REVIEW · DUBROVNIK
Private Speedboat Tour to Elafiti Islands
Book on Viator →Operated by Blue Horizon Dubrovnik Boats · Bookable on Viator
Sea caves and island beaches, just your group. On this private Atlantic Marine 750 ride from Dubrovnik, I like how you can get up close to Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan without the hassle of public ferries. I also love that snorkeling gear and a paddle board are part of the fun, so you’re not just watching the coast from the deck. Your skipper can steer the day toward the stops you care about, and the name Nika comes up in praise for making the trip feel personal.
One thing to plan for: the price shown isn’t fully all-in. There’s a €100 fuel surcharge per booking, and lunch isn’t included, so you’ll want to budget a little extra if you’re hungry on the islands.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Private Elafiti Speedboat: Why this format is so good
- Getting on the Atlantic Marine 750 at Lapadska obala 4
- Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan: three islands, three different moods
- Koločep: quick beauty and easy swim energy
- Lopud: a classic island feel with beach time
- Šipan: more room for a longer sit-down day
- Sea caves: the part you’ll remember
- Swim stops, paddle board time, and snorkeling that actually gets used
- Snorkeling: easy gear, more time to see
- Paddle board: a fun add-on when the sea allows
- Alcohol and soda on board: convenience without fuss
- Skipper style matters: how Nika’s approach makes the day feel personal
- Price and value: what $457.82 covers and what to budget for
- Practical tips to make the day smooth (and less stressful)
- Who should book this tour, and who might not need private
- Should you book the Private Speedboat Tour to the Elafiti Islands?
- FAQ
- What islands are visited on this private speedboat tour?
- How long is the speedboat tour?
- Is this tour private?
- What’s included in the price?
- Is lunch included?
- Where does the tour start?
- What language is the tour offered in?
- Is there a fuel surcharge?
- What’s the cancellation policy?
- Is this experience weather-dependent?
Key things to know before you go

- Private group charter (up to 10), so your schedule and stops are yours to influence
- Atlantic Marine 750 access to caves, beaches, and small island spots that bigger boats can’t reach easily
- Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan in one outing, giving you a mini “island sampler”
- Snorkeling equipment + paddle board included, which turns swims into activities
- Alcoholic drinks included along with water and soda, for an easier day on the water
- Weather matters since this experience requires good conditions for smooth cruising and cave access
Private Elafiti Speedboat: Why this format is so good

If you want the Elafiti Islands but you don’t want to spend half your day in schedules, lines, and crowds, a private speedboat fixes that. You get speed, flexibility, and direct access to the water. The Atlantic Marine 750 is built for small groups, which matters here because the best spots around the islands are often the ones you can only reach by water and in the right sea conditions.
What makes this style especially appealing is the combo of “on-the-water time” and “hands-on time.” You’re not just stopping at postcards. You can swim, snorkel, and even use a paddle board. That turns the day into something active and laid-back at the same time. And because it’s private, the pace can be more relaxed than a fixed-group itinerary.
One more practical win: the day is long enough to feel like a proper escape. It’s listed as about 4 to 8 hours, so you can pick a half-day vibe or go longer if the weather and sea look good.
Getting on the Atlantic Marine 750 at Lapadska obala 4
This tour starts at Lapadska obala 4 in Dubrovnik, and it ends back at the same place. That return matters because you’re not left trying to regroup at a different pier with tired legs and a bus timetable.
You’ll want to arrive ready for water time. The tour is offered in English, and you’ll get a mobile ticket. It’s also marked as near public transportation, which helps if you’re not planning a taxi for the whole day.
Since it’s private, you’ll be dealing with one group and one skipper rather than coordinating with lots of strangers. That usually means less time waiting, more time actually out on the sea. Also, service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, which makes it a straightforward option for a wide range of visitors.
Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan: three islands, three different moods

The Elafiti Islands are close to Dubrovnik, but they don’t all feel the same once you’re on the water. This is why visiting Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan in one outing works so well. Instead of choosing only one island and wondering what you missed, you get variety.
Koločep: quick beauty and easy swim energy
Koločep is often the kind of stop that fits people who want to hop in the water more than they want to wander. With a speedboat, you can move between coves and beaches rather than committing to only one shoreline.
The best part for you is the pacing: you’re not forced into a long walk before you get your first swim. If the sea is calm, Koločep is a place where the day can feel light and playful.
Lopud: a classic island feel with beach time
Lopud is the island people tend to choose when they want that “island day” feeling—beaches, open water views, and a slower rhythm. On this kind of tour, the time on Lopud isn’t about checking a list. It’s about enjoying the coastline from the water and then taking real swim breaks when the boat drops anchor.
One practical note: the exact stop length can vary with sea conditions and skipper choices. That flexibility is a feature, not a bug, but it does mean you should keep your expectations relaxed.
Šipan: more room for a longer sit-down day
Šipan often works best for travelers who want a deeper island pause—more time to swim, take in the views, and (if you want) grab food ashore. One review specifically called out an enjoyable lunch experience on Šipan at Stara Mlinica, which is a good hint that this island stop can support a proper break rather than only a quick dip.
If you’re the type who likes to balance water fun with a sit-down meal, you’ll probably appreciate having Šipan in the mix.
Sea caves: the part you’ll remember

One of the headline reasons to take this tour is cave exploration. You go by boat into sea caves, where light patterns on the water can look dramatic. This is one of those “short but unforgettable” experiences because it’s hard to replicate from shore.
A big benefit of having your own speedboat is that the skipper can time the route for what the sea will allow. Cave entry can depend on weather and wave conditions, so you’ll be glad you’re not stuck with a rigid plan.
Practical tip for you: bring swim-friendly gear and keep your phone secure. You’re going into water and possibly into spray, so it’s better to treat valuables like they’re going to get wet, even if they don’t.
Swim stops, paddle board time, and snorkeling that actually gets used

