Elaphite Islands Luxury Private Boat Tour with Cap Camarat 7.5

Dubrovnik’s best escape from the crowds may be a small private boat pointed toward the Elaphite Islands. On this tour, Captain Šime, also called Simon, takes your group aboard a Cap Camarat 7.5 for caves, swimming, beaches, and quiet island stops. You set the pace, which matters far more than a fixed sightseeing schedule.

I like two things right away: the private boat for up to seven people, and the practical extras, including towels, snorkeling gear, a GoPro, water, soft drinks, beer, and white wine. Hotel pickup and drop-off also remove a fair bit of fuss. The main consideration is time: a four-hour outing cannot comfortably cover every island, especially Šipan.

Key points at a glance

• Private Cap Camarat 7.5: Your group has the boat to itself, with room for up to seven people.
• Flexible island time: Stay longer at a cave, swim at a quiet bay, or move on when a stop is not your style.
• Koločep’s cave circuit: Visit the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves, with snorkeling gear and a GoPro provided.
• Lopud’s Šunj Beach: Combine a sandy beach stop with a walk through the village and time for a restaurant.
• Eight hours gives you the full picture: The longer outing makes it easier to include Šipan, swimming, lunch, and several cave stops.
• Useful transport and supplies: Pickup and return are included, along with drinks, towels, and snorkeling equipment.

Why a private boat works so well here

The Elaphite Islands sit close enough to Dubrovnik for a half-day outing, yet the change of scene is immediate. From the water, you trade the city’s stone walls and busy waterfront for open sea, rocky coves, small villages, and clear swimming spots.

The key difference is control. On a group boat, you follow the captain’s clock and may spend part of the day waiting for people you have never met. Here, Simon can slow down when your family wants more swimming, pass by a stop that does not interest you, or aim for a popular cave before larger boats arrive.

That flexibility has real value for families. A nine-year-old may need more time at one cave, while teenagers may want extra swimming. A couple might prefer quiet bays and lunch rather than a long village walk. You are not locked into one version of the day.

There is also a useful personal touch in the guiding. Simon shares information about Dubrovnik, the islands, local culture, and places to eat, but the day is not built around a long lecture. The water, caves, and choices you make remain the main event.

Koločep: three caves and the first swim

Koločep is usually the opening island, and the planned visit includes the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves. These stops are less about checking off formal attractions than about getting into the island’s rocky shoreline and seeing how light changes inside the openings.

The Blue Cave is the stop most likely to attract attention, so an early start can help. One family leaving from a cruise ship began early enough to reach the cave before larger boats, enjoying several quiet minutes inside. That timing cannot be guaranteed, but it is a good reason to discuss your preferred departure with the captain.

You can look into some caves from the boat and swim into others when conditions allow. Snorkeling equipment, towels, and a GoPro are provided, so you do not need to pack a full kit for a short swim. The GoPro is a particularly nice extra if you want underwater pictures without bringing your own camera.

The two-hour suggestion for Koločep gives you a useful sense of scale, but this is not a rigid timetable. If the water is calm and your group loves swimming, you may want to stay longer. If you prefer a quick look and more time on a beach, Simon can adjust the plan.

Keep in mind that cave visits depend on weather and sea conditions. The experience requires good weather, and the operator may offer another date or a full refund if poor conditions force cancellation.

Lopud and Šunj Beach: sand, lunch, and a village walk

Lopud is the most varied stop. The main attraction is Šunj Beach, a sandy beach that provides a welcome change after the boat and rocky coves. You can swim, sit on the sand, or simply enjoy a slower stretch of the day.

The island also offers a village walk and restaurants. This gives you a choice between a beach-focused visit and a more grounded island stop. I would allow extra time here if lunch matters to you, since eating turns Lopud from a quick swim stop into a proper mid-day break.

Simon has recommended restaurants and helped arrange lunch reservations for groups. That kind of local help is useful in peak season, when wandering around hoping for a table may cost you valuable time. The exact restaurant and meal are not included as a fixed feature, so ask about arrangements when you book.

The suggested Lopud visit is three hours, which makes sense for a longer six or eight-hour outing. On a four-hour tour, you will need to choose carefully. A quick beach stop and short walk may be possible, but adding a leisurely meal can leave too little time for Koločep.

Šunj Beach is also the clearest reminder that the tour is not just a sightseeing cruise. You can get off the boat, change the rhythm of the day, and enjoy a place that feels different from Dubrovnik’s waterfront.

Šipan: worth saving for the six or eight-hour tour

Šipan is the last of the three main Elaphite Islands in this route. It is usually included on six and eight-hour trips, while a four-hour trip reaches it only if the earlier stops are brief.

That timing advice is important. It is easy to see three island names and assume they all fit neatly into a half-day. They do not, especially once you add boat travel, cave visits, swimming, and time on shore. If Šipan is a priority, book the longer version.

The longer tour also gives you room for the parts that make a private boat day relaxing: lingering in a bay, stopping for photos, swimming more than once, and having lunch without watching the clock. One couple who booked six hours wished they had chosen eight, a common feeling when the day includes both island time and water time.

You should not think of the eight-hour trip as simply twice the four-hour version. It changes the mood. Four hours is a focused taste of the coast. Eight hours feels like a full day at sea, with enough space for the route to breathe.

Four, six, or eight hours?

The tour is sold in durations from four to eight hours, and the right choice depends on your priorities.

Choose four hours if you are on a cruise stop, have a tight schedule, or mainly want caves and a swim. It can work well for families with young children who may not want a full day on the water. You will probably focus on Koločep and Lopud, with Šipan unlikely unless the earlier stops are short.

