Private Full Day Sailing Tour To Elafiti Islands

An eight-hour private boat day from Dubrovnik gives you something the big excursion boats cannot: room to set the pace. With skipper Filip at the helm, you can swim in a quiet bay, linger over lunch on Šipan, or spend more time simply moving across the water instead of racing from one stop to the next. The relaxed schedule is the heart of this trip.

I like the freedom of having the boat to yourself, and I like that snorkeling gear, a restroom, and an outdoor shower are included. Filip also handles the practical details well, including restaurant bookings when needed. The main consideration is wind: this is sold as a sailing tour, but calm conditions may mean traveling under motor power for much of the day.

Key things to know before booking

• Private boat for up to six: Your group does not share the yacht with strangers, which makes the price more sensible for families or friends traveling together.
• Three island experiences: Koločep is best for a swim, Šunj for sand and easy beach time, and Šipan for a village walk and lunch.
• Filip is both skipper and host: He communicates through WhatsApp, helps shape the day, and can reserve a table on Šipan.
• Swimming is central: Expect time in clear water from the boat, with snorkeling equipment supplied.
• Lunch costs extra: You stop at an island restaurant, but food, drinks, and alcohol are not included.
• Plan your marina transfer: The departure point is at Lapadska obala 21, and transport to and from the marina is your responsibility.

Why a private Elafiti Islands day works so well

The Elafiti Islands sit just northwest of Dubrovnik, close enough for a full-day outing without spending the entire day in transit. The appeal is not a long list of sights. It is the change of pace: sea, small ports, swimming stops, and a quiet lunch away from Dubrovnik’s busy center.

I see this as a good choice if you want the water to be the main event. You are not signing up for a packed sightseeing program with a guide rushing you from one landmark to another. Instead, the day leaves several hours for cruising, and Filip can adjust the rhythm to suit your group.

That matters because the islands offer different kinds of pleasure. Koločep gives you a natural first swim. Šunj offers the rare sandy beach in a region known for pebbles and rock. Šipan gives the day a bit of village life, local food, and history, including the chance to see Skocibuha Castle.

The boat carries up to six people. For a couple, the total price is a serious splurge. For six, the listed price of $692.36 works out to about $115 per person before lunch and marina transfers. For four people, it is about $173 per person. That is a fairer comparison with shared boat excursions, especially if having your own schedule is important to you.

Leaving Dubrovnik from Lapadska obala

The tour starts at 9:00 a.m. at Lapadska obala 21 in Dubrovnik and returns to the same meeting point. The marina is reachable by public transportation, including bus 6, but you should still allow time to get there without a last-minute scramble.

If you are staying outside Dubrovnik, private transport is not included. The operator gives an approximate Uber cost of €40 to the marina, but that is only an estimate and can vary. I would confirm the best route before departure, particularly if your accommodation is beyond the city area.

Once aboard, the day feels pleasantly simple. Fuel is covered, and the boat includes a restroom and outdoor shower. Those are small details until you are spending eight hours at sea. The shower is especially useful after swimming, while the restroom means you do not need to plan the day around every port stop.

Filip has also supplied snorkeling equipment on previous trips and provided high-quality buoyancy vests for young children. Families should still discuss their children’s needs in advance, but the boat is suited to a small group and the captain pays attention to safety.

Koločep: your first hour in the water

The first stop is Koločep, where you get about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. The boat stops at a bay, giving you the chance to enter the water directly instead of walking through a crowded beach area.

This is a smart opening stop. After leaving Dubrovnik, you can settle into the boat, cool off, and get a feel for the water before lunch and sightseeing enter the picture. The supplied snorkeling equipment means you do not need to bring a full kit, though you should bring your own towel.

Koločep is best approached as a swimming stop rather than a major sightseeing visit. You will have about an hour, so I would not expect a long island walk or a detailed tour of the interior. Pack a swimsuit, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes if you dislike sitting in damp swimwear for the rest of the afternoon.

The water is a major reason to book this outing. The trip is built around clear swimming spots, and the private format means you can ask for a little more time in the water if the schedule allows. Still, the overall day has several parts, so the captain needs to keep an eye on the clock.

Šunj Beach: sand, swimming, and a casual drink

The second stop is Šunj Beach on Lopud, one of the few sandy beaches in the Dubrovnik area. You can swim and snorkel from the boat, sunbathe aboard, or swim to shore for a drink at one of the beach restaurants.

Šunj is a useful contrast with Koločep. At Koločep, the pleasure is a quiet bay and water access from the boat. At Šunj, you get a proper sandy beach and the option to step ashore. If someone in your group prefers beach lounging to snorkeling, this stop gives them a better fit.

The beach stop lasts about an hour, so I would choose your priority before arriving. If you want the sand, head to shore promptly. If you prefer a quieter swim, stay with the boat and use the snorkeling gear. Trying to do everything in sixty minutes may leave you feeling rushed.

A swim from the boat can also be more practical than a shore visit. You avoid carrying bags across the beach, and you can rinse off afterward with the outdoor shower. Drinks and snacks are not included, so bring water and a few easy snacks. Soda, alcohol, and other beverages must be purchased separately.

Šipan: the best stop for lunch and a walk

Šipan is the longest structured island stop, with about two hours available. This is where the tour shifts from swimming day to small-port outing. You can walk through the town, visit Skocibuha Castle, swim at the beach, or eat at a local restaurant.

For me, Šipan is likely to be the most satisfying stop for anyone who wants more than sea time. A small harbor village gives you a chance to stretch your legs and see a quieter side of the Dubrovnik area. Skocibuha Castle adds a historical point of interest without turning the day into a formal museum visit.

