4h / 6h / 8h Elaphite Islands Tour with 6.5m/21FT SunDeck Boat

The best part of this Elaphite Islands tour is the freedom to shape your day on the water. You can swim in Kolocep’s Blue Cave, snorkel around the Green Caves, stretch out on the sand at Sunj Beach, or spend more time ashore on Lopud and Sipan. The private 6.5-meter SunDeck boat keeps the outing personal rather than turning it into a crowded island shuttle.

I especially like the included hotel or apartment transfer and the simple extras that make a boat day easier: cold drinks, snacks, alcohol, and loaner snorkeling gear. A possible drawback is that the advertised price is $608.82 per group of up to five, while the tour details also say up to six people can board. Confirm the permitted group size before booking, and remember that the longer route is better suited to seeing several islands without rushing.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue Cave and Green Caves: Kolocep gives you two early swim and snorkeling stops, with about 45 minutes at the Blue Cave and 30 minutes at the Green Caves.
• Private and flexible: You travel only with your own group, and the skipper discusses the day’s route with you before departure.
• Sandy Sunj Beach: This is one of the area’s best-known sandy beaches, with beach bars and a chance to see or try the Croatian game of picigin.
• Lopud has more than swimming: Allow time for the 15th-century Franciscan monastery and Church of St. Mary, or stop for Dalmatian food in the settlement.
• Pickup is included: Transfer is available from hotels, apartments, Dubrovnik’s Old Town harbor, Gruz harbor, and other locations in the city.
• Good extras are built in: Snacks, beverages, alcohol, and snorkeling equipment are included in the price.

Why a private Elaphite Islands boat day works well

Dubrovnik’s old walls are the city’s headline sight, but the islands just offshore show you a quieter side of the region. On this outing, the boat itself becomes your base. You can swim when you want, sit in the sun, take a drink from the cooler, and adjust the pace with your skipper.

That flexibility matters. A fixed group cruise has to keep everyone on one schedule. Here, you can spend longer in the water if your group loves snorkeling, or cut a stop short if you would rather eat lunch on Lopud. The skipper explains the proposed route at the start, so use that moment well. Tell the skipper if swimming, beaches, historic buildings, or a relaxed lunch matters most to you.

The boat is 6.5 meters, or about 21 feet, with a SunDeck layout. That is a useful size for a small private group because it is large enough for an island run but still feels like a personal outing. The stated price is per group, not per person, so the value improves considerably when four or five people share it.

The listing gives a price of $608.82 for a group of up to five. That is not a low-cost excursion, but it covers a private boat, skipper, city transfer, drinks, snacks, alcohol, and snorkeling equipment. Split five ways, the cost is about $122 per person. If your group values privacy and wants a custom day, that can be fair. For one or two people, the same price feels much harder to justify.

The schedule is offered in four, six, or eight-hour versions. The full route includes several stops and is better matched to the longer options. The listed stop times alone add up to about four hours, before counting the cruise between islands, the transfer to the port, and any time spent boarding or getting settled. If you want Blue Cave, Green Caves, Sunj Beach, Lopud, and Sipan, ask how the selected duration affects the route.

From Dubrovnik harbor to Kolocep’s Blue Cave

Pickup can be arranged at the Old Town city harbor, Gruz harbor, or some hotels. The company also provides a free car transfer from any location in Dubrovnik city to the meeting point. That removes one common nuisance: figuring out how to reach the boat before a morning departure.

You meet the skipper at the port, discuss the day, and then head toward Kolocep. The cruise takes about 20 minutes before the first stop. That short run gets you away from Dubrovnik quickly, with the city soon becoming a backdrop rather than your whole view.

Kolocep’s Blue Cave is the first water stop. You have about 45 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, or simply staying aboard and enjoying the setting. Snorkeling equipment is loaned at no extra cost, which is useful if you do not want to pack your own mask and fins.

Do not assume you must enter the water. The stop works for mixed groups because strong swimmers can snorkel while others relax on the boat. If you are visiting in a cooler part of the season or do not enjoy swimming, the skipper can discuss how to use the time.

