Full- Day Private Speedboat Tour in Dubrovnik on Elaphiti Islands

The Adriatic rewards an early start. This private speedboat tour links three Elaphiti Islands with caves, swimming stops, sandy beaches, and old villages in one long day. I like the freedom of a private boat for up to eight people, and I like that drinks, snacks, fuel, taxes, and snorkeling gear are included. The main drawback is simple: at $611.46 per group, the price is high for one or two people, though it becomes much better value when shared by a full group.

The pace is active but not frantic. You get time for the Blue Cave, three Green Caves, Šunj Beach, Lopud, Šipan, and two stops near Brsečine. Captain Maro is praised for knowing the area and tailoring the day, but lunch is not included, and the full 8 hours 30 minutes can feel long if your group is not keen on swimming and walking.

Key points to know before booking

• A private boat for up to eight people: Your group gets the boat rather than joining a large public excursion.
• Three Elaphiti Islands in one day: The route includes Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, with several short coastal stops.
• Three different cave experiences: You snorkel inside Dubrovnik’s Blue Cave and three Green Caves near Koločep.
• Two hours at Šunj Beach: This is the main beach stop, with shallow sand, swimming, snorkeling, food, and coffee.
• Three hours on Lopud: You have time for the Franciscan Monastery, botanical garden shade, swimming, and a meal.
• Snacks and drinks are supplied: You pay separately for lunch, which gives you control over how much you spend ashore.

Why a private speedboat makes sense here

Dubrovnik’s old town gets most of the attention, but the Elaphiti Islands offer a quieter day on the water. This trip is designed for people who want more than one pretty bay. You move from caves to a sandy beach, then to a village and a snorkeling cove, with swimming built into the schedule.

The private format matters. With only your own group aboard, you can enjoy the day without sharing every stop with a large crowd. The route still follows a set plan, but a private captain can make the day feel more personal. One especially positive account praises Captain Maro for knowing the best places and creating a relaxed, customized outing.

At $611.46 for up to eight people, the math changes depending on your group. Eight people pay about $76 per person before lunch, while a couple pays more than $305 each. For a family or group of friends, the price includes fuel, equipment, drinks, snacks, taxes, and a full day on the water. For two people, a less expensive shared boat may offer better value if privacy is not important.

The tour takes about 8 hours 30 minutes. That is a useful amount of time for the route, but it is also a real commitment. I would choose this only if your group genuinely wants a water day, not simply a quick boat ride for photographs.

Leaving Dubrovnik by the western coast

The boat departs from Dubrovnik’s main port and begins with about 15 minutes of sailing and sightseeing along the western coast. This opening section helps you shift from city mode to island mode without using up a large part of the day.

The return includes another 15-minute approach to the main port, with views of Dubrovnik from the water. These short sailing sections are not separate attractions, but they frame the outing nicely. You see the city at the beginning and end, while most of the day belongs to the islands.

Because the trip starts and finishes at the main port, you avoid arranging separate transport between multiple marinas. The available details do not specify a hotel pickup, so you should plan on reaching the departure point yourself unless the operator gives you different instructions after booking.

The Blue Cave: a short snorkeling stop

The first major stop is Dubrovnik’s Blue Cave, where you spend about 30 minutes snorkeling inside the cave. This is a compact stop, so think of it as a striking introduction rather than a long swim.

The appeal is the change in setting. Instead of snorkeling in open water, you enter a cave and see the effect of the light on the water and rock. The tour supplies snorkeling equipment, which saves you from bringing your own mask and gear.

Thirty minutes passes quickly once equipment is handed out and people enter the water. If cave snorkeling is your main reason for booking, keep your expectations measured. You get a focused visit, not an extended underwater session. Still, it is one of the day’s most distinctive moments and helps separate this trip from a basic beach cruise.

Koločep’s three Green Caves

The next stop remains near Koločep, with about 30 minutes for snorkeling inside three Green Caves. Having three cave sites in one stop gives the outing variety, even though the total time is short.

I like the structure here. The Blue Cave and Green Caves are not treated as one repetitive attraction. You get two different cave settings before moving on to a broad sandy beach. The route keeps changing, which is useful on a long boat day.

The main consideration is physical comfort. This tour includes repeated swimming and snorkeling stops, and the supplied details do not promise an alternative activity at each one. Most people can participate, but anyone who dislikes getting in the water may find the first hour less rewarding.

Šunj Beach gives you two full hours

Šunj Beach on Lopud is the longest beach stop, with about two hours to spread out. It is known as the most famous sandy beach in the Dubrovnik region, and the sand and shallow water make it different from the rocky coves common along the Adriatic.

You can swim, snorkel, walk along the shallow beach, or simply sit with a coffee. There is also a restaurant, so you can buy a snack or begin thinking about lunch here. The tour provides snacks, but lunch remains your own expense.

Two hours is a sensible amount of time. You are not forced to leave just as you get settled, yet the stop does not consume the entire afternoon. If your group includes children or anyone who prefers sand to rocks, this may be the most comfortable swimming stop of the day.

The beach can also be the busiest-feeling part of the route simply because it is a famous, accessible place. That is not a criticism of the tour, but it is worth knowing if your ideal island day means total solitude. The itinerary later includes a secluded swimming option near Brsečine, which gives you a quieter contrast.

Lopud combines village time and history

Lopud receives about three hours, making it the main island visit. You can walk through the popular tourist area, swim, visit the 15th-century Franciscan Monastery, and spend time in the shade of its botanical garden.

