Dubrovnik Private Boat Excursion – Elaphite Islands

The best part of this private cruise is the freedom to shape a day around the water: you can swim near Kolocep’s Blue Cave, stretch out at Šunj Beach, and still have time to explore Lopud and Šipan. Your skipper steers the day, but your group sets the pace.

I like two things in particular: you get a private boat for your group, with pickup included, and you can use the snorkel gear and paddleboard without paying extra. Captains such as Iso have also arranged Lopud lunch reservations and taken families to quieter swimming spots.

The main catch is the cost beyond the quoted price: fuel adds €200 per booking, and lunch is on you. The schedule is flexible, which is a plus, but a full circuit of the islands can take most of a day.

At a glance

• Three islands, one private boat: Visit Kolocep, Lopud and Šipan with your own group and skipper.
• Swim near the Blue Cave: The Kolocep stop is planned for swimming and snorkeling, with the precise timing set with your skipper.
• Make room for a sandy beach: Šunj on Lopud offers a change from rocky Adriatic coves, with time for a swim, paddleboard, coffee or cocktail.
• Lunch is a Lopud highlight: You can explore the village and arrange a waterfront meal, but lunch is not included.
• Budget for fuel: The listed group price is $971.73 for up to seven people, plus €200 in cash for fuel.
• Bring your own beach essentials: Towels, swimsuits, a camera and sunscreen are recommended.

A private route through the Elaphite Islands

The Elaphite Islands sit just off Dubrovnik, close enough for a day at sea but far enough to give you a welcome break from the city’s stone lanes and summer crowds. This trip is designed to link three islands, Kolocep, Lopud and Šipan, with swimming coves and time ashore along the way.

The private format is the real distinction. You are not following a fixed group schedule or waiting for a boatload of strangers to finish lunch. You can discuss the pace and stops with your skipper, who can adapt the day to your group’s interests and comfort.

That flexibility is useful, but it does not mean you can fit every activity into a short outing. The advertised duration is about four to eight hours, while the suggested stop times add up to nearly eight hours. If you want the full island circuit, swimming time and a relaxed meal, plan for a longer day and confirm the likely schedule with the skipper.

The boat is described as a luxury speedboat or yacht, with a private skipper. Exact boat details are not specified, so ask about the vessel available for your date if size or comfort matters to your group. One family was offered a larger boat at short notice for an extra €50, but that was a particular arrangement, not a standard inclusion.

Kolocep and the Blue Cave

Kolocep is the first island stop, with a visit to the Blue Cave and time for swimming and snorkeling. This is a water-first start to the trip: you get into the sea early, rather than spending the morning only looking at the islands from the boat.

The stop is listed at about 45 minutes, though timing is flexible. The cave is a focal point, but the experience also depends on the surrounding water and conditions. Bring your swimsuit under your clothes if you want to get in quickly, and have your snorkel gear ready. Equipment is included, as is a paddleboard.

The boat’s skipper can help you decide how to use the time, including whether your group wants more swimming or a quicker look before moving on. A family with a young child found the captain welcoming and even let the child take the wheel. That is a lovely possibility, but it is not a promised activity, so treat it as a bonus rather than part of the standard plan.

If anyone in your group is hesitant about swimming, tell the skipper before you arrive at the stop. The supplied accounts describe captains helping less confident swimmers feel comfortable, but you should still make your own choice about getting in.

Šunj Beach: sand, swims and a slower hour

Next comes Šunj Beach on Lopud, a famous sandy stretch and a change from the rocky coves that define much of the coast. The planned stop is about an hour, with time for swimming, beach relaxation, paddleboarding, or a drink.

This is a useful pause between boat stops. You can simply enjoy the beach, or use the paddleboard if you want to do more than sit in the sun. A one-hour stop is not a long beach day, though. If lounging on the sand is your main priority, tell the skipper you would like to give this stop more time and be prepared to shorten another part of the route.

Bring a towel and sun protection. The boat provides drinks, including water, juice, soda and beer, but the beach stop is not an all-inclusive beach club visit. Any additional food or drinks you choose to buy are not listed as included.

Lopud village and a proper lunch break

Lopud gets the longest scheduled stop, about three hours, giving you time to explore the village, see medieval architecture and parks, and sit down for lunch by the water. This is the part of the outing that turns a boat trip into a more complete island day.

A good meal can be one of the pleasures of a private cruise, but remember that lunch is not included in the price. Captains Iso and Eso have been singled out for useful local recommendations, and Iso has arranged restaurant reservations for groups. Restaurant Obala is one named option, but it is a recommendation, not a fixed part of the tour. Ask your skipper what suits your group and whether a reservation is sensible for your date.

Three hours gives you room to eat without rushing straight back to the boat. Still, don’t assume every minute will be spent sightseeing. A long lunch can easily use much of the stop, especially if you want to enjoy a waterfront table and explore the village afterward.

If your group would rather spend more time swimming, you can discuss adjusting the schedule. That is one of the tour’s strongest advantages, though your skipper will need to balance your wishes with the overall route and time available.

