Hidden Gems Odyssey: Private Elaphiti Islands & Blue Cave Tour

Blue water is only the beginning. This private boat trip from Dubrovnik pairs the Blue and Green caves of Kolocep with sandy Šunj Beach on Lopud and quiet corners of Šipan. I like the flexible route, which lets you spend more time swimming or skip places that do not suit your group. I also like the small-group comfort, with towels, snorkeling gear, drinks, fruit, fuel, and hotel pickup included. The main catch is price: at $372.63 per person, it makes the most sense for a group sharing a private boat, not a solo sightseer.

You can book four to eight hours, so this tour works as either a half-day escape or a full day at sea. Expect a premium outing rather than a budget island transfer, and remember that lunch, some pickup locations, and the optional underwater scooter cost extra.

The essentials at a glance

• Kolocep’s Blue and Green caves: Swim and snorkel around striking sea caves close to Dubrovnik.
• Three island stops: Visit Kolocep, Lopud, and Šipan, with time to go ashore and swim from the boat.
• A flexible private itinerary: Your skipper can favor quiet coves, beaches, village walks, wine tasting, or lunch.
• Šunj Beach on Lopud: Enjoy one of the area’s best-known sandy beaches, a pleasant change from Croatia’s usual pebbles.
• Included onboard supplies: Towels, snorkeling gear, fuel, safety equipment, local wine, beer, water, soda, and fruit are covered.
• Strong skipper service: Ivan, Michael, Gigi, Peter, Filip, Marko, Paulo, Bruno, and others have been praised for friendly service, local stories, safe driving, and thoughtful planning.

Leaving Dubrovnik from the Old Town port

The usual meeting point is at the Old Town port, near Lokanda restaurant. You can also request another starting point, such as Gruž Port, or arrange pickup from your accommodation. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the standard service, but transfers from the Sheraton, Mlini, or Cavtat carry a €70 cash charge.

That detail matters. Dubrovnik’s Old Town is easy to reach on foot if you are staying nearby, but a transfer can save time if you have beach gear, children, or a group that does not want to organize taxis. The tour ends back at the meeting point, so plan your evening around returning to the port.

Your local skipper greets you, explains the route, and gives a safety briefing before departure. The boat is presented as clean and comfortable, with shade available. One family of five found enough room for everyone, including space to get out of the sun.

The private format is the real advantage here. You are not tied to a fixed group schedule, and the skipper can adjust the day around swimming, beach time, sightseeing, food, or the weather. That flexibility is worth much more on a hot day than a long list of scheduled stops.

Kolocep and the Blue and Green caves

Kolocep is the first island, and it is close enough to Dubrovnik to feel like an easy escape rather than a major expedition. The island is known for its calm setting, clear water, and Blue and Green caves.

The caves are the main attraction. You can use the supplied snorkeling equipment and swim near the openings and surrounding water. The exact experience depends on sea conditions, boat traffic, and how busy the area is, but the color and rock formations make this a strong first stop.

Some skippers also take you to additional coves for swimming. Ivan, Michael, Peter, and Filip were praised for adapting the route to the group, especially when children wanted more time in the water. If you prefer secluded swimming spots to famous locations, say so at the start. One couple specifically chose quieter places and spent the day moving between blue-water coves and island villages.

The drawback is that cave areas can be busy, especially in good summer weather. This is also a boat-and-swim experience, not a guided walking tour inside a cave system. Bring confidence in the water, or tell the skipper if you want more time close to the boat.

You can also ask about the optional underwater scooter, priced at €70 in cash. It is not included, and you do not need it to enjoy the caves, but it may add interest if you want a more active snorkeling session.

Lopud’s sandy Šunj Beach and village

Lopud is usually the longest stop, with about three hours available. Its star feature is Šunj Beach, a sandy stretch that feels unusual after days of Croatia’s familiar stone and pebble shores.

You can go ashore to sunbathe, swim, and relax, or stay on the boat with a drink and the view. Snorkeling gear remains available, and fresh fruit and local drinks are supplied onboard. That arrangement gives your group room to split up without turning the day into a rigid schedule.

I would make Šunj the beach part of the trip. If you have been swimming from rocky platforms around Dubrovnik, the sand offers a welcome change. Families may appreciate the easier shore access, though the tour information does not promise shallow water or specific facilities, so ask your skipper about current conditions.

An optional visit to Lopud village adds a different side of the island. Instead of spending all day beside the water, you can walk through the settlement and take in its quieter character. The island stop works best when you do both: beach time first, then a short village visit if your group still has energy.

Lopud can also be the place for lunch. Lunch is not included, but several skippers have arranged tables at waterfront restaurants. Michael reserved a spot where a family enjoyed fresh fish and seafood, while another group praised a meal of seabass at Obala. Gigi recommended a local lunch stop, and BOWA was singled out as a special treat by another group.

Those meals can be memorable, but they also change the price of the day. Ask about the menu and expected cost before sitting down, especially if you are ordering whole fish, lobster, or several courses. The skipper can help with the reservation, but the meal remains your responsibility.

Šipan, Suđurađ, and Sikirica

Šipan is the largest and most populated of the Elaphiti Islands included here. Its pace is slower than Dubrovnik’s, with olive trees, pine trees, quiet water, and small settlements rather than a long list of major sights.

The usual arrival point is Suđurađ. Two Renaissance palaces linked to the Skočibuha family give the waterfront a little historical character, but the appeal is less about checking off monuments and more about seeing ordinary island life.

Šipan is the best stop for food and local products. You can ask the skipper to arrange a tasting of homemade wine, olive oil, marmalade, fruit, and vegetables. A winery visit with wine, cheese, and olive oil is also possible. These extras turn the boat trip into a closer look at local food traditions, but they need to be arranged in advance or during the day with your skipper.

