Private Boat Tour Tailor-Made 6h-All Inclusive

The best part of this six-hour private boat trip is the freedom to shape the day around your group. From Dubrovnik, you can visit the Elaphiti Islands, stop at sandy beaches, swim in clear water, explore a blue cave, and pause in small coastal villages without following a fixed crowd-led schedule.

I like the personal attention from a local skipper and the simple all-inclusive setup. Unlimited water, wine, beer, soft drinks, and iced tea mean you do not need to keep counting costs on board. The skipper can also suggest a lunch stop, though lunch itself is extra.

The main consideration is the boat access. One group found that a missing step or handhold made getting back aboard awkward. This trip is also not suitable for wheelchair users or babies under one year, and the meeting point requires you to make your own way to the pier unless you arrange paid pickup.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six people: You get the boat to yourselves, with room for a flexible day rather than a fixed group itinerary.
• Five possible stops in six hours: Previous routes have included beaches, the Blue Cave, villages, swimming spots, and lunch on Lopud.
• Skipper-led planning: Ivan, Nikola, and Nico have guided similar outings, with the assigned skipper helping shape the route.
• Drinks and swim gear included: Water, wine, beer, Coca-Cola, iced tea, snorkeling equipment, floaties, and dry bags are supplied.
• Best in the quieter season: Late April or early May on a sunny day can mean fewer boats around the islands.
• Lunch is separate: Your skipper can arrange or recommend a restaurant, but you pay for the meal yourself.

Leaving Dubrovnik for the Elaphiti Islands

Your day begins at the pier across from the entrance to the summer residence of Petar Sorkočević. That is a useful landmark, but I would still allow a few extra minutes to locate the exact boarding point. You receive a contact number after booking, and WhatsApp is available if you need help finding the boat.

The trip lasts six hours and returns to the same pier. Fuel, taxes, and boat fees are already covered, so the advertised price of $480 for the entire group of up to six is not a per-person fare. For six people, that works out to $80 each. For two people, the cost is much higher per person, so this makes the most financial sense for a family or group of friends filling most of the seats.

The private format matters here. A shared boat may offer a lower price, but you would usually have less say over how long you stop or where the day goes. On this outing, the skipper asks what your group wants at the start. You can then lean toward swimming, villages, caves, beaches, or a slower mix.

That flexibility is particularly useful for groups with different interests. One person can enjoy the scenery while another looks forward to swimming, and nobody needs to spend the day waiting for a large group to finish an activity. The tradeoff is that six hours goes quickly, especially if you want several stops and a proper lunch.

A route shaped by your group

There is no single guaranteed sequence of stops. The route depends on weather, sea conditions, your preferences, and the skipper’s judgment on the day. That is a strength, but it also means you should speak up early.

Tell the skipper if your priority is the Blue Cave, long swim stops, quiet coves, sandy beaches, or a village visit. If lunch matters, mention it before leaving. The skipper can arrange a lunch stop, with Lopud being one option, but the meal is not included in the tour price.

A six-hour private trip can fit a great deal into one day. One outing included five stops and lunch on Lopud. Another route included sandy beaches, the Blue Cave, small villages, and several swimming breaks. You should expect variety rather than long stretches at any one place.

That also creates the only real pacing question. If you stop often, each visit may be fairly brief. If you want a long meal and plenty of time in the water, you may need to skip some sights. I recommend choosing two or three priorities instead of trying to claim every possible stop.

Swimming in clear Elaphiti waters

Swimming is one of the main reasons to book this tour. The water around Dubrovnik and the Elaphiti Islands is clear enough to make the changing colors and underwater visibility part of the appeal. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with floaties and dry bags.

You should bring your own towel and beachwear. Life jackets are supplied as part of the safety equipment, though you may not need one while swimming if you are comfortable in the sea. The water is salty, and that can make floating easier, but normal swimming confidence still matters.

