Elaphite Islands: Private boat tour (Cap Camarat 7.5wa)

This private speedboat trip turns the Elaphite Islands into your own day on the water. From Dubrovnik, you cruise past Grebeni, visit the caves of Koločep, stop at sandy Šunj Beach on Lopud, and continue to Šipan if your group still has time and energy.

I especially like the freedom to set the pace. You can spend more time swimming, skip a stop, or ask skipper Simon to find a quieter patch of sea instead of following a fixed schedule. I also like the useful extras: drinks, towels, snorkeling gear, and a GoPro are included.

The main consideration is time. A four-hour trip gives you a quick taste, but visiting all three islands without rushing is better suited to the eight-hour option. Lunch is not included, and the $530 price is charged per boat, so this works best when shared by a group of up to seven.

Key points to know before you book

• A genuinely private boat: Only your group rides aboard the Cap Camarat 7.5wa, with the route adjusted to your interests.
• Three cave stops on Koločep: Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves give the first major stops a scenic and playful focus.
• Šunj is the sandy-beach stop: Lopud’s Šunj Beach offers a change from the rocky Croatian coast.
• Simon handles more than the driving: He serves as skipper and English-speaking guide, with a friendly, flexible approach.
• The eight-hour trip gives you room to breathe: The shorter option is better for a sampler, while the longer trip lets you include Šipan and a relaxed meal stop.
• Practical extras are covered: Fuel, drinks, towels, snorkeling equipment, GoPro use, and pickup are included.

A private start from Dubrovnik

Your day begins with pickup at the address you provide, about 20 minutes before the boat tour starts. Hotel transfers are included, which removes one small but annoying part of a boat day in Dubrovnik: figuring out how to reach the marina on time.

The boat is a Cap Camarat 7.5wa, described as new, clean, and functional. It is a speedboat rather than a slow sightseeing vessel, so the ride itself is part of the fun. You get more time on the islands and less time simply getting there.

The private setup matters most here. You are not sharing the boat with a large mixed group, and you do not have to defend your place at the rail or follow someone else’s preferred swimming schedule. Simon can adjust the day around your group, within the available four or eight hours.

That flexibility has real value. One group wanted more privacy and spent extra time at quieter swimming areas. Another group may prefer to see every listed stop. You can tell the skipper what sort of day you want, then make changes as you go.

Grebeni gives you the first look at open water

Grebeni is the first point of interest after leaving Dubrovnik. The tour uses it as an opening boat stop before moving toward the Elaphite Islands.

This early section helps you settle into the rhythm of the trip. You are not immediately pushed into a tight sequence of island stops. Instead, you get a first look at the small islands and rocky coastline from the water before the main cave and beach stops begin.

The exact amount of time spent here depends on your chosen duration and the wishes of your group. If you have booked four hours, you may want to keep the stop brief so there is enough time for Koločep and Lopud. With eight hours, you have more breathing room.

Koločep packs three cave stops into one island

Koločep is the first of the three main Elaphite Islands on the route. The tour includes Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves, giving this part of the day a clear focus on rock formations, sheltered water, and short stops from the boat.

You should bring swimwear, since the caves are best appreciated as part of a sea outing rather than from the comfort of a dry seat. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, and the clear water gives you a reason to spend time looking below the surface.

The provided GoPro is another useful touch. You can borrow it for photos and clips during the outing, rather than relying only on your phone. It is a small extra, but it fits the day well, especially if your group plans to swim near the caves.

Do not assume that every cave stop will feel like a long excursion ashore. This is a boat tour, and the caves are visited from the sea. The attraction is the quick change of scenery, the chance to look into sheltered openings, and the ability to stop for a swim if your group chooses.

Koločep is likely to be the busiest section of the schedule because it has three named cave stops. If you prefer quiet water and longer swims, tell Simon early in the day. He can help you decide how much time to spend at each cave and where to slow down.

Lopud brings a sandy beach and a chance to walk

After Koločep, the boat heads to Lopud. The first stop is Šunj Beach, a sandy beach that provides a welcome contrast to the more common rocky swimming spots along the Adriatic coast.

For many people, Šunj will be the easiest place to settle into a longer beach break. You can swim, dry off, or simply enjoy a change from moving between short boat stops. The tour does not force you to leave after a set number of minutes, which is one of its strongest advantages over a standard group excursion.

The next stop is the populated part of Lopud, where you have time for a walk. This gives the day a little more variety. You are not limited to swimming and boat views, and you can see some of the island at walking pace.

Restaurants are available on Lopud if you want lunch, but food is not included in the tour price. That makes it sensible to discuss lunch plans with Simon before stopping. If your group wants a restaurant meal, allow enough time for it. If you would rather maximize time in the water, bring that preference into the schedule.

Drinks are included: water, cola, white wine, and beer. These cover basic refreshment, but they are not a substitute for a meal. Bring swimwear, and consider packing anything else you need for a full day in the sun, since the formal list of items to bring only specifies swimwear.

Šipan is the relaxed final island option

Šipan is the third Elaphite Island on the route. It is included as the final island stop, although the amount of time available depends on whether you choose four or eight hours and how long you spend at Grebeni, Koločep, and Lopud.

This is where the longer tour earns its keep. On a four-hour outing, visiting every stop can become a race against the clock. The eight-hour option gives you a better chance to include Šipan, take a proper break, and still enjoy time on the water.

