Private Boat to the Blue Cave & Elaphiti Islands with Pickup

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat trip is simple: you control the day. Your skipper can suggest the Blue Cave, Green Caves, sandy Šunj Beach, and the villages of Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, but you decide where to linger. That makes this feel less like a fixed sightseeing run and more like having a local boat for your group.

I like the hotel pickup and drop-off, which removes a bit of Dubrovnik transport fuss, and I like the friendly, flexible skippers. Pasko, Bruno, Kiko, Kristian, and others are praised for adjusting routes, finding quieter swimming spots, taking photos, and arranging lunch. The main drawback is that fuel costs extra, and the caves can be crowded or unreachable when the sea is rough.

Key points

• Private boat for your group: The advertised price is $269 for up to six people, with the operator also stating that boats can accommodate up to eight. Confirm the exact capacity and final price before booking.
• Flexible route: Choose a 2.5, 4, 6, or 8-hour trip and shape the stops around swimming, villages, caves, lunch, or quiet time.
• Three Elaphiti islands: Longer tours can include Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, each with a different feel.
• Useful extras included: Drinks, snorkelling gear, floating noodles, a skipper, Bluetooth speakers, and pickup from the Dubrovnik area are provided.
• Early starts help: Leaving early can mean calmer water and fewer boats at the caves.
• Fuel is extra: Plan for €60 on the 2.5-hour trip, €70 for four hours, €85 for six hours, or €100 for eight hours.

Why this private Dubrovnik boat trip works so well

The Elaphiti Islands sit just offshore from Dubrovnik, but they offer a clear change of pace from the city’s stone streets and packed waterfront. A private boat lets you see several islands in one day without waiting for a public ferry schedule or staying with a large group.

The format is especially useful if your group has mixed interests. You might want to swim, while someone else prefers a village walk or a long lunch. Your skipper can suggest a plan, then change it as the day develops.

The experience earns a 4.9 rating from 82 reviews, with repeated praise for the skippers, easy pickup, private setting, and freedom to choose the pace. I would put the greatest value on that freedom. You are not hurried off a beach because another group is waiting, and you can spend more time at a swimming spot if everyone is enjoying it.

The boat includes floating devices, noodles, snorkelling equipment, drinks, and Bluetooth speakers. Beer, water, and soft drinks are provided. A few reviews also mention coffee breaks and plenty of cold drinks, though you should not treat lunch as included.

Choosing between 2.5, 4, 6, and 8 hours

The 2.5-hour tour is a quick escape. It focuses on Koločep, with time around the Blue Cave, clear lagoons, and the area near Gornje Čelo. This works for a short stay in Dubrovnik or for anyone who mainly wants a swim and a look at the caves.

The limitation is obvious: two and a half hours disappears quickly once pickup, boat travel, swimming, and getting back are counted. Choose it for a taste of the islands, not for a full island tour.

The four-hour option is the most practical middle ground. It can run in the morning or afternoon and usually includes Koločep, the Blue Cave, Green Caves, two small villages, and Šunj Beach on Lopud. You get a proper half-day on the water without giving up an entire day in Dubrovnik.

This is a strong choice for families and first-time visitors. One family with teenagers used the early hours for the caves and then relaxed at Šunj Beach and Lopud village. Another four-hour group enjoyed choosing its own mix of swimming, caves, and island time. Still, you may need to choose between longer swims and more time ashore.

The six-hour tour adds room to explore Lopud at a slower pace. The plan can include a botanical garden, monastery, churches, and the local village, with a possible visit to Šipan if time allows. This suits you if you want some culture along with swimming.

The eight-hour tour is the full day. It can cover all three main islands, Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, with time for caves, lagoons, village walks, historic sites, and lunch at a seaside restaurant. Several families and couples found that the longer duration gave them enough time to relax instead of racing between stops.

If you want all three islands, I would choose eight hours. A four-hour trip can show you the highlights, but it cannot give every stop proper attention.

