Elaphite Islands & Mljet – Private Boat Excursion from Dubrovnik

The best part of this Dubrovnik excursion is the freedom to trade the city’s heat and crowds for open water, small coves, and a day shaped around your group. You’ll cruise aboard a Beneteau Flyer 850 Sun Deck Cruiser, stopping at Kolocep, southern Mljet, Sipan, and the Elaphite Islands.

I like the flexible schedule, which lets you stay longer in a favorite swimming spot, and I like the practical setup: hotel pickup, snorkeling gear, drinks, a paddleboard, and a freshwater shower are included. The main drawback is the extra €300 fuel charge, payable in cash, on top of the advertised $1,403.97 group price.

Key points

• Blue Cave at Kolocep: Start with swimming and snorkeling in one of Dubrovnik’s most appealing nearby sea spots.
• Three hours at southern Mljet: Lemuni Lagoon gives you the longest stop and the best chance to slow down.
• Private boat for your group: The advertised price covers up to seven people, so larger families or friend groups can share the cost.
• Flexible timing: Your skipper can adjust the stops to suit your swimming pace and lunch plans.
• Included comforts: Water, soft drinks, fruit juice, beer, snorkeling equipment, a paddleboard, and hotel or port transfers come with the trip.
• Budget for fuel: Add €300 in cash for fuel, and remember that lunch is not included.

A private day away from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is beautiful, but its summer stone, cruise crowds, and busy waterfront can wear you down. This trip gives you a full day outside the city, with the sea doing most of the work. You are not following a fixed bus route or squeezing into a large excursion boat. Your group has its own skipper and can spend more time swimming than checking a watch.

The boat is advertised at $1,403.97 per group of up to seven people. That price looks high for one or two people, but it becomes more reasonable when split among a family or group of friends. You still need to add €300 for fuel, paid directly to the skipper in cash, plus the cost of lunch.

That extra fuel charge is important. It makes the real cost higher than the headline figure, so I would calculate the full amount before booking. For a group of seven, the shared cost is much easier to justify. For a couple, you are paying for privacy and flexibility rather than a low-cost day on the water.

Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or port are included. That removes the need to arrange your own way to the departure point, which is useful when you are carrying towels, swimming gear, and sun protection.

What the Beneteau Flyer 850 offers

The Beneteau Flyer 850 is a motor cruiser about 8.7 meters long, with a 3-meter beam and a cruising speed of 22 knots. The boat is described as comfortable for up to eight people plus one crew member, while the booking price is set for groups of up to seven.

You get an open deck for sun and sea views, along with an interior salon, cabin, and toilet. A Bimini top provides shade, and the boat has a swim ladder, freshwater shower, refrigerator, Bluetooth stereo, 220-volt power, and USB outlets.

These details matter on an eight-hour outing. The shade gives you a break from the sun, the refrigerator keeps drinks cool, and the freshwater shower lets you rinse off salt after swimming. The toilet is another small but useful feature, especially for families.

This is still a boat day, not a luxury yacht charter with unlimited space. You will want to keep your belongings compact and agree with your group about how much time you spend in the sun. The paddleboard and snorkeling equipment add variety, but you should bring your own towels, swimsuit, camera, and sunblock.

Kolocep and the Blue Cave

The first stop is Kolocep, one of the Elaphite Islands. The plan allows about 45 minutes at the Blue Cave for swimming and snorkeling, though the exact timing can change with your skipper and your preferences.

This is a good opening stop because it gets you into the water quickly. If you want a short swim, a look inside the cave, and some snorkeling before the longer run toward Mljet, Kolocep fits the bill. The boat carries snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to bring a full kit.

Forty-five minutes is not a long time. You should think of this stop as a focused swim rather than a broad island visit. If your group wants a leisurely beach session, you may prefer to keep this stop efficient and save more time for Mljet or the later coves.

The Blue Cave also depends on sea conditions and comfort in the water. The tour requires good weather, and the skipper controls the practical details. Bring sunblock even if you expect to spend much of the stop near the cave, since the open deck can be bright between swims.

Three hours at Lemuni Lagoon on Mljet

Southern Mljet receives the longest scheduled stop, about three hours. At Lemuni Lagoon, you can swim, explore the shore, use the paddleboard, and choose to have lunch on the island.

This is the part of the day with the most room to breathe. After the first swim and the boat ride to Mljet, three hours gives you time to enjoy the water without rushing straight back aboard. If your group has mixed interests, some people can swim while others sit in the shade or walk around.

Lunch is optional and not included. The information provided does not promise a particular restaurant, so ask your skipper about the available plan on the day. One honeymoon group chose lunch at Bowa Restaurant, but that should be treated as an example, not a guaranteed part of this excursion.

The flexible timing works well here. You can make Mljet the main event if the lagoon suits your group, or leave enough energy for Sipan and the final Elaphite coves. The tradeoff is that a flexible itinerary requires decisions. If everyone wants a different pace, agree early on how much time you want for lunch, paddleboarding, and swimming.

