Rent a luxury speed boat for great fun on this Elaphiti Islands tour

A private speedboat is one of the easiest ways to turn Dubrovnik into a gateway for the Elaphiti Islands. You can spend the day moving between sandy beaches, old fishing ports, rocky coves, and clear swimming spots instead of following a fixed group schedule.

I like the flexible timing, since a four-hour outing can fit neatly into a busy Dubrovnik visit, while an eight-hour charter gives you room to linger. I also like that drinks, snorkeling gear, a fridge, sunshade, and sundeck are included. The main consideration is the price: at $842.05 per group, it offers good value for a full group of 12, but costs much more per person if only two or three people book.

Key points to know before you book

• Three very different islands: Lopud brings beaches and walking, Šipan offers old stone villages and local life, and Koločep is best for swimming, caves, and snorkeling.
• Private for up to 12 people: Your group has the boat to itself, with time shaped around your interests and the chosen four to eight-hour duration.
• Drinks are included: Beer, white wine, soda, and bottled water are supplied, along with a fridge and sunshade.
• Pickup and drop-off help: Transport is offered by air-conditioned minivan or car, though arrangements must be made by phone and pickups under one kilometer from the starting point are not included.
• Skippers add the local color: Names connected with past outings include Rocco, James, Mark, Luca, Phillip, Frankie, Josip, and Frane.
• Weather matters: The boat runs only in suitable conditions, and rough water can make the ride bumpy.

Why this private boat trip works so well from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik’s old town can feel crowded, especially when cruise ships are in port. The Elaphiti Islands offer a useful change of pace. Within a short boat outing, you can trade stone walls and busy lanes for pine trees, olive groves, quiet harbors, and open water.

This is not a formal sightseeing cruise with every minute fixed. It is a private charter, so you can spend more time swimming, pause for coffee, or ask to move on when you have had enough of a particular stop. That flexibility matters most on the eight-hour version, when you are not forced to choose between the islands and the sea.

The boat comes with a sundeck, sunshade, and fridge, which makes the ride more comfortable than a bare-bones transfer. Beer, white wine, soda, and water are included. Snorkeling equipment is also supplied, so you do not need to pack fins or a mask unless you prefer using your own.

The maximum is 12 people per booking. For a family group, a wedding party, or a group of friends, that changes the value calculation. At the full capacity, the listed price works out to roughly $70 per person before any personal spending. For a couple, it becomes a luxury splurge rather than a budget excursion.

Lopud combines Šunj Beach with old island paths

Lopud is usually the most varied stop. You can use the time for a swim at Šunj Beach, walk along paths through old forests and olive groves, or explore the stone houses and churches scattered around the island.

Šunj is the island’s best-known beach, and its sandy shore makes it a good first stop if you want to get in the water quickly. A local legend says that couples who bathe there will never part. You do not need to take the story seriously to enjoy the beach, but it adds a bit of local charm to a swim.

Lopud also has more than 30 small churches, old villas, cocktail bars, restaurants, shops, and places selling homemade olive oil, wine, and traditional food. That gives you more choice than a simple swim stop. You can stretch your legs and look around, or keep the visit focused on the coast.

One unusual attraction is the island’s old botanical garden. Another is the Temple of Sun museum, built so that changing shades and shapes appear as you move through it. The effect is personal, with different people seeing the display in different ways.

The itinerary allows about an hour at Lopud, but the timing can change with the length of your charter and your preferences. On a four-hour trip, you should be realistic. A beach visit, a walk, and a museum stop may be too much for one hour, so decide in advance what matters most.

Lopud is also a good place for a drink or a light meal, though food is not included. Bring money for anything you buy on the island.

Šipan shows the quieter side of the Elaphiti group

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands and feels more focused on village life than beach time. The usual stop is Suđurađ, an old fishing port where you can sit with a coffee or take a short walk.

The island is known for its large number of olive trees and its long connection with Dubrovnik’s wealthy families. During the 15th century, prominent Dubrovnik residents used Šipan as a summer retreat and built villas there. You can still see reminders of that period in the old stone buildings and former palaces.

In Suđurađ, look for the 16th-century castle built by the Stjepović-Skočibuha family. A nearby defensive tower reflects the island’s need to guard against pirates. The late-Gothic Rector’s Palace and the remains of archbishops’ palaces add more historical interest, though this is not a stop built around a large museum or a long guided tour.

The appeal is the everyday setting. Fishing boats sit in the harbor, stone houses line the waterfront, and local families have kept their connection to the sea. That gives Šipan a more grounded feel than a resort beach.

I would use the Šipan stop for a slow coffee and a short look around rather than trying to cover the whole island. The boat schedule gives you roughly an hour, and the operator says you can spend as much time there as you want within the limits of your selected tour. On the longer charter, this flexibility becomes much more useful.

Koločep is the best stop for a swim

Koločep is the natural choice if your main goal is to get in the water. The island has clear sea, fish, seashells, hidden caves, and high cliffs. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you can explore close to shore without arranging gear separately.

The stop normally lasts about an hour, though the skipper can adjust the timing around your preferences and the total tour length. You may have time for a swim, a short snorkeling session, and a brief walk through Gornje Čelo or Donje Čelo, two small settlements with a traditional Mediterranean character.

Koločep has pine trees, olive trees, and many sunny days each year. The island is less about formal sights and more about the combination of clean water, rocky coast, and quiet paths. If you want a dramatic cave visit, tell the skipper early. Some outings connected with this boat company have included a blue cave and other cave stops, but the exact route can depend on your chosen duration, sea conditions, and the skipper’s plan.

