Private Full Day Sailing Tour To Elafiti Islands

The best part of this private Elafiti Islands sailing tour is the freedom to trade Dubrovnik’s crowds for clear water, quiet bays, and a slow day on the sea. Skipper Filip takes you to Koločep, Šunj Beach, and Šipan, with time for swimming, snorkeling, a meal, or a walk through a small island town.

I like the private boat for up to six people, which gives families and small groups room to set the pace. I also like Filip’s practical touch: he can help arrange a lunch reservation on Šipan, where small restaurants may fill up quickly. The main consideration is wind. If the breeze is weak, much of the route may run by motor rather than sail.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to six: You share the yacht only with your own group.
• Three useful island stops: Swim at Koločep, visit sandy Šunj Beach, and spend longer on Šipan.
• Filip handles more than the helm: He is available before the trip, communicates through WhatsApp, and can help with lunch plans.
• Eight hours on the water: The tour starts at 9 a.m. and returns to Lapadska obala 21 in Dubrovnik.
• Swimming gear is supplied: Snorkeling equipment, an outdoor shower, and a restroom are included.
• Lunch and transport cost extra: Bring water and snacks, and budget for getting to the marina if you are staying outside Dubrovnik.

A private day away from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is wonderful, but its old streets can feel busy, especially in the warmer months. A private boat gives you a different view of the region. From the water, the city becomes a starting point rather than the whole show.

This is not a rushed island-hopping trip where you step ashore for ten minutes, take a photograph, and hurry back to the boat. The schedule gives you about an hour at Koločep, about an hour around Šunj Beach, and roughly two hours on Šipan. The rest of the day is spent cruising between stops.

That slower rhythm matters. You can jump into the sea, dry off in the sun, put on a mask and snorkel, or simply sit back while the boat moves along the coast. You will not see every island or every village in the Elafiti group. Instead, you get enough time to enjoy a few well-chosen places without turning the day into a checklist.

The tour is private, so the pace works especially well for a family, two couples, or a group of friends. You do not have to match the preferences of a full boat. If one person wants to swim and another wants to sit in the shade, there is more room to make the day work for everyone.

Leaving from Lapadska obala at 9 a.m.

The meeting point is Lapadska obala 21, in Dubrovnik. The tour begins at 9 a.m. and finishes back at the same meeting point after about eight hours.

Plan the start carefully. Transport to and from the marina is not included, and the stated estimate of about €40 for an Uber applies if you are outside Dubrovnik. That is only an estimate, not a fixed transfer price. If you are unsure how to reach the marina, contact Smooth Sailing before the day of departure.

The marina is accessible by bus 6, which can be useful if you are staying in Dubrovnik and want to avoid paying for a car ride. Still, give yourself enough time to find the exact meeting point. A private boat day is much more relaxing when you are not racing the clock at 8:55 a.m.

The boat includes a restroom and an outdoor shower. These are small features until you spend a full day at sea. After swimming, you can rinse off salt water rather than sitting in it for hours, and you do not need to wait until returning to Dubrovnik to find a toilet.

Koločep: an easy first swim

Koločep is the first planned stop, with about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. Starting with a swim makes sense. You can get comfortable around the boat early in the day, then settle into the relaxed pace of the trip.

The island is known for clean bays and attractive beaches, but the most useful part of this stop is the access from the boat. You can swim directly into the sea instead of spending the first part of the morning walking around to find a spot.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins. Bring a towel, though, since towels are not listed among the included items. A swimsuit, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes will also make the day easier.

One hour is long enough for a good swim, but it is not an open-ended beach visit. If you want to spend much of the day on land, this tour may feel too boat-focused. If you prefer short swims and a change of scenery, the timing is more suitable.

Šunj Beach and its rare sand

Šunj Beach, on Lopud, is the next highlight. Sandy beaches are less common along the rocky Adriatic coast, which is why Šunj has become one of Lopud’s best-known stops.

You can swim and snorkel from the boat, sunbathe onboard, or swim ashore for a drink at one of the restaurants. That choice is one of the tour’s strengths. You are not forced into a single plan. Stay with the boat if you prefer a quiet swim, or head to shore if you want to feel sand under your feet and buy something cold.

The one-hour stop goes quickly if you want both a long swim and time on the beach. You may need to choose between staying onboard and going ashore rather than attempting everything. The tour description also makes clear that drinks and food are not included, so bring cash or another way to pay for anything you buy.

Šunj is also a good place to remember that this is a sea day, not a formal sightseeing tour. The main attractions are water, sun, and a simple beach stop. You will not get a long guided visit filled with monuments here.

Šipan gives you the longest island stop

Šipan is the final main stop and the place where the schedule opens up. You have about two hours to walk through the town, visit Škocibuha Castle, swim from the beach, or eat at a local restaurant.

This is where the tour moves beyond swimming. A village walk gives you a chance to see island life at a slower pace, while Škocibuha Castle adds a historical stop to the day. You can also use the time for lunch, which is likely the most practical choice after a morning in the water.

Lunch is not included in the tour price. Filip can make a reservation, and that help may be useful because a small restaurant can fill up. One well-organized stop described a seafood meal in the harbor village, with a reservation arranged in advance. You should still tell the operator what kind of meal you want and confirm the plan before departure.