Sipanska Luka and the western islands

The next stop is Sipanska Luka, with time to visit parts of the western Elaphite Islands, including Jakljan and Sipan. The scheduled time is about two hours, allowing you to stroll around, swim, and explore.

This section changes the feel of the day. The itinerary is not only about jumping off the boat into the sea. You also get time near an island settlement and a chance to walk around before returning to the water.

Sipanska Luka gives your group a useful pause after the longer swim at Mljet. You can use it for a short stroll, a drink, or another swim, depending on the plan agreed with the skipper. Since the timing is flexible, tell the skipper if you want more time ashore or would rather keep moving to quieter coves.

The stop includes Jakljan and Sipan in the wider plan, but the exact sequence can change. That flexibility is useful when weather, sea conditions, and group energy affect the day. It also means you should not treat every listed place as a guaranteed, fixed-length visit.

Elaphite coves and the final swim

The final scheduled stop gives you about an hour for swimming and snorkeling in Elaphite coves. After the larger stops, this can be a simple way to finish: one more swim, some time on the paddleboard, and a last look at the islands from the water.

I like this kind of ending because it does not force you into another long sightseeing stop. You can keep it active or quiet. Use the ladder for an easy return to the boat, rinse off with the freshwater shower, and settle under the Bimini top for the ride back.

The coves are part of the appeal, but the exact location is not specified in advance. Your skipper may choose a spot based on the day’s conditions and your group’s preferences. That makes the excursion personal, though it also means you should not expect a detailed fixed route.

A skipper who shapes the day

The skipper is central to this experience. The tour information names Iso, Peter, and Esso in connection with different outings, so your skipper may vary according to availability.

The useful thing about the format is that you can discuss the pace directly with the person driving the boat. The reported experiences give particular praise to the skippers’ hospitality and their ability to shape a pleasant day. One group described Iso as helping them choose an itinerary that suited them, while Peter was praised for making a honeymoon day comfortable and memorable. Esso was singled out as a highlight during another Dubrovnik visit.

Those details point to the main value of a private trip: the skipper is not simply following a large-group script. You can explain that you want more swimming, more time ashore, an optional lunch, or a slower return. Still, the itinerary remains subject to weather and safe boating conditions.

Drinks, equipment, and what to pack

The tour includes water, fruit juices, soft drinks, and beer. Snorkeling equipment is provided, as is a paddleboard. The refrigerator helps keep drinks cold, and the boat has a freshwater shower for rinsing away salt.

You should bring:

• A swimsuit and towel
• Sunblock cream
• A camera or phone in a waterproof case
• Light clothing for time under the sun
• Cash for the €300 fuel charge
• Any personal items you want for lunch

Lunch is not included, so plan to buy it on the island if you want a restaurant meal. You should also confirm the lunch plan with the skipper rather than assuming a named restaurant is part of the booking.

The boat has USB and 220-volt outlets, but that does not mean you should rely on constant charging. Keep electronics protected from spray and bring only what you need. The most useful packing choice is usually a small, secure day bag.

Who gets the best value

This excursion suits a family or friend group that wants privacy, swimming, and control over the day. It is also a natural fit for a honeymoon or special occasion. A private boat lets you avoid a large shared schedule and gives you space to stop when your group is ready.

The value improves with group size. At up to seven people, the per-person cost is far more manageable than it is for a couple. You are paying for the boat, skipper, transfers, gear, drinks, and the ability to adjust the route, not simply for transportation from one island to another.

It is less suitable if you want a cheap sightseeing cruise, a fixed cultural program, or a detailed guided tour on land. Much of the day centers on swimming, snorkeling, coves, and time aboard the boat. If you do not enjoy the water or strong sun, the long duration may feel excessive.

Most people can participate, but you should be comfortable with a full day around the sea. Good weather is required. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Otherwise, the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed after payment, so check your plans carefully before committing.

Should you book this Dubrovnik boat trip?

Book it if you want a private, water-focused day and can fill most of the boat. The strongest reasons are the flexible timing, the useful onboard equipment, the included pickup and drinks, and the chance to combine Kolocep, Mljet, Sipan, Jakljan, and Elaphite coves in one outing.

Before booking, add the €300 fuel cost to the price and decide how you will handle lunch. If that full cost works for your group, this is a good way to escape Dubrovnik for a day without giving up comfort or control.

If you are traveling alone or as a couple on a tight budget, compare the total price with shared boat trips. If you are a group of friends, a family, or a honeymoon couple seeking privacy, the private format makes much more sense.

FAQ

How long does the boat excursion last?

The excursion lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join?

The advertised price is for a private group of up to seven people. The boat itself is described as comfortable for up to eight people plus one skipper.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel and port pickup and drop-off are included.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel costs €300 per booking and must be paid directly to the skipper in cash.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Lunch on Mljet is optional.

What places does the tour visit?

The planned stops include Kolocep and its Blue Cave, Lemuni Lagoon on southern Mljet, Sipanska Luka, Jakljan, Sipan, and swimming coves in the Elaphite Islands.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Is a paddleboard available?

Yes. Use of a paddleboard is included.

What drinks are included?

Water, fruit juices, soft drinks, and beer are included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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