Dubrovnik: Elaphite Islands Private Speedboat Full-Day Tour

Skip the crowded ferry routine. This private Dubrovnik speedboat tour takes you to Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep in eight hours, with time for sandy beaches, small bays, swimming, snorkeling, and a local island lunch. I like the freedom to shape the day around your interests, and I like that the skipper includes several lesser-known swimming stops instead of rushing only between the main islands. The main consideration is cost: at $500 per person, plus fuel paid at the end, this is a serious splurge.

The private format is the key advantage. You can spend longer swimming at Šunj, skip a stop that does not appeal to you, or ask for more time in a quiet bay. The schedule begins at 10 am, so it gives you a relaxed morning start, but eight hours on a boat still means you should bring proper sun protection and be comfortable with a full day outdoors.

Key Points to Know Before You Book

• Šunj Beach offers rare sand: Spend about an hour on Lopud at one of the coast’s uncommon sandy beaches.
• The route includes three Elaphite Islands: Visit Lopud, larger Šipan, and peaceful Koločep in one private outing.
• Swimming stops are flexible: The skipper can pause in hidden bays for snorkeling, photos, swimming, or a sea scooter.
• Luka Šipanska feels genuinely local: With only about 200 people living on the island, the port offers a quiet break for lunch and a walk.
• Blue Cave is the final scenic stop: Koločep brings rocky and pebbly beaches, clear water, and a photogenic cave.
• Fuel is extra: The advertised price covers the private boat and many onboard items, but fuel is paid separately at the end.

Why This Private Boat Day Works Well

The Elaphite Islands sit just off Dubrovnik, but they offer a useful change of pace from the old city’s stone streets and busy waterfront. On this trip, the boat itself becomes your transport, swimming platform, and shaded place to rest between stops.

I especially like the private setup because the islands are best enjoyed at an unhurried pace. You are not tied to a large group’s timetable. If you want to swim longer, take pictures, or simply sit on the boat while the skipper chooses a quiet stretch of water, the day can adjust around you.

The itinerary is also well balanced. You get a sandy beach, a small island port, several swim stops, and a cave. That variety matters. An entire day spent only on beaches can feel repetitive, while a day spent only moving between islands can leave you wishing for more time in the water.

The strongest practical feature is the skipper’s ability to work with your preferences. A previous booking specifically praised how the itinerary could be adjusted around what the group wanted to see. That makes this a better choice for families, couples, or friends with different ideas about the perfect boat day.

The tradeoff is price. At $500 per person, the tour is much more expensive than a standard shared boat trip. You are paying for privacy, flexibility, an English-speaking skipper, and a full day on the water. Since fuel is not included, ask for the current fuel charge before departure so the final cost is clear.

Leaving Dubrovnik at 10 am

Your skipper waits at the agreed meeting point at 10 am, and the boat heads through the Elaphiti Channel. The first ride takes about 40 minutes, giving you a broad view of the water and nearby islands before the first beach stop.

A speedboat makes it possible to cover more ground than a slow passenger boat, but it also means you should expect wind and sun while underway. Wear swimwear beneath your clothes, keep your hat secure, and use sunscreen before you leave Dubrovnik. Bottled water and towels are provided, along with drinks, but your own beachwear and sun protection remain essential.

Because this is a private outing, the ride can feel more personal than a fixed sightseeing cruise. You can ask questions, discuss the timing, and tell the skipper what matters most to you. The tour is available in English and Croatian.

Šunj Beach on Lopud

After about 40 minutes, you reach Šunj Beach on Lopud. This is one of the rare sandy beaches along this part of the Croatian coast, so it gives you a different setting from the rocky and pebbly shores found later in the day.

You have about an hour here. Use it for a swim, a drink, sunbathing, or a short rest on the beach. The stop is long enough to feel worthwhile without taking over the entire itinerary.

Šunj is a good first stop because it lets you settle into the day. You can get used to the water, enjoy the sand, and decide how active you want to be during the remaining hours. If your priority is beach time, tell the skipper early. The private format makes that request more realistic than it would be on a fixed group schedule.

The limitation is that one hour passes quickly if you want to swim, have a drink, and relax. You will need to choose your priorities rather than treating this as a long beach afternoon.

A Quiet Bay Between Lopud and Šipan

The next leg heads toward Šipan, the largest of the Elaphite Islands. Before reaching the island, the skipper makes a short stop in a hidden bay.

This is one of the best features of the route. The stop is not built around a famous monument or a long list of sights. It is simply a chance to jump from the boat into clear water, snorkel, take photographs, or stay aboard and enjoy the view.

You decide how much activity you want. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to arrange basic gear in advance. The tour also includes towels, which is useful when several swims are built into the day.

The exact length of this pause can depend on the day’s pace and your preferences. That flexibility is helpful, but it also means the schedule is not as rigid or predictable as a standard ferry timetable. If you want more time in the water, say so.

Luka Šipanska and the Slow Middle of the Day

Šipan is the largest of the three islands on this route, but it remains lightly populated. Only about 200 people live on the entire island, and Luka Šipanska is one of its two inhabited settlements.

