Caves and beaches, all in one boat day. This private Elaphiti Islands tour is built for time on the water: you get classic swim stops around Koločep and Lopud, plus Lokrum for legends, snorkeling, and sun. I really like the private setup for staying flexible and moving at a pace that works for your group, not a fixed bus schedule.

The other big win is the skipper storytelling. In the feedback I’ve read, skippers like Mato and Michael (both tied to Dubrovnik) share local context, and they also make practical calls about where to stop. The one thing to keep in mind is that the whole plan depends on weather. The experience requires good weather, so if conditions are poor you may be moved to another date or get a refund.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About

• Blue Cave and Three Green Caves with time to swim and explore
• Sandy Šunj Beach on Lopud with shallow water and a wide bay
• Lokrum Island stop with snorkeling, sunbathing, and local legends
• A private group of up to 6, so the day feels personal
• Skipper help with island lunch if you want a restaurant stop on the islands

A Private 8-Hour Boat Day From Porat Dubrovnik

This is an 8-hour private boat outing out of Dubrovnik, starting at 9:00am at Porat Dubrovnik (Ribarnica ul. 1). It ends back at the same meeting point, so you don’t have to think about transfers at the end of the day—big deal when the schedule gets fun and busy.

Your group size is up to 6, and that changes everything. You get more control over how long you linger for swimming, how you time your cave stops, and how easily you can adjust when you spot a better-looking bay. If you’re traveling as a family, or with friends who want the day to feel easy, this format makes the whole thing less stressful.

Pickup is offered, but there’s a catch: pickups besides Port Old Town are extra charged at 50 EUR on the boat. If you’re staying somewhere else, it’s worth factoring that in early so there are no last-minute surprises.

Elaphiti Islands: Koločep Caves and the Bay-Hopping Style

Your Elaphiti portion is the heart of the day (around 3 hours), with stops designed for swimming and short explorations. The area around Dubrovnik is famous for hidden bays, and this tour uses that advantage well. Instead of treating the islands like a checkbox list, it’s set up for water time—where you can hop in, then hop out, then move on before crowds stack up.

You’ll target the most talked-about cave systems in this region:

• Blue Cave on/near Koločep
• Three Green Caves nearby

There’s also room for a more relaxed approach. The plan includes hidden caves and bays or staying away from crowds in smaller coves, depending on what the skipper thinks will feel best that day. That flexibility matters because the “best” spot can shift with wind, light, and how busy the shoreline areas feel.

Admissions for these Elaphiti swim stops are listed as free for this experience, which helps your budget. Just know that cave time is time in the water—plan to be comfortable with swimming and short on/off moments.

Lopud and Šunj Beach: When You Want Sand and Shallow Water

If caves are the headline, Šunj Beach on Lopud is the reset button. You get about 2 hours here, and it’s specifically described as one of the few sandy beaches in the Dubrovnik area. That already tells you what kind of day this is: fewer hard surfaces, more easy lounging.

The bay setup is also part of the appeal. You’ll have shallow water and a wider shoreline area, which is great if you want a calm swim rather than a scramble. You also get a more laid-back island vibe compared to the more tightly packed day-trip spots closer to Dubrovnik.

One small practical bonus: the skipper can recommend restaurants on the islands for a whole-day tour and can even make a reservation, then take you there by boat. In the feedback I’ve read, at least one group mentioned a lunch stop on Lopud as a scenic extra treat, with food that was actually good rather than just convenient. If you like meals that feel like part of the outing, this is one of the tour features that can turn a good day into a memorable one.

Lokrum Island for Snorkeling, Sun, and Dubrovnik Legends

After the Elaphiti highlights, you head to Lokrum Island for about 1 hour. This stop includes swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling around the island, plus a story-based approach: you’ll hear legends about the island told by the skipper, who is born in Dubrovnik.

This is a smart contrast in pacing. After caves and boat movement, Lokrum gives you a more open island feel. And the legend-telling isn’t just fluff in the way some tours handle stories. In the feedback, people specifically pointed to the skipper’s local upbringing and the way that added color to the experience.

One budget note: Lokrum island admission is listed as not included. So bring a little extra spending flexibility if you plan to use the full time there (sun, swim, and snorkeling tend to go best when you can stay without constantly worrying about money at the entrance).

Blue Cave and Three Green Caves: Expect Light, Not Guarantees

These stops are famous for a reason. The Blue Cave is known for its magical blue glow when sunlight reflects through the water. The tour plan also gives you time to swim inside or explore the cave, or simply enjoy the colors from where you can see it best.

A nearby highlight is the Three Green Caves, which are described as quieter but still impressive. They’re ideal if you like snorkeling and checking out underwater scenery.

Here’s the practical expectation to set: caves are weather- and water-condition sensitive by nature. The tour requires good weather, which is basically your safety and comfort umbrella. In practice, when you’re doing caves by boat, things like wind and water movement influence what’s comfortable and what’s feasible. So the more you’re flexible about the exact way you experience the caves, the more satisfying they’ll be.

Also, don’t just wait for perfect photos. The point is getting in, moving with the flow, and letting the color and water texture do the work. Groups in the feedback mentioned the joy of jumping off the boat and exploring rocky spots, so if you’re comfortable with that style of marine time, you’ll probably love the cave-adjacent vibe.

How the Skipper Makes It Feel Tailored (Mato and Michael as Examples)

The difference between a crowded day and a truly enjoyable one often comes down to the skipper. In the feedback, skippers like Mato and Michael earned praise for being friendly, easy-going, and patient with group dynamics—especially for a group of 6.

I like that this tour doesn’t treat the caves and beaches as rigid checkpoints. Skippers are mentioned for making recommendations for both popular and quieter spots, which is exactly what you want on an island route where the best moment can be a matter of timing.

Another smart detail: the skipper can help with restaurant reservations on the islands for a full-day experience. That matters because island lunches are where many boat trips get awkward—no plan, long delays, or food that’s fine but forgettable. Here, you’re set up to reduce friction and keep the day moving.

And if you care about stories, this tour leans into it. A guide born in Dubrovnik telling legends about Lokrum is a nice way to connect the natural sights to local culture without turning the day into a lecture.

Price and Value for a Group of Up to Six

The price is $774.42 per group, up to 6 people, for the 8-hour private tour. That sounds high if you’re thinking per person. But private boat tours in Dubrovnik aren’t meant for solo bargain hunting—they’re meant for groups who want control.

Here’s the simple value math:

• For 6 people, you’re roughly in the $129 per person range.
• For 4 people, it’s closer to $194 per person.
• For 2 people, it’s about $387 per person.

So the value is strongest when you fill most seats and you genuinely want a private route (not just a scheduled group cruise). You also get a mix of stops where several are listed with admission tickets free (Blue Cave, Three Green Caves, and Šunj beach). Lokrum is an extra ticket, but it’s still a smaller variable compared to tours where everything is add-on heavy.

One more cost factor: if you need pickup outside Port Old Town, you pay 50 EUR on the boat. If that applies, it slightly changes the per-person math, so estimate it early and decide if it’s worth it for your hotel location.

What to Bring for a Boat Day With Swims and Caves

Because this is a water-focused itinerary, pack like you’re doing a full beach + snorkel day, not like you’re sightseeing from a seat.

Bring:

• Swimwear you can re-use across multiple stops
• A towel or quick-dry option
• Sunscreen and something for sun protection
• Water shoes if you don’t trust slick rocks (and based on the feedback, you may have moments jumping off and moving around rocky spots)
• A dry bag for phone and essentials

The tour includes swimming and snorkeling time at different stops, so having your own gear and comfort items pays off. And if you’re prone to motion sickness, consider what helps you on boats in general, since you’ll be moving around islands for most of the day.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Rethink)

This is ideal if you:

• Want private pacing and not a crowded day
• Like water time more than museum-style sightseeing
• Care about hitting famous spots like Blue Cave and then also getting that calmer, smaller-bay feel
• Have a group size that can make the per-person price reasonable

It may be less ideal if you:

• Prefer strictly on-land sightseeing
• Are not comfortable with swimming or jumping off the boat
• Know you’ll struggle if the day changes due to weather, since the tour requires good conditions

If your perfect Dubrovnik day is about views, swims, and short explorations with a local skipper guiding the flow, this tour style matches that goal really well.

Should You Book the Private Elaphiti and Lokrum Boat Tour?

My take: book it if you’re planning a Dubrovnik trip where you want to spend your day outside the city, in the water, with a guide who can steer you toward both famous and calmer spots. The combination of Elaphiti caves, Šunj’s sandy swim, and Lokrum’s snorkeling and legends gives you variety without turning the day into constant transit.

Book with extra attention if:

• You’re not comfortable with cave-and-swim style travel
• You’re traveling during a period when weather is unpredictable (the tour requires good weather)
• You don’t want any extra ticket costs, since Lokrum admission is not included

If you match the vibe—group of up to 6, comfortable with water time, and you like local storytelling—this is the kind of Dubrovnik outing that tends to earn those must-do reactions for a reason.

FAQ

How long is the Private Elaphiti Islands Boat Tour?

The tour lasts about 8 hours.

What is the group size for this private tour?

It’s private, and your group size can be up to 6 people.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Porat Dubrovnik (Ribarnica ul. 1, Dubrovnik) and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is offered. Pickups besides Port Old Town are extra charged 50 EUR on the boat.

Are tickets included for Blue Cave, Three Green Caves, and Šunj Beach?

Yes, admission tickets are listed as free for those stops.

Is Lokrum Island admission included?

No. Lokrum Island admission is listed as not included.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What happens if weather is bad or I need to cancel?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.