Full Day Sailing Tour To Elafiti Islands from Dubrovnik

The Adriatic rewards a slower pace. This eight-hour sailing trip from Dubrovnik combines quiet coves and swimming stops with time on three Elafiti Islands, all aboard a boat limited to six people. I like the small-group setting, which feels far more personal than a large excursion boat, and I like that captain Filip adjusts the day to the weather and the group.

You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, stroll through an island town, and stop for an optional seafood lunch. The main consideration is that lunch, transport to the marina, and any drinks are extra. Sailing also depends on wind, so some of the day may be spent motoring rather than gliding under full sail.

Key points to know before booking

• Small boat, maximum six people: This is a quiet alternative to crowded island cruises, with room for conversation and personal attention from Filip.
• Three distinct island stops: Koločep offers bays and beach time, Šunj brings sandy shoreline, and Šipan adds a town walk and lunch option.
• Swimming is central to the day: Snorkeling gear, an outdoor shower, and several opportunities to enter the water are included.
• Filip shapes the experience: He is praised for his sailing skill, local insight, restaurant suggestions, and clear meeting instructions.
• Lunch is optional and extra: The strongest food experiences come from choosing a local restaurant on Šipan, often for fresh fish and wine.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund, and light wind may limit actual sailing.

Why this small sailing trip works so well

The Elafiti Islands sit just northwest of Dubrovnik, close enough for a full-day outing but far enough to give you a break from the city’s stone streets and cruise crowds. This tour uses the sea as its main setting. You spend part of the day moving between islands and the rest swimming, snorkeling, sunning yourself, or walking ashore.

The boat takes no more than six people. That number matters. You are not being moved through the islands in a floating crowd, and Filip can answer questions, suggest a good place for lunch, or adjust the pace without managing dozens of people. Several parties have even taken the tour with only two participants, with the trip still going ahead.

I also like the practical setup. There is a restroom on board, an outdoor shower, and storage space in the cabin according to the tour details and firsthand accounts. Those are small comforts, but they matter during an eight-hour day at sea, especially when you are wet from swimming or carrying bags and towels.

The meeting point is at Lapadska obala 21a, in Dubrovnik, with a 9:00 a.m. departure and a return to the same place. Filip has contacted some customers through WhatsApp before departure to make the meeting instructions clear. Private transportation to and from the meeting point is not included, so plan that part yourself.

Koločep: your first hour in the islands

Koločep is the first planned stop, with about an hour set aside for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. The appeal here is simple: you get into the water quickly, before the day becomes too hot and before you have spent hours sitting on the boat.

The island is known for clear bays and attractive beaches, and the stop is built around water time rather than a long shore excursion. Bring a swimsuit under your clothes, because this is not the place for a slow changeover. You can use the supplied snorkeling equipment to look for aquatic life, although the tour does not promise a particular marine species or a guided snorkeling lesson.

An hour is enough for a refreshing swim and a little time in the sun, but it is not enough for a serious island walk. If you want old buildings, local stories, or a long café stop, save that appetite for Šipan. Koločep works best as an early outdoor pause.

The boat itself is part of the experience. Several accounts describe it as comfortable and well kept, with Filip handling the vessel carefully. You might spend the passage sitting on deck, watching the coast slide by, or simply drying off after the swim. The remaining hours of the tour are sailing time, so the journey between stops is not dead time.

Šunj Beach: sandy shore and an easy choice

Next comes Šunj Beach on Lopud, one of the best-known sandy beaches in the Elafiti group. Sand is a useful change after rocky Croatian swimming spots, and Šunj gives you several ways to spend the hour.

You can swim and snorkel from the boat, sunbathe on board, or swim to shore for a drink at one of the restaurants. If you dislike climbing onto an unfamiliar beach or carrying wet gear through shallow water, staying with the boat is the easier option. If you want your feet on sand and a cold drink in hand, head ashore.

The stop lasts about an hour, so keep an eye on the time. A short swim to the beach, a drink, and a return to the boat can fill the window quickly. The tour is not designed as a full beach day at Šunj, and that is worth knowing before you arrive.

This is also one of the places where conditions can shape the plan. The itinerary allows for swimming from the boat, but the exact feel of the stop depends on sea conditions and the captain’s judgment. Filip is praised for keeping safety in mind and for finding attractive swimming places away from the heaviest crowds.

Šipan: the longest stop and the best lunch option

Šipan gets roughly two hours, making it the most substantial island visit. Here you can walk through the town, visit Škocibuha Castle, swim at the beach, or stop for food. I see this as the tour’s best balance of water time and local life.

The town walk gives you a break from the boat without turning the day into a formal sightseeing tour. Škocibuha Castle adds a historical point of interest, while the beach gives you one more chance to swim. You decide how to divide the time, though two hours is still modest if you want a long meal, a walk, and a swim.

Lunch is optional and not included in the $157.22 price. This is important when comparing the tour with other boat trips. The fare covers the boat, fuel, snorkeling gear, restroom, and shower, but you should budget separately for a restaurant meal and drinks.

Filip’s restaurant suggestions are a major part of the day for many people. The most frequently praised choice is a local seafood meal, especially fresh fish, sometimes paired with local wine. One account describes fish caught that morning, while another highlights a meal in a fishing village. Those details make lunch feel like more than a convenient break, but you are still paying for it yourself.

You may also hear recommendations for a local winery or a family-owned winery along the way. Treat those suggestions as optional rather than guaranteed parts of the program. The fixed plan gives you time on Šipan, while the precise restaurant or extra stop can depend on timing and conditions.