Lunch is not part of the tour price. Filip has made restaurant reservations for groups before, which can be useful because the small restaurants may fill up. I would ask him about booking ahead rather than assuming you can walk in, especially if your group has a preferred mealtime.

One practical detail makes Šipan work well: you can choose how to spend the two hours. A seafood lunch may take most of the stop. A quick meal leaves time for a village walk or swim. If you want to visit the castle and eat slowly, tell Filip early so the timing is clear.

Bring some cash or a payment card suitable for the restaurant, though the supplied information does not promise a particular payment method. The safe plan is to confirm your preferred restaurant and payment arrangements before the trip.

Four hours of cruising, with sailing dependent on the wind

The schedule assigns about four hours to cruising around the Elafiti Islands, in addition to the island stops. This is not dead time. It is the part of the day when you can sit back, watch the islands pass, and enjoy the boat without needing to reach a specific landmark.

The word sailing needs a little context. On a day with steady wind, the crew can sail for part of the route. In calm weather, the motor will do most of the work. That is normal for a sailing excursion, but it is worth understanding before you book. If your main goal is the sensation of sailing under canvas all day, weather will decide how closely the experience matches that hope.

The cruising time also provides flexibility. A short swim stop can be added on the return when conditions and timing allow. One full-day schedule included a brief swim on the way back, after lunch, which shows how the day can respond to the group’s energy and the sea conditions.

I like this slower approach, but it will not suit everyone. If you want nonstop activity, a long list of ports, or a formal commentary at every stage, the open cruising hours may feel too loose. If you like sitting on deck, talking, swimming, and letting the afternoon unfold, they are a major benefit.

What the boat includes, and what you should bring

The tour includes fuel, snorkeling equipment, an outdoor shower, and a restroom on board. Those inclusions keep the day comfortable and reduce the amount of gear you need to organize.

You should bring:

• A towel
• Swimsuit and a dry change of clothes
• Drinking water
• Snacks
• Sun protection
• Money for lunch and drinks
• Any personal medication you may need during an eight-hour outing

The boat has worked well for a family of four, and children can use buoyancy vests supplied by the captain. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is described as suitable for most people. Still, this is a boat day built around swimming, boarding, and time at sea, so anyone with mobility or medical concerns should contact the operator before booking.

The tour is offered in English and provides a mobile ticket. Confirmation arrives at booking, which makes the planning side straightforward.

Communication and the personal touch

A private boat tour depends heavily on the skipper. Filip’s role is more than steering. He communicates before the trip, responds through WhatsApp, explains the area, and helps with lunch planning.

That contact is useful because the day has several choices. You may want more time at Koločep, a quick stop at Šunj, or a longer lunch on Šipan. Clear communication before departure can prevent confusion once you are at sea.

The small-group format also changes the feel of the outing. A family with young children can keep the pace gentle. A group of friends can focus on swimming and lunch. A couple can enjoy privacy, but should remember that the per-person cost is much higher with only two people aboard.

The price: good value for the right group

At $692.36 per group of up to six, this is not a budget excursion. You also pay for lunch, drinks, and transport to and from the marina. The approximate €40 transfer cost is not fixed, so include it in your total.

The value improves as your group gets larger. Six people sharing the boat pay roughly $115 each, while two people pay about $346 each before extras. In return, you get eight hours, a private skipper, fuel, snorkeling gear, and the ability to shape the day around your own group.

I would compare this with the cost of a shared island cruise, but not only by ticket price. The real benefit is space and control. You are not tied to a large group’s lunch choice, swimming schedule, or return time. You also avoid the crowded feel that can come with larger boats.

For a couple on a tight budget, I would look at shared options first. For a family or group of friends who can divide the cost, this private tour makes more financial sense and gives you a much more personal day.

Cancellation and weather planning

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded.

Weather matters here. If poor conditions cancel the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not met. I would avoid scheduling this on the final day of a short Dubrovnik visit, since a weather cancellation may leave you with no spare date.

Who should book this private boat day?

I would recommend it to:

• Families wanting a private, manageable day on the water
• Friends who can split the group price
• Couples who value privacy and do not mind the cost
• People who prefer swimming, lunch, and small ports over a packed sightseeing route
• Anyone who wants a flexible skipper rather than a fixed group schedule

I would think twice if you dislike boats, want guaranteed full-time sailing, or prefer a low-cost excursion. The tour also requires you to budget for lunch, drinks, and getting to the marina.

FAQ

How long is the private Elafiti Islands tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours. It starts at 9:00 a.m. and ends back at the meeting point in Dubrovnik.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Lapadska obala 21, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The planned stops are Koločep Island, Šunj Beach on Lopud, and Šipan. Additional time is spent sailing or cruising around the Elafiti Islands.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

No. Lunch is taken at a restaurant on one of the islands and must be paid for separately. Soda, alcohol, and other drinks are also not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with an outdoor shower and restroom on board.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private boat can accommodate a group of up to six people. Only your group participates.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the tour is canceled because of bad weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an easygoing day built around swimming, small island ports, and private time on the water. Filip’s personal service, help with restaurant reservations, and attention to families add real value, while Koločep, Šunj, and Šipan give the day enough variety.

The best value comes with four to six people sharing the price. Just budget for lunch, drinks, and the marina transfer, and remember that calm weather can replace sailing with motor cruising. With those points clear, this is a strong choice for a private Dubrovnik day that feels more personal and less crowded.