Private Boat Tour in the Elaphiti Islands

The best part of this private Elaphiti Islands boat tour is the freedom to spend a full day moving between quiet coves, sandy beaches, and clear swimming water without sharing the boat with a large group. Guide Bojo, also referred to as Bozo, takes families and small groups around Koločep, Lopud, Šipan, and Brsečine, with time for swimming, paddle boarding, snacks, and lunch.

I like the flexible four-to-eight-hour format, since you can choose a shorter outing or make a full day of it. I also like the personal feel: the family-run operator arranges pickup in the selected area and can either bring the boat to a port or take you by car to the port. The main thing to consider is the price. At $572.27 for up to five people, it makes the most sense for a family or group that will share the cost.

Key points to know before booking

• Koločep brings the Blue Cave, two sandy beaches, and a small island town into the first hour of the route.
• Lopud is the main stop, with about three hours for its broad sandy beach, town, swimming, and a possible lunch.
• Šipan adds a quieter coastal stop, centered on Suđurađ, its beach, restaurant, and small castle.
• Brsečine offers crystal-clear water over a sandy bottom at Sikirica Bay, one of the prettiest swimming spots near Dubrovnik.
• The boat is private for your group, with pickup options and no strangers sharing your outing.
• The guide adds personal touches, including drinks and snacks, paddle boards, fish feeding, and help making the day comfortable.

Why a private Elaphiti Islands boat day works so well

Dubrovnik is famous for its old stone streets, but the coast is where the city’s setting really makes sense. The Elaphiti Islands sit offshore, close enough for a day trip but far enough to give you a change of pace. On this tour, you are not tied to a fixed group schedule or a long list of inland stops. The day is shaped around the water.

That matters because island time is simple. You swim, dry off in the sun, walk into a small town, eat lunch, then get back on the boat. A private trip lets your group linger at a favorite stop or keep moving if a beach feels too busy for your taste.

This is especially useful for families. One child can swim while another takes a break. Adults can enjoy the scenery without constantly trying to keep a large group together. The ages allowed range from infants to 99, and most people can take part, though you should still think about how your own group handles boat rides, stairs, sun, and swimming.

The outing usually lasts between four and eight hours. The planned stop times add up to about seven hours, so the longer version gives you room for a relaxed pace. A shorter version may mean less time at one or more islands. Ask about the expected route and timing when you confirm your booking.

Koločep: a first taste of island life

Koločep is the smallest inhabited island in the Elaphiti group, and it makes a good opening stop. You have about one hour here, enough to get a quick sense of the island without trying to cover too much ground.

The main draw is the Blue Cave. The route also includes two sandy beaches and a small town. That combination gives you several choices in a short period: look for the cave, swim from the beach, or take a brief walk through the settlement.

The Blue Cave is the sort of stop that works best when conditions are good and your group is ready to get in the water. The tour’s practical appeal is that you do not have to organize a separate cave visit or find your own way around the island. The guide can direct the visit as part of the boat day.

One hour passes quickly. I would treat Koločep as an introduction rather than the main event. If you want long beach time or a slow lunch, Lopud and Brsečine are better suited. Still, starting here gives the day an early swimming and sightseeing highlight.

Lopud: the day’s main island stop

Lopud receives about three hours, making it the heart of the itinerary. This island has a beautiful large sandy beach and a town on the opposite side. You get more time here for the things that are difficult to squeeze into a short stop: swimming, walking, sitting down for lunch, and simply taking in the coast.

The sandy beach is a major advantage. Much of the Croatian coast is rocky, so a proper sand beach feels like a treat, especially for children or anyone who does not enjoy entering the sea over stones. It also gives non-swimmers a more comfortable place to wait while others use the water.

Lunch is usually taken on Lopud. The supplied details do not name a specific restaurant or include a meal in the price, so plan to pay for lunch separately unless the operator tells you otherwise. That is worth clarifying before departure, particularly if you are budgeting closely.

The town on the other side of the island gives the stop more variety than a simple beach visit. You can split the time between the water and a walk through town, though the exact amount of walking depends on the route and your group’s pace.

Lopud is also where the reviews point to the most range of activities. The day can include swimming, paddle boarding, feeding fish, drinks, and snacks. Those extras help turn the trip from a sightseeing cruise into a proper day on the water. They are also why the private format has value: your group can spend more time doing what it actually enjoys.

Šipan and Suđurađ: a quieter coastal pause

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands and receives about two hours. The island has two sides, but the usual stop is Suđurađ, a small town with a beach, a restaurant, and a little castle.

This stop gives the itinerary a different rhythm. Koločep is short and focused on the cave and beaches. Lopud is the long beach and lunch stop. Suđurađ adds a quieter town, a place to eat, and a small architectural point of interest.

The little castle is a pleasant detail because it gives you something to notice beyond the sea. This is not presented as a formal castle tour, and no guided history talk is promised. Think of it as part of the view around town, not a major museum visit.

Two hours is enough for a swim, a meal or drink, and a look around Suđurađ. If your group prefers long beach sessions, you may find this stop less exciting than Lopud. If you like mixing small-town atmosphere with the coast, it helps keep the day from feeling like a series of identical swimming stops.

Brsečine and Sikirica Bay

Brsečine is a bay on the mainland coast near Dubrovnik rather than another Elaphiti island. The stop lasts about one hour and has no admission charge.

