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

A private sailboat makes a fine base for a day among the Elaphiti Islands: you can swim from quiet coves, spend time ashore and enjoy the trip between stops instead of treating the boat as a mere taxi. Skipper Dragan leads the outing, and the day lasts about eight hours.

I like two things in particular: the chance to learn a little sailing rather than simply ride along, and the freedom of a private boat for your own group, up to eight people. The stops also offer a good mix of beaches and island village time.

One point needs clearing up before you book: the tour name mentions the Blue Cave, but the listed route does not name a Blue Cave stop. Ask the operator whether it is included on your date, and how the route may change with conditions.

At a glance

• A private sailboat for up to eight: Your group has the boat to itself, with Dragan at the helm.
• Three island stops: The planned route includes Koločep, Lopud and Šipan, plus Šunj Beach on Lopud.
• Time to swim and snorkel: The schedule sets aside about an hour at Koločep and another at Šunj Beach.
• Sailing lessons and gear included: You can use the snorkelling equipment and SUP, and take advantage of the included sailing lessons.
• Plan for lunch ashore: Food is not included, and a meal stop is planned on one of the islands.
• Check the Blue Cave details: It appears in the tour name, but not among the named itinerary stops.

A full day at sea, not a speedboat circuit

This eight-hour trip is best understood as a leisurely day aboard a sailboat, with island visits woven into the sailing time. You meet at Lapadska obala 4 in Dubrovnik at 9:30 a.m., then return to the same meeting point at the end. Fuel is included, so there is no separate fuel charge to factor into the price.

The trip is private, which makes a real difference to the feel of the day. You are not sharing the boat with a larger tour group, and the skipper can talk through the route with your party. One family with children said they agreed on a route with Dragan that made the outing more comfortable for the kids. That is useful context, though you should still discuss your needs with him rather than assume every change is possible.

The listed stops add up to about five hours ashore or at swimming spots, with roughly two hours set aside for sailing and cruising. The tour is advertised at about eight hours, so there is some room in the day for moving between islands and adjusting the pace. The precise order and timing may vary.

That pace is a good fit if you want a relaxed day out of Dubrovnik, with time to swim, walk and eat. It is less suited to anyone trying to cram in a long list of sights. The boat, water and unhurried island stops are the point.

Koločep: your first swim stop

The first stop is Koločep, where the plan allows about an hour for swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing. The island is described as having bays and beaches, giving you a chance to start the day in the water before moving on.

Snorkelling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins to take part. There is also a SUP available, which offers another way to spend time on the water. An outdoor shower and a rest area on board make the boat more practical between swims.

An hour is enough for a swim and a short spell on the beach, but not a long island visit. If you prefer to spend more time in the water, ask the skipper about the schedule when you board. The itinerary is a plan, not a promise that every stop will get the same amount of time in all conditions.

Šunj Beach: sand and a change of pace

Next comes Šunj Beach on Lopud, a sandy beach described as one of the island’s signatures. The stop is also about an hour. You can swim, snorkel near the rocks, sunbathe or head to the beach club for a drink.

This is a useful change from the first swim stop: instead of staying aboard or visiting a bay, you get time at a named beach with a place to buy a drink. The beach club is not part of the tour price, so bring a payment method if you want to order something. The tour includes no alcoholic drinks, but you may bring your own.

The beach is presented as a place you may want to linger. In practice, the schedule gives you an hour, so you will need to choose between a proper swim, time on the sand and a drink ashore. If beach time matters most to you, make that preference clear to Dragan.

Lopud: village lanes, a monastery and lunch

The schedule gives Lopud two hours, making it the longest stop ashore. You can walk through the village, visit a 14th-century monastery, swim again or find a local restaurant. That range gives you a choice between a cultural pause and an easy lunch stop, rather than another quick photo break.

Lunch is not included in the tour price. The plan calls for a meal stop on one of the islands, and Lopud is specifically presented as a place to eat. A couple on the trip described having excellent seafood in a small beach village, which is a good reason to leave room in both your schedule and budget for a meal ashore. The specific restaurant and meal cost are not set by the tour.

Two hours can go quickly if you want to eat and explore. Decide what matters most before you step off the boat: lunch, a walk through the village or a visit to the monastery. You may manage more than one, but there is no need to turn the stop into a race.

Šipan: one last island pause

The final named island stop is Šipan, with about an hour set aside. The plan describes time to walk around town, swim in clear water or have a cold drink at a restaurant. If lunch has already happened on Lopud, this stop becomes a chance to slow down before sailing back.

That flexibility is valuable because the day includes several swim opportunities. You can spend Šipan ashore, or treat it as one last chance to get in the water. Food and drinks at restaurants are at your own expense.