The boat format lets the skipper choose swim spots that fit the day. You may stop at an open sandy beach or a quieter cove, then climb back aboard when you are ready. A private group can often make these pauses feel relaxed, since there is no large party waiting on a strict timetable.

Getting back onto a boat is worth thinking about before you book. One boat had a missing step or grip that made reboarding more difficult. This is not necessarily a permanent condition, but if you have limited mobility or find ladders hard to manage, contact the operator before paying.

The supplied floaties and dry bags are small but useful touches. You can keep phones and other items protected from spray, and floaties give you another option during a swim. Still, I would bring only what you need. Salt water, wet towels, and a moving boat are a poor mix for loose valuables.

The Blue Cave and other cool caves

The Blue Cave is a major draw, but the supplied details do not promise a particular entry method, waiting time, or length of stay. Treat it as a possible highlight within a wider island trip rather than the sole reason to book.

A cave stop gives the day a change of mood. After open water and bright beaches, a darker rock setting can feel like a small discovery. The skipper can explain how the route works and decide how long the conditions allow you to stay.

The word cave can cover different kinds of stops, so ask your skipper what is possible that day. Some groups may see a blue-lit interior, while others may spend more time viewing the rock from the boat. Weather and sea conditions can affect access.

This is another reason I like the private format. You can tell the skipper how important the cave is to your group. If everyone is keen, it can take priority. If the water is rough or the cave stop is not practical, you can put more time into beaches and villages instead.

Lopud lunch and small island villages

The Elaphiti Islands are not only about swimming. The route can include tucked-away villages and a lunch stop on Lopud. These pauses give you a chance to step off the boat, stretch your legs, and see a quieter side of the island area.

Lunch is not included, so budget for it separately. The skipper can recommend a restaurant, and a good local suggestion is valuable when you have limited time. Still, ask about the likely price and timing before you sit down. A long meal can reduce your swimming time, while a quick lunch keeps the boat portion moving.

Lopud is a useful stop because it breaks up the day. Six hours on a boat can feel long if you never leave the water, especially in strong sun. A village visit and meal provide shade and a change of pace.

You should not expect a full island tour on foot. The schedule is built around a boat outing, not an extended cultural visit. If your priority is museums, historic interiors, or long walks, Dubrovnik itself may suit you better. If you want a blend of sea time, small settlements, and relaxed food, Lopud fits the plan well.

Your skipper makes the difference

The operator provides a professional, locally trained skipper who also acts as your guide. Names connected with recent outings include Ivan, Nikola, and Nico. Your assigned skipper may differ, so ask when you make contact if a particular guide matters to you.

The strongest part of the guiding style is practical rather than formal. Your skipper can explain the route, watch the water, suggest swim stops, help with timing, and recommend where to eat. Ivan is specifically associated with arranging a lunch stop, while Nico was praised for being welcoming to a group that brought its dog.

A private boat needs a skipper who can read the group. You want someone who takes your wishes seriously without ignoring sea conditions or the clock. The opening conversation is important. Say clearly if you prefer a quiet day, a packed sightseeing route, more swimming, or time for music and drinks.

A speaker with relaxing music has been available on board, adding to the easygoing feel. Do not expect a party boat unless you create that atmosphere yourselves. The setup is better suited to conversation, swimming, scenery, and an occasional drink.

What the all-inclusive price really covers

The $480 group price includes more than the boat itself:

• Fuel
• Skipper and local guiding
• Snorkeling equipment
• Water, wine, beer, Coca-Cola, and iced tea
• Life jackets
• Floaties
• Dry bags
• Fees and taxes

That is a useful package for a private trip. Fuel can be a noticeable extra on boat excursions, so having it included makes the price easier to compare. Drinks also add up quickly in the Croatian sun, and the unlimited supply removes one small source of friction.

The value depends on group size. Six people receive the strongest deal at $80 each. A group of five pays $96 per person, while a couple pays $240 each. For a couple, this is a premium experience built around privacy and control, not a budget boat ride.

Pickup and drop-off are not included, but you can request them for €25. The normal meeting point is the pier by Petar Sorkočević’s summer residence. Lunch is the other notable extra, so bring a payment method and leave room in the day for the meal.

The reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your Dubrovnik plans are still moving. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Those policies are helpful, but check the final booking terms for the exact payment and cancellation conditions attached to your reservation.

The best time to take this trip

Late April or early May can be an excellent choice on a sunny day. The sea may still feel cool, but the islands can be much less crowded than during the main summer rush. Fewer boats around the caves and beaches can make the private format feel even more worthwhile.

You should not assume a quiet route in every month. The Elaphiti Islands are popular, and conditions vary. Ask about the expected weather when you contact the operator, especially if swimming is your main goal.

A sunny day is important for the colors of the water and the feel of the boat ride. Poor weather can change the plan, and a six-hour outing is a long time if you are cold or uncomfortable. Bring beachwear and a towel as requested, but also consider sun protection and a light layer for the ride back.

The operator lists English as the tour language. If someone in your group needs another language, ask before booking rather than assuming it can be arranged.

Who will enjoy this private boat day

I would recommend this outing most strongly to a group of friends or family members who can fill the boat. Six people get the best price, and the private setting lets you plan the day around shared interests.

It also suits you if you want:

• Several swim stops instead of one fixed beach visit
• A local skipper rather than a purely transport-focused boat ride
• Drinks and equipment included
• The chance to see caves, villages, and beaches in one day
• A relaxed music-on-board atmosphere
• A flexible lunch stop

A dog may be accepted, as one group brought theirs aboard, but you should ask for permission before booking. Do not assume every departure or boat has the same arrangement.

The trip is less suitable for anyone needing step-free access, as the boat may be awkward to board. It is also not suitable for babies under one year. Weapons and sharp objects are not allowed, and everyone should bring a passport or ID card.

A few practical tips before you board

Keep your passport or ID card with you. Pack a towel, beachwear, sunscreen, and a phone in one of the supplied dry bags. You may want a light cover-up for the ride, even on a warm day.

Wear something that lets you move easily between the pier, boat, beach, and restaurant. Avoid bringing bulky luggage. This is a day boat, not a place to store a full suitcase.

Agree on priorities with your group before you meet the skipper. A simple plan such as cave, two swim stops, village, and lunch gives the skipper useful direction while leaving room for local judgment.

Ask about the reboarding setup before the first swim. If someone in your group is unsteady on ladders or has limited mobility, this is the right time to raise the issue. Safety equipment is included, but physical access remains a separate concern.

Should you book the six-hour Elaphiti boat tour?

Book it if you want a private day on the water and can bring at least four or five people. The price becomes fair when divided across a full group, and the included fuel, drinks, gear, and skipper make budgeting simple.

I especially like this tour for its mix of clear-water swimming, the Blue Cave, sandy beaches, small villages, and a possible Lopud lunch. The best days will be the ones where you tell the skipper what matters to you and accept that sea conditions may shape the final route.

Skip it if you want a guaranteed, highly structured itinerary, a full meal included, or easy wheelchair access. For everyone else, this is a strong choice for escaping Dubrovnik’s crowds and spending a day with your own small group, rather than being carried from stop to stop on a packed schedule.

FAQ

How long is the private boat tour?

The tour lasts six hours. It begins and ends at the meeting point by the pier across from the entrance to the summer residence of Petar Sorkočević.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one group of up to six people. The $480 rate is for the group, not for each individual passenger.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited water, wine, beer, Coca-Cola, and iced tea are included in the tour price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, although the skipper can arrange or recommend a lunch stop, including a possible stop on Lopud.

What equipment is provided?

The boat includes snorkeling equipment, life jackets, floaties, and dry bags. Fuel, fees, and taxes are also included.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Pickup and drop-off are available on request for €25, while the standard meeting point is at the pier in Dubrovnik.