A speedboat day can fix your Dubrovnik blues. This Dubrovnik Elaphite Islands private tour turns the sea into your itinerary, with a private English-speaking skipper and snorkelling equipment built in so you can jump in, float around, and keep the day moving.

The main catch is budget math: it’s $500 per person, and you’ll still pay fuel on the spot and cover lunch yourself. If you’re the type who wants everything wrapped up with no extras, this is something to plan for.

Key things to know before you go

• Private and flexible: the skipper can shape the day around what you want to see.
• Sandy time on Lopud: Šunj is one of the rare stretches of sand here, not just rocks and stairs.
• Snorkel-friendly stops: you’ll get at least one planned hidden-bay swim and another break on the way to Koločep.
• Village time on Šipan: Luka Šipanska gives you real island life, plus a beach bar option.
• Koločep’s Blue Cave: a dedicated photo and swim window before you head back.

Why a private speedboat on the Elaphite Islands is worth the money

On paper, $500 per person can sound like a splurge. But you’re not just buying a ticket to a place—you’re buying a full day of private marine time around the Elaphite Islands from Dubrovnik’s coastline.

What makes the value easier to see is what’s included: bottled water, snorkeling gear, towels, beer and soda/pop, plus alcoholic beverages. And since this is private, you’re not squeezed into a big group schedule that forces everyone into the same rhythm.

One more practical point: lunch isn’t included, and fuel is paid at the end of the tour. That can be totally manageable if you plan ahead—think snacks plus a lunch stop on your terms, and set aside a little cash for that final fuel piece.

10 am in Dubrovnik: how the day starts on the water

Your private skipper meets you at 10:00 am and you start with a ride through the Elaphiti Channel. The timing is built around giving you early island access, not a slow, late-day shuffle.

After about 40 minutes, you reach sandy beach Šunj on Lopud. That matters because you’re there before the day fully heats up and before you’ve spent half the day in transit. When the first water-and-beach stop is a sandy one, the whole day feels less like transfers and more like actual vacation.

The tone of the trip is simple: swim when you want, hang out when you want, and let the sea set the pace with short, purposeful stops.

Lopud and Šunj: the rare sandy beach break

Šunj Beach is special in this area because it’s one of the rare stretches of sand along the coast here. Dubrovnik is full of stone, steps, and quick dips—so getting true sand under your feet changes the mood fast.

You’ll have about one hour on Šunj. That’s enough time to do the basics without rushing: swim, snorkel if conditions let you, grab drinks, and sunbathe on a beach that feels different from the rocky edges you might expect.

Practical note: since there’s limited time, this is where you should use sunscreen early, put on your hat, and decide right away if you want a longer swim or more laid-back sun time.

If you’re coming for variety—views and a proper beach moment—this stop delivers.

Šipan snorkeling break and Luka Šipanska lunch time

From Lopud you head to the biggest Elaphite island, Šipan. On the way, your skipper makes a short stop in a hidden bay for snorkeling and swimming. This is one of those “hard to spot on the map” moments where the sea looks almost too clear for photos to feel real.

You can jump off the speedboat whenever you feel like it. The advantage of doing this from a private boat is obvious: you’re not waiting for a crowd, and you can spend your minutes the way you like—active water time or slow camera work.

Then you reach Luka Šipanska, one of the island’s inhabited places. This is where you get free time for lunch or drinks in a local beach bar. You can also walk around a bit, see traditional boats in the port, and get a feel for island life that stays small and quiet.

A cool detail that helps you picture the vibe: only about 200 people live on Šipan. That scale makes Luka Šipanska feel less like a tourist stop and more like you’ve actually landed on a working island day.

Koločep’s Sikirica Bay and Blue Cave photo stop

From Šipan you continue toward Koločep, a nature-focused island with a much smaller population—less than 150 residents, and it’s almost empty in winter. That low human footprint is part of why the sea color and the shoreline feel so sharp and clean when you’re seeing it from the water.

On the way, you stop at Sikirica Bay. This break is aimed at swimming and snorkeling, and the experience specifically includes the possibility of using a sea scooter during that stop. Even if you don’t ride one, the point is the same: this is set up for fun water time in a place that’s hard to find on your own.

