Private Elaphiti Islands Boat Tour Tailor-Made 8h

The best part of this private Elaphiti Islands boat tour is the freedom to make a full day on the water your own. From Dubrovnik, you can swim through clear coves, stop at Šunj Beach and explore island villages, without keeping pace with a larger group.

I like two things in particular: the skipper can adapt the route if a cave or beach is crowded, and the day mixes swimming with time on land, including Lopud’s old Franciscan monastery. Skippers such as Ivan, Nikola and Nick have been praised for being welcoming and attentive.

The main consideration is the extra cost: fuel is €100 per booking, and lunch is not included in the $409.72 group price. If you want a fixed, all-inclusive outing, budget carefully; if you value privacy and flexibility, that trade-off may suit you.

• A private boat for up to six: Your group has the skipper and speedboat to yourselves, so you can shape the day around swimming, beach time and island stops.
• Koločep’s caves and clear water: The Blue Cave is reached with a short swim from the boat, and snorkeling equipment is provided.
• Two hours at Šunj Beach: Lopud’s sheltered sandy bay has shallow water, beach bars and hammocks among the trees.
• Lunch and history on Lopud: Meals cost extra, but you can stop at a local restaurant and visit a Franciscan monastery founded in 1483.
• A quieter side of Šipan: Suđurađ offers village atmosphere and historic buildings, before a final swim near Osmoliš.
• A flexible day, with extra costs to plan for: Fuel costs €100 per booking, and lunch is separate from the tour price.

A private day among the Elaphiti Islands

The Elaphiti Islands lie off Dubrovnik, and this eight- to nine-hour private speedboat tour gives you a full day to see several sides of the area. Expect a combination of time on the water, swimming stops and visits to Lopud and Šipan. Travel time is included in the overall duration, so the day is not eight hours of sightseeing ashore.

The private format matters. Only your group participates, and your skipper can adjust the order or length of stops to fit your interests and conditions. One skipper, Ivan, changed plans when the caves were too crowded, then added a quieter swimming stop. That kind of flexibility is a real advantage over a group boat with a fixed schedule, though it is still wise to discuss your priorities at the start.

The tour leaves from Lapadska Obala Pier at Lapadska obala 5 in Dubrovnik and returns there. It is offered in English. Drinks, snacks, snorkeling equipment, floaties and life jackets are included, but you will need to pay separately for fuel and lunch.

Koločep: caves, swimming and the Blue Cave

Koločep, also called Kalamota by locals, is the first island stop. The planned time here is about two hours, giving you a chance to see caves and swim in the clear water. The Blue Cave is small, and you reach it with a short swim from the boat. Rocks along the side offer places to pause if you need a rest.

Snorkeling masks and equipment are available, so bring a willingness to get wet if you want to see what lies beneath the surface. The boat also carries drinks, including beer, wine, soft drinks and water. This is a good opening stop for anyone who wants the sea to be the main event.

One practical point: a famous cave can draw other boats. If quiet swimming matters more to you than seeing the Blue Cave, tell your skipper. The route can be adjusted, and the skipper may be able to find a less busy place to swim, depending on conditions. You should not count on having a cave or cove to yourself, especially when the water is busy.

Šunj Beach: two hours to slow down

After the caves, the boat heads to Šunj Beach on Lopud. Its broad sandy shore and shallow, calm water make this a natural place to pause, especially if you are travelling with children or simply want a break from getting in and out of the boat. The bay is sheltered, and the two-hour stop gives you time to swim, sunbathe or take a slow lunch-hour-style break without having to rush back aboard.

There are a few cocktail bars along the beach that serve food. One has hammocks strung between trees, a welcome option if your ideal beach day involves a drink and a nap rather than another swim. Food and drinks bought at the beach are separate from what is included on the boat.

Šunj is also the kind of place where you may wish you had more time. One skipper’s group would happily have stayed there all day, though they were glad to see the other islands too. If the beach is your priority, tell the skipper early and ask how much time can sensibly be set aside. The day is tailor-made, but the boat still has to cover the route and return to Dubrovnik.

Lopud: lunch, a monastery and a garden

After Šunj, the boat reaches the other side of Lopud for a planned two-hour stop. This is the day’s main chance to eat ashore. A local restaurant can be arranged, with fresh catch of the day as an option for seafood fans. Lunch is not part of the tour price, so ask about the restaurant and menu before ordering if you are keeping to a budget.

Some groups have had lunch booked in advance, including a table by the water. That can save time and make the stop easier, but you should confirm the arrangement with the operator rather than assume a reservation is included. Restaurant prices can be higher than at other places on the island, so the setting and meal are part of the value calculation.

