Dubrovnik: Private Elaphiti Islands and Blue Cave Tour

The best part of this trip is having the Adriatic as your own day out, not a fixed sequence of stops. Your skipper takes you from Dubrovnik toward the Elaphiti Islands, where you can snorkel in the Blue Cave, swim from a quiet shore, or spend longer over lunch on Lopud.

I like two things in particular: you can shape the route with your skipper, and the day combines caves and clear-water swimming with time in traditional island villages. Skippers including Mihael, Michael, Robert, and Captain Z are named in accounts of the trip, though who takes your boat can vary.

One cost to factor in is fuel, which is paid in cash on the boat and is not included in the advertised group price. The four-hour trip also leaves less room for beach time and lunch, so I would choose six or eight hours if your schedule and budget allow.

• A private boat for up to nine: Your group does not have to follow a shared tour’s pace.
• Blue Cave snorkeling on Koločep: Bring a swimsuit and expect to get in the water to see the cave formations.
• A skipper-led, flexible route: Ask for suggestions, then choose where you want to linger.
• Lopud lunch by the sea: Lunch is extra, but your skipper can recommend a restaurant and help arrange a stop.
• Fuel is a separate charge: Budget €80 for four hours, €90 for six, or €100 for eight.
• Hotel pickup and drop-off are included: The trip starts with a transfer from your accommodation to the boat.

A private boat day from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik’s old town is a fine place to spend a day on foot. But the islands just offshore offer a different kind of Croatia: salt air, swimming stops, small settlements, and views back toward the coast. This private Elaphiti Islands trip gives you room to enjoy that change of pace.

The boat carries one private group of up to nine people. That matters if you are traveling with family or friends: you can talk through what you want to do with your skipper and adjust the day as you go. Some groups want more swimming; others want a meal on an island or time to wander. The trip is designed to make those choices possible.

Skippers named in accounts of the experience include Mihael, Michael, Robert, and Captain Z. The skipper is more than a driver. People have praised the local knowledge and practical advice, from choosing swimming spots to recommending a restaurant. Still, names and individual personalities are not something you can count on when booking.

The advertised price is $647 for the group, with fuel and lunch extra. At full capacity, the starting price works out to about $72 per person before those additional costs. For a smaller group, the per-person cost rises, so compare it with what you would pay for a shared boat outing. The extra value here is privacy, flexibility, and a route that can suit your group.

From accommodation to the boat

Hotel or accommodation pickup and drop-off are included, and the driver waits in front of your accommodation. You are taken to the port, where the skipper meets you and shows you aboard. Several accounts describe this transfer as a helpful part of the day, especially for groups who would rather not arrange their own way to the boat.

The boat has a bimini for shade, a ladder and shower for getting back aboard after a swim, and a Bluetooth sound system. Snorkeling gear and towels are included, along with cooled water, Coca-Cola, and beer. You can bring a hat and sunglasses too; the open water makes sun protection worth planning for.

Tell your skipper what matters to you before the boat sets off. If you want a relaxed day with a long lunch, say so. If you would rather swim at several places, ask for that. The skipper can recommend a plan, but the point of a private tour is that you have a say in it.

Koločep and the Blue Cave

Koločep is one of the main draws, especially for the Blue Cave. The cave is a natural feature you can explore by snorkeling, with a chance to see its formations from the water. Bring swimwear, and be ready to get in rather than treating this as a stop you only admire from the boat.

The cave can be a popular place, so it may feel busier than the quieter swimming coves. If the cave is crowded, or if your group has had enough snorkeling, tell your skipper what you would prefer next. A private outing gives you more choice than a fixed group schedule, though weather and conditions can affect what is practical.

The wider Koločep stop can also mean time ashore. You might wander around the island or take a coffee break by the sea. It is a useful contrast to the boat ride: instead of seeing the coast pass by, you get a little time to settle into island life.

Lopud, village views, and a waterfront lunch

Lopud is a good place to slow down. The tour includes scenic views on the way, and the island is known as a particularly beautiful stop in the area. You can enjoy its traditional architecture and coastal setting, then make time for lunch at a local restaurant recommended by your skipper.

The meal is not included in the price, so keep room in your budget for food and drinks at the restaurant. La Villa and Bowa have been named as possible dining stops, but restaurants and arrangements can vary. Ask your skipper which place is available and what suits your group on the day.

A seaside lunch is not just a meal between activities. It can give you a proper break from the sun and water, and let you enjoy the island without watching the clock. Several accounts describe restaurant recommendations and table arrangements as a highlight. If you want a long lunch, build that into your plan before leaving the port.