The main attraction is Sikirica beach, described as the most beautiful beach in the Dubrovnik area. The bay is named for its little-axe shape, and its sandy bottom helps create clear water with striking color. That sandy bottom also makes swimming more pleasant than at a rough, rocky entry point.

This is a strong final stop because it is simple. There is no need to organize a town visit or a meal. You get an hour to swim, float, or sit on the beach before returning to the meeting point.

The one-hour limit is the main constraint. If the water is especially appealing, you may wish you had longer. Still, the stop adds a scenic final swim and gives the route a different setting from the island beaches.

What Bojo or Bozo adds to the day

The guide’s name appears as Bojo in one account and Bozo in another, so confirm the spelling when you book. The important point is the guide’s role. He handles the route, helps the day run smoothly, and gives the outing a personal touch rather than treating it like a basic boat transfer.

The strongest praise centers on his patience, friendliness, and care with families. A group with children aged 16, 13, and 10 described the outing as its favorite day of a 10-day trip. That does not mean every family will have the same experience, but it suggests that the guide is comfortable adjusting to mixed ages.

The personal touches also matter. The day may include drinks and snacks, paddle boarding, fish feeding, and help with swimming near the cave. These details are not grand attractions on their own. Together, they make the boat feel like a base for a relaxed day rather than just transportation between islands.

The operator is a small family-owned business. That can be a real advantage if you prefer direct communication and a less corporate feel. It can also mean that exact arrangements depend on availability, weather, and the day’s conditions. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

Price, group size, and what you receive

The price is $572.27 per group of up to five people. If five people share the booking, the cost works out to about $114.45 per person. For a private boat lasting up to eight hours, that can be fair value, especially compared with paying individual fares for several separate boat trips.

For two people, the same price becomes much harder to justify. You are paying for privacy, flexibility, pickup help, and a full boat experience, not simply for a ride to one island. The value improves as your group approaches five people.

The price does not clearly state that lunch is included, and the itinerary says lunch is usually taken on Lopud rather than included in the tour cost. I would budget separately for food and ask what drinks and snacks are provided.

The pickup arrangement is useful in Dubrovnik. The operator can arrange pickup in the selected area, either bringing the boat to a port or taking you by car to the port. That removes some of the usual guesswork, but you should still confirm the exact pickup point and time after booking.

Who will enjoy this private boat tour most

I would recommend this outing to families, couples traveling with friends, and small groups that want a full day outside Dubrovnik. It suits people who value swimming and beach time more than formal sightseeing.

It is also a good choice if your group has mixed interests. One person can swim, another can paddle board, and someone else can walk around Lopud or Suđurađ. The private setup gives you a better chance of keeping everyone happy.

This is less ideal if you want a highly structured cultural tour with detailed historical commentary. The little castle at Suđurađ and the island towns add atmosphere, but the main focus is the coast, not museums or long guided walks.

You should also be comfortable with weather-dependent plans. A boat trip depends on sea and weather conditions, and the operator may cancel if conditions are poor. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, so keep the local cut-off time in mind.

Is the eight-hour version worth choosing?

If you have the time, I would choose the longer version for this route. The stops are spread across several places, and the experience depends on unhurried swimming, lunch, and time in the towns. Rushing through Koločep, Lopud, Šipan, and Brsečine would miss much of the point.

The four-hour option may work better if you have a late arrival, a busy Dubrovnik schedule, or young children who tire easily. Ask which stops can fit into the shorter outing. The available details give the full route and approximate stop lengths, but they do not specify a separate four-hour plan.

An eight-hour day can also be tiring in strong sun. Bring whatever you need for your group’s comfort, and ask the operator what is supplied on the boat. The experience includes some drinks and snacks according to the tour details, but you should not assume that all meals or personal items are covered.

My verdict: book it if the water is your priority

I would book this private Elaphiti Islands tour if I had four or five people and wanted one memorable day centered on swimming, beaches, and small island towns. The best features are the private boat, the flexible length, the family-friendly guide, and the varied route.

The strongest itinerary is the full version: the Blue Cave at Koločep, a long beach and lunch stop at Lopud, Suđurađ on Šipan, and the clear water of Sikirica Bay. You get several different coastal experiences instead of one repeated beach stop.

I would skip it if your group is only one or two people and the price feels uncomfortable, or if you want a formal history tour. For a small group that values personal service and time on the sea, though, this is a practical way to see much more of the Dubrovnik coast in one day.

FAQ

How much does the private boat tour cost?

The price is $572.27 per group of up to five people.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately four to eight hours, depending on the version selected and the day’s arrangements.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Which islands are included?

The route includes Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. It also stops at Brsečine on the mainland coast near Dubrovnik.

What can I see on Koločep?

Koločep has the Blue Cave, two sandy beaches, and a small town. The planned stop lasts about one hour.

How long is the stop on Lopud?

The planned stop on Lopud is about three hours. It includes time for the large sandy beach, the town, and usually lunch.

Is lunch included in the price?

The available details say lunch is usually taken on Lopud, but they do not state that lunch is included in the tour price. Confirm this with the operator before booking.

What is at Suđurađ on Šipan?

Suđurađ has a beach, a restaurant, and a small castle. The planned stop lasts about two hours.

Can pickup be arranged?

Yes. Pickup can be arranged in the selected area. The operator can come by boat to a port or take you by car to the port.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.