The final swim may be at Sikirica, a small islet with pebble beaches. This is a simple, scenic finish rather than a formal sightseeing stop. You step off the boat, swim, and enjoy the water before heading back toward Dubrovnik.

I like the balance of Šipan after the more obvious attractions at Kolocep and Lopud. The limitation is time. On a four-hour booking, you may only get brief visits to all three islands. If you want a leisurely lunch, wine tasting, village walk, and several swims, book the full eight hours.

What the private format really adds

A private boat is not just a nicer way to move between islands. It changes the rhythm of the day.

You can ask for more swimming if the water is perfect. You can stay longer at Šunj Beach if nobody wants to leave. You can request quiet coves instead of the most popular stops, or spend extra time on a village walk. Several skippers were praised for making these adjustments without rushing the group.

The skippers are another major part of the experience. Ivan is repeatedly praised for local stories, safety, and friendly service. Michael is noted for customizing the route and organizing a strong lunch. Gigi is described as warm, attentive, and full of island history. Peter adjusted the plan for children who wanted more cave and swimming time, while Marko was praised for choosing excellent stops.

Other named skippers include Filip, Paulo, Bruno, Mattia, and Z. The consistent theme is personal service rather than a memorized script. You can expect commentary about Dubrovnik and the islands, but the amount of history may vary by skipper and by how much your group wants to talk.

Some departures include extras such as GoPro photos, a USB, or images sent later through WeTransfer. These details appear to vary, so ask before departure rather than assuming they are guaranteed. One group also received a Polaroid photograph to take home.

Drinks, equipment, and what to bring

The price includes snorkeling gear and beach towels, along with life vests and other safety equipment. Fuel is also covered, which avoids the unpleasant surprise of a fuel surcharge for the standard route.

Unlimited local beer, wine, water, sodas, and fruit are included. This is useful because a day under the Croatian sun can make frequent drinks essential. It also adds value for a group that would otherwise buy refreshments at every stop.

Lunch is not included. Wine tastings, restaurant meals, and optional activities should be treated as add-ons. The underwater scooter costs €70 cash, and pickup or drop-off from Sheraton, Mlini, or Cavtat also costs €70 cash.

I would bring sunscreen, a swimsuit, a light cover-up, sunglasses, and a dry bag for phones. The tour provides towels, but you still need personal sun protection and a way to keep valuables dry. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and service animals are allowed.

The tour is suitable for most people, but it is built around getting in and out of the water. If anyone in your group has mobility concerns, ask the operator about boat access and beach conditions before booking.

Is $372.63 per person fair?

The price is high if you compare it with a shared ferry or a basic group excursion. It becomes easier to justify when several people share the boat and use the full day.

You are paying for privacy, a skipper who can change the plan, fuel, equipment, drinks, towels, and pickup. You also avoid spending the day waiting for a large group to board, disembark, eat, or finish a scheduled swim.

For a group of friends or a family, the value is strongest at eight hours. You get time for three islands, caves, several swims, a proper lunch, and perhaps wine tasting without turning every stop into a race. A four-hour trip is better for visitors who want a taste of the islands or have limited time in Dubrovnik.

The cost is less convincing for one or two people unless the private setting is especially important to you. In that case, compare the total boat price with other private charters and ask exactly what kind of boat will be used.

Timing, weather, and cancellation

The tour lasts approximately four to eight hours, and good weather is required. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Since the sea is central to the experience, I would avoid placing this tour on the final few hours of your Dubrovnik visit if your schedule allows another day.

The company says confirmation is provided at booking, and communication was praised for being responsive. Still, confirm your pickup point, preferred length, lunch plans, and any paid extras before departure.

Who should book this boat day?

I would choose it for a family that wants control over swimming and meal breaks, a group of friends looking for a relaxed day with drinks, or a couple willing to pay for privacy and a more personal route.

It also suits anyone who has already explored Dubrovnik’s Old Town and wants to see the coast from the water. Several people described the change of viewpoint as one of the best parts of the day. The boat lets you leave the crowds behind without giving up comfort.

I would think twice if you dislike swimming, want a tightly structured historical tour, or are traveling on a strict budget. The islands are beautiful, but much of the appeal comes from sea time, flexible stops, and the freedom to linger.

Should you book the Hidden Gems Odyssey?

Book it if you want a private, easygoing day built around swimming, caves, beaches, local food, and personal service. Ask for Ivan, Michael, Gigi, Peter, Filip, Marko, or another skipper by name if a particular style matters to you, though availability will vary.

Choose eight hours for the full experience. Choose four hours if you mainly want Kolocep’s caves, a beach stop, and a few swims. At $372.63 per person, it is a splurge, but the flexibility and included onboard service make it a sensible splurge for a group sharing the cost.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The usual meeting point is at Dubrovnik’s Old Town port near Lokanda restaurant. You can also request the Old Town port, Gruž Port, or another preferred starting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Pickup from the Sheraton, Mlini, or Cavtat costs an additional €70 in cash.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four to eight hours, depending on the option you book and the route you choose.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The planned islands are Kolocep, Lopud, and Šipan. The route can be adjusted with your skipper.

Can I swim in the Blue and Green caves?

Yes. The Kolocep stop includes the chance to swim and snorkel around the Blue and Green caves.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear, beach towels, life vests, and safety equipment are included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Local beer, wine, water, sodas, and fruit are included onboard.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, though the skipper can help arrange a restaurant reservation.

Can I request wine tasting?

Yes. The skipper and guide can arrange wine tasting, including options with cheese and olive oil, depending on the plan.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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