Dubrovnik: Elaphite Islands Private Speedboat Full-Day Tour

The best part of this day is the freedom of a private speedboat. Instead of following a large boat’s fixed schedule, you can spend more time swimming, cut a stop short, or pause for photos when the water and views look right. The Elaphiti Islands give you a full Adriatic day without straying far from Dubrovnik.

I especially like the mix of Šunj Beach’s rare sand and the quiet, little-known swimming spots along the route. I also like the visit to Luka Šipanska, where you get time for lunch and a look at island life rather than a parade of beaches. The main drawback is cost: at $500 per person, with fuel paid separately at the end, this makes the most sense for a group that values privacy and flexibility.

Key points to know before you book

• Private route, not a fixed group outing: Your skipper can work the day around what your party wants to see, an especially useful feature for swimmers and photographers.
• Three Elaphiti Islands in eight hours: The route includes Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep, plus several swimming stops in hard-to-find bays.
• Šunj is the sandy-beach stop: You get about an hour for swimming, drinks, or sunbathing on one of the coast’s uncommon sandy beaches.
• Šipan offers a local pause: Free time in Luka Šipanska allows for lunch, drinks, a walk, and a look at a small port community.
• Koločep ends the island circuit: Expect rocky or pebbly shores, clean water, snorkeling, and a stop at the Blue Cave.
• Pack for a full day in the sun: Bring a hat, swimwear, sunscreen, and beachwear. Towels, water, drinks, and snorkeling equipment are provided.

Why a private speedboat changes the day

This is not simply a transfer between islands. The boat is the main tool for seeing the Elaphiti Islands well. A private group can spend the day moving between beaches, swimming spots, ports, and photo stops without having to match the pace of strangers.

The tour starts at 10 am and lasts eight hours. That gives you a long stretch on the water, but the timing also means you should be ready for a full day outdoors. You will be exposed to sun, spray, and wind, with several chances to get into the sea.

The private setup is especially useful if your party has different interests. One person can snorkel while another stays on the boat. You can spend the full hour at Šunj, take a shorter swim at another bay, or give more attention to photos at the Blue Cave. The supplied information does not give the boat’s passenger capacity or exact departure point, so confirm those details before booking.

The skipper speaks English and Croatian. A previous booking specifically praised the guide and the overall experience, while another noted that the itinerary was adjusted around what the group wanted to see. That is the most important practical advantage here: the schedule has room to respond to your preferences.

First stop at Lopud’s sandy Šunj Beach

After leaving Dubrovnik, the boat travels through the Elaphiti Channel. The ride to Šunj Beach on Lopud takes about 40 minutes, making this an easy first stop rather than a distant expedition.

Šunj is special because sandy beaches are uncommon along this part of the Croatian coast. Much of the Adriatic shoreline is rocky or pebbly, so the soft beach gives this stop a different feel from the later swimming areas.

You get about an hour at Šunj. Use it for a swim, sunbathing, or a drink. It is a good opening stop because you can settle into the day without rushing straight from one activity to another.

The limitation is time. An hour is enough to enjoy the beach, but not enough for a long walk or a slow, extended beach afternoon. If your top priority is sand, tell the skipper early that you would like to make the most of this stop.

The beach also sets up a useful contrast. Lopud gives you a familiar beach break, while Šipan and Koločep bring smaller ports, quieter coves, and a more rugged shore. You are not seeing three versions of the same island.

A short swim in a bay between Lopud and Šipan

The next leg heads toward Šipan, the largest of the Elaphiti Islands. The skipper plans a short stop in a quiet bay along the way for swimming, snorkeling, or photos.

This is where the private format has real value. The stop is not tied to a large sightseeing group, and you can choose how active you want to be. Jump from the boat into the clear sea, use the supplied snorkeling equipment, or stay aboard and enjoy the view.

The description also notes that the skipper may suggest other little bays during the day. These places are not easy to locate on a map, which gives the route a sense of discovery without requiring you to find them yourself.

Do not expect every stop to be a fully developed beach. Some are simply beautiful stretches of water reached by boat. That is part of the appeal, but it also means you should be comfortable swimming from the boat and spending time without shore facilities.

Luka Šipanska and a slower hour on Šipan

Šipan is the largest island in the group, and Luka Šipanska is one of only two inhabited places on it. The island has about 200 residents in total, so this stop offers a sharp change from Dubrovnik’s busy waterfront.

You have free time here for lunch or drinks at a local beach bar. Lunch is not included in the tour price, so plan to pay for your meal separately. You can also walk around the port, look at the small bays, and watch the traditional boats.

I like this part of the route because it gives the day some human scale. The sea is the star, but a stop in a small island community keeps the experience from becoming a nonstop sequence of swim breaks.

The tradeoff is that the schedule does not include a specific restaurant or a set lunch menu. You choose where to eat during your free time, and the information provided does not state how long that stop lasts. If lunch matters more to you than swimming, discuss the timing with the skipper.

Šipan is also a good place to slow down. A private boat day can easily become hurried, with one cove followed by another. A walk around Luka Šipanska gives you a chance to dry off, eat, and see how different island life can feel from the mainland.

