Private tours to Elaphite Islands by UFO BOAT

Leave Dubrovnik’s harbor behind. This private UFO boat tour turns a day at sea into a flexible island outing, with time for swimming, snorkeling, beach stops, lunch, and a little onboard partying. You can spend the day with up to 14 friends or family members, rather than sharing the boat with a large crowd.

I especially like the private format, which gives your group control over the music, pace, and swimming stops. I also like the useful extras: snorkeling gear, life jackets for adults and children, bottled water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks are included. The main drawback is the price: at $2,601.99 per group, this makes the most sense when you have a full group to share the cost.

The roughly eight-hour outing visits Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan, with stops at the Blue Cave, Sunj Beach, and the quiet settlement of Sudurad. Pickup is offered, and the cheerful crew can help arrange lunch at Lopud, but food and towels are not included.

Key points to know before booking

• A private boat for up to 14 people: You get the boat to yourselves, making it a strong choice for families, birthdays, bachelor or bachelorette groups, and team outings.
• Three different island experiences: Kolocep brings caves and snorkeling, Lopud offers a sandy beach and restaurants, and Sudurad provides a quieter village atmosphere.
• Drinks are included: Wine, beer, grappa, bottled water, Coca-Cola, and iced tea are provided, and you can bring your own drinks for the onboard fridge.
• The Blue Cave is a major highlight: Kolocep is the best stop for swimming, snorkeling, photographs, and rock jumping with crew guidance.
• Lunch requires planning: Food is not served as part of the standard package, though the crew can reserve a restaurant on Lopud.
• The price favors larger groups: A full group of 14 brings the cost to about $186 per person, while a smaller party pays much more per person.

Why this private Dubrovnik boat day works

The Elaphite Islands sit close to Dubrovnik, but they feel removed from the city’s stone streets and summer crowds. A private boat gives you a practical way to see several islands in one day without following a fixed public ferry schedule.

The UFO boat is the visual centerpiece. Its futuristic design is meant to be part of the fun, not just a way to get from one port to another. You choose your favorite music, settle in with a drink, and let the crew suggest places to swim or stop for photos.

That flexibility matters. If your group wants more time in the water, you can focus on swimming and snorkeling. If lunch and a walk through a village matter more, you can give Lopud or Sudurad extra attention. The exact order of stops is arranged with the crew, so the day is not locked into one rigid pattern.

The boat carries up to 14 people, but the price is for the whole group. That makes this a poor deal for two or three people, yet a potentially fair one for a full family group or a large circle of friends. At full capacity, the cost works out to roughly $186 per person for eight hours, including fuel, drinks, equipment, taxes, and private transportation.

The service is also a large part of the appeal. The crew members associated with this operator include Nikola, Niko, Suzana, and Laura, and the strongest praise centers on friendly help, smooth communication, and attentive service. You should expect the crew to help with swimming spots, restaurant arrangements, and the general flow of the day.

Kolocep: caves, clear water, and the Blue Cave

Kolocep is usually the most active stop. The island is known for caves and narrow rocky formations, including the Blue Cave, which gives the boat day its most memorable natural setting.

You have about two hours here. That is enough time for a swim, snorkeling, and photographs without making the stop feel rushed. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, and life jackets are available for both adults and children.

The crew can guide you if you want to jump from the rocks. That is a useful detail, especially if you are unsure where the water is deep enough or where a safe entry point lies. You should still treat rock jumping as an optional activity, not a requirement. Families with younger children may prefer floating, swimming, and looking around the cave instead.

Kolocep is less about walking through a settlement and more about being on the water. Bring a camera, but protect it carefully around the boat and caves. The boat’s design and the rocky surroundings should provide plenty of good photo angles, particularly for groups who want something more unusual than a standard harbor cruise.

This is also the stop where the included drinks and onboard fridge begin to matter. You can cool off after snorkeling, grab water between swims, and keep the day relaxed instead of constantly returning to shore for supplies.

Lopud and Sunj Beach: the best all-round island stop

Lopud receives about three hours, making it the longest stop of the day. That extra time lets you combine beach time, lunch, a seaside walk, and a little sightseeing.

Sunj Beach is the main draw. It is a sandy beach set in a bay on the island’s southeast side, a welcome change from the rocky swimming areas common along the Adriatic coast. If you want a simple swim and sun session, this is likely the most comfortable stop.

Lopud’s main settlement sits on the northwest side of the island. You will find a seaside promenade with restaurants and coffee bars, giving you a chance to get off the boat and take a break from the sun. The island is car-free and green, so the mood here is slower than in Dubrovnik.

Lunch is not included, but the crew can make a restaurant reservation for your group. I recommend deciding early in the day if you want a sit-down meal. A group of 14 can be difficult to place at short notice, especially during the summer season.

There is also a chance to walk toward Fortress Sutvrac. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes from Lopud, and the reward is a broad view over Lopud Bay. The walk adds a little exercise and history to the day, but you should not try to fit it in if everyone mainly wants to swim at Sunj Beach.

The main trade-off at Lopud is choice. Three hours sounds generous, but it can disappear quickly if you want the beach, lunch, the promenade, and the fortress. Agree with your group beforehand about priorities. Otherwise, half the party may be ready for a walk while the other half is still enjoying the water.

