Private Half Day and Full Day Elaphiti Islands Tours

Koločep’s glowing caves are the star here. You can swim and snorkel into the Blue Cave and Three Sister caves, then spend the day moving at your own pace between island villages, sandy beaches, and quiet coves. I especially like the private boat format and the chance to shape the day with your skipper.

I also like that drinks, fuel, snorkeling gear, and life jackets are included. Skippers including Lovro, Vicko, Bruno, and Toni are repeatedly praised for friendly service, good swimming suggestions, and a relaxed approach. The main drawback is simple: lunch costs extra, and there is no restroom on board.

Key points to know before you book

• Koločep’s Blue Cave and Three Sister caves: Swim and snorkel inside the caves as sunlight colors the water blue.
• A private group of up to six: You are not sharing the boat with strangers, so stops and timing can be adjusted more easily.
• Šipan lunch stop: Plan to pay separately for your meal at a local restaurant.
• Lopud and Šunj Beach: Combine a short island walk with time on one of the area’s best-known sandy beaches.
• Lokrum is an either-or choice: Adding it means you will not see all the Elaphiti Islands.
• Drinks and equipment included: Beer, wine, water, Coca-Cola, snorkeling equipment, fuel, and life jackets are provided.

Why the caves make this private boat trip special

Many boat outings around Dubrovnik are mainly about looking at the coast from the water. This one gives you a reason to get in the water early. On Koločep, you visit the Blue Cave and Three Sister caves, where reflected sunlight creates a blue glow around swimmers and snorkelers.

The cave stop lasts about an hour. That is enough time for a swim and a look around, though it is not a long beach break. Bring a swimsuit, and use the supplied snorkeling equipment if you do not want to pack your own. Life jackets are also provided.

I like this opening stop because it gives the trip a clear purpose. You are not simply ticking off islands. You are entering the water, seeing a natural feature up close, and starting the day with something active.

Conditions will matter. The experience requires good weather, and a rough sea could affect the quality of a cave swim or change the schedule. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Koločep: an active first hour in the water

Koločep is the first listed island stop, and the caves are the main attraction. The boat takes you to the most popular caves in the Dubrovnik area, with time to swim and snorkel inside them.

Your skipper is an important part of this stop. Lovro is praised for finding good swimming places and helping a first-time open-water swimmer feel comfortable. Vicko is described as making the caves a memorable part of the trip, while Toni is praised for mixing useful information with hands-on help.

Do not expect a formal guided cave lecture. This is a private day on the water, not a geology tour. The value comes from having a skipper who can manage the boat, suggest places to swim, and let you enjoy the stop without rushing you through a large group.

Šipan: a two-hour lunch break with a separate bill

The boat then heads to Šipan, where you have about two hours for lunch at a restaurant. Lunch is not included, so keep this cost in mind when comparing the total price of the experience.

This is a useful pause after swimming. You can sit down, eat, and enjoy island scenery without having to carry food back onto a boat. The supplied information does not name the restaurant or provide a set menu, so you should ask the operator about the planned restaurant and payment arrangements before departure.

Two hours gives you more breathing room than a quick meal stop. Still, the length of the stop does not mean you should assume a long village tour. The stated purpose is lunch, so plan around the meal rather than expecting a full cultural visit to Šipan.

The food stop also makes the full-day version feel less like a nonstop boat ride. You get a proper break before returning to the water and beaches.

Lopud: churches, a monastery, and a chance to walk

Lopud is scheduled for roughly one hour. It is the most useful stop for getting off the boat and walking around, with churches, a monastery, and sandy beaches to explore.

I would use this hour for a short wander rather than trying to see everything. The time is enough to stretch your legs and get a feel for the island, but not enough for a leisurely tour of every sight. Wear footwear you can walk in, even if most of the day is spent in swimwear.

Lopud adds variety. Koločep is about caves and swimming, Šipan is about lunch, and Lopud gives you a little history and dry land. That mix is one of the strongest reasons to choose the full-day trip instead of a short outing focused only on swimming.

The schedule can change on a private trip. If your group wants a longer swim or a slower lunch, you can ask your skipper what is possible. The exact balance depends on the tour length you book and the time needed to reach each stop.

Šunj Beach: sandy shore and easygoing beach time

Šunj Beach is usually the last stop. It is described as the most popular sandy beach in the Dubrovnik area, with beach bars where you can relax and buy drinks.

This is a good finish because it asks very little of you. After the caves, boat travel, lunch, and walking, you can settle on the sand, swim, or sit with a drink. The listed stop lasts about an hour, so you will get a taste of the beach rather than an entire afternoon there.

Beach bars are convenient, but drinks purchased there are not part of the tour inclusions. You receive beer, wine, water, and Coca-Cola on the boat, while anything bought at the beach bar is an additional expense.

If sand is important to you, Šunj may be the stop you remember best. Dubrovnik is famous for its dramatic coast, but sandy beaches are less common than rocky swimming spots. That makes this hour a welcome change from the caves and open water.

Lokrum is an optional trade-off, not an extra stop

Lokrum sits in front of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, on the opposite side from the Elaphiti Islands. The skipper can visit it on request, but there is a clear cost: if you go to Lokrum, you will not be able to see all the Elaphiti Islands.

This is worth deciding before you leave. If your priority is seeing Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj, stay with the main route. If you have already visited the Elaphiti Islands or care more about Lokrum’s position beside the Old Town, ask about making that the focus instead.

