Dubrovnik Elaphiti Blue cave best offer private speedboat tour

Island water, quiet coves, and a fast boat make this a fine escape from Dubrovnik. I like the freedom to shape the day around swimming, beaches, caves, or island villages. I also like the generous inclusions: pickup, snorkeling gear, drinks, snacks, fuel, and even a GoPro or Instax camera. The main drawback is that the experience depends heavily on weather and boat condition, as one last-minute cancellation shows.

The advertised price is $240.28 per group of up to eight, which can be excellent value for a family or group of friends. You are paying for a private boat rather than a seat on a crowded excursion, but the final cost per person falls sharply when the boat is full. The tour can last from roughly two to eight hours, depending on the plan you choose.

Key points at a glance

• Blue and Green Caves on Koločep: Swim or snorkel inside sea caves where sunlight creates blue and green light.
• A genuinely private outing: Your group alone joins the boat, with stops adjusted to your interests and pace.
• Šunj Beach on Lopud: A rare sandy beach near Dubrovnik, with shallow water, loungers, cafés, and room to relax.
• Pickup across Dubrovnik: Hotel and accommodation pickup and drop-off are included when arranged in advance.
• Drinks and useful extras included: Water, soft drinks, alcohol, wine, snacks, snorkeling equipment, and safety gear come with the boat.
• Sunset option: The return can include Lokrum, Dubrovnik’s Old Town harbor, music, drinks, and a swim near the illuminated boat.

Why a private speedboat makes sense near Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is beautiful, but its waterfront can feel crowded in summer. A private speedboat gives you a quick way out to the Elaphiti Islands, where the pace slows to swimming, short walks, village visits, and long pauses beside the coast.

The boat is a blue speedboat powered by a Honda 150 outboard engine. It carries groups of up to eight, so you get a more personal setup than you would on a large excursion boat. You can listen to your own choice of music, ask to stay longer at a favorite swimming spot, and arrange the day around the people in your group.

That flexibility is the strongest reason to book. One group chose to spend extra time at Šunj Beach, and the crew was happy to change the schedule. Another group had transportation arranged from its hotel and received help booking lunch on Lopud. Those details matter because island tours can feel rushed when every stop is fixed to the minute.

The crew members named in the tour information are Borna and Anna. Borna also handles the company, and the available feedback gives particular praise to the pair for being helpful with mobility limits and willing to adapt the day.

Koločep’s Blue Cave and Green Cave

The first major stop is Koločep, one of the closest Elaphiti Islands to Dubrovnik. The Blue Cave and Green Caves are reached only by boat, which keeps the visit tied to the water rather than a road or harbor walk.

Sunlight enters through an underwater opening and lights the water inside the caves. The effect changes with the sun, sea conditions, and your position in the boat. You may see the water glow blue or green, with the rock walls closing in around you.

The stop is planned for about 30 minutes. That is enough for a look inside and, conditions permitting, a swim or snorkel. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins. Still, 30 minutes passes quickly, especially if several people want time in the water.

I would treat this as a striking short stop rather than the whole reason for booking. The caves are atmospheric, but the experience depends on the light and the sea. If you want a longer swim, tell the skipper early so the schedule can be adjusted.

Koločep villages, paths, and car-free calm

After the caves, the tour allows about 90 minutes on Koločep itself. This gives you time to see a side of the island that is easy to miss from a boat.

Koločep has two main villages, Gornje Čelo and Donje Čelo. Stone houses, narrow lanes, and small local shops give the island a quieter feel than Dubrovnik. The island is car-free, so you will not be sharing the paths with traffic.

You can use this stop for a short walk, a swim, or a look at the island’s small churches. The Church of St. Nicholas is in Donje Čelo, while the Church of St. Mary is in Gornje Čelo. Walking paths pass olive groves and wooded areas, with views toward the Adriatic and nearby islands.

The practical point is that you should agree on your priorities before leaving the boat. A 90-minute stop is enough for a modest walk and a little exploring, but not for a long island hike plus a leisurely swim. If your group includes people who prefer not to walk far, Koločep still works well as a beach and village stop.

Šunj Beach, Lopud’s sandy change of pace

Šunj Beach is one of the tour’s most useful stops because sand is not the norm along this rocky part of the Adriatic. The beach curves around a bay, with pine trees, rocky sides, and shallow clear water.

You can swim, sunbathe, rent a lounger or umbrella, and stop at a beach café for a drink or light snack. Kayaking and paddleboarding are also available at the beach. A short scenic path leads down to the shore.

I especially like this stop for mixed groups. Children and cautious swimmers may appreciate the shallow water, while adults can settle into a proper beach break. It also gives you a chance to get off the boat and stretch your legs.

The scheduled time is about one hour. That works for a swim and a quick rest, but it may feel short if you want lunch, water sports, and a slow walk. The private format helps here. If Šunj is the highlight for your group, ask to spend longer there and shorten another stop.

Lopud’s village and Franciscan monastery

Lopud offers more than a beach. The island is car-free, and its stone lanes lead through a small settlement with traditional Mediterranean buildings and cafés.

The main historical sight noted for the island is the 15th-century Franciscan Monastery. You can also walk around Lopud Beach, swim from the shore, or simply enjoy the calm harbor setting. The island works well as a pause between water activities because you can choose a gentle walk instead of another swim.

The planned visit is about two hours, making Lopud the longest land stop on the route. That gives you a better chance to combine a meal, a walk, and a beach visit without racing from place to place.

The key limitation is choice. You probably cannot do everything on Lopud in two hours, especially if your group wants to visit Šunj as well. Decide in advance if you care more about the monastery, the village, lunch, or beach time.

Šipan for a quieter island finish

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands and gives the day a more settled, local feel. The villages of Suđurađ and Luka have narrow stone streets, old houses, and small harbors. Olive groves and vineyards cover much of the island, and you can use the stop for a walk or a swim.

The island has several historic sights, including Šipan Castle and the Church of St. Spirit, known for its frescoes. Small taverns serve local seafood, so this is the place to ask about a relaxed meal if food matters more to you than another beach stop.

About 90 minutes is allocated to Šipan. That is enough for a taste of the island, but it will not allow a thorough visit to both villages and every sight. The tour also includes time around the coasts and smaller islands near Lopud and Šipan, where you may find a quiet swimming place with few people nearby.

This is where the private boat format earns its keep. The skipper can look for a more peaceful section of coast instead of taking you only to the best-known stops. The exact choice depends on weather, sea conditions, and the time available.

A sunset return past Lokrum and Dubrovnik

For the sunset and golden-hour version, the return includes a panorama of Dubrovnik’s coast. The boat passes Lokrum, circles the island, and continues past Porporela and Banje Beach before anchoring near the Old Town harbor.

The sunset stop lasts about 20 minutes according to the schedule, though the broader sunset experience includes music, drinks, photos, and a possible swim around the boat. The crew supplies lights in the water, which can attract small fish and squid near the surface.

You can use the GoPro or Instax camera at no extra charge for photos. That is a thoughtful touch, especially when you do not want to risk your phone near salt water. Music is played on board, and soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, wine, snacks, fruit, and bottled water are included.

Swimming from the boat at night is offered only in safe conditions. I would not treat it as guaranteed. The same applies to the route past Old Town, since the panorama depends on your chosen departure and return point. If you start and finish elsewhere along the Dubrovnik coast, the return view may cover another section instead.

What is included, and what you should bring

The inclusions are unusually generous for a private boat trip. You get fuel, a skipper and guide, private transportation, lifejackets, safety equipment, snorkeling gear, inflatable sea toys, and pickup and drop-off in Dubrovnik.

Drinks include bottled water, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, and a bottle of rosé and white wine. Snacks, cookies, and fruit are also supplied. Champagne service can be arranged separately.

Bring your swimsuit and towel, since neither is included. I would also bring sun protection and a dry bag for phones, though those items are not specified as part of the tour. Keep your expectations sensible about the food: the information promises snacks and light refreshments, while a full lunch is something you should arrange separately, perhaps on Lopud.

Birthday decorations, balloons, and confetti are available for events. That makes the boat suitable for a birthday or small celebration, but ask about arrangements before the day begins.

Price, timing, and the cancellation concern

At $240.28 for the whole group, the price is strongest when six to eight people share the boat. For eight people, the cost works out to about $30 per person before any optional services. For a couple, the same price is much less of a bargain, though the private setting and included drinks still add value.

The tour is offered in plans lasting roughly two to eight hours. The listed stops add up to several hours before transit, so confirm the exact duration when booking. You can also choose different starting and ending points, including pickup anywhere in Dubrovnik.

Pickup and drop-off are included, but you should contact the operator a few days ahead and specify your location. Pickup often begins about 30 minutes before departure. If you arrange your own meeting point, the blue speedboat is expected to wait about ten minutes before the agreed start time.

The experience has a 4.9 rating from 30 reviews and is recommended by 97 percent of customers. That is strong evidence of satisfaction, especially for the crew’s flexibility and personal service. Still, one booking was canceled the night before because of an engine problem, according to the operator, who offered a refund, another date, or an alternative provider.

That incident is worth noting without overstating it. Boats can suffer mechanical problems, and weather can stop any sea trip. The policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours ahead, and poor weather can lead to a new date or full refund. If this is your only chance to see the islands, keep a backup plan.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would choose this tour for a family, couple, or group of friends who value privacy and swimming time more than a fixed sightseeing program. It suits people who want a beach day with some history, rather than a formal guided tour of every church and monument.

It is also a good choice for groups with different energy levels. One person can snorkel, another can walk through a village, and someone else can stay on the beach. The crew’s willingness to adjust the schedule is especially useful if someone has a mobility limitation or your group has a clear favorite stop.

I would think twice if you want a guaranteed long visit at every island, a full meal included, or a completely fixed schedule. The tour covers a lot, and the best day comes from choosing priorities rather than trying to collect every stop.

Should you book the Dubrovnik Elaphiti speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a flexible private day on the water, especially with six or more people sharing the cost. The Blue Cave, Šunj Beach, car-free islands, snorkeling, included refreshments, and sunset return create a varied outing without the feel of a large group excursion.

Before paying, confirm the exact duration, pickup time, route, and weather plan. Tell Borna or the operator which matters most to you: caves, beach time, island walks, lunch, swimming, or sunset photos. With those details settled, this is a strong-value way to trade Dubrovnik’s crowds for a few hours of open sea and quiet island shores.

FAQ

How much does the private speedboat tour cost?

The price is $240.28 per group of up to eight people.

How long does the tour last?

The experience can last from about two to eight hours, depending on the selected program.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from any location in Dubrovnik that you specify in advance.

What should I bring?

You need to bring a swimsuit and towel. Snorkeling equipment, lifejackets, safety equipment, drinks, snacks, and bottled water are included.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your own group participates, with a maximum group size of eight people.

Can the itinerary be changed?

Yes. The tour is personalized, and the operator can adjust the day according to your wishes and the available time.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.