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

A day on the water near Dubrovnik can feel like a cheat code. This private Cap Camarat 7.5wa speedboat trip is built for close-up exploring of the Elaphite Islands, with cave stops on Koločep, beach time on Lopud, and plenty of flexibility to linger where you want. I especially love the togetherness of a small group on a boat that feels like it’s really yours, plus the clear-water stops where snorkeling gear actually gets used. One thing to consider: the schedule is time-based (4 to 8 hours), so if you want every possible stop, you’ll need to plan for a slightly more packed day.

What makes this outing work so well is the pacing. You’re not stuck on a fixed flow, and the skipper and guide, Simon, tailors the day to your preferences, including where to swim for more privacy. Transfers are included, so you skip the headache of figuring out boats, parking, and meeting points. The trade-off is also simple: because it’s private and customizable, you should decide your priorities up front, whether that’s caves, beaches, snorkeling, or a longer walk around Lopud.

Key highlights you will care about

• Private speedboat time with only your group on board, so you control the pace
• Koločep caves including Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves, plus swimming in crystal-clear water
• Lopud beach and walking break, starting with Šunj and then time in the main settlement
• Snorkeling setup plus towels and drinks included, so your hands stay free and your day stays easy
• GoPro included for water and swim moments (and Simon is the kind of skipper who helps you use it)
• Hotel-style transfers from Dubrovnik with pickup arranged shortly before launch

The Cap Camarat 7.5wa makes the day feel effortless

This tour runs on a brand new Cap Camarat 7.5wa speedboat. That matters more than it sounds. Speedboats help you fit multiple island stops into one half-day, and they also tend to keep the day feeling light, not dragged out.

The other practical win is comfort and function. The boat is described as clean and easy to work with, and the whole setup is geared toward “go, stop, swim, repeat.” When you’re moving between islands and caves, you want a crew that keeps things smooth and a boat that makes quick changes painless.

Finally, the skipper is also your guide. You are not just chauffeurs and sightseeing from a distance. Simon’s role means you get guidance about where to go and how long to stay, without turning the day into a lecture.

From Dubrovnik to Grebeni, then Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan

Your day starts with pickup in Dubrovnik. You get collected about 20 minutes before departure, and then you’re cruising out toward the Elaphite area. Before the main trio of islands, you first see Grebeni, which gives you a quick preview of the coastline and the water you came for.

Then the itinerary follows the classic Elaphites rhythm:

• Koločep for caves and snorkeling-style stops
• Lopud for a sand beach break and a walk around the populated area
• Šipan for cruising time around the island and more options for food if you want lunch

Because it’s private, the important part is not just where you go. It’s how long you stay. In a 4-hour version, you’ll likely prioritize fewer stops and shorter swims. In an 8-hour version, you can slow down and extend the time where the water looks best, where the caves are feeling right, or where you want a longer break on Lopud.

Koločep cave stops: Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves

Koločep is where this tour feels most “different” from basic island hopping. The stops on Koločep include Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves. These are the kind of places where the boat gets you close, and the water makes the whole experience visually worth it.

Here’s what to expect in real terms:

• You’ll cruise to the cave areas by boat, not hike to views.
• You’ll have time for brief swimming and snorkeling moments in clear water, depending on conditions and what you choose.
• The vibe is usually calmer when you are not part of a large group flow, which is why Simon’s timing can really help.

One consideration: caves are naturally weather and water-condition dependent. On a private boat, you can often adjust on the fly, but you should still treat cave time as “the plan,” not an absolute guarantee of identical conditions every minute.

What I like about these cave choices is that they give you variety without needing you to make big decisions. You get green-toned and blue-toned cave scenery, then a change of pace with the Three Caves stop. If you love photos, you’ll have plenty of chances. If you prefer swimming and quiet time, you’ll still get that, because the schedule depends on your group.

Lopud timing: Šunj beach, then a walk in the main settlement

Lopud is the island break that balances swim time with land time. First you stop at Šunj, a sandy beach area where you can rinse off, stretch out, and enjoy the water from a beach rather than only from the boat.

After Šunj, you go to the populated area on Lopud. This is where a small walking break pays off. Even if you keep it short, it’s a good reset between swimming moments and boat moves. It also helps you feel the islands as more than a set of photo stops.

Lunch can be part of the day here. There are restaurants on Lopud, so if you want food, you can plan to eat on the island instead of packing your own. Food is not included, so you’ll pay for lunch, but you have an easy option that fits the pace of the tour.

A practical tip: if you care about privacy, ask Simon to time your Lopud moments around quieter intervals. The water can look amazing all day, but the beach mood shifts. Having a skipper who thinks about timing helps.

Šipan cruising and where lunch fits into the day

Šipan is the third island in the loop, and it rounds out the day with a more “cruising and choosing” feel. After Lopud, you continue by boat to Šipan, where you get additional time on the water and more chances to swim.

Like Lopud, Šipan has restaurants. That means you have an easy fallback if you decide you want lunch later rather than earlier. If you prefer to keep lunch simple, staying within a restaurant area on the island is more convenient than trying to coordinate food while bouncing between swim spots.

The real value of adding Šipan is that it extends the “island feel” of the day. You get enough time to notice differences in coastline and mood, without turning it into an all-day ordeal.

Snorkeling kit, towels, drinks, and Simon’s role as guide

This tour is unusual in the best way: it includes a lot of the small items that usually cost time, money, or stress.