This longer stop gives the day some cultural weight. Without Lopud, the excursion would be mostly caves and swimming. The monastery and garden let you step off the boat and see a different side of island life. You can also eat at a fish restaurant, though the meal is not part of the tour price.

I appreciate the balance between free time and optional sights. You do not have to turn the island visit into a forced guided walk. If you want history, the Franciscan Monastery is available. If you want shade and a slower pace, the botanical garden offers that. If your group prefers the water, you can swim instead.

The drawback is that three hours can feel either generous or too long, depending on your interests. People who want only a quick look at Lopud may wish the stop were shorter. People who want lunch, a walk, a monastery visit, and swimming will likely appreciate the extra time.

Šipan and Suđurađ show a quieter side

The boat then visits the south coast of Šipan and the village of Suđurađ for about 30 minutes. Suđurađ is described as the oldest fishing village in the area, giving this stop a stronger local character than a simple swim break.

Thirty minutes is enough for a brief look and some coastal sightseeing, but not enough for a long village exploration. You should treat this as a scenic pause and a chance to see a traditional settlement from the water and shore, not as a full island tour.

This is a useful part of the route for anyone who wants more than beaches. The day moves from natural features to a working village setting, even if the visit is short.

Sikirica Cove is the final snorkeling stop

Near Brsečine, the boat stops at Sikirica Cove for about 30 minutes. It is presented as the best snorkeling place in the area, so this is another chance to use the included equipment and look below the surface.

The cove adds one final water-focused stop after the island visits. By this point, you may be ready for a quieter swim rather than another major attraction. The short time keeps the route moving, but you should not expect a long session.

A second 30-minute stop near Brsečine follows, this time for swimming at a secluded beach. This is a nice design choice. After the more famous Šunj Beach and the cave stops, you get an option that feels less structured and more peaceful.

The word option matters. Swimming here is offered as a choice, so people who have had enough water can use the time to rest aboard. The information does not specify beach facilities, so I would not plan on buying food or drinks at this final stop.

What the price includes, and what it does not

The $611.46 group price covers up to eight people. Included are drinks, snacks, snorkeling equipment, fuel, all fees, and taxes. Those inclusions remove several small costs that can add up on a full-day boat trip.

Lunch is not included. You can eat at Šunj Beach or Lopud, where restaurants are available, but you should budget separately for that meal. This also gives your group flexibility. You can choose a fish restaurant, buy a lighter snack, or rely on the supplied snacks if you do not want a full lunch.

For a group of eight, the private format is the strongest value. You receive a long day, several stops, and a boat reserved for your party at a per-person cost that is fairly manageable. For a small group, the value rests more heavily on how much you care about privacy and a customized pace.

The high recommendation rate and perfect overall score point to a consistently well-received outing, although the number of ratings is still modest at 21. I would give particular weight to the praise for Captain Maro’s local knowledge and relaxed approach. A good captain matters here because the day includes many separate stops and water activities.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this tour for a group that wants variety and has no trouble spending much of the day outdoors. It suits families, couples traveling with friends, and small groups willing to split the cost.

It is especially good for you if you want:

• Several swimming and snorkeling opportunities
• A private boat rather than a shared excursion
• Both beaches and island villages
• A little history at the Franciscan Monastery
• Enough time at Šunj Beach and Lopud to avoid a rushed visit
• Snacks and drinks included in the price

I would think twice if you dislike boats, do not swim, or prefer a short half-day outing. The route is built around the water. Even though most people can participate, the day makes the most sense when caves, beaches, and snorkeling are central to your plans.

The tour allows service animals and is near public transportation, and most people can participate. The available information does not give specific details about boat access or arrangements for mobility limitations, so contact Nauticstar Excursions before booking if your group needs particular assistance.

Practical booking advice

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the ticket is mobile, so you can keep the details on your phone. The tour is often reserved about six days ahead, which suggests you should not leave it until the last minute if your dates are fixed.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses local time.

Bring a plan for lunch and be honest about how much swimming your group wants to do. The boat provides snorkeling equipment, drinks, and snacks, but the route still includes several water stops. If one person in your group prefers sightseeing on land, the longer Lopud stop gives that person the best chance to enjoy the day.

Should you book this Elaphiti Islands tour?

Book it if you want a private, full-day introduction to the Elaphiti Islands with caves, a famous sandy beach, Lopud’s monastery and garden, Šipan’s Suđurađ village, and quieter swimming near Brsečine. The strongest reasons to choose it are the wide range of stops, the private setting, and the captain’s reported ability to make the outing feel relaxed and personal.

Skip it if you are traveling as only one or two people and the $611.46 price feels steep, or if you want a calm sightseeing cruise with little swimming. For a group of up to eight that wants a full Adriatic day and can share the cost, this is a strong value.

FAQ

How long does the private Elaphiti Islands tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 8 hours 30 minutes, including the boat ride from Dubrovnik, the island stops, and the return to the main port.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers a private group of up to eight people. Only your group participates in the activity.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. It also includes stops at the Blue Cave, Green Caves, Šunj Beach, Sikirica Cove, and a secluded beach near Brsečine.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The tour includes the use of snorkeling equipment, along with drinks and snacks.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is at your own expense. Restaurants are available at Šunj Beach and Lopud.

What is the cancellation policy?

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

Is the tour suitable for most people?

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour is near public transportation. Specific access arrangements are not provided, so contact Nauticstar Excursions if your group has mobility needs.