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

The best part of this Dubrovnik day trip is the freedom of a private sailboat. You are not packed onto a large excursion boat or rushed from one photo stop to the next. Skipper Dragan can adjust the route for your group, and past outings have included gentle family-friendly sailing lessons, long swims, and a seafood lunch on Lopud.

I like the four island stops, each with a different feel, and I like that fuel, coffee, tea, snorkeling gear, and a stand-up paddleboard are included. The main thing to consider is that lunch, drinks, optional pickup, and the small dinghy with outboard motor cost extra, so the final price will be higher than the advertised group rate.

• Private sailing for up to eight people keeps the day personal and gives you room to agree on the route.
• Koločep and Šunj Beach provide two good swimming stops, with clear water, rocks for snorkeling, and a rare sandy beach.
• Lopud gets two hours, enough for a village walk, a monastery visit, swimming, or lunch.
• Šipan adds a quieter final island stop, with time for a walk, a drink, or another swim.
• Sailing instruction is included, along with snorkel equipment, a SUP, coffee, tea, a kitchen, and an outdoor shower.
• The $744.61 group price works best for a full group of eight, but you still need to budget for lunch and any optional extras.

A private route through Dubrovnik’s island chain

This is an eight-hour private sailing tour from Dubrovnik, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Lapadska obala 4. The boat returns to the same meeting point, so you can plan your evening in Dubrovnik without arranging a second transfer across town.

The route covers the Elaphiti Islands, a small group of islands northwest of Dubrovnik. The day is built around water time rather than sightseeing from the deck alone. You will have several chances to swim, use the supplied snorkeling equipment, paddle on the SUP, and simply sit in the rest area while the boat moves between islands.

I especially like the private format for families and small groups. One outing included two children, and Dragan adjusted the route to make the day more comfortable for them. That flexibility matters more than it may sound. A fixed public cruise can leave you stuck with a swimming stop that is too long for young children or a shore visit that does not suit the group.

The boat has a fully equipped kitchen, free coffee and tea, an outdoor shower, and a rest area. Those details make a full day on the water easier. You can rinse off salt after swimming, bring your own nonalcoholic drinks, and avoid treating the boat like a simple transfer between beaches.

Koločep: your first hour in the water

Koločep is the opening stop, with about an hour set aside for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. The appeal here is simple: you get into the water early, before the day has become a long sequence of island walks and lunch decisions.

The bays are described as pristine, and the stop is intended for enjoying the shore rather than touring monuments. Use this hour to settle into the rhythm of the trip. If you prefer activity, take the snorkeling equipment or SUP. If you want a quiet start, stay aboard or find a place to sunbathe.

One hour is enough for a proper swim, but not enough to do everything slowly. If your group has several children, weaker swimmers, or people who want to paddle and snorkel in turn, the clock may feel short. The private format helps because the skipper can discuss the route, but the tour still has four island stops to fit into eight hours.

Bring swimwear under your clothes and keep a towel handy. The outdoor shower is useful after this and later swimming stops, though the tour does not state that towels are supplied.

Šunj Beach and Lopud’s sandy shore

The next stop is Šunj Beach on Lopud, one of the more appealing choices for anyone who wants sand. Many Croatian swimming spots are rocky, so this beach gives your group a different kind of break. You can swim toward shore, sunbathe, snorkel near the rocks, or walk to a beach club for a drink.

The description says you may want to stay all day, but the scheduled stop is about one hour. That is enough to enjoy the beach, yet you should not expect a full beach day here. If your priority is sand and a slow lunch, tell Dragan early. The private arrangement gives you a better chance of shaping the pace, but the remaining route still includes Lopud village and Šipan.

The beach club is handy if you want a drink, but alcoholic beverages are not included. You may bring your own drinks, which can help control costs, provided you plan sensibly for storage and cleanup.

This stop suits mixed groups well. Children can enjoy the sand, confident swimmers can head into the water, and anyone who would rather not snorkel can relax on shore. The beach may be less appealing to you if you prefer secluded coves over a more established swimming place.

Two hours on Lopud for lunch or a village walk

Lopud receives the longest shore visit, about two hours. That extra time gives you choices instead of a rushed stretch of land between swims.

You can walk through the village, visit a fourteenth-century monastery, swim again, or eat at one of the local restaurants. Lunch is not included, and the plan allows it to happen on one of the islands. If you choose seafood, Lopud may be the natural place to stop. One particularly strong account of the outing singled out a seafood lunch in a small beach village as a highlight.

I would treat lunch as part of the day’s budget, not a minor extra. The tour price covers the boat and listed equipment, but it does not cover food or alcohol. Ask about the lunch plan before setting off, especially if your group includes children, dietary restrictions, or people who want a quick meal rather than a long restaurant stop.

Lopud is also the best place to add a little culture. The fourteenth-century monastery gives the day a sense of place that you will not get from beach hopping alone. You can split the group if needed, with some people walking through the village while others swim or sit down for food.

Two hours sounds generous, but it can pass quickly once you include getting ashore, choosing a restaurant, eating, and walking. If you want both the monastery and lunch, keep an eye on the time.

