Rent a luxury speed boat for great fun on this Elaphiti Islands tour

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat tour is the freedom to set the pace. You can spend your time on sandy Šunj Beach, stop for a swim near Koločep, or linger in Šipan’s old fishing port instead of racing through a fixed schedule. The private boat holds up to 12 people, making it a strong choice for a family or group of friends.

I like the practical extras: beer, white wine, soft drinks, water, and snorkeling equipment are included, and hotel pickup and drop-off can be arranged. I also like the range of timing. Four hours works for a quick island escape, while eight hours gives you room for swimming, lunch, and unhurried walks.

The main drawback is cost. At $842.05 per group, this is a serious splurge for two people, though it becomes much better value when divided among a full group of 12. The boat can also feel bumpy in rough weather, and the trip depends on good conditions.

Key points to know before booking

• Private speedboat for up to 12: Your group does not share the activity with strangers.
• Three very different islands: Lopud offers beaches and old paths, Šipan gives you a slower fishing-island feel, and Koločep is best for swimming and snorkeling.
• Flexible four-to-eight-hour format: You can choose a shorter outing or use most of the day.
• Drinks and gear included: Water, soda, beer, white wine, a fridge, sunshade, sundeck, and snorkeling equipment come with the boat.
• Skippers add character: Josip, James, Luca, Mark, Frane, Rocco, and others have been praised for friendly service, local information, and adapting the route.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, while rougher water may make the ride uncomfortable.

Why this private boat trip works well from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik’s old town can feel crowded, especially during the busiest part of the day. The Elaphiti Islands offer a welcome change: open water, small harbors, pine and olive trees, old stone houses, and beaches that invite you to slow down.

This is not a formal sightseeing cruise with a rigid script. It is a private outing with a skipper who drives the boat, points out places of interest, and adjusts the day around your group. That distinction matters. You are paying for space, flexibility, and a faster way to reach several islands rather than for a long guided walk at every stop.

The route includes Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep. Each island has a different mood, so the trip does not feel like three versions of the same stop. Lopud is the most obvious choice for a beach break. Šipan is the best place for old buildings and everyday island life. Koločep is the natural stop for clear water, fish, caves, and a short swim.

Past outings have been led by skippers including Josip, James, Luca, Mark, Frane, Rocco, and Phillip. The strongest pattern in the feedback is not a single landmark, but the service: friendly captains, useful explanations, music, and a willingness to change the pace when a group wants more beach time or more cave exploring.

Leaving Yacht Club Orsan for the islands

The stated starting point is Yacht Club Orsan at Ul. Ivana pl. Zajca 4 in Dubrovnik. Pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned minivan or car are available, but you need to contact the operator to arrange the details. Pickup less than one kilometer from the starting point is not included.

The boat comes with a sunshade, fridge, and sundeck. Those features are more useful than they may sound. A sunshade gives you a break from the strong summer sun, while the fridge keeps drinks cold during the open-water crossings. The sundeck gives you a place to stretch out, though you should still bring suitable sun protection.

The format is private, with only your own group participating. The maximum is 12 people per booking. If you are filling most of the boat, the price works far better than it does for a couple. At $842.05, the rough cost is about $70 per person for 12 people, before any personal spending. For six people, it is about $140 each. For two, it is more than $421 each.

That calculation tells you who should book. A large family, wedding party, or group of friends can get good value from the boat’s privacy and flexible schedule. A couple looking for a romantic day may still love it, but should compare the cost with a shared boat outing before paying.

Lopud: Šunj Beach, old paths, and a slower first stop

Lopud is usually the most beach-friendly part of the route. You can spend about an hour there, or longer if you choose the eight-hour option and want to make it a major part of the day.

The island is known for sandy beaches, rocky walking paths, old forests, olive groves, vineyards, and stone houses. Šunj is the main draw. It gives you the kind of soft beach break that can be hard to find around Dubrovnik, where many swimming spots are rocky or made of concrete platforms.

If you want more than a swim, Lopud offers several small sights. There are more than 30 churches on the island, along with a botanic garden described as one of the oldest in Europe. The Temple of the Sun museum sits on a hill and uses changing shades and light as part of its design. The exact appeal will depend on your interest, but it offers something unusual for anyone who wants a short cultural stop rather than another hour in the water.

Lopud also has cocktail bars, restaurants, shops, and local products such as olive oil, wine, and traditional food. That makes it the easiest island on this route for a relaxed meal or a little browsing.

The tradeoff is time. If your outing lasts only four hours, a long beach stop on Lopud leaves less room for Šipan and Koločep. I would treat the short version as a sampler, not a full island tour. With eight hours, you have a much better chance of enjoying Šunj, seeing a little of the island, and still making time for swimming elsewhere.

Šipan: the island with the most local character

Šipan is the largest of the three islands and feels less commercial than the stops closer to Dubrovnik. The boat visits Suđurađ, an old fishing port where you can have coffee, look around, and watch the harbor at an easy pace.

The island is known for its large number of olive trees and is associated with a Guinness World Record for the biggest number of olive trees on one island. Olive groves, old stone homes, fishing boats, and family traditions shape the feel of the place.

Šipan also has important reminders of Dubrovnik’s former elite. In the 15th century, wealthy Dubrovnik families used the island as a summer retreat and built villas there. You can see the late-Gothic Rector’s Palace and the remains of archbishops’ palaces. In Suđurađ, the 16th-century castle of the Stjepović-Skočibuha family sits beside a defensive tower built to guard against pirates.

You do not need to turn this into a formal history lesson. A short walk around the port is enough to make the island feel different from a simple beach stop. The appeal is the combination of old buildings and ordinary island life. Small fishing boats and stone houses sit alongside the working harbor, giving you a glimpse of a place that has not been shaped only for sightseeing.

