Private Full Day Sailing Tour To Elafiti Islands

The best part of this private Elafiti Islands sailing tour is the freedom to spend a full day on clear water without being packed onto a large excursion boat. From Dubrovnik, you’ll reach quiet swimming spots around Koločep, sandy Šunj Beach, and the island of Šipan, with time for lunch and a walk through a small harbor town.

I like two things right away: skipper Filip keeps communication clear and can help arrange a restaurant on Šipan, and your group of up to six gets its own boat and a slower pace. The main consideration is wind. On a calm day, the boat may run under power for much of the trip, with only some true sailing.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to six: You share the day only with your own group, making this a good fit for families, couples, or friends.
• Three useful island stops: Swim at Koločep, visit Šunj Beach on Lopud, and spend your longest shore time on Šipan.
• Filip is both skipper and host: He handles the boat, helps with plans, and can reserve a table for lunch.
• Eight hours gives you breathing room: About four hours are spent cruising between stops, so this is as much a day on the Adriatic as an island-hopping trip.
• Bring food money and your own drinks: Lunch, soft drinks, alcohol, and transport to the marina are not included.
• The boat is set up for swimming: Snorkeling equipment, an outdoor shower, and a restroom are provided.

A private day beyond Dubrovnik’s city walls

Dubrovnik is famous for its stone walls and busy lanes, but the Elafiti Islands offer a very different day. You trade pavement for open water, small island ports, rocky coves, and the easy rhythm of swimming whenever the skipper finds a good place.

The tour leaves at 9:00 a.m. from Lapadska obala 21, near Dubrovnik’s marina area, and returns to the same meeting point after about eight hours. That start time matters. You get a full day on the water, but you also need to plan how you’ll reach the marina in the morning.

If you are staying outside Dubrovnik, private transport is not included. The operator gives an approximate Uber cost of €40 to the marina, but that is only an estimate and can vary. A local bus may be possible from within Dubrovnik, and bus 6 has been used to reach the marina area, but you should confirm the best route from your accommodation before departure.

This is a small-group boat day, not a scheduled ferry trip. The pace can be adjusted around swimming, lunch, and the interests of your group. That makes it more personal, though it also means you should not expect a tightly timed checklist of sights.

Koločep brings the first swim

Koločep is the first planned stop, with about an hour set aside for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. The boat lets you get into the water without turning the first stop into a long shore excursion.

This is a good opening to the day. You can shake off the heat, get used to the boat, and see why the islands are valued for their clear water. The swimming is from the boat, so you should be comfortable using a ladder or stepping into deeper water. If you prefer an easy shoreline entry, ask Filip about the conditions and the best way to reach land.

The tour includes snorkeling equipment, which saves you from packing a mask and fins. Still, bring your own towel. You may also want a dry bag or another way to protect your phone, since most of the day is spent around water.

The one-hour stop is enough for a swim but not a long visit to the island. If your priority is walking through villages or sitting on a beach, Koločep is not the main stop for that. It works best as a water break at the start of a longer day.

Šunj Beach and the sandy side of Lopud

The second stop is Šunj Beach on Lopud, known for its sand. Much of the Dubrovnik area has rocky swimming edges, so a sandy beach gives this day a useful change of pace.

You can swim from the boat, sunbathe, or make your way to shore for a drink at one of the restaurants. The planned time is about an hour, which gives you enough for a swim and a quick shore visit, but not an extended beach afternoon.

Families may appreciate the choice here. You can stay close to the boat, swim, and use the included snorkeling gear, or head ashore while others in your group relax. A child who is not keen on snorkeling can still enjoy the beach, though the tour does not list dedicated children’s activities.

The beach stop also shows the value of booking a private outing. You are not tied to a large group’s program. If the water looks inviting, you can make swimming the focus. If you prefer a drink on land, you have that option too.

Do not expect an empty beach at every point in the day. Šunj is a well-known stop, and its appeal comes partly from being one of the region’s sandy beaches. The private boat gives you more space and flexibility, but it does not make a popular beach exclusive.

Šipan is the day’s best chance to slow down

Šipan is the final main island stop and the place where the tour gives you the most room to choose your own plan. You can walk through the town, visit Škocibuha Castle, swim from the beach, or sit down for a meal at a local restaurant.

The stop is listed as about two hours, which is a useful amount of time for a proper lunch and a little wandering. It also keeps the day from becoming a string of short photo stops. You get a chance to put your feet on land, stretch your legs, and see a quieter island setting.

Lunch is not included, so plan for that extra cost. Filip can help with a reservation, and this may be important because a small restaurant can fill up. If you want a particular seafood meal, tell him in advance rather than waiting until you arrive.

You should also bring water and snacks. A small shop on the island can provide drinks and ice cream, but you will be more comfortable if you do not rely on finding exactly what you want during a busy summer day.

Šipan is a better fit for you if you enjoy a relaxed meal and a short walk more than a packed schedule. The tour does not promise a long guided visit to every historic site. Instead, you get time to choose between food, swimming, and a little local history.

Four hours of cruising is part of the point

The listed stops add up to roughly four hours, while the full tour lasts about eight. The remaining time is spent sailing or cruising between the islands. That is not filler. It is the central feature of the day.

