Private Elaphiti Islands Tailor-Made Boat Tour 4h -All inclusive

Koločep’s Blue Cave is the star of this private boat trip. You leave Dubrovnik by speedboat, swim a short distance from the boat into the blue-lit cave, then spend time at Šunj Beach on Lopud, where shallow water and sandy shore make an easy finish. The skipper can adjust the outing to suit your group.

I like the small private setting, which means your group of up to six does not have to follow a large boatload of strangers. I also like the practical inclusions: snorkeling gear, drinks, snacks, life jackets, and fees are covered.

The main point to check before booking is the fuel charge. The tour price is $322.33 per group, but fuel is listed separately at €65 per person. That can make the final cost much higher, especially for a full group.

Key points at a glance

• Koločep comes first: Spend about two hours around caves, including a short swim to the Blue Cave.
• Šunj Beach is the relaxing stop: Lopud’s sandy beach has shallow, calm water and a few cocktail bars.
• Your group has the boat to itself: The private format is for up to six people.
• The skipper shapes the day: Nick is specifically praised for finding good spots and adjusting the trip to group needs.
• Drinks and gear are included: Beer, wine, soft drinks, water, snacks, snorkeling equipment, and life jackets are provided.
• Watch the fuel cost: €65 per person is listed as an additional charge, separate from the group price.

A private boat outing from Dubrovnik

This four-hour trip gives you a quick taste of the Elaphiti Islands without committing to a full-day cruise. You meet at Lapadska Obala Pier on Lapadska obala 5, then return to the same place at the end.

The timing matters. Four hours sounds generous, but it includes travel time between Dubrovnik and the islands. You should think of this as a focused half-day escape, not a slow island-hopping holiday. You get two main stops, some time on the water, and a chance to swim, but you will not have hours to wander around several islands.

The private format is its strongest feature. With space for only your group of up to six, you can spend more time swimming if that suits you, or move on when you have had enough. The skipper can also share local tips and help shape the outing around your preferences.

The boat is described as a speedboat, so the trip is built around getting out to the islands efficiently. That leaves more time for Koločep and Lopud than you would have on a slower vessel. On the other hand, anyone looking for a quiet, leisurely cruise should know that a speedboat places more emphasis on transport and stops than on a long, gentle ride.

Koločep and the short swim to the Blue Cave

Koločep, also called Kalamota by locals, is the first stop. You have about two hours here, and the focus is on the caves and clear water rather than a formal guided walk on land.

The Blue Cave is reached by swimming a short distance from the boat. Rocks line parts of the route, and you can stop there if needed. That makes the visit manageable for confident swimmers, but it is still important to be honest about your comfort in open water. This is not a cave reached by a paved path or a dock.

Inside, the cave is described as small and pretty, with blue water providing the main visual effect. It is the kind of stop that depends on conditions, light, and your willingness to get wet. The provided snorkeling mask lets you look below the surface, adding something to the stop beyond simply taking a quick look inside.

Life jackets are included, and snorkeling equipment is available. Still, the information does not say that the Blue Cave has a special access system or an alternative route for non-swimmers. If someone in your group cannot swim comfortably, ask the operator about that before booking.

The two-hour window also gives the skipper room to show you other caves or swimming areas around Koločep. The exact order and length of each activity can be adjusted, which is useful for a group with mixed interests. One person may want to snorkel, another may prefer to stay aboard, and a third may want to spend more time at the rocks.

The drinks are useful here. Water, beer, wine, and soft drinks are provided, along with snacks. You do not need to pack refreshments for a short outing, though lunch is not included.

Šunj Beach on Lopud

After Koločep, the boat continues to Šunj Beach on Lopud. You have about one hour here, making this a shorter stop than the Koločep portion.

Šunj is a sandy beach with shallow, calm water. That gives the trip a different mood after the caves. Instead of swimming from the boat and looking beneath the surface, you can walk into the water, sit on the sand, or simply rest on shore.

This is the more family-friendly part of the route. Shallow water is easier for children and for anyone who prefers a gentle swim. The sheltered bay also helps keep the sea calm, though the actual conditions still depend on the weather.

A few cocktail bars line the beach, with food available for purchase. One has hammocks between the trees, giving you a simple place to rest with a drink or take a nap. Since lunch is not part of the tour, Šunj is also your best chance to buy something to eat, though one hour may feel short if the beach is busy or you want a full meal.

