Private boat tour from Dubrovnik/Cavtat to Elafiti islands

The best part of this private boat trip is the freedom to trade Dubrovnik’s busy streets for open water, sea caves, quiet bays, and island beaches in a single day. You get broad views of the Old Town from the water, then head toward Koločep, Lopud, and possibly Šipan at your own pace.

I like the small private group, which lets you ask for a longer swim or a slower lunch stop. I also like the boat itself, with a front sun deck, rear seating, shade from the bimini, drinks, and snorkeling gear. The main catch is the extra fuel charge, paid in cash, which adds $80 for four hours or $120 for eight.

Key points at a glance

• Dubrovnik from the sea: Start with a panoramic boat ride around the Old Town for photographs and a fresh view of the city walls.
• Koločep’s Blue Cave: Allow about 30 minutes for swimming and snorkeling near the island’s caves.
• Šunj Beach on Lopud: Spend about an hour on a shallow sandy beach that works well for families and casual swimming.
• Private pace: The skipper can adjust the day around swimming, lunch, and quiet spots instead of following a fixed large-group schedule.
• Boat comfort: The 7.7-meter Atlantic Marine Open 750 carries up to 10 people and has a 250 HP Honda engine, a sun deck, rear seating, and a bimini top.
• Fuel is extra: Budget the cash fuel payment separately from the advertised group price.

A sea-level view of Dubrovnik

This trip begins with a simple but valuable change of angle. From the boat, you can look back toward Dubrovnik’s Old Town and photograph the walls, rooftops, and shoreline without standing among the crowds on land.

The boat can pick you up at Dubrovnik, Gruž, Cavtat, Mlini, Plat, or Srebreno. That broad pickup range is useful because you do not need to cross town before the excursion begins. Pickup is arranged at the location closest to where you are staying.

Cavtat is about 15 kilometers south of Dubrovnik, set in a sheltered bay with open nature around it. If you are based in Cavtat, starting there feels especially easy. If you are staying in Dubrovnik, the trip gives you a full contrast to the city: instead of stone streets and steep steps, you get wind, sun, and the sound of the water.

The boat is rented with a skipper rather than as a self-drive vessel. That matters here. You can relax, take photographs, and focus on the islands while the skipper handles the route. English and Croatian are available.

The Atlantic Marine Open 750

The boat is 7.7 meters long and 2.5 meters wide, with a 250 HP Honda engine. It carries up to 10 people, though the value of a private boat naturally depends on how many people share the cost.

At the front, a bow sun deck gives you room to stretch out after swimming. The aft section has a comfortable sitting area, and the bimini top provides shade when the afternoon sun becomes too strong. There is also a CD and MP3 player, though the main soundtrack is likely to be the water and engine.

This is an open motorboat, not a large cruise vessel. You will feel the movement of the sea more directly, and there is limited indoor shelter. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, and a change of clothes. Cash is important for the fuel charge and for anything you buy during the day.

The boat includes drinks and snorkeling gear. That saves you from packing every small item, but you should still bring your own beachwear and towel if you prefer them.

Koločep and the Blue Cave stop

Koločep is the first major stop, with about 30 minutes set aside for swimming and snorkeling near the Blue Cave. This is the most active part of the route, so have your swimwear ready before you leave the dock.

The cave is best understood as a short water stop rather than a long underground excursion. You will have time to get into the sea, look around the cave area, and use the snorkeling equipment. The appeal is the setting: clear water, rock formations, and a break from the boat ride.

The tour description also refers to green caves and other cave spots. Exact stops can vary with conditions and the skipper’s judgment, so ask early in the day how much time you will have around Koločep. If your group cares more about swimming than photographs, say so. A private tour gives you a better chance of shaping the stop around your interests.

Jumping from rocks is another possible highlight, but use common sense. Only jump where the skipper confirms the water is deep and clear, and do not feel pressured to join in. You can enjoy the cave area from the boat or enter the water more gently.

Lopud and the long shallows of Šunj Beach

The next planned stop is Lopud, with about an hour for lunch and free time. The main draw is Šunj Beach, a sandy beach on the island’s south side.

Šunj is nearly a kilometer long and unusually shallow. You may need to walk roughly 100 meters into the water before it becomes suitable for swimming, which makes it a good choice for families with young children and anyone who prefers an easy, gradual entry.

The shallow water also means it is not the best stop if you want an immediate deep-water swim. You will need to walk out from shore, and the beach can feel less refreshing if you are hoping to float right away. Still, the sand and space give this stop a different feel from the rocky swimming spots around the caves.

You can also find activities such as beach volleyball, tennis, and picigin, a Croatian beach game. The available time is about one hour, so do not expect to explore every part of Lopud. Think of this as a useful pause for lunch, a beach walk, or a relaxed swim.

One particularly helpful detail is that the skipper may arrange lunch at a local restaurant. Antonio did this for one group, which enjoyed sea bass and appreciated having the meal organized rather than searching for a table during a short stop. Lunch is not included in the tour price, so ask about the restaurant and menu before ordering.

Šipan and a possible longer island day

Šipan is the largest island in the Elafiti group. It lies a little over 8.3 nautical miles from Dubrovnik and covers about 15.5 square kilometers. Around 410 people live there permanently, giving it a more settled island character than a simple beach stop.

The itinerary includes a 30-minute swimming stop around the Elafiti Islands, and Šipan may form part of the longer route. The exact balance between Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan depends on the tour length and the plan you arrange with the skipper.

