Elaphite Islands: Private boat tour (Cap Camarat 7.5wa)

The best part of this private trip is having the Elaphite Islands on your schedule, not someone else’s. You can stop at caves around Koločep, spend time on Lopud’s sandy Šunj beach, and decide whether to continue to Šipan or linger longer along the way.

I like the choice of pace and the practical extras: drinks, towels, snorkeling gear, and a GoPro are included. A possible drawback is that food costs extra, and the shorter four-hour option may leave less time to enjoy all three islands at an unhurried pace.

Key points

• Three Koločep cave stops: Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves are part of the route.
• Your group has the boat to itself: The skipper can adjust the schedule to your preferences.
• Šunj is the beach stop: Lopud’s sandy beach gives you a change from cave and boat time.
• Šipan adds a third island: Restaurants on Šipan and Lopud give you lunch options, at your own expense.
• The price covers useful extras: Fuel, drinks, towels, snorkeling gear, a GoPro, and pickup are included.
• Choose four or eight hours: The longer trip gives more room to linger, while the shorter one suits a tighter schedule.

A private route through the Elaphite Islands

This trip takes you from Dubrovnik by speedboat to the Elaphite Islands, a group that includes Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. The route begins with a view of Grebeni before moving toward the islands, but the heart of the day is the time you spend ashore or on the water at your own pace.

A private boat matters here because the islands are not simply a checklist of stops. You can give more time to swimming, shorten a stop that is not your style, or ask the skipper to find a quieter place to pause. The itinerary is flexible, though the precise route depends on how long you book and what you want to do.

The boat is a new Cap Camarat 7.5wa, and the group is private, with a maximum of seven people for the $530 group price. That makes the cost easier to judge as a shared outing: at full capacity it works out to about $76 per person, before any food. For a couple or a smaller party, the per-person price rises, but you still get the privacy and control of a boat reserved just for your group.

Koločep’s caves and clear water

Koločep is the first island stop, with three named cave visits: Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves. The route gives you a chance to see the coast from the water and stop around formations that are difficult to appreciate from land. The names promise variety, but the exact time spent at each cave is part of the skipper’s flexible schedule.

Bring swimwear, and take advantage of the included snorkeling equipment if you want to see what is beneath the surface. The boat also carries towels and a GoPro, so you do not need to bring your own camera gear to capture the day. Still, do not assume every stop will suit every swimmer. If you would rather spend less time in the water and more time seeing the coastline, say so before or during the tour.

The skipper can also help you avoid the busiest moments where possible. Simon, who has captained this trip, was described as arriving early and timing the route to get ahead of crowds. That is a useful advantage on a popular island route, though crowd levels and timing can change from day to day. If a quieter swim is your priority, tell the skipper plainly. The point of booking private is that your preferences can shape the day.

Lopud: Šunj beach and a village walk

After Koločep, the route continues to Lopud. The first stop is Šunj, a sandy beach and a welcome contrast to the cave visits. You can swim, relax on shore, or simply enjoy a break from the boat. The tour does not include food, so bring any snacks you want or plan to eat later at one of the island’s restaurants.

The next stop is Lopud’s populated area, where you have time for a walk. This is the part of the trip that adds a little land-based breathing room to a day otherwise centered on the sea. How long you stay is up to your group, so consider your priorities: more beach time, a stroll through the settlement, or a quicker stop to leave room for Šipan.

Lopud is a useful place to pause and reset. If you want a full meal, restaurants are available here, but the cost is separate from the tour. Ask the skipper how much time is practical for lunch within your chosen tour length. A relaxed meal can take a meaningful portion of a four-hour trip, so the eight-hour option is the safer choice if you want both a proper stop and time on the water.

Šipan, the final island on the route

Šipan is the third island in the itinerary. You can visit it after Lopud, but the schedule remains flexible, so the skipper can adapt the day to your group’s preferred pace and length of stay. Restaurants are available on Šipan as well, which gives you another option for lunch.

The trade-off is simple: every extra stop uses time. On a four-hour tour, you may need to choose between a longer swim, more time in Lopud’s village, or a fuller visit to Šipan. On an eight-hour tour, there is more room to enjoy several stops without watching the clock as closely. Do not treat the printed sequence as a promise that every stop will get the same amount of time. Talk through your must-sees with the skipper.

If you would rather keep the day focused on swimming and quiet coves, you can ask to spend more time at selected places instead of trying to see everything. The boat is private, and the schedule is described as changeable. That flexibility is the tour’s central advantage, not a small add-on.

