Private Elaphiti Islands Boat Tour Tailor-Made 8h

The best part of this private Elaphiti Islands tour is the freedom to shape a full day on the water. You can swim at Koločep, linger at Šunj Beach, eat fresh seafood on Lopud, and finish at a quiet cove near Dubrovnik instead of following a rigid group schedule. The Blue Cave and clear water are the main early highlights.

I like the personal service from skippers such as Ivan, Nikola, and Nick, who adjust the route when a stop feels too crowded. I also like the value for a small group: $409.72 covers up to six people, with drinks, snorkeling gear, snacks, and floaties included. The main consideration is that fuel costs an extra €100 per booking and lunch is not included.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to six people: You share the speedboat only with your own group, so the day can bend around your interests.
• Koločep’s caves come first: Expect time for the Blue Cave, snorkeling, and swimming in clear, warm water.
• Šunj Beach is the easiest beach stop: Its shallow, calm water and sandy shore work well for families and relaxed swimmers.
• Lopud combines lunch and culture: You can arrange a seafood lunch, then visit the Franciscan monastery and botanical garden.
• Šipan adds old stone villages: Suđurađ offers Renaissance-era buildings, the Skočibuha castle remains, and Pakljena tower.
• Budget for the extras: The advertised group price excludes €100 fuel and your lunch, so calculate the full cost before booking.

A flexible day through the Elaphiti Islands

This is not simply a ride from one island to another. It is a private day that mixes swimming, beach time, food, village scenery, and small historical sites.

Your speedboat leaves from Lapadska Obala Pier at Lapadska obala 5 in Dubrovnik. The stated duration is eight to nine hours, including travel between stops. That matters because the islands are spread across the water, and some of your day will naturally pass with the boat moving between bays and villages.

The route is planned around five main areas, but the order and amount of time can be adjusted with your skipper. That flexibility is the tour’s biggest advantage. If you want more swimming, you can ask for it. If a popular cave is crowded, your skipper may move on and find a quieter place, as Ivan did for one group.

The boat is private for your party, with a maximum of six people. That makes the fixed group price easier to justify if you are traveling with family or friends. A couple would pay more per person, but six people sharing the cost brings the base price to about $68 per person before fuel and lunch.

Koločep caves and the Blue Cave

Koločep, known locally as Kalamota, is the first island stop. You get about two hours here, with time to explore caves and swim from the boat.

The Blue Cave is a small cave reached by swimming from the boat. There are rocks along the side where you can stop if needed, and snorkeling masks are supplied. The water is warm, clear, and strongly blue, so this is the place to use the included equipment rather than simply admire the view from the deck.

You should be comfortable getting into the sea from the boat if you want the full experience. Life jackets and floaties are included, which helps, but the description does not promise a boat ramp or a guided swim lesson. Ask your skipper about conditions if anyone in your group is a weak swimmer.

The cave can be popular. That is worth taking seriously during busy periods. Ivan reportedly changed the plan when the Blue Cave and Green Cave were too crowded, then added a more secluded swimming spot later. That is a useful sign of how the private format can work in practice, but you should still tell your skipper early if you prefer quiet coves over famous sights.

Drinks are available during the day, including beer, wine, Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, soft drinks, and bottled water. Snacks are included as well. Alcohol is provided, so use good judgment before swimming, snorkeling, or moving around on the boat.

Šunj Beach on Lopud

After Koločep, the boat heads to Šunj Beach on Lopud, where you get roughly two hours to relax.

Šunj is a broad sandy beach with shallow, calm water. That makes it one of the most practical stops for families with children, as well as anyone who wants an easy swim without climbing over rocks. The sheltered bay also gives the beach a calmer feel than an exposed coastal stop.

You will find cocktail bars beside the beach, with food available for purchase. One has hammocks between the trees, which suits a slow afternoon better than a rushed photo stop. If your ideal boat tour includes a long swim, a cold drink, and time doing very little, Šunj may become your favorite part of the route.

The drawback is simple: a good beach is hard to leave. One group said they could have spent the whole day there, though they were glad to continue to the other islands. You may feel the same. Tell your skipper if beach time matters more to you than seeing every planned stop.

The two-hour estimate includes time at the beach, but the full day also includes boat travel. You will not have eight straight hours on land or in the water. That is normal for an island-hopping trip, but it helps set the right expectation.

Lopud lunch and a 1483 monastery

Lopud offers more than a beach. After Šunj, the route moves to the other side of the island for lunch and a look at one of its oldest religious sites.

Lunch is not included in the tour price. A local restaurant can be arranged, and seafood is a natural choice, with the catch of the day highlighted as an option. One group had lunch arranged in advance at a front-row restaurant table and praised a tuna steak. That kind of planning can save time, especially on a day with several stops, but you should expect to pay separately and confirm the menu and price with the operator.

After lunch, you can visit the Franciscan monastery founded in 1483. The monastery is described as the oldest part of Lopud, and its botanical garden is free to enter. This is a pleasant change of pace after the boat and beach. You get shade, quiet, and a small dose of local history without needing a long inland excursion.

