Rent a speed boat and explore beaches and coves of Elaphiti Islands

A private speedboat is a fine way to trade Dubrovnik’s crowded stone lanes for the quiet coves of the Elaphiti Islands. You can choose how long to stay at Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep, then spend the rest of the day swimming, snorkeling, or simply lying under the boat’s sunshade.

I like the small private group, capped at six, and the thoughtful onboard setup: a sundeck, fridge, shade, drinks, and snorkeling gear. I also like the skippers’ personal touch. Eric, Roko, Tito, Mark, Ivan, and Luca are singled out by name in the feedback, with special praise for patience, good tips, music, birthday celebrations, and help finding caves.

The main catch is the ride itself. A speedboat gets you across open water quickly, but it can be bumpy, and one account specifically warns that swimming skills matter when waves are up or a cave entrance is narrow. Bring a swimsuit, since it is not included, and expect the best route to depend on weather and sea conditions.

Key points to know before you book

• Three islands, three different moods: Lopud brings sandy beaches and old paths, Šipan offers a quieter fishing port, and Koločep is the best stop for swimming and snorkeling.
• Flexible stop times: On the four or eight-hour version, you can decide how long to stay at each island instead of following a rigid timetable.
• Private boat for up to six: The $720.84 group price works best when shared by a full party, bringing the cost to about $120 per person for six.
• Drinks and gear are included: Water, soda, beer, wine, a fridge, sunshade, sundeck, and snorkeling equipment are supplied.
• Skipper choice may matter: Eric, Roko, Tito, Mark, Ivan, and Luca receive especially warm praise for care, humor, local tips, and handling special occasions.
• Open-water conditions are part of the deal: The boat can be fun and fast, but the ride may feel rough, and cave swimming requires confidence in the water.

Why a private speedboat works well from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is famous for its old town, walls, and cruise-ship crowds. The Elaphiti Islands give you a different side of the region: pine and olive trees, small ports, stone homes, sandy shorelines, and clear water reached by boat rather than by a long road transfer.

The private format is the real advantage. You are not locked into a large group’s schedule, so you can linger at Šunj Beach, have a coffee in Suđurađ, or cut a swim short if the weather turns. With a maximum of six people, the boat should feel more like a shared day out with friends or family than a standard sightseeing excursion.

The price is $720.84 per group, not per person. For two people, that is a costly outing. For six, it works out to about $120 each, which is more reasonable given the private skipper, transfers within Dubrovnik, drinks, equipment, and four to eight hours on the water.

I would compare this with the cost of separate boat rentals, fuel, a driver, and snorkeling equipment before dismissing the price. You are paying for convenience and flexibility, not simply for transport between islands.

Leaving Yacht Club Orsan

The meeting point is Yacht Club Orsan at Ul. Ivana pl. Zajca 4 in Dubrovnik. Pickup is offered for addresses in the city area that are more than one kilometer from the starting point, using an air-conditioned minivan or car.

That transfer is useful if you are staying away from the marina. The one-kilometer rule matters, though. If your accommodation is very close to the starting point, you may need to make your own way there.

Once aboard, you have a sunshade, fridge, and sundeck. Bottled water and soft drinks are included, along with beer and wine. The alcohol is a pleasant extra for a relaxed afternoon, but use common sense before swimming or moving around on a boat that may encounter choppy water.

The experience lasts about four to eight hours. That wide range is important. Four hours gives you a brisk taste of the islands, while eight hours allows proper time for a beach stop, a port visit, and swimming without turning every stop into a rushed photo break.

Lopud, sandy beaches and old island paths

Lopud is usually the most developed and easiest island for a mix of beach time and walking. It has old stone houses, olive groves, vineyards, forest paths, cocktail bars, restaurants, and places to buy local food, wine, or olive oil.

The headline attraction is Šunj Beach, one of the area’s better-known sandy beaches. Sand is not a small detail on the Croatian coast, where many swimming spots are rocky. If you want to lie on a softer shore or enjoy a more traditional beach stop, Lopud is the island to prioritize.

You can also visit one of Europe’s oldest botanical gardens, according to the tour information. A hilltop museum called the Temple of Sun offers an unusual visual experience, with shifting shades inside the building. These attractions give Lopud more substance than a quick swim stop.

The island is inhabited, so you will find more services here than on the quieter islands. That is useful if you want coffee, a cocktail, lunch, or a proper break from the boat. The tradeoff is that Lopud may feel less remote than Koločep or Šipan.

The standard suggested time is about two hours, but the skipper can adjust the length according to your chosen tour and interests. I would spend longer here if your group wants a beach and a walk. If swimming is your only goal, you may prefer to move sooner to Koločep.

Šipan, a slower stop in Suđurađ

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands and has a different character from Lopud. The port of Suđurađ feels tied to fishing and island life, with small boats, old stone homes, and families who have maintained local traditions.

You can stop for coffee in the old fishing port or take a short walk. The suggested stop is about one hour, but the timing remains flexible. That makes Šipan a good pause in the middle of the day, especially if you want to sit somewhere rather than spend every minute in the water.

