Blue water, no lines, just your pace. A private day on the Elafiti Islands puts you off Dubrovnik’s busiest streets and onto coves where swimming is the main event, with stops that can flex to your group. I especially like the private freedom—your skipper can adjust how long you linger in places like Kolocep and the Blue Cave. I also like that the day is built for the sea, with snorkel gear and life jackets included, plus beer, soft drinks, and bottled water on board.

You’ll want to plan for one money wrinkle: the overall quote can include extra fuel surcharges, and your final total may feel higher than you expect at first glance. Another practical note: it’s listed with no pick up or drop off, so you should be ready to make your own way to the dock area.

Key highlights at a glance

• Private skipper control: your timing and stop order can match what you want most
• Blue Cave swim option: anchor near Kolocep and swim/snorkel into the cave area
• Sunj Beach on Lopud: sandy waterline time that actually feels like a true summer day
• Snacks and drinks onboard: beer, soft drinks, and water are part of the experience
• More than beaches: Lopud’s monasteries and small churches add variety
• Up to 4 people: a group size that keeps the vibe relaxed

Elafiti Islands: the easy escape from Dubrovnik crowds

Dubrovnik is stunning, but it can also feel like you’re sharing the view with everyone who shares your flight. This private boat tour is a clean workaround. In just a short ride out of town, you trade crowds for turquoise water, quiet bays, and cliffside cruising along the Adriatic.

What makes it work is the mix of stop types. You’re not doing a checklist of viewpoints. You’re getting time on Kolocep for cave swimming, time on Lopud for a sandy beach and village wandering, and a third island stop on Šipan that leans more toward nature and local life. Even if you’re not a hardcore swimmer, the day has built-in rhythm: boat time, swim time, snack time, repeat.

Price and value: what $520.23 per group really buys

The headline number is $520.23 per group up to 4. That’s actually the big value point here, because the day is priced for a small private group rather than per person. If you split costs with friends or family, it can feel like a smart way to buy time on the water—time you’d struggle to get from shared boat tours.

What’s included matters too:

• snorkel equipment
• life jackets for adults and children
• bottled water
• beer and soft drinks
• skipper
• all taxes, fees, and handling charges

Then there are the extras and limits:

• No lunch is included (so you’ll be paying for food yourself if you want a full meal)
• there’s a fuel surcharge listed on booking details (the information provided shows two figures: €100 and €80 per booking), so confirm the exact amount before you go
• alcohol is restricted by the minimum drinking age of 18

My practical take: the best value comes when you’re the kind of traveler who will use the flexibility. If you want to hop out, swim, then hang for an extra round in a cove, a private setup pays off fast.

Kolocep Island and the Blue Cave swim: how to make it worth the hype

Kolocep is about 20 minutes by sailing from Dubrovnik, which means you’re not burning half your day just getting there. You get roughly 1 hour 30 minutes here, and you can choose how much time to spend and what activities matter most to your group.

This is the stop built around the Blue Cave. The practical setup is simple: the skipper anchors near the cave, then you swim into the cave area. Snorkel masks are provided, and there’s also a GoPro camera available for your use, which is a great way to capture the moment without turning the whole day into a phone-lecture.

A few tips that’ll help you enjoy this part:

• Bring a swimsuit and expect wet time early. You’ll lose time if you need to change after you’re already in the water.
• If you’re not a confident swimmer, use the provided life jacket and stay close. This stop is about comfort and fun, not a challenge course.
• Plan your energy. Cave swimming is the kind of thing that feels effortless when you’re ready, and exhausting if you rush it.

Some groups really love the Blue Cave not just for the color, but for the feeling of reaching it by water rather than standing in a line. If you’re trying to escape crowds while still hitting one famous moment, this stop hits that sweet spot.

After the cave, you cruise along the cliffs. That stretch is underrated. Even if you don’t get in the water more than once, the coastline views make the boat time feel like part of the attraction.

Lopud: Sunj beach for real sand time, plus a calm village walk

Lopud is the place where the day turns into a classic Adriatic beach moment. You get about 2 hours here, with a focus on Sunj Beach, the island’s well-known sandy stretch.

Here’s what I like about the setup: you can choose what you do with your time. You can stay on the boat or go ashore. That choice matters because not everyone wants the same kind of beach day—some people want a quick rinse-and-go swim, others want a full sunbathing session with sand stuck to everything.

On the boat, you’re refreshed with cold water, beer, and soft drinks, which makes the transition from sea to beach feel effortless. This is the stop where the whole group’s energy usually clicks: swimming, floating, then either relaxing on board or doing a slower island wander.

