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

The best part of this trip is control. You leave Dubrovnik in a private Cap Camarat 7.5 WA speedboat and decide how long to stay at the caves, beaches, and island villages. I like the three-cave run on Koločep and the chance to swap sightseeing for quiet swimming spots. I also like that Simon, the skipper, carries snorkeling gear and a GoPro, so you can get in the water without packing half your hotel room.

The main consideration is simple: this is a boat day, not a full guided history tour. The islands are your setting, and the schedule bends around your group. If you want a fixed program with lots of formal narration, choose a larger group cruise instead.

Key points at a glance

• Three caves on Koločep: Stop at the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves in one compact stretch of coastline.
• Two tour lengths: Choose a four-hour outing for a quick island taste or eight hours for a slower day with more swimming and lunch time.
• Private boat for up to seven: Your group does not share the Cap Camarat with strangers.
• Šunj Beach on Lopud: Make time for one of the area’s sandy beach stops, a useful break from the boat.
• Flexible route: Stay longer where you like, shorten a stop, or ask for quieter swimming areas.
• Useful extras included: Hotel pickup, fuel, skipper, drinks, towels, snorkeling equipment, and a GoPro are part of the price.

Leaving Dubrovnik for the Elaphite Islands

Your day starts with pickup in Dubrovnik, usually about 20 minutes before the boat departure. A car or van collects you at the address you provide, which saves you from arranging a taxi to the marina or guessing where to meet the skipper.

Once aboard, you head toward the Grebeni islets before continuing to the Elaphite Islands. Grebeni gives you an early taste of the rocky coast and clear water, but the real route begins with Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan.

The boat is a Cap Camarat 7.5 WA, a newer speedboat suited to a small private group. With up to seven people, you have room to spread out more than you would on a standard excursion boat. The ride itself is part of the appeal, though a speedboat can feel lively on the water. If you prefer a very quiet, slow cruise, this is worth keeping in mind.

Drinks are included: water, cola, white wine, and beer. That is a small detail, but it matters on a warm day when you are moving between sun and saltwater. Towels and snorkeling gear are also supplied, so you can travel light. Bring swimwear, and do not forget sun protection even though it is not listed as a provided item.

Koločep and its three cave stops

Koločep is the most active sightseeing section of the route. The boat stops at the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves, giving you several chances to look into the island’s rocky shoreline and get into the water.

Each cave stop is likely to feel different depending on the sun, water conditions, and how long your group wants to stay. The point is not to rush through a checklist. Because the boat is private, you can spend more time at the place that suits you and less time at the one that does not.

The caves are best treated as swim and photo stops rather than major visitor attractions with walkways or museum-style interpretation. You board a boat, look into the openings, swim if conditions allow, and move on. The included snorkeling equipment helps you make more of the clear sea, especially if you enjoy watching fish close to the rocks.

Simon, the skipper named in the trip details, also provides a GoPro. That is a useful perk for a water-based day, since phones and saltwater are a bad combination. Ask how the camera is handled before you get underway, and make sure your group understands when and where it can be used.

One practical point: cave stops are weather-dependent in the everyday sense. The route can change with sea conditions, and the skipper may suggest a different swimming area if a particular spot feels too exposed or crowded. On a private trip, that kind of adjustment is a benefit rather than a disappointment.

Lopud, Šunj Beach, and time ashore

After Koločep, the boat continues to Lopud. The first main stop is Šunj Beach, a sandy beach that gives the day a different feel. After several rocky coastal stops, sand underfoot is a welcome change.

You can swim here, relax on the beach, or simply take a break from the boat. The information provided does not promise sun loungers, beach service, or a particular amount of free time, so think of Šunj as a natural stop rather than a fully organized beach club visit.

The boat then heads to the populated area of Lopud. This is your chance to walk around instead of spending the entire day in the water. The stop can be short or longer depending on your group and the tour length.

Lopud works well for people who want a little land time built into a boat outing. You can stretch your legs, look around, and have lunch if you choose. Restaurants are available on Lopud, but food is not included in the tour price. If lunch matters to you, ask Simon early in the day how much time you should allow and whether Lopud or Šipan makes more sense for your meal.

The four-hour option may make this island stop feel brief, especially if you want caves, swimming, a beach, a walk, and lunch. The eight-hour version gives you more breathing room. You still cannot do everything slowly if you stop at every location, but you can avoid the rushed feeling that often comes with a short coastal excursion.

Šipan, the quieter final island stop

Šipan is the third Elaphite Island on the route. It follows Koločep’s caves and Lopud’s beach and village, so it gives you another setting rather than repeating the same kind of stop.

The supplied details do not specify one exact village, beach, or landmark on Šipan. That is important. You should expect a flexible boat stop on or around the island, not a guaranteed guided visit to a named attraction.

Restaurants are available on Šipan if you want lunch there. Food remains extra, and you should confirm timing with the skipper. A private boat makes this easier because your group can choose how much of the day goes toward a meal, a walk, or swimming.

This is also where the private format can show its value. A fixed group cruise has to move when its schedule says so. Here, Simon can respond to what your group actually wants. If everyone has had enough sightseeing, you can use the remaining time for the sea. If you want more time ashore, you can ask for that instead.

