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

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat trip is control. You are not squeezed into a fixed group schedule. With skipper Simon at the helm, your party of up to seven can spend more time at a quiet swimming spot, add the caves around Koločep, or shorten a stop when you have had enough sun. The route reaches Grebeni, Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan.

I like the private format, which gives this trip a personal feel rather than a conveyor-belt boat outing. I also like the practical extras: hotel pickup, drinks, towels, snorkeling gear, and use of a GoPro are included. The main drawback is the price if you have only two or three people, and food is extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Simon’s flexible guiding: Skipper Simon can adjust the pace and help you find quieter places to swim.
• Three cave stops on Koločep: The Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves give the first island stop a clear focus.
• Šunj Beach on Lopud: This is the sandy-beach stop, followed by time to walk around the island’s populated area.
• A new Cap Camarat 7.5wa: The speedboat is described as clean, functional, and well suited to a private group.
• A real group value for seven: At $530 for up to seven people, the cost works out to about $76 per person when full.
• Four or eight hours: You can choose a shorter outing or give the islands a full day’s attention.

Why this private boat trip works well from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is famous for its walls and old stone streets, but the nearby Elaphite Islands give you a different side of the coast. From the water, the day is about open sea, small islands, caves, beaches, and swimming stops. You leave the city behind without committing to a large shared excursion.

The boat is a Cap Camarat 7.5wa, described as brand new for this experience. That matters on a private trip because the boat itself becomes your base for several hours. You can sit with your own group, keep your belongings nearby, and decide how long you want to stay at each stop.

The tour costs $530 per group of up to seven. For a full party, that is strong value at roughly $76 each, especially since fuel, the skipper, drinks, towels, snorkeling equipment, a GoPro, and pickup are included. With four people, the price is about $132.50 per person. With only two, it becomes a much more expensive way to spend the day.

I would choose the eight-hour option if you want all three islands, several swims, and time ashore. The four-hour version makes more sense if you mainly want a fast coastal outing with a few key stops. The exact order and length of each stop can change because this is a private tour.

From Dubrovnik to Grebeni and Koločep

Pickup is included from the address you provide, with a car or van scheduled to collect you about 20 minutes before the boat tour begins. This saves you from arranging your own way to the departure point, a useful detail when you are staying somewhere outside central Dubrovnik.

The first sightseeing area is Grebeni, a small group of rocky islets near Dubrovnik. The boat then continues toward Koločep, the first of the three main Elaphite Islands on the route.

Koločep is the most active part of the day for cave stops. The planned locations are the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves. These names tell you what to expect: short boat approaches to sheltered rock formations, with opportunities to look into the water and swim if conditions allow.

I like having three cave stops rather than one quick photo pause. It gives Simon room to adjust the timing and lets you decide which place deserves more attention. If your group would rather swim than make every cave stop, the private setup allows that conversation.

Bring swimwear under your clothes or wear it from the start. Towels and snorkeling equipment are provided, and the GoPro gives you a way to record the water stops without having to bring your own camera gear.

The cave section is also where a little flexibility matters most. You may find that one stop has the clearest water on the day, while another is more interesting for its shape or entrance. A private skipper can respond to your preferences instead of moving everyone along on a fixed timetable.

Lopud, Šunj Beach, and time on land

After Koločep, the boat heads to Lopud. The first stop is Šunj Beach, the sandy beach on the itinerary. This is a useful contrast after the rocky coves and boat-based cave visits. You can swim, sit on the sand, or simply enjoy a change of setting.

Do not think of Šunj as a completely private beach stop. It is a known destination, and the experience depends on the time of day and season. The advantage here is that you are arriving by boat and can decide how long you want to stay. If it is not your favorite stop, you do not have to spend half the day there.

The tour then continues to the populated part of Lopud, where you have time for a walk. This gives you a chance to stretch your legs and see more than the view from the boat. It also makes Lopud the most balanced stop in the schedule, with swimming, sand, and a small land visit.

Restaurants are available on Lopud if you want lunch, but food is not included in the tour price. I would plan this in advance with Simon, especially if you choose the eight-hour option. Drinks are included, with water, cola, white wine, and beer listed among the choices, but a meal remains your responsibility.

The walk on Lopud is optional in spirit, even though it is part of the planned route. Some groups will want lunch and a stroll. Others will prefer to use the time for swimming. Since the schedule can change to suit your group, say clearly what kind of day you want.

Šipan, the third island

Šipan is the final island on the route. It is the largest of the Elaphite Islands and gives the day another change of pace after Koločep’s caves and Lopud’s beach.

The provided plan describes this part as a boat cruise, with restaurants available if you want lunch. That means you should not book this tour expecting a long, detailed walking tour of Šipan. Its value is the chance to reach a third island and spend time on the water around it.

If your priority is seeing as much of the archipelago as possible, Šipan helps justify the eight-hour option. If you prefer fewer stops and longer swims, you can ask to spend more time at Koločep or Lopud instead. This is where the private format earns its keep.

