Dubrovnik : Full Day Group Sail Boat Tour to Elaphiti & Blue Cave

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat trip is the freedom to spend a full day moving between quiet bays, sandy beaches, and small Elaphiti Island villages instead of rushing through one crowded coastal stop. You can swim from the boat near Koločep, use the SUP, and possibly visit the Blue Cave if the group and conditions allow.

I like the small maximum group of eight, which makes it easier to move around the boat and shape the day around swimming, sailing, or a relaxed lunch. I also like the practical extras: snorkeling gear, a welcome drink, coffee, tea, an outdoor shower, and a sunshade. The main thing to note is that food is not included, and Šipan is only visited if time remains after Lopud.

Quick takeaways from this Dubrovnik sailing day

• Koločep begins the day with swimming and snorkeling in quiet bays, with roughly two hours in the area.
• The Blue Cave may be added, depending on the group’s wishes and the day’s timing.
• Šunj Beach gives you a rare sandy beach stop in a region better known for pebbles and rocky coves.
• Lopud combines lunch, swimming, a village walk, and a possible monastery visit in one two-hour stop.
• The boat carries no more than eight people, so this feels more personal than a large excursion boat.
• Bring your own lunch money, snacks, and preferred drinks, since only basic drinks are supplied on board.

A full day at sea, not a quick island hop

This is a genuine eight-hour outing on the water, beginning at 9:30 a.m. from Lapadska obala 4 in Dubrovnik and returning to the same meeting point. You are not simply being ferried to one beach and brought back. The day has a loose rhythm: sail, stop for a swim, visit an island, eat lunch, then continue if time and weather permit.

That flexible approach matters. The listed schedule adds up to more than a fixed eight-hour route if every stop receives its full suggested time, so the skipper has to adjust the pace. Lopud lunch, swimming, and the optional Šipan stop cannot all be guaranteed at their longest suggested durations.

Captain Dragan is the main skipper named in the available information. Several passengers found him friendly, easy to talk with, and willing to explain the boat’s ropes and controls. On suitable days, he may let you steer for a while and offers basic sailing lessons. One account also names Zeba as the skipper, so the exact crew member may depend on the departure.

The tone is informal rather than polished and theatrical. You get a boat, a skipper, time to swim, and room to choose how active you want to be. If you prefer a tightly scripted sightseeing cruise with constant commentary, this may feel loose. If you want a relaxed day where the sea gets most of the attention, that is the point.

Setting sail from Lapad

You meet at Lapadska obala 4, near public transportation, and the tour ends back there. Hotel pickup and drop-off are optional rather than part of the standard arrangement, so check that detail when booking if you do not want to make your own way to the marina.

The boat is equipped with a sunshade, an especially useful feature on a long summer day. It also has an outdoor shower, which lets you rinse off salt after swimming. Coffee, tea, water, and a welcome drink are supplied, but you should not expect a full bar service or a meal.

The skipper provides free use of a stand-up paddleboard and basic snorkeling equipment. That changes the feel of the trip. You can swim from the boat, paddle around a calm bay, or simply sit in the shade while the others are in the water.

A maximum of eight people is a real advantage here. You have a better chance of finding a comfortable spot on deck, chatting with the skipper, and getting time at the helm than you would on a large group boat. The tradeoff is that a small boat has less space and fewer onboard facilities than a bigger cruise vessel.

Koločep: the first long swim stop

The first destination is Koločep, one of the three main Elaphiti Islands. The boat sails toward its bays and cliffs, with about two hours assigned to sailing, swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing in the area.

This is where the day’s main pattern becomes clear. You can jump into the water, use the supplied gear, paddle on the SUP, or stay aboard and enjoy the view. The setting is intended to feel peaceful, with the sound of birds from the surrounding cliffs rather than the noise of a packed resort beach.

Koločep is a good first stop because it gives you time to settle into the day. You are not forced straight into a village walk or a meal. You can get wet early, dry off under the sunshade, and decide how active you want to be for the rest of the outing.

The Blue Cave is a possible addition from this part of the route. It is not presented as a guaranteed stop, and the decision depends on the group’s wishes and the available time. Ask the skipper early in the day if this is a priority for you. If everyone wants a long lunch and an additional island stop, there may be less time for the cave.

Šunj Beach and Lopud’s easygoing appeal

Šunj Beach is on Lopud and is described as a trademark sandy beach for the island. Sand is a welcome change from the rocky swimming spots common around Dubrovnik, though the beach can also be the most popular and least quiet part of the route.

You get about an hour here. Swim near the rocks, snorkel, sunbathe, or walk toward the shore for a drink at the beach club. The stop works well if you want a proper beach break rather than another swim directly from the boat.

After Šunj, the schedule moves to Lopud village for about two hours. Lunch is planned at a seaside restaurant roughly 20 meters from the beach. The skipper may reserve a table by the water, which makes this a pleasant pause rather than a rushed meal squeezed between activities.

Lunch is not included in the tour price. You should budget separately for it and bring money for any drinks or snacks you want. The boat supplies basic refreshments, but one of the clearest practical lessons from this outing is to bring anything specific you know you will want.

Lopud also gives you choices. Stay near the beach and swim in the clear water, walk around the village, or visit a local monastery dating from the 14th century. The monastery is not included as a separate admission in the tour price, so ask about current arrangements if you want to make it part of your stop.

This is probably the most balanced part of the day. You get a meal, a little culture, and more swimming without having to choose only one. It is also the stop most likely to stretch if the group enjoys lunch, which is why Šipan remains optional.

Šipan, only if the clock allows

Šipan is the last possible island stop, with about an hour suggested if time remains. The plan is simple: walk around a small village, swim, enjoy the natural surroundings, or have a cold drink at one of the restaurants.

Do not book this trip solely for Šipan. The stop is explicitly optional, especially if lunch on Lopud takes the expected time. Treat it as a bonus rather than a promise.

That uncertainty is not necessarily a flaw. A skipper who has spent the day balancing swimming time, lunch, weather, and the group’s interests may decide that a calm final sail is better than hurrying into another village. Still, if seeing Šipan matters to you, say so at the start.

What the $170.43 price really covers

At $170.43 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get onto the Adriatic. The value comes from the small group and the length of the day. You are paying for about eight hours, a skipper, sailing time, several island areas, swimming stops, snorkeling equipment, a SUP, basic drinks, and the chance to adjust the day around the group.

Compared with a large boat excursion, the eight-person limit can make the price easier to justify. You are not paying for a large buffet or a packed entertainment program. You are paying for access to a smaller boat where you can move around, speak with the skipper, and spend more time in the water.

The price is less attractive if you want a meal, hotel transport, and a full drinks package included. Those costs remain yours. It also makes less sense if you dislike swimming or want most of the day on land, since the central activity is sailing between water stops.

I would compare the price with the cost of booking a private boat in Dubrovnik. This is not a private charter, but the eight-person maximum gives you some of that feel without requiring your own full boat booking. If you are a couple or a small group and value personal space, that is the strongest argument for the fare.

What to bring for a better day

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a hat. An extra dry layer is useful after several swims, especially if the wind picks up on the return sail.

Pack snacks and any preferred drinks. Water, coffee, tea, and a welcome drink are supplied, but food is not available on the boat and lunch is bought on Lopud. If you have dietary needs, confirm the restaurant arrangements before departure rather than assuming the planned lunch will suit you.

Bring some cash or another accepted payment method for lunch, beach-club drinks, and any stop at a restaurant. The supplied information does not specify exact payment methods or menu choices.

You should also be comfortable with a full day around water. Most people can take part, but the experience is built around swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and getting on and off a boat. If you prefer to stay dry, you can remain aboard, though you will miss much of what makes the trip worthwhile.

Weather and the value of a flexible skipper

This is a weather-dependent activity. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is important for a sailing day, since wind and rain can change the experience quickly.

One particularly useful detail is that the skipper has shown patience when weather turns bad. On one wet return to Dubrovnik, Captain Dragan allowed a passenger to remain on board and made coffee while the rain passed. That does not remove the risk of a changed plan, but it suggests a practical approach when conditions do not cooperate.

The weather also affects the optional parts of the route. A Blue Cave visit, a long swim at Koločep, or the extra stop at Šipan may be adjusted to keep the day safe and comfortable. Go in expecting the route to bend a little.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local Dubrovnik time.

Who should book this Elaphiti Islands trip?

I would choose this for a couple, small family, or group of friends who want a relaxed water day rather than a formal sightseeing program. It suits people who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, light paddling, and unhurried time between island stops.

It is also a good fit if you want some control over the pace. You can ask for more time in the water, spend less time walking, or give priority to the Blue Cave if the group agrees and the schedule allows.

The tour is less suitable if you need guaranteed visits to every listed stop. Šipan is optional, the Blue Cave is dependent on the group and timing, and the actual balance between sailing, swimming, lunch, and island walking can change.

It may also disappoint you if you expect meals and a stocked drinks service on board. Think of the included refreshments as useful basics, not catering. Bring your own extras and plan to pay for lunch at Lopud.

Should you book it?

Book this sailing day if you want to spend most of your Dubrovnik day on the water, value a maximum group of eight, and like the idea of combining swimming with a real island lunch. The strongest features are the personal feel, the free SUP and snorkeling gear, the relaxed skipper-led approach, and the chance to steer or learn a few sailing basics.

Skip it if you need a fixed route, included food, or a guaranteed Blue Cave and Šipan visit. For everyone else, the combination of Koločep’s quiet bays, Šunj’s sand, Lopud’s seaside meal, and plenty of swimming makes the $170.43 fare reasonable, provided you arrive ready to buy lunch and bring your own snacks.

FAQ

Where does the Dubrovnik sailing tour start?

The meeting point is Lapadska obala 4, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia. The tour returns to the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum group size is eight people.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is planned at a restaurant on Lopud, but food is not included in the tour price.

Is the Blue Cave guaranteed?

No. A Blue Cave visit is possible depending on the group’s wishes and the available time.

Is Šipan guaranteed?

No. Šipan is an optional final stop if time remains after lunch on Lopud.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes snorkeling equipment, a stand-up paddleboard, an outdoor shower, sailing lessons, a welcome drink, coffee, and tea.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.