A private boat day near Dubrovnik cuts the waiting and keeps the pace in your hands. This 4 to 8 hour Elaphite Islands outing uses a brand new Cap Camarat 7.5wa and runs as a true private group cruise, so you can spend more time where you want it.

I especially like two things. First, the day is guided by Simon, who is friendly, on time, and adjusts to what your group feels like doing. Second, the itinerary is built around water time, with Koločep cave stops (Green Cave, Blue Cave, Three Caves) plus snorkeling gear, towels, and even a GoPro. The main thing to consider is practical: food is not included, though there are restaurants on Lopud and Šipan, so you may want to plan your lunch budget.

Key highlights I’d prioritize

• Private group on a brand new Cap Camarat 7.5wa, so your pace beats the big-boat crowd rhythm
• Cave time on Koločep with three stops, plus snorkeling gear to see more beneath the surface
• Lopud and Šunj, sandy beach time plus a chance to walk in a more settled island village
• Flexible schedule from 4 to 8 hours, meaning you can linger where the water and views feel right
• Included drinks and towels, plus a GoPro for capturing your own highlights

Private Cap Camarat 7.5wa Cruise Off Dubrovnik

This isn’t a bus-and-boat combo with a set script. It’s a private speedboat day designed for movement, then stopping only when it makes sense for you. Your group rides on a brand new Cap Camarat 7.5wa, and that matters because it keeps the experience feeling light and modern, not cramped or dated.

The route starts with islands right around Dubrovnik, then works outward through the Elaphite cluster. You’ll also have hotel transfers built in, which removes the “where do we meet” stress that can sink a good day. Pick up is in Dubrovnik, and the van or car meets you about 20 minutes before departure.

One nice detail in the setup is the way the day can scale. You can choose a shorter outing or a longer one, with tour duration options of 4 to 8 hours. That flexibility is exactly what you want on the water, since some groups want more swimming time while others want more island walking.

Simon and the Value of a Skipper Who Talks Like a Guide

On paper, this is a skipper-led cruise. In practice, it feels like you’re getting a guide who actually cares how the day goes. Multiple guests point to Simon as friendly and accommodating, with a calm, respectful style. He also brings real local know-how, and that’s useful when you’re navigating caves and deciding where to pause for swimming.

One standout tip from the experience is that Simon can provide extra help for enjoying the underwater world. Guests have mentioned borrowing the GoPro from Simon and getting goggles for watching fish. Even if you only snorkel for a short while, having gear ready and someone who can steer you to good spots makes the difference between a quick splash and a memorable water session.

The other major advantage is simple: this stays private the whole time. Only your group is on the boat, and the schedule is adjustable based on what you want. If you want a quick stop, you can do that. If you want to slow down for more swim time, you can do that too. That choice is rare, and it’s one reason the tour gets consistently high marks.

Grebeni First, Then the Elaphite Island Circuit

The day kicks off with Grebeni, before the tour moves to the Elaphite Islands proper. Starting this way gives you a little “warm up” cruise while you get your bearings on the water and settle into the vibe. It also helps break the day into segments, so you’re not immediately committing your whole time to the biggest stops.

From Grebeni, the route flows into the trio that most people think of when they picture the Elaphites: Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. The sequence matters because it spreads out the kinds of experiences. You get caves early, then beach and walking time, then more relaxed island time with meal options.

If you’re the type who likes a plan but hates rigid timing, this structure is a good compromise. You’re not trapped in one long sequence. You get water stops, then island stops, then water again, and you can decide how long each section should last.

Koločep Cave Stops: Green Cave, Blue Cave, Three Caves

Koločep is where the day’s underwater magic starts. The tour includes three cave stops: Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves. Even without overhyping it, caves are one of the best ways to experience coastal Croatia because they change the feel of the water fast. One minute it’s open sea, the next it’s a sheltered space where the light and reflections do their thing.

Here’s what I’d focus on as a practical visitor. First, plan your time around swim and snorkel windows. Snorkeling equipment is included, and towels are part of the package, so you can keep moving without hunting for extras later. Second, wear swimwear and keep your day bag simple. The best cave moments are the ones where you can stay comfortable while you’re in and out of the water.

There is also a real benefit to doing caves in a private format. With your group only, you can take the day at the speed that feels right. If someone in your party wants to linger longer, the tour can adjust, instead of forcing everyone to match the slowest or fastest person in a larger group.

Lopud and Šunj: Sandy Beach Time Plus a Village Walk

Next you head to Lopud, and the itinerary splits neatly into two experiences.

First is Šunj, a sandy beach stop. A sandy beach changes the mood from cave exploration. It’s a place to reset, stretch out, and enjoy water time in a more open setting. If you want the kind of day where you can snorkel for a bit, then switch to relaxing without feeling like you’re rushing, this sand stop is the pressure valve.

After Šunj, the tour moves to the more populated part of Lopud, where you get time to walk. This is where the islands stop feeling like a scenery drive and start feeling lived-in. If you like short walks, photo pauses, and a slower pace away from the boat, this stop is a good match.

And yes, you have meal options here. If you want lunch, restaurants are available on Lopud. Food is not included in the tour price, but having restaurants at the islands means you’re not stuck bringing everything with you. It also makes the longer option of the tour feel more worthwhile, since you can actually build in a proper meal break.

Šipan Island: More Island Time and Restaurant Options

The final island stop is Šipan. This is the part of the day that tends to feel most relaxed, because you’ve already done the “wow” cave sequence and the beach-plus-walk rhythm on the middle island.

