Private Boat Tour in the Elaphiti Islands

Four islands, one easygoing day at sea. This private boat tour from Dubrovnik visits Koločep, Lopud, Šipan, and Brsečine, giving you a mix of sandy beaches, clear water, small island towns, a cave, and time to swim. I like the freedom of a private boat, and I like that the route includes both popular Lopud and quieter bays such as Sikirica.

The price is $572.27 for up to five people, so the value improves sharply with a full group. You also get pickup options, either by boat at a port or by car to the port. The main consideration is timing: the outing lasts roughly four to eight hours, and the exact pace depends on the day, weather, swimming time, and how long you spend at lunch.

The best parts of this island day

• A private boat for up to five people: You share the experience only with your own group, which makes it easier to adjust swimming, beach, and town time.
• Four very different stops: Koločep offers a cave and sandy beaches, Lopud brings a broad beach and town, Šipan adds a small harbor and castle, and Brsečine is the short swim stop.
• Pickup can be arranged: The operator may meet you by boat at a port or drive you to the port by car.
• Lopud gets the longest visit: With about three hours, you have time for the beach, town, and a relaxed meal stop.
• Sikirica Bay has striking water color: The sandy seabed and clear sea create bright shades in the sheltered bay.
• The personal touches matter: Bojo, also written as Bozo in some tour comments, is praised for being patient, friendly, and attentive to families.

Why a private Elaphiti Islands boat tour works well

The Elaphiti Islands sit just off the Dubrovnik coast, close enough for a day trip but far enough to change the mood completely. Instead of spending the day on one crowded excursion boat, you get a private outing for your own party of up to five people.

That distinction matters most if your group includes children, teenagers, or people with different ideas about a beach day. One person can swim while another explores town. You can linger over lunch on Lopud, or ask to move on if the beach is not holding your attention.

The tour is sold as a four to eight-hour activity, which is a wide range. That is useful rather than confusing: a shorter version may suit you if you want a morning or afternoon on the water, while a longer day allows enough time for all four stops without rushing. Confirm the expected start and finish time before booking, especially if you have dinner plans or a flight later that day.

The operator has received a perfect 5 rating from 27 submitted ratings, with every rating recommending the experience. The strongest praise centers on the guide’s easy manner, the family-owned feel, and the small touches that make a long boat day more comfortable.

Koločep: a gentle first stop with a blue cave

Koločep is the smallest inhabited Elaphiti island, but the visit packs several features into about an hour. This is where you may see the Blue Cave, along with two sandy beaches and a small town.

The cave is the obvious highlight. If swimming to it is part of your day, bring a swimsuit you can move in comfortably and keep any phone or camera protected from water. The provided information does not specify the exact swimming distance or the type of boat used, so ask the guide how access works on the day.

An hour is enough for a quick look, a swim, or a short walk. It is not enough for a slow island visit, so I would treat Koločep as an introduction rather than a full exploration. The two sandy beaches make it particularly useful for families, since sand is often easier for children than rocky Croatian shorelines.

The small town gives the stop a local feel, but the real value here is variety. You begin with a cave, beach, and settlement before heading to the longer, more relaxed visit on Lopud.

Lopud: the main beach and lunch stop

Lopud receives about three hours, making it the central stop of the day. The island has a beautiful large sandy beach and a town on the other side of it. That layout gives you a choice between settling down by the water and walking through town for food or a change of scenery.

A lunch stop is usually made here. The tour information does not say that lunch is included in the price, so plan to pay separately unless the operator confirms otherwise. This is one of the few practical details worth settling before departure.

I like the balance of this stop. You are not forced to spend the entire afternoon in a town, and you are not limited to a quick photo stop at the beach. Three hours should give you room for a swim, a meal, and some unhurried time on shore.

The beach is also a sensible choice for families with mixed energy levels. Children can enjoy the sand, adults can take a slower lunch, and older children or teenagers can explore a little farther. The tour’s family appeal is strong, with one group of five including children aged 10, 13, and 16 describing the day as the favorite part of a 10-day Croatia trip.

Depending on the boat and the day’s arrangements, you may also get paddleboards, drinks, snacks, or a chance to feed fish. These extras are described as part of the personal service, but they are not listed as guaranteed inclusions, so treat them as possible additions rather than promises.

Šipan: a quieter harbor, beach, and little castle

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands. The island has two sides, but the usual visit is to Suđurađ, a small town with a beach, a restaurant, and a pretty little castle.

After the beach-heavy stops, Suđurađ adds a different texture. You can sit by the water, eat at the restaurant, and look around the harbor area without needing a packed schedule. The castle is a visual landmark rather than a separately described attraction, so do not expect a formal castle tour unless the operator tells you otherwise.

The planned visit lasts about two hours. That is long enough to make the stop feel worthwhile, but shorter than Lopud. I would use this time for a meal or drink if you did not eat on Lopud, followed by a swim or a stroll near the town.

Šipan’s size may make it sound like the day’s main island, but the tour does not attempt to cover all of it. That is a good thing. Seeing one part properly is more enjoyable than racing from one end to the other during a boat outing.

Brsečine and Sikirica Bay: the clearest water of the day

Brsečine is a bay on the mainland near Dubrovnik, not one of the Elaphiti Islands, and it is included as the final stop. The beach here is called Sikirica, a name linked to the shape of the bay and meaning little axe.

The bay is known for crystal-clear water over a sandy bottom. That combination creates the bright water colors that make this a strong final swimming stop. You get about an hour, and admission is free.

This is the place to keep your plans simple. Swim, float, take photos, and enjoy the water. It is not presented as a town visit or a cultural stop, so you should not expect shops or a long list of things to do.

The sandy seabed is a plus for swimming, but beach conditions can still vary. A weather-dependent boat tour is always subject to wind and sea conditions, and the operator may need to change the day or route if the weather turns poor.

The guide and the family feel

The guide is identified as Bojo in one account and Bozo in others. Either way, the personal service is a major reason this tour earns such strong marks.

You can expect a guide who is described as patient, friendly, and attentive to the needs of a family group. That matters on a private tour because the quality of the day depends less on a fixed script and more on how well the guide reads your group.

The best details are small ones: helping people feel comfortable, adding drinks and snacks when available, showing favorite swimming spots, and taking time to make the day feel personal. One family described the guide as professional while still adding touches that turned the outing into a shared memory.

This does not mean you should expect luxury service or a formal crew. The appeal is more relaxed and personal. You are booking a small family-owned operation, not a large sightseeing company with a standardized package.

What the $572.27 price really means

At first glance, $572.27 is a large price for a day on the water. For one or two people, it is expensive. For five people, it works out to about $114.45 per person before any separate food or drink costs.

The main value comes from privacy and flexibility. You are not paying five individual fares for a crowded group cruise. You are reserving the boat for your own party, with pickup help, a guide, and a route that combines four stops.

The price makes the most sense when:

• You have a group of four or five.
• You care about choosing your own pace.
• Your group includes children or several generations.
• You want swimming and beaches more than a formal sightseeing program.
• You prefer a personal guide to a large boat with many passengers.

It makes less sense if you are alone, traveling as a couple, or mainly want the cheapest way to reach one island. In those cases, a shared boat or public ferry may cost less, though it will not offer the same control over stops.

The tour is often booked about 54 days ahead. That suggests you should plan early during the busy season, especially if you need a particular date for a family holiday. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability.

Pickup, timing, and what to bring

Pickup can be arranged in the selected area. The operator may come by boat to a port or take you by car to the port. Since the exact pickup method depends on your location and arrangements, confirm the meeting point clearly after booking.

The tour ends back at the meeting point. That makes it easier to plan a Dubrovnik evening, but remember that the activity may last anywhere from four to eight hours.

For a comfortable day, I would bring:

• Swimsuit and a towel
• Sun protection
• Water-resistant protection for your phone
• A change of clothes
• Money or a card for lunch and drinks
• Shoes that work for both boat movement and beach time

Lunch on Lopud is usual, but food is not stated as included. The same caution applies to paddleboards, drinks, and snacks. They may be part of the day’s personal touches, but you should confirm the details rather than assume.

The tour is open to ages 0 to 99, and service animals are allowed. Most people can take part, though anyone with mobility or medical concerns should discuss them with the operator before booking.

Weather and cancellation details

This is a sea outing, so good weather is required. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted. The cut-off follows local time.

That policy is reasonable for a private boat, but it makes advance planning important. Keep your schedule flexible if the forecast looks uncertain, and avoid booking a nonrefundable dinner or transfer too close to the boat’s return.

Who should book this boat tour?

I would choose this for a family or small group that wants a full day with a little of everything: cave swimming, beaches, island towns, lunch, and clear water. It is particularly well suited to groups with children because the private format makes it easier to slow down or change focus.

It also suits couples or friends who value privacy and do not want to follow a large group’s fixed schedule. The best day will be active but not frantic, with plenty of time in the water.

I would think twice if you dislike boats, want a highly structured cultural tour, or are traveling alone and watching every euro. The route favors scenery and swimming over museums, formal history, or long walks.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands private boat tour?

Book it if you can fill most of the five available places and want a personal, flexible day from Dubrovnik. The combination of Koločep’s cave, Lopud’s sandy beach, Šipan’s Suđurađ harbor, and Sikirica Bay gives you more variety than a one-stop beach trip.

The strongest reason to choose it is not simply the number of islands. It is the relaxed human touch: a guide who adjusts to your group, a family-run feel, and time to enjoy the water instead of racing through a checklist.

If the price works for your group and the forecast is good, this is a strong choice for a memorable day outside Dubrovnik.

FAQ

How much does the private boat tour cost?

The price is $572.27 per group of up to five people.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four to eight hours, depending on the day’s arrangements and pace.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. It also stops at Brsečine, a bay near Dubrovnik.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup can be arranged in the selected area. The operator may come by boat to a port or take you by car to the port.

Does the tour include lunch?

Lunch is usually taken on Lopud, but the provided information does not state that lunch is included in the tour price.

Is the Blue Cave included?

The Blue Cave is located on Koločep, which is included in the tour. The Koločep stop lasts about one hour.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your own group participates, with a maximum group size of five people.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. The allowed age range is from 0 to 99 years old, and most people can participate.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.