Šipan and the smaller village stop

The route continues to Šipan, where the planned stop is about an hour for a look around a village and its medieval settlements and castles. After the beach and the longer Lopud pause, this adds a quieter, more historical note to the day.

The stop is shorter than Lopud’s, so think of it as a chance to walk around and get a feel for the island rather than a full walking tour. Specific sites and activities are not fixed in advance. If you are especially interested in the village or its architecture, tell the skipper so you can agree on what fits into the hour.

The itinerary names this stop as Sudurad, while the description refers to a village as Sujuraj. Since the exact village name is presented inconsistently, confirm the intended Šipan stop when you book or speak with the skipper.

Coves and open-ended swim time

The final planned segment allows about two hours to explore Elaphite coves, swim, snorkel or paddleboard. This is where a private itinerary can pay off: instead of treating every stop as a quick photo break, you can ask for more time in the water or a quieter place to swim.

Captains have taken groups to secluded spots in addition to the named stops. That can make the day feel less like a checklist and more like a boat outing shaped around the conditions and your preferences. The precise coves are not guaranteed, and the skipper will choose the route with your comfort and the day’s circumstances in mind.

It is worth keeping some flexibility in your expectations. If you linger at Šunj or take a leisurely lunch on Lopud, the skipper may need to adjust the later stops to fit your overall time. Decide with your group what matters most: beaches, village time, snorkeling or a relaxed meal.

What the price covers, and what it does not

The price is $971.73 per group of up to seven, not per person. At a full group of seven, that works out to about $139 per person before fuel. For a couple or a small family, the same group rate is a much larger per-person expense, so the value improves as you fill the available places.

Fuel costs an additional €200 per booking and is paid in cash directly to the skipper. That is a meaningful extra, so include it in your budget rather than treating the advertised price as the full cost. Lunch is also separate. Depending on your plans ashore, you may want to allow for restaurant food and any drinks or purchases beyond what is supplied on board.

Included are the skipper or crew, local taxes, hotel or port pickup and drop-off, snorkeling equipment, a paddleboard, and onboard water, juice, soda and beer. Those inclusions make the price easier to assess: transport to the boat is handled, and you do not need to rent basic water gear separately.

The strongest value is not simply the boat itself. It is the combination of a private skipper, flexible timing, pickup, included equipment and the chance to spend the day across several islands without organizing separate transport. If you mostly want a brief boat ride, this may be more than you need. If your group wants a full day of swimming and island stops at its own pace, the private setup is easier to justify.

Pickup, preparation and booking notes

Pickup is offered from vacation rentals, ports, villas, apartments and hotels within Dubrovnik. If a vehicle cannot reach your accommodation, the operator will contact you about a meeting point. That door-to-boat service is especially handy if you are staying outside the Old Town or do not want to work out your own route to the harbor.

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation is provided within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The activity is private, so only your group joins. Most people can participate, and the operator recommends bringing a swimsuit, towel, camera and sunscreen.

The experience depends on good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. For other cancellations or amendment requests, the payment is non-refundable and cannot be changed, so check your dates carefully before booking.

Who should book this cruise?

I would consider this a strong choice for families, couples or friends who want a full day on the water and value privacy more than a low per-person price. It works particularly well if your group wants a mix of swimming, beach time, village exploring and a proper lunch stop, rather than a quick sightseeing circuit.

Families may appreciate having a skipper who can help tailor the outing, and the accounts of Captain Iso making a child feel welcome suggest that the boat can suit a family day. Still, you should confirm the boat size and any specific needs before paying, especially if comfort on board is important.

If you are traveling alone or as a pair on a tight budget, compare the total cost, including fuel and lunch, with other ways to visit the islands. And if your main goal is hours on a sandy beach, tell the skipper early so the schedule reflects that.

Book it if you want a private, flexible island day with swimming gear, paddleboard and pickup included, and you are comfortable paying the extra fuel fee. Skip it if you want the cheapest way to reach the islands or prefer a fixed, short excursion with no extra costs to manage.

FAQ

How much does the private boat trip cost?

The listed price is $971.73 per group, with up to seven people. Fuel is an additional €200 per booking, paid in cash directly to the skipper.

How long is the excursion?

The approximate duration is four to eight hours. The suggested stop times total nearly eight hours, and the schedule is flexible, so discuss your preferred length with the skipper.

Which islands are included?

The route visits Kolocep, Lopud and Šipan, with swimming and snorkeling stops around the Elaphite Islands.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered from hotels, apartments, villas, vacation rentals and available ports within Dubrovnik. If your location cannot be reached by car, a meeting point will be arranged.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the price. The Lopud stop allows time for waterfront dining, and you can ask the skipper for a restaurant recommendation.

Are snorkeling equipment and a paddleboard provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment and a paddleboard is included.

What drinks are available on the boat?

Water, juice, soda and beer are listed as available onboard.

What should I bring?

Bring a swimsuit, towel, camera and sunscreen. These are specifically recommended for the trip.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. Other cancellations or amendment requests are non-refundable and cannot be changed.