Dubrovnik : Full Day Group Sail Boat Tour to Elaphiti & Blue Cave

The best part of Dubrovnik may be offshore. This eight-hour sailing trip takes you from Dubrovnik to the Elaphiti Islands for swimming, snorkeling, beach time, a seaside lunch stop, and a possible visit to the Blue Cave. I especially like the small maximum group of eight, which gives you room to move around the boat, and the flexible day, since the captain can adjust stops to suit the group.

I also like that the price of $170.43 includes sailing, a welcome drink, coffee or tea, snorkeling and diving equipment, a stand-up paddleboard, and use of the outdoor shower. The main thing to consider is that lunch and other food are not included, and the Blue Cave and Šipan stops depend on time and the group’s wishes.

Key points to know before booking

• Only eight people maximum: This is a much more personal setup than the large excursion boats leaving Dubrovnik harbor.
• Koločep comes first: You get an early swim and snorkel stop, with about an hour in one of the Elaphiti Islands’ bays.
• Šunj Beach is the sandy highlight: Lopud’s famous beach offers a change from the rocky coves and clear water around the islands.
• Lopud shapes the middle of the day: You can eat at a seaside restaurant, swim, walk through the village, or visit a fourteenth-century monastery.
• The Blue Cave is not guaranteed: It is possible at Koločep, but the final plan depends on time and what the group wants.
• Bring your own snacks and preferred drinks: Basic drinks are supplied, but food is not available on the boat.

Setting out from Lapad at 9:30

The tour begins at Lapadska obala 4 in Dubrovnik at 9:30 a.m. and returns to the same meeting point. You will need to make your own way there unless you arrange optional pickup and drop-off, so check your route before booking rather than assuming hotel transport is included.

The timing gives you a full day on the water without requiring a very early start. That matters in Dubrovnik, where a relaxed morning can be welcome after a late evening in the Old Town. Still, arrive ready for the day, since the schedule includes several stops and the boat leaves at a set time.

The group limit is one of the strongest reasons to choose this sailing trip. With no more than eight people, you should have a better chance to talk with the skipper, find a comfortable place in the sun or shade, and get in and out of the water without the bustle of a large boat. One skipper may run the boat alone, as Captain Dragan has done, and the experience is described as efficient and friendly.

The boat has a sunshade, which is a practical detail rather than a luxury. You will spend much of the day outside, and shade becomes valuable after repeated swims. An outdoor shower also lets you rinse off saltwater before lunch or the ride back to Dubrovnik.

Koločep brings the first swim

After leaving the starting point, the boat sails toward Koločep, the first of the three main Elaphiti Islands on the route. The plan allows roughly two hours in this area, including sailing time and about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing.

Koločep is a good first stop because it gets you into the water early. Instead of spending the opening part of the tour only looking at the coast, you can settle into the rhythm of the day with a swim in a quiet bay. The setting is described in terms of clear water, beaches, cliffs, and the sound of birds, so this is likely to feel more natural and peaceful than Dubrovnik’s busy waterfront.

Snorkeling equipment is included, as is basic diving equipment. If you want to spend time looking beneath the surface, you will not need to rent the gear separately. The boat also carries a stand-up paddleboard, giving you another way to use the water if you prefer paddling to swimming.

The Blue Cave may be added at Koločep, but you should treat it as a possibility rather than a promise. The stop depends on the group’s wishes and the available time. If seeing the cave is your main reason for booking, ask about its likelihood before departure. If you are happy with swimming and sailing, the flexible arrangement works better.

Šunj Beach adds sand and beach-club time

The next major stop is Šunj Beach on Lopud, usually for about an hour. This is the sandy beach portion of the day, and it provides a useful contrast to the rocky bays and open-water swimming around Koločep.

You can swim, snorkel near the rocks, lie on the sand, or swim to shore for a drink at the beach club. The beach is described as a place where you may want to stay all day, but the schedule gives you only about an hour here. That is enough for a refreshing stop, though not enough for a slow beach day.

If you prefer an active outing, use this time for swimming and snorkeling. If your ideal day is mostly relaxation, you may feel that the stop moves quickly. The full route has several islands to cover, so this tour is better for variety than for spending half a day in one spot.

The sandy beach also makes Šunj a useful choice for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can use the water, while others can stay on the beach or visit the club. Bring sun protection and anything you might want between swims, since food is not provided onboard.

Lopud is the best all-around island stop

Lopud receives about two hours, making it the most substantial land stop of the day. The boat plans lunch at a restaurant by the sea, around 20 meters from the beach. Lunch is not included in the tour price, so you should budget separately for your meal.

This is where the trip becomes more than a sequence of swimming stops. You can walk through the village, eat beside the water, return to the beach for a swim, or visit a local monastery dating from the fourteenth century. The choices are simple, but that is part of the appeal. You are not being rushed through a long list of sights.

A reserved table by the water has been arranged for groups in the past, which makes the lunch stop easier. Still, do not expect a meal to be covered by your ticket. If you have dietary needs or want snacks during the sailing portions, bring them with you.

