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

Blue water, caves, and a sandy beach make this a fine Dubrovnik escape. I like the private boat for up to six people and the freedom to shape the outing with your skipper. You can snorkel at Koločep, swim into the Blue Cave, or spend more time at Šunj Beach instead of following a rigid group schedule.

I also like the simple onboard extras: beer, wine, soft drinks, water, snacks, and snorkeling equipment are provided. The main catch is the cost structure. The advertised price is $322.33 per group, but fuel is listed separately at €65 per person, and lunch is not included.

The four-hour trip is short enough to fit into a busy Dubrovnik stay, though that total includes time spent traveling between the pier and islands. The skipper can make the difference here. Nick, one of the named skippers, earned especially warm praise for finding good spots and adjusting the outing to suit the group.

Key points to know before you book

• Koločep gives you the most active part of the trip: Swim near the caves, visit the Blue Cave, and use the supplied mask to look below the surface.
• Šunj Beach offers a gentler hour: Its sandy shore, shallow water, calm bay, cocktail bars, and tree hammocks suit a relaxed finish.
• The boat is private for your group: Up to six people share the experience, with no unrelated passengers joining you.
• Drinks and snacks are included: Beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and light snacks are available onboard.
• The four-hour schedule includes travel time: Expect a compact island outing rather than a full-day cruise.
• Check the extra charges carefully: Fuel costs €65 per person, while lunch, hotel transport, and pickup are not included.

A private speedboat from Lapad

Your trip begins at Lapadska Obala Pier, at Lapadska obala 5 in Dubrovnik. The activity returns to this same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup location at the end.

The private format is the strongest practical feature. With room for up to six people, you can share the boat with family or friends and avoid the stop-and-go feel of a large excursion. You are not simply placed into a fixed crowd. Your skipper can respond to your interests, within the limits of the four-hour schedule and sea conditions.

That flexibility matters most at the islands. One person in your group may want to swim, another may prefer to sit with a cold drink, and children may need a slower pace. A private boat gives you a better chance of balancing those wishes than a standard group cruise.

The activity is offered in English, and confirmation arrives when you book. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. Since this is a boat outing built around swimming and uneven shoreline access, you should still think about your own comfort around water and boats before booking.

Koločep and its Blue Cave

Koločep, also called Kalamota by local people, is the first island stop. This part of the trip receives about two hours, making it the main event rather than a quick photo stop.

The island is known here for its caves and clear, warm, blue water. Your skipper guides you toward the cave area, but the private setup lets you explore at your own pace. You can swim from the boat, use the snorkeling mask provided, or simply enjoy the view from the deck.

The Blue Cave is reached by a short swim from the boat. Rocks run along the side, giving you places to stop if you need a break. That detail is useful, but you should not treat the cave as a dry, walk-in attraction. You need to be comfortable getting into the sea and swimming a short distance.

Inside, the cave is described as pretty rather than huge or elaborate. Its appeal comes from the blue light, the enclosed space, and the contrast with the open water outside. I would think of it as a small natural highlight within a sea outing, not as a lengthy underground tour.

Snorkeling gear is included, which keeps this portion easy. You do not need to bring a mask simply to look below the water, though you may prefer to bring your own if you have a particular fit. Life jackets are also supplied, adding a useful safety option for anyone less confident in the water.

The two-hour allocation sounds generous, but it includes more than the Blue Cave itself. You also have time for the surrounding caves, swimming, and a relaxed pause on the boat. Ask your skipper early about how much time you want to spend in the water so the schedule matches your group.

Šunj Beach for a slower finish

After Koločep, the boat heads to Šunj Beach on Lopud Island. The beach receives about one hour, and the mood changes from cave exploration to easy seaside rest.

Šunj is a broad sandy beach with shallow, calm water. That combination makes it the more comfortable stop for families with children and for anyone who would rather wade or swim gently than climb around rocky coves.

The bay is naturally sheltered, which helps keep the sea calm. You can swim, sit on the sand, or use the nearby beach bars. A few cocktail bars serve food, and one has hammocks between the trees. That gives you a pleasant choice: order a drink, find a hammock, and let the skipper manage the clock while you enjoy the island atmosphere.

Lunch is not included, so Šunj is the natural place to buy food if you want a proper meal. With only about an hour here, keep your order practical. A leisurely restaurant meal could use up much of your beach time, while a quick snack or drink leaves room for swimming.

The one-hour stop will feel ample to some people and too short to others. If you want a long beach day, this tour is not designed for that. Šunj works best as a final pause after Koločep, not as the sole reason to book the boat.

What the private format really adds

A private boat is not automatically better for every budget. It becomes good value when you can fill most of the six available places. At $322.33 per group, the base price works out to about $53.72 per person for six people, before the separate fuel charge. With fewer people, your share rises quickly.

