Private Speedboat Tour | Caves Beaches Islands and more

Dubrovnik looks even better from the water, and this private speedboat trip gives you a flexible way to reach the Elaphiti Islands, swim in rocky coves, and explore sea caves. Vincenzo, one of Nono Travel’s local skippers, can adjust the route to suit your group rather than forcing everyone into the same schedule.

I like the personal feel and the useful extras: snorkeling equipment, towels, drinks, fuel, and a professional skipper are included. I also like that you can trade a planned island stop for more swimming, a better lunch, or a quieter cove. The main catch is time. A six-hour outing cannot realistically give you a proper visit to all four listed islands.

Key points to know

• Kolocep is the local favorite: Expect cliff walks, rocky arches, hidden swimming bays, and access to the Blue Cave and Three Green Caves.
• The route is genuinely flexible: Vincenzo asks what you want to see, then adjusts the day around swimming, snorkeling, beaches, food, or island sights.
• Lopud offers the best mix of beach and history: Sunj Beach, a small botanical garden, and a monastery make this more than a swim stop.
• Sipan takes time to enjoy: The largest Elaphiti island is best for a local meal and a visit to the quiet bay at Luka.
• Caves can be crowded: The Blue Cave may attract many boats, especially during busy hours, while quieter caves can offer a better experience.
• The price works best for a group: At $302.34 for up to six people, the cost is far more reasonable when shared by family or friends.

A private boat day beyond Dubrovnik’s walls

This is not a standard sightseeing cruise where you follow a fixed route and watch the clock. You hire the boat privately for your group, with a duration ranging from about two to eight hours. That matters because the best use of the day depends on your priorities.

You might want a fast ride, several swims, and a few caves. You might prefer a slow stop on Lopud with lunch and a beach visit. You might already have seen Dubrovnik’s Old Town and want to spend the whole outing on the water. The skipper can help shape the plan.

The boat leaves from Lapadska obala 4 in Dubrovnik and returns there. Some groups have arranged transport from a hotel, apartment, cruise port, or other pickup point, but you should confirm that detail when booking rather than assume it is included.

The tour is for your group alone, with space for up to six people. That private setup is the biggest reason to choose it over a larger boat excursion. You can stop when you want, change your mind, and avoid spending an hour at a place that does not suit you.

What $302.34 buys your group

The listed price is $302.34 per group of up to six, not per person. Split six ways, that is about $50 per person. For four people, it is roughly $76 each, before lunch and any admission fees. That is a fair price for a private boat, fuel, captain, drinks, towels, and snorkeling equipment.

The value improves if you want a custom day. A large group cruise may cost less per person, but you will usually have less control over where you swim, how long you stay, and what happens when the sea or the crowds change your plans.

You still need to budget for lunch, sunscreen, a swimsuit, and the admission fee for Lokrum. Lokrum’s entrance fee also includes the ferry cost, which can be useful if you decide to finish your boat hire there and return to Dubrovnik by ferry later.

The two-hour option suits a short swim and cave visit. Six hours gives you a proper outing, but not a relaxed visit to every stop. Eight hours is the better choice if you want island time, lunch, swimming, and a chance to explore on foot.

Kolocep, the first stop and the best place to swim

Kolocep is the southernmost inhabited island in Croatia and the home island of the Nono Travel team. That local connection gives this stop a more personal feel. Vincenzo can point out places connected to the island and guide you toward natural spots that fit the day’s conditions.

Allow about an hour here, though the exact use of that time depends on your group. You can walk toward the cliffs for views over a beautiful bay, then return to the boat for a swim. Rocky arches and small coves make this a good place for snorkeling.

The island is also associated with the Blue Cave and Three Green Caves. These names sound like the main event, but timing matters. On busy days, the Blue Cave can have more than ten boats gathered outside, with swimmers moving through the cave on pool noodles. The cave itself may be striking, but the crowd can take away much of the calm.

I would ask Vincenzo about quieter caves before committing to the most famous one. One of the most useful parts of his role is knowing when a famous stop is too crowded and when a less publicized cave will give you a better swim.

The water can be choppy, so keep your belongings secure and expect a few bumps on the ride. The skipper’s handling matters here, particularly for families or anyone who is not comfortable in rough water.

Lopud combines Sunj Beach with island history

Lopud is the easiest island on this route for combining time on shore with a swim. Sunj Beach is known for its sandy shore, a welcome change from the rocky coastline found in many parts of the Dubrovnik area.

You can also walk through a small botanical garden and visit a monastery. The monastery may be undergoing work, so do not expect every interior space to be open. Still, the stop gives the outing some historical depth instead of making the day only about speedboat rides and swimming.

Lopud works well for groups with mixed interests. One person can enjoy the beach, another can look around the garden, and others can take a short walk toward the monastery. It is also a sensible place for lunch, and Vincenzo can recommend a restaurant.

A meal is not included, so plan for that extra cost. Fresh local seafood, including sea bass served with Swiss chard potatoes and salad, has been a successful choice for groups. Ask about the restaurant before you sit down, especially if you have a limited schedule. A long lunch can easily use up the time you hoped to spend on another island.

Sipan is best when you slow down

Sipan is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands and deserves more than a rushed photo stop. The stated visit lasts about an hour and a half, but even that may feel short if you want to eat, walk, and swim.