The cave stop is also a good reason to choose a private tour over a rigid schedule. You can tell the skipper how long you want to swim, though the exact amount of flexibility will depend on the overall duration you book and the sea conditions that day.

Green Caves and the pleasure of an unhurried swim

After the Blue Cave, the boat makes a slower cruise to Kolocep’s Green Caves. This second stop lasts about 30 minutes and is aimed mainly at more snorkeling and relaxation.

The two cave stops are similar in purpose, but they give the day a pleasant rhythm. You cruise, stop for the water, dry off, and cruise again. Cold beverages and snacks are included, and alcohol is available, so you do not have to treat the boat as a bare transfer between beaches.

I would still pace yourself here. Two early swims can use up more energy than expected, especially under strong sun. Take water, use sun protection, and keep enough energy for Sunj Beach and the island stops later in the day. The included drinks help, but they do not replace your own good judgment in the heat.

The tour information does not specify the exact snorkeling spots, visibility, or wildlife you will see. Treat the caves as opportunities for swimming and exploring by water, not as a guaranteed marine-life excursion. Weather and sea conditions will shape the quality of this part of the day.

Sunj Beach brings sand, bars, and picigin

Sunj Beach, on the island of Lopud, offers a different kind of stop. After the caves, you get a full hour to enjoy one of the most famous sandy beaches near Dubrovnik. The sand is the attraction here, especially if you have spent much of your Croatian holiday around rocky shorelines.

You can swim, sit by the water, or visit one of the beach bars. There is also a chance to see picigin, a Croatian beach game played in shallow water. The activity is associated with sandy beaches, and Sunj gives you a chance to try it or simply watch people keep a small ball in the air.

An hour is enough for a taste of the beach, but it is not a long resort afternoon. If your group wants a slow lunch, extended swimming, and time at the next island, discuss the order and timing with the skipper. The private setup lets you express that preference, but the boat still has to cover the distance and the sea may not cooperate with every plan.

Sunj is likely to be the liveliest part of the route because it has a well-known beach and bars. If your idea of a good boat day is a quiet cove with no shore facilities, you might prefer more time at Kolocep instead. If you want sand and an easy break from the boat, this is one of the most useful stops.

Lopud’s monastery and Dalmatian lunch

The next listed stop is Lopud, with about 90 minutes ashore. This gives you more than a quick photo break. You can walk around the small settlement, visit the Franciscan monastery and the Church of St. Mary, or sit down for lunch.

The monastery and church date from the 15th century. That detail gives the island stop some cultural weight after a morning focused on caves and swimming. You are not only moving from one pretty shore to another. You can also see a piece of the islands’ older religious and village life.

The lunch option is important for planning. The tour includes snacks and drinks, but a full restaurant meal is not listed as included. Budget separately if you want Dalmatian food in Lopud. The skipper can help with timing, and one detailed account of the outing says the skipper booked a restaurant in Lopud. That is useful if you want help arranging lunch, though you should confirm whether restaurant booking is available for your date.

Give yourself enough time to walk without turning the stop into a race. Ninety minutes can pass quickly if you want to visit the church, look around the settlement, and eat. If history is a major reason for booking, ask to protect this stop rather than spending every spare minute in the water.

Sipan and the Skocibuha castle option

Sipan is the final listed island. After Lopud, the boat continues to the island of Sipan, also written as Shipan in the tour information. The planned stop lasts about 45 minutes.

The named sight here is Skocibuha castle. Admission is not included, so expect to pay separately if you enter or visit it in a way that requires a ticket. The available details do not state the admission price, opening hours, or exactly how much of the castle you can see during the stop, so ask the skipper before you set out.

Sipan adds variety to the day, but it also exposes the main tradeoff of this route: more islands mean less time at each one. On a four-hour booking, the complete sequence may feel tight once cruising is included. A six or eight-hour option should give you more breathing room, but confirm the precise plan rather than assuming every listed stop is guaranteed.

If you care more about swimming than castles, you might prefer to shorten Sipan or skip it. If you like collecting a few different island impressions in one day, the stop makes sense. The private format lets you have that conversation before departure.

