Dubrovnik : Full Day Group Sail Boat Tour to Elaphiti & Blue Cave

The best part of this Dubrovnik day is the freedom to spend real time in the water rather than simply admiring the Elaphiti Islands from a crowded boat. You sail from Lapadska obala, stop at quiet bays around Koločep, stretch out on sandy Šunj Beach, and finish with island time and lunch on Lopud.

I like the small maximum of eight people, which makes it easier to move around the boat and shape the day around swimming or sightseeing. I also like the practical extras: a sunshade, outdoor shower, stand-up paddleboard, water gear, coffee, tea, and a welcome drink. The main consideration is that lunch is not included, food is not served on the boat, and the Blue Cave and Šipan depend on time, weather, and the group’s wishes.

Key points to know before you book

• Small boat, maximum eight people: You get more room and a more personal day than on a large excursion boat.
• Koločep is the main swimming stop: Plan on about an hour in a quiet bay for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, or using the SUP.
• Šunj Beach brings the sand: This is the best stop for a proper beach break, with a beach club nearby for a drink.
• Lopud is the lunch and walking stop: You have about two hours for a waterside meal, a swim, village streets, or the 14th-century monastery.
• The Blue Cave is optional: It may be visited from Koločep, depending on the group and the day’s timing.
• Bring your own snacks and preferred drinks: Coffee, tea, water, and a welcome drink are supplied, but lunch and other refreshments are your responsibility.

Setting sail from Lapadska obala at 9:30

The tour begins at Lapadska obala 4 in Dubrovnik at 9:30 a.m. It returns to the same meeting point after roughly eight hours, so you can plan a full evening in the city afterward.

The location is near public transportation, but pickup and drop-off are optional rather than part of the standard plan. If you choose to meet the boat yourself, allow enough time to reach the waterfront without rushing. Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity is offered in English.

This is a group sailing trip, but it is a small one. With no more than eight people aboard, you are not lost in a mass of passengers. You can usually talk with the skipper, shift between shaded and sunny areas, and decide how active you want to be.

The boat has a sunshade, a detail that matters on a long summer day. A few hours in direct sun can turn a pleasant outing into hard work, so the covered area gives you a place to cool down between swims. An outdoor shower is also available for rinsing off saltwater.

Koločep: your first proper swim

After leaving Dubrovnik, the boat heads toward Koločep, the first of the three Elaphiti Islands on this route. The planned stop lasts about two hours, including sailing and time in the water.

Koločep is the part of the trip to approach with a swimsuit already on. The plan is to stop near a bay, swim, use the supplied water equipment, sunbathe, and possibly paddle on the SUP. The setting is described as quiet, with cliffs and bird sounds around the bay, which gives this first stop a calmer feel than a developed town beach.

You have about an hour for the actual swim and rest period. That is enough time to get in the water without feeling hurried, though it is not an all-day beach stay. If you prefer to stay active, you can alternate between swimming and paddleboarding. If you want a slower morning, simply sit under the shade or on the boat and enjoy the view.

The Blue Cave may be added from this area, but it is not guaranteed. It depends on the group’s wishes and the available time. Treat it as a possible bonus rather than the central reason to book the tour. If the cave matters most to you, ask about it before departure so you understand how it may affect the rest of the schedule.

Šunj Beach: the Elaphiti Islands’ sandy pause

The next major stop is Šunj Beach on Lopud, with about an hour set aside for the beach. This is a useful contrast to swimming from the boat. Instead of stepping straight from the deck into the sea, you get a broad sandy shore where you can wade in, lie on the beach, or walk toward the water.

You can also swim and snorkel near the rocks. A beach club offers the chance to buy a drink, which is handy because food and extra refreshments are not provided on the boat.

Šunj is the sort of place where you may wish you had more time. The schedule gives you about an hour, so think of it as a well-sized beach break rather than a full beach day. If you prefer sandy beaches to rocky swimming bays, this will likely be one of your favorite stops.

Bring sun protection and a towel, and keep your expectations practical. The tour packs several islands into one day, so every stop has a limit. The reward is variety: you are not spending all eight hours in one bay.

Lopud: lunch beside the water and time to wander

Lopud is the longest land-based stop, with about two hours planned here. Lunch is arranged at a restaurant by the sea, about 20 meters from the beach, but the meal itself is not included in the tour price.

This arrangement gives you more choice than an onboard meal. You can sit down for a proper lunch, buy a drink, swim before or after eating, or spend some of the time walking through the village. A table by the water has been reserved for the group on some departures, but the important point is that you should budget separately for your meal.

Lopud is also the best stop for a little culture. You may visit a local monastery dating from the 14th century, provided you leave enough time around lunch and swimming. The tour does not turn into a formal history visit, so you will need to explore at your own pace.

I would make Lopud your planning anchor. If you want a relaxed meal, do not rush through the earlier swim stops. If you care more about seeing the monastery and village, leave time for a walk instead of treating lunch as the only activity.

The two-hour stop also helps break up the day. Eight hours on a boat can feel long if you never step ashore. Here you can stretch your legs, eat at a table, and return to the water when you are ready.

Šipan: a flexible final island stop

Šipan is the last possible island stop, but it is optional and depends on how much time remains. If the group has already had lunch on Lopud, the boat may spend about an hour around a small village on Šipan.

