Private Speedboat Tour in Dubrovnik

REVIEW · DUBROVNIK

Private Speedboat Tour in Dubrovnik

  • 5.084 reviews
  • 2 to 8 hours (approx.)
  • From $458.58
Book on Viator →

Operated by Poseidon Boat Tours Dubrovnik · Bookable on Viator

A day on the water outside Dubrovnik changes everything. This private speedboat tour is built for island time and easy sightseeing, with a plan that takes you from the Elafiti Islands to Lopud, Kolocep, and a cruise around Dubrovnik’s Old Town walls. You get the views without the shuffle of joining the biggest boats.

Two things I really like about this experience are the way it balances quiet spots with classic island scenery, and the fact it’s private—your group sets the pace. The captain, Ivan, is repeatedly praised for being thoughtful, going out of his way, and steering the day toward quieter places and personalized wishes. The main drawback to consider is that the tour needs good weather, so conditions can affect what’s possible that day.

Because it’s priced per group (up to 6), this can feel like a splurge if you’re traveling solo—but it often works out well for families or small groups who want the freedom of a boat that’s just yours. If you’re hoping for a guaranteed sail no matter what, read the weather note carefully and plan flexibility.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

Private Speedboat Tour in Dubrovnik - Key Things to Know Before You Go

  • Private for up to 6 people, so your day doesn’t get tied to strangers’ schedules
  • Elafiti Islands focus (about 4 hours), with different islands offering different vibes
  • Lopud + Kolocep stop combo gives you both easy amenities and quieter island walking time
  • Cruise around Dubrovnik’s city walls and Old Town port to see the whole picture from the water
  • Captain Ivan is known for avoiding crowds and customizing the route

What You’re Really Buying With a Private Speedboat in Dubrovnik

Private Speedboat Tour in Dubrovnik - What You’re Really Buying With a Private Speedboat in Dubrovnik
This tour is all about buying time—and control. When you choose a private speedboat for up to 6 people, you’re not just paying for speed. You’re paying for a day that can feel more like a guided outing with room to breathe than a fixed-feeling “see everything fast” checklist.

You also get a few practical perks that matter on a seaside day: the tour is offered in English, and you’ll use a mobile ticket. Pickup is offered, but the exact arrangement is something you’ll agree on after booking—so you should plan for a message or short back-and-forth to nail down the time and location that works best.

One more reason this style of tour can be worth it: small-group access to the water around Dubrovnik’s islands. Even if you only stay on the boat for parts of the day, you’ll be looking at the coast from a perspective that walking tours can’t fully match.

You can also read our reviews of more private tours in Dubrovnik

Elafiti Islands: The Island-to-Island Contrast You’ll Actually Feel

Private Speedboat Tour in Dubrovnik - Elafiti Islands: The Island-to-Island Contrast You’ll Actually Feel
The Elafiti Islands are the heart of this trip, with about 4 hours set aside for them. This matters because “Elafiti Islands” isn’t just one stop—it’s really a mini-world of small islands close to Dubrovnik. You’ll spend time around multiple Elafiti islands, including three small ones where each place has a different character.

Here’s what that means for you in real terms:

  • Some of the islands are described as small and peaceful, more suited to quiet moments.
  • Others are bigger and more touristic, so you get variety in how the coastline feels.

That contrast is a big part of why this stop usually works better than a single island with one mood. If your group wants calm, you can lean into that. If someone in your group wants a bit more going on—ports, viewpoints, and more people—they’ll likely find it on one of the busier islands.

The drawback is simple: because island conditions can change with the day, you’ll want to keep a flexible mindset. This is a sightseeing outing, not a theme park with guaranteed “exactly these coordinates” every time.

Lopud in 2 Hours: Port Life, Views, and Time for a Real Walk

Private Speedboat Tour in Dubrovnik - Lopud in 2 Hours: Port Life, Views, and Time for a Real Walk
After Elafiti time, you shift to Lopud for about 2 hours. Lopud is known for a touristic port packed with the basics: restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops. If your group wants an easy break—something to eat, a drink with a view, or a quick browse—Lopud is set up for it.

But Lopud isn’t only about the port scene. You also get options that feel more local and more anchored in place. The plan includes time where you can choose between:

  • walking around a botanical garden
  • visiting a monastery dating back to the 13th century
  • keeping it simple with coffee and big island views

Two hours can sound short, but in island time it’s just enough to do one main activity plus a wander. If you try to do everything, you’ll feel rushed. If you pick one anchor—garden, monastery, or just the viewpoint walk—you’ll feel like you used the time well.

A practical note: because Lopud is a popular stop, you may see crowds near the port area. That’s exactly the kind of situation where a good captain who knows how to manage timing can make your day feel smoother.

Kolocep for Peace and Quiet: Small Island, Low Noise

Private Speedboat Tour in Dubrovnik - Kolocep for Peace and Quiet: Small Island, Low Noise
Next comes Kolocep Island for about 1 hour. This is the “slow down” stop. Kolocep is described as very small, cute, and peaceful—more of a break from the world than a checklist item.

What you can realistically do in one hour is limited, which is a good thing. You’re not trying to cover a whole island. You’re looking for a short walk or a drink without the noise that comes with bigger towns.

So if your group has different travel styles—someone likes sightseeing, someone else just wants quiet—this stop often plays well. It’s short enough that you don’t feel trapped, and simple enough that everyone can enjoy it in their own way.

The only consideration is that if your group prefers major infrastructure and lots of choices, Kolocep is not that kind of stop. It’s built for calm.

