Private Elaphiti Islands Tailor-Made Boat Tour 4h -All inclusive

The best part of this private Elaphiti Islands boat tour is the freedom to set the pace. You spend time around Koločep’s caves, swim into the Blue Cave, then head for the sandy shallows of Šunj Beach on Lopud. The route gives you two very different island moods in four hours.

I like the small group limit of six and the easygoing local skipper service. I also like the practical extras: masks, drinks, snacks, life jackets, and taxes are covered. The main thing to watch is the price wording, since fuel costs €65 per person extra and lunch is not included.

Key points to know

• Blue Cave stop at Koločep: Swim from the boat into a small, striking cave, with rocks nearby if you need a pause.
• Sandy Šunj Beach: Calm, shallow water makes this a good place to swim, sunbathe, or relax with a drink.
• Private group of up to six: You are not sharing the boat with strangers, and the skipper can adjust the experience.
• Nick is one possible skipper: A direct review praised his ability to find good spots and respond to the group’s needs.
• Useful supplies included: Snorkeling equipment, drinks, snacks, life jackets, taxes, and the skipper are covered.
• Extra cost to budget: Fuel is listed at €65 per person, while lunch and hotel transfers are not included.

A Four-Hour Escape From Dubrovnik

This tour gives you a quick taste of the Elaphiti Islands without asking you to commit a full day. You meet at Lapadska Obala Pier, at Lapadska obala 5 in Dubrovnik, and return to the same point after the outing.

The four-hour duration includes time spent moving between Dubrovnik, Koločep, and Lopud. That matters because your actual time in the water and on the beach will be less than four hours, yet the compact schedule still covers two worthwhile stops.

I see this as a good fit for you if you want an island outing but do not want to arrange ferries, beach transfers, snorkeling equipment, drinks, and a route on your own. A private boat also gives you more room to ask for a slower pace or spend longer at a favorite stop, within the available time.

The boat is a speedboat, so the journey itself is part of the experience. You get open-water views and a quicker connection between the stops, but anyone who dislikes boat motion should keep that in mind.

Koločep and the Blue Cave

Koločep, also called Kalamota by locals, is the first stop. The island is known here for its caves and clear, warm water, with the Blue Cave as the main attraction.

You swim from the boat to reach the cave. The distance is described as short, and rocks along the side give you places to stop if needed. You also receive a snorkeling mask, so you can look beneath the surface rather than treating the stop as only a photo opportunity.

Inside the Blue Cave, the appeal is simple: the light, water, and enclosed rock create a different feel from the open bay. It is a small cave, not a large cavern built for walking through, and the visit depends on your comfort in the water.

That point is important. The Blue Cave is not a dry sightseeing stop with a path and viewing platform. You need to swim from the boat, and the tour is better suited to people who are comfortable in the sea. Life jackets are provided, and the nearby rocks offer a place to pause, but the supplied details do not promise a ladder, dock, or guided swim lesson.

You can also use the snorkeling gear around the caves. The water is described as very clear and blue, so the mask adds something useful to the stop. I would treat the snorkeling as a pleasant extra rather than expect a long, formal snorkeling session, since the overall time is shared with the boat ride and the next island.

The skipper is part of what makes this stop work. Instead of following a large group on a fixed route, you have a local person who can guide you toward the caves and help adjust the outing to your wishes. One especially strong mention names Nick, who was praised for taking the group to good spots and accommodating its needs. Skipper assignments can vary, so Nick is not guaranteed, but that feedback gives you a useful sense of the service style to expect.

Šunj Beach on Lopud

After Koločep, the boat continues to Šunj Beach on Lopud Island. This is a change of pace from the cave stop. Here, you have about an hour to swim, sit on the sand, or enjoy the beach setting.

Šunj is described as a spacious sandy beach with shallow, calm water. That makes it the more relaxed part of the trip, especially for families with children or anyone who wants an easy swim rather than an active water stop.

The bay is naturally sheltered, which helps explain the calm water. You will also find a few cocktail bars near the beach serving food and drinks. One has hammocks between the trees, giving you a place to rest with a drink or take a nap.

I like this pairing of stops. Koločep gives you caves, swimming, and snorkeling, while Šunj gives you sand and a slower hour. A tour made up only of caves could feel repetitive, and a tour made up only of beach time would offer less variety. Together, the stops make the short schedule feel more useful.

You should still keep your expectations sensible. One hour passes quickly, especially if you want time to swim, dry off, order food, and relax. Lunch is not included, and the beach bars are separate purchases. If you want a proper meal, you need to pay for it yourself and allow enough time within the stop.

The beach is also not a private stretch reserved for your group. The private part applies to your boat and tour party, not exclusive control of the island shore. The benefit is personal space and a flexible boat route, while the beach remains a public place with its own activity.

