Private Half Day and Full Day Elaphiti Islands Tours

Koločep’s Blue Cave is the star of this private boat trip. You can swim and snorkel inside while sunlight turns the water blue, then continue through the Elaphiti Islands with your own skipper and group. I especially like the mix of cave swimming and easy island time, plus the included drinks and gear.

I also like the freedom of a private boat. Skippers including Vicko, Bruno, Toni, and Lovro are praised for friendly service, useful suggestions, and letting the group set the pace. The main drawback is simple: there is no restroom on board, and choosing Lokrum means giving up some of the Elaphiti Islands.

Key points to know before booking

• Koločep’s Blue Cave: Swim and snorkel in one of the area’s most memorable spots, with the sun creating the cave’s blue glow.
• A private boat for up to six: Your group has the skipper’s attention rather than sharing the ride with strangers.
• Šipan lunch stop: You can eat at a local restaurant, but lunch is not included in the price.
• Lopud and Šunj Beach: Combine a short walk among churches and a monastery with time on Dubrovnik’s best-known sandy beach.
• Drinks and equipment included: Beer, wine, water, Coca-Cola, snorkeling equipment, fuel, and life jackets are provided.
• Lokrum is an either-or choice: It can be added by request, but you will not see all the Elaphiti Islands on that version of the trip.

Why this private Dubrovnik boat trip works well

Dubrovnik’s Old Town is famous for stone walls, polished streets, and busy summer sightseeing. This tour gives you a different day out: open water, small islands, caves, swims, and a beach where you can order a drink with your feet out of the boat.

The private format matters. For a listed price of $301.03 per group of up to six, the cost works out to about $50 per person for a full group. A couple would pay much more per person, but you gain privacy and control over the day. The tour is offered in versions lasting roughly two to eight hours, so the price makes the most sense when you choose a longer outing and use several island stops.

You will have a skipper rather than a fixed large-group guide. That gives the day a relaxed feel. The most praised skippers by name are Vicko, Bruno, Toni, and Lovro. Specific strengths attached to them include careful driving, friendly conversation, good swimming suggestions, useful food recommendations, music, and a willingness to let you stay longer when a stop suits you.

Pickup is offered, including convenient collection from a cruise port in at least some cases. Pickup outside the company’s usual radius costs extra, so check that point before paying. The boat carries life jackets and snorkeling equipment, along with fuel and basic drinks. There is no onboard restroom, which is worth keeping in mind before setting off.

Koločep’s caves make the first stop special

Koločep is usually the most distinctive stop because of its caves. The Blue Cave and Three Sister caves are used for swimming and snorkeling, not just for a quick look from the boat.

The blue effect comes from sunlight reflecting through the water and onto the cave walls. You are not simply passing a scenic rock formation. You have the chance to get in the water and see the effect from inside, which makes this stop more active and memorable than a standard sightseeing cruise.

The tour includes snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to arrange your own gear. Life jackets are also provided. Still, you should be comfortable with the basic demands of getting in and out of the sea from a boat, and you should follow the skipper’s instructions around the caves.

Plan on about an hour here. That is enough time for a swim and snorkel, but it is not an unlimited cave expedition. The exact amount of time can depend on the wider schedule, weather, and how long your group wants to spend in the water.

Šipan gives the day a proper lunch break

The boat then heads to Šipan, where the planned stop lasts about two hours. This is the most useful pause in the schedule because it gives you time to sit down for lunch rather than eating quickly between swims.

Lunch is not included. You pay directly for the meal at the restaurant, so allow for that extra cost when comparing the tour with other boat trips. The supplied information does not specify a set menu or restaurant name, so do not book this expecting a prepaid meal or a particular dish.

I like having a longer stop here because a full day on the water needs a break. Two hours gives you room to eat and slow down. It also prevents the excursion from becoming one long rush between photo stops.

If you choose a half-day version, the exact balance may change. The advertised duration ranges from about two to eight hours, while the listed stops add up to several hours before travel time. Ask the provider which islands fit your chosen length. A short booking cannot reasonably include every stop with the same amount of time as a full-day trip.

Lopud adds churches, a monastery, and a walk

Lopud is the most suitable stop for exploring on foot. The island has beautiful churches, a monastery, and places to wander beyond the boat and beach.

The listed visit lasts about an hour. That is enough for a pleasant walk and a look around, but not enough for a long island tour at a slow pace. If you care most about walking and seeing buildings, tell the skipper early. If swimming is your priority, you may prefer to keep this stop short and save time for Šunj.

This balance is one of the strengths of a private outing. You are not tied to the interests of a busload of people. Your skipper can help shape the day around swimming, food, views, or a little island history. The amount of flexibility is not unlimited, since weather and travel time still matter, but it is more personal than a fixed group cruise.

Šunj Beach is the easygoing finish

Šunj Beach is usually the final stop. It is described as the most popular sandy beach in the Dubrovnik area, and it provides a change from the rocky coastline and cave water.

You can swim, lie on the sand, or order a drink at one of the beach bars. The planned visit lasts about an hour, which suits a final rest before returning to Dubrovnik. If you want a full beach day, an hour may feel brief. If you have already spent time swimming at Koločep, it is a good final pause.

I see Šunj as the stop that makes this trip work for mixed groups. One person can enjoy the water, another can sit with a drink, and someone else can take a short walk along the beach. You do not need to spend the whole day snorkeling to enjoy the outing.

