Private Boat Tour in the Elaphiti Islands

Koločep’s Blue Cave, Lopud’s broad sandy beach, and the clear water at Sikirica Bay give this private boat trip a strong mix of swimming, scenery, and island time. You move between four very different coastal stops instead of spending the whole day at one beach.

I like the private format, since your group of up to five can set the pace and ask for time in the water. I also like the personal touch from Bojo, who is friendly, patient, and attentive to families. The main drawback is that the trip can last anywhere from four to eight hours, so you should confirm the exact plan and pickup details before setting your day around it.

Key points to know before booking

• Koločep combines a Blue Cave, two sandy beaches, and a small village during the first stop.
• Lopud gets the longest visit, with about three hours for its sandy beach, town, lunch, drinks, and time in the water.
• Šipan offers a quieter island stop at Suđurađ, with a beach, restaurant, and small castle.
• Brsečine’s Sikirica Bay is the clearest swimming stop, thanks to its sandy bottom and shallow-looking color effects.
• The boat is private for up to five people, making the $572.27 group price easier to justify for a family or small party.
• Pickup can be arranged, either by boat at a port or by car to the departure port.

Four islands, four different reasons to stop

This is a good choice if you want more than a standard sightseeing cruise from Dubrovnik. The day links four coastal places, each with a different role: cave and beach time at Koločep, a longer island break at Lopud, a village and castle stop at Šipan, and a final swim at Brsečine.

The route is flexible in length. The full plan adds up to roughly seven hours, but the experience is advertised at four to eight hours. That matters if you have a busy Dubrovnik schedule, young children, or a cruise departure to catch. Ask for the expected return time when you arrange pickup.

Because the boat is reserved for your group alone, you are not tied to the rhythm of a large excursion. A family can spend longer swimming, while a group that cares more about lunch and villages can give the water stops less time. Still, flexibility is not the same as unlimited time, so confirm which stops will be included if you choose the shorter version.

Koločep and the Blue Cave

Koločep is the smallest inhabited Elaphiti Island on this route, and it makes a lively first stop. The main draws are the Blue Cave, two sandy beaches, and a small town, all packed into a compact island setting.

Plan on about one hour here. That is enough for a focused visit, but not enough to linger at every feature. If the Blue Cave is your top priority, tell Bojo early so you know how much time is available for the cave and how much remains for the beach or town.

The cave adds a little adventure without turning the outing into a demanding activity. The supplied trip details do not promise a particular way of entering or swimming into it, so ask the skipper what conditions allow on the day. The same applies to the beaches: their presence is clear, but the exact beach stop can depend on timing and sea conditions.

Koločep works well as an opening stop because it gives you an immediate taste of the islands without asking you to commit half a day. The tradeoff is simple: one hour passes quickly, especially if your group wants both cave time and a swim.

Lopud gives you the longest island break

Lopud receives about three hours, making it the heart of the day. The island has a beautiful large sandy beach, with a town on the other side. That arrangement gives you a choice between a proper beach stop and a little village time rather than a quick photo visit.

This is also the usual lunch stop. A meal here helps break up the time on the boat, and the town gives you somewhere to stroll after eating. Drinks and snacks may also be part of the day, based on the personal touches provided by the skipper, but do not treat those extras as a guaranteed menu unless you confirm them in advance.

I like Lopud for families because three hours gives everyone room to do different things. One person can swim, another can sit on the beach, and someone else can walk into town. The island is also the most natural place to slow down and enjoy the day instead of constantly checking the clock.

The possible weakness is that lunch adds an expense beyond the tour price. The information provided identifies Lopud as the usual lunch location but does not include a meal in the $572.27 charge. Ask whether you should plan to pay for lunch directly and whether you should bring anything for the boat.

Šipan and the small castle at Suđurađ

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands, and the usual stop is Suđurađ. This small town offers a beach, a good restaurant, and a beautiful little castle, giving the stop a more settled, village-like feel than a pure swimming cove.

About two hours are planned here. That is enough time for a swim, a meal or drink, and a walk near the town and castle. The island has two sides, but the route generally focuses on Suđurađ rather than trying to cover all of Šipan.

This stop suits you if you like mixing scenery with a little local life. It is not just a place to jump overboard and climb back onto the boat. You get a beach and a restaurant, but also a small historic feature that gives the visit some character.

Do not expect a full island tour in two hours. Šipan is the largest island on the route, and the stop centers on one town. That focused plan is useful for a relaxed day, but it will not satisfy anyone hoping to explore every corner of the island.

Brsečine and the colors of Sikirica Bay

Brsečine is a bay on the mainland coast near Dubrovnik, rather than one of the Elaphiti Islands. Its main attraction is Sikirica Beach, described as the most beautiful beach in the Dubrovnik area. The bay’s shape gives it the local name Sikirica, which means little axe.

