Reviewed · ELAPHITI ISLANDS TOURS
Private boat tour to Elafiti islands and south part of Mljet 8h. ALL INCLUDED
The appeal here is having a boat and skipper to yourselves for a full day, with the route shaped around what your group wants to do. You can see Dubrovnik’s walls from the water, visit Elafiti caves including the Blue Cave, and finish at sandy Saplunara Bay on Mljet.
I like two things in particular: you set the pace, choosing how long to stay at an island, beach, or port, and the day brings together several very different stops without requiring you to arrange separate trips. A skipper named Marin has been praised for taking a group to quiet places, a good fit if your idea of a perfect day is unhurried rather than packed.
The main consideration is the price: $959.15 is a substantial outlay for a group of up to five, and the tour lasts eight hours. It makes more sense when you can share the cost and want a private day on the water, not simply a ride between islands.
Key points to know before you book

- Three Elafiti Islands: The route can include Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan, with stops at caves, beaches, ports, and swimming areas.
- Time on southern Mljet: The final three hours are planned for Limuni Bay and Saplunara Bay, known for its sandy beach.
- A flexible private outing: Your group chooses where to stop and how long to stay, with the skipper there to help shape the day.
- A sea-level view of Dubrovnik: The trip begins with a panorama of the Old Town and its city walls from the boat.
- A group price, not a per-person fare: The rate is $959.15 for up to five people, so sharing the boat changes the value considerably.
- Weather matters: If poor weather cancels the trip, you can take a different date or receive a full refund.
Dubrovnik’s walls from the water

The boat leaves from Obala Stjepana Radića in Dubrovnik at 10:00 a.m. Before heading out to the islands, the skipper gives you a panorama of the Old Town from the sea. This is a useful change of angle: the walls that feel imposing from the streets become part of a broad coastal view when you see them from offshore.
Your skipper can also talk about Dubrovnik’s history if you are interested. That qualification is worth noting. The outing is not presented as a fixed lecture, so you can ask questions or keep the first part quiet and scenic. If history is a priority, say so early and make space for it before the island stops begin.
This opening is brief compared with the full day, but it sets the tone: you are not just being ferried to a destination. You have a local skipper born in Dubrovnik, and the trip begins with a view of the city that is hard to get from its lanes and walls.
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Five hours among Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan
The first island portion takes about five hours. The Elafiti group includes Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan, and the tour can visit caves, beaches, swimming spots, and the ports of each island. The Blue Cave is specifically included as a possible cave visit, though the exact stops are shaped around your group and conditions on the day.
That flexibility is the central advantage of a private boat. You can spend more time swimming and snorkeling, head into a port, or ask to stop somewhere that catches your eye. You are not following a bus timetable or trying to get a whole group back to one departure point. The skipper is there to help you decide how to use the time, but you remain in charge of the pace.
There is a trade-off: freedom means you should have a rough idea of what you want before you leave. With three islands, caves, beaches, and ports on offer, eight hours can pass quickly. If you want a slow swim and a long lunch, you may not also fit in extended stops everywhere. Tell the skipper what matters most, then let the rest of the route follow from that.
The ports offer a different kind of break from the beaches and coves. You can step ashore and get a feel for island life, or keep the day focused on the water. The tour also points to restaurants on the islands for lunch. A restaurant meal is a practical option during a long day out, but the details of lunch and what the all-included price covers are not specified. Ask before booking if you need to know whether food or drinks are included.
Caves, coves, and time in the water

The day is built for being outdoors, with opportunities to visit caves and spend time swimming or snorkeling. The Blue Cave is a named highlight, but the tour does not promise a fixed time there or a specific order of stops. Treat it as a possible part of a flexible route, rather than a guaranteed long visit.
A private boat can also make it easier to choose a quieter swimming stop or stay longer at a beach you like. One group’s day with skipper Marin was described as a chance to enjoy quiet places together, especially welcome at the end of a Croatia trip. That is a useful picture of the tour’s best use: less a checklist of sights, more a shared day with room to pause.
The practical question is what you want from the island hours. If your group likes to swim and snorkel, make that clear. If you would rather see ports and caves, say that instead. The skipper can help, but a private tour works best when you communicate your preferences rather than expecting a set route to make every decision for you.
Three hours on southern Mljet

