Full- Day Private Speedboat Tour in Dubrovnik on Elaphiti Islands

If you want the Elaphiti Islands without the crowded ferry vibe, this full-day private speedboat route is built for you. You sail out of Dubrovnik’s main port, then spend the day bouncing between caves, bays, and beach time, with snorkeling stops that are quick and practical.

I especially like the snorkeling-focused routing. You get gear included, then you’re guided to specific water spots like the Blue Cave and Kolocep’s Green Caves, plus more snorkeling at Sikirica Cove in Brsecine. The other big win for me is the genuinely personal feel: it’s private for your group of up to 8, and one review credits the captain, Maro, for knowing the best places and keeping the day relaxed.

The main consideration is simple: it’s a full day on the water with short time windows at each stop. If you dream of long, slow beach hours at one place only, you may find the pacing a bit fast.

Key highlights that make this day worth it

• Blue Cave snorkeling with a dedicated short stop, plus included equipment
• Kolocep Green Caves snorkeling, timed to keep the day moving
• Sunj Beach on Šunj for a true sandy beach break and swim time
• Lopud’s Franciscan Monastery (15th century) and shade-filled botanical garden time
• Sudurad on Šipan as the oldest fishing village stop in the area
• Sikirica Cove in Brsecine as the best snorkeling option, followed by secluded swimming

Why this Elaphiti Islands speedboat day feels different

This is a private full-day speedboat tour in Dubrovnik that targets the Elaphiti Islands in a single run. The duration is about 8 hours 30 minutes, and the group limit is up to 8 people for your own boat and your own plan. That matters because it turns the day from a generic sightseeing loop into something that feels tailored to what your group wants: caves and water time, beach time, and a couple of island land-and-walk stops.

Let’s talk value honestly. The price is $611.46 per group. If you fill all 8 spots, that works out to about $76 per person for a full day that includes fuel, all fees and taxes, drinks, snacks, and snorkeling equipment. If you book for fewer people, the per-person number rises, but you still get the biggest perk most people pay for indirectly with other tours: no waiting around for other groups, no awkward schedule juggling, and a boat that stays with your party.

You’re also not locked into a single “beach first, sightseeing later” rhythm. This day is structured around water highlights: cave snorkeling early, a sandy beach reset at Šunj, then Lopud and Šipan for village and monastery time, and another snorkeling and swim window at Brsecine. It’s a very efficient mix.

Leaving Dubrovnik: the west-coast sailing that sets the mood

The day starts with sailing out of Dubrovnik’s main port, then a quick sightseeing pass along the west coast of Dubrovnik on the way toward the islands. The first stop window is listed as 15 minutes, with time focused on the views rather than hopping off immediately.

Why this matters: if you’ve spent time in the Old Town, the best feeling of Dubrovnik can still be in motion. From the water, the city’s coastline and approach look bigger, more spread out, and more dramatic. And because this is early in the itinerary, you’re not tired yet. You get your orientation first, then the caves and beaches feel like the real reward.

One practical note: you’ll be on a boat for a long stretch, so having a comfortable plan for getting sun and hydration is smart. Drinks and snacks are included on the tour, but you should still be ready for a full day of outdoor time.

Blue Cave Dubrovnik: snorkeling time you can actually use

Next is the Blue Cave Dubrovnik stop, with about 30 minutes allocated for a snorkeling experience inside the cave. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you’re not spending time hunting gear or packing your own set.

This stop is popular for one reason: the water and the rock shape do the work for you. In many cave snorkeling experiences, you can end up feeling like you’re mostly waiting around. Here, the timing is tight on purpose. You get enough time to gear up, get in the water, and enjoy the cave environment without turning the day into a long schedule.

Potential drawback: cave conditions can vary. Even though the stop is fixed, you should assume water clarity and access can depend on the day. If your heart is set on snorkeling specifically in caves, this itinerary still gives you the highest concentration of cave time in one day.

Kolocep Island and the Green Caves: a second snorkeling hit

After the Blue Cave, the route continues to Kolocep Island for another 30-minute snorkeling experience, this time in the Green Caves. The idea is smart: you get two distinct cave experiences in a row while your energy is high and your snorkeling gear is already ready.

Green Caves snorkeling often feels different from the Blue Cave experience, even if you’re not chasing technical differences. The main point is variety. Instead of repeating the same scenery, you’re moving between locations on the island side of the Elaphiti chain.

Also, this is the kind of stop that benefits from a captain who knows the best approach. One review highlights Maro’s local familiarity and suggests the captain can position the boat and handle the day in a way that feels smooth rather than rushed.

Šunj Beach on the island of Šunj: sandy water and real break time

Then comes the best kind of reset: Šunj beach on the island of Šunj. You get about 2 hours here, which is long enough to actually do beach things instead of just “stop, photo, leave.”

This is described as a natural sandy beach and one of the most famous in the Dubrovnik region. The big practical advantage is the shoreline experience. A sandy beach with shallow water makes it easier to spend time on the water without constantly relying on deep-entry swimming. You can swim, snorkel, and you can also walk on the shallows.

Food and comfort are part of this stop too. There’s an on-site restaurant option for lunch or snacks, plus the day includes drinks and snacks from the tour, and there’s time to grab a coffee or similar break. Just remember lunch is not included in the tour price, so treat food as your own choice here.

If you’re the type who gets restless on boats, this is your payoff. The itinerary gives you enough time here to stretch, swim, and slow down.

Lopud: monastery time, botanical garden shade, and easy island strolling

Lopud is where the day shifts from water-only to island wandering. You get about 3 hours on Lopud, which is a generous chunk for a place that also offers swimming time.

