Dubrovnik: Elaphite Islands Private Speedboat Full-Day Tour

The best part of this private speedboat tour is the freedom to spend your day in the water instead of following a crowded group from one fixed stop to the next. You move through the Elaphiti Channel, pause at sandy beaches and quiet coves, and let your skipper adjust the plan to suit your group.

I like the rare sandy beach at Šunj and the chance to see three very different islands in one day. I also like the personal scale of the trip: a private boat, an English-speaking skipper, towels, drinks, and snorkeling gear are all provided. The main drawback is the extra cost of lunch and fuel, which is paid separately.

Key points to know before you book

• Šunj gives you a rare sandy beach stop: Spend about an hour swimming, sunbathing, or having a drink on Lopud.
• The route is flexible: Your private skipper can work the day around what your group wants to see.
• Šipan feels genuinely small: Luka Šipanska has only about 200 residents on the island, with traditional boats and a local beach bar.
• Sikirica Bay is made for swimming: Its turquoise water is suited to snorkeling, photos, and even a sea scooter.
• Koločep adds a final scenic stop: Blue Cave provides another place for photos, swimming, and snorkeling.
• The price needs careful reading: The tour costs $500 per person, with lunch and fuel not included.

Why a private boat changes the Elaphite Islands day

The Elaphite Islands sit close to Dubrovnik, but a boat gives you a different view of the region. From the water, the trip is less about checking off one famous sight and more about moving between beaches, coves, small ports, and clear swimming spots.

You meet your skipper at 10 am and spend eight hours on a private speedboat. That matters because the day has several stops, and a private group can make better use of the time. You are not tied to the pace of strangers who want to spend longer on the beach, leave earlier, or skip a swim.

The speedboat also makes the route practical. You reach Šunj on Lopud in about 40 minutes, then continue to Šipan and Koločep, with swimming stops along the way. It is a full day on the sea, not a short harbor cruise with one quick photo stop.

The skipper speaks Croatian and English and can shape the stops around your interests. A verified booking from July 2023 specifically praised the boat and the way the schedule was adjusted to suit the group. That is useful information for anyone who wants a more personal day rather than a rigid program.

Šunj on Lopud: a sandy beach in a rocky-water region

Your first main stop is Šunj, on the island of Lopud. You spend about an hour here, which is enough time for a swim, a drink, or an easy stretch of sunbathing.

The beach is notable because sandy beaches are uncommon along this part of the Croatian coast. Much of the Adriatic shoreline is rocky or pebbly, so Šunj gives you a change of texture and a softer place to spend the first part of the day.

I would use this stop to settle into the rhythm of the tour. The boat ride from Dubrovnik gets you out among the islands, then Šunj gives you a relaxed start before the more remote swimming bays later in the day.

Do not expect an extended beach day here. The scheduled stop lasts about an hour, and the tour has several more destinations ahead. If you want long, lazy hours on one beach, this may feel brief. If you prefer variety, the short stay keeps the day moving.

Bring a hat, swimwear, beachwear, and sunscreen. The tour supplies towels and bottled water, but your own sun protection remains important during a full day outside.

The ride to Šipan includes a quiet swimming cove

After Lopud, the boat continues toward Šipan, the largest of the Elaphite Islands. On the way, the skipper stops at a hidden bay for swimming, snorkeling, photographs, or a simple pause on the boat.

This is one of the strongest features of the experience because the stop is not presented as a major named attraction. It is part of the pleasure of having a private skipper who knows places that may be difficult to locate on a map.

You can jump from the speedboat into the clear sea, use the supplied snorkeling equipment, or stay aboard and enjoy the view. That choice makes the stop work for different kinds of people in the same group. Strong swimmers can get in the water, while anyone who prefers a quieter break can remain on the boat.

The word hidden here should be taken practically, not romantically. The bay is not described as a secret place with facilities or services. It is a natural swimming stop, so you should have your towel, sunscreen, and water ready before getting in.

Luka Šipanska offers a glimpse of small-island life

Šipan is the largest Elaphite Island, but it still feels small in human terms. The tour visits Luka Šipanska, one of only two inhabited places on the island. Around 200 people live on the entire island, giving the port a quiet, local character.

You have free time here for lunch or drinks at a local beach bar. You can also walk around the port, look at the traditional boats, and explore the small bays near the settlement.

This stop gives the day some balance. The beach and swimming stops focus on the sea, while Šipan lets you step ashore and see how a small island community feels. You are not being rushed through a major urban center. Instead, you get a short look at a place where the harbor and the local pace remain central to daily life.

Lunch is not included, so plan to pay for your meal separately. The tour description does not set a menu or a fixed restaurant, only that there are attractive places to eat. If lunch matters to you, ask the skipper about the available beach bar options at the start of the day.

The free time is also a reason to keep expectations clear. This is not a guided historical tour of Šipan, and no detailed cultural program is listed. You will have time to walk, eat, drink, and observe the port at your own pace.

Sikirica Bay brings turquoise water and more swim time

From Šipan, the boat continues toward Koločep and stops at Sikirica Bay. The bay is described as hard to locate on a map, which is part of its appeal. Its turquoise water makes it a strong stop for swimming, snorkeling, photographs, and possibly using a sea scooter.

