Private Full Day Sailing Tour To Elafiti Islands

Three islands, one boat, and a slower day. This private Elafiti Islands tour gives your group a pleasant escape from Dubrovnik’s crowded waterfront, with time for swimming, snorkeling, beaches, and a relaxed island lunch. I especially like the small-group format for up to six people and the freedom to enjoy the sea at your own pace.

I also like that skipper Filip handles the day with a personal touch, including restaurant reservations and useful local suggestions. The main consideration is that this is not guaranteed to be a full day under sail. When the wind is weak, the boat uses its motor for much of the route.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to six: Your group does not share the boat with a large tour crowd.
• Three island stops: Koločep, Lopud’s Šunj Beach, and Šipan each offer a different kind of break.
• Swimming is central: Plan on swimming from the boat, snorkeling, sunbathing, and possibly swimming ashore.
• Filip is both skipper and host: He is responsive before the tour and can arrange a restaurant booking on Šipan.
• Lunch and drinks cost extra: Bring water and snacks, and budget separately for your island meal.
• Eight hours on the water: The day starts at 9:00 a.m. from Lapadska obala 21 and ends there.

Why this private boat day works well from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is famous for its old walls, stone lanes, and busy summer streets. The Elafiti Islands offer a useful change of pace. Instead of moving from one city sight to another, you spend the day looking out over the water, stopping when it is time to swim, and visiting small island communities.

The private setup matters. Up to six people can share the boat, so you are not tied to the needs of a large group. If your family wants a long swim, your friends want a quiet ride, or someone prefers to sit in the shade, the day can move at a gentler rhythm.

That slower pace is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. It is less about ticking off every possible sight and more about enjoying the southern Dalmatian coast. The route includes roughly four hours of sailing and cruising, so you should expect a fair amount of time simply spent moving across the water.

The tour runs for about eight hours, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at Lapadska obala 21 in Dubrovnik. It returns to the same meeting point. If you are staying outside Dubrovnik, arrange your own ride to the marina. The estimated Uber cost is about 40 euros, but that figure can change and transport is not included.

Koločep gives you the first proper swim

The first stop is Koločep, where you get about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. This is a good opening stop because it lets you settle into the boat day without rushing straight into a town visit.

The plan centers on the water rather than sightseeing. You might swim from the boat, use the provided snorkeling equipment, or simply stretch out and enjoy the bays. Admission is included, though that mainly means there is no separate entry charge for the stop.

I would bring your own towel, as the equipment list does not include towels. Water and snacks are also sensible, especially since food and drinks are not included. The boat has an outdoor shower, which is useful after swimming, along with a restroom onboard.

Koločep is also where you get a clear sense of the tour’s appeal. You can avoid the fixed rhythm of a large excursion and spend your first hour doing very little, which is often exactly what a day at sea should provide.

Šunj Beach brings sand and a shore option

The second main stop is Šunj Beach on Lopud, known for its sandy shore. That is a welcome contrast to the rocky swimming spots common along the Adriatic coast.

You can swim and snorkel from the boat, sunbathe onboard, or swim to shore for a drink at one of the restaurants. This gives the stop more flexibility than a simple beach drop-off. You can stay in the water, head onto the sand, or remain on the boat if you prefer not to deal with the shore.

The description allows about an hour here, although the exact flow can depend on sea conditions and the skipper’s judgment. If you have young children, ask Filip about the safest way to reach shore. One family found the boat well suited to two small children, with good-quality buoyancy vests provided for them.

The beach is likely to be the most conventional stop of the day, so do not expect complete solitude. The advantage is variety. After a quiet swim in a bay, Šunj offers sand, restaurants, and the choice to step ashore for a short break.

Šipan is the best stop for lunch and local atmosphere

Šipan is the final island stop and gives the day a more cultural and social element. You can walk through the town, visit Škocibuha Castle, swim at the beach, or sit down for a meal at a local restaurant.

This is where the skipper’s local contacts can make a real difference. Filip has arranged lunch reservations for groups at a fish restaurant on Šipan, including on days when the small restaurant was fully booked. That is useful because island dining options can be limited, especially when several boats arrive around the same time.

Lunch is not included in the tour price, so keep money aside for the meal. Soda, alcohol, and other drinks are also extra. One practical approach is to bring water and a few snacks, then treat the restaurant as a relaxed island lunch rather than relying on it for every drink or bite during the day.

Šipan works well as the longest shore-based pause. The supplied timing allows about two hours for the island visit, but the precise balance between walking, swimming, and lunch can vary. If you care most about the castle or the town, tell Filip early. If lunch and swimming matter more, he can help shape the stop around those priorities.

The island is also a good reason to choose this tour over a simple beach cruise. You get time to see a small community rather than only viewing the coast from the deck.

Sailing time is part of the experience

The tour includes several hours of sailing and cruising, not just a series of quick stops. That can be a pleasure if you like the rhythm of the sea, but it is worth understanding before you book.

The boat may sail under wind power when conditions allow. On calm days, the motor does more of the work. One couple enjoyed some sailing in the afternoon but noted that weak wind meant motoring for much of the day. That is not a fault with the operator. It is simply how a sailing trip works.