Choose six hours if you want several islands, swimming, a cave visit, and time for lunch. This is a strong middle choice for couples and families who want more than a quick sampler without committing the entire day.

Choose eight hours if the boat day is a main event. You have the best chance of including Šipan, several swimming stops, a relaxed meal, and unhurried time at the caves. The longer outing also makes sense if you want to avoid constantly checking the clock.

The trip can be tailored around a particular interest. Past itineraries have included quiet coves, two lighthouses, seafood lunch, caves, and a swim away from the main stops. You can bring your own priorities, but discuss them in advance so the captain can judge what fits the time available.

What is included on the Cap Camarat 7.5

The boat is described as clean, new, comfortable, and a good size for a family of four or a small group. Its maximum group size is seven, which is large enough for a family or group of friends but small enough to keep the outing personal.

Your drinks include water, soft drinks, beer, and white wine. This is not a full meal service, so plan separately for lunch if you choose to eat on Lopud. Still, having cold drinks ready is a meaningful convenience on a warm day, especially when you are alternating between swimming and sitting in the sun.

Towels are supplied, along with snorkeling equipment and a GoPro. Those inclusions save space in your luggage and make spontaneous swimming easier. You can decide to get in the water without having planned a full beach session.

Hotel pickup and return are included. Cruise passengers have also used the service, meeting near the port and walking a short, flat route to the boat after coordinating the details with Simon. Pickup arrangements can vary by accommodation, so confirm the meeting point before the day.

Captain Simon’s role in the day

A boat trip can be pleasant with a capable driver, but a private charter depends heavily on the captain. Simon’s strengths are communication, flexibility, local information, and a calm approach to changing plans.

He has checked pickup details before departure, contacted groups on the morning of the trip, helped with photos, suggested restaurants, and adjusted routes around children, weather, crowds, and personal interests. He has also made a point of discussing boat access with a wheelchair user before the outing. If you have mobility needs, contact the provider directly before booking rather than assuming the boat will suit you.

The captain is also part guide and part host. You can ask about the islands, Dubrovnik, Croatian culture, or places to eat. At the same time, you are free to enjoy the ride without a constant stream of commentary.

Safety matters on any private boat, particularly when swimming near caves. The strongest practical advice is to tell Simon what you are comfortable doing, listen to his directions, and let sea conditions decide what is sensible on the day.

Value at $544.43 per group

The listed price is $544.43 for up to seven people. That is not a cheap way to reach the islands if you are traveling alone, but it can be good value when divided among a full group.

At seven people, the base cost works out to about $78 per person. At four people, it is about $136 per person, before considering any optional meal or other personal spending. For a couple, the total price is a larger commitment, but you are paying for a private boat, flexible timing, pickup, drinks, equipment, and a captain focused only on your group.

The comparison with a low-cost group cruise is not simply about the number of islands visited. A shared trip may cost less, but you give up control over the pace and route. Here, you can spend more time at the Blue Cave, skip a village walk, stop for an unusual request, or head for quieter water.

I would call the price strongest for families and groups of friends. It is also easier to justify for cruise passengers with limited time, since the included transfers and direct itinerary help turn a short port call into a focused coastal outing.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

This is a strong match for families who need flexibility. Parents can decide how much swimming and walking suits the children, and the captain can adjust the length of each stop.

Couples and groups of friends will appreciate the privacy, especially if you want a relaxed day with drinks, swimming, and lunch rather than a fixed sightseeing program. The boat also suits people who would rather spend time on the water than visit another crowded city attraction.

It works especially well for first-time visitors to Dubrovnik who want local orientation without booking a formal city tour. Simon can answer questions about the area while taking you to places you could not reach on foot.

The main mismatch is anyone seeking a guaranteed, minute-by-minute schedule or a low-cost individual ticket. This is a private charter, so the price reflects the boat and service rather than simple transportation.

Practical booking advice

Book early if your Dubrovnik dates are fixed. The experience is often reserved well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 52 days.

Ask for the duration that matches your priorities. If you want all three islands, do not assume four hours will be enough. If you are visiting from a cruise ship, share your arrival and departure limits clearly so pickup and return can be planned around your port time.

The tour is offered in English and confirmation is provided at booking. It operates only with suitable weather. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

Should you book this Elaphite Islands boat tour?

Book it if you value choice, privacy, and time in the water more than the lowest possible price. The best version is the six or eight-hour outing, when you can combine Koločep’s caves, Lopud’s beach and village, swimming, lunch, and possibly Šipan without rushing.

Choose four hours if you have a cruise-port schedule or want a compact coastal escape. Just set your expectations: it is a focused visit to the caves and one or two island stops, not the complete Elaphite Islands experience.

For a group of four to seven, the included drinks, equipment, transfers, and personal route planning make the price easier to defend. The private format and Simon’s willingness to shape the day are the real reasons to choose it.

FAQ

Where does the Elaphite Islands boat tour depart from?

Pickup is offered, including round-trip transfers from your hotel to the boat. Cruise passengers can also coordinate a meeting point near the cruise port.

How many people can join the private boat tour?

The private charter is for your group only, with up to seven people.

What boat is used for the tour?

The tour uses a Cap Camarat 7.5.

Which islands are included?

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

What can I see on Koločep?

The Koločep stop includes the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves. You can choose how long to stay at each attraction.

What can I do on Lopud?

You can visit sandy Šunj Beach, walk through the village, and stop at one of the restaurants.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Beer, white wine, soft drinks, and water are provided.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, towels, and a GoPro are provided for the outing.

Is the itinerary fixed?

No. This is a private tour, so you can spend more or less time at each stop and adjust the route with the captain.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.