Private Boat Tour to Elafiti Islands

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat trip is the freedom to trade a packed mainland beach for clear-water coves and a day paced around your own group. Kolocep’s Blue Cave and Lopud’s sandy Šunj beach give the outing two very different highlights: one made for swimming and snorkeling, the other for a proper beach break.

I like the private format, which lets you ask your skipper to linger, move on, or seek a quieter swimming spot. I also like that the boat carries snorkel equipment, life jackets, bottled water, beer, soft drinks, and a GoPro camera. One consideration: the $520.23 group price is not the whole cost, since fuel is extra and lunch is not included.

Key points to know before you book

• Kolocep is about 20 minutes by boat from Dubrovnik, with a swim into the Blue Cave and a cruise along the island’s cliffs.
• Lopud pairs Šunj beach with a small village, so you can choose between sand and swimming or a walk to churches, monasteries, and a park.
• Šipan is included only on the eight-hour tour, giving a longer outing room for a third island and more time to stop along the way.
• Your group has the boat to itself, and the skipper can adapt the route and stop lengths to your interests.
• Budget for fuel and lunch separately, and confirm the fuel charge because the supplied details give two different amounts.
• The meeting point is at Lapadska obala 4, and transport to or from your accommodation is not included.

A private day that follows your pace

The Elafiti Islands, also called the Elaphiti Islands, sit just off Dubrovnik’s coast. This tour offers an easy way to spend time on the Adriatic without planning separate boat transfers or following a large group’s fixed schedule. You meet at Lapadska obala 4, board with your party, and head out with a skipper.

The price is $520.23 for a group of up to four, rather than a per-person fare. That can make the outing appealing for a family or a small group of friends, especially if you value privacy and the ability to shape the day. For a couple, the same price is a bigger commitment, so consider how much you value a private boat over a shared excursion.

The tour lasts about four to eight hours. The shorter option gives you time for swimming and at least one island visit, while the full-day version can include Šipan as well as Kolocep and Lopud. The route is not simply a checklist: your skipper can adjust stops to suit your group, the weather, and how much time you want to spend in the water or ashore.

Skippers named on the tour include Tom, Ivan, Josip, Tony, Zoran, Nika, and Mladen. The consistent strength of the experience is their role in making the day feel personal, from suggesting less crowded places to helping you choose a lunch stop. You are not buying a formal history lecture, but several skippers have been praised for sharing local knowledge and making the route flexible.

Kolocep: swim into the Blue Cave

Kolocep is about 20 minutes by boat from Dubrovnik, making it a natural first stop. The island has two villages, Gornje Celo and Donje Celo, and its Blue Cave is on the southern side. The boat anchors nearby, and you can swim into the cave rather than simply viewing it from the deck.

That detail matters when deciding if the stop suits you. You should be comfortable swimming in open water to enter the cave, and the entrance may feel intimidating at first. Snorkel masks are provided, and a GoPro camera is available, so you can take a closer look at the cave and its water. Life jackets for adults and children are also provided.

After the cave, the boat cruises along Kolocep’s cliffs. This gives the stop a second pace: first a swim, then a chance to take in the coastline from the water. The suggested stop is about an hour and a half, but the private format lets you discuss how long to stay.

Cave conditions and boat traffic can change the feel of the visit. Some skippers have taken groups to quieter coves when popular spots were busy, which is one of the practical benefits of having a skipper who knows the area. If you would rather avoid a crowded cave entrance, tell your skipper early and ask about alternatives.

Lopud: beach time, then a village stroll

Lopud is the tour’s most straightforward choice for a classic summer beach break. Its sandy Šunj beach offers a change from rocky swimming spots, with time to swim, sunbathe, or simply stay aboard and enjoy the water from the boat. The planned stop is around two hours.

You can choose to go ashore or remain on the boat. That flexibility is useful if some of your group want a beach visit while others would rather swim from the boat or rest in the shade, if available. Cold water, beer, and soft drinks are carried aboard, but lunch is not part of the price.

Lopud village adds a cultural pause after the beach. You can visit the Dominican and Franciscan monasteries, Đorđić-Mayneri park, and small churches. The tour does not require you to see every landmark; the point is to choose whether you want a walk and a look around or more time by the sea.

A lunch stop may be possible, and skippers have helped arrange waterside meals or recommended local restaurants. But food is an extra, and the time you spend ashore affects how much room remains for swimming or other stops. If a long lunch matters to you, say so when discussing the day’s plan.

Šipan: a slower finish on the eight-hour route

Šipan is the largest and most populated of the Elafiti Islands, and it appears on the eight-hour tour only. The island is described for its olive and pine trees, clear water, and quieter feel. Local production includes wine, olive oil, marmalade, fruit, and vegetables.

The planned stop is around two hours, though the skipper can tailor the route. That extra time is a key reason to choose the full-day option: instead of squeezing three islands into a shorter outing, you have more opportunity to stop, swim, and take in the coast at an unhurried pace.

If Šipan matters to you, book enough time for it. The four-hour option should not be treated as a shortened version of the complete three-island itinerary. It is better understood as a shorter custom trip, likely focused on a smaller number of stops.

What the private format is worth

A private boat changes the day from a fixed group excursion into a conversation with your skipper. You can ask to stay longer at a swimming spot, spend more time ashore, or choose a quieter cove when a popular area is crowded. That control is the tour’s main value, not just the fact that the boat is reserved for your party.

Several skippers, including Tom, Ivan, and Josip, have been singled out for being accommodating and for finding less crowded places. Ivan has also been praised for swimming alongside a group to show them a cove and for guiding swimmers into the Blue Cave. These examples help explain what good service can look like here: practical support and local judgment, rather than a rigid script.

Still, the skipper’s approach is part of the experience, and no two outings need to be identical. If you have a priority, such as caves, snorkeling, a quiet swim, beach time, or lunch ashore, say so at the start. The more clearly you describe what your group wants, the easier it is to use the private format well.

The tour has a 5.0 rating from 360 reviews, with 99% of travelers recommending it. That is a strong signal of satisfaction, especially alongside repeated praise for flexible skippers and scenic swimming stops. It does not guarantee a particular route or weather, but it suggests the experience is delivering what many people seek: a relaxed day on the water with room to make it their own.

The full cost: fare, fuel, and lunch

At $520.23 per group of up to four, the base cost works out differently depending on your party size. A group of four shares the expense, while a couple pays the same group rate between two people. Compare it with what you would pay for a shared excursion, but include the value of privacy and control over the schedule.

Fuel is charged separately. The details give both €100 and €80 per booking, so confirm the correct amount with the operator before you commit. Do not assume the lower figure applies. Lunch is also not included, and anything you choose to eat ashore will add to the day’s cost.

Snorkel equipment, adult and child life jackets, bottled water, beer, soft drinks, the skipper, and taxes and handling charges are included. The tour also describes a GoPro camera as provided. These inclusions make it easier to spend the day swimming without arranging basic gear or drinks yourself, though you should still bring a towel and swimsuit.

Timing, meeting point, and weather

The tour starts and ends at Lapadska obala 4, 20000 Dubrovnik. Pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your way to the meeting point. A few people have arranged transport separately, but that is not part of the stated tour service.

Confirmation is provided at booking. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the minimum drinking age is 18. Service animals are allowed, the activity is pet-friendly, and most people can participate. Since the main attractions involve swimming and getting on and off a boat, consider your group’s comfort in the water when choosing stops.

The experience depends on good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time; changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and cancellations made then are not refundable.

Who should book this boat tour?

This tour is a strong fit if you want a private, flexible day on the Adriatic and your group enjoys swimming, snorkeling, and time on small islands. It also suits families and groups who would rather set their own pace than follow a large excursion. If the Blue Cave and Šunj beach are your priorities, the shorter trip can work; choose eight hours if you want Šipan and room for a more leisurely day.

It is less compelling if you are looking for an inexpensive transfer, a guaranteed restaurant meal, or a fixed sightseeing program. Fuel and lunch are extra, transport to the meeting point is your responsibility, and the route changes with your preferences and conditions.

I would book it if the private setting and swimming time are worth the group price to you. For the best chance to enjoy the islands without watching the clock, choose the eight-hour option, tell the skipper what matters most, and confirm the fuel charge before booking.

FAQ

How much does the private boat tour cost?

The price is $520.23 per group of up to four people. Fuel is extra, and the supplied information gives two amounts, €80 and €100 per booking, so confirm the exact charge before booking. Lunch is not included.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately four to eight hours. Šipan is included only on the eight-hour private tour.

Which islands can I visit?

The suggested route includes Kolocep, Lopud, and, on the eight-hour tour, Šipan. Stops and the time spent at each can be tailored to your preferences.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes a skipper, snorkel equipment, life jackets for adults and children, bottled water, beer, soft drinks, and taxes, fees, and handling charges. A GoPro camera is also described as provided.

Where does the tour start and end?

The meeting point is Lapadska obala 4, 20000 Dubrovnik. The tour ends back at the meeting point. Pickup and drop-off are not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.