Elaphite Islands Luxury Private Boat Tour with Cap Camarat 7.5

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat trip is control. You are not tied to a fixed group schedule. With skipper Šime, also called Simon, you can linger at a cave, skip a stop, swim longer, or head for a quiet bay. Koločep’s caves and Lopud’s sandy Šunj Beach give the trip plenty of variety.

I especially like the included hotel pickup and drop-off, which removes a lot of port-day fuss. I also like the practical extras: cold water, soft drinks, beer, white wine, towels, snorkeling gear, and a GoPro. The main consideration is time. A four-hour trip can reach the key sights, but six or eight hours gives you room to swim, eat lunch, and add Šipan without rushing.

Key points

• Private boat for up to seven: Your group sets the pace instead of following a shared excursion.
• Šime and Simon are the same skipper: Expect local guidance, flexible routing, and help arranging lunch.
• Koločep packs in three cave stops: The Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves are the opening highlights.
• Lopud adds a beach and village: Šunj Beach is sandy, while the village offers restaurants and a walk ashore.
• Šipan depends on tour length: It is generally part of six- and eight-hour outings, or a brief final stop on shorter trips.
• Useful gear is included: Towels, snorkeling equipment, a GoPro, water, soft drinks, beer, and white wine come with the boat.

A private day on the water from Dubrovnik

The Elaphite Islands sit just off Dubrovnik, close enough for a practical day trip and far enough to give you a change of pace from the city. The route is built around coves, caves, swimming, and small island stops rather than a long list of formal sights.

You ride aboard a Cap Camarat 7.5, with only your own party onboard. The capacity is up to seven people, so this works particularly well for a family, two couples, or a small group of friends who want a shared day without strangers.

The private format matters here. A cave may hold your attention for five minutes, or you may want time to swim and use the snorkeling gear. You can ask Šime to adjust the day around that preference. Several outings have included extra swimming stops, quiet places away from the main flow of boats, and even visits to lighthouses when that suited the group.

The boat is also a useful choice for cruise passengers. One family reached the marina on foot from a cruise ship in about ten minutes, then returned to the ship after a four-hour outing with enough time left for lunch and a short visit to Dubrovnik’s Old Town. Your timing still needs care, but the short format can fit a port call.

Why Šime makes the flexible plan work

A private boat is only as good as the person steering it. Šime, often listed as Simon, handles the route, explains the islands, answers questions about Dubrovnik and Croatian culture, and adjusts the pace to your group.

That flexibility comes up again and again in the experience details. He has helped families with young children avoid a rushed schedule, guided groups toward quieter swimming places, and suggested restaurants on Lopud. He has also called ahead for lunch reservations, which is useful on a busy summer day when you do not want to spend your island time searching for a table.

Communication begins before departure. Pickup details are confirmed, and one cruise-ship group received clear instructions for walking from the ship to the boat. If you are arriving by cruise ship, hotel, or apartment, give the operator precise location details when booking.

The skipper also has a practical sense of timing. An early departure may help you reach the first cave before larger boats arrive. That advantage is not guaranteed, since weather and other boats affect the day, but an early start is worth discussing if quiet cave time matters to you.

Koločep: three caves in one opening stretch

Koločep is the first scheduled island, and the route includes the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves. Together, they provide the most concentrated sightseeing portion of the trip.

The caves are experienced from the water and, depending on conditions and your wishes, may include time for swimming inside or near them. You receive snorkeling equipment, towels, and a GoPro, so you can spend less time organizing gear and more time in the water.

The Green Cave and Blue Cave are the names most likely to catch your attention, but the Three Caves add another change of scene. You do not have to treat each stop as an equal timed visit. If one cave fascinates you, stay longer. If another feels less interesting, move on.

The Blue Cave can attract other boats, particularly at popular times. This is one reason the private format and early start can be useful. Šime can adjust the order or timing, but you should not expect total solitude throughout the day.

Koločep is less about walking through an island town and more about the water itself. If your priority is swimming, cliff views, and unusual rock formations, give this section plenty of your time. If you want a long lunch or a village stroll, save energy for Lopud.

Lopud combines Šunj Beach with a village stop

Lopud is the most rounded island stop on the route. It offers Šunj Beach, one of the few sandy beach experiences in the itinerary, along with a village where you can walk and find restaurants.

The beach is a strong choice for families and anyone who wants a proper shore break after the caves. You can swim, relax, and spend time on land rather than moving from one rock-lined cove to another.

The village gives the day a more grounded feel. You can stroll, look for a restaurant, and pause for lunch before returning to the boat. The skipper can recommend a place and, according to the experience details, may call ahead to arrange a reservation.

Lunch is not listed as included, so plan to pay separately for food. This is also where a longer tour earns its keep. On a four-hour trip, you may have to keep the village stop fairly brief if you want to see the caves. On a six- or eight-hour trip, Lopud can be a relaxed middle section rather than a quick photo stop.

Šunj Beach can be popular, and the island stop is not designed as a completely private beach experience. The privacy applies to your boat and your group, not to every place you visit. Still, having your own skipper means you can decide how long to remain and how much time to spend away from the main beach.

Šipan is the bonus island on longer outings

Šipan is the third Elaphite island in the plan, but it is most realistic on six- and eight-hour trips. On a four-hour outing, it may appear only if the earlier stops are kept short.

That distinction is important when booking. A short trip is not a miniature version of the full-day route. Four hours can give you Koločep’s caves and a taste of Lopud, but Šipan is best treated as an extra for longer departures.

The supplied details do not set out a fixed sightseeing program on Šipan. Think of it as additional island time, not a guaranteed list of attractions. Ask Šime how much time remains and what makes sense for the weather and your interests.

