Private Half Day and Full Day Elaphiti Islands Tours

The best part of this private boat trip is reaching Koločep’s Blue Cave and Three Sister caves by sea, then swimming or snorkeling while sunlight colors the water. After that, the day can shift from a restaurant lunch on Šipan to a walk on Lopud or a sandy pause at Šunj Beach.

I like two things in particular: your group has the boat to itself, and the route can be shaped around swimming, scenery, and island time. Skippers including Lovro, Vicko, Bruno, and Toni have been praised for thoughtful recommendations and an attentive approach.

One thing to plan around: the advertised duration ranges from 2 to 8 hours, while the island stops together can take several hours before you count boat travel. A short trip cannot include every stop, and lunch is extra.

At a glance: caves, islands, and a private boat

• Koločep’s sea caves are the main swimming and snorkeling stop, with the Blue Cave and Three Sister caves on the route.
• Šipan is the lunch stop, with about two hours set aside in the suggested full route. Your meal is not included.
• Lopud and Šunj offer different kinds of island time: a walk among churches and a monastery, or a rest on the area’s popular sandy beach.
• The tour is private for your group, with a listed price of $301.03 for up to six people.
• Snorkeling gear, fuel, life jackets, water, Coca-Cola, and beer or wine are included.
• Lokrum is an alternate request, not an add-on that fits alongside all the Elaphiti stops.

The Blue Cave and Three Sister caves on Koločep

Koločep is the natural place to begin if your idea of a good boat day includes getting in the water. The skipper takes you to the Blue Cave and Three Sister caves, where you can swim and snorkel. Sunlight reflected inside the caves creates the blue color that gives the better-known cave its name.

The route’s appeal is not just the view from the boat. You get the chance to experience the caves from the water, with snorkeling equipment included, and the private format gives your party room to spend time swimming rather than following a large group’s schedule. You also have life jackets available, a useful detail for anyone who prefers extra security in the water.

Allow roughly an hour for this stop in the proposed itinerary. That time has to cover the cave visit and any swimming or snorkeling, so it is worth telling your skipper early if the caves are your priority. On a shorter booking, you may need to focus on fewer stops. The experience is not a fixed-length excursion with every island guaranteed.

The scenery is a strong reason to choose a boat tour over a day spent only in Dubrovnik. You see the coast from the water and can move between swimming spots and islands without arranging separate transport. Just remember that sea conditions and weather affect the trip. If poor weather cancels the tour, you can be offered a new date or a full refund.

Šipan: a proper lunch break, at your own cost

The next suggested stop is Šipan, where the plan allows about two hours for lunch at a local restaurant. Food is not part of the tour price, so budget for your meal separately. That is a worthwhile trade if you want a relaxed island break rather than packing the whole day with quick stops.

The time on Šipan also gives the trip a different pace. Koločep is about caves and water; Šipan is the chance to step ashore, eat, and take a breather. A full-day trip has more room for this pause. If you book only a few hours, ask how the skipper expects to handle lunch and which other stops will fit.

One practical point: there is no restroom on board. Plan accordingly before setting off, and use the time ashore when available. The supplied details do not specify restaurant choices or meal prices, so ask the operator if you need help planning around dietary needs or a firm budget.

Lopud: churches, a monastery, and time to wander

Lopud brings a change of scene after the boat and caves. It is described as an island of churches, a monastery, and beaches, with about an hour set aside for walking and exploring. If you like a little time on land between swims, this stop helps balance the day.

An hour is enough for a short look around, not a leisurely tour of every sight. You will need to choose what interests you most, whether that is a stroll, a look at the religious buildings, or simply a pause on the island. The tour information does not promise a guided walking tour, so think of this as independent time ashore rather than a formal history lesson.

For many groups, Lopud is a good reason to choose a longer outing. With a private skipper, you can discuss how much time to spend ashore and what matters most to your party. The actual route and timing still depend on the length of your booking.

Šunj Beach: sand and a slower final stop

Šunj is described as the area’s most popular sandy beach and is usually the final stop on the route. After cave swimming and island walking, it offers a simple choice: relax on the sand, swim, or have a drink at one of the beach bars.

This stop is especially appealing if your group wants time to unwind rather than race from one landmark to the next. The suggested schedule allows about an hour, which is enough for a beach break but not a full, unhurried afternoon. If Šunj is high on your list, make that clear before the boat leaves so the skipper can help set expectations for the rest of the route.

Drinks at beach bars are separate from the refreshments supplied on the boat. Beer, wine, water, and Coca-Cola are included during the trip, but the tour price does not cover food or purchases ashore.

