Private Speedboat Guided Tour: Explore the best of Dubrovnik Islands

Speedboat days on the Adriatic are hard to beat. I like that this is a private setup (up to 12 people) with a skipper-led plan, so you get the islands without the “follow the crowd” feeling. I also love the built-in chance to swim and snorkel around Dubrovnik’s famed caves, including the Blue Cave area with those dramatic sun rays.

One thing to plan for: the tour lists a 100EUR fuel surcharge paid in cash on the day. Also, the day runs only with good weather, so if seas are rough, your schedule can shift.

Quick take: what makes this island speedboat tour work

• Private boat, up to 12 people, so you can choose shade or sun and keep the day at a comfortable pace
• No experience required, since the skipper guides the timing, routes, and when to swim
• Snorkeling equipment is included, and the itinerary builds in real time for it
• Kolocep and Lopud get most of the time, with a beach break on Lopud (Sunj)
• Two cave moments, including a Blue Cave swim and a later stop at three caves
• Food is flexible, since lunch is on you but restaurants on the islands are easy to use

A private speedboat day built around islands, caves, and swim breaks

This isn’t the kind of Dubrovnik tour where you stare at the coast from a seat and call it an outing. It’s a speedboat day that focuses on moving between islands, stopping where the scenery is best, and giving you time in the water if you want it.

Because it’s private, you can keep things simple. You’re not negotiating for space on a crowded tour boat, and you’re not getting dragged along on a fixed script. Most people just want a smooth, scenic day with easy swimming options, and that’s exactly what this format aims for.

The itinerary is also structured in a way that makes sense for a long day. You get a dramatic “from-the-water” start, a solid stretch on the island highlights, and then a beach-and-rest rhythm in the afternoon.

Lovrijenac views and Dubrovnik legends from the water

Your first stop is all about perspective. From the boat, you get panoramic views of Dubrovnik’s old town city walls, and the skipper shares city legends and facts as you cruise. That storytelling matters because it turns a pretty skyline into something you can actually picture.

Then you pass under Lovrijenac fortress. The fortress is famous for sitting on a steep cliff, about 37 meters above the Adriatic. Even if you’ve seen pictures, the water-level view hits different because you can sense the height and the geography that made the location defensible.

Practical tip: if you want photos of the walls and fortress, this is the moment. Later stops are beautiful too, but the best “big picture Dubrovnik” views happen early.

Kolocep Island and the Blue Cave swim with sun-ray color

Kolocep Island is where the day starts leaning into water time. The itinerary recommends you go for the Blue Cave experience, and yes, it’s one of those spots where the entrance looks small and then opens up into something much larger once you’re inside.

The magic is the light. When the sun hits the cave walls at the right angle, the water and rock can turn that famous blue color people travel for. Snorkeling is ideal here, but even if you’re not a confident swimmer, the skipper leads and you can choose how adventurous you get.

Stop length is about 1 hour for the Kolocep Blue Cave portion. That’s a realistic window: enough time to get in, swim, and enjoy the lighting without rushing you out the second you relax.

A consideration: if you’re prone to motion sickness, keep that in mind. Speedboats move faster than ferries, and you’ll want to sit where you feel stable.

Lopud Island: village time, botanical gardens, and a monastery

Next comes Lopud Island and its quieter feel. The plan includes time to visit the village, and it’s also where lunch can be organized at popular restaurants.

Lopud is known for gardens connected to the Dubrovnik Republic era. The idea is simple but interesting: sailors brought back exotic plants from their voyages, and over time that helped shape botanical gardens on the island. If you like places where history shows up in everyday details, this is a good stop.

You also have the Franciscan monastery from the 15th century. That gives the island a strong historic anchor, even if you only walk through for a short while.

And there’s modern contrast too: a Museum of Light opened recently. The name alone tells you the experience likely blends illumination and design themes, which fits the overall “light and caves” rhythm of the day.

Stop length is about 1 hour. It’s enough for a short walk, a viewpoint or two, and then lunch if you want it. If your group loves slow exploring, you might wish that were longer, but it’s still a solid taste of Lopud.

Šunj Beach on the south side of Lopud: warm, shallow water time

After lunch options, you get a beach break at Šunj on the south side of Lopud. The schedule calls this afternoon siesta time, which is a polite way of saying: you’ll probably feel good being off the boat for a while.

Šunj is sandy, and the water is shallow for a long stretch, up to about waist level. The payoff is that the water stays warm, and that can be a huge advantage if you’re traveling with kids or anyone who prefers not to fight currents.

There are also beach bars where you can grab coffee, cocktails, or lunch. Even though lunch isn’t included in the tour price, this makes the afternoon easy to handle.

Stop length is about 2 hours, which I think is about right for a beach intermission. You get enough time to swim, relax, and cool down before the last island segments.

Sipan and Sudurad: a short stop for noble-village history

Sipan is the smaller “quick hit” on the schedule, about 30 minutes. It’s still a meaningful stop because you visit Sudurad, a fishing village on the island.

Sipan was popular with the nobles of Dubrovnik in earlier times, and the skipper uses that connection to add context about aristocratic Dubrovnik families. You also get the rocky beach atmosphere and a chance to take in views from the coastline.

This isn’t where you’ll linger for hours. It’s more about adding another island flavor and keeping the route varied. If you have a group that loves beaches and caves equally, Sipan is the palate cleanser between them.

