Full Day Private Sailing Tour of Cavtat and Dubrovnik

The best part of this private sailing day is the change of pace. You leave Cavtat by boat, see Dubrovnik’s ancient walls from offshore, and spend the main part of the day at Lopud’s Sunj Beach, the only sandy beach in the Dubrovnik area.

I like the small private format, which gives your group room to talk with the skipper and shape the day around swimming and sailing. I also like the practical extras: snorkeling gear is supplied, and the skipper has more than 20 years of experience. Guide names appear as Mato and Matthew in the supplied guest accounts, so confirm who will be aboard when you book.

The main consideration is that lunch is not included, and the Blue Cave stop is only a possibility. If sea conditions, timing, or local conditions prevent that short stop, the guaranteed core of the day remains the sail, Lopud, and Cavtat.

Key points at a glance

• Dubrovnik from the water: See the Old City walls from a calmer offshore angle rather than from the crowded streets.
• Sunj Beach on Lopud: Swim from the only sandy beach in the Dubrovnik area, with the main break built around this stop.
• Possible Kolocep Blue Cave visit: The return route passes close to Kolocep, with a chance for a short stop near the cave.
• Private boat for up to eight: Your group does not share the sailing experience with strangers.
• A skipper with local insight: The guide brings more than 20 years of sailing experience and can discuss Croatian history and daily life.
• Lunch is optional: A nearby Lopud restaurant can be arranged, but you pay for food separately.

Leaving Cavtat for the Elaphiti Islands

Your day begins at the Old City port of Cavtat, next to the water polo training field. That meeting point matters because you are not starting in Dubrovnik’s busy center. Cavtat is a smaller, easier base for a private boat day, and the return to its harbor gives you a second look at the town from the sea.

From Cavtat, the route heads toward the Elaphiti Islands. The boat is described as the best sailing boat in the Dubrovnik area, and the tour includes a professional licensed guide who has more than 20 years of experience. The exact sailing time and order of short pauses can depend on conditions, so treat the route as a planned day rather than a rigid ferry schedule.

The first major view is Dubrovnik’s Old City walls from a distance. You will not be touring the walls on foot during this activity. Instead, you get the broad view that is difficult to find from land, with the fortifications set against the Adriatic and the city rising behind them.

That makes this a good choice if you have already seen Dubrovnik from street level, or if you want a different perspective without spending another full day inside the Old Town. It also keeps the focus on being out on the water rather than packing several land visits into one busy itinerary.

What a private boat changes

A private group of up to eight people is the heart of the experience. You can share the boat with family or friends, and the day has a more personal feel than a large excursion with fixed seating and a crowd of unfamiliar people.

The private format also gives the skipper more room to respond to your group. You may care most about swimming, sailing with the engine off, or stopping for lunch. The information supplied does not promise a fully custom route, so you should not assume every request can be added. Still, a private boat is generally a better match for a group that values conversation and flexibility.

One guest account describes the skipper as good company, with conversation about Croatian history and everyday life in Croatia. Another describes the pleasure of raising the sails and shutting off the engine. That detail is worth noting. This is not simply a motorboat transfer between beaches. When conditions and timing allow, the sailing itself is part of the reward.

The guide is also an important part of the value. The supplied information names Mato in one account and Matthew in another. Both accounts praise the skipper’s sailing ability, local knowledge, and sense of humor. Since the names differ, confirm the assigned guide before departure if that matters to you.

Sunj Beach on Lopud

Lopud is the main stop, and Sunj Beach is the center of the day. It is described as the only sandy beach in the Dubrovnik area, which gives this stop a clear advantage over the region’s many rocky or pebbly swimming spots.

You get a scheduled break for swimming, and snorkeling equipment is included. The water is described as turquoise and clear, so bring a swimsuit and use the break for a proper swim rather than treating it as a quick photo stop.

Sunj is likely to appeal most to families and anyone who prefers a softer shoreline. Sand also makes it easier to move in and out of the water, though the supplied details do not state whether chairs, umbrellas, showers, or changing facilities are included. Ask if those details are important to you.

The beach stop is not just a quick pause on a sightseeing route. It is the main chance to settle into the day. You can swim, use the provided equipment, and enjoy time on Lopud before deciding whether to eat at a nearby restaurant.

Lunch on Lopud, with an extra cost

Lunch can be organized at a restaurant near Sunj Beach, but food is not included in the tour price. This is useful if you want the skipper to handle the practical side of the meal, especially with a private group that would rather stay together.

The supplied accounts describe the Lopud restaurant stop as a strong part of the day, with one guest calling the meal exquisite. Still, you should budget separately for lunch and confirm the restaurant arrangement, menu, and timing before departure.

There is a tradeoff here. A restaurant meal gives the day a proper pause and may be more comfortable than trying to eat on a moving boat. On the other hand, lunch takes time away from swimming and sailing. If you want maximum time in the water, ask how long the meal stop will last. If you prefer an easy social day, accepting the restaurant plan may be the better choice.