The island is a good choice for local food. If you want a quieter setting, ask about Luka, a sheltered bay with views and swimming spots. It is the kind of stop that makes a private boat worthwhile because you can decide if the bay suits your group and stay as long as the schedule allows.

The tradeoff is travel time. Each island is attractive, but the boat needs time to move between them. If you stop on Kolocep, Lopud, Sipan, and Lokrum during a six-hour hire, you will spend much of the day in transit or limiting each visit to a few minutes.

I would choose Sipan when food and a slower pace matter more than collecting four island names. If swimming and caves are your priority, you may prefer to spend that time around Kolocep instead.

Lokrum gives you ruins, peacocks, and Game of Thrones sights

Lokrum sits just offshore from Dubrovnik’s Old Town, making it the easiest island to visit separately by ferry. It is also the stop with the clearest admission cost, since entry is not included in the boat price.

The island has the remains of an old monastery, a botanical garden with peacocks, a fort reached by a walk uphill, and props connected with Game of Thrones. There are also places to swim from the shore.

Lokrum is worth two hours if you want to explore beyond the waterfront. You will need time for the walk to the fort, the gardens, the monastery area, and a swim. That makes it difficult to fit into a six-hour boat outing along with all three Elaphiti Islands.

One smart plan is to use the boat for Kolocep, Lopud, and perhaps Sipan, then visit Lokrum on another day by ferry. Another is to end the boat hire at Lokrum, explore at your own pace, and take the ferry back toward Dubrovnik. The ferry cost is covered by the Lokrum admission fee, even if you arrived by speedboat.

If you enjoy sea caves, a separate kayak outing around Lokrum can make sense. Kayaks are available on the island, and paddling lets you reach caves away from the busiest boat traffic. That is not part of this tour, but it is a useful way to avoid trying to squeeze every Lokrum sight into the speedboat schedule.

The skipper makes or breaks the day

The strongest part of this experience is the captain. Vincenzo is described as friendly, clear in English, and well informed about the islands and their past. He also knows where to eat and which swimming areas suit different conditions.

Good boat handling matters just as much. The water may be choppy, and the speedboat can feel lively. Vincenzo has been praised for taking care of groups in rougher water while still giving people the fun of a fast ride.

The Nono Travel operation is run by two local brothers who maintain their boats and keep the pricing fair. That local connection helps the outing feel less like a packaged transfer and more like a day with someone who knows the coast.

At the start, tell the skipper what you actually want. Say if you care most about snorkeling, caves, beaches, lunch, island walks, or a fast ride. Also tell him if anyone in your group is uneasy in rough water. The more specific you are, the easier it is to build a satisfying route.

What to bring and what to expect

Drinks, towels, fuel, and snorkeling equipment are included. You need to bring a swimsuit and sunscreen. Lunch is extra, as is Lokrum admission.

Wear something that can handle a wet boat ride. Secure hats, phones, and other loose items before the boat picks up speed. If you plan to walk on Kolocep, Lopud, or Lokrum, bring footwear suitable for uneven paths.

The activity is offered in English. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the experience is near public transportation. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, but the boat, caves, steps, swimming, and choppy water may not suit every person.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

Who should book this speedboat tour

I would choose this for a family, couple, or group of friends that values privacy and flexibility. It is especially useful if you want to swim in several places, prefer a local captain’s advice, or have different interests within the group.

Families with teenagers may enjoy the fast boat and the freedom to stop for snorkeling. Adults who want a good seafood lunch and a quiet bay can shape the day in that direction. Groups staying in Dubrovnik for several days can use the boat for the Elaphiti Islands and save Lokrum for a separate half-day.

I would think twice if you want a careful, unhurried visit to every island on the route. You may also prefer a larger, slower cruise if you do not like speedboats or want a lower total price for a small group.

The five-star rating from 126 reviews and 100 percent recommendation reflect the tour’s strongest qualities: a flexible route, a capable skipper, good local advice, and a memorable day on the water. The praise is less about a rigid checklist of sights and more about being able to change the plan when you find a better swimming bay or a crowded cave.

Final call: book it for flexibility, not for four complete island visits

This is a strong choice if you see the route as a menu rather than a promise to fully explore four islands. Pick Kolocep for caves and snorkeling, Lopud for beach and history, Sipan for food and a quiet bay, and Lokrum for ruins and Game of Thrones connections.

For the best value, gather four to six people and book at least six hours, or eight if you want lunch and proper time ashore. Ask Vincenzo to build the route around your priorities, and do not feel obliged to visit the Blue Cave if the entrance is crowded.

Book this tour if you want a private, local-led day with room to change plans. Skip it if your main goal is a complete walking tour of every island, since travel time between stops makes that unrealistic.

FAQ

How much does the private speedboat tour cost?

The price is $302.34 per group of up to six people. Lunch and Lokrum admission are not included.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately two to eight hours. A six-hour trip gives you time for several stops, but not a full visit to all four islands.

Where does the tour begin and end?

The meeting point is Lapadska obala 4, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Which islands can I visit?

The route includes Kolocep, Lopud, Sipan, and Lokrum. The skipper can adjust the plan to suit your group’s interests and available time.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, towels, drinks, fuel, and a professional skipper are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is an additional cost. Lopud is a practical place to stop for a meal, and the skipper can make recommendations.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.