4h / 6h / 8h Elaphite Islands Tour with 6.5m/21FT SunDeck Boat

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat tour is the freedom to shape your day. You can swim in Kolocep’s Blue Cave, snorkel at the Green Caves, stretch out on Sunj Beach, eat on Lopud, and add Sipan if your timing allows. The 6.5-meter SunDeck boat is private, so you are not tied to a large group or a fixed pace.

I like the included snacks, drinks, and alcohol, since you can settle into the day without watching every small purchase. I also like the free transfer from your Dubrovnik accommodation, which saves you the bother of reaching the harbor on your own.

The main consideration is the price: $608.82 per group, listed for up to five people, is a serious outlay for a short group outing. The tour information also says up to six people can board, so confirm the exact passenger limit before paying.

Key points to know before booking

• Choose 4, 6, or 8 hours: A shorter trip can cover the caves and Sunj Beach, while a longer booking gives you time for Lopud and Sipan without rushing.
• Swim through Kolocep’s caves: The Blue Cave is the first stop, followed by the Green Caves, with snorkeling gear available to borrow.
• Enjoy a private route: Your skipper discusses the plan with you before departure and can adjust the day to suit your interests.
• Eat and walk on Lopud: You can visit the Franciscan monastery, see the Church of St. Mary, and stop for Dalmatian food.
• Drinks are already covered: Snacks, soft drinks, and alcohol are included.
• Pickup is simple: A car transfer from your Dubrovnik hotel or accommodation to the harbor is included.

A private boat day from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a fine place to look out over the Adriatic, but the best way to understand its nearby islands is to leave the city behind for a few hours. The Elaphite Islands sit close enough for a practical day trip, yet they offer a different rhythm: small settlements, quiet coves, sandy beaches, and old stone buildings.

This outing uses a 6.5-meter, 21-foot SunDeck boat. That is a useful size for a private party because it is small enough to feel personal but large enough for a relaxed coastal trip. The price is charged by the group rather than by each person. Split among five people, the cost works out to about $122 per person. Split among six, it is about $101 per person, assuming six passengers are accepted.

That makes the trip easier to justify for a family or group of friends than for two people. You are paying for the boat, skipper, transfer, drinks, equipment, and private use of the day. Still, you should compare the cost with a shared boat excursion before booking, especially if you only want a quick swim and one beach stop.

You can choose four, six, or eight hours. The listed stops add up to roughly four hours, before allowing for cruising, swimming, lunch, and the return to Dubrovnik. A four-hour booking will need a tighter plan. Six hours is likely the most useful middle choice, while eight hours gives you room to linger and include Sipan without turning every stop into a timed photo break.

Getting to the harbor without the usual hassle

Pickup is offered from Dubrovnik’s Old Town city harbor, the main Gruz harbor, and some hotels. The company also provides a free car transfer from any location in Dubrovnik city to the meeting point.

That detail matters more than it may seem. Dubrovnik’s Old Town streets are not designed for easy vehicle access, and reaching the right harbor with beach gear can be inconvenient. A car transfer means you do not need to arrange a separate taxi or guess which port your boat uses.

At the harbor, you meet your skipper and discuss the plan before leaving. Use this moment well. Tell the skipper if swimming matters more than sightseeing, if you want a long lunch on Lopud, or if you would rather spend extra time around the caves. The tour is private and tailored, so your preferences should guide the route.

One captain named in the tour’s customer feedback is Ivan, who received strong praise for his handling of the day. Captain assignments can change, so do not assume Ivan will be at the helm. If having a particular skipper matters to you, ask the company when booking.

Kolocep’s Blue Cave is the first swim

After about 20 minutes of cruising, the boat reaches Kolocep Island and the Blue Cave. This is the trip’s first proper stop, and it sets the tone for the rest of the day.

You can swim, use the loaner snorkeling equipment, or stay on the boat with a cold drink. The stop is scheduled for about 45 minutes, which is enough for a swim and a look around but not an extended beach visit. Bring a secure way to carry your phone if you want photographs near the water. No separate admission fee is listed for the cave stop.

The Blue Cave is a good first stop because it gives you an immediate choice. Active swimmers can get into the water, while anyone who prefers a slower start can remain aboard. This flexibility is especially useful in a mixed group where not everyone has the same energy level.

The boat is a better base than a crowded public excursion for this sort of stop. You can leave towels and bags onboard, return for a drink, and avoid the pressure to keep up with strangers. The tradeoff is that the experience depends on sea conditions and weather. This is an outdoor boat trip, not a guaranteed cave visit under every condition.

The Green Caves are for snorkeling and a slower pace

From the Blue Cave, the skipper makes a short cruise to Kolocep’s Green Caves. About 30 minutes is planned here. The stop is less about sightseeing on land and more about being in the water or relaxing aboard the boat.

Use this time for snorkeling if the sea is suitable. Loaner equipment is included, which means you do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel. If you are not interested in swimming, this is a pleasant chance to sit in the shade or enjoy one of the included beverages while the rest of your group explores.

The two Kolocep stops work well together. The Blue Cave offers the more obvious first highlight, while the Green Caves give you another chance to swim without moving on too quickly. If you choose the four-hour option, these stops may take up a large share of your time, so tell the skipper whether the caves are a priority.

Sunj Beach brings sand to an island-hopping day

Sunj Beach, on Lopud, is described as the most famous sandy beach near Dubrovnik. That makes it a useful change of scene after the rocky shoreline and cave stops.