What the included extras are really worth

The practical inclusions make a difference on a private boat day. Hotel or apartment pickup saves you a taxi or a walk to the harbor. Snacks mean you have something between stops, while included beverages and alcohol reduce the number of items you need to arrange yourself.

Loaner snorkeling gear is another useful touch. You should still ask what equipment is available and whether it fits your group, especially if you have strong preferences or need a particular size. The tour data confirms that gear is provided, but it does not list brands, sizes, or the exact equipment included.

A skipper is part of the experience, not just a driver. Before departure, the skipper explains the itinerary, offers suggestions, and discusses the day with you. One skipper named in the tour feedback is Ivan, who received especially warm praise for his work. You should not assume Ivan will be assigned to your departure, but you can ask when booking if having a particular skipper matters to you.

The tour has earned a perfect five-star rating from 20 published ratings, with 100 percent recommending it. The strongest praise focuses on the captain, views, cold beverages, snorkeling gear, cliff jumping, and help arranging a restaurant. Cliff jumping was part of one outing, but it is not listed as a guaranteed stop or activity, so treat it as something that may be possible only if the skipper and conditions approve.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would recommend this outing most strongly to a group that wants control over its day. Families, couples traveling with friends, and small groups who can share the price will get the best financial value. It also suits people who want a mix of water time, beach time, food, and historic sights instead of a single-purpose boat trip.

It is a good choice if you want pickup from your Dubrovnik accommodation and prefer to have the route explained by a skipper rather than plan every detail yourself. The private setup also helps groups with different interests. One person can snorkel, another can relax with a drink, and the group can decide how much time to spend ashore.

I would be more cautious if you are traveling alone or as a pair and are mainly looking for the cheapest way to reach the islands. Since the price is per group, a shared boat or scheduled ferry could cost less, though those options would not provide the same privacy or custom route.

The tour also depends on good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book the 4, 6, or 8-hour version?

Book the four-hour option if you want a short taste of the islands and are willing to focus on fewer stops. Ask exactly which caves or islands fit, since the full collection of listed stops includes substantial time on the water and ashore.

Choose six hours if you want a balanced day with several stops but do not need to linger everywhere. This is likely the most practical middle ground for a group that wants swimming, Sunj Beach, and at least one island visit.

Choose eight hours if you want the complete route at a calmer pace, with time for Lopud’s church and settlement, a proper lunch, and Sipan. The longer booking costs more in total only if the price changes by duration, and the supplied rate does not spell out separate prices for four, six, and eight hours. Confirm the exact cost before payment.

I would book this Elaphite Islands tour if you value a private boat, want to choose your own balance of swimming and sightseeing, and can share the group price. The included transfer and onboard refreshments add real convenience. I would skip it only if you are on a tight budget, dislike boat-based days, or want a guaranteed full visit to every listed sight without checking how the chosen duration affects the route.

FAQ

Where does the Elaphite Islands tour begin and end?

Pickup is possible at Dubrovnik’s Old Town city harbor, Gruz harbor, some hotels, and other locations in Dubrovnik city. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is transportation from my Dubrovnik accommodation included?

Yes. Free car transfer is provided from any location in Dubrovnik city to the meeting point, and pickup from an apartment or hotel can be arranged.

How long does the boat tour last?

You can book an approximately four, six, or eight-hour version. Ask which stops are included in your selected duration.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price is listed as $608.82 per group of up to five people. Another tour detail says up to six people are welcome aboard, so confirm the allowed group size before booking.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes private boat service, a skipper, pickup or transfer in Dubrovnik, snacks, beverages including alcohol, and loaner snorkeling equipment.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Loaner snorkeling gear is available for the cave stops at Kolocep.

Which islands and sights are visited?

The route includes Kolocep’s Blue Cave and Green Caves, Sunj Beach, Lopud with its Franciscan monastery and Church of St. Mary, and Sipan with the option to visit Skocibuha castle.

Is lunch included?

No lunch is listed as included. You can eat at one of the restaurants on Lopud, and the skipper may help arrange a restaurant booking.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted, and poor-weather cancellations qualify for a different date or a full refund.