Private Elaphiti Islands Boat Tour Tailor-Made 8h

The best part of this private Elaphiti Islands tour is its freedom. You can visit Koločep’s sea caves, stretch out at sandy Šunj Beach, stop for seafood on Lopud, and still adjust the day with your skipper. If a cove feels too crowded, you can move on. That flexibility matters.

I like the easygoing pace and the personal service from skippers such as Nick, Ivan, and Nikola. I also like that beer, wine, soft drinks, water, snorkeling gear, floaties, and life jackets are supplied. The main catch is cost clarity: the advertised $409.72 group price covers up to six people, but fuel costs €100 per booking and lunch is extra.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six: Your group gets the speedboat and skipper to itself, with room to shape the day around swimming, beaches, food, or small villages.
• Koločep’s Blue Cave: You can swim from the boat into this small, bright cave and use the supplied mask to look below the surface.
• Šunj Beach is the long rest stop: Lopud’s broad sandy beach has shallow water, cocktail bars, food, hammocks, and a calm bay.
• Lunch and old Lopud: A local restaurant meal is arranged during the Lopud stop, followed by the 1483 Franciscan monastery and botanical garden.
• Suđurađ adds village life: See the Stjepović-Skočibuha castle remains and the 1563 Pakljena tower on Šipan.
• Osmoliš closes the day: The final swim comes with time for another glass of local wine if you want to linger.

Why a private Elaphiti Islands day works so well

The Elaphiti Islands sit just off Dubrovnik, but they feel much quieter than the city’s old streets in summer. This tour gives you a full day on the water without tying you to a large group or a fixed list of swim stops.

The boat leaves from Lapadska Obala Pier at Lapadska obala 5 and returns there. The full outing lasts about eight to nine hours, including time spent moving between islands. That is long enough to see several different sides of the area, though it also means you should expect a full day rather than a quick coastal outing.

I especially like the private format for families and small groups of friends. You can spend longer at Šunj Beach if the sand and shallow water suit you, or ask to shorten a sightseeing stop in favor of another swim. A skipper can also react to conditions on the day. Ivan, for example, moved on when the Blue Cave and nearby green cave were too busy, then added a quieter swimming spot at the end.

That sort of judgment is hard to get from a rigid group excursion. It is also the reason to discuss your priorities early. Tell the skipper if you care most about caves, beach time, swimming, seafood, village walks, or historical sights.

Koločep, clear water and a short swim to the Blue Cave

Koločep is locally called Kalamota, and it is the first major stop. The island is known for small sea caves, warm clear water, and the Blue Cave.

You reach the cave by swimming a short distance from the boat. Rocks along the side provide places to pause if needed, but you should be comfortable in open water before making this your main plan. Snorkeling masks are provided, so you can look beneath the surface as well as into the cave.

The Blue Cave is pretty rather than huge. Think of it as a brief, atmospheric stop, not a large cavern you walk through. Its appeal comes from the color and the simple pleasure of entering from the sea. The boat format lets you enjoy that setting without carrying beach gear between several locations.

Crowds can affect the experience. The cave may be busy, and the water around popular stops can feel less peaceful when several boats arrive together. This is where a private skipper earns his keep. If the timing is poor, you can move to another cove or return later rather than waiting in a line of boats.

The first stop lasts about two hours. That gives you time for cave visits, snorkeling, and a swim, though the exact balance depends on your group and sea conditions.

Šunj Beach, the day’s easiest place to relax

After the caves, the boat heads to Šunj Beach on Lopud. This is the tour’s most straightforward beach stop, with a wide sandy shore and shallow, calm water.

Families with children may find Šunj the most comfortable swimming location of the day. The sheltered bay keeps the water calmer, and the gradual entry is easier than climbing down from a boat into deeper water. You can also simply lie on the sand and let the day slow down.

Several cocktail bars sit near the beach and serve food. One has hammocks between the trees, which gives you a pleasant place to rest with a drink or take a nap. The setting is relaxed, but remember that this is a popular island beach. Do not expect total solitude.

The scheduled stop is about two hours, but the private arrangement gives you some say in how the time is used. If your group loves beach time, this may be the place where you want to linger. If you prefer sightseeing, you can keep the visit shorter and use more time elsewhere.

Šunj is also a useful contrast to Koločep. The first stop is about water, rocks, and caves. Šunj is about sand, shade, food, and a calm swim. Having both in one day makes the route feel varied rather than repetitive.

Lopud lunch and a monastery founded in 1483

The next Lopud stop shifts from swimming to food and local history. Lunch takes place at a local restaurant, with the option to order the fresh catch of the day. Seafood lovers should ask about the day’s fish or tuna. One group specifically praised a tuna steak and found the restaurant’s front-row position worth the somewhat higher price.

Lunch is not included, so keep room in your budget. The restaurant may cost more than some alternatives, but the convenience of having it arranged during a private tour has value. You do not lose time searching for a table, and you can ask the skipper for help with the choice.

After lunch, you can visit the Franciscan monastery, founded in 1483. It is the oldest part of Lopud described on this route. The attached botanical garden is free and offers a quiet change from the beach and boat.

This stop is scheduled for about two hours, including the meal and sightseeing. Allow for a relaxed lunch rather than treating it as a quick fuel stop. The charm here comes from combining local food with a small historical visit, not from packing in a long list of monuments.

I would ask about lunch timing when you meet the skipper. If your group wants to swim before eating, say so. If you are hungry after Šunj, head directly to the restaurant. A tailor-made day should respond to that simple preference.

Suđurađ, castles and the feel of old Šipan

Suđurađ is on Šipan, the largest of the Elaphiti Islands described on this route. The stop lasts about an hour, so it works best as a compact village walk rather than a lengthy island tour.

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

This is a good place to slow down and notice the old Dalmatian village character. Šipan’s two main settlements are Šipanska Luka and Suđurađ, and local life still follows older customs in ways that feel different from Dubrovnik’s busy center.

You can ask the skipper to explain local myths and stories while showing you historical and cultural sites. The one-hour limit means you should not expect to cover every corner of the island. Still, Suđurađ gives the day a useful sense of place. You are not only moving from one swimming cove to the next.

The stop may appeal most to people who want some culture but do not want a formal, full-day historical tour. If your group cares only about swimming, you might prefer to shorten this visit. If you like old stone buildings and quiet village streets, use the full hour.

Osmoliš, a final swim before Dubrovnik

The last stop is Osmoliš, described as a turquoise beach along the Croatian coast. After leaving Šipan, the boat follows the coast to this final swimming place.

It is a fitting finish because the day ends in the water rather than with a rushed return to the pier. You can swim, take photographs, and enjoy the coast at a slower pace. The schedule gives about an hour here, but the skipper may extend the stay if your group wants more time.

Drinks are available throughout the outing, including local wine, beer, Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, and bottled water. If you want another glass of wine while listening to the water, this is the sort of stop where it makes sense.

The final swim also acts as a safety valve for the itinerary. If an earlier cave or beach is crowded, your skipper may use this later stop to give you the quieter water time you wanted. That happened during one outing when Ivan added a secluded swimming place near the end.

What the $409.72 price really covers

The listed price is $409.72 per group of up to six, not per person. For six people, that is roughly $68 per person before fuel and lunch. For two people, the per-person cost is much higher, so this tour makes the strongest financial sense for a full small group.

You also need to add €100 for fuel per booking. Lunch is not included, and drinks or food purchased at Šunj Beach are separate. Ask how fuel is collected and confirm the final amount before departure so the budget is clear.

The price includes the skipper, taxes and fees, snorkeling equipment, floaties, life jackets, snacks, water, soft drinks, beer, and wine. A private boat for a full day can be good value when six people share the cost, particularly because you are paying for flexibility rather than just transport.

Compared with a large shared boat, the main value is control. You can change the order, move away from crowds, and set the pace. One outing included every planned stop but still added a quiet swim when the cave area was too busy. That is a practical benefit, not just a luxury.

The tradeoff is that you are responsible for choosing how to use the day. A private tour does not automatically mean every stop will be empty or every activity will suit everyone. Use the skipper’s local judgment, but speak up about your group’s needs.

Drinks, gear and the practical side of the boat

Snacks and drinks are supplied, which makes the long day easier. Water is especially useful after time in the sun, while the beer and wine suit a relaxed afternoon. You still need to budget for lunch and any beach-bar purchases.

Snorkeling masks and other snorkeling equipment are available, along with floaties and life jackets. That means you do not need to organize a full set of water gear before leaving Dubrovnik. You should still bring the personal items you normally want for a beach day, though the supplied information does not specify towels, sunscreen, or changing facilities.

The boat departs from Lapadska Obala Pier and returns to the same meeting point. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity is offered in English. It is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed.

The tour requires good weather. If conditions force cancellation, you can receive a full refund or move to another date. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Who should choose this private boat tour

I would choose this trip if you want a full water day with several different stops and do not want to share the boat with strangers. It suits families, couples, and groups of friends who can agree on a mix of swimming, food, beaches, and sightseeing.

It is particularly good for people who value a flexible schedule. Nick, Ivan, and Nikola have each been associated with a friendly, welcoming style, and the skipper can adjust the day when conditions or crowd levels change.

You should think twice if you dislike speedboats, open-water swimming, or long days in the sun. The Blue Cave requires a short swim from the boat, and the route includes several hours on the water. You may also find the price less attractive if your party is small.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want to see Koločep, Lopud, Šipan, and Osmoliš in one day while keeping control of the pace. The strongest reasons are the private format, the range of stops, the supplied drinks and water gear, and the skipper’s ability to replace an overcrowded stop with a quieter swim.

For the best value, bring a group of close to six and confirm the €100 fuel charge and lunch budget in advance. If your ideal day includes a cave, a sandy beach, fresh seafood, a historic village, and a final swim, this is a well-rounded choice from Dubrovnik. If you want the lowest possible price or a short, simple beach outing, choose a shared excursion instead.

FAQ

How long does the private Elaphiti Islands tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight to nine hours, including travel time between the islands and the meeting point.

Where does the boat tour start?

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

Where does the tour end?

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

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to six people.

Is fuel included in the listed price?

No. Fuel costs €100 per booking and is not included in the listed group price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. A local restaurant stop is part of the route, and you pay for your meal separately.

What drinks are included?

The tour includes bottled water, Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, beer, and wine.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and masks are available, along with floaties and life jackets.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, with stops at Koločep, Šunj Beach, Lopud, and Suđurađ. It also includes a final swim at Osmoliš on the Croatian coast.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time.