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

The best part of this tour is its freedom. You get a private speedboat for your own group, then set the pace among the Elaphiti Islands instead of following a crowded boat schedule. Swim off Koločep, stroll Lopud, or linger over coffee in Šipan’s old port.

I like the flexible stop times and the simple comfort of cold water, beer, wine, soda, a fridge, sunshade, and a sundeck. I also like that snorkeling gear is supplied, so you can travel light and spend more time in the clear sea.

The main drawback is price. At $842.05 for up to 12 people, it can be good value for a full group, but expensive for two or three people. The boat can also feel bumpy in rough weather, and you need to bring your own swimsuit.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to 12: Your group has the boat and skipper to itself.
• Three different island moods: Lopud suits beaches and walks, Šipan offers old villages and local life, while Koločep is best for swimming and caves.
• Choose 4 or 8 hours: The shorter outing gives you a taste of the islands. The longer one gives you time to slow down.
• Drinks and snorkeling gear included: Beer, white wine, soda, water, and equipment are provided.
• Pickup can be arranged: Hotel pickup and return are available, though locations less than 1 kilometer from the start do not qualify.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Why a private speedboat makes sense from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik’s old town is a fine place to admire from land, but the islands show you a quieter side of southern Dalmatia. A speedboat lets you cover several islands in one outing while keeping the day relaxed and personal.

The private format matters most if you are traveling with family or friends. You can decide how long to stay at a beach, skip a stop that does not interest you, or ask the skipper to spend more time swimming. On a shared cruise, you usually follow the clock. Here, the advertised duration is about 4 to 8 hours, with the stops adjusted to your choice and the time you book.

The boat leaves from Yacht Club Orsan at Ul. Ivana pl. Zajca 4. Pickup by air-conditioned minivan or car is provided, but you need to contact the company by phone to arrange it. Viber and WhatsApp are supported, which is useful if you do not want to make an international call.

The maximum group size is 12. That is small enough to keep the boat feeling private, though the value changes sharply depending on group size. For 10 or 12 people, $842.05 works out to roughly $70 to $84 per person before any personal spending. For a couple, the same boat costs far more per head.

Skippers named in the company’s service include Josip, James, Luca, Frane, Mark, Rocco, Phillip, and Frankie. The style can vary from guide to guide, but the experience is built around local explanations, flexible stops, and a friendly captain rather than a formal lecture.

Lopud: sandy beaches, old paths, and time to wander

Lopud is often the most polished stop of the three. It has sandy beaches, stone houses, olive groves, vineyards, wooded paths, bars, restaurants, and shops. If you want a break from the boat that feels like a proper island visit, this is the place to take it.

The famous Šunj beach is the obvious draw. Its shallow sandy shore makes it a better choice for a relaxed swim than a rocky cove, especially if you are traveling with children. The local legend says that couples who bathe there will never part, so you can decide how seriously to treat that promise.

Lopud also has an unusually high number of small churches, more than 30 according to the tour information. You can visit the botanic garden, described as one of the oldest in Europe, or walk toward the Temple of Sun museum on the hill. The museum is known for changing shades and visual effects as you move through it, with each person said to see something different.

You may also want to browse for homemade olive oil, wine, and traditional food. Lopud is not simply a swimming stop. It gives you a chance to walk, eat, shop, and see how an island that welcomes visitors differs from a resort built only for tourism.

The tradeoff is that one hour goes quickly. If you want Šunj, the garden, the churches, and lunch, the 4-hour version may feel rushed. The longer tour makes more sense if Lopud is your main interest, since the captain can give you more time there.

Šipan: the quietest stop and the best look at island life

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands and has a slower, less commercial feel. The boat stops at Suđurađ, an old fishing port where you can have coffee or take a short walk.

This is the island for people who care about everyday life as much as scenery. You may see fishing boats, old stone houses, and local families keeping long-held traditions. The port is farthest from Dubrovnik, and that distance has helped it retain a more ordinary character.

Šipan also has strong connections to Dubrovnik’s past. Wealthy Dubrovnik families once used the island as a summer retreat, leaving behind villas, a 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 protect against pirates.

You do not need to turn this into a formal sightseeing session. A coffee in the port, a short walk, and a look at the castle may be enough. That flexibility is one of the tour’s better features. You can spend your time in a way that suits your group instead of being pushed through a list of landmarks.

For a quiet, authentic-feeling stop, Šipan may be the highlight. For a beach day, it is less immediately rewarding than Lopud or Koločep. The best plan is to use Šipan for its port, buildings, and atmosphere, not as your main swim stop.

Koločep: the place to bring your snorkel mask

Koločep is the strongest stop for water time. The sea is clear, fish and seashells can be seen below the surface, and the island has caves, cliffs, pine trees, and olive groves.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins. You can swim from the boat or take a short beach break, depending on the conditions and your captain’s plan. The tour allows about an hour here, but the exact timing depends on whether you choose four or eight hours and what your group prefers.

Koločep also has two small settlements, Gornje Čelo and Donje Čelo. A walk through them gives you a quick look at traditional south Dalmatian village life, though most people will likely want to save their time for the water.

The island is promoted as having around 250 sunny days each year. That does not guarantee sunshine on your booking date, but it explains the island’s reputation as a good place for swimming. Clear water is also the reason some outings include cave visits and a stop at a blue cave.

You should keep expectations sensible. Cave access and swimming conditions depend on weather and sea conditions. One account of the trip noted that the boat was bumpy in rough weather, so anyone prone to seasickness should think carefully about the forecast and bring any medication they normally use.

