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

Blue water, short island hops. This private Dubrovnik speedboat trip pairs the caves of Koločep with the sandy shore of Šunj Beach on Lopud, and its small-group format lets you set the pace. I like the chance to swim and snorkel at the Blue Cave, and I like that beer, wine, soft drinks, water, snacks, equipment, and a skipper are included.

The main point to check is the price. The advertised rate is $322.33 per group of up to six, but fuel costs an additional €65 per person, and lunch is not included. The four-hour schedule also includes boat travel, so you will get two main stops rather than a full day among the islands.

The skipper can shape the outing around your group, and Nick has earned especially warm praise for finding good spots and adjusting the trip to people’s needs. Still, the sea decides the schedule: poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Key points to know before you book

• Koločep comes first: You get about two hours around the island, including cave visits, a swim to the Blue Cave, and optional snorkeling.
• Šunj Beach is the easygoing second stop: Lopud’s broad sandy beach has shallow, calm water and a few places for drinks and food.
• It is private for up to six people: You are not sharing the boat with a large group, so the skipper can respond to your wishes.
• Drinks and gear are included: Expect beer, wine, soft drinks, water, snacks, masks, snorkeling equipment, and life jackets.
• Fuel changes the real cost: Add €65 per person to the advertised group price. Lunch is also extra.
• The meeting point is simple: Start and finish at Lapadska Obala Pier, Lapadska obala 5, in Dubrovnik.

What this four-hour boat trip is really offering

This is a compact taste of the Elaphiti Islands, not a full island-hopping day. The advertised four hours include travel time, which matters because the boat must leave Dubrovnik, reach the islands, move between stops, and return to the pier.

You spend about two hours at Koločep and about one hour at Šunj Beach. The remaining time is used for getting around by boat. That schedule is enough for a swim, some cave exploration, a beach break, and a pleasant ride, but you should not expect long walks, a full meal, or several island stops.

I see the private format as the biggest advantage. With a maximum of six people, you can ask for more swimming time, spend less time at the beach, or simply pause for a drink. The experience is less about ticking off every island and more about having a flexible half-day on the water.

The speedboat adds a sense of movement that a slow ferry does not. You see the islands from the sea and avoid spending the whole day on a fixed public-boat timetable. The trade-off is that a speedboat ride may feel less relaxed for anyone who prefers a slow cruise.

Koločep and the Blue Cave

Koločep, called Kalamota by local people, is the first stop. This island is the main swimming and cave section of the tour, with roughly two hours available for exploring.

The caves can be visited in a casual way with help from the local skipper. That wording matters: this is not a formal walking tour with a long lecture about geology or island history. Instead, your skipper helps you reach the caves and suggests how to approach them from the water.

The Blue Cave is the star attraction. You swim a short distance from the boat to reach it, with rocks along the side where you can stop if needed. Inside, the water and light create the blue effect that gives the cave its name.

I would treat this as a small, water-based cave visit rather than a major cavern expedition. The cave is described as small, and the appeal comes from the color, the swim, and the setting. If you want an easy photo opportunity and a memorable dip, it fits the bill. If you dislike swimming from a boat or feel uneasy around rocks, this part may be less comfortable.

Snorkeling equipment is supplied, including masks. You can look beneath the surface during your swim, though the description does not promise a particular range of fish, reefs, or underwater sights. Bring a sense of curiosity, but do not book this solely for a major snorkeling program.

The water is described as warm, clear, and very blue. Those conditions make Koločep the more active part of the trip. Life jackets are included, and you can use them as needed, but basic comfort in the water still matters because reaching the Blue Cave involves swimming from the boat.

Drinks are available during the stop. Beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are included, along with snacks. That is a useful touch on a warm boat ride, especially since lunch is not part of the package.

Šunj Beach on Lopud

After Koločep, the boat heads to Šunj Beach on Lopud. You get about an hour here, making this a short but welcome change from the caves and open water.

Šunj is known for its spacious sandy beach and shallow, calm sea. That makes it the most family-friendly part of the outing, particularly for children who prefer an easy wade to a swim from a boat. The sheltered bay also suits anyone who wants to sit, cool off, and enjoy the island setting without a demanding activity.

A few cocktail bars sit near the beach and serve drinks and food. One has hammocks between the trees, giving you a place to rest with a drink or take a short nap. Since you have only about an hour, you will need to choose how to use the stop. You can swim, sit on the sand, visit a bar, or try a hammock, but there may not be time for all of them.

Lunch is not included. That is not a problem if you only want a snack and a swim, but it matters if you expect a full beach meal. The nearby food options give you a possible way to eat, though you should budget separately and remember that the stop is brief.

I like the contrast between the two islands. Koločep gives you caves and water activity. Lopud gives you sand, shallow water, and a slower pause. The combination works well for a group with mixed interests, though beach lovers may wish for more than an hour at Šunj.

A private boat means more control

The boat is private to your group, with space for up to six people. That is a very different proposition from joining a large excursion where everyone follows the same clock.

