Island hopping by speedboat beats walking in Dubrovnik. This private outing turns the coast into a playground, with your own boat plus drinks and snorkel gear ready for the water. One thing to factor in: you’ll likely pay extra on top of the base price for pickup and fuel, and lunch isn’t included.

The best part is how flexible the day feels once you’re out there. Captains like Orsat, Ante, and Tony are known for working with what you want—more swim time, fewer stops, or an extra cave—so the trip matches real vacation energy instead of a rigid timetable. If you go early, the cave stops can feel less chaotic, which makes photos and swimming a lot more pleasant.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About

• Private boat, just your party: no sharing the speedboat with strangers.
• Drinks included on the water: beer, wine, soft drinks, and bottled water.
• Koločep (Kolocep) cave swim options: Blue and Green Caves are the headline acts.
• Lopud’s sandy beaches without cars: ideal for relaxing and hanging out by the sea.
• Full-day bonus islands: Šipan only shows up on the longer itinerary due to distance.

Speedboat Time: Why the Elaphite Islands Feel Worth It

Dubrovnik is stunning from land, but it’s a different story when the Adriatic is part of your view. A speedboat gets you out past the crowded shoreline fast, and the islands start to feel like they belong to you for a few hours.

This tour is also built for comfort. You’re not spending your day hunting buses, waiting in lines, or timing swims to public access. Instead, you go from viewpoint to viewpoint on the captain’s schedule, then you get to actually swim—often in calm, clear water.

Your Boat Day Setup: Drinks, Snorkel Gear, Towels, and Safety

This is one of those tours where the included items matter because they make you spend less time preparing and more time enjoying.

On board, you get:

• Drinks: beer, wine, soft drinks, and bottled water
• Snorkeling equipment for the swim stops
• Towels, life jackets, and a skipper
• A luxury private speedboat setup designed for comfort during transfers

The life jackets are a quiet win. You don’t have to fuss with them once you’re in the water, and you can focus on the water and the caves. And since snorkeling gear is included, you won’t arrive with the wrong mask or forget your swim stuff at the apartment.

One small practical note: the minimum drinking age is 18, so if anyone in your party is under that, plan to stick to soft drinks and water during the boat portion.

4 Hours or 8 Hours: Choosing the Right Pace

You’ve got two time options: about 4 hours (half-day) or about 8 hours (full-day). The big difference isn’t just how long you’re on the water. It’s what islands you can realistically reach and how much breathing room you get.

A half-day works if:

• You want the caves and a beach swim without the full day commitment
• You’re combining this with Old Town or restaurant plans

A full-day is the way to go if:

• You want more than one island stop at a slower pace
• You’d like time for extra swimming and a longer lunch plan
• You want the longer-distance inclusion like Šipan

A lot of people say they wish they had booked longer, because the islands are the kind of place where time slips away. If you can handle a full day, you’ll usually feel less rushed.

Pickup and On-the-Water Extras: Where Costs Show Up

The headline price is $386.98 per group (up to 2), so you’re not priced per person. That’s good value if it’s just you and one other person—especially compared with tours where you pay separately.

But two extra items matter for planning:

• Pickup/drop-off (at Sheraton, Mlini, or Cavtat) has a €60 cash charge.
• Fuel surcharge is paid on the boat: €70 for half-day or €150 for full-day.

Also, lunch isn’t included. The tour can support lunch reservations on some islands if you want that help, but you’ll still pay for the meal.

Bottom line: treat the base price as the start of the budget, then add pickup and fuel, and decide how you want to handle lunch.

The Start: Quick Old Town Views Before Island Time

The day begins with a short panoramic look at the Old Town area. This is a nice warm-up because it gives your brain a reference point before you zoom into the islands.

Then you head toward the closest island to Dubrovnik: Koločep (Kolocep). This early move is smart. You’re not spending your first hours commuting far across the water.

Koločep Island: Blue and Green Caves, Swim, and Photo Time

Koločep is known for its caves—five in total—with the Blue and Green Caves being the most famous. This is where many people’s expectations come from, because the water color inside the cave areas can be stunning, and the swim moments feel like a private show rather than a quick stop.

What you can expect here:

• You’ll arrive with enough time to swim and snorkel
• You’ll get chances for photos over crystal-clear turquoise water
• The cave experience is best when you go with a flexible mindset, since conditions and timing affect what feels best

If you’re the type who hates crowds, consider an early start when possible. The cave stops can feel calmer earlier in the day, and it makes the swimming and photo-taking way more enjoyable.

Lopud Island: Car-Free Beaches and a Great Lunch Plan

Next is Lopud, a car-free island, which is a big part of why it feels relaxing. You don’t hear engines all day. You hear waves and footsteps and people enjoying a slow Mediterranean rhythm.

Lopud is historically tied to monasteries and churches, but today the island’s charm is more practical: two large sandy beaches and the sort of seaside setting where lunch can be an event, not a chore.