Šipan is also where lunch plans can continue, since restaurants are available there as well. If you’re trying to choose between a beach-heavy day and a more balanced day, Šipan is a flexible ending. You can treat it as another swim and photo stop, or you can shift toward walking and eating, depending on how much energy your group has left.

This last island stop is also where the 4 to 8 hour duration choice really matters. With less time, you’ll treat Šipan as a capstone, then head back. With more time, you can take it slow and let the island set the pace instead of the schedule.

Included Drinks, Towels, Snorkel Gear, and GoPro

The value of this tour isn’t just the boat ride. It’s what’s handled for you.

The tour price includes:

• Fuel
• Skipper (also a tourist guide)
• Drinks: water, cola, white wine, beer
• Towels
• Snorkeling equipment
• GoPro
• Pick up and drop off

That package is great for two reasons. One, it reduces decision fatigue. You don’t need to bring extra towels or figure out where to buy drinks mid-cruise. Two, it makes the “water time” part effortless. You can focus on swimming and snorkeling, rather than managing gear.

In the reviews, guests call out how Simon handles extras and helps people use the GoPro and snorkeling setup. Even if you’re an experienced snorkeler, having gear ready and a helpful guide makes the first few minutes in the water smoother. And if you’re not sure what you’re doing, the included equipment gives you a low-pressure way to try.

Lunch Is Up to You, But the Islands Cover You

Food is not included. That’s the one part of the package that needs active planning.

The good news is that lunch is optional rather than a hard logistical problem, because there are restaurants on Lopud and Šipan. So you can decide based on energy and timing. If you choose the shorter tour, you might treat lunch as snacks or a later meal. If you choose the longer tour, you’ll have time to sit down somewhere and actually eat like a vacation.

My advice: if lunch matters to you, pick a duration that matches your eating style. A half-day can be perfect if your goal is swimming and caves. An 8-hour day is better if you want to combine water time with island walking and a real lunch stop.

Transfers From Dubrovnik Make It Feel Effortless

This tour includes pick up and drop off, with a car or van picking you up at the address you specify. The timing is also clear: the vehicle arrives about 20 minutes before the boat tour start.

That’s not a glamorous selling point, but it’s a big part of why the day stays smooth. In Dubrovnik, where getting around can take time, having transfers built in helps you keep the morning from turning into logistics.

If your group is staying outside the city center, make sure you provide the correct pickup address. The tour is built to work around you, but it can only do that if it knows where to meet you.

Price and Value: $530 Per Group Up to 7

The price is $530 per group, for up to 7 people. That sounds high until you do the math, and when you share it across the group size, the value gets clearer.

At the full capacity of 7 people, you’re looking at roughly $75 per person, give or take. What makes it feel reasonable is what’s included beyond the boat itself: fuel, skipper, drinks, towels, snorkeling equipment, and even a GoPro.

This is also a tour where the private factor has real payoff. You are not just paying for exclusivity. You’re paying for the ability to spend time how you want it, including lingering during cave stops or prioritizing swimming zones where your group enjoys the water most.

When it might not feel like a deal is when your group is smaller than 7. If it’s just two or three people, you can still have a great day, but you’ll feel the cost more. The tradeoff is that the tour still offers a flexible schedule and private comfort, which is hard to recreate on shared boat trips.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Want Something Else)

This private Elaphite Islands boat tour is a great match if you:

• want privacy on the water with only your group aboard
• like swimming and snorkeling, especially around cave stops
• enjoy island time that includes both beach and a short walk in a settlement
• appreciate a guide-led day that can flex to your preferences

It may be less ideal if you:

• expect food to be included in the price
• want a long, slow cultural day with museums and structured walking
• prefer a strict schedule with no ability to linger

Think of it as a water-first itinerary. The islands come alive because you see them from the sea and get time to swim where the day feels good.

Should You Book This Private Elaphite Islands Boat Tour?

Book it if your top priorities are caves, swimming, and a private boat day with a skipper who can tailor the timing. The included gear (snorkeling equipment, towels, GoPro) and the included drinks take away the little hassles that often ruin a “perfect” day. And with Simon running the show, you get that human touch that makes the experience feel more personal than a standard checklist cruise.

Skip it, or consider a different option, if lunch planning and total spend feel like stress for your budget. Food is on your dime, even though restaurants are available on Lopud and Šipan.

If you want a Croatia day that feels like your own, not someone else’s schedule, this is the kind of tour where it actually delivers.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour duration can be 4 to 8 hours.

What does the tour cost and how many people are included?

The price is $530 per group, for up to 7 people.

Is this a private boat tour?

Yes, it is a private group tour, with only your group on the boat.

Where is pickup in Dubrovnik?

Pickup is in Dubrovnik. The exact address is the one you specify, and the car or van arrives about 20 minutes before the start time.

Which islands are visited?

The route includes Grebeni, then the Elaphite Islands: Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan.

What cave stops are included on Koločep?

On Koločep, the tour includes three cave stops: Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves.

What is included in the tour price?

Included items are fuel, the skipper (who is also a tourist guide), drinks (water, cola, white wine, beer), towels, snorkeling equipment, GoPro, and pick up and drop off.

Is food included?

Food is not included. Restaurants are available on Lopud and Šipan if you want lunch.

What should I bring?

Swimwear is the key item listed.

What cancellation and payment options are available?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.