Dubrovnik: Elaphite Islands Private Speedboat Full-Day Tour

The best part of this trip is the freedom to trade Dubrovnik’s stone streets for quiet coves and open water, with a private skipper choosing stops along the way. You visit three Elaphiti Islands, but the pauses for swimming and the small, hard-to-find bays are just as much the point as the islands themselves.

I like the contrast between Šunj’s rare sandy shore and the pebbly, rocky edges of Koločep. I also like that the skipper can work the itinerary around what you want to see, an especially useful perk on a private boat.

The main consideration is the price: at $500 per person, this is a costly day out, and fuel is paid separately at the end. Lunch is also on your own, so plan for extra costs as well as a full day in the sun.

At a glance: three islands, several swim stops

• Šunj Beach on Lopud: Spend about an hour at one of the few sandy beaches on this part of the coast.
• Luka Šipanska: Take free time in one of Šipan’s two inhabited settlements, with a local beach bar and a small port.
• Sikirica Bay: Stop for turquoise water, swimming and snorkelling, with a sea scooter also mentioned as an option.
• Koločep’s Blue Cave: Finish the island visits with time for photos, swimming, sunbathing or snorkelling.
• A private speedboat and skipper: The route can be adjusted to your interests, and the skipper can suggest additional coves.
• Extras to budget for: Lunch is not included, and fuel is paid at the end of the tour.

Leaving Dubrovnik for Lopud’s sandy shore

The day begins at 10 am, when your private skipper meets you and takes you out through the Elaphiti Channel. The ride to Šunj Beach on Lopud takes about 40 minutes, giving you an early stretch of open water before the first stop.

Šunj is a notable change from the rocky and pebbly shores common in this area. You have about an hour here to swim, sunbathe or get a drink. If sandy beach time matters to you, this is the stop to make the most of; if you prefer the boat and open water, it is also a natural chance to slow down after the ride.

The tour calls this one of the coast’s rare sandy beaches, so it offers a different shoreline from the later stops. Still, an hour is a short visit if you want a long, leisurely beach day. Think of it as one part of a varied boat itinerary, not a full beach holiday.

A private boat makes the route more flexible

This is a private-group trip, not a shared excursion with strangers. That matters most in how you spend the day: the skipper can shape the route around what you want to see, and can suggest extra bays along the way. One guest specifically appreciated having the itinerary adjusted to their preferences, so it is worth telling the skipper early whether you want more swimming, time ashore or photo stops.

The boat is described as a speedboat, with private transportation and an English-speaking skipper included. The written feedback also singled out the boat itself as a positive part of the experience. No boat size or passenger capacity is provided, so if those details matter to your group, ask before booking.

A private boat also means a more personal pace than a fixed group schedule, but it does not guarantee that every stop will last as long as you might like. There are several islands and swim breaks to fit into eight hours, and the skipper’s choices will help determine how the day balances time on the water with time ashore.

Finding a quiet bay on the way to Šipan

After Lopud, the boat heads toward Šipan, the largest of the Elaphiti Islands. On the way, the skipper makes a short stop in a hidden bay. You can jump into the clear water for a swim or snorkel, stay aboard for the views, or take photos.

This flexible pause is a good example of what the boat format adds. You are not simply riding from one named island to the next; you get time to stop at places that are hard to spot on a map. The tour also notes that the skipper may suggest other tucked-away bays, so the route can include more than the headline locations.

The trade-off is that a short stop is not a promise of a long snorkelling session. If snorkelling is a priority, bring your own expectations down to earth and let the skipper know. Equipment is provided, but the length of each swim break depends on the day’s schedule and route.

Taking a break in Luka Šipanska

The next main stop is Luka Šipanska, one of just two inhabited places on Šipan. You get free time here for lunch or a drink at a local beach bar, plus a chance to walk around the port and see traditional boats.

This is the day’s clearest opportunity to pause on land and get a glimpse of local island life. The island has about 200 residents in total, giving the visit a quieter feel than a busy resort stop. Take time to look around rather than treating the village only as a lunch break.

Lunch is not included, so bring money for a meal or drinks. No restaurant menu or prices are provided, and the tour does not specify how long the stop lasts. If you have dietary needs or a particular lunch budget, check what is available before setting out rather than counting on a specific choice.

