Full Day Private Sailing Tour of Cavtat and Dubrovnik

The best part of this tour is the change of pace: you leave Cavtat by boat, view Dubrovnik’s ancient walls from the sea, then spend the main part of the day swimming at Sunj Beach on Lopud. I like the private format for families and small groups, and I like that the skipper does more than steer. Mato and Matthew are both described as friendly, skilled sailors who can add Croatian history and everyday local insight along the way.

The main drawback is that the Blue Cave stop is only a possibility, not a fixed part of the route. Lunch also costs extra, and eight hours on the water is a long day, so this suits you best if you enjoy an unhurried boat outing rather than a tightly packed sightseeing tour.

Key points to know

• Private boat for up to eight people: You get your own group, rather than sharing the day with strangers.
• Dubrovnik from offshore: The city walls appear from the water on the way toward the Elaphiti Islands.
• Sunj Beach on Lopud: The planned swimming break is at the only sandy beach in the Dubrovnik area.
• Possible Blue Cave stop: The boat may pause near Kolocep, depending on the day and conditions.
• Skipper-led local insight: Guides such as Mato and Matthew bring sailing skill, Croatian history, and local conversation.
• Lunch is optional and extra: The skipper can arrange a restaurant stop on Lopud, but food is not part of the tour price.

A full day between Cavtat and the Elaphiti Islands

This is a private sailing day built around scenery, swimming, and time on the water. You meet beside the waterpolo training field at Cavtat’s Old City port, then set out toward the Elaphiti Islands.

The price is $706 for a group of up to eight. That works out to about $88 per person if you fill the boat, or much more if only two or three people book it. The value depends heavily on your group size. For a family or group of friends, a private boat with a licensed skipper can be a fair way to spend a full day. For a couple, it is a special splurge rather than a budget excursion.

The boat is described as one of the best sailing boats in the Dubrovnik area, with water and snorkeling equipment included. The important point is not simply having a boat to sit on. You have the freedom of a private outing, a skipper who can talk with you in English, and a route that joins several highlights without requiring separate transport.

Leaving Cavtat with Dubrovnik in the distance

Cavtat is a practical starting point for this trip. You avoid beginning in central Dubrovnik, and the day starts beside the water at the Old City port. From the harbor, the boat heads toward the Elaphiti Islands.

One of the first visual treats is Dubrovnik’s old city walls seen from offshore. This is not a walking tour of the fortified city, and you should not expect close-up access to the streets, gates, or museums. Instead, you get the broader picture: the stone defenses set against the coast, viewed from a moving boat.

That change in angle matters. From land, Dubrovnik’s walls can feel crowded and monumental. From the water, you see how the city sits on the edge of the Adriatic. Keep your camera ready during this part of the route, but also listen to the skipper. The guides connected with this experience are praised for explaining Croatian history and daily life, not just pointing out landmarks.

The sailing itself is part of the attraction. The boat may use its sails when conditions allow, and one particularly appealing detail is the chance to shut off the engine and enjoy the quiet. You will still have engine time as needed, but the contrast between motor travel and silent sailing can make the day feel far removed from the roads around Dubrovnik.

Lopud and the sandy shore at Sunj Beach

Lopud is the main stop, and Sunj Beach is the focus. It is described as the only sandy beach in the Dubrovnik area, which gives this pause a clear purpose. Many Croatian beaches are rocky or pebbled, so a sandy shoreline changes the feel of a swimming stop.

Plan to spend time in the water here rather than treating Lopud as a quick photo stop. Swimming and snorkeling equipment are provided, giving you the chance to look below the surface or simply cool off in the turquoise sea.

The beach stop is also the part of the day with the most flexibility. You can swim, relax, and enjoy the shore, while the skipper handles the timing. Since this is a private group, you are not trying to keep up with a large boatload of people. That is especially useful for families or friends with different energy levels.

The practical catch is that the schedule does not give you a guaranteed amount of beach time. The tour description identifies Lopud as the main stop and Sunj Beach as the planned swimming break, but exact timing can depend on the day. If swimming is your priority, tell the skipper early.

Lunch on Lopud costs extra

A restaurant lunch on Lopud can be arranged, but it is not included in the $706 price. This is worth planning before departure, especially because an eight-hour private outing can leave you hungry.

The restaurant option adds ease. You do not need to bring a full meal or search for somewhere to eat during the stop. A recent outing included a restaurant meal organized by the skipper, and the meal was described as a memorable part of the day.

Still, keep your budget clear. The listed price covers the private boat experience, guide, and equipment, not food. Ask about the lunch plan before setting out if you want a restaurant meal, and do not assume that drinks or a full lunch are part of the booking. One skipper did provide soft drinks on the boat, but that was part of the individual service described for that outing, not a stated inclusion.

Kolocep and the possible Blue Cave stop

On the return journey, the boat passes close to Kolocep Island. There is a chance of a short stop near the famous Blue Cave.