Two highlights here are the Franciscan Monastery from the 15th century and the botanical garden shade. The itinerary also notes the Lopud area as the most popular tourist place on the Elaphiti Islands, so you should expect a bit more activity than on the quieter side stops. That is not automatically a bad thing. It often means services are close by and the walking areas are easy to enjoy.

What I like about this part of the day is the contrast. After caves and snorkeling, you get built-in reasons to take your time: a historic monastery setting and a cooler, shaded garden area. Then you can end with a meal. The tour suggests a popular fish dining option, so if you want a simple local meal without planning ahead from the sea, this stop makes sense.

Drawback to consider: because Lopud is popular, it can feel busier than the more secluded swimming stops later. If you’re chasing quiet solitude, balance your expectations and lean into the garden shade and your meal timing.

Šipan and Sudurad: a short look at the oldest fishing village area

Next you head to Šipan with about 30 minutes for sightseeing of the south coast and a visit to Sudurad, described as the oldest fishing village in the area. This is a fast stop, but it’s a focused one, and it’s the only place in this itinerary that leans heavily into “village feel” rather than beach or caves.

Why it’s valuable even with short timing: Sudurad gives context for what these islands were built on. You’re not just seeing pretty coasts, you’re getting a glimpse of the way people lived here before tourism. And because this stop is tied to Šipan’s south coast, it also gives you more coastline variety across the day.

If you want longer time on a village, you might feel this is brief. But as part of a single-day island sampler, it fits.

Brsecine and Sikirica Cove: the best snorkeling stop plus secluded swimming

Brsecine is where the itinerary brings you back to the water with purpose. The first Brsecine stop is Sikirica Cove, listed as the best snorkeling place in the region, with about 30 minutes allocated for snorkeling. Then there’s a second Brsecine stop, also about 30 minutes, focused on swimming at a secluded beach.

This structure is thoughtful. You get a “best snorkeling” window, then a “let the day breathe” window right after. The secluded swimming time is the part you can use for lingering, floating, and just cooling off after a morning of caves and the mid-day walk on islands.

Practical takeaway: by this stage, you’ll likely be craving warm water and easy swimming. The itinerary caters to that, and it also gives you a strong second chance to enjoy the water if you skipped snorkeling earlier or if conditions felt better later.

Dubrovnik return sailing: a final approach view from the water

After Brsecine, you head back to Dubrovnik. The return includes about 15 minutes for sailing back to the main port and a final sightseeing pass along the western approach to the city.

This end part matters more than you might think. When you’re tired, walking around can feel like work. But a short ride with city views is a gentle way to close the day. It’s also a nice way to compare Dubrovnik’s feel from different angles without adding extra effort.

Price, inclusions, and what to budget for lunch

Here’s the value picture in plain terms. This private group tour includes:

• Snacks
• Drinks
• Use of snorkeling equipment
• All fees and taxes
• Fuel

Lunch is not included, so your main predictable extra cost is food at stops like Šunj Beach, where you can eat at the restaurant, and potentially while you’re in Lopud. Since time is limited on Lopud and Sudurad, it’s smart to plan to eat during the parts of the day where the itinerary allows it, especially the longer beach stop.

Also, note that the itinerary lists admission tickets as free for the stops mentioned. That can reduce friction if you’re trying to estimate the total cost of your day.

If you’re traveling with 6 to 8 people, this kind of private boat starts to look like a strong deal compared to buying multiple individual spots on other options. If you’re traveling solo or as a couple, it may feel pricey, but you are paying for a full-day speedboat and the private schedule, not just transportation.

Who should book this Dubrovnik Elaphiti Islands tour

This tour fits best if you want:

• Snorkeling as a real part of the day, not an afterthought
• A private group experience on a speedboat (up to 8)
• A mix of caves, beaches, and island walking
• Efficient island coverage in one day, including Lopud and Sudurad

It may not be your best match if you:

• Prefer slower travel and long hangs in one place
• Dislike having multiple stops with limited time windows
• Are traveling with people who do not enjoy water time, since there are multiple swimming and snorkeling moments

Should you book this private speedboat day?

Yes, if your ideal Dubrovnik day includes water time that feels special: Blue Cave, Green Caves, Sunj Beach, and Sikirica Cove. The pacing is built to maximize variety, and the inclusions help keep it from turning into a nickel-and-dime day. Also, that review calling out captain Maro is a good signal, since local knowledge is what helps these island days run smoothly.

Book it if you’re a group that can fill most seats, since the $611.46 per group price becomes much easier to justify at up to 8 people. And book it if you’re the type who likes a structured itinerary but still wants the comfort of a private boat.

Skip it if you want one long beach day and nothing else. This tour is about sampling multiple island moods in one long, active day, and you’ll get the most enjoyment if that style matches how you like to travel.

FAQ

How long is the Dubrovnik full-day private speedboat tour?

The duration is approximately 8 hours 30 minutes.

How many people can be on the private tour?

It’s private for your group, with a maximum of up to 8 people.

Which Elaphiti islands and stops are included?

You visit multiple Elaphiti area stops, including Kolocep, Lopud, Šipan (with Sudurad), and Brsecine (including Sikirica Cove), plus Sunj Beach and cave stops like the Blue Cave and Green Caves.

Do you get snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for the snorkeling experiences.

Are drinks and snacks included?

Yes. Drinks and snacks are included.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

No. Lunch is at your own expense.

Where does the tour start and end?

You sail out of Dubrovnik’s main port and return to the main port at the end of the day.

Do you get a mobile ticket?

Yes. The tour uses a mobile ticket.

Can you cancel for a full refund?

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

Is this tour suitable for most people?

The information says most travelers can participate. Service animals are allowed as well.