Private Elaphiti Islands Boat Tour Tailor-Made 8h

A private speedboat day around the Elaphiti Islands is interesting because you are not stuck on a slow schedule. You hop between coves, caves, and beaches in warm, clear water, with a local skipper steering the day to what your group wants most.

I really like the freedom you get on a private trip. You can spend time swimming and snorkeling right from the boat, and you are not stuck waiting for a crowd. I also like that drinks, snacks, and snorkeling gear are built into the experience, so you spend less time thinking and more time in the sea. One possible drawback is that fuel is extra, and the day runs long, about 8 to 9 hours including travel time, so it is a full-day commitment.

This is the kind of trip that works best when you show up ready to be out on the water. The route gives you a nice mix: caves on Koločep, a sandy beach on Lopud, monastery gardens, then quieter spots on Šipan and a final swim at Osmoliš.

Key highlights worth planning around

• Kolocep caves and the Blue Cave swim, with snorkeling masks provided
• Šunj Beach on Lopud for calm, shallow swimming in a sheltered bay
• Lopud monastery and botanical garden (Franciscan monastery founded 1483, garden is free)
• Suđurađ on Šipan for Renaissance castle remains, plus Pakljena tower from 1563
• Snorkeling gear, floaties, and life jackets included, plus drinks and snacks on board
• Private group up to 6, so your skipper can adjust stops if a place is busy

A private Elaphiti Islands boat day that feels like your own timetable

Dubrovnik’s Elaphiti Islands are the go-to escape, but the real win here is the private format. You start at Lapadska Obala Pier, and you finish back there. In between, your skipper builds a smooth day of sea time and island time, with the kind of flexibility that matters when weather and boat traffic shift.

On the water, you get warm, clear sea that looks like it was made for swimming. The tour is also practically set up so you do not need to keep track of small details. You get drinks (beer and wine), bottled water, soft drinks, snacks, and snorkeling gear, plus floaties and life jackets.

The route is built for a full day, not a quick taste. Plan this like a main event. If you want a half-day, or you hate being in the water for long stretches, this might feel like too much of a good thing.

Stop-by-stop: Kolocep caves, Lopud beach and monastery, Šipan villages, Osmoliš swim

This tour runs about 8 to 9 hours, including travel time. Most of your day is structured into short island visits, with the rest flowing as sailing time between stops and swim breaks. Your time on each stop is listed, but the big pattern is constant: swim, snorkel, eat, then repeat.

Stop 1, Kolocep (Koločep) Island and the Blue Cave swim

Your first island is Koločep, also known locally as Kalamota. This is where the day starts with cave time. The tour includes exploring caves at your pace, guided by your skipper from the boat.

The big moment is the Blue Cave. You swim from the boat for a short distance, and there are a few rocks along the side where you can pause if you need a breather. Once inside, it can look stunning, and it is a good stop even if you are not a dedicated snorkeler. You are also provided a snorkeling mask to see beneath the water.

Time on this stop is listed as about 2 hours. Admission for this part is shown as free, and drinks like beer, wine, and soft drinks are provided as part of the onboard setup.

Practical note: caves can get busy with other boats in peak hours. If that is your concern, this private format helps, because your skipper can help you adjust if a specific cave area feels crowded. One group I met (same operator style, similar day) said their skipper moved them past the most busy cave spots and added a quieter swimming stop instead.

Stop 2, Šunj Beach on Lopud for calm, sandy swimming

After caves, you head to Šunj Beach on Lopud. This is the laid-back break, with a spacious sandy beach and shallow, calm water that is ideal for families and for anyone who just wants to float, swim, and stop thinking for a while.

Šunj is in a naturally sheltered bay, which usually means calmer water than open stretches. Along the beach, there are a few cocktail bars and food options, and there is at least one place with hammocks strung between trees. That combo is basically built for doing absolutely nothing in the best way.

This stop is listed as about 2 hours, with admission included. You will also have your skipper with you to share local tips and help tailor how you spend your time here.

My advice: if you love a long beach day, plan your energy for this stop. It is where the day shifts from “active swimming” into “slow savoring.”

Stop 3, Lopud lunch plus a monastery stop (founded 1483) and a free garden

Next up is more of Lopud, still about 2 hours. The tour shifts from beach time to something more cultural and more local-feeling.

You get a lunch at a local restaurant, with seafood on the menu style highlighted as freshest catch of the day for seafood lovers. Then the itinerary moves to the Franciscan monastery on Lopud, founded in 1483. After that, you can stroll through the botanical garden, described as a hidden gem and listed as free.

This stop is marked as included. In one area of possible confusion, the overall inclusions say lunch is not included, even though the day’s description clearly talks about lunch being booked for you at a front-row restaurant spot. If you want no surprises, I would check with the operator before you go to confirm whether lunch at your chosen restaurant is covered for your exact booking.

What you can count on is that this part gives your sea day some breathing room. You get shade, stone, and a real sense of island life beyond the waterline.

Stop 4, Suđurađ on Šipan for castle remains and Pakljena tower (1563)

Then the route heads to Šipan, with time focused on Suđurađ. This stop is about 1 hour, and it is included.

If you like islands that feel lived-in, this is a good match. You are pointed toward the remains of the renaissance castle tied to the Stjepović family, also connected with the Skočibuha name. You are also guided toward Pakljena tower, dated to 1563.

The itinerary mentions a guided tour around islands’ historical, natural, and cultural attractions, plus an emphasis on authentic village life. You also have references to palatial former residences from Dubrovnik noble families and a sense of how a typical Dalmatian village still looks and feels.