Lokrum is a different route, not one more island

Lokrum lies in front of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, on the opposite side from the Elaphiti Islands. It is available only on request, and choosing it means the boat cannot visit all the Elaphiti stops.

That makes Lokrum a route decision, not a bonus stop to squeeze in. If your main goal is the caves and islands, stay with the Elaphiti route. If you have a particular reason to see Lokrum from the water, ask the operator what the alternative trip would include before booking.

The suggested Lokrum visit is about an hour, and its admission ticket is not included. The details do not describe a visit ashore or specify what admission covers, so check those points if you want to explore the island rather than view it from the boat.

What the private format changes

The boat is reserved for your party, with a maximum group size of six at the listed price. That gives you more control over the day than a shared excursion: you can focus on swimming, ask for food recommendations, or decide how much time to spend at a stop. The price is $301.03 per group, not per person. If six people share it, that works out to about $50.17 each before lunch and other personal costs; a smaller party pays more per person.

The private arrangement is particularly useful for families or friends with different ideas of a perfect day. Some may want to snorkel, while others prefer a beach stop or a walk ashore. The operator can tailor the trip, though the broad time limit still matters. A two-hour booking and an eight-hour booking are very different outings.

Skippers named in connection with these trips include Lovro, Vicko, Bruno, and Toni. The strongest theme across the experience is attentive service: practical recommendations, help organizing the outing, and a relaxed approach to letting your group enjoy the stops. The specific skipper assigned to your trip is not guaranteed by the information provided.

Pickup is offered, and the transport to the boat has been described as convenient, including from the cruise port. Pickup outside the operator’s service radius costs extra, so confirm your location and any additional charge before you settle on a plan. English is offered, and confirmation is received at booking. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation.

What the price includes, and what it does not

The listed $301.03 covers the private boat for up to six people, fuel, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, water, Coca-Cola, and beer or wine. That bundle makes the price easier to assess: you are paying for a private boat and skipper-led outing, not simply a seat on a transfer. For a full group, the per-person share is modest for a private day on the water. For one or two people, it is a more substantial spend.

Lunch is not included, nor are drinks bought at beach bars. Lokrum admission is also not included if you request that route. There is no restroom on board, so the island stops matter for more than sightseeing.

The range of two to eight hours can make it hard to compare the price without knowing your intended route. Ask which stops are realistic for your chosen duration, especially if you want both lunch on Šipan and time at Šunj. The outline’s stop times alone add up to several hours, not counting travel, so a short trip requires choices.

Who will get the most from this trip

I would consider this tour if you want a private day on the water and value the flexibility to swim, stop ashore, and see more than one island. It suits a group of friends or a family that would rather set its own pace than join a large boat excursion. The caves give the trip a clear highlight, while Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj offer enough variety to keep the day from becoming one long swim stop.

It is also a good match for a celebration or a special day out. The private format, included drinks, and optional pickup make the outing feel more personal, and the skippers’ reported recommendations can help with decisions about food and swimming spots. If you are traveling with someone who is unsure about open-water swimming, remember that swimming is an option, not an obligation. The supplied details do not describe step-free access or specific assistance, so check directly if those are important.

I would hesitate if you want a tightly scheduled sightseeing tour with guaranteed access to every listed stop. The route is flexible, the duration varies, and Lokrum replaces the Elaphiti route rather than extending it. It is also less suitable if you expect lunch or a restroom on board.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside 24 hours are not accepted, and late cancellations are nonrefundable. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can be offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands boat tour?

Book it if you want the caves, swimming, and island stops to be the center of your Dubrovnik day, especially if you can share the private price with a group. Before you commit, decide whether your priority is Koločep’s caves, lunch on Šipan, Lopud, or Šunj Beach, then ask which combination fits your chosen duration. Choose Lokrum only if you are happy to give up some Elaphiti stops. With those choices clear, this is a flexible way to trade the city streets for a day on the Adriatic.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The approximate duration ranges from 2 to 8 hours. The time depends on the trip you book and the stops included.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $301.03 per group, for up to six people.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates, with a maximum group size of six at the listed price.

Which islands and stops are included?

The suggested route includes Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj Beach. Lokrum is available only on request and means you will not see all the Elaphiti Islands.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch on Šipan is not included in the tour price.

What is included in the price?

Fuel, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, water, Coca-Cola, and beer or wine are included.

Is there a restroom on board?

No. A restroom on board is not provided.

Is pickup available?

Yes, pickup is offered. Pickup outside the operator’s service radius costs extra.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.