Dubrovnik: Full Day Private Sail Boat tour to Elaphiti&Blue Cave

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat day is the freedom of having a private sailboat for your group. Skipper Dragan can teach you the basics of sailing, adjust the route for children, and give you time to swim, snorkel, or simply lie back as the Elaphiti Islands pass by. I especially like the small-group format and the chance to visit several islands without being packed onto a large excursion boat.

I also like that fuel, coffee, tea, snorkeling gear, and a stand-up paddleboard are included. The main drawback is that lunch is not covered, and the detailed route does not clearly describe a Blue Cave stop even though it appears in the tour name. Ask about the Blue Cave before booking if it is a must-see for you.

Key points at a glance

• A genuinely private boat day: Your group of up to eight people has the sailboat to itself.
• Dragan is part of the experience: He teaches basic sailing and has adjusted routes to make the day easier for families with children.
• Three island stops plus open-water sailing: Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan are combined with time at sandy Šunj Beach.
• Good water gear is included: You get snorkeling equipment, a stand-up paddleboard, an outdoor shower, and a rest area.
• Lunch is flexible but extra: You can eat at a local restaurant on Lopud or possibly Šipan, but food and alcoholic drinks are not included.
• Check the Blue Cave detail: The named experience includes it, but the supplied route does not give a specific Blue Cave stop or timing.

Why this private Dubrovnik sailing day works

Dubrovnik’s Elaphiti Islands are close enough for a full-day boat trip, yet they give you a clear change of pace from the city. Instead of spending the whole day moving between crowded sights, you get a mix of swimming, island walks, beach time, and sailing.

The private setup matters. With up to eight people in your own group, you can talk with the skipper about the pace of the day rather than follow a fixed schedule made for a much larger crowd. Families can spend longer in calm water, while adults may prefer more time sailing or a slower lunch stop.

I also like the fact that this is a sailboat experience, not simply a fast transfer between beaches. The trip includes free sailing lessons, so you can learn a little about handling the boat if conditions allow. You should not expect a formal sailing course, but the chance to take part gives the day more character.

The current rating is 5 out of 5 from 13 ratings, with 100 percent recommending the experience. That is a small sample, so I would not treat it as proof that every departure will be perfect. Still, the strongest praise is consistent: Dragan is friendly, speaks good English, explains sailing, and adjusts the day to suit the group.

Leaving Lapadska obala at 9:30 a.m.

The meeting point is Lapadska obala 4 in Dubrovnik, with departure scheduled for 9:30 a.m. The boat returns to the same meeting point after roughly eight hours, so you should expect to be back at about 5:30 p.m., depending on the day’s conditions and timing.

Pickup and drop-off are not included, though they may be available as an optional extra. The meeting point is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying elsewhere in Dubrovnik. Give yourself enough time to reach the marina without rushing. A private boat day is a poor place to start with a last-minute sprint through town.

The boat has a rest area, an outdoor shower, and a fully equipped kitchen. Those features are useful on a long warm-weather outing. The shower is especially handy after swimming, while the kitchen gives you a practical place for drinks or food you bring along.

Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, a towel, and water-friendly footwear. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, and a stand-up paddleboard is available, but you may still prefer to bring your own mask if you want a familiar fit.

Koločep: the first swim of the day

The first stop is Koločep, where you have about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. The focus here is simple: get into the water, look around the bays, and enjoy the island before the day gets busy.

An hour is enough for a good swim but not enough for a long island walk. That is fine because Koločep functions as an active opening stop rather than a full visit. You can test the water, use the snorkeling gear, and settle into the rhythm of the boat.

If you are traveling with children, this first stop also lets you see how comfortable everyone is with the water before committing to later swims. The trip has flexibility, but the listed times are approximate rather than unlimited. Tell Dragan early if your group prefers longer swimming stops over more time ashore.

Šunj Beach and its soft sand

Šunj Beach on Lopud is the day’s dedicated sandy-beach stop. You get about an hour to swim, snorkel near the rocks, sunbathe, or go ashore for a drink at the beach club.

This is a useful contrast to the other swimming spots. The Elaphiti Islands are known here for clear water and rocky coves, while Šunj gives you sand and an easier beach setup. If you like to stretch out on shore instead of climbing in and out of a boat, this may be your favorite stop.

The one-hour limit may feel short if you want a long beach session. You also need to account for the time spent getting from the boat to the beach and back. If your group wants to linger at Šunj, you may need to give up time elsewhere.

Snorkeling beside the rocks is an option, but do not expect this stop to be only about underwater sights. The beach club offers a simple break, and you can choose between a quick drink, a swim, or time on the sand.

Lopud: the longest island stop

Lopud receives about two hours, making it the main chance to leave the water and explore on foot. You can walk through the village, visit a 14th-century monastery, swim again, or eat at one of the local restaurants.

I like this balance. A boat trip made entirely of swimming stops can begin to feel repetitive, while a full day of sightseeing can lose the pleasure of being on the water. Lopud gives you a proper pause and a choice of activities.

Lunch is planned for one of the islands, and Lopud may be the place for it. Food is not included, so budget separately for your meal. The supplied details point to local restaurants rather than a provided picnic or onboard catering. That means you can choose what suits your group, but you also need to keep restaurant timing in mind.