Here’s the real reason Lopud works so well:

• One sandy beach sits in the main village area
• Another option is Šunj Beach on the southern side
• You can swim, sunbathe, or play things like picigin depending on what’s happening there
• You can also grab a drink nearby, which turns the beach into a hangout spot

Lunch deserves its own thought. The tour can help with a reservation at a strong restaurant option on Lopud, and many people like this because it takes the stress out of meal timing while you’re still riding the high from cave swims.

If you want to keep your day light, aim to schedule lunch around when you naturally get hungry instead of rushing it.

Sudurad and the Šipan Option: What Changes on a Full Day

On the way toward Šipan Island, you may also pass by Šikirica Lagoon, which is a recognizable swim-and-photo stop for its turquoise clarity.

Šipan itself is included only on the full-day tour because it’s farther out. If you choose the longer day, you get a more complete island feel instead of just the closest-name stops.

Šipan is known for olive oil and local wine, and you can taste those at a cozy wine bar by the sea. The island also has a small fishing harbor vibe that works well when you want quiet time after lots of swimming.

A practical takeaway: the full-day plan isn’t just longer. It tends to feel more balanced—less sprinting, more time to settle into island life.

How Captains Make It Personal (And Why That Matters)

The biggest value in this kind of private speedboat tour is simple: the skipper can adjust the day to match your group. That’s not a marketing line; it affects how you experience the caves, how long you stay at beaches, and whether you get that one extra stop that makes the day click.

From what I see in real-world patterns, captains like Orsat, Tony, Ante, Simon, Marin, Mario, Josep, and Nikola tend to do the same thing well:

• They tailor swim time and stops to your comfort level
• They suggest quieter spots away from peak crush when they can
• They keep the day moving without turning it into a checklist

One extra detail that people consistently enjoy: some captains let you play your own music on the speakers. That sounds minor until you’re floating between caves with your playlist doing the emotional soundtrack.

Speed, Smooth Ride, and When to Manage Your Expectations

Speedboats are fun, but they’re not for everyone’s comfort style. This trip is built for a smooth ride at typical cruising speeds—fast enough to feel exciting, not so extreme that it’s all white-knuckle motion.

A few practical expectations to hold:

• If the water is chilly early in the season, you might still swim, but you’ll feel it
• Some stops are better for snorkeling than long shore hangs, depending on access
• If you’re prone to motion sickness, bring your usual prevention, because you’re on the water and moving often

The good news is the tour includes life jackets and towels, which helps you feel more comfortable after each swim stop.

Getting the Most Out of Your Swim Stops

You’ll see a lot of people come back from island hopping with better photos than they expected. That’s not luck. It’s planning and timing.

A few tips that actually help:

• Bring a quick-change plan for wet swim gear so you don’t spend time hunting for towels
• Use the snorkeling gear during the stops with clearer, calmer water
• If caves are on your must-do list, aim for the early part of the day when possible
• Don’t overpack your bag. You want hands free for photos, drinks, and snacks

And if you’re traveling as a family or a mixed-age group, this format is nice because you can adjust. Some captains read the vibe quickly—kids want more swimming, adults want calmer coves—and the day can shift accordingly.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This is a strong match for:

• Couples who want privacy and easy romance without planning transfers
• Families who want a relaxed day of swimming and scenery
• People who love water time more than museum time
• Anyone who wants a personalized day without renting their own boat

It also works well if you’re staying near Dubrovnik and want a break from Old Town crowds. The islands reset your senses fast.

Should You Book This Dubrovnik Private Speedboat to the Elaphite Islands?

If you’re deciding between a standard group tour and a private speedboat day, this one makes a clear case for private.

Book it if:

• You want drinks included and don’t want to think about them while swimming
• You care about cave stops like the Blue and Green Caves
• You like the idea of a car-free beach day on Lopud
• You can stretch to the 8-hour full day for the Šipan add-on

Skip or reconsider if:

• You hate extra cash fees and don’t want to budget for pickup and fuel
• You’re not a swimmer and won’t use the snorkeling gear much
• You want a guaranteed fixed schedule with no adjustments

Overall, this is a value-forward way to see the Elaphite Islands. The key is planning for the add-on costs, then spending your mental energy where it belongs: on the water.

FAQ

How many people is the tour for?

It’s a private tour, so only your group participates. The listed price is per group for up to 2.

What drinks are included?

Beer, wine, soft drinks, and bottled water are included.

Is snorkeling gear provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available for use.

Where is pickup and drop-off available?

Pickup and drop-off is available around Sheraton, Mlini, and Cavtat, with a cash fee.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the price.

Are there extra charges besides the $386.98 per group?

There is a fuel surcharge paid on the boat, and pickup/drop-off has an additional cash fee.

How much is the fuel surcharge?

For the half-day tour it’s €70, and for the full-day tour it’s €150, paid cash on the boat.

How long is the tour?

It’s approximately 4 hours for the half-day option or up to 8 hours for the full-day option.

Does the tour require good weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the minimum drinking age?

The minimum drinking age is 18 years.