Private Half Day and Full Day Elaphiti Islands Tours

The Adriatic looks best from the water. This private boat trip from Dubrovnik links Koločep’s glowing caves, Šipan’s lunch stop, Lopud’s churches and sandy Šunj Beach, with time for swimming and snorkeling along the way. I like the private format and the freedom to shape the day around your group. I also like that beer, wine, soft drinks, water, fuel, snorkeling gear, and life jackets are included. The main drawback is that lunch costs extra, there is no restroom on board, and visiting Lokrum means giving up some of the Elaphiti Islands.

The boat can be booked for roughly two to eight hours, with a listed price of $301.03 for a group of up to six people. That makes the full-day option a sensible deal for a small family or group of friends, but less attractive if you only want a quick swim and beach stop.

Key points to know before you book

• Blue Cave and Three Sister caves: Swim and snorkel inside Koločep’s popular sea caves, where sunlight creates blue reflections.
• Šipan lunch stop: Plan to pay separately for lunch at a restaurant on the island.
• Šunj Beach on Lopud: The tour usually ends at Dubrovnik’s best-known sandy beach, with beach bars nearby.
• Private boat setting: Only your own group takes part, with a listed capacity of up to six people.
• Flexible island choice: Lokrum is possible by request, but it replaces time at some of the Elaphiti Islands.
• Skippers praised by name: Bruno, Vicko, Toni, and Lovro are singled out for friendly service, good driving, recommendations, and personal attention.

Why a private boat makes sense around Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik’s Old Town is magnificent, but its shore can feel crowded and fixed in place. A private boat gives you a different view of the city and lets you spend more time in the water. You are not tied to a large group’s schedule, and the skipper can adjust the pace for swimming, snorkeling, photographs, lunch, or a quiet ride between islands.

The advertised price of $301.03 covers up to six people, not each person separately. Split six ways, that is a reasonable cost for a private day on the Adriatic, especially since fuel, drinks, and snorkeling equipment are included. A smaller group pays more per person, so I would compare the total against other private boat options before booking.

The tour is offered in English, and pickup is available. Pickup outside the company’s service area costs extra, so check the exact meeting arrangement before paying. Some pickups from a cruise port include a drive to the boat, which is useful if you are in Dubrovnik for only a day and do not want to arrange your own transfer.

The boat has life jackets and snorkeling equipment. It does not have a restroom. That matters most on the longer version, particularly if you are traveling with children or prefer frequent facilities. You will have shore time at Šipan and Lopud, but the boat itself is not equipped for a bathroom break.

Koločep’s Blue Cave and Three Sister caves

The first major stop is Koločep, one of the Elaphiti Islands. The focus here is the Blue Cave and the Three Sister caves, both popular places for a swim and snorkel.

The appeal is simple and immediate. Sunlight reaches into the caves and reflects off the water, creating the blue color that gives the first cave its name. You can get into the sea, look around from the water, and enjoy a setting that feels far removed from Dubrovnik’s stone streets.

Bring a swimsuit and use the provided snorkeling equipment if you need it. A waterproof phone case would be useful, although one is not listed as part of the equipment. Life jackets are available, which gives less confident swimmers another option.

The cave stop is scheduled for about one hour. That is enough for a swim and a look around, but it is not a long snorkeling session. Sea conditions and weather may affect how close the boat can get and how comfortable the swim feels. The experience requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Koločep is the most active part of the tour. If you want a boat trip built around swimming and cave scenery, this stop carries much of the appeal. If you prefer long walks, historic buildings, or a slow lunch, the later islands will suit you better.

Šipan gives the day a proper lunch break

After the caves, the boat heads to Šipan. The planned stay is about two hours, with lunch at a pleasant restaurant. Food is not included, so budget for the meal separately.

This stop gives the tour a welcome pause. Instead of eating snacks on the boat, you can sit down on land, take a break from the sun, and enjoy the island at an easier pace. Two hours should allow time for a meal without turning the stop into a rushed shore visit.

Because the restaurant cost is separate, ask the skipper about the dining plan and prices before you settle in. The available information does not specify a fixed restaurant, menu, or meal cost. That means the final price of a full-day outing depends partly on what you order.

The skipper’s role matters here. Toni is praised for being informative and helpful during a full-day trip that included swimming, cave exploration, and lunch. Lovro is also praised for food recommendations, which may help if you want advice about where to eat or what to choose.

Šipan is a good reason to book the full-day version rather than a short outing. You get time to eat without treating lunch as an afterthought. For a family or group of friends, the meal can become one of the relaxed social parts of the day.

Lopud combines churches, a monastery, and a walk

The next stop is Lopud, scheduled for about one hour. Here the mood changes from swimming to walking and sightseeing.

Lopud is described as having beautiful churches, a monastery, and sandy beaches. You can stretch your legs, explore the island, and take a break from the boat. The one-hour slot will not allow a major walking tour, but it is enough for a short wander and a look at the local setting.

I like this change of pace. A day made only of swimming stops can start to feel repetitive, especially under strong sun. Lopud gives you a chance to see more than the coastline and adds a little cultural interest without requiring a full historical tour.

You should keep expectations realistic. This is not presented as a guided walking tour, and no detailed commentary or entry schedule is provided. The attraction is the freedom to walk around for a while, not a formal visit to every church or monastery.

If you want the most time on land, tell the company when booking. Since the tour is private, your group may have more room to discuss the balance between swimming and walking, although the exact route remains subject to the skipper and sea conditions.

Šunj Beach is the easygoing final stop

Šunj Beach is usually the last stop. It is described as the most popular sandy beach in the Dubrovnik area, with beach bars where you can relax and order drinks.

The sand is the main draw. Much of the Dubrovnik coast is rocky, so a sandy beach can feel like a welcome change. After the caves, boat ride, and island walk, Šunj offers a simple finish: swim, sit, have a drink, and enjoy the afternoon.

The scheduled stay is about one hour. That is enough for a short beach break, but you should not expect an all-day beach visit on the standard route. If Šunj is your priority, ask whether the timing can be adjusted.

Beach-bar drinks are not the same as the included drinks on the boat. Beer, wine, water, and Coca-Cola are included as part of the boat service, while anything purchased at the beach bar is your own expense. This is worth remembering when estimating the day’s total cost.

Šunj will suit you best if you want a relaxed ending rather than another active stop. It is also a useful choice for groups with mixed interests. Strong swimmers can get in the water, while others can stay near the beach bars.

Lokrum is an alternative, not an extra stop

Lokrum sits in front of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, on the opposite side from the Elaphiti Islands. The boat can visit it by request, but there is a clear tradeoff: if you go to Lokrum, you cannot see all the Elaphiti Islands.

This is an important planning choice. Lokrum is convenient if you are staying near the Old Town or want to combine the sea trip with a familiar Dubrovnik landmark. The Elaphiti route offers a fuller island-hopping day, with Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj.

I would choose the Elaphiti Islands for a first boat day focused on caves, swimming, beaches, and lunch. I would ask for Lokrum only if your group has already seen the main islands or specifically wants that island instead.

The available details do not include a standard Lokrum admission fee or a full description of what you do there. Admission is listed as not included, so ask the provider what additional costs apply before choosing this option.

Skippers and service shape the experience

The strongest part of the service is the personal attention. Vicko is praised for making a half-day trip feel special, with great scenery and cave stops. Bruno is praised for music, drinks, stories, and a convenient ride to and from the port.

Lovro receives especially warm praise for finding good swimming spots, driving the speedboat well, giving food suggestions, and allowing the group plenty of time at each place. One group even credited him with encouraging a nervous swimmer to try the open sea for the first time.

Those details give you a useful picture of the tone. This is not only transportation between islands. The skipper can affect where you stop, how long you stay, what you learn, and how comfortable the day feels. Service also appears to extend beyond the boat, with drivers helping some groups from a cruise port to the departure point.

The boat itself has been described as immaculate and stocked with a choice of drinks. That is a small but valuable comfort on a hot day. Still, the exact boat model and onboard seating arrangement are not specified, so ask if those details matter to you.

Half-day or full-day: which version fits you?

The shorter option works well if you have limited time or mainly want the caves and a swim. It can also suit cruise passengers who need to leave room for port schedules. The listed duration range begins at about two hours, but the exact short route is not spelled out, so confirm which stops are included.

The full-day option gives you the complete rhythm of the outing: Koločep caves, lunch on Šipan, a walk on Lopud, and time at Šunj Beach. You will spend several hours moving between islands, so it is best for people who enjoy a full day on the water rather than a quick scenic ride.

I would choose the full day for a group of six sharing the cost. It makes better use of the private format and gives you time to slow down. For two people, the same price is a larger expense, so the half-day option may offer better value unless you want a long, leisurely sea outing.

The tour is suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. It is not described as wheelchair accessible, and there is no restroom on board. If anyone in your group has mobility or medical needs, ask the provider for specific arrangements before booking.

What to bring and what to clarify

You receive snorkeling equipment, life jackets, fuel, water, Coca-Cola, beer, and wine. I would still bring a towel, sunscreen, a swimsuit, dry clothes, and protection for your phone and camera.

Before booking, confirm four practical points:

• The pickup location and any extra charge outside the company’s pickup radius.
• The exact duration and island stops for a half-day booking.
• The restaurant plan and your expected lunch budget on Šipan.
• Whether your group prefers Lokrum or the full Elaphiti route.

The company offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that period are not accepted for a refund. Since the trip depends on good weather, a cancellation by the provider due to poor conditions results in a different date or a full refund.

Who should book this boat tour?

I would recommend it to families, couples, and small groups of friends who want swimming, caves, island scenery, and a flexible day without sharing a large boat with strangers. The combination of included drinks, equipment, fuel, and private service makes the price easier to justify for a full group.

It is less suitable if you need a restroom on board, want a formal historical tour, or are looking for a low-cost way to reach one beach. It also may not suit anyone who dislikes speedboat travel or a day shaped by sea conditions.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands tour?

Book it if you want an active but relaxed day that mixes caves, open-water swimming, lunch, a short walk, and a sandy beach. The private setup, included supplies, and strong skipper service make this more than a simple boat transfer.

Choose the full day when six people can share the cost and you want the complete island route. Choose a shorter trip when time is tight. Ask for Lokrum only if it matters more to your group than seeing the full Elaphiti route. With those choices clear, this is a well-rounded way to trade Dubrovnik’s crowded streets for a day on the Adriatic.

FAQ

Where does the tour take place?

The tour departs from the Dubrovnik area and visits the Elaphiti Islands, including Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj Beach. Lokrum can be visited by request.

How much does the private tour cost?

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

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two to eight hours, depending on the option selected.

Is hotel or port pickup available?

Pickup is offered. Pickups outside the company’s service radius may cost extra. Some port pickups include a drive to the boat.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch on Šipan is not included in the tour price and is purchased separately at a restaurant.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Beer, wine, water, and Coca-Cola are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are provided.

Can the tour visit Lokrum Island?

Yes, but only by request. Visiting Lokrum means the boat cannot see all the Elaphiti Islands.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the provider cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.