Dubrovnik Islands Private Rented Boat Cruise

Island days beat city heat. This private eight-hour boat cruise gives your group control of the day, with a skipper, fuel, drinks, and room for up to 12 people. I especially like the freedom to choose your pace and the chance to combine the Blue Cave, sandy Šunj Beach, and quiet island stops in one outing. The main consideration is the price: $924.18 per group is good value for a large party, but expensive for only two or three people.

I also like the human touch. Tino has been praised for asking the group what it wanted instead of forcing a fixed route, while another captain and his wife shared small history lessons and helped arrange lunch at a local island restaurant. The boat’s shaded area is useful for families, though the itinerary depends on weather and your group will need to pay separately for any monument entrances.

Key points before you book

• Private boat for up to 12 people: You get the boat and skipper to yourselves, which makes this a strong choice for families and groups of friends.
• Three Elafiti Islands in one day: Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan offer different pleasures, from caves and swimming to beaches, gardens, and old buildings.
• Blue Cave and Šunj Beach: Snorkeling near the cave and swimming at Lopud’s sandy lagoon are the main outdoor highlights.
• Flexible route: Your skipper can shape the day around swimming, relaxing, walking, snorkeling, or lunch.
• Drinks included: Water, soft drinks, white wine, and red wine are included, with some boats also offering beer.
• Gruž Port departure: The boat leaves from Gruž Port Parking and returns there after roughly eight hours.

Why a private Elafiti Islands day works

Dubrovnik is famous for stone walls and crowded lanes, but the sea gives you a different view of the region. From a private boat, you can see the coast from offshore, stop for a swim, and spend less time watching the clock.

The Elafiti Islands sit close to Dubrovnik, yet each has a different feel. Koločep is known for natural scenery and the Blue Cave. Lopud pairs a village setting with Šunj Beach, a rare sandy stretch in this part of the Adriatic. Šipan is the largest of the three and offers a mix of beaches, countryside, gardens, and historic buildings.

The private format matters. A shared cruise often has to follow a set route and departure schedule. Here, your group can tell the skipper that you want more swimming, less walking, a longer lunch, or a quieter cove. That flexibility is especially useful when your party includes children, grandparents, and strong swimmers with different ideas about a perfect day.

The boat accommodates a maximum of 12 passengers. At full capacity, this is an intimate group outing rather than a quiet couples trip, but you still avoid sharing the boat with strangers. For a family reunion or group holiday, that can make the per-person cost reasonable.

Starting at Gruž Port and getting on the water

The meeting point is Gruž Port Parking at Obala Stjepana Radića 39. The tour returns to the same place, which keeps the day simple and avoids arranging a separate ride home from an island.

Pickup is offered, and one group of 10 was collected and driven to the boat. The published operating hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., from February 1 through October 30, 2026. The boat outing itself lasts about eight hours, so check the exact start time when you book.

The boat named Đivo is described as 12 meters long, with a fridge, CD player, and life jackets. The name Nara also appears in a separate account, so the boat assigned to you may vary. That is worth confirming if the vessel itself matters to you.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and shoes that can handle a beach or rocky shore. A dry bag is sensible for phones and cameras, though the supplied information does not specify storage arrangements. You should also keep some money available for lunch and any entrance fees.

Koločep and the Blue Cave

Koločep is often the most memorable first stop because the Blue Cave gives the day a clear sense of occasion. The plan is to snorkel around the cave and swim in clear water, with the skipper helping you reach the right area.

The cave is a natural stop, not a museum visit with a formal presentation. Its appeal comes from the water, rock, light, and the chance to see it from close range. Conditions can affect how easy it is to enter or swim near the cave, so treat it as a weather-dependent highlight rather than a guarantee of a particular visual effect.

This is a good place to use the boat’s flexibility. Strong swimmers may want more time in the water, while younger children or less confident swimmers may prefer a short look followed by a shaded rest aboard. Life jackets are supplied, but the information does not describe flotation equipment beyond that, so ask the skipper about what is available for your group.

The boat carries drinks, including water and soft drinks. White and red wine are also included, but remember that alcohol and swimming are a poor mix. Save the wine for the cruising or resting portions of the day.

Lopud, Šunj Beach, and time on shore

Lopud is the island to prioritize if your group wants a proper beach stop. Šunj Beach is a sandy lagoon and is described as one of the top 10 beaches in the world. That ranking is subjective, but the sand itself is unusual and valuable in a region better known for rocky and pebble beaches.

You can swim, stretch out on the sand, or simply sit under the sun. The beach makes a welcome change from spending the whole day aboard, especially for children who want space to play. At the same time, the beach can become the busiest-feeling part of your route, and a popular sandy shore is less secluded than a small rocky swimming spot.

Lopud also has historical buildings and botanical gardens worth seeing. You do not need to choose between beach time and a short walk, but you should tell the skipper what matters most. A group intent on swimming may spend only a little time ashore. A group interested in architecture and gardens may want to shorten one of the swim stops.

A lunch break at a local restaurant is another good use of Lopud or one of the other islands. One outing included a particularly enjoyable island lunch, but lunch is not listed as included in the price. Plan to pay for your own meal, and allow enough time if your group is large.

Šipan for a slower island stop

Šipan brings a different rhythm to the day. It is suitable for swimming, a picnic, a walk, or a look at historic buildings and gardens. The island gives you room to vary the day after the more specific attractions of the Blue Cave and Šunj Beach.

If you prefer a quiet break, ask to spend time near a beach and eat a picnic. If you want more than sun and water, use the island’s historical sites and gardens as your shore activity. Entrance fees to monuments are not included, so you should ask before entering anything that charges admission.

The main challenge is time. Three islands sound generous, but eight hours passes quickly once you include cruising, swimming, shore walks, and lunch. You may not get a full, unhurried visit to every part of Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. I would choose one main goal at each island rather than trying to see everything.

A sensible outline is Koločep for the cave and snorkeling, Lopud for Šunj Beach and lunch, and Šipan for a slower final stop. Your skipper may recommend a different order based on conditions and your group’s wishes.

A skipper-led day, not a rigid excursion

The skipper is central to the quality of this experience. You are not simply renting a boat and being left to work out the route. A skipper handles the boat and helps your group decide how to use the day.

Tino is praised for greeting a group of 10, taking them to the boat, and asking what they wanted to do instead of insisting on a fixed program. The group chose his favorite places, which is a useful reminder to speak up early. Tell the skipper if swimming, beaches, food, photographs, or island walks matter most.

Another outing had a skipper and his wife acting as both hosts and guides. The skipper shared short history lessons while passing landmarks, and the couple helped create a relaxed day with drinks and a local lunch stop. The available accounts do not provide their names, so you should not expect the same pair on every departure.

This personal approach is one of the strongest reasons to choose the private option. You can ask questions, change the pace, and avoid spending an hour at a stop that does not suit your group. The tradeoff is that the experience depends partly on communication. If you say nothing, the skipper has less information to work with.

What is included, and what still costs extra

The $924.18 group price includes the skipper, fuel, the boat for up to eight hours, and unlimited drinks. Those drinks include water, soft drinks, white wine, and red wine. One account also mentions beer, but beer is not listed in the formal inclusions, so I would not rely on it unless you confirm it before departure.

Fuel is an important inclusion on a private boat. You do not need to watch the meter as the route changes, and you can ask for another swim stop without worrying that every extra movement will add a fuel charge.

Lunch is not included. Neither are entrance fees to historical monuments on the islands. You may also want to budget for any personal purchases during a beach or village stop.

For 12 people, the price works out to about $77 per person. At 10 people, it is about $92 each. For four people, it is about $231 each, which is harder to justify unless privacy and flexibility are your top priorities. Large families and friend groups get the clearest value.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would recommend this outing to a group that wants control over its time. Families benefit from the private boat, shaded seating, life jackets, and ability to adjust activities for children and grandparents. One family of 10 specifically enjoyed having different activities available for several generations.

It also suits friends who want a relaxed day with swimming, wine, music, and lunch rather than a tightly managed sightseeing schedule. The boat has a CD player, and the included drinks help keep the day easygoing.

You should think twice if your main goal is a formal historical tour. The skipper may provide short explanations and point out landmarks, but this is primarily a sea, beach, and nature outing. Monument entrance fees are extra, and the amount of historical detail will depend on your skipper and your group’s interests.

It may also be a poor fit for a very small party. The private price is charged per group, not per seat, so two people pay the same total as 12. In that case, compare the cost with a shared excursion.

Weather, comfort, and practical limits

The experience is outdoors, and your day depends on the sea. A rainy outing can still include drinks, island views, and a skipper who keeps the mood pleasant, but swimming and beach time become less appealing. One account describes a good day despite rain, with wine, water, juice, cheese, and snacks available.

Shade is a useful detail. A family with children and grandparents specifically appreciated that the boat was well shaded. Still, you should bring sun protection because you will likely spend time on beaches and in open areas.

Most people can participate, and the tour is near public transportation. The supplied information does not give detailed access information for the boat, beaches, or caves, so contact the provider if anyone in your group has mobility needs.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The booking confirmation is issued at the time of reservation.

Is this Dubrovnik boat cruise worth booking?

Book it if you have a larger group and want a full day shaped around your own priorities. The Blue Cave, Šunj Beach, clear swimming spots, island walks, drinks, and private skipper make a strong package, especially for families and groups of friends.

I would be less enthusiastic for a couple or a small group unless privacy is worth the high total price. I would also set realistic expectations: you are choosing a flexible island day, not a detailed history tour or a guaranteed visit to every corner of three islands.

For the best value, gather close to 10 to 12 people, decide your top three activities before departure, and tell the skipper clearly. If your ideal day includes a cave swim, sandy beach, local lunch, and time to relax without a packed schedule, this is a smart Dubrovnik choice.

FAQ

Where does the boat cruise start?

The cruise starts at Gruž Port Parking, Obala Stjepana Radića 39, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Where does the experience end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the boat tour last?

The boat tour lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat accommodates a maximum of 12 passengers, and only your group participates.

Which islands can I visit?

The route can include Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan in the Elafiti Islands.

Is the Blue Cave included?

The itinerary includes a visit to Koločep and snorkeling at the Blue Cave area.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited water, soft drinks, white wine, and red wine are included. Beer is mentioned in one account but is not part of the formal inclusions.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the price. You can choose to picnic or eat at a local restaurant, with your own meal paid separately.

Are monument entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees to historical monuments on the islands are not included.