Crystal water, no crowds, your own route. This private speedboat day trip around the Elaphite Islands is built for intimate stops, with the cave circuit near Koločep as the showpiece. The one thing to weigh: at $530 per group (up to 7), it’s best value when you’re not going solo.

I like that you’re not locked into a rigid checklist. You choose how long to linger, and the route is handled by a local skipper-guide who can steer you toward the places you care about most. With pickup and drop-off included, it’s also one of the simpler “yes, we can do this” outings from Dubrovnik.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Brand-new Cap Camarat 7.5wa: A modern, clean speedboat designed for fast, comfortable island hopping.
• Skipper-guide Simon: Friendly, accommodating, and tuned to your pace, with an early start to help you beat the crowds.
• Three islands, one smooth day: Koločep for caves, Lopud for beach time and walking, Šipan for more sea time.
• Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves: The kind of water color shift you can’t fake with a postcard.
• Snorkeling gear plus GoPro: You’re set up for time in the water without dragging extra stuff around.
• Optional lunch on the islands: Restaurants on Lopud and Šipan let you keep the day flexible.

A private Cap Camarat 7.5wa day feels different from a group boat

This is a small-group setup in both the practical and the emotional sense. On a tour like this, you’re not waiting around for strangers to finish a swim, or negotiating where everyone wants to stand for photos. Instead, it’s just your party onboard, and you get to move at the pace you want.

The boat itself matters more than people think. You’re on a Cap Camarat 7.5wa, and the experience is designed around a smooth, efficient ride between islands. That speed is what makes it realistic to hit multiple stops in one day (4 to 8 hours) without feeling like you’re spending your whole vacation in transit.

Practical extras help too. Towels, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and a GoPro are included. Translation: you can pack lighter and spend the day actually enjoying the sea rather than improvising gear.

Dubrovnik pickup and the early-start advantage

Your day begins with pickup in Dubrovnik. You get collected about 20 minutes before the boat start time from the address you provide, using a car or van. Hotel transfers are included, so you’re not trying to figure out local timing on your own.

One of the best advantages here is timing. In reviews, the skipper’s early and on-time approach is mentioned as a big plus. When you leave early, you usually get quieter water and fewer people fighting for the same swim spot. It doesn’t change the coastline, but it changes your day.

Grebeni: the warm-up island before the main stops

Before the Elaphiti circuit really starts, you cruise past Grebeni. Think of this as the lead-in moment: the boat ride gets you out into open water, and you get your first look at the feel of the archipelago before you commit to the cave-heavy portion of the day.

This part is also useful if you’re traveling with mixed interests. Even if caves aren’t your top priority, the early scenery still sets you up for what comes next. You’re on the water, moving, and already in vacation mode.

Koločep cave stops: Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves

Koločep is where the tour earns its reputation. You’ll make three cave stops there: Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves. This is the “get your camera ready” section, but it’s also the “get your swim time ready” section because you’ll be equipped for snorkeling.

What makes these caves special isn’t just the name. It’s the way light changes in water that’s clear enough to show what’s below. The caves create an enclosed pocket effect, and the water color shift is usually what people remember most. It’s the kind of moment that feels different from simply sailing past a shoreline.

A practical note: exactly how long you can spend at each cave depends on conditions and how your group likes to pace the day. Since the tour is private, you can make it more about quick views and photos, or more about time floating and looking at fish.

If you’re the type who likes to do things in short bursts—watch, swim, move on—this schedule is a good match. If you prefer long hangs in the water, you’ll want the longer end of the tour window so you don’t feel rushed.

Lopud: Šunj sandy beach plus a relaxed village walk

Next comes Lopud, and the plan splits time between beach and land. First, you stop at Šunj, a sandy beach where you can get in the water and enjoy a more classic beach break. Then you head to the populated area on Lopud, where you have time to walk.

That walking time is important. Sea days can blur together if all you do is swim and ride. A short stroll on Lopud gives you a different rhythm. You get to break up the day, stretch a bit, and see how people live in the islands rather than just viewing them from boat level.

If you want lunch, this is one of your options. Restaurants are available on Lopud, so you can build the day around food if you want it, or skip it and stay focused on the water. Either way, being able to choose is part of the value here.

Šipan: more island time and another lunch stop

Šipan is your final island in the main sequence. Like the others, you’ll get boat cruising time around the island, then time to enjoy the water and surroundings at your own pace.

The practical advantage of finishing on Šipan is that you’re not constantly packing up. By this point, you’ve already done the cave segment, so you can shift into a more relaxed mode: swim, float, enjoy the view, then decide if you want to eat before heading back.

Again, restaurants are available on Šipan if lunch is on your agenda. If you want a full meal, you’ll likely use this stop for it. If your group prefers snacks or skipping food to maximize sea time, you can do that too.

Snorkeling gear and GoPro: turning stops into memories

This tour gives you the right tools so you don’t have to bring a bag full of extras. Snorkeling equipment and a GoPro are included, and that changes how you experience the water. You can keep your plan simple: put on gear, swim when it looks good, and record what you want without stress.

In reviews, the skipper’s help is highlighted, especially around viewing fish. One review notes that Simon provided goggles and even let guests borrow his GoPro. That kind of hands-on attitude matters because snorkeling success is often about comfort—having the right fit, the right clarity, and someone who can point you to the best viewing moments.

Also, consider how you want your day to feel. If your goal is calm and quiet swims, you’ll get that on a private boat because you’re not squeezed into a tight group schedule. If your goal is “capture everything,” the camera gear supports that too.

Included drinks, towels, and the simple comfort factor

Small things add up on a boat day. Drinks are included—water, cola, white wine, and beer—plus towels and all the snorkeling gear. That means you don’t need to plan a separate picnic, and you’re less likely to waste time figuring out what to bring.

The drinks list also signals something important: this tour is meant to be enjoyable from the first minute, not just a transportation service to get you between spots. You can settle in, sip something cold, and focus on what’s ahead.

You’ll still want swimwear as your main item to pack. Everything else is handled, so you show up, get onboard, and go.

Price and value: $530 for up to 7 people (and why it can be worth it)

At $530 per group for up to 7 people, the price isn’t cheap if you’re splitting costs among only one or two travelers. But on a private boat day, you’re not paying per head for a seat. You’re paying for a full skipper-led experience plus the boat time, fuel, and included gear.

Here’s what you actually get inside the price:

• fuel
• skipper (who also guides)
• drinks
• towels
• snorkeling equipment
• GoPro
• pickup and drop-off

Food is not included, but restaurants exist on Lopud and Šipan if you choose to stop for lunch.

So when does this feel like good value? When you’ve got a group large enough to share the cost—especially 4 to 7 people—or when you really care about privacy and flexibility more than you care about spending as little as possible. This is also a great fit if you’re the type who hates being rushed. Private time makes a difference on the water.

A smart way to decide: estimate what you’d pay for two or more separate tours, add the hassle cost of crowd schedules, then compare that to one private day where your skipper can adjust the route and time based on your preferences.

Who this Elaphite private boat tour suits best

This tour fits best if you want:

• Privacy: your party onboard, not a crowd-controlled pace
• A mix of scenery and water time: caves, beaches, and island cruising
• Flexibility: the ability to spend more or less time at each stop
• A captain who guides: Simon’s helpful, accommodating style is a theme in reviews

It also works well if you’re traveling with people who want different things. One person might be happiest snorkeling in clear water. Another might prefer walking in the populated area on Lopud. Since you’re private, you can balance that without causing drama.

If you’re a budget solo traveler, you might prefer a shared boat option instead. But if you’re traveling as a couple, a small family, or a group of friends, this private format can feel like the way the day was meant to be experienced.

Book this if you want caves, calm water, and real control of your day

If your dream Dubrovnik day includes island hopping, cave stops near Koločep, and swimming without crowd pressure, I think this is an easy yes. The combination of a private speedboat, included gear, drinks, and flexible timing makes it feel like a custom experience rather than a rigid excursion.

I’d only hesitate if you’re traveling with just one other person and you’re very price-sensitive. In that case, the per-group cost can feel steep. But if you can share with friends or you value privacy, the math usually gets kinder fast.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the private boat tour to the Elaphite Islands?

The tour can last 4 to 8 hours, depending on your preferences and how much time you want at each place.

Where do you get picked up for the boat tour?

Pickup is in Dubrovnik. A car or van picks you up at the address you specify about 20 minutes before the start.

What islands and stops are included in the route?

You’ll cruise to Grebeni first, then visit the Elaphite Islands including Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. On Koločep there are cave stops: Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves. On Lopud there’s a stop at Šunj and time to walk in the populated area.

Is lunch included during the tour?

No. Food isn’t included, though there are restaurants on Lopud and Šipan if you want lunch.

What’s included in the price besides the boat?

The price includes fuel, the skipper (who also guides), drinks (water, cola, white wine, beer), towels, snorkeling equipment, a GoPro, and pickup/drop-off.

Do I need to bring snorkeling gear?

No. Snorkeling equipment is included.

What should I bring for the tour?

You should bring swimwear.

Is the tour cancellable, and can I reserve without paying immediately?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. There’s also a reserve now & pay later option.

If you want, tell me your group size and whether you prefer more time swimming or more time walking, and I’ll suggest whether the 4-hour or 8-hour version is the better fit.