From the boat, you can watch Dubrovnik recede, move between the Elafiti Islands, and enjoy stretches of open water that you would miss on a standard land tour. The slower pace suits people who want a day outdoors rather than a race from one attraction to the next.

There is an important difference between sailing and being on a sailing boat. Wind controls the experience. On a calm day, the engine may power the boat for most of the route. You might get a pleasant period of sailing later in the afternoon, but the schedule cannot guarantee it.

I would book this for the time on the water, the swimming, and the private setting. I would not book it if your main goal is hours under full sail. That distinction keeps expectations fair.

The boat has a restroom and an outdoor shower. Those features matter on an eight-hour outing. The shower lets you rinse off salt after swimming, and the restroom means you do not need to plan every stop around finding facilities on shore.

What the private price means for your group

The cost is $692.36 for up to six people. At full capacity, that works out to about $115 per person for eight hours, before lunch, drinks, and transport to the marina.

That is not the cheapest way to reach the islands. Public boats or larger group trips may cost less per person. The private price pays for space, flexibility, a dedicated skipper, and the ability to shape the day around your group rather than follow a fixed crowd.

For six people, the value is fairly strong if you want a full day on the water. For two people, the per-person cost is much higher, so you need to care about privacy and personal service to make it worthwhile.

The price includes fuel, snorkeling equipment, the outdoor shower, and the onboard restroom. It does not include lunch, soda, alcoholic drinks, or the ride to and from the marina. Add those costs when comparing this tour with a larger excursion.

The small-group format is especially useful for families. Children can use buoyancy vests supplied for them, and the skipper can pay closer attention to the group than a crew on a crowded boat might. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, but anyone with mobility concerns should ask about boarding details before booking.

Filip’s role makes the day easier

Filip is more than the person steering the boat. He handles pre-trip communication through WhatsApp, answers questions, helps with timing, and can recommend places to eat. That kind of direct contact is useful when your day depends on weather, marina access, and restaurant availability.

He also knows the surrounding islands and can point out places to swim away from the busiest areas. You should still tell him what your group wants. A family with young children may want shorter swims and more time near shore, while a couple may prefer longer stretches on the water.

The boat has been described as a good fit for a family of four and a small private group. It is not designed for a large party. If you want room to spread out, keep in mind that six people is the stated maximum, not necessarily the ideal number for every group.

The private setup also gives you a quieter alternative to the larger boats you may see near the islands. You will still share popular areas with other people, but you have your own skipper and can spend more time in less crowded swimming spots when conditions allow.

What to pack for eight hours at sea

You should bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a change of clothes. The boat has an outdoor shower, but you will still want something dry for the ride home.

Pack drinking water and a few snacks. Lunch is bought separately, and you may stop at a shop for drinks or ice cream on Šipan, but carrying basic supplies makes the morning easier.

A phone case or dry bag is sensible. You will be moving between the boat and the water, and the best photo moments are often close to the splash zone. If you plan to use the snorkeling equipment, bring only the gear you personally prefer to use.

Finally, bring cash or a payment method for lunch and drinks. The tour price does not cover either. If you have food allergies or strong dining preferences, tell Filip early so he can help with the lunch plan.

Weather can change the whole day

Good weather is required for this outing. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

Weather also affects the character of the trip even when the boat still operates. Strong wind may make the ride more active, while calm weather may mean more engine time and less sailing. Clear conditions are best for enjoying the water, but the skipper remains responsible for deciding what is safe.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted. Keep that deadline in mind when arranging other parts of your Dubrovnik stay.

Who should book this Elafiti Islands tour?

I would choose this trip for a family, two couples, or a group of friends who want privacy and a full day at sea. It also suits people who prefer swimming, local food, and relaxed island time over a long list of formal attractions.

It is less suitable if you want a guaranteed sailing-only experience, an included lunch, or a heavily guided tour of historic sites. You also need to budget for the marina transfer if you are staying outside Dubrovnik.

The strongest reason to book is the balance of water time and choice. You can snorkel at Koločep, enjoy the sand at Šunj, eat and walk on Šipan, then spend the return journey cruising back toward Dubrovnik. The day feels spacious because no one else is setting the rhythm for your group.

Should you book it?

Book this private Elafiti Islands trip if you value room, flexibility, and a personal skipper more than the lowest possible price. The private format, included snorkeling gear, onboard facilities, and Filip’s help with lunch make the $692.36 group rate easier to justify when six people share it.

Skip it if you are traveling alone or as a couple on a tight budget, or if you want guaranteed wind-powered sailing. For the right group, though, this is a well-balanced Dubrovnik day: three distinct island stops, clear swimming water, a sandy beach, a local lunch option, and plenty of time simply moving across the Adriatic.

FAQ

How long is the private sailing tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours. It starts at 9:00 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 there.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private boat accommodates up to six people. Only your own group participates in the activity.

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.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price. You will have a lunch stop on one of the islands, and Filip can help arrange a restaurant reservation.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. The boat also has an outdoor shower and a restroom.

Is transport to the marina included?

No. Transport to and from the marina is not included. An Uber from outside Dubrovnik is estimated at about €40, but the actual cost may vary.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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