4h / 6h / 8h Elaphite Islands Tour with 7.5m/24FT SunDeck Boat

Skip the crowded ferry. This private Elaphite Islands tour gives your group a 7.5-meter SunDeck boat, a skipper, and a flexible route through Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan. You can book four, six, or eight hours, with pickup from your Dubrovnik accommodation included.

I like the freedom to choose how long you stay at each stop, and I like that the boat is private for up to six people. Skippers such as Dragan and Ivan have been praised for giving good local suggestions without taking control of the day. The main drawback is price: at $784.53 per group, it makes far more sense for six people than for one or two.

The four-hour version is useful if you mainly want caves and a swim. I think the six-hour trip gives the best balance, since it allows time at Lopud and can finish with pleasant evening views. An eight-hour booking is better for a slower day, but you will need to enjoy being on the water for much of the day.

Key Points Before You Book

• Private 7.5-meter SunDeck boat: Your group of up to six people has the boat to itself, with a skipper managing the route.
• Blue and Green Caves at Kolocep: The first stops are made for swimming, snorkeling, and cooling off away from Dubrovnik.
• Sunj Beach on Lopud: This is one of the few sandy beaches near Dubrovnik, with beach bars and room to relax.
• Flexible island schedule: You can spend more time at a favorite place and less time at one that does not suit you.
• Free Dubrovnik transfer: Pickup from an apartment, hotel, Old Town harbor, or Gruz harbor can be arranged.
• Best value for six people: The group price becomes much easier to justify when divided among a full group.

Leaving Dubrovnik by Private Boat

The day begins with transport from your accommodation to the port. Pickup can be arranged from locations around Dubrovnik, including hotels and apartments, as well as the Old Town city harbor and Gruz harbor. The car transfer to the meeting point is included, which removes one small but annoying part of planning a boat day.

At the harbor, you meet your skipper and discuss the plan. This matters because the tour is not a rigid sightseeing circuit. You can explain what you want most, such as swimming, beach time, a long lunch, old buildings, or a relaxed ride along the coast.

The boat is a 7.5-meter, 24-foot SunDeck model. It is large enough for a private group of six, but it is still a relatively small boat compared with the larger excursion vessels leaving Dubrovnik. That makes the trip feel more personal, though space will naturally be limited if all six passengers bring a lot of beach gear.

Some drinks are included, and you can bring your own as well. I would still confirm the exact drink arrangement when booking, especially if your group has particular needs.

The tour is offered in English. The company is Dubrovnik Boat Rent, and the skipper is the person who shapes much of your day. Dragan, also written as Dragon in one account, was especially praised for being helpful and for suggesting a late lunch on Lopud. Ivan also received praise for letting his group choose the route and giving them plenty of time at each stop.

Kolocep’s Blue Cave Comes First

After about 20 minutes of active cruising, the boat reaches the Blue Cave area on Kolocep. You get about 45 minutes here for swimming, snorkeling, or simply staying aboard with a cold drink.

The appeal is simple. This is your first chance to get into the sea, and the short ride from Dubrovnik means you do not spend the morning waiting for the main attraction. The cave stop also gives you an early feel for how the skipper handles the boat and how much time your group wants in the water.

If you are an active swimmer, 45 minutes should be enough for a good swim and some snorkeling. If you prefer to take your time, the clock may feel tight, especially if everyone needs to get organized before entering the water. Bring a swimsuit, towel, and anything you need for snorkeling. The tour description specifically includes snorkeling activities, but it does not confirm what equipment is supplied, so ask before departure if that matters to you.

This is also a good place to remember that caves are natural spaces, not polished attractions. Conditions depend on the sea and weather. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

The Green Caves Offer More Water Time

The next stop is a slower cruise to Kolocep’s Green Caves, followed by about 30 minutes for more snorkeling or relaxation. The two cave stops work well together: the Blue Cave gives you the main first swim, while the Green Caves provide a shorter second chance to get in the water.

I like this arrangement for groups with mixed interests. Swimmers can use the time in the sea, while anyone who would rather not swim can stay on the boat and enjoy the scenery. A private boat is especially useful here because nobody outside your group is setting the pace.

Still, do not expect a full day of cave exploration. The scheduled time is brief, and the caves are part of a wider island route rather than the entire purpose of the outing. If your priority is snorkeling, tell the skipper at the start. The flexible format may allow you to adjust the balance, subject to conditions and the time available.

Sunj Beach Brings Sand and a Different Pace

Sunj Beach is on Lopud and is described as the most famous sandy beach near Dubrovnik. You get about an hour here, enough to walk on the sand, swim, sit at a beach bar, or try picigin.

Picigin is a Croatian beach game played in shallow water and associated with sandy beaches. You do not need to make it the center of your visit, but it adds a local touch that you will not get from simply sitting on a boat. The beach bars also make this a practical place for a casual drink.

Sunj is a good contrast to the cave stops. After swimming from the boat, you can put your feet on sand and move around on land. The tradeoff is that famous beaches can feel less quiet than the coves and open water. Your one-hour stop may also feel short if you want a proper beach session, especially if you include walking time.

For that reason, you may prefer to spend more time at Sunj on the six or eight-hour tour. On the four-hour option, the beach stop will likely be one part of a quick route rather than a long afternoon by the sea.

Lopud Adds Time for Lunch and Old Stone Buildings

The tour then gives you about 90 minutes on Lopud. This is the longest scheduled stop, and it is where the trip shifts from swimming to island life.

You can visit the Franciscan monastery and the Church of St. Mary, both connected with the 15th century. You can also walk around the small settlement or sit down for lunch featuring Dalmatian food. The stop has enough time for one main activity and a meal, but not necessarily for a slow meal followed by extensive exploration.

This is the place where skipper advice can improve the day. Dragan suggested a late lunch on Lopud to one group taking the six-hour option, and that timing also allowed them to enjoy evening views on the way back. I like that tip because Lopud is more than a photo stop. A meal here gives you a chance to experience the islands at human speed instead of racing from one swimming point to the next.

Lunch is not listed as included, so plan to pay separately. Restaurant choices and opening times are not specified, and the tour price does not cover admission to every site. The monastery and church are listed with free admission, while Skocibuha castle on Sipan is specifically not included.

Sipan and the Skocibuha Castle Option

The final listed stop is Sipan, also called Shipan. The visit lasts about 45 minutes and includes the chance to see Skocibuha castle.

Sipan gives the route a quieter, more cultural finish after Kolocep’s caves and Lopud’s beach. If your group likes historic buildings, this stop adds a useful change of subject. If everyone mainly wants swimming and sun, 45 minutes at a castle may feel less important than extra time in the water.

Admission to Skocibuha castle is not included. This is a small cost detail, but it is worth knowing before you arrive. The tour description does not provide the admission fee or explain how much of the site is open, so ask the skipper or company if the castle is a major priority.

The standard route lists Kolocep, Sunj Beach, Lopud, and Sipan, but the company presents the day as tailored. That means you should treat the route as a working plan rather than a promise that every stop will receive equal time.

Four, Six, or Eight Hours?

The duration changes the character of the trip.

The four-hour tour is best for a short escape from Dubrovnik. You can reach the nearby caves, enjoy a swim, and include one land stop if the timing works. It is a sensible choice if your schedule is crowded, but you will have less room for lunch, castle visits, and unhurried beach time.

The six-hour tour is the strongest choice for most people. One group started at 2 p.m., had a late lunch on Lopud, and still enjoyed views approaching Dubrovnik around sunset. An afternoon departure can work well if you want to avoid using your whole morning and prefer softer light later in the day.

The eight-hour tour suits a group that wants to take its time. You can linger at the caves, spend longer on Lopud, and allow more room for food and wandering. The longer format also gives the skipper more freedom to respond to your preferences. The downside is that it requires a larger block of your day and may be more time on the boat than some people want.

I would not choose based only on the number of stops. Choose based on how much time you want for each stop. A private boat is most useful when the day does not feel rushed.

What the $784.53 Group Price Really Means

The price is $784.53 per group of up to six people. At six passengers, that works out to roughly $131 per person. For two people, it is about $392 per person, and for one person the price is hard to defend unless privacy is your main concern.

The value comes from having your own boat, skipper, included transfer within Dubrovnik, and a route that can be adjusted for your group. You are not only paying to move between islands. You are paying to avoid a fixed public-boat schedule and to spend the day around your own priorities.

The price does not cover everything. Lunch is separate, and admission to Skocibuha castle is not included. Some drinks are included, and bringing your own is allowed, but confirm the details if refreshments are important to you.

For a family, two couples, or a group of friends, the cost can be reasonable when split six ways. For a small party, compare it with shared boat trips before booking. The private format is the key benefit, not simply the transport.

Practical Details That Shape the Day

The tour is available in English, and confirmation is provided at booking. The activity ends back at the meeting point, with pickup arrangements available from the Old Town harbor, Gruz harbor, hotels, apartments, and other locations in Dubrovnik city.

Most people can take part, and the meeting area is near public transportation. The boat tour is private, so only your group participates. That makes it a good fit for people who want a relaxed day with friends or family and do not want to match the habits of a larger group.

The sea and weather will shape the experience. Since the tour requires good weather, poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

The tour is commonly booked about 26 days ahead. That does not guarantee that every date sells out, but it is a useful sign that you should reserve early if you need a particular day, boat duration, or pickup arrangement.

Who Will Enjoy This Elaphite Islands Tour?

I would choose this for a group that values control over a packed sightseeing schedule. Families can adjust the pace, friends can combine swimming with lunch, and couples can use the private setting for a quieter day away from Dubrovnik.

It also suits people who want several types of scenery in one outing: caves, open sea, a sandy beach, a small settlement, Dalmatian food, and a historic site. You do not need to be an expert swimmer, since you can relax on the boat, but the tour is most rewarding if you enjoy time near the water.

I would think twice if you dislike boats, want a tightly scripted tour with guaranteed admission to every site, or are traveling alone and watching your budget. The flexible route is a strength, but it also means you should speak clearly with the skipper about your priorities before leaving the port.

Should You Book It?

Book this tour if you have at least four people to share the cost and want a private day rather than a standard island ferry. I would pick six hours for the best mix of cave swimming, Sunj Beach, Lopud lunch, and a relaxed return.

Choose four hours for a quick water outing. Choose eight hours if you want long stops and do not mind giving the whole day to the islands. The perfect plan is not to chase every listed stop. Tell your skipper what matters most, then let the timing breathe.

FAQ

Where does the Elaphite Islands boat tour depart?

Boat pickup is possible at Dubrovnik’s Old Town city harbor or Gruz harbor. Free car transfer is also available from locations around Dubrovnik city, including hotels and apartments.

How many people can join the private boat tour?

The price covers one private group of up to six people. Only your group participates in the activity.

How long does the tour last?

You can choose an approximate duration of four, six, or eight hours.

Which islands and stops are included?

The route includes Kolocep’s Blue Cave and Green Caves, Sunj Beach on Lopud, Lopud’s Franciscan monastery and Church of St. Mary, and Sipan with the option to visit Skocibuha castle.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch at Lopud is an optional part of the day and is not included in the tour price.

Is admission to Skocibuha castle included?

No. Admission to Skocibuha castle on Sipan is not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.