Private Boat Tour Tailor-Made 6h-All Inclusive

The best part of this private boat tour is the freedom to shape the day as you go. From Dubrovnik, your skipper can steer you toward the Elaphiti Islands, quiet coves, sandy beaches, caves, and small villages instead of locking you into a fixed sightseeing script. I like the easygoing pace and the chance to stop for a swim whenever the water looks too good to pass up. I also like that fuel, drinks, snorkeling gear, and safety equipment are already covered.

The main catch is that lunch is not included, and the six-hour trip can feel short if you want long stops on several islands. The boat’s boarding step has also been tricky for at least one person, so this is not a good fit for wheelchair users or anyone who needs easy, fully accessible boarding.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six: Your group gets the boat and skipper to itself, with room to shape the route.
• Five-stop potential: One outing included five stops, including swimming, the Blue Cave, and lunch on Lopud.
• Skippers set the tone: Ivan, Nikola, and Nico have been praised for being friendly, professional, and flexible.
• Drinks stay on board: Water, wine, beer, Coca-Cola, and iced tea are included without a set limit.
• Good swim setup: Snorkeling equipment, floaties, dry bags, and life jackets come with the trip.
• Best in quieter months: Late April or early May can mean fewer boats on the water, weather permitting.

Six hours from Dubrovnik, with your own route

This is not a standard sightseeing cruise where everyone follows the same timetable. You meet your skipper at the pier across from the entrance to the summer residence of Petar Sorkočević, then discuss what you want from the day.

That opening conversation matters. You might want a relaxed run of swim stops, a look at caves, time in a village, or a lunch break on Lopud. The skipper can adjust the balance. If your group includes keen swimmers and people who would rather sit back with a drink, a private boat makes that compromise much easier.

The price is $480 for the whole boat, for up to six people. Split six ways, that is $80 each before any optional pickup cost. For a couple, the price feels much less attractive, but for a full group of six it compares well with paying separate fares on a larger cruise, especially since fuel, a skipper, drinks, and equipment are included.

You get six hours on the water, not six hours of constant sightseeing. Allow time for boarding, moving between islands, swimming, and perhaps a meal stop. That is still enough for a busy half-day, but you should not expect a slow, thorough visit to every Elaphiti island.

The Elaphiti Islands by private boat

The Elaphiti Islands sit off Dubrovnik’s coast and are the natural setting for a day built around water rather than monuments. Here, the appeal is simple: clear sea, open views, small settlements, beaches, and the feeling of being away from Dubrovnik’s stone streets for a while.

The exact route is tailored, so your day may not match another group’s day. That is useful if you have already visited the main sights in Dubrovnik and want something less structured. It also means you should speak up at the start. Tell the skipper if swimming matters most, if you want a village stop, or if you would rather spend more time near the caves.

One group reached five stops during its six hours. That included several swim breaks, a lunch stop on Lopud, and a visit to the Blue Cave. Five stops is a good guide to the possible pace, though it leaves limited time for lingering. If you find a beach you love, ask to stay longer rather than trying to collect as many stops as possible.

Swim stops, sandy beaches, and clear water

Swimming is the heart of this trip. You can expect stops where the water is clear enough to make snorkeling worthwhile, with sandy beaches included in the possible route. The boat carries masks and snorkeling equipment, plus floaties for anyone who wants extra support in the water.

You also get life jackets, but the sea around Dubrovnik is salty enough to make swimming comfortable for many people. Bring a towel and beachwear, and plan to spend much of the day in and out of the water.

I would still treat the swim gear as a helpful bonus, not a promise of a full snorkel excursion. The information does not specify how many masks or sizes are carried, nor does it describe underwater sights. If snorkeling is your main goal, ask about the equipment when you make contact on WhatsApp.

The private format works especially well here. On a large boat, one short swim stop can feel rushed. With your own skipper, you can ask for another few minutes in the water or move on when the group has had enough. That freedom is worth more than a long list of islands for many people.

Caves and the Blue Cave

Caves add a change of pace to the day. Instead of only looking at beaches from the boat, you get a chance to see the rocky coast up close and enter the cooler, darker spaces along the islands.

The Blue Cave has been included on at least one route, along with sandy beaches and tucked-away villages. It is an appealing part of the outing, but the route is tailor-made, so you should confirm the intended stops before departure if the cave is important to you.

Cave visits can also depend on sea conditions and timing. The supplied details do not promise a particular cave every day, and they do not give the cave’s size, access method, or time spent inside. I would see the cave as one possible highlight rather than the sole reason to book.

Bring a towel and beachwear, but also pack your passport or ID card. The tour requires identification, and it is wise to keep it dry in one of the provided dry bags.

Lopud and the value of a lunch stop

Lopud gives the day a welcome break from the boat. A lunch stop was arranged there on one outing, and the skipper recommended a restaurant. That kind of local help is useful because you can spend your limited time choosing a place to eat rather than wandering around hungry.

Lunch costs extra. The tour includes drinks, but not food, so budget separately for your meal. The provided information does not name a restaurant or specify a set menu, which is another reason to ask your skipper about the plan at the start.

A meal stop also changes the rhythm. Six hours of swimming and sun can become tiring, particularly for children or anyone who does not spend much time on boats. A village or restaurant stop lets you dry off, eat, and stretch your legs before returning to the water.

