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 busy waterfront for clear water, small island harbors, and unhurried time at sea. Captain Filip takes up to six people, so you get a personal boat day rather than a crowded excursion.

I like the chance to swim straight from the boat at Koločep and Šunj, and I like that Filip can help arrange lunch at Šipan, where a small fish restaurant may need a reservation. The boat has snorkeling gear, a restroom, and an outdoor shower, useful comforts on a full day afloat.

The main consideration is the price and the wind. At $692.36 per group, this is good value for six people but costly for two. And despite the sailing title, calm weather can mean traveling by motor for much of the day.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to six: Your group has the skipper and yacht to itself, with room for a slower, more personal day.
• Three useful island stops: Koločep offers swimming and snorkeling, Šunj has a rare sandy beach, and Šipan gives you a harbor town and lunch options.
• Filip shapes the day: He can adjust the pace, suggest swim spots, and make a restaurant reservation on Šipan.
• Eight hours on the water: The tour starts at 9 a.m. at Lapadska obala 21 and returns there at about 5 p.m.
• Bring your own lunch money and drinks: Food, soft drinks, alcohol, and transport to the marina are not included.
• Wind affects the sailing: You may sail under canvas for part of the day, but calm conditions require the motor.

A private day among Dubrovnik’s Elafiti Islands

The Elafiti Islands sit just offshore from Dubrovnik, close enough for a full-day outing but far enough to give the day a different feel. The focus here is not checking off a long list of sights. It is swimming, sitting in the sun, walking through a small island settlement, and letting the skipper set a comfortable rhythm.

That pace matters. An eight-hour boat trip can feel tiring if every stop is rushed. This outing allows about an hour at Koločep, about an hour around Šunj Beach, and roughly two hours at Šipan, with the remaining time spent cruising between the islands and back to Dubrovnik.

I would choose this tour for a group that values space and flexibility. A family with children, two couples, or a small group of friends can spread out on the boat and decide how much time to spend in the water. If you want a tightly scheduled sightseeing tour with constant commentary, this may feel too relaxed.

Captain Filip is a central part of the experience. He handles the boat, keeps in touch before the trip, and helps with practical details such as finding a suitable lunch restaurant. He also provides snorkeling equipment and, for children, high-quality buoyancy vests are available on board.

Leaving Lapad at 9 a.m.

The meeting point is Lapadska obala 21 in Dubrovnik, with departure scheduled for 9 a.m. The marina is accessible by public transport, including bus 6, but your own transport to the marina is not part of the tour.

If you are staying outside Dubrovnik, the operator gives an approximate Uber cost of €40. Treat that as a rough guide rather than a fixed fare. Ask for directions before departure if you are unsure how to reach the marina, and allow enough time to arrive without turning the start of the day into a sprint.

Once aboard, the private format becomes clear. You are not waiting for a large group to gather at several hotels, and the boat is suited to a small party. The yacht has a restroom and an outdoor shower, two features that become more useful as the day goes on.

I would bring a towel, drinking water, snacks, sunscreen, and money or a card for lunch and drinks. Towels and personal refreshments are not listed among the inclusions, so it is safer to pack what you need. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, but you may prefer to bring your own mask if you have one that fits well.

Koločep: your first hour for swimming

The first stop is Koločep, one of the Elafiti Islands. The plan allows about an hour among its bays and beaches, with time to swim, snorkel, or sunbathe.

The appeal is simple: you can enter the water from the boat instead of walking to a busy beach and searching for a place to sit. For many people, this will be the strongest start to the day. The water is described as clear, and the setting gives you a quiet first swim before the island lunch stop later on.

Koločep is best approached as a water stop rather than a long island visit. You are not given hours to tour inland, so bring your mask, take a swim, and enjoy the boat’s position in the bay. If you are traveling with children, ask Filip about the buoyancy vests before anyone gets in the water.

One hour can pass quickly, especially if everyone wants time to swim and dry off. The private arrangement helps here because your group does not have to fit into a large excursion’s rigid routine, but the tour still has several planned sections. Keep an eye on the time when you go ashore or into the water.

Šunj Beach and Lopud’s sand

Šunj Beach, on Lopud, is the next major stop. Its sandy shore is the reason to come here, since many Croatian beaches are rocky or pebbled. You can swim and snorkel from the boat, sunbathe on board, or swim to shore for a drink at one of the restaurants.

This stop gives you a choice between staying on the water and setting foot on the island. I like that flexibility. If you have already had a good swim at Koločep, you can use Šunj for a change of scene. If you prefer not to walk around, you can simply remain aboard and enjoy the beach from the water.

The one-hour allowance is enough for a swim and a quick drink, but not for a long beach day. Šunj can be the most appealing stop for anyone who specifically wants sand, so decide early how you want to use the time. A swim from the boat may be easier than making the full trip to shore if the group is more interested in water than restaurants.

Snorkeling is available, but expectations should stay reasonable. This is a relaxed recreational stop, not a guided marine excursion. The value lies in the clean water, easy access, and chance to enjoy a well-known island beach without giving up your private boat.

Šipan: a slower harbor and lunch break

Šipan is the last main island stop and the place where the day shifts from swimming to island life. You can walk through the town, visit Skočibuha Castle, swim from the beach, or eat at one of the local restaurants.

The schedule allows about two hours here, which is more generous than the earlier swim stops. That makes Šipan the most flexible part of the day. You can combine a walk and lunch, or make lunch the priority and keep the rest of the time for a short swim.

