Elaphite Islands Luxury Private Boat Tour with Cap Camarat 7.5

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat tour is simple: you control the day. Šime, also called Simon, can take you to Koločep’s Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves, then adjust the plan around swimming, beaches, lunch, or quiet bays. You are not tied to a large group’s timetable.

I especially like the included hotel transfers and the useful extras on board: snorkeling gear, towels, drinks, and a GoPro. The main caution is time. Four hours is enough for caves and a swim, but Šipan is usually skipped unless you move quickly. The six or eight hour options make more sense if you want a relaxed island day.

At a glance

• Private Cap Camarat 7.5: Your group of up to seven has the boat to itself, with no strangers sharing the itinerary.
• Šime or Simon as skipper: He handles the boat, explains the islands and caves, and adjusts the route to your interests.
• Koločep’s cave circuit: Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves provide the most memorable stops for swimming and exploring.
• Šunj Beach on Lopud: You get time for a sandy beach, a village walk, and a possible restaurant stop.
• Drinks and water included: Beer, white wine, soft drinks, and water are served, with towels and snorkeling equipment provided.
• Flexible duration: Choose roughly four, six, or eight hours, with Šipan mainly suited to the longer outings.

Why a private boat works so well here

The Elaphite Islands are close enough to Dubrovnik for a half-day outing, yet they feel far removed from the city once you are out on the water. A private boat lets you decide how much time goes into swimming, sightseeing, beaches, or simply sitting back while the islands pass by.

That flexibility matters more than it might sound. A family with a young child may want extra time at one calm stop. A group of friends may prefer several swims and less time ashore. A couple may want a slow lunch on Lopud and a few quiet coves. Šime can suggest a plan, then change it as the day develops.

The boat is reserved for your party, with a maximum of seven people. That makes the $544.43 group price easier to assess. For seven people, it works out to about $78 per person before considering the included drinks, equipment, transport, and private skipper. For two people, it is a much bigger spend, but you are paying for privacy and control rather than a basic seat on a shared excursion.

The strongest reason to choose this trip over a cheaper group boat is time. You do not have to wait for a full boat to load, follow a fixed stop schedule, or leave a swimming spot just because someone else is ready. If your group values comfort and freedom, the extra cost can be justified.

Getting from Dubrovnik to the water

Round-trip pickup from your hotel is included, which removes one common nuisance from a boat day. Pickup details are arranged in advance, and the service has also worked for cruise passengers with limited time in port. One cruise passenger described walking about ten minutes from the ship to the marina after receiving clear directions, while the driver helped coordinate the transfer.

That kind of communication is useful in Dubrovnik, where the exact meeting point can matter. Šime has contacted guests before departure to confirm the location and timing. If you are arriving by cruise ship, state your docking and disembarkation limits clearly when booking.

The tour is offered in English. Šime’s role is more than steering the boat. He can explain the islands, answer questions about Dubrovnik and local culture, suggest a restaurant, and help shape the day around what you want to see.

The Cap Camarat 7.5 is described as clean, modern, and comfortable for a family of four or a small group. The boat is large enough for up to seven people, but remember that seven adults with towels, bags, and snorkeling equipment will feel different from four people spread out comfortably. If you want maximum personal space, a smaller party will have the better experience.

Koločep: caves, cliffs, and the first swim

Koločep is normally the first major stop, and it delivers the most distinctive scenery of the day. The route includes the Green Cave, the Blue Cave, and the Three Caves. These are not just photo stops. Depending on conditions and your comfort in the water, you can swim into some of the caves and use the supplied snorkeling equipment.

The Blue Cave is especially popular, so an early start can pay off. One family arranged an earlier departure and reached the cave before larger boats arrived, enjoying a short spell with the place largely to themselves. That is a useful tip: ask about the earliest practical start if avoiding crowds is important to you.

The caves can be visited at your own pace. You might spend longer at the one that allows swimming and move quickly past another that interests you less. The GoPro is a nice touch here, since it gives you a way to capture underwater footage without bringing your own camera.

The equipment list is practical rather than decorative. Towels mean you do not need to use valuable luggage space for a large beach towel, and the snorkeling gear makes spontaneous swims easy. Water is available throughout the trip, while beer, white wine, and soft drinks suit a relaxed afternoon on the Adriatic.

Keep in mind that caves are weather dependent. Wind, waves, and water conditions can affect how comfortably you approach or enter them. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Lopud and Šunj Beach: the best longer stop

Lopud is where the trip shifts from cave-hopping to a more traditional island outing. The main attraction is Šunj, a beautiful sandy beach that offers a change from Dubrovnik’s stone waterfront and the rocky shoreline common around the Adriatic.

You can swim, relax, or spend time on the beach before moving on. The sandy setting makes Lopud a good choice for families and anyone who wants a break from repeated climbs in and out of the boat. It also gives you a chance to slow down after the faster ride between islands.

The island village offers another useful pause. You can walk around, look at the local setting, and stop at one of the restaurants. Šime has helped arrange lunch reservations, and his restaurant suggestions have included seafood on Lopud. Lunch is not presented as an included part of the price, so plan to pay separately for food.

On a six or eight hour trip, Lopud can become the center of the day. You have time for the beach, a village walk, lunch, and perhaps another swim without constantly checking the clock. On a four hour tour, you will need to choose. You can still visit Lopud, but a long beach stop may leave little time for Šipan or additional swimming.

