Half-Day Private Speed Boat Tour in Dubrovnik on Elaphiti Islands

Kolocep’s caves are the main event here. Your private speedboat slips into the Green Cave beneath a lighthouse, stops by the Blue Cave for swimming, then reaches the Three Caves before crossing to Lopud’s broad, sandy Šunj Beach. It is a compact way to trade Dubrovnik’s stone walls for clear water and open sea.

I like the private boat and the freedom to set the pace. You can snorkel, sit in the sun, use the floating devices, or simply ask your skipper to linger at a good swimming spot. The main consideration is that four and a half hours goes quickly, and lunch at Šunj Beach costs extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Three cave stops on Kolocep: See the Green Cave, swim into the Blue Cave, and explore the Three Caves on the island’s western side.
• A real private outing: Your group alone takes the boat, with space for up to eight people.
• Ninety minutes at Šunj Beach: You get time for swimming, snorkeling, a walk on the shallow sand, or a paid meal and drink.
• Drinks and gear are included: Water, soft drinks, iced tea, beer, wine, snacks, snorkeling equipment, floating devices, and fuel are covered.
• Flexible skippers matter: Maro and Luka are named by past customers as helpful, considerate English-speaking skippers who adjusted the outing to suit the group.
• Short but full schedule: The listed stops total four hours, with the remaining 30 minutes used for pickup and drop-off, 15 minutes each.

Why this private Dubrovnik boat trip works

This is a good choice if you want a taste of the Elaphiti Islands without giving up a full day. In roughly four hours of sightseeing and swimming, you reach two islands, visit several caves, cruise along Kolocep’s coast, and spend a substantial break at Šunj Beach.

The private setup changes the feel of the outing. You are not working around a large boat’s timetable or waiting for a group to finish snorkeling. If someone in your party wants more time in the water, while someone else prefers a drink in the shade, the skipper can usually adjust the pace. The exact freedom depends on sea conditions and timing, but the format is built for flexibility.

The price is $431.62 per group of up to eight. For a full boat, that works out to about $54 per person, before any lunch or other personal spending. For two people, the per-person cost is much higher, so this makes the most financial sense for a family or group of friends sharing the boat.

You also avoid paying separately for fuel, snorkeling equipment, floating devices, snacks, and several drinks. That helps the value. Lunch is not included, so keep some money aside for Šunj Beach or any restaurant stop your skipper helps arrange.

Leaving Dubrovnik by speedboat

The outing begins at Dubrovnik’s main port. The first 20 minutes are spent sailing away from the city and along its western coast. This gives you a different view of Dubrovnik, one focused on the shoreline and sea approaches rather than streets and monuments.

The boat then heads toward Kolocep, the first island. The return journey follows the mainland coast, with another 30 minutes of coastal sightseeing before reaching Dubrovnik. These transfers are not empty gaps. They give you time to settle into the boat, take photographs, and watch the coast change from city waterfront to quieter island scenery.

The remaining 30 minutes of the four-and-a-half-hour service are set aside for pickup and drop-off, with 15 minutes allotted to each. One past booking included pickup from a hotel, but you should confirm the exact meeting arrangement when you reserve.

Kolocep’s Green Cave beneath the lighthouse

Kolocep is the first island stop. The Green Cave sits beneath a lighthouse on the island’s eastern side, and the skipper enters the cave with the boat. That makes this stop different from the Blue Cave and Three Caves, where the boat anchors and you swim inside.

You get about 10 minutes here. That is enough for a quick look at the cave interior and the rocky setting around it, but not enough for a long swim or relaxed stop. Think of it as a close-up sightseeing moment rather than a full beach break.

The boat entry is a useful feature for anyone who would rather not swim into every cave. It also gives the whole group a chance to see the space together. The cave experience depends on water conditions, available light, and how easily the boat can enter on the day.

Swimming into the Blue Cave

Around the corner on Kolocep’s eastern side is the Blue Cave. Here the skipper anchors the boat, and you swim inside. Snorkeling equipment is provided, so you can look beneath the surface as well as into the cave.

The scheduled stop lasts about 40 minutes. That is a much better amount of time for a proper swim. You can enter the cave, return to the boat, float nearby, and use the water equipment without having to rush through the entire stop.

This is likely to be one of the most memorable parts of the outing, but it is also the part most tied to conditions. You need to be comfortable getting into the sea and swimming back to the boat. If you are traveling with children or anyone who is not a confident swimmer, ask the skipper about the safest way to use the cave stop.

The boat includes floating devices, which are useful for relaxing in the water even if you do not want to snorkel continuously. Water, Coke, iced tea, beer, and wine are also included, though it is wise to drink carefully when swimming and sitting in the sun.

Kolocep’s outer coast and Three Caves

After the Blue Cave, the boat moves slowly along Kolocep’s outer coast. This 10-minute passage is meant for sightseeing, with views of bays and rocky shoreline. The slower speed gives you a chance to notice the coast instead of simply racing toward the next stop.

The next swimming stop is the Three Caves on the western side of Kolocep. The skipper anchors again, and you swim into the caves with snorkeling equipment available. Like the Blue Cave, this stop lasts about 40 minutes.

Having several cave stops gives the tour more variety than a single quick swim. You see a cave from inside the boat, then visit other caves from the water. Still, the schedule is active. If you prefer a long, quiet beach day, this trip may feel too packed. If you want several short experiences in one morning or afternoon, the pace makes good sense.

You should also bring a way to protect your phone and camera from spray. That is practical advice for any small-boat outing, especially when getting in and out of the water is part of the plan.

