Coves first, paperwork last. This private speedboat tour around the Elaphiti Islands lets you choose how long to linger on each stop—Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep—so your day feels more like island time than a forced march.

I especially like that the itinerary is flexible. You’re not stuck rushing through every island; you can decide your time at each stop depending on whether you book the shorter or longer option.

One heads-up: this is a speedboat, so the ride can feel bumpy, and getting into certain swim areas may be awkward if there’s any chop. If you’re a confident swimmer, that concern fades fast; if you’re not, plan to take it slowly.

Quick hits on the Elaphiti Islands speedboat

• Up to 6 people total, which keeps the boat feeling personal instead of crowded
• You control stop time, so you can slow down on the beach—or move fast between islands
• Drinks and snorkeling gear are included, so you start the day ready
• Lopud hits hard with sandy beach time and the island’s famous garden/palm area
• Sipan adds a quieter, lived-in feel, with ports, villas, and old fortifications
• Koločep is the swim-and-cove finale, with clear water and underwater exploration opportunities

What this Elaphiti speedboat tour really is

This is a small-group, private speedboat day built around three islands that sit just off Dubrovnik: Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep. The practical magic is that you’re not following a rigid, minute-by-minute sightseeing bus route. You’re traveling by water at speed, then spending your time where you actually want it: beaches, coves, and a few standout island sights.

You also get a setup that makes “boat day” feel easy. The boat includes a sunshade, fridge, and sundeck, and you’re given snorkeling equipment. Food and snacks aren’t listed, but the tour includes wine and beer, plus bottled water and soda/pop, which helps the whole day feel relaxed instead of frantic.

Price and what you’re paying for (not just the number)

The price is $720.84 per group, up to 6 people. If you fill the boat, you’re looking at roughly $120 per person. That’s a useful way to judge value here, because the cost isn’t just for transport—it’s for the full package of boat time plus key comforts.

What you get that’s built into the price:

• pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle (with a stated 1 km rule)
• sunshade + fridge + sundeck on board
• wine/beer and bottled water + soda/pop
• snorkeling equipment
• a private group limited to your booking

Could you spend less by taking ferries? Sure. But ferries won’t deliver the same “go-to-a-cove-now” style day. What makes this tour worth considering is the mix of speedboat freedom and included perks that keep you from adding costs on top once you’re already out on the islands.

Also, this is commonly booked well in advance (the average booking window is about 141 days). That’s a sign that demand is real, so if your dates are fixed, don’t treat it like a last-minute gamble.

Dubrovnik meet-up: Yacht Club Orsan and your smooth start

You start at Yacht Club Orsan, Ul. Ivana pl. Zajca 4, Dubrovnik. The tour ends back at the same meeting point, which keeps your day from turning into a new-city logistics puzzle.

Pickup is offered, but with boundaries:

• pickup is included if you’re more than 1 km from the starting point
• pickup is available in the broader Dubrovnik area, and the tour notes you can’t expect pickup outside it
• if you’re close, you might handle the short transfer yourself

If you prefer the “no thinking” option, plan your timing so you’re ready for pickup and arrive at Yacht Club Orsan a little early as a backup. The tour also lists that it’s near public transportation, so even if you’re walking in from town, you’re not stranded.

Lopud: sandy beach time, old gardens, and the Temple of Sun

Lopud is where your day gets romantic in the easiest way. It’s known for peace and beauty, with sandy beaches, old stone houses, paths through forests, olive groves, and views that make it easy to understand why sunset matters here.

In this tour’s structure, Lopud is typically the anchor stop, with time that depends on whether you book the 4-hour or 8-hour option. You’re also able to choose how long you stay at each stop, and the Lopud segment is the one that’s most tied to the island’s signature attractions.

What to do with your Lopud time:

• Visit one of Europe’s oldest botanical gardens (the tour notes the admission ticket is free for this listed stop area/time)
• Spend time at Šunj Beach, which is singled out as a must
• Look for the island feature about the oldest palms in Europe growing on Lopud
• Check out the Temple of Sun on the hill, where the interior has shifting light/shades effect

Why Lopud works for most people

Lopud is inhabited, which changes the vibe. You’re more likely to find places to grab a drink, wander for a bit, and browse local food like olive oil and wine while still feeling like you’ve escaped Dubrovnik traffic.

Possible drawback to plan for

Your time here can feel limited if you choose a shorter tour length. If you’re the type who loves gardens and beaches equally, you’ll probably want the longer option or choose a longer stay at Lopud.

Šipan (Suđurađ): bigger island energy, olive trees, and fortress sights

Šipan is the biggest of the Elaphiti islands, and it brings a more historic, locally rooted feel. The tour description calls out that Šipan is recognized in the Guinness book for having the biggest number of olive trees on one island—a fun detail to keep in mind as you look around at the landscape and imagine how central olive growing is to island life.

Your stop at Šipan is built around choice: you can relax in the old fishermen port with coffee, or fit in a bit of sightseeing. The listed stop duration is around 1 hour, so think of it as a “port-to-points-of-interest” visit rather than an all-day island hang.

What stands out on Šipan:

• The island’s historic spots, including the late-Gothic Rector’s Palace and ruins of archbishop palaces
• Suđurađ port, where you can see the island life still tied to fishermen families and small boats
• A note that Suđurađ is farther from town, which helped keep it from turning fully commercial
• The castle of the Stjepović-Skočibuha family, dating to the 16th century
• A nearby defense tower built against pirates

And then there’s the simple human stuff that fits into a one-hour window: you may spot children selling seashells by the port, and the island’s stone houses and boats help you feel like you’re seeing something lived-in rather than stage-set.

Trade-off with Šipan

If your dream day is mostly beach time, Šipan is the stop where you’ll likely feel the least sand-and-swim focus. It’s still a great contrast, but it’s more about the quiet, historical texture and the port atmosphere.

Koločep: clear water, coves, caves, and underwater exploration

Koločep is the finish line where the tour turns into water time. The island is often framed as ideal for swimming and snorkeling-style experiences because the sea is clear and you can see fish and seashells.

You’ll have about 1 hour at Koločep. The tour also notes that you’ll get a chance to explore underwater and that there’s a short break on the beach. The stop includes:

• hidden caves and high cliffs for exploring around the island edges
• coves where you can hop in and out
• time to walk through Gornje and Donje Celo, which are described as typical Mediterranean settlements in south Dalmatia

A detail worth taking seriously

One of the reviews highlights that the boat can be bumpy and that the entrance to swim areas isn’t always easy if there are waves and a smaller entry. So at Koločep, don’t treat water access like a pool ladder moment. If conditions are rough, go slow, hold on when needed, and keep your focus on safety.

The good news

Koločep is described as having 250 sunny days per year, plus a mix of pine and olive vegetation. Even if you’re not chasing a long hike, that sunny, clear-water combination tends to make the final swim portion feel like the payoff.

Guides on your boat: Eric, Rocco, Ivan, Tito, Mark, Luca

Small tours live or die by the people running them, and this one gets high marks for that. Several different skipper/guide names appear in the feedback, which is a helpful clue that the operator invests in friendly, attentive crews.

A few guide moments pulled from real experiences:

• Eric stood out for being friendly and knowledgeable, plus quick to help when someone got cold by offering his windbreaker.
• Rocco (and other guides) were praised for making the day feel special and for guiding with confidence.
• Ivan earned repeat praise for boat driving and an extra-care vibe, including going out of the way to support a couple of birthday celebrations.
• Tito was singled out for patience and for sharing helpful tips and anecdotes, which matters when you’re trying to decide where to swim and when.
• Mark was described as cool and attentive and for offering strong recommendations for caves.
• Luca showed up as a guide who helped guests navigate caves and made time feel like it belonged to the group, including music and a lively feel.