Koločep and the Blue Cave

Koločep is often the first major stop, and it sets the tone for the day. The island is known for small settlements, clear water, rocky coves, and the Blue Cave. You can swim and snorkel near the cave, then continue to calmer lagoons if conditions allow.

The Blue Cave is a natural highlight, but it is not guaranteed to feel private. One review described the cave sites as extremely busy, while several others praised early departures for avoiding the largest crowds. That gives you a useful planning tip: ask for an early start if the caves are your top priority.

Sea conditions matter, too. One group could not reach the caves because the water was too rough. Their skipper changed the plan and found clear swimming spots instead. That is one advantage of a private outing: the day can adapt rather than simply being cancelled at the first change in conditions.

You should bring a hat, swimwear, and sunscreen. The boat supplies snorkelling equipment, but if you have a favourite mask, bringing it can still be worthwhile. The caves and open water are the main reason to book this tour, so allow time for swimming rather than packing the schedule with too many shore stops.

The Green Caves and clear-water swimming

The Green Caves add another cave stop to the Koločep area. The appeal here is less about a formal attraction and more about the setting: rock, filtered light, and clear blue water where you can swim and use the provided snorkelling gear.

The water stops are often the most relaxing part of the trip. Skippers such as Kiko, Bruno, and Pasko are repeatedly praised for finding quieter places and staying longer when the group wants to swim. That matters because a private boat should feel unhurried.

The boat also carries floating noodles and other flotation devices. These are useful for people who want to stay in the water without constantly swimming, though the tour is not suited to people with mobility impairments. Babies under one year and people over 95 are also listed as unsuitable for the activity.

Do not expect every cave to look exactly the same from one day to the next. Sun, wind, sea conditions, and the number of boats nearby all affect the mood. The skipper’s local judgment is important here, especially when deciding whether to wait, move on, or use a sheltered cove.

Lopud, Šunj Beach, and island village time

Lopud gives the tour a different rhythm. Instead of only swimming from the boat, you can spend time ashore in the village, visit churches, see a monastery, and explore a botanical garden on the longer routes.

Šunj Beach is one of the region’s rare sandy beaches, with shallow water and a relaxed beach setting. That makes it a good stop for families and anyone who wants a break from swimming off the boat. There is also a bar and food nearby, based on the tour details and firsthand experiences.

The beach can be a better choice than another cave stop if your group includes children. Shallow water is easier for casual play, while the sand gives you a chance to dry off and stretch your legs.

The tradeoff is time. A beach visit, village walk, and lunch can use much of a half-day. On a four-hour tour, you will need to decide what matters most. On a six or eight-hour trip, you have more freedom to combine swimming with shore time.

Šipan and the small village of Suđurađ

Šipan is the largest and most historically significant of the Elaphiti Islands included in the longer route. The small fishing village of Suđurađ offers a quieter stop, with a local feel that contrasts with Dubrovnik’s busy old town.

The eight-hour option gives you the best chance to enjoy Šipan without watching the clock. Skippers can recommend a seaside restaurant based on your preferences, and lunch can become part of the day rather than an interruption.

One particularly useful tip is to ask about Božica Hotel on Šipan. A group praised its setting, varied menu, nearby swimming place, and sensible prices. The restaurant is not included in the tour price, so budget separately for lunch.

I would not choose Šipan on a short trip unless you care more about island villages than cave time. It is the kind of stop that rewards a slower pace. The six-hour route may include it if time permits, but eight hours is the safer choice if you want all three islands.

The skippers make the difference

The boat is important, but the skipper shapes the day. The strongest part of this experience is the human service: pickup reminders, local suggestions, route changes, and attention to the group’s mood.

Pasko is praised for clear communication, early departures, family-friendly touches, and arranging lunch. Bruno is described as friendly, informative, and willing to go beyond the basic route. Kiko is repeatedly noted for patience, local insight, photo help, and allowing extra time at favourite stops.

