Reviewed · DAY TRIPS
Full day trip to the Elafiti islands with Atlantic ALL INCLUDED
The Adriatic looks better from a small boat. This private Elafiti Islands trip gives you eight hours aboard a stylish 23-foot Jeanneau Cap Camarat 755 WA, with room for up to seven people, drinks, and snorkeling gear included. I like the personal scale of the boat and the fact that the staff were born in Dubrovnik, giving the outing a clear local connection. The main drawback is the price: at $866.96 per group, it makes the most sense when you can fill most or all of the seven available places.
You start at 10:00 a.m. from Port Gruž, though pickup by boat may be arranged near your accommodation in the Dubrovnik area. I also like that this is a genuinely private activity, not a shared cruise with a large crowd. Still, the day depends on good weather, and there is no detailed island-by-island schedule, so you should book this for the boating experience and flexible time on the Elafiti Islands rather than for a tightly planned sightseeing checklist.
In This Review
- Key points to know before booking
- Why a private boat changes the Elafiti Islands day
- Setting out from Port Gruž at 10:00 a.m.
- Eight hours around the Elafiti Islands
- Snorkeling gear and drinks included
- A local Dubrovnik crew
- What the $866.96 group price really means
- Weather matters more than it does on a city tour
- Who will enjoy this private island trip most
- Booking advice for the 39-day planning window
- Should you book the Elafiti Islands boat tour?
- FAQ
- Where does the Elafiti Islands boat tour start?
- What time does the tour start?
- How long does the experience last?
- Where does the tour end?
- Is hotel pickup available?
- How many people can join the private boat?
- Are drinks included?
- Is snorkeling equipment provided?
- What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?
Key points to know before booking

- A private 23-foot Jeanneau boat carries up to seven people, keeping the group small and personal.
- The eight-hour outing focuses on the Elafiti Islands, with admission included and the trip returning to the starting point.
- Drinks and snorkeling gear are included, so you have the basics for a relaxed day on the water.
- Pickup may be available by boat near your Dubrovnik accommodation, though the main meeting point is Port Gruž.
- All staff are from Dubrovnik, which supports a local business and adds a useful sense of place.
- The strongest praise goes to the guide and the calm, scenic setting, with a 4.9 rating and 100 percent recommendation rate from 10 reviews.
Why a private boat changes the Elafiti Islands day

The Elafiti Islands sit just off Dubrovnik, making them a natural escape from the city’s stone streets and busy waterfront. A private motorboat lets you spend the day on the sea without joining a large group or following the fixed pace of a public excursion.
That matters most if you are traveling with family or friends. With space for up to seven people, you can share the boat with your own group and avoid the awkwardness of meeting strangers, waiting for a large party, or trying to hear a guide over a crowded deck.
The boat itself is a Jeanneau Cap Camarat 755 WA, measuring about 23 feet, or 7 meters. That is large enough for a comfortable private outing, but still small enough to feel close to the water. You should expect a boat trip with an intimate feel, not a floating restaurant or a large sightseeing vessel.
I like this setup for people who want a day that feels independent. You can enjoy the views, take breaks on the water, and use the included snorkeling equipment without the outing feeling like a mass-market cruise. The trade-off is that a smaller boat offers less room to spread out than a big vessel, especially if all seven places are filled.
More Day Trips in Dubrovnik
- Montenegro Full-Day Trip from Dubrovnik with Optional Boat Trip
★ 4.5 · 3,212 reviews - Mostar and Medjugorje Day Trip from Dubrovnik
★ 4.0 · 896 reviews - From Dubrovnik: Elaphite Islands Day Trip with Lunch
★ 4.4 · 670 reviews
Setting out from Port Gruž at 10:00 a.m.
The official starting point is Port Gruž at Obala Ivana Pavla II 13 in Dubrovnik. The departure time is 10:00 a.m., giving you a full daytime outing and a clear start for an eight-hour schedule.
Gruž is Dubrovnik’s working harbor and a practical place to begin a boat trip. It is separate from the Old Town, so plan your morning around reaching the port rather than assuming you can walk straight from the historic center to the boat in a few minutes.
Pickup may be available by boat near your accommodation in the Dubrovnik area. That can be a useful perk if your lodging is near a suitable waterfront point, but you should confirm the exact pickup arrangement in advance. The listed meeting point remains Port Gruž, and the activity ends back there.
I appreciate that the tour includes a return to the original meeting point. It keeps the day simple, especially if you have evening plans in Dubrovnik. You are not left figuring out a one-way transfer from a distant island or a separate marina.
Eight hours around the Elafiti Islands

