Elaphite Islands & Mljet – Private Boat Excursion from Dubrovnik

Kolocep’s Blue Cave is the quick thrill here, but the real pleasure is having a private boat and a skipper who can shape the day around your group. You can swim, snorkel, use the paddleboard, or simply stretch out under the Bimini shade while the boat moves between islands.

I like the flexible timing and the comfortable Beneteau Flyer 850, which has a toilet, cabin, freshwater shower, refrigerator, and USB outlets. I also like the personal service: Iso, Peter, and Esso have each led memorable outings, with one honeymoon couple enjoying lunch at Bowa Restaurant on Mljet. The main catch is the extra €300 fuel charge, payable in cash, which makes the total cost much higher than the headline price.

Key points at a glance

• Blue Cave on Kolocep: A 45-minute stop for swimming and snorkeling in one of the area’s most unusual sea settings.
• Three hours at Lemuni Lagoon: The longest pause gives you time to swim, paddleboard, relax, and arrange optional lunch on Mljet.
• Private boat for up to seven: Your group travels alone with the skipper, rather than joining a large excursion.
• Beneteau Flyer 850 comfort: Expect a sun deck, salon, cabin, toilet, swim ladder, freshwater shower, refrigerator, and power outlets.
• Drinks and snorkeling gear included: Water, juices, sodas, beer, masks, and related equipment are supplied.
• Budget for fuel: Add €300 per booking in cash, plus whatever you spend on lunch.

A private day away from Dubrovnik

This eight-hour trip is built for people who want a full day on the water without the fixed rhythm of a large group boat. Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or port are offered, so you can begin without arranging separate transport to the marina.

The trip is private for your group, with space for up to seven paying participants and one skipper. That matters most when your party has different ideas about the day. One person can swim while another stays in the shade, and you can ask for more time at a cove rather than being hurried along by a posted schedule.

The boat is a Beneteau Flyer 850 Sun Deck Cruiser, about 8.7 meters long and capable of cruising at 22 knots. You get an open deck for sun, a Bimini top for shade, and an interior salon, cabin, and toilet. The arrangement is practical rather than lavish, but it gives you useful comforts during a long day at sea.

I especially value the freshwater shower and swim ladder. After snorkeling, you can rinse off salt without climbing back into the boat dripping wet. A refrigerator keeps the included drinks cold, and Bluetooth stereo plus USB and 220-volt outlets help keep the day comfortable for a small private group.

Kolocep and the Blue Cave

The first stop is Kolocep, one of the western Elaphite Islands. You spend about 45 minutes exploring the Blue Cave, swimming, and snorkeling.

The short stop works well as an opening to the day. You get into the water early, see one of the trip’s main natural features, and quickly learn how much time you want to spend swimming. If your group is keen on snorkeling, tell the skipper. If the cave visit is enough and you would rather have a longer beach stop later, the flexible format should allow that, subject to the skipper and sea conditions.

Bring a swimsuit under your clothes if possible. The schedule begins with water, and changing into swimwear after pickup can be awkward. Towels are not listed among the included items, so bring your own.

The Blue Cave stop is not a long guided visit with a detailed interpretation program. Its appeal is the setting and the chance to see it from the water. Keep your expectations practical: this is a compact boat excursion with several stops, not a full cave tour.

Three hours around Lemuni Lagoon on Mljet

The largest portion of the day is spent at Lemuni Lagoon on the southern side of Mljet. With roughly three hours available, this is where the excursion shifts from sightseeing to slow island time.

You can swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or simply sit on the boat and enjoy the cove. The included paddleboard adds a useful option for anyone who wants more than a quick swim. It is also a good reason to book privately, since your group can decide how active the stop should be.

Lunch on Mljet is optional and not included. That gives you freedom, but it also means you should plan ahead with the skipper. One honeymoon itinerary included lunch at Bowa Restaurant, which made the day feel like a special occasion rather than only a series of swim stops. The supplied information does not guarantee Bowa or any particular restaurant, so treat that as an example, not a promised part of the booking.

If lunch matters to you, ask about the restaurant plan before departure. A long meal can reduce your time in the water, while skipping lunch means you should make good use of the drinks and snacks you arrange for yourself. The tour includes beverages, but not food.

Lemuni Lagoon is also the point where the trip’s flexibility has the most value. Three hours is enough to create a relaxed middle section, but it can feel long if nobody in your group wants to swim or sit by the water. This tour suits active groups and sun lovers better than people who want a tightly packed sightseeing program.

Sipanska Luka, Jakljan, and Sipan

The next part takes you toward the western Elaphite Islands, including Jakljan and Sipan. The listed stop lasts about two hours and includes Sipanska Luka and Prijezba.

Here you have time to stroll, swim, and explore at a gentler pace. Sipanska Luka gives the outing a change of texture. After the open-water stops, you are not limited to sitting on a boat or floating in a cove. You can walk around before returning to the water.

There is no admission charge for this stop. The precise balance between walking and swimming remains flexible, so let your skipper know if you want more time ashore. I would use this stop to break up the day, especially if your group includes someone who enjoys seeing a little island life but does not want eight straight hours in swimwear.

The itinerary names both Jakljan and Sipan, but it does not promise a separate, fixed-length visit to each island. Your skipper may adjust the order and timing to suit conditions and your preferences. That is useful on a private outing, though anyone hoping to check off many specific places should accept that the day is not a rigid sightseeing circuit.

Elaphite coves and the final swim

The final listed stop allows about one hour for swimming and snorkeling in coves around the Elaphite Islands. It is a fitting finish because you can use the remaining time for the activity your group enjoyed most.

Masks and snorkeling equipment are included, so you do not need to pack a full kit. Still, bringing your own mask can be worthwhile if fit is important to you. The paddleboard is also available, although the supplied details do not specify how equipment is allocated when several people want it at once.

The coves are likely to be the most peaceful part of the day, but no private boat can guarantee complete solitude. Conditions, timing, and other boats can affect the experience. The advantage here is not a promise of an empty sea. It is the ability to move on or stay longer without following a large group’s timetable.

What the boat feels like for a full day

The Beneteau Flyer 850 is a sensible match for this route. At around 29 feet, it is small enough for a personal outing and large enough to provide an enclosed salon, cabin, toilet, shade, and storage areas.

The boat is rated for up to eight people plus one crew member, while the booking price covers a group of up to seven. That leaves the skipper as the extra person aboard and gives your party a little breathing room.

You should still think carefully about group size. Seven people sharing one boat can be comfortable, but it will not feel like a private yacht with separate rooms and large lounging areas. The interior is useful for shade or a quick break, not a replacement for the outdoor deck on a sunny day.

The safety equipment is complete, and the boat has a swim ladder and freshwater shower. Drinks include water, fruit juices, sodas, and beer. Since alcohol is available, use common sense before swimming or using the paddleboard, and follow the skipper’s directions.

Guides who shape the day

The skipper is more than a driver on this experience. The timing is intentionally flexible, so your skipper helps decide how the day fits together.

Iso handled one outing from pickup through the return boat departure, with transport arriving on time in a comfortable vehicle. Peter led a honeymoon trip and was praised for hospitality, while Esso, sometimes spelled differently, was singled out for making a boat day the highlight of a larger Dubrovnik holiday.

Those names give you a useful point for booking communication. If you have a preference or are celebrating something, ask whether a particular skipper is available, but do not assume a named skipper is guaranteed. The provider is Adria Luxury Travel d.o.o., and skipper assignments can depend on availability.

A good conversation at the start can improve the whole day. Tell the skipper whether your group prefers caves, snorkeling, long swims, lunch ashore, island walking, or quiet time. Since the route is not locked to exact minute-by-minute visits, your preferences can shape the balance.

The true cost and what you get

The listed price is $1,403.97 per group of up to seven. On a full boat, that works out to about $200 per person before fuel and lunch. Then add the required €300 fuel payment in cash per booking. For seven people, that is roughly another €43 each, though the exchange rate will affect the final amount.

For a smaller group, the per-person price climbs quickly. Two people would be paying for most of a private boat, skipper, pickup, and fuel. That can still make sense for a honeymoon or a special day, but it is not the economical choice for a casual swim.

The value is strongest when you fill several seats and care about privacy. You are paying for transport, a full day on the water, flexible timing, a skipper, equipment, drinks, and hotel or port pickup. A large shared boat might cost less, but it would not give your group the same control over stops.

Lunch is another cost to plan. It is optional and separate, so ask about the expected timing and restaurant before the boat leaves. Bring cash for fuel, and do not assume the tour price covers every expense ashore.

Who should book this excursion

I would recommend this trip to a group that wants swimming and island scenery more than museums or formal sightseeing. It works especially well for families, couples traveling together, and friends who can agree on a relaxed day at sea.

It is also a strong choice for a honeymoon or birthday. The private setup gives you room to set your own pace, and the optional island lunch can turn the middle of the day into a proper celebration.

You should think twice if anyone in your group dislikes boats, cannot swim comfortably, or needs a tightly scheduled cultural tour. The itinerary centers on the sea. Walking time is limited, and the experience depends on good weather.

The boat has a toilet, but the supplied information says only that most people can participate. If you have specific mobility or medical needs, contact the provider before booking rather than assuming the boat and boarding arrangements will suit you.

Practical preparation for the day

Bring a swimsuit, towel, camera, and sunblock. The sunshade helps, but you will still spend much of the day exposed to glare from the water. A hat and a dry change of clothes are sensible additions, though only the first group of items is specifically recommended.

Use the USB or 220-volt outlets carefully and keep personal electronics protected around the water. The refrigerator, freshwater shower, and included soft drinks make it easier to stay comfortable, but lunch remains your responsibility.

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. Otherwise, the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason, so check the forecast before committing and avoid booking it as the one fixed highlight of a very tight schedule.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. Pickup is offered from a hotel or port, and the area is near public transportation, though the private pickup means you may not need to use it.

Should you book the Mljet and Elaphite boat day?

Book it if you want a private, water-focused escape from Dubrovnik and can fill enough seats to make the price work. The best parts are the flexible pacing, the Blue Cave, the long pause at Lemuni Lagoon, and a skipper who can adjust the day to your group.

Before paying, make sure everyone understands the €300 cash fuel charge and the separate lunch cost. If those extras fit your budget, this is a comfortable way to reach Kolocep, Mljet, Sipan, Jakljan, and the Elaphite coves in one long day. If your group is small or wants extensive sightseeing on land, a cheaper shared boat or a land-based island visit may be a better fit.

FAQ

How long does the private boat excursion last?

The excursion lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the private booking?

The price covers a private group of up to seven people. The boat can accommodate up to eight people plus one skipper.

Is hotel or port pickup included?

Yes. Hotel or port pickup and drop-off are included.

What equipment is provided?

Snorkeling equipment and a paddleboard are included. The boat also has a swim ladder and freshwater shower.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Water, fruit juices, sodas, and beer are provided.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel costs €300 per booking and must be paid directly to the skipper in cash.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is optional and must be paid for separately.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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