The Elaphiti Islands sit twenty minutes north of Dubrovnik by speedboat — close enough for a morning, far enough to feel like a different world. Three islands, each with its own character: Kolocep is wild and quiet, Lopud has the famous Sunj sandy beach, and Sipan is the furthest — vineyards, stone villages, and coves where you won’t see another boat.
You choose the boat and the duration. With 4 hours you’ll comfortably visit two islands — Kolocep and Lopud. With 6 or 8 hours you add Sipan and the hidden spots most tourists never see: the coves around Sudurad, the cliff-sheltered beaches at Sikirica and Brsecine, and the quieter side of Lopud that the ferries don’t reach.
Kolocep is where the swimming sets the bar. Your skipper picks the approach based on the wind — the south coast on calm mornings with white limestone seabeds and glass-flat water, or the sheltered north when conditions push in. Twenty-plus metres of visibility, pine canopy overhead, not a sunbed in sight.
Lopud means Sunj — the only proper sandy beach in the Dubrovnik region. Fine grain, shallow gradient, water that warms fast in the morning. We dock the boat right off the beach so you wade in from the swim platform.
Sipan (6h+ tours) is the reward for booking the longer option. Olive groves, a working harbour at Sudurad with a fortified palace, and some of the most protected swimming coves in the archipelago. Your skipper knows spots here that don’t appear on any map.
4 hours — Kolocep + Lopud (Sunj Beach). Two islands, two distinct swimming environments, back to port with the afternoon free.
6 hours — Add Sipan and the hidden coves between islands. Lunch stop at a waterfront restaurant or anchored in a quiet bay. Skrivene uvale (Sikirica, Brsecine) on the route.
8 hours — The full archipelago. All three islands, multiple swim stops, lunch, and enough time to explore at a genuinely relaxed pace. No rushing.
Your skipper adjusts everything in real time. The route, the stops, the pace — it all bends to fit your group.
Skipper, fuel, full safety equipment, insurance, quality snorkeling gear, towels, fresh water, and a cooler packed with ice. Food and drinks are yours to arrange — waterfront restaurants on the islands, or pack a picnic and eat it anchored in a quiet bay. Tips welcomed, never expected.
Old Town Port, Dubrovnik (or Gruz / Lapad)
Exact GPS coordinates and directions sent after booking.
Four hours was the perfect length for a morning on the water. Kolocep was stunning — we had an entire cove to ourselves. Then Sunj Beach on Lopud for a swim. Back to Dubrovnik by lunch.
We took the afternoon departure and had lunch at a restaurant on Lopud overlooking the harbour. Grilled octopus and white wine with our feet practically in the water. Then swam at Sunj. Perfect half-day.
Kolocep is a hidden gem. No cars, no crowds, just pine forests and rocky coves with incredible water. Our skipper found us a spot where the seabed was white sand and the water was turquoise.
We had two young kids and this was ideal. The boat rides between islands are short, Sunj Beach is shallow and sandy, and the whole thing felt relaxed. No rushing. The skipper was great with the children.
We booked the morning slot and it was perfect. Swimming at Kolocep by 9:30, Sunj Beach by 10:30, back in Dubrovnik by 13:00. Still had the whole afternoon to explore the Old Town.
The water around Kolocep is some of the clearest I've seen in the Mediterranean. We snorkeled near the rocks and saw fish, sea urchins, and even a small octopus. Great snorkeling gear on the boat.
Really enjoyed this tour. The only reason for 4 stars is I wished we'd booked the 6-hour version to see Sipan too. But for a half-day, it's packed with good stuff.
Six of us split the cost and it worked out to about 70 euros each. For a private boat, a skipper, fuel, and four hours of island hopping — that's outstanding value.
September was gorgeous — warm water, quiet beaches, and we practically had Kolocep to ourselves. The skipper adjusted the route to catch the best swimming spots. Highly recommend.
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