Swimming in Sikirica Bay

From Šipan, the boat continues toward Koločep and stops at Sikirica Bay. It is described as difficult to locate on a map, which helps explain the appeal of reaching it by boat with a skipper. The water’s turquoise colour is a highlight, and you can swim or snorkel here.

A sea scooter is also mentioned as an option, but it is not listed among the included items. Ask the provider whether one is available and whether it costs extra before you count on using it. Snorkelling equipment, by contrast, is included.

As with the other coves, the value here is the chance to get into the water away from the main island stops. If you would rather stay dry, you can enjoy the view from the boat. Bring swimwear and a towel, both of which are practical essentials for a day built around repeated chances to get wet.

Koločep, the Blue Cave and the return

Koločep is the smallest-feeling island stop in the itinerary, with fewer than 150 residents. Its beaches are rocky or pebbly, and the tour describes the island as quiet and largely empty in winter. In summer, expect the appeal to be the clean water and natural setting rather than a sandy beach.

The Blue Cave is a photo stop as well as another chance to swim, sunbathe or snorkel. You can enjoy the setting from the water or take a break on the boat. The tour does not specify how long you spend at the cave, so treat it as one of several stops rather than planning on an extended visit.

After Koločep, the boat returns to Dubrovnik. The route includes a number of named locations, but the day’s character depends just as much on the skipper’s suggested coves and the time you choose to spend in the water. If you want a tightly timed schedule, ask how the skipper handles stop lengths before departure.

What the $500 price does and does not cover

At $500 per person, this is a premium outing. The price is easier to justify if you value a private boat, a skipper who can adapt the route, and several hours of access to island coves without relying on a public ferry timetable. It is less compelling if your main goal is simply to reach one beach and spend the day there.

Included are private speedboat transportation, a private English-speaking skipper, snorkelling equipment, bottled water, alcoholic drinks, beer, soda and towels. The listed drinks make it easier to keep refreshments on hand between stops, though no quantities are specified.

Two costs need special attention. Lunch is not included, and fuel is paid on the spot at the end of the tour. The fuel amount is not given, so ask for an estimate when booking and factor it into your budget. Since the rate is quoted per person and the group size is not stated, confirm how the total price works for your party before you commit.

What to bring for a day on the water

Pack a hat, swimwear, sunscreen and beachwear. Towels and snorkelling equipment are included, but you may prefer to bring any personal gear you rely on. With several opportunities to swim, a change of dry clothes for the return could be useful, though it is not listed as a requirement.

This is an eight-hour outing, so think about the practical basics: sun protection, enough time for lunch and a plan for any extra fuel charge. The tour is offered in Croatian and English, with a live guide, and the skipper is described as English-speaking.

The day involves getting in and out of the water at beaches and bays, but no accessibility details are provided. If mobility, boarding the boat or access to a particular stop is a concern, ask the operator directly before booking.

Is this private Elaphiti Islands tour right for you?

I would consider this trip if you want the boat ride to be a central part of your day, not just transportation between islands. It suits couples, families or friends who value privacy and are happy to spend much of the day swimming, sunbathing and moving between coves. The ability to adjust the itinerary is a real advantage if your group has clear preferences.

It is a weaker match if you want a low-cost outing, a long lunch, or a full day planted on one beach. The per-person rate is high, fuel costs extra, and the schedule covers several stops in eight hours. Before booking, confirm the expected fuel charge, the total cost for your group and how much time is planned at each location.

If those details work for you, the combination of Šunj’s sand, Šipan’s quiet port and Koločep’s clear water makes for a varied day at sea. If the budget feels steep, consider whether the private boat and flexible route are worth more to you than simply getting to the islands.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts eight hours. The stated start time is 10 am.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Lopud, Šipan and Koločep, with stops at Šunj Beach, Luka Šipanska, Sikirica Bay and the Blue Cave.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is described as a private-group tour with private speedboat transportation and a private skipper.

What languages are available?

The listed languages are Croatian and English. The skipper is described as English-speaking.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but you have free time for lunch or drinks at Luka Šipanska, where there is a local beach bar.

Is fuel included in the price?

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

What equipment and refreshments are included?

Snorkelling equipment, towels, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, beer and soda are included.