Elaphite Islands Luxury Private Boat Tour with Cap Camarat 7.5

The best thing about this Dubrovnik outing is the freedom to make the day your own. Captain Šime, also called Simon, takes up to seven people aboard a Cap Camarat 7.5 toward the Elaphite Islands, then adjusts the pace around your interests. You can linger at the caves, skip a stop, swim longer, or head for lunch on Lopud.

I like the private boat and the practical extras: hotel pickup and return, towels, snorkeling gear, a GoPro, water, soft drinks, beer, and white wine. I also like that Simon has helped port visitors fit a four-hour boat trip into a cruise-day schedule. The main catch is simple: four hours can feel short, especially if you want all three islands, cave stops, swimming, and lunch.

At a glance

• A private Cap Camarat 7.5: Your group has the boat and captain to itself, with space for up to seven people.
• Three islands, three different moods: Koločep brings the caves, Lopud offers Šunj Beach and a village walk, and Šipan is generally reserved for longer trips.
• Flexible timing: Stay longer where you like and pass by places that do not interest you.
• Useful gear on board: Towels, snorkeling equipment, a GoPro, water, soft drinks, beer, and white wine are provided.
• Pickup is included: Round-trip transfers from your hotel to the boat are part of the arrangement.
• A good cruise-port option: A four-hour trip can leave time for lunch and a visit to Dubrovnik’s Old Town, depending on your schedule.

Why a private boat works so well around Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik’s old walls get most of the attention, but the coast is best understood from the water. The Elaphite Islands sit close enough for a day trip, yet each stop has a different character. From a private boat, you are not tied to a fixed group schedule or a set amount of time at each cave and beach.

That flexibility is the real product here. Simon can shape the trip around swimming, sightseeing, quiet coves, cave visits, village time, or lunch. Families with young children can slow down. A couple can spend more time in the water. A group of friends can ask for a longer run across the sea or a less standard route, as long as conditions and timing allow.

The boat is a Cap Camarat 7.5, and the price is $544.43 for the whole group of up to seven. At full capacity, that works out to about $78 per person. For two people, it is a much bigger outlay, about $272 each, but you are paying for a private boat, a captain, transportation, drinks, equipment, and control over the day rather than a seat on a fixed group cruise.

Koločep’s caves make the first stop special

Koločep is usually the opening island and the main cave stop. The planned route includes the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves, with about two hours suggested for this part of the trip.

The names tell you what to expect, but the appeal is not just taking a quick look from the boat. You can use the snorkeling equipment, swim near the caves, and take your time with photographs. The GoPro is a particularly useful touch here, since it lets you record the parts of the visit that happen in and around the water.

Simon’s flexibility matters most at Koločep. If the Blue Cave is your priority, you can make it the early focus of the trip. Starting early has also helped some groups reach popular cave areas before larger boats arrive. That is not a guarantee, since sea conditions and other schedules change, but an early departure is worth discussing when you book.

Caves are weather dependent in a practical way. Wind, waves, and water conditions can change how easy it is to approach or swim near them. If your group includes children, non-swimmers, or anyone who prefers to stay dry, tell Simon what feels comfortable. This is a private trip, so you do not have to match another group’s pace.

Lopud combines Šunj Beach with village time

Lopud is the longer middle stop, with about three hours suggested. Its main draw is Šunj, a sandy beach that gives you a change from the rocky shoreline and cave scenery. You can swim, relax, and spend less time moving from one place to the next.

The island also has a village where you can walk around and stop at a restaurant. Several groups have used this pause for lunch, with Simon helping recommend a restaurant and, in some cases, arranging a reservation. Lunch is not listed as included, so plan to pay separately for food.

I would give Lopud enough time if you want a relaxed day rather than a checklist of islands. A short stop can cover the beach, but a longer visit lets you swim, dry off, walk through the village, and eat without watching the clock every few minutes.

The tradeoff is that a long Lopud stop can reduce your time at Šipan. That is not a flaw in the trip. It is simply the choice you make when you value a good beach and lunch over seeing every island. Tell Simon early in the day which matters more to you.

Šipan is best saved for six or eight hours

Šipan is the third and farthest of the three Elaphite Islands on this route. It is usually included on six-hour and eight-hour outings. On a four-hour trip, it is only possible if the earlier stops are brief.

This makes the tour length important. Four hours gives you a compact introduction to the caves and Lopud. Six hours gives you more room for swimming, lunch, and a second island at a calmer pace. Eight hours is the best choice if you want Šipan, cave stops, time at the beach, and a meal without rushing.

The longer options also suit people who simply enjoy being on the water. The boat ride itself becomes part of the day rather than transportation between stops. You can ask for quiet bays, extra swimming time, or a slower route, then let Simon adjust the plan.

Do not book eight hours just because it sounds like the fullest version. If your group tires quickly in the sun, has a tight cruise schedule, or mainly wants one cave and one swim, four hours may be enough. The useful question is not how many islands you can tick off, but how much time you want to spend actually stopped.

Simon’s role is more than steering

The captain is central to this experience. Simon has been praised for clear communication before pickup, local information, safe handling, and a warm manner on board. He has also helped with restaurant suggestions, photographs, route changes, and timing around cruise arrivals.

That personal input is valuable because the Elaphite Islands are not a single attraction with one correct route. A captain who listens can turn the day toward caves, beaches, swimming, village time, or a less crowded stretch of coast.

