Private Full day Elafiti islands and Blue cave tour

Dubrovnik’s best island day is spent away from the city walls, on a private boat threading through the Elafiti Islands. You’ll swim in the glowing Blue Cave, stretch out on sandy Šunj Beach, and visit quiet island villages where stone houses, olive groves, and old landmarks replace Dubrovnik’s crowds.

I like the private format, which lets your group decide how long to swim, walk, or sit at lunch. I also like the useful extras already included: water, wine, beer, soft drinks, towels, snorkeling gear, and floaties. The main consideration is the extra fuel charge of €120 per booking, plus lunch and optional add-ons, so the final cost is higher than the headline price.

Key points to know before booking

• A private boat for up to six: Your group does not share the boat with strangers, and the skipper can adjust the pace.
• Five very different stops: You get a glowing cave, a sandy beach, two island settlements, and a short stop on green Koločep.
• Paulo is the named skipper: He is described as friendly, flexible, and willing to explain local culture and island life.
• Swimming gear is included: Towels, snorkeling equipment, drinks, and floaties are part of the package.
• The day lasts about eight hours: Allow enough time for a full day on the water, including stops and a possible lunch break.
• Extra charges need planning: Fuel costs €120 per booking, while lunch, a guide, SUP, GoPro, drone filming, fruit, sparkling wine, and wine tasting cost extra.

Why this private Elafiti boat day works

This is not simply a boat ride with a fixed list of photo stops. It is a full day built around the water, with enough variety to keep the outing from feeling repetitive. You can swim at the Blue Cave, lie on the sand at Šunj, walk around Lopud Town, eat lunch near the harbor, and finish with a quieter stop at Koločep.

The private setup matters most for families, couples traveling together, and small groups with different ideas about a good day. One person can snorkel while another rests in the shade, and your group can ask to spend more time in the water instead of rushing to the next island. Skipper Paulo is specifically noted for adjusting the balance between island walks, swimming, and sunbathing.

You should still set reasonable expectations. This is an outing on the sea, not a guided archaeological tour. A licensed guide is optional for €170, and the standard tour provides a skipper who explains the islands and local culture rather than a formal specialist guide. If you want detailed historical commentary at every stop, add the guide or plan to explore independently.

The Blue Cave: a quick, glowing first stop

The Blue Cave is scheduled for about 20 minutes, so think of it as a striking opening stop rather than a long visit. Sunlight enters through the cave opening and reflects through the water, creating the blue glow that gives the cave its name.

This is the place to swim and snorkel if conditions allow. Towels, snorkeling equipment, and floaties are included, which saves you from packing or renting the basics. The short timing also makes sense: the appeal is the light, the water, and the unusual setting, not a long walk or a large collection of sights.

Your biggest variable here is weather and sea conditions. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a date change or full refund. Bring a swimsuit under your clothes and keep your phone ready, since the stop is brief and built around a quick look, a swim, or both.

Šunj Beach brings sand and shallow water

The hour at Šunj Beach gives the day a change of pace. On Lopud, this sandy beach has shallow, calm water and clear seas, making it the easiest stop for a relaxed swim. The golden sand is a welcome contrast to the rocky shoreline found in many coastal spots around Dubrovnik.

You’ll find beach bars and restaurants here, along with opportunities for water sports. The shallow water can suit families and casual swimmers, while the beach setting works well if part of your group wants to stay dry. The surrounding Mediterranean vegetation gives the beach a pleasant, open feel without turning the stop into a strenuous outing.

One hour is enough for a swim and a little time on the sand, but not for a long beach day. If Šunj is your main reason for booking, tell Paulo early that you would like to protect this stop from being shortened. The private format gives you some flexibility, although the whole eight-hour schedule still has limits.

Lopud Town is the best walking stop

After Šunj, the tour allows about 90 minutes for Lopud Island. This is likely the most balanced stop of the day because you can combine a walk through Lopud Town with time near the water.

Lopud Town has stone buildings, pleasant paths, and historic sites such as the Franciscan Monastery and Church of St. Mary. The setting is quiet and green, with the kind of small-island atmosphere that feels far removed from Dubrovnik’s busy center. You can use this time to stretch your legs, take photos, look around the town, or return to the beach if swimming has become the priority.

I would use this stop for a proper break from the boat. Eight hours on the water is enjoyable, but a walk and a little time on solid ground make the day more comfortable. You may find that 90 minutes passes quickly if you want both the town and the beach, so decide in advance which matters more to your group.

The itinerary lists Lopud Town and Šunj Beach separately, which is useful. It means you can treat the sandy beach as a swimming stop and the town as a cultural and walking stop rather than trying to force both into one rushed visit.

Suđurađ and Šipan offer the quietest pause

The 90-minute stop at Suđurađ, on Šipan Island, shifts the mood again. Suđurađ is a peaceful coastal village with a small harbor and a Renaissance-era castle. It offers less of a classic beach stop and more of a chance to see an island community at a slower pace.

