Elaphite Islands: Private boat tour (Cap Camarat 7.5wa)

The best part of this excursion is the freedom to shape your day. You have a private Cap Camarat 7.5wa speedboat for your own group of up to seven, with Simon at the helm and no fixed crowd dictating when you leave a beach or stop swimming.

I like the easy hotel pickup and the thoughtful extras: snorkeling gear, towels, drinks, and a GoPro are included. I also like the choice between a brisk four-hour outing and a full eight-hour island day. The trade-off is simple: food is not included, and the boat tour can cover a lot in four hours, so you will need to choose between caves, beaches, walks, and lunch.

Key points

• Three islands in one private outing: Visit Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, with the route adjusted to suit your group.
• Three cave stops on Koločep: See the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves by boat.
• Šunj Beach on Lopud: Stop at one of the area’s sandy beaches before walking around the island’s populated settlement.
• Simon as skipper and guide: He can adjust the pace, find quieter swimming areas, and help you avoid the busiest spots.
• Useful extras included: Fuel, hotel pickup and drop-off, drinks, towels, snorkeling equipment, and a GoPro are part of the package.
• Good value for up to seven people: The $530 group price works out much better for a full group than for one or two passengers.

A private speedboat day from Dubrovnik

The Elaphite Islands sit just off Dubrovnik, making them an easy escape from the city’s stone streets and busy waterfront. This trip takes you out on a new Cap Camarat 7.5wa, a practical size for a private group of up to seven people.

The boat is not just transportation between stops. It lets you see the islands from the water, pull up near caves and beaches, and change plans when your group finds a place worth lingering over. That flexibility is the main reason to choose this experience instead of a larger scheduled cruise.

Your car or van pickup comes to the address you provide about 20 minutes before the tour begins. That saves you the trouble of finding a marina or arranging a separate taxi. At the end, you are returned to Dubrovnik.

The skipper is also your English-speaking guide. Simon is specifically named as the skipper, and his role goes beyond steering. He can help you decide how much time to spend at each stop, suggest quieter swimming areas, and adjust the day if your group wants more privacy or less sightseeing.

Choose four hours or give it the full eight

The tour lasts either four or eight hours, depending on availability and the plan you choose. Four hours is enough for a taste of the islands, but you should keep your expectations sensible. The itinerary includes three islands and several possible stops, so a short outing means making choices.

A four-hour tour could suit you if you mainly want a fast boat ride, a few cave stops, and time for a swim. It is also a practical choice if you have only one free morning or afternoon in Dubrovnik.

The eight-hour version gives the route room to breathe. You can stop at Koločep’s caves, spend time at Šunj Beach, walk around Lopud, continue to Šipan, and still leave room for swimming or lunch. If your group includes people with different interests, the longer option is easier to manage.

The private format matters here. You are not trying to keep up with a boatload of strangers or leave a beach just because the schedule says so. Your group can decide to stay longer in the water, shorten a stop, or skip a place altogether.

Grebeni offers the first look at island waters

The route begins with a view of Grebeni before continuing toward the Elaphite Islands. This opening boat ride gets you out of Dubrovnik and into the island setting without using up the day on a long transfer.

Grebeni is not presented as a lengthy walking stop. Think of it as part of the cruise and a first look at the rocky shore and open water around Dubrovnik. The value is in seeing the coast from the boat, where the shape of the islands and small offshore formations make more sense.

From there, the boat heads toward the three main islands on the route: Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. Each offers a different kind of stop, which helps keep the day from becoming a string of identical swims.

Koločep’s Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves

Koločep is the most cave-focused part of the trip. The boat makes three cave stops: the Green Cave, the Blue Cave, and Three Caves.

These stops are best suited to people who want to see the coast from the water and get in for a swim with a mask and snorkel. Snorkeling equipment is provided, along with towels, so you do not have to pack the full kit yourself. Bring your swimwear, which is the one item specifically called out for the trip.

The cave names tell you what kind of scenery to expect, but the exact experience will depend on sea conditions, light, and how long your group chooses to stay. The private setup lets you spend more time at the places that appeal to you instead of treating every cave as a quick photo stop.

The caves also show why a speedboat works well for this outing. You can move between the sites without a long walk in the summer heat. Still, this is an active water stop, not a formal sightseeing visit with a marked path or museum-style interpretation. If you prefer dry land and detailed historical commentary, the caves may feel brief.

The included GoPro is a nice extra for this part of the day. Simon lets you use it to record time in the water, though you should confirm the handover and use details with him at the start.

Lopud combines Šunj Beach with a walk

After Koločep, the boat goes to Lopud. The first stop is Šunj, a sandy beach that gives the day a different feel from the rocky cave stops.

If you want a swim from a sandy shore, Šunj is the natural place to spend time. It is also a good break from being on the boat. You can decide how long to stay, but remember that an eight-hour tour gives you more freedom here than a four-hour tour.

The route then continues to the populated part of Lopud, where you have time for a walk. This makes Lopud the most balanced stop on the itinerary. You get water time at Šunj and a chance to stretch your legs on land afterward.

You can also have lunch on Lopud if you choose. Food is not included in the $530 price, so plan to pay separately at the restaurant. The available information does not specify restaurant menus or prices, so ask Simon about current choices and timing before sitting down.

This is one place where the private format can save the day. Some people will want a proper lunch and a walk. Others will want to keep swimming. You can make that call as a group rather than waiting for a large boat’s departure time.

Šipan adds a quieter final island stop

Šipan is the third island on the route. Like Lopud, it offers a chance to eat at a restaurant if your group wants lunch, but the tour description leaves the exact stop and timing open.

