Islands & Caves Private Tour with pickup, drinks & fuel included

The best part of this private boat day is the freedom to shape it around your group. You move from Dubrovnik’s Blue Cave to Kolocep’s sea caves, sandy Sunj Beach, Lopud’s village, and Sipan’s quiet bays without sharing the boat with strangers. Bruno and Kiko are named as especially helpful skippers, and lunch plans can be arranged along the way.

I like the private pickup and flexible pace, especially for families or groups who want to swim more and sightsee less. I also like that fuel, snorkel gear, lifejackets, water, soft drinks, and alcohol are already covered. The main catch is weather: on a windy day, spray can leave you quite wet, and lunch costs extra.

Key points at a glance

• Three Elaphiti islands in one day: Visit Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan without arranging separate boat trips.
• Several swim stops: The Blue Cave, Kolocep’s green caves, Sunj Beach, and Sikirica Cove each offer a different setting for swimming and snorkeling.
• A truly private boat: Only your group of up to six takes part, so the skipper can adjust the timing and stops.
• Pickup and drinks included: Hotel or home pickup, fuel, bottled water, soda, and alcoholic drinks are part of the package.
• Lopud gets the most time: Three hours allow room for the village, monasteries, a walk, or a possible golf cart tour.
• Lunch is flexible but not included: Your skipper can suggest a restaurant, reserve a table, and take you there by boat.

Why this private boat day works so well

The Elaphiti islands sit just off Dubrovnik, but they feel far removed from the city’s traffic and crowds. This tour gives you a full day on the water, with enough variety to keep the trip from becoming a string of identical swim stops.

You begin with caves and clear water, move on to a sandy beach, spend time in an island village, and finish with another quiet cove. I like that mix. You get active stops, time to rest, and a little local island life in one outing.

The private setup matters most. A group of six can decide to stay longer at Sunj Beach, shorten a village walk, or spend more time snorkeling at Sikirica Cove. On a shared boat, you usually follow the clock. Here, the skipper can make the day feel more personal, within the limits of the route and weather.

Pickup is another practical advantage. You do not need to make your own way to a marina, and the boat returns you after the outing. The transport portion is air-conditioned, while the boat gives you the main view of the coast.

Starting at Dubrovnik’s Blue Cave

The first stop is the Blue Cave, reached only by boat. You enter the cave from the water and swim inside with the supplied snorkel equipment.

This is a short stop of about 30 minutes, so think of it as a striking opening rather than a long beach session. Bring your swimsuit under your clothes and keep your camera ready, since you will be moving between the boat and the water.

The cave is best for people comfortable getting into the sea. Lifejackets are provided, but the description centers on swimming and snorkeling, so anyone who prefers to stay dry should tell the skipper before entering.

Kolocep’s three green caves and fishing village

Kolocep follows with three additional caves, all close to the Blue Cave. The first is described as large and easy to enter, making it a gentle start before the darker and more interesting caves farther along.

You have about 45 minutes for the cave stop. The water is the main attraction, and the short distance between the caves means less time is lost getting from one sight to the next. Still, cave conditions depend on the sea. If the wind picks up, boat spray and choppy water can change the feel of this part of the day.

After the caves, the boat stops at a small fishing village on Kolocep for roughly 45 minutes. You can walk around, visit the small shop, or sit at the coffee bar beside the sea. This is a useful pause after swimming, particularly if not everyone in your group wants to remain in the water.

I would keep expectations modest here. This is a small village stop, not a long sightseeing visit. Its value is the slower pace and chance to see a lived-in island setting between the more scenic boat stops.

Sunj Beach on Lopud

Sunj Beach is the tour’s main sandy beach stop and one of its best choices for families. The water stays shallow over a broad area, making it easier for children and less confident swimmers to enjoy the sea.

You have about one hour here. There are beach bars and restaurants, sun beds, umbrellas, and other basic facilities. That makes Sunj more convenient than a completely undeveloped cove, though it also means you should not expect total solitude.

This is the place to relax rather than rush. You can swim, sit in the sand, or use the available beach facilities. Because lunch is not part of the tour price, Sunj may also be a practical place for a casual meal, although the itinerary allows more time for dining later on Lopud or Sipan.

If you want a quiet, rocky swimming stop with no services, Sunj is not that. Its appeal is easy access, shallow water, and a simple beach break that works well for mixed-age groups.

Three hours to explore Lopud

The longest stop is Lopud, with about three hours available. That gives you time to explore the village side of the island, visit the Dominican and Franciscan monasteries, and see the Đorđić-Majneri area mentioned for the island stop.

If you did not take a golf cart tour, the boat docks near the village harbor. That leaves you free to walk around rather than being rushed from one photo stop to another. I like this part of the schedule because it adds cultural interest to what could otherwise be only a swimming day.

