Private tours to Elaphite Islands by UFO BOAT

Dubrovnik’s coast makes its best impression from the water, and this private UFO boat gives you a stylish, playful way to reach three Elaphite Islands in one day. You can swim near Koločep’s caves, stretch out at Šunj Beach on Lopud, then slow down in the quiet harbor of Suđurađ on Šipan.

I like the freedom of a private boat, especially when you can bring your own drinks, choose the music, and ask the crew to adjust the day. I also like the useful extras: snorkeling gear, life jackets for adults and children, fuel, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks are included. The main drawback is the price: at $2,601.99 for up to 14 people, this makes the most sense for a full group rather than a couple or small family.

Key points to know before booking

• Three islands in one eight-hour outing: Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan each offer a different kind of stop.
• A genuinely private experience: Only your group participates, with room for up to 14 people.
• Blue Cave and swimming time: Koločep is the main stop for caves, snorkeling, and swimming.
• Šunj Beach on Lopud: You get time at one of the area’s best-known sandy beaches, plus access to restaurants and a seaside promenade.
• Drinks are included: Expect bottled water, soda, wine, beer, and grappa, with a fridge for anything you bring.
• Lunch is your responsibility: The boat does not provide food, but the crew can help arrange a restaurant reservation on Lopud.

Why this private boat works well for Dubrovnik

The Elaphite Islands sit just off Dubrovnik, but the mood changes quickly once you leave the city behind. Instead of spending the day following a fixed crowd, you have a private boat and a crew who can suggest places to swim, stop for photos, or linger in a quiet bay.

That privacy matters most for groups. A family can keep the pace easy. Friends can turn the boat into a floating party. A birthday, bachelor or bachelorette outing, and team day all fit the format. You supply the people and playlist, while the crew handles the boat, fuel, safety equipment, and route advice.

The boat’s unusual design is part of the appeal. This is not a plain transfer from Dubrovnik to an island. It is meant to be part sightseeing platform, part swimming base, and part private lounge. You can sunbathe, cruise along the coast, jump into the sea with crew guidance, or simply sit back with a drink.

Still, keep the price in view. The total is fixed at $2,601.99 for a group of up to 14, not a per-person fare. With a full group, it works out to about $186 per person for eight hours. With seven people, it is about $372 each, and for two people it becomes a very expensive day on the water. The value improves sharply when you fill most of the available places.

Koločep: caves, clear water, and the Blue Cave

The first planned stop is Koločep, one of the Elaphite Islands closest to Dubrovnik. You have about two hours here, and the focus is on the coast rather than a long inland walk.

Koločep is known for its caves and narrow coastal formations. The most famous is the Blue Cave, which gives this stop its strongest visual moment. The boat lets you see the island from the water, where the rock walls, small bays, and sea openings make more sense than they do from a road.

Snorkeling equipment is provided, so you can get into the water without packing your own mask and gear. Life jackets are available for both adults and children. If you want to jump from rocks, do it only with the crew’s direction and use sensible judgment about the water and the height.

This is the stop where your group can be most active. You might spend the full two hours swimming and snorkeling, or use part of the time for photographs and a relaxed cruise near the caves. Bring a camera that can handle water, but secure it carefully. A phone in a waterproof case is more useful here than a camera you cannot risk near the sea.

One practical point: the schedule allows two hours, not an entire day at Koločep. If your group wants long swims, repeated snorkeling, and time at every cave, you will need to accept a shorter stay at Lopud or Šipan. The crew can offer advice, but three islands in one day always involves some compromise.

Lopud and Šunj Beach: the longest island stop

Lopud receives about three hours, making it the longest stop. That extra time gives you a choice between a beach break, lunch, a walk, or a little of all three.

The best-known beach is Šunj, a sandy beach in a bay on the island’s southeast side. Sand is a welcome change after rocky swimming spots, especially for children or anyone who prefers an easy shoreline. You can make this the relaxed middle section of your day, with time to swim, sit in the sun, and dry off before returning to the boat.

Lopud’s main settlement sits in a bay on the northwest side. It has a seaside promenade with restaurants and coffee bars, giving you a chance to leave the beach setting and see a little of the island’s everyday side. The island is car-free and green, so the pace is slower than in Dubrovnik.

If lunch matters to your group, Lopud is the most practical place to arrange it. The crew can reserve a table at one of the island’s recommended restaurants, but food is not included in the tour. Confirm the plan before the day begins, especially if your group is large. With up to 14 people, finding a table at a popular restaurant may take some planning.

Lopud also offers a small dose of history. The ruins of Fortress Sutvrac sit about 15 to 20 minutes on foot from the settlement. The walk gives you a view over Lopud Bay, though you should not treat it as a full sightseeing visit during this schedule. Three hours can disappear quickly once you combine a walk, lunch, and beach time.

A useful way to plan this stop is to choose one main goal. If you want Šunj Beach, keep the visit beach-centered. If you want lunch and the fortress, you may have less time for swimming. The boat makes the day flexible, but the island cannot provide unlimited hours.

Suđurađ on Šipan: a quieter final stop

The final stop is Suđurađ, a small settlement on Šipan, the largest island in the Elaphite group. You have about three hours here, and the atmosphere is calmer than the beach stop on Lopud.

