Private Full-Day Tour of Elaphiti Islands by Speedboat

The best part of this private speedboat day is the freedom to shape it around your group. You can swim at a quiet bay, linger over lunch on Šipan, or stay on board with a cold drink while your skipper finds another beautiful stop. The route covers Šunj Beach, Šipan, Koločep, and the Blue Cave, with several lesser-known swimming spots along the way.

I like the personal attention, especially for families or mixed groups with different energy levels. I also like the small-group setting, since a maximum of eight people means you are not tied to a large boat schedule. Skippers named Ivan, Nick, Luka, and Niko have been praised for making thoughtful route changes and helping less confident swimmers.

The main consideration is cost. At $1,023.50 per group, this is a serious splurge for two people, though it becomes much better value when shared by six to eight. Fuel is extra, and the published fuel figures vary, so confirm the final amount before you set off.

Key points to know before booking

• Šunj Beach gives you a rare sandy shoreline: Spend about an hour swimming, sunbathing, or having a drink on Lopud.
• Šipan offers a slower island stop: Luka Šipanska has a small local population, a port with traditional boats, and time for lunch or a drink.
• The route includes several swimming breaks: Hidden bays such as Sikirica are valued for clear, turquoise water and quiet surroundings.
• Koločep brings the Blue Cave: You can swim, snorkel, take photographs, and enjoy one of the prettiest parts of the route.
• Your skipper can adjust the pace: The private format suits families, confident swimmers, and people who want plenty of time to relax.
• Fuel is not included: The supplied details list an extra charge of about €100 in one place and approximately €150 to €200 in another, depending on the boat.

A full day beyond Dubrovnik’s city walls

Dubrovnik’s old town gets most of the attention, but the Elaphiti Islands show you a softer, quieter side of the region. These islands sit close enough for a day by speedboat, yet their small settlements and empty winter population make them feel far removed from the city.

This is not a rigid sightseeing circuit. The basic route gives your day structure, but the skipper can suggest extra coves and swimming stops along the way. That matters because the best moments may not have a sign, a pier, or a name that is easy to find on a map.

You will spend about eight hours on the water. The boat is private for your group, with space for up to eight people. Bottled water, beer, soft drinks, and snorkeling equipment are included. Lunch, drinks bought on the islands, and fuel are not covered by the price.

The day normally begins around 9:30 or 10 am, depending on the meeting arrangement. If you are staying away from the nearest speedboat mooring, pickup from your accommodation may be possible. Contact the operator ahead of time rather than assuming hotel pickup is automatic.

Šunj Beach on Lopud, a sandy start

After setting out through the Elaphiti Channel, you reach Šunj Beach on Lopud in about 40 minutes. The beach is one of the unusual sandy stretches along this part of the Croatian coast, where rocky and pebbly shores are more common.

You get roughly an hour and a half here, including the boat ride and stop timing in the published schedule. In practical terms, this is your easy opening pause: swim, sunbathe, or have a drink before the longer island section of the day.

Šunj is a good fit if your group wants a conventional beach break at the start. It also gives children a simple place to get comfortable with the sea before the boat moves on. The drawback is that a sandy beach can be more appealing to some people than others. If you prefer quiet coves and snorkeling, the later stops may be more interesting.

Bring sun protection and a towel, although the boat has been described as carrying fresh towels and offering shaded seating. If you want to make the most of the day, do not treat Šunj as your only swimming opportunity. The route includes several more chances to get in the water.

Šipan and the small port of Luka Šipanska

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands, and Luka Šipanska is one of only two inhabited places on the island. The village has around 200 residents across the island, so the stop feels quite different from spending the day in Dubrovnik.

Before reaching the port, the skipper makes a short stop in a secluded bay. You can swim, snorkel, jump from the boat, or stay aboard for photographs. This is where the private format begins to show its value. If nobody feels like swimming, you are not wasting a long scheduled stop. If everyone wants more time in the water, you can ask to stay longer.