Ninety minutes at sandy Šunj Beach

The final island stop is Šunj Beach on Lopud. This is the longest break, with about 90 minutes to swim, snorkel, walk along the shallow sandy shore, or relax with a drink.

The sand makes Šunj different from the rocky cave stops. You can ease into the water without scrambling over rocks, and the shallow beach is well suited to a slower finish. It is also the point where the trip feels less like a sightseeing circuit and more like a beach afternoon.

Lunch is at your own expense. You can use the time for a snack or meal in the area, and one past outing included the skipper helping the group find a restaurant on a private island. Treat that as a possible benefit of a flexible private service, not a guaranteed part of every booking.

Ninety minutes is enough to enjoy the beach, but it is not an entire afternoon. If you want a long lunch, a full swim, and plenty of time to walk, you may need to choose your priorities. I would decide before arriving whether your group cares most about eating, snorkeling, or simply lying on the sand.

The return along Dubrovnik’s mainland coast

The return trip takes about 30 minutes and follows the mainland side toward Dubrovnik. You get another look at the western approach to the city, this time with the island stops behind you.

This final cruise is also a buffer after the active parts of the trip. You can finish your drink, dry off, and enjoy the coast without needing to change boats or organize another transfer. Since the speedboat covers the route efficiently, the return does not consume the entire final hour.

What the skipper adds to the experience

A boat trip is only as good as the person at the wheel. The strongest praise for this outing centers on the skippers’ flexibility, kindness, English, and ability to choose good snorkeling spots.

Maro introduces himself through WhatsApp soon after confirmation and has been described as helpful from the start. One family received hotel pickup and a day adjusted to its preferences, including snorkeling, drinks, and time in the sun.

Luka is also specifically named as a strong skipper. He speaks excellent English, allowed flexibility within the four-hour schedule, treated the group with care, and helped locate a memorable restaurant stop. Another booking praised the guide’s experience and detailed explanations along the route.

You should not assume that Maro or Luka will operate every departure, but their names give you useful questions to ask when booking. Confirm who your skipper will be, then tell that person your priorities. A group with strong swimmers may want more cave time. A family with younger children may prefer more time at Šunj Beach.

Who should book this tour

I would recommend this boat trip to:

• Families or friend groups that can share the cost
• People who want a private setting rather than a large excursion
• Confident swimmers who want cave stops and snorkeling
• Visitors with only half a day available
• Anyone who prefers a flexible skipper and several different stops
• Couples who value privacy and do not mind the higher per-person price

It is less suitable if you want a slow, all-day island visit, a guaranteed gourmet lunch, or a tour centered on historical sites. The focus here is water, caves, coast, and beach time. Dubrovnik’s old city is viewed from the sea, but the boat does not replace a walking tour of the city.

The outing is also weather-sensitive in practical terms. Cave access and swimming depend on conditions, and the schedule may need to adjust. The private format helps with pacing, but it cannot change the sea.

Practical value, timing, and what to bring

The tour lasts approximately four hours and 30 minutes. The active stops include 20 minutes leaving Dubrovnik, 10 minutes at the Green Cave, 40 minutes at the Blue Cave, 10 minutes along Kolocep’s outer coast, 40 minutes at the Three Caves, 90 minutes at Šunj Beach, and 30 minutes returning to Dubrovnik. Pickup and drop-off account for the remaining 30 minutes.

Included drinks are unusually useful on a warm boat outing. You receive water, Coke, iced tea, beer, and wine, along with snacks. Fuel is covered, so there is no surprise fuel charge added to the private boat price.

Lunch is not included. Bring money for a meal or snack at Šunj Beach, especially if your group wants to use the whole 90-minute stop for more than swimming.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and a secure bag for electronics. The supplied information confirms snorkeling equipment and floating devices, but it does not specify other personal items. You should also tell the operator about any mobility or swimming concerns before departure.

Confirmation is provided at booking. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can take part. The booking is made for a private group, with a maximum of eight people.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local Dubrovnik time.

My verdict on the Kolocep and Lopud boat trip

Book it if you want a private half-day on the water with a strong mix of cave swimming and beach time. The best value comes when six to eight people share the $431.62 group price, and the included drinks, gear, snacks, and fuel make the cost easier to judge.

I especially like the balance between active stops and the 90-minute pause at Šunj Beach. You are not stuck snorkeling for four hours, but you also do not spend most of the outing simply cruising. The flexible approach associated with skippers such as Maro and Luka is another reason to choose this over a rigid group boat.

Skip it if you dislike swimming from a boat, need lunch included, or want a full-day island visit. For everyone else, this is a lively, efficient way to see Kolocep and Lopud, with enough privacy to make the short schedule work for your own group.

FAQ

How long does the private speedboat tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours and 30 minutes. The remaining 30 minutes are allotted to pickup and drop-off, with 15 minutes for each.

How many Elaphiti Islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits two islands, Kolocep and Lopud.

Which caves are included on Kolocep?

The stops include the Green Cave beneath the lighthouse, the Blue Cave, and the Three Caves on the western side of Kolocep.

Can I swim and snorkel inside the caves?

Yes. At the Blue Cave and Three Caves, the skipper anchors the boat so you can swim inside. Snorkeling equipment is provided.

How long do I get at Šunj Beach?

You get approximately one hour and 30 minutes at Šunj Beach on Lopud.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included and must be paid for separately.

What is included in the price?

The price includes floating devices, snacks, water, Coke, iced tea, beer, wine, snorkeling equipment, and fuel.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private tour is available for one group of up to eight people, and only your group participates.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not eligible for a refund.