A private speedboat makes Dubrovnik feel brand new. This full-day tour lets you run your day at sea with a local skipper, with real swim and sun time built into each stop, especially at the famous Blue Cave and on Lopud’s Sunj sandy beach. It also has that crowd-smart feel, because your skipper can adjust timing in the field.

What I like most is the flexibility. You are not locked into a rigid bus day, and the route can feel tailored to your group, like when skippers such as Srđan, Gigi, and Didi are described as finding calm spots and working around busier hours.

One thing to weigh is value versus cost. At $710.91 per group up to 4, it can feel pricey if you travel solo, and lunch is not included, so you will likely budget extra if you want to eat on Šipan.

Key things that make this tour work

• Private group of up to 4, so you get a calmer pace than large public boat trips
• Swim stops with snorkeling gear, towels, and life jackets included, so you can go straight from boarding to water
• Blue Cave and Kolocep caves, plus time to see more than one kind of coastline
• Lopud’s Sunj, a rare sandy beach moment in this area
• Šipan village time, including options for fresh fish lunch and wine tasting in island vineyards

Dubrovnik from the water, without the full-day city grind

Dubrovnik is gorgeous from land, but the Elaphiti Islands are where the day really changes gear. This tour is built around boat time and water time, not museum time. You leave from Port Gruz and spend about eight hours bouncing between Kolocep, Lopud, and Šipan, with swimming at every stop.

If you care about the little details, you will appreciate how the day is structured. Your skipper can keep things relaxed, then put you where the water looks best and where it is comfortable to hang out. That is one reason the feedback keeps calling out the ease of the day and the way the stops line up.

Port Gruz check-in and what “private” means in practice

The day starts at Sunshine Sailing Dubrovnik, Lapadska obala 4, with a 10:00 am departure. You are brought to Port Gruz, where you meet your skipper and board the speedboat.

Because it is a private activity, the boat time is really yours, not a shared schedule with strangers trying to herd everyone. In practical terms, that tends to mean:

• You can move at the pace of your group when it is time to swim and re-board
• You get more personal guidance on where to go and when
• If you want a slightly different balance of swimming versus sightseeing, the skipper can usually work with it

Another detail I think matters: the tour uses a mobile ticket. That is one less thing to manage on a trip where you already have a lot going on.

Kolocep caves and the Blue Cave stop

Kolocep is your first island stop. Expect around two hours here, and the itinerary emphasizes water experiences over walking. You go in by speedboat and enter two turquoise caves, then the day shifts toward the better-known sea sights like the Blue Cave and three green caves.

Here is why this works for most travelers. In a place like the Adriatic, the difference between a good day and a wow day often comes down to light and timing. Caves are exactly the kind of stop where being there at the right moment makes a huge visual difference. Your skipper’s job is to position you for that, and multiple accounts highlight that they know when to visit each spot to help you avoid the busiest times.

What to keep in mind at Kolocep:

• You will be at the waterline and boarding zones more than on a dock with lots of benches
• If you are sensitive to cooler water days, consider that swimming is still the core activity here

The good news is that snorkeling gear is included, and the boat comes prepared with towels and life jackets. That takes friction out of the day, especially if you show up with no gear.

Lopud Island and Sunj Beach, the sandy payoff

After Kolocep, you head to Lopud for another two hours, and this is where the tour gives you a different kind of coastline. On Lopud you go to Sunj beach, described as a sandy beach hidden in trees away from the rest of the island. After that, you move to the other side of Lopud to the main port area, a cultural spot with events, attractions, and historical sights.

Sunj is a big deal because sand changes the mood. Dubrovnik’s coastline can be rocky, so having a proper sandy place where you can lie down and feel like you are on an actual beach vacation makes the day feel more complete. This stop is a classic “switch off” moment, especially if you have been walking around the Old Town.

A practical tip: plan your energy. The tour moves, so if you spend a lot of time in the water right away, you may feel a little rushed during the sightseeing portion on Lopud. If you prefer the beach over the sights, ask your skipper about the best order for your group.

Šipan and Suđurađ: lunch ideas and wine tasting time

Šipan is your last island stop and is also the one built for longer hangout energy. You get about two hours here, including time in the village of Suđurađ.

This is where the tour quietly offers something beyond swimming. If you want lunch, Šipan is described as the right place for it, with fresh daily catch fish and vegetables from nearby local gardens. If you are a wine person, this is also framed as one of the best places in the Dubrovnik area for wine tasting, thanks to island vineyards and grapes grown locally.

