Elaphite Islands Luxury Private Boat Tour with Cap Camarat 7.5

The best thing about this Dubrovnik boat tour is the freedom to shape the day as you go. With skipper Simon, also called Šime, you can spend extra time at a swimming spot, skip an attraction, or head for the Blue Cave before the larger boats arrive. I especially like the private boat for up to seven people and the useful extras: towels, snorkeling gear, a GoPro, water, beer, wine, and soft drinks.

I also like the simple pickup arrangement, which removes a bit of Dubrovnik-day stress, especially if you are coming from a cruise ship. The main consideration is time: a four-hour trip cannot comfortably cover every island, cave, beach, and village. If you want Sipan, lunch, swimming, and a relaxed pace, the six- or eight-hour option makes more sense.

Key points at a glance

• Simon adjusts the route to you: Stay longer at favorite spots and pass by places that do not interest you.
• Kolocep brings the caves: The Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves form the most scenic early part of the route.
• Lopud offers the best land stop: Visit sandy Šunj Beach, then walk through the village and stop for a meal.
• The boat suits small private groups: A Cap Camarat 7.5 carries only your party, with a maximum group size of seven.
• Useful gear is included: You get snorkeling equipment, towels, a GoPro, water, beer, white wine, and soft drinks.
• Choose your duration carefully: Sipan is mainly included on six- and eight-hour trips.

Why a private boat works so well around Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik’s old city gets most of the attention, but the coast is where you can find breathing room. The Elaphite Islands sit just offshore, and a private boat lets you trade crowded streets for open water, cliffs, caves, small bays, and quiet swimming stops.

The key difference here is control. This is not a fixed group cruise where everyone moves on when the clock says so. If your children need more time in the water, you can slow down. If your group is more interested in caves than beaches, Simon can shape the day around that. Several groups also used the boat for unusual requests, including a swim away from shore and a route past two lighthouses.

That flexibility is worth real money. The listed price is $544.43 per group of up to seven, not per person. For a full group, the cost works out to roughly $78 per person before any optional meals or other personal expenses. For two people, the per-person cost is much higher, but you are paying for a private boat, a personal skipper, included drinks, and control over the pace.

The Cap Camarat 7.5 is described as clean, new, comfortable, and a good size for a family of four or a small group. You are not booking a giant yacht, so space will feel more limited with seven adults than with four people. Still, the private setup is the point. You share the boat only with your own party.

Getting from Dubrovnik to the water

Pickup is offered from your hotel, and round-trip transfers to the boat are included. That is a valuable detail in Dubrovnik, where finding the right marina or meeting point can add needless confusion.

The arrangement also works well for cruise passengers. One family met the boat about a ten-minute walk from the cruise ship, using flat sidewalks, and still had time to return to the ship for lunch after a four-hour trip. Simon contacted them before the outing, clarified where to meet, and even made the boat easy to spot from the ship.

Your exact pickup point should be confirmed when you book. The information says the experience is near public transportation, and most people can participate. If someone in your group uses a wheelchair, contact the operator in advance. Simon has specifically checked boarding arrangements with a wheelchair user, but the boat access needs to be discussed before the day.

The tour is offered in English. Communication before departure is one of the practical strengths of the experience, so use that contact time to explain your priorities, mobility needs, preferred swimming time, and whether you want lunch on Lopud.

Kolocep: three caves and the most dramatic start

Kolocep is the first listed stop, with about two hours suggested for the island and its caves. The route includes the Green Cave, the Blue Cave, and the Three Caves. You can look inside some caves from the boat and swim into others, depending on sea conditions and your comfort in the water.

The Blue Cave tends to be the high point for many groups, especially when the boat reaches it early. Timing matters here. Simon can try to arrive before the larger boats, giving you a better chance of enjoying the cave with fewer people around. No skipper can control the entire coastline, but an early start and a private itinerary give you a better shot than a rigid group departure.

Bring a swimsuit under your clothes and keep a dry layer handy. Towels are supplied, but you will still want a bag for wet swimwear and personal items. The included snorkeling equipment makes it easy to get into the water without packing your own mask and fins.

Kolocep is also where the private format pays off most clearly. You may want to see all three cave areas, or you may decide one cave and a longer swim are enough. With Simon at the helm, the decision remains yours rather than being set by a large boat timetable.

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

Lopud is allocated about three hours in the suggested itinerary, making it the main land-based stop. Its star attraction is Šunj Beach, a sandy beach that offers a pleasant change from the rocky coves and cave walls elsewhere in the day.

The island stop is not only about swimming. You can walk through the village, pause at a restaurant, and take a break from the boat. Simon has recommended restaurants and called ahead for lunch reservations for some groups. That can be helpful during the busy season, though the supplied information does not promise that a meal is included. Food and restaurant bills are separate from the listed tour price.

I would treat Lopud as the natural place to slow down. Four hours is enough for a taste of the beach and caves, but not for a leisurely island meal without cutting something else short. On a six- or eight-hour outing, you have more room to swim, eat, stroll, and still see additional coastline.

The village and beach also make Lopud a good choice for mixed groups. One person can enjoy the water while another prefers a walk or a shaded restaurant stop. Families with young children may appreciate being able to choose the pace rather than being rushed from one swimming location to the next.

