Dubrovnik: Lucky Boat Tour – Elaphite Islands and Blue Cave

The best part of this private outing is the change of pace: one moment you’re looking back at Dubrovnik’s stone walls from the water, the next you’re swimming off an island or stretched out at sandy Šunj Beach. I especially like the small-group boat and the freedom to mix sightseeing with long, unhurried swim stops.

I also like that the Lucky Boat has a toilet, shade, a shower and a ladder for getting back aboard, useful comforts when you’re spending hours at sea. One thing to plan around: Šipan and its tasting visit cost extra, and the advertised four-to-eight-hour duration means you should confirm which route and length you’re booking.

At a glance

• Private for up to six: The $589 group price works out to about $98 per person if you fill every seat, before any Šipan surcharge.
• A boat built for swim stops: Masks, a swim ladder, shower, shade and a refrigerator with complimentary drinks are provided.
• Blue Cave and Šunj Beach: The route pairs a swim and snorkel stop at the cave with time at Lopud’s sandy beach.
• Šipan is optional: The largest Elaphite island adds vineyards, olive groves and a separately charged wine and olive oil tasting.
• Pickup is arranged in Dubrovnik: The operator says it can arrange a car transfer from accommodation in the Dubrovnik area to the boat’s starting point.
• Bring beach basics: Pack a towel, swimsuit, sun protection and sunglasses. The outing is not suitable for wheelchair users or people prone to seasickness.

A private boat, not a packed excursion

The Lucky Boat is an upgraded Ocqueteau 715, built in 2004 and remodeled in 2023. At 8.8 meters long and 2.8 meters wide, it can take up to six passengers, so the experience suits a family or a close group of friends more than a crowd looking for a social party boat.

A private charter makes the day easier to shape around your group. You can settle into a swim stop, take a break on shore, or spend more time enjoying the coastline rather than keeping pace with a large tour. The skipper is included, as are fuel and drinks: water, wine, beer, cola and iced tea.

The boat has practical features that matter more than they might on a short harbor cruise. A bimini provides shade, an interior cabin has a toilet, and the refrigerator keeps drinks cold. There’s a shower for rinsing off after a swim, plus a platform and ladder to make climbing back aboard easier. Solar panels provide an eco-friendly energy source, while GPS, nautical maps, an electric anchor and a bow thruster support navigation and maneuvering.

There’s also a table, speakers and USB chargers. These are modest touches, but they help make a longer private trip feel comfortable. The skipper supplies snorkeling masks, too, so you don’t need to bring your own unless you prefer a familiar fit.

A captain named Stanko has been associated with the trip and praised for being friendly and considerate. Skippers can vary, so ask who will be leading your departure if you have a particular question about the day.

Dubrovnik’s walls from the water

The cruise begins in Dubrovnik and first gives you a view of the Old Town from the sea. The initial welcome and refreshments take about 20 minutes, followed by a roughly 30-minute scenic cruise and photo stop near the city walls.

From the boat, the walls and historic buildings read as one broad picture rather than a series of streets and landmarks. It’s a fine way to appreciate the city’s position on the coast, and a welcome contrast if you’ve already spent time walking the crowded lanes of the Old Town.

Keep your camera handy, but don’t treat this as a guided walking tour of Dubrovnik. The emphasis here is on the view from the water, not a detailed explanation of the city’s history. If you want both, plan a separate visit on land.

The boat’s pickup arrangement is worth confirming in advance. The operator says car transfers can be arranged from accommodation anywhere in the Dubrovnik area to the boat’s starting point. However, a past pickup mix-up involved a cruise-terminal meeting point: the boat could not collect passengers directly there because of legal restrictions, and they met at the nearest possible point about a kilometer away. If you’re arriving by cruise ship, clarify the exact meeting location rather than assuming the boat can pull up at your terminal.

Koločep and the Blue Cave

Koločep, also called Kalamota, is about 20 minutes from Dubrovnik. The island is known for its greenery and quieter feel, and the route includes the Blue Cave, where you can swim and snorkel. The planned stop is about an hour, including time for photos and getting in the water.

The attraction is the experience of seeing the cave from the sea and entering its water, not a long shore visit. Bring your swimsuit under your clothes if you want to make the most of the stop, and use the supplied masks to look beneath the surface. Conditions and the feel of a cave swim can vary, so don’t expect a dry, land-based sightseeing stop.

After other island stops, the schedule lists a return to Koločep for another swim and sunset, with about 90 minutes set aside. This is part of the longer route, not something to assume on every four-hour version of the trip. Since the overall duration varies, ask which stops are included in your chosen departure and how much time you’ll have at each.

Šunj Beach and Lopud’s slower pace

Šunj Beach, on Lopud, is a natural sandy beach and one of the day’s main places to slow down. The schedule allows about two hours here for swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing. That generous pause is a plus if your ideal island outing involves more than stepping ashore for a quick photo.