Four hours or eight hours: which version suits you?

The 4-hour tour is a good choice if you want a half-day on the water and still want most of the day free in Dubrovnik. You can see the islands, swim, and make a short stop without giving up an evening meal or another city activity.

It is also the sensible option for a first boat outing if your group is unsure how much time it wants at sea. Several stops are possible, but you should not expect a long visit at every beach, village, and cave.

The 8-hour tour is better for a full island day. It gives you more room to linger at Šunj, have coffee in Suđurađ, spend time snorkeling around Koločep, and adjust the pace if your group finds a favorite place.

I would choose eight hours for a family group, a group of friends, or anyone treating the boat as the main event of the day. The extra time is valuable because the islands are not interchangeable. Lopud rewards walking, Šipan rewards slowing down, and Koločep rewards swimming.

The company describes the remaining part of the day as free after the tour. That makes the 4-hour option especially useful for a tight Dubrovnik schedule.

What is included, and what should you bring?

The boat includes a sunshade, fridge, and sundeck. Drinks include white wine, beer, bottled water, and soda. This is a practical benefit rather than a luxury detail. A day in the sun can become uncomfortable quickly if you need to search for supplies at every stop.

Snorkeling equipment is included as well. You still need to bring a swimsuit, which is specifically not provided, along with anything personal you need for a day outdoors. Personal expenses are also excluded, so budget separately for coffee, food, shopping, or other purchases on the islands.

Pickup and drop-off are included by air-conditioned minivan or car, but there is an important limit. Pickups less than 1 kilometer from the starting point are not included. Confirm the arrangement before the day of the tour rather than assuming every Dubrovnik address qualifies.

The tour is offered in English. Children must be accompanied by adults, and the company asks you to mention specific requirements when booking.

What the skipper adds to the day

This is not just a boat rental where you are left to work out the route yourself. Your skipper drives, explains the places you see, and helps shape the day.

Josip was described as an entertaining captain who shared history and interesting facts while taking a private group around the islands. James was praised for showing different island sights and taking a group to the blue cave. Luca was described as flexible during a shorter 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. outing, allowing time at a beach as well as cave visits.

Other named skippers include Mark, Rocco, Frane, Frankie, and Phillip. Phillip was also described as handling the music, which gives you a clue that the tone is informal and fun rather than a stiff sightseeing cruise.

The strongest pattern is personal service. Captains are expected to provide information, adjust the schedule, and point out good places to swim. That can make a major difference on a private trip, since the skipper’s judgment affects your route and the amount of time you spend at each stop.

Still, the experience is not a substitute for a full archaeological tour or a long guided walk. The information is likely to come in short explanations while you move between islands. If your priority is detailed museum interpretation, you may prefer to spend more time on land in Dubrovnik.

Is $842.05 good value for your group?

The price is $842.05 per group of up to 12 people. That includes the boat, skipper, pickup and drop-off service, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and the use of the boat’s shade, fridge, and sundeck.

For a full group, the cost is reasonable for a private day on the water. You avoid sharing the boat with strangers, and you gain control over the schedule. The value is strongest when several people in your party actively want to swim, snorkel, visit caves, and explore more than one island.

For a small group, the price is harder to justify. Two people pay the same group rate as 12, and the included drinks do not make up for that difference. If you are traveling as a couple, compare this with a shared cruise or a shorter private outing before booking.

The tour has a 4.9 rating from 12 ratings, with all listed ratings recommending it. The praise centers on friendly skippers, good local information, swimming, caves, and the freedom of a private boat. One note about bumpy water is worth taking seriously, since speedboats are more affected by sea conditions than larger boats.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Who should book this Elaphiti Islands tour?

I would recommend it to a group that wants a full private outing rather than a fixed sightseeing cruise. Families with adults and children, friends celebrating a special day, and active couples will get the most from the mix of swimming, snorkeling, short walks, drinks, and island history.

It suits you especially well if your group cannot agree on one activity. One person can swim, another can walk around Lopud, and someone else can sit in the shade with a drink. The private setup makes those different interests easier to manage.

I would be more cautious if you dislike fast boats, get seasick, or want a detailed guided tour at every historical site. You should also think twice if your group is very small and the full private price is a concern.

Final verdict: book it for flexibility, not just transport

Book this tour if you want the Elaphiti Islands to be the main experience of your day. The combination of a private speedboat, three distinct stops, supplied drinks, snorkeling gear, and a captain who can adjust the plan gives you far more control than a standard group cruise.

Choose four hours for a quick escape from Dubrovnik. Choose eight hours if you want enough time for Šunj, Suđurađ, Koločep’s clear water, and the caves without watching the clock.

For a group of six or more, the price can make good sense. For two people, it is a splurge. Either way, check the weather, arrange pickup in advance, and bring a swimsuit. If those details work for you, this is a lively and practical way to see the islands from the water.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The starting point is Yacht Club Orsan at Ul. Ivana pl. Zajca 4, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup and drop-off are provided by air-conditioned minivan or car. You must contact the company by phone to arrange pickup, and locations less than 1 kilometer from the starting point are not included.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 4 to 8 hours. The shorter option leaves more of the day free, while the longer option allows more time at the islands.

How many people can join?

The boat is available for a maximum of 12 people per booking, and the activity is private for your group.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The planned stops are Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep. Time at each island depends on the tour length and your group’s preferences.

Are drinks included?

Yes. White wine, beer, bottled water, and soda are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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