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

Koločep’s Blue Cave is the star here. You take a private speedboat from Dubrovnik, swim a short distance from the boat into the small blue-lit grotto, then head to Šunj Beach for calm water and a sandy shore. I like the private format and the chance to shape the outing with your skipper. I also like that beer, wine, soft drinks, water, snacks, and snorkeling gear are included.

The main catch is the price wording. The advertised rate is $322.33 per group of up to six, but fuel is listed separately at €65 per person. That is a major extra, so confirm the full cost before you pay. The four hours also include boat travel time, leaving less time ashore than the headline duration might suggest.

Key points at a glance

• Blue Cave swim: At Koločep, you can swim a short distance from the boat into a small, striking sea cave.
• Two different island moods: Koločep offers caves and clear water, while Šunj Beach on Lopud gives you sand, shallow water, and a slower pace.
• A genuinely private boat: Only your group participates, with space for up to six people.
• Skipper-led flexibility: A local skipper can adjust the outing to your wishes and point out useful spots along the way.
• Useful inclusions: Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, drinks, snacks, and all fees and taxes are provided.
• Watch the extra charge: Fuel costs €65 per person and is not included in the stated group price.

Why this short boat trip works well from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is famous for its old town walls, stone lanes, and packed summer streets. The Elaphiti Islands offer a useful change of pace. Instead of another historical walk, you spend part of the day on open water, with swimming, caves, and a beach.

This is not a full-day island cruise. It lasts about four hours, including the time needed to reach the islands and return to Dubrovnik. That makes it a practical choice if you have limited time or want to fit a boat outing around other plans.

The private setup changes the feel of the trip. You are not sharing the boat with a large group, and you do not have to follow a fixed group rhythm. If one person wants to swim longer, another wants to stay dry, or everyone would rather spend more time at the beach, you can ask the skipper to adjust the pace.

The experience is offered in English, and your meeting point is Lapadska Obala Pier at Lapadska obala 5. The boat returns to the same place. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the pier.

Koločep and the Blue Cave swim

The first island stop is Koločep, also called Kalamota by local people. This is the more active part of the outing, centered on caves, swimming, and snorkeling.

The Blue Cave is small rather than grand. That is part of its appeal. You do not walk into a huge cavern or follow a long passage. Instead, you swim a short distance from the boat and enter a compact space where the water and light create the blue effect.

The provided information notes that there are rocks along the side where you can stop if needed. That matters because the swim is not simply a step from the boat onto a beach. You should be comfortable in the water and able to manage a short swim. Life jackets are included, and snorkeling masks are available if you want to look below the surface.

The water is described as warm, clear, and very blue. Those conditions make this stop about seeing the water as much as seeing the cave itself. If you enjoy small natural swimming spots, this will likely be the highlight. If you prefer land-based sightseeing or do not like swimming away from shore, Koločep may feel less comfortable.

You can also explore other caves around Koločep with guidance from the skipper. The exact stops are not presented as a rigid list, which is useful on a private trip. Ask early about how much time you want to spend snorkeling, swimming, or simply looking around from the boat.

Koločep is scheduled for about two hours, though the total includes boat movement. That is the largest portion of the experience, so this is where you get the most water time. Still, do not read two hours as two full hours inside the cave area. The boat needs time to reach the island and later continue to Lopud.

Šunj Beach on Lopud

After Koločep, the boat heads to Šunj Beach on Lopud Island. The mood changes quickly. Instead of a cave and short swim, you get a broad sandy beach with shallow, calm water.

Šunj is particularly practical for mixed groups. Confident swimmers can enjoy the sea, while people who prefer easy wading can stay in the shallows. The sheltered bay helps keep the water calm, and the sandy shore is more forgiving than a rocky swimming area.

Families with children may find this the easiest stop, although the tour data does not specify children’s ages or special child services. You will need to supervise children as you would at any beach, and you should ask the operator if you have a specific safety concern.

The beach area has several cocktail bars serving food. One has hammocks between the trees, giving you a simple place to rest with a drink or take a break from the sun. Lunch is not included, but these beach bars give you the option to buy food if time allows.

The scheduled stop is about one hour. That is enough for a swim and a quick rest, but it is not a long beach day. If you mainly want to lie on the sand, eat lunch, and settle into a hammock for several hours, this tour will feel too short. If you want a compact beach stop after a cave swim, the timing makes sense.

The skipper can also share local tips and help adjust the experience to your preferences. Ask whether you would rather spend more time in the water or at Šunj before the day gets underway. With only four hours, small choices matter.

What the private boat format adds

A private boat is the strongest practical reason to consider this experience. You pay for the group rather than separate seats, and only your party takes part. For six people, the base price works out to about $53.72 per person before the fuel charge. For two people, the same rate becomes much less attractive.

The group limit is six. That works well for a family, two couples, or a small set of friends who want their own space. You can talk freely, keep your own pace, and avoid adapting every stop to strangers.

