From Dubrovnik: Full-Day Private Boat Tour of Elafiti Island

The best thing about this Elafiti Islands trip is its private, flexible route. Instead of following a rigid boat schedule, you can talk with your skipper about how long to spend swimming, sightseeing, eating, or wandering ashore. I especially like the Blue Cave stop at Koločep and the chance to spend unhurried time on Lopud. The underwater GoPro and dry bags are useful extras, not just advertising fluff.

I also like that the day includes both water time and real island life: historic Sudurad on Šipan, local wine or olive oil, and a proper restaurant meal with a sea view. The main consideration is price. At $470 for up to six people, it is good value for a full private boat, but less attractive for one or two people. Food is not included, and the day depends on good weather.

Key points to know before you book

• Blue Cave swimming at Koločep: Enter the cave by speedboat, then swim and snorkel with equipment provided.
• A skipper-led private day: Your group of up to six can discuss the pace and route with the guide.
• Two very different island stops: Lopud offers free time by the port, while Šipan brings village sights, food, and wine or olive oil tasting.
• Dario may be your guide: Previous bookings specifically praised Dario and his fellow guide for their friendly service.
• Useful extras are included: Hotel or apartment pickup, drinks, fuel, mooring, snorkel gear, dry bags, and underwater camera footage are covered.
• Food costs extra: You choose and pay for lunch, so you can match the meal to your taste and budget.

Why a private Elafiti boat day works so well

The Elafiti Islands sit just off Dubrovnik, but the mood changes quickly once the boat leaves the city. The old walls and crowded streets give way to open water, small island villages, coves, and low-key harbors.

This is not simply a boat ride with three quick photo stops. The private format gives you room to shape the day. If your group wants more swimming, you can ask for it. If you prefer to spend time ashore, tell the skipper. The route is planned around Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, but the pace is not meant to feel like a stopwatch exercise.

That flexibility is especially valuable for families, couples, and small groups with different interests. One person can snorkel while another prefers a shaded café or a village walk. You are not sharing the boat with strangers who may want an entirely different day.

The boat leaves from the Orsian pier area, with pickup from your hotel, apartment, or villa included when the vehicle can park nearby. Pickup is usually about 15 minutes before departure. The provider may use its own van or a taxi or Uber service, so keep your phone available and confirm the exact meeting details.

Koločep and the Blue Cave swim

Koločep is the first major stop, and it gives the day its most active start. The speedboat takes you into the Blue Cave, where you can swim and snorkel inside the cave and around the clear water near its entrance.

The supplied snorkel equipment means you do not need to pack your own mask and fins. You also receive waterproof dry bags for small personal items, which makes it easier to bring a phone, wallet, or camera without leaving everything exposed on the boat.

The underwater GoPro is a particularly nice touch. The guide can take photos and videos during the swim, giving you something more useful than a quick phone picture from the deck. Ask how the files will be shared before you leave, since the supplied information confirms that photos and videos are taken but does not specify the delivery method.

Plan for roughly an hour at Koločep. That includes a break, photos, free time, swimming, snorkeling, and refreshments. The actual balance depends on your group and conditions. If you are a confident swimmer, you may want to make full use of the cave stop. If you are less comfortable in open water, tell the skipper early so expectations are clear.

Bring water shoes if you have them. They are listed among the recommended items and can make getting in and out of the water more comfortable. Flip-flops are also suggested, but they are less useful on wet or uneven surfaces. A towel, swimsuit, sunglasses, and sun hat belong in your day bag.

Lopud gives you time to slow down

Lopud is the more relaxed island stop. You have about two hours for a mixture of free time, sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, and drinks. This is where the private format earns its keep, because you are not forced to return to the boat after a hurried walk through the port.

You can explore at your own speed, sit down for a coffee or cocktail, and look for lunch at a restaurant with a view over the harbor. The information for this trip specifically points to local cuisine on Lopud or Šipan, so you can discuss your preferred restaurant with the skipper. One group had a table arranged at a chosen restaurant, which suggests that help with the meal plan may be available, but you should ask in advance if a particular place matters to you.

The two hours will pass quickly if you want to eat and explore. Decide before arriving whether your priority is lunch, a walk, swimming, or simply sitting by the port. Trying to do all four may leave each activity feeling rushed.

Lopud is also a good place for the least structured part of the day. You are not being led from one monument to another. You can browse, take photographs, have a drink, or find a quiet spot by the water. That freedom makes the stop feel more like a day on an island and less like a series of transport connections.

Food is not included in the price. This is worth treating as part of the budget rather than an unpleasant surprise. You choose what to order, but you also pay for it separately. Ask about menu prices if you are watching costs, especially if your group is large.

Historic Sudurad on Šipan

Šipan is the largest of the Elafiti Islands, and Sudurad offers a change of pace from the swimming stops. Here, the focus is on the village, its historic character, local food, and the chance to taste wine or olive oil.

The visit is planned for about two hours. You can follow the guide through Sudurad, look at its older buildings and local sights, and then stop for lunch or tasting. The setting is quieter than Dubrovnik, with a more settled island feel. It is a useful reminder that the Elafiti are not only places for beaches and boat photos.