Šipan is also a good choice if someone in your group does not want to swim. You can have coffee, walk, take photographs, or listen to the skipper explain the local background. If your group wants an elaborate guided tour of every historic building, the included stop may feel too brief, since the itinerary allows roughly an hour depending on your chosen duration and preferences.

Koločep: clear water, caves, and a swim break

Koločep is the strongest stop for water time. The island is known for clear sea, fish, shells, hidden caves, high cliffs, pine trees, and olive trees. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, so you do not need to pack your own mask and gear.

The planned stop is about an hour, but the skipper can adjust the timing according to the length of your tour and what your group wants. You may have a short beach break, explore the water near the island, or walk through Gornje Čelo and Donje Čelo, two small Mediterranean settlements.

This is where the boat’s flexibility matters most. A group of confident swimmers can use the stop for snorkeling and cave exploration. A family may prefer a shorter swim and more time on shore. The listing says most people can participate, but children must be accompanied by adults, so parents remain responsible during water activities.

The clear water is a major reason to choose this tour, but conditions still control the experience. One past outing became bumpy in rough weather, although the overall day remained enjoyable. If you are prone to motion sickness, take that possibility seriously. A speedboat gets you between islands quickly, but it also gives you more movement than a large ferry.

What the skippers add to the day

The captain is central to this experience. You are not simply renting an empty boat and finding your own way around. The skipper drives, handles the route, provides information, and helps decide how to use the available hours.

Josip has been praised for being interesting and fun while explaining history and local facts. James has been described as a good guide, especially during island stops and a visit to the Blue Cave. Luca has been noted for adjusting the day, including giving a group time to relax and eat at a beach before visiting more caves.

Other named skippers include Mark, Frane, Rocco, Frankie, and Phillip. Their reported strengths include friendliness, patience, local information, and an upbeat approach. Phillip was even remembered as driver, guide, and DJ, which tells you that the mood can be casual rather than strictly educational.

The experience will vary somewhat with the skipper, weather, and your group’s requests. That is both its strength and its limitation. You get a human-led day rather than a fixed product, but the exact balance of swimming, walking, history, music, and sightseeing is not guaranteed in advance.

If you have specific needs, mention them when booking. The operator asks for special requirements in advance, and communication is available by phone, Viber, and WhatsApp.

Food, drinks, and what to bring

Included drinks are white wine, beer, soda, and bottled water. This keeps the day simple, particularly during the boat rides and swim stops. Personal expenses are not included, so budget separately for meals, coffee, beach purchases, or local products on Lopud and Šipan.

Snorkeling equipment is provided. A swimsuit is not included, so bring one, along with a towel, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. These last items are practical recommendations for a boat-and-beach day, not supplied features.

The sunshade is valuable, but it does not mean you should plan to stay in the shade all day. Much of the attraction is being outside, and the sundeck may encourage long periods in direct sun. Keep water nearby even though bottled water is provided.

Four hours or eight hours?

The four-hour option suits you if you want a taste of the islands, a swim, and a few scenic stops while keeping the rest of the day open. It is also useful when you have limited time in Dubrovnik or want to combine the boat trip with an evening meal in town.

The eight-hour option is the better choice if you want the islands to be the main event. It allows a more relaxed stop at Lopud, time for coffee or sightseeing in Šipan, and a proper swim or snorkeling break at Koločep. You can also spend longer at places that catch your group’s interest rather than watching the clock.

Do not assume that eight hours means eight hours of constant guided sightseeing. Part of the value is free time. You may be sitting on a beach, walking around a port, swimming, or simply enjoying the ride. That is ideal for a group that wants control, but less ideal if you prefer a tightly scheduled tour with detailed commentary at every minute.

Weather, cancellation, and practical limits

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you will be offered another 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.

Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local time in Dubrovnik, so check the timing carefully before making last-minute changes.

The activity is near public transportation, and most people can take part. Children must be with adults. The private format is useful for families and groups who want to stay together, but the speedboat setting may not suit anyone who dislikes boat movement or rougher water.

Who should book this Dubrovnik speedboat tour?

I would recommend it most strongly to groups of four to 12 people who care about privacy and want a day shaped around their own interests. It works especially well for friends who want swimming, drinks, music, and beach time, or families who want to avoid the fixed schedule of a large excursion.

It also suits couples who place a high value on a private boat and can accept the price. For a pair on a tight budget, the cost is hard to justify. For a larger group, the same price buys a full day of transport, a skipper, several island stops, drinks, and snorkeling equipment.

Book it if you want a mix of beaches, old ports, swimming, and local stories. Choose the eight-hour option if you want the islands to fill most of your day. Choose four hours if you mainly want a fast escape from Dubrovnik with time left for other plans.

I would skip it if you need a guaranteed calm sea, a formal archaeological tour, or a low-cost outing. But if the appeal is a private boat, flexible stops, and the chance to let the captain show you the best water and island sights that day, this is a strong way to see the Elaphiti Islands.

FAQ

How much does the private Elaphiti Islands tour cost?

The price is $842.05 per group of up to 12 people. The cost is shared by your group rather than charged per person.

How long does the tour last?

You can choose a tour lasting about four to eight hours. The shorter option leaves more of your day free, while the longer option allows more time at the islands.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep. Stops can be adjusted according to the tour length and your group’s preferences.

Are drinks and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The boat provides white wine, beer, bottled water, soda, and snorkeling equipment. A sunshade, fridge, and sundeck are also included.

Where does the tour start?

The stated meeting point is Yacht Club Orsan, Ul. Ivana pl. Zajca 4, 20000 Dubrovnik. Pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned minivan or car can be arranged by contacting the operator.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.