Sjekirica and Šunj Beach

The listed route also includes Sjekirica Beach and Šunj Beach, both offered as swimming and scenic stops. These give you options beyond the cave: swim, rest on shore, or take in the coastline from the boat. What you do at each stop depends on your group’s interests and the time you have.

Šunj is a beach option on Lopud. If you have chosen a four-hour trip, you may need to be selective about how many stops you make. The six- and eight-hour choices make it easier to combine the cave, a beach, and a meal without rushing through each one.

The itinerary names several stops, but that does not mean every tour follows precisely the same pattern. The tour is described as flexible, and groups have been able to choose where they spend more time. Discuss your priorities with the skipper early so the day’s pace is clear.

Choosing four, six, or eight hours

The trip lasts between four and eight hours, with start times depending on availability. Four hours can work if you mainly want a boat ride, the Blue Cave, and a short swim. It is less suited to anyone hoping to add a relaxed restaurant meal and several long beach stops.

Six hours is a good middle ground. It gives you time for the cave, a swim, and lunch without making the day feel like a race. Eight hours suits groups who want a full day on the water, more flexibility, or extra time to linger. One group of seven who booked eight hours wished they had longer, so resist the urge to squeeze a full day’s wish list into the shortest option.

The extra fuel cost is modest compared with the group price, but it is still a separate expense: €80 for four hours, €90 for six, and €100 for eight. Fuel is paid in cash on the boat. Longer trips to Korčula, Hvar, or Split have much higher fuel charges, which are listed as €230, €400, and €500 respectively. Confirm the route and cost with the operator before booking if you are considering one of these destinations.

The itinerary information also names Hvar, Korčula, Split, and Dubrovnik as drop-off locations. Since the standard trip is presented as a Dubrovnik-area outing and the longer destinations have separate fuel charges, check directly with the operator about the route, timing, and drop-off arrangement before treating those places as a routine option.

What the price includes, and what it does not

The $647 price covers the private group, skipper and guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, snorkeling gear, towels, cooled drinks, and the boat’s listed facilities. For a group close to nine, the cost per person can be appealing for a private boat day. For two or three people, it is a more substantial splurge.

Fuel is extra, and so is restaurant lunch. Add these to your budget before comparing this trip with a shared excursion. The advantage is not simply a boat to the islands: you get a private group, control over how long to stay at stops, and a skipper who can adapt the route to your preferences.

The advertised drinks are water, Coca-Cola, and beer. Some groups have arranged other drinks, but do not assume those are included. If you have a specific request, ask ahead rather than counting on it being aboard.

Who should book this trip

I would recommend it to families, couples, or groups of friends who want a sea day built around their own pace. It is especially appealing if swimming matters more to you than ticking off a long list of landmarks. Teenagers and groups celebrating a birthday or other occasion may also appreciate the mix of cave snorkeling, beach time, music, and a flexible lunch stop.

It is less suitable if you are prone to seasickness or use a wheelchair, as the tour is not suitable for either. Even if you do not usually get seasick, be thoughtful about how you handle boat travel before committing to several hours at sea.

Bring sunscreen, swimwear, a hat, and sunglasses. A towel and snorkeling gear are provided, but you will still want to plan for a sunny day on the water. Weather can affect the outing; the crew may work around imperfect conditions, but your experience will depend in part on what the sea allows.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a private, adaptable day on the water and are happy to pay extra for fuel and lunch. For most groups, I would choose six hours: enough time to enjoy the Blue Cave, a beach stop, and a proper meal without rushing. Choose eight hours if you want to linger, and four only if your time is tight or your plans are simple.

Before you commit, confirm your preferred route, the fuel cost, and any restaurant plans. If those fit your budget, this is a practical way to pair Dubrovnik’s island scenery with swimming and a relaxed seaside meal.

FAQ

How many people can join the private tour?

The tour is for a private group of up to nine people.

How much does fuel cost?

Fuel is not included and is paid in cash on the boat. The listed cost is €80 for four hours, €90 for six hours, and €100 for eight hours. Longer trips to Korčula, Hvar, or Split have separate fuel charges.

Is lunch included?

No. Restaurant lunch is not included. Your skipper can recommend a restaurant, likely on Lopud, and lunch costs extra.

What is included on the boat?

The tour includes a skipper and guide, snorkeling gear, towels, cooled water, Coca-Cola and beer, a bimini, Bluetooth sound system, shower, and ladder.

Is pickup from my accommodation included?

Yes. Hotel or accommodation pickup and drop-off are included. The driver waits in front of your accommodation and takes you to the port.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen, swimwear, a hat, and sunglasses. Snorkeling gear and towels are provided.