Sikirica Bay and the clearest swimming water

From Šipan, the boat continues toward Koločep, stopping at Sikirica Bay. The bay is difficult to locate on a map, and that makes the stop feel separate from the usual island circuit.

The water here is described as turquoise, with another chance to swim and snorkel. A sea scooter may also be used at this stop, although the information does not specify whether one is supplied or needs to be arranged separately. Ask before counting on it.

Sikirica is the kind of place where the boat matters more than the shore. You are visiting for the water, the quiet, and the view from the sea. If you prefer a structured sightseeing stop with plenty of land-based activities, this may feel brief. If your ideal day includes repeated swims in beautiful water, it should be one of the highlights.

Snorkeling equipment is included, along with towels and bottled water. Alcoholic drinks, beer, and soda are also listed as included. Even so, bring your own sunscreen and hat, since the provided items do not include sun protection.

Koločep, rocky beaches, and the Blue Cave

Koločep is the smallest island on this route and is described as a natural oasis with fewer than 150 residents. During winter, it is almost empty, though this tour operates in conditions suitable for a sea outing rather than a winter visit.

The island’s beaches are rocky or pebbly, and the sea is the main attraction. You will have another opportunity to swim, snorkel, or sunbathe before returning to Dubrovnik.

The stop at the Blue Cave adds a photo-friendly finish. You can take pictures inside or near the cave, then return to the water for another swim. The supplied details do not give the exact amount of time spent at the cave, so think of it as one part of the Koločep stop, not a separate long excursion.

Koločep also completes the tour’s pattern nicely. Lopud gives you sand, Šipan gives you a small island port, and Koločep gives you rocky shores and cave scenery. The route has variety, even though swimming remains the central activity throughout.

As with Sikirica Bay, there may be little formal infrastructure at the swimming locations. Bring beachwear that can handle pebbles and rocks, and use the towel provided when you return to the boat.

What is included, and what still costs extra

The listed price is $500 per person. That is a significant amount, but it pays for a private speedboat, a private English-speaking skipper, an eight-hour route, snorkeling equipment, towels, bottled water, and a selection of alcoholic drinks, beer, and soda.

The value depends heavily on the size and makeup of your group. A private boat can be expensive for one or two people, while a larger party may find the privacy and flexible schedule easier to justify. The price is not just for transport. You are paying for the ability to shape the day and reach bays that are not simple to find independently.

Fuel is paid separately on the spot at the end of the tour. Since no fuel amount is provided, ask for an estimate before departure and include it in your budget. Lunch is also extra, although you will have a chance to eat at Luka Šipanska.

The included drinks are useful, but they do not replace lunch or personal snacks. The information specifically lists bottled water, beer, soda, and alcoholic beverages, so check what is available on your particular boat if anyone in your group has special preferences.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are arranging the day before your Dubrovnik schedule is settled.

Who will enjoy this Elaphiti Islands day

I would choose this tour for a couple, family, or group of friends who want the sea to be the main event. It suits people who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and moving between several locations without spending the day on crowded beaches.

It is also a good fit for a group with different ideas about sightseeing. One person can swim while another takes photos. You can give more attention to Šunj, spend longer in a bay, or ask for a slower stop in Luka Šipanska.

The day is less suited to anyone seeking a detailed historical tour. The focus is nature, water, island villages, and time aboard the boat. The available information does not promise a specific historical commentary or named guide, so book it for the coast rather than for museum-style interpretation.

You should also be ready for a full day in the sun. A hat, swimwear, sunscreen, and beachwear are specifically recommended. Comfortable clothes for getting on and off the boat will make the day easier, though the exact boarding conditions are not provided.

Is the $500 private tour worth it?

The strongest reason to book is flexibility. One confirmed booking specifically praised the way the itinerary was shaped around the group’s wishes, and that is precisely where a private tour earns its price. You get three islands, several swimming stops, a port visit, and the Blue Cave in one eight-hour outing.

The main caution is the total cost. At $500 per person, plus fuel and lunch, this is not a budget way to see the Elaphiti Islands. You should compare the price against how much you value privacy, a private skipper, and the ability to adjust the route.

I would book it if you want an active sea day and your group can share the cost. I would skip it if you would rather spend most of the day on land, need a fixed all-inclusive price, or prefer a tour with a stronger history focus.

FAQ

How long is the Elaphite Islands speedboat tour?

The tour lasts eight hours, with departure scheduled for 10 am.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep. It also includes stops in several bays along the way.

Is the boat private?

Yes. The experience includes private speedboat transportation, a private skipper, and a private group.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but you have free time to eat or buy drinks in Luka Šipanska.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel is paid separately on the spot at the end of the tour.

What equipment is provided?

Snorkeling equipment and towels are provided. Bottled water, alcoholic beverages, beer, and soda are also included.

Can I swim at the islands and bays?

Yes. The itinerary includes swimming opportunities at Šunj Beach, a bay between Lopud and Šipan, Sikirica Bay, and Koločep.

Does the skipper speak English?

Yes. The live tour guide languages are English and Croatian.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, sunscreen, and beachwear. These items are recommended for the full day on the water.