Food is not included, but Filip can make a reservation. That is a useful service in a small harbor, where a popular restaurant may be full even when the island feels quiet. One meal arrangement made a real difference to the day, especially when the restaurant had no spare tables.

I would contact Filip before departure about lunch preferences. The provided information does not promise a particular restaurant or menu, so you should not book this expecting a fixed meal. Instead, think of Šipan as your chance to choose a local lunch at your own expense, with help from someone who knows the area.

Skočibuha Castle adds a bit of cultural interest, though the trip is not built around a long heritage tour. If you want a full day of monuments, this is not the right format. If you want a short walk through a harbor town between swims, Šipan fits well.

Four hours of cruising, with sailing when the wind allows

The schedule reserves about four hours for sailing and cruising. That sounds like a lot, and it is. This is not simply a transfer between three stops. Time on the water is one of the main parts of the experience.

The word sailing needs a small footnote. Wind controls the boat. On a calm day, the motor may do most of the work, with some true sailing later if conditions improve. That is not a failure of the skipper or the trip, but it is worth knowing before you book.

For me, the cruising time is valuable if you enjoy the sea itself. You can stretch out, talk with your group, watch the islands pass, and take short swim breaks when the schedule permits. It is less appealing if you need constant activity or become restless during long boat rides.

The relaxed pace also suits families. A family group found the yacht comfortable for four people, and the slow rhythm worked well with young children. Filip’s attention to safety and the availability of proper buoyancy vests are meaningful advantages for parents.

What the boat provides, and what you should pack

The boat includes an outdoor shower, a restroom, snorkeling equipment, and fuel. These are practical inclusions, not flashy extras. The shower lets you rinse off salt after swimming, while the restroom means you are not dependent on finding facilities at every stop.

You still need to budget for several items:

• Lunch on one of the islands
• Soft drinks
• Alcoholic drinks
• Transport to and from the marina
• Personal towels and snacks

The operator lists soda and alcohol separately as not included. Bring your own water and snacks if you want something between meals, but check any food and drink rules with the operator before loading the boat.

The boat is described as being in good condition and well suited to a small group. It is not presented as a large party boat, which is part of its appeal. You get a more private setting and can avoid the feeling of being packed into a large excursion vessel.

Is $692.36 a fair price?

The listed cost is $692.36 for the whole group, up to six people. With six passengers, that works out to about $115.39 each. For four people, it is about $173.09 each, and for two, about $346.18 each.

That makes the group size the key value question. Six friends or a family group can get a full private boat day for a reasonable per-person cost, especially with fuel and snorkeling equipment included. For a couple, the same price becomes a major splurge.

You are paying for privacy, a full eight-hour schedule, skipper service, flexibility, and access to several islands in one day. You are not paying for lunch, drinks, or marina transfers, so add those costs before comparing it with other boat trips.

I would book this for a group of four to six people who want to avoid a packed boat. I would think twice as a pair unless a private day on the water is a major priority. The strong value comes from sharing the fixed group price, not from the lowest possible excursion cost.

The fact that this experience is often booked about 85 days ahead is a useful planning clue. If your dates are fixed, especially in the busy summer period, reserve early rather than waiting for the last few days.

The best match for this tour

This trip suits you if you want:

• A private setting for your own group
• Several swim opportunities
• A sandy beach stop at Šunj
• A quiet lunch and walk on Šipan
• A skipper who can adjust the day
• An eight-hour outing without a packed sightseeing schedule

It is especially good for families, small groups of friends, and couples willing to pay for privacy. The children’s buoyancy vests and calm pace make it easier to plan a day with younger passengers, though every family should judge its own comfort around open water.

It is less suited to someone who wants a cheap transfer, a nonstop party, or guaranteed sailing under wind power. It is also not the best choice if you want every minute filled with guided history. The trip is about water, scenery, local food, and time at sea.

The private format lets Filip respond to the group. You might spend more time swimming if the water is the highlight, or keep the island walk and lunch longer if that suits everyone. Exact timing can shift with weather, sea conditions, and the practical needs of the day.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

You receive confirmation at booking, and the activity is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and the tour is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the day includes boarding a boat, swimming, and moving around an island, so consider your own mobility and comfort on the water.

The tour depends on good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not met, the same options apply.

For your own cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the 9 a.m. start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made later are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local time in Dubrovnik.

Should you book the Elafiti Islands sailing tour?

Book it if your ideal Dubrovnik day includes clear water, a small boat, a sandy beach, an island lunch, and plenty of time to simply cruise. The strongest reasons are the private group setting, Filip’s hands-on help, and the mix of swimming with a real stop in Šipan.

Before booking, gather enough people to make the price work, confirm your transport to Lapadska obala 21, and accept that calm weather may replace sailing with motor cruising. Bring water, snacks, towels, sunscreen, and lunch money.

For a group of four to six, I would consider this one of the more comfortable ways to see the Elafiti Islands without being swept along by a large boat schedule. For two people, book only if the privacy and full-day sea time justify the splurge.

FAQ

How long is the private Elafiti Islands 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 start?

The meeting point is Lapadska obala 21, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia. The activity also ends at this location.

Which islands and beaches are included?

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

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included. The group has a lunch stop on one of the islands, and Captain Filip can help arrange a restaurant reservation.

What is included on the boat?

The tour includes an outdoor shower, a restroom, snorkeling equipment, and the fuel surcharge.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may also result in a different date or a full refund.