Elaphite Islands Luxury Private Boat Tour with Cap Camarat 7.5

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat tour is the freedom to shape the day around your group. Captain Šime, also known as Simon, can linger at the caves, skip a stop, or find time for swimming instead of rushing you through a fixed schedule. I especially like the private boat for up to seven and the useful extras: drinks, towels, snorkeling gear, and a GoPro.

I also like the included round-trip hotel pickup, which removes a common bit of Dubrovnik fuss. The main consideration is time. Four hours is enough for caves and a swim, but reaching all three Elaphite Islands calls for a longer outing, and the price is much better when shared by a larger group.

Key points

• Private Cap Camarat 7.5 boat: Your party has the boat to itself, with room for up to seven people.
• Flexible island-hopping: Spend longer at Koločep’s caves, shorten a stop, or adjust the plan with Šime.
• Šunj Beach on Lopud: Enjoy one of the area’s sandy beaches, plus time in Lopud village.
• Six or eight hours for Šipan: The third island is usually reserved for longer tours.
• Practical extras included: Beer, white wine, soft drinks, water, towels, snorkeling equipment, and a GoPro.
• Hotel transfers included: Pickup and return transport are part of the experience.

Why a private boat makes sense around Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik’s old town gets the attention, but the coast is where the city’s setting really opens up. The Elaphite Islands sit just offshore, and a private boat lets you trade crowded streets for sea air, cliffs, small villages, and clear swimming spots.

This is not a rigid sightseeing cruise. You are hiring a boat and captain for your own group, then deciding how much time to give each stop. That difference matters. If one person wants to swim, another wants photographs, and someone else prefers a quiet drink on board, you have room to adjust without waiting for a whole boatload of strangers.

Captain Šime is a major part of the experience. He handles the driving and offers suggestions about where to go, while keeping the day shaped around your interests. He has helped arrange restaurant reservations, offered local background about Dubrovnik and the islands, and adjusted plans when groups wanted something unusual, such as quiet bays or lighthouse views.

The boat is a Cap Camarat 7.5, a good size for a small private party. It is large enough for a relaxed day on the water without feeling like a large excursion vessel. The supplied information describes it as clean and luxurious, and the onboard setup includes refreshments, towels, and water equipment.

Koločep’s Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves

Koločep is usually the first major stop, and it provides the strongest reason to choose the boat rather than a basic island ferry. The plan includes the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves, with about two hours assigned to the island on the standard outline.

The names tell you what to expect: striking rock formations, shaded cave interiors, and places where you can look into the water or swim inside. The exact feel of each cave depends on the sea and weather, but the appeal is simple. You get close to formations that are difficult to appreciate from a distant ferry, and you can spend time in the water instead of only taking a quick photograph.

The private format is particularly useful here. One family used the early start to reach the Blue Cave before larger boats arrived, enjoying a short spell with the place largely to themselves. That is a practical reason to discuss your preferred departure time with Šime before the day begins. It does not guarantee empty caves, but an early start can improve your chances.

Snorkeling equipment is provided, and the GoPro can be taken into the water. That makes this more than a pass-by sightseeing stop. If your group enjoys swimming, allow enough time for getting in, looking around, and drying off rather than treating the caves as a quick photo stop.

There is one small limitation. Cave visits depend on conditions, and the tour requires good weather. If the water or wind makes a particular spot unsuitable, the captain may need to change the plan. That is the sensible tradeoff for a boat day focused on swimming and open water.

Lopud and the sandy stretch at Šunj Beach

Lopud gives the tour a different rhythm. After the caves and rocky coast of Koločep, you get a sandy beach and a village where you can walk, stop for a drink, or eat lunch. The planned time here is about three hours, though the private arrangement lets you discuss the pace.

Šunj is the main draw. Sandy beaches are less common along this part of the Adriatic than rocky swimming spots, so it is a welcome change if someone in your group wants to sit on the shore rather than climb into the sea from a boat. Families may find this stop easier than a day made up only of caves and swimming.

The village adds a bit of land time. You can take a walk and choose a restaurant, rather than eating wherever a large group has been assigned. Šime has recommended seafood restaurants and called ahead for reservations, which can be helpful during a busy summer lunch period. A simple meal on Lopud can also break up a full day on the boat.

Do not expect Lopud to be a major sightseeing center. Its value is the combination of beach, village, and a slower pause in the itinerary. If your priority is nonstop swimming, you may prefer to shorten the walk and return to the boat. If your group wants lunch and a change of scene, Lopud is likely to become the middle of the day.

The beach and village also make Lopud a useful stop for mixed groups. Children can enjoy the sand, adults can eat or walk, and swimmers can spend time in the water. The captain can help you decide how long to stay, but remember that a long lunch here leaves less time for Šipan on an eight-hour plan.

Šipan is the reason to book six or eight hours

Šipan is the last of the three Elaphite Islands included in the route. It is generally visited on six- and eight-hour outings. On a four-hour tour, it is only possible if the first two stops are very brief, so you should not book the half-day version expecting a complete tour of all three islands.

That timing advice is important. Four hours works well if you want the caves, one or two swimming stops, and perhaps a short visit to Lopud. It is the efficient choice for a port call or a morning when you also want time in Dubrovnik’s old town.

Six hours gives the day more breathing room. You can visit several islands, swim without watching the clock every few minutes, and stop for lunch. An eight-hour trip is the fullest option and makes the most sense if the boat day is the main event rather than a short add-on.

The route is not just about collecting island names. Longer trips give Šime more room to respond to the day. You might spend extra time at a cave, pause in a quiet bay, swim offshore, or take a slower route between stops. One group with an interest in lighthouses was able to include two lighthouse views, while other groups focused on beaches and caves.

