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

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat trip is control. You are not locked into a bus-size schedule or a fixed list of stops. Skipper Simon takes your group to the Elaphite Islands, then adjusts the day around your wish to swim, explore caves, walk ashore, or find a quieter patch of sea. The private boat and flexible 4 to 8 hour format are the real draw.

I like the three cave stops at Koločep, especially the chance to see the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves in one outing. I also like the practical extras: drinks, towels, snorkeling gear, a GoPro, fuel, and pickup are all covered. The main consideration is price. At $530 for up to seven people, it makes strong sense for a full group, but a couple or small family will pay more per person than on a shared cruise.

Key points at a glance

• Simon sets the pace: The skipper and guide can adjust the stops and timing to suit your group.
• Three caves at Koločep: Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves bring variety to the first island stop.
• Šunj Beach adds sand: Lopud’s sandy beach offers a change from the usual rocky Croatian shoreline.
• A new Cap Camarat 7.5wa: The speedboat gives you a quick, comfortable way to reach several islands in one day.
• Useful extras are included: Fuel, drinks, towels, snorkeling equipment, GoPro use, and pickup come with the tour.
• The full group gets the boat: The $530 rate covers up to seven people, making this most appealing for families and friends.

Why a private boat changes the Elaphite Islands

The Elaphite Islands sit just off Dubrovnik, but they feel removed from the city once the boat pulls away. This trip visits Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, with an opening look at Grebeni before continuing through the island group.

A private outing matters here because the best use of your time depends on your group. You may want to linger at a cave, spend longer in the water, walk through a village, or skip a stop altogether. Simon can adapt the plan instead of asking you to follow the same timetable as everyone else.

That freedom is also useful if your group has mixed interests. One person can swim while another prefers a short walk. You can choose a longer eight-hour day for a broad look at the islands, or keep things to four hours if you want a shorter escape from Dubrovnik.

The boat is a brand-new Cap Camarat 7.5wa. You are getting a proper speedboat rather than a basic transfer vessel, which means the trip itself is part of the outing. The speed helps you cover more water, though you should still expect wind, spray, and sun exposure on an open-water boat.

Leaving Dubrovnik and passing Grebeni

Pickup is included from the address you provide, with a car or van scheduled to collect you 20 minutes before the boat tour begins. That removes one common Dubrovnik headache: finding your way to a marina with wet towels, swim gear, and a full group in tow.

The boat first visits Grebeni. The supplied plan does not give a detailed stop length there, so think of it as the opening stretch of the cruise rather than a guaranteed long visit. It gives Simon a chance to begin the route before the main island stops at Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan.

Your skipper is also your English-speaking guide. Simon’s role is important because this is not just a boat rental with a driver. He handles the route, explains the area, watches the timing, and helps shape the day around your preferences.

One practical strength is timing. Simon has been early and punctual, and he has adjusted departures to help his group get ahead of crowds. That can make a real difference at popular swimming and beach stops, although no private boat can promise an empty bay every time.

Koločep’s Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves

Koločep is the first major island stop, and its three cave visits give the day a lively start. You will see the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves, with time for swimming and snorkeling depending on the schedule your group chooses.

The names tell you what makes these stops appealing. Light, rock, and clear seawater create three different settings, rather than one repeated photo stop. Bring your swimwear from the start, since the most useful way to enjoy the caves is from the water.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to pack your own mask and gear. The boat also carries towels, which is a small but welcome detail when you are moving between water stops. A GoPro is included as well, giving you a way to record the scenery and underwater views without bringing your own camera.

Keep your expectations sensible. These are natural cave stops, not a full guided cave tour with a long explanation at each site. The appeal is the setting, the boat access, and the chance to swim near rock formations. If your group wants to spend extra time at Koločep, say so. The private format is designed for that kind of adjustment.

The water is described as clear and well suited to watching fish with the provided goggles. That makes the stop especially good for swimmers and families who want more than a quick boat ride. Non-swimmers can still enjoy the views from the boat, but this section gives the most to people comfortable getting into the sea.

Lopud, Šunj Beach, and time on shore

From Koločep, the boat continues to Lopud. The first stop is Šunj, a sandy beach that offers a useful change from the rocky coves common around the Croatian coast.

You can swim at Šunj or simply enjoy a beach setting before heading to the populated part of Lopud. The difference matters. A cave and swimming stop is mostly about water and scenery, while the village stop lets you stretch your legs and take a walk.

Lopud is also one of the two islands where you can arrange lunch at a restaurant. Food is not included in the tour price, so plan to pay separately if you want a meal. Since the boat does not provide food, bring a snack or confirm your lunch plan with Simon before setting out.

The exact amount of time on Lopud depends on your group. If you want a relaxed beach visit and lunch, an eight-hour booking gives you more breathing room. On a four-hour outing, trying to fit in every cave, beach, village, and second island would make the day feel rushed.