The island is known for its olive trees and is associated with a Guinness World Records claim for the greatest number of olive trees on one island. You will also see reminders of Dubrovnik’s former summer elite, including the late-Gothic Rector’s Palace and ruins linked to archbishops’ residences.

In Suđurađ, the 16th-century castle of the Stjepović-Skočibuha family is next to a defensive tower built to guard against pirates. These sights are not presented as a formal guided museum visit, so keep expectations practical. You are getting a scenic stop and a glimpse of the island’s past, not a full historical tour.

Šipan is described as the Mediterranean as it used to be. That phrase fits the appeal: it is the place to choose when you want to see an inhabited island that has not been shaped entirely around tourism. If your group wants nonstop swimming, though, an hour here may feel long.

Koločep, clear water and small coves

Koločep is the strongest stop for a swim. The island is known for clear water, fish, seashells, pine trees, olive trees, caves, cliffs, and small coves that invite exploration.

The planned stop is about one hour, but you can spend more time here if swimming is your priority. Snorkeling equipment is provided, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins. The water is presented as a major part of the experience, and the island’s coves give you more variety than a single open beach.

There are also paths through Gornje Čelo and Donje Čelo, two small settlements with a typical southern Dalmatian feel. A short walk can break up the time on the boat, though the tour’s main focus here is swimming and seeing the coast from the water.

Some outings also include access to a blue cave or other cave areas, based on the route and the skipper’s choices. Do not treat every cave as guaranteed, since sea conditions, timing, and the day’s plan can affect what is possible.

Pay attention to the practical warning: cave entrances may be small, and waves can make entry less comfortable. You should be able to swim confidently. This is not the right outing if you want to remain entirely on dry land.

The skipper can shape the whole day

A private boat tour is only as good as the person at the helm. The strongest feedback centers on the skippers’ care and flexibility rather than on the boat alone.

Eric is praised for excellent English, friendly conversation, and noticing when a passenger was cold early in the trip. He offered his windbreaker without fuss. That small act tells you what to hope for from a good skipper: attention to comfort, not just a fast ride.

Roko receives praise for making the day feel special, while Tito is noted for patience, useful tips, and interesting anecdotes. Mark is described as attentive and helpful around the caves. Ivan receives especially strong praise for driving and for helping make birthday celebrations memorable.

Luca is associated with a lively day of music, cave swimming, and time at a beach club. If a particular skipper is available, asking for one by name may be worthwhile, though the information does not promise that every requested person will operate your departure.

These details matter because the route is flexible. A skipper who listens can help you balance beach time, sightseeing, swimming, and food stops. The best use of the tour is to explain your priorities at the start rather than assuming every island deserves equal time.

What to bring, and what not to expect

The boat supplies snorkeling equipment, water, soda, beer, and wine. You also get a sunshade, fridge, and sundeck, all of which make a long outing easier.

You need to bring your swimsuit. It is specifically not included, and you will miss much of the fun without one. You should also plan around the boat ride itself. The speed and open water can mean spray, wind, and a bumpy journey.

The tour is offered in English. Children must be accompanied by adults, and most people can participate, but swimming ability matters for cave and cove stops. If anyone in your group is uneasy in open water, tell the provider about specific needs when booking.

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Who will get the most from this outing

I would recommend this for a group of friends, a family with older children, or a couple willing to share the cost. Six people make the price much easier to justify, and the private format lets you create a day around your own interests.

It is especially suitable if you want a mix of beach, light sightseeing, and swimming rather than a formal historical excursion. Lopud gives you the sandy beach and services, Šipan supplies the quiet port and island character, and Koločep provides the clearest focus on coves and snorkeling.

I would be more cautious if your group dislikes boat motion, cannot swim comfortably, or wants a tightly scripted tour with guaranteed cave access. The route is flexible by design, so the day depends on weather, sea conditions, and the conversation you have with the skipper.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a private day on the water and can fill most of the six-person capacity. The combination of flexible island time, snorkeling gear, drinks, hotel-area pickup, and a skipper who can tailor the route gives this experience real value for a full group.

Prioritize Lopud if you want Šunj Beach, a walk, food, and a little culture. Prioritize Šipan if you prefer a quiet port and a look at traditional island life. Save plenty of time for Koločep if swimming and caves are the main reason you are booking.

For a small party, the cost is the main concern. For a full group in good weather, this is one of the more personal ways to see the islands around Dubrovnik, with enough freedom to make the day feel like your own.

FAQ

How much does the private speedboat tour cost?

The price is $720.84 per group of up to six people. For a full group of six, that equals about $120.14 per person.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately four to eight hours. The longer option allows more time for beaches, sightseeing, and swimming.

Which islands are visited?

The route includes Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep. Stop lengths can be adjusted according to the tour duration and your group’s preferences.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup and drop-off are offered within Dubrovnik city area for locations more than one kilometer from the starting point. Pickup outside Dubrovnik city area is not included.

Where does the tour start?

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

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, soda, beer, and wine are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for use during the trip.

Do I need to bring a swimsuit?

Yes. A swimsuit is not included, so you should bring your own if you plan to swim.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.