Restaurants are also available on Šipan if you want lunch. Since food is not included, this can be a useful place to plan a meal, provided your group is comfortable using part of the tour time for it.

The private format lets you decide what matters most. You might spend longer at Šunj and only make a short stop on Šipan. Or you might care more about visiting all three islands than taking a long beach break. The skipper can adjust the order and length of stops around those priorities, subject to the total time.

Why the private format is worth the price

The listed price is $530 for a group of up to seven. That is not a cheap single-person excursion, but the calculation changes quickly when the boat is full. Split seven ways, it comes to about $76 per person before considering the included fuel, skipper, drinks, towels, snorkeling gear, GoPro, and transfers.

For a couple, the same price is a much bigger commitment. You are paying for privacy and control rather than simply transportation to the islands. That can still be worthwhile if you strongly dislike fixed group schedules or want a special day on the water, but a shared boat may offer better value for two people.

For a family or group of friends, the price makes more sense. You can divide the cost while keeping the boat to yourselves, and you do not need to pay extra for each drink, towel, or snorkeling set. The key is to fill as many of the seven places as possible.

The eight-hour version is also likely to offer better value than the four-hour version for groups that want the full route. You are visiting three islands, three caves on Koločep, and a sandy beach on Lopud. Trying to fit all of that into four hours means shorter stops and fewer chances to linger.

Simon’s role shapes the day

Simon is the skipper and English-speaking guide. He has been praised for being friendly, timely, polite, and willing to tailor the outing around what the group wanted.

That combination is important on a private tour. The skipper is not only responsible for operating the boat. He also helps turn a list of stops into a workable day. If you want more swimming, less social time, a lunch break, or a quieter place away from other boats, say so clearly.

Simon has also been described as arriving early and helping the group get ahead of crowds. Timing can matter around popular cave and beach stops, so an early start may improve the feel of the day. The exact start time depends on availability, but you can check it when booking.

The guide’s approach seems suited to people who want help without being talked at all day. You can ask about the islands and stops, but the private setting also leaves room for quiet time with your own group.

What is included, and what should you bring?

The tour covers the costly operating basics and several useful comforts:

• Fuel
• Skipper and English-speaking guide
• Pickup, with hotel transfers included
• Drinks including water, cola, white wine, and beer
• Towels
• Snorkeling equipment
• GoPro use

Food is not included. Restaurants are available on Lopud and Šipan, so you can buy lunch during the tour if you choose. Bring swimwear as the required item, and consider packing personal sun protection and anything else you normally need for a long day outdoors.

Because the tour can last four to eight hours, your packing choices should match the duration. A short trip may need little beyond swimwear, while a full-day outing calls for more planning around food and comfort.

Four hours or eight hours?

Choose four hours if you want a compact taste of the Elaphite Islands. It can work well when you have limited time in Dubrovnik, want to focus on Koločep and Lopud, or prefer a shorter outing on the water.

Choose eight hours if you want to visit Grebeni, all three caves on Koločep, Šunj Beach, Lopud’s populated area, and Šipan without constantly checking the clock. The longer option also suits groups that want lunch, longer swims, or time to change the plan during the day.

I would not choose the shorter trip simply because it costs less unless your schedule demands it. A private boat is most useful when you have time to use its flexibility. The longer outing gives you more freedom to stop, walk, eat, and swim.

Who will enjoy this boat tour most?

This trip suits families, couples, and groups of friends who want the sea day to feel personal rather than programmed. It is especially useful for a group of up to seven that can share the fixed boat price.

You will get the most from it if you enjoy swimming, short scenic stops, sandy beaches, and making decisions as you go. The included snorkeling gear and GoPro add interest for anyone who wants to look beneath the surface or record the day.

It may be less suitable if you want a guaranteed full meal, a long guided walk, or a low-cost single-person excursion. Food is extra, and the focus remains on the boat, caves, beaches, and swimming areas.

The route also rewards people who communicate clearly. Tell Simon whether you want the complete island route, more private swimming, a lunch stop, or a slower day. The boat can be adapted, but the eight-hour limit still applies.

Should you book the Elaphite Islands private tour?

Book it if you can gather a group and want control over your day on the water. The best reasons are the private boat, the flexible schedule, Simon’s accommodating style, and the practical inclusions that keep extra costs down.

For the full experience, I would choose eight hours and plan a lunch stop on Lopud or Šipan. Choose four hours only if you have limited time or prefer a shorter outing focused on the main highlights.

At $530, this is a premium excursion for a couple but a reasonable shared cost for up to seven people. If privacy, flexibility, and quiet swimming matter more to you than the lowest possible price, this is a strong choice from Dubrovnik.

FAQ

Where does the private boat tour begin?

Pickup is provided in Dubrovnik. A car or van collects you from the address you specify about 20 minutes before the boat tour begins.

How long does the tour last?

You can choose a four-hour or eight-hour tour. Starting times depend on availability.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers a private group of up to seven people.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, with Grebeni visited first. The exact schedule can be adjusted to your group’s preferences.

Which caves are visited on Koločep?

The tour includes Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves.

Does the tour stop at a sandy beach?

Yes. The tour stops at Šunj Beach on Lopud.

Is lunch included?

No. Food is not included, but restaurants are available on Lopud and Šipan.

What drinks are provided?

Included drinks are water, cola, white wine, and beer.

Is snorkeling equipment supplied?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, towels, and GoPro use are included.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.