Elaphite Islands Luxury Private Boat Tour with Cap Camarat 7.5

Skip the crowded boat line. This private trip gives you a fast, flexible way to see Dubrovnik’s nearby islands, caves, beaches, and small coastal villages aboard a Cap Camarat 7.5. I especially like the custom itinerary and the thoughtful extras, including drinks, towels, snorkeling gear, and a GoPro. The main thing to consider is that the advertised price covers the boat, not each person, so it offers much better value for a group than for one or two people.

I also like the smooth hotel pickup and the chance to stay as long as you wish at each stop. Captain Šime, also called Simon, gets repeated praise for his friendly manner, local knowledge, and willingness to adjust the day. The only real drawback is timing: a four-hour trip cannot comfortably cover all three islands, so you may need six or eight hours if you want a relaxed day.

Key Things to Know Before You Book

• The boat is private for your group: Up to seven people can travel together without sharing the boat with strangers.
• Kolocep brings the cave stops: Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves are the main attractions during the first part of the trip.
• Lopud offers the best land break: You can visit sandy Šunj Beach, walk through the village, and stop for lunch at a local restaurant.
• Sipan depends on tour length: The third island is generally included on six and eight-hour outings, but may be rushed or skipped on shorter trips.
• Drinks and swimming gear are included: Beer, white wine, soft drinks, water, towels, snorkeling equipment, and a GoPro are provided.
• Early timing can help: Starting early may get you to the caves before larger boats arrive.

Why This Private Dubrovnik Boat Trip Works So Well

Dubrovnik is famous for its stone walls and old town, but the view from the water tells a different story. The city’s coast opens into a chain of rocky coves, clear swimming spots, and quiet islands that are hard to appreciate from shore.

This excursion is built around that freedom. You are not following a rigid minute-by-minute program. You can spend longer at a cave, shorten a stop that does not interest you, swim from the boat, or ask to visit a beach and village instead.

That flexibility is the strongest reason to choose this trip over a standard group cruise. Families can slow down for children. Couples can linger at a swimming stop. A group of friends can spend more time in the water and less time walking around.

The boat is a Cap Camarat 7.5, described as clean, comfortable, and luxurious in the supplied information. It is large enough for up to seven people, yet small enough to reach places that feel more personal than the usual big excursion boat.

Captain Šime is an important part of the experience. He is described as friendly, careful, responsive, and well informed about Dubrovnik and the islands. He also helps with practical choices, such as finding a restaurant, arranging lunch reservations, and shaping the route around your interests.

Hotel Pickup Makes the Morning Easier

Round-trip transfers from your hotel to the boat are included, which removes one of the small headaches of a day on the water. Pickup details are confirmed before departure, and the company also serves cruise passengers.

One cruise passenger described the walk from the ship to the meeting point as about ten minutes, flat, and on sidewalks. The captain stayed in touch before the excursion and even made sure the boat was visible from the ship. Arriving early created a little extra time on the water and helped the group reach the first cave before larger boats.

That is useful advice for cruise passengers with limited time. A four-hour trip can fit well into a port day, especially if you want to return for lunch and still visit Dubrovnik’s Old Town afterward. You should still allow enough time for the transfer back to the ship, since boat and road conditions can vary.

Pickup is also helpful after swimming and sun exposure. You do not have to navigate local transport while carrying wet towels and beach gear.

Kolocep: Three Cave Stops in One Island Visit

Kolocep is usually the first major stop. The route includes the Green Cave, the Blue Cave, and the Three Caves, with roughly two hours assigned to this part of the outing.

The appeal here is variety. Some caves are viewed from the boat, while others offer the chance to swim inside. The captain can explain the options and adjust the time based on your comfort and interest.

The Blue Cave is the stop most likely to attract attention, so an early start matters. One family reached it before the larger boats and enjoyed several quiet minutes with the place largely to themselves. You should not assume it will always be empty, but arriving early gives you a better chance at a calmer visit.

The caves are not a museum-style attraction with a long formal presentation. Their pleasure comes from the setting, the light, the rock walls, and the simple fun of entering by boat or swimming. Snorkeling gear is available, and a GoPro is provided for underwater photos and video.

The cave section is particularly good for families. A nine-year-old can explore at a comfortable pace rather than being hurried along with a large group. Parents can also choose to spend more time looking from the boat if conditions or confidence make swimming less appealing.

Keep in mind that the time in each cave depends on the weather, sea conditions, and the group’s choices. The advantage is not a guaranteed private cave, but the ability to move on when you have seen enough and stay longer when the setting is special.

Lopud and Šunj Beach: Your Best Island Break

Lopud is the longest scheduled stop, with about three hours available. That makes it the most useful place to combine swimming, a beach visit, lunch, and a little walking.

Šunj is known for its sandy beach, a welcome change from the rocky shorelines common around the Adriatic. If you want time on the sand rather than constant movement between boat stops, this is where the schedule gives you room to relax.

You can also walk through Lopud village and stop at one of the restaurants. Captain Šime has recommended restaurants and called ahead for reservations, including seafood meals. This personal help matters because a flexible boat trip is much better when lunch does not turn into a search for an open table.

The village gives the day a different rhythm. After the caves and swimming, you can step ashore, stretch your legs, and see a small island community rather than spending every minute onboard.

Still, do not expect three hours to feel like a full guided island tour. The focus is relaxation, swimming, food, and a short walk. You are choosing how to use the time, not joining a formal cultural program.