That flexibility is useful because Šipan can serve different purposes. You might stop for another swim, go ashore, eat, or simply cruise along the coast before returning to Dubrovnik. You are not promised a long guided visit at a particular village, so treat this as a customizable island stop rather than a fixed walking tour.

If you want to visit all three islands, the eight-hour option makes the most sense. Trying to fit Koločep’s three caves, Šunj Beach, a Lopud walk, Šipan, and lunch into four hours would leave little time at each place.

The skipper’s flexibility is especially valuable at the end of the day. A group that has had enough swimming may want to sit back and enjoy the ride. A group still eager to get in the water can ask for another suitable stop, subject to conditions and the skipper’s judgment.

Drinks, towels, and the small details that matter

The price includes water, cola, white wine, and beer. That is useful on a warm boat day, when buying drinks separately at every stop can become a nuisance. It also means adults in the group have a few choices, while water and cola cover the basics.

Towels and snorkeling equipment are included, so you can pack lighter. You should still bring swimwear, and it is sensible to carry sun protection even though it is not listed among the inclusions. Do not count on lunch being provided. If you want a meal, you will buy it on Lopud or Šipan.

Hotel pickup is another practical strength. A car or van collects you at your specified address 20 minutes before departure and brings you back afterward. Since the tour begins and ends in Dubrovnik, this works well for people staying in the city who do not want to arrange their own transport to the boat.

The boat is described as new, clean, and functional. That matters more than flashy extras on a full day at sea. You want a sound boat, room for your group, and equipment that works. The Cap Camarat 7.5wa provides the setting for that private outing, but keep in mind that a speedboat is still a speedboat. It is designed for moving between islands and water stops, not for a slow, shaded cruise with a large cabin.

Is $530 good value for your group?

The price is $530 for a group of up to seven people. For seven passengers, that is about $76 per person before any lunch costs. For four passengers, it comes to about $133 each. For only two people, the price becomes much harder to justify unless privacy and a custom route are your top priorities.

The value improves because fuel, the skipper, drinks, towels, snorkeling equipment, GoPro use, and pickup are included. You are paying for the boat and the private service, not just a seat on a scheduled transfer.

A larger shared excursion may cost less per person, but it usually gives you less control over the timing and stop choices. This tour earns its price when your group values privacy, wants to avoid crowded swimming areas, or has mixed priorities.

One especially useful feature is the ability to ask for quieter swimming locations. Simon has already shown that he can adjust the route for people who prefer privacy and get ahead of crowded periods when timing allows. That does not guarantee an empty sea, but it gives you more control than a fixed group itinerary.

For a family or group of friends, the price can be strong value. For a couple, compare it with shared boat trips before booking. The private setting is the main product.

Who will enjoy this boat tour most?

I would choose this outing if you want a full day on the water without giving up control. It suits groups that enjoy swimming, short boat rides, caves, beaches, and the option of an island walk.

It is also a good match for families or friends who do not all want the same thing. One person can prioritize the caves, another can spend time at Šunj, and someone else can push for lunch on Lopud or Šipan.

The tour may be less suitable if you want a tightly structured cultural excursion with long guided walks and detailed historical explanations. The focus is the sea, the caves, the beaches, and the ability to change plans.

You should also think about the duration carefully. Four hours is a sampler. Eight hours is the version that lets the Elaphite Islands feel like a proper day away from Dubrovnik.

Practical booking advice for your day

Book with a clear idea of your priorities. If caves matter most, tell Simon early. If you want a long beach stop, a restaurant meal, or a quiet swim, say so before the boat leaves.

Ask about the day’s timing at pickup. The route is private and changeable, but the available information does not promise that every listed stop must be visited on every length of tour. A short trip requires trade-offs.

Bring swimwear and be ready for a water-based day. Snorkeling equipment and towels are supplied, and drinks are onboard. Food is your responsibility, so decide whether you want to eat on Lopud or Šipan.

The cancellation policy is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Dubrovnik plans are still shifting. Starting times depend on availability.

Should you book the Elaphite Islands private tour?

Book it if you want the freedom to set the pace, have at least four people to share the cost, and care more about swimming and island scenery than a formal guided walk. The private Cap Camarat, hotel pickup, included drinks, snorkeling gear, towels, and GoPro add real value.

Choose eight hours if you want to include all three islands without rushing. Choose four hours if you mainly want a fast escape from Dubrovnik with cave stops and a swim.

I would be cautious only if you are traveling as a pair and watching every euro, or if you expect lunch and a fully programmed sightseeing schedule. For a group that wants a personal boat day, Simon’s flexible approach and the chance to seek quieter spots make this a strong choice.

FAQ

How long does the Elaphite Islands private boat tour last?

You can choose a tour lasting four or eight hours, depending on availability and your preferred plan.

Where does the tour begin and end?

Pickup and drop-off are provided in Dubrovnik. A car or van collects you at your specified address about 20 minutes before the boat tour begins.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. Grebeni is also seen at the beginning of the cruise.

What caves can I see on Koločep?

The planned cave stops on Koločep are the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves.

Does the tour stop at a sandy beach?

Yes. The tour stops at Šunj Beach on Lopud, which is described as a sandy beach.

Is lunch included?

No. Food is not included, but restaurants are available on Lopud and Šipan if you want to buy lunch.

What is included in the price?

The price includes fuel, the skipper and English-speaking guide, water, cola, white wine, beer, towels, snorkeling equipment, GoPro use, and pickup.

How many people can join the private boat tour?

The private tour is priced for a group of up to seven people. Only your group is on the boat.