The route returns to Dubrovnik after Šipan. The whole day has a pleasant rhythm: boat travel, a cave or swimming stop, time on a beach, a short walk, and another island before heading back.

What is included, and what you still need to plan

The price covers more than just a seat on a boat. Included items are:

• Fuel
• Skipper and English-speaking guide
• Water, cola, white wine, and beer
• Towels
• Snorkeling equipment
• GoPro use
• Pickup from your specified address

These inclusions reduce the small extra costs that can add up on a boat day. You do not need to rent snorkeling gear or remember to bring a towel. The GoPro is a particularly nice touch if you want underwater pictures without risking your own phone.

Food is not included. Lopud and Šipan have restaurants, so you can arrange lunch during the trip, but do not assume a meal is part of the $530. If you have dietary needs or want to keep the schedule moving, bring that up before departure.

The only item specifically listed under what to bring is swimwear. I would also use ordinary practical judgment and bring sun protection, but the supplied tour information does not list additional equipment as included.

Simon’s role makes the day more personal

Simon is both skipper and guide. That combination matters because the quality of a private boat outing depends heavily on the person steering the day. You want someone who can handle the boat, explain what you are seeing, and listen when your group changes its mind.

Simon has been praised for being friendly, respectful, timely, and accommodating. He was also reported to arrive early enough to help the group get ahead of busier periods. That is a useful habit on a popular summer coast, where an earlier start can mean more peace at a swimming stop.

His flexibility is especially useful if privacy is your main goal. One group wanted to avoid busy areas, and Simon found quieter places for swimming. You should not assume every stop will be empty, but you can tell him clearly that you prefer calm coves over the most famous locations.

The GoPro and snorkeling gear also fit his hands-on approach. You can ask about using the camera and make the most of the water stops without adding equipment rentals to your budget.

Four hours or eight hours?

The four-hour choice is best for a compact introduction to the islands. You can expect a speedboat cruise, at least some cave or beach time, and a taste of the Elaphite coast. It is the sensible pick if your Dubrovnik schedule is tight or if some members of your group do not want a full day on the water.

The eight-hour option gives the route room to breathe. You can visit Koločep’s three caves, stop at Šunj Beach, walk on Lopud, reach Šipan, and still leave space for swimming. It also gives you more freedom to linger at the places your group likes best.

A longer tour is not automatically better for everyone. If you tire quickly in the sun, or if your group includes people who mainly want one scenic swim, four hours may be enough. If you have paid for a private boat and want to shape the day around your own interests, eight hours gives you much more value.

Ask yourself one simple question: do you want a highlight reel or a full island day? The four-hour trip is a highlight reel. The eight-hour trip is the better choice for a relaxed route across the archipelago.

Who should book this boat tour?

I would recommend this experience to families, couples, and friend groups who want privacy and can share the cost. A group of seven gets the strongest value, while a smaller group should be comfortable paying more for the private setting.

It suits people who want swimming and coastal scenery more than formal sightseeing. You will see islands and visit a populated area on Lopud, but much of the day centers on the boat, caves, beach time, and the sea.

It is also a good match if your group does not agree on one perfect plan. One person can want a sandy beach, another can prefer snorkeling, and someone else can ask for a quiet cove. The route can be adjusted rather than forcing everyone through the same schedule.

I would hesitate if you dislike speedboat travel, need a low-cost excursion for one or two people, or want food included. I would also avoid booking the four-hour version if your main goal is to see all three islands without feeling rushed.

Booking flexibility and practical details

The tour is offered in English and is limited to your private group. Pickup is included, and the vehicle collects you from the address you provide about 20 minutes before the start.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also lets you hold the booking without paying immediately, which is useful when your Dubrovnik plans are still shifting.

The tour has a 5 out of 5 rating from three verified bookings, with particular praise for Simon, the boat’s condition, the included refreshments, and the ability to find quieter swimming spots. Those details matter more to me than a long list of generic promises because they describe how the day works in practice.

Should you book the Elaphite Islands private tour?

Book it if you want a private, adjustable day on the water and can gather a group large enough to make the $530 price sensible. The best reasons are Simon’s personal approach, the new Cap Camarat 7.5wa, three cave stops on Koločep, and the freedom to change the pace.

Choose eight hours if you want the full route through Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. Choose four hours if you want a shorter escape from Dubrovnik with less time and cost.

I would book this for a group of friends or family who value privacy over the lowest possible price. You get the most from it when you speak up about your priorities: more swimming, less walking, a quiet cove, a longer lunch, or a quicker return.

FAQ

How much does the private boat tour cost?

The tour costs $530 for a private group of up to seven people. The price is for the group, not each individual.

How long does the tour last?

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

Which islands does the boat visit?

The route includes Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. The boat also first visits the Grebeni area before continuing to the Elaphite Islands.

What caves are visited on Koločep?

The planned cave stops are the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. A car or van picks you up from the address you provide about 20 minutes before the boat tour begins.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, but restaurants are available on Lopud and Šipan if you want lunch.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear. Towels and snorkeling equipment are included, along with drinks and GoPro use.