Private Half Day and Full Day Elaphiti Islands Tours

Blue water, quiet islands, and a fast boat make this a fine escape from Dubrovnik’s stone streets. The private boat format lets your group shape the day, while the Blue Cave and Three Sisters caves on Koločep give the trip its strongest wow moment. I also like the mix of swimming, island walks, a long lunch stop, and sandy beach time.

You can book for about $301.03 per group of up to six, which is fair if you fill the boat. I especially like that fuel, water, Coca-Cola, beer, wine, snorkeling gear, and life jackets are included. The main catch is that lunch costs extra, there is no restroom on board, and the full route needs good weather.

Key points at a glance

• The Blue Cave and Three Sisters caves on Koločep offer swimming and snorkeling in water lit by reflected sunlight.
• Šipan gives the day a proper lunch break, with time to eat at a local restaurant rather than rushing from one swim stop to the next.
• Lopud combines churches, a monastery, a walk, and Šunj Beach, the area’s best-known sandy beach.
• Your skipper shapes the experience, with Bruno, Vicko, Toni, Lovro, and Antonio praised for friendly service, careful driving, useful suggestions, and local stories.
• The tour is private for your group, with pickup available, although pickups outside the normal service area cost extra.
• Lokrum is an optional tradeoff: adding it means giving up the chance to see all the Elaphiti Islands.

Why this boat trip works so well from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is easy to love, but its Old Town can feel crowded and intense. A boat day gives you a change of pace: open water, small islands, swimming stops, and lunch beside the sea. You still get plenty of scenery, but the day is less about checking off monuments and more about choosing where to linger.

The Elaphiti Islands sit northwest of Dubrovnik and include Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud. This tour focuses on the parts that work best from the water. You visit caves, stop for a meal, walk through an island setting, and finish at a sandy beach.

That variety is the real value. If you only wanted a fast ride and a swim, a shorter outing would do. Here, you get several different experiences in one private trip. The approximate duration ranges from two to eight hours, so confirm the exact plan when booking. A full day allows time for all the main stops, while a half-day will likely need a shorter route.

The private setup matters. You are not tied to the mood or pace of a large bus group. If your group wants more time in the water, you can ask. If you would rather walk around Lopud or sit at Šunj with a drink, you have more say. The final route still depends on timing, weather, and the skipper’s judgment.

Koločep caves: the day’s best water stop

Koločep is usually the highlight. The boat heads to the Blue Cave and Three Sisters caves, two of the most popular cave stops near Dubrovnik. The appeal is simple: sunlight reflects through the water and gives the cave interior a blue glow.

You can swim and snorkel inside the caves, using the equipment supplied with the tour. Life jackets are also provided. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask for a life jacket before entering the water and stay close to the boat or your group.

This stop is more active than a sightseeing cruise. You need to be ready to get wet, climb in and out of the water, and manage your own comfort around the cave entrances. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and a dry layer for the boat ride afterward. Those items are not listed as included, so plan to supply them yourself.

The caves are also where the boat’s private format earns its keep. You can spend your available time swimming instead of watching a large group organize itself. The tour’s equipment covers the basics, and drinks are available on board, including water, Coca-Cola, beer, and wine.

Keep expectations sensible. The Blue Cave is a natural stop, not a formal attraction with a long indoor route or a guided museum presentation. The experience comes from the light, the water, and the chance to swim in the setting.

Šipan: a useful lunch pause in the middle

After Koločep, the route continues to Šipan for lunch at a restaurant. The stop lasts about two hours, making it more than a quick meal squeezed between swims.

Lunch is not included in the tour price, so you should budget separately for your meal and any drinks or extras ordered at the restaurant. The boat includes some drinks, but that does not cover lunch.

Šipan is a good middle section for a full-day trip. After time in the water, you get a chance to dry off, sit down, and eat properly. That break also keeps the outing from becoming a tiring string of boat rides and short stops.

The exact restaurant choice and menu are not specified, so do not book this expecting a fixed tasting menu or a prepaid meal. Instead, think of it as a flexible island lunch stop. One skipper, Lovro, was praised for useful food suggestions, which is the kind of help worth asking for when you arrive.

If you choose a half-day outing, Šipan may be difficult to fit alongside every other stop. Ask the operator which islands will be included in your chosen duration. The advertised route lists roughly one hour at Koločep, two hours at Šipan, one hour at Lopud, and one hour at Šunj, before allowing for travel between islands.

Lopud offers the best land-based change of pace

Lopud is the island stop for walking and looking around. You can explore churches, a monastery, and the island’s sandy beaches. After several hours centered on the boat and sea, this is a welcome chance to stretch your legs.

The tour allows about an hour here. That is enough for a short wander and a feel for the place, but not enough for a slow, detailed exploration of every sight. Keep your expectations focused. This is an island walk within a boat day, not a full historical tour.

I like the balance. A trip made only of swimming stops can blur together. Lopud gives you something different to see and do, and the churches and monastery add a cultural note without turning the day into a formal sightseeing program.

Wear shoes you can walk in comfortably. The supplied information does not describe the walking surface or a guided route, so you should treat this as a self-paced stop with time limits set by the boat schedule.

Šunj Beach brings sand, drinks, and a slower finish

Šunj Beach is usually the last main stop. It is described as the most popular sandy beach in the Dubrovnik area, with beach bars where you can relax and buy drinks.

The sandy shore makes Šunj different from many rocky Adriatic swimming spots. If you want to lie down, cool off, and spend less time moving, this is the stop for it. The beach bars add an easygoing finish, though purchases there are not included in the tour price.

The scheduled visit is about an hour. That is enough for a swim and a drink, but you will not have unlimited beach time. If Šunj is your priority, tell the skipper early. On a full-day route, timing may allow more flexibility than on a short outing.

The beach’s popularity is also worth noting. Do not expect a completely private strip of coast. Its appeal is the sand and relaxed setting, not solitude.

Lokrum is an option, not an extra island for free

Lokrum sits in front of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, on the opposite side from the Elaphiti Islands. The boat can go there only on request.

There is an important tradeoff: if you choose Lokrum, the boat cannot also visit all the Elaphiti Islands. That makes the decision fairly clear. Pick Lokrum if seeing the island near Dubrovnik matters more to you than completing the Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj route.

Do not assume Lokrum is automatically added to the day. You need to request it, and you should discuss the consequences before departure. For a first boat day focused on the Elaphiti Islands, I would keep the main route unless you have already visited those islands or specifically want Lokrum.

The skipper can shape the whole day

The boat and route matter, but the skipper can make the difference between a merely pleasant outing and a memorable one. The strongest praise goes to the crew’s attitude, driving, suggestions, and care.

Vicko was singled out for a superb job, especially around the scenery and caves. Bruno was praised for music, drinks, stories, and a convenient ride to and from the port. Toni was described as informative and helpful during a full-day family trip.

Lovro received especially warm attention. He was praised for finding good swimming spots, driving expertly, offering food suggestions, and giving people time to enjoy each stop. One particularly nice detail is that he encouraged a first open-sea swim, while still keeping the mood friendly and relaxed.

Antonio was described as attentive and helpful, with the ability to shape the outing around the group. Those names give you useful context when booking or communicating with the company. If a specific skipper is important to you, ask whether that person is available, but do not assume a requested name is guaranteed.

The service also includes pickup, and several outings used a driver to transfer the group from a cruise port to the boat. That can save hassle after arriving in Dubrovnik. Pickup outside the company’s normal radius costs extra, so confirm the location and fee before you count on it.

What is included, and what should you budget for?

The price is about $301.03 per group of up to six, not per person. For six people, that works out to roughly $50 per person before lunch and personal purchases. For two people, the same boat price becomes much less attractive, though the privacy and flexibility may still justify it.

Included items are:

• Beer and wine
• Water and Coca-Cola
• Fuel
• Snorkeling equipment
• Life jackets

Lunch at Šipan is extra. Drinks or food at Šunj Beach are also your responsibility. There is no restroom on board, which matters on a full-day trip, especially for children, older adults, or anyone who prefers frequent facilities.

The boat is described as immaculate and equipped for the day, but the supplied details do not give its model, seating layout, shade arrangements, or maximum speed. Ask about those points if they affect your comfort.

The strongest value comes when you fill the boat and want a private day. You are paying for the vessel, skipper, fuel, equipment, drinks, and the freedom to travel as your own group. If you are traveling alone or as a couple, compare the price with a shared boat option before booking.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this for families, couples, and small friend groups who want an active day on the water without joining a large organized group. It suits people who like swimming, snorkeling, casual walks, beach time, and a flexible schedule.

It is also a good choice for cruise passengers who want pickup help and a clear way to spend a port day. The transfer from the port was especially useful for some groups, though you should verify the pickup arrangement in advance.

This is less suitable if you want a formal historical tour, a guaranteed fixed menu, a quiet empty beach, or a boat with an onboard restroom. It may also be a poor fit if anyone in your group dislikes open-water swimming or getting wet.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The experience is offered in English and is near public transportation. Good weather is required, so build some flexibility into your Dubrovnik plans.

Booking, cancellation, and practical tips

You receive confirmation at the time of booking. Pickup is offered, but locations outside the normal radius cost extra.

You can 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. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund.

I would contact the operator before departure to confirm four things: your exact duration, the islands included, the pickup point, and whether you want Lokrum. Also ask how much time you will have at each stop if you are choosing the half-day option.

Pack a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable walking shoes. Bring any medication or personal items you may need, since there is no restroom on the boat. Keep your phone protected from spray, even on a calm day.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands tour?

Book it if you want a private, active day that mixes cave swimming, island scenery, lunch, and beach time. The Blue Cave, the flexible pace, and the crew’s friendly service are the main reasons to choose it. The value is strongest for a group of four to six.

Think twice if you dislike boats, need a restroom close by, or want every meal and beach purchase covered in the price. Also be clear about Lokrum, since adding it means sacrificing some of the Elaphiti route.

For most small groups visiting Dubrovnik, I would choose the full-day version if time allows. It gives Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj enough room to feel distinct rather than rushed. A half-day can work, but ask exactly what gets cut before you pay.

FAQ

Where does the tour take place?

The tour departs from Dubrovnik and visits Koločep, Šipan, Lopud, and Šunj Beach. Lokrum can be visited on request.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two to eight hours, depending on the option selected.

How many people can join the private tour?

The listed price covers one private group of up to six people.

Is pickup available?

Yes, pickup is offered. Pickups outside the provider’s normal service radius cost extra.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch at the restaurant on Šipan is not included in the tour price.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The tour includes water, Coca-Cola, beer, and wine.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

No. A restroom on board is not included.

Can I visit Lokrum Island?

Yes, but only on request. If you visit Lokrum, you will not be able to see all the Elaphiti Islands.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes cancellation.