The tour includes snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to arrange your own mask and gear. A sea scooter is mentioned as an option, but the included equipment specifically covers snorkeling, not a personal sea scooter rental. If that activity is important to you, confirm the details with the provider before departure.

This stop is a good example of what you are paying for with a private boat. The day is not limited to the most obvious beaches. You reach smaller bays that are presented as worthwhile precisely because they are not easy to find from land.

Still, the tour is strongly water-based. If you do not enjoy swimming, snorkeling, or sitting near the sea, several hours of the day may feel repetitive. For a group that loves getting in the water, the repeated stops are a benefit rather than a problem.

Koločep and Blue Cave finish the route

Koločep is smaller than Šipan, with fewer than 150 residents. During winter, it is described as almost empty, while its beaches are mainly rocky or pebbly. The island is presented as clean, quiet, and close to its natural condition.

The final main attraction is Blue Cave. You have time for photographs, swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling. The cave provides a memorable backdrop, but this is not described as a long cave expedition or a formal guided cave visit. Think of it as a scenic boat stop with the chance to enter the water and take pictures.

Koločep gives you another contrast with Šunj. Lopud offers a rare sandy beach, while Koločep is more about rock, pebbles, clear water, and a quieter setting. That variety is one reason the full route works well.

The order also makes sense for a long day. You begin with a recognizable beach, move through a small port and several swimming coves, then finish around Koločep before returning to Dubrovnik. You get both island time and boat time, rather than spending the entire day in one place.

The boat, skipper, and private format

The private speedboat is the center of the experience. Transportation, an English-speaking skipper, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, towels, beer, soft drinks, and other alcoholic beverages are included.

The available information does not provide the skipper’s name, so you should not expect to choose a particular guide in advance. You can expect live guidance in English or Croatian, along with local decisions about stops and timing.

The private format is most valuable for a group with mixed interests. One person can swim while another takes photographs. Your group can spend more time at a bay you like, or move on if a stop is not working for you. The description does not promise unlimited flexibility, since the day still has an eight-hour schedule, but the skipper can adjust the route around your preferences.

A previous booking specifically praised the nice boat and the way the itinerary was adapted to what the group wanted to see. Another gave full marks for the guide and overall experience. I would treat those comments as encouragement to communicate clearly at the start: tell the skipper if your priority is snorkeling, beaches, quiet coves, photographs, or time ashore.

What $500 per person really buys you

At $500 per person, this is a premium outing. You are paying for a private boat and skipper rather than a standard shared cruise, plus a full eight hours among several islands and coves.

The value improves when you are splitting the cost among a private group and care about flexibility. A group that wants to control its swim stops, avoid a fixed crowd schedule, and have the boat to itself may find the price reasonable for a full day.

The value is weaker if you mainly want transportation to one beach. In that case, the three-island route may offer more time and service than you need. You also need to budget for two extra items: lunch is not included, and fuel is paid on the spot at the end of the tour.

The included drinks, towels, water, and snorkeling equipment reduce the amount you need to bring. They do not remove every expense, though. Ask about the fuel charge before departure so the final cost does not surprise you.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this tour to couples, families, and small groups who want a private day on the Adriatic and are comfortable with a strong focus on swimming. It suits people who like a flexible plan and prefer small bays, simple ports, and time outdoors over a formal sightseeing schedule.

It is also a good match if you want to combine several types of stops. You can walk and eat at Luka Šipanska, lie on the sand at Šunj, snorkel in Sikirica Bay, and take photographs at Blue Cave.

You may want a different experience if you are looking for museums, church interiors, extensive island history, or a long guided walk. The available program centers on the water, beaches, views, and relaxed island stops.

Because the boat day lasts eight hours, pack lightly and practically. Wear swimwear and beachwear, bring a hat and sunscreen, and use the supplied towels after swimming. Bottled water and drinks are provided, but you should still think about what you personally need for a long day in the sun.

Booking details and cancellation terms

The tour lasts eight hours and begins at 10 am, with availability shown when you select a date. It is offered as a private group experience, not a shared excursion.

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

The language options are Croatian and English. The tour provider is Blue Mile.

Should you book the Elaphite Islands speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a full private day built around clear water, several island stops, and the freedom to shape the route with your skipper. The mix of sandy Šunj, quiet Šipan, turquoise Sikirica Bay, and Blue Cave gives you more variety than a simple beach transfer.

I would be especially inclined to book for a group that values privacy and wants to swim often. The boat, drinks, towels, and snorkeling gear make the day easy to manage, while the skipper’s ability to adjust the plan is a real advantage.

Think twice if $500 per person feels high, if you do not enjoy being on the water, or if you want lunch and fuel included in the quoted price. For the right group, though, this is a well-shaped Dubrovnik day: active when you want it, quiet when you need it, and full of small places that are difficult to reach by land.

FAQ

How long does the Elaphite Islands tour last?

The tour lasts eight hours.

What time does the tour begin?

The private skipper meets you at 10 am.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is offered for a private group with private speedboat transportation and a private skipper.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but you have time to eat or get drinks at a local beach bar in Luka Šipanska.

Is fuel included in the price?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

What drinks and supplies are included?

The tour includes bottled water, beer, soda or pop, other alcoholic beverages, and towels.

Can I cancel the tour for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.