Three hours can also support a proper lunch. Lunch is not included, but the crew can recommend restaurants, reserve a table, and bring you there by boat. Erin’s day included a lunch reservation made by skipper Bruno, and that kind of help is useful when you do not want to spend your limited island time searching for a table.

You should clarify the lunch plan with the skipper early in the day. Since food is extra, ask about the restaurant, expected cost, and how much time the meal will take. The ability to arrange lunch is a convenience, not a prepaid part of the tour.

Sipan, the largest Elaphiti island

Sipan is the largest of the three Elaphiti islands on this route. The stop lasts about 45 minutes and offers two different possibilities.

You can visit Suđurađ, another small fishing village, or go to Bowa, a restaurant set in one of Sipan’s bays. The choice gives the skipper room to match the stop to your group. If you want another look at island life, Suđurađ makes sense. If you prefer a scenic meal or drink, Bowa may be the better fit, with any food and drink costs paid separately.

Because the stop is short, do not plan a long island walk here. Sipan works best as a compact village or bay visit before the final swim stop.

Ending at Sikirica Cove

The final stop is Sikirica Cove, also called Sjekirica Beach in the schedule. You have about one hour for swimming and snorkeling in clear water with shallow areas and sea vegetation.

This is a smart ending to the day. After the villages and beach facilities, the cove brings you back to the simple pleasure that makes a private boat trip worthwhile: stepping into clean water from a quiet bay.

The shallow water makes the cove approachable, but sea vegetation may not appeal to everyone. If you prefer a sandy bottom, Sunj is likely the better match. If you enjoy looking around with a snorkel, Sikirica should be more rewarding.

What the skipper adds to the day

The skipper can make or break a boat tour, and this is one of the strongest parts of the offering. Bruno receives repeated praise for being accommodating and for tailoring the schedule to the group. Kiko is also singled out for a personal approach, hotel pickup, and useful recommendations.

Pasko, identified as the owner, helped one group with arrangements before the trip. That suggests you can expect some support before departure, especially if you need help planning lunch or clarifying the day.

Do not treat the route as a rigid checklist. The main stops are set, but the private format allows some adjustment. Your group may want more time in the water, a longer village visit, or help arranging lunch. Ask early, since a day with seven scheduled stops has a fairly full rhythm.

The crew also provides water, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages. That saves you from packing every drink yourself, though you should still bring anything specific you need for the day.

Price, group size, and overall value

The price is $429.22 for a group of up to six. At full capacity, that works out to about $71.54 per person for roughly eight hours and 20 minutes on a private boat.

That is strong value for a full group, especially since pickup, fuel, snorkel equipment, lifejackets, and drinks are included. A private boat also avoids the compromises of a larger shared excursion, where you may have little say over how long you stay at each stop.

For one or two people, the per-person cost is much higher. I would book it for a family, two couples, or a group of friends who care about privacy and flexibility. If you are traveling alone or as a pair and mainly want a basic boat ride, a shared trip may cost less.

Lunch is the main extra expense to plan for. The crew can recommend and reserve a restaurant, but the meal itself is not included. Ask about restaurant prices before committing, especially if your group has a set budget.

The tour is often booked about 30 days ahead, so I would not leave it until the last few days during a busy Dubrovnik visit. Confirmation arrives at booking, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather can also cancel the trip, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who should book this boat tour

I would choose this tour if you want a full day outside Dubrovnik and your group includes different interests. Swimmers get caves and coves. Children get shallow water at Sunj. History-minded visitors get monasteries and village walks. Food lovers get help arranging a meal.

It also suits honeymooners and small private groups. One honeymooning couple described the boat day as a favorite part of their Dubrovnik visit, helped by hotel pickup and the relaxed private setup.

You should think twice if you dislike getting wet, have no interest in swimming, or want a carefully scheduled historical tour. Wind can make the ride splashy, and several stops are built around entering the water. The village and monastery time adds variety, but this remains a boat and beach day first.

Most travelers can participate, and the tour is near public transportation, though pickup is offered. Since the day depends on good weather, keep a little flexibility in your Dubrovnik schedule.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you have up to six people and want to combine swimming, caves, beaches, villages, and a possible restaurant meal without organizing each piece yourself. The private boat, hotel pickup, included fuel and drinks, and adaptable skippers Bruno and Kiko give it real practical value.

Skip it if you want a cheap short cruise, a dry sightseeing day, or guaranteed calm water. For everyone else, this is a well-balanced way to see Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan in one long day, with enough freedom to make the route fit your group.

FAQ

How long does the private boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 8 hours and 20 minutes.

How many people can join the private tour?

The boat is private for your group, with up to six people allowed.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan, three of the Elaphiti islands near Dubrovnik.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle is included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, soda, and alcoholic beverages are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and lifejackets are provided.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included. The crew can recommend restaurants, reserve a table, and take you there by boat.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

Is the tour suitable for most people?

Yes. Most people can participate, but the itinerary includes swimming and snorkeling, and windy conditions may make the boat ride wet.