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

Dubrovnik’s best escape may be the water itself. This private sailing day takes you away from the city and across the Elaphiti Islands, with time for quiet bays and clear water rather than a packed motorboat schedule. Skipper Dragan can teach you some sailing as you move between Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan.

I like two things right away: the route can suit your group, and the boat carries useful extras such as snorkeling gear, a stand-up paddleboard, an outdoor shower, and a kitchen. The private setup also works well for families, with one family describing how Dragan adjusted the day for two children.

The main consideration is the price. At $744.61 for up to eight people, it is good value for a full group, but costly for one or two. Lunch, alcoholic drinks, transport to the marina, and an optional dinghy with an outboard motor are extra. Also, the detailed schedule names the Elaphiti Islands but does not list a separate Blue Cave stop, so ask exactly how that part of the route is handled.

Key points to know before you book

• Dragan is the skipper to know: He speaks English, teaches basic sailing, and has adjusted routes for families with children.
• Koločep starts the swimming day: You get about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing in one of the island’s bays.
• Šunj is the sandy-beach stop: Lopud’s famous beach gives you a choice between the water, the sand, rocks for snorkeling, and a beach club drink.
• Lopud gives the day some time on land: You can walk through the village, see a fourteenth-century monastery, swim, or buy lunch.
• Your boat is set up for a full day outside: Fuel, coffee, tea, snorkeling equipment, a SUP, an outdoor shower, and a rest area are included.
• The cost works best for groups: Eight people pay about $93 each before lunch and optional extras, while a smaller group pays much more per person.

A full day away from Dubrovnik’s walls

This is an eight-hour private sail beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Lapadska obala 4 in Dubrovnik. You return to the same meeting point, which keeps the day simple, though pickup and drop-off can be arranged for an additional charge.

The boat is private to your party, with space for up to eight people. That matters here. You are not trying to agree on swim stops with a boatload of strangers, and you can discuss the pace with Dragan as the day unfolds. The supplied route allows time for four island stops and roughly two hours of sailing between them.

I would treat the schedule as a framework, not a minute-by-minute promise. Wind, sea conditions, swimming time, and the group’s choice of lunch can affect the order. A private boat day works best when you are comfortable with a little flexibility.

The name of the experience includes the Blue Cave, but the detailed route specifically lists Koločep, Šunj Beach, Lopud, Šipan, and time sailing around the Elaphiti Islands. Because no separate Blue Cave stop is described in the schedule, confirm this point before paying if seeing the cave is a priority.

Koločep: an early swim in a sheltered bay

The first planned stop is Koločep, one of the Elaphiti Islands. You have about an hour here for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing.

That first stop sets the tone. You are not rushing straight into a town or a long guided walk. Instead, you get time to use the water and settle into the boat day. The included snorkeling equipment saves you from packing your own mask and fins, and the outdoor shower should be useful after a swim.

An hour is enough for a focused swim, but not for a long beach session. If your group wants to spend most of the day in the water, say so early. The route also includes other swimming opportunities, but the exact balance depends on the skipper and conditions.

Koločep is a good match for you if you want a calm start and simple outdoor time. It is less suitable if you expect a formal island tour with lots of historical explanation at every stop. The pleasure here is the bay, the water, and the time to relax.

Šunj Beach: sand, rocks, and a cold drink

The next stop is Šunj Beach on Lopud, known for its sandy shore. You get about an hour to swim, sunbathe, snorkel near the rocks, or swim toward shore for a drink at the beach club.

This is a useful contrast with the first stop. Koločep is presented as a bay and snorkeling stop, while Šunj gives you a proper sandy beach and an easier option for getting off the boat. If you prefer not to spend every minute in the water, you can settle on the sand or walk toward the beach club.

Do keep the timing in mind. The description makes clear that you may want to stay all day, but this tour gives you only about an hour at this stop. If you have a strong preference for Šunj, ask Dragan whether the schedule can allow more time there. Since this is a private outing, the conversation is worth having.

The beach club drink is not included, and alcoholic beverages are not part of the tour price. You can bring your own drinks, but you should check any practical details with the operator before departure. The boat includes free coffee and tea, which covers the basics without adding to your bill.

Lopud: the best chance to combine swimming and culture

Lopud receives about two hours, making it the longest stop on land. You can walk through the village, visit a fourteenth-century monastery, swim, or eat at one of the local restaurants.

I like this part of the plan because it prevents the day from becoming only a sequence of swims. Lopud gives you a chance to stretch your legs and see more of island life. You can keep the stop active with a village walk and monastery visit, or make it easy with food and time by the water.

Lunch is not included. The schedule places the meal on one of the islands, and Lopud is the likely lunch stop if you choose to eat here. That keeps the cost flexible. You decide how much to spend and what sort of meal suits your group.

One especially useful detail comes from a strong account of the trip: the seafood lunch in a small beach village was a major highlight. I would not treat that as a promise of a particular restaurant or menu, but it does suggest that taking time for a local meal can add real value to the day. Budget for lunch rather than trying to squeeze the entire island stop around snacks.

The two-hour window is generous enough for a meal and a short walk, but you still need to watch the return time. If you want the monastery, lunch, and a swim, agree on priorities before you go ashore.

Šipan: a slower final island stop

The last named island is Šipan, where you have about an hour. If lunch has already taken place on Lopud, the plan is to spend this time walking around town, swimming in clear water, or having a cold drink at a restaurant.

This final stop sounds intentionally unhurried. After several hours in the sun, you may prefer a short walk and a drink instead of another ambitious outing. If your group still wants to swim, you have that option too.