One named option on Šipan is BOWA, an upmarket restaurant and beach bar in Vrbova Bay. It is around a 30-minute walk from Sudurad and serves fresh oysters from nearby Ston, seafood, and other dishes. This is a scenic lunch possibility, but it is also expensive. If you want a budget-friendly day, confirm the restaurant plan before you set off.

For an eight-hour trip, Šipan makes more sense than it would on a rushed half-day outing. You have more time for the longer ride, a meal, and a proper swim. With only four hours, Koločep and Lopud may provide a more balanced route.

Four hours or eight hours?

The activity lasts between four and eight hours, depending on what you book and what is available. That flexibility is useful, but the two options offer different experiences.

A four-hour trip can cover the Old Town views, Koločep, and Lopud with a swim and lunch break. It is a good fit if you want time on the water without giving up most of your day in Dubrovnik. The shorter format is also easier for children or anyone who is unsure about spending a long time on a moving boat.

An eight-hour trip allows the islands to feel less like a checklist. You can spend more time swimming, linger near a quiet bay, reach farther toward Šipan, or take a longer lunch. One group found the full day relaxed rather than tiring, with a comfortable pace and no sense of being hurried.

The sunset option has a listed fuel cost of 40 euros. The four-hour route has an $80 fuel charge, and the eight-hour route has a $120 fuel charge. These amounts are paid in cash on the boat, and fuel is not included in the advertised $506 price for a group of up to two.

What the price means for your group

At $506 for up to two people, this is a serious splurge compared with a shared boat excursion. The value improves when you have a larger private group, since the boat can carry up to 10 people and the cost is set by group rather than by each passenger.

The price buys privacy, a skipper, drinks, snorkeling gear, and pickup from several points around Dubrovnik and Cavtat. It also buys flexibility, which is the main reason to choose this format. You can discuss where to spend your time instead of simply following the fixed pace of a crowded vessel.

You still need to add fuel, lunch, and any personal spending. For two people, that extra cost may make the trip feel high. For a family or group of friends sharing the boat, the calculation is more favorable, especially if everyone wants swimming stops and does not want to spend the day on a large organized boat.

Ask at booking which islands are realistic for your chosen duration. The published route includes Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, but four hours may not allow a full visit to each one.

The skipper makes the difference

The experience depends strongly on the skipper. Several names are associated with the boat: Antonio, Nick, and Luksa. Antonio arranged a Lopud lunch and adjusted the route around the group’s preferences. Nick was praised for a calm pace and a friendly manner. Luksa knew quieter places for a final day around the islands.

That personal guidance is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. Tell the skipper what matters to you at the start: caves, photographs, a sandy beach, rock jumps, snorkeling, lunch, or quiet swimming. You cannot maximize everything in one day, especially on the four-hour version.

The private format also helps families and mixed groups. One person can swim while another stays in the shade. You can ask for a slower ride, a longer break, or a return to a favorite swimming spot if time allows.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would choose this trip if you want a full sea day with your own group and care more about freedom than the lowest price. It suits couples, families, and groups of friends who want to combine Dubrovnik views, swimming, caves, and a beach lunch.

It is less suitable if you dislike speedboats, get seasick, need wheelchair access, or want a land-based island tour. Children under three are not accepted, and the activity is not recommended for people over 95. Assistance dogs are allowed, but other pets are not.

People who want a quiet cultural tour may find the day too focused on the sea. The historic details of the islands are not the main event. This is a boat outing built around water, scenery, sun, and flexible stops.

The route can also be physically demanding in small ways. You will board a motorboat, get in and out of the water, and walk on a sandy beach if you visit Šunj. Bring dry clothes for the ride home, especially if the wind picks up or you spend time snorkeling.

Practical advice before you go

Pack light, but do not forget the basics. Sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, sunscreen, beachwear, and a change of clothes are all listed as essential items. Cash is especially important because the fuel payment is made on board.

Check the weather and sea conditions before departure. The operator may adjust the route for safety or comfort, and the skipper is the right person to ask about the best order of stops.

If lunch matters to you, ask whether the plan is Šunj or BOWA on Šipan. BOWA is a higher-priced choice, while a Lopud restaurant may be more convenient on a shorter route. Food is not included, so allow room in your budget.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Pickup and drop-off are available at Cavtat, Dubrovnik, Mlini, Plat, Srebreno, and Gruž.

Should you book it?

Book this private boat if you want the Elafiti Islands on your own terms, with plenty of swimming and a skipper who can adjust the day. The best parts are the Old Town views from the water, Koločep’s cave stop, Šunj’s easy sandy beach, and the chance to finish at a quieter swimming place.

I would choose the eight-hour version for a group that wants Šipan or a relaxed lunch. Choose four hours if you mainly want caves, photographs, and a swim without giving up your whole day.

The price is not low, and fuel is extra. Still, for a group sharing the cost, the private boat, flexible pace, included drinks, and local route knowledge can make it a strong choice. For just two people on a tight budget, compare it with a shared excursion before booking.

FAQ

Where can the boat pick me up?

Pickup is available from Srebreno, Plat, Mlini, Dubrovnik, Cavtat, and Gruž. The pickup point is arranged closest to your place of residence.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts between four and eight hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Koločep, Lopud, and the Elafiti Islands, with Šipan included as a possible stop on the longer route. The exact timing should be arranged with the skipper.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel is paid in cash on the boat. The listed fuel cost is 40 euros for the sunset tour, $80 for four hours, and $120 for eight hours.

What is included?

A skipper, drinks, and snorkeling gear are included. Lunch and other personal expenses are not included.

Is this tour suitable for young children or wheelchair users?

Children under three are not accepted, and the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. It is also not recommended for people prone to seasickness or people over 95.