Blue Cave Dubrovnik: the three-cave swim moment on Kolocep

Later in the day, you’ll return to the cave theme with a stop listed as Blue Cave Dubrovnik. This portion focuses on three caves along the cliff side of Kolocep.

The description is dramatic: the sea’s abrasive effect carved out three caves for you to marvel at. In practical terms, it means you’re not just looking at one opening. You get a cave system feel, with multiple swim-through areas.

Stop length is about 40 minutes. That should give you time to put on snorkel gear, swim through, and still enjoy the scenery without feeling trapped in a queue.

One more consideration: cave time depends on conditions. If the water is calmer, snorkeling tends to feel more comfortable. If it’s choppy, you’ll want to listen closely to the skipper about what to attempt and what to skip.

What’s included, what costs extra, and how to judge the value

The headline price is $802.84 per group, for up to 12 people. That’s the key value point: you’re paying for a private boat and skipper time, not per person on a crowded schedule.

Included in the price:

• Soda and bottled water
• Local beer and red and white wine
• Snorkeling equipment
• Skipper/host
• Boat rental

Not included:

• Lunch (you can organize it at island restaurants)
• Fuel surcharge: 100EUR in cash on the day of the tour

That fuel surcharge is worth factoring into your budget. If you’re splitting the boat with a full group of 12, it can be surprisingly manageable, but if you’re a small group, you’ll feel it more.

Is it worth it? For many people, yes, because you get:

• Real private pacing
• Multiple island stops in one day
• Snorkeling gear provided
• Drinks included

If you were to piece this together yourself with separate transfers and guided activities, you’d likely spend more time coordinating and more money on basics. Here, you’re buying a smooth day with the “hard parts” handled.

Boats, comfort, and why the skipper matters

The tour runs on a private speedboat, and the boat size used on at least one example run was an Atlantic 750 with plenty of room. That matters because comfort changes everything on an 8-hour day.

The comfort setup usually comes down to two choices you can make during the day:

• Sit in the shade in the back if you want a calmer, cooler ride
• Move to the front or sunniest spots when you want to soak up the day

Also, the skipper is the heart of this tour. This itinerary works because someone local handles timing, route choices, and the safest way to do each swim. Skippers named Niksa and Antonio are specifically mentioned as friendly, helpful, and easygoing, including for families and couples.

If you want a low-stress day, this is where you’ll feel it. The skipper can tailor the day to what your group is comfortable doing, including choosing when to swim and where to refuel with food.

Where this tour fits best (and who might rethink it)

This tour is especially good for:

• Couples who want romance without the crowding of bigger boats
• Families who want kids to enjoy shallow water time and easy swimming options
• Groups of friends who want to split the boat cost and share a flexible day
• Anyone who loves cave and light scenes but also wants beach breaks

You might reconsider if:

• Your group hates speedboat rides or is very prone to seasickness
• You only want a strict walking and sightseeing day with no water time
• You’re on a tight schedule that can’t handle weather adjustments

A practical way to plan your day

To get the most out of an island speedboat day, I’d plan for sun, water, and short walking segments.

Bring:

• Swimwear under your clothes
• Sunscreen you can reapply easily
• A cover-up or towel for the beach segment
• Any basics you need for comfort, like a hat

Wear:

• Shoes you can walk in comfortably at rocky shore stops

Think about timing:

• Start strong in the morning for the best “Dubrovnik from the water” views
• Use the Šunj beach segment to reset after cave and island hopping
• Keep a little energy for the late cave swim, since that part is time boxed but memorable

Should you book this private Dubrovnik islands speedboat tour?

If you want a real sea day, this is a strong choice. You’re paying for privacy, skipper guidance, and included snorkel gear, plus you get both caves and beach time in a single route. It’s also one of the better ways to experience islands around Dubrovnik without spending your day coordinating ferries.

Book it if:

• Your group is comfortable with the idea of swimming and short cave visits
• You value privacy and flexibility more than museum time
• You can handle an extra cash fuel surcharge and weather-dependent scheduling

Skip it or look at alternatives if:

• You don’t want to be on the water for long stretches
• Your plans won’t tolerate changes if seas are rough
• You’re expecting lunch and transport to be fully included in the base price

Bottom line: for the right group, this is the kind of Dubrovnik experience that feels like money well spent because it turns the islands into the main event, not an afterthought.

FAQ

How many people are in this private speedboat tour?

It’s a private tour for your group only, with a maximum group size of up to 12 people.

What is the duration of the tour?

The tour is listed as about 8 hours.

Does the tour require boating or snorkeling experience?

No experience is required. A skipper leads the tour, and snorkeling equipment is provided if you want to swim.

What islands and stops are included in the itinerary?

The itinerary includes stops connected to Dubrovnik views, Kolocep Island (including Blue Cave time), Lopud Island (village and sites), Šunj Beach on Lopud, Sipan (Sudurad), and a later Blue Cave stop linked to three caves.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes soda/pop, bottled water, local beer, red and white wine, snorkeling equipment, a skipper/host, and boat rental.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included. You can organize lunch at restaurants on the islands during the free time.

Is there an extra fuel surcharge?

Yes. There is a fuel surcharge of 100EUR paid in cash on the day of the tour.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

What if weather is poor or I need to cancel?

This experience requires good weather. It offers free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.