Šipan closes the island loop

The final island stop is Šipan, where you have about an hour. The plan is flexible depending on whether you already ate on Lopud. If lunch is finished, the focus shifts to walking around town, swimming in clear water, enjoying nature, or having a cold drink at a restaurant.

This is a pleasant way to finish the shore portion of the tour because it does not force one final major activity. After several hours in the sun, you may prefer a quiet walk or a drink instead of another energetic swim. If your group still has energy, the water provides one more chance to get in.

The hour is not long enough for an extended island exploration. Think of Šipan as a relaxed final stop rather than a full sightseeing visit. The tour includes a fair amount of sailing time, and that is part of the point. You are not trying to collect every corner of every island in one day.

Sailing between the islands

About two hours of the day is reserved for sailing and cruising among the Elaphiti Islands. This is not dead time. It is when you can learn basic sailing from Dragan, sit in the rest area, drink coffee or tea, and watch the islands change from the water.

The included sailing lesson is a useful touch. You do not need prior experience, and you can take part as much or as little as you want. One family with children found the sailing format more comfortable than a motorboat excursion, and that comparison is worth considering. A sailboat usually makes the journey itself part of the outing, rather than treating it as a fast ride between stops.

The tradeoff is speed. A sailboat may not cover distance as quickly as a motorboat, and the route depends on conditions. If your dream is to race from one swim spot to another, this may feel leisurely. If you want a calmer day with time on the water, the pace is a strength.

Weather matters here. The activity requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a changed date or a full refund. That policy is reassuring, but you still need a backup plan for your Dubrovnik day if the sea forecast turns bad.

What is included, and what you still pay for

At $744.61 per group of up to eight, the price is easiest to justify when the boat is nearly full. Split eight ways, the listed rate is about $93 per person before lunch and optional services. For a couple or a small family, the cost per person rises quickly, but you also receive a private boat rather than a seat on a shared excursion.

Included items are:

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

The important omissions are lunch, alcoholic beverages, tips, pickup and drop-off, and the dinghy with outboard motor. Pickup and drop-off are optional, but the starting point is reachable by public transportation and is clearly given as Lapadska obala 4.

The dinghy with outboard motor is available on request for 40 euros per day. The supplied details do not say when you would need it, so ask before booking if you expect to use it to reach shore or move around an anchorage. Do not assume it is part of the standard price.

The kitchen is useful, but no food is included. You can bring your own drinks, and the tour provides coffee and tea. Alcohol may be consumed only by people aged 18 or older.

Who will get the most from this boat day

I would choose this tour for a group that wants a full day outside Dubrovnik without giving up control of the schedule. It fits families, couples traveling with friends, and groups that prefer swimming and sailing to a tightly scripted sightseeing tour.

It is also a good match if your group values personal attention. Dragan is described as conversational, accommodating, and fluent in English. He has taught basic sailing, adjusted routes for children, and helped groups make the most of changing interests during the day.

You should think twice if you dislike spending long periods on a boat, need a guaranteed restaurant meal included in the price, or want a fast motorboat circuit. You should also be comfortable with the possibility that the weather affects the schedule.

The tour is listed as suitable for most participants, but the supplied information does not give specific details about wheelchair access, boat dimensions, or swim support. If anyone in your group has mobility needs, ask Diamond sailing service before reserving.

Practical planning for the 9:30 start

The meeting point is Lapadska obala 4 in Dubrovnik, and the tour starts at 9:30 a.m. Confirmation is provided at booking. Since the boat returns to the same location, you have a clear beginning and end point.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and any personal medicines you need for a full day away from shore. Pack drinks if you want something beyond coffee and tea, and set aside money for lunch and a possible beach-club or restaurant stop.

A private tour does not mean every minute is unlimited. The published schedule gives roughly one hour at Koločep, one hour at Šunj Beach, two hours on Lopud, one hour on Šipan, and two hours for sailing. Use the private format to discuss priorities, not to assume every stop can be doubled in length.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the 9:30 start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. Since the outing depends on good weather, a cancellation caused by poor conditions should lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book this Elaphiti Islands sailing tour?

Book it if you want a private, slow-paced day on the water with several chances to swim and a skipper who can adapt the route. The combination of Koločep’s bays, Šunj’s sand, Lopud’s village and monastery, and Šipan’s quieter finish gives the day more variety than a simple beach transfer.

The strongest value comes when six to eight people share the cost. Add lunch, drinks, and any optional pickup or dinghy hire to your calculation. If that total still fits your budget, this is a well-rounded choice for a group that wants personal space, basic sailing instruction, and time to enjoy the islands without a crowded schedule.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour begin?

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

What time does the tour start?

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

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

Where does the tour finish?

It finishes back at the meeting point at Lapadska obala 4.

How many people can join the private boat tour?

The price covers a private group of up to eight people.

Which islands are included?

The route includes Koločep, Lopud, Šipan, and the Elaphiti Islands, with a stop at Šunj Beach on Lopud.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, and you will stop at one of the islands for a meal.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

Can I bring my own drinks?

Yes. You may bring your own drinks, but alcoholic beverages are not included. The drinking age is 18.

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.