What private really means here

A private group means your party is the only group on the boat. You do not have to coordinate your swim breaks or lunch plans with strangers, and the skipper can tailor the day around your group’s interests. One guest praised Simon for being friendly and accommodating, while another found him polite, respectful, and attentive to what the group wanted. Those qualities matter on a small boat, where the skipper helps set the tone for the whole outing.

Simon is the named skipper associated with particularly strong praise, but you should not assume he will captain every departure. The tour includes an English-speaking skipper who also acts as a guide. If having Simon specifically is important to you, ask the operator before booking rather than treating his presence as guaranteed.

The skipper’s role is more than steering. He can help you decide how to use your limited hours, point out the stops, and respond when your group wants a quieter place to swim. The best way to get value from that is to be clear about your priorities. For example, tell him if you care most about the caves, a long beach break, seeing all three islands, or avoiding crowded stops.

What the $530 price includes

The $530 rate covers a private group of up to seven and includes fuel, the skipper, drinks, towels, snorkeling equipment, a GoPro, and pickup. Drinks include water, cola, white wine, and beer. Hotel transfers are included, with a car or van scheduled to collect you at the address you provide about 20 minutes before the boat tour begins.

That bundle makes the price more than a bare boat rental. Fuel is included, so you are not adding a separate charge for the route, and the supplied gear means you can pack lighter. Pickup also removes the need to arrange your own transport to the departure point. For a group of friends or a family that fills most of the seats, these inclusions make the total easier to compare with other private outings.

Food is not included. You can buy lunch at restaurants on Lopud or Šipan, or plan to bring your own snacks. Drinks are provided, but the information does not specify how much of each is supplied, so do not count on them as a substitute for your own water needs on a warm day.

The tour lasts four to eight hours, depending on the option you choose. Availability determines the start times. If your budget allows, the longer version has a practical advantage: it gives you more room to stop without turning the island visits into brief check-ins. If you have only half a day, the four-hour trip can still give you a private boat outing, but be realistic about how many stops you want.

Who will get the most from this trip

This tour suits couples, families, or groups of friends who value privacy and want control over the pace. It is especially appealing if you want to combine cave stops with swimming, a sandy beach, and time ashore, rather than spend the entire day following a fixed group schedule.

It also works well for a group that wants a skipper’s help without handing over every decision. You can ask for a quieter swim stop, take more time on Lopud, or alter the route according to your interests. The included GoPro and snorkeling equipment are useful for anyone who wants to make the most of the water stops without packing much gear.

It may be less suitable if you want a structured, narrated history tour at every stop, since the main appeal is the flexible boat day. It may also feel expensive for one or two people when the group price is split among fewer passengers. And if you want a long lunch plus extended stops at all three islands, choose the longer duration rather than expecting the shorter tour to cover everything at leisure.

Small preparations for a better day

Swimwear is the one item specifically recommended to bring. You may also want to bring anything you prefer for a beach day or lunch, since food is not included. The boat provides towels and snorkeling equipment, and drinks are part of the price.

Before departure, decide what matters most to your group. A short list helps the skipper shape the route: perhaps the three caves, a long stop at Šunj, or time to walk around Lopud. If you are open to suggestions, say that too. Flexibility is most useful when the skipper knows what you want to get from the day.

Pickup is included from the address you specify, with a car or van arriving around 20 minutes before the boat tour starts. Allow yourself to be ready on time so the trip can begin without a scramble. Booking can be made with a reserve-now, pay-later option, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Should you book this private boat tour?

Book it if you want a personal day on the water, value the freedom to adjust the plan, and can share the group price with several people. The strongest reasons are the private boat, the skipper’s flexibility, and the useful inclusions that make swimming stops easy. Simon has earned particular praise for being timely and attentive, though his availability is not guaranteed.

Choose eight hours if you want a relaxed chance to see all three islands, enjoy the caves and Šunj, and make time for lunch or a walk. Choose four hours if you have a tighter schedule and are happy to focus on fewer stops. If the total price feels steep for your party size, compare the per-person cost before booking. For a group of up to seven that wants its own boat and its own pace, this is a strong way to spend a day near Dubrovnik.

FAQ

How much does the private boat tour cost?

The price is $530 per group of up to seven people. The price includes fuel, the skipper, drinks, towels, snorkeling equipment, a GoPro, and pickup.

How long is the tour?

You can choose a tour lasting four or eight hours. Available starting times depend on the date.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, with Grebeni seen along the way.

Which caves are included?

The Koločep stops are Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves.

Is pickup included?

Yes. A car or van picks you up at the address you provide about 20 minutes before the boat tour starts.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, but restaurants are available on Lopud and Šipan.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear. Towels and snorkeling equipment are provided.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.