This is also where the boat ride itself can become part of the fun. The speedboat gives you a quick way to move between coves and islands, but speed comes with more motion. One account of the trip noted that the boat felt bumpy in certain weather. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where the ride feels steadier, watch the forecast, and avoid treating the boat as a calm ferry.

Four hours or eight hours: choose carefully

The four-hour option suits you if you want a taste of the islands without giving up the rest of your Dubrovnik day. You can focus on one beach, one village, and one swim, but you will need to keep moving.

The eight-hour option makes more sense for a full island day. You can give Lopud enough time for Šunj Beach and a walk, stop in Šipan for coffee and village sightseeing, then reserve Koločep for snorkeling and caves. You may also have time to pause for lunch or drinks on your own budget.

The published stop times suggest about one hour at each island, but the operator allows adjustments. Do not assume that every attraction listed will fit into a short charter. Lopud alone can fill an hour, especially if you want both the beach and the botanical garden.

I would choose four hours for:

• A first visit to Dubrovnik with a tight schedule
• A group that mainly wants swimming and a quick island taste
• A morning or afternoon outing before another booking

I would choose eight hours for:

• A group that wants a relaxed private day
• Anyone interested in both village life and swimming
• Families or friends who want control over stops and breaks
• A celebration where the boat itself is part of the occasion

Skippers make a real difference

The boat captain is also your guide, driver, and practical link to the islands. Names associated with past departures include Rocco, James, Mark, Luca, Phillip, Frankie, Josip, and Frane. The exact skipper is not guaranteed, but the operation has used several captains who combine boat handling with local information.

That personal role matters on a private trip. A good skipper can help you decide whether to spend another few minutes swimming, head for a cave, stop for coffee, or move to a quieter part of the coast. Past outings have also included music from the captain, including one skipper described as the driver, guide, and DJ.

When arranging the tour, tell the company what you want most. Say clearly if the priority is beaches, snorkeling, caves, local villages, history, or a relaxed boat ride. The more specific you are, the easier it is to use the flexible format well.

The tour is offered in English. Children must be accompanied by adults, and you should mention special requirements when booking.

What the price includes, and what it does not

The $842.05 price covers the whole group, up to 12 people. Included are taxes and handling charges, pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned minivan or car, the boat’s sunshade, fridge and sundeck, white wine, beer, soda, bottled water, and snorkeling equipment.

That list removes several small costs that can add up on a private boat day. You do not need to rent a mask, buy water for the boat, or arrange a separate transfer if your pickup is covered.

Food is not included, and personal expenses are extra. You will also need to bring a swimsuit. The information specifically excludes swimwear, so do not assume that any beach equipment or clothing is supplied.

For a full group, this can be a strong value because you are paying for a private boat and flexible timing rather than buying 12 separate excursion tickets. For a small party, compare the total against a shared boat trip before booking. The privacy and freedom may still justify it, but the cost per person rises sharply.

Pickup, weather, and the small practical details

The listed starting point is Yacht Club Orsan at Ul. Ivana pl. Zajca 4 in Dubrovnik. Pickup is offered, but you must contact the operator by phone to arrange it. Viber and WhatsApp are supported.

Pickups less than one kilometer from the starting point are not included. Confirm the exact meeting arrangement before the day of departure, especially if you are staying in a hotel or apartment with restricted vehicle access.

The tour requires good weather. If conditions force a cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. If you cancel yourself, you need to do so at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

The boat is open to most people, but sea conditions can affect comfort. A calm forecast will make the ride more pleasant, particularly on the longer route. Pack sun protection, a towel, dry clothes, and a waterproof way to carry your phone. These items are sensible for any boat day, though only the supplied equipment and drinks are specifically included here.

Who should book this Elaphiti Islands charter?

I would recommend it most strongly to a group of friends or family members who want a private day on the water. The mix of beach, village, snorkeling, and cave time gives you enough variety to keep a full day interesting.

It also suits couples who want a more personal outing and do not mind paying a premium. The boat can feel like a special occasion rather than a standard sightseeing transfer, especially with drinks, a sundeck, and the freedom to set the pace.

You may want a different option if you prefer a detailed, structured history tour, guaranteed cave access, or a low per-person price for a small party. The exact route can shift with timing and weather, and food is not included.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you value privacy, swimming, and flexible island time more than a fixed sightseeing program. Lopud gives you the beach and walking, Šipan supplies the village atmosphere and old stone buildings, and Koločep is the strongest stop for snorkeling and caves.

The best value comes with eight to 12 people, a good weather forecast, and a clear plan for how you want to use the day. Tell the operator your priorities, bring a swimsuit, and allow the skipper to adjust the route to the sea conditions. For a small group on a tight budget, the price may be hard to justify. For a full group wanting its own speedboat from Dubrovnik, it is a practical and enjoyable way to reach three very different islands.

FAQ

How long does the Elaphiti Islands boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four to eight hours. The shorter option works for a quick island visit, while the longer option allows more time for beaches, villages, swimming, and snorkeling.

Which islands are included?

The planned stops are Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep. Stop length can vary according to the tour duration, preferences, and conditions.

Is pickup from Dubrovnik included?

Pickup and drop-off are offered by air-conditioned minivan or car. You must contact the operator by phone to arrange the details. Pickups less than one kilometer from the starting point are not included.

Are drinks and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The boat provides beer, white wine, soda, bottled water, and snorkeling equipment. A fridge, sunshade, and sundeck are also included.

How many people can join the private boat?

A maximum of 12 people can be included in one booking. The activity is private, so only your group participates.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.