Luxury Private Speedboat Tour Islands & Blue Cave

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat trip is its private, flexible route. You can race across the sea to the Elaphiti Islands, then slow down for a swim, a walk, or a quiet cove. Skipper Luka can adjust the plan, and one booking even worked in the Blue Cave and Hvar while getting the group back to a cruise ship on time.

I like the small-group setup, which means your party of up to six does not have to follow a large boatload of strangers. I also like the mix of Koločep’s pine and citrus groves with Lopud’s beaches and island paths. The main drawback is that the trip length can range from two to eight hours, so you should confirm the exact route, stops, and Blue Cave plans before paying.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six: You get the vessel and skipper to yourself, with room to shape the day around your group.
• Koločep in about one hour: The closest island to Dubrovnik offers pine trees, citrus gardens, olive groves, and a gentle first stop.
• Lopud in about two hours: Plan time for swimming, walking, and seeing one of the more appealing islands in the Dubrovnik group.
• Three Elaphiti Islands: The wider route includes Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, with time for snorkeling and Mediterranean scenery.
• Blue Cave flexibility: The tour name includes the Blue Cave, and Luka has arranged a Blue Cave visit on at least one custom trip, but confirm the exact plan.
• Weather matters: Bad conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, while cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.

A private way to leave Dubrovnik behind

Dubrovnik’s old town can feel crowded, especially when cruise ships are in port. A private speedboat gives you a quick change of scene. Within a short time, you are looking back toward the city from open water, with the Elaphiti Islands ahead.

This is not simply a boat ride with a fixed photo stop. The skipper shares information about island history, local culture, and the sea environment. You can also tell Luka what matters most to you: swimming, snorkeling, island time, or fitting the trip around a cruise schedule.

That flexibility is the tour’s strongest feature. A private group can move at its own pace. If you want more time in the water, you can ask for it. If a particular island appeals to you, the skipper may be able to adjust the route. The exact plan still depends on weather, daylight, distance, and the duration you book.

The speedboat is useful here. The Elaphiti Islands are close to Dubrovnik, but the experience feels far removed from the city. A faster boat lets you cover more water than a slow sightseeing cruise and gives you a better chance to combine several islands in one outing.

Koločep: a calm first taste of the islands

Koločep, also called Kalamota by locals, is the nearest of the main islands to Dubrovnik. The scheduled stop is about one hour, making it a sensible introduction to the area.

The island is described by its pine trees, citrus gardens, and small olive groves. That greenery gives Koločep a park-like feel rather than the built-up look you may associate with a popular coastal destination. You can expect a pleasant place to stretch your legs, look around, and get a first feel for island life.

An hour is enough for a short walk and a pause by the water, but it is not a long island visit. If your priority is a substantial swim or a relaxed meal, you may prefer to save more time for Lopud or the wider Elaphiti route.

Koločep works especially well for people who want variety. You get a little land time, a little scenery, and a short boat ride onward instead of spending the whole day in one place.

Lopud gives the day more room to breathe

Lopud receives about two hours on the listed route, and that extra time matters. It is presented as one of the most interesting islands near Dubrovnik, located between Koločep and Šipan.

The island offers a more substantial stop than Koločep. You can walk beneath Mediterranean vegetation, pause by the shore, and use the clear water for a swim or snorkeling. The pace is yours, within the time agreed with your skipper.

I would treat Lopud as the point where the trip shifts from a quick island sampler to a proper outing. Koločep is close and compact. Lopud gives you room to wander and settle into the day.

Do not assume that two hours will cover every corner of the island. The route description leaves some details open, and the boat schedule may change based on your chosen trip length. Ask Luka how much time will be spent ashore and how much will be reserved for swimming.

The three-island Elaphiti route

The longer version takes in Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, the three main Elaphiti Islands included in the tour plan. A listed duration of about four hours is attached to this broader island outing, while the overall experience can run from two to eight hours.

The longer option is the better choice if you want the boat ride itself to be part of the day, not just transportation between two stops. You can swim or snorkel in clear water, walk in the shade of Mediterranean plants, and compare the character of several islands.

Šipan adds another name to the route, but the supplied details do not spell out a separate stop length or a particular village visit there. For that reason, confirm how long you will spend on Šipan and if you will go ashore. The same advice applies to the balance between swimming, snorkeling, and sightseeing.

The description also mentions a picnic lunch with fresh seafood and tropical fruit. Since menu details are not provided, ask what is included before departure, especially if someone in your group has dietary needs.

What the Blue Cave title means for your plans

The Blue Cave appears in the tour name, and a custom booking included both the Blue Cave and Hvar. That tells you the operator can sometimes build a wider route than the core Elaphiti itinerary.

Still, you should not assume every two-hour or four-hour booking includes every named location. Hvar is not listed among the regular three-island stops, and the exact Blue Cave plan may depend on the time you book, sea conditions, and the route agreed with Luka.

If the cave is the main reason you are booking, ask three clear questions before confirming:

• Is the Blue Cave included in your chosen duration?
• How much time will remain for Koločep, Lopud, or Šipan?
• Is the route possible on your travel date and in the expected weather?

This simple check can prevent disappointment. A flexible private boat is a strength, but flexibility also means the final plan needs to be clear.

Swimming and snorkeling without a packed boat

The water is one of the main reasons to choose this outing. The plan includes opportunities to swim and snorkel in clear sea, with quiet coastal areas and island vegetation providing a break from Dubrovnik’s stone streets.

A private tour is helpful if your group has mixed interests. One person can swim while another prefers a short walk or simply wants to enjoy the ride. You can tell the skipper what kind of pace suits you instead of waiting for a large group to finish.

The information does not specify the snorkeling equipment provided, so ask before you go. The same applies to towels, food, and drinks. Pack or arrange what you need rather than counting on details that have not been stated.

The boat ride itself may be thrilling. Speed is part of the appeal, but it can also make the trip less relaxing for anyone sensitive to motion. If your group includes young children, older adults, or anyone prone to seasickness, discuss the route and conditions with the provider before departure.

Luka and the value of a private skipper

Luka is identified as the provider and skipper, and the available feedback gives you a useful picture of his working style. He is described as personable, accommodating, and well informed about the popular spots. More important, he is willing to listen when a group has other ideas.

That matters on a private tour. You are not buying a scripted transfer alone. You are paying for local judgment about where to stop, how to use your time, and how to adjust the plan when your schedule changes.

One group made a mistake with its tour date, yet the operator still fitted them in, changed the route, and got them back to their cruise ship on time. That is a strong sign for cruise passengers, though you should never leave a tight ship departure margin without discussing it in advance.

The skipper can also point out island history, culture, and ecology as you travel. The amount of commentary will depend on your questions and the pace of the day, but the experience is designed to include more than scenery.

Price, group size, and real value

The listed price is $347.69 per group of up to six, not per person. Split six ways, that is about $58 per person. For four people, it works out to roughly $87 per person, and for two people, about $174 each.

That makes the tour most attractive for a family or group of friends. Six people share the same private boat, guide, and route, so the per-person price improves quickly as your party grows.

The value comes from control as much as from transport. A regular group excursion may cost less per person, but it will not give you the same ability to ask for a different stop, adjust the timing, or arrange the day around a cruise departure.

The price is harder to justify for a couple if you only want a short ride to one island. In that case, compare the cost with a shared boat trip. If you want a longer day, several islands, swimming, and the chance to discuss a custom route, the private format makes more sense.

The duration is listed broadly, from two to eight hours. That is a major price factor. A short trip and a full-day arrangement are very different purchases, so check the selected duration and what it covers.

Pickup, weather, and booking details

Pickup is offered, which can simplify the start of the day. The data does not specify every pickup point or whether an extra charge applies, so confirm the meeting details when you book.

You receive confirmation at the time of booking, and the experience uses a mobile ticket. It is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, though the supplied information does not give detailed limits for mobility, medical conditions, or boat access.

Weather is important. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that 24-hour window, you will not receive a refund, and changes are not accepted.

That policy makes an early weather check worthwhile. Do not wait until the morning of the trip to change your plans if the forecast already looks poor.

Who will get the most from this boat trip

I would recommend this outing to a group of up to six that wants a private day on the water rather than a fixed sightseeing cruise. It suits people who want to combine island scenery with swimming, snorkeling, and a little walking.

It is also a good match for cruise passengers, provided the timing is agreed in advance. The operator has adjusted a route to help a group return to its ship, but you should build in a generous safety margin.

Families and friends will get the best price value. Couples may still love the privacy, but the cost per person is higher. If your only goal is the Blue Cave, ask for a firm route and duration before booking, because the regular plan centers on Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan.

People who want a fully fixed schedule may find the open-ended format less comfortable. The route can change, and the broad two-to-eight-hour duration means you need to take an active role in setting expectations.

Should you book the Dubrovnik speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a private skipper, a flexible route, and time to swim among the Elaphiti Islands. The strongest reasons are the small group size, Luka’s willingness to adjust the day, and the chance to combine Koločep, Lopud, Šipan, and possibly the Blue Cave.

Before you pay, confirm the exact duration, pickup point, lunch details, snorkeling equipment, and whether the Blue Cave is included. If those details match your plans, this is a practical way to trade Dubrovnik’s crowds for open water and several very different island stops.

FAQ

How much does the private speedboat tour cost?

The price is $347.69 per group of up to six people. The per-person cost depends on the size of your group.

How long does the tour last?

The experience can last from about two to eight hours. A broader Elaphiti Islands route is listed at about four hours, while individual stops include about one hour on Koločep and two hours on Lopud.

Which islands are included?

The main route includes Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, the three Elaphiti Islands near Dubrovnik.

Is the Blue Cave included?

The Blue Cave is included in the experience title, and one custom trip included the Blue Cave and Hvar. Confirm the exact route and inclusion for your chosen booking.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates, with a maximum of six people.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered. Confirm the exact pickup details when booking.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations and changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.