Elaphite Islands Luxury Private Boat Tour with Cap Camarat 7.5

The best thing about this Dubrovnik boat trip is the freedom to make your own day. Instead of following a fixed schedule, you can linger at Koločep’s caves, swim when the water looks inviting, skip a stop, or spend longer on Lopud. Captain Šime, often called Simon, handles the driving and local guidance while you enjoy the coast.

I especially like the private boat for up to seven people and the thoughtful extras: beer, white wine, soft drinks, water, towels, snorkeling gear, and a GoPro. Hotel pickup and return also remove much of the fuss. The main consideration is time. A four-hour outing can cover the highlights, but Šipan is generally reserved for the six- and eight-hour options.

The boat is a Cap Camarat 7.5, a good fit for a small family or group of friends. Still, this is an open-water trip, so your enjoyment depends on the weather, and the price makes the most sense when shared by several people.

Key points at a glance

• Koločep’s three cave areas: Visit the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves, with time to swim or look around at your own pace.
• Šunj Beach on Lopud: Add a sandy beach stop and time in Lopud’s village, where you can walk or arrange lunch.
• Šipan on longer trips: The third Elaphite island is usually included on six- and eight-hour tours.
• A truly private outing: Only your group participates, so the day can be adjusted around swimming, beaches, caves, or quiet bays.
• Useful onboard extras: Expect water, soft drinks, beer, white wine, towels, snorkeling equipment, and a GoPro.
• Pickup made simple: Round-trip transfers from your hotel are included, with arrangements also possible for some cruise-port visitors.

Why this private Dubrovnik boat day works so well

Dubrovnik’s Old Town gets the attention, but the sea explains much of the city’s magic. From the water, you see the pale stone coast, small coves, steep cliffs, and islands scattered beyond the harbor. This trip gives you a chance to enjoy that setting without spending the day on a large shared boat.

The private format is the key selling point. You are not waiting for dozens of people to board, finish lunch, or return from a swim. If your group wants more time in a cave, Šime can allow it. If a beach is crowded or the weather changes, you can adjust the plan. That flexibility came up again and again in the feedback, and it is more valuable than it may sound when you are traveling with children, older relatives, or people with different energy levels.

Šime is also part of the appeal. He is described as friendly, safe, responsive, and well informed about Dubrovnik and the islands. He can suggest a route, answer questions about local life, help with photographs, and call ahead for a restaurant reservation. You get a captain, but the experience feels more personal than a simple boat transfer.

Koločep’s Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves

Koločep is normally the first major stop, and the cave visits give the trip an immediate sense of adventure. The plan allows about two hours here, though the private setup means the exact timing can change.

The Green Cave and Blue Cave are the headline attractions. Depending on the conditions and your group’s wishes, you can enter the water, swim near the openings, or simply look inside from the boat. The Three Caves add another cluster of rocky spaces to explore. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins.

I would make Koločep a priority on a short tour. It gives you the most distinctive scenery in a compact period, and starting early may help you reach popular cave areas before larger boats. One family with limited time from a cruise visit began early enough to enjoy several quiet minutes at the first cave before the crowds arrived.

The timing is not guaranteed, of course. Sea conditions and other boats affect the experience. Still, a private captain has more room to adjust than a large group operator. If one cave is busy, you can spend time elsewhere or move on rather than waiting around.

For children, the caves are a strong choice because they combine a boat ride, short swims, and visual drama. A younger child does not have to keep up with a long walk or formal sightseeing schedule. For adults, the caves offer a memorable contrast to Dubrovnik’s streets and walls.

Lopud, Šunj Beach, and a relaxed island stop

Lopud is the longer land-based pause, with around three hours allocated. The main draw is Šunj, a sandy beach that offers a change from the rocky coves found along much of the Adriatic coast.

The island also has a village where you can walk, stop for a drink, or have lunch. Šime has helped arrange restaurant reservations, including seafood meals, so you can ask for assistance if you want a proper break rather than snacks on the boat. Lunch is not listed as included, so plan to pay for your own meal.

Šunj is especially useful for families. A sandy beach gives children a place to play, while adults can swim or sit back. It also gives a group a chance to slow down after the faster boat movements and cave stops.

There is a trade-off. If you spend a generous amount of time at Šunj and in the village, you may have less time for Šipan. That is not a problem on an eight-hour tour, but it matters on a four-hour outing. Talk with Šime early in the day about your priorities. A group focused on swimming may prefer a short village visit. A group that wants lunch and a proper walk should expect fewer island stops.

Šipan and the case for booking six or eight hours

Šipan is the last of the three Elaphite islands and is usually included on the six- and eight-hour versions. On a four-hour tour, it may be visited only briefly if the earlier stops take less time.

This is the clearest reason to choose a longer booking. The Elaphite Islands are not a quick hop from one attraction to the next, and time disappears once you add swimming, cave visits, lunch, and boat travel. Several people who chose six hours wished they had booked eight because the day felt short once they were out on the water.