The choices are simple: walk around, swim, sit in nature, or order a cold drink at one of the restaurants. This flexibility is useful, but it also means Šipan should not be treated as a guaranteed highlight.

The schedule includes two hours of general sailing and cruising through the Elaphiti Islands, with possible swimming stops in passing bays. That time may be used for Šipan or for a slower return with extra water stops. The skipper can adjust the day around conditions and the group, but no single route variation is promised.

This is a good fit if you prefer a flexible day to a strict checklist. It is less suitable if you need every island and the Blue Cave to happen exactly as advertised. The more stops you add, the less time you have at each one.

What is included, and what you need to bring

The tour includes free sailing lessons, a welcome drink, coffee or tea, water, an SUP, water equipment, and an outdoor shower. The sailing lesson is a pleasant extra if you are curious about how the boat works. Previous feedback also describes the skipper explaining the lines and allowing some participants to steer, though you should see this as dependent on the skipper and conditions, not a guaranteed private sailing lesson.

Food is not available onboard. Lunch is planned for Lopud, where you pay separately. You are also allowed to bring your own snacks and specific drinks, which is a smart move if you need something between swimming stops.

Pack:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sun protection
• Dry clothing for the ride home
• Money or a card for lunch and beach or island drinks
• Personal snacks and any preferred beverages
• A waterproof way to protect your phone

The free drinks are useful, but they do not replace a full lunch or a personal supply of refreshments. One person specifically appreciated the basic drinks and suggested bringing anything more specific. That is good practical advice.

The skipper and the small-group feel

Captain Dragan is named in the feedback, and one response refers to him as Dragon. Another comment mentions Zeba, so the exact skipper may vary by departure. What you can reasonably expect is a hands-on sailing host rather than a large tour operation with several staff members.

The strongest praise centers on the captain’s friendly manner, efficiency, and willingness to make the day flexible. The experience has included explanations of the boat, chances to steer, and adjustments based on how much people wanted to swim, relax, or explore.

That personal style is a major part of the value. A small group makes it easier to ask questions and agree on the pace. It also means the day can feel social, since you share the boat with the same small group from morning to afternoon.

The trade-off is that a small operation depends more on the individual skipper and the weather. If you want a scripted narration, fixed meal, and tightly controlled timetable, this may feel informal. If you like a skipper who can respond to the group, it is a better match.

Price, value, and the real cost of the day

At $170.43 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Elaphiti Islands. The price makes more sense when you count the eight-hour duration, the small maximum group of eight, the boat, the skipper, several swim stops, sailing instruction, SUP use, water equipment, and the return to Dubrovnik.

You still need to pay for lunch and any drinks bought on Lopud or Šunj Beach. Pickup and drop-off are optional, so those costs may also matter depending on your plans. The advertised price is best understood as the cost of a full day on a small sailing boat, not an all-inclusive excursion.

The value is strongest for people who would otherwise book several separate activities: a boat ride, a beach visit, swimming in secluded bays, and a short island walk. It is weaker if you mainly want transport to one beach or if you dislike paying extra for lunch.

The 4.8 rating from 23 reviews and 96 percent recommendation indicate a strong record, while the comments also reveal the practical truth: the experience is best when you bring what you want to eat and drink, stay flexible about the route, and accept that weather can shape the day.

Weather, cancellations, and who should book

This experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Most people can participate, but the day includes boarding a boat, swimming, using a beach, and moving between boat and shore. Anyone with concerns about those activities should ask the provider before booking.

I would choose this trip if you want a full day outdoors, enjoy swimming, and prefer a small boat to a large cruise. It is especially good for couples, friends, and solo visitors who like meeting a few other people without joining a huge group.

I would think twice if you want a guaranteed Blue Cave visit, a fully included lunch, or a fixed schedule with every stop locked in. The Blue Cave and Šipan are optional, and the final shape of the day depends on weather, timing, and the group.

Should you book the Elaphiti sailing day?

Book it if your ideal Dubrovnik day includes several swims, a sandy beach, a waterside lunch, and relaxed sailing rather than a formal sightseeing program. The small boat, shade, SUP, basic drinks, and flexible pace add real value, and Lopud gives the day a useful break from being on the water.

Before paying, accept three facts: lunch costs extra, the Blue Cave is not guaranteed, and Šipan may be skipped if time runs short. Bring your own snacks and preferred drinks, start in swimwear, and let the skipper shape the route around conditions.

For a small-group day that combines Koločep, Šunj Beach, Lopud, and possibly Šipan, this is a strong choice. Just book it for the sailing and island time as a whole, not for one promised cave or one exact itinerary.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Lapadska obala 4, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Dubrovnik.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is eight travelers.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is planned on Lopud at a restaurant by the sea, but you pay for it separately.

Is food available on the boat?

No. Food is not available onboard, so you may bring your own snacks.

Is the Blue Cave visit guaranteed?

No. Visiting the Blue Cave is optional and depends on the group’s wishes and the available time.

Is Šipan guaranteed as a stop?

No. Šipan is optional if time allows.

What is included onboard?

The tour includes sailing lessons, a welcome drink, coffee or tea, water, a stand-up paddleboard, water equipment, and an outdoor shower.