2025 Private Speedboat Tour: My Take on the Elaphiti Islands & Their Secret Caves

Setting Sail: What the Private Speedboat Experience Actually Feels Like

Okay, so let’s talk about the actual boat, right? The one we got was pretty much brand new, you know, with really comfortable cushioned seats and a nice-sized sun deck at the front. It’s actually a massive part of the day, feeling good on the boat itself, so this was a great start. Our skipper, a guy named Ivan, was just incredibly cool and seemed to know basically every rock and cove along the coast. He wasn’t just a driver; honestly, he was more like a local guide who genuinely loved showing off his home turf. As a matter of fact, his easygoing attitude pretty much set the tone for the entire relaxing day. You sort of need that connection with the skipper when you’re looking into finding the right private boat charter.

I mean, pulling away from the old port in Dubrovnik is really a moment in itself. You, like, see the huge city walls from a completely different point of view, and they just look so impressive from the water. Then, of course, the boat picks up speed, and that feeling is absolutely fantastic. The wind, you know, whips through your hair, and the salty spray from the Adriatic is just a little bit refreshing on a hot day. It’s pretty much the opposite of being stuck in a crowded group on a big, slow ferry. Seriously, we could just stretch out and enjoy the view of the coastline speeding by. I honestly recommend thinking about what you should pack for the day to be totally comfortable.

First Stop, Koločep: Green Vistas and a Surprise Blue Cave

Frankly, our first stop was the island of Koločep, which the locals apparently just call Kalamota. The first thing you notice is that it’s incredibly green; I mean, it’s covered in these tall pine trees and ancient-looking olive groves. There are, you know, no cars on the island at all, so the quiet is just a bit startling at first, but in a very good way. It just has this really peaceful, untouched vibe that is a perfect first taste of the Elaphiti archipelago. We basically just pulled into a small, quiet bay, and the water was unbelievably clear. You could see all the little fish swimming around the boat, which was kind of magical.

Now, the real reason to visit Koločep, of course, is for its caves. Ivan took us over to the Blue Cave, which you actually swim into from the open sea. I mean, to be honest, I was a little nervous, but he showed us exactly where to go. The moment you swim inside and look back towards the entrance is, well, pretty amazing. The light reflects off the sandy sea floor and it literally makes the whole cave glow with this unearthly blue light. Our skipper knew to go at just the right time of day, so we sort of had it more or less to ourselves for a little bit. It’s a very popular spot, so more about exploring sea caves will tell you timing is everything. It was, at the end of the day, an experience I won’t soon forget.

Besides the main cave, Koločep apparently has some other charms. For example, there are these sandy coves dotted around the island that are just perfect for a quick dip away from everyone else. We, you know, stopped at one for about half an hour just to float around and soak up the sun. The skipper pointed out some walking paths that crisscross the island, which could be great if you had more time. As a matter of fact, there’s a little village with a small cafe where you could probably grab a coffee. We decided to save our time for swimming, but it’s definitely nice checking out the beaches on the islands whenever you get the chance.

On to Lopud: Sandy Shores and a Slice of History

Okay, so next up was Lopud island, which is probably the most well-known of the three main Elaphiti Islands. The trip over from Koločep was really lovely; it’s just a short zip across the water. You can clearly see how each island has its own unique character. Lopud immediately feels a bit more lively, with a beautiful waterfront promenade lined with stone houses and a few more cafes and shops. Still, it’s a totally pedestrian island, so it has this wonderfully relaxed, holiday feel. It’s sort of a perfect blend of natural beauty and gentle human presence, which is very appealing.

The main attraction on Lopud is, obviously, Šunj beach, which is pretty famous in the region. It’s located on the opposite side of the island from the main village. So, you can either take a twenty-minute walk through the island’s green interior or hop on one of the little golf cart taxis, which is kind of a fun experience in itself. Šunj is a bit unusual for Croatia because it’s a huge, crescent-shaped bay of actual sand. The water is incredibly shallow for almost a hundred meters out, making it really great for just wading and playing around. It felt almost like a Caribbean beach, which was a nice surprise. For anyone tired of pebble beaches, finding other sandy beaches nearby might be a top priority.