The planned stop is about one hour, and there is no admission charge. The water is especially clear, and the sandy bottom helps create striking colors. This sounds like the best stop for a straightforward swim, especially after the village and lunch portions of the day.

The water and beach are the focus here, so bring your swimming things where you can reach them easily. The provided details do not specify beach facilities, changing rooms, or equipment, so you should not assume those are available. The experience does include personal touches such as paddle boarding and feeding fish in some outings, but confirm what equipment is included for your departure.

Brsečine is a smart final stop because it keeps the last part of the day simple. You do not need to choose between several sights. You can enjoy the clear water, sit in the bay, and let the boat ride back serve as a quiet finish.

What the private boat format changes

A private tour is most valuable here because the route includes swimming, lunch, beaches, and village stops. On a shared boat, one person’s ideal pace can easily become everyone’s schedule. With your own group, you can explain that you want more time at the Blue Cave, a longer swim, or a faster stop at a town.

The group limit is five people. At $572.27 per group, the effective cost is about $114.45 per person if all five places are filled. For two people, the same boat costs about $286.14 per person, so the value depends heavily on your group size.

For a family of five, the price can compare well with several individual tickets on a premium boat outing, especially since pickup may be arranged and the route covers much of the day. For a couple, it is a more expensive choice, but you are paying for privacy and control rather than simply transport between islands.

The personal service is part of the appeal. Bojo is described as friendly and patient, and his approach includes small touches that can make a family feel comfortable. Families with children aged 10, 13, and 16 found the day easy to enjoy, while paddle boarding, swimming, snacks, and fish feeding added variety for a mixed-age group.

Pickup and timing from Dubrovnik

Pickup is available in the selected area. The operator can either come by boat to a port or take you by car to the port, which gives you some useful flexibility if your accommodation is not directly beside the water.

You should settle the pickup point and return time before the day begins. The activity ends back at the meeting point, so do not assume that the boat will drop you at a different harbor unless that has been arranged.

The start time is also worth discussing because the trip is weather dependent. The planned stops take about seven hours altogether, while the advertised duration runs from four to eight hours. A shorter version may mean less time at one or more stops, so ask which parts will be trimmed.

The tour is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and the stated age range is 0 to 99. Most people can take part, but the provided details do not give specific information about boat access, steps, or facilities for mobility needs. If that matters to you, ask before booking.

Weather, swimming, and what to bring

This is a boat trip built around the sea, so weather matters more than it does on a land tour. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That is useful protection, but it also means you should avoid placing this outing on the final few hours of a tightly packed Dubrovnik visit.

Swimming is central to the experience. The Blue Cave, two sandy beaches on Koločep, Lopud’s beach, and Sikirica Bay all create chances to get in the water. Reviews of the day also describe paddle boarding, feeding fish, tanning, drinks, and snacks, although you should confirm which activities and supplies are included for your particular departure.

Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a towel or other practical beach gear. Keep valuables to a minimum and pack anything you need for several hours away from Dubrovnik. Since the lunch stop is usually on Lopud, ask whether food is included or plan to pay for your own meal.

The route is best for people who enjoy being outdoors and are happy with a day shaped by sea conditions. If you dislike swimming, boats, or changing plans around weather, this may not be your best use of time.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would recommend this trip most strongly to a family or group of friends who can fill the five available places. You get privacy, several swimming locations, a proper island stop, and enough variety to keep children and adults interested.

It also suits you if you want a day away from Dubrovnik’s old streets without giving up comfort. You can see island towns, visit beaches, stop at a cave, and return to the same meeting point without arranging several separate boat rides.

Couples can enjoy it too, especially if privacy matters more than low cost. The price is harder to justify for only two people, though, so compare it with other private boat options and decide how much control over the day is worth to you.

The trip is less suitable if your main goal is detailed sightseeing on Šipan or Lopud. The stops are designed for a balanced day of water, food, beach time, and short walks, not for long guided tours of every town.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands boat tour?

Book it if you want a private, active day with a friendly skipper, several swimming opportunities, and a route that mixes the islands with Brsečine’s Sikirica Bay. A full group of five gets the clearest value from the $572.27 price, and families should appreciate the freedom to adjust the pace.

Think twice if you need a fixed four-hour schedule, want every meal included, or prefer a detailed cultural tour with lots of historical explanation. For most small groups who want clear water, beaches, a cave, lunch, and personal service in one day, this is a strong Dubrovnik outing. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, which gives you room to watch the forecast.

FAQ

How much does the private boat tour cost?

The price is $572.27 per group, with up to five people included.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately four to eight hours. The planned stops total about seven hours, but the exact length can vary.

Which places does the boat visit?

The route includes Koločep Island, Lopud Island, Šipan Island, and Brsečine.

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.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates, and the group limit is five people.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The activity is offered in English.

Can children take part?

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

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather. Free cancellation is also available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.