I would treat Šunj as a chance to slow down, not as a major sightseeing stop. You have enough time to swim and relax, but not enough for a long beach day. If your group cares most about sun and sand, you may wish the tour spent longer here. If you prefer a mix of cave swimming and beach time, the balance works well.

What your skipper adds

A private boat trip depends heavily on the skipper. The skipper is not just steering the boat. This person controls the pace, explains the stops, helps with local suggestions, and decides how the time works within the weather and sea conditions.

Nick receives especially strong praise. A group that had Nick as skipper credited him with finding the best spots and accommodating their needs, and rated the experience beyond the usual five-point scale in spirit. That gives you a useful clue about the service style to expect: personal attention matters here.

Nick may not be the skipper on every departure, so you should not assume he will be assigned to your group. The important point is that the operator presents the trip as a local, flexible experience rather than a fixed route with no room for change.

You should tell the skipper early if your group has a priority. Be clear if you want more swimming, more cave time, more time at Šunj, or a slower pace. The private format has real value only if you use that flexibility.

The real cost and what it buys you

The advertised price is $322.33 per group of up to six. At full capacity, that works out to roughly $54 per person before the separate fuel charge. For a private boat, skipper, drinks, snacks, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and included taxes and fees, that can look appealing.

Then comes the important qualification: fuel is listed at €65 per person. This is not a small add-on. For six people, it would total €390, which changes the value calculation completely. The final price is therefore something you should confirm carefully before paying or setting your budget.

The price can make sense for a group that values privacy and flexibility. Split among several people, you have your own boat rather than a shared excursion, and you can make requests during the trip. For two people, though, the cost per person becomes much higher, especially after fuel.

Lunch is not included. You receive snacks and drinks, but you will need to buy food at Šunj Beach or make other arrangements. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also not included, so you need to reach the pier on your own.

The meeting point is in the Lapad area, at Lapadska Obala Pier. The tour returns there, which makes planning simpler than a trip with a separate drop-off location. The activity is offered in English and includes a mobile ticket.

Who will enjoy this four-hour route

I would recommend this trip to a group of friends, a couple wanting a private outing, or a family that prefers calm water and a flexible pace. It works especially well if you want to combine a memorable swim with an easy beach stop.

It also suits people who do not want to spend an entire day at sea. Four hours gives you a clear break from Dubrovnik without taking over your whole schedule. You can fit it into a trip that includes city sightseeing, provided you allow enough time to reach the pier.

The tour is less suitable if you want extensive island sightseeing, long meals, or several hours on a beach. You visit two main locations, and travel time is part of the four-hour total.

Strong swimmers and confident snorkelers will get the most from the Blue Cave stop. Families and relaxed swimmers may prefer to make Šunj the main focus. Since the tour is private, the best version is one where everyone in your group has similar expectations.

The basic participation information is broad: most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. Still, the Blue Cave involves a swim from the boat, so anyone with mobility or swimming concerns should check the practical details with the operator first.

Weather, timing, and cancellation

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cause a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is sensible for a boat trip involving cave swimming and an open-water crossing.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local time in Dubrovnik.

The total duration is approximately four hours, including travel. Plan around that full window rather than counting on exactly two hours at Koločep and one hour at Šunj. Boat conditions and the skipper’s decisions may affect the precise rhythm of the day.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a private half-day on the water, value a skipper who can adjust the plan, and like the combination of cave swimming and a sandy beach. The included drinks, snacks, snorkeling gear, and life jackets make the day easy to organize.

Before you commit, confirm the €65-per-person fuel charge and decide if the final total fits your budget. Also make sure everyone in your group is comfortable with the short swim to the Blue Cave.

For up to six people who want privacy, Nick-style personal service, and a compact escape from Dubrovnik, this is an appealing choice. If your priority is a low-cost boat ride, a long beach stay, or a full lunch-and-island day, choose a different format.

FAQ

How long is the private Elaphiti Islands boat tour?

The tour lasts approximately four hours, including travel time between Dubrovnik and the islands.

Where does the tour begin?

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

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at Lapadska Obala Pier.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private boat is available for a group of up to six people, and only your group participates.

What is included in the tour?

The tour includes a skipper, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, drinks such as beer, wine, soft drinks, and water, snacks, all fees, and taxes.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel is listed separately at €65 per person.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, although Šunj Beach has cocktail bars serving food.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you are offered a different date or a full refund.