Lopud, by the way, has a really interesting past. At the end of the day, it was once a getaway for Dubrovnik’s wealthy families. You can still see hints of that history in the grand stone houses and the remains of old churches scattered around. For instance, our skipper pointed out a huge Franciscan monastery overlooking the main bay, which just looked so dramatic up on the hill. We didn’t climb up, but just hearing a little about it adds so much more to the visit. You know, just strolling along the promenade and imagining what it was like centuries ago is a really pleasant way to spend an hour. It is a good idea to spend time learning about the local history before you go.

Šipan: A Taste of Local Life and Olive Oil

Frankly, our final main stop was Šipan, which is the biggest of the Elaphiti Islands. This one feels very different from the others; it’s less of a tourist destination and more of a real, working island where people actually live and farm. There are two main villages, Suđurađ, where we pulled in, and Šipanska Luka, on the other side. Suđurađ is dominated by a big, fortified castle from the 16th century, which is pretty much the first thing you see. It really gives the place a feeling of authenticity and history. This is the island you visit to sort of see what daily life in this part of the world is like.

Basically, we were getting pretty hungry by this point, so Ivan recommended a family-run restaurant, a ‘konoba’, right on the water in Suđurađ. This was definitely a highlight. We just sat at a simple wooden table, feet almost in the water, and had the most amazing lunch. I mean, we ordered a big platter of grilled fish that was caught that very morning, served with potatoes and greens slick with local olive oil. Honestly, everything was so simple but tasted absolutely incredible. It was one of those meals that you just know you’ll remember for a very long time. It really is a must-do, trying out the local cuisine like this.

After lunch, we took a really slow cruise along Šipan’s coastline. Ivan pointed out the endless groves of olive trees, which, apparently, Šipan is famous for. You know, he said some of the trees are hundreds of years old, which is just wild to think about. He even had a small bottle of olive oil from his own family’s trees on Šipan, and he let us try some with bread. It was so peppery and green, totally different from store-bought stuff. You just don’t get those little personal touches on a big tour boat. It’s little things like discovering local products that make a private tour feel special.

The Hidden Gems: Beyond the Main Three Islands

Okay, so one of the absolute best parts of having a private speedboat is the freedom to go off the beaten path. In other words, after visiting the main islands, we asked our skipper if he knew any quiet spots for one last swim. His eyes sort of lit up, you know, as if that was the question he was waiting for all day. He took us to a small, completely deserted cove tucked away behind a rocky outcrop that you would literally never find on your own. There was nobody there, absolutely nobody. The only sound was the cicadas buzzing in the trees on the shore.

This little secret spot was probably my favorite part of the entire day, to be honest. The water here was just a different shade of blue-green, almost like a gemstone, and so incredibly clear you could see every pebble on the bottom ten meters down. We just dropped anchor, and my partner and I spent nearly an hour just diving off the boat, floating on our backs, and swimming to the tiny pebble beach. It was, I mean, the definition of peaceful. Having that little piece of the Adriatic all to ourselves felt like such a luxury. So, if you ever get a chance, you have to try finding your own secret swimming spot.

I guess the big takeaway here is to just talk to your skipper. These guys have been sailing these waters their whole lives. If you tell them what you like—whether it’s snorkeling, quiet coves, or little beach bars—they can almost always make it happen. You know, the pre-planned itinerary is great, but the real magic of a private tour comes from its flexibility. So, don’t be shy about asking if you can stay longer somewhere or skip something to go explore a spot that looks interesting. At the end of the day, that’s what you’re paying for. You really can have a great time customizing your boat tour to be exactly what you want it to be.