Communication begins before the boat leaves. Simon has contacted people to confirm pickup points and has checked special needs, including whether a wheelchair user could board. That does not mean the boat should be assumed fully accessible. If you use a wheelchair or have limited mobility, contact Stella Maris Dubrovnik Boats in advance and explain exactly what assistance you need.

The tour is offered in English. Pickup and return are included from your hotel, and the arrangement has also worked for cruise passengers. One group met the boat after a short, flat walk from the cruise ship area, but your exact meeting point will depend on the agreed pickup plan.

What is included, and what you still need to plan

The included items make this easier to pack for. You receive:

• Water, soft drinks, beer, and white wine
• Snorkeling equipment
• Towels
• A GoPro
• Round-trip hotel transfers
• A private boat and captain

You should still bring sun protection, a swimsuit, and anything you need for personal comfort. The supplied information does not specify a meal, so lunch on Lopud is an extra expense. Restaurant recommendations and reservations may be available, but confirm the plan with Simon if lunch is important to you.

The drinks are a useful value point, especially on a six or eight-hour trip. You are not buying refreshments at every stop, and the boat is set up for a full outing rather than a quick transfer. Drink responsibly, of course, particularly if you plan to swim.

The GoPro is another small but meaningful benefit. You do not have to bring an underwater camera to capture the caves and swimming stops. Ask how the camera is handled and returned before using it, since the supplied details do not specify memory-card arrangements or video delivery.

Picking the right length and timing

The tour lasts about four to eight hours, depending on what you book. Here is how I would think about the options:

• Four hours: Best for a cruise port call, a half-day window, or a group focused on Koločep’s caves and one Lopud stop.
• Six hours: A strong middle choice for caves, swimming, Lopud, lunch, and possibly more island time.
• Eight hours: Best for Šipan, a leisurely pace, several swims, lunch, and a day built around being on the sea.

Starting early can help you reach popular cave sites before larger boats. It can also leave more time later for lunch or Dubrovnik’s Old Town, though you should allow a safe buffer for returning to your ship or hotel.

Weather is a real part of the decision. The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded.

Who will get the most from this outing

I would recommend this for families who want control over the pace. A four-year-old or nine-year-old does not need to hurry from cave to cave, and parents can shift the plan toward shorter swims or longer rest stops. Teenagers and young adults will likely appreciate the snorkeling, GoPro, beach time, and freedom to choose the route.

It also fits couples and small groups who value privacy. For two people, the price is high compared with a shared boat, but the difference is the ability to stop when you want and avoid spending the day with strangers.

Cruise passengers should pay close attention to timing. A four-hour trip can fit neatly into a port day, and pickup support reduces the work of finding the marina. Still, leave room for disembarkation delays and the return journey. Do not schedule the boat so tightly that a small delay puts your ship departure at risk.

This may not suit someone who wants a formal lecture at every stop, a guaranteed meal, or a fixed sightseeing program. The experience is strongest for people who want a captain-led day with choices.

Is the $544.43 price fair?

For a full group of seven, the price is strong. You receive a private boat, captain, transportation, drinks, towels, snorkeling equipment, and a GoPro. A shared trip may cost less per person, but it will not give you the same control over stops and timing.

For a couple, the math is less favorable. You are paying for privacy and flexibility more than for transportation alone. If those two things are not important, a shared excursion may be the better budget choice.

For families, the value improves because the group can use the same boat without paying separate admission charges for the caves or islands. The islands and listed attractions have no admission ticket charge, though lunch and personal purchases remain extra.

The strongest value comes on the six or eight-hour versions, when you use the boat for a full day of swimming, cave visits, island time, and transport. If you only want a short boat ride and one stop, four hours keeps the total commitment lower.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a private day on the water, enjoy swimming and caves, and like the idea of changing the plan as you go. It is especially practical for families, small groups, and cruise passengers who need a flexible half-day option.

Choose six or eight hours if you want a relaxed Lopud lunch and a real chance to include Šipan. Choose four hours if your schedule is tight or your main goals are the Koločep caves and a beach stop.

I would skip it only if you prefer a low-cost shared boat, need a guaranteed meal, or want a tightly scripted sightseeing tour. For everyone else, the mix of private space, practical inclusions, and Simon’s flexible approach makes this one of the more useful ways to see Dubrovnik from the sea.

FAQ

Where does the Elaphite Islands boat tour take place?

The tour operates from Dubrovnik, Croatia, with pickup offered and round-trip transfers from your hotel to the boat included.

How long does the private boat tour last?

The available duration is approximately four to eight hours. The exact length affects how many islands and stops you can include.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private charter is for your group only and can accommodate up to seven people.

Which islands are included?

The route includes Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. Šipan is generally visited on six and eight-hour tours, while a four-hour tour may only include it after brief stops at the first two islands.

What will I see on Koločep?

The Koločep stop includes the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves. You can set the amount of time spent at each attraction.

What can I do on Lopud?

On Lopud, you can visit sandy Šunj Beach, walk through a village, and stop at one of the restaurants. Lunch is not listed as included in the tour price.

Are drinks and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Water, soft drinks, beer, white wine, snorkeling equipment, towels, and a GoPro are provided.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip transfers from your hotel to the boat are included. Pickup arrangements can also be discussed for cruise passengers.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.