Dubrovnik Elafiti Islands & Blue Cave Fullday Tour

The best part of this day is the change of pace: Dubrovnik’s busy streets give way to open water, quiet coves, and three islands you can explore without sticking to a large-group timetable. The route pairs the caves around Koločep with time on Lopud and a possible village lunch on Šipan.

I like two things in particular: a private skipper can adjust the pace and choose when to visit popular spots, and the outing combines swimming with time ashore rather than making the boat ride the whole event. One practical consideration: lunch is not included, so budget for a meal on Šipan or bring your own plan.

• Koločep brings the cave stops: The speedboat visits turquoise caves, the Blue Cave, and the Green Caves.
• Lopud offers both beach and village time: Swim or sunbathe at sandy Šunj Beach, then head to the island’s main port.
• Šipan is the meal stop: Suđurađ has local fish and vegetables, plus wine from island vineyards.
• The tour is private for your group: The stated price is $710.91 for up to four people.
• Swim gear and drinks are supplied: Towels, snorkelling equipment, water, soda, beer, and white wine are included.
• The skipper can shape the day: The route is designed for swimming, sightseeing, and unhurried stops, with timing used to avoid crowds where possible.

A private day on the water, not a fixed group circuit

This eight-hour trip is a good choice if you want to see several Elaphite Islands without being tied to a ferry timetable or a large tour group. You share the boat with your own party and a local skipper, so the day can lean more toward swimming, sightseeing, or quiet time depending on your interests.

The listed price is $710.91 per group of up to four, not per person. At full capacity, that works out to about $178 each before lunch. For two people, the per-person cost is much higher, so this is best value for a family or a small group of friends who want a private boat and a flexible pace.

The outing begins at 10:00 a.m. at Sunshine Sailing Dubrovnik, Lapadska obala 4. The meeting details also refer to Port Gruž, where you meet the skipper and board the speedboat. Confirm the exact boarding arrangements with the operator before setting out, since the private transfer mentioned in the tour description is not listed among the included services.

Leaving Port Gruž for Koločep’s caves

The first island stop is Koločep, also called Koločep in Croatian. The plan is to enter two turquoise caves by speedboat, then visit the famous Blue Cave and three Green Caves. These stops are the most distinctive part of the route: you get to see the coast from the water and, if conditions allow, take a swim or snorkel in clear Adriatic water.

The experience is shaped by the skipper’s timing. The route is popular, and a skipper who knows when to visit each place can help you avoid arriving with the thickest crowds. Srđan is named often in accounts of the trip, with Gigi and Didi also mentioned. Skippers are described as friendly, accommodating, and good at adjusting plans. Your assigned skipper may be different, but local route knowledge matters on a day built around coves and cave stops.

The boat supplies snorkelling gear, towels, and life jackets, which saves you from having to arrange those basics yourself. Still, bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes if you want one after swimming. The included drinks are water, soda, beer, and white wine. Keep in mind that sea temperature can vary; swimming is a central part of the plan, but it may not feel inviting on a cooler day.

Lopud pairs Šunj Beach with a village stop

After Koločep, the boat heads to Lopud. The first planned stop is Šunj, a sandy beach set apart from the island’s main port and reached through a wooded area. It is the route’s best chance to trade rocky swimming spots for sand underfoot. If a beach break is high on your list, this is the stop to protect time for.

The beach setting also changes the feel of the day. You can relax on shore rather than spending every pause in the water, and the skipper can help you balance beach time against the other stops. Bring whatever you need for a few hours outdoors, since the tour’s included items are limited to towels and basic drinks and equipment.

The plan then crosses to Lopud’s main port, a place for local sights, events, and a look at island life beyond the beach. This is useful contrast: the trip is not only a string of swim stops. You can spend some time walking around the port and seeing a settled island community before getting back on the boat.

The schedule lists two hours for Lopud, but that block includes both Šunj and the port. If you want a long beach session and a proper look around the village, ask the skipper how the day’s timing can be arranged. The private format gives you more say than a fixed group departure, but the eight-hour total still means choices have to be made.