The fuel fee is listed at €65 per person. Since that cost is separate from the advertised group price, you should include it when comparing this outing with other Dubrovnik boat trips. The phrase all inclusive needs a careful reading here: drinks, snacks, equipment, the skipper, life jackets, fees, and taxes are included, but fuel and lunch are not.

The value is less about receiving a long list of refreshments and more about control. You have a private skipper, two island stops, snorkeling gear, and a schedule that can respond to your group. If you value privacy and flexibility, the extra cost may make sense. If you mainly want a cheap ride to a beach, a shared excursion may be a better fit.

The drinks are a useful touch rather than a reason to book by themselves. Beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are available, along with snacks. You can spend less time packing supplies, but you should still plan to buy lunch at Šunj if you want something more substantial.

The skipper matters on a short outing

Four hours passes quickly when boat travel is part of the total. A good skipper can help you use those hours well by judging where to stop, how long to swim, and how to adjust the order of activities.

Nick is specifically praised for taking a group to good spots and accommodating its needs. That gives you a practical point to remember: tell the skipper what matters to you at the start. Say clearly if your group wants more swimming, extra cave time, a longer beach stop, or a relaxed ride with fewer activities.

The skipper is not just there to operate the boat. The trip description presents the guide as a local source of tips, and the private setup gives you a chance to ask questions without competing with a large group. You can ask for advice on the cave area, the beach, drinks, or how best to use your limited time.

Still, the skipper cannot control the weather or sea conditions. The activity requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. That is sensible for a speedboat and swim-based trip, but it means you should keep some flexibility in your Dubrovnik plans.

Who will enjoy this island trip most

I would recommend this outing to a small group that wants a private half-day on the water rather than a formal sightseeing cruise. It fits couples traveling with friends, families who appreciate calm water, and groups that want to decide how active the day should feel.

It is especially well suited to people who enjoy a mix of activities. Koločep supplies swimming and caves, while Šunj offers sand, shallow water, bars, and hammocks. You get two different island moods within one short excursion.

Families should find Šunj appealing because of its sandy beach and shallow sea. The cave visit is more dependent on each person’s swimming comfort, so families may want to agree beforehand on who will swim to the Blue Cave and who will stay on the boat.

This is also a good choice for people who dislike large group tours. Only your group participates, and the boat can be tailored around your preferences. The tradeoff is that you pay for the private setup, and the fuel charge adds a notable extra expense.

I would be more cautious about recommending it to someone seeking a full-day island holiday, a long beach stay, or a substantial lunch included in the fare. The schedule is compact, and the beach stop lasts about an hour.

Timing, comfort, and what to bring

The listed duration is approximately four hours, including travel time. You should not expect four full hours divided equally between swimming and beach relaxation. The boat must reach the islands and return to Dubrovnik, leaving the actual stop time split between roughly two hours at Koločep and one hour at Šunj.

Bring swimwear and anything you need to feel comfortable after swimming. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are supplied, but the information does not state that towels or changing facilities are available, so do not count on those extras.

The pier is near public transportation, which can make the start easier if you are staying elsewhere in Dubrovnik. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to Lapadska Obala Pier.

A mobile ticket is accepted, and the tour is offered in English. Confirmation is provided at booking, which helps when you are arranging a tight holiday schedule. Just leave enough room around the activity for reaching the pier and returning afterward.

The tour has a five-star rating from 38 ratings, with 100 percent recommending it. That is a strong signal, though the sample is not large enough to erase the practical limits of the tour: extra fuel cost, no lunch, weather dependence, and a short total duration.

Cancellation and weather details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted for a refund, and the cutoff follows local time.

Bad weather is handled differently. If conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. Because swimming and boat travel are central to the activity, I would avoid placing this tour on the final morning of your Dubrovnik stay if you have no room to reschedule.

Should you book the Koločep and Šunj tour?

Book it if you have up to six people, want a private boat, and like the idea of combining a Blue Cave swim with a calm sandy beach. The included drinks, snacks, snorkeling gear, and life jackets make the day easy, while a skipper such as Nick can adapt the pace to your group.

Before paying, calculate the full price with the €65-per-person fuel charge. Then ask yourself if four hours, including travel, gives you enough time. If your answer is yes, this is a well-focused Dubrovnik outing with a nice balance of activity and rest. If you want a cheaper trip or a whole day at Šunj Beach, choose a different format.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

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

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends back at the same meeting point where it begins.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours, including travel time.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private boat accommodates a group of up to six people, and only your group participates.

What is included in the price?

Snorkeling equipment, all fees and taxes, a skipper, drinks, life jackets, and snacks are included.

Are drinks provided?

Yes. Beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are provided during the tour.

Is lunch included?

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

Is fuel included?

No. Fuel is listed separately at €65 per person.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.