Private Full day Elafiti islands and Blue cave tour

The best Dubrovnik day may be offshore. This private boat trip links the Blue Cave with sandy Šunj Beach, Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep, giving you a full eight hours on the water with your own skipper. I like the freedom to adjust swim and sightseeing time, and I like that drinks, towels, snorkeling gear, and floaties are included. The main drawback is the extra €120 fuel charge, which sits outside the advertised group price.

You can book the boat for up to six people at $600.11 per group, making the base cost reasonable when shared. Lunch is not included, and optional extras such as a SUP board, wine tasting, or licensed guide can push the final bill higher. Still, this is a strong choice if you want a relaxed sea day instead of a fixed group excursion.

Key points at a glance

• A private boat for up to six: Your group gets the skipper and boat to itself, with more control than on a large cruise.
• Blue Cave swimming stop: The cave visit lasts about 20 minutes, with clear water and a blue glow created by sunlight entering through the opening.
• Šunj Beach brings real sand: Lopud’s broad sandy beach has shallow, calm water and beach bars and restaurants nearby.
• Lopud gives you the best balance: You get both beach time and a pleasant island town with historic buildings and a Franciscan monastery.
• Šipan feels more local: Suđurađ offers a quiet harbor, a Renaissance-era castle, olive groves, vineyards, and local food and wine.
• Drinks and water gear are included: Water, wine, beer, soft drinks, towels, snorkeling equipment, and floaties come with the trip.

What this private Dubrovnik boat day is really like

This is not a rushed island-hopping race. The route gives you about eight hours to combine swimming, beaches, short walks, village time, and views from the boat. Since only your group takes part, you can ask to spend longer in the water or linger on an island instead of following a large group’s timetable.

That flexibility is one of the tour’s best features. A review of a day led by skipper Paulo describes him as friendly, flexible, and happy to adjust the balance between exploring islands, swimming, and sunbathing. He also explained local culture and helped arrange a good lunch stop. Those details matter because a private boat trip is only as good as the person steering it and shaping the day.

The experience is offered in English. You receive confirmation when you book, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, but the tour depends on good weather. If conditions force cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

The Blue Cave: a short, glowing start

The Blue Cave Dubrovnik is scheduled as a 20-minute stop. Sunlight enters through the cave opening and reflects through the water, creating the blue glow that gives the place its name. The setting is especially suited to a quick swim or snorkeling session rather than a long shore visit.

You should think of this as a compact natural attraction, not a full morning excursion. Twenty minutes passes quickly, so have your towel and swim gear ready. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, along with floaties, and the boat carries drinks for the time spent on the water.

The cave is popular, so the exact feel of the stop can depend on conditions and timing. The tour description does not promise a private cave visit or a set amount of time inside. If the blue color and a swim are your priorities, tell the skipper early so this stop gets the attention you want.

Šunj Beach on Lopud: the easiest swim of the day

Šunj Beach is one of the most appealing stops for a classic beach break. It has golden sand, shallow calm water, and a clear sea that works well for swimming, snorkeling, and simple water play. Much of the Croatian coast is rocky, so a sandy beach is a welcome change.

You get about one hour here. That is enough for a swim, some time on the sand, and possibly a drink or meal at one of the beach bars and restaurants. The beach is surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation, giving the stop a more relaxed feel than a built-up resort.

The tradeoff is that one hour is not a long beach day. You may need to choose between swimming, sitting on the sand, and ordering food. If you want a slower beach experience, ask whether the skipper can adjust the timing. The private format gives you a better chance of doing so than a fixed public boat schedule.

Lopud town: the tour’s best all-round island stop

After Šunj Beach, the boat continues to Lopud Island, with about 90 minutes set aside. Lopud gives you more than water and sun. In Lopud Town, you can walk among stone buildings, see the Franciscan Monastery and Church of St. Mary, and enjoy the island’s green setting.

I like this stop because it breaks up the day. Two or three beach stops in a row can blur together, while Lopud adds architecture, local atmosphere, and a chance to stretch your legs. The town is also a good place to choose a short walk if you want something beyond swimming.

You will not see every corner of Lopud in 90 minutes. The scheduled time is enough for a focused visit, not an extended island tour. Keep your walk practical and leave time to return to the boat. The supplied details do not specify a guided walking tour, so you should not expect detailed historical commentary unless you pay for the optional licensed guide.

A licensed guide costs €170. That may make sense if your group wants structured history and cultural explanation. If you mainly want beach time, village wandering, and information from the skipper, the extra charge may not offer enough value.

Suđurađ on Šipan: a slower, more authentic pause

Suđurađ is a small coastal village on Šipan Island, and the tour allows about 90 minutes here. The harbor is the focal point, with a peaceful atmosphere and historical sights such as a Renaissance-era castle.

Šipan is also associated with olive groves and vineyards. Walking and cycling routes cross the island, although this tour’s limited stop does not allow time to explore every route. You can use the visit for a short stroll, a look at the harbor, or a taste of local food and drink.