You get:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Towels
• Drinks (water, cola, white wine, beer)
• GoPro for your day’s water moments

That list matters because it changes how you behave. With snorkeling gear included, you’re more likely to actually snorkel, rather than deciding it’s too much trouble. Towels mean you’re comfortable at the end of a swim. Drinks mean you can take the edge off the sun without stopping to buy things mid-plan.

Now, about Simon. The most consistent theme from his approach is that he’s friendly and flexible. He’s also described as respectful and attentive, and he helps make the day feel personal without being overbearing. One practical detail stands out: he is prepared to help with the tech side too, including GoPro use and goggles for watching fish.

If you want more privacy, Simon is also the kind of skipper who can aim for calmer swimming areas away from the busiest overlaps. That is a big deal. On busy coastlines, your enjoyment often depends less on the destination and more on where you spend your minutes.

How a 4 to 8 hour private day really changes

This is where you should think like a planner, not like a passenger. The tour can last 4 or 8 hours, and because it’s private, the stop count and dwell time depend on what you decide.

In a 4-hour version, you’ll likely choose the highlights you care about most:

• fewer cave stops or shorter cave time
• one main beach moment on Lopud
• a shorter walk or less time overall on land

In an 8-hour version, the day becomes more like a relaxed circuit:

• caves with more breathing room
• Šunj beach time that feels un-rushed
• a longer chance to enjoy Lopud and then still have proper time near Šipan
• more flexibility to linger where the water looks best in the moment

My advice: before you board, pick your top two priorities. If you love caves and underwater watching, commit to the Koločep segment and plan your time around it. If you want a mix of swimming and land, plan for Šunj and Lopud’s settlement walk, then keep Šipan as a “water time bonus” rather than your main event.

Because the schedule is private and adjustable, you’ll get a better day by being clear early about what your group wants, instead of trying to decide every 15 minutes.

Price and value: $530 per group up to 7

The price is $530 per group up to 7, with fuel, skipper-guide, drinks, towels, snorkeling equipment, GoPro, and transfers included. Food is the only thing you have to pay separately.

Value-wise, this is not priced like a per-person sightseeing bus. It’s priced like a private boat day where the fixed costs (captain, fuel, gear) don’t multiply with each extra passenger.

If you fill the group close to the cap of 7, the effective cost per person drops sharply, and the included add-ons make it feel even more reasonable. You’re not just paying for the boat, you’re paying for the day to run smoothly, with gear and drinks already covered.

If you book with fewer than 7 people, it can feel pricier, but it still may be worth it if your priority is privacy and flexible pacing. This is the kind of experience where the “included items” and the “only your group” part matter more than the exact destination list.

What to bring, and how to plan for a smooth day

The main item is simple: bring swimwear. That’s not a suggestion, it’s what makes the tour work. Since you’ll have water time across caves and beaches, you want to be ready to change quickly and swim without delay.

Also think about how you want to handle GoPro use. Since the GoPro is included, you can treat it as part of your water plan, not an afterthought. If your group wants to snorkel and film, decide who’s using it so everyone gets turns.

Finally, plan your day around the ocean time. If you’re pairing this with other Dubrovnik activities, I’d treat it as a centerpiece. It’s the kind of tour that rewards staying flexible, especially in hot-season conditions where the water and sun can shape the mood of the day.

Who should book this private Elaphite boat day

This tour is a strong fit if you:

• want a private group experience, not a shared boat schedule
• care about swimming and snorkeling more than museum-style sightseeing
• want to see Koločep’s cave scenery plus Lopud beach and island atmosphere
• like the idea of a skipper who adjusts the day around your preferences
• would rather spend money on included comfort and gear than on constant add-ons

It might not be the best choice if you only want brief sightseeing from dry land, because the tour’s core value is water time. If that’s your style, you might prefer a more land-focused option. But if you’re the type who gets excited about clear water, caves, and a relaxed island rhythm, this one fits.

Should you book the Cap Camarat private Elaphite tour?

I’d book this if your group includes people who actually want to swim, snorkel, and slow down enough to enjoy the islands rather than just check boxes. The private setup, the Koločep cave stops, and the included snorkeling gear plus towels and drinks add up to a day that feels complete.

Do it with confidence if you also like the sound of a flexible skipper-guided pace. Simon’s friendliness and his focus on making the experience fit your group is a clear part of the appeal, and being timely so you can enjoy calmer moments helps too.

If your priority is only one or two stops and you’re trying to minimize spend, consider whether a shorter, simpler plan would suit you. But if you want a true private boat day that feels tailored and not crowded, this is a very solid bet.

FAQ

Where is pickup for this boat tour?

Pickup is from Dubrovnik. You’ll be collected about 20 minutes before the start time.

How long is the private tour?

The tour lasts 4 to 8 hours, depending on what you choose and your schedule.

How many people can be on the tour?

It’s a private group, priced for your group up to 7 people.

What boat is used?

The tour uses a brand new Cap Camarat 7.5wa speedboat.

Which islands are visited?

You’ll see Grebeni first, then visit Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan.

What cave stops are included on Koločep?

On Koločep, the tour includes stops at Green Cave, Blue Cave, and Three Caves.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with towels.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks included are water, cola, white wine, and beer.

Is lunch included?

No. Food is not included, though restaurants are available on Lopud and Šipan.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear.