Private Full Day Sailing Tour To Elafiti Islands

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat trip is the freedom to trade crowded beaches for quiet swimming stops around the Elafiti Islands. Skipper Filip sets the pace, takes you to clear-water coves, and can arrange a table at a local fish restaurant on Šipan. I also like the private format and the chance to mix swimming with a small island village visit.

The main consideration is the price. At $692.36 for up to six people, it is good value for a full boat, but expensive for two. Wind can also be light, so you may spend much of the day under motor power rather than sailing.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six: Your group does not share the yacht with a large excursion crowd.
• Three very different island stops: Koločep is for swimming, Šunj for sand and sea, and Šipan for a village walk and lunch.
• Filip handles the details: He can help arrange a restaurant reservation and offers local suggestions along the route.
• Eight hours on the water: About four hours are set aside for cruising, so the day feels unhurried rather than rushed.
• Useful onboard extras: Snorkeling equipment, an outdoor shower, and a restroom are included.
• Bring your own food and drinks: Lunch, soft drinks, and alcohol cost extra, and transport to the marina is not included.

Why this private Elafiti Islands trip works

Dubrovnik is famous for its old stone streets and packed summer attractions. This excursion gives you a completely different view of the area: low islands, open water, small harbors, and swimming stops reached by boat. You leave from Lapadska obala 21 at 9:00 a.m. and return to the same marina after roughly eight hours.

The private setup matters. You can swim for longer if the water is good, spend more time ashore if Šipan catches your interest, or keep the day slow if you simply want to sit on deck. A large group boat must follow its timetable. Here, Filip can shape the day around your group.

I also like the human scale of the trip. This is not a sightseeing cruise with a microphone and a long list of stops. Filip is your skipper and host, and his role includes practical help, local advice, and communication before the trip. He has arranged restaurant tables on Šipan and has been responsive through WhatsApp, which is useful when you need to settle pickup details or discuss lunch.

The boat suits a small family or a group of friends best. Families with young children can request buoyancy vests, and service animals are allowed. Most people can take part, but you should be comfortable boarding a boat and swimming from a vessel or beach.

Koločep: your first hour in the water

Koločep is the first planned stop, with about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. The focus here is the water rather than a long walk ashore. You can use the supplied snorkeling equipment, then rinse off with the outdoor shower before settling back on board.

This first stop gives you a useful taste of the day. If you want an active morning, swim from the boat and look below the surface. If you prefer an easy start, stay on deck and enjoy the bay. The private format means you are not forced into a group swim or a set activity.

One practical point: an hour passes quickly. You should have your swimsuit on before departure and keep sunscreen, a towel, and water close by. The boat has a restroom, but you should still bring the basic beach items you want for the day. Towels are not listed as included, so bring your own.

Koločep is especially appealing if your idea of a Croatian island is a calm cove and clean water rather than a packed resort beach. It is less about ticking off sights and more about making the first proper swim of the day count.

Šunj Beach and Lopud’s rare sand

The next stop is Šunj Beach on Lopud, one of the most distinctive stops because it offers sand. Much of the Croatian coast is rocky or made up of pebbles, so a sandy beach gives this part of the day a different feel.

You can swim and snorkel from the boat, sunbathe on board, or swim to shore for a drink at one of the restaurants. The listed stop lasts about an hour, which is enough for a swim and a short shore visit, though you will not have unlimited time for a long beach session.

I would choose your plan before reaching the beach. If you want a quiet hour, remain near the boat and swim without dealing with shore crowds. If you want a cold drink or a change of scenery, head to the sand. You may not want to do both in detail within the same hour.

The sandy shore is also a good reason to bring footwear that works both on the boat and at the beach. No special shoes are listed as required, but sensible beach footwear can make the transfer easier. Since lunch is not included here, treat Šunj as a swimming and refreshment stop rather than your main meal.

Šipan: a slower island afternoon

Šipan is the final main island stop and offers the most choice on land. You can walk through the town, visit the Skocibuha castle, swim from the beach, or eat at one of the local restaurants.

This is where the tour moves beyond a simple beach outing. After time in the water, a walk through the harbor village gives you a look at island life and historic buildings. The castle visit is a useful option for anyone who wants more than sun and swimming, while the beach remains available for those who want to keep the day outdoors.

Plan on about two hours here, although the exact rhythm can depend on your group and the skipper’s schedule. Filip can make a restaurant reservation, and this is worth arranging ahead of time during busy periods. A small seafood restaurant can fill up, and securing a table saves you from wandering around hungry after a morning at sea.