You should treat this as a “choose your vibe” stop:

• If you want a meal, plan it around the local restaurant option on the island
• If you want wine time, talk with your skipper about what to prioritize during your stay

The tour notes that the remaining time is for the round tour plus sightseeing or exploration. So you are not just passing through. You get real island time.

What’s included, and what you should plan to pay for

This tour is surprisingly well kitted for the price-per-group, because it includes the essentials for a sea day:

• Water
• Soda beverage
• Beer
• White wine
• Towels
• Snorkeling equipment
• Fuel
• Life jackets
• Skipper

Two practical implications:

1. You can travel light. You do not need to rent or buy snorkeling gear, and the towels mean you can rinse off and dry without improvising.
2. You get a more vacation-like feel. Drinks are part of the day, so you are not scanning for a shop every time you switch from shade to sun.

What is not included is lunch. Since lunch can be a key part of the Šipan stop, you should budget for it if you want a proper meal rather than snacks.

Also, pack like it is a day at sea:

• Swimwear and a dry layer
• Sunscreen (and something for sun protection)
• A phone bag or waterproof pouch if you use your phone near the water

Even if you do not plan to snorkel much, the gear being included makes it easy to change your mind.

How the skipper helps you avoid the wrong kind of day

A big part of why this tour gets consistently high marks is the skipper’s role. You are not just renting a boat and pointing it at islands. Skippers like Srđan, and also Gigi and Didi in the feedback, are repeatedly described as:

• knowing great spots and routes
• being flexible if you want to tweak the day
• timing stops to help avoid crowd pressure
• staying close by if you need anything

That last point matters more than people think. Caves and swim stops can be exciting, but you want calm confidence from the person driving. Multiple accounts mention accommodating, discreet, and easygoing service, including a few moments that sounded like perfect-for-a-pair or family pacing.

One consideration is sea conditions. The experience requires good weather, and at least one account notes that swimming can depend on how chilly the water feels on a given day. In other words, plan the day as a sea day first, and treat swimming as a very likely highlight that can be adjusted by conditions.

Value and pricing, is it worth $710.91 per group?

Let’s do the math in a way that helps you decide. The price is $710.91 per group up to 4 for about eight hours. If you fill all four seats, that works out to roughly $178 per person. If you are a couple, it becomes about $355 per person, and that changes how you should judge value.

So who usually gets the best deal?

• Small groups of friends who want a private boat without splitting into multiple tours
• Couples who want romance and privacy, not just a shared day boat
• Families with kids who like the idea of multiple swim breaks and an adaptable schedule

If you are traveling solo, the cost may feel steep compared with shared island cruises. But if your priority is privacy, comfort, and a skipper who can help you manage timing, you might still find it worth it.

The other value lever is included comfort. Drinks, snorkeling gear, towels, and life jackets are all part of the package. Those things add real cost if you have to buy them at each stop.

Who this tour is best for (and who should look elsewhere)

This is a strong fit if you want:

• A private boat day instead of a crowded group outing
• Lots of swim time, not just a sightseeing pass
• A mix of islands: caves on Kolocep, sandy beach time on Lopud, village and wine or lunch options on Šipan

It may be less ideal if:

• You want lots of long, guided land walking. The tour is mostly sea and short island time.
• You expect lunch to be included. It is not.
• You are traveling on a day that is already shaky weather-wise, since the experience requires good weather.

Should you book this Dubrovnik Elafiti Islands and Blue Cave tour?

I would book it if your ideal Dubrovnik day looks like calm water, a few different islands, and the freedom to swim and relax without feeling rushed. The “private to your group” setup is the main reason, and the inclusions help it feel practical, not just pretty.

If you are traveling as two or solo, I would be more cautious. At $710.91, the price only really sings when you can share the boat with three friends or family members. If you do share it, you get a full day, multiple island stops, and Blue Cave plus Sunj beach in one outing.

If your top priority is cave sights plus time to enjoy the sea, then this tour is the kind of choice that makes the whole trip feel different.

FAQ

How long is the Dubrovnik Elafiti Islands and Blue Cave full-day tour?

The tour lasts about 8 hours.

What is the group size for this private boat tour?

It is a private tour/activity, and your group only. The price is per group up to 4.

Where does the tour start, and what time does it begin?

The meeting point is Sunshine Sailing Dubrovnik, Lapadska obala 4, 20000 Dubrovnik. The start time is 10:00 am, and the tour ends back at the meeting point.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes water, soda beverage, beer, white wine, towels, snorkeling equipment, fuel, life jackets, and the skipper.

Is lunch included?

No, lunch is not included. The Šipan stop is described as a good place for lunch if you want to eat at a restaurant.

Do I need to buy admission tickets for the stops?

Admission tickets for the listed stops are marked as free.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.