Dubrovnik:Elaphiti Islands and caves Private Speedboat Tour

The best part of this private Dubrovnik boat trip is the freedom to set the pace. You can spend an hour swimming in the Blue Cave, linger at a sandy beach, or ask skipper Bruno to find a quieter cove. It is a good way to leave the city behind without committing to a large group cruise.

I like the private format, which gives you room to change plans, and the mix of caves, beaches, and clear water. The main catch is the extra fuel charge, paid in cash, plus the fact that food is not included. Factor those costs in before you compare prices.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue Cave on Koločep: Spend about an hour swimming and snorkeling around one of the tour’s main sights.
• Three Green Caves: A shorter 30-minute stop for swimming and exploring by water.
• Private speedboat for up to four: The listed group price is $447, making the cost easier to justify when shared.
• Bruno’s flexible approach: He asks what you want from the day and can adjust the route and timing.
• Cold drinks and equipment included: Wine, beer, juice, water, snorkeling gear, and dry bags are provided.
• Fuel is extra: Budget an additional 60 euros for four hours, 80 euros for six hours, or 100 euros for eight hours.

Leaving Gruž for Koločep’s caves

The meeting point is next to the bus station at the Marinero Excursions location. The boat ride from Gruž to the Elaphiti Islands takes about 20 minutes, so you get out of Dubrovnik quickly rather than spending much of the morning on a long transfer.

The first stop is the Blue Cave on Koločep, with around an hour for swimming and snorkeling. This is the moment to bring your waterproof phone case, if you have one, and use the dry bags supplied on board for anything you want to keep dry.

A cave stop is more active than a simple photo break. You will need to be comfortable getting into the sea and swimming near the boat. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and it is also not recommended for pregnant women or people over 95. That is worth taking seriously, since the day centers on boarding, swimming, and moving around a speedboat.

The boat includes snorkeling equipment, but you may prefer to bring your own mask if you have one that fits well. Sunglasses, a sun hat, and swimwear are specifically recommended. There is a shower on board, which is useful after several swims.

Three Green Caves and time in the water

The Three Green Caves are the next stop on Koločep, with about 30 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. The shorter stop helps keep the day moving, but it also means you should not expect a long shore visit here.

The appeal is the setting rather than a formal guided walk. You see the caves from the water, swim around them, and enjoy the clear sea at close range. Bruno can explain the area and point out places that are less obvious from a standard sightseeing boat.

This is also where the private setup matters. On a large excursion, cave stops often follow a fixed timetable. Here, you can tell the skipper if you want more time in the water or would rather move on to a beach. The exact route is customizable, although weather and sea conditions will still affect what is sensible.

Some of the strongest praise for this trip centers on Bruno’s manner. He is described as friendly, patient, good at explaining the area, and willing to listen to what each group wants. That matters on a private outing, since the skipper is not just driving the boat. He shapes the day.

Šunj Beach brings a sandy pause

The boat then heads to Šunj Beach on Lopud, with about an hour scheduled for cruising and swimming. This stop gives the trip a useful change of scene. After caves and open-water snorkeling, you get a sandy beach where you can stretch out and swim at a gentler pace.

The Elaphiti Islands are especially appealing if you want more than Dubrovnik’s stone streets and crowded waterfront. Šunj is one of the area’s better-known beach stops, so it may not feel as secluded as a small cove. Still, the chance to reach it by private boat makes the visit easier and more flexible than arranging separate island transport.

You can use the hour for a proper swim or simply sit on the sand. If your group includes people with different energy levels, this is a helpful stop. Strong swimmers can stay in the water, while others can make the most of the beach.

Do not assume lunch is included. Food is not part of the tour price. The skipper has taken groups to restaurants with sea views, including a well-liked restaurant on Lopud, but that meal is an additional expense. If lunch matters to you, discuss it at the start and ask Bruno to include a restaurant stop in the plan.

Sjekirica Beach and quieter bays

Sjekirica Beach follows, with about 45 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. This stop helps explain why the tour is more than a standard island transfer. You are not simply being dropped at one famous beach. The route links several places where you can swim, snorkel, and enjoy the coast from the water.

The supplied details describe the tour as a way to reach less accessible beaches and quiet bays. That does not guarantee you will have every stop to yourself, especially in the busiest summer weeks. Still, a private skipper has more room to choose the timing and may be able to steer you toward a less crowded place.

One particularly appealing detail is the possibility of reaching spots accessible only by boat. Bruno has taken groups to a beach and a small cove where they were the only people present. Conditions change, so treat that as a possibility rather than a promise, but it is exactly the kind of benefit a private boat can offer.

The water is the main attraction here. If you prefer sightseeing from a dry seat, this tour may feel too swim-focused. If you like getting in the sea several times during the day, the schedule gives you plenty of chances.

A final Koločep stop before Dubrovnik

The final island stop is another 30 minutes around Koločep, combining a boat cruise and swimming. By this point, you can decide if you want one last swim or prefer to relax on the sundeck and enjoy the ride.

The boat has a Bluetooth audio system, so you can play music during the cruise. It also has a fridge stocked with complimentary cold drinks, including cola, wine, beer, and water, with juice also listed among the included options. A glass of wine on the sundeck can be a pleasant way to slow the day down, but drink responsibly because the tour still involves swimming and boat movement.

The return to the Marinero Excursions meeting point takes about 20 minutes. The total day can run from six to eight hours, depending on the option you choose and how the route is arranged. A four-hour option is also mentioned in the tour details and has suited people who wanted the key sights without a full day on the water.

