Full Day Sailing Tour To Elafiti Islands from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik’s island escape is best enjoyed at water level. This eight-hour sailboat trip takes you from the city to the Elafiti Islands, with time to swim and snorkel, stop at sandy Šunj Beach, and walk around Šipan. The group is capped at six, so the day feels closer to a private sail than a crowded boat excursion.

I like two things in particular: the small group and personal pace, and the chance to spend real time ashore rather than only viewing the islands from the water. Skipper Filip is often praised for sharing local context, finding pleasant swimming spots, and recommending a good place for lunch.

The trade-off is that this is a long day on the water, and lunch costs extra. The route also depends on conditions: sailing time and swimming stops can vary with the wind and weather, so book this for a flexible day rather than a fixed checklist.

At a glance

• Small boat, maximum six: A more personal alternative to a large group cruise.
• Three island stops: Koločep, Šunj Beach on Lopud, and Šipan are on the planned route.
• Time to swim and snorkel: Snorkeling equipment is included, along with an outdoor shower.
• Island lunch is optional: You can eat at a local restaurant, but the meal is not part of the price.
• Eight hours, starting at 9 a.m.: Expect a full day, with the remaining time spent sailing between stops.
• $157.22 per person: The price includes the boat’s fuel costs and basic onboard facilities, not transport to the meeting point.

A small sailboat changes the feel of the day

The Elafiti Islands lie off Dubrovnik’s coast, and a boat is a natural way to reach their coves and shorelines. This trip is not simply a transfer between islands. You have time to pause for a swim, spend an hour at a beach, and get ashore for a walk and meal.

The boat’s limit of six people matters. You are not joining a large excursion boat with a crowd competing for deck space. A smaller group can make it easier to ask Filip about the islands, settle into the day, and enjoy a quieter ride. It is still a shared tour unless your party fills the boat, so do not assume you will have it to yourselves.

The experience also depends on the skipper and the day’s conditions. Filip is frequently singled out for his easy manner, sailing ability, and local recommendations. Some outings have included raising the sails even when the wind was light, while others have had little wind. Think of this as a boat day with sailing when conditions allow, not a guarantee of uninterrupted wind-powered travel.

Koločep: an early swim stop

The first planned stop is Koločep, where you have about an hour to swim, snorkel, or sunbathe. Its bays and beaches offer a relaxed start after leaving Dubrovnik, and getting into the water is a major part of the appeal. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, so you do not need to bring your own gear to take a look beneath the surface.

An hour is enough for a swim and a little time on shore, but it is not a long island visit. If you prefer a slow beach day with several hours in one place, this itinerary keeps moving. Bring a towel and anything you like to use after swimming; an outdoor shower is available on board to rinse off.

The exact swimming spot can depend on conditions and the captain’s judgment. The tour’s focus is on getting you out to attractive water and making time to enjoy it, rather than promising a particular underwater sighting. Snorkeling is a chance to explore, not a guarantee of seeing specific marine life.

Šunj Beach: sand, sea, and a choice of pace

Next comes Šunj Beach on Lopud, described as a sandy beach and a signature stop for the island. You have about an hour here, with a few ways to use it: swim and snorkel from the boat, sunbathe, or make your way to shore for a drink at one of the restaurants.

That choice is useful because the stop can suit different moods in your group. You can stay on the boat and swim, or head ashore for a more conventional beach break. The itinerary does not specify how you get to shore, so ask Filip about the day’s arrangement before setting off if you have a strong preference.

Keep an eye on the clock. An hour passes quickly if you want both a swim and time on the beach. This is a taste of Šunj rather than an extended beach day, but it adds a sandy shoreline to a trip otherwise shaped by sailing and swimming in bays.

Šipan: a village walk and a proper lunch break

The last scheduled island stop is Šipan, with about two hours to walk around town, visit Skocibuha Castle, swim, or eat at a local restaurant. This is the longest stop, and it gives the day a welcome change of pace. After spending much of the trip on the water, you can stretch your legs and get a feel for island life on foot.

Lunch is not included in the $157.22 price. You can choose a restaurant and pay separately, and Filip can suggest a place. Several outings have included fresh fish and local wine, but that is not a fixed menu or a meal supplied by the tour. Ask what is available and check prices before ordering, especially if you are planning your day’s spending closely.

Two hours gives you more breathing room than the earlier stops, but it is still a limited visit. If you want to linger over lunch, you may have less time for a walk or swim. If a meal is a priority, I would make that decision early rather than trying to fit everything in at the last minute.

A stop at Šipan also adds more than another patch of coastline. You have the chance to see a town, visit a named historic site, or simply enjoy a meal ashore. That blend of water time and island time is what makes this outing more varied than a straightforward cruise.

Sailing between islands is part of the itinerary

The listed stops account for about four hours: one hour at Koločep, one at Šunj Beach, and two at Šipan. The rest of the approximate eight-hour day is sailing time. That is not dead time to be endured between attractions. The views of the coast and islands, the chance to relax on deck, and the movement of the boat are central to the experience.

Wind can shape the ride. Some days bring enough breeze to sail; on calmer days, the engine may be needed, though Filip may still raise the sails when practical. If you are booking mainly to learn to sail or to spend the whole day under sail, this trip may not meet that exact expectation. If your main goal is a comfortable day on the water with island stops, the flexibility is less of a concern.

The boat is described as comfortable, and it has an onboard restroom and an outdoor shower. One account also describes a cabin used for bags and changing, but treat that as a helpful possibility rather than a guaranteed feature. Pack light and keep your essentials easy to reach, especially if you plan to switch between swimming and walking ashore.

What $157.22 buys you

At $157.22 per person, this is more expensive than a basic ferry ride, but the comparison is not like for like. The price covers a small-group sailing trip with a captain, fuel, snorkeling equipment, an onboard restroom, and an outdoor shower. You also get a planned day of island stops without having to arrange separate boat transport.

Lunch is extra, and your travel to and from the meeting point is not included. There is no air-conditioned vehicle as part of the activity. Add those costs to your budget if you need a taxi or other transport, or if you expect to eat a full meal on Šipan.

Value depends on what you want from the day. If you want a spacious boat, a small group, swimming stops, and a skipper who can recommend a restaurant or explain the area, the cost may feel worthwhile. If you mainly want to reach one island and spend the day on a beach, you may prefer to compare other ways of getting there.

Who should book this trip

This tour suits you if you enjoy being on the water and want a mix of swimming, scenery, and a little time ashore. It works especially well for couples, families, or small groups who value a quieter trip and like having a skipper to guide the day. The maximum group size is six, though the group may be smaller.

It is less suited to anyone who wants a full day on land, a set lunch included in the fare, or a rigid promise about wind and sailing conditions. You should also be comfortable with a full eight-hour outing. The itinerary includes several transitions between boat, beach, and town, rather than one long stop in a single place.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and money for lunch and drinks. The tour is offered in English, uses a mobile ticket, and departs at 9 a.m. from Lapadska obala 21a in Dubrovnik, returning to the same meeting point. It is near public transportation, but transport to and from the departure point is your responsibility.

Confirmation is provided at booking. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The tour depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants; if the operator cancels for either reason, you are offered another date or a refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.

Should you book it?

I would book this if you want your Dubrovnik day to include more than a boat ride past the islands. The combination of a small group, swimming time, a sandy beach, and a two-hour stop on Šipan gives the outing a satisfying range. Filip’s local guidance and food suggestions can also make the day easier to shape around your interests.

Before you commit, be honest about your priorities. The price does not cover lunch or transport to the dock, and the day’s sailing depends on the weather. If those conditions suit you, this is a strong choice for a relaxed, personal outing from Dubrovnik, with enough structure to see several places and enough flexibility to enjoy the sea.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about eight hours, with a 9 a.m. start.

Where does the tour depart from?

It starts at Lapadska obala 21a, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia, and ends back at the meeting point.

Which islands are included?

The planned stops are Koločep, Šunj Beach on Lopud, and Šipan.

How much time is spent at each stop?

The planned schedule allows about one hour at Koločep, one hour at Šunj Beach, and two hours on Šipan. The remaining time is for sailing.

Is lunch included?

No. There is a lunch stop on one of the islands, but food is optional and paid for separately.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes snorkeling equipment, an onboard restroom, an outdoor shower, gas, and a fuel surcharge.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is six travelers.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The activity is offered in English.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.