Soft drinks have also been provided on the boat according to one account, but this should not be treated as a full catering service. Bring any particular drinks or snacks you need, and confirm what is available on your departure.

The possible Blue Cave stop at Kolocep

On the way back, the boat sails close to Kolocep Island. There is a chance to make a short stop next to the famous Blue Cave.

The wording matters: this is a possibility, not a guaranteed part of the route. Your skipper may need to adjust the plan based on conditions, timing, or the practical limits of the day. You should book this tour for the full sailing and Lopud stop, with the Blue Cave as a welcome extra.

A short cave stop can add a memorable change of scene after the open-water sail. It also gives you another view of the Elaphiti Islands before the boat turns back toward Cavtat. If seeing the Blue Cave is your main reason for booking, ask how often the stop is possible and what conditions affect it.

Returning to Cavtat’s harbor

The tour ends back at Cavtat’s harbor after about eight hours. Cavtat is known here for the luxury super yachts docked inside the harbor, so the final approach has its own appeal. You finish among large boats and the sheltered waterfront rather than ending in Dubrovnik’s urban center.

An eight-hour duration gives the day enough room for the main sail, the Dubrovnik wall view, the Lopud swimming break, lunch if arranged, and the possible Kolocep stop. It is still a full day on the water, so think about your group’s tolerance for sun, wind, and boat movement before booking.

The pace should suit you if you want one substantial sea outing during a Dalmatian holiday. It may be less suitable if you prefer short activities with plenty of time back on land.

What the $706 price means for a group

The listed price is $706 for the whole group, up to eight people. At the maximum group size, that works out to about $88 per person for eight hours, before lunch. For a smaller group, the cost per person rises, but you still get the private-boat format.

The value comes from combining transport, sightseeing, swimming, and a guide in one long day. You are not paying only for a beach transfer. The route includes the view of Dubrovnik’s walls, the sail toward the Elaphiti Islands, equipment for the water, the Lopud stop, and the chance to visit the Blue Cave area.

I would find the price easier to justify for six to eight people who plan to spend a full day together. A couple or a small family may still value the privacy, but should compare the total cost with a shared boat trip. The price does not include food, so include lunch in your budget rather than treating it as a minor extra.

The reserve-now and pay-later option also helps if your schedule is still changing. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Check the available starting time when booking, since the activity lasts eight hours.

Who will enjoy this sailing day most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want:

• A private day on the sea for family or friends
• A mix of sightseeing and swimming rather than nonstop monuments
• A view of Dubrovnik without spending the entire day in the Old Town
• A sandy beach instead of a rocky swimming spot
• A skipper who can talk about local life as well as handle the boat
• A relaxed day with optional restaurant lunch

Families may like the private setup and Sunj Beach. Couples and groups of friends may prefer the chance to sail quietly with the engine off when conditions allow. Anyone interested in Croatian history gets useful context from the guide, while anyone focused on swimming has a clear main stop.

You should think twice if you need a guaranteed Blue Cave visit, a fully included meal, or a fixed list of every stop. Those are not promised. You should also be comfortable spending eight hours on a boat and accept that the sailing portion can depend on conditions.

What to bring and what to confirm

The tour includes water and snorkeling equipment, but the details do not specify towels, changing facilities, sunscreen, or other personal supplies. Bring the basics you need for a full day beside the sea.

Before you go, confirm:

• The exact meeting time at the water polo training field
• The name of your assigned skipper, particularly if you expect Mato or Matthew
• Whether lunch has been arranged and what it will cost
• What drinks and food are available aboard
• Whether the Blue Cave stop is likely that day
• What happens if conditions change the route

These questions are not signs of fussiness. They help you match the day to your priorities and avoid assuming that optional parts are guaranteed.

Should you book the Cavtat private sailing tour?

Book it if you want a full private day on the water with a strong swimming stop, a distant view of Dubrovnik’s walls, and a skipper who adds local conversation to the sailing. The private group size and the sandy Sunj Beach stop are the clearest reasons to choose it over a standard boat outing.

The tour is best value when eight people share the $706 cost. Add lunch to your budget, and treat the Kolocep Blue Cave stop as a bonus rather than the main promise. If that sounds right, this is a well-rounded way to connect Cavtat, Dubrovnik, and the Elaphiti Islands without rushing from one land sight to another.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour start?

It starts at the Old City port of Cavtat, next to the water polo training field.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour returns to Cavtat’s harbor, where you can see luxury super yachts docked inside the harbor.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts eight hours.

How many people can join the private group?

The private group can include up to eight people.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, though a meal at a nearby Lopud restaurant can be organized.

Where is the main swimming stop?

The main swimming break is at Sunj Beach on Lopud Island.

What is special about Sunj Beach?

Sunj Beach is described as the only sandy beach in the Dubrovnik area.

Is a Blue Cave visit guaranteed?

No. There is a possibility of a short stop near the Blue Cave by Kolocep Island.

What is included in the tour?

The tour includes a professional licensed guide, water and snorkeling equipment, and the sailing boat. Food is not included.