Lunch is extra. The restaurant choice is yours, so costs will depend on what you order. You should also bring water and snacks. One useful approach is to carry a few simple items for the boat, then enjoy a proper meal on Šipan rather than relying on the beach stop for food.

The sailing time is part of the experience

The schedule includes about four hours of sailing and cruising, plus the time spent moving between the stops. That sounds like a lot until you remember that the boat is the main setting for the day. You are not being shuttled between attractions and dropped back at the marina. You spend much of the excursion looking out over the water, swimming from the boat, and moving at a relaxed pace.

Call this a sailing tour, but keep your expectations flexible. Wind conditions control how much actual sailing is possible. On calm days, the boat may run under motor for much of the route, with some sailing later if the breeze arrives. If you are booking mainly to learn sailing techniques or spend all day under sail, this may disappoint you.

If your priority is time on the sea, the motor issue matters less. You still get the private boat, the island views, the swimming stops, and the freedom to pause. The slow pace suits a family or couple that values room to breathe over a packed schedule.

I like that the trip does not try to force in a dozen destinations. Koločep, Šunj, and Šipan each have a clear purpose, and the remaining time gives the route some breathing room. You are less likely to feel that you spent the entire day checking your watch.

What the $692.36 price really means

The advertised cost is $692.36 per group of up to six. Split six ways, that is about $115 per person. For four people, it is about $173 each. For two, the cost rises to about $346 per person, so this is much easier to justify for a family or friend group than for a couple.

That price includes the private boat, fuel surcharge, snorkeling equipment, outdoor shower, and restroom. It does not include lunch, soft drinks, alcohol, or transport to the marina. If you are staying outside Dubrovnik, the operator gives an estimated Uber cost of about €40 to reach the marina, but the actual fare can vary.

The value comes from privacy and time. Large boats may cost less per person, but you usually lose control over the route and spend the day around a larger crowd. Here, your group can swim from the boat, visit the islands at a comfortable pace, and ask Filip for local advice.

I would not book this solely because it is the cheapest way to see the Elafiti Islands. It is not. I would book it if you value personal space, a flexible day, and a skipper who takes care of small details such as restaurant reservations.

Getting ready for a full day on the boat

The tour starts at 9:00 a.m. from Lapadska obala 21 in Dubrovnik and ends back there. The marina is close to public transportation, and bus 6 has been used to reach it. If you are outside Dubrovnik, arrange your own ride and allow enough time to find the marina.

Bring:

• A swimsuit and a change of clothes
• A towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Water and snacks
• A card or cash for lunch and drinks
• Beach footwear that you can use around the boat and shore

Snorkeling gear is supplied, but you may prefer to bring your own mask if you need a particular fit. The boat has a restroom, but a full day at sea is still more comfortable if you use the facilities before departure.

Communication before the trip is a strength. Filip is available through WhatsApp and has been proactive about arrangements. Send questions about the marina, lunch, or transport before the morning of the tour, rather than trying to solve everything at the dock.

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

Who should book this day on the Elafiti Islands?

I would recommend it to a group of friends, a family with children, or anyone who wants a private day away from Dubrovnik’s busiest spots. The boat accommodates up to six, and the mix of swimming, beach time, village walking, and lunch gives different people room to enjoy the day in their own way.

It is also a good choice if you care more about atmosphere than a long list of landmarks. You will see a castle and island towns, but the heart of the trip is water time and a quiet cruise.

I would think twice if you are traveling alone or as a couple on a tight budget. The flat group price makes the most sense when shared. I would also reconsider if your main goal is guaranteed sailing under wind power, since calm conditions may mean plenty of motor cruising.

FAQ

How long is the private Elafiti Islands tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours. It begins at 9:00 a.m. and returns to the meeting point at Lapadska obala 21 in Dubrovnik.

How many people can join the private boat tour?

The price covers one private group of up to six people. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

No. Lunch is not included. You will stop at one of the islands for a meal, and you pay separately for food and drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with an outdoor shower and a restroom on board.

How do I reach the marina?

The meeting point is Lapadska obala 21 in Dubrovnik, near public transportation. Bus 6 has been used to reach the marina. Transport from outside Dubrovnik is not included, and the operator gives an approximate Uber cost of €40.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you can fill most of the six seats and want a private, unhurried day on the water. The strongest reasons are Filip’s personal service, the chance to swim away from the main crowds, and the useful mix of Koločep, Šunj, and Šipan.

Skip it if you want the lowest-cost island transfer, a guaranteed full day under sail, or a tightly packed sightseeing schedule. For the right group, though, this is a practical way to turn Dubrovnik’s nearby islands into a relaxed day of clear water, local food, and small-scale exploring.