This is the stop for people who prefer a quiet village to a busy beach. Fresh seafood, local wine, and locally produced olive oil are part of the island’s food identity. Lunch is not included, so you will need to pay separately if you eat ashore. One review describes the skipper taking the group to a delicious restaurant, but that arrangement should be treated as part of the day’s flexibility rather than a guaranteed included meal.

Wine tasting is available as an optional extra at €40 per person. It could suit a group interested in local products, but it is not necessary to enjoy Suđurađ. If you add lunch and wine tasting, remember that the advertised boat price no longer tells the whole cost of the day.

Koločep: a final green-water stop

Koločep, also called Kalamota, receives about 30 minutes on the schedule. It is known for pine forests, lush greenery, clear water, sandy beaches, and a small Blue Cave of its own. The short stop is best viewed as a final swim or photo break.

Thirty minutes is enough for a quick dip, but not enough for a serious island walk. If Koločep interests you most, ask whether time can be shifted from another stop. The route includes several places, and the private setup gives you some room to shape the day.

Koločep is useful as a calm finish. After the longer visits to Lopud and Suđurađ, you can get back in the water without trying to fit in another full sightseeing program. Bring your towel close by, since this is one of the quickest stops.

What comes with the €600.11 group price

The advertised price is $600.11 per group of up to six people. Shared six ways, the base price works out to about $100 per person before the fuel charge and any extras. For a private eight-hour boat day, that can be fair value, particularly if you care about flexibility and do not want strangers setting the pace.

The important catch is the €120 fuel surcharge per booking. It is not part of the headline price, so include it when comparing this trip with other boat tours. Currency conversion will change the final amount in dollars, and the tour information does not state the exact boat type or fuel consumption.

Included items are useful rather than decorative:

• Skipper
• Water, wine, beer, and soft drinks
• Towels
• Snorkeling equipment
• Floaties

These inclusions reduce the need to pack or rent basic swimming gear. Drinks are especially handy on a full day in the sun. The presence of wine and beer makes the boat feel more relaxed, but you should still pace yourself if you plan to swim.

Lunch costs extra. Optional additions include a sparkling wine bottle for €20, a SUP paddle board for €20, a GoPro camera for €20, drone filming for €50, and a fruit cup for €5. The optional licensed guide costs €170, while wine tasting costs €40 per person.

How the private format changes the day

A private boat is most valuable when your group has different interests. One person can swim, another can sunbathe, and someone else can walk through Lopud or Suđurađ. A good skipper can help balance those preferences, and Paulo’s flexibility is a positive sign from the available feedback.

The arrangement also works well for families or friends who want privacy. You are not sharing the day with a busload of strangers, and the boat carries only your group. The tour still has a planned route, but the experience is less rigid than a standard group outing.

There is a limit to that freedom. The day includes five stops, and the listed times total roughly four hours, leaving the rest for travel between islands, boarding, swimming, and meals. You cannot turn every stop into a long visit. Decide before departure which matters most: the Blue Cave, Šunj Beach, Lopud’s town, Suđurađ, or Koločep.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would recommend this trip to a group of friends, a family, or a couple willing to pay for privacy. It suits you if you want to combine swimming with a little island culture, and if you value being able to change the pace.

It is also a good fit for people who dislike rigid sightseeing. The skipper can explain local culture, suggest where to eat, and help decide how long to stay in the water. The strongest praise goes to the friendly service, the beautiful scenery, and the ability to adjust the day.

It may not suit you if you want a fully guided historical tour. The skipper provides information, but a licensed guide is optional and costs extra. It may also disappoint if you expect lunch, fuel, or premium filming equipment to be included.

Book at least with the weather in mind. The experience requires good conditions, and a poor-weather cancellation leads to another date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, while later cancellations and changes are not refunded or accepted.

Should you book the Elafiti islands and Blue Cave tour?

Book it if you have up to six people, want a private day at sea, and will actually use the flexibility. The best value comes when your group wants a mix of swimming, sand, island villages, drinks, and short walks rather than a single beach stop.

Before paying, add the €120 fuel charge, decide how you will handle lunch, and ask yourself if you need a licensed guide or optional equipment. If the answer is no, the basic package gives you the essentials. If your ideal Dubrovnik day involves a friendly skipper, clear water, Šunj’s sand, Lopud’s town, and a quiet stop in Suđurađ, this is a well-balanced choice.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The booking is for one private group of up to six people.

Is the Blue Cave entrance fee included?

There is no separate admission ticket listed for the Blue Cave.

How long is the Blue Cave stop?

The planned stop at the Blue Cave lasts about 20 minutes.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

Is the fuel surcharge included?

No. A €120 fuel surcharge is charged per booking.

What drinks are included?

Water, wine, beer, and soft drinks are included on board.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, towels, and floaties are included.

Can I book a licensed guide?

Yes. A licensed guide is available as an optional extra for €170.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the tour is canceled because of poor weather.