A fast boat and hidden caves make Dubrovnik feel like a movie set. This private Elaphite Islands tour lets you cruise by Grebeni, then spend your time your way across Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan on a brand-new Cap Camarat 7.5wa. I really like the privacy (just your group) and the fact that snorkeling gear plus a GoPro are included, so you’re not scrambling for equipment. One thing to consider: food isn’t included, though there are restaurants on Lopud and Šipan if you want lunch.

You also get a smooth start with pickup from Dubrovnik via a car or van about 20 minutes before departure, plus hotel-to-boat convenience built into the price. The skipper is more than just a driver, and from the way things run on the water, you can tell it’s set up for a comfortable day: drinks are included, towels are provided, and the route is flexible between 4 and 8 hours.

Because the schedule can change based on your choices, you can push for more swimming stops or add a longer break on one island instead of following a rigid checklist. That flexibility is the whole point of booking private here.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Private-only boat time: you’re not sharing the boat with strangers, so you can move at your group’s pace.
• Koločep cave stops: Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves give you that dramatic sea-cave feel.
• Lopud beach + town walk option: Šunj for sand time, then a stop in the populated area for an easy stroll.
• Šipan cruising with meal options: you get another island break, and there are restaurants if you want lunch.
• Drinks and gear included: water, cola, white wine, and beer plus snorkeling equipment, towels, and a GoPro.

Elaphite Islands by private speedboat: the route that makes sense

The Elaphite Islands sit just off the Dubrovnik coast, close enough for an easy day trip but different enough to feel like a separate world. What makes this tour work is the flow: you cruise past Grebeni, then hop through the three main islands—Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan—with time to swim and cave-hop where conditions allow.

A private speedboat changes how you experience places like these. Instead of arriving with a crowd and then rushing to match a timeline, you can linger when the water feels good and cut short stops that don’t. If you’re trying to keep the day focused—caves, swimming, a beach, and one walk—that’s exactly the kind of structure you get.

You’ll also feel the difference in the boat itself. It’s described as a new Cap Camarat 7.5wa, and that matters because a comfortable, clean, functional craft turns a half-day into a pleasure instead of a chore.

Grebeni: the quick, scenic cruise moment

Before you even reach the big cave zone, you first see Grebeni from the water. It’s not a long stop, but it sets the tone: you’re already in open-sea surroundings, with islands laid out like stepping stones.

This kind of early sighting is more valuable than it sounds. You start the day with context—what distances look like from the sea, where the coastline bends, and how the islands sit against the water. It also gives you that early “okay, this is real” feeling before the day gets busy with stops.

Koločep caves: Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves

Koločep is the cave section of the day, and it’s where the tour earns its keep. You get three cave stops: Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves. Even if you’ve never been to sea caves, you’ll likely understand quickly why people talk about them. When light hits water inside a cave system, the colors and reflections can look different from the open sea—especially when you’re watching from the boat and then adding snorkeling.

This is also where the included gear helps the most. You’re provided snorkeling equipment, and there’s a GoPro available too. That combo is great if you want to remember what it looked like underwater without paying extra for rental gear.

Practical consideration: caves can mean a short window to get in, check the water, and re-board. You’ll want to be ready to move quickly when it’s your turn, because the day is private and paced for efficiency, not lingering.

Lopud: Šunj sandy beach and a real island stroll

After the cave time, the tour shifts gears to comfort and variety. On Lopud, the first stop is Šunj, the sandy beach area where you can relax and spend time in the water. If you love the contrast between “spectacle” (caves) and “easy” (sand and swimming), this part hits the sweet spot.

Then the tour goes to the populated place on Lopud. You get an opportunity for a walk. This is your chance to stretch your legs, get a sense of daily island life, and break up the day so it doesn’t feel like you’re only moving from one boat stop to the next.

You’ll also find restaurants on Lopud if you want lunch, which is useful because the tour itself doesn’t include food. So Lopud can be your simple meal stop without needing to plan a separate transfer or hunt around after the boat tour ends.

Potential drawback: if you’re traveling with people who don’t enjoy walking, the populated-area stop might feel optional rather than essential. The good news is this is a private experience, so your skipper can adjust how much time you spend where possible.

Šipan island time: cruising, swimming, and lunch options

Šipan is the third island stop, and it gives the day a second island “feel” after Koločep and Lopud. Like the rest of the route, it’s built around time on the water plus a break for island enjoyment.

The big practical detail here is food again: there are restaurants on Šipan if you want lunch. Since meals aren’t included, having two island options for lunch (Lopud and Šipan) gives you flexibility. You don’t have to force lunch into one fixed stop; you can choose based on how the day unfolds.

This island segment also tends to be a good place to slow down. With a private boat and a route that can be shortened or extended, Šipan can function as the “finish strong” stop—especially if your group wants more swimming time or a calmer feel than the cave section.

Skipper Simon: a guide who reads your group

This tour leans on one key ingredient: the skipper. The operator notes the skipper is also a tourist guide, and the experience really shows through in how the day is handled. In particular, the name Simon comes up in the way the tour is described: friendly, accommodating, and very tuned to what you want.

From the feedback, Simon also helps you get ahead of crowds. That matters on the Elaphites because popular spots can fill up fast in summer. Starting early and being timely isn’t just a comfort perk. It can completely change how long you feel you’re “waiting your turn” versus actually having time to enjoy the water.

You’ll also appreciate the small way he supports water time. People describe goggles being provided for watching fish, and that Simon even lets you borrow his GoPro in addition to what’s included. The tone is social when it fits, then quiet and respectful when your group needs space.

The bottom line: you’re not just hiring boat transport. You’re getting on-water guidance that helps you use your hours well.

