Full Day Sailing Tour To Elafiti Islands from Dubrovnik

The best part of this Dubrovnik day trip is its small six-person limit. Instead of joining a large excursion boat, you spend the day on a comfortable sailboat with captain Filip, stopping for swims, snorkeling, island time, and lunch on Šipan. The pace is leisurely, with most of the day spent moving between islands or relaxing on the water.

I like the chance to swim at several spots and the fact that snorkeling gear, a restroom, and an outdoor shower are included. I also like the personal guidance: Filip shares local stories, suggests places to eat, and may raise the sails for a proper sailing experience when conditions allow.

The main consideration is price. At $157.22 per person, this costs more than a crowded group boat, and lunch is extra. You are paying for space, flexibility, and a captain-led experience rather than transport alone.

Key points to know before booking

• Small-group sailing: The boat takes a maximum of six people, making it a quieter choice than the larger Elafiti excursion boats.
• Three island stops: You visit Koločep, Šunj Beach on Lopud, and Šipan, with swimming and island time built into the day.
• Captain Filip: He handles the boat, explains local sights, and helps shape the day around swimming, sailing, and lunch.
• Swimming equipment included: Snorkeling gear, an outdoor shower, and an onboard restroom are provided.
• Lunch is optional: You stop at an island restaurant, but food and drinks are not included in the tour price.
• Weather matters: The trip needs good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Why this small boat works better than a big excursion

Dubrovnik’s coast is easy to enjoy from the water, but the boat you choose changes the whole day. Large excursion boats can carry crowds and follow a fixed rhythm. This trip limits the group to six, so you have more room to sit, swim, ask questions, and adjust the pace.

That small number matters most at the swimming stops. You are not being rushed on and off a boat with dozens of people. You can use the snorkeling equipment, dry off under the outdoor shower, or simply sit in the sun while the boat moves to the next island.

The boat also has a restroom, a practical feature on an eight-hour outing. You will still want to bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a cover-up, but you do not need to treat the whole day as a bare-bones beach transfer.

The reviews point again and again to Filip’s role in making the trip feel personal. He is described as a capable skipper, a friendly host, and a useful source of information about Dubrovnik and the islands. He also contacts people through WhatsApp before departure with clear meeting instructions, which helps when you are finding the marina for the first time.

Leaving Dubrovnik at 9:00 am

The tour starts at 9:00 am from Lapadska obala 21a in Dubrovnik and ends at the same meeting point. Private transport to the marina is not included, so plan your route before the morning of the trip. The meeting point is near public transportation.

The first part of the day is sailing time. The full activity lasts about eight hours, but only the three island stops are assigned fixed times. The remaining hours are used to travel between the islands, enjoy the boat, and take in the coast.

That timing gives you a full day without making the trip feel like a rushed checklist. You leave in the morning, spend the warmest part of the day in the water or on the islands, and return in the late afternoon. If you want an early evening reservation in Dubrovnik, leave some breathing room because the stated duration is approximate.

Wind can also affect how much true sailing you do. Several outings included raising the sails even when there was little wind, sometimes for photographs or simply for the pleasure of sailing. On calm days, the boat may use its motor for much of the route. If your main goal is technical sailing, rather than an island day with sailing included, keep that distinction in mind.

Koločep: your first hour in clear water

Koločep is the first stop, with about one hour set aside for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. The island is known here for quiet bays and attractive beaches, making it a good opening stop after leaving Dubrovnik.

The first swim is useful because it sets the tone for the day. You can get into the water, test the snorkeling gear, and settle into the boat’s relaxed rhythm before lunch and the longer island stop. If you prefer not to snorkel, you can simply swim or stay aboard.

The snorkeling is a pleasant extra, but you should keep your expectations sensible. The tour provides equipment so you can look for local aquatic life, yet this is not presented as a specialist marine excursion. Conditions, visibility, and what you see will depend on the day.

One hour goes quickly. You will have enough time for a swim and some sun, but not for a long walk around Koločep. If you want a full beach afternoon, this schedule is not designed for that. It gives you a taste of several islands instead.

Šunj Beach on Lopud: sand and easy swimming

The second stop is Šunj Beach, the sandy beach associated with Lopud. This is a change from the smaller bays and boat-based swimming of Koločep. You can swim and snorkel from the boat, sunbathe aboard, or swim to shore for a drink at one of the restaurants.

The sandy beach is the draw. Much of the Adriatic coast is known for rocky or pebbly swimming areas, so Šunj offers a different feel and makes a good contrast with the first stop. The tour allows about an hour here, enough for a swim and a short shore visit if you move promptly.

You should decide early how you want to use this stop. Staying on the boat gives you a quieter place to sunbathe and avoids spending part of the hour going ashore. Swimming to the beach gives you a closer look at the sand and access to restaurants, but it reduces the time available for the water.

The information for the tour says you can snorkel here, but the beach is mainly presented as a swimming and relaxation stop. If you want to explore below the surface, Koločep may feel like the more natural place to begin. At Šunj, the appeal is the combination of sand, open water, and the option of a quick drink on land.

Šipan: two hours for lunch and a walk

Šipan is the final island stop and receives about two hours, making it the most substantial visit of the day. You can walk through the town, visit Skocibuha Castle, swim from the beach, or eat at a local restaurant.

This is where the tour becomes more than a series of swimming breaks. You have time to step off the boat, see part of the island, and sit down for a meal. The longer stop also gives you room to choose your own pace. You can have lunch, take a walk, or divide the time between the town and the beach.

