Hidden Gems Odyssey: Private Elaphiti Islands & Blue Cave Tour

The best part of this private boat trip is the freedom to shape your day. You can spend more time swimming at a quiet cove, linger at Lopud’s sandy Šunj Beach, or ask your skipper to arrange lunch and wine tasting on Sipan. I especially like the three-island route and the easygoing service, including towels, snorkel gear, fruit, water, beer, and wine.

The main drawback is the price: $372.63 per person is a serious spend, especially for a short four-hour outing. Lunch is extra, and pickup from Sheraton, Mlini, or Cavtat costs another €70 in cash. Still, for a private group that wants comfort and control, the cost can make more sense than booking several separate activities.

Key points to know before you book

• Kolocep’s blue and green caves give you the day’s most unusual swim, with snorkeling gear available.
• Lopud’s Šunj Beach offers one of the rare sandy beach stops near Dubrovnik.
• Sipan adds local flavor, with possible wine, olive oil, cheese, and homemade-food tastings.
• Your skipper can change the route, from popular sights to quieter coves, depending on weather and your interests.
• Drinks and fruit are included, but lunch and an optional underwater scooter cost extra.
• The boat is private, so your group can set the pace without strangers deciding when to leave.

A private way to reach the Elaphiti Islands

Dubrovnik’s Old Town is beautiful, but its stone lanes and packed viewpoints can wear you down. This tour gives you a change of scene almost at once. You meet near the Old Town port, close to Lokanda restaurant, or arrange another starting point such as Gruž Port. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for standard Dubrovnik locations.

At the port, your local skipper explains the route and safety details before you leave. The captains named in the feedback include Ivan, Michael, Gigi, Marko, Peter, Filip, Paulo, Bruno, and Mattia. You are not guaranteed a particular captain, but the pattern is clear: the skipper is more than a driver. You can expect someone who shares local stories, watches the conditions, and helps adjust the day to your group.

The private setup matters. If your children want more swim time, you can cut a village visit short. If you would rather see a quiet cove than the most popular stop, you can ask. One family had the route changed around the children’s wish for extra swimming and cave time, while another group chose secluded spots instead of the main sights.

The boat itself is described as clean and comfortable, with shade available on board. It is suited to small groups, including a family of five or a private party of six. The exact boat model is not specified, so I would not book this expecting a particular luxury yacht. Think of it as a comfortable private speedboat day, with practical extras that keep you out on the water.

Kolocep and the blue cave swim

Kolocep is the first major stop, about two hours into the planned visit. It is close to Dubrovnik, yet the mood changes quickly once you leave the city behind. Pine trees, clear water, and small coves replace the walls and traffic.

The main attraction here is the Blue and Green cave area. You can put on the supplied snorkeling gear and swim near the caves, looking into the water and along the rock walls. The caves are the most distinctive feature of the route, but conditions can affect access. Boats gather near popular cave entrances, and one experienced captain was praised for taking care around other vessels. That is worth noting because a cave visit is exciting only when it is handled safely.

Bring confidence in the water, but do not assume every part of the stop will suit every swimmer. Life vests and safety gear are provided, and you can remain on the boat if you prefer. The tour also includes beach towels, which saves space in your luggage and makes repeated swims easier.

Kolocep is not simply a quick photo stop. The scheduled time is generous enough for a cave visit and swimming, though the actual pace depends on weather, sea conditions, and your group. I would tell your skipper at the start how much you care about snorkeling. That small conversation can make the difference between a rushed look and a proper water stop.

Lopud, Šunj Beach, and time to slow down

Lopud usually gets about three hours, making it the most relaxed stop on the route. Its big draw is Šunj Beach, a sandy stretch that feels different from the pebble beaches common along the Croatian coast. You can go ashore, sit on the sand, or remain on the boat with a view over the bay.

The sand is a real advantage for families and anyone who finds rocky shorelines uncomfortable. Snorkeling gear is still available, so you can choose between a beach break and time in the water. The skipper supplies fresh fruit and local drinks, including water, sodas, beer, and wine. I like this arrangement because you can have a swim without immediately needing to find a café.

An optional visit to Lopud village adds a bit of history and local life. It is not required, and that is part of the appeal. You can spend the whole stop by the beach if that is what your group wants, or walk into the village for a change of pace.

Do not expect a perfectly empty beach in high season. Šunj is famous precisely because it is attractive and easy to reach. The private boat gives you more control over when you arrive and how long you stay, but it does not guarantee solitude. If the beach feels too busy, ask your skipper about a nearby cove or a later stop for swimming.

Several groups also arranged lunch during this part of the day or later on Sipan. One captain reserved a waterfront table where the meal included freshly selected fish and seafood. That kind of lunch is not included in the tour price, and you should check the menu and cost before ordering. It can be one of the day’s pleasures, but it can also push the total well above the advertised per-person price.

Sipan for palaces, wine, and a quieter shore

Šipan is the largest and most populated of the Elaphiti Islands, yet the tour is designed to steer you toward smaller seaside places rather than crowded resort areas. The planned visit begins in Suđurađ, where two Renaissance palaces linked to the Skočibuha family give the waterfront some historical character.

This is a good stop for you if you want more than swimming. Local producers offer wine, olive oil, marmalade, fruit, and vegetables, and the crew can arrange a tasting. A winery visit with wine, cheese, and olive oil is also possible. These additions turn a standard boat outing into a more personal taste of the islands, but they need to be requested and may affect the timing.