If your main goal is to spend all day under sail, this outing may not meet your expectations. If you want a private boat, sea views, swimming, and the possibility of sailing, it makes better sense.

The slow pace suits people who want room to talk, read, sunbathe, or watch the coast pass by. It may feel too quiet if you want constant commentary or a packed schedule of landmarks. Filip is described as friendly, professional, and easy to reach through WhatsApp, but this is still a relaxed boat day rather than a nonstop guided sightseeing program.

The boat setup is practical for a small group

The boat is described as being in good condition and well suited to a group of four, with room for up to six. The small capacity helps keep the day personal and makes it easier for the skipper to pay attention to your group.

You have access to:

• Snorkeling equipment
• An outdoor shower
• A restroom onboard
• Fuel costs included in the tour price
• Buoyancy vests for children, as needed

The outdoor shower is especially handy after swimming at Koločep or Šunj. The restroom removes one common worry on a long day at sea, though you should still use facilities at the marina before departure.

I would pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, water, and snacks. Bring a dry bag or another way to protect phones and cameras. The tour provides snorkeling gear, but you may prefer to bring your own mask if you need a particular fit.

Because lunch, soft drinks, and alcohol are excluded, your packing list should include more than beach gear. You do not need to carry a full picnic if you plan to eat on Šipan, but water is important.

What the 692-dollar group price really means

The listed price is $692.36 per group of up to six people. That is not a cheap excursion for one or two people, but the calculation changes when you fill the boat.

For six people, the cost works out to about $115 per person. For four, it is about $173 per person. For two, it is about $346 per person, before lunch and transport to the marina.

That makes this tour much better value for a family or friend group than for a couple traveling alone. Six people get a private boat, skipper, fuel, snorkeling equipment, a restroom, an outdoor shower, and a full eight-hour day. A smaller group pays more for the same private arrangement.

The real value is privacy and flexibility. Large group cruises may cost less per person, but you usually follow a fixed schedule and share the space with many other people. Here, your group can enjoy a quieter boat and a more personal connection with the skipper.

The price also includes the fuel surcharge, which helps avoid one common extra cost. It does not include the meal, drinks, or transport to and from the marina, so include those expenses in your budget.

Filip’s role adds useful local help

Filip is not only the person handling the boat. He also acts as the day’s main point of contact, communicating through WhatsApp before the outing and responding to questions.

That matters because boat tours depend on clear timing. Knowing where to meet, how to reach the marina, and what to bring can make the morning much easier. The provider says you can contact them for advice about getting to the marina if you are not already in Dubrovnik.

During the day, Filip can help with restaurant planning and recommendations around Dubrovnik and the islands. His local knowledge is most useful at Šipan, where advance planning can prevent you from wasting part of your shore time searching for an open table.

He also appears comfortable hosting families. One family with two young children found that he paid close attention to their safety and engaged well with the children. That makes the trip more appealing if you want a private day at sea without managing a very young group in a large crowd.

Who should book this Elafiti Islands trip

I would recommend this experience to:

• Families wanting a private boat and a calm schedule
• Couples or friends who can share the cost with another group
• Swimmers who want several chances to get into the sea
• People who prefer small island towns to busy port excursions
• Anyone who values personal service from an independent local operator
• Visitors who want a full day away from Dubrovnik’s crowded center

It is less suitable if you dislike long periods of cruising, want a strict sightseeing schedule, or expect the boat to sail under wind power all day. It also may not be the best financial choice for only two people unless privacy is your top priority.

The trip is described as suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation, with bus 6 mentioned as an easy way to reach the marina. Still, confirm your route and allow time to arrive before the 9:00 a.m. start.

Booking and weather details to keep in mind

This tour is often booked well ahead, with an average advance booking time of 85 days. That suggests you should reserve early if your Dubrovnik dates are fixed, especially during the summer.

You receive confirmation at booking, and free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

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

Since this is a private activity, only your own group participates. That is the central feature of the experience, not a minor detail. You are paying for personal space, a flexible rhythm, and direct attention from the skipper.

Should you book this private sailing tour?

Book it if you want a full, unhurried day on the water with swimming, snorkeling, one sandy beach, and time on Šipan. I particularly like the combination of private space and practical local help from Filip, along with the chance to have lunch at a small island restaurant rather than eating on a crowded boat.

The best value comes with four to six people. Share the cost with family or friends, bring water and towels, and set aside money for lunch and drinks. Go in expecting a mix of sailing and motor cruising, not eight straight hours of wind-powered sailing.

For a private escape from Dubrovnik, this is a strong choice. It gives you the sea, three different island experiences, and enough empty time to enjoy the day instead of chasing the clock.

FAQ

How long does the Elafiti Islands tour last?

The private tour lasts approximately eight hours. It starts at 9:00 a.m. and ends back at Lapadska obala 21 in Dubrovnik.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Koločep Island, Šunj Beach on Lopud, and Šipan. The remaining time is spent sailing or cruising among the Elafiti Islands.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included. The group will stop for lunch on one of the islands, and drinks, soda, and alcoholic beverages are also separate costs.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with an outdoor shower and a restroom onboard.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to six people. Only your group participates in the activity.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.