Elaphite Islands Luxury Private Boat Tour with Cap Camarat 7.5

The best part of this Elaphite Islands outing is that the day belongs to your group. Captain Šime, also called Simon, can adjust the route and the time you spend at each stop, so you can linger over a swim, visit a cave, or skip a place that does not suit your plans.

I like two things in particular: the freedom to set your own pace and the useful extras, including towels, snorkeling gear, a GoPro, drinks, and round-trip transfers. One consideration is time: a four-hour trip is a quick taste of the islands, and Sipan is generally included only on six- and eight-hour tours.

• A private boat for up to seven: Your party has the boat and captain to itself.
• Caves off Kolocep: The route can include the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves.
• A proper beach stop on Lopud: Šunj is known for its sandy shore, with a village and restaurants nearby.
• Sipan takes more time: It is usually part of the longer trips, not a relaxed four-hour itinerary.
• Drinks and swim gear are aboard: Expect beer, white wine, soft drinks, water, towels, snorkeling equipment, and a GoPro.
• Transfers are included: Round-trip transport from your hotel to the boat is offered.

A private boat changes the pace of a Dubrovnik day

The Elaphite Islands sit off Dubrovnik’s coast, and this trip gives you a way to explore them without joining a larger group’s fixed schedule. You travel with your own party, up to seven people, and Captain Šime can adapt the day to your preferences. If you want more time in the water, you can ask for it; if a stop does not appeal, you can move on.

That flexibility is the main reason to choose this trip over a shared boat excursion. It matters especially for families, friends with different interests, or anyone working around a cruise-ship stop. One family, for example, used a four-hour outing to see caves and swim, then returned to the ship with time for lunch and a short visit to Dubrovnik’s Old Town. That kind of schedule depends on your own timing and pickup arrangements, but it shows how a shorter charter can fit into a port day.

The boat is a Cap Camarat 7.5, with space for a maximum of seven passengers plus the captain. The trip is offered in English. Captain Šime is frequently praised for his friendly manner, local knowledge, and care in tailoring the route. He can also offer suggestions about where to stop and what to see, which is useful if you know you want a good day on the water but have not planned every detail.

Kolocep’s caves reward an early start

Kolocep is the first listed island stop, with the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves on the route. These are the most distinctive sights of the outing: a chance to see the coastline from the water and, depending on your plan, get into the sea with the supplied snorkeling equipment. The GoPro is another useful extra if you want to capture your swim without bringing your own camera.

You are not tied to a set amount of time at each attraction. That makes a real difference at popular spots. Starting early may help you reach a cave before larger boats arrive, though crowd levels depend on the day and time. If quiet coves matter more to you than seeing every named cave, tell Šime before or during the trip. He has accommodated requests to avoid busy places and visit calmer spots instead.

The itinerary allows up to two hours at Kolocep, but the actual time is part of the private-trip conversation, not a promise that every cave will receive a fixed visit. On a four-hour charter, you will need to make choices. You might focus on a few caves and a swim, then head to Lopud, rather than trying to linger everywhere. If swimming is a priority, say so early and build the rest of the route around it.

A practical note: cave visits and swimming are outdoor activities, so the day’s conditions matter. The trip requires good weather. If poor weather leads to cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Lopud pairs Šunj beach with a village stop

Lopud is the island stop for a change of pace. Šunj is a beautiful sandy beach, and the nearby village gives you a chance to walk around and find a restaurant. The itinerary allows up to three hours here, making Lopud the natural place to slow down, stretch your legs, or plan a meal.

Some groups choose to spend much of their time swimming and relaxing; others prefer a beach visit followed by lunch in the village. Captain Šime can recommend a restaurant and, in some cases, call ahead to arrange a reservation. A meal is not stated as included in the tour price, so budget separately if you plan to eat ashore.

There is a trade-off between beach time and seeing more islands. Šunj and the village can easily fill a substantial part of a half-day, especially if you want an unhurried stop. If you would rather cover more coastline, be clear about that before setting off. The private format is most valuable when you use it to make choices, not when you try to fit every possible stop into the shortest charter.

Sipan suits the longer charter

Sipan is the last of the three Elaphite Islands on the route. It is generally visited on six- and eight-hour trips. On a four-hour outing, the captain may include it only if you keep the earlier stops brief.