Sailing time: the quiet middle of the day

The islands are only part of the experience. The hours between them are when you get the open-water views, the breeze, and the chance to settle into the boat’s rhythm. The tour is called a sailing trip, but the boat cannot always sail under wind power.

Several people enjoyed raising the sails for photographs even when the wind was too weak for a full sailing run. That is a useful expectation to set. On a calm day, you may motor between islands, with the sails raised briefly or not at all. On a breezier day, you may get more of the quiet, smooth sailing that makes this outing special.

I appreciate that the tour does not pretend weather is a minor detail. If conditions are poor, the operator can cancel and offer another date or a full refund. If there is not enough wind, Filip can still make the trip worthwhile with swimming stops, island time, and local information.

The open water also gives you a different view of Dubrovnik and the surrounding coast. Filip is praised for explaining island life, local landmarks, and the history of the area in clear English. The tone appears conversational rather than formal, which suits a small boat much better than a scripted announcement.

What the $157.22 price really buys you

At $157.22 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Elafiti Islands. Large group boats can sometimes offer a lower headline price, especially if you are mainly looking for transport and a beach stop.

The value here comes from control over the day. A maximum of six people means fewer delays, less crowding, and more room for Filip to respond to your interests. You also get snorkeling equipment, a restroom, an outdoor shower, fuel, and the boat itself included in the price.

For a couple, the price may feel high compared with a standard shared cruise, particularly if you add lunch and drinks. For a family or small group that can fill the boat, the calculation improves because you are paying for a more private-feeling outing without chartering a much larger vessel.

The food stop can also affect your budget. A seafood lunch with wine may be one of the day’s highlights, but it is an extra purchase, not part of the fare. You should also account for getting to Lapadska obala 21a, since private transport is not provided.

If your priority is a polished small-group boat, swimming, personal guidance, and a relaxed pace, the price is easier to justify. If you only want to reach a sandy beach as cheaply as possible, another excursion may suit you better.

Comfort, equipment, and what to bring

This is an active day, but it is not a strenuous one. Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. You will need to manage your own comfort in the sun, since the tour includes long periods outdoors.

The included snorkeling equipment saves you from packing a mask and fins, though you may still prefer to bring your own mask if fit matters to you. The outdoor shower is useful after swimming, and the onboard restroom means you are not dependent on facilities at every island.

Pack a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, a hat, drinking water, and a cover-up for the town stop. Bring some money or a card for lunch and drinks. A waterproof pouch can help protect phones and valuables during the swimming stops, though the provided information does not specify a dedicated dry-storage system.

Wear footwear that works for both a boat and an island walk. Šipan includes a town visit and possibly Škocibuha Castle, so flip-flops may be fine for the beach but less useful if you plan to walk around.

The boat is described as comfortable and in good condition, with cabin space for storing bags and changing. Still, this is a small sailing boat, not an air-conditioned coach or a large cruise vessel. If you need lots of indoor room, prefer a highly structured schedule, or dislike being exposed to sun and sea spray, consider that before booking.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend it most strongly to couples, families, and small friend groups who want a private-feeling day without arranging a full private charter. It also suits anyone who values swimming and scenery more than ticking off a long list of landmarks.

It is a good match if you want:

• Several chances to swim and snorkel
• A sandy beach as well as rocky island coves
• A small group of no more than six
• A flexible lunch stop on Šipan
• Local conversation and practical recommendations from the captain
• A calm escape from Dubrovnik’s busiest areas

It may be less suitable if you want guaranteed full-time sailing, a full meal included, or a packed historical tour. The schedule gives you a taste of each island rather than hours at any one location. The one-hour stops can feel brief if you want both a long swim and a serious shore visit.

Filip’s role is central. He is repeatedly praised for being friendly, professional, safe, and good company, as well as for explaining the islands and Dubrovnik. The experience seems particularly strong for people who want a captain who also acts as a local host.

Booking, cancellation, and timing tips

The tour starts at 9:00 a.m. from Lapadska obala 21a and returns there after about eight hours. It is commonly reserved well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 48 days, so you should not assume a last-minute summer place will be available.

You receive confirmation at booking. The operator requires good weather, and a cancellation for poor conditions brings the choice of another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number needed to run the tour is not met.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted, with cutoffs based on local Dubrovnik time.

I would choose a date with some flexibility if your schedule allows. That gives you a better chance of enjoying warm water, good visibility, and a comfortable ride, though the exact weather cannot be guaranteed.

Should you book the Elafiti Islands sailing tour?

Book it if you want a small, personal day on the water with swimming, snorkeling, island scenery, and a strong chance of a good local meal. The combination of Koločep, Šunj, and Šipan gives the day variety, while the six-person limit keeps it relaxed.

I would skip it if your main goal is the lowest possible price, a guaranteed sail under full canvas, or a long guided tour on land. For everyone else, especially couples and small groups escaping Dubrovnik’s crowds, this looks like one of the better ways to spend a full day outside the city. Make room in your budget for lunch, arrive ready to swim, and let the weather determine how much of the day is spent sailing.

FAQ

How long is the sailing tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 9:00 a.m.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is Lapadska obala 21a, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Which islands are included?

The planned stops are Koločep Island, Šunj Beach on Lopud, and Šipan.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is optional and is not included in the tour price. A lunch stop takes place on one of the islands.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

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

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of six travelers.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.