If you’re the kind of traveler who cares about how the day is explained—where to go, what to notice, what’s worth your swim energy—this tour’s guide track record is a real plus.

What’s included on board (and what you must bring)

Here’s what you should expect to be covered, because it changes the real cost of the day:

• pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned minivan or car (with the 1 km rule)
• sunshade, fridge, and sundeck
• alcohol: wine and beer
• bottled water and soda/pop
• snorkeling equipment

What’s not included:

• a swimsuit (so don’t show up in street clothes and hope you can borrow one)
• pickup for locations under 1 km from the starting point
• pickup outside the Dubrovnik city area

Practical tip: treat the swimsuit line as a checklist item, not a suggestion. This is a water-focused tour, and the whole day moves quickly once you’re at the islands.

How long should you book: 4 hours or 8 hours?

This is one of those tours where duration changes the feel more than you might think. The tour is offered from 4 to 8 hours, and the stop time at islands depends on which length you book. You can also choose how long you stay at a specific stop.

A simple way to decide:

• Choose the shorter option if you want a highlight day: a beach moment on Lopud, a quick cultural/port hit on Šipan, then a strong swim finale on Koločep.
• Choose the longer option if you want to slow down: extra beach time on Lopud, more walking and looking around, and a less rushed feeling at each stop.

If you’re traveling with mixed interests—someone who wants beaches and someone who wants old-world sights—going longer often helps everyone feel like they got something.

Best for who? Couples, friends, and anyone who wants a real island day

This works best for small groups who want control. With a maximum of 6 people per booking and a truly private setup, you can keep conversations going, follow the captain’s rhythm, and spend time without negotiating with strangers.

Good match if you:

• want speedboat freedom between islands
• love the idea of sandy beaches plus caves/covè exploring
• plan to use the snorkeling equipment
• prefer a small crew and a calmer pace than big-boat tours

Think twice if you:

• don’t handle bumpy boat rides well
• aren’t comfortable with swim entries in choppy water
• want a full day on only one island (because each stop is time-boxed)

Children are allowed, but the tour notes that children must be accompanied by adults, and most people can participate overall. That’s a broad eligibility note, but water comfort is still the deciding factor for how enjoyable the swim parts will feel.

Should you book this Elaphiti speedboat tour?

I think you should book it if your goal is a private, flexible Elaphiti Islands day with beach time, island sights, and included drinks/snorkeling gear. The best version of this trip is when you treat the day as a series of short “choose your mood” moments: wander Lopud’s highlights, get a port-and-fort snapshot on Šipan, then spend the best of your swim energy on Koločep.

Skip or reconsider if you’re worried about boat motion or if you dislike getting into water when conditions create waves and smaller entries. This isn’t a lazy, step-off-the-dock setup.

If you want a straightforward plan with minimal extra purchases and a strong emphasis on water time, this tour is a solid bet out of Dubrovnik.

FAQ

Which islands are included on the speedboat itinerary?

The tour includes stops at Lopud, Šipan (Suđurađ), and Koločep Island.

How long is the tour?

It’s offered for 4 to 8 hours (the exact timing of stops depends on the option you choose).

What group size is allowed?

It’s limited to a maximum of 6 people per booking, and it’s private, so only your group participates.

Is pickup included from Dubrovnik?

Pickup is offered by air-conditioned vehicle for locations further than 1 km from the starting point. The tour also states pickups can be arranged for stays in the City of Dubrovnik area.

Where is the meeting point?

The start is at Yacht Club Orsan, Ul. Ivana pl. Zajca 4, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What’s included on the boat?

The tour includes sunshade, a fridge, a sundeck, wine and beer, bottled water, soda/pop, and snorkeling equipment.

Is a swimsuit included?

No. A swimsuit is listed as not included, so you’ll need to bring your own.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What happens if weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.