Half-Day Elafiti Islands Private Speed Boat Tour by Quicksilver 675

Small boat, big island feeling. A private speed-boat day around the Elafiti Islands turns Dubrovnik’s shoreline into your own playground, with a skipper steering you toward beaches and sea time that fit your pace. You also get Dubrovnik sightseeing from the water before the islands start stealing the show.

I especially like two things about this tour: the customizable stops (you choose how long to stay in each place), and the fact that snorkel equipment and life jackets are included, so you show up ready to swim. The onboard beer and soft drinks also make the middle of the day feel relaxed, not rushed.

One consideration: the base price is per group, and there’s a fuel surcharge of €80 per booking plus no meal included. Also, there is no pickup or drop-off, so you need to get yourself to the meeting point.

Key things to know before you go

• Private and flexible timing: you decide how long you stay at Kolocep and Lopud.
• Blue Cave swim setup: masks for snorkeling are provided, and the plan includes anchoring near the cave.
• Sandy beach at Sunj: you can swim, sunbathe, and choose how much time to spend onshore.
• Drinks on board: bottled water plus beer and soft drinks are included.
• Good weather matters: the tour requires good weather, and you’ll be offered an alternate date or a refund if it’s canceled.
• Budget for fuel: fuel is not included, with an extra €80 per booking.

Why the Elafiti Islands feel worth the trip from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is famous for its walls, marble streets, and views. The Elafiti Islands (nearby islands off the coast) give you a totally different angle: open water, small coves, and the kind of coastline you do not get from land tours.

This is a half-day format, around four hours, which is important. It means you get island time without having to commit your whole day, and you can still plan for a proper Dubrovnik evening later. The private speed-boat setup also helps because you are not stuck pacing with a big group schedule.

The tour is also built around water-based highlights. You are cruising, stopping for swims, and getting short breaks where the sea does the work for you, like a natural soundtrack of waves and quiet.

Getting on Quicksilver 675 at Gruz, and how the private format plays out

You meet in Dubrovnik at Lapadska obala 4. The day starts from the port area at Gruz, then you head out along the coast toward the islands. The whole booking is for your group only, up to six people, so your time on the water feels controlled by you, not a crowd.

The private format is where the value shows. A lot of island tours are rigid: you get in, you park, you move on, you repeat. Here, your skipper can adjust how long you want in each stop. That matters most at Kolocep and Lopud, where the whole point is choosing your rhythm, swim time versus shoreline wandering.

Boat choice also matters. The vessel used is a Quicksilver 675 speed boat. In plain terms, that usually means you get comfortable speed between stops and more time enjoying the water itself instead of watching the clock.

Two practical notes. First, there’s no meal included, so plan to eat before or after. Second, there’s no pickup or drop-off, so you need to arrive on your own at the meeting point.

Dubrovnik Panorama from the water, including the bridge, Copacabana, and Daxa

Before you even reach the islands, you get a 30-minute cruise that frames Dubrovnik from the sea. This is when you get the best kind of orientation, you see the city’s coastline lines and how the harbor connects to the surrounding bays.

The highlights in this first stretch include views of the bridge entering the city, the Copacabana area, and Daxa, described as the island of ghosts on the way toward Kolocep. Even if you already know Dubrovnik, seeing it from this angle helps you connect what you see later back on land.

The payoff here is simple: it turns the ride into a warm-up, not just transportation. You are not staring at the back of someone’s hat in a shuttle. You are out on open water, with the city and coastline sliding past.

Potential drawback: if you are hoping for long sightseeing time in Dubrovnik itself, this is not that. It’s a short panorama cruise, then you shift gears to the islands.

Kolocep Island and the Blue Cave swim near the cliffs

Kolocep is one of the most popular Elafiti stops for a reason: it has small villages and dramatic shoreline, plus a Blue Cave on the south side. You sail about 20 to 25 minutes from Dubrovnik to reach it, and your time there is around 45 minutes, though you can control how much of it you want to spend.

Kolocep is known for its two villages, Gornje Celo and Donje Celo. That’s a detail worth caring about, because it hints at why the island feels calm compared to the big-city energy of Dubrovnik. Even when you are just anchoring near the cave, you get the sense you are stepping into a small community scale.

The main event is the Blue Cave swim plan. The tour anchors near the cave, and you can swim into it. Snorkeling masks are provided, and the tour also mentions a GoPro camera being provided. If you like water photos, this is the part of the day you will likely remember.

After the cave, you cruise along the cliffs. This is the quiet second act, when you stop trying to chase the perfect photo and just enjoy the shoreline texture. A cave is exciting, but cruising is where you start to feel the coastline at speed.

How to make this stop work for you:

• If you want the cave experience, keep an eye on your timing and wear your swim confidence, not your caution.
• If you prefer a calmer swim, use the anchor time to enjoy clear water close to where you are staying, then decide if you want another go at the cave.

One consideration: cave and swim plans depend on conditions. The overall tour requires good weather, and while the tour is set up for swimming, the cave visit is still a water activity.