The port is a welcome change after the open water. You have free time to eat lunch, order a drink at a local beach bar, walk around, and look at the small bays and traditional boats in the harbor.

Lunch is not included, so budget for your meal separately. This is not a problem, but it is important when judging the $500 price. The tour covers drinks onboard, including beer and soda, but you pay for food at the island stop.

I like this part of the route because it gives the day a human scale. You are not only passing beaches from a boat. You get time to walk, see a small island port, and experience a place with a very small permanent population.

Do not expect Luka Šipanska to feel like Dubrovnik. That is the point. The appeal is quiet island life, not a long list of shops or major sights. If you want a full restaurant meal, confirm your preferred lunch option with the skipper before settling in.

Sikirica Bay and Koločep’s Clear Water

After Šipan, the boat continues toward Koločep, with another swim stop at Sikirica Bay. The bay is difficult to locate on a map, which adds to its sense of privacy.

The water here is described as turquoise, and you can snorkel, swim, take photographs, or use a sea scooter. The sea scooter is not listed as part of the included equipment, so ask in advance if you want to use one and need to know whether it is available.

Sikirica is a good example of why the private boat format matters. A shared excursion often has to follow a fixed route and fixed stops. Here, the skipper can suggest less obvious places and adjust the rhythm according to the conditions and your interests.

You should also keep expectations sensible. A hidden bay does not mean a private beach with full facilities. Bring your own personal essentials, and expect the stop to focus on the water rather than services on shore.

Koločep and the Blue Cave

Koločep is the smallest island on the route and has fewer than 150 residents. During winter, it is almost empty. Its beaches are rocky or pebbly, and the water is a major part of its appeal.

The island is described as a natural oasis, with clean surroundings and striking sea color. You will have another chance to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or simply enjoy the shoreline from the boat.

The Blue Cave is the visual highlight here. You can take photographs inside or near the cave, with the water and rock creating a memorable background. The stop does not appear to be a long guided cave visit, so think of it as a scenic boat stop with time for pictures and swimming.

Koločep is especially suited to you if you prefer natural settings over busy resort beaches. The rocky and pebbly shore means water shoes could be useful, though they are not listed among the required items. At a minimum, be ready for a less soft beach surface than Šunj.

The Extra Bays Along the Route

The named islands are only part of the day. The skipper may also suggest additional small bays along the way. These places are not easy to find on a map, and that is part of their appeal.

This can make the tour feel less like a checklist and more like a day shaped by local judgment and sea conditions. You may stop for a quick swim, a photograph, or a quiet pause before continuing to the next island.

The word hidden should not make you expect a secret paradise with no other boat in sight. It simply means the bays are not obvious major stops and are reached more easily with someone who knows the area. Their value is the chance to see smaller, quieter parts of the coast.

What the $500 Price Really Buys

At $500 per person, this is a premium outing. The price makes the most sense when you are traveling with people who value privacy and flexibility more than keeping the day inexpensive.

Included are the private speedboat, an English-speaking skipper, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, towels, beer, other alcoholic drinks, and soda. Lunch is not included, and fuel is paid separately at the end.

The value improves if you plan to spend most of the day on the water and would otherwise pay for several separate activities. You are combining island transport, beach time, snorkeling, swimming, scenic cruising, and local exploration in one eight-hour outing.

The value is weaker if you mainly want to visit one island or spend hours on a single beach. In that case, a simpler ferry or shorter boat trip may suit you better, though the provided information does not specify those alternatives or their prices.

Since the tour is private, the total cost also depends on group size. The listed $500 per person is easy to compare, but you should confirm the final fuel cost and any questions about optional equipment before leaving.

Who Should Book This Boat Trip?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a full day on the sea and dislike rigid group schedules. It suits couples, families, and friends who want to swim often, take photographs, and choose between activity and relaxation.

It is also a good match if you have already seen Dubrovnik’s main sights and want a day that feels more open and natural. Šipan and Koločep offer a slower setting, while Šunj gives you the unusual chance to spend time on sand.

You may want another option if you dislike speedboat travel, want a low-cost outing, or prefer a detailed historical tour. The emphasis here is the sea, beaches, bays, and island atmosphere. The skipper is there to guide the day, but this is not presented as a museum-style or history-heavy tour.

Bring a hat, swimwear, sunscreen, and beachwear. Pack a phone or camera for the bays and Blue Cave, and keep some extra money for lunch and fuel.

Booking is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Dubrovnik schedule or the weather outlook is still uncertain.

Should You Book the Elaphite Islands Tour?

Book it if you want a private, active day with a flexible route and several chances to swim. The strongest reasons are the variety of stops, the quiet feel of Šipan and Koločep, and the skipper’s ability to shape the itinerary around your interests.

Skip it if $500 per person feels uncomfortable before fuel and lunch, or if you would rather spend the day walking through Dubrovnik or relaxing at one beach. For the right group, this is a polished way to see several islands in one day. For a budget-minded visitor, the price requires careful thought.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 10 am.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts eight hours.

Which islands are included?

The route includes Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but you have time to eat at a local beach bar in Luka Šipanska.

Is fuel included in the price?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

What drinks and supplies are included?

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