Sipan is also where lunch arrangements can work well. Captains have booked tables at waterfront restaurants, including spots serving seabass and other fresh seafood. I would ask your skipper to reserve ahead if you want a particular restaurant. The tour can organize the setting, but lunch remains your responsibility.

The final swim is at Sikirica, a small islet with pebble beaches. It is a useful contrast to Šunj’s sand. You may prefer the soft beach on Lopud, but Sikirica offers a quieter final pause before the boat heads back toward Dubrovnik.

The planned Sipan portion lasts about three hours, though the exact plan is flexible. If local food and wine matter more to you than another swim, say so early. If everyone is ready for one last jump into the sea, the skipper can keep the focus on the water.

What is included, and what is not

The tour includes fuel, a local skipper, hotel pickup and drop-off, snorkeling equipment, beach towels, life vests, and safety gear. On board, you get unlimited local beer, wine, water, sodas, and fruit. These are useful inclusions, not decorative extras. A day in the sun can become expensive when every drink and towel costs extra, so this package covers many of the small costs that add up.

Some groups also received photos or videos through a GoPro, Polaroid, or shared files. Those items appear in individual experiences rather than the stated inclusions, so treat them as a possible bonus, not something guaranteed. Ask before departure if pictures are important to you.

Lunch is not included. You can ask the skipper to arrange a restaurant, but you pay the bill yourself. An underwater scooter for improved snorkeling costs €70 in cash. Pickup and drop-off from Sheraton, Mlini, or Cavtat costs another €70 in cash, so confirm the transport charge before booking if you are staying outside central Dubrovnik.

The advertised price of $372.63 per person needs context. For one or two people, it may feel hard to justify. For a private group, the price buys a boat, skipper, fuel, drinks, gear, and the ability to set the route. It becomes better value when several people share the boat and want a full day rather than a fixed group excursion.

Four hours or eight hours?

The tour can last roughly four to eight hours. A four-hour outing works if you want the caves, one or two swims, and a quick look at the islands. It also suits you if your Dubrovnik schedule is tight or you prefer not to spend a whole day in the sun.

The eight-hour version gives the route room to breathe. You can stop at all three islands, visit a village, eat lunch, swim several times, and add a tasting without racing from one place to the next. If this is your main island experience during a Dubrovnik stay, I would favor the longer option.

The tradeoff is simple. More time means more sun, boat motion, and expense. The sea can be tiring, particularly for young children or anyone prone to motion sickness. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and any medication you normally use for boat trips. The boat has shade, but you should not count on staying cool all day.

Weather, safety, and practical planning

This experience depends on good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and a late cancellation is not refunded.

Children must be with an adult. Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. Public transportation is nearby, but pickup is available if you provide your accommodation or preferred starting point.

The meeting point is near the Old Town port by Lokanda restaurant unless you arrange another place. Confirm the exact pickup plan, especially if you are staying outside the central Dubrovnik area. A €70 cash charge applies for pickup from Sheraton, Mlini, or Cavtat.

I would also clarify three things before setting off: the captain assigned to your group, the expected duration, and what you want to prioritize. Tell the skipper if you prefer quiet coves, beach time, caves, lunch, history, or wine. The strongest feature of this tour is flexibility, but flexibility works best when you give clear instructions.

Who will enjoy this private boat day?

This outing suits families, couples, and groups of friends who value privacy and do not want to follow a fixed timetable. It is especially good for people who want several swims, drinks on board, and a relaxed lunch rather than a long list of formal sightseeing stops.

It also works well for mixed groups. One person can snorkel while another lounges in the shade. Some can go ashore at Lopud, while others remain on the boat. The skipper can help balance those preferences in a way a large shared excursion usually cannot.

I would be more cautious if you dislike boats, want a tightly planned historical tour, or are seeking a low-cost day trip. The commentary depends on your captain, and the main focus is the sea, caves, beaches, food, and island scenery. You will hear local stories, but this is not a museum-style history tour.

The experience is also not fully all-inclusive. Lunch, tastings, and the underwater scooter cost extra. At $372.63 per person, you should decide if the private setting and flexible route matter enough to justify the price.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands tour?

I would book this tour if you are traveling with a small group and want the freedom to make the day your own. The combination of Kolocep’s caves, Lopud’s sandy beach, Sipan’s local food and wine, and repeated swimming stops gives you a broad taste of the islands without changing boats or managing several separate bookings.

Choose four hours if you mainly want the caves and a swim. Choose eight hours if you want lunch, a winery, village time, and a slower route. Ask about the captain, transport surcharge, lunch cost, and any photo equipment before you commit.

For a budget-conscious solo visitor, the price is difficult to defend. For a family or group splitting the cost, it can be a fair way to enjoy the coast in comfort. The key is to use the private format properly: tell your skipper what matters, and do not let the advertised route decide your whole day.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The usual meeting point is at the Old Town port near Lokanda restaurant. You can also request a preferred starting point such as Gruž Port.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for the standard service area. Pickup from Sheraton, Mlini, or Cavtat costs €70 in cash.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four to eight hours, depending on the option and the itinerary you arrange with your skipper.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, so you can adjust the pace and request changes to the route.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The planned route includes Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan, with a possible final stop at the small islet of Sikirica.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, though the captain or guide can arrange a restaurant reservation.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Local beer, wine, water, sodas, and fruit are included on board.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear, beach towels, life vests, and safety equipment are provided.

Can I use an underwater scooter?

An underwater scooter is available for an additional €70 in cash.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose another date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the experience to be canceled.