Elaphite Islands Luxury Private Boat Tour with Cap Camarat 7.5

The Adriatic is best seen from the water. This private Cap Camarat 7.5 boat tour takes you from Dubrovnik to the Elaphite Islands, where caves, swimming spots, sandy beaches, and small island villages replace the city’s crowded streets. I like the freedom to shape the day around your group, and I like that beer, wine, soft drinks, towels, snorkeling gear, and a GoPro are included. The main catch is simple: four hours can feel short, especially if you want to visit all three islands.

You travel with only your own party, up to seven people, and the skipper, Simon, or Šime, adjusts the route to suit your interests. You can linger at a cave, skip a stop, swim longer, or head for lunch on Lopud. The tour costs $544.43 per group, so it offers strong value for a family or group of friends, but less so for one or two people unless privacy and personal service matter a great deal.

The boat leaves from Dubrovnik, with hotel pickup and return included. That makes the day easy to organize, especially if you are visiting from a cruise ship or have limited time in port. Good weather is essential, and the experience may be moved or refunded if conditions are poor.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to seven: Your group controls the pace instead of following a fixed schedule.
• Kolocep’s cave circuit: Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves give the first part of the trip a strong swimming and sightseeing focus.
• Lopud combines beach and village time: Šunj is a rare sandy beach in the area, while the nearby village offers restaurants and a pleasant walk.
• Sipan works best on longer trips: The farthest of the three islands is usually included on six and eight-hour outings.
• Drinks and gear are included: Expect water, soft drinks, beer, white wine, towels, snorkeling equipment, and a GoPro.
• Simon shapes the day around you: His calm, friendly approach is one of the biggest reasons this tour earns such high marks.

Why a private boat makes sense around Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is beautiful from land, but the coast makes better sense when you see it from the sea. The old city walls, steep hills, coves, and scattered islands are easier to appreciate when you are moving past them at water level.

A private boat also solves a common problem with island tours: fixed timing. You are not forced to leave the water just as your children settle into swimming, and you do not have to spend an hour at a beach that does not interest you. Simon can suggest a route, but your group decides how much time to give each place.

That flexibility appears especially useful for families. One family with a nine-year-old appreciated being able to move slowly at the caves rather than rushing from one stop to the next. A family with a four-year-old also used the skipper’s suggestions to keep the outing comfortable and manageable.

The same setup works well for couples and groups of friends. You can spend more time swimming, make room for a long lunch, or ask to visit quiet bays and lighthouses instead of following the usual circuit. One group even requested a swim in open water and a route past two lighthouses.

The tradeoff is price. At $544.43 for up to seven people, a full boat works out to about $78 per person before any extra meal costs. That is a fair rate for a private half or full day with transport and refreshments included. For two people, the per-person cost is much higher, although you are paying for privacy, flexibility, and a dedicated skipper rather than a seat on a shared boat.

Starting smoothly from Dubrovnik

Pickup is included from your hotel, and return transport is part of the arrangement. That removes one of the less pleasant parts of a boat day: trying to find the marina, work out parking, or get across town early in the morning.

Communication is another strong point. Simon contacts you to confirm the pickup location and keeps in touch before departure. For cruise passengers, this matters even more. One family met the boat after a simple walk of about ten minutes from the ship, then returned to the port in time for lunch and a later visit to Dubrovnik’s walled city.

If your ship or accommodation gives you a tight schedule, tell the operator your timing before the day begins. The skipper has shown flexibility with early starts and late arrivals, but you should not rely on extra time without confirming it first.

The boat is a Cap Camarat 7.5, described by the operator as clean, comfortable, and luxurious. The reviews also refer to it as a good-sized, newer boat. You get a private setting without the crowd and noise of a large excursion vessel.

Kolocep: caves first, with room to swim

Kolocep is the opening stop on the usual route. The plan includes the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves, with roughly two hours set aside for the island.

The caves are the visual highlight of the shorter tour. Some are places to enter and look around, while others are suited to swimming. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and the GoPro lets you record your time in the water without bringing your own camera gear.

The Blue Cave is especially popular, so an early departure can improve the experience. Simon has adjusted timing to reach busy spots before larger boats arrive. That can give you a quieter first look and more space in the water, although no skipper can guarantee an empty cave during the busiest part of the season.

You should also keep expectations sensible. Caves are natural sites, not polished attractions with paths and facilities. Conditions, boat traffic, and sea movement affect how long you can stay and how easy it is to swim inside. If you prefer to stay dry, you can simply view the cliffs and cave entrances from the boat.

This is where the private format earns its keep. You can spend the full two hours around Kolocep if caves are your priority, or move on sooner if swimming and beaches matter more. Simon has been praised for explaining the islands and caves while also giving people space to enjoy them.

Lopud and Šunj Beach: sand, lunch, and a slower pace

Lopud receives about three hours on the longer outline, making it the most substantial island stop. Its main draw is Šunj Beach, a sandy beach that offers a welcome change from the rocky shoreline common along the Adriatic.

Do not assume that the entire stop needs to be spent on the sand. You can swim, relax, walk toward the village, or stop for lunch at a local restaurant. The village has places to eat and offers a chance to see a quieter side of island life after the cave visits.

Restaurant help is one of the useful personal touches here. Simon has recommended seafood restaurants and called ahead for reservations. That can save time during a busy lunch period, though the meal itself is not included in the tour price.

A group that ordered sea bass described the meal as a highlight, while other parties enjoyed having lunch arranged as part of a longer day. If food is important to you, ask Simon early so lunch does not squeeze out the swimming time you want.