Here, you can tell the skipper what kind of outing you want. The supplied information says the trip can be tailored to your wishes, and the skipper can offer local tips. If your group wants more time at the Blue Cave, a longer swim, or a quieter beach break, it is worth asking early.

The guide named in the feedback is Nick. He received especially strong praise for taking the group to good spots and adapting to its needs. I would not assume Nick will operate every departure, but his mention suggests that the skipper can be a major part of the experience.

That personal service is the reason the tour can make sense for a group of friends or a family. You are paying for privacy, flexibility, and a boat arranged around your party. If you are traveling alone or as a couple, the per-person cost becomes harder to justify unless you strongly value a private trip.

The boat also gives you time on the water between the stops. For many people, that ride is part of the pleasure. You get open views of the coast and islands, with no need to find a separate ferry schedule. Still, the total time at the islands is limited, so keep your expectations realistic.

What is included, and what is not

The package includes:

• Skipper
• Snorkeling equipment and masks
• Life jackets
• Beer, wine, soft drinks, and water
• Snacks
• All fees and taxes, apart from the separately stated fuel charge

The phrase all inclusive needs a careful look. Fuel is listed separately at €65 per person, which is a substantial extra cost. Lunch is also not included, and you must make your own way to the pier.

For a group of six, the base price works out to about $53.72 per person before fuel. For a smaller group, the base cost per person rises. Then add €65 per person for fuel, plus any lunch or food purchases at Šunj.

That makes the tour strongest for a full group. Six people can share the group rate and the private boat, while a couple may find a standard shared excursion better value if privacy is not important.

The included drinks and snacks help. You do not need to pack a full cooler, and the skipper can keep refreshments available during the ride. Even so, you should confirm how the fuel charge will be collected and in which currency before departure. The listed price and fuel fee are shown in different currencies.

Timing, meeting point, and practical comfort

The tour starts at Lapadska Obala Pier, Lapadska obala 5, 20000 Dubrovnik. It returns to the same meeting point, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Plan your route to the pier in advance. The tour information says the meeting point is near public transportation, but it does not include a transfer from your hotel. Arriving with time to spare is sensible, since a private boat cannot easily wait while a group searches for the pier.

The total duration is about four hours, including travel. That makes it a useful choice for a morning or afternoon gap in a Dubrovnik schedule. It is also less tiring than committing to a full-day sea trip, especially if you have other plans in the evening.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The Blue Cave portion does require a short swim from the boat, so consider that when deciding if the trip suits your group. Life jackets are provided, but the information does not promise a lift, ramp, or other specialized boarding support.

Bring the basics for a boat and beach outing: swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and a secure way to carry your phone. Those items are practical suggestions rather than listed inclusions. You will also want to keep an eye on personal belongings during the swimming stops.

Weather can change the plan

This experience requires good weather. If conditions are poor, the operator can offer another date or a full refund.

That policy is reassuring, but it also means you should avoid placing the tour on the final free hours of your Dubrovnik stay. A new date is only useful if you still have time in town. Booking earlier in your visit gives you more room to adjust if the sea is unsuitable.

Sea conditions also affect how comfortable the speedboat ride feels. The tour description emphasizes warm, clear water, but weather can alter the water, the swimming conditions, and the sense of ease on the ride. A flexible attitude will help.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted under the stated policy.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this trip to a small group that wants a private half-day on the water without spending a full day at sea. It is especially well suited to:

• Families who want shallow water and a sandy beach
• Friends who want drinks, swimming, and a boat to themselves
• Couples who value privacy and can share the cost
• People who prefer a flexible skipper rather than a fixed group schedule
• Visitors who want to see the Elaphiti Islands without arranging several separate boat connections

It may be less suitable if your priority is a long beach stay, a full lunch, extensive snorkeling, or several island visits. Four hours goes quickly once travel time is counted.

I would also think carefully about the extra fuel fee. The advertised group rate looks attractive for six people, but the final cost is notably higher after adding €65 per person. Ask for the complete price before you commit.

Should you book this Elaphiti Islands tour?

Book it if you can fill most of the six seats and want a private, flexible outing with two very different stops. The Blue Cave, supplied snorkeling gear, beach time at Šunj, and included drinks create a well-shaped short trip. Nick’s strong personal praise also suggests that a good skipper can make the day feel specially arranged rather than routine.

Skip it if you want the cheapest way to reach the islands, need a long beach day, or dislike swimming from a boat. Also skip it if the extra fuel charge pushes the final price beyond your comfort zone.

For the right group, this is a tidy Dubrovnik escape: caves first, sand second, drinks along the way, and no large tour crowd. Just count the fuel, allow for lunch, and remember that four hours includes the ride.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

It starts at Lapadska Obala Pier, Lapadska obala 5, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point, Lapadska Obala Pier.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts about four hours, including travel time between Dubrovnik and the islands and between the stops.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private tour is for one group of up to six people.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and masks are included, along with life jackets.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are included. Snacks are also provided.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Food may be available at bars near Šunj Beach, but it must be paid for separately.

Is fuel included in the advertised price?

No. Fuel is listed as an additional €65 per person.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must reach the pier yourself.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.