You have about an hour here. Walk on the sand, swim, relax, or try picigin, a Croatian beach game played in shallow water. The beach also has a few bars, so you can buy something locally if you want a break from the boat. Your included drinks and snacks remain useful, but the beach bars give you another option.

Sunj is not the place for complete solitude. Its fame means it can feel busier than the cave stops, particularly at popular times. Still, the sand is a real advantage for families and anyone who does not enjoy climbing in and out of a boat for every swim.

The one-hour stop is enough to experience the beach, but it may feel short if you want a long swim, a drink at the bar, and time to dry off. If Sunj is your main reason for booking, say so before departure. The private format gives your skipper a chance to adjust the balance.

Lopud mixes old stone and a proper lunch stop

Lopud offers more than a quick swim. The planned visit lasts about 90 minutes, giving you time to walk through the small settlement, visit the Franciscan monastery, and see the 15th-century Church of St. Mary.

This is the stop that adds cultural interest to the day. The caves and beach are enjoyable, but Lopud gives you a chance to step off the boat and see how the islands feel on land. The monastery and church provide a clear connection to the island’s past without requiring a long guided museum visit.

You can also eat lunch at one of the restaurants serving Dalmatian food. One account of the trip describes the driver arranging a restaurant on Lopud, so ask your skipper or transfer provider about lunch planning before you arrive. Restaurant arrangements are not stated as part of the price, so expect food to be an extra cost.

Ninety minutes is enough for a modest walk and meal, but not for a long exploration of Lopud. Keep your watch in mind if you order lunch. Boat days become less enjoyable when everyone is waiting for one late meal.

Sipan adds a quieter final island stop

The final listed stop is Sipan, also written as Shipan. You have about 45 minutes to visit the Skocibuha castle. Admission is not included, so bring a little extra money if you want to enter.

Sipan makes most sense on the six- or eight-hour version. On a four-hour trip, adding another island could leave you with very little time at the earlier stops. On a longer outing, Sipan gives you a final change of scenery and a chance to see one of the islands’ notable historic sites.

The information provided does not promise a full island tour or a long visit at the castle. Think of this as a focused stop rather than an extensive historical excursion. If the castle is important to you, ask how much time is available and whether admission is open on your travel date.

What is included, and what is not

The package includes snacks and beverages, including alcohol. That is a meaningful convenience on a hot day, when repeated drinks can quickly add to the cost of a boat outing.

Loaner snorkeling gear is also available. You may still prefer to bring your own equipment if you have a favorite mask or need a particular fit, but the included gear keeps packing simple.

Transport from your Dubrovnik accommodation to the meeting harbor is included. Pickup is possible at the Old Town harbor, Gruz harbor, and some hotels, with citywide car transfer offered to the meeting point.

The listed price does not include admission to Skocibuha castle. Lunch on Lopud is also not identified as included, so budget separately for restaurant food and any purchases at Sunj Beach. The information says up to five people for the stated $608.82 group price, while another description permits six onboard. Confirm the maximum group size and final price directly.

Who will enjoy this boat tour most

I would recommend this outing to a group that wants control over the day. Families, couples traveling with friends, and small groups with mixed interests can make good use of the private format. Swimmers can head for the caves, while others can stay aboard or spend more time on land.

It is also a good fit if you want several different experiences in one outing: swimming, snorkeling, a sandy beach, island villages, local food, and historic buildings. The route has more variety than a simple beach transfer.

You should think twice if you dislike boats, need a fully fixed schedule, or want an in-depth guided history tour. The emphasis is on flexible coastal time, not a long formal explanation at each site. The trip also depends on good weather. If poor conditions cancel the outing, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded or accepted, and the cut-off follows local time.

My call: book it for a group, not for a quick bargain

Book this tour if you have four to six people, want a private boat, and would rather build your own day than follow a fixed group schedule. The caves, Sunj Beach, Lopud, and Sipan create a strong mix, while the included drinks, snorkeling gear, and Dubrovnik pickup remove several small hassles.

For a small party of two, the cost is harder to defend unless privacy matters greatly. In that case, compare the total price with a shared trip. If you do book, choose at least six hours if you want the full range of stops, and confirm the passenger limit, skipper, restaurant plan, and castle admission before departure.

FAQ

How long does the Elaphite Islands tour last?

You can choose an approximate duration of four, six, or eight hours.

How much does the private boat tour cost?

The listed price is $608.82 per group, with the price information stating up to five people. Another part of the tour details says up to six people can board, so confirm the exact capacity before booking.

Where can pickup take place?

Pickup is available at Dubrovnik’s Old Town city harbor, the main Gruz harbor, and some hotels. A free car transfer from any location in Dubrovnik city to the meeting point is also offered.

Are snacks and drinks included?

Yes. Snacks and beverages, including alcohol, are included in the tour price.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Loaner snorkeling gear is available for use during the cave and swimming stops.

Which islands and places does the boat visit?

The route includes Kolocep’s Blue Cave and Green Caves, Sunj Beach, Lopud, and Sipan. On Lopud, you can visit the Franciscan monastery and the Church of St. Mary. On Sipan, you can visit Skocibuha castle.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not listed as included. You can eat at a restaurant on Lopud, and food at restaurants or beach bars is paid separately.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the company cancels because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.