The main stop is the Elafiti Islands, and the full outing lasts about eight hours. The description does not give a detailed sequence of individual islands, so you should not book this expecting a published timetable with a precise list of beaches, villages, or monuments.
Instead, think of the day as a private Adriatic outing centered on the island group. You will see more of the coast from the water than you would on a short harbor cruise, and you will have time for the boat ride itself, island views, and snorkeling.
That open structure can be a strength. A private boat trip works best when you want breathing room rather than a rigid schedule. You can enjoy the day at a more natural pace, with your own group and the boat as your base.
It can also be a limitation if you want a highly organized cultural tour. There is no stated promise of a particular village visit, meal stop, historic site, or exact snorkeling location. Ask for the planned route and stops before departure if those details matter to you.
The islands are the focus, but the boat ride is part of the attraction. From a small motorboat, the journey is not simply transportation between points. It is the central way you experience the coast, with open views and a close sense of the sea.
Snorkeling gear and drinks included

The inclusion of snorkeling gear gives the day a practical extra. You do not need to arrange separate equipment before leaving Dubrovnik, and you can use the gear if conditions and the route allow time for a swim.
The wording does not guarantee a particular snorkeling site or a set amount of time in the water. Weather, sea conditions, and the captain’s route can affect what is possible. Still, having equipment on board gives you more options than a sightseeing cruise that only provides a view from the deck.
Drinks are included as well. That sounds like a small detail, but it matters on an eight-hour outing. You can spend the day on the boat without having to treat every refreshment as an extra purchase.
You should still treat the trip as a boat day and plan accordingly. The supplied information does not specify meals, so do not assume lunch is included. If you need food during a full-day excursion, ask what you should bring or arrange before departure.
I see the drinks and snorkeling gear as useful inclusions rather than reasons on their own to book. The real value comes from having a private boat for a full day. These extras simply make the long outing easier and more flexible.
Still Dubrovnik, at a slower pace:
- Blue Cave Small-Group Boat Tour from Dubrovnik
★ 5.0 · 9,360 reviews - Full-Day Dubrovnik Elaphite Islands Cruise with Lunch and Drinks
★ 5.0 · 8,823 reviews - Dubrovnik: Epic Game of Thrones Tour + Lokrum & Saver Option
★ 4.9 · 5,995 reviews - Dubrovnik: Elaphiti Islands Full-Day Cruise with Lunch
★ 5.0 · 5,938 reviews
A local Dubrovnik crew

All staff are described as being born in Dubrovnik. That is one of the more appealing details here because the trip is tied to the place, not just operating in it.
A local crew can give the outing a more personal feel, even though the exact guiding style is not described in detail. You may get a better sense of how the coast fits into local life, and you have the chance to ask questions about Dubrovnik and the islands from people with a direct connection to the area.
The feedback places strong emphasis on the guide. One review calls the day fantastic and specifically praises the guide as excellent. Another, written in French, describes a magnificent outing during a calm period with wonderful weather. Those comments point to two things that matter on the water: good hosting and favorable conditions.
No guide’s name is provided, so I cannot tell you whom to request. I would still make a point of asking who will lead your trip and what route is expected. That simple conversation can help set the right expectations for a private day.
The local connection also supports a small Dubrovnik business. If you prefer spending your excursion budget with a locally based operator rather than a large international company, this is a meaningful advantage.
What the $866.96 group price really means

The listed price is $866.96 for a group of up to seven people. That works out to about $124 per person if you fill all seven places. With four people, the cost rises to roughly $217 per person, and for two people it is about $433 each.
That makes group size the key value question. For seven friends or family members, the price can be reasonable for eight hours on a private motorboat with drinks, snorkeling gear, and local staff. For a couple, the same trip becomes a major splurge.
I would compare this with the cost of a shared boat excursion, but price alone does not tell the whole story. A shared cruise may cost less, yet you would likely give up privacy and control over the pace. Here, you are paying for the boat to be reserved for your group.
The 23-foot Jeanneau is another part of the value calculation. It is a stylish private craft, but not a large luxury yacht. If you picture wide lounges, multiple cabins, or a full onboard meal service, this is not that kind of product. Its appeal is the compact, personal format.
The high recommendation rate and 4.9 score from 10 reviews support the idea that the experience delivers well for the right audience. The review sample is small, so I would treat the rating as encouraging rather than final proof. The strongest pattern is clear, though: the private format, guide, and beautiful weather can combine for an excellent day.
Weather matters more than it does on a city tour

This activity requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.
That policy is fair, but the weather condition is more than a booking footnote. On a boat, wind and rough water can affect comfort, visibility, swimming, and the overall mood of the day. A cloudy or windy outing may still be scenic, but it will not deliver the same easy pleasure as the calm conditions praised in the French review.
I would avoid placing this tour on the final possible day of your Dubrovnik stay if you can help it. The more flexibility you have, the easier it is to move the trip if weather changes. That is especially important because the excursion takes a full day.
The operator also allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and the cut-off follows local time. Read those terms carefully before booking, particularly if your schedule is uncertain.
Who will enjoy this private island trip most