The bonus is that after the sandy beach, you can head toward the Lopud village. You’ll have options to explore:

• Dominican and Franciscan monasteries
• Đorđić-Mayneri Park
• small churches

This is where the tour feels more complete than a pure beach boat day. If Dubrovnik’s old-town walking tires you out, Lopud gives you smaller-scale streets, calmer pacing, and sights you can reach without feeling like you’re racing a crowd.

Šipan: the island for nature, olives, and local production

The final stop is Šipan, the largest and most densely populated of the Elafiti islands, with a vibe that shifts from beach-heavy to lived-in island life. You get about 2 hours here on the longer versions, and the emphasis is on the coast’s turquoise water and the island’s mix of olive and pine greenery.

What makes Šipan interesting is that it feels practical rather than showy. Locals focus on home-made goods such as wine, olive oil, marmalade, and fruit and vegetables. That detail helps you understand what you’re looking at. You’re not just admiring scenery—you’re moving through a place where people still make things and use the land.

Also, because the tour is private, your skipper can tailor how much of your Šipan time is spent in hidden bays and secluded viewpoints versus a more direct stop strategy. The day stays flexible instead of turning into a fixed script.

If you’re trying to balance the day—some swimming, some exploring, some quiet—Šipan helps keep the experience from feeling one-note.

Snorkel gear, GoPro camera, and the comfort stuff that matters

This tour isn’t just about getting on a boat. The small included items make a difference because you’ll actually use them.

• Snorkel equipment: Masks are provided so you can start exploring right away instead of hunting for rentals
• Life jackets for adults and children: You can feel secure even if your group includes less confident swimmers
• Underwater GoPro camera: The idea is simple—capture the swim without setting up your own gear
• Bottled water + beer and soft drinks: You stay comfortable between swims

What surprised me from the way people described their days is how often the time feels easy. Skippers guided groups into spots that were calmer and less crowded, then helped them get the most out of cave entrances and swim coves. One skipper even swam with guests to show little hidden areas. That kind of attention is exactly what you expect from private service.

And yes, packing helps. I’d bring a light jacket for later (sea air can cool you off), a towel, and of course your swimsuit ready to go.

Dubrovnik dock area and timing: keeping the day smooth

The meeting point is Lapadska obala 4, Dubrovnik, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point. That matters because it makes your day plan straightforward: no cross-town drop-offs, no long commute after you’re tired from sun and salt water.

About transportation: it’s listed as near public transit and marked as no pick up or drop off. Still, some groups shared that their skipper coordinated a ride arrangement in real life. So don’t assume it’s guaranteed either way. The smart move is to confirm what your exact day includes, especially if you’re staying outside easy walking distance.

Timing is also worth thinking about. The experience runs 4 to 8 hours, so if you have only one day to spare, the longer option usually gives you more flexibility to linger. Short tours can feel like a concentrated hit—great if you want minimal fuss—but you’ll have less breathing room.

Who should book this private Elafiti boat tour

This is a great fit if you want:

• Less crowded swimming and quieter coves
• a skipper who can adjust stops based on your pace
• a small group experience (up to 4) so you don’t feel stuck with anyone else’s agenda
• a mix of sea time and some island exploring

It may be less ideal if:

• you mainly want a guided land tour with big landmarks
• you’re traveling solo on a budget and would rather pay per person than for the full boat
• you’re hoping lunch is included (it isn’t)

This tour also fits families pretty well because life jackets are included and kids can come with an adult. The alcohol part is clear too: it’s 18+ for drinking, so bring non-drinkers along without stress.

Quick decision guide: should you book it?

If you’re weighing this against other Dubrovnik activities, ask yourself one question: do you want your highlight to be water time—swimming, snorkeling, and coves—rather than more walking and more waiting? If yes, this private Elafiti Islands boat tour is an easy call.

Book it if you want:

• the freedom to linger at the Blue Cave and other swim spots
• a small-group day with snacks and drinks handled
• a calmer, more personal way to see Kolocep, Lopud, and Šipan

Consider a different option if:

• your budget is tight and you’d struggle with extra fuel surcharges
• you don’t like packing swimsuits and towels, because this is built around getting in the water

FAQ

How many people is the private boat tour for?

It’s a private tour for your group, priced per group for up to 4 people.

What’s included with the tour?

The tour includes snorkel equipment, life jackets for adults and children, bottled water, beer and soft drinks, a skipper, and all taxes, fees, and handling charges.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

Where do we meet for the tour?

The meeting point is Lapadska obala 4, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Is there a fuel surcharge?

Yes. A fuel surcharge is listed in the booking details (shown as €100.00 per booking and €80.00 per booking), so check the exact amount for your booking.

Can kids join?

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Life jackets for children are included.

What if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.