If you want a full day with swimming, caves, lunch, and three islands, choose eight hours if your budget and schedule allow. The extra time is not merely more time on the same route. It gives the skipper room to slow down and gives you a better chance to include Šipan without turning every earlier stop into a countdown.

Four, six, or eight hours?

The four-hour version suits cruise passengers, families with young children, and anyone who wants a focused morning or afternoon on the water. You can still see caves, swim, and visit part of Lopud, but choices matter.

Six hours is a useful middle ground. It leaves more room for several islands, extra swimming, and a meal without committing the whole day. One couple specifically found the drinks, service, privacy, and customized route worthwhile at this length.

Eight hours is the best match for the full Elaphite Islands experience. You can take your time at Koločep, stop at Šunj Beach, have lunch on Lopud, swim at bays, and include Šipan more comfortably. The day can pass quickly once you are out on the water, so the longer option makes sense if boating is one of your main Dubrovnik activities.

The tradeoff is simple: the shorter trip protects your sightseeing schedule, while the longer trip gives you the relaxed rhythm that makes a private charter valuable.

What comes with the Cap Camarat 7.5

The included supplies are more useful than decorative. Towels mean you do not need to worry about bringing beach towels from your hotel. Snorkeling equipment lets you enter the water without arranging a separate rental, and the GoPro gives you a way to record cave swims and underwater stops.

Water and soft drinks are included, along with beer and white wine. That makes the boat feel more like a prepared private outing than a bare transfer between islands. Drink responsibly, especially if you plan to swim, and remember that lunch is separate.

The boat has been described as clean, new, comfortable, and a good size for a family of four. Those comments do not promise a particular seating arrangement or luxury specification, so ask any detailed comfort questions before booking. The Cap Camarat 7.5 is best understood as a small private motorboat for sightseeing and swimming, not a large yacht with extensive onboard facilities.

Pickup, cruise-port use, and access notes

Round-trip transfers from your hotel to the boat are included. That is a real benefit in Dubrovnik, where getting from accommodation to the marina can otherwise add time and confusion. Pickup and drop-off can also be arranged around a cruise visit, subject to your ship’s schedule and the agreed meeting point.

One cruise group walked roughly ten minutes from the ship to the marina on a flat route with sidewalks. Treat that as a useful example, not a universal instruction. Your meeting point may differ, so confirm it in advance.

The operator has discussed boarding with a wheelchair user before the trip, which shows that access needs should be raised early. The available information does not promise fully accessible boarding for every wheelchair, so contact the provider with your exact mobility requirements before paying.

Confirmation arrives at booking, and the activity is offered in English. Most people can participate, but the weather must be good enough for the trip to run.

Price and the value of going private

The listed price is $544.43 per group of up to seven people. That is not a cheap way to reach the islands if you are traveling alone or as a couple. Split among seven, however, the base cost is about $78 per person before considering the included drinks, equipment, towels, GoPro, and transfers.

The real value is control. You are paying to avoid a fixed group route, choose your swimming time, skip places that do not interest you, and ask for a restaurant recommendation or a quieter stop. For a family with children, that can be worth more than a lower-priced shared boat where everyone must follow the same clock.

For two people, the cost is harder to justify on price alone. It becomes more appealing if you want privacy, a flexible itinerary, or a special full-day outing. Compare the total cost of cheaper group trips, then ask how much you value your own schedule and a skipper who can tailor the route.

The price is best suited to small groups. If you can fill most of the seven-person capacity, this private boat becomes a much stronger value.

Weather, cancellation, and practical planning

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. Since this is an outdoor boat day, keep some flexibility in your Dubrovnik schedule if you can.

I would book early for peak dates. The experience is often reserved well ahead, with average bookings made about 52 days in advance. Confirm the departure time, pickup point, tour length, lunch plans, and any mobility needs before the day.

Who should book this Dubrovnik boat tour?

I would choose this for families who need freedom to slow down, friends who want swimming and drinks without strangers, and cruise passengers seeking a meaningful four-hour escape from port crowds.

It also suits couples who place a high value on privacy and personal service. For couples focused mainly on saving money, a group boat may be the better choice.

Choose six or eight hours if you want lunch, several swimming stops, and a chance to reach Šipan. Choose four hours if your schedule is tight or you mainly want the caves and a short taste of Lopud.

Should you book the Cap Camarat 7.5 experience?

Book it if you want the Elaphite Islands on your own terms. Šime’s flexibility, the cave route, Šunj Beach, included gear and drinks, and hotel transfers make this a polished way to see the coast without spending the day herded from stop to stop.

My strongest advice is to choose the longest duration you can comfortably afford if boating is a highlight of your Dubrovnik visit. Four hours works well, but six or eight hours lets the day breathe. For a group of four to seven, the private price makes the most sense. For a couple, book for the freedom and personal attention, not because it is the lowest-cost island excursion.

FAQ

How much does the private boat tour cost?

The listed price is $544.43 per group of up to seven people.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four to eight hours, depending on the option you book.

Which islands are included?

The route includes Koločep and Lopud. Šipan is generally included on six- and eight-hour trips and may be visited briefly on a four-hour trip if time permits.

What can I see on Koločep?

The Koločep stop includes the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves. You can decide how long to spend at each attraction.

Does the tour visit Šunj Beach?

Yes. The Lopud stop includes Šunj Beach, along with time to walk through the village and visit restaurants.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Water, soft drinks, beer, and white wine are served onboard.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, towels, and a GoPro are provided.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip transfers from your hotel to the boat are included. Pickup is also offered for the experience.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund. For your own cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.