Private tours to Elaphite Islands by UFO BOAT

Dubrovnik’s most unusual boat outing is a private day on the UFO boat, a futuristic-looking vessel built for sun, swimming, music, and island hopping. You travel with only your own group, up to 14 people, and the crew can shape the day around caves, beaches, lunch, or a birthday-style party at sea.

I like two things right away: the freedom of a private boat, and the generous practical inclusions, with fuel, snorkeling gear, life jackets, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks covered. The crew can also help arrange a restaurant booking, and pickup is offered.

The main drawback is the price. At $2,601.99 per group, it makes the most sense for a full group or a special occasion, not a solo outing or small budget day. Lunch and towels cost extra or must be supplied separately, and the exact meeting point should be confirmed before you book.

Key points at a glance

• Three very different island stops: Swim and explore caves at Kolocep, spend beach time on Lopud, then slow down in quiet Sudurad on Sipan.
• Private use for up to 14 people: You do not share the boat with a large excursion crowd, which matters for music, swimming stops, and the pace of the day.
• The Blue Cave is the first major attraction: Kolocep offers caves, canyons, snorkeling, and the option to jump from rocks with crew guidance.
• Sunj Beach gives you a sandy island break: Lopud combines a famous beach, a seaside promenade, restaurants, and a walk to Fortress Sutvrac.
• Drinks are included, food is not: Wine, beer, grappa, bottled water, Coca-Cola, and iced tea are provided, but lunch must be arranged separately.
• A strong fit for celebrations: The boat suits bachelor and bachelorette parties, birthdays, team outings, families, and groups of friends.

Why the UFO boat works best as a private day

The appeal here is not simply getting from Dubrovnik to the Elaphite Islands. It is having a floating base for the day, with room for your own music, your own group, and a crew that can adjust the plan.

That makes this a different product from a standard island ferry or a crowded sightseeing cruise. You can spend longer swimming if the water is calling, move on when the children are ready, or make more time for lunch and a walk on shore.

The boat accommodates up to 14 people. That capacity is important when judging the price. Split $2,601.99 among 14 people and the cost is about $186 per person, before any lunch expenses. With six people, the per-person cost rises to about $434. For a large family group, wedding party, or birthday group, the private format can offer fair value. For a couple, it is a major splurge.

The crew helps with route choices and activities, but you choose the music. That small detail tells you what kind of day this is. It is less about a formal guided lecture and more about a well-supported private outing on the water.

Kolocep and the Blue Cave come first

Kolocep is scheduled for about two hours, and it gives the day its most active start. The island is known here for caves and canyons, including the Blue Cave, and the boat carries snorkeling equipment for a swim stop.

You can expect time in the water rather than a long land tour. The crew can guide you toward snorkeling and help with rock jumping, provided conditions and personal comfort allow it. Life jackets are available for adults and children, which is useful for mixed-age groups.

I like this opening because it gets you into the island setting quickly. You are not spending the first half of the day waiting for a beach later on. Bring a waterproof phone case or a secure camera setup if you want photos inside the cave areas, but keep your equipment protected around salt water.

Kolocep is also a good place to judge the day’s rhythm. If your group wants a relaxed outing, two hours allows time for a swim without turning the stop into a marathon. If everyone loves the water, you may wish the stop were longer. The full itinerary gives the boat three island sections, so the schedule leaves room for variety rather than one long stay in one bay.

Lopud gives you Sunj Beach and a choice of pace

The three-hour Lopud stop is the longest scheduled visit. Lopud is the second-largest of the Elaphite Islands and is known for Sunj, a sandy beach in a bay on the island’s southeast side.

That sand matters. Much of the Croatian coast is associated with rocky swimming spots, so a sandy beach gives families and beach-focused groups a different kind of break. You can swim, lie in the sun, or simply step ashore and enjoy a slower hour after the boat time.

Lopud’s main settlement sits in a northwestern bay. A seaside promenade runs along the water, with restaurants and coffee bars. The crew can arrange a lunch reservation at one of the island’s better restaurants, but lunch is not included in the tour price.

This is where you should make a clear choice with your group. If the priority is swimming and beach time, stay near Sunj. If you want a little walking and local atmosphere, use part of the three hours for the settlement and promenade.

Fortress Sutvrac offers another option. It is about a 15 to 20 minute walk from Lopud, with a view over Lopud Bay. The walk adds a modest historic and scenic element, but it will take time away from the beach or lunch. You should not try to fit every option into one rushed stop.

Lopud is car-free and green, according to the tour information, which helps make it feel quieter than a road-heavy coastal resort. Still, do not assume the stop is a private beach experience. Sunj is the island’s most famous sandy beach, so it is the place most likely to draw other people during the summer.

Sudurad on Sipan slows the afternoon down

The final stop is Sudurad, a quiet settlement on Sipan, the largest of the Elaphite Islands. Three hours are allotted here, giving you time to eat, swim, stroll, or simply enjoy a less hurried island setting.

Sudurad is described as uncrowded and traditional in character. Its clear water, beaches, bays, seafood, olive oil, and local wine make it a natural place for an afternoon meal. The settlement also preserves old summer residences and palaces linked to wealthy Dubrovnik families.

Two decorated buildings in the central square have fortress-like construction and defensive features. That detail gives Sudurad a different character from Lopud. Lopud is the beach and promenade stop, while Sudurad is better suited to a quiet meal and a look at island architecture.

The schedule is generous, but the day still involves three separate stops. You will get a taste of each island rather than an exhaustive visit to any one of them. I see that as a strength for first-time visitors who want variety, but a weakness if you prefer to settle into one beach for the entire day.