Bring water and snacks even if you intend to eat lunch on Šipan. The boat does not include soda, alcohol, or other drinks. Snacks also help if your group wants to spend the entire stop walking or swimming rather than sitting down for a full meal.

Two hours is a sensible amount of time here. It allows you to eat without swallowing lunch in a hurry, or combine a short walk with a swim. If you want a long visit to Šipan, this tour gives you more time there than at the other stops, but it is still only one part of a full day at sea.

What sailing really means on this trip

The name of the experience promises sailing, but the boat cannot depend on wind. On a calm day, the engine may do most of the work. That is not a fault with the skipper. It is simply how sailing works in light conditions.

The trip can still include genuine sailing when the wind cooperates. One full day had enough breeze for sailing in the afternoon, while much of the earlier route was made by motor. If your main goal is to spend eight hours under sail with the engine off, you cannot count on that result.

The better way to think about this experience is as a private boat day with sailing when conditions allow. You get the sea views, island stops, swimming time, and the quiet movement between bays. The private setup is the more dependable benefit.

That distinction is worth making before you book. A person who wants to learn sailing technique or trim sails may need a different type of charter. Someone who wants a comfortable day on the water, with a skipper handling the route, should find the format more suitable.

Filip’s role makes the day easier

Filip is the skipper and main host. He communicates before the trip, responds through WhatsApp, and stays involved throughout the day. That matters because a private boat outing has a few moving parts: transport to the marina, weather, lunch, swimming stops, and the return time.

He also knows the surrounding islands and can point out places to swim away from the busiest areas. The day is not built around a fixed speech at every stop. Instead, Filip’s value comes from adjusting the schedule and helping you make sensible choices.

Families may appreciate this most. The boat has high-quality buoyancy vests for young children, and Filip pays attention to safety and comfort onboard. The activity is described as suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed.

Keep expectations practical. Filip is the skipper, not a full-time childcare provider or a restaurant guide. Parents remain responsible for their children, and you should tell him about any needs before setting out.

A closer look at the price

The stated price is $692.36 per group of up to six people. At maximum capacity, that works out to about $115 per person for eight hours, before lunch and transport costs.

That is a fairer comparison than looking at the group price alone. A private boat, skipper, fuel, snorkeling equipment, restroom, shower, and a full day of access to the islands are included. You are paying for privacy and flexibility as much as for transport.

The value improves when five or six people share the cost. For two people, the per-person figure is much higher, so you should compare it with a shared boat excursion if your budget is tight. A private day makes the most sense when your group values space, a slower schedule, and the ability to swim or eat without following a large crowd.

Fuel is included, which removes one common surprise from boat pricing. Lunch, drinks, alcohol, and transport to and from the marina remain extra. Put those costs into your budget before booking.

What to pack for eight hours

Pack lightly, but do not arrive empty-handed. The boat has useful facilities, yet several basics are not supplied.

• Swimsuit and a dry change of clothes
• Towel
• Water and snacks
• Sun protection
• Cash or payment method for lunch and drinks
• Waterproof protection for phones and small valuables

Snorkeling gear is provided, but you may prefer to bring your own mask if you have one that fits well. The outdoor shower is useful after swimming, but it is not a replacement for bringing dry clothes.

Food deserves a little planning. Since lunch is not included, you can either eat at a restaurant on Šipan or bring enough food for the day. Ask Filip about reservations before departure, particularly if you have a large group or a specific restaurant in mind.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this tour for a group that wants a private, unhurried day rather than a packed schedule. Families with children can benefit from the private setting and onboard safety equipment. Couples and friends who care more about swimming and seafood than checking off many monuments should also find it a good fit.

It is less suitable if you want a long walking tour on every island. The schedule gives you some time ashore, especially on Šipan, but the heart of the day is on the boat.

It is also not the best match for anyone who needs guaranteed sailing in strong wind. The boat may use its motor for much of the route, depending on conditions. Good weather is required, and a poor-weather cancellation can lead to a new date or a full refund.

The tour is generally accessible to most people, but the supplied information does not give details about step-free boarding or mobility equipment. Contact the operator if you have specific mobility needs.

Should you book the Elafiti Islands sailing tour?

Book it if you want a private eight-hour escape from Dubrovnik with plenty of swimming, a sandy beach stop, and a real island meal or village walk. The combination of Koločep, Šunj, and Šipan gives the day variety without making you rush from place to place.

I especially like the chance to use the boat as your own base. You can swim from it, rinse off afterward, take a break, and return to the water when you feel like it. Filip’s communication and help with lunch add useful local planning to a day that could otherwise require more organization.

Skip it if you are looking for a low-cost shared excursion, a guaranteed full day of wind-powered sailing, or a tour with lunch and drinks already covered. For a small group that values privacy and can share the $692.36 group price, this is a strong way to see the Elafiti Islands at a relaxed pace.

FAQ

How long is the private sailing tour?

The tour lasts about eight hours. It starts at 9 a.m. and ends back at the meeting point in Dubrovnik.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins and ends at Lapadska obala 21, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to six people. Only your group participates in the activity.

Which islands and beaches does the tour visit?

The planned stops are Koločep Island, Šunj Beach on Lopud, and Šipan. The remaining time is spent sailing or cruising around the Elafiti Islands.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the price. You can eat at a local restaurant on one of the islands, and Filip may help arrange a reservation.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with an outdoor shower, a restroom onboard, and the fuel surcharge.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. Free cancellation is also available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.