Private Half-Day Tour Elaphiti Islands by Speedboat, Dubrovnik

A private speedboat gives you a different view of Dubrovnik: the city’s coast becomes a string of coves, rocky edges, and island beaches rather than a panorama from the old town walls. This four-hour trip heads to Šunj Beach on Lopud and Koločep’s Blue Cave, with time to swim along the way.

I like two things in particular: you can shape the stops to suit your group, and the skipper can suggest swimming spots if you would rather leave the route to someone who knows the coast. I also like that drinks and snorkeling equipment are included, so you can spend less time arranging small extras.

The main drawback is the cost. The advertised price is $1,074.03 for up to six people, with a separate €150 fuel surcharge, so this makes most sense for a group that values privacy and flexibility. The trip also depends on good weather.

At a glance

• Šunj Beach is the longest planned stop: You get about 90 minutes on Lopud’s sandy shore.
• Koločep brings a change of scene: The Blue Cave is set into rock, unlike the open beach at Šunj.
• The route is flexible: You can choose where to spend more time or ask the skipper for suggestions.
• The group stays private: The boat is reserved for your party, up to six people.
• Drinks and snorkeling gear are included: Wine, beer, bottled water, soda, and equipment are listed.
• Budget for the fuel surcharge: It is €150 per booking, on top of the listed group price.

A private route along the Dubrovnik coast

Blue Mile Dubrovnik’s half-day trip is built around a simple pleasure: getting away from the city by water, then stopping when a beach or cove catches your eye. The advertised schedule starts at 10am and runs for about four hours. A private English-speaking skipper meets you in Dubrovnik, and your group has the boat to itself.

That privacy changes the feel of the outing. You are not working around a larger group’s pace, and the description says you can decide where to linger. If you want more time swimming, say so; if you are unsure where to stop, the skipper can recommend a spot.

The trip is not a fixed sightseeing circuit with a long list of landmarks. Its appeal is the mix of coastline, beach time, and swimming, with the Blue Cave as a distinctive stop. For some groups, that freedom is the point. If you prefer a tightly structured tour with detailed historical commentary, this may not be the right fit.

The advertised route includes Šunj Beach, Koločep and the Blue Cave, then a final swimming stop on the way back. The timing is given as roughly 90 minutes at each of the first two stops and an hour near Dubrovnik. Those are useful guideposts, but the emphasis on customization means you should confirm how much the actual schedule can vary.

Šunj Beach: a long pause on Lopud

The first stop is Šunj Beach, on Lopud, reached about half an hour after leaving Dubrovnik. It is described as a unique sandy beach, which makes it a contrast to the rocky shoreline you will see elsewhere on the trip. You have about an hour and a half here, the longest planned stretch at one location.

That amount of time leaves room to do more than hop off, take a quick look, and rush back aboard. You can swim, relax on the beach, or simply enjoy a slower start to the morning. If your group includes children or anyone who prefers a beach to a rocky cove, this is likely to be one of the most useful parts of the route.

The trade-off is that a long beach stop takes up a substantial share of a four-hour trip. If you would rather spend more of the outing around Koločep or the coves, tell your skipper early and ask what adjustments are practical. The tour is presented as flexible, but the exact route and timing still depend on the skipper’s recommendations and conditions.

Koločep and the Blue Cave

After Šunj, the boat continues toward Koločep, where the itinerary includes the Blue Cave. The cave is set into rock, making it a very different setting from the sandy beach. The trip description highlights swimming and snorkeling, and the skipper can point out places to get into the water.

Bring a sense of flexibility here. The experience is about seeing the coast from the boat and spending time in the water, not a promise of a particular cave encounter or a long guided explanation. Conditions and the skipper’s advice will shape what is possible at the stop.

The company says it offers sea scooters for snorkeling and underwater exploration, but the listed inclusions do not say that scooters are included. Ask before booking if they are important to you, and confirm whether there is an extra charge. Snorkeling equipment itself is included.

You have about 90 minutes allocated to this part of the trip. That is enough time for a focused stop, but the Blue Cave and the surrounding water may compete with other places your group wants to see. If your priority is lingering in quiet swimming spots, discuss that with the skipper rather than assuming every possible stop fits into the schedule.

The final swim before Dubrovnik

The last planned hour is for another swim somewhere along the Dubrovnik coast. You can choose a place, or ask the skipper to recommend one. This final stop is a useful feature of the itinerary: the return is not simply a straight ride back after the islands.

The coast is described as having both sandy and rocky beaches, so this stop can offer a different feel from Šunj. Your best choice will depend on what your group has already done and how much time you want in the water. If you have had your fill of swimming, ask how the remaining time will be handled.

The trip finishes back in Dubrovnik after about four hours. Since the listed stop durations add up to four hours on their own, and the route also includes the boat rides between locations, treat the timings as approximate rather than a minute-by-minute guarantee. Confirm the expected return time with the provider if you have another plan immediately afterward.

What the private format is worth

At $1,074.03 per group of up to six, the listed price is a sizable spend for four hours. Divide the base price among six people and it comes to about $179 per person, before the fuel surcharge. With fewer people, each person’s share rises; the price is not per passenger.

There is also a €150 fuel surcharge per booking. Keep it separate from the dollar price when you compare options, since it is quoted in another currency. The advertised price plus this surcharge is the real cost to plan around, and you should check the final amount and payment details before confirming.

What are you paying for? A private boat, an English-speaking skipper, the ability to tailor the stops, and a coastal outing with swimming time. Wine, beer, bottled water, soda, and snorkeling equipment are included. For a family or group of friends that wants to travel together and set its own pace, those features can make the higher total worthwhile.

The value is less compelling if you are travelling alone or as a couple and mainly want transport to one beach. In that case, compare the cost with other ways to reach the islands. This tour makes the most sense when the privacy and flexibility are as important to you as the destinations.

One past trip was described as using a clean, comfortable Marlin with plenty of shade. That gives you a helpful picture of what the boat may be like, but it is not a guarantee that every departure will use the same vessel. If shade, seating, or a particular boat matters to your group, ask Blue Mile Dubrovnik before booking.

A skipper who can make the day easier

The trip is led by a private English-speaking skipper. Ivan is named in several accounts of the outing, including Ivan Zlosilo, and is described as friendly and helpful. The practical value of a good skipper is not just getting from point to point: it is having someone who can suggest places to swim and help your group use its limited time well.

The tour description gives you control, but you do not need to plan every detail yourself. You can decide what matters most, then lean on the skipper’s recommendations if you do not know which cove or beach suits the day. That balance can be especially useful for families, where one person may want to snorkel while another would rather sit in the shade or stay close to shore.

The skipper’s recommendations are not a guarantee of a specific stop. The route is subject to conditions, and the operator requires good weather for the trip. If weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Drinks, equipment, and practical details

The listed inclusions cover private transportation, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, soda, wine, and beer. That is a convenient package for a half-day on the water, though it does not mean you should assume every extra is covered. In particular, sea scooters are mentioned as an offering, but they are not named among the included items.

Pickup is offered, and the activity is listed as private for your group only, with a maximum of six people. The meeting details are not specified here, so confirm the pickup point and timing with the operator. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is noted as near public transportation.

Most travelers can participate, but the information provided does not spell out boat access or other specific accessibility arrangements. If anyone in your party has mobility needs, ask the company directly before booking rather than relying on the general participation note.

For cancellations, you can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local time. Weather cancellations result in an offer of a different date or a full refund.

Who should book this speedboat trip?

I would consider this tour if you are a group of friends or family who want a private morning on the water, value time for swimming, and are happy to pay for the freedom to adjust the pace. Šunj’s sandy beach, Koločep’s rocky Blue Cave, and a final coastal swim give the outing variety without packing in a long list of stops.

It is also a good fit if you want a skipper’s help choosing where to swim but do not want a rigid group schedule. Ivan is a name to ask about when arranging the trip, though the provider does not guarantee a particular skipper. Families should also confirm the boat and any needs specific to children before booking.

I would look elsewhere if the fuel surcharge makes the total uncomfortable, if you need a very structured sightseeing tour, or if the sea scooters are central to your plans and you have not confirmed their availability and price. Book it for private time, flexible stops, and a coast-first view of Dubrovnik. Before paying, get the full price in writing, clarify pickup, and ask how much room there is to change the planned stops.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about four hours and is scheduled to start at 10am. The stop timings are approximate.

How many people can join?

It is a private activity for your group, with a maximum of six people.

Which places are included in the route?

The planned stops are Šunj Beach on Lopud, Koločep’s Blue Cave, and a final swimming stop along the Dubrovnik coast.

What is included in the price?

Private transportation, snorkeling equipment, wine, beer, bottled water, and soda are listed as included.

Is fuel included?

No. A €150 fuel surcharge per booking is listed separately from the group price.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled for poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.