Šipan’s Suđurađ makes a good lunch pause

The last island is Šipan, with a stop in Suđurađ. This is the natural place to break up a day of swimming with a meal. Local restaurants may serve the day’s fish catch alongside vegetables grown nearby, giving you a chance to try straightforward island cooking rather than eat back in Dubrovnik.

Lunch is not included, and the tour price does not cover a restaurant bill. If you want to eat in Suđurađ, plan for that cost. The village is also presented as a good place for wine tasting, with vineyards and Croatian grape varieties to explore. That makes Šipan more than a final photo stop, though you will need to decide how much of your remaining time to use for food, wine, or wandering.

The skipper can suggest a place to eat, but you should make clear what you want from the stop. A leisurely lunch and a tasting may take time away from swimming elsewhere. If your group has children or would rather keep moving, you can prioritize a shorter stop and more time on the water, subject to the day’s route and conditions.

What the private format is worth

A private boat costs more than a shared excursion, but you are paying for control over the day as much as the ride. You can talk through your preferences with the skipper, take a slower pace, and focus on the places that matter to your group. That flexibility is especially valuable for a family, a couple marking a special occasion, or friends who want to make a day of swimming and music.

The skipper’s role is central. Accounts of the trip describe captains who share local stories, recommend places to eat, and make small adjustments to find quieter beaches or time popular stops well. Some groups have used the boat for a relaxed celebration, while others have built a route around swimming and lunch. These are possibilities, not guaranteed features, so tell the skipper what sort of day you want at the start.

The vessel has been described as clean, comfortable, and spacious, and the supplied water, beer, snorkel gear, and towels reduce the amount you need to bring. Still, the advertised group limit is four people. One account refers to a party of six, but the stated capacity and price are for up to four, so confirm capacity with the operator rather than assuming a larger group can join.

Timing, weather, and what to bring

The tour starts at 10:00 a.m. and lasts about eight hours. The plan gives roughly two hours to each of four stages, with the remaining time used for the round trip, sightseeing, or exploration. In practice, the skipper’s route and your group’s choices affect how long you spend at each place. The schedule is a guide to the day, not a reason to expect every stop to feel equally long.

Pack swimwear, sun protection, and any personal items you need for a full day outside. Snorkelling equipment, towels, life jackets, and several drinks are provided. Because lunch is extra, bring money for a meal if you plan to eat in Suđurađ. If swimming is a priority, remember that the water can feel chilly, even when the air is warm.

The activity depends on good weather. If poor conditions lead to cancellation, you can be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Those terms offer some reassurance, but they do not change the basic fact that the sea sets the final conditions for a boat day.

Who should book this Elaphite Islands tour?

This trip suits you if you want a full day at sea and value privacy, swimming, and the freedom to set the tone with your skipper. It works particularly well for a group of up to four, since the fixed group price becomes more attractive when shared. It is also a strong fit if you want to combine Koločep’s caves, Lopud’s sandy beach, and a meal or wine stop on Šipan in one outing.

It may be less appealing if you want a low-cost island visit, a guaranteed included lunch, or a day with no dependence on weather and sea temperature. You should also check the meeting and boarding arrangements before booking, and confirm that your group fits the stated capacity.

Book it if the private boat and flexible route are the point. For a small group, the combination of caves, swimming, beach time, and island food makes this a useful way to get beyond Dubrovnik for the day. If you mainly want transport between islands at the lowest price, compare shared options first.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about eight hours.

What time does it start?

The listed start time is 10:00 a.m.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is Sunshine Sailing Dubrovnik at Lapadska obala 4, Dubrovnik. The tour details also say you meet the skipper and board at Port Gruž, so confirm the exact arrangement with the operator.

Which islands does the route visit?

The route includes Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is a private activity for your group, with a stated price of $710.91 for up to four people.

What is included?

Water, soda, beer, white wine, towels, snorkelling equipment, life jackets, fuel, and a skipper are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Suđurađ on Šipan is suggested as a place to eat, with local fish and vegetables available at restaurants.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather cancels the activity, you will be offered another date or a full refund.