Lopud is also the best stop for people who want more than scenery. Kolocep is mainly about caves and water, while Lopud gives you a beach, a village, and a meal option. For families, the sandy shore may be easier than rocky swimming areas, although you should still plan around the weather and sea conditions.

Sipan: save the third island for six or eight hours

Sipan is the last of the three Elaphite Islands and usually appears on the six and eight-hour versions. On a four-hour outing, it is included only if the earlier stops are kept brief.

That timing is important. You cannot comfortably give Kolocep two hours, Lopud three hours, add a full lunch, and expect a relaxed visit to Sipan within four hours. If seeing all three islands is your goal, choose at least six hours.

Sipan is better understood as an extra island stop than as a quick add-on. The longer tour gives you room to reach it without turning the day into a race. You may also prefer to use those extra hours for more swimming, a quiet bay, or a longer lunch rather than collecting another destination.

The skipper can help you decide. If caves are the main reason you booked, spend more time around Kolocep. If you want a broad look at the island group, choose six or eight hours and keep the route moving.

Four, six, or eight hours?

The four-hour trip is a good fit for a short port call, a family with young children, or anyone who wants a taste of the coast without giving up the rest of the day in Dubrovnik. It can cover Kolocep, Lopud, caves, swimming, and a beach, but you should not expect much time on Sipan.

The six-hour option is probably the sweet spot for many groups. It gives you time to visit several islands, swim without watching the clock, and stop for lunch if you wish. One couple who chose six hours said they wished they had booked eight because the time passed quickly.

The eight-hour tour is best for a full day at sea. You can reach Sipan, make several swimming stops, linger at the caves, and eat lunch on Lopud without treating every minute like a scheduling problem. The day still depends on weather and sea conditions, but the longer duration gives the skipper far more room to adjust.

I would choose four hours if your ship schedule is tight. I would choose six hours for a balanced day. I would choose eight hours if the boat itself is the main event and you want a relaxed outing rather than a checklist.

What is included, and what is not

The included refreshments make a real difference. You receive water, soft drinks, beer, and white wine, so you are not left buying drinks at every stop. Towels are supplied, along with snorkeling equipment and a GoPro.

These extras are practical rather than flashy. You can swim without packing bulky gear, dry off afterward, and keep the day moving. The GoPro is particularly useful if you want underwater photos but do not own an action camera.

Lunch is not listed as included. If you stop at a restaurant on Lopud, expect to pay separately. Restaurant reservations may be arranged, but the food remains your own expense.

The tour also requires good weather. If bad conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. For your own planning, keep the sea day somewhat flexible if possible, especially during unsettled weather.

The skipper is a major part of the experience

A boat tour can be pleasant on its own, but the skipper determines whether it feels relaxed or mechanical. Simon, also called Šime, receives repeated praise for being friendly, safe, responsive, and well informed about Dubrovnik and the islands.

His role goes beyond steering. He helps decide where to swim, explains the area, suggests restaurants, takes photos, and adjusts the route when your interests change. He has also helped families with children, couples wanting a quiet day, and groups looking for unusual stops.

That personal style is valuable because the islands do not offer one perfect route for everyone. You may want beaches, caves, history, food, or simply a slow ride with a drink in hand. A good skipper listens first, then offers useful options.

There is one practical point to remember: this is a private boat with a skipper, not a formal guided historical tour at every stop. You will get local information and context, but the main focus is time on the water, swimming, scenery, and a flexible route.

Who should book this boat tour?

I would recommend it to families who want control over the pace, couples who dislike group excursions, and friends who can share the cost across several people. It also suits cruise passengers because hotel or port-area pickup and return can make a short visit much easier to manage.

It is a good match if you enjoy swimming, caves, small island villages, seafood lunches, and open views from a boat. You do not need to be an expert swimmer, since you can simply stay aboard and see the caves from the water, but much of the fun comes from getting in the sea.

Think twice if you want a very low-cost outing, a fixed historical tour, or a guaranteed visit to every island on the shortest option. The price makes the most sense when the boat is full, and four hours will not allow a thorough visit to Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan.

The tour is also weather dependent. A windy or wet day may still be enjoyable, and the skipper has worked to make poor conditions worthwhile, but calm, sunny weather will give you the experience you probably picture when booking.

Should you book the Elaphite Islands boat tour?

Yes, if you value privacy and control more than the lowest price. The caves around Kolocep, sandy Šunj Beach, Lopud’s village, and the option of reaching Sipan give you a varied day, while Simon’s flexible approach keeps the outing personal.

For the best balance, I would book six hours for a group of four to seven people. Choose four hours when your Dubrovnik schedule is tight, and eight hours if you want lunch, long swims, quiet bays, and Sipan without rushing.

This is not simply transport between islands. You are paying for a private day that can change as you go. If that freedom sounds worth the extra cost, this is one of the stronger ways to trade Dubrovnik’s crowded streets for a few hours of open sea.

FAQ

How much does the private boat tour cost?

The tour costs $544.43 per group of up to seven people. The price covers the private boat experience, but restaurant meals are not stated as included.

How long does the experience last?

You can choose a tour lasting about four, six, or eight hours. Sipan is generally included on the six and eight-hour options, while a four-hour trip may visit it only briefly if there is enough time.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The route includes Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan. Kolocep is known for its Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves. Lopud includes Šunj Beach and a village with restaurants.

Are drinks and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Beer, white wine, soft drinks, and water are provided. Towels, snorkeling equipment, and a GoPro are also available on the boat.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip transfers from your hotel to the boat are included. Pickup arrangements are confirmed after booking.

What happens if the weather is bad?

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