Private Elaphiti Islands Tailor-Made Boat Tour 4h -All inclusive

Koločep’s Blue Cave is the main event here: you reach it by swimming from the boat, with clear water and rocks nearby where you can pause if needed. Then the boat takes you to Šunj Beach, a broad sandy bay on Lopud where the water is shallow and calm.

I like two things about this setup: your group gets a private boat, so the skipper can adapt the outing to your wishes, and the trip pairs time in the water with an easy beach stop. Nick is one skipper associated with the tour, and he has been praised for choosing good spots and responding to what his group wanted.

The catch is the price detail. The group rate is $322.33 for up to six, but fuel is listed separately at €65 per person. That can change the final cost substantially, so factor it in before deciding that this is an inexpensive half-day outing.

At a glance: the details that shape the trip

• Koločep’s Blue Cave is reached from the water: You swim from the boat to enter, and snorkeling masks are provided.
• Šunj Beach brings a different pace: Expect sand, shallow water, and a sheltered bay rather than another cave stop.
• The boat is private for your party: The maximum group size is six, with a skipper guiding the outing.
• Drinks and snacks are included: Beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are listed, along with snacks and snorkeling equipment.
• Fuel is extra: The stated charge is €65 per person, despite the all-inclusive wording in the tour name.
• The four hours include travel: About three hours are assigned to the two named stops, leaving the rest for the boat journey and timing between places.

From Dubrovnik to Koločep’s caves

The trip starts at Lapadska Obala Pier, at Lapadska obala 5 in Dubrovnik, and returns to the same meeting point. From there, you head toward the Elaphiti Islands aboard a private speedboat. The exact schedule is not set out, but the outing lasts about four hours in total, including time spent travelling.

Koločep is the first stop. Locals also call it Kalamota, and the plan is to explore its caves with the skipper. The Blue Cave is the star: you swim a short distance from the boat to get inside. It is small, so think of it as a memorable water stop rather than a large cave you can wander through.

The rocks alongside the cave offer places to stop if you need a pause. Still, this is a swim-based visit, so it may not suit everyone equally. If you are uneasy in open water, ask the operator about the conditions and what support is available before you book. Life jackets are included, but the information provided does not explain how they are used during the cave swim.

A snorkeling mask is supplied, and you can use the snorkeling equipment to look beneath the surface. That adds value to the stop: you are not only seeing the cave from inside, but also have the option to spend time observing the water around it. The sea is described as warm, clear, and very blue, though water and visibility can vary with conditions.

Koločep receives about two hours of the stated itinerary. That is the longest stop, and it gives the cave visit room to breathe instead of treating it as a quick photo stop. The tour mentions caves in the plural, but does not specify which ones beyond the Blue Cave, so the exact route may depend on the skipper and the day.

Drinks are available on board, including beer, wine, soft drinks, and water. Snacks are included too. These are useful on a four-hour outing, especially if you want to stay out on the water without arranging a meal, but they are not a substitute for lunch.

Šunj Beach: sand, shallow water, and a slower hour

After the caves, the boat heads to Šunj Beach on Lopud. This stop shifts the mood from swimming around rocky cave openings to an hour on a sandy beach. The bay is naturally sheltered, and its calm, shallow water makes it a practical choice for families with children and for anyone who prefers an easy swim.

Šunj is described as spacious, so you have room to settle in rather than squeeze into a narrow cove. Along the beach are a few cocktail bars that serve food. One has hammocks hung between trees, offering a place to rest or have a drink. These are options at the beach, not part of the tour’s included food and drink package.

The planned stop lasts about an hour. That is enough for a swim, a short rest, or a drink, but it is not a long beach day. If your ideal island visit means lingering for several hours over lunch, this schedule may feel rushed. Lunch is not included, and the stated duration leaves limited time for a full meal unless the skipper can adjust the plan.

The skipper is happy to share local tips and tailor the outing to your wishes. That flexibility is one of the strengths of a private trip: you can tell the skipper whether you would rather spend more time swimming, relax at Šunj, or keep the pace moving. The exact options depend on the day and the time available, so raise your priorities early rather than waiting until the last stop.

