REVIEW · DUBROVNIK
BLUE CAVE & ELAPHITI ISLANDS 4 HOURS ALL INCLUSIVE boat tour
Book on Viator →Operated by Around Dubrovnik · Bookable on Viator
Sunj sand and blue cave swims, in four hours. I love that this trip schedules a solid Šunj Beach hour on the prettiest sandy stretch along the Mediterranean coastline near Dubrovnik. I also like the focus on the Blue and Green cave around Koločep, with included snorkeling equipment so you can experience the water, not just watch it.
This is a private outing for up to 7, so you’re not stuck in a big crowd and you can follow the skipper’s pace. One heads-up: the stop at Koločep is very short on the timetable, so keep your expectations flexible and bring a swim-first mindset instead of planning for long walks. Skipper Ivan runs a tight, practical show and even guides people toward a good meal when lunch comes up.
What really makes it feel all-inclusive is that you get alcoholic beverages (18+), soft drinks and water, plus snorkeling gear and fuel. You meet at Lapadska obala 4, and you return there too; there’s no pick up/drop off, and lunch isn’t included.
In This Review
- Key Highlights You’ll Care About
- A Tight 4-Hour Plan That Fits Real Dubrovnik Days
- Meeting at Lapadska Obala 4 and What’s Included (and Not)
- Stop 1: Šunj Beach Hour for Sand, Shade, and a Real Break
- Stop 2: Koločep’s Blue and Green Cave Experience (and Why Timing Matters)
- Stop 3: Elaphiti Islands—Rock Jumping, Snorkeling, Lopud Heritage
- All-Inclusive Drinks: Fun, Useful, and Still Age-Restricted
- Value for Money: $473.17 Per Group Up to 7
- When This Boat Tour Makes Sense (and When It Doesn’t)
- Weather, Confirmation, and Simple Planning Tips
- Should You Book Blue Cave & Elaphiti Islands?
- FAQ
- How long is the Blue Cave & Elaphiti Islands boat tour?
- Is this tour private?
- What is included in the all-inclusive package?
- Is lunch included?
- Do you get pick up or drop off?
- Where is the meeting point?
- What language is the tour offered in?
- Are alcoholic beverages included for everyone?
- Is snorkeling equipment provided?
- What happens if the weather is bad or I cancel?
Key Highlights You’ll Care About

- All-inclusive drinks + snorkeling gear so you don’t have to add extra costs mid-trip
- Šunj Beach time to actually sit on sand, not just a quick photo stop
- Blue and Green cave experience at Koločep with a short, action-friendly schedule
- Elaphiti Islands mix: Koločep and Lopud with rock-jumping and snorkeling options
- Old-town flavor on Lopud for a change of pace from open water
- Skipper-led food suggestions, including a sea bass lunch at Obala restaurant recommendation by Ivan
A Tight 4-Hour Plan That Fits Real Dubrovnik Days

Dubrovnik is full of long-ticket, long-queue sightseeing. This tour is a different rhythm: 4 hours on the water, built around swim time and island scenery, not museum time. If your day has already included the old town or Fort Lovrijenac, this is a good reset.
The private format matters. Up to 7 people means you’re usually easier to coordinate—less waiting, more freedom to follow the skipper to the best spot for the conditions. And because it’s only your group, the tone tends to be more relaxed and practical: swim, snack on included drinks, then move on.
Also, the schedule is designed to keep momentum. Šunj gets time for sand and water fun, and the rest of the trip focuses on seeing the Elaphiti islands from the sea. The payoff is a compact itinerary that doesn’t swallow your whole day.
You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Dubrovnik
Meeting at Lapadska Obala 4 and What’s Included (and Not)