Sand is a welcome change from the rocky shoreline common around much of the Croatian coast. It also makes Šunj a practical choice for families who want room to sit, swim and spend time together. Still, this is a beach stop, not a private stretch of sand reserved for your group. Bring a towel and sun protection, and keep your expectations focused on enjoying the shore rather than seeking a guided activity.

The boat can take you close to the beach, then you can use the platform and ladder to get in and out of the water at the boat. The day’s schedule also includes free time on Lopud, with roughly two hours allowed. The island is known for lush scenery and historic sites; suggested visits include the Franciscan Monastery and the Church of Our Lady of Šunj. If you want to see them, check with the skipper about how the shore time fits your route.

Food is another good reason to leave room in your plans. The skipper can recommend restaurants on the islands and help with a reservation. That’s useful if you’d rather sit down for a local meal than pack a picnic, but ask about timing before you book a table. On a boat day, the schedule and sea conditions can affect when you reach shore.

The optional extension to Šipan

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphite Islands, known for vineyards, olive groves and beaches. The extended itinerary allows about two hours there for a visit, food and wine tasting. A stop at the Daničić family house offers the chance to sample local wines and olive oils, but this visit comes with an additional charge.

The extra island can make sense if food and local produce are a major part of your trip, or if you have time for a longer day. It’s less compelling if your priority is a relaxed beach outing and you’d rather spend more time swimming at Šunj. Since Šipan is optional and separately charged, get the full cost and timing before committing. Don’t assume it’s included in the $589 group rate.

The listed route with Šipan, Lopud, the Blue Cave and a return swim at Koločep is a full day’s plan. The stated tour duration, however, ranges from four to eight hours. That wide spread matters: the shorter outing cannot offer the same shore time and extra stops as the extended route. Confirm your intended itinerary directly, especially if you’re coordinating lunch, an evening plan or a family’s swimming pace.

What the $589 group price buys

The price is $589 for a private group of up to six, not $589 per person. At full capacity, that is about $98 per person. For a smaller group, the per-person cost rises, but you still have a private boat, skipper, fuel, drinks and the flexibility of a group charter.

That’s a reasonable value for a day on the water if your party will use the boat for several hours. The included drinks and masks save a little planning, and the toilet, shade, shower and ladder can make a noticeable difference on a long outing. The value is strongest when you fill most of the seats and enjoy swimming and island time, rather than wanting a brief transfer from Dubrovnik to one beach.

The main cost to watch is Šipan. Its visit and the tasting at the Daničić family house are not included, so ask for the extra charge before choosing the extension. A restaurant meal is also separate. Since your skipper can recommend places and help with reservations, you can decide whether a sit-down lunch is worth fitting into the day.

Who should book this trip

This boat trip is a good fit if you want a private day with a mix of coastal views, swimming and time ashore. Families and small groups can appreciate having the boat to themselves, cold drinks on board and straightforward access to the water. The family-friendly details are especially practical: a toilet, shade, swim ladder and sandy beach stop.

It also works well if you want to see more than one Elaphite Island without arranging each leg yourself. You can keep the focus on the Blue Cave and Šunj Beach, or ask about adding Šipan for its food and wine tasting. If you’re most interested in historic sites, remember that the boat is primarily a coastal outing. Visits to the monastery and church are recommendations for free time, not a structured heritage tour.

I’d think twice if you’re prone to seasickness, since the activity is specifically not recommended for you. It’s also unsuitable for wheelchair users. If you need a particular boarding arrangement or have mobility concerns, check with the operator before booking rather than assuming the boat can accommodate it.

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, a towel and beachwear. The boat has shade, but you’ll still spend time in the sun at the beach and on the water. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours ahead, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those flexible terms help, but they don’t replace confirming your pickup point and route.

Should you book the Lucky Boat?

Book it if you value privacy, swimming stops and a comfortable boat more than a tightly scripted tour. The Blue Cave, Šunj Beach and the view of Dubrovnik from the water make a satisfying core outing, while the optional Šipan tasting gives food-minded groups another reason to extend the day.

Before paying, confirm the exact duration, island stops, Šipan surcharge and pickup point. If those details match your plans, the group price can be a good deal for up to six people, especially if you’re ready to make a day of it.

FAQ

How many people can join the Lucky Boat tour?

The private boat accommodates up to six passengers.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $589 per group of up to six. The optional Šipan visit and tasting have an additional surcharge.

How long is the tour?

The duration is listed as four to eight hours. Check the available starting times and confirm the route and length you want, since the Šipan extension and additional stops take more time.

What is included in the price?

A professional skipper, fuel and complimentary water, wine, beer, cola and iced tea are included. The boat also has snorkeling masks and the listed onboard equipment.

Is the visit to Šipan included?

No. Šipan is optional and costs extra. A visit to the Daničić family house for local wine and olive oil tasting also has an additional surcharge.

Is pickup available in Dubrovnik?

The operator says it can arrange car transfers from accommodation in the Dubrovnik area to the boat’s starting point. Confirm your exact pickup location, particularly if you’re coming from the cruise terminal.

What should I bring, and who is the tour unsuitable for?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, a towel, sunscreen and beachwear. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people prone to seasickness.