Rent a luxury speed boat for great fun on this Elaphiti Islands tour

Trade city streets for open water. This private Dubrovnik speedboat trip gives you a flexible way to see Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep, with time for swimming, caves, beaches, village walks, and island cafés. I like the small private format and the fact that your skipper can adjust the day around your group rather than following a fixed crowd schedule.

I also like the practical extras: pickup and drop-off, a fridge, sunshade, sundeck, drinks, and snorkeling equipment. The main consideration is price. At $842.05 for up to 12 people, it can be good value for a full group, but it becomes expensive if only two or three people book it. The sea can also make the ride bumpy in poor conditions.

Key points to know before booking

• Three very different islands: Lopud brings beaches and old stone lanes, Šipan offers village life and historic buildings, and Koločep is the best stop for swimming and sea caves.
• Flexible timing: The tour runs for about 4 to 8 hours, with roughly an hour at each island on the shorter plan.
• Private boat for up to 12 people: Your group stays together, and the schedule can be shaped around your swimming, sightseeing, and beach plans.
• Useful comforts included: Pickup, drop-off, water, soda, beer, white wine, snorkeling gear, a fridge, sunshade, and sundeck are provided.
• Skippers add much of the value: Josip, Frane, Mark, James, Luca, Philip, Frankie, Rocco, and others have been praised for friendly service, local tips, music, and flexibility.
• Bring your swimsuit: It is not included, and lunch, other personal spending, and some short-distance pickups are not covered.

Why this private boat trip works well from Dubrovnik

The Elaphiti Islands sit just off Dubrovnik, but they offer a very different day from the stone lanes and packed viewpoints of the old city. A speedboat lets you cover several islands without spending the day waiting for public ferries or returning to the same port between stops.

The private setup matters. You can spend longer at a beach, shorten a village stop, or ask to swim before sightseeing. The listed plan allows about an hour at Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep, but the operator says the timing depends on your chosen 4 or 8 hour option and your preferences.

That flexibility is especially useful for families and groups of friends. One person may want a café, another may want to swim, and someone else may prefer old churches or village lanes. A shared excursion rarely handles those competing wishes as easily.

The boat carries up to 12 people, so the value depends heavily on your group size. Split among 12, the listed price works out at roughly $70 per person before any personal spending. For six people, it is about $140 each. For a couple, it is a costly outing, though the privacy and direct control of the schedule may still appeal.

The overall rating is listed at 4.9 from 12 ratings, with 100 percent recommending the experience. The strongest praise centers on the captains, the relaxed service, the swimming stops, and the chance to visit several places in one day.

Getting on the boat at Yacht Club Orsan

The stated meeting point is Yacht Club Orsan at Ul. Ivana pl. Zajca 4 in Dubrovnik. Pickup and drop-off are available by air-conditioned minivan or car, but you need to contact the company to arrange the details. Viber and WhatsApp are supported.

Do not assume every nearby address qualifies for pickup. Pickups less than 1 kilometer from the starting point are not included, so confirm the arrangement before you go.

On board, you have a sunshade, fridge, and sundeck. Water and soda are provided, along with beer and white wine. That makes the boat comfortable for a warm half-day or full-day outing, though you should bring your own swimsuit and ask about food if you need more than drinks.

The boat is a speedboat, not a slow sightseeing vessel. That means you reach the islands quickly, but the ride can feel rough when the sea is unsettled. One account specifically notes a bumpy ride in poor weather. If you are sensitive to motion, choose the shortest suitable outing, sit where the movement is easiest for you, and check the forecast.

Lopud: sandy Šunj Beach and old island paths

Lopud is usually the most immediately appealing stop for a first visit. It has sandy beaches, rocky paths, olive groves, vineyards, old stone houses, and wooded areas that give the island a quieter feel than Dubrovnik.

The famous beach is Šunj, a sensible place to spend time if swimming and relaxing are your priorities. A local legend says that couples who bathe there will never part. Treat that as island folklore, but the beach itself is a practical reason to include Lopud in the route.

The island also has more than 30 small churches, so you can add a short cultural walk if you would rather not spend the entire stop on the shore. The old houses and paths offer a good change of pace after the boat ride.

Lopud is also home to one of Europe’s oldest botanical gardens, according to the tour information. Another unusual attraction is the Temple of Sun, a small museum on a hill where changing shades and light effects mean each person may see something different.

You will find cocktail bars, restaurants, shops, homemade olive oil, wine, and traditional food on the island. That makes Lopud the easiest stop for combining a swim with a meal or drink, though personal purchases are your responsibility.

The time allowed here can be about one hour on the shorter plan, but the operator says your group can decide how long to stay according to the total tour length. If you want Šunj, a village walk, and the botanical garden, the 8 hour option makes more sense. Trying to fit everything into one brief stop would feel rushed.

Šipan: village life in Suđurađ

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands and offers a different kind of visit. Instead of focusing only on a beach, you can spend time in Suđurađ, an old fishing port with stone houses, small boats, and a slower local rhythm.

The island is known for its large number of olive trees and is associated with a Guinness World Records entry for the greatest number of olive trees on one island. Olive growing remains an important part of the island’s identity, and local olive oil is one of the useful products to look for during your stop.

Šipan also has strong links to Dubrovnik’s past. In the 15th century, Dubrovnik’s wealthiest families used the island as a summer retreat and built villas there. You can see the late-Gothic Rector’s Palace and remains of archbishops’ palaces, though the supplied tour details do not promise a formal guided visit inside them.