Lopud Island’s Sunj Beach, plus monastery and garden time

After Kolocep, you shift to Lopud Island, where the famous stop is Sunj Beach. This is where the day often turns into the classic summer feeling: sandy shoreline, easy swimming, and time to relax without rushing from one view to another.

You get about two hours at Lopud. That’s long enough to decide what kind of day you want. You can stay on the boat for a cooler, sun-on-your-own schedule vibe. Or you can go ashore and fully enjoy the beach time.

The tour plan also adds small comforts that make a beach stop more enjoyable, not just scenic. You have cold water, beer, and soft drinks on the boat. That matters more than it sounds. After an active cave swim, having drinks ready makes the whole day feel smoother.

Lopud is not only beach. After Sunj, the plan can shift toward the island village. You may have time to visit the Dominican and Franciscan monastery, plus Đorđić-Mayneri park, small churches, and a botanical garden, with more stops possible depending on how your skipper times it.

This part is a nice balance. You get the ocean break, then you get a slower, onshore side of the islands. If your group mixes beach lovers with people who prefer wandering, Lopud is the stop that usually keeps everyone happy.

Possible drawback: two hours goes fast if your group wants both full beach time and a serious onshore visit. The upside is that you can adjust, because the tour is private and built around choices.

Drinks, snorkel gear, and the onboard comforts that add real value

It’s easy to think of boat tours as a transport service. This one is more like an organized half-day afloat.

Included items that matter day-of:

• Snorkel equipment (so you are not hunting for rentals)
• Life jackets for adults and children
• Bottled water
• Beer and soft drinks
• Skipper
• All taxes, fees, and handling charges

Those inclusions help you control budget and stress. You are not spending time negotiating with a rental counter, and you are not suddenly discovering that the drinks cost extra. It also means your money goes into the experience itself, especially the private time.

One small detail worth planning around: there’s a minimum drinking age of 18, so keep that in mind for mixed-age groups. Also, the tour note says service animals are allowed.

In practical terms, the best way to enjoy this tour is to treat it like a swim day with a guided route. Pack sun protection, bring dry clothes for later, and decide early if you want to prioritize the cave swim or the beach lounging.

Price and the €80 fuel surcharge, what it means for value

The stated price is $399.25 per group, up to six people, for about four hours. That matters because you are not pricing per person like many Dubrovnik tours. If you are traveling as a small group, this format can be strong value.

The big extra cost to account for is the fuel surcharge of €80 per booking, which is not included. Since it’s per booking, the more people you split it with, the less it hurts per person.

Meal costs are another gap. There’s no meal included, so you either eat before you go or plan a proper post-tour meal back in Dubrovnik. That’s normal for a short boat tour, but it’s still something to budget and plan for.

So is it worth it? If your priority is:

• Private access (your own pace)
• Water time at Kolocep and Lopud
• A swim-focused stop like the Blue Cave
• Included snorkel gear and drinks

Then the pricing makes sense. If you want a land-heavy day or you are traveling solo and not splitting the group price, you may want to compare against other island options.

Who should book this private speed-boat day, and who should skip it

This tour fits best if you want a blend of freedom and local guidance.

Book it if you:

• Like the idea of a private itinerary that you can shape on the fly
• Want a swim-heavy day with a cave stop and snorkeling gear
• Prefer a shorter time commitment, about half-day
• Have a group of up to six people and can share the group cost

You might skip it if you:

• Expect long on-land sightseeing in Dubrovnik during the day (this is mostly water time)
• Don’t want to plan around a swim activity, even though the gear is included
• Need pickup or drop-off service, because you meet at the port area yourself

There’s also a note about moderate physical fitness level. If you are generally steady in water and moving around a boat is comfortable, you should be fine. If not, you may want a more gentle option.

The quick decision guide: should you book?

I think this is a smart booking for couples or small groups who want Elafiti Islands time without the stress of crowded schedules. The two biggest reasons are the customizable private pacing and the fact that core comfort items are included, especially snorkel gear and drinks.

If you care about the Blue Cave swim and you want Sunj Beach time that can be either onshore or boat-based, this route hits the main notes. Just be honest about the tradeoffs: no meal, no pickup, and you should budget for the €80 fuel surcharge.

If your idea of an unforgettable Dubrovnik day is water, caves, and island hopping with a skipper who can steer the plan, then yes, book it. If you want a purely land-based cultural day, look for something else.

FAQ

How long is the Half-Day Elafiti Islands Private Speed Boat Tour?

It lasts about 4 hours.

What is the group size limit?

The tour is priced per group and is for up to 6 people.

Where do we meet for the tour?

You meet at Lapadska obala 4, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Is there pickup or drop-off included?

No. The tour has no pick up or drop off.

What is included in the price?

Included items are snorkel equipment, life jackets for adults and children, bottled water, beer and soft drinks, a skipper, and all taxes, fees, and handling charges.

Is snorkeling gear included?

Yes. Snorkel equipment is included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The tour includes beer and soft drinks, plus bottled water.

What additional cost should I expect?

A fuel surcharge of €80 per booking is not included, and meals are not included.

What languages is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What happens if weather is bad or I need to cancel?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance.