Dubrovnik Private Speedboat Tour to Elaphite Islands with Drinks

A private speedboat is a quick way to trade Dubrovnik’s stone walls for sea caves, island harbors and time in the water. I like two things in particular: your skipper can adjust the stops to suit your group, and beer, wine, soft drinks, water and snorkeling gear are included.

The main consideration is the final cost. The advertised price is for a group of up to two, but fuel is extra and payable in cash. A full day also means a longer time on the water, and the boat size may feel modest if you expect a large, cushioned cruiser.

At a glance

• Koločep’s caves are the first main stop, with time to swim, snorkel and see the Blue and Green Caves.
• Lopud is car-free, with a village beach and Šunj Beach on the island’s southern side.
• The eight-hour tour reaches Šipan, while the half-day trip does not go that far.
• The skipper can tailor the pace, from more time swimming to a longer stop ashore.
• Drinks, towels, life jackets and snorkel gear are included, but lunch and fuel are not.
• The listed price is $386.98 for up to two people, with a separate cash fuel charge.

Dubrovnik’s coastline, then the islands

The tour begins with a short panoramic look at Dubrovnik’s Old Town from the water. The city walls and coastline take on a different scale from a boat, and this opening stretch gives you a sense of how quickly the trip leaves the city behind.

Then you head for the Elaphiti Islands, a small group of islands northwest of Dubrovnik. The speedboat makes island-hopping practical in a half day, while the longer option gives you room to add Šipan and a more relaxed stop ashore. You are not following a fixed group itinerary: captains have adjusted routes for guests who wanted extra cave stops, more swimming, or less time in the water.

That flexibility is a real part of the appeal. You can talk through what you want with your skipper, then settle into a mix of sightseeing and swimming that suits your group. It is still a boat tour, so the day depends on the sea and the weather. If conditions are poor, the operator may offer another date or a refund.

Koločep’s caves and clear swimming spots

Koločep is the closest island to Dubrovnik and the first island stop. The tour allocates about an hour here, with the chance to swim and snorkel near the caves. The island is known for five caves, including the Blue and Green Caves, which are the best-known stops on this route.

The caves are a natural draw, but do not expect a quiet, private visit simply because your boat is private. The Blue Cave can get busy. An early departure may improve your chances of arriving before the busiest period, and one couple found the cave nearly empty on an early-morning trip. Ask your skipper about timing when you book or set off.

Some captains also take groups to quieter swimming coves beyond the main cave stops. That can be a welcome change if the cave area is crowded or if your group would rather swim than wait for photos. The water is described as clear and turquoise, but temperature matters: people swimming in late April and early June found it chilly. Bring a towel and be ready to decide on the spot whether a swim sounds inviting.

Snorkeling gear is supplied, as are life jackets. You can use the equipment to look around in the water, but the tour is not a formal snorkeling lesson. If swimming is the main reason you are booking, tell the skipper so the schedule can give it proper time.

Lopud, from village harbor to Šunj Beach

Lopud is the longer stop on the standard route, with about two hours ashore. Its main village has a sandy beach and places to eat, while Šunj Beach lies on the island’s southern side. The car-free setting makes a change from the bustle of Dubrovnik, and you can use the stop to swim, sunbathe, stroll or pause for a drink.

There is a choice to make here: keep the visit simple with a swim and beach time, or use part of the stop for lunch. Fresh fish is a local specialty, and the skipper can help arrange a reservation at a restaurant. Lunch is not included in the tour price, so budget separately for your meal.

Lopud also carries traces of a more prosperous past. It once had two monasteries, thirty churches and noble palaces; today, only parts of that earlier life remain. You do not need to turn this into a history-focused visit. A walk through the village and harbor gives the island a human scale, while the beach offers the easygoing side of the day.

Two hours can pass quickly if you want to eat, swim and explore. Tell your skipper which matters most. Past trips have been adjusted to let groups spend longer in the water or more time ashore, though the exact balance depends on your tour length and route.

Šikirica Lagoon and Šipan on the full-day trip

The eight-hour option continues toward Šipan, the farthest stop on the described route. On the way, the boat can pause at Šikirica Lagoon, a swimming spot surrounded by clear water. This extra stretch is why Šipan is included only on the full-day tour: it is too far from Dubrovnik to fit comfortably into the four-hour option.

Šipan’s small fishing harbor offers a quieter contrast to the better-known cave and beach stops. You can take a leisurely walk by the water or visit a seaside wine bar to sample local wine. The island is also known for olive oil. This is less about ticking off a major attraction and more about slowing down in a working island setting.

The full-day format earns its extra hours if you want the broader island-hopping experience and do not mind spending much of the day on the water. It also gives the skipper more room to respond if you want to swim longer or add a stop nearby. If you mainly want caves and a beach, the half-day trip may be enough.