Kristian is praised for confident boat handling and for following the group’s lead. Other skippers named in the feedback include Rocko, Rocco, and Keko. You may not be able to choose a specific skipper when booking, but the operator’s repeated service pattern is encouraging.

The English-speaking skipper is not simply there to steer. You can ask about the islands, local history, swimming spots, and timing. One child even got to act as captain for part of the day, a small family touch that shows how flexible the experience can be.

Price, fuel, and real value

The listed price is $269 per group of up to six people. That price becomes much better when shared by a full group, especially because pickup, drop-off, skipper, boat, drinks, snorkelling equipment, and flotation gear are included.

Fuel is charged separately:

• 2.5 hours: €60
• 4 hours: €70
• 6 hours: €85
• 8 hours: €100

For six people, the base price works out to roughly $45 per person before fuel. The fuel charge adds a modest amount per person, though exchange rates will affect the final figure. If your group has only two people, the price is less of a bargain, but the privacy and flexibility may still justify it.

There is a capacity point worth clarifying. The price is stated for up to six people, while the activity description says the boat can accommodate up to eight. Ask the operator to confirm the maximum group size, boat arrangement, and total cost for seven or eight people before paying.

Compared with a shared excursion, you are paying for control. That means fewer fixed stops, no large group waiting, and the ability to skip a place that does not suit your group. For families or groups of friends, that is a meaningful benefit.

What to bring and how to plan the day

Bring a hat, swimwear, and sunscreen. Add a towel, though the supplied information does not list one as included, and use sun protection carefully during the open-water sections.

Send your accommodation address in advance so the operator can confirm pickup within the Dubrovnik area. The team contacts you the day before to arrange the exact place and time. This is useful, but you should still keep your phone available and check the meeting details.

If the Blue Cave matters most, request an early departure. If lunch and island villages matter more, choose six or eight hours. If you have only one free morning or afternoon, four hours gives you a useful balance.

The boat has Bluetooth speakers, so your group can set the mood, but keep the volume sensible near villages and other boats. Drinks are included, including beer, water, and soft drinks. You may still want to bring any specific snack or drink you need.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Weather can affect the route, so ask how the skipper handles rough conditions if caves are not safe.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it most strongly to families, couples, and groups of friends who want a private day rather than a fixed group excursion. It is also a good fit if you like mixing swimming with short walks, lunch, and village visits.

Choose four hours if you want the main cave and beach highlights. Choose eight hours if you want all three islands and a proper lunch stop. The two and a half hour trip is best for a quick taste, while six hours works well when Lopud’s gardens, churches, and village appeal to you.

You should think twice if you dislike boat travel, need step-free access, or want a guaranteed cave visit in any weather. The caves can be busy, and rough seas can force a change of plan. Still, the private format gives you the best chance of turning those limits into a good day elsewhere on the islands.

If you have six people to share the cost, I would book the eight-hour option and ask for an early start. You will have time for the Blue and Green Caves, Šunj Beach, Lopud, Šipan, lunch, and unhurried swimming without treating the whole day like a race.

FAQ

How long does the private boat tour last?

You can choose a 2.5-hour, 4-hour, 6-hour, or 8-hour tour. The two and a half hour option lasts 150 minutes.

Is pickup from Dubrovnik included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from locations in the Dubrovnik area are included, provided your accommodation is within the operator’s pickup area. Send the accommodation address so this can be confirmed.

Which islands can I visit?

The longer routes can include Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. The shorter tours focus mainly on Koločep, while four-hour tours can also include Lopud and Šunj Beach.

Are drinks and snorkelling equipment included?

Yes. The boat provides beer, water, soft drinks, snorkelling equipment, floating devices, and noodles.

Is fuel included in the tour price?

No. Fuel is charged separately. The stated fuel costs are €60 for 2.5 hours, €70 for 4 hours, €85 for 6 hours, and €100 for 8 hours.

What happens if the weather is rough?

The route may change if sea conditions make a cave visit unsafe. The skipper can take you to alternative swimming spots, though the supplied information does not guarantee a specific replacement route.