I would give Lopud priority if you need to choose how to spend your time. It combines a village walk, a cultural sight, a restaurant, and swimming close together. The schedule gives you enough time to do two or three of these, but probably not all of them at a leisurely pace.

Šipan depends on the clock

Šipan is the final possible island stop, with about an hour set aside if time allows. This stop is optional, especially if the group has already spent enough time at lunch on Lopud.

If the boat reaches Šipan, you can walk around the small village, swim in clear water, or sit with a cold drink at one of the restaurants. The stop sounds less structured than Lopud, which may suit you if you want a quiet finish rather than another planned activity.

The drawback is simple: you cannot count on Šipan being part of the day. The tour covers several islands, and time spent at Koločep, the Blue Cave, Šunj Beach, or lunch can change the schedule. I would see Šipan as a welcome extra, not a deciding factor.

The same applies to the final sailing time. The remaining hours are used for cruising and possible swims in passing bays. Those unscheduled moments may become some of the most enjoyable parts of the trip, especially if you like being on the water more than checking off stops.

A relaxed boat day, with room to personalize it

The strongest feature of this outing is its adjustable pace. You can swim often, use the paddleboard, snorkel from the boat, sunbathe, walk on an island, or simply stay seated and watch the coast pass by. The skipper may explain the sailing lines and, depending on the situation, let you take the wheel.

That hands-on element has been a highlight for some people, but you should not book this as a formal sailing lesson. Free sailing instruction is included, yet the main product is a day on the water. The amount of instruction and participation will naturally depend on the skipper, conditions, and the wishes of the group.

Captain Dragan has been praised for running the boat efficiently and keeping conversation easy. Another skipper named Zeba has also been described as personable and attentive. Since the supplied information refers to both names, confirm who will operate your departure if having a particular skipper matters to you.

Basic refreshments include water, coffee, tea, and a welcome drink. The boat does not provide food, snacks, or a full drink service. One practical tip is to bring your own sandwiches, fruit, and any preferred beverages. You are allowed to bring what you want, and this will save you from relying only on the lunch stop.

Weather deserves attention. The tour requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. That policy is sensible for a sailing day, but keep a little flexibility in your Dubrovnik plans. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time, while changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Is $170.43 a fair price?

At $170.43 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Elaphiti Islands. It can still be good value if you want a full day with a small group rather than a basic boat transfer or a crowded sightseeing cruise.

The price includes the boat, crew, sailing time, swimming stops, snorkeling equipment, diving equipment, a stand-up paddleboard, coffee or tea, a welcome drink, and an outdoor shower. Those inclusions reduce the number of extras you need to arrange, though lunch remains an important additional cost.

The group limit changes the value calculation. A larger boat may offer a lower price, but you will likely have less personal space and less say in the timing. Here, you are paying partly for flexibility and a quieter onboard atmosphere.

I think the price works best for people who will actually use the water equipment and spend much of the day swimming. If you mainly want a quick view of the islands from the deck, a shorter and cheaper cruise may suit you better. If you want a full day with several swims, lunch on Lopud, and the chance to help shape the schedule, the cost is easier to justify.

The tour is popular enough that people book it about 38 days ahead on average. That is useful planning information for summer visits. The small boat can fill quickly, so do not wait until the last few days if your Dubrovnik dates are fixed.

Who should book this sailing trip?

I would choose this tour if you want a friendly, active day and do not mind carrying your own snacks. It suits couples, friends, and small families who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and casual island stops more than a tightly scripted sightseeing program.

It is also a good pick if you like meeting a small group rather than sitting among dozens of people. The boat’s size makes it easier to shift between sun and shade, speak with the skipper, and decide how active you want to be.

You should think twice if you need a guaranteed Blue Cave visit, a guaranteed Šipan stop, included lunch, or a fixed schedule with no changes. The route is designed around conditions and group preferences, so flexibility is part of the deal.

Most people can participate, but the day does involve boarding a boat, swimming, and moving around islands and beaches. If those activities sound comfortable to you, the tour offers a useful break from Dubrovnik’s stone streets and a chance to see the coast at a slower pace.

Final verdict: book it for flexibility and water time

I recommend this trip if your ideal Dubrovnik day includes clear water, repeated swims, a sandy beach, and a relaxed meal on Lopud. The eight-person limit, friendly skippers, and included water equipment give it an advantage over larger, more rigid excursions.

Book it with realistic expectations. Lunch costs extra, drinks and snacks are limited, and the Blue Cave and Šipan are not guaranteed. Bring your own food, keep your schedule flexible, and treat the day as a sailing adventure with several possible stops rather than a checklist.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Lapadska obala 4, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia, at 9:30 a.m. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the sailing tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The group is limited to a maximum of eight travelers.

Is lunch included in the ticket price?

No. Lunch is planned at a seaside restaurant on Lopud, but the meal is not included.

Is a Blue Cave visit guaranteed?

No. A visit to the Blue Cave is possible near Koločep, depending on the group’s wishes and the available time.

What happens if the weather is poor?

Because the experience requires good weather, a cancellation caused by poor conditions gives you the choice of another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time.