Four islands, one long saltwater day. This private speedboat trip is built for quick hops between the Elaphiti Islands, with time at the Blue Cave and the Green Caves for snorkeling, plus the famous sandy stretch at Šunj. I like that it feels personalized (your group has the boat), and that you get the snorkeling gear, drinks, and snacks so you’re not constantly spending time and money on the basics. The main drawback: it’s a full 8.5-hour day, and if you want a sit-down lunch, you’ll pay for it separately.

What makes it especially appealing is the mix of short scenic cruising and actual water time—caves, bays, and beaches—so you’re not just passing islands from a distance. One captain name that comes up in the past experience reports is Maro, and the praise centers on local know-how and a relaxed, tailored pace. Still, since you’re moving around a lot, you’ll get the best value if you’re comfortable with a busy schedule and quick swim/snorkel windows.

If you’re visiting Dubrovnik and you want a day that feels both outdoorsy and easy, this is a strong match: you’re out on the water early, you hit multiple islands, and you return to the port the same day without needing to organize anything yourself beyond showing up.

Key highlights you’ll actually feel on the water

• Private speedboat for up to 8: your group sets the vibe, not a crowd
• Snorkeling gear included plus set stops for caves and coves
• Blue Cave + Green Caves: two different cave experiences, not just one
• Šunj Beach time (about 2 hours): shallow sandy walking and time to swim or snorkel
• Lopud and Franciscan Monastery: a 15th-century stop paired with shade in the botanical garden

Why this private speedboat tour works so well from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is the kind of place where you can easily spend your whole vacation staring at the coastline from land. This tour flips that. You start with a cruise out of the main port and get a west-coast view of the city, then you spend the day bouncing between the Elaphiti Islands where the water access is the point.

A private speedboat matters here for one simple reason: the day is designed around stops. With a group of up to 8, your time at each place feels more flexible, and you’re not stuck waiting around for a big schedule of unrelated parties.

You also get practical perks that reduce friction. Snacks and drinks are included, and snorkeling equipment is provided. So once you’re at a cave or cove, you can focus on the water instead of scrambling for gear.

Price and value: $611.46 per group (up to 8)

At $611.46 per group, this isn’t a “cheap” day trip. It’s priced like what it is: a private speedboat outing with fuel, taxes, and a full day’s worth of planned stops across multiple islands.

Here’s how I’d think about the value. If you have a smaller group, you’re paying more per person. If you fill the boat with 6–8 people, the per-person cost drops fast, and suddenly the “private” part becomes the bargain. The included snorkeling gear, drinks, snacks, and all fees also cut down the usual add-ons that can quietly inflate the real cost of boat tours.

The one thing not included is lunch, so budget for that meal on your own. In exchange, you get multiple anchored swimming and snorkeling windows without extra ticket fees.

The pacing: what the 8.5-hour day feels like in real life

The total time is about 8 hours 30 minutes. That’s long enough to see more than one island, but short enough that you won’t feel trapped on the same beach all day.

The pattern is consistent: quick cruise segments between stops, then focused time on the water or on land. For example, you’ll have shorter visits (around 15–30 minutes) at the caves and coves, and longer blocks (about 2–3 hours) on places where you’ll want to move around—like Šunj Beach and Lopud.

This is ideal if you like momentum and don’t need a slow, lingering pace. If you prefer long rests with zero schedule pressure, you might find yourself wanting more time at the most famous spots.

From the port: Dubrovnik sightseeing on the way to Kolocep

You begin by sailing out of Dubrovnik’s main port, with sightseeing along the west coast of the city on the route toward Kolocep Island. That first cruise segment matters more than it sounds. It’s the easiest way to get ocean views of Dubrovnik without waiting for a formal boat tour from inside the old town.

Stop time here is about 15 minutes, so think of it as a scenic kickoff, not a full sightseeing program. You’ll still appreciate the shape of the coastline and the city’s approach from the water before the day turns into snorkeling and swimming.

Blue Cave snorkeling: the first real water hit

The first snorkeling stop is the Blue Cave. You’ll spend about 30 minutes here, with a snorkeling experience inside the cave.

This is one of those stops that can define the day. Caves change the feel of the water—light, reflections, and the way you move make it feel different from open-water swimming. And since snorkeling gear is included, you’re not forced to spend time renting equipment or locating it once you’re already on the boat.

Practical tip: if you want good time in the water, be ready to go when you arrive. A 30-minute window is enough for a calm swim, but you still have to be efficient.

Kolocep’s Green Caves: snorkeling across three cave areas

Next up is Kolocep Island, where you’ll snorkel inside three cave sites often referred to as the Green Caves. Again, you get about 30 minutes for this part.

What I like about this sequence is that it gives you two different cave experiences back-to-back. The Blue Cave is its own light-and-water environment. Then the Green Caves add a separate feel, so you’re not repeating the same moment over and over.

Another plus: this is scheduled right after the Blue Cave, so you’re still in “snorkel mode.” You don’t come off the water for a long land break, which keeps the day from feeling disjointed.

Šunj Beach on the sandy side of the Elaphiti Islands

Then you get a bigger chunk of time: about 2 hours at Šunj Beach. This is described as Dubrovnik region’s most famous sandy beach, and you’ll have a chance to walk on the shallow sandy shoreline before you swim or snorkel.

This stop is the emotional payoff for a lot of people. After cave time and gear-on/gear-off moments, a sandy beach gives you an easier pace. You can shift from snorkeling to just floating, and you can also step away from the water for a bit.