After the Elafiti Islands, the boat heads to southern Mljet for about three hours. The planned area includes Limuni Bay and Saplunara Bay. Saplunara is described as one of Croatia’s nicest sandy beaches, giving the last part of the day a different feel from the ports and caves earlier on.
This section is a good reason to choose the full eight-hour trip rather than focusing only on the Elafiti Islands. You get time in a second island area and a chance to end the day at a sandy bay. The contrast between the Elafiti stops and southern Mljet adds variety without asking you to change boats or arrange another excursion.
Three hours is enough to make Mljet a meaningful part of the outing, but it is not unlimited time. If you have a particular bay in mind or want a longer beach stop, tell your skipper how you want to divide the day. The listed schedule gives five hours for the Elafiti and three for Mljet, but the tour is tailor made, so it is worth confirming how much the split can shift.
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What the private format changes

This is a private activity for your group only, with space for up to five people at the stated price. That makes it well suited to families or friends who want to share a day and decide together how active or relaxed it should be. It is less compelling for a solo traveler or a couple comparing the cost with a shared boat trip, because the group rate does not fall when fewer people join.
The skipper’s role matters. All skippers are described as born in Dubrovnik, and they can help with route choices and local context. The tour does not specify a single assigned skipper. Marin is one name associated with a particularly calm outing, but you should not assume he will be the skipper on your date.
The phrase all included appears with the tour, but there is no itemized list of what that covers. The description names the boat outing and stops, but does not say whether lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, or other extras are supplied. If any of those details affect your budget or plans, check directly before booking instead of assuming that all meals and gear are part of the fare.
Is $959.15 good value?

The price is $959.15 per group for as many as five people. At full capacity, that works out to about $192 per person for an eight-hour private outing. With fewer people, the per-person cost rises, so the value depends heavily on how many of you are sharing the boat.
What you are paying for is control over the day and a direct route between Dubrovnik, the Elafiti Islands, and southern Mljet. You can choose where to stop and how long to stay, rather than fitting your plans around a group schedule. For a group that values privacy and flexibility, that can justify a higher price than a shared excursion.
If the main goal is simply to reach one beach or island, this may be more tour than you need. But if you want a full day that combines coastal views, caves, swimming, island ports, and a stop on Mljet, the range of options makes the group fare easier to understand. The trip is rated five out of five and recommended by all 16 people who rated it, though a small number of ratings cannot guarantee that every outing will suit every group.
Timing, weather, and cancellation details

The meeting point is Obala Stjepana Radića, 20000 Dubrovnik, and the tour starts at 10:00 a.m. It lasts about eight hours and ends back at the same meeting point. Allow the full day in your plans rather than scheduling a tight commitment immediately afterward.
Confirmation is provided at booking, and the ticket is mobile. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. The tour information says most people can participate, but it does not provide more detailed accessibility information.
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The tour requires good weather; if poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The cut-off time follows local time in Dubrovnik.
Who should book this boat day?

I would consider this trip if you have a group of up to five, want a private day at sea, and enjoy having a say in the schedule. It is especially appealing if your group would rather linger at a quiet swimming stop than rush through a fixed list of places. The mix of Dubrovnik views, the three Elafiti Islands, and southern Mljet gives you plenty of choice across eight hours.
It is a weaker fit if you are traveling alone, watching every expense, or hoping for a tightly scripted tour with guaranteed stops and a detailed list of included food and equipment. Before you commit, decide what your group most wants to do and confirm what all included means for the things you care about. If the shared cost works and the flexibility is the point, this is a strong way to spend a day beyond Dubrovnik.
FAQ
How long is the boat tour?
The tour lasts about eight hours. The planned itinerary gives about five hours to the Elafiti Islands and three hours to southern Mljet.
What time does the tour start?
The start time is 10:00 a.m.
Where does the tour begin and end?
It starts at Obala Stjepana Radića, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia, and ends back at the meeting point.
Which Elafiti Islands can the tour visit?
The islands named are Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan. Stops are flexible and can include their ports, beaches, caves, and swimming areas.
Does the tour visit the Blue Cave?
The Blue Cave is included among the caves the tour may visit. The exact route and stops are tailored to the group.
Which parts of Mljet are included?
The tour visits the southern part of Mljet, including Limuni Bay and Saplunara Bay.
How many people can join, and what is the price?
The private group rate is $959.15 for up to five people. Only your group takes part.
What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?
If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.
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