The tour description does not include Lokrum admission in the price. Ask for the current details before choosing it, since the standard plan and the optional request are handled differently.

Private group size gives you useful flexibility

The price is $301.03 per group for up to six people. That is a group price, not a per-person price, so it can offer good value when six people share it. For two people, the cost per person is much higher, but you are paying for privacy, a dedicated skipper, and a boat arranged around your group.

The published duration ranges from about two to eight hours. That is a wide range, so check exactly what you are booking. A half-day trip may focus on the caves and one or two additional stops, while the full-day option allows time for all four main Elaphiti stops.

A private format matters most when your group has different priorities. One person may want to snorkel longer, another may prefer a walk, and someone else may simply want a quiet ride with a drink. A shared boat usually has to follow a fixed rhythm. Here, you can ask the skipper how to make the time work best.

The group limit is up to six people. Reviews describe a larger party using the company for a boat outing, but the tour details supplied here specify a maximum of six for this experience. Do not assume a larger party can book under the same terms.

Skippers are a major part of the experience

The individual skipper can shape the day more than the route does. Lovro is praised for being fun, careful, and good at choosing swimming spots. He is also credited with making a first open-water swim feel manageable.

Vicko receives similar praise for the caves, scenery, and overall handling of the trip. Bruno is described as adding music, drinks, stories, and pleasant views, while Toni is praised for being informative, helpful, and attentive to a family group.

Antonio is identified in the supplied material as an attentive contact who helps make the experience feel tailored. Drivers also provide pickup support in some cases, including transfers from a cruise port to the boat.

You should not expect the same personality or exact style from every skipper. That is normal with a private boat service. The useful point is that the company has several named skippers associated with friendly service and practical help, so it is worth asking who will operate your trip if that matters to you.

What is included, and what you still need to budget

The boat price includes:

• Beer and wine
• Water and Coca-Cola
• Snorkeling equipment
• Fuel
• Life jackets

That package makes the price easier to judge. You are not paying fuel separately, and you do not need to rent basic snorkeling equipment. Drinks on the boat also reduce the need to bring a large supply of refreshments.

Lunch on Šipan is not included. Drinks purchased at Šunj Beach are also separate, and admission connected with Lokrum is not included. There is no restroom on board, which is one of the practical weaknesses of the trip.

I would use the restroom before boarding and take only what you need onto the boat. You should also bring sun protection, a towel, and dry clothing, although those items are not listed among the inclusions.

Pickup can make the day easier

Pickup is offered, including transport connected with at least some cruise-port visits. The service is useful if you do not want to find the marina on your own, especially when your time in Dubrovnik is limited.

Pickup outside the operator’s normal radius costs extra. Ask about the charge when booking rather than treating all pickup as included in the advertised price.

The experience is offered in English. Confirmation is received at booking, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, and most people can participate, but the day still involves getting into a boat, swimming, snorkeling, and walking on an island.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would recommend it most strongly to couples, families, and small groups of friends who want a private day with several kinds of scenery. You can swim in caves, eat lunch on Šipan, walk on Lopud, and finish at a sandy beach without changing tours.

It also suits people who value personal service. The named skippers are praised for helping with swimming choices, suggesting food, handling the boat carefully, and keeping the mood relaxed. If you are nervous about open-water swimming, tell the skipper early and use the life jacket provided.

This is less suitable if you want a formal, highly structured sightseeing program. The route includes churches and a monastery, but the main appeal is the sea, caves, swimming, and flexible time. It may also be a poor match if a restroom on board is essential or if you want all food costs covered.

Booking advice and cancellation terms

The published rating is 5 out of 5, with 100 percent of 12 listed ratings recommending the experience. The strongest praise centers on the skippers, clean boat, convenient pickup, cave stops, swimming locations, and the ability to tailor the day.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and cancellations inside that period are not refunded. Poor weather is treated differently, with a new date or full refund offered if the operator cancels.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands boat tour?

Book it if you want a private way to combine swimming, caves, sandy beach time, lunch, and a little island walking in one Dubrovnik outing. The price makes the most sense for a group of four to six, and the included drinks, fuel, equipment, and life jackets add real value.

Choose the half-day option if the Blue Cave and a beach are your main goals. Choose the full-day option if you want all four main stops and enough time for lunch on Šipan. Decide about Lokrum before departure, since adding it means giving up some of the Elaphiti route.

The main cautions are the extra cost of lunch, possible pickup charges, no restroom on board, and weather dependence. If those points work for you, this is a practical and enjoyable way to get beyond Dubrovnik’s Old Town and spend a day on the Adriatic.

FAQ

How much does the private Elaphiti Islands tour cost?

The listed price is $301.03 per group of up to six people.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two to eight hours, depending on the option selected.

Which islands are included on the usual route?

The usual route includes Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud, with a stop at Šunj Beach. Lokrum is available only on request and replaces some of the Elaphiti Islands.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch on Šipan is not included in the tour price.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Beer, wine, water, and Coca-Cola are included on the boat.

Can the boat visit Lokrum Island?

Yes, but only on request. If you visit Lokrum, you will not be able to see all the Elaphiti Islands.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

No. A restroom on board is not included, so use facilities before departure.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered, but locations outside the operator’s normal radius incur an additional charge.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.