Šipan is known for olive groves and vineyards, and you can explore walking or cycling routes if your time and energy allow. Local food is another draw, especially fresh seafood, local wine, and olive oil. Lunch is not included, but this is the natural place to discuss a meal with the skipper. One person who booked the tour specifically appreciated being taken to a delicious restaurant, so ask Paulo about lunch rather than leaving the decision until the last minute.

The optional wine tasting costs €40 per person. That could suit a group interested in local produce, but it is not necessary to enjoy Suđurađ. You can simply walk around the harbor, see the castle, and take in the quieter pace.

This stop is a good reminder that the Elafiti Islands are not only about swimming. If you want every minute to be spent in the water, Suđurađ may feel slow. If you want a taste of island life beyond the beaches, the stop adds useful variety.

Koločep closes the day with a short swim

The final listed stop is Koločep, also called Kalamota, for about 30 minutes. It is the shortest island stop, but it gives you one last chance to swim or relax before returning to Dubrovnik.

Koločep is described through its pine forests, lush greenery, clear water, and sandy beaches. A small Blue Cave adds another point of interest. Since you have only half an hour, treat this as a compact final swim rather than an island tour.

The short stop may be ideal late in the day, when you want one more stretch in the water without committing to another long walk. If your group prefers more time at Lopud or Suđurađ, ask whether the schedule can be adjusted. Paulo’s flexible approach is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private boat instead of a large shared excursion.

What is included, and what will cost extra

The advertised price is $600.11 per group of up to six people. That is a group price, not a charge for each person, so it can be good value when six people share the boat. For two people, the per-person cost becomes much higher, but you are paying for privacy, a skipper, and control over the day.

The €120 fuel surcharge is the most important extra to include in your budget. Lunch is also separate, and the following options cost more:

• Sparkling wine: €20
• SUP paddle board: €20
• GoPro camera: €20
• Drone filming: €50
• Fruit cup: €5
• Wine tasting: €40 per person
• Licensed tour guide: €170

The included drinks are practical and generous for a day at sea. Water, wine, beer, and soft drinks are available on board, so you do not need to build the day around buying drinks at every stop. Towels, snorkeling gear, and floaties are also supplied.

I would skip most extras unless one has a clear purpose for your group. The licensed guide is worth considering if you want structured historical commentary. The SUP or GoPro may appeal to families or groups who want more activities on the water, while the drone filming is a special add-on rather than a basic need.

Who will get the most from this tour

This tour suits you best if you want a full day outside Dubrovnik and prefer a private schedule. It is especially practical for a group of up to six, since the price is shared and the boat does not include unrelated passengers.

Families may appreciate the calm water at Šunj, the floaties, and the ability to balance swimming with walks. Couples can use the private setting for a relaxed day without following a large group. Friends who want drinks, snorkeling, beach time, and lunch in one outing will find the format easy to enjoy.

You should think twice if you dislike long days at sea or want a highly structured history tour. The Blue Cave stop is only 20 minutes, and Koločep is only 30 minutes. The appeal is the combination of places and the freedom to adjust the rhythm, not spending half a day at one landmark.

The tour is offered in English. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the activity is near public transportation. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, but the operator specifically requires good weather.

Practical ways to plan your eight hours

Wear swimwear, bring sun protection, and pack anything you need for time on a boat. Towels and snorkeling equipment are provided, but personal comfort items are still your responsibility.

Ask about lunch before leaving Dubrovnik. Since lunch is not included and a restaurant stop may be arranged, knowing your group’s preference will help Paulo shape the day. If you want the optional wine tasting, tell the operator in advance rather than assuming it will happen at Suđurađ.

Use the private format to state your priorities clearly. For example, you might ask for more time at Lopud, a longer swim at Šunj, or a slower look around Suđurađ. You cannot create extra hours, but you can make the day feel more personal by deciding what matters most.

The tour is often booked 39 days ahead on average. That suggests planning early is sensible, especially if you are visiting Dubrovnik in a busy season. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. If bad weather cancels the outing, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Should you book the Elafiti Islands and Blue Cave tour?

Book it if you want a private, flexible day on the water and your group values swimming, beach time, small villages, and included drinks. The strongest parts are Paulo’s flexible approach, the pleasant mix of stops, and the fact that towels and snorkeling gear are already covered.

Before paying, add the €120 fuel charge and decide how you will handle lunch. For a group of six, the overall value is much stronger than it is for a pair. I would also consider the licensed guide only if historical explanation matters to you.

This is a good choice for an active but easygoing island day, not a formal sightseeing tour. If that balance sounds right, the private boat gives you a better chance of enjoying the Elafiti Islands at your own pace.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to six people.

Is the Blue Cave included?

Yes. The Blue Cave is one of the scheduled stops, with about 20 minutes planned there. Admission is listed as free.

What islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Lopud, Šipan through the village of Suđurađ, and Koločep, along with the Blue Cave and Šunj Beach.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

Is there a fuel surcharge?

Yes. A fuel surcharge of €120 per booking is listed separately from the tour price.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks on board include water, wine, beer, and soft drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, towels, and floaties are included.

Can I book optional activities or services?

Yes. Optional extras include a licensed guide, wine tasting, sparkling wine, a SUP paddle board, GoPro camera, drone filming, and a fruit cup. Each has a separate charge.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund.