Rent a Traditional Wooden Boat (64 pax)

Dubrovnik’s best views are often found from the water, and this 64-person wooden boat charter gives your group a full day on the Adriatic without squeezing into a small excursion boat. You can set out from Port Gruž, visit beaches and small islands, stop for swimming and snorkeling, and shape the day around your event.

I like the large capacity and the fact that a captain and crew are included. That makes this a practical choice for a wedding, family reunion, company gathering, or birthday rather than just a standard sightseeing ride. I also like the snorkeling equipment and flexible catering option, though food and drinks are not part of the listed price and must be arranged separately.

The main consideration is cost. At $2,304.79 per group, this makes most sense when the expense is shared by a sizable party. Also, the exact route is not fixed in the information provided, so you should confirm the islands, swimming stops, catering, and departure time before paying.

Key points to know before you book

• A full-size private charter: The traditional wooden boat can carry up to 64 people, making it suited to organized groups and celebrations.
• Captain and crew included: You are not hiring a boat and managing it yourself. The crew handles navigation and onboard service.
• Three-island style outings are possible: Past departures have included a three-island route with beaches, food, music, and swimming stops.
• Snorkeling gear is provided: You can use the included equipment at suitable stops along the coast.
• Catering costs extra: Food and drinks are not included in the standard charter price, but menus can be agreed in advance.
• Port Gruž is the base: The boat leaves from Obala Ivana Pavla II 13 and returns to the same meeting point.

Setting out from Port Gruž

The day begins at Port Gruž, Dubrovnik’s working harbor, at Obala Ivana Pavla II 13. This is away from the Old Town walls, so allow time to reach the port if you are staying in the historic center.

The published operating information lists hours from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., while the activity itself is described as lasting about eight hours. That is worth checking carefully. Ask for the confirmed departure and return times before your day is locked in, since an eight-hour charter cannot fit neatly inside a five-hour window.

Pickup is offered only for locations more than 700 meters from the starting point. That wording is unusual, so confirm exactly where pickup applies and how it will work for your accommodation. If you are close to Port Gruž, you may need to make your own way there.

Once aboard, you have a traditional wooden vessel with room for up to 64 people, an air-conditioned vehicle component listed among the inclusions, and a captain and crew. The boat is intended for safe, pleasant navigation rather than a bare-bones transport service. Still, a group of 64 can feel very different from a small private cruise, so think of this as a social charter with room to move, not a quiet couples outing.

What a three-island day can offer

The exact island route is not named, which gives the operator some room to adapt the day. Past outings have followed a three-island format, with scenic coastlines, beaches, swimming, and time to enjoy the boat itself.

You should expect the day to center on the Adriatic rather than on guided walks through towns. The attraction is the changing view from the deck: open water, rocky shorelines, small islands, and coves that are easier to reach by boat than by road. The coastline around Dubrovnik has many such places, and a charter lets your group spend the day moving between them at sea level.

At the first stop, you might find a beach or a sheltered swimming area. The included snorkeling equipment gives you something to do beyond sunbathing, though the available marine life, water conditions, and exact snorkeling location will depend on the route and weather.

A three-island schedule usually means you should not expect long stays everywhere. The appeal is variety, but moving between several stops can make the day feel active. If your group wants one long, lazy beach stop, say so when planning the route. If you are organizing an event, agree on the balance between cruising, swimming, food, music, and shore time.

The islands are the main reason to book this rather than a land-based day trip. You get access to beaches and small coastal places without arranging several separate transfers. The tradeoff is that the route remains less specific than a standard excursion with named stops and a fixed timetable.

Swimming and snorkeling in the Adriatic

The boat includes snorkeling equipment, a useful touch for a group charter. You do not need to organize every item yourself, and the gear can turn a simple swim stop into a longer break in the water.

The supplied information does not promise a particular reef, cove, or wildlife encounter. Keep expectations sensible. You are booking access to the coast and equipment, not a specialist marine biology trip.

The sea is also a weather issue. Poor conditions can cancel the experience, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund. That protection matters for a boat day, since wind and rough water can affect both comfort and safety.

Bring the usual personal items for a full day near the water, but remember that the operator specifically lists private expenses as excluded. If you want particular drinks, snacks, towels, or event supplies, arrange those details in advance rather than assuming they come with the boat.

Crew service and the feel onboard

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Emily is repeatedly singled out for friendly and helpful service, while Ivan is described as warm and funny. Renata and Nataša are also praised in the available feedback, although the names appear with slightly different spellings in different comments.

The practical value of a crew is easy to overlook. On a large boat, you need people who keep an eye on the group, answer questions, help with service, and maintain a good mood. The feedback points to crew members checking that everyone was comfortable and asking if anything was needed.

That does not mean you should expect a formal guided tour with a detailed commentary at every turn. The experience is more about hospitality, cruising, and your group’s shared day. If you want information about each island or a tightly narrated sightseeing program, ask what the captain or crew will provide.

Music has also been part of some outings, adding to the party atmosphere. That can be a real plus for a wedding or reunion, but less appealing if your goal is peace and quiet. The charter format gives you a chance to discuss the mood you want before departure.

Food, drinks, and event planning

Catering is not included in the listed $2,304.79 price. It can be arranged separately, and the operator is open to suggestions. This is important because food can change the total cost by a fair amount, especially for a group of several dozen people.

Past comments describe meals with choices such as fish, chicken, or vegetarian food, along with alcoholic and soft drinks. Treat those details as examples of possible arrangements, not as standard inclusions in this booking. The official inclusions list does not include food or beverages.

Ask for a written catering plan covering:

• Menu choices and vegetarian options
• Drinks and alcohol
• Serving time
• Extra cost per person
• Cake or celebration food
• Any dietary needs
• Cleanup and onboard storage

The boat is especially suited to celebrations because the basic rental already includes the vessel and crew. You can then build the day around your occasion instead of booking a separate boat transfer, restaurant, and beach visit.

For a wedding or formal event, confirm how much space is available for seating, music, decorations, and gifts. The boat is described as perfectly equipped for events, but the information does not specify a dance floor, sound system, tables, or decoration package. Those details need direct confirmation.

Is the $2,304.79 price good value?

The price looks high if you are booking for one or two people. It becomes more reasonable when divided among a large group. At the full stated capacity of 64, the simple arithmetic works out to about $36 per person, before catering or private extras. A smaller group will pay more per person.

That calculation is the key to understanding the value. You are paying for an entire boat, captain, crew, and an eight-hour outing, not for a single seat on a scheduled ferry. If you fill much of the boat, the charter can be a practical way to combine transport, sightseeing, swimming, and a group meal.

The phrase price per group up to 1 is confusing alongside the stated capacity of 64. Confirm that the quoted amount is for the complete boat and ask whether taxes, crew, snorkeling equipment, and any pickup charges are already covered. All fees and taxes are listed as included, but catering and private expenses are not.

I would compare the charter with the cost of arranging a large event through several smaller boats. The wooden boat may offer better group unity, since everyone shares the same deck and schedule. On the other hand, a large group has less privacy than it would on a small private vessel, and you may need to compromise on the route.

Who will enjoy this boat charter?

This is a strong fit for:

• Wedding parties and engagement celebrations
• Family reunions
• Company outings
• Birthday groups
• School or social organizations
• Large groups wanting beaches and islands in one day

The boat also suits people who want a day built around the sea rather than a long list of historical sights. You will spend your time cruising, swimming, snorkeling, eating if catering is arranged, and enjoying the views.

It is less suitable if you are booking alone, traveling as a couple, or seeking a low-cost scheduled excursion. It may also disappoint if you need a fully fixed itinerary with named islands, exact stop lengths, and guaranteed menu details. Those elements are flexible or unspecified here.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The boat is near public transportation. The information does not provide detailed mobility guidance, so if anyone in your group has access needs, ask about boarding, deck layout, and restroom arrangements before booking.

Booking details and weather rules

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since the boat is designed for private events and larger groups, secure the date before arranging catering, decorations, or accommodation around it.

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason once booked. The weather exception is important: if the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund.

That policy makes travel insurance worth considering for a costly group booking, though insurance terms are your responsibility. The safest approach is to avoid paying for nonrefundable catering until the boat date is confirmed and your group is committed.

Should you book it?

Book this charter if you have a large group and want one shared day on the Dubrovnik coast, with a traditional boat, crew service, snorkeling, beaches, and the freedom to arrange catering around your event.

I would book it for a wedding, reunion, or birthday where the boat itself is part of the celebration. I would hesitate for a small party because the fixed price is hard to justify, and I would ask for the exact route, timetable, pickup details, and catering quote before committing.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the generous capacity, helpful crew, and chance to reach several islands without splitting your group. The biggest cautions are the unclear operating hours, unspecified island route, extra catering cost, and strict cancellation terms. Get those points settled, then this can be a memorable way to trade Dubrovnik’s crowded streets for a day of salt air and open water.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start and end?

The activity starts at Port Gruž, Obala Ivana Pavla II 13, Dubrovnik, Croatia. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can the boat hold?

The traditional wooden boat can accommodate up to 64 people.

Is a captain and crew included?

Yes. The rental price includes the captain and crew.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food and catering are not included in the standard price, but catering can be arranged separately.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.