Sipan: Worth Adding on a Six or Eight-Hour Trip

Sipan is the last of the three Elaphite Islands in the itinerary. It is normally included on six and eight-hour tours, while a four-hour outing may visit it only briefly if the earlier stops move quickly.

That timing detail is important. If Sipan is a priority, book at least six hours. Trying to cover Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan in four hours could leave you with short stops and little time to swim or eat.

The island is therefore best viewed as an extension of the day, not an essential part of the shorter version. A six-hour tour gives you a better balance between sightseeing and relaxation. Eight hours is the choice for people who want the full day, a proper lunch break, several swimming stops, and an unhurried route.

The captain can also adjust the plan. Some groups have preferred quiet bays, open-water swimming, lighthouses, or less conventional routes. Others have focused on caves and beaches. This is one of the clearest benefits of booking privately: you can explain what matters to you before the boat leaves.

Drinks, Towels, and the Useful Extras

Included drinks are beer, white wine, soft drinks, and water. That may sound like a small detail, but it makes a difference on a warm boat day. You can relax without stopping to buy supplies before departure.

Towels are also provided, so you do not need to use your hotel towels for swimming. Snorkeling equipment is available, and the GoPro adds value for people who want pictures in the caves or underwater.

These extras help explain the price. You are not paying only for transportation between islands. You are paying for a private boat, a captain, hotel transfers, drinks, swimming equipment, and the ability to set the pace.

The listed price is $544.43 per group of up to seven. For seven people, that works out to about $78 per person. For four people, it is about $136 per person. For two people, the cost is much higher per person, although a couple may still prefer the privacy and control.

Compared with a cheaper shared cruise, this is a different product. A group boat may cost less, but you will follow its schedule and share the stops with other people. If avoiding crowds, choosing your swim time, and getting direct help from the captain matter to you, the private rate can be sensible.

Four Hours, Six Hours, or Eight Hours?

Choose four hours if you have a cruise port schedule, want the caves and one or two swimming stops, or simply need a half-day outing. It can work very well, but you should expect the route to focus on Kolocep and Lopud, with Sipan possible only briefly.

Choose six hours if you want a more relaxed route through several islands. This length gives you time for caves, swimming, a meal, and more than a quick look at the coastline. It is likely the best balance of cost and time for many groups.

Choose eight hours if you want the full day on the water. The day can include caves, bays, swimming, Lopud for lunch, and Sipan without forcing every stop into a tight schedule.

The supplied booking pattern shows that this experience is often reserved well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 52 days. That is worth noting for summer trips and cruise port visits, when private boats can be limited.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour Most?

This is a strong choice for families, couples, and groups of friends who want control over the day. Families with young children can shorten a stop, avoid rushing, and choose between swimming and staying aboard.

It also suits people who want a more personal experience. Captain Šime chats with passengers, answers questions about Dubrovnik, and helps shape the route. If you enjoy local conversation rather than a recorded speech, that is a real advantage.

Cruise passengers should consider the four-hour option because it can fit neatly into a limited port visit. Starting early may give you a quieter cave visit and still leave time for Dubrovnik’s Old Town.

The tour is less suitable if you want a low-cost shared excursion, a formal history tour, or a fixed sightseeing schedule. It is also weather dependent. Poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund, but the sea day itself cannot be guaranteed.

Accessibility should be discussed before booking. One passenger using a wheelchair received advance communication from Šime about getting onboard. That is encouraging, but the supplied information does not promise full wheelchair access, so ask specific questions about boarding and transfers.

Practical Booking Advice

Confirm your pickup location carefully and keep your phone available for messages before departure. The company provides confirmation at booking and operates in English.

Bring any personal medication, sun protection, and clothing you need for changing conditions. The boat supplies water, drinks, towels, and swimming equipment, but the tour details do not state that meals are included. Lunch on Lopud can be arranged, but you should clarify the restaurant plan and payment details before setting out.

If you want the Blue Cave with fewer boats around, request an early start. If you want Sipan, reserve six or eight hours. If lunch matters, tell Šime before the trip so he can help arrange a table.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Since the trip needs good weather, a weather cancellation brings the choice of another date or a full refund.

Should You Book the Elaphite Islands Boat Tour?

I would book this tour if you value privacy, flexible timing, and a captain who takes an active role in shaping the day. The caves around Kolocep, sandy Šunj Beach, Lopud village, and the option to add Sipan make a varied outing, while drinks, towels, snorkeling gear, GoPro use, and transfers add practical value.

For most groups, I would choose six hours. Four hours is smart for a cruise stop, and eight hours is best if you want to treat the boat as the main event of the day.

The price makes the most sense with four to seven people. Couples will pay more per person, but they also get the boat to themselves and can set the entire route. If that freedom matters more to you than finding the cheapest way to reach the islands, this is a strong Dubrovnik day trip.

FAQ

How much does the private boat tour cost?

The listed price is $544.43 per group of up to seven people.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately four to eight hours, depending on the option you book.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan. Sipan is generally included on six and eight-hour tours and may be visited only briefly on a four-hour tour.

What will I see on Kolocep?

The Kolocep portion includes the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves. You can spend as much time as you like at each attraction within your booked tour duration.

Are drinks and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Beer, white wine, soft drinks, water, towels, snorkeling equipment, and a GoPro are provided.

Is the boat shared with other people?

No. This is a private activity, and only your own group participates.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes the company to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.