Exclusive Luxury Yacht Tour of the Elaphiti Islands

The best part of this private yacht tour is the freedom to shape the day around your group. You can swim at Šunj Beach, snorkel near Koločep, stop at quiet coves, or linger over lunch on an island instead of following a crowded boat schedule. The route also gives you a superb view of Dubrovnik’s medieval walls from the water.

I like the mix of polished comfort and active stops. The boat carries coffee, tea, bottled water, beer, and wine, while snorkeling and kayaking add some energy between the scenic stretches. I also like that the crew has been praised for working well with children and adjusting the day to suit each group.

The main drawback is the price. At $2,831.25 for up to 12 people, this is a serious splurge for a small party, and lunch costs extra. The day also depends on good weather, so you need some flexibility.

Key points to know before booking

• Private yacht for up to 12 people: Your group has the boat to itself, which makes the day easier to tailor for families and friends.
• Six island and coastal stops: The route includes Lopud, Koločep, Dubrovnik’s sea walls, Šunj Beach, Šipan, and a lighthouse swimming spot.
• Best for swimming and sea time: Expect crystal-clear water, snorkeling, kayaking, gentle beaches, and a possible cliff jump.
• Drinks are included: Coffee, tea, water, beer, and rose or white wine are provided. Alcohol is served only to people aged 21 and older.
• Lunch is not included: You can stop for a meal, but the cost comes separately.
• Strong family appeal: Crew members named in past trips include Pero, Mirko, Jakov, Mateo, Antonio, and Pedro, with particular praise for helping families with children.

Why this private Dubrovnik yacht day works so well

A private boat changes the feel of island-hopping around Dubrovnik. You are not simply being carried from one marked stop to the next. The captain can spend more time at a swimming spot, shorten a shore visit, or adjust the order to avoid the busiest periods.

That flexibility matters in the Elaphiti Islands. The islands sit close to Dubrovnik, but each has a different character. Lopud has a pleasant village and one of the area’s best sandy beaches. Koločep is smaller and quieter, with pine woods, old churches, and clear water. Šipan offers villages, stone houses, vineyards, olive groves, and a slower rural mood.

The yacht also gives you a comfortable base for the day. You can sit in the sun, take a break in the shade, reach for a cold drink, and return to the water when you feel like it. The boat used on some trips has been identified as a Cranchi 52, though the exact vessel should be confirmed when you book.

At full capacity, the price works out to about $236 per person. That is still expensive, but it can compare well with several separate private activities, boat transfers, and meals for a group of 12. For two or four people, the same total price becomes much harder to justify. This is a group-value experience, not a budget boat ride.

Leaving Gruž Port and seeing Dubrovnik from the sea

The tour begins at Gruž Port, at Obala Ivana Pavla II 47. Pickup is offered, with the exact pickup information sent within 24 hours of the tour. The stated duration is about eight hours, so you should plan on most of your day being spent on the water.

One of the first memorable sights is Dubrovnik’s coastline viewed from offshore. The city walls rise directly above the Adriatic, and the angle from the yacht shows their scale in a way that a walk along the top cannot. You see the heavy stone defenses, towers, and orange-roofed city from a wider distance, with the water in the foreground.

The boat also passes Lokrum Island. You may not stop there, but its green slopes and historical associations add context to the opening cruise. This first stretch is less about checking off a site and more about settling into the rhythm of the day.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a dry change of clothes. The supplied details confirm water activities, but they do not specify every piece of equipment or whether towels are provided. Ask before departure if your group needs particular snorkeling or kayaking gear.

Lopud Island and two hours around Šunj Beach

Lopud is scheduled for about two hours, and it gives the day a useful balance of shore time and swimming. The island is known for its peaceful setting, old buildings, and village atmosphere. You can walk, look around, or simply use the stop as a break from the boat.

The more important water stop is Šunj Beach, also on Lopud. Its sandy shore, clear water, and mild waves make it one of the easiest places on this route for a relaxed swim. Families may appreciate the gentler entry compared with a rocky Adriatic cove, while adults can simply stretch out and enjoy a quieter beach setting.

The stop is listed for about two hours, though a private boat gives the crew some room to adjust the timing. If your group cares most about swimming, tell the captain early. If you prefer more time walking around Lopud, say so before the day settles into its schedule.

The tradeoff is that Šunj Beach is a named attraction, not a secret private beach. Conditions and crowd levels can vary. The private yacht helps you reach it in comfort, but it does not turn a popular beach into an exclusive one.

Koločep Island and the Blue Cave

Koločep is the strongest stop for a mix of nature and light exploration. The island has pine woods, quiet beaches, old churches, and former summer residences. A scenic walk lets you stretch your legs after time aboard the yacht, although the supplied details do not specify the length or difficulty of any walking route.

The main draw is snorkeling at the Blue Cave. Clear water and the cave’s blue light create a striking setting, especially when sunlight reaches the water at the right angle. This is a natural stop, so the color and visibility can change with weather and sea conditions.

Allow about an hour here. That is enough for a swim and snorkeling session, but it is not a long island visit. If you want a serious look at Koločep’s churches or village areas, you may need to choose between land time and water time.

Past trips have included snorkeling equipment, and one crew was specifically praised for having good gear. Still, I would confirm what is supplied before departure, especially if you have children or need a particular mask size. Kayaking is also offered as an optional water activity, though the details do not state exactly where it takes place.