What’s included on the Cap Camarat 7.5wa

This is a “package you can actually use” kind of tour, because a lot of the usual add-ons are already covered.

Included items:

• Fuel
• Skipper (tour guide)
• Drinks: water, cola, white wine, beer
• Towels
• Snorkeling equipment
• GoPro
• Pickup from Dubrovnik
• Drop-off back in Dubrovnik

That list adds up. Drinks and towels remove two common headaches. Snorkeling equipment is the difference between seeing things from above and spending time looking around underwater. And the included GoPro means you’re set up to capture cave moments and beach-water time without paying for gear at the last second.

What’s not included is food. If you’re the type who likes to plan meals early, just decide where you’ll eat while you’re on Lopud and/or Šipan.

Drinks and lunch planning: keep it simple

Since food isn’t included, I recommend you treat lunch as an island decision rather than an afterthought. Lopud and Šipan both have restaurants, so you can pick the stop that best fits your day—whether you want lunch right after Šunj beach time or after more island cruising.

The drinks included are helpful for keeping the day relaxed. Between water, cola, and choices of white wine or beer, you won’t feel like you have to ration anything until dinner plans later.

One practical note: because the tour is private and time-flexible, your lunch timing can shift. If your group has strong preferences (early lunch versus later, lighter meal versus full sit-down), choose a duration that gives breathing room.

Choosing 4 hours or 8 hours: how to match your day style

The tour can run 4 or 8 hours, and the key detail is that the schedule is subject to your changes. That’s a major difference from fixed public tours.

A 4-hour version works best if you want the highlights without turning the day into a full production. In that time window, you’ll likely focus on the core stops—caves on Koločep plus at least one island break.

An 8-hour option is ideal if you like lingering. You can spend more time in the water, take a longer walk on Lopud, and still have time for a proper meal stop. It also gives you more flexibility if conditions on the water affect how quickly you move between caves and beaches.

If you’re traveling with a mixed group—some who love swimming and some who prefer relaxing—8 hours often feels more balanced. Everyone gets space to do what they actually want.

Pickup and timing from Dubrovnik: what to expect

Pickup is included, and you meet the group at your specified address in Dubrovnik. The timing detail that matters: a car or van picks you up about 20 minutes before departure.

That means you don’t need to stress about arriving at the docks an hour early and wandering around. You should still plan to be ready when pickup comes, because the day runs on a water schedule.

After the island time, you return to Dubrovnik the same day, with drop-off included.

Price and value: why $530 per group can work

This tour costs $530 per group up to 7. On a per-person basis, that can look surprisingly reasonable when you factor in what you get.

Let’s do the math quickly:

• If you fill all 7 spots: about $76 per person
• If you’re a smaller group: the per-person number goes up, but the experience stays private

What makes it good value is the bundle:

• fuel and skipper are included
• drinks are included
• snorkeling equipment, towels, and a GoPro are included
• pickup and drop-off are included

So you’re not just paying for boat time. You’re paying for a controlled, gear-ready, guide-supported day that you can personalize by choosing how many stops to linger on. If you’re comparing it to paying for multiple separate activities and rentals (or stitching together separate transport plans), private boat time can start to feel like the simplest route.

Main consideration for value: make sure your group size matches your budget. If you’re only two people, it’s still a great experience, but the cost per person is naturally higher.

Practical tips: what to bring and how to be ready

This is a water-focused day, so keep your packing simple.

Bring:

• Swimwear

Towels, snorkeling equipment, and a GoPro are included, so you don’t need to rent gear or bring it from your hotel. If you tend to get cold easily in sea air, it can help to keep layers in your mindset, but the only firm requirement listed is swimwear.

Also, be ready to move fast during cave and re-boarding moments. Even when the tour is private, the route is built around using time efficiently.

Who should book this Elaphite Islands private boat tour

This tour fits best if you:

• want privacy on the water with only your group
• care about a balanced day of caves, swimming time, and at least one walk
• like the idea of snorkeling without renting equipment
• will actually use the included gear and drinks
• enjoy flexibility, since the schedule can be adjusted and the tour length can be 4 or 8 hours

It may not be ideal if your group expects food to be fully handled, because meals are not included. It also might be less satisfying if no one in your group wants to be in the water or around caves—though you can always adjust how long you stay at specific stops.

Should you book it

If your goal is an Elaphite day that feels tailored, this private boat tour is a strong pick. The included snorkel setup, towels, drinks, and GoPro mean you can show up and focus on the places themselves—Green Cave, Blue Cave, Three Caves, plus Šunj beach and island time on Lopud and Šipan.

I’d book it when you have a group size close to 7 or when privacy is genuinely part of the vacation. The route and the flexibility are what you’re paying for, and the skipper-led approach (Simon, early and accommodating, with goggles and a friendly style) is the practical reason this tour earns top marks.

If you’re still unsure, decide this one thing first: do you want a morning-to-afternoon mix of sea caves and swim time, with lunch handled on the islands? If yes, then this is the kind of day trip that tends to feel worth it fast.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start and end?

Pickup is in Dubrovnik, and the tour returns you to Dubrovnik at the end.

What islands are included in the itinerary?

You’ll visit Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, with a view of Grebeni on the way.

Which caves are stopped at on Koločep?

The tour includes stops at Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves on Koločep.

Is Šunj beach part of the tour?

Yes. There’s a stop at the sandy beach of Šunj on Lopud.

Are there places to eat during the tour?

Food is not included, but there are restaurants on Lopud and Šipan if you want lunch.

How long is the tour?

The duration is 4 to 8 hours, depending on how many stops and how long you choose to spend.

Is snorkeling gear provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Is a GoPro included?

Yes. A GoPro is included as part of the tour.

What should I bring?

Swimwear is required.

Can I cancel for free?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.