Because the time is short, I treat this stop as a walk and a look, not a deep study. Wear comfortable shoes and keep your eyes up. On islands like this, the details are on the stonework and along the lanes, not just in the big landmarks.

Stop 5, Osmoliš turquoise beach for the final swim

Your last stop brings you along the coastline, ending at the turquoise beach of Osmoliš. This part is also about 1 hour, and admission is included.

It ends with a swim at this beach. After that, the excursion concludes, and the operator notes that they are happy to extend your stay, letting you enjoy the sea longer and have another glass of local wine if you want.

This final swim is often the one that feels most relaxing. By then, you know your rhythm: swim, dry off, drink a bit, then repeat. It is a satisfying ending because you end where the water looks best, not where the schedule forces you to rush.

What you actually get on board: drinks, snorkeling gear, and the private skipper factor

The inclusions here are pretty direct. You get a skipper, snacks, all fees and taxes, and life jackets. You also get snorkeling equipment, plus floaties.

On the beverage side, it includes wine, beer, bottled water, and soft drinks (including Coca Cola options). That matters because it removes the “is it worth buying a drink at the beach” question. On a boat day like this, having drinks and water ready is the difference between feeling relaxed and feeling managed.

A private skipper is also the star. Your skipper is not just driving. They guide you to caves, help you choose where to swim, and share local tips. In practice, this is why people love the day: you are not stuck with a rigid stop order if conditions make something less enjoyable.

Skipper names you might hear from past groups include Ivan, Nikola, and Nick. (Different days, different skippers.) The consistent theme is good communication and a relaxed pace.

Price and value: when $409 per group is a smart play

The listed price is $409.72 per group, for up to 6 people. That is for a private boat day, not a shared group. If you fill the boat with your group, the per-person cost becomes much easier to swallow than many per-person boat tours.

Just remember the part that can change your total: fuel is extra, €100 per booking. So your real value depends on how many people are in your group and what you are expecting to be included.

Also note the pricing detail that lunch is listed as not included, even though the day’s description explains a lunch stop. This is worth confirming when you book so you do not get surprised once you are on the island.

Still, even with that check, the inclusions make the day feel well packaged. Snorkeling gear, drinks, snacks, and the structure of multiple island experiences in one day are not “add-ons.” For a family group, or for couples who want a private speedboat without playing ticket math all day, this can be good value.

The best way to enjoy it: what to pack and how to pace yourself

This trip is built around water time. I suggest you treat it like a swim day plus islands, not like a sit-by-the-boat sightseeing cruise.

Pack the essentials you know you need:

• swimwear and a quick-dry towel
• sunscreen and a hat
• water shoes if you like grip for rocky entry spots
• a small dry bag for your phone and passport

If you are planning to snorkel, you get masks, but you might prefer your own fit if you are picky. Either way, the snorkeling part is straightforward: you use the mask in the water near the stops.

Pacing matters. The caves and beach parts can feel like back-to-back swimming sessions. If you want one long, relaxing swim break, do that on Šunj Beach. If you love quick hop-in swims, Koločep and Osmoliš fit that mood best.

One fun tip from the overall vibe of the trip: if you like music, bring a small speaker and use it responsibly. The island stops can feel quieter, and music can help your group relax while moving between coves.

Who this is best for, and who should skip it

This is ideal for:

• small groups that want privacy and flexibility
• people who like swimming and want gear provided
• couples or friends who want a full-day highlight without dealing with transfers between ferries
• families who want a calmer beach stop like Šunj

You might reconsider if:

• you want a short, low-effort tour
• you dislike spending time in and around the water
• you hate any possibility of crowds at popular cave areas, even though your skipper can often adjust the plan

The sweet spot is a group that likes options. Private speedboat days are great when your group can agree on the vibe for the day: swim more, or sightsee more, and everything in between.

Should you book this private Elaphiti Islands boat tour?

I think it is a strong booking if you want a classic Elaphiti Islands day with a private speedboat, provided snorkeling gear, and a schedule that mixes sea time with real island stops. The Koločep caves and Blue Cave swim are the kind of thing you remember because you are actually in the water, not just looking.

The main thing to double-check is the value details: fuel is extra, and lunch is listed as not included even though the day describes lunch on Lopud. If you confirm what your exact booking covers, you can enjoy the day without budget surprises.

If you want, tell me how many people are in your group and roughly what time of year you are going. I can help you sanity-check whether the private format and full-day length will fit your style.

FAQ

How long is the Private Elaphiti Islands Boat Tour?

The tour duration is listed as about 8 to 9 hours, and the total duration includes travel time.

What places are included in the route?

The tour includes stops at Koločep Island (with cave time and a Blue Cave swim), Šunj Beach on Lopud Island, Lopud Island (lunch plus a Franciscan monastery founded in 1483 and a free botanical garden), Suđurađ on Šipan (including Pakljena tower from 1563 and remains of a renaissance castle), and a swim at Osmoliš.

What is included in the price, and what is not included?

Included items are a skipper, snacks, all fees and taxes, snorkeling equipment, floaties, alcoholic beverages (wine and beer), bottled water, soft drinks, and life jackets. Fuel is listed as €100 per booking, and lunch is listed as not included.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It is a private tour/activity with only your group participating, up to 6 people.

Where does the tour start and end?

The meeting point is Lapadska Obala Pier at Lapadska obala 5, Dubrovnik, Croatia. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What is the cancellation and weather situation like?

The experience requires good weather. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.