One big perk of this private boat day is how fast it gets you off Dubrovnik’s streets and onto the water. You’re island hopping by speedboat for about 6 hours, with hotel pickup so you don’t waste time hunting a meeting point. The route focuses on Kolocep’s caves, Lopud’s beach and monastery area, and Sipan’s more spread-out island vibe.

I especially like the private, undivided attention—no shuffling around a big group. I also like the mix of active time and calm walking: caves and swim/snorkel windows, plus breaks on islands where you can stroll at an easy pace.

One consideration: this is a speedboat day, so if you have heart complaints or serious medical conditions, it’s not recommended. And since lunch and towels aren’t included, you’ll want a simple plan for what you’ll do when it’s time to eat.

Key things to know before you go

• Private speedboat (up to 5 people): more control of pace than group tours
• Kolocep + caves: time to swim and snorkel, including the famous Blue Cave area
• Car-free island feel: Kolocep and Lopud are ideal for unhurried walking
• Lopud’s Sunj beach: a long sandy stretch that’s a big highlight
• Sipan’s olive-oil identity: vineyards and olive oil production shape what you’ll see
• On-board extras: beer, wine, soda/pop, bottled water, and snorkeling equipment

Private Speedboat Value for Elafiti Island Hopping

You’re paying for a private boat day, not just a ticket to see islands. With a group size of up to 5, the per-person cost becomes easier to swallow when you split it, and you get something you can’t buy on a crowded group day: your own rhythm.

A six-hour window sounds short, but speedboat travel changes the math. You’re not stuck between sights like you would be on slower transport. Instead, you’re bouncing between three islands in a way that gives you variety: quiet island lanes, beach time, and cave swimming.

If you like having flexibility, this tour is built around that idea. It’s designed so your skipper can shape the day to what your group wants—one review even called out that the captain helped with lunch reservations while you were out on an island. That’s a small detail, but it matters when you’re trying to keep the day relaxed.

Pickup, Meeting Point, and the €80 Fuel Fee

This tour starts at 9:00 am from Lapadska obala 4, Dubrovnik. The good news is that a private transfer from your accommodation (apartment or hotel) is complementary within Dubrovnik town, so you can avoid the usual scramble of figuring out where the boat departs.

Here’s the one extra cost you must plan for: there’s a €80 fuel surcharge per booking, and it has to be paid on board in cash. Your exact pickup time is set the day before, about 30–45 minutes ahead of the trip start, and it can shift due to traffic and other transfers.

Two practical tips. First, arrive ready to go: you’ll feel the time pressure if you’re still sorting bags at pickup. Second, ask about timing the day before when you get your confirmation, because the actual pickup window is the part most likely to vary.

Kolocep Island: Churches, Caves, and Blue Cave Swimming

Kolocep is the closest Elafiti island to Dubrovnik, and it shows. It’s the smallest of the three main islands (population around 250), with two main village areas—Gornje Celo and Donje Celo—and a car-free feel that makes walking more pleasant than you’d expect from a day trip.

You get about 1 hour 20 minutes on Kolocep, which is enough time for an unhurried look around and for the island’s quieter side to sink in. It’s also a strong pick if you like history you can see in the architecture rather than just read about. The island includes churches dating back as far as the 9th century, including the Church of St Sergius, the Church of St Nicholas, and the Church of the Holy Trinity (11th–12th centuries).

Then comes the water part. After passing the Abyss lighthouse, you approach a cave area with a dedicated window to swim, snorkel, and explore. That’s about 40 minutes, and it includes time near the Blue Cave. Bring swim confidence, not scuba confidence. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you shouldn’t need to pack gear.

If you’ve got limited mobility, caves and swim time can be the trickiest segment. If you’re fine with short water sessions, this is where the day often feels most memorable.

Lopud Island’s Sunj Beach and Monastery Time

Lopud is often the island people picture when they think Elafiti: pretty, walkable, and anchored by a beach. You’ll spend about 1 hour here, which is short, but it’s a good length for picking one or two priorities instead of trying to do everything.

The headline beach is Sunj, known for its long, sandy stretch. If you want sand under your feet instead of rocks and access stairs, Lopud is your best bet on this route. It’s also a great stop for people who want to slow down after cave time.

The island’s village and harbor area is another reason it works in a tight schedule. There’s also a 17th-century monastery (St Mary monastery), plus a historical botanical garden and the fun trivia of very tall palm trees often cited as some of the tallest in Europe.

One drawback: with only an hour, you’ll want to decide early. Do you prioritize beach time, a monastery/harbor stroll, or a quick photo loop? I’d plan for the beach plus a short walk, because that gives you the Lopud feel without running late for the next boat segment.

Sipan: Olive Oil, Vine Shops, and a Larger Island Feel

Sipan is the biggest of the archipelago stops here, with about 15.5 sq km (6 sq miles) and roughly 9 km in length. It has around 410 permanent inhabitants, which means it doesn’t feel like a tiny dot carved for tourists. This island tends to feel more like a place you could spend longer in if you had extra time.

You’ll get about 1 hour on Sipan, including time to see areas connected to its long-running reputation for olive oil. The island’s known as a gold island due to olive oil production, and there are vineyards and vine-tasting shops where you can connect what you see with the island economy and local habits.

A key town mentioned for this island is Sudurad, the second largest town, in the southeast region. It’s the kind of place where you can get a sense of everyday island life without needing a big tour bus.

This is also where the day can feel a bit less dramatic than the caves, which is not a bad thing. If your group wants a balance—some swim-and-snorkel excitement plus calmer island browsing—Sipan helps round out the mix.

What’s Included On Board, and What You’ll Need to Bring

On board, you’re not just getting transportation. Included items cover the basics that keep a day like this comfortable:

• Snorkeling equipment (so you don’t need to pack it)
• Soda/pop, beer, and wine, plus bottled water
• A light onboard setup that makes short island windows easier to handle

Alcohol is included, but there’s a minimum drinking age of 18. So if you’re traveling with teens, they’ll still get the water and soft drinks, but they’ll be sitting out the beer/wine part.

What’s not included is also worth noting:

• Lunch
• Towels
• A token of appreciation for the crew

Plan for lunch in a realistic way. Even though lunch isn’t included, one captain (Zoran) was mentioned as calling for lunch reservations while you were touring, which suggests you can often coordinate food without wrecking your schedule. Still, treat lunch as something you’ll sort during the day rather than assuming it’s provided.

Also, pack a small towel if you prefer to control comfort after the water time. The tour includes gear for snorkeling, but towels are on you.

Real-World Tips: How Skippers Keep a Private Day Running Smoothly

The best private tours feel calm even when the schedule is busy. The feedback around captains like Zoran and Anthony points to a similar pattern: they make the experience feel comfortable, even for people traveling without a big group. If you’re traveling as a couple, a family, or with friends, that “we’ve got this” vibe matters.

Here’s what to do to get the best results:

• Tell the captain your priorities early. If you care more about beach time than caves, say so before you’re already in the water window.
• Stay flexible with lunch. The day is designed around multiple islands, so having a plan for eating somewhere close to where you are helps.
• Bring a camera setup you actually use. One review specifically suggested bringing a GoPro or booking a GoPro package through the company, which makes sense if you want to capture the cave swim and snorkeling from a first-person angle.

Safety also matters, and the way the day is run is clearly part of the attraction. If you want a day that feels fun without feeling chaotic, a good private skipper is the difference.

And since this tour requires good weather, don’t be surprised if the day can’t run on schedule when conditions turn. In that case, you should expect a different date or a full refund.

Who Should Book This Private Speedboat Tour in Dubrovnik?

This fits best when you want a high-value day that mixes scenic islands with real time outside your hotel.

It’s a strong pick for:

• Groups up to 5 people who want privacy and a customized feel
• Families with teens who want a break from city-wall walking pace (one family described an instant mood shift on a similar boat day)
• Solo travelers or pairs who like the comfort of a captain-focused experience (there was a shout-out to Anthony making two women traveling alone feel at ease)
• People who actually want to swim and snorkel, not just watch from the boat

It might be less ideal if:

• You prefer long, slow island stays and fewer transfers
• You have heart complaints or serious medical conditions (the tour is not recommended for this)
• You’re traveling with someone who can’t handle speedboat motion well (the data doesn’t state a motion restriction, but it’s still a practical reality with a speedboat)

If you’re budgeting, treat the price as a group deal. Up to five people for $360.88 per booking can pencil out to a reasonable per-person cost if everyone chips in, especially compared with the added expense of individual excursions.

Should You Book the Elaphiti Islands 6 Hours Private Speedboat Tour?

Book it if you want an efficient, genuinely fun day that trades Dubrovnik crowds for island time—plus a cave swim/snorkel window. I like that the schedule hits three different island personalities: Kolocep’s quieter church-and-cave feel, Lopud’s sandy beach and monastery stop, and Sipan’s olive-oil and vine-shop identity.

Skip it (or look at alternatives) if your ideal vacation day is mostly on land with no water time, or if you need a fully seated, low-motion day for medical reasons. And if you hate thinking about meals, know that lunch and towels aren’t included, so you’ll want a simple plan.

Overall, this tour is a strong value when you go as a small group and you’re excited to make the water time count.

FAQ

How many people can join the private speedboat tour?

The tour is private, with pricing set for up to 5 people per group.

What does the tour cost?

The price is $360.88 per group (for up to 5 people).

Where do we meet, and what time does the tour start?

You’ll start at Lapadska obala 4, 20000, Dubrovnik. The listed start time is 9:00 am.

Is pickup included from hotels or apartments?

A private transfer from your accommodation (apartment or hotel) to the port is complementary within Dubrovnik town. The exact pickup time is confirmed the day before, about 30–45 minutes before, and can change with local traffic.

Is there an extra fuel cost?

Yes. There’s a €80 fuel surcharge per booking that must be paid on board in cash.

Which islands are visited during the 6-hour tour?

The tour includes Kolocep Island, Lopud Island, and Sipan.

Is snorkeling gear provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and there’s a swim/snorkel time built in near cave areas.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch and towels are not included, and the tour includes drinks such as soda/pop and alcoholic beverages.