beach on Lopud: one hour on soft sand

The first major stop is Šunj Beach on Lopud, reached after about 40 minutes. The beach is unusual for this part of Croatia because sandy shores are rare along the coast. That alone makes it a useful first stop, especially if your group wants a change from stone platforms and pebbles.

You have about an hour here. Swim, order a drink, or simply lie back and enjoy the setting. The short visit gives you a taste of Lopud without using the whole day on one island.

I like the way Šunj balances comfort and scenery. Some island stops are mainly about looking at the water. Here, you get a proper beach break. It is also a good place for children who prefer sand underfoot, though the tour details do not promise a specific set of beach facilities or reserved seating. If your group wants a long lunch or an extended beach session, this stop may feel brief.

The route may also include other coves around Lopud. Several stops are described as difficult to locate on a map, which is precisely where the skipper adds value. You are not just following the most obvious points along the coast.

Šipan and Luka Šipanska: a slower island hour

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

You can jump straight from the boat into clear water, or stay aboard and enjoy the view. That choice is useful for a mixed group. Not everyone wants to swim after a fast boat ride, and one of the strongest practical points from the feedback is the skipper’s care with different comfort levels. Nick, for example, helped a father who could not swim feel safe in the water and guided him toward the cave and around the islands on a paddleboard.

Luka Šipanska is one of only two inhabited places on the island. Around 200 people live on the island, so the port offers a much quieter sense of local life than Dubrovnik. You get roughly three hours here, including time for lunch, drinks, and a walk.

This is the longest stop, and rightly so. You can wander around the harbor, see traditional boats, look into small bays, and eat at a local beach bar or restaurant. Several skipper recommendations led groups to family-run seafood restaurants, with grilled fish, vegetables, meat options, and local white wine. One meal included scorpion fish cooked over a wood-fired grill.

Lunch is not included, so carry enough money and tell your skipper what kind of meal you want. The skippers have helped arrange tables, but restaurant availability can change. If lunch matters to you, ask early in the day rather than waiting until everyone is hungry.

Šipan is also where the tour feels least rushed. You have time to step off the boat and walk, not just swim and climb back aboard. That makes it a good center point for the day.

Sikirica Bay and Koločep’s clear water

From Šipan, the route continues toward Koločep, with a stop at Sikirica Bay. The cove is described as hard to locate on a map, which helps explain its appeal. It is a swim-first stop, with snorkeling and even a sea scooter available according to the tour details.

The water here is noted for its turquoise color, but the real pleasure is the pause itself. You can jump in, look below the surface, or stay on the boat while the skipper handles the timing. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins.

Koločep is the smallest of the three islands on this route and has fewer than 150 residents. During winter, it is almost empty. Beaches are rocky or pebbly, and the shore feels clean and undeveloped compared with a city beach.

Do not expect a broad sandy beach here. Bring footwear that suits stones and pebbles if you plan to walk into the water. Koločep is better for clear sea, quiet coves, and a feeling of open space than for a traditional beach afternoon.

The island is often described as a natural oasis, but the useful point for you is simple: this is the stop where the day feels least urban. After the harbor life of Šipan and the sand of Lopud, Koločep changes the mood again.

The Blue Cave: a memorable final swim

The Blue Cave is one of Koločep’s main attractions. You can swim, snorkel, and take photos inside, with the cave walls providing a dramatic background.

Caves can look intimidating when you first approach them from the water. That is why a capable skipper matters. Ivan was praised for getting into the water and guiding swimmers toward the Blue Cave, while Nick patiently supported a non-swimmer during the cave visit. You should still be comfortable with the conditions on the day, but having a skipper close by can make the experience feel more manageable.

The cave stop is not presented as a long formal visit with a guide and lecture. It is a hands-on water stop. You swim in, take pictures, and enjoy the light and rock around you. If your group includes confident swimmers, this may be the highlight. If someone is uneasy in open water, make that clear at the start so the skipper can plan around it.

