Private Half Day and Full Day Elaphiti Islands Tours

The best part of this private Dubrovnik boat trip is the chance to swim inside Koločep’s Blue Cave and Three Sister caves, where sunlight turns the water a striking blue. I like the freedom of a private boat, and I like that the skipper can shape the day around swimming, walking, lunch, or simply sitting back with a cold drink.

The main consideration is time. A short outing cannot comfortably cover every island, and a visit to Lokrum means giving up some of the Elaphiti Islands. Lunch on Šipan costs extra, and there is no restroom on board.

Key points at a glance

• Swim inside Koločep’s caves: Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, water, and soft drinks are included.
• Choose your pace: Private groups can spend more time swimming, walking, or relaxing at the stops that appeal most.
• See four different island experiences: Koločep offers caves, Šipan offers lunch, Lopud offers culture and walking, and Šunj offers a sandy beach.
• Pickup can simplify the day: Pickup is offered, including from a cruise port, though locations outside the normal radius cost extra.
• Several skippers receive especially warm praise: Lovro, Vicko, Bruno, and Toni are named for friendly service, good driving, local suggestions, and attentive care.
• The price works best for a group: At $301.03 for up to six people, the per-person cost becomes much better when the boat is full.

Why the Elaphiti Islands make a fine Dubrovnik escape

Dubrovnik’s Old Town can be intense in the middle of the day. Stone streets, walls, stairs, and packed sightseeing routes are rewarding, but a boat trip gives you a clean break from all that. Within the same outing, you can swim in a cave, eat on a quiet island, walk past churches, and stretch out on a sandy beach.

I like this tour because it is not just a ride past the islands. The stops give the day some shape. Koločep is about the water, Šipan about lunch, Lopud about a walk, and Šunj about easy beach time. You get several different Adriatic moods instead of one long cruise with no chance to get off.

The private format also matters. Your group alone takes part, so you are not tied to the interests of a large boatload of people. If everyone wants to swim longer at Koločep, you have more room to do so. If the family is ready for lunch, the skipper can move on.

The advertised price is $301.03 for a group of up to six. That is a fair value for a private boat if you fill the places. Split six ways, it is about $50 per person before lunch. For two people, the cost is much higher per head, so couples should decide how much they value privacy and flexibility.

Koločep’s caves are the highlight

The first stop is Koločep, where the boat visits the Blue Cave and Three Sister caves. The appeal is simple: you get into the water and snorkel inside the caves while sunlight reflects off the sea. That blue glow is the kind of small, memorable moment that makes a boat day worthwhile.

Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are supplied, so you do not need to bring your own gear. Water and Coca-Cola are included, along with beer and wine. That makes the cave stop easy to enjoy, though you should use good judgment with alcohol before swimming.

Plan on about an hour at Koločep. That is enough time for a swim and a look inside the caves, but it is not a long beach session. If cave swimming is your top priority, tell the skipper early. The private setup gives you a better chance of shaping the stop around that interest.

The water activity does require basic comfort around the sea. Life jackets are available, but the listing does not promise shallow water, calm conditions, or a particular swimming route. If you are unsure about swimming, ask the skipper what is suitable when you arrive.

Šipan brings lunch and a slower island pause

After Koločep, the boat heads to Šipan for roughly two hours. This is the most relaxed stop on the route because the plan is to eat lunch at a local restaurant. The meal is not included, so keep room in your budget for food and drinks beyond what is supplied on the boat.

I like having a proper lunch built into a full-day schedule. Swimming and boating work up an appetite, and a restaurant stop gives you a break from the sun. It also keeps the trip from feeling like a string of short photo stops.

The exact restaurant and menu are not specified, so you should ask the operator what is planned for the day. The boat’s included beer, wine, water, and Coca-Cola do not cover the restaurant meal. If you have dietary needs, raise them when booking or before departure.

Šipan is also the point where the difference between a half-day and full-day trip becomes clear. A short tour may have to skip lunch or limit the island time. If you want caves, food, a walk, and a beach, the longer option makes more sense.

Lopud combines a walk with island character

Lopud is scheduled for about an hour. It is described as having beautiful churches, a monastery, and sandy beaches, making it the best stop for a little exploration on foot.

I would use this hour for a gentle walk rather than trying to see everything. The timing is enough to get a feel for the island and visit some of its sights, but it is not a full historical tour. No detailed guiding program is promised, so ask your skipper about the best direction to walk.

Lopud helps balance the water-heavy part of the experience. After the caves and boat ride, your group can stretch its legs and see something beyond the shoreline. It is also a useful stop for anyone in your party who prefers churches, local scenery, and a short stroll over extended swimming.

Keep an eye on the clock. With several islands in one day, the skipper needs to keep the schedule moving. The private format gives you flexibility, but it does not turn an hour-long stop into unlimited free time.

Šunj Beach is made for an easy finish

Šunj Beach is usually the final stop. It is described as the most popular sandy beach in the Dubrovnik area, with beach bars where you can relax and buy drinks.

This is a good ending because it asks very little of you. After caves, lunch, and walking, you can swim, sit on the sand, or have a drink before returning to Dubrovnik. If your perfect boat day ends with activity, use the beach for another swim. If it ends with doing nothing, Šunj works just as well.

The beach bars are an extra expense, since they are not part of the included package. The tour includes drinks on board, but not every purchase made on the islands. Bring a payment method suitable for your group’s needs, although the supplied information does not specify payment options at the bars.

Because Šunj is popular, it may feel less secluded than the cave stops. That is not a flaw if you want facilities and a lively beach setting. If you are seeking quiet, tell the skipper that swimming time at a less busy spot matters more to you.

Lokrum is an either-or choice

Lokrum sits in front of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, on the opposite side from the Elaphiti Islands. The boat visits it only on request.

