Blue caves and sandy beaches in one day. This private speedboat tour takes you from Dubrovnik across the Elaphiti islands, mixing short scenic rides with real swimming time and top snorkel spots. I love how the captain (Maro) knows where to go and keeps the day feeling personal for your group, and I love the up to 8 people private setup that helps you avoid the usual boat-tour crush. One consideration: the pace is full, so if you want hours of unbroken beach lounging, you may feel the schedule is a bit tight.

You are on the water for about 8.5 hours, moving between caves, beaches, and island towns. Between the famous Blue Cave and the Green Caves near Koločep, the day centers on water that looks incredible and gets you in quickly, then back out for the next bay. I also like that lunch is on your own dime, which means you can match your food stop to your preferences instead of being locked into a fixed menu.

Key highlights worth putting on your radar

• Captain Maro and an efficient route that keeps you moving to the best water without feeling rushed on every stop
• Blue Cave snorkeling with a dedicated slot inside the cave area
• Koločep’s Green Caves for snorkeling in three caves close together
• Šunj (Sunj Beach), the main sandy beach break, with time for swimming, snorkeling, and a meal or snack
• Brsecine and Sikirica Cove for what the tour marks as the best snorkeling in the area

Why this Elaphiti speedboat day beats the usual big-group approach

A speedboat day is not just about speed. It is about access. With a private group of up to 8, you spend less time waiting around and more time where you actually want to be, on the water and at the shoreline.

For Dubrovnik, the Elaphiti islands are a smart choice because you get that “away from town” feeling without giving up the convenience of a day trip. Most of the stops on this route are coastal and water-focused, so you are not losing half your day in transit. You are also not stuck doing everything at tourist-clock speed. With a private setup, you can settle into each bay and cave moment, then move on when you feel ready.

Price-wise, this tour is $611.46 per group. That sounds steep until you do the math for a small group. If you fill it with up to 8 people, the per-person cost drops quickly, and you are paying for a boat, fuel, and your own time on the itinerary. You also get snorkeling gear, drinks, and snacks included, which matters more than it sounds when you are spending hours on the sea.

Dubrovnik departure and west-coast scenery before the island hopping

The day starts with sailing out of the main port, then a look along Dubrovnik’s west coast on the way to Koločep. Even if you have already seen the Old Town from land, this is a different angle. You get a broader sense of where Dubrovnik sits and how the coastline turns into island water.

It is also a practical opener. That first stretch gives you a chance to get settled on the boat, plan how you want to handle the day, and get comfortable with the rhythm: brief rides, then short time blocks where you actually swim or explore.

This first sightseeing slot is about 15 minutes, and admission is marked as free. Translation: you are not spending the day paying to look at the scenery, you are spending it in the water and on the islands.

Blue Cave snorkeling: a short stop with big payoff

The tour’s Blue Cave stop is built around a snorkeling experience inside the Blue Cave, with about 30 minutes allotted. Blue Caves are the kind of place where people often assume you will see everything just by looking. Snorkeling changes the whole experience. You are not only watching light bounce on the water, you are seeing the space around you from the surface down.

A helpful way to think about this stop is time efficiency. You are not committing to an all-day boat crawl into caves and coves. Instead, you get a focused window that fits inside a longer itinerary of islands and beaches. That is a good match for a full-day experience, especially when you also want time onshore.

As always for snorkeling, it helps to be comfortable with getting your face in the water and coordinating with the boat team. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, which removes one of the biggest friction points of doing cave water activities.

Koločep’s Green Caves: snorkeling in three cave areas

Next up is Koločep Island and a snorkeling experience inside three Green Caves. You get another 30-minute snorkeling slot, which is perfect for a “try it, enjoy it, move on” flow. You are not out there for so long that it stops feeling fun.

Green Caves tend to feel more open and playful than cave experiences where you fear visibility limits. Still, the sea can be changeable. The practical benefit of a private tour is you are not stuck with a one-size-fits-all schedule. The captain can handle timing between stops, and you are simply better placed to work with the water conditions.

Also, Koločep is not just a cave stop. The tour frames it as a nature and cave experience day, so the cave time fits the larger theme: water, light, and coastal variety.

Šunj Beach on Šunj: the sandy break where you actually recharge

The highlight for land time is Šunj Beach, described as the natural sandy beach and the most beautiful beach in the Dubrovnik region. You get about 2 hours here, which is long enough to do more than a quick dip.

This stop is about choice:

• you can walk on the shallow sandy area
• you can swim or snorkel
• you can eat lunch or grab a snack at the beach restaurant
• you can take a breather before the more scenic but quicker stops later

In a day like this, beach time is not just for pleasure. It is also for energy management. After cave snorkeling and repeated time in the water, you will appreciate having a sandy area where you can reset.

One detail I like: the tour explicitly notes you can handle coffee or a snack on-site. That matters because you are not forced to break your flow by searching for food elsewhere.

Lopud’s island rhythm and the Franciscan Monastery visit

Lopud is the most popular tourist place on the Elaphiti islands, and the tour gives you about 3 hours to enjoy it. That is a strong allocation because Lopud is more than a shoreline stop. It is a place where you can slow down and walk.

The centerpiece is the Franciscan Monastery from the 15th century. Even if you are not a museum person, a monastery stop works well on a day like this. It is quiet, anchored, and gives the day a change of pace from water activities.

The tour also mentions walking in deep shade in the botanical garden. That is not a small detail in Dubrovnik-region heat. Shade time lets you recover from sun and keep the day comfortable instead of turning everything into a rush.

