Private boat tour from Dubrovnik/Cavtat to Elafiti islands

The best part of this private boat trip is the freedom to see Dubrovnik from the water, then trade the city walls for Koločep’s sea caves, Lopud’s sandy Šunj Beach, and quiet swimming stops. You can set a relaxed pace, and the skipper can adjust the route to suit your group.

I like the personal scale of the trip and the boat’s useful setup: a sun pad at the bow, shaded seating at the back, drinks, and snorkeling gear. I also like that the route can include a lunch stop on Lopud, where one group had fresh sea bass after the skipper arranged a table. The main catch is cost: $506 covers up to two people, while fuel is extra and paid in cash.

Key points to know before you book

• Koločep’s Blue Cave stop: Plan about 30 minutes for swimming and snorkeling around the caves.
• Šunj Beach on Lopud: A broad, shallow sandy beach that suits families, though reaching deeper water takes a long walk.
• A flexible private route: Pickup and drop-off are available in Dubrovnik, Cavtat, Gruž, Mlini, Srebreno, and Plat.
• A 7.7-meter boat: The Atlantic Marine Open 750 carries up to 10 people and has a 250 HP Honda engine.
• Fuel is separate: Allow €80 for the four-hour tour or €120 for the eight-hour tour, paid in cash on board.
• Best for active sea days: You should be comfortable around open water and able to board a speedboat without wheelchair access.

From Dubrovnik’s walls to the open Adriatic

This tour begins with a view most city visitors miss. Instead of looking at Dubrovnik’s Old Town from a crowded street or city wall, you get a broad view from the sea, with the orange roofs and stone fortifications set against the coast.

Pickup can be arranged from six places: Dubrovnik, Cavtat, Gruž, Mlini, Srebreno, or Plat. That matters because Cavtat is about 15 kilometers south of Dubrovnik, and a boat waiting there can be convenient if you are staying south of the city. You avoid making your own way to a distant marina, since pickup is arranged at the location closest to your residence.

The boat is private, so you are not sharing the day with a large group. It can carry as many as 10 people, but the listed price is for up to two. For a couple, the price may make sense if you value a private skipper and a custom pace. For a larger group, the per-person cost becomes easier to justify, especially compared with booking several separate seats on a standard excursion.

The advertised duration ranges from four to eight hours. That gives you two very different versions of the day. The four-hour option works for a quick taste of the islands, with time for a cave stop, a swim, and one main beach visit. The eight-hour version gives you room for lunch, longer swimming breaks, and a more leisurely route toward Šipan.

Koločep and the Blue Cave stop

Koločep is the first major stop, with about 30 minutes set aside for swimming and snorkeling around the Blue Cave. This is the most active part of the route, so bring swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a change of clothes.

The cave visit is not a long land tour. You will be exploring from the water, using the boat and snorkeling gear to see the clear sea around the openings. The appeal is simple: this is a chance to get off the boat, cool down, and see the coast at water level rather than simply passing it.

The time can feel short if your group wants a long swim. That is one reason a private boat helps. You can ask the skipper how much time is available and discuss the order of stops. The listed route includes a Blue Cave visit, but the day also allows for swimming at other points in the Elafiti Islands.

You should also be realistic about sea conditions. The tour is not suitable for people prone to seasickness, and a speedboat can feel lively when the water is rough. If you are unsure, choose a calmer day if possible and take the usual precautions before boarding.

Lopud’s Šunj Beach and the choice between sand and sea

Lopud is the main break in the middle of the route, with about an hour for lunch and free time. Its Šunj Beach is a long sandy stretch on the island’s south side, a pleasant change from the rocky coves common along the Croatian coast.

Šunj is very shallow. You may walk roughly 100 meters before reaching water deep enough for a proper swim. Families with small children may appreciate that gentle entry, while strong swimmers may find it less satisfying. The beach also offers room for volleyball, tennis, picigin, and other activities, according to the experience details.

The beach stop is not only about swimming. It gives you a chance to step off the boat, stretch your legs, and have a meal. One recent itinerary included lunch at a local restaurant on Lopud, with fresh sea bass and a table arranged by the skipper Antonio. Lunch is not included in the tour price, so bring cash and allow for your own restaurant bill.

If your group prefers to spend the whole hour in the water, say so. If you would rather have a proper lunch, the skipper can help fit that into the schedule. This flexibility is more useful than a rigid list of stops, especially when different people in your group want different things.

Šipan and the upmarket BOWA stop

Šipan is the largest island in the Elafiti group, covering about 15.5 square kilometers and stretching about 9 kilometers from end to end. It sits just over 8.3 nautical miles from Dubrovnik and has around 410 permanent residents.

The route may take you toward Vrbova Bay, where BOWA operates as a beach bar and restaurant. It is about a 30-minute walk from Sudurad. The setting is appealing, with a quiet bay and access to fresh seafood and oysters from the nearby Ston and Pelješac area.

BOWA is also the point to budget for. It is an upmarket place, and prices are described as high. If you want a special meal and are comfortable paying for the setting, it can make a memorable stop. If you prefer to keep costs down, use the boat for swimming and choose a simpler lunch on Lopud instead.

The itinerary lists swimming around the Elafiti Islands for about 30 minutes. That stop is valuable because it keeps the day from becoming only a chain of sightseeing points. You can swim from the boat, use the snorkeling equipment, and relax on the bow afterward.

What the Atlantic Marine Open 750 is like

The boat is 7.7 meters long and 2.5 meters wide, powered by a 250 HP Honda engine. It is rented with a skipper, not as a self-drive boat, so you can focus on the views and the water.