Šipan Island for villages, vineyards, and lunch

Šipan gives the day its most relaxed land-based character. It is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands and is known here for small villages, churches, summer villas, olive groves, vineyards, beaches, and local seafood restaurants.

This is the natural place to plan lunch. The tour includes drinks, but lunch is not included in the price. Some past trips stopped at a local restaurant, and that can be a pleasant way to add a taste of island life to an otherwise sea-focused day.

Ask the crew about the lunch plan early. A private boat makes the stop more flexible, but a restaurant meal remains an additional expense. If your group has dietary needs or a firm budget, settle that before choosing the restaurant.

Šipan is also a good counterweight to the more active parts of the day. You can walk through a village, look at old stone buildings, or take in the olive groves and vineyards without rushing back into the water. The scheduled two hours gives you enough time for a meal and a short look around, though not a full exploration of the island.

Cliff jumping near Koločep Lighthouse

The Koločep Lighthouse stop lasts about 30 minutes and is designed for a quick burst of adventure. The swimming spot has clear water and a height suitable for cliff jumping. It is likely to be one of the most memorable moments for confident swimmers and older children.

This stop is not for everyone. You should never feel pressured to jump, and the supplied details do not state the height, water depth, or safety setup. If anyone in your group is uncertain, the same stop can simply be used for a swim from the boat or a look at the coast.

The short timing makes sense. Cliff jumping is an optional thrill, not a full afternoon activity. The captain can keep the stop moving so the day still includes beaches, villages, and the Blue Cave.

Drinks, comfort, and the crew

The included refreshments are practical rather than elaborate: coffee, tea, bottled water, beer, and rose or white wine. That is enough to keep you comfortable between swims, but lunch is not part of the package. Alcohol is served only to people aged 21 and older, with non-alcoholic drinks for younger passengers.

Crew quality matters greatly on a private charter. Names associated with past trips include Captain Pero, Pedro, Mirko, Jakov, Mateo, and Antonio. The strongest praise has centered on careful boat handling, attentive service, clean surroundings, and patience with children.

One family described crew members helping young boys enjoy the day, while other groups valued the captain’s ability to find good swimming spots and reach caves before crowds arrived. Those details suggest that you should speak openly about your priorities. Tell the crew if you want more swimming, a quieter cove, time for lunch, or an easier pace for children.

Service will not be identical on every departure, and crew assignments can change. Still, the consistent pattern is encouraging: this is not meant to be a bare-bones transfer with a boat ride attached.

Who gets the best value from the $2,831.25 price

This tour makes the most financial sense for a full group of family or friends. Twelve people sharing the cost bring the rate down to roughly $236 each, before lunch. That is still a luxury purchase, but it buys a full private day rather than a short cruise.

For six people, the cost is about $472 each. For two people, it becomes a very costly way to reach the islands. Couples may prefer a less expensive shared cruise unless privacy, flexible timing, and a high level of comfort matter more than price.

Families should consider the private format carefully. Children can swim, snorkel, jump from the boat where appropriate, and take breaks without worrying about holding up a large group. Past departures included children as young as two, four, six, and 14, and the crew was praised for handling families well.

The tour is also a good fit for friends who want a celebratory day. You have drinks on board, a full coastal route, and plenty of room to create a relaxed schedule. It is less suitable if you want long historical tours at each island or a tightly structured cultural program.

Timing, pickup, and weather

The listed operating dates run from May 20 through November 1, 2026. Pickup is offered, but the exact details arrive within 24 hours of booking. The meeting point is Gruž Port if you are making your own way there.

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

Because the day depends on the sea, keep your plans flexible. Avoid booking a major evening commitment immediately afterward, especially if your group wants a long lunch or extra time at the swimming stops.

The activity is offered in English, confirmation is provided when you book, and service animals are allowed. The tour is near public transportation, and most people can participate, but the water activities and cliff-jumping stop require personal judgment.

Should you book this private yacht tour?

Book it if you have a group willing to share the cost and you want a full day that combines comfort, swimming, island scenery, and a flexible pace. The strongest reasons are the private format, the range of stops, the family-friendly crew style, and the chance to see Dubrovnik’s walls from the sea.

Think twice if you are traveling alone or as a couple on a tight budget. Lunch costs extra, the price is fixed for the group, and some stops are brief. You should also be happy with a day built around water, since swimming and snorkeling are central to the experience.

For a family reunion, birthday, or group holiday, this is one of the more complete ways to experience the Elaphiti Islands in a single day. Ask about the exact yacht, crew, pickup, lunch plans, and included water equipment before paying. That short check will help you decide if the luxury price matches what your group wants.

FAQ

How long does the yacht tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Gruž Port, at Obala Ivana Pavla II 47, Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered. The exact pickup information is sent within 24 hours of the tour.

How many people can join the private yacht tour?

The private tour is available for one group of up to 12 people.

Which islands are included?

The route includes Lopud, Koločep, and Šipan, along with Šunj Beach, the Koločep Lighthouse area, and a view of Dubrovnik from the sea.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, although the crew may take your group to a local restaurant.

Which drinks are included?

Coffee, tea, bottled water, beer, and rose or white wine are included.

Can children drink alcohol on the tour?

No. Alcohol is served only to people aged 21 and older. Younger passengers receive non-alcoholic drinks.

Are snorkeling and kayaking available?

Yes. Snorkeling and kayaking are offered as water activities. Snorkeling at the Blue Cave near Koločep is a featured stop.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes cancellation.