The one-hour limit means you should not expect a full island tour. Šipan works better as a final taste of the island than as a major sightseeing visit. I like that the plan leaves room for different moods: a swim for energetic groups, a stroll for those ready to slow down, and a restaurant stop for anyone who wants to sit in the shade.

The exact order and use of this stop may change if lunch happens here instead. Ask Dragan where he expects the meal to fit when you meet him.

Sailing time is part of the experience

About two hours are reserved for sailing and cruising among the Elaphiti Islands. This is not dead time between attractions. It is a central reason to choose a sailing boat over a standard motorboat excursion.

Dragan offers free sailing lessons, so you can learn the basic idea of handling the boat rather than simply sitting on board. One family with children found the sailing option more appealing than a motorboat trip, and the children’s comfort shaped the route. That is useful information if you are booking for a mixed-age group.

The sailing depends on weather and wind. On a good day, you may get a more hands-on experience and a quieter ride. On another day, the skipper may need to adjust the plan. The tour requires good weather, and a weather cancellation brings a choice of a new date or a full refund.

I would choose this trip because you enjoy being on the water, not because you want to reach every stop as quickly as possible. The slower pace is part of the value. You have room to talk, watch the coast, try sailing, and use the boat as a base between swims.

What comes with the boat

The included equipment makes this feel like a day designed for staying on board, not just being transported from one island to another.

You get:

• Fuel
• Coffee and tea
• Snorkeling equipment
• A stand-up paddleboard
• A rest area
• An outdoor shower
• A fully equipped kitchen
• Basic sailing lessons

The SUP is a nice addition if you want something different from swimming and snorkeling. The kitchen may also be useful for drinks and simple onboard needs, though lunch itself is not included.

A dinghy with an outboard motor can be requested for €40 per day. This is an optional cost, not part of the standard package. Since the exact reason you need it is not specified, ask the operator how it would be used on your route before adding it.

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

Price: strong for eight, less convincing for two

The group price is $744.61 for up to eight people. With eight passengers, that works out to about $93 per person before lunch and optional extras. For a private eight-hour boat day with fuel, equipment, and a skipper, that is a reasonable split.

For four people, the same price is about $186 per person. For two, it is about $372 each. I would book it for a family or group of friends where the cost can be shared. A couple may still love the privacy, but should compare the total against smaller boat options before committing.

The value also depends on how much you use the boat. If you swim, snorkel, try the SUP, take the sailing lesson, and enjoy the island stops, the inclusions matter. If you mainly want transport to one beach, you may be paying for more than you need.

The high satisfaction score, listed as 5 out of 5 from 13 ratings with 100 percent recommending the experience, supports the idea that the private format and skipper are the strongest parts. Still, a score cannot tell you how much the trip will suit your own pace. The price makes the most sense when you value flexibility and a full day on the sea.

Why the skipper matters

Dragan is repeatedly described as friendly, conversational, helpful, and accommodating. His English is described as strong, and he teaches sailing rather than keeping the experience purely passive.

That personal role is important on a private boat. A good skipper affects the mood, the timing, the route, and how comfortable the group feels asking for a change. The supplied accounts specifically point to his ability to work with children and to find favorable wind for sailing.

I would tell Dragan at the start what matters most to you. You might prioritize the sandy beach, the monastery, a seafood lunch, snorkeling, or time under sail. The clearer you are, the easier it will be to use the private format well.

The strongest praise centers on the day feeling special, relaxed, and well organized. That is different from a formal sightseeing tour. You are hiring a skipper for a day on the water, with island stops built around the conditions and the group.

Who should book this sailing day

I would recommend it most strongly for:

• Groups of four to eight people sharing the cost
• Families who want a private route and flexibility
• People who prefer sailing to a fast motorboat ride
• Swimmers and snorkelers who want several water stops
• Anyone who wants both island time and a long stretch at sea
• Visitors who enjoy choosing between a walk, a meal, and a swim

It may be a weaker fit if you dislike boats, want a tightly timed sightseeing program, or are booking alone and watching the budget closely. It is also not ideal if the Blue Cave is your main reason for booking until you confirm that the cave is included in your actual route.

Wear practical swim clothing and bring whatever personal sun protection you normally use. You may want to bring a towel and a refillable water bottle, although those items are not specifically listed as included. Plan extra money for lunch, drinks, and a tip.

Confirmation is provided at booking. The meeting point is near public transportation, and most people can participate. The tour is private, but it still depends on suitable weather. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not accepted, unless the operator cancels because of poor weather.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands sail?

Book it if you want a private, flexible day where the sailing itself matters as much as the stops. The combination of Koločep swimming, Šunj’s sand, Lopud’s village and monastery, Šipan’s slower pace, and time under sail gives you more variety than a simple beach transfer.

I would be especially comfortable recommending it to a full group that can share the $744.61 price. Families should appreciate Dragan’s reported flexibility, while friends may make good use of the SUP, snorkeling gear, kitchen, and sailing lesson.

Before booking, confirm two points: how the Blue Cave fits into the route, and where lunch is likely to take place. If those details match your expectations, this is a strong choice for a full day outside Dubrovnik, with enough structure to keep the day moving and enough freedom to make it feel like your own.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Lapadska obala 4, 20000 Dubrovnik, at 9:30 a.m., and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the private sailing tour last?

The tour lasts about eight hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The private tour is priced for a group of up to eight people, and only your group participates.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, and the meal stop takes place on one of the islands. Alcoholic drinks are also excluded, but you may bring your own drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, a SUP, fuel, coffee, tea, an outdoor shower, a rest area, and basic sailing lessons are included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.