What the private format really changes

The word private can sound like a small upgrade, but here it affects the whole day. The boat carries only your group, up to seven people, so you do not need to match the pace of strangers.

That matters most at the swimming stops. One person may want to stay in the water, another may want photos, and someone else may prefer to sit in the shade. On a private outing, the skipper can work around those preferences within the limits of the route and sea conditions.

You can also request more privacy. One recent outing was adjusted toward quieter swimming areas rather than the busiest stops. That is useful if your priority is peace and open water instead of visiting every named point.

Still, flexibility is not the same as unlimited choice. The route covers Grebeni, Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, and the day lasts either four or eight hours. You cannot linger everywhere for as long as you wish. Tell the skipper your priorities at the start: caves, swimming, beaches, lunch, walking, or a balanced mix.

Four hours or eight hours?

The four-hour tour suits you if you want a compact taste of the Elaphite Islands. You can see the main route, stop at several caves, swim, and visit at least part of Lopud or another chosen location.

The drawback is time pressure. Koločep alone has three cave stops, followed by Lopud and Šipan. If your group wants a proper beach break, a walk, and lunch, four hours may feel tight.

The eight-hour option is the better choice for a full day on the water. You can slow down at Koločep, spend meaningful time at Šunj Beach, walk on Lopud, and decide whether to eat on Lopud or Šipan. You also have a better chance of reaching quieter swimming areas without sacrificing the main route.

I would choose four hours for a half-day plan or a group with limited interest in sitting ashore. I would choose eight hours for families, friends, or couples who want the boat to be the main event rather than a quick add-on between Dubrovnik activities.

Price and what you receive for $530

The price is $530 for the entire group, up to seven people. That works out to about $76 per person for seven people, before any food costs. For four people, it is about $133 per person, and for two people, the private format becomes a much bigger splurge.

The value improves if you fill the boat. Fuel, a skipper who also guides, hotel pickup, drinks, towels, snorkeling equipment, and a GoPro are included. You are not watching the price rise every time the boat moves to another island.

The strongest value is not the drinks or camera. It is the ability to use the boat for your own group. A larger shared trip may cost less per person, but it will not give you the same control over stop length or swimming locations.

Food is the main extra expense. Restaurants are available on Lopud and Šipan, but lunch is not part of the price. Ask about the plan before ordering so you do not turn a short stop into a rushed finish.

What Simon adds to the day

Simon is identified as the skipper and guide on the outing. The most useful qualities described in the trip information are his friendly manner, punctuality, respect for personal preferences, and ability to adjust the route.

That last point matters more than a nonstop stream of facts. A good boat skipper needs to read the group. If you want conversation, you can ask questions. If you want quiet time, the private setup allows you to enjoy the ride without a constant group program.

He also arrived early on one recent outing, which is helpful when you want to get ahead of crowds. Do not treat that as a guaranteed departure change, but it suggests that punctuality is taken seriously.

The guide’s role is practical as well as interpretive. He handles the boat, suggests stops, provides the equipment, and helps shape the day. You should still explain your preferences clearly. A private tour works best when you tell the skipper what you want rather than waiting for him to guess.

Who will enjoy this boat tour most?

This outing suits you if you want a small, flexible day on the water and do not want to share your boat with a large group. It is especially good for a group of friends, a family, or a couple willing to pay more for privacy.

It also suits swimmers and snorkelers. The clear sea, cave stops, towels, and supplied equipment make the water central to the experience. Bring swimwear, and plan around being wet for much of the day.

You may prefer another option if you want a long, formal walking tour on each island. You may also find the price hard to justify with only two people, especially once lunch is added.

The route works for mixed interests because it combines caves, a sandy beach, a populated island stop, restaurants, and open-water time. Just set expectations correctly: this is a flexible coastal outing with guiding, not a detailed cultural tour at every stop.

Booking details worth knowing

Hotel pickup is included from Dubrovnik, with a car or van scheduled to collect you about 20 minutes before the boat tour begins. The tour is offered in English, and the group is private.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Dubrovnik schedule is still shifting. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund.

Check the available start times when booking, since the supplied information does not list one fixed departure hour. Bring swimwear, and consider adding sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and a dry bag for personal items.

Should you book the Elaphite Islands private boat tour?

Book it if your ideal day includes a fast, clean boat, several cave stops, clear water, a sandy beach, and the freedom to change plans. The private format is the real reason to choose it, and the value is strongest when six or seven people share the $530 cost.

Choose the eight-hour version if you want lunch, walking time, and unhurried swimming. Choose four hours if you want the highlights without giving the entire day to the sea.

I would be cautious only if you want a low-cost excursion, a detailed history lesson, or a fully fixed schedule. For everyone else, this is a practical way to see three Elaphite Islands while keeping the day personal and pleasantly loose.

FAQ

How long does the private boat tour last?

You can choose a four-hour or eight-hour tour. Starting times depend on availability.

How many people can join the boat?

The private tour is available for a group of up to seven people.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, with an initial view of Grebeni on the way out from Dubrovnik.

Are hotel transfers included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off in Dubrovnik are included. A car or van picks you up at the address you provide about 20 minutes before the boat tour begins.

Is food included?

No. Restaurants are available on Lopud and Šipan, but lunch and other food are not included in the tour price.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear. Towels and snorkeling equipment are provided, along with water, cola, white wine, beer, and a GoPro.