Šunj may be the most family-friendly stop because sand is easier for many people than a rocky shoreline. Still, the appeal of a sandy beach also means it may be the place where you most want to control your timing. If your priority is quiet swimming rather than beach time, tell Simon before or during the tour.

Šipan for a slower island stop

Šipan is the third island on the route. Like Lopud, it has restaurants if you want to stop for lunch, but the tour leaves the choice with you.

The value of adding Šipan is variety. You are not simply repeating a cave and swim pattern. The route lets you combine open-water cruising, cave stops, a sandy beach, a walk through a populated place, and another island setting.

Because the schedule is private, Šipan can be a main destination or a shorter final visit. Your group might prefer a swim before returning to Dubrovnik, or you may want time ashore. Simon can shape the remaining hours around that choice.

There is no need to pretend that every stop will suit every group equally. If you love water time, Koločep may be your favorite. If you want sand and a walk, Lopud may win. If lunch and a more leisurely island visit matter most, keep enough time for Lopud or Šipan rather than trying to rush through all three.

What $530 gets you for up to seven people

The price is $530 per group of up to seven people. That is not the cheapest way to see the Elaphite Islands if you are booking alone or as a pair. But split seven ways, it comes to about $76 per person before any extra meal costs, and the value improves further because the rate includes the boat, skipper, fuel, drinks, towels, snorkeling gear, GoPro use, and pickup.

For a family or group of friends, the private rate can be easier to justify than buying several individual seats on a cruise. You are paying for control as much as transportation. You can decide how long to stay, where to swim, and whether to spend time ashore.

Drinks include water, cola, white wine, and beer. That covers basic refreshment during the day, but it is not a meal service. Food is the one clear onboard cost you need to plan separately.

I would choose the eight-hour option for a group that wants all three islands, the three caves, Šunj Beach, a walk, and lunch. I would choose four hours for a focused outing, perhaps with Koločep’s caves and one Lopud stop. Availability determines the start time, so check the schedule before building the rest of your Dubrovnik day around it.

Who will get the most from this boat trip?

This outing suits families, couples, and friend groups who want the boat to themselves. It is also a good fit for people who dislike fixed group schedules and want to decide how much time goes into swimming, walking, or eating.

Swimmers will get the most from the cave stops and clear water. The supplied goggles and snorkeling equipment make it easy to look for fish without bringing specialist gear. You should still bring swimwear, and sun protection is sensible for any open-water outing, though sun protection is not listed as an included item.

The tour is also useful for people who want a private day but do not want to organize a boat, fuel, route, and skipper separately. Simon handles those practical pieces, while the private setup lets you speak up about what you want.

This may not be the right choice if your budget is tight and you are traveling with only one or two people. It may also disappoint anyone expecting food to be included or a formal, detailed tour of every island. The strength here is flexible sightseeing on the water, not an elaborate meal or a long walking tour.

Drinks, towels, GoPro, and the small details

Included extras can make or break a boat day. Towels mean you can swim without packing bulky beach gear. Snorkeling equipment saves you from renting or carrying your own. The GoPro is a nice touch for a group that wants photos from the caves and water.

Simon has been described as friendly, polite, respectful, and attentive to what his group wants. He can be social when you want conversation and give you space when you prefer a quiet swim. That balance matters on a private boat, where the skipper becomes part guide, part host, and part trip planner.

The boat has also been kept clean and functional. The pickup service adds another layer of ease, especially if you are staying outside the immediate harbor area. You still need to bring swimwear, and you should budget for lunch at Lopud or Šipan if you want to eat ashore.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Dubrovnik plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Elaphite Islands private tour?

Book it if you can fill most of the seven seats and want a flexible day on the water rather than a fixed shared cruise. The strongest reasons are Simon’s attentive handling of the day, the clean Cap Camarat boat, the three Koločep caves, and the ability to seek quieter swimming spots when privacy matters.

I would pick the eight-hour version for a full island sampler with lunch. I would pick four hours for caves, swimming, and one land stop without trying to cover too much.

Skip it if you are traveling alone, as a couple on a strict budget, or if you need food included in the price. For everyone else, especially a family or small group of friends, this is a well-equipped private escape from Dubrovnik with enough freedom to make the day feel like your own.

FAQ

How much does the private boat tour cost?

The tour costs $530 per group of up to seven people.

How long does the tour last?

You can choose a tour lasting four or eight hours, depending on availability and your preferred schedule.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The route includes Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, with an initial visit to Grebeni.

What caves can you see?

At Koločep, the planned cave stops are the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is included from the address you provide. A car or van collects you 20 minutes before the boat tour begins.

Is the boat tour private?

Yes. Only your group is on the boat, with a maximum group size of seven people.

What is included in the price?

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

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, but restaurants are available on Lopud and Šipan if you want lunch.

Can you cancel the booking?

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