Private speedboat tour to the islands

Three islands, one boat, no ferry timetable. This private speedboat trip gives you the freedom to shape your day around Blue Cave swims, quiet bays, sandy beaches, and island villages. I like the private format, which lets you linger where you want instead of following a fixed group schedule, and I like that snorkel gear, drinks, and a skipper are included. The main drawback is the extra fuel surcharge, which is listed separately and should be confirmed before booking.

The route can cover Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan, or you can arrange a longer outing toward Mljet or Korcula. You will meet at Lapadska obala 4 in Dubrovnik and return there, with no hotel pickup or drop-off. The boat accommodates up to six people, so the $395.43 group price can be sensible for a small family or group of friends, but less so for one or two people once fuel is added.

Key points before you book

• Swim into Kolocep’s Blue Cave: Snorkel masks and a GoPro camera are provided for the cave stop.
• Choose your own pace: The private skipper can adjust swim time, beach time, village visits, and scenic cruising.
• Lopud brings the sand: Sunj Beach offers a proper seaside break, a rarity along much of Croatia’s rocky coast.
• Sipan feels quieter and more local: Look for olive trees, pine, home-made wine, olive oil, marmalade, and fresh produce.
• The boat includes simple comforts: Bottled water, soft drinks, beer, life jackets, and snorkel equipment are included.
• Budget beyond the headline price: Fuel surcharges range from €80 to €230 per booking, depending on the selected trip.

Why a private boat works so well from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is famous for its old walls, but the sea gives you a different view of the region. From a speedboat, you can leave the city behind, cross open water quickly, and reach coves and islands that are awkward to visit on a land-based day trip.

The private setup is the biggest reason to consider this experience. You are not tied to a large group’s swimming schedule or forced to leave a beach just as you get comfortable. If your group wants more time in the water, you can ask for it. If someone prefers a village walk, the skipper can allow time ashore.

The listed duration ranges from four to ten hours. That broad range matters. A short trip can focus on the nearest Elaphiti islands, while a longer day can include more stops or a route toward Mljet or Korcula. Ask exactly how much time you are booking and which islands are realistic for that length.

The boat departs from Lapadska obala 4, and you return to the same meeting point. There is no pickup or drop-off service, so plan your own way to the marina. The meeting point is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying elsewhere in Dubrovnik.

Kolocep and the swim into Blue Cave

Kolocep is about 20 minutes from Dubrovnik by boat, making it a practical first stop. The island has two villages, Gornje Celo and Donje Celo, but the key attraction on this outing is the Blue Cave on the southern side.

You anchor near the cave and swim inside. That detail is important: this is not a boat simply passing the entrance for a quick photograph. You should be ready to get into the water, and you will have snorkel masks available. A GoPro camera is also provided, useful for recording the swim if conditions allow.

The cave stop depends on the sea and weather. Swimming into a cave requires comfort in the water, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Life jackets are supplied for adults and children, though you should still tell the skipper about anyone who is not a confident swimmer.

Kolocep also gives you a chance to cruise beside steep coastal cliffs. Since the tour is private, you can ask for a slower scenic run or more time around a bay. The trade-off is that every extra swim or photo stop uses time that could have gone to another island.

Lopud’s Sunj Beach and island village

Lopud is the most obvious beach stop. Sunj is known for its sand, giving you a chance to swim and sunbathe on a proper sandy shore rather than a typical Croatian pebble beach.

You can remain on the boat or go ashore. That choice makes Lopud useful for mixed groups. One person can relax in the water, another can sit on the beach, and someone else can explore the village. Cold water, beer, and soft drinks are available on the boat, so you are not left without a refreshment while cruising.

Do not treat Sunj as the whole Lopud experience. After the beach, you can head toward the village and see Dominican and Franciscan monasteries, small churches, and Đorđić-Mayneri Park. The supplied details do not give opening hours or admission arrangements, so ask the skipper what can be visited on your chosen day.

Lopud is also a sensible place to arrange lunch. One especially useful piece of advice from the tour’s feedback is that skipper Ivan recommended a very good restaurant there. Ivan was praised for making passengers feel safe and relaxed, using his local knowledge to fill in the day after hearing what the group wanted.

That personal guidance is part of the value here. You are not only paying for transport between islands. You are paying for someone who can help turn a loose wish list into a workable day. Still, restaurant recommendations are not a guarantee of a fixed menu or included meal, so lunch is your own expense.

Sipan for nature and local produce

Sipan is the largest and most populated of the Elaphiti islands. It is described by its olive and pine trees, clear blue water, bird sounds, and less developed feel. Compared with a simple beach stop, Sipan gives the day more room to slow down.

The island is linked with home-made goods such as wine, olive oil, marmalade, fruit, and vegetables. The information provided does not promise a tasting or a farm visit, so think of these products as part of the island character rather than a formal included activity.

Your skipper can adjust the stop to your preferences. You might spend time in a bay, take photographs from the water, or go ashore if the schedule allows. Sipan is likely to appeal most if you want scenery and a quieter pace rather than a packed list of sights.