The stop lasts about two hours, including lunch and sightseeing. If your group wants a relaxed meal, do not treat this as a quick snack break. A long lunch can affect time at the monastery or later swimming stop, so tell the skipper what matters most before sitting down.

Suđurađ and the old side of Šipan

The next stop is Suđurađ on Šipan, usually for about an hour. Šipan has two main settlements, Šipanska Luka and Suđurađ, and the island carries a quieter, more traditional feel than Dubrovnik.

During the 15th and 16th centuries, Dubrovnik noble families built summer residences on Šipan. In Suđurađ, you can see remains of the Renaissance castle connected with the Stjepović-Skočibuha family. Pakljena tower, dating from 1563, is another notable sight.

This is a good stop if you want more than swimming. The village setting gives you a look at old Dalmatian life, with local customs and traditions still part of the island’s identity. A guided walk can cover local myths, historic buildings, natural sites, and cultural details.

An hour is enough for a taste, not a full study of Šipan. You might find yourself wishing for more time if old villages and architecture interest you. On the other hand, the short stop keeps the day varied and leaves room for one final swim.

Osmoliš Beach and the last swim

After Šipan, the boat follows the coast to Osmoliš Beach in Croatia. The final hour is set aside for swimming in turquoise water and enjoying the coast at a slower pace.

This ending works well. You have already seen a cave, visited a sandy beach, eaten lunch, and walked through an old village. Finishing with another swim gives you a chance to settle into the day rather than ending beside a landmark and immediately returning to Dubrovnik.

Local knowledge is useful here. The description presents Osmoliš as a place where locals point out scenic spots and good places for photos. The operator is also willing to extend the stay so you can enjoy another glass of local wine, provided the timing and conditions allow it.

The route can include a quieter swimming stop if the more famous caves are crowded. That is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private tour instead of a fixed group boat. Still, the exact water conditions and stop length depend on weather and the skipper’s judgment.

What the $409.72 price really covers

The base price is $409.72 per group of up to six. For a full private day, that can be good value for a family or group of friends. At six people, the starting price is about $68 per person, before the added costs.

The price includes:

• A private skipper
• Snacks
• Wine, beer, and soft drinks
• Bottled water
• Snorkeling equipment
• Floaties
• Life jackets
• All listed fees and taxes

Fuel costs an additional €100 per booking. Lunch is also extra. These are not minor details, so include both when comparing this tour with other boat trips from Dubrovnik.

The value is strongest when you care about privacy and control. A shared boat may have a lower headline price, but it may not let you linger at Šunj, skip a crowded cave, or add a secluded swim. If you are traveling with six people, the fixed price makes the private format particularly attractive.

A couple should think harder about the numbers. You are paying for space, flexibility, and a skipper focused only on your group. That may be worthwhile for a special day, but the per-person cost is much higher than it is for a full party.

Skippers, pace, and the practical details

The experience is offered in English, and the skipper is central to the day. Names connected with the service include Ivan, Nikola, and Nick. The most useful role they play is not simply steering the boat. It is helping you decide how to spend limited time.

Communication begins at booking, and confirmation is provided at the time of booking. The boat meets you at Lapadska Obala Pier and returns to the same meeting point at the end.

The tour is suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation. The information does not give a detailed boat-access statement, so contact the provider if someone in your group has specific mobility needs.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and anything you want for personal comfort. Snorkeling gear, drinks, snacks, floaties, and life jackets are already supplied. One useful extra could be a small speaker if music matters to you, since music is not listed as part of the service. Keep it considerate, since a quiet boat ride is part of the appeal for some people.

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book this boat tour?

I would choose this tour for a group that wants a full day outside Dubrovnik without giving up control of the schedule. Families may appreciate Šunj’s shallow water. Couples and friends may prefer the caves, snorkeling, wine, and quiet coves. People interested in local history get more than a beach day through Lopud and Šipan.

It is less suitable if you want a cheap, short boat ride or a tightly timed sightseeing program. The fuel surcharge and separate lunch cost also mean the advertised price is not the final price.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands tour?

Book it if your ideal day includes clear water, several swims, a sandy beach, local seafood, and a few historic sites, all with your own skipper. The strongest feature is the ability to change course when a cave is packed or your group wants more time in the water.

Before paying, confirm the €100 fuel charge, lunch arrangements, and your preferred priorities for the day. If you are filling the boat with six people, the price is especially reasonable. If you are a small party and want a quiet, flexible day rather than the lowest fare, it can still be a smart choice.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Lapadska Obala Pier, Lapadska obala 5, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Where does the tour finish?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at Lapadska Obala Pier.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight to nine hours. The total duration includes travel time between the islands.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private boat is for one group of up to six people.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel costs an additional €100 per booking.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. A local restaurant can be arranged during the Lopud stop, with seafood available as an option.

Which islands and beaches are visited?

The route includes Koločep, Šunj Beach and Lopud, Suđurađ on Šipan, and Osmoliš Beach in Croatia.

Are snorkeling equipment and life jackets provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, floaties, and life jackets are included.

Are drinks provided?

Yes. The tour includes wine, beer, bottled water, Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, and other soft drinks.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.