I would recommend this experience to a group of friends, a family, or a small celebration party that wants a full day on the water. The capacity of seven makes it especially attractive when you can divide the price among a nearly full group.
It also suits people who value privacy. You can spend the day with your own companions, with no large tour group shaping the schedule. The included snorkeling gear makes it a good fit if you want the possibility of getting in the water rather than only viewing the islands from the deck.
The tour may be less suitable if you want extensive historical commentary or a detailed cultural program. The supplied plan centers on visiting the Elafiti Islands, not on guided walks, museum visits, or a formal lecture.
It may also be a poor value for one or two people unless a private boat is a high priority. In that case, compare the cost with other private charters and shared excursions in Dubrovnik before committing.
Most people can participate, and the activity is near public transportation. Still, the information does not give detailed accessibility specifications for the boat, so ask the operator about boarding and mobility needs before booking.
Booking advice for the 39-day planning window
This trip is booked an average of 39 days in advance. That suggests you should not wait until the last minute if your dates are fixed, especially during Dubrovnik’s busy season.
The advance-booking pattern also tells you something about the product. A private boat with a maximum of seven people has limited daily capacity. Once that boat is reserved, the operator cannot easily add another group to the same departure.
At booking, confirm the pickup point, the exact route, what food you should bring, and who will guide the trip. The listed start is 10:00 a.m. at Port Gruž, but boat pickup near your accommodation may be possible in the Dubrovnik area.
I would also ask how the day is expected to unfold around snorkeling and island time. The published details promise the Elafiti Islands, drinks, and snorkeling equipment, but not a fixed schedule for each activity.
Should you book the Elafiti Islands boat tour?
Book it if you have a group of several people, want a private boat, and see the Adriatic itself as the main attraction. The small Jeanneau, eight-hour duration, included drinks and snorkeling gear, local Dubrovnik crew, and strong guide feedback make this a polished choice for a relaxed day away from the city.
Think twice if you are traveling alone or as a couple and are mainly searching for the lowest-cost way to see the islands. The group price becomes much harder to justify with fewer people, and the route does not promise a detailed set of cultural stops.
My practical verdict is simple: excellent value for a full group, expensive for a small one. Choose a date with some weather flexibility, confirm the pickup and route, and you will be booking a private day on the water rather than just a transfer to the islands.
FAQ
Where does the Elafiti Islands boat tour start?
The main meeting point is Port Gruž, Obala Ivana Pavla II 13, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia.
What time does the tour start?
The tour starts at 10:00 a.m.
How long does the experience last?
The outing lasts approximately eight hours.
Where does the tour end?
The activity ends back at the original meeting point.
Is hotel pickup available?
Boat pickup may be available near your accommodation in the Dubrovnik area. The listed main meeting point is Port Gruž.
How many people can join the private boat?
The private Jeanneau motorboat can host up to seven people.
Are drinks included?
Yes. Drinks are included in the experience.
Is snorkeling equipment provided?
Yes. Snorkeling gear is included.
What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?
You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.
Just added around Dubrovnik
- Elaphiti Islands Private Dubrovnik Boat Unique Experience★ 5.0 · 10 reviews
- Full- Day Private Speedboat Tour in Dubrovnik on Elaphiti Islands★ 5.0 · 21 reviews
- PRIVATE Wine Tour to Konavle country side★ 5.0 · 11 reviews
- Wine Lover’s Tour of Peljesac Peninsula★ 5.0 · 150 reviews
- Wine tour peninsula Pelješac★ 5.0 · 3 reviews
- Parasailing in Cavtat★ 5.0 · 62 reviews
- Welcome to Dubrovnik Walking Tour★ 5.0 · 36 reviews
- Dubrovnik at War 1991-1992 Private Walking Tour★ 5.0 · 4 reviews
Day Trips, compared.

Montenegro Full-Day Trip from Dubrovnik with Optional Boat Trip
Read our review →
Plitvice & Rastoke Guided Day Trip with Ticket
Read our review →
Krka National Park Day Trip with Boat Ride & Swimming
Read our review →
Blue Cave, Vis & Hvar Full-Day Trip by Speedboat
Read our review →
Split/Trogir: Krka National Park Day Trip with Wine Tasting
Read our review →
Plitvice and Rastoke day trip from Zagreb w/ticket (guar. dep.)
Read our review →
Split/Trogir: Krka National Park Day Trip & Boat to Skradin
Read our review →Browse the lists this tour appears in