The sensible approach is to tell the skipper what matters most before leaving Dubrovnik. If your group wants the Blue Cave and swimming above all else, say so. If you prefer villages, churches, and local food, make that clear. A private boat works best when you give the skipper priorities, not just a vague request to see everything.

Mljet or Korcula for a longer custom day

The experience can also be arranged as a day around Mljet or Korcula. These options are best treated as alternatives to the standard Elaphiti route, not as guaranteed additions to Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan.

The supplied information does not specify exact stop times, entry fees, or a fixed sightseeing plan for Mljet or Korcula. That means you should confirm the route before paying, especially if one island is the main reason you are booking.

A full day gives the skipper more room to balance cruising and time ashore. A shorter four-hour outing is better suited to nearby Kolocep and Lopud, with fewer extended stops. You should not expect to see every island properly in a short booking simply because the boat is fast.

This is where the private format helps, but it does not remove distance. Speed saves time on the water, not at beaches, caves, restaurants, or village sights. Decide if you want a broad sample or a slower look at two or three places.

What the price really buys you

The listed price is $395.43 per group of up to six people. At full capacity, that works out to roughly $66 per person before the fuel surcharge. For a group of six, the cost can compare well with arranging several separate activities, especially because the boat, skipper, local taxes, snorkel equipment, drinks, and life jackets are included.

For two people, the calculation is different. The base price becomes about $198 per person before fuel, so this is easier to justify for a special occasion or a full private day than for a quick transfer.

Fuel is not included in the headline figure. The supplied price details list possible fuel surcharges of €80, €100, €190, and €230 per booking. The amount appears to depend on the selected trip, so ask which surcharge applies to your route and duration before you commit.

A private speedboat also gives you something a shared excursion cannot: control. You can avoid wasting time on pickups, keep your own group together, and decide how long to swim. That control has real value if your group includes children, older relatives, or people with very different interests.

The price is less attractive if you want only a short ride and do not care about privacy. In that case, a shared boat may cost less, though it will not offer the same freedom to adjust the route.

The skipper makes or breaks the day

A speedboat trip depends heavily on the person at the helm. The strongest feedback focuses on safety, relaxed handling, and local suggestions.

Ivan was singled out for his skill and training, with particular praise for making the group feel safe. The same feedback described a day that included several islands, bays, caves, swimming, and a restaurant suggestion on Lopud. That is a good sign for anyone who wants guidance without surrendering control.

Robert also received strong praise for fitting major sights into a tighter schedule when the group had less time because of a ship schedule. He speaks French fluently, which may be useful for French-speaking groups. One outing with Robert included all three islands, a swim in the Blue Cave, and a dolphin sighting, though dolphins are a lucky possibility, not something you should expect.

The experience has a current rating of 5 from 38 reviews, with 100 percent recommending it. That is an encouraging record, but the practical lesson is still to explain your priorities clearly. A skipper can tailor a route, but cannot give you unlimited time and every island in one day.

What is included, and what to bring

You receive snorkel equipment, adult and child life jackets, a skipper, local taxes, bottled water, soft drinks, and beer. The drinks are a useful touch on a warm day, but you should not confuse them with a full lunch service.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and anything you need for time on a beach. The details provided do not specify whether towels or meals are supplied, so plan as if they are not.

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Late cancellations and changes within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the minimum drinking age is 18. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, but the Blue Cave swim means you should mention any mobility or swimming concerns when arranging the trip.

Who should book this boat trip

I would recommend it most strongly to a group of up to six people who want a flexible day on the water. Families can choose easier stops and avoid the pressure of a large boat schedule. Friends can focus on swimming, beach time, drinks, and a good lunch.

It also suits passengers with a limited window in Dubrovnik. Robert’s experience with a group working around a ship schedule shows why a private boat can be useful when time is tight. Tell the operator your exact departure deadline so the route can be planned safely.

This is less suitable if you dislike boats, do not want to swim, or prefer a tightly scripted sightseeing tour. The experience is built around open-water cruising, flexible stops, and decisions made during the day.

The private format will not guarantee an empty beach or perfect sea conditions. It will give you more control than a standard group excursion, which is the main reason to choose it.

Should you book the private speedboat tour?

Book it if you value freedom more than a low per-person price. The Blue Cave swim, Sunj Beach, Sipan’s quieter scenery, and the option to shape the day give you a good mix of water time and island life.

For the best value, fill all six seats, confirm the fuel surcharge, and choose the duration carefully. A half-day works for nearby highlights, while a longer booking makes more sense if you want a slower pace, lunch, village time, or a route toward Mljet or Korcula.

I would also ask for your preferred skipper if possible, particularly if language support matters. Ivan and Robert both received especially warm praise, with safety, flexibility, and local recommendations at the heart of their service.

FAQ

Where does the private speedboat tour start?

The tour starts at Lapadska obala 4, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point on Lapadska obala 4.

How many people can join the private boat tour?

The price is for a private group of up to six people.

Which islands are included?

The standard Elaphiti Islands route visits Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan. Longer outings can also be arranged around Mljet or Korcula.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel equipment and life jackets for adults and children are included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, soft drinks, and beer are included. The minimum drinking age is 18.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.