At the front, an open bow sun deck gives you space to lie back after swimming. The rear has a more comfortable sitting area, and the bimini top provides shade when the sun becomes too strong. A CD and MP3 player is also available, though the main soundtrack will be the engine and the sea.

The boat can carry up to 10 people. That capacity makes it practical for a family or a group of friends, but remember that a larger group changes the feel of a private tour. The sun deck and seating area will be shared within your own party, not reserved for each person.

Drinks and snorkeling gear are included. Fuel is not. The stated fuel charges are €40 for a sunset tour, €80 for four hours, and €120 for eight hours, paid in cash on the boat. Since the base price and fuel are separate, check the total before you book and carry enough cash.

How much time should you choose?

The four-hour trip is the sensible choice if you want a short escape from Dubrovnik or Cavtat. You can see the coast from the water, stop at Koločep, swim, and spend time at Lopud without committing a full day.

The eight-hour tour is better if the boat itself is part of the plan. You will have more time for swimming, a relaxed lunch, Šunj Beach, and the longer run toward Šipan. One group found that a full day did not feel rushed or too long, which is a good sign for people who want a slow pace rather than a checklist of islands.

A private boat also lets you shape the balance. You might prefer more time at the caves and less time at the beach. You might want to skip an expensive restaurant and swim in a quiet spot on the return journey. The skipper can discuss the route, subject to time and sea conditions.

A sunset option is also mentioned, with a €40 fuel charge. The available starting times depend on the date, so check the schedule before building the rest of your evening around it.

Skippers and the personal touch

The experience is provided in English and Croatian. The skipper handles the boat and points out places along the coast, while the private format allows you to explain what your group wants from the day.

Previous trips were led by skippers named Antonio, Nick, and Luksa. Antonio arranged lunch on Lopud, adjusted the route around the group’s preferences, and added swimming stops. Luksa was praised for knowing attractive places to explore, while Nick was noted for a friendly manner and a well-judged pace.

These names do not guarantee who will operate your boat, but they show the kind of service to expect: practical local guidance rather than a formal, scripted sightseeing talk. Tell the skipper early if you care most about caves, beaches, lunch, photographs, or swimming.

What to pack for a comfortable day

Wear swimwear from the start and bring a dry change of clothes. A towel is not listed among the included items, so you should confirm whether one is supplied or bring your own.

Pack sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and beachwear. The bimini gives you shade, but you will still spend time exposed to the sun, especially on the front sun deck. Cash is important for fuel and for any lunch or drinks that are not covered by the tour.

The boat includes drinks and snorkeling equipment. You do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel unless you prefer your personal gear. Sharp objects, weapons, explosives, and pets are not allowed, although assistance dogs are permitted.

Children under three are not accepted. The trip is not suitable for wheelchair users, people prone to seasickness, or people over 95. Those limits are worth taking seriously because the tour involves a speedboat and swimming stops, not a large vessel with easy access.

Value, flexibility, and the main drawbacks

At $506 for a group of up to two, this is a premium outing. You are paying for a private boat, a skipper, pickup and drop-off options, drinks, snorkeling gear, and the ability to shape the day. It is not the cheapest way to visit the Elafiti Islands.

The value improves with a group of four, six, or more, since the price is charged by group rather than by each person. The boat can hold up to 10, but confirm the final price and any fuel arrangement for your party before booking.

The biggest extra cost is fuel. Add €80 for four hours or €120 for eight hours, paid in cash. Lunch is also separate, and BOWA can be expensive. For a more controlled budget, choose the four-hour tour, bring cash for a simpler meal, and treat the boat’s swimming stops as the main event.

The other drawback is that the schedule is broad rather than fixed. A four-hour trip cannot give every stop equal time, and weather or sea conditions may affect the route. That flexibility is a strength for some people, but you should not expect a detailed, minute-by-minute program.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would choose this tour for a couple wanting a private day on the sea, a family that needs a flexible pace, or a group of friends who can share the fixed cost. It also suits people who care more about swimming and coastal views than long guided walks on land.

It is less suitable if you dislike speedboats, get seasick, need step-free access, or want a low-cost island excursion. The shallow water at Šunj is friendly for young children, but children under three cannot join, and the boat itself remains an active sea experience.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Still, fuel must be paid in cash on board, so plan for that separate expense.

Should you book it?

Book this private trip if you want Dubrovnik’s coast on your own terms, with time for caves, swimming, a sandy beach, and a possible island lunch. The strongest reasons are the private boat, adjustable pace, and the chance to see the Old Town and Elafiti Islands from the water.

Skip it if you want an inexpensive group cruise or a fully land-based island tour. For the best value, share the boat with a larger group, choose the eight-hour option only if you truly want a full sea day, and budget separately for fuel and lunch.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

Pickup is available from Srebreno, Plat, Mlini, Dubrovnik, Cavtat, and Gruž. The pickup is arranged by speedboat from the location closest to your residence.

Where does the tour finish?

Drop-off is available in Cavtat, Dubrovnik, Mlini, Plat, Srebreno, and Gruž.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts between four and eight hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, along with swimming stops around the Elafiti Islands.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and drinks are included.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel is paid in cash on the boat. The stated charges are €80 for the four-hour tour, €120 for the eight-hour tour, and €40 for the sunset tour.

How many people can join the private boat?

The Atlantic Marine Open 750 accommodates up to 10 people. The listed price is for a private group of up to two people.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You may stop on Lopud, and BOWA on Šipan offers seafood and oysters but is described as expensive.

Can young children join?

Children under three years old are not permitted. Šunj Beach has shallow water and is described as suitable for families with small children who meet the age requirement.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users or people with seasickness?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or people prone to seasickness.