Drinks, towels, snorkeling gear, and the GoPro

The included supplies are simple, but they improve the day. Beer, white wine, soft drinks, and water are served, so you do not need to organize a separate supply for the boat. Towels are included as well, which is useful when your group plans to swim more than once.

Snorkeling equipment means you can get in the water without packing your own mask and fins. The GoPro is another thoughtful touch, especially at the caves, where a few underwater clips can capture more than standard phone photographs.

These extras do not turn the tour into a luxury hotel experience, and you should still bring whatever personal items you need for sun protection and comfort. But they remove several small errands from your day. You can leave Dubrovnik, swim, dry off, have a drink, and continue without constantly managing bags and equipment.

The onboard drinks also add value when you compare this with a cheaper group cruise. A group boat may cost less per person, but you generally give up control over timing and stops. Here, the included refreshments and private use of the boat make the higher total price easier to justify, particularly for four to seven people.

Understanding the $544.43 group price

The listed price is $544.43 for the entire group, with up to seven people included. That works out to about $78 per person for seven people, about $136 per person for four, and about $272 per person for two.

Those figures show who benefits most. A full group gets strong value from a private boat, captain, hotel transfers, drinks, towels, and snorkeling gear. For a couple, the price is a much bigger decision. You are paying for privacy, flexibility, and a boat dedicated to your plans, not simply for transportation between islands.

I would compare it with the kind of day you want, not only with the cheapest available boat fare. If you want to stop whenever you like, avoid a fixed group schedule, and include swimming and caves, the private format earns its cost. If you mainly want to reach Lopud and return, a shared boat may be enough.

The price also becomes more reasonable on a six- or eight-hour outing, since you have more time to use the boat and reach Šipan. For a four-hour trip, the value depends on how much you care about privacy and personal service. A short private charter can still be ideal for a cruise port stop, especially if you need to return on time.

Hotel pickup and cruise-port timing

Round-trip transfers from your hotel to the boat are included. That is helpful in Dubrovnik, where finding the right marina or meeting point can add unnecessary stress, particularly with beach gear and children.

The tour has also worked for cruise passengers with limited time in port. One family reached the boat with a short, easy walk from the cruise ship area, began early, completed a four-hour outing, returned for lunch, and still had time to visit the old town. Treat that as an example rather than a guarantee, since your ship schedule and meeting point may differ.

Communication with Šime is part of the practical advantage. He confirms the pickup location, checks in before the trip, and gives clear instructions about meeting the boat. If you are coming from a cruise ship, tell him your arrival and all-aboard times before booking the final plan.

A late pickup can affect the route. One group arrived more than ten minutes late and the transfer was adjusted, but you should not rely on that flexibility. Arrive early and keep your return deadline clear.

Families, swimming, and mobility considerations

This tour suits families well because the pace is not locked. A young child can take time exploring, swim only when ready, or stay on board while adults enjoy the water. The captain has adjusted routes for families with children as young as four and nine, choosing stops that matched their comfort and energy.

Older children and teenagers may get the most from the caves, snorkeling equipment, and GoPro. Adults can enjoy the scenery and drinks without giving up control of the day. Couples can also choose a quieter plan with bays, swimming, and a restaurant stop.

If you use a wheelchair, contact the provider before booking. Šime has asked in advance about boarding needs and tried to assess whether a guest could get onto the boat, but the supplied details do not promise full wheelchair accessibility. You need a clear answer about boarding and transfers for your specific situation.

The tour is offered in English, and most people can participate. The sea can still be tiring, especially on a full eight-hour day, so choose four hours if your group prefers a shorter outing or has limited stamina.

Weather, timing, and what to bring

This is a weather-dependent activity. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. If you cancel, free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Early departure is worth asking about if the caves are your priority. It may help you reach popular spots before the busiest part of the day, though conditions and other boats are outside the captain’s control.

You receive water, soft drinks, beer, white wine, towels, snorkeling equipment, and a GoPro. You should still plan your personal clothing and sun protection around a day on the water. Keep valuables to a minimum, and confirm the meeting details before departure.

Should you book the Elaphite Islands private tour?

I would book this tour if you want the islands to fit your day, rather than fitting your day around a boat timetable. It is especially appealing for families, couples who value privacy, small friend groups, and cruise passengers who need a carefully timed outing.

Choose four hours for caves, swimming, and a taste of Lopud. Choose six hours if you want several islands and a relaxed lunch stop. Choose eight hours if you want Šipan, extra swimming time, and the freedom to linger.

The main reason to skip it is price. A private charter costs more than a shared excursion, especially for two people. But with seven people aboard, the cost per person is reasonable, and the included transfers, drinks, gear, and personal itinerary add real value.

For a flexible day on the Adriatic with Captain Šime, Koločep’s caves, Lopud’s sandy Šunj Beach, and the option of Šipan, this is one of the stronger ways to get beyond Dubrovnik’s old town.

FAQ

How much does the private boat tour cost?

The price is $544.43 per group of up to seven people. The cost is charged by group, not per person.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four to eight hours. Six- and eight-hour trips are the better choices if you want to include Šipan.

Which islands are included?

The route includes Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. Koločep is the cave stop, Lopud includes Šunj Beach and a village visit, and Šipan is generally included on longer tours.

Are drinks and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Beer, white wine, soft drinks, water, towels, snorkeling equipment, and a GoPro are provided.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Round-trip transfers from your hotel to the boat are included, and pickup is offered as part of the experience.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.