An eight-hour trip can include a more relaxed rhythm: caves in the morning, swimming in quiet bays, lunch on Lopud, and time for another island or scenic cruise. It also leaves more room for special requests. One group interested in lighthouses asked to see two, while another preferred quiet swimming areas and an unconventional route.

A four-hour tour still makes sense for cruise passengers, families with limited patience, or anyone wanting a strong half-day outing. One cruise-port group returned to the ship for lunch and still had time afterward to visit Dubrovnik’s walled Old Town. That makes the shorter option practical when port time is tight.

What the Cap Camarat 7.5 adds

The Cap Camarat 7.5 is described as a clean, new, comfortable, and luxurious boat of a good size for small groups. The important point is not the model name itself. It is the space and privacy you get compared with a crowded excursion boat.

With a maximum of seven people, you can spread out more easily and talk with the captain without shouting across a large deck. A family of four found the boat a comfortable fit, and couples also used the private setup without feeling lost in a large vessel.

The boat comes stocked with water, soft drinks, beer, and white wine. Towels are provided, which saves space in your luggage and keeps wet swimsuits from becoming a problem. Snorkeling equipment and a GoPro are also available, letting you capture underwater moments without bringing an action camera.

Alcohol is included, but use common sense. The sea, sun, and boat movement can catch up with you quickly. I would treat the drinks as a pleasant extra, not the main reason to book, and keep water close throughout the day.

Pickup, cruise-port timing, and communication

Round-trip hotel transfers are included, which is a real convenience in Dubrovnik. You do not need to arrange a taxi to the marina or worry about finding the right dock on your own. Pickup details are confirmed after booking.

The cruise-port experience has also been handled thoughtfully. One family received clear directions to a meeting point about a ten-minute, flat walk from the ship, and the captain communicated before arrival. If you are coming from a cruise, contact the operator with your ship schedule and disembarkation plan. The boat tour does not remove the need to allow time for getting off the ship and returning before departure.

Communication is one of the strongest practical features here. Šime has contacted people before the trip to confirm locations, answer questions, and discuss special needs. A wheelchair user reported that he checked in advance about getting aboard. That is encouraging, but you should still describe your mobility needs clearly before booking, since the supplied information does not promise full wheelchair accessibility.

Pickup can also help if you are staying outside the Old Town. The experience is offered in English, and the provider is near public transportation, though the included transfer may be easier than navigating buses with beach gear.

How the price works for couples, families, and groups

The price is $544.43 per group of up to seven, not per person. That changes the value calculation.

For seven people, the cost works out to about $78 per person. For four, it is about $136 each. For two people, the price is much harder to justify unless privacy, personal timing, and a customized route matter more to you than finding the cheapest way onto the water.

The included drinks, towels, snorkeling equipment, GoPro, and transfers add practical value. So does the ability to stop for swimming or change the route without being tied to a large group. If you compare only the headline price with a shared boat, this tour will look expensive. If you are splitting the cost among family or friends and want a full day at sea, it becomes more reasonable.

The six- and eight-hour options generally offer better value for groups that want lunch, several swims, and Šipan. A four-hour tour is better viewed as a focused introduction to the caves and nearby islands, especially for cruise passengers.

Who should book this Elaphite Islands tour?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families who need flexible swim and beach time
• Couples who want privacy and a relaxed day
• Friends sharing the fixed group price
• Cruise passengers with four to eight hours in Dubrovnik
• People who want caves, swimming, and scenery more than formal sightseeing
• Anyone who values a captain willing to adjust the route

It is less suitable if your main goal is the lowest possible price, a structured historical tour, or guaranteed access to every island in a short time. The boat focuses on the coast, caves, beaches, and sea time. Šime provides local context, but this is not a full walking tour of Dubrovnik.

Weather is another important factor. The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions lead to cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations made later are not accepted.

My verdict: book it for freedom, not just transportation

I would book this tour if I wanted a private day on the water and had at least four people to share the cost. The combination of Koločep’s caves, Šunj Beach, swimming stops, drinks, towels, and hotel transfers makes the day easy to enjoy. Šime’s flexible approach is the real advantage, especially if your group has a mix of swimmers, beach lovers, children, and sightseers.

Choose four hours when time is tight. Choose six hours for a satisfying island day. Choose eight hours if you want lunch, unhurried swimming, Šipan, and room for the unexpected. Once you are away from Dubrovnik’s crowds, you may find that the extra hours are the part you value most.

FAQ

How much does the private boat tour cost?

The price is $544.43 per group of up to seven people.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four to eight hours, depending on the option you book.

Which islands are included?

The route includes Koločep and Lopud. Šipan is generally included on six- and eight-hour tours, while four-hour trips may visit it only briefly.

What can I see on Koločep?

The Koločep stop includes the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves. You can decide how long to stay at each attraction during the private trip.

Does the tour visit Šunj Beach?

Yes. The Lopud stop includes Šunj, a sandy beach, along with time to walk through the village and visit restaurants.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Beer, white wine, soft drinks, and water are served on the boat.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, towels, and a GoPro are provided.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Round-trip transfers from your hotel to the boat are included. The experience also provides a mobile ticket and is near public transportation.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.