Sudurad on Sipan: a quieter final stop

The final stop is Sudurad, a small settlement on Sipan, the largest of the Elaphite Islands. It offers a different mood from Kolocep and Lopud: less activity, fewer people, and a stronger sense of a traditional island community.

You have about three hours here. The village is known for clear water, beaches, bays, seafood, olive oil, and local wine. Food is not part of the boat package, so this is another place where you may want to arrange a meal or refreshments independently.

Sipan also preserves old summer residences and palaces once used by wealthy families from Dubrovnik. Two decorated buildings sit around the central square in Sudurad, with fortress-like construction that gives the settlement a distinct character.

I would treat Sudurad as the day’s slow-down stop. After the swimming and beach activity earlier in the day, you can enjoy a quiet walk, sit near the water, or have a relaxed meal. It may not provide the biggest single attraction, but it rounds out the trip well.

The drawback is that the available information does not specify exactly how much time is spent swimming, walking, or dining in Sudurad. Since the crew helps shape the day, ask about the plan early if your group has a specific goal.

What is included, and what you still need to bring

The package covers more than just the boat ride. Included items are:

• Private transportation and fuel
• All fees and taxes
• Bottled water
• Coca-Cola and iced tea
• Wine, beer, grappa, and other alcoholic drinks
• Snorkeling equipment
• Life jackets for adults and children
• Use of the onboard fridge
• Permission to bring your own drinks

The alcohol policy is clear: alcoholic drinks are for people aged 18 and over. Since the boat includes wine, beer, and grappa, you can treat the day as a party outing, but you should still plan sensibly around swimming and boat safety.

Lunch is not included. The operator does not provide food onboard, although the crew can arrange a restaurant reservation on Lopud. Towels are also not supplied, so bring your own beach towel.

You should also bring swimwear, sun protection, and a secure bag for phones and cameras. Those suggestions are basic, but they matter on a full day split between open water, beaches, and rocky caves.

The crew and the value of private service

The strongest part of this experience is the human side. The crew is described as friendly, helpful, and attentive, with particular praise for Nikola, Niko, Suzana, and Laura. Communication around transfers and arrangements has also been praised, which is important when you are coordinating a group in a busy summer destination.

A private boat changes the tone of the day. You do not have to match the interests of strangers, and you can select music that suits your group. You can also bring your own drinks, use the fridge, and ask the crew for advice about beaches, caves, lunch, and swimming areas.

There have been reports of especially fresh meals on some boat outings with this operator, but the stated package for this UFO boat does not include food. Keep that distinction in mind. Plan to buy lunch on an island rather than counting on a meal onboard.

The flexible service is useful, but it also means you should ask clear questions at the start. Confirm the order of the islands, lunch plans, how long you will spend swimming, and where the boat will meet you for reboarding.

Is $2,601.99 a fair price?

The $2,601.99 price covers up to 14 people, not one individual. At maximum capacity, the cost is about $186 per person. For 10 people, it is about $260 per person. For six people, it rises to about $434 per person.

That calculation tells you who should book. A full family gathering, wedding group, birthday party, or company outing can get reasonable value from the private format. A small group will pay a premium for privacy, the UFO boat design, a dedicated crew, drinks, and a full day among the islands.

The package also includes fuel and taxes, so you are not starting with a low headline price and then adding major boat costs later. Pickup is offered, which can save your group the trouble of arranging separate transportation to the departure point.

Still, lunch and towels cost extra. If your group wants a restaurant meal, add that to the budget. If you are comparing this with a shared excursion, the private boat will almost certainly cost more, but it gives you more control and a more personal day.

Who should book this UFO boat experience?

I would recommend it most strongly for:

• Groups of friends who want music, drinks, and swimming
• Families who prefer a private boat and flexible timing
• Bachelor, bachelorette, and birthday groups
• Company team-building outings
• Visitors who want caves, a sandy beach, and a quiet village in one day
• People who value attentive service over the lowest possible price

It is less suitable if you are traveling alone or as a couple and mainly want an inexpensive way to visit the Elaphite Islands. It may also disappoint you if you expect a food-inclusive cruise or want a tightly scheduled sightseeing tour with detailed guided commentary at every stop.

The tour operates from April 1 through November 12, 2025, daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the private Elaphite Islands tour?

Book it if your group is large enough to share the cost and you want the day to feel like your own private party at sea. The combination of Kolocep’s caves, Lopud’s sandy Sunj Beach, and Sipan’s quiet Sudurad gives you three distinct stops rather than three versions of the same beach day.

Before paying, count your group carefully, decide if you want lunch on Lopud, and remember to pack towels. If you have six or more people and value privacy, drinks, crew attention, and a futuristic boat, this is a strong Dubrovnik day trip. If price is your main concern, a shared boat or public ferry will be easier on the wallet.

FAQ

How long does the private UFO boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat can accommodate a private group of up to 14 people.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The planned stops are Kolocep Island, Lopud Island, and Sudurad on Sipan Island.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with life jackets for adults and children.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes wine, beer, grappa, bottled water, Coca-Cola, and iced tea. You may also bring your own drinks, which can be stored in the boat’s fridge.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but the crew can arrange a restaurant reservation on Lopud.

Are towels provided?

No. Towels are not included, so you need to bring your own.

Can I cancel the tour for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.