In Suđurađ, the 16th-century castle of the Stjepović-Skočibuha family is a major landmark. A defensive tower beside it recalls the period when island settlements needed protection from pirates.

This is the stop for people who want to see how an island community functions beyond beach tourism. You can have coffee in the old port, walk around, and look at the boats and stone buildings. The town is described as less commercialized because Šipan is farther from Dubrovnik, which gives the stop a more local feel.

That also means you should not expect a major resort district or a long list of organized attractions. Šipan’s appeal is its quiet setting and its connection to older island life. If your ideal boat trip means nonstop swimming, you may prefer more time at Koločep. If you want a port with character and a little history, Šipan earns its hour.

Koločep: clear water, caves, and a snorkeling break

Koločep is the strongest stop for water time. The sea is described as clear, with fish and seashells visible below the surface. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, so you do not need to pack your own mask and gear.

The island has caves and high cliffs, giving the skipper several ways to shape the stop around your group. You may spend time snorkeling, swimming from a beach, or exploring the shoreline. The tour information also describes a short beach break and the chance to see the underwater area around Koločep.

The villages of Gornje Čelo and Donje Čelo provide a short walk away from the water. Both are presented as typical Mediterranean settlements in southern Dalmatia, with pine trees, olive trees, and small coastal paths.

Koločep is associated with about 250 sunny days per year, though that figure should not replace a proper weather check for your date. The experience is weather dependent, and the company may offer another date or a full refund if poor conditions force a cancellation.

Some bookings have also included a blue cave stop. Because the detailed route here names Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep rather than guaranteeing a blue cave, ask the operator if that feature is part of your chosen plan. This is a good example of why a private trip benefits from a conversation before departure.

What the skippers add to the day

The captain can make or break a boat tour, and the strongest feedback here focuses on the crew. Josip is praised for combining local facts with a fun personality. Frane is described as friendly, energetic, and helpful. Mark is praised for explaining the stops and making sure the group had the information it needed.

James received positive comments for showing different islands and for a blue cave visit. Luca is noted for being flexible during a 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. trip, including time at a beach for relaxing and eating. Philip handled driving, guiding, and music, which gave his outing a more social feel.

Frankie is praised for making good use of local knowledge, while Rocco is described as easygoing and willing to take the group to good places. These names are useful when you contact the operator, though you should not assume a particular skipper will be assigned to your booking.

The pattern is clear: this is not just transport between islands. The skipper’s judgment helps decide when to swim, where to stop, and how much time to give each place. The service appears to be friendly rather than formal, which suits a private day on the water.

Choosing between four and eight hours

The 4 hour option works best if you want a compact outing with a swim and a quick look at two or three islands. You will have less time for long walks, relaxed coffee, beach lounging, and several snorkeling sessions.

The 8 hour plan is better for a full Elaphiti Islands day. It gives you breathing room at Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep, and it leaves space for the boat ride itself without making every stop feel like a timed appointment.

An important benefit is that the boat trip does not consume your entire evening. The stated duration is about 4 to 8 hours, so you can return to Dubrovnik with the rest of the day free. That makes it easier to pair with a separate dinner or evening walk in the city.

I would choose four hours for a first taste of the islands when your schedule is tight. I would choose eight hours for a group that wants swimming, sightseeing, a beach break, and the freedom to linger.

Who should book this experience

This trip suits families, couples, and friend groups who value privacy and control over a fixed group schedule. Children can participate, but they must be accompanied by adults.

It is especially useful for people staying in Dubrovnik who want more than a quick ferry visit. The boat combines nature, swimming, village life, and historic sites without requiring you to organize several separate journeys.

The tour is less suitable if you are traveling alone or as a couple on a tight budget. The group price is easiest to justify when divided among several people. It may also be a poor fit if you dislike speedboats, rough water, or changing plans around the weather.

Most people can participate, but you should report specific requirements when booking. The experience is offered in English, and a mobile ticket is provided.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands speedboat tour?

I would book this tour if you have a group of at least six people and want a private day that mixes swimming with island culture. The best parts are the flexible timing, the three contrasting islands, the included drinks and snorkeling equipment, and the skipper’s ability to adjust the day.

Choose the 8 hour version if you want the full experience, especially with Šunj Beach, village walks, snorkeling, and a relaxed port stop. Choose four hours if you mainly want open water, a beach, and a quick escape from Dubrovnik.

Before paying, confirm the pickup point, the assigned skipper, the exact route, and whether a blue cave stop is included. Also bring a swimsuit, plan for personal spending, and check the weather. With those details clear, this is a strong private option for seeing the Elaphiti Islands without giving up your own pace.

FAQ

How much does the private speedboat tour cost?

The price is $842.05 per group of up to 12 people. The cost per person becomes lower as more people join your private group.

How long does the tour last?

You can choose an outing of approximately 4 to 8 hours. The shorter plan generally allows about an hour at each of the three listed islands, while the longer plan gives you more flexibility.

Which islands are included?

The listed route includes Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep. Stops and timing can depend on the length of your tour and your group’s preferences.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup and drop-off are provided by air-conditioned minivan or car. You must contact the company to arrange pickup, and pickups less than 1 kilometer from the starting point are not included.

What drinks and equipment are included?

The boat provides bottled water, soda, beer, and white wine. Snorkeling equipment, a sunshade, a fridge, and a sundeck are also included.

Do I need to bring a swimsuit?

Yes. A swimsuit is not included, so you should bring your own if you plan to swim or snorkel.

Can children join the tour?

Yes, children can participate, but they must be accompanied by adults. The tour allows a maximum of 12 people per booking.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the company cancels because of poor conditions, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.