Sipan belongs on the longer versions

Sipan is the last of the three Elaphite Islands listed for this tour. It is mainly included on six- and eight-hour trips. On a four-hour trip, it may be visited only if you spend very little time at Kolocep and Lopud.

That timing note is important. If you want to say you visited all three islands, book enough hours. A four-hour trip is better understood as a focused outing built around Kolocep’s caves and a selected stop on Lopud, with the route adjusted to conditions and your interests.

The longer trip gives Simon room to add Sipan without turning the day into a race. It also allows time for lunch, several swimming stops, and a slower ride between islands. One couple who booked six hours wished they had chosen eight because the day passed quickly, especially once lunch and swimming were added.

Drinks, gear, and the small touches

Beer, white wine, soft drinks, and water are served on board. This is not a full meal service, but it means you do not need to organize every drink before departure. The refreshments are particularly useful on the longer trips, when time on the water stretches across much of the day.

Towels and snorkeling equipment are provided. A GoPro is also available, which is a nice bonus for recording cave swims and underwater moments. You should still bring sun protection, a swimsuit, and any personal medication you need, since those items are not listed as provided.

Simon has also helped with photos and suggested places suited to different groups. The more specific you are about what you want, the more useful his local judgment becomes. Tell him if you prefer quiet coves, cave swimming, beach time, island food, sightseeing, or simply a relaxed ride.

The boat has been described as clean and luxurious, but remember that a 7.5-meter boat is still a smaller craft. Seven people can fit, yet a full group will have less room to spread out than a family of four. For couples and small families, the size should feel more personal and manageable.

Choosing four, six, or eight hours

The tour lasts approximately four to eight hours, with the route changing according to your booking length.

Four hours: Choose this for a compact coastal escape, especially if you are in Dubrovnik for only one day or visiting from a cruise ship. Focus on Kolocep’s caves and one main stop, usually Lopud. It is possible to have a great outing, but you will need to accept fewer stops and a faster pace.

Six hours: This is the sensible middle choice for most groups. You have more time for cave visits, swimming, a beach, and lunch on Lopud. Sipan becomes more realistic, though the exact route still depends on how long you spend at earlier stops.

Eight hours: Pick this if you want a full day at sea. You can visit all three islands at a more comfortable pace, stop for lunch, swim in several places, and make room for requests such as quiet bays or lighthouse views. The extra time is especially worthwhile for couples or families who do not want the day to feel rushed.

The duration is not a minor booking detail. It determines how much of the Elaphite Islands you can actually enjoy. If you are undecided, I would lean toward six hours for value and eight hours for a special full-day outing.

Safety, weather, and the pace of the day

Simon is repeatedly praised for being attentive, friendly, and safety-minded. He has adjusted routes for children, waited patiently while groups explored, and helped make the boat feel comfortable for families and couples.

This is a sea excursion, so weather matters. The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. A flexible skipper can adjust the route, but no itinerary can guarantee calm water or access to every cave.

The stated cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

Who will get the most from this boat tour?

I would recommend it most strongly to families, couples, small groups of friends, and cruise passengers who want more control than a standard group excursion offers. It also suits anyone who cares more about swimming, caves, and coastal scenery than ticking off a fixed list of sights.

Families benefit from the ability to stay longer at a beach or leave a stop early. Couples can build a relaxed day around swimming, lunch, and quiet bays. Groups of friends may appreciate the included drinks and the chance to create a route around shared interests.

It is less suitable if you want a large, fully narrated sightseeing cruise with a fixed program. The appeal here is personal service and flexibility, not a formal lecture at every stop. Also consider the cost if you are only two people and plan to use the boat for four hours. The price becomes easier to justify when shared by six or seven people, or when you choose a longer outing.

Should you book the Elaphite Islands private boat tour?

Book it if you want to control your day on the water. The strongest reasons are the private Cap Camarat 7.5, Simon’s willingness to adjust the route, the cave stops at Kolocep, the sandy beach at Lopud, and the practical extras already on board.

Choose six hours if you want a good balance of price and time. Choose eight if Sipan, lunch, several swims, and a relaxed pace all matter. Choose four only when your schedule is tight or you mainly want a quick escape from Dubrovnik.

For a small group willing to share the cost, this is a strong value. It gives you a much more personal day than a fixed group cruise, while still including transfers, drinks, towels, snorkeling gear, and a GoPro. The main tradeoff is simple: you pay more than you would for a basic shared boat, but you gain time, privacy, and the freedom to make the Elaphite Islands fit your group.

FAQ

How much does the private boat tour cost?

The listed price is $544.43 per group, with up to seven people included.

How long does the experience last?

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

Which islands are included?

The planned route includes Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan. Sipan is mainly visited on the six- and eight-hour tours.

What can I see on Kolocep?

The Kolocep stop includes the Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves. You can decide 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 local restaurants.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Beer, white wine, soft drinks, and water are served during the boat trip.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, towels, and a GoPro are provided.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private activity, and only your own group participates. The group limit is seven people.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and round-trip transfers from your hotel to the boat are included.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date. Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.