Suđurađ is a good fit if you want a less commercial island setting. The village has kept much of its older character, with traditional buildings, small bays, and a slow seaside rhythm. Šipan was once a favored summer retreat for wealthy families from Dubrovnik, and the island still has grand summer residences and palaces.

Two notable buildings sit around Suđurađ’s central square, with fortress-like construction and defensive details. You do not need to turn this into a formal history tour. The pleasure is in walking a little, looking around, and seeing how different the island feels from Dubrovnik’s busy old center.

The coast around Šipan also gives you more chances to swim. The water is described as clear, and the island is known for beaches and small bays. If your group has already spent the morning in the sea, this can be the gentler stop: a short swim, a drink, a meal nearby, or time simply watching the harbor.

Food is a strong part of the island experience, especially seafood prepared with olive oil and paired with local wine. But again, lunch is not part of the boat package. You pay for food separately, so allow for that extra cost when comparing the total value of the day.

Suđurađ works well as the final stop because it changes the mood. Koločep is about caves and water, Lopud is about sand and choice, and Šipan is about quiet island life. That variety is the best reason to visit all three rather than spending the whole day at one beach.

What the crew and boat provide

The crew’s role is more than steering between islands. They advise you on where to go and what to do, and the private format lets them respond to your group instead of following a large shared-boat timetable.

The supplied drinks include bottled water, Coca-Cola, iced tea, wine, beer, and grappa. You may also bring your own drinks, which can be stored in the boat’s fridge. That small detail is valuable for families and groups with particular preferences, though you will need to bring your own food if you want snacks or a meal on board.

Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included. Towels are not, so pack your own. A swimsuit, sun protection, dry clothes, and a waterproof bag for phones and cameras will make the day easier. These are basic boat-day items, but forgetting a towel is especially annoying after the final swim.

The private format also gives you control over the sound and mood. You choose the music, and the crew can help shape the route. That makes this a better fit for a group with shared tastes than for someone who wants a quiet, formal sightseeing cruise.

The provider’s crew associated with its boat outings includes Niko and Suzana, while Laura has been involved with arranging excursions in Dubrovnik. You should confirm the crew for your specific booking, since names and boat assignments may vary. The important point is that the experience is built around friendly, hands-on service rather than a recorded commentary.

The price, group size, and practical value

At $2,601.99 per group, the tour is priced as a private charter. The capacity is up to 14 people, and only your group takes part. That makes the per-person cost reasonable for a large family gathering, wedding party, birthday group, or group of friends who want a full day at sea without sharing the boat.

For smaller groups, the calculation is less favorable. Two people pay the same total as 14, so a couple looking for a simple island transfer should compare other options. The value here comes from privacy, flexibility, drinks, equipment, and a full eight hours, not from the cheapest way to reach the islands.

The schedule runs from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the published operating period of April 1 through November 12, 2025. Pickup is offered, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

The tour is described as suitable for most people and near public transportation. Alcohol is allowed for people aged 18 and older. Because the boat includes swimming, rock-jumping options, and time in the sun, you should tell the crew about children or anyone who needs a slower pace before setting out.

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted. That policy is worth noting because boat days depend on weather and sea conditions, though the supplied booking information does not specify a separate weather policy.

Who should book this day on the water?

I would choose this tour for a group that wants the boat itself to be part of the Dubrovnik holiday. It suits people who like swimming, music, drinks, photos, and the freedom to adjust the rhythm of the day.

It is especially useful for:

• Families who want a private boat and child-sized safety equipment
• Friends planning a birthday or bachelor or bachelorette outing
• Groups that want to bring their own drinks
• People who prefer several short island experiences over one long beach day
• Anyone who values a crew that can help with restaurant plans and route choices

I would think twice if your group is very small, does not drink, or mainly wants a guided history tour. The day offers island character, old buildings, and local settlements, but the emphasis is on the sea, swimming, and relaxed exploration rather than detailed historical interpretation.

Should you book the UFO boat?

Book it if you can fill the boat and want a private Dubrovnik day with real choice built into the schedule. Koločep gives you caves and snorkeling, Lopud adds Šunj Beach and restaurant options, and Šipan finishes with a quieter village atmosphere. The combination feels varied without requiring complicated island transport.

Before paying, gather your group, divide the $2,601.99 total, and decide how you want to use the eight hours. If everyone wants the same kind of day, this can be an excellent value. If your group cannot share the cost, look for a smaller or shared boat instead. The UFO boat earns its price through privacy and flexibility, not through a low fare.

FAQ

How long is the private UFO boat tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours. The published operating hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The planned stops are Koločep Island, Lopud Island, and Suđurađ on Šipan.

Is the boat private?

Yes. Only your group participates, and the boat can accommodate up to 14 people.

Is lunch included?

No. Food is not provided on board. The crew can help arrange a lunch reservation at a restaurant on Lopud, but you pay for lunch separately.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, soft drinks, wine, beer, and grappa are included. You may also bring your own drinks, which can be kept in the boat’s fridge.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets for adults and children are included.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.