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

Leave Dubrovnik’s harbor behind. This private speedboat trip gives you a flexible way to see the Elaphiti Islands, with cave stops, quiet swimming spots, and time on three different islands. I especially like the chance to shape the day around your group, and the helpful extras such as hotel pickup, snorkeling gear, towels, drinks, and a GoPro. The main consideration is simple: food is not included, and a four-hour tour may feel rushed if you want to see every stop.

The tour uses a brand-new Cap Camarat 7.5wa and carries only your private group, up to seven people. Skipper Simon has earned praise for being friendly, punctual, and attentive to what each group wants, including finding quieter swimming areas when privacy matters. If you want a fixed sightseeing schedule with a full meal included, this may not be your best fit, but if you value control and open-water time, it offers strong value.

Key points to know before you book

• Three Elaphiti Islands in one outing: Visit Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, with Grebeni included near the start of the cruise.
• Three cave stops on Koločep: Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves provide the main swimming and snorkeling focus.
• A real private tour: Only your group rides the boat, and you can decide where to linger and what to skip.
• Šunj Beach adds sand to the day: Lopud’s sandy beach gives you a change from rocky Croatian shorelines.
• Simon gets the timing right: He has been praised for arriving early, keeping the trip on schedule, and adjusting the route to avoid crowds.
• Useful extras are included: Fuel, drinks, towels, snorkeling equipment, a GoPro, skipper, and pickup are covered in the price.

Why a private boat makes sense around Dubrovnik

The Elaphiti Islands sit close to Dubrovnik, but they feel more open and relaxed once you leave the city behind. The private format matters here because the best part of a boat day is often not checking off every named stop. It is finding a good patch of water, staying there as long as you like, and not having to follow another group’s timetable.

You can book the tour for four or eight hours. That choice changes the character of the experience. Four hours works for a brisk introduction, especially if your priority is swimming around Koločep and a quick stop at Lopud. Eight hours gives you room for all three islands, a walk, a possible lunch stop, and unhurried time in the water.

The boat carries a maximum of seven people, so this is a good choice for a family, a group of friends, or a couple willing to pay for privacy. The $530 price is for the group, not each person. Split seven ways, that is about $76 per person. For two people, the cost is much higher per head, but you are buying control of the schedule rather than a seat on a large shared cruise.

Pickup in Dubrovnik and the run toward Grebeni

A car or van picks you up at the address you provide about 20 minutes before the boat tour begins. That removes one common Dubrovnik headache: figuring out how to reach the departure point while managing swim bags, towels, and sunscreen.

The cruise first passes Grebeni before continuing toward the Elaphiti Islands. This opening stretch lets you settle into the boat and get a sense of the coast from the water. The Cap Camarat 7.5wa is described as brand new, clean, and functional, and its speedboat design helps you cover the islands efficiently.

Your skipper also acts as your English-speaking guide. That is useful on a private trip because you can ask questions as you go instead of listening to a fixed script. Simon has been praised for being social when needed but also giving people space, a small detail that matters on a boat where you may want conversation at one moment and quiet swimming time the next.

Koločep and its three cave stops

Koločep is the first major island stop, and the cave sequence is the heart of the outing. The planned stops are Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves. The names tell you what to expect in broad terms, but the real appeal is the chance to see the coast from water level and use the snorkeling equipment provided.

The caves are best treated as swimming and viewing stops rather than as long land excursions. Bring swimwear, and expect to spend much of this part of the tour on or in the water. The boat includes towels and snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to bring your own mask and gear.

The water around these stops is described as clear, and the supplied GoPro adds a nice touch for anyone who wants underwater photos. Simon lends it out, according to recent trip feedback, so ask about using it before you head into the water. You will still want to protect your phone and other belongings, since the tour is built around swimming rather than dry sightseeing.

The three caves also show why a private boat is useful. You can stop at each one, then tell the skipper if you would rather spend more time swimming or move on. A larger group tour may need to keep a strict schedule, while this outing lets you adjust the balance.

Lopud, Šunj Beach, and a walk on shore

After Koločep, the boat heads to Lopud. The first stop is Šunj Beach, a sandy beach that offers a different feel from the rocky coastline and swimming areas around the caves. Sand is a welcome change if you want to get out of the boat and stretch your legs.

The tour then continues to the populated part of Lopud, where you have time for a walk. This is the point where the day shifts from a water outing to a small taste of island life. You can explore at your own pace, though the exact time available depends on whether you choose four or eight hours and how long you stayed at Koločep.

Lopud also has restaurants if you want lunch. Food is not included, so plan to pay for your own meal. Since the route is private, you can discuss the timing with the skipper rather than treating lunch as a fixed part of the schedule.

If you choose the shorter version, Lopud may become a quick stop instead of a leisurely visit. That is not a flaw in the tour, but you should be realistic about the clock. Three islands, three caves, a sandy beach, and lunch require more room than four hours can comfortably provide.

Šipan and the value of slowing down

Šipan is the third island on the route. The supplied plan gives you the option to visit the island and spend time there, with restaurants available if you want to eat. As with Lopud, the skipper can adjust the amount of time you spend at the stop.

Šipan is especially useful on an eight-hour outing because it gives you a final island setting after the caves and beach. You can make the day a broad survey of the Elaphiti Islands, or stay longer at the places your group prefers. That freedom is the main reason to choose this tour over a standard fixed cruise.

Keep in mind that the route is not an unlimited menu of stops. You still have a set duration, and your skipper must account for the boat ride between islands. Talk through your priorities at the start. If the group wants caves and swimming above all else, say so. If lunch and a walk matter more, the skipper can build the day around that.

What the $530 group price really covers

The price includes more than a boat seat. Fuel is covered, which avoids the unpleasant surprise of paying extra for the distance traveled. You also get the skipper and guide, hotel pickup, drinks, towels, snorkeling equipment, and the GoPro.

The drinks include water, cola, white wine, and beer. That is enough to keep the basic refreshments simple, but it does not replace lunch. Bring any special snacks or drinks you need, since the stated inclusions are limited to those items.

For a full group of seven, the cost compares well with a private day on the water. You receive a private boat and a route that can change around your preferences. For a small group, the price becomes a premium purchase, but it may still make sense for a special day, a family outing, or anyone who strongly dislikes crowded group excursions.

The strongest value comes from the combination of privacy and flexibility. You are not just paying to visit the islands. You are paying to decide how long you stay, how much time you spend swimming, and whether you seek a quieter area. Simon has specifically been praised for finding more private swimming places when that was the group’s preference.

The boat, drinks, and practical comfort

The Cap Camarat 7.5wa is a speedboat, so the trip is designed to connect several stops in one day. The boat has been described as clean and functional, which is exactly what you want for a tour centered on moving between islands and getting in and out of the water.

Towels and snorkeling equipment reduce the amount of kit you need to pack. Swimwear is the one item explicitly recommended, but I would also bring sun protection and a secure way to carry small personal items. Those suggestions are practical rather than special requirements, since the tour information only specifically lists swimwear.

The drinks are already supplied, and the GoPro can help you record the underwater parts of the day. Ask Simon about the camera early so you know how it is being shared and when you can use it.

The private group setup also improves comfort. You can talk freely, choose your own music or quiet time if the boat allows it, and avoid spending the day with strangers. That does not guarantee a completely calm ride, since speedboat conditions can vary, but it gives your group more control over the pace.

Four hours or eight hours?

Choose four hours if you want a compact water excursion from Dubrovnik. It should suit you if the main goals are seeing some of Koločep’s caves, taking a swim, and making a short visit to Lopud. You will need to accept that the route may be selective.

Choose eight hours if you want the full Elaphiti experience described here. The longer option gives you the best chance to include Koločep’s three caves, Šunj Beach, a walk on Lopud, Šipan, and a restaurant stop without treating every location as a quick photo break.

The longer tour is also the safer pick for groups with different interests. One person can enjoy snorkeling, another can walk on Lopud, and the group can still make time for lunch or a slower stop. Since the route is private, the extra hours have real practical value rather than simply adding time on the boat.

Starting time depends on availability, so check before booking. Simon has been praised for being early and timely, and an early departure may help your group reach popular areas before the heaviest crowds.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would recommend this trip to people who want a private day near Dubrovnik and are happy to spend much of it around the water. It suits swimmers, couples, families, and small groups of friends who want to avoid a packed boat.

It is also a good match for you if the idea of a fixed schedule feels limiting. You can choose more swimming, more island time, a restaurant stop, or quieter water. That kind of control is hard to find on a standard group excursion.

Families should consider the swimming focus and bring only what they need for the boat. The tour includes equipment and towels, but food remains your responsibility. Groups with limited interest in swimming may find that the caves and beach stops do not offer enough land time.

You should also think about the group price. Seven people make the cost easier to justify. Two people pay much more per person, so the decision comes down to how much privacy, personal attention, and schedule control are worth to you.

Booking advice and cancellation flexibility

Pickup is included, and the vehicle arrives at your specified address about 20 minutes before the boat tour starts. The tour is available in English, with a live skipper who also serves as your guide.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Dubrovnik schedule is still moving around. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. Starting times depend on availability, so check the time options before you commit.

At the start of the day, tell Simon what matters most. Mention if your group wants to avoid crowds, spend longer snorkeling, have lunch on Lopud or Šipan, or return on time for another Dubrovnik plan. The private format works best when you use it.

Should you book the Elaphite Islands private tour?

Book it if you want a flexible, small-group boat day with three islands, cave stops, a sandy beach, swimming, and useful extras already covered. Simon’s friendly approach, punctual timing, and willingness to find quieter swimming areas add real value to the private format.

I would choose the eight-hour option for the fullest experience, especially if you want lunch and time on both Lopud and Šipan. Choose four hours only when you prefer a shorter outing and are comfortable seeing fewer stops.

Skip it if you need food included, dislike time on the water, or want a low-cost shared excursion. For everyone else, particularly a group of five to seven people, this is a well-priced way to turn a Dubrovnik day into a personal island outing.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

Pickup is provided in Dubrovnik from the address you specify.

How early does pickup arrive?

A car or van picks you up about 20 minutes before the boat tour begins.

How long does the tour last?

You can choose a four-hour or eight-hour tour.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. The cruise also first passes Grebeni.

What caves can I visit on Koločep?

The planned cave stops are Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves.

Does the tour visit a sandy beach?

Yes. The tour stops at Šunj Beach on Lopud.

Is lunch included?

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

Is the boat shared with other groups?

No. This is a private tour for your group only, with space for up to seven people.

What is included in the price?

The price includes fuel, the skipper and English-speaking guide, water, cola, white wine, beer, towels, snorkeling equipment, a GoPro, and pickup.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.