The village and monastery add some local texture to the day, though this is not a guided cultural tour. You will have time to walk and look around, not a formal historical presentation. If you are mainly interested in Dubrovnik’s monuments, Lopud is a pleasant change rather than a substitute for a city tour.

Šipan for a quieter final stop

The final named island stop is Šipan, with about an hour for walking around town, swimming, enjoying nature, or having a cold drink at a restaurant. If your group already had lunch on Lopud, this stop can be used more freely.

Šipan helps keep the day from being only beach-focused. You can take a short walk, sit with a drink, or return to the water. An hour is enough for a taste of the island, but not for an extensive exploration.

The wording around this stop allows for some flexibility. The exact use of the hour depends on what you have already done and how the day has gone. That is useful for a private trip, but you should not expect every possible activity at every island. The day has roughly defined windows, and sailing time also takes a substantial part of the schedule.

Two hours of sailing between the islands

About two hours are reserved for sailing and cruising around the Elaphiti Islands. This is not wasted travel. It is the part of the day when you can settle into the boat, watch the coastline, talk with your group, and try the included sailing lesson.

The sailing lesson is one of the more distinctive features. Many boat excursions simply move you from one stop to the next. Here, Dragan can explain the basics and let you take part when conditions are suitable. The experience described by families with children suggests that the route can be discussed to make the day more comfortable for younger passengers.

Do keep your expectations practical. Wind controls a sailing boat, and the route may need to change for weather or sea conditions. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund. That is sensible for a sailing day, but it means you should avoid building your entire vacation around this one outing if your schedule is tight.

What is included, and what you still pay for

The $744.61 price covers the whole private group, up to eight people, not each individual passenger. At full capacity, that works out to roughly $93 per person before lunch, drinks, tips, optional pickup, and any other extras.

That is solid value for a private eight-hour boat day if you can fill most of the places. For two people, the same group price becomes much more expensive per person. You are paying for privacy, a skipper, fuel, and a flexible day rather than a budget seat on a shared boat.

Included features are:

• Fuel
• Coffee and tea
• Snorkeling equipment
• Stand-up paddleboard
• Free sailing lessons
• Rest area
• Outdoor shower
• Fully equipped kitchen

Alcoholic drinks are not included, but you can bring your own. Lunch is also extra, and the group stops at a local restaurant rather than receiving a meal as part of the tour. Gratuities are not included either.

An optional dinghy with an outboard motor costs 40 euros per day. The supplied details do not explain exactly when you would need it, so ask before paying for it. Pickup and drop-off are also optional extras rather than part of the base price.

The Dragan factor

Dragan is central to the feel of this experience. He is described as conversational, helpful, and accommodating, with strong English. The sailing lesson adds a personal touch, and the route can be adjusted for comfort, including for groups with children.

That flexibility is valuable because the listed stops cannot predict your group’s mood. You may want more time in the water, a longer lunch, or a quieter final hour. On a private boat, it makes sense to discuss your priorities at the start rather than wait until the day is nearly over.

The strongest praise focuses on the skipper’s attitude as much as the scenery. The experience has been described as one of the most special parts of a holiday, with particular appreciation for the friendly service, smooth planning, and sailing skill. One family also singled out the seafood lunch at a small beach village, but remember that meal is purchased separately.

Who should book this boat day

I would choose this tour for a group of friends, a family, or a small celebration that wants a full day on the water without sharing the boat with strangers. It is especially well suited to people who want several kinds of stops: sandy beach, rocky swimming areas, a village walk, a monastery, and open-water sailing.

Families may like the ability to discuss a more comfortable route with Dragan. Swimmers and casual snorkelers will make good use of the included gear, while people who prefer to stay dry can spend more time on deck or ashore.

I would think twice if you want a tightly guided history tour, a guaranteed long beach stay, or a low-cost outing for just one or two people. The lunch cost, optional extras, and full-group pricing affect the final value.

Also, confirm the Blue Cave question before you pay. The experience name includes Elaphiti and Blue Cave, but the detailed stops supplied here name Koločep, Šunj Beach, Lopud, Šipan, and general sailing. If the cave is the reason you are booking, ask if it is included on your date, how long the boat spends there, and whether it replaces one of the island stops.

Should you book it?

Book this private sailing day if you value personal space, swimming, light adventure, and a skipper who can shape the pace around your group. The included equipment and sailing lesson add real value, especially when six to eight people share the price.

Skip it if lunch and drinks must be included, if you want a fixed Blue Cave visit without further confirmation, or if your group is too small to make the private rate comfortable. For the right group, this is a relaxed way to see more of the Dubrovnik coast while still leaving room for a swim, a village walk, and a good meal ashore.

FAQ

How long does the sailing tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours. It starts at 9:30 a.m. and ends back at the meeting point in Dubrovnik.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Lapadska obala 4, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private activity, and only your group participates. The boat can accommodate up to eight people.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. The group stops at one of the islands, where you can eat at a local restaurant.

Can I bring alcoholic drinks?

Yes. Alcoholic beverages are not included, but you can bring your own. The drinking age is 18.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with use of a stand-up paddleboard.

Is fuel included in the price?

Yes. Fuel is included.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are not included, though optional arrangements may be available.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will 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.