And yes, you can dine in a popular fish restaurant area. Since lunch is not included, having an easy food option on Lopud is a practical win. You will not feel stranded hunting for a meal while everyone else is focused on the next swimming stop.

Šipan and Sudurad: the oldest fishing village flavor of the islands

After Lopud, you head to Šipan and get sightseeing on the south coast, plus a visit to Suđurađ, described as the oldest fishing village in the area. The stop is about 30 minutes.

This is one of those “short but meaningful” moments. You are not doing a long village tour. You are getting a taste of island life, then getting back on the water. For many people, that is exactly the right mix on a full-day itinerary.

Why I think this stop matters: it balances the day. Caves and beaches are easy to understand. A village visit reminds you you are not just visiting geography. You are visiting places with daily life and a long relationship with the sea.

If you want more time on land, you cannot fully do that on this specific itinerary. But you can still make the most of this brief window by focusing on what you want to see most: harbor area vibe, walking a few streets, and getting a quick sense of how fishing village layouts feel compared to resort islands.

Brsecine and Sikirica Cove: snorkeling at the best spot in the region

The next snorkeling focus is Brsecine and Sikirica Cove, identified by the tour as the best snorkeling place in the region. You get about 30 minutes.

This is the kind of stop that can turn into a highlight because it is likely where you will see the most consistent underwater experience in a short time block. When a tour labels a spot as a top snorkeling location, they are usually pointing you toward the place with the clearest access and the best underwater conditions for the short window they have.

You then have a second Brsecine slot, also about 30 minutes, for swimming at a secluded beach. That is your chance to enjoy the area beyond the snorkeling moment. Secluded beach time is valuable because it helps you avoid the sensation that every stop is a “checkpoint.” Here, you can relax and choose how long you stay in the water.

If you are trying to decide what to do first, I would prioritize the snorkeling cave/cove moments, then treat the secluded swim as your decompression. That keeps the day from turning into nonstop effort.

What is included, what is not, and how to plan your day

Here is what you get in the price:

• Drinks
• Snorkeling equipment (provided)
• Snacks
• All fees and taxes
• Fuel
• A mobile ticket
• Time at multiple stops that are marked as admission free in the itinerary

What is not included:

• Lunch, and you pay at your own expense

That lunch detail shapes your decision-making. If you are someone who likes a specific restaurant style, plan around it during the longer island stops, especially Šunj and Lopud where you are given more time. If you prefer lighter meals, bring a snack mindset and treat lunch like a flexible choice.

Also remember: the tour is private, so your group is not sharing your schedule. That is a benefit, but it also means you should coordinate within your group. Decide early who wants extra swimming time and who wants more walking time. A smooth group makes the day feel easy.

Small practical tip for a day this packed

Because the tour uses repeated water-focused stops, think like a swimmer. Keep essentials simple and expect changing from boat to water to beach. Snorkeling equipment is provided, so you can spend your mental effort on enjoying the stops instead of managing rentals.

Price and value: is $611.46 per group worth it?

Let’s be honest. Most people see the dollar amount and hesitate. Then they look at what it includes and the group size.

This is $611.46 per group for up to 8 people. That means you are paying for a private speedboat experience, not a per-person ferry ticket. Included items such as snorkeling equipment, drinks, and snacks reduce the usual hidden add-ons that show up on other boat tours.

If you are traveling solo, the cost per person will feel higher because you cannot share it. If you are traveling as a couple or a small family, it can still work well if you split with others. If your group fills close to 8, the value tends to look much more attractive.

Another value point: the time plan. The itinerary is designed to give you water activities (caves, coves, swimming) and land breaks (Šunj beach time, Lopud monastery and garden walk, Sudurad village taste). You are not buying a boat ride for scenery alone. You are buying access to multiple locations in one day.

Finally, the captain matters. In the reviews summary, the tour is rated 5 out of 5 with Maro specifically praised for knowing the places and being familiar with the area. That kind of local competence usually shows up as better timing and fewer wasted minutes.

Who should book this private Elaphiti speedboat tour

This tour fits you best if you want:

• a private day with your own group, up to 8
• a water-heavy itinerary with cave and cove snorkeling
• a mix of beach time and island walking
• a captain-led day that feels relaxed rather than rigid

It may not fit as well if you:

• want a slow, laid-back day with long stays at one beach
• get tired quickly with repeated swimming and boat-to-shore transitions
• are looking for a museum-first itinerary rather than nature-first

Should you book this private speedboat day trip to the Elaphiti islands?

If you want a one-day hit of Dubrovnik coastline, caves, sandy beach time, and island culture, I think this tour is a strong booking. The snorkeling is built into the schedule with multiple separate moments, not just one rushed dip. The private group setup and the captain experience are also big reasons this kind of day feels smoother than bigger-group options.

My main caution is simple: the itinerary is full. You will be moving, swimming, and switching contexts throughout the day. If that sounds like fun, book it. If you dream of a single long beach day with zero hopping, consider a more slow-paced option instead.

FAQ

How long is the full-day private speedboat tour?

The tour lasts about 8 hours 30 minutes.

How many people are in each private group?

The tour is private and your group size can be up to 8 people.

What snorkeling equipment is provided?

The tour includes the use of snorkeling equipment.

Are drinks and snacks included?

Yes, drinks and snacks are included.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included, so you will pay for it at your own expense.

Which islands and stops are part of the tour?

The day includes stops around Dubrovnik and visits to Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, plus Blue Cave and Green Caves snorkeling, Šunj Beach time, Sudurad village, and Sikirica Cove and a secluded beach near Brsecine.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.