The route also allows time for sunbathing and more snorkeling before returning to Dubrovnik. In practice, the exact balance between cave time, swimming, and extra coves depends on your group and the sea conditions.

Skippers, service, and the family factor

The strongest part of this tour is not a particular drink in the cooler or a single photo stop. It is the skipper’s role in shaping the day.

Ivan is repeatedly praised for being friendly, considerate, and good with children. Niko is described as relaxed, warm, and comfortable with four children aged 8 to 12. Nick received special praise for helping a non-swimmer feel included. Luka was thanked for good sightseeing and swimming suggestions.

These details matter because a private boat day can feel awkward if the skipper treats the route as a fixed script. Here, the better approach is to tell your skipper what your group wants. Say if you prefer more swimming, more walking, a longer lunch, or quieter coves. The day can then feel personal instead of simply private in name.

Onboard supplies include bottled water, beer, soda, and snorkeling equipment. Fresh towels, a stocked cooler, shaded seating, and a sunbathing area were also provided on some trips. The listed inclusions specifically confirm water, beer, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, and private transport. Towels and other comforts may depend on the boat, so ask if they matter to you.

Who will get the most from this $1,023.50 trip

This tour suits a group that wants a full day on the water without sharing the boat with strangers. Families benefit from the flexible pace, especially when children want repeated swims or need a break in the shade.

It also fits couples or friends who care more about private time and secluded bays than keeping the price low. A full group of six to eight gets the strongest value from the flat group price. You can split the base cost among your party and enjoy a route that would be difficult to reproduce with public boats.

The trip is less suitable if you want a cheap island transfer, a structured historical tour, or a guaranteed long beach stay. The emphasis is on water, scenery, small coves, food suggestions, and time on the boat. The tour is offered in English, and most people can participate, with service animals allowed.

Because the experience requires good weather, keep a little flexibility in your Dubrovnik schedule. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that window are not accepted.

Practical choices before you book

Wear swimwear under light clothing and bring sun protection. You will likely spend much of the day exposed to sun and sea spray, even with shaded areas on the boat.

Ask these questions before paying:

• Is pickup available from your hotel, and where exactly will the boat meet you?
• Is the start time 9:30 or 10 a.m. for your booking?
• Which boat will you receive?
• What is the current fuel charge, given the different figures listed?
• Should the skipper reserve lunch, and is the restaurant on Lopud or Šipan?
• Are towels and a sea scooter available on your specific boat?

The tour includes no admission fees for the island stops, but lunch is not included. Budget for food and drinks on shore, plus the fuel surcharge. If you have a non-swimmer, young children, or someone who dislikes speedboats, say so before departure. The skipper can then make better choices about stops and water time.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands speedboat tour?

Book it if your ideal Dubrovnik day includes clear water, quiet bays, a sandy beach, a local island lunch, and the freedom to set the pace. The private format is especially worthwhile for six to eight people, families, and groups with different swimming abilities.

Skip it if the price is too high for your party, if you want a slow ferry ride, or if you would rather spend the day walking through towns and historic sites. Remember to confirm the fuel surcharge and departure time before booking.

For the right group, this is a generous day out: three islands, several swims, the Blue Cave, cold drinks, and a skipper who can turn a standard route into your own day on the Adriatic.

FAQ

How long is the private Elaphiti Islands tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours. The listed route begins around 9:30 or 10 a.m., so confirm your exact departure time when booking.

Which islands does the speedboat visit?

The route includes Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep. Stops include Šunj Beach, Luka Šipanska, Sikirica Bay, the Blue Cave, and other small bays.

Is pickup from my accommodation available?

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

Is fuel included in the tour price?

No. Fuel is paid separately at the end of the tour. The supplied information gives estimates ranging from €100 to about €150 to €200 depending on the boat, so confirm the current charge before booking.

What is included onboard?

The tour includes bottled water, beer, soda, private transportation, and snorkeling equipment. Towels, shaded areas, and a stocked cooler were also provided on some described trips, so ask about your specific boat.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.