Šipan: worth the extra hours

Šipan is the last of the three main Elaphite islands on this route. It is generally included on six and eight hour trips. On a four hour outing, it is visited only if the earlier stops are kept brief.

That timing tells you exactly how to choose your tour length. If your priority is Koločep’s caves and one stop on Lopud, four hours can work. If you want to see all three islands without rushing, book at least six hours. The eight hour option is best for a full day with lunch, several swims, and time to let the route unfold at an easy pace.

Šipan is not simply an add-on you should force into a short tour. Trying to fit every named stop into four hours can turn a pleasant private outing into a schedule chase. The value of the longer tour comes from having room to linger, not from collecting islands as quickly as possible.

You can also use the extra time for an itinerary that is not strictly limited to the standard highlights. Šime has taken groups to quiet spots, lighthouses, open-water swimming locations, and bays chosen to avoid crowds. Those alternatives are especially useful if you have already seen beaches and want more time on the water.

Four, six, or eight hours?

The four hour trip suits a short Dubrovnik stay, a cruise port call, or a family that wants a manageable morning or afternoon. A typical plan could focus on Koločep’s caves, one swim, and Lopud or Šunj Beach. It is also the safest choice if you have a fixed lunch, cruise departure, or other booking later in the day.

The six hour tour offers the best balance for many groups. You have enough time to visit several caves, stop for swimming, reach Lopud for lunch, and possibly include another island or quiet bay. It avoids the rushed feel of the half-day version without committing your entire day.

The eight hour trip is the clear choice if the boat itself is a major part of your holiday. You can spread the stops out, take a proper lunch break, visit Šipan, and still leave room for swimming and sightseeing. Several groups found that the time passed quickly, which is worth considering when deciding between six and eight hours.

A longer tour also makes the private format more valuable. You are not only adding destinations. You are buying more unhurried time with your own skipper and boat.

What is included, and what is not

The package includes round-trip hotel transfers, the private boat, an English-speaking skipper, snorkeling equipment, towels, a GoPro, beer, white wine, soft drinks, and water. These inclusions reduce the small extra costs that can accumulate on a day at sea.

Lunch is not listed as included. Restaurant reservations can be arranged, but you should expect to pay for your own meal. The same applies to any personal purchases on the islands.

There is no admission fee listed for the stops. The appeal comes from the natural scenery, swimming, beach time, and island villages rather than from formal museum entries or guided indoor attractions.

Bring the personal items you need for a boat day, but avoid overpacking. Swimwear, sun protection, and a secure way to carry valuables are sensible choices. The supplied towel and drinks mean you can keep your bag fairly light.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this tour to families, couples, and small groups of friends who want a private day rather than a fixed group excursion. It works particularly well when people in the same party have different interests. One person can swim while another stays aboard, and the whole group can decide when to move on.

Families benefit from the flexible timing. You do not have to hurry a child through a cave or beach stop, and Šime can adjust the route for younger children. The boat has also suited groups with children as young as four and nine, based on the experiences described.

It can also work for cruise passengers, provided you coordinate pickup and return times carefully. A four hour trip may leave room for lunch and a short visit to Dubrovnik’s Old Town, but you should allow a generous buffer before your ship departs.

The experience may be less suitable if you want a formal, heavily scripted sightseeing tour or the lowest possible price. The point is personal planning, swimming, and time outside. If you dislike boats, want guaranteed calm water, or need a fully fixed schedule, a land-based excursion may be easier.

A wheelchair user should contact the operator before booking. Šime has asked in advance about boarding needs, which is encouraging, but the available information does not guarantee that every mobility requirement can be handled.

Practical booking advice

This experience is often reserved about 52 days ahead, so summer dates may not remain open until the last minute. If your schedule is fixed, booking early is sensible, especially for an eight hour outing.

Choose your duration based on priorities, not just budget. Four hours is a focused introduction. Six hours gives you room to combine caves, swimming, and Lopud. Eight hours is for a full island day with Šipan and a relaxed pace.

The cancellation terms are straightforward. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Since the tour depends on good weather, a cancellation by the operator because of poor conditions brings the choice of another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Elaphite Islands private boat tour?

Book it if you want a flexible private day on the water, especially if your group can share the cost. The best features are the personal itinerary, Šime’s friendly local guidance, hotel transfers, and the useful supply of drinks, towels, snorkeling gear, and a GoPro.

I would choose six hours for most visitors. It gives you time to enjoy Koločep, swim, visit Lopud, and eat without racing the clock. Pick eight hours if Šipan matters or if you want the boat day to be one of the main events of your Dubrovnik stay.

Choose four hours only when time is tight. It is a smart port-day option, but you will need to accept fewer stops. For a small group that values privacy more than the cheapest fare, this is a strong way to see the Elaphite Islands on your own terms.

FAQ

How long does the Elaphite Islands boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four to eight hours. The available length affects how many islands and stops you can enjoy.

How many people can join the private boat tour?

The private charter accommodates up to seven people. Only your group participates.

Which islands are visited?

The route includes Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. Šipan is mainly included on six and eight hour tours.

What can you see on Koločep?

The Koločep portion includes the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves. You can choose how long to stay at each attraction.

Is Šunj Beach included?

Yes. The Lopud stop includes Šunj Beach, along with time to walk through the village and visit restaurants.

Are drinks provided?

Yes. Beer, white wine, soft drinks, and water are served during the tour.

Is snorkeling equipment available?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, towels, and a GoPro are provided.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip transfers from your hotel to the boat are included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.