Four hours or eight hours?

The shorter version can work well if you want a taste of the islands without giving up your entire day. One family found four hours enough to visit several key sites without feeling rushed. That is a sensible choice if you have other Dubrovnik plans, young swimmers, or limited tolerance for a full day in the sun.

The eight-hour version makes more sense if you want a relaxed pace, a restaurant stop, several swims, and time for the skipper to adjust the route. One family particularly valued the longer outing because it allowed a meal with a wide view and enough time at each location.

The six-hour option sits between the two. It gives you a full island outing while keeping the day from becoming too long. Since the fuel charge changes with duration, compare the total cost rather than looking only at the advertised group price.

What the $447 price really covers

The listed price is $447 for a private group of up to four people. That works out to about $112 per person before the fuel charge if four people share the boat. For a couple, the per-person cost is much higher, but you are paying for privacy, a flexible route, and a dedicated skipper rather than a seat on a fixed group boat.

Included are the skipper, cold drinks, snorkeling gear, and dry bags. The boat also has a sundeck, shower, fridge, and Bluetooth audio. Food is not included, and fuel is paid separately in cash on the boat.

The fuel charge is listed as:

• 60 euros for four hours
• 80 euros for six hours
• 100 euros for eight hours

This is an important cost to include when planning. If you also stop for lunch, your final bill will be higher than the headline price. Still, for four people who value a private boat and several swim stops, the price can compare well with booking separate transport, beach visits, and meals.

Why Bruno matters to the experience

A private boat day depends heavily on the skipper. Bruno receives repeated praise for being friendly, calm, attentive, and good at adapting the route. He is also credited with sharing facts about Dubrovnik and Croatia, explaining the stops clearly, and making people feel comfortable in the boat.

That personal approach is useful if your group has mixed preferences. You can tell him if you want more snorkeling, a quieter bay, a restaurant lunch, more time at a beach, or simply a scenic cruise. He is not just following a rigid list of stops.

The tour is run by BuraBoatTours, while the meeting point identifies Marinero Excursions. The practical point for you is to follow the meeting instructions carefully. One person had trouble finding the exact meeting point, so allow extra time and confirm the location before setting off.

Boat comfort and what to bring

The boat is equipped for a day spent partly in the water. You have a sundeck, shower, fridge, dry bags, and snorkeling gear. The included drinks are a useful touch, particularly in the summer heat, but you should still bring any snacks you need because food is not provided.

Pack:

• Swimwear
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Sunscreen
• A phone case or camera suitable for water, if you have one

The supplied information does not specify the boat model or detailed seating arrangement, so do not expect a luxury yacht description. The feedback does indicate that the boat was clean and in good condition for family groups. It is best viewed as a practical speedboat built for quick island transfers and easy access to the water.

The ride can be breezy, especially when the boat is moving quickly between islands. If you are prone to motion sickness, ask the operator for practical advice before departure. The tour is not designed as a gentle harbor cruise.

Who should book this private island tour?

I would recommend it most to couples, families, and small groups who want a private day with plenty of swimming. It suits people who enjoy making decisions as they go and who prefer local bays and beaches over a fixed sightseeing program.

It is also a good choice if you have only a short stay in Dubrovnik. The islands are close to Gruž, and the 20-minute crossing means you can reach the coast quickly. You get caves, beaches, swimming, and a boat ride in one outing.

You should think twice if you dislike being on open water, cannot comfortably climb into a boat, or want a tour built around long historical explanations. Bruno can share local information, but the main event is the sea. You should also be comfortable with the extra cash fuel payment and the separate cost of lunch.

The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability. The live guiding is offered in Croatian and English.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a private, swim-heavy day around Dubrovnik and value a skipper who can tailor the route. The Blue Cave, Three Green Caves, Šunj Beach, Sjekirica Beach, and Koločep give you a good mix of scenery and time in the water.

Choose the four-hour option if you want the highlights without a full day. Choose six or eight hours if you want lunch, slower pacing, and a better chance to ask for quieter coves. Before paying, confirm the meeting point, fuel charge, group size, and whether you want a restaurant stop.

For a small group of up to four, the price is easiest to justify. For two people, it becomes a special-occasion outing rather than a budget activity. Either way, Bruno’s flexibility and the chance to escape Dubrovnik’s crowded center are the main reasons to choose this boat over a standard island excursion.

FAQ

How long does the Dubrovnik speedboat tour last?

The tour is offered for six to eight hours, with a four-hour option also mentioned in the activity details. Check the available departure choices when booking.

How much does the private boat tour cost?

The listed price is $447 for a private group of up to four people. Fuel is extra and costs 60 euros for four hours, 80 euros for six hours, or 100 euros for eight hours.

Is fuel included in the tour price?

No. The fuel surcharge is paid in cash on the boat and depends on the length of the trip.

What islands and beaches does the tour visit?

The route includes Koločep, the Blue Cave, the Three Green Caves, Šunj Beach, and Sjekirica Beach. The route can be adjusted to suit your group and conditions.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Complimentary cold drinks include water, wine, beer, juice, and cola.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and dry bags are included. The boat also has a shower and a fridge.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included in the tour price. A restaurant stop may be arranged as part of the customized day, but the meal costs extra.

Where does the tour meet?

The boat waits next to the bus station at the Marinero Excursions meeting point. Confirm the exact location before departure, since the meeting point can be easy to misunderstand.

Can I cancel the tour?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.