You can eat lunch or grab a snack at a restaurant during the stop (lunch is at your own expense, but snacks are included as part of the tour). There’s also mention of coffee or a drink option, which matters when you want to cool down between swims.

If you’re traveling with mixed preferences—some who love snorkeling and some who just want beach time—Šunj is where compromise feels natural.

Lopud: botanical shade plus a 15th-century Franciscan monastery

Lopud is your longer land-and-water stop, around 3 hours. You can walk and/or swim at the island’s main area, then visit the Franciscan Monastery from the 15th century. There’s also time in deep shade of the botanical garden.

I love stops like this because they break the day in a useful way. You get a land moment for photos, a cultural stop (the monastery), and a nature stop (botanical shade), all while still being on an island that’s known for water access.

The practical risk with a 3-hour stop is weather and personal pacing. If you’re hoping for lots of shoreline time, plan your energy. If you’re more history-and-walk focused, you’ll still have plenty of time. And if you want food, you can dine in the area with fish and popular local options, but again, lunch isn’t included in the package.

Šipan and Sudurad: a quick look at the oldest fishing village area

Then you head to Šipan and spend about 30 minutes on the south coast, plus time visiting Sudurad, described as the oldest fishing village in the area.

This stop is shorter than Lopud, so it’s not a full “walk-the-town-for-hours” kind of experience. But it’s valuable because it adds texture. It reminds you the Elaphiti Islands aren’t just about beaches and caves—they’re also living places with fishing communities and local rhythms.

If you like small-town atmosphere more than major tourist landmarks, this is one of the most interesting stops because it’s about place and scale, not big ticket sights.

Brsečine and Sikirica Cove: the snorkeling stop built for underwater time

You’ll spend two separate 30-minute blocks around Brsečine, including Sikirica Cove. This cove is described as the best snorkeling place in the region.

So what should you expect from a stop like that? More focus on swimming and less on land wandering. It’s the kind of place where the water quality and underwater life (or at least the snorkeling experience) is the reason you’re there.

Because the snorkel gear is included, your limiting factor is your comfort level in water—not equipment. If you’ve only snorkeled on vacation a couple times, this is still manageable, but you’ll want to follow the captain’s guidance on timing and where it’s easiest to enter.

Secluded swimming at Brsečine: a breather between big moments

After Sikirica Cove, you get a second 30-minute stop for swimming at a secluded beach in the Brsečine area.

This is a smart design choice. It acts like a reset. You’ve done the “best snorkeling” location, then you get a quieter swim opportunity where you can loosen up and enjoy a slower water moment.

Even if you didn’t snorkel much at Sikirica Cove, the secluded beach segment gives you a chance to switch from active underwater time to calm floating and a more relaxed swim.

Returning to Dubrovnik: a final west-approach view

You finish with the return to Dubrovnik’s main port and a bit more west-approach sightseeing of the city. That last stop time is about 15 minutes.

This wrap-up is short, but it’s helpful. You get one more look at Dubrovnik from the water before you hop off the boat. It’s also a natural “end button” to the day’s movement, so you’re not stuck trying to invent a final evening plan immediately.

Who this tour is best for (and who should skip it)

This tour fits best if you want a high-value day of snorkeling + beach + island hopping without dealing with ferries, multiple bookings, or a complicated self-planned route. It’s especially good for groups up to 8 who can share the cost and enjoy the private vibe.

You’ll also like it if you enjoy caves and coves more than you enjoy long museums. The day is built for outdoor time: caves, sandy shallows, bays, swimming, and a single land stop that includes the monastery and garden.

Skip it if:

• you want lots of unstructured downtime,
• you hate schedule-driven days,
• or you’re hoping for a guaranteed long lunch break (lunch is at your own expense).

Small practical notes that help you get the most

Snorkeling time is the core of this outing, with cave and cove stops set for about 30 minutes each. So pack like you’re going to use the water repeatedly, not just once. Also remember the longer stops—Šunj Beach and Lopud—are where you’ll likely want to slow down, eat, and walk a bit.

One more practical mindset: because the day is full, bring a plan for your energy. If you’re an early swimmer, start strong at the first cave stops. If you prefer to “get your sea legs” before snorkeling, you’ll still get more than one chance to do it.

And since drinks and snacks are included, you can keep moving without constant shopping. Just plan for lunch separately.

Should you book this private Elaphiti speedboat day?

Yes, I’d book it if you’re looking for a straightforward way to experience the Elaphiti Islands from Dubrovnik with real water time. The value gets much better as your group fills up, and the inclusion of snorkeling gear, drinks, snacks, fuel, and fees keeps the day feeling complete. Plus, the cave sequence (Blue Cave, then Kolocep’s Green Caves) and the standout beach time at Šunj Beach give you multiple kinds of fun, not just one.

I’d pass if you’re the type who wants a slow, low-gear day with long land stays. This is a mobile, stop-and-go outing, and it rewards people who are comfortable with a full schedule.

If you want, tell me how many people are in your group and your snorkeling comfort level. I can help you sanity-check whether the time at caves vs. beaches matches your style.

FAQ

How much is the private speedboat tour, and how many people can it include?

The price is $611.46 per group, and the tour is for up to 8 people.

How long is the tour?

The tour runs for about 8 hours 30 minutes.

What snorkeling spots are included during the day?

You’ll have snorkeling experiences at the Blue Cave, inside the Green Caves near Kolocep, and at Sikirica Cove near Brsečine.

What’s included in the price?

Included are drinks, snacks, snorkeling equipment, all fees and taxes, and fuel.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is at your own expense.

What is the cancellation policy?

It offers free cancellation. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.