Private luxury speedboat tour-Islands, caves, beaches, snorkeling

Dubrovnik’s best swimming spots are scattered offshore, and this private speedboat tour gives you a fast, flexible way to reach them. You can swim inside Koločep’s Blue Cave, stop for lunch on Šipan, walk around Lopud, and finish at sandy Šunj Beach. The boat carries up to six people, so the day feels personal rather than packaged.

I like the freedom to choose between a short cave-and-beach outing and a longer island day. I also like the practical touches: snorkeling gear and drinks are included, and you can use the boat’s sound system for your own music. The main catch is the extra fuel charge, plus lunch, towels, transfers, and some entrance fees.

Key points to know before you book

• Koločep’s Blue Cave comes with three other caves, where you can swim and snorkel in the changing blue light.
• Skippers Toni and Roko are named as the main friendly, careful guides, with Toni especially suited to custom day plans.
• The boat is private for up to six people, making it a strong choice for families or a small group of friends.
• Fuel is extra, costing €70 for four hours, €100 for eight hours, and €170 for the 10-hour Mljet option.
• Šunj Beach has sand and beach bars, a welcome change from Croatia’s usual pebbly swimming coves.
• Lokrum and Mljet require a choice, since adding them can mean skipping parts of the Elaphiti Islands route.

Why a private speedboat works well around Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik’s coastline is not best understood from shore. The old city gets the attention, but the nearby islands offer the water time most people are hoping for: clear swimming spots, caves, small harbors, and beaches reached by boat.

A private outing lets you set the pace. You can spend longer in the water, shorten a stop that does not suit you, or ask your skipper to show you a quieter place. That flexibility matters more here than it would on a simple harbor cruise.

The speedboat also covers ground quickly. The usual Elaphiti Islands route links Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj Beach, with about an hour at each main stop. The exact timing is flexible, but the full sequence works best as a day out rather than a rushed two-hour ride.

You share the boat only with your own group, up to six people. That makes it easy to agree on music, swimming time, lunch, and walking stops. A family can keep the pace relaxed, while a group of friends can make the water the main event.

Skippers Toni and Roko are specifically associated with the experience. Toni is described as friendly, attentive, careful at the controls, and good at matching a day to what your group wants. He also has a broad grasp of the islands and Croatian coast, which is useful when you want more than a quick ride from one swimming spot to another.

Koločep’s Blue Cave and three extra caves

Koločep is usually the first major stop, and it supplies the most distinctive part of the day. The route includes the Blue Cave and three other caves in the Dubrovnik area.

The effect inside the Blue Cave comes from sunlight reflecting through the water and onto the rock. You can swim and snorkel inside, rather than simply viewing the cave from the boat. The light changes with the sun and water, so this is a short stop where timing and conditions matter.

Bring a willingness to get wet. The supplied snorkeling equipment lets you look for local marine life, but the real pleasure is the combination of swimming through the cave openings and seeing the water glow around you. The equipment is included, while towels are not, so pack one for each person.

This stop suits confident swimmers best. The supplied information does not specify water depth, current, or access details, so ask Toni or Roko for guidance before entering. Your skipper can also help you judge how much time to spend in each cave.

The four-cave sequence gives the morning a good rhythm. You are not stuck at one photo stop, and you can move between short swims and boat rides. If your group prefers relaxing on deck, you can simply treat the caves as scenic stops and stay aboard.

Šipan for lunch and a slower island pause

The boat then heads to Šipan, where you have about an hour for lunch at a local restaurant. Lunch is not included, so this is one of the costs to add when you compare the tour price with a standard cruise.

Šipan is useful as a break from swimming. After the speed and spray of the boat, a sit-down meal gives you time to dry off and recharge. An hour is enough for a focused meal, but it is not intended as an extended island visit.

Ask about the restaurant and meal timing when you book or at the start of the day. The tour description identifies the stop but does not include a fixed restaurant name or menu. That flexibility can work well, but you should not assume lunch is prepaid or that a particular dish is guaranteed.

For a group of six, lunch can become one of the day’s larger additional expenses. Still, I prefer having the meal ashore rather than eating snacks on the boat. Just remember that snacks are not included either.

Lopud’s churches, monastery, and walkable center

Lopud changes the mood again. This island is known here for its churches, monastery, and sandy beaches, with about an hour to walk and explore.

This is the stop for people who want more than swimming. You can stretch your legs, look around the historic buildings, and get a feel for the island rather than treating it as a backdrop. The tour does not specify a guided walking route, so your visit is more of a self-directed wander with time to explore.

An hour goes quickly. If your group wants a proper walk, let the skipper know before you leave the boat so you can keep an eye on the time. If swimming is your priority, you may prefer to use Lopud as a short stroll and save more water time for Šunj.

Lopud is also a useful compromise for mixed groups. Someone who is tired of snorkeling can walk, while stronger swimmers can look forward to the next beach stop. That mix is one reason a private boat works better than a fixed group outing.

Šunj Beach, sand and a drink near Dubrovnik

Šunj Beach is usually the final stop on the Elaphiti route. It is described as the most popular sandy beach in the Dubrovnik area, with beach bars where you can relax and buy drinks.

The sand matters. Much of the Croatian coast is made up of pebbles or rocky edges, so Šunj offers a softer place to sit and swim. If you have been wearing snorkeling gear and moving between caves, this is the stop for doing very little.

Drinks at the beach bars cost extra. The boat itself carries bottled water, beer, wine, and Coca-Cola, so you already have basic refreshments during the ride. You can also sit on the sundeck or move to the shaded stern when the sun gets strong.