The important point is that adding Lokrum changes the day. If you go to Lokrum, you cannot see all the Elaphiti Islands. I would choose Lokrum only if you have a strong reason to visit that island, such as wanting a stop close to Dubrovnik or preferring it to one of the scheduled Elaphiti locations.

For a first outing focused on the islands, I would keep the route centered on Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj. For a return visit, or for a group with a specific interest in Lokrum, the request option adds useful flexibility.

The information provided does not include a Lokrum admission price or promise a particular activity there. Admission is not included, so confirm the details before committing to that change.

The skippers shape the day

The human side of this trip is one of its strongest points. Several skippers are named in the feedback, including Lovro, Vicko, Bruno, and Toni. Their roles go beyond steering the boat. You can expect the skipper to help with timing, swimming spots, island choices, and the general flow of the day.

Lovro receives especially strong praise for being kind, fun, a skilled driver, and good at finding appealing swimming places. One account describes him encouraging a first open-sea swim, which suggests a patient approach for someone who feels unsure in the water. That does not replace proper caution, but it is useful if your group has mixed confidence.

Vicko is praised for the caves, scenery, and a strong finish to the holiday. Bruno is associated with views, music, drinks, stories, and convenient transfers to and from the port. Toni is described as informative and helpful during a full-day outing with swimming, cave exploration, and lunch.

Antonio is also singled out for attentive service and for making the experience feel tailored. If you have a preference for one of these skippers, you can ask, but the supplied information does not promise a specific skipper at booking.

The boat is described as immaculate and equipped with drinks. Pickup can include a cruise port, which is particularly useful if you are visiting Dubrovnik on a ship and want to avoid arranging your own transfer to the marina. Pickup outside the company’s normal service radius costs extra.

Half-day or full-day: choose by priority

The experience is advertised as lasting roughly two to eight hours. That is a wide range, so you should decide what you want before booking.

A half-day works best if your main goals are:

• A fast escape from Dubrovnik
• Swimming in the Koločep caves
• A short beach stop
• A private ride with drinks and snorkeling equipment
• Fitting the trip around other sightseeing

A full day makes more sense if you want to combine caves, lunch, an island walk, and beach time. The full route has four main stops, each with a different purpose, and rushing between them would take away much of the pleasure.

The private format helps, but it cannot defeat travel time or weather. Ask the operator how the selected duration affects the route. A short booking may need to omit Šipan lunch, Lopud, or Šunj rather than giving each place its full scheduled time.

What is included, and what you still need to budget

The included package is practical rather than luxurious. You receive fuel, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, water, Coca-Cola, beer, and wine. Fuel being included is useful because you do not have to worry about a surprise charge for the island route.

You pay separately for lunch on Šipan, beach-bar drinks at Šunj, and admission connected with Lokrum. There is no restroom on board, so use facilities before departure and during island stops.

Pickup is offered, but extra charges apply outside the normal pickup radius. Confirm the exact pickup point and any added cost before the day of the trip. The service is offered in English, and confirmation is sent at booking.

Service animals are allowed, and the experience is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the trip includes swimming, boat movement, and getting in and out at island stops. If anyone in your group has a concern, contact the provider before booking.

Who will get the most from this private boat day?

I would recommend this outing to families, couples, and small groups who want control over the pace. It is especially good for people who like mixing swimming with light sightseeing rather than spending an entire day on one beach.

It also suits cruise passengers because pickup from the cruise port may remove a layer of planning. Just leave enough time around your ship schedule and confirm the transfer details.

The tour is less suitable if you need a guaranteed quiet beach, a full guided history lesson, or a restroom on the boat. It is also not the best value for a solo visitor or a couple on a tight budget, since the private-group price works better with several people sharing it.

The experience has a 5 rating from 12 reviews, with 100 percent recommending it. I would read that as a clear signal about service, boat handling, and the fun of the day, but I would still pay attention to the practical limits: lunch costs extra, the route depends on time, and weather can cancel the outing.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands tour?

Book it if you want a private day built around swimming, caves, and island stops, and if you can share the $301.03 price with a group of up to six. The Blue Cave is the main draw, while Šipan lunch, Lopud’s walk, and Šunj Beach give the longer trip useful variety.

Choose the full-day option if you want the complete route. Choose half-day if Koločep and a beach are enough. Ask about the pickup charge, the planned skipper, lunch arrangements, and whether your chosen duration includes every stop.

I would skip Lokrum unless it matters more to you than seeing all the Elaphiti Islands. For most first-time visitors, the island route offers the better mix of sea time, food, walking, and relaxed Dubrovnik views.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. The trip requires good weather, and a weather cancellation brings either a different date or a full refund. That policy makes it sensible to avoid placing the boat day on your only available date if your Dubrovnik schedule allows another option.

FAQ

Where does this tour take place?

The tour begins in Dubrovnik and visits the Elaphiti Islands. The standard route includes Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj Beach. Lokrum can be visited on request instead of seeing all the Elaphiti Islands.

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration ranges from approximately two to eight hours. The exact length depends on the half-day or full-day option you choose.

How much does the private tour cost?

The listed price is $301.03 per group, for up to six people. Lunch, beach-bar purchases, and Lokrum admission are not included.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered, including pickup from a cruise port in some arrangements. Pickup locations outside the company’s normal radius are charged extra.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included, along with fuel, water, Coca-Cola, beer, and wine.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch on Šipan is not included in the tour price and is purchased separately at a restaurant.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

No. A restroom on board is not included, so plan to use facilities before departure and during the island stops.

Can the boat visit Lokrum Island?

Yes, but only on request. If the boat visits Lokrum, it cannot see all of the Elaphiti Islands.

What happens if the weather cancels the tour?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.