Lokrum changes the whole route

Lokrum is close to Dubrovnik’s Old Town, but it is not part of the main Elaphiti route. You can request it, yet the choice comes with a clear tradeoff: if you visit Lokrum, you will not be able to see all the Elaphiti Islands.

That distinction matters when booking. Lokrum is convenient if you want an island near the Old Town and do not want a longer run toward Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj. But if your goal is the full island day, keep Lokrum out of the plan.

The supplied details only promise Lokrum on request and do not describe a specific stop schedule there. I would treat it as an alternate plan, not an extra island added at no cost to the same itinerary.

What the skipper adds to the experience

The skipper can make or break a private boat trip. Here, the strongest pattern is personal service. Vicko is praised for making a holiday finish on a high note and for showing the caves and scenery. Bruno is singled out for views, music, drinks, stories, and smooth transport from the port.

Toni is described as helpful and attentive, with an immaculate boat and a tailor-made approach. Lovro receives especially warm praise for fun company, careful driving, good swimming spots, food recommendations, and encouraging a first open-sea swim.

Those details tell you what kind of service to expect: not a formal lecture, but a friendly skipper who can help you decide where to swim, when to move on, and where to eat. The exact person operating your trip will depend on availability, so you should not assume you will get a particular skipper unless the company confirms it.

Pickup support is another useful part of the service. One group was collected from a cruise port and driven to the boat, while another noted that transport to and from the port was convenient. Since pickups outside the normal radius cost extra, confirm the fee if you are staying beyond the standard area.

Drinks, snorkeling gear, and the practical details

The price includes beer and wine, water, Coca-Cola, snorkeling equipment, fuel, and life jackets. That is a helpful package because drinks and fuel can add up quickly on a private boat.

The drinks are basic rather than a full catering service. Lunch is separate, and there is no promise of snacks or a meal on board. Bring any particular food or drink you need only after checking what the operator permits.

The lack of a restroom is the biggest practical limitation. Use facilities before departure and take advantage of the stop on Šipan. This matters most on the longer eight-hour version, especially for families or anyone who prefers easy access to facilities.

The experience is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can participate. The tour is private, so only your own group takes part, with a maximum listed group size of six.

As with any small boat outing, weather is important. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

Who gets the best value from the price

At $301.03 per group, this is not priced like a basic shared ferry ride. The value comes from combining transport, a skipper, fuel, equipment, drinks, and a private route in one booking.

For six people, the listed price is about $50.17 each. For four people, it is about $75.26 each. For two people, it is about $150.52 each, before lunch and any extra pickup charge. The tour is therefore strongest for families or friend groups that can fill most of the six-person capacity.

A full-day booking also gives you the best chance to enjoy the route without cutting stops short. A half-day trip may suit you if you want only the caves and one island, or if you have a tight cruise schedule. Ask exactly which stops are included in a shorter version before you book.

You should also compare the cost with your priorities. If you want quiet time, swimming, and a flexible skipper, the private format earns its price. If you mainly want to reach one beach as cheaply as possible, a public boat or beach transfer may be a better fit.

The best way to plan your day

I would choose the full-day option if this is your main sea outing from Dubrovnik. The route has several different moods: caves at Koločep, lunch on Šipan, a walk on Lopud, and sandy beach time at Šunj.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and use footwear that can handle a boat and a short island walk. The provided information does not specify the boat’s exact design or storage space, so keep luggage light and confirm anything bulky in advance.

Before departure, settle three points with the operator:

• Which pickup locations are included and what extra charge applies outside the normal radius
• Which stops fit your selected duration
• How much time can be spent swimming, walking, or eating

A private tour gives you more say, but it does not remove travel time between islands or weather limits. Clear expectations will help you get the relaxed day this route is designed to provide.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands tour?

Book it if you want a private day on the water with swimming, caves, a beach, and several island stops. The strongest reasons are Koločep’s Blue Cave, the flexible pace, the included equipment and drinks, and the chance to travel with a skipper who can make the day personal.

I would recommend the full-day version for groups of four to six, particularly if you want both sightseeing and time to relax. Couples should still consider it, but the per-person price is much higher. Skip it if you need an onboard restroom, want a fully catered trip, or prefer a fixed low-cost ferry schedule.

Choose the Elaphiti route for the islands. Choose Lokrum only if that island is your main goal and you accept that you will miss the complete Elaphiti itinerary.

FAQ

How much does the private Elaphiti Islands tour cost?

The listed price is $301.03 per group of up to six people. Lunch and pickup outside the company’s normal service radius are not included.

How long does the tour last?

The experience is offered for approximately two to eight hours. The full route includes several stops, so ask which islands are included in the shorter options.

Which islands are included in the usual route?

The usual route includes Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj Beach. Lokrum is available only by request as an alternative.

Can I swim and snorkel during the tour?

Yes. At Koločep, you can swim and snorkel inside the Blue Cave and Three Sister caves. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are provided.

Is lunch included?

No. The tour stops at a restaurant on Šipan for lunch, but you pay for the meal separately.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Beer, wine, water, and Coca-Cola are included. The information does not list snacks or a meal on board.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

No. There is no restroom on board, so plan accordingly before departure and during the Šipan stop.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund.