Elaphite Islands: Private boat tour (Cap Camarat 7.5wa)

Private speedboat days can feel rare in Dubrovnik. This one is a focused, flexible Elaphiti Islands run by private group on a brand new Cap Camarat 7.5wa, with hotel pickup and stops shaped around what you want to do.

I like the intimacy here. You stay only with your group on the boat, and you get a built-in guide who helps you plan the day without feeling rushed. I also appreciate the onboard setup: snorkeling gear, towels, drinks, and a GoPro, so the day is easy from start to finish.

One drawback to think about: food is not included. If you want a proper lunch on Lopud or Šipan, you’ll need to pay for it yourself, and you may want to plan how long you want to linger on shore.

Key things to know before you go

• Private boat, flexible route: you choose how many stops and how long you stay
• Koločep cave circuit: Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves
• Šunj Beach on Lopud: sand time plus a walk in the island town
• Šipan for a calmer, longer island feel with restaurant options
• Included snorkeling + GoPro: you can swim and film without extra hassle
• Drinks onboard: water, cola, beer, and white wine during the ride

Cap Camarat 7.5wa from Dubrovnik, the practical way to do Elaphiti

The Elaphiti Islands are close to Dubrovnik, but they can still feel like a hassle if you try to piece together ferries, timing, and multiple transfers. This tour is built for the opposite: quick access, minimal friction, and time on the water.

You’ll start with a pickup in Dubrovnik in a car or van, arriving about 20 minutes before your boat departure. That matters because speedboat days are timing-sensitive, and you do not want to be sprinting across town when you should be settling in. Then you head out on a brand new Cap Camarat 7.5wa, which keeps things comfortable and efficient.

Because it’s private, you get a slower, more personal rhythm than typical day-trips. You can go for more swim time. Or you can prioritize walking and island viewpoints. That flexibility is the big value driver for me here, especially if your group has mixed interests.

And yes, water matters. The payoff on these islands is the combination of coves, caves, and clear sea where you can see fish near the surface when conditions cooperate.

Grebeni first, then Koločep caves: how to plan the best swim moments

Your day starts with a boat cruise past Grebeni, then the tour moves into the heart of the Elaphiti lineup: Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. The first big “wow” stretch is Koločep, where you get three cave stops.

On Koločep, the itinerary focuses on:

• Green Cave
• Blue Cave
• Three Caves

Caves are fun, but they also benefit from a bit of strategy. If you want great visibility underwater, you’ll likely get the best results when you keep your snorkel time focused and avoid rushing between spots. Also, be ready for water movement inside and around cave entrances. Your skipper can help you pick when to swim and how long to stay at each stop, based on what the sea is doing.

The cave names are not just marketing. They suggest real differences in lighting and water color that come from the cave shape and the way sunlight filters in. Even if you are not a “serious snorkel person,” these stops usually land because you can do something simple: float, glance around, and let the light and rock shapes do the work.

Tip for your group: decide early how you want to split attention. If some people want to snorkel and others just want to look, you can use the included gear and take turns. The private setup helps because you are not locked into a long line of everyone doing the same thing at once.

Lopud and Šunj Beach: sand time plus a real walk

After Koločep, the tour heads to Lopud. This is where the day balances “in the water” time with “on land” time.

Your first Lopud stop is Šunj Beach, known for its sandy stretch. That’s a key shift from the caves. Caves are about short, intense underwater viewing. Sand time is about relaxing, drying off, and actually staying put for a bit.

From there, you go to the populated area on Lopud. This is your walk break. You get the chance to stroll, look around, and take in island life from street level rather than just from the boat.

One practical note: the tour timing is flexible, but if your group wants both a beach break and a proper town walk, you’ll do better choosing a realistic pace. If you overspend time in the morning on cave swimming, you may feel a little rushed later. The private format lets you correct that, because you can adjust how long you stay at each place as you go.

Lunch is an option on Lopud. Restaurants exist on both Lopud and Šipan, so you’re not stuck with snacks only. Food is not included, so you are making choices with your own budget, but the upside is that you can pick something that matches your appetite and your timeline.

Šipan island time: where the day can stretch out

The third island stop is Šipan. This is where the itinerary can feel like it slows down again, depending on how long you choose your overall tour.

Šipan also comes with restaurant options, which is helpful if you want to turn the day into a long island lunch plus a calmer post-meal swim. Because you’re on a private boat, you are not forced to sprint back at the first sign of hunger or weather changes.

What I like about Šipan time is that it gives you variety without repeating the same experience. Koločep is cave-focused. Lopud is beach plus town walk. Šipan can feel more open, more about lingering, and less about ticking boxes.

If your group is made of different personalities, Šipan often becomes the compromise island. People who want quiet can settle in. People who want a meal can plan it. And if you still want water time, the boat lets you go back out when you’re ready.

The skipper and guide style that makes private tours worth it

This tour runs with a skipper who is also your English-speaking guide. In the real-world experience of the boat, that means you are not just getting transport. You’re getting decisions and small course corrections based on how your day is going.

One name you’ll hear associated with this experience is Simon. The consistent theme from the experience described is that he’s friendly, accommodating, and respectful of your preferences. He also tends to handle timing in a way that can help you avoid peak crowds, which matters because the Elaphiti vibe gets worse when you feel surrounded by tour schedules instead of choosing your own pace.

A private boat guide can be the difference between:

• standing around because you have no plan, and
• feeling like the day actually fits you.

Here, you’re encouraged to tell the skipper what you want more of: swimming, cave time, beach time, or walking. Then the route and the stop durations can flex. That is what makes this feel less like a set excursion and more like you are driving the day.

If your group is chatty and wants explanations, your guide can provide that. If your group just wants quiet, you are still getting local context without being forced into a “lecture mode.”

Drinks, towels, snorkeling gear, and the GoPro factor

A tour like this lives and dies on little onboard comforts. Here, they’re surprisingly practical.

Included onboard:

• drinks (water, cola, white wine, beer)
• towels
• snorkeling equipment
• a GoPro

Those details are not just nice. They reduce decision fatigue. You do not need to pack extra gear for snorkeling. You do not need to wonder where you’ll store towels. And the GoPro means you can capture the moments you’ll want later, like floating near the cave waterline or getting close to fish near the surface.

In one of the experiences shared, the skipper also provided goggles to help with fish watching. Even if you are not an experienced snorkeler, better visibility tools help. The goal is simple: see what is there without turning it into a complicated routine.

For your packing list, keep it short. You mainly need swimwear and the willingness to get wet. Everything else that supports the water time is already handled.

How long should you book: 4 hours or 8 hours?

The tour can be 4 to 8 hours, and choosing the right duration is about your group’s energy.

A 4-hour plan works best if:

• your priority is the “big hits” (caves plus one main beach stop), and
• you want to keep the rest of your day free for Dubrovnik exploring or dinner plans.

An 8-hour plan is for you if:

• you want more time to swim at multiple stops,
• you want a longer walk on Lopud and more island time on Šipan, and
• you might want a slower lunch experience.

Because the tour is private, the schedule can shift based on what you decide once you’re on the water. Still, duration sets the ceiling. If you book the short option but expect to linger equally everywhere, you’ll feel the squeeze.

So I suggest thinking like a planner:

• If your group likes water time, go longer.
• If your group likes strolling and photos more than swimming, the shorter version can still feel complete.

Price and value for up to 7 people

The price is $530 per group, for up to 7 people. That sounds like a lot until you translate it into group math and compare it to doing this any other way.

If you fill the boat with 7 people, you’re effectively paying about $75 per person. If you have fewer people, the per-person number rises, but you still have a big advantage: you get privacy, a flexible route, and a skipper guiding the day.

What you’re really paying for is not just a boat ride. You’re paying for:

• hotel transfers (pickup and drop off)
• fuel
• drinks onboard
• towels and snorkeling gear
• a GoPro
• and an English-speaking skipper-guide who can tailor stops

Food is the only major add-on. Restaurants are available on Lopud and Šipan, but meals are not included. If your group eats out, you’ll need to budget for that separately.

For couples, this can still be worth it if you care about privacy and want a day that does not feel like a schedule treadmill. For families or small groups of friends, it becomes an easier value story because you can spread the cost.

Who this private Elaphiti Islands boat tour fits best

This tour is a strong match if you want:

• an intimate day on the Elaphiti Islands without sharing the boat with strangers
• cave and swim time, especially around Koločep
• a mix of water time plus a chance to walk on Lopud
• a guide who adjusts to your preferences rather than sticking to a rigid script

It may be less ideal if:

• you want a tour where meals are included, since food is not included
• your group expects very long stays at multiple stops even on a 4-hour run

The sweet spot is groups who can communicate what they want. If someone wants to snorkel more, tell the skipper. If someone wants fewer caves and more beach time, say so early. Private tours reward clear preferences.

Should you book Cap Camarat Elaphiti Islands with Stella Maris?

I’d book this if you want a day that feels tailored, not templated. The included snorkel gear, towels, drinks, and GoPro make it easy to enjoy the water right away. The cave sequence on Koločep plus the beach and walk breaks on Lopud give you a full spread of what makes these islands special. And with a private boat and pickup in Dubrovnik, you cut out a lot of the coordination headaches that can drain a half-day trip.

I’d think twice if your group wants lunch included in the price, or if you want a heavy shore itinerary with minimal boat time. This tour is built around the boat. That’s the point.

If you’re traveling with friends or family and you can fill a good share of the up-to-7 capacity, the value gets very sensible. If you’re a solo traveler or a couple who wants maximum privacy anyway, it can still be worth it, just do the math on per-person cost and be sure you’ll use the water time.

FAQ

How long is the Elaphite Islands private boat tour?

The tour duration is 4 to 8 hours, depending on what you choose and how much time you want at each stop.

What islands are included in the itinerary?

The route includes Grebeni first, then the Elaphiti Islands: Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan.

What is included in the price?

The price includes fuel, a skipper who also acts as a tourist guide, drinks (water, cola, white wine, beer), towels, snorkeling equipment, a GoPro, and pickup and drop-off.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, though there are restaurants on Lopud and Šipan if you want lunch.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It is a private group tour, so only your group is on the boat.

Where does pickup happen?

Pickup is in Dubrovnik, and a car or van picks you up at the address you specify about 20 minutes before the boat tour starts.

What should I bring?

You should bring swimwear. The tour provides snorkeling equipment and towels, and drinks are included onboard.