Lopud also has a quieter historical stop: its Franciscan monastery, founded in 1483, is described as the island’s oldest part. There is a botanical garden that you can visit free of charge. Pairing the monastery and garden with lunch gives the day more texture than a string of swims, though two hours goes quickly if you linger over a meal and then explore.

Suđurađ: Šipan’s village side

The next stop is Suđurađ on Šipan, with about an hour ashore. This small village offers a contrast to the beach stops. You can see remains of the Renaissance castle of the Stjepović-Skočibuha family and the Pakljena tower, which dates to 1563. The former family residence is another reason to pause here if you are interested in local architecture and the lives of Dubrovnik’s noble families.

Šipan had summer residences built by Dubrovnik’s noble families during the 15th and 16th centuries. The island’s two main settlements are Suđurađ and Šipanska Luka. Suđurađ is the more compact stop described on this route, while Šipanska Luka is noted for its local customs and village character. An hour is enough for a short walk and a look around, but not for an exhaustive visit to both settlements.

If you are drawn to local history, let your skipper know. The tour description includes a guided walk around historical, natural and cultural sights, but the exact route and depth of the visit may depend on the time available. Keep expectations realistic: this is a boat day with several stops, not a specialist history tour.

Osmoliš: one last swim

The route continues along the coast to the turquoise beach at Osmoliš, where the final planned stop is about an hour. The purpose here is simple: one more swim, a chance to enjoy the water and a relaxed end to the day. The stop is described as a place where local people can point out scenic spots for photographs.

The skipper may be able to extend the stay if you want more time by the water. That possibility is useful, but ask about timing and the return to Dubrovnik before settling in. This final pause is particularly appealing if you would rather end the day with a swim than squeeze in another village walk.

What the price covers, and what it does not

The group price is $409.72 for up to six people. At full capacity, that works out to about $68.30 per person before fuel and lunch. For a private speedboat, skipper and a day with several islands and swimming stops, that can be good value for a group. For two people, the per-person price is higher, so compare it with your budget and how much you value having the boat to yourselves.

Fuel costs an additional €100 per booking, and lunch is also extra. These are meaningful additions, not minor details. You should include both when deciding whether this tour fits your budget, and confirm how fuel payment is handled before departure.

The included items are practical: a skipper, snacks, taxes and fees, snorkeling equipment, floaties, life jackets, bottled water, soft drinks, beer and wine. You do not need to bring your own mask to use the snorkeling gear, though you may prefer your own if fit matters to you. Music is not listed among the inclusions. If that would make the hours between islands better for your group, bring a small speaker, as one past group wished they had.

Who will get the most from this boat day

This tour suits families and small groups who want to spend much of the day swimming and appreciate a skipper who can adapt the schedule. Šunj’s shallow water is useful for families with children, while the caves and snorkeling stops appeal to people happy to swim from the boat. The land visits add variety for anyone who wants a little village history with their beach time.

It is also a good fit for a group that can share the cost. The boat is private for up to six, and the group rate becomes more appealing when split among several people. Couples can still enjoy the privacy, but should weigh the higher per-person cost against a shared tour.

This may be less suitable if you want a carefully timed historical tour, a quiet cave guaranteed at a specific hour or an all-inclusive price. The route is flexible, the sea and crowds can affect where you stop, and lunch is extra. The listed duration is approximate, about eight to nine hours, and includes travel between islands.

The tour requires good weather. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start; if poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. Confirmation is provided at booking, and service animals are allowed.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands tour?

Book it if a private boat, plenty of swimming and room to adjust the day matter more to you than a fixed schedule. Its strongest combination is Koločep’s caves, a generous pause at Šunj, Lopud’s lunch and monastery, and a final swim near Šipan. The skipper’s ability to respond to crowds or your preferences is central to the appeal.

Before you commit, add the €100 fuel charge and your lunch budget to the group price. Then decide how much time you want for beaches, caves and village stops, and tell the skipper when you meet. If your group wants a relaxed day on the water and is comfortable with the extra costs, this is a practical way to see several Elaphiti Islands without sharing the boat with strangers.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight to nine hours. The total duration includes travel time between stops.

Where does the tour start and end?

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

How many people can join?

The tour is private for your group, with a maximum of six people.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel costs €100 per booking.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, though the tour stops at a local restaurant on Lopud.

What is included on board?

The tour includes a skipper, snacks, taxes and fees, snorkeling equipment, floaties, life jackets, bottled water, soft drinks, beer and wine.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.