What the private format is worth

The listed price is $322.33 per group of up to six. At that rate, the base cost per person falls as you fill the boat, which makes the private format more attractive for a family or a small group of friends. You are not sharing the boat with unrelated parties, and the skipper can respond to your group’s interests instead of following a one-size-fits-all outing.

But the fuel charge matters. Fuel is excluded at €65 per person, so the displayed group price is not the whole cost. Because the base price is in dollars and the fuel charge is in euros, check the amount due and how it is collected before you confirm. The tour also lists fees and taxes as included, but specifically names fuel as an exception.

Snorkeling gear, life jackets, snacks, and drinks are included. These extras make the outing more convenient, particularly if you want to board without packing much beyond swimwear and a towel. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to Lapadska Obala Pier.

For a group of six, this can be a good-value way to see both the caves and the beach without paying for separate boat outings. For one or two people, the group price may be harder to justify, especially once the per-person fuel charge is added. Compare the total with your group size, not just the headline rate.

Who will get the most from this outing

This trip suits you if you want a short, active look at the Elaphiti Islands without handing over a full day. The two stops complement each other: Koločep offers the cave and snorkeling experience, while Šunj gives you soft sand and calmer water. With the skipper aboard and the boat reserved for your party, you can shape the pace more than you could on a large shared excursion.

Families may appreciate Šunj’s shallow, sheltered water, though the Blue Cave swim deserves careful thought if anyone in your group is not comfortable swimming from a boat. The provided life jackets are reassuring, but the supplied details do not say whether they can be worn for entering the cave. Ask before departure if that matters to you.

Couples and small groups who like swimming, sun, and a relaxed boat ride are likely to find the mix appealing. It is less suited to anyone who wants a long beach stay, a substantial lunch, or a fully planned cultural visit. The emphasis is on the sea, caves, and time outdoors, not on land-based sightseeing.

The outing is offered in English, and the activity is described as accessible to most participants. Service animals are allowed, and the pier is near public transportation. Those details help with planning, but they do not answer every mobility question, particularly because the Blue Cave visit involves swimming from the boat. If you have a specific access need, confirm the practical arrangements with the operator.

Timing, weather, and useful planning

The total duration is about four hours, and that includes travel time. The listed stops account for roughly three hours: two at Koločep and one at Šunj Beach. The remaining time is for the boat journeys and transitions, though the precise split is not stated.

This is a weather-dependent activity. Poor conditions can lead to cancellation, with the option of another date or a full refund. If the forecast looks unsettled, keep some flexibility in your plans rather than arranging another time-sensitive activity immediately afterward.

You receive confirmation when you book. The meeting and return point is Lapadska Obala Pier, and the tour does not include hotel transport. It is booked on average 23 days ahead, which suggests that reserving early is sensible if your dates are fixed, especially for a private boat with limited capacity.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the experience starts. If you cancel later than that, the payment is not refunded, and changes made within 24 hours are not accepted. These terms use local time, so check the start time and cancellation deadline carefully.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands boat tour?

Book it if you want a private half-day on the water, are happy to swim from the boat, and like the contrast between Koločep’s caves and Šunj’s sandy shore. The snorkel gear, drinks, snacks, and skipper make it a straightforward outing, while the small group size gives you room to ask for a pace that suits your party.

Think twice if the fuel charge pushes the total beyond your budget, if anyone in your group is uncomfortable with the cave swim, or if an hour at the beach sounds too short. Before paying, confirm the full cost, including the €65 per-person fuel charge, and ask what flexibility the skipper can offer on the day. If those details work for you, this is a focused way to trade Dubrovnik’s streets for island water without committing your whole day.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about four hours, including travel time. The stated stops are about two hours at Koločep and one hour at Šunj Beach.

How many people can join?

The price is for a private group of up to six people. Only your group participates.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Lapadska Obala Pier, Lapadska obala 5, Dubrovnik, and returns to the same meeting point.

What is included in the price?

Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, a skipper, drinks, snacks, and all fees and taxes are listed as included. Fuel is specifically excluded.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Šunj Beach has a few cocktail bars serving food.

How much does fuel cost?

Fuel is listed at €65 per person. Check how that charge applies to your group when confirming the total cost.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.