Lunch is not included, and the restaurant stop is optional. That is useful if you want control over spending, but you should budget separately if fresh seafood and local wine are part of your plan. Filip has recommended seafood restaurants and fishing-village meals, and several outings included fresh fish caught that morning. Those details make lunch sound like one of the strongest ways to use the Šipan stop, though the meal itself is an additional purchase.

The tour information also mentions Skocibuha Castle. If you want to see it, ask Filip about the timing so you do not lose your chance to swim or eat. The two-hour stop is generous by boat-trip standards, but it is still not a full historical tour of Šipan.

What Filip adds to the day

A small boat needs a good captain because the skipper is also your guide, host, and main point of contact. Filip receives especially strong praise for being friendly, calm, and skilled at handling the sailboat. The personal style is a major reason to choose this trip over a basic island transfer.

He can explain the islands and Dubrovnik, point out local sights, and offer restaurant suggestions. He has also recommended a family winery to some people on the tour. That kind of local advice can be more useful than a rehearsed speech, especially when you are deciding where to eat or how to spend a short stop.

The captain also appears willing to adapt within reason. Outings included extra time for swimming, less crowded routes, and a pause to raise the sails for photographs when the wind was too light for normal sailing. This does not mean you receive a completely custom private charter. The route still centers on Koločep, Šunj Beach, and Šipan, and weather controls what is possible.

The boat has been described as comfortable and in good condition, with enough space for a family of six adults. Storage and a cabin for changing were also noted during one outing. These are modest but important comforts on a full day at sea.

What the $157.22 price gets you

At $157.22 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Elafiti Islands. The value comes from the small group, the sailboat setting, the captain’s attention, and the equipment and facilities included.

Your price covers snorkeling equipment, the onboard restroom, the outdoor shower, fuel, gas, and the fuel surcharge. It does not cover lunch, drinks, or transport to and from Lapadska obala 21a.

For two people, the cost may feel high compared with a standard shared boat. But if you value fewer people, room to relax, and direct conversation with the captain, the difference can make sense. The boat carries up to six, and a small booking may still operate rather than being canceled, subject to the tour’s minimum requirements. That can be a real advantage for couples who do not want to wait for a full group.

For a family or group of six, the price can look better on a per-person basis. You get a full eight-hour outing with several swim opportunities and an island lunch stop, without paying separately for snorkeling gear or an onboard bathroom.

I would compare this tour with two alternatives. A large island cruise may cost less and offer more organized entertainment, but it will not provide the same amount of space or personal attention. A private charter may offer more control, but it will usually cost more. This trip sits between the two: intimate but still shared.

Who should book this sailing day

I would recommend this experience if you want a relaxed day away from Dubrovnik’s Old Town and care more about water time than a long list of monuments. It suits couples, families, and small groups who enjoy swimming, sun, and an informal guide.

It is also a good fit if you want some local food without having to plan the restaurant yourself. Filip’s suggestions can make the Šipan lunch stop easier, and seafood with local wine has been a memorable part of several outings.

You should think twice if you dislike boats, get uncomfortable in open water, or want a tightly scheduled cultural tour. The day has a gentle pace, and much of the time is spent sailing between stops. The itinerary includes a visit to Skocibuha Castle, but it is not built around extensive sightseeing on land.

The tour is suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation, but private transport is not included. Good weather is required, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

What to bring and how to use the stops

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and something light to cover your shoulders. The outdoor shower helps you rinse off salt water, but you should still pack the basics for a full day in the sun.

Keep a little room in your budget for lunch and drinks on Šipan. Since lunch is optional, you can decide how much you want to spend once you see the island and hear Filip’s suggestion.

I would use Koločep mainly for the first serious swim and snorkeling session. At Šunj, choose between relaxing on the boat, swimming to the sandy beach, or grabbing a drink on shore. Save Šipan for a slower lunch, a walk through town, and one last swim if time allows.

The small group also makes it worth speaking up about your priorities. If everyone wants more swimming, the schedule may feel flexible enough to support that. If you want to walk around Šipan or visit the castle, mention it before the stop begins.

Should you book the Elafiti Islands sailing tour?

Book it if you want a quiet, personal day on the Adriatic rather than a large sightseeing cruise. The combination of Koločep’s bays, Šunj’s sand, and Šipan’s town gives you three different island experiences in one outing.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the six-person maximum, Filip’s easygoing guidance, several chances to swim, and the optional seafood lunch. The main drawbacks are the fairly high price, extra cost for food, and the fact that calm weather may limit the amount of sailing.

For a first visit to Dubrovnik, this is a fine way to add coast and island time to a city break. If the sea, a small boat, and a relaxed lunch sound better to you than another crowded excursion, the price is easier to justify.

FAQ

How long is the sailing tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours. It starts at 9:00 am and ends back at the meeting point in Dubrovnik.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Lapadska obala 21a, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia. Private transport to and from the meeting point is not included.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Koločep Island, Šunj Beach on Lopud, and the island of Šipan.

How much time is spent at each stop?

The planned stop at Koločep is about one hour. Šunj Beach is also about one hour, while Šipan receives about two hours. The remaining time is used for sailing between the islands.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is optional and is not included in the price. The group stops at one of the islands, where you can choose to eat at a local restaurant.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with an onboard restroom and an outdoor shower.

How many people can join the boat?

The activity has a maximum of six travelers.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.