That distinction is worth weighing before you book. If the caves and Šunj beach are your main goals, four hours can make sense. If you want to visit all three islands, spend time swimming, and stop for lunch, six hours or more gives the day room to breathe. The route is flexible, but the sea does not make the islands any closer together; distance and time still set limits.

The listed itinerary gives Sipan a two-hour window, but the actual visit depends on the length of your trip and the choices you make at Kolocep and Lopud. Treat it as a possibility on a longer charter rather than a guaranteed stop on every departure.

Drinks, towels, and transfers add practical value

Beer, white wine, soft drinks, and water are served aboard. Towels, snorkeling equipment, and a GoPro are also provided, so you can pack less and focus on the day. These inclusions are especially handy if you are fitting the boat trip into a cruise stop or a busy Dubrovnik schedule.

Round-trip transfers from your hotel to the boat are included, and pickup is offered. The pickup point should be confirmed ahead of time. If you are coming from a cruise ship, ask where to meet and how much time to allow. One group arranged to meet near the port and found the walk to the boat straightforward, but your own meeting point and route may differ.

The captain has also helped with lunch planning and has accommodated specific interests, such as seeking quieter bays or visiting lighthouses. These are examples of what a private itinerary can allow, not fixed features of every trip. Tell Šime what matters to you and ask what is realistic for the number of hours you have.

Is $544.43 good value for your group?

The listed price is $544.43 for the whole group, up to seven people, rather than a per-person fare. At full capacity, that works out to about $78 per person. For four people, it is about $136 each; for two, about $272 each. Those are simple divisions of the group price, before any other costs such as lunch.

The value rests on privacy, flexibility, transfers, and the included boat supplies. A shared trip may cost less, but it will not give your party the same control over how long to stay at a cave or beach. If you have a group of friends or a family and will use the time well, the private format can be a sound choice. For a couple, the cost is a larger commitment, so you should decide whether private space and a custom route matter more than a lower-priced group excursion.

Longer trips naturally cost more if the price changes by duration, but the available price information gives one group rate and does not specify separate rates for four, six, and eight hours. Confirm the price for your chosen duration before booking. The strongest value is likely to come from a longer day if you want caves, swimming, Lopud, a meal stop, and Sipan without rushing.

Who will get the most from this trip?

This charter is a good fit if you want time on the water without a crowd setting your schedule. Families can pace the day around children, while friends can decide together whether to spend more time swimming, exploring caves, or sitting down for lunch. The private format also works well for a short port visit when you want a focused coastal outing and a clear return plan.

It suits people who enjoy swimming and are comfortable with a day organized around the sea. The boat supplies basic swim equipment and towels, but the tour description does not specify other facilities or accessibility arrangements. If you have mobility needs, contact the operator before booking to discuss getting aboard and whether the boat and stops suit you.

This is less suited to anyone who wants a fully scheduled land tour with a fixed sequence and set commentary at every stop. The appeal is choice, not a minute-by-minute program. You will get the most from it if you have a few priorities in mind and are willing to adapt them to the time available.

Should you book the Elaphite Islands charter?

Book it if a private boat, flexible swimming stops, and the option to shape the day are worth more to you than the lower price of a shared excursion. I would choose at least six hours if seeing all three islands is important, and eight hours if you want a leisurely pace with time for caves, beach, lunch, and swimming.

Choose four hours for a compact outing focused on Kolocep and Lopud, especially if you are visiting Dubrovnik for only part of a day. Before you commit, confirm your pickup point and chosen duration, and tell Captain Šime which stops matter most. The boat’s flexibility is the selling point, but the best route starts with a clear sense of what you want from the day.

FAQ

How long is the boat tour?

The tour lasts approximately four to eight hours. The length you choose affects how many islands you can visit and how much time you have at each stop.

How many people can join the private charter?

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

Which islands are included?

The planned stops are Kolocep and Lopud. Sipan is generally included on six- and eight-hour tours, while a four-hour trip may reach it only if the earlier stops are brief.

What is provided on the boat?

Beer, white wine, soft drinks, water, towels, snorkeling equipment, and a GoPro are provided.

Is pickup included?

Round-trip transfers from your hotel to the boat are included, and pickup is offered. Confirm the meeting point with the operator before the trip.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience starts.