You’ll start and end at Lapadska obala 4 (20000, Dubrovnik). That’s handy if you’re staying in the Lapad area or already plan to be near the water. It also means you don’t need a separate transfer plan to get back at the end.
Included in the price:
- Alcoholic beverages (for ages 18+)
- Soft drinks and water
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- Fuel
Not included:
- Lunch
- Pick up/drop off
So you can treat the boat portion as genuinely “all set,” but you should plan your food on your own for the day. In one reported outing, Ivan’s recommendation for lunch was sea bass at Obala restaurant, which is exactly the kind of useful local steer that can make the gap between included drinks and real food feel smaller.
One more practical detail: the tour runs in English and uses a mobile ticket. There’s also a note that confirmation arrives right away unless you book within 4 hours of travel—in that case you’ll get confirmation as soon as possible based on availability.
Stop 1: Šunj Beach Hour for Sand, Shade, and a Real Break

Šunj Beach is the first stop, listed as 1 hour with admission ticket free. This is not a “stand here for five minutes” situation. The idea is simple: give you enough time to actually enjoy a sandy Mediterranean beach, rinse off, and settle into vacation mode.
In a place like Dubrovnik—where stone steps, city walls, and stairs can take over your legs—this kind of sand time is a relief. You get a straightforward payoff: water access plus a place to sit without feeling like you’re sprinting between viewpoints.
What to do with your hour:
- Use it for a swim or snorkeling session depending on conditions
- Find a spot to rest before the boat moves to islands
- Take a break from sun that’s stronger in the afternoon by choosing shade where you can
The main trade-off is obvious: it’s only one hour. If your perfect beach day means 3–4 hours of lounging, you’ll want to treat this stop as a strong “starter course” and then plan a longer beach block elsewhere.
Stop 2: Koločep’s Blue and Green Cave Experience (and Why Timing Matters)

Koločep is where the trip leans hardest into water visuals. The plan calls for a stop connected to the Blue and Green cave, and it’s listed as about 1 minute on the schedule. That short time is your clue: you’re not booking a long, drawn-out cave crawl. You’re booking a quick, conditions-dependent water moment.
Here’s how to think about it. When a cave stop is brief, your best outcome depends on being ready—being on deck, listening to the skipper, and taking advantage of the exact window when the light and water position work. With snorkeling equipment included, you’re set up for that quick “go now” style of experience.
If you’re the type who hates rushing, adjust your mindset. Don’t plan to treat this like a full guided activity with lots of standing around. Instead, treat it like a highlight moment in a larger route: Šunj gives you time on land, then Koločep gives you that cave-water payoff fast.
Stop 3: Elaphiti Islands—Rock Jumping, Snorkeling, Lopud Heritage

The final segment is built around the Elaphiti islands, with stops that include Koločep and Lopud. This part of the trip is where you’ll get the “islands by sea” feel, not just one beach and a return trip.
The plan includes a mix of active options:
- Rock jumping (as an offered activity)
- Snorkeling (equipment included)
- A chance to walk on Šunj and experience old heritage on Lopud
A key detail here is that the tour is described as suggested, with the possibility to tailor it to your wishes. That’s valuable if you want to spend more time on one island feel—more water time if that’s your priority, or more walking if you’d rather stretch your legs on Lopud.
Lopud brings a different vibe from open water: “old heritage” is the focus, so expect more of the island’s human scale—less just-the-sea scenery, more places to wander.
The best part of this stop is that it’s not one-dimensional. You’re doing sea views, water play, and a bit of island walking in the same 4-hour window. That’s why this works well as a day “chapter” between Dubrovnik’s city sights and an evening out.
One more note: your skipper will suggest where to enjoy Mediterranean cuisine. Since lunch isn’t included, these recommendations are practical. They help you decide fast, instead of guessing from a menu list later.
All-Inclusive Drinks: Fun, Useful, and Still Age-Restricted