There is also a social advantage. The skipper is with your group rather than delivering a large, formal excursion. The available feedback specifically praises a skipper named Nick, with the strongest praise focused on his ability to find good spots and accommodate the group’s needs. Nick may not be the skipper on your departure, so treat that as useful context rather than a promise. The broader point is that skipper flexibility appears to be central to the experience.

Drinks are supplied throughout the outing. The package lists beer, wine, soft drinks, and water, along with snacks. This is convenient on a short boat trip, especially after swimming. You do not need to plan every refreshment stop, though lunch remains your responsibility.

Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are also supplied. That lowers the amount of beach gear you need to carry. The information does not specify the type or size range of the equipment, so if you need a particular mask or flotation aid, ask ahead.

Price, fuel, and what all inclusive really means

The stated price is $322.33 per group of up to six. It includes the skipper, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, drinks, snacks, all fees, and taxes. At first glance, that can be good value for a private outing, especially with a full group.

But fuel is specifically excluded at €65 per person. That is not a minor add-on. For six people, the fuel charge would total €390. For two people, it would total €130. The final amount also involves two currencies, since the base price is shown in US dollars and the fuel charge in euros.

This makes the phrase all inclusive worth treating carefully. In practical terms, the package includes many onboard supplies and operating fees, but not the fuel charge listed separately. Ask the operator to confirm the final total in writing, including how the fuel amount is collected and whether it applies to every person in the group.

Lunch is another extra. Šunj has places to buy food, but the tour does not promise a meal or enough beach time for a long lunch. Bring your own plan for food, or ask the skipper how much time you can spare at the beach bar.

The value calculation depends almost entirely on group size. Six people sharing the base cost can make a private boat appealing. Two people pay more per person, but they still receive the benefits of a private schedule and a smaller setting. If your priority is the lowest possible island price, a shared excursion may cost less. If privacy and flexibility matter most, this option makes more sense.

Timing, meeting point, and comfort

You meet at Lapadska Obala Pier, Lapadska obala 5, Dubrovnik. The tour finishes at the same meeting point. Since there is no hotel transfer, build in enough time to reach the pier and find the correct departure area.

The total duration is approximately four hours, and travel time is included. That point is easy to overlook when comparing tours. The listed two hours at Koločep and one hour at Šunj add up to three hours, leaving roughly an hour for movement and transitions. Actual timing may shift with the skipper’s plan and conditions.

Good weather is required. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded.

The tour is available in English. Service animals are allowed, and the activity notes that most people can participate. It does not provide a detailed accessibility description for the speedboat, cave swim, or beach access, so ask directly if anyone in your party has mobility or swimming limitations.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this for a small group that wants a sea day without giving up the rest of the afternoon. It suits people who like swimming, short boat rides, small caves, and an easy beach stop more than people seeking a full cultural tour.

It is a good match for:

• Friends sharing the private group price
• Families who want shallow water at Šunj
• Couples who prefer a private boat to a large cruise
• Swimmers who want a Blue Cave stop and snorkeling
• Dubrovnik visitors with only half a day available
• Groups that value a flexible skipper-led plan

I would think twice if you dislike swimming from a boat, need a long beach stay, or want lunch included. The cave stop is water-based, and the beach stop lasts only about an hour. The separate fuel fee may also weaken the value for a small party.

Small details that improve the day

Wear swimwear under your clothes so you can get into the water without wasting time. Bring a towel and sun protection, since the supplied inclusions list does not mention either one.

Ask the skipper at the start how the four hours will be divided. You may want to protect enough time for Šunj, or you may prefer to spend nearly all your active time around Koločep. The private format gives you room to ask.

If you are traveling with children or anyone who is a weak swimmer, discuss the Blue Cave swim before leaving the pier. The cave involves a short swim from the boat, even though rocks are available along the side for stopping if needed.

For the best price per person, fill the boat. The base rate covers up to six people, not just the number who actually join. Then add the fuel charge before comparing this outing with other boat trips.

Should you book this Elaphiti Islands tour?

Book it if you want a private, short boat outing with two clearly different stops: the Blue Cave and snorkeling around Koločep, followed by calm water and sand at Šunj Beach. The skipper’s ability to adjust the plan is a real advantage, and the included drinks, snacks, safety gear, and masks make the day simple.

I would book with one condition: confirm the fuel cost first. At $322.33 per group, the base price can be sensible for six people, but €65 per person changes the total sharply. If your group is full, enjoys the water, and wants privacy, this is a strong half-day choice from Dubrovnik. If you want an inexpensive beach transfer or a long, meal-centered island day, choose something else.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Lapadska Obala Pier, Lapadska obala 5, Dubrovnik, Croatia. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the private boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours. The total duration includes travel time between Dubrovnik and the islands.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private group can include up to six people. Only your group participates.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included. A snorkeling mask is available for viewing beneath the water.

Are drinks and food included?

Beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and snacks are included. Lunch is not included, though food is available for purchase at cocktail bars near Šunj Beach.

What happens if the weather is poor or I need to cancel?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.