The food element matters because it connects the trip to local life. Rather than eating only snacks brought on board, you can sit down for a meal on Lopud or Šipan and try regional dishes. Beer and soft drinks are included on the boat, along with bottled water, but lunch itself is not.

You may also have time for a short swim or snorkel around Šipan, depending on the schedule and your skipper’s judgment. Do not count on a long water stop here if your group wants a full village visit and lunch. The day works best when you accept that each island has a different purpose: Koločep for the cave, Lopud for free time, and Šipan for Sudurad and local food.

What the skipper adds to the day

A private boat is only as good as the person running it. The supplied details identify Dario as a guide, and previous groups singled out Dario and another guide, also named Dario, for being friendly and good company. That personal element matters on a flexible trip because the skipper helps decide when to move on and when to linger.

You should tell the skipper what kind of day you want at the start. Be clear if you care most about caves, swimming, lunch, village sights, or a leisurely pace. The more specific you are, the easier it is to shape the stops around your group.

The English-language guide provides the main commentary and safety briefing. You will also receive advice about swimming areas, timing, and the route. Since this is a private activity, you have a better chance of asking questions without competing with a large group.

Still, flexibility is not the same as unlimited choice. Weather, sea conditions, opening hours, and the time needed to travel between islands can affect the plan. Treat the proposed route as a strong framework, not a promise that every stop will last exactly as listed.

Price, group size, and what you get

The price is $470 for a group of up to six. For six people, that works out to about $78 per person before lunch. For four people, it is about $118 each. For two people, the cost rises to $235 each, so this experience makes the most financial sense for a family or group of friends.

That price includes more than transport. Fuel, mooring or anchoring, private transportation, all fees and taxes, hotel or apartment pickup and drop-off, bottled water, beer, soft drinks, snorkel equipment, dry bags, and the underwater GoPro are included. A full eight hours on a private boat is a substantial day, particularly when compared with paying separately for transfers, boat hire, and water equipment.

Lunch is the main extra expense. Drinks bought on Lopud, such as coffee, cocktails, or wine, are also separate, even though beer and soft drinks on the boat are included. If your group wants a particular restaurant, ask the skipper about making arrangements before the day begins.

The private setup is the central value here. You are paying for control over the pace, not just a seat on a boat. If your group is happy with a fixed timetable and basic transport, a shared boat may cost less. If you value privacy, flexibility, and a full day without strangers, this price is easier to justify.

Practical preparation for eight hours on the water

Keep your packing simple. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun hat, sunglasses, water shoes, flip-flops, and shorts. Sun protection matters because you will spend time on the boat and near the water, with limited shade mentioned in the tour details.

Use the dry bags for anything you cannot afford to get wet. Even with a careful crew, boarding, swimming, and boat spray create small risks. Leave fireworks, explosive substances, and anything involving fire at home. Mobility scooters and non-folding or electric wheelchairs are not accepted, and the experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.

The tour needs good weather. If poor conditions cancel the day, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps you from paying at the time of booking.

Because the pickup may happen on the street outside your accommodation, choose a clear meeting point if parking at the property is difficult. The wrong meeting point in a booking app caused trouble for one group in the past, so double-check the location directly with the provider before departure. That small step can prevent a needless start to an otherwise easy day.

Who should book this island trip?

I would choose this tour for a group of up to six that wants a full day combining swimming, scenery, food, and village time. It suits people who prefer a private pace and do not want to spend the day following a guide’s flag through a large group.

It is also a strong choice for mixed-interest groups. A confident swimmer can enjoy Koločep’s cave, while someone else can focus on Lopud’s port or Sudurad’s village sights. Families should note that the tour includes water activities and boat transfers, so everyone should be comfortable with those conditions.

I would think twice if you mainly want a long beach stay, a luxury lunch included in the price, or a guaranteed fixed schedule. The route is flexible, which is a benefit, but it also means the final rhythm depends on your group, the skipper, and the weather.

Should you book it?

Book this private Elafiti trip if you can fill most of the six seats and want freedom to set the pace. The strongest reasons are the Blue Cave swim at Koločep, free time on Lopud, historic Sudurad, and a skipper who can adjust the day instead of running a rigid program.

For two people, compare the price with other private boat options before committing. For a larger group, the cost becomes much more reasonable, especially with fuel, pickup, equipment, drinks, and camera footage included.

Ask about the meeting point, lunch plan, and preferred route before departure. If the weather is good and your group enjoys both water time and island wandering, this gives you a varied and personal day beyond Dubrovnik’s old city.

FAQ

How long does the Elafiti Islands boat tour last?

The tour lasts eight hours, including pickup arrangements, boat travel, island stops, swimming, snorkeling, sightseeing, and the return to Dubrovnik.

How many people can join the private boat tour?

The price covers one private group of up to six people.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The planned stops are Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, including the village of Sudurad on Šipan.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with waterproof dry bags and an underwater GoPro camera.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Food is not included. You can choose local cuisine on Lopud or Šipan and pay for the meal separately.

Are drinks included?

Bottled water, beer, and soft drinks are included on the boat. Drinks such as coffee, wine, or cocktails ordered during free time are not included in the stated price.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from a hotel, apartment, villa, or port are included when the vehicle can park nearby. Pickup is usually about 15 minutes before the start.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. The experience requires suitable weather conditions.