Do not expect a major island tour on foot. The attraction here is the mix of a short shore visit with coastal scenery and swimming, not a detailed cultural tour of Lopud.

The skipper makes the difference

A private boat experience depends heavily on the person at the helm. Ivan has been described as friendly and professional, and one group found him helpful with both the route and the lunch stop. Nikola was also praised for being friendly and professional, while Nico picked up one group in Trsteno.

The operator lists English as the tour language. Your skipper is both the boat driver and your local guide, so you should expect practical commentary and help with the day rather than a formal lecture at every stop.

The strongest feature is the opening question: what do you want to do? That makes the skipper more than a driver. You can give clear preferences and let the route develop around them. I would arrive with two or three priorities, such as the Blue Cave, a long swim, and Lopud for lunch. That is more useful than asking for everything.

There is music on board, including a speaker used with relaxing music on one outing. The atmosphere is therefore casual and social, not silent or formal. If your group wants peace and quiet, say so. If you want music while cruising, the setup is already there.

Drinks, gear, and what all-inclusive really means

The all-inclusive label covers the important boat costs. Fuel, the skipper, all fees and taxes, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, floaties, dry bags, and drinks are included.

The drink selection is practical:

• Water
• Wine
• Beer
• Coca-Cola
• Iced tea

The unlimited drinks are a real convenience on a warm day. You do not need to keep buying bottles at every stop, and the boat already has a cooler-style selection for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices.

Still, all-inclusive does not mean a full meal service. Lunch is extra, and you should bring your own personal items, including a towel and beachwear. The tour also does not include hotel pickup or drop-off unless you arrange it for an additional €25.

Weapons and sharp objects are not allowed. That is a standard safety rule, but it is worth knowing if you are carrying a large multitool or similar item in your luggage.

Timing, crowds, and the best feel for the day

The trip runs for six hours and ends back at the starting pier. It is long enough to make the Elaphiti Islands feel like a proper escape from Dubrovnik, but short enough to fit into a busy holiday schedule.

For a quieter experience, late April or early May can be a smart choice on a sunny day. One outing at that time found very few other boats around, which made the swim stops and coastal cruising feel peaceful. The tradeoff is that spring weather can be less dependable than summer weather, and the water may feel cooler.

The supplied information does not give a fixed departure time, so confirm the start time before you go. You should also use the provided WhatsApp contact if you need precise details about the boat, route, pickup, or equipment.

The tour is not suitable for babies under one year or wheelchair users. Boarding requires getting onto a boat, and one person found a missing step or grip made climbing back aboard awkward. That detail matters for anyone with limited mobility, balance concerns, or a young child.

How this compares with a larger cruise

A larger boat tour may be cheaper per person for a small group, but it usually gives you less control over swim times and route choices. This private trip earns its price when you can fill the boat with five or six people and care about flexibility.

The private setting also suits mixed groups. One person can swim while another sits with a drink. You can ask to skip a stop, stay longer at a beach, or include a lunch break without negotiating with a whole boatload of strangers.

The tradeoff is that a private boat does not automatically mean luxury. The information does not give the boat’s model, cabin facilities, toilet arrangements, or seating layout. One boarding step had a problem, so I would ask practical questions before booking if comfort or easy access matters to you.

Who should book this six-hour trip?

I would recommend this for a group of friends, a family with older children, or a couple of families traveling together who can share the $480 cost. It is especially good for people who value time in the sea more than a long list of formal sights.

It also suits you if you want a flexible day with a local skipper. The route can include beaches, caves, the Blue Cave, Lopud, small villages, and several swim stops, but you need to take part in shaping the plan.

I would be more cautious if you are traveling alone, with a baby under one, or with someone who cannot comfortably board a small boat. I would also choose a different outing if lunch included in the price is important, since food is extra here.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands boat tour?

Book it if you can gather a full group and want a relaxed private day on the water rather than a rigid island checklist. The best value comes with six people, when the $480 group price includes the skipper, fuel, drinks, snorkeling gear, safety equipment, and boat fees.

Ask about the planned route before you set off, especially if you want the Blue Cave or Lopud. Bring identification, a towel, and beachwear, and keep your expectations realistic about lunch and boarding comfort.

For a sunny day outside the busiest season, this has the ingredients of a memorable Dubrovnik escape: clear water, sandy beaches, local guidance, cold drinks, and enough freedom to make the day feel like your own.

FAQ

How long is the private boat tour?

The tour lasts six hours and returns to the original meeting point.

How much does the boat tour cost?

The price is $480 per group, for up to six people.

What is included in the price?

Fuel, the skipper, snorkeling equipment, drinks, life jackets, floaties, dry bags, and all fees and taxes are included.

Which drinks are included?

The included drinks are water, wine, beer, Coca-Cola, and iced tea. The tour information describes them as unlimited.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price. A skipper may arrange or recommend a lunch stop, including a stop on Lopud, but you pay for the meal separately.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is at the pier across from the entrance to the summer residence of Petar Sorkočević in Dubrovnik.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup and drop-off are available on request for €25. Contact the provider to arrange it.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card, a towel, and beachwear.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users or babies under one?

No. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or babies under one year. One person also found boarding more difficult because of a missing step or grip.