About this tour
When Sarah from our team took the Quicksilver 675 out to the Elafiti Islands, she spent a full day bouncing between three car-free Croatian islands—Koločep, Lopud and Sipan—in a private speedboat. The archipelago sits northwest of Dubrovnik and feels genuinely removed from the tourist crush; these islands have no vehicles, just walking paths, local restaurants, and quiet bays. The itinerary's flexible (you sort the route with your skipper), so you're anchoring where you fancy, swimming in clear water, snorkelling, and timing your return for that Adriatic golden-hour run back to town. Eight hours total, and it works for families or mates looking to escape without the group-tour rigmarole.
Highlights
- Skip the crowds—Koločep and Lopud are car-free islands with walking-only vibes
- Anchor in quiet private bays; flexibility means you choose where to linger
- Snorkel straight from the boat in clearer water than most Dubrovnik shorelines
- Pick lunch from island restaurants instead of pre-packed tour fare
- Watch the Adriatic sunset from the water on the return sail
- Private boat means no queuing, no large-group toilet queues
- Skipper handles navigation; you just relax, swim, and soak it in
- All snorkel gear supplied; drinks and water on board
What to expect
You'll start in the morning and head northwest towards the Elafitis in a dedicated speedboat with your skipper. The ride is smooth enough, but expect some water spray if the sea's choppy. Once you reach the first island—say, Lopud—you've got time to explore the village on foot (no cars means quiet, narrow lanes), grab coffee, or swim from a sandy beach. The skipper will suggest anchorages and snorkel spots based on conditions and your preference, so you're not locked into a rigid schedule. Most people spend an hour or two per island, swimming between stops or snorkelling over shallow reefs. You'll eat lunch at one of the island tavernas (your choice, your cost), then continue island-hopping or find a secluded bay to relax. The ride back gives you an hour to sit back, drink in the view, and catch that sunset light.
What worked for Sarah: the flexibility and the absence of crowds. The islands feel lived-in, not theme-parked. The snorkelling is decent—clear enough to spot small fish and seagrass—and the boat itself is roomy. The pace is leisurely; there's no rushing. One thing to note: you're on the water for most of the day, so sun exposure is real. Waves can get choppy if the wind picks up, which might feel rougher than expected if you're not used to boats.
Good to know
This is one of the few ways to see the Elafitis without a packed tour bus or ferry schedule. The car-free islands feel removed from Dubrovnik's tourist machinery, and hiring a private boat means you're not queuing with dozens of others. The skipper and snorkel gear are included, and drinks (beer, soft drinks, water) are on tap. Families tend to love it because you can tailor the day—stay longer at a kid-friendly beach, skip the rough snorkel spot, anchor near a quiet restaurant. The sunset return is genuinely lovely.
Fuel (€150) is paid in cash on the day—that's a surprise cost not in the headline price. There's no pick-up or drop-off, so you're meeting the boat at a dock and getting yourself back to town (public transport nearby, but adds hassle). It's a full eight hours on water, so sun and motion sickness are real risks; bring high-SPF sunscreen and take seasickness tablets if you're prone. Walking on the islands is easy, but you'll want decent shoes (paths are rocky, not paved). Children under a certain age must sit on an adult's lap; prams/strollers can come but won't be practical on island paths. Not suited if you have heart or mobility issues. Peak season (summer) means the islands and restaurants get busier, but still quieter than Dubrovnik itself. Lunch isn't included—budget for island restaurant prices, which are touristy but reasonable (€12–18 mains).
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original Global Hobo summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.