The wording matters: this is a possibility, not a guaranteed visit. Conditions, timing, and the skipper’s judgment may affect whether the boat stops. You should book this trip for the full day of sailing, Dubrovnik views, Lopud, and swimming, with the Blue Cave treated as a welcome extra.

If the stop happens, expect it to be brief rather than a separate extended excursion. The information provided describes a short break next to the cave, not a detailed cave tour. Bring your snorkeling gear and be ready to get in or look around, but do not build the whole day around this one feature.

Kolocep adds another island view to the route and gives the return leg a clear point of interest. It also helps prevent the trip from feeling like a simple out-and-back ride to one beach.

The skipper can shape the day

The human side of this outing is a major part of its value. The licensed guide has more than 20 years of experience, and the English-language service is designed for a private group.

Names connected with the experience include Mato and Matthew. Mato is described as an experienced skipper who can discuss Croatian history and everyday life, while Matthew is praised for knowing good spots and choosing times that avoid the heaviest crowds. Since private tours can vary by assigned skipper, treat those names as examples of the guiding style rather than a guarantee of who will be aboard.

That style suits you if you enjoy conversation. You can ask about the coast, local life, sailing, or the places you pass. The guide is not only a driver moving you between stops. A good skipper also makes choices about when to use the sails, when to run the engine, and how long to stay near a swimming area.

The private format helps here. You are not following a fixed script for a large group. Your party can focus more on swimming, conversation, sightseeing, or lunch, within the limits of the eight-hour schedule and sea conditions.

What the private format is worth

For eight people, $706 is about $88 per person for a full day. That is a reasonable way to think about the cost. You are paying for a private boat, a licensed English-speaking guide, sailing time, equipment, and a route linking Cavtat, Dubrovnik’s walls, Lopud, and Kolocep.

For four people, the price is about $177 each. For two, it is $353 each before lunch. At that point, the experience becomes a premium choice, and you should compare it with shared boat trips if keeping costs low matters more than privacy.

The private boat is most valuable when the group wants control over the day. Families can avoid a crowded excursion boat, couples can enjoy a more personal outing, and friends can share a full day without splitting up. The value is less obvious if you mainly want a short swim and a quick view of Dubrovnik.

The equipment matters, too. Water and snorkeling gear are included, so you do not need to arrange those separately. Food is the clear extra cost, and the Blue Cave stop is not certain.

Who should book this sailing day?

I would recommend it to people who want the sea to be the main event. You should enjoy being outdoors for most of the day, sitting on a boat, swimming, and moving at a slower pace.

It is especially well suited to:

• Families wanting a private day with room to set their own rhythm
• Small groups of friends who can share the $706 cost
• Couples looking for a high-priced but personal outing
• Visitors staying in Cavtat who want to see Dubrovnik from the water
• People who prefer local conversation and sailing over a large organized cruise

It is less suitable if you want a guaranteed Blue Cave visit, a full Dubrovnik city tour, or an inexpensive half-day activity. The tour does not take you through Dubrovnik’s streets, and the cave stop may not happen.

Practical details before you go

The meeting point is next to the waterpolo training field at Cavtat’s Old City port. Check the starting time when booking because the activity lasts eight hours, but the available start time is not fixed in the supplied information.

The tour is in English and is for a private group. Food is not included, though lunch at a nearby Lopud restaurant can be arranged. Water and snorkeling equipment are included.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also lets you hold the booking without paying immediately, which is useful when your Croatia plans are still changing.

Before booking, confirm how your party wants to use the day. If everyone wants a long swim, tell the skipper. If lunch matters, arrange it in advance. If the Blue Cave is your main goal, understand that it is only a possible stop.

Should you book this Cavtat sailing tour?

Book it if you have up to eight people, want a private day at sea, and value a personable skipper as much as the scenery. The strongest reasons are the quiet sailing, the offshore view of Dubrovnik, the sandy Sunj Beach stop, and the chance to shape the day around your group.

Think twice if you are traveling on a tight budget, need a guaranteed Blue Cave visit, or want extensive time inside Dubrovnik itself. For the right group, this is not simply transport between islands. It is a relaxed coastal day with swimming, local stories, and enough flexibility to feel personal.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts from the Old City port of Cavtat, next to the waterpolo training field.

How long does the sailing tour last?

The tour lasts eight hours.

How much does the private tour cost?

The price is $706 for a private group of up to eight people.

How many people can join the private group?

The group can include up to eight people.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The instructor and tour service are in English.

Will the boat pass Dubrovnik’s city walls?

Yes. The route heads toward the Elaphiti Islands, and you will see Dubrovnik’s old city walls from a distance on the way.

Is Lopud part of the planned route?

Yes. Lopud is the main stop, with a scheduled swimming break at Sunj Beach.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but a restaurant meal on Lopud can be arranged.

Is a Blue Cave visit guaranteed?

No. There is a possibility of making a short stop near the Blue Cave by Kolocep Island.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Water and snorkeling equipment are included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I reserve now and pay later?

Yes. The booking option allows you to reserve your place and pay later.