Because Šunj is popular, it may feel less secluded than the cave stops. That is not a flaw if you want an easy beach afternoon, but it is worth knowing if your ideal day means complete quiet. Your skipper can adjust the balance between the busier beach and other stops when conditions allow.

Lokrum or Mljet changes the shape of the day

Lokrum sits directly in front of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, on the opposite side from the Elaphiti Islands. It is available by request, but adding it means you cannot see all of the Elaphiti Islands in the same outing.

That is an important choice, not a minor add-on. Choose Lokrum if you want a short island visit close to the city and prefer to keep the route compact. Choose Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj if caves, lunch, walking, and sand matter more.

Admission to Lokrum is not included. The supplied details do not give the fee, so ask for the current cost before confirming that option.

Mljet is the biggest island in the Dubrovnik area and lies about 50 kilometers away, roughly two hours by speedboat. It is offered only on the eight-hour Blue Cave and Mljet National Park option.

The Mljet version includes a chance to visit Limuni Beach, Odysseus Cave, and the salt lakes in Mljet National Park. This is the most ambitious choice, but the travel time is significant. Two hours each way leaves less time for the other islands, so do not choose Mljet if your main goal is a leisurely Elaphiti route.

Mljet National Park admission is not included. The fuel charge is also higher for this option, listed as €170 for the 10-hour National Park outing. The duration details mention an eight-hour Mljet option, while the fuel information refers to 10 hours, so confirm the exact schedule and fuel amount before paying.

What is included, and what will cost extra

The advertised group price is $458.58 for up to six people. Divided among six, that is about $76 per person before fuel, lunch, beach drinks, and any admission fees. For a private boat, that can be good value if you fill every seat.

The price works less well for one or two people unless privacy and flexibility are your main priorities. A couple pays the full group rate, but gets a boat and skipper to themselves. For a family or two small families, the per-person figure becomes much more appealing.

Included on board:

• Beer and wine
• Bottled water
• Coca-Cola
• Snorkeling equipment
• Use of the boat’s sound system

Not included:

• Lunch
• Snacks
• Towels
• Pickup and drop-off
• Fuel
• Lokrum or Mljet admission

Fuel is charged by booking rather than per person. The listed rates are €70 for four hours, €100 for eight hours, and €170 for the 10-hour National Park option. Ask for the exact fuel charge tied to your selected duration, especially because the published timing for the Mljet version and its fuel line do not match perfectly.

The lack of hotel pickup is another practical point. You need to reach the departure point independently, and the supplied details only say the meeting area is near public transportation. Confirmation is sent at booking.

Comfort on board and what to pack

The boat has a sundeck and a shaded stern. That gives you a choice between sun and cover, which is valuable on a long Croatian summer day. Bring a towel, since none are supplied.

The onboard drinks are a pleasant touch, but they do not replace lunch or snacks. Pack anything specific your group needs, and remember that the boat’s cooler selection is limited to the listed water, beer, wine, and soda.

The sound system allows you to play your own music. Keep the volume sensible if you want to hear the skipper’s instructions, especially around cave entrances and swimming stops.

You should also plan around the weather. The experience requires good conditions. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but late cancellations and late changes are not accepted.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The tour is private, but the information does not provide detailed boat-access or swimming assistance, so contact the operator if anyone in your group has specific mobility needs.

Who will get the most from this trip

I would choose this tour for a group that wants a full day on the water without giving up control of the schedule. Families can combine caves, a meal, a walk, and a beach. Friends can add music, drinks, and long swims.

It is also a strong choice for a honeymoon or celebration because you avoid sharing the boat with strangers. The crew’s friendly manner and careful boat handling are important here, especially when your day includes several swims and landings.

You may prefer another option if you want a fixed low price with no extras, a formal guide at every stop, or a quick city sightseeing cruise. The fuel and meal costs require planning, and the private format means you are paying for the whole boat.

Should you book it?

Book it if your ideal Dubrovnik day includes four different kinds of stops: caves for swimming, a restaurant lunch, an island walk, and a sandy beach. The private setup, onboard drinks, snorkeling gear, and flexible route make the price easier to justify for a full group of six.

Before booking, decide between the Elaphiti Islands, Lokrum, and Mljet. You cannot comfortably fit every option into one day. I would choose Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj for the best mix of water and island time, then ask Toni or Roko to adjust the pace around your group.

FAQ

How much does the private speedboat tour cost?

The price is $458.58 per group for up to six people. Fuel, lunch, snacks, towels, transfers, and some admission fees cost extra.

How long does the tour last?

The experience can last from about two to eight hours. The Mljet National Park option is described as an eight-hour tour, with separate fuel information for a 10-hour option, so confirm the exact duration when booking.

How many people can join the private tour?

The boat is available for a private group of up to six people.

Which islands are included on the usual route?

The usual route visits Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj Beach. Koločep includes the Blue Cave and three additional caves.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch on Šipan is not included in the tour price.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are drinks available on the boat?

Yes. Bottled water, beer, wine, and Coca-Cola are provided on board.

Can I visit Lokrum Island?

Yes, Lokrum can be visited by request. If you choose Lokrum, you cannot see all of the Elaphiti Islands on the same route, and admission is not included.

Can I visit Mljet National Park?

Yes, but only on the Blue Cave and Mljet National Park option. Mljet is about 50 kilometers from Dubrovnik and takes roughly two hours by speedboat.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.