What the Private Format Adds

The boat carries only your group, up to six people. That is the clearest advantage over a standard shared excursion. You do not need to match the pace of a large party, and you can talk directly with the skipper about your preferences.

For a group of six, the stated price of $322.33 per group works out to about $54 per person before the listed fuel charge. For two people, the base price is about $161 each before fuel. The value improves as your group fills the boat, so this makes more financial sense for a family or group of friends than for a solo visitor or couple.

The extra fuel charge needs careful attention. Fuel is listed at €65 per person, which is a substantial addition to the base rate. Since the tour is described as all inclusive but fuel is separately excluded, I would confirm the final total before booking. The same practical check applies to lunch and any drinks or food purchased at Šunj.

On the positive side, you do not need to add separate fees for the skipper, taxes, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, snacks, beer, wine, soft drinks, or water. Those inclusions reduce the small add-on costs that can make a boat trip feel expensive by the end of the day.

Drinks are useful on a warm boat ride, but do not mistake them for a meal. Snacks are supplied, while lunch is not. If you know you will want more than a light bite, plan to buy food at Šunj or ask about your options before departure.

Drinks, Snorkeling Gear, and Practical Comfort

The included equipment is simple but well chosen for this route. A snorkeling mask lets you see below the surface at Koločep, and life jackets provide basic safety during the swim to the cave.

Beer, wine, water, and soft drinks are included. That gives you a choice between something refreshing during the ride and a glass of wine or beer when you are relaxing. Snacks are also included, which helps bridge the gap between departure and the beach stop.

There is no mention of hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to make your own way to Lapadska Obala Pier, and the trip ends there as well. The meeting point is near public transportation, so the location is not isolated, but you should allow time to reach the pier before departure.

A mobile ticket is provided, and confirmation arrives at booking. The tour is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and the information says most people can participate. Still, the Blue Cave portion requires a swim from the boat, so you should consider your own comfort in the water before booking.

Weather matters. The experience requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund.

Who Will Enjoy This Boat Trip Most

I would recommend this for a small group that wants a private sea outing with a mix of activity and rest. It suits friends who want to swim and share drinks, families who prefer calm shallow water at the second stop, and couples who like having their own boat rather than joining a large group.

It is especially useful if your time in Dubrovnik is limited. The tour does not attempt to cover every Elaphiti Island. Instead, it focuses on Koločep and Lopud, with a clear split between caves and beach.

You may want a different plan if your priority is a long beach day, a full meal, or extensive snorkeling. The schedule gives roughly two hours for the Koločep portion and one hour at Šunj, with the remaining time used for travel. That is enough for a taste of both islands, but not a leisurely all-day island stay.

The tour also depends on the skipper’s judgment and your group’s wishes. That is a strength when you want flexibility, but it means the exact rhythm can vary. Nick received particularly strong praise for finding good spots and adapting to the group, though the assigned skipper may be someone else.

How the Value Compares With the Time

The base price looks reasonable for a private boat carrying up to six, particularly when you divide it among a full group. You receive equipment, beverages, snacks, a skipper, taxes, and life jackets without separate charges.

The €65 per-person fuel fee changes the calculation. For six people, that adds €390, which is more than the advertised group price. I would treat the base amount as only part of the total cost and ask for a complete final figure before you commit.

The cost can still make sense if you value privacy and convenience. Organizing a boat, finding the caves, arranging gear, and reaching Šunj independently would take time and planning. Here, those pieces are combined into a short English-language outing with a local skipper.

For a couple, the math is less attractive because the group price is not spread across many people, and the fuel charge is per person. For a group of friends or a family of six, the private format is easier to justify.

Should You Book the Elaphiti Islands Tour?

Book it if you want a compact, private boat trip from Dubrovnik with two distinct stops: a swim to Koločep’s Blue Cave and a relaxed hour at sandy Šunj Beach. The snorkeling gear, drinks, snacks, and flexible skipper service make the day easy to manage.

Before paying, confirm the full price with the €65-per-person fuel charge included. Also remember that lunch, beach purchases, and hotel transportation are separate.

I would choose this tour for a small group that values personal attention and a short, active escape. I would skip it if you want a long beach day, a formal meal, or a route built around extensive snorkeling. With clear weather and a group large enough to share the base price, it offers a practical way to see two Elaphiti Island highlights without giving up your entire day.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Lapadska Obala Pier, Lapadska obala 5, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Where does the tour end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at Lapadska Obala Pier.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours, including travel time between Dubrovnik and the island stops.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private tour is available for one group of up to six people.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel is listed as an extra cost of €65 per person.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, though food is available for purchase at beach bars near Šunj Beach.

What drinks are provided?

Beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are included.

Is snorkeling equipment available?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are provided for use during the tour.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.