At Luka Šipanska, you have about three hours for lunch, drinks, and a walk. The port has traditional boats and small bays, and the pace is notably unhurried. You might simply sit at a beach bar, or you can stroll around and get a feel for island life.

Lunch is at your own expense, and the exact restaurant plan is flexible. Skippers have arranged local meals for groups, including grilled seafood and other options, and some have recommended family-run restaurants on Lopud or another island. Ask your skipper early if you want help with a reservation, especially if your group has children or specific food needs.

The long stop works well for a mixed group. One person can explore while another enjoys a drink, and strong swimmers can use the nearby water. The tradeoff is that the island stop takes a large part of the day. If your priority is collecting as many swimming locations as possible, tell the skipper before lunch so the timing can be adjusted.

Sikirica Bay and the appeal of an unmarked stop

On the way from Šipan toward Koločep, the boat pauses at Sikirica Bay. It is described as difficult to locate on a map, which is part of its appeal. The water has a turquoise color, and you can snorkel or swim from the boat.

Some outings have also included a sea scooter. Since that equipment is not specifically listed among the standard inclusions, ask whether it is available for your departure rather than counting on it.

Sikirica is the kind of stop that makes a private boat day different from a ferry trip. You are not only moving between named islands. You are also stopping at small pieces of coast that would be hard to reach without a skipper who knows the area.

The sea is the main attraction here, not a formal sightseeing site. If the weather turns or the water feels rough, this part of the route may be shortened or replaced. The tour requires good weather, and the skipper has the final say on safe conditions.

Koločep and the Blue Cave

Koločep is smaller and quieter than Šipan, with fewer than 150 residents. In winter, it is almost empty. The island is known for clean surroundings, rocky and pebbly beaches, and strikingly clear water.

The published stop lasts about an hour and a half, though the private setup may allow some flexibility. You will have time for another swim, a rest in the sun, or snorkeling before visiting the Blue Cave.

The Blue Cave is a strong finish to the island portion of the day. You can take photographs with the cave behind you and, if conditions allow, swim and snorkel nearby. The cave may look intimidating to anyone who is not a confident swimmer, but skippers have helped guests enter it safely, including people who could not swim.

That kind of assistance is worth noting. One outing included a skipper patiently guiding a non-swimming father into the sea and through the cave on a paddle board. A private boat does not remove every physical challenge, but it gives your skipper time to adapt the experience to your comfort level.

Koločep is less about checking off sights and more about enjoying the water. If you want museums, formal monuments, or a detailed walking tour, this is not the right day for you. If you want clean coves and time outdoors, it is likely to be the highlight.

Why the private skipper matters

The strongest part of this experience is not simply the islands. It is the way the skipper can read the group and change the day.

Past outings have included captains named Ivan, Nick, Luka, and Niko. You should not assume you will receive a particular skipper unless the operator confirms it, but the pattern is clear: the captain is expected to act as host as well as boat driver.

That can mean finding a quieter bay, recommending lunch, helping children into the water, or slowing the schedule after a summer storm. One family with four children, ages 8 to 12, had a relaxed day with time for island food and swimming. Another group used the boat as a base, with one teenager sunbathing and listening to music while another spent the day snorkeling.

This flexibility is especially useful when your group does not all want the same thing. Strong swimmers can use the stops, while someone who prefers shade can remain under the canopy with water or a soft drink. Fresh towels and a stocked cooler have also been provided on outings.

Do not expect a formal lecture at every stop. The skipper can share local information and stories, but this is primarily a relaxed sea day. You are paying for local route knowledge, a private boat, and the ability to make choices as you go.

Boat comfort, swimming, and what to bring

The boat is described as clean and carefully maintained, with a shaded area and a sunbathing section. That gives you two useful choices on a long day: stay protected from the sun while moving, or stretch out in the open when the boat is anchored.

Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, beer, and soft drinks are included. Alcohol is best treated as a light refreshment, not a substitute for your own water and sun protection. Bring sunscreen, a hat, swimwear, footwear suitable for rocky or pebbly shores, and a dry change of clothes.

You may want cash or a card for lunch, beach bars, and drinks on the islands. The tour price does not include meals. If you have a favorite type of restaurant or need a particular menu, discuss it with the skipper early in the day.

The route involves swimming from the boat and visiting beaches with rocky or pebbly sections. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed, but the description does not promise special accessibility equipment. If anyone in your group has mobility or swimming concerns, explain those needs before booking.

Is $1,023.50 good value for your group?

The headline price is $1,023.50 for up to eight people. That works out to about $128 per person if the boat is full, before fuel and personal spending. For two people, the same price becomes much harder to justify.

The value improves if you want privacy and flexibility rather than the lowest possible fare. You are not paying only to reach the islands. You are also paying for a private skipper, a full day on the water, several swimming locations, snorkeling equipment, drinks, and the ability to adjust the route.

Fuel is the biggest pricing detail to clarify. One part of the supplied information lists a €100 surcharge per booking, while another says fuel is approximately €150 to €200 depending on the boat selected. Since these figures do not match, ask for the current fuel estimate in writing before you commit.

Lunch and island drinks are extra, too. Build those costs into your budget. The tour can be good value for a family or group of friends who would otherwise need several separate activities to cover swimming, island time, and a boat ride.

It is less attractive if you are traveling alone or as a couple and mainly want a short cruise. In that case, compare the private price with a shared excursion.

Weather, timing, and cancellation details

This is a sea outing, so good weather matters. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, and the cutoff follows local time.

The advertised start time is around 9:30 am, while the route description says the skipper will be waiting at 10 am. Confirm the exact pickup or meeting time with Blue Mile Dubrovnik. This is a small detail, but it prevents a needless rushed start.

The experience is offered in English, and confirmation is provided at booking. Pickup may be arranged if your accommodation is far from the nearest speedboat mooring.

Who should book this Elaphiti Islands tour?

I would choose this for a family, a group of friends, or a multigenerational party that wants one private day rather than several separate outings. It is particularly suitable when people in the group have different comfort levels in the water.

You should also consider it if you have already seen Dubrovnik’s old town and want a day outdoors. The route gives you a sandy beach, a small island port, quiet swimming bays, and the Blue Cave in one outing.

I would be more cautious if you dislike speedboats, need a fully structured sightseeing program, or want to keep costs low. The boat makes the day efficient, but the sea can be bumpy, and much of the experience involves sun, swimming, and flexible timing.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your group can share the cost and values privacy, swimming stops, and a skipper who can adjust the day. The strongest reasons are the quiet coves, the chance to spend real time on Šipan, and the personal help available at places such as the Blue Cave.

Before paying, confirm three things: the exact skipper, the boat and fuel charge, and the lunch plan. If those details suit your group, this is a rewarding way to see the Elaphiti Islands without being tied to a crowded schedule.

FAQ

How long is the private Elaphiti Islands tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours. The listed start time is around 9:30 am, while the route description refers to a 10 am departure, so confirm the exact time with the operator.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Lopud, for Šunj Beach, Šipan, and Koločep. It also includes several smaller bays and the Blue Cave near Koločep.

Is fuel included in the tour price?

No. Fuel is charged separately. The supplied details list both an approximate €100 surcharge and an estimate of €150 to €200 depending on the boat, so confirm the current amount before booking.

Are food and drinks included?

Bottled water, beer, and soft drinks are included. Lunch and drinks purchased at island restaurants or beach bars are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. A sea scooter has been used on some outings, but it is not listed as a standard inclusion, so ask about it before departure.

Can the tour pick me up from my accommodation?

Pickup may be available if your accommodation is far from the closest speedboat mooring. You need to contact the operator to arrange a transfer.