Sikirica is known here for turquoise water, and you’ll feel it instantly when you’re floating in it. Because it’s a shorter stop, it’s smart to keep your gear ready and plan your swim first, then relax.

Next comes Koločep and a visit to Blue Cave. You’ll have time to take photos with the cave as a backdrop, and you’ll also get another chance for swimming, sunbathing, or snorkeling before heading back to Dubrovnik. In practice, this is the moment that turns your day into “I remember this view,” not just “I had a nice boat ride.”

Hidden bays your skipper may add to the route

One of the best things about a private skipper is that the route isn’t locked like a train schedule. Beyond the Elaphiti Islands main stops, the skipper may suggest extra hidden bays that are definitely worth stopping at but aren’t easy to locate on a map.

This matters because the Adriatic coastline here can look similar if you’re only driving past it. From the water, small coves and tucked-in beaches change the whole day. You’re getting a mix of planned big highlights and opportunistic pauses when conditions and timing line up.

If your group likes variety, this is a huge selling point. If you prefer strict timing and no surprises, you should still be okay—these are added swim and photo stops, not total itinerary chaos.

Boat comfort, included extras, and what you bring

This is a private speedboat day, so comfort comes from speed, not luxury. You’ll move quickly between island areas, which keeps the day feeling full without turning into a long slog.

Included extras are designed for a smooth swim-and-sun day:

• Snorkelling equipment for your water breaks
• Towels
• Bottled water
• Beer and soda/pop
• Alcoholic beverages

My practical advice: treat the drinks as a bonus, not a reason to forget basics. Water and sunscreen still matter. A day on open water can sneak up on you, especially if you’re busy jumping in and out.

What to bring (don’t skip this checklist):

• hat
• swimwear
• sunscreen
• beachwear

Also, I’d bring a simple plan for your “dry stuff” like a small bag that keeps your phone protected. You’re on and off the boat, and you’ll want your essentials easy when you reach each stop.

Who this tour fits best (and who might want a different style)

This tour fits you if you want:

• a private day with less waiting and more control
• beach-and-water time rather than just sightseeing from shore
• a mix of sandy time (Šunj), island life time (Luka Šipanska), and cave/photo time (Blue Cave)
• snorkeling gear included so you don’t have to hunt for it on arrival

It may not be the best match if you hate paying add-ons. Fuel is paid on the spot at the end, and lunch isn’t included. If you like your total cost fully predictable before you land in Dubrovnik, you’ll want to budget a bit for food and the final fuel bill.

The good news: the included drinks and the structured stops mean you can plan a simple meal strategy—snacks earlier, then lunch during Luka Šipanska free time.

Should you book this Dubrovnik speedboat tour?

Yes, I’d book it if you’re aiming for a day that feels like the sea is the main attraction, not a side feature. The combination of a private English-speaking skipper, snorkeling gear, and stops that cover three different “moods” of the Elaphite Islands is hard to beat.

I’d especially lean toward booking if you care about:

• spending actual time at Šunj (that sandy change of pace is rare)
• getting water stops in less obvious bays (from the boat)
• having enough free time on Šipan to slow down and grab lunch

If you want one clear benefit, it’s this: you get a full day of high-impact scenery and swimming without the typical crowd shuffle. You spend your hours on the water, and that’s the whole point.

FAQ

What time does the tour start and how long is it?

The private skipper meets you at 10:00 am, and the tour lasts 8 hours.

Which islands are included during the day?

You’ll visit the Elaphiti Islands, including Lopud (Šunj Beach), Šipan (Luka Šipanska), and Koločep (including a stop at Blue Cave).

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkelling equipment is included, and there are planned swim and snorkeling stops during the tour.

Are drinks and water included?

Yes. Bottled water is included, and beer, soda/pop, and alcoholic beverages are included as well.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included, but you’ll have free time on Šipan where you can enjoy lunch or drinks at a local beach bar.

Do I need to pay for fuel?

Fuel is paid on the spot at the end of the tour.

What is the cancellation policy?

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