This is not a “brief stop, quick photo, back on board” kind of outing. The experience is designed around beach stops and time in the water. That’s why snorkeling equipment is included and why there’s a paddle board included too.
Snorkeling: easy gear, more time to see
The snorkeling setup is provided, which removes the most annoying friction: renting, figuring out fit, and wasting time searching for gear. When gear is already on board, you can jump into the water as soon as the boat is anchored.
The water can be clear around this area, and you’re close to the islands’ underwater edges, so you’ll likely get a satisfying look without having to travel far.
Paddle board: a fun add-on when the sea allows
A paddle board can be a totally different kind of workout and it also slows you down in a good way. You look around more. You notice where you’re floating. It turns a swim break into an activity.
Just be realistic: paddle boarding depends on conditions. If the sea is rough, you might stick more to swimming than standing up and balancing. But that flexibility is normal for a day on a small craft.
Alcohol and soda on board: convenience without fuss
Alcoholic beverages are included, along with bottled water and soda. That’s not a trivial detail. After time in the sun and water, having drinks ready means you’re not paying for every little thing while you’re trying to enjoy the day.
If you prefer to keep it light, you can. If you want a glass later, it’s there. Private tours often have a nicer flow because you’re not constantly hustling for the next purchase.
Skipper style matters: how Nika’s approach makes the day feel personal

A recurring theme in feedback is the skipper experience. The most praised captains are the ones who can do two things at once: show you promising spots while still letting you steer the day.
Nika is specifically praised for being helpful and for making the experience fun. More than that, Nika is described as flexible—bringing you to beautiful areas while also letting you decide what you want to do next. That combo matters because people have different priorities: some want longer swim time, some want caves first, some want more island time.
If you value that kind of back-and-forth, this private format is a strong fit.
Price and value: what $457.82 covers and what to budget for

The listed price is $457.82 per group (up to 10). That’s important: you’re paying for a private boat charter, not per person on a crowded schedule. For a group, the math can be friendly, especially when you compare it to multiple tickets for public ferries plus taxis plus gear rental.
But there are two cost items you should factor in so there are no surprises:
- Fuel surcharge: €100 per booking is not included.
- Lunch is not included.
So when you’re budgeting, think “group cost plus fuel,” and then “food if we want it.” If you’re traveling as a family or a group of friends, you’re likely to feel good about the value because so much is included on board: snorkeling equipment, a paddle board, drinks, and the skipper.
Also consider the timing flexibility. If you can choose a longer option when the weather is perfect, you can stretch the value without paying for extras. If you only have a tight window, shorter can still be worth it because this tour is about time on the water, not just time at stops.
Practical tips to make the day smooth (and less stressful)

A few things I’d plan for if you want this day to feel easy:
- Bring swim gear and a towel: you’ll be in and out of the water.
- Use water-friendly sandals or shoes: caves, docks, and rocky spots can vary by stop.
- Pack a dry bag for phone and wallet: spray happens on speedboats.
- Decide your energy level early: if you love caves and snorkeling, plan to spend time on the water sooner. If you want island wandering, ask for a more relaxed rhythm.
- Budget for food on your terms: lunch isn’t included, but you’ll have island time where eating might be possible.
One more reality check: this experience requires good weather. So if your trip is right in the middle of storm season or you only have one day in Dubrovnik, you might feel more comfortable booking with a plan to adjust if the sea doesn’t cooperate.
Who should book this tour, and who might not need private
This tour fits best if you:
- want a private group experience rather than a shared boat day
- care about water time (swimming, snorkeling, paddle board)
- like the idea of hitting three islands rather than choosing only one
- want a skipper who can adapt to your pace, including letting you decide what you want to do next
Who might not need it? If you’re traveling solo with a tight budget, a private charter can be pricey compared to cheaper shared options. Also, if you don’t care about snorkeling, caves, or being on the water for hours, you might find a simpler island day more fitting.
But if you’re the type who wants the Adriatic to feel real—not just photographed—this is the kind of day you’ll talk about later.
Should you book the Private Speedboat Tour to the Elafiti Islands?
If your ideal Dubrovnik day includes caves, swims, and gear already waiting on board, I’d book it. The value is strongest for groups up to 10 because you’re buying privacy, speed, and included activities in one package. The drink inclusion also helps the whole day feel relaxed, not transactional.
I’d pause before booking only if you’re extremely price-sensitive or you can’t handle extra costs like the €100 fuel surcharge and choosing your own lunch. And if your travel window is fragile weather-wise, keep your expectations flexible since this needs good conditions.
If those are fine with you, you’ll likely end up with the kind of Elafiti day that feels like it’s yours, not a schedule’s.
FAQ
What islands are visited on this private speedboat tour?
The tour visits the Elafiti Islands including Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan.
How long is the speedboat tour?
The duration is listed as 4 to 8 hours (approx.).
Is this tour private?
Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.
What’s included in the price?
Included items are alcoholic beverages, bottled water, soda/pop, snorkeling equipment, a paddle board, and the skipper.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch is not included.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Lapadska obala 4, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia.
What language is the tour offered in?
The tour is offered in English.
Is there a fuel surcharge?
Yes. A fuel surcharge of €100.00 per booking is not included.
What’s the cancellation policy?
You get free cancellation. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Is this experience weather-dependent?
Yes. It requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.