This tour includes alcoholic beverages plus soft drinks and water. Alcohol is offered for ages 18+, so if anyone in your group is under that, you can still rely on the non-alcohol options.
Why the drink inclusion is more than just fun: it reduces decision fatigue. If you’re on a boat and you’re already planning for swimming and snorkeling, having drinks handled keeps the trip moving. It also means you don’t need to think about spending extra money at the start of the outing.
If you want to keep things comfortable, treat the included drinks like part of the experience, not a reason to overdo it. With active water stops and possible rock jumping, you’ll enjoy the cave/island moments more with steady energy.
Value for Money: $473.17 Per Group Up to 7

The price is $473.17 per group (up to 7) for about 4 hours. That sounds pricey until you do the group math. If you split it across 7 people, you’re looking at roughly $68 per person for a half-day boat outing that includes snorkeling gear and drinks.
The real value play is the combination:
- Private boat time (not shared with random strangers)
- Snorkeling equipment included
- Drinks included
- Fuel included
What you’re still paying extra for is mainly lunch and any transportation you need to reach the meeting point. Since pick up/drop off isn’t included, the tour’s value improves if you’re already nearby (or you can get to Lapadska obala quickly and easily).
So, when does it feel like a great deal? When you have a group that can actually fill close to the maximum. When you’re traveling solo or as a couple, it can still be worth it if you really want the private speed and the cave/islands format—but the cost per person will naturally be higher.
When This Boat Tour Makes Sense (and When It Doesn’t)

This is a smart choice if you want:
- A short, energetic island-and-water experience
- Included snorkeling gear and drinks
- A private format in the Dubrovnik area
- A mix of beach time (Šunj) and island time (Koločep/Lopud)
It might feel wrong if:
- You want long, slow island exploring
- You hate short stops and quick transitions
- You’re hoping lunch is included (it isn’t)
The cave and island segments are timed for action, not extended strolling. If your ideal day is mostly on land with long photo stops and shopping, you may prefer a different kind of tour. But if you want the water to be the main character, this one matches your goal.
Weather, Confirmation, and Simple Planning Tips
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s important in Dubrovnik because wind and sea conditions can change quickly.
Also, if you book close to your travel time, confirmation is received as soon as possible based on availability. So if you’re traveling in a busy period, try not to leave it to the last minute.
Because there’s snorkeling and rock-jumping listed as possible activities, I’d treat this as an active tour. Wear swim-friendly clothes and plan for getting wet. Bring a way to protect your phone and valuables from splashes, and be ready to move when the skipper indicates.
Should You Book Blue Cave & Elaphiti Islands?
I’d book this tour if your goal is a private, half-day water escape with real highlights: Šunj Beach, Koločep’s Blue and Green cave moment, and the Elaphiti mix with Lopud’s island heritage. The included snorkeling gear and drinks make it feel complete, and the up-to-7 group size keeps it from turning into a cramped group slog.
Skip it if you’re planning for a long land-and-linger day. The schedule is short at Koločep, and the overall itinerary is designed for movement. Also, because lunch isn’t included and pick up/drop off isn’t provided, it’s best for people who can handle that simple logistics piece without stress.
If you’re the type who wants to maximize “time on the water” while keeping your Dubrovnik day intact, this one is a strong fit.
FAQ
How long is the Blue Cave & Elaphiti Islands boat tour?
The tour lasts about 4 hours.
Is this tour private?
Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group participates. The group size is up to 7 people.
What is included in the all-inclusive package?
Included are alcoholic beverages, soft drinks and water, use of snorkeling equipment, and fuel.
Is lunch included?
No, lunch is not included.
Do you get pick up or drop off?
Pick up/drop off is not included. The tour starts and ends back at the meeting point.
Where is the meeting point?
The meeting point is Lapadska obala 4, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia.
What language is the tour offered in?
The tour is offered in English.
Are alcoholic beverages included for everyone?
Alcoholic beverages are offered from age 18 and above.
Is snorkeling equipment provided?
Yes. You’ll have use of snorkeling equipment.
What happens if the weather is bad or I cancel?
The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.




























