Half-Day Private Speed Boat Tour in Dubrovnik on Elaphiti Islands

Kolocep’s sea caves and Lopud’s sandy Šunj Beach make a fine pair for a half-day on the water: one stop is about swimming through rock openings, the other gives you room to stretch out on a natural beach. I like the private boat, which lets your group shape the pace, and the useful mix of snorkeling, sightseeing, and beach time.

The main consideration is the clock. The tour is about four and a half hours, but roughly 90 minutes are allotted at Šunj, and the cave stops are brief unless your skipper adjusts the plan. Lunch is not included, so bring money if you want a proper meal ashore.

• Two islands, three cave stops: Visit Kolocep’s Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves, then continue to Lopud.
• A private outing for up to eight: Your group has the boat to itself, with room to ask for a slower pace or a different balance of swimming and sightseeing.
• Šunj gets the longest stop: Plan on about an hour and a half for swimming, walking the shallow sand, or taking a break.
• Snorkel gear and drinks are included: Equipment, floating devices, snacks, water, soft drinks, beer, and wine are provided.
• Skippers can shape the day: Maro and Luka have been praised for clear English, thoughtful help, and flexibility with the route.
• Budget for lunch separately: Food beyond the included snacks is at your own expense.

From Dubrovnik’s western coast to Kolocep

The outing begins by boat from Dubrovnik’s main port, heading along the city’s western coast toward Kolocep. This first stretch is a useful change of view: Dubrovnik’s familiar walls and waterfront recede while the islands become the focus. The scheduled sightseeing leg is about 20 minutes.

The boat is a speedboat, so the trip between stops is part of the experience rather than just a transfer. You can watch the coast pass, take in the coves and open water, and settle into the rhythm of a day outside the city. The return route follows the mainland, with about 30 minutes set aside for coastal views on the way back.

The tour is private, with only your party on board, up to eight people. That matters if your group wants to linger in the water, take a quiet ride, or spend more time at the beach. The skipper can be flexible, though the total outing is still limited by the half-day schedule.

Kolocep’s Green Cave and Blue Cave

Kolocep is the main stop for the cave portion of the trip. The Green Cave sits beneath a lighthouse on the island’s eastern side. The skipper enters the cave by boat, giving you a view from the water before the group moves on. The planned visit is about 10 minutes, so think of it as a short scenic stop rather than a long swim.

The Blue Cave is around the corner on the eastern coast. Here, the boat anchors and you can swim inside, with snorkeling equipment available for looking beneath the surface. The planned stop is about 40 minutes, giving you more time in the water than at the Green Cave. If cave swimming is your priority, this is the stop to look forward to.

Cave conditions and how comfortable you are in the water will shape how much you enjoy these stops. The included floating devices may be helpful if you want support in the water, and you can use the snorkel gear to see below the surface. The operator describes these as swimming and snorkeling stops, so bring a swimsuit and be ready to get wet.

The route also includes a slow sail along Kolocep’s outer coast, scheduled for about 10 minutes. That’s a brief but worthwhile pause between swim stops, with views of bays and the island’s rugged edge. It gives you a chance to dry off, catch your breath, and take in the shoreline from the boat.

Three Caves on Kolocep’s western side

The Three Caves stop is on Kolocep’s western coast. The skipper anchors nearby, and you can swim into the caves with snorkel gear if you want to see what lies below the surface. The planned stop is around 40 minutes, similar to the Blue Cave visit.

These cave stops are the most active part of the outing. You’ll be getting in and out of the sea, so the trip suits people who are happy to swim. If someone in your group would rather stay aboard, the private format gives you room to discuss the pace with the skipper, but don’t assume every cave can be reached or explored without entering the water.

The three cave locations give the outing more variety than a single swim stop. You’ll see different sections of Kolocep’s coast, but the schedule does not leave unlimited time at any one cave. If your group is keen to spend longer snorkeling, ask the skipper about priorities early in the trip.

Šunj Beach: sand, shallow water, and a longer pause

After Kolocep, the boat continues to Lopud and Šunj Beach, the longest stop of the outing at about 90 minutes. The beach is known as a natural sandy beach, a welcome change after the rocky coast and cave swims. Its shallow sandy shore is well suited to a relaxed walk in the water, a swim, or simply a break from the boat.

This is the easiest place in the itinerary to slow down. You can swim or snorkel, walk along the shallow sand, or settle in for a rest. There are places to eat in the area, but lunch is not included in the tour price. Snacks and drinks are supplied on the boat, but bring extra money if you want a meal or something beyond what is provided.

The time here is generous enough to make the beach more than a quick photo stop, though it is not a full beach day. If you want a longer lunch or a leisurely visit ashore, that will take time away from swimming and resting. Tell the skipper what matters most to your group so you can use the stop well.

What the private format adds

The advertised price is $431.62 for the group, up to eight people. At full capacity, that works out to roughly $54 per person, a helpful way to judge the cost against a private boat for the group rather than a shared excursion. If fewer people go, the per-person cost rises, but you still have the boat to yourselves.

The value comes partly from having control over the pace. A larger group can split the cost, and a family or group of friends can make choices together instead of following a fixed shared schedule. Skippers Maro and Luka have been praised for being accommodating and for adjusting the four-hour route to suit the group. Luka was also credited with finding an appealing restaurant option, though lunch itself remains an extra expense.

Maro has been praised for contacting guests by WhatsApp after booking and helping with arrangements, and one group was picked up at its hotel. Pickup details are not specified as a guaranteed feature, so confirm the meeting point and any pickup plan with the operator rather than assuming it is included. The tour information allots 15 minutes each for pickup and drop-off, with the remaining four hours for the outing.

The strongest value is for a group that will use the flexibility: swimming at several locations, taking time for the beach, and enjoying a skipper who can adjust the order or emphasis. If you mainly want a cheap transfer to one beach, a private speedboat may be more than you need. If the caves and varied coastline are the point, the private format makes more sense.

What to bring and how to plan the half-day

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sun protection, as much of the trip is spent on the water or in the sea. Snorkeling equipment and floating devices are included, so you do not need to supply those. Snacks and drinks are also provided, including water, Coke, iced tea, beer, and wine.

Lunch is not included. You may be able to buy a meal near Šunj, but the tour does not promise a specific restaurant or booking. Keep your lunch plans flexible, and bring a payment method for food or extra drinks.

The advertised duration is approximately four hours and 30 minutes. The stop and sailing times add up to about four hours, with another 30 minutes allotted to pickup and drop-off. The actual time at each location may shift if your group and skipper agree to adjust the route.

This experience is best for people who want an active coastal outing and are comfortable swimming. It can suit families, as one family described the trip as a memorable outing, but the cave stops still involve getting into the water. Service animals are allowed, and the tour notes that most people can participate. If you have a specific access or mobility concern, check with the operator before booking.

Who should book this boat trip?

I’d choose this tour if I wanted to see several sides of the Elaphiti Islands in one outing: caves, open coast, snorkeling, and a sandy beach. The private boat is especially appealing for a group of friends or family who like to set their own pace and share the cost.

It is less suited to anyone looking for a long, uninterrupted beach day, a substantial included lunch, or a trip built around staying dry. The cave visits are a central part of the route, and the most engaging way to experience them is by swimming. If that sounds like your kind of morning or afternoon, this is a strong way to get out of Dubrovnik and onto the water.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately four hours and 30 minutes. About four hours are assigned to sailing and stops, with 15 minutes each allotted for pickup and drop-off.

How many people can join the private tour?

The boat is private for your group, with a maximum of eight people.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Kolocep and Lopud. On Kolocep, you stop at the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves. On Lopud, you visit Šunj Beach.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and floating devices are included.

Are drinks and food included?

Snacks and drinks are included. The listed drinks are water, Coke, iced tea, beer, and wine. Lunch is not included and is at your own expense.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 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 or change.