Dubrovnik Old Town From the Water: Walls, Harbor, and the Full Picture

Private Speedboat Tour in Dubrovnik - Dubrovnik Old Town From the Water: Walls, Harbor, and the Full Picture
The last part of the sightseeing is a cruise around Dubrovnik’s Old Town area, with about 1 hour set aside for it. The key feature here is the water-based view of the city walls and the Old Town port.

This isn’t repeat time if you already plan to walk the walls on another day. It’s more like a “connect the dots” moment. The plan is designed around the idea that when you walk the wall, you get the close-up experience—but a cruise gives you the wider framing of the whole setting.

If you want photos, this is often where you’ll feel grateful you booked a boat. The coast angle changes everything: you see the curvature of the bay, the way the harbor sits against the walls, and how the city looks as one composed unit rather than separate viewpoints.

One thing to keep in mind: this is a cruise, so it’s not set up for long on-foot wandering at the end. It’s meant to complete the story, then you go back.

Ivan and the Private-Custom Touch: Why This Captain Matters

Private Speedboat Tour in Dubrovnik - Ivan and the Private-Custom Touch: Why This Captain Matters
In the feedback for Poseidon Boat Tours Dubrovnik, one name keeps coming up: Ivan. The praise isn’t vague. People highlight that he’s caring and thoughtful, and that he takes the extra step to create an experience that fits what your group wants.

What “customized” means here, based on how he’s described, is that he avoids crowds and steers you toward places he considers special. That matters in Dubrovnik because the biggest sights can get packed fast, especially around peak times. A captain who understands how to work around crowds can turn the day from a busy parade into a more relaxed outing.

There’s also a strong note about family travel. Ivan is mentioned as doing great with young children, which is a real differentiator for private boat days. If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll want a captain who can keep things calm and well-timed rather than strict or rushed.

So when you’re deciding whether to book, I’d treat Ivan’s reputation as part of the value, not just a bonus. The route and timing are the product as much as the boat itself.

Timing, Weather, and What to Expect on the Day

Private Speedboat Tour in Dubrovnik - Timing, Weather, and What to Expect on the Day
The tour is listed with a duration of 2 to 8 hours (about), which fits how island days can shift depending on your chosen plan and pacing. The itinerary you’ll be following in this format runs long enough to cover Elafiti Islands plus Lopud, Kolocep, and a cruise around Old Town walls—so for many groups, you’ll be looking at the higher end of that range.

Weather is the big variable. This experience requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor conditions, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s not something to ignore—Dubrovnik’s coast looks calm until wind and waves decide otherwise.

Onboard rules are also clear enough to plan around:

  • alcohol is only given to 18+ adults
  • service animals are allowed
  • the tour is private, so only your group participates

Because the meeting point is in the Gruž area, and pickup is arranged after booking, I recommend you build in a little buffer time the morning of your tour. Island days run smoother when you don’t arrive at the last second.

Price Per Group: Is $458.58 Worth It for Up to Six?

Private Speedboat Tour in Dubrovnik - Price Per Group: Is $458.58 Worth It for Up to Six?
The price is $458.58 per group, up to 6 people. That structure is important, because it changes how you should judge value.

If you fill all 6 spots, the cost works out to about $76 per person. Even if you don’t fill the boat completely, you can still think in terms of “private access” rather than “mass attraction ticket pricing.” You’re paying for:

  • a speedboat day with multiple island stops
  • time for island walking and breaks
  • a cruise around Dubrovnik’s walls and harbor
  • the benefit of a captain who’s specifically praised for customizing the day and avoiding crowds

Whether it’s a good deal depends on your group size and your priorities. If you’re two people who would otherwise pay for separate boat tickets or taxis to reach different viewpoints, the private format can still feel like a win. If you’re traveling solo, it’s harder to justify unless you place a high value on privacy and avoiding crowded options.

My practical advice: price it against what it would cost to solve the same day with multiple independent transfers and separate activities. When you look at it that way, the “per group” pricing starts to make more sense.

Quick Practical Notes Before Booking

You’ll meet at Gruž Market, Obala Stjepana Radića 21, 20000 Dubrovnik. The tour ends back at the meeting point, and pickup is something you’ll set up after booking. The tour uses a mobile ticket, and confirmation is received at booking time.

English is offered, and most travelers can participate. Since the plan involves time on and around islands and a boat ride, you’ll want to dress for time on the water and bring what you need for comfort and short walks.

Should You Book This Dubrovnik Private Speedboat Tour?

I’d book it if your group wants a day that mixes peaceful island time with an effective Dubrovnik Old Town wall viewpoint, and you care about not getting stuck in crowds. The captain’s reputation for thoughtful customization and crowd-avoiding routing is a big deal here, especially if you’re traveling with kids or you prefer a calmer day.

Skip it or think twice if you’re set on a guaranteed schedule regardless of sea/weather conditions. Since the experience requires good weather, you’ll want flexibility—or at least understand that changes may happen.

If you fit the sweet spot—up to 6 people, a shared desire for island variety, and appreciation for a private captain-led route—this is the kind of Dubrovnik experience that can feel like the highlight of your trip.

FAQ

How many people are on the private speedboat tour?

The tour is private and up to 6 people can join your group.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Gruž Market, Obala Stjepana Radića 21, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Is pickup offered?

Pickup is offered, and you’ll arrange the pickup details after you book.

What islands and sights are included?

You’ll visit the Elafiti Islands (about 4 hours), Lopud (about 2 hours), Kolocep Island (about 1 hour), and you’ll also do a cruise around the Old Town and city walls (about 1 hour).

How long is the tour?

The duration is listed as approximately 2 to 8 hours, depending on the plan and timing.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

Is alcohol included?

Alcohol is only given to 18+ adults.

What happens if weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Not for you? Here's more nearby things to do in Dubrovnik we have reviewed