What is included, and what you still need to plan

The inclusions make the boat easy to use once you are aboard:

• Wine, beer, grappa, and other alcoholic beverages
• Bottled water
• Coca-Cola and iced tea
• Snorkeling equipment
• Adult and child life jackets
• Private transportation
• Fuel
• All fees and taxes
• A refrigerator for drinks you bring yourself

The bring-your-own-drinks option is useful for a group with specific preferences. You can use the boat’s refrigerator, though you should still check any practical limits with the provider before loading it for 14 people.

Food is the main omission. The boat does not provide lunch. You can arrange a restaurant reservation, particularly on Lopud, but the meal is your responsibility. That is not a small detail on an eight-hour outing. Discuss lunch with the crew before departure so you do not lose valuable island time deciding where to eat.

Towels are also not included. Pack one for every person who plans to swim, along with dry clothing, sun protection, and a secure bag for phones and cameras. These are simple items, but forgetting a towel can make the ride back less comfortable.

Alcohol is allowed for people aged 18 and older. Since drinks are included, families and mixed-age groups should set clear expectations before boarding. The boat is suitable for children, with life jackets available, but the swimming and rock-jumping portions call for sensible supervision.

The crew and the feel of the day

The crew is central to this experience because the route has room to adapt. The team offers advice on where to go and what to do, helps with swimming and rock-jumping guidance, and can assist with restaurant arrangements.

Specific staff names associated with the operation include Laura, Nikola, Suzana, Captain Niko, and the wider Marinero team. The available feedback especially highlights Nikola and Suzana for being friendly and helpful on a fast-boat outing. Some comments also praise the communication around transfers and the sense that the boat was not packed with people.

That last point is important. A private charter gives you control over the social side of the day. You can play your own music, talk with your group, and avoid sharing a fixed schedule with strangers. The tradeoff is that the quality of your day depends partly on your group’s choices. If nobody agrees on music, lunch, or how long to swim, private freedom can become private confusion.

The crew can advise, but this is not presented as a formal history tour with a scripted lecture at every stop. If your top goal is detailed historical interpretation, you may prefer a specialist walking tour on another day. If your goal is sea time with useful local assistance, this format fits better.

Reading the value at $2,601.99

The headline price looks high because it covers the entire boat rather than one seat. Up to 14 people can share the cost, and the price includes fuel, drinks, equipment, transportation, and taxes.

At full capacity, the cost works out to roughly $186 per person. That is still a meaningful day-trip expense, but it buys privacy and flexibility. For a large group celebrating a birthday, bachelor or bachelorette event, family reunion, or team outing, those benefits may justify the total.

The value is weaker for a small group. Four people would pay about $650 each before lunch, which is hard to defend unless the private boat itself is the main reason for booking. You should compare the total with other private charters in Dubrovnik, especially if you have fewer than eight people.

I also factor in what is not included. Lunch can add a noticeable amount, and towels are your responsibility. The included drinks are helpful, but unlimited quantities and exact serving arrangements should be confirmed directly rather than assumed from brief promotional wording.

Timing, pickup, and practical planning

The advertised duration is about eight hours, with two hours at Kolocep, three at Lopud, and three at Sudurad. The activity operates daily from April 1 through November 12, 2025, between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Pickup is offered, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. Since the precise pickup details are not supplied here, confirm the location and transfer plan within the booking process. Good communication matters, especially if your group is staying outside central Dubrovnik.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. I would avoid making a tight same-day connection after the tour, since boat days depend on the route and water conditions even when the planned duration is eight hours.

The outing is listed as suitable for most people and near public transportation. Children can participate, and life jackets are available in both adult and child sizes. You should still tell the provider about any mobility or swimming concerns before booking, since the day includes boat boarding, shore stops, uneven surfaces, and optional rock jumping.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book the UFO boat

I would point this tour toward groups that want the boat itself to be part of the event. It is especially well suited to:

• Families who want a private schedule and child life jackets
• Friends who want music, drinks, swimming, and a full day together
• Birthday, bachelor, and bachelorette groups
• Company or team outings
• Groups that prefer beaches and bays over formal sightseeing
• People who want to combine three islands in one day

I would be more cautious if you want a low-cost excursion, a quiet sailing trip with no party element, or a detailed guided history experience. The UFO boat is built around fun, comfort, and flexibility. It is not the most economical way to reach the islands, and the full benefit appears only when enough people share the cost.

Should you book this private Dubrovnik boat tour?

Book it if you have a group large enough to spread the price, and if a private boat day sounds better than a fixed group cruise. Kolocep brings caves and snorkeling, Lopud adds Sunj Beach and a possible lunch stop, and Sudurad gives you a quieter final island with seafood and old stone buildings.

Before paying, confirm the pickup point, the exact boat and package, the lunch plan, and how the day will be adjusted for your group. Also pack towels and decide who wants swimming, walking, beach time, or a restaurant meal.

For a full group celebrating something special, this can be a memorable and practical way to see the Elaphite Islands. For two or three people, I would compare the cost carefully before committing.

FAQ

Where does the private UFO boat tour take place?

The tour is based in Dubrovnik, Croatia, and visits Kolocep Island, Lopud Island, and Sudurad on Sipan.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts about eight hours. The planned stops include two hours at Kolocep, three hours at Lopud, and three hours at Sudurad.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private boat can accommodate a group of up to 14 people. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is pickup available?

Yes, pickup is offered. The exact pickup and meeting details should be confirmed during booking.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not provided on the boat. The crew can help arrange a restaurant reservation, including on Lopud.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The tour includes wine, beer, grappa, bottled water, Coca-Cola, and iced tea. You may also bring your own drinks, and a refrigerator is available on the boat.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with life jackets for adults and children.

Are towels included?

No. You need to bring your own towels.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not eligible for a refund.