A private boat means room to set the pace

This is a private outing for your group, not a shared boat with strangers. That matters most in how the day feels: you can ask for more swimming, more time in a village, or a different balance between stops. Families have used the flexible format for teenagers, while couples have booked it for a relaxed morning or a special occasion.

Captains named on past trips include Marin, Ante, Tony, Mario, Joe, Simon and Nikola. The specific skipper is not guaranteed, but the role is more than steering. Captains have shared local context, suggested stops and helped arrange lunch. Some groups have also played their own music through the boat speakers.

Safety and comfort are part of the skipper’s job, particularly around caves and swimming stops. Life jackets are provided, and the boat ride has been described as smooth in calm conditions. Still, this is a speedboat rather than a large yacht. One guest felt the boat was small compared with private boats used elsewhere. If space is important to you, ask which boat size you are booking before you commit.

What the price includes, and what it does not

The listed price is $386.98 per group of up to two, not a per-person fare. For a couple wanting a private day on the water, that buys a skipper, a private speedboat, drinks, towels, life jackets and snorkel gear. The privacy and ability to shape the schedule are the main reasons to pay more than you would for a shared excursion.

Fuel is an extra cash payment on the boat: €70 for the four-hour tour or €150 for the eight-hour tour. Lunch is also at your own expense. If you need pickup and drop-off from Sheraton, Mlini or Cavtat, that service costs €60 cash. Add these charges to the headline price before comparing it with other boat trips.

The boat itself may be fairly simple rather than luxurious. The supplied details describe a fleet of speedboats in different sizes, and a past guest noted that the boat selected for two people felt small. Ask about the specific vessel and seating if you value room to stretch out more than speed and flexibility.

Timing, comfort and practical details

The tour runs for about four to eight hours. A half day gives you the Old Town panorama, Koločep and Lopud; a full day adds the longer run toward Šipan. The departure time is worth discussing, especially if seeing the caves before they grow busy is a priority. Early morning has worked well for reaching the Blue Cave ahead of other boats.

Pack swimwear, sun protection and a change of clothes if you plan to spend time in the water. Towels are included, but having a dry layer can make the ride back more comfortable. Water temperature can be cool in spring and early summer, even when the scenery makes a swim tempting.

Drinks include beer, wine, soft drinks and bottled water. The minimum drinking age is 18. Keep in mind that this is a boat outing, not a restaurant service: lunch is separate, and the best use of the included drinks is to enjoy them during the ride or at a quiet stop.

The activity is offered in English. Confirmation is received at booking, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time; poor weather can lead to a rescheduled trip or a full refund.

Who will get the most from this trip?

I would consider this tour if you want a private, active day and value choice over a fixed schedule. Couples, families with older children, and small groups who like swimming and island stops are a natural fit. The tour can be especially useful if you are visiting Dubrovnik for a short time and want to see the coastline without organizing separate boat transfers.

Choose four hours if you want a focused outing to Koločep and Lopud, or if your day is already full. Choose eight hours if Šipan appeals, you want a slower pace, or you would rather make a day of the islands than rush back to town. The longer trip costs more in fuel and takes most of the day, so it is not automatically the better choice for everyone.

You may want to look elsewhere if you expect a spacious luxury cruiser, a guided history tour at every stop, or a meal included in the price. This trip’s strengths are the skipper’s flexibility, the access to several islands and the chance to swim where a land-based visit cannot take you.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands speedboat tour?

Book it if a private boat, swimming time and a flexible route sound worth the extra fuel cost. For a first visit, I would lean toward the eight-hour version if your schedule allows: it adds Šipan and leaves more room to linger. If you mainly want the caves and a beach, the four-hour trip is a sensible, less demanding choice.

Before booking, confirm the boat size, the fuel charge, and whether you want the optional €60 pickup. Then tell the skipper what matters most: caves, swimming, lunch or time in the villages. That small conversation can make the day feel much more like your own.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

You can choose a tour of about four hours or a full-day option of about eight hours. Šipan is included only on the full-day trip.

What islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Koločep and Lopud. The full-day option also includes Šipan, with a possible swim stop at Šikirica Lagoon along the way.

Are drinks and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Beer, wine, soft drinks, bottled water and snorkeling gear are included. Towels and life jackets are provided too.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. On Lopud, you can ask the skipper to arrange a reservation at a local restaurant.

How much is the fuel surcharge?

Fuel is paid in cash on the boat. It costs €70 for the half-day tour and €150 for the full-day tour.

Is pickup available from Sheraton, Mlini or Cavtat?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from Sheraton, Mlini or Cavtat are available for €60 cash.

How much does the tour cost?

The advertised price is $386.98 per group of up to two. Fuel, lunch and the optional pickup are additional costs.

Is this a shared tour?

No. It is a private activity, so only your group participates.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Free cancellation for other reasons is available up to 24 hours before the start time.