The details do not specify which town or restaurant you will visit, nor do they guarantee a particular swim spot. Think of this as a final island interlude, not a structured walking tour. The appeal lies in choosing how to use the hour.

The sailing is part of the day

The remaining time is spent sailing or cruising among the Elaphiti Islands. This is not just transit between stops: free sailing lessons are included, and the skipper can teach you the basics while under way. A family described learning to sail during the trip, and another group said Dragan caught the wind and took them to scenic spots.

You should not expect to steer the boat for the whole trip or receive a formal sailing course. The listed inclusion is free sailing lessons, which makes this a chance to learn something and take part, not a qualification or dedicated training session. If you are keen to help, ask Dragan what is possible on the day.

The boat has a rest area, a fully equipped kitchen and an outdoor shower. Coffee and tea are included, useful comforts on a long day at sea. Alcohol is not included, though you may bring your own drinks. The optional dinghy with an outboard motor costs €40 per day and is available on request; ask in advance if you think you will need it.

The Blue Cave question

The tour name promises a Blue Cave, but the listed itinerary names Koločep, Šunj Beach, Lopud, Šipan and cruising among the Elaphiti Islands. It does not specify a Blue Cave visit or say how much time one would take. This is the clearest detail to confirm before paying.

Ask whether the Blue Cave is part of the route on your date, whether a visit depends on sea or weather conditions, and which island stop might change if it is included. Those answers will help you judge whether this tour matches your priorities. If the cave is a must-see, do not rely on the title alone.

What the price buys

The listed price is $744.61 per group of up to eight, not per person. Split evenly among a full group, that is about $93 per person for an eight-hour private trip. A smaller party pays more per person, but still gets exclusive use of the boat rather than sharing it with strangers.

Fuel, sailing lessons, snorkelling equipment, SUP use, coffee and tea are included. Lunch, restaurant drinks, gratuities and transfers are not. The optional dinghy costs €40 per day. When comparing the price with a shared excursion, include the value of privacy, the sailing time and the chance to agree on a comfortable pace, not just the number of stops.

The price makes the most sense for a family or group of friends who want to spend a full day together on the water. For two people, it is a much larger outlay per person. If you are travelling as a pair, decide whether the private setting and sailing experience are worth the premium over a shared boat trip.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would consider this tour for a group that wants a mix of swimming, sailing and island time, and does not need every hour tightly programmed. It has worked for families with children, and the private format gives you a chance to discuss comfort and route preferences with Dragan. The skipper has been described as conversational, helpful and accommodating, with strong English.

It is also a good match if you are curious about sailing. A motorboat may get you between stops faster, but the sailboat gives the journey itself a role in the day. One family explicitly preferred this kind of outing to a motorboat excursion.

You should look elsewhere if your main goal is a guaranteed Blue Cave visit and the operator cannot confirm one, or if you need lunch and transport bundled into the price. The meeting point is in Dubrovnik, and pickup and drop-off are optional rather than included. Most people can participate, but the supplied details do not give specific accessibility information, so ask the operator about any mobility needs before booking.

The tour is offered in English, starts at 9:30 a.m. and runs for about eight hours. It is commonly booked around 30 days in advance, so leave time to reserve if your dates are fixed. Confirmation is received at booking. The activity depends on good weather; if poor weather cancels it, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.

Should you book the sailboat day?

Book it if you want a private, unhurried day with swimming, island stops and the chance to learn a little sailing. The strongest reasons are the personal pace, the skipper’s accommodating approach and the useful mix of beach and village time. For a group of friends or a family, the group price can be good value.

Before booking, get a clear answer about the Blue Cave and decide how much you want to spend on lunch and drinks ashore. If those details suit you, this is a compelling way to trade Dubrovnik’s streets for a day on the water.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about eight hours.

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 9:30 a.m.

Where does the tour begin and end?

The meeting point is Lapadska obala 4, 20000 Dubrovnik. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, with a maximum group size of eight.

Which islands and beaches are named in the route?

The route names Koločep, Šunj Beach on Lopud, Lopud and Šipan, along with sailing or cruising among the Elaphiti Islands.

Is a visit to the Blue Cave included?

The Blue Cave appears in the tour name, but it is not named as a stop in the supplied itinerary. Confirm directly with the operator whether it is included on your date.

What is included in the price?

Fuel, sailing lessons, coffee and tea, snorkelling equipment, SUP use, a rest area, an outdoor shower and a fully equipped kitchen are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is at your own expense, and a meal stop is planned on one of the islands.

Can I bring my own drinks?

Yes. Alcoholic drinks are not included, but you may bring your own. The drinking age is 18.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather cancels the activity, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.