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

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat trip is the freedom to spend a full day in the Elaphiti Islands, not just race past them. You sail on a small boat with no more than eight people, stopping for swimming and snorkeling in clear bays, sandy Sunj Beach, and island villages.

I like the relaxed, adjustable plan, plus the chance to steer the boat or take a free sailing lesson. I also like that coffee, tea, water, a SUP, snorkeling gear, and an outdoor shower are included. The main catch is simple: lunch and extra drinks cost more, and the Blue Cave visit depends on time and the group’s wishes.

Key points to know before you book

• Small group of up to eight: You get more room to move around and more direct time with the skipper than on a large excursion boat.
• A full day among three Elaphiti islands: Kolocep, Lopud, and possibly Sipan provide a mix of quiet coves, beach time, villages, and swimming.
• Sailing is part of the experience: You can learn basic sailing, ask about the lines, and possibly take the wheel.
• Sunj Beach is the sandy stop: It is ideal for a swim, a drink at the beach club, or a longer spell on shore.
• Lopud is the lunch base: A restaurant by the sea sits close to the beach, with time for swimming or a visit to a fourteenth-century monastery.
• Bring your own snacks and preferred drinks: Basic beverages are supplied, but food is not served on board.

A small boat day from Dubrovnik

This is not a sightseeing cruise built around announcements and fixed photo stops. It is an active day on the water, with the captain adjusting the rhythm around swimming, sailing, shore time, and weather.

You meet at Lapadska obala 4 at 9:30 a.m. and return to the same point after roughly eight hours. The boat carries a maximum of eight people, which matters here. You can move around, talk with the skipper, and get to know the other people on board without shouting across a packed deck.

The operators connected with this experience include Captain Dragan and skipper Zeba. The sailing style is friendly and hands-on. You may be shown what the different lines do, offered a basic lesson, or allowed to steer when conditions permit. That makes this a better fit for someone who wants more than a transfer between beaches.

The boat has a sunshade, a useful detail during a long Croatian summer day. An outdoor shower helps after swimming, while the included SUP gives you another way to explore a quiet bay. Snorkeling equipment is also provided, so you do not need to pack a mask and fins unless you prefer your own.

Kolocep: the quiet first swim

The first island is Kolocep, one of the three main Elaphiti Islands included in the day’s plan. The boat heads toward its coves and beaches, where you have about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. The setting is described as peaceful, with cliffs and bird sounds replacing the traffic and crowds of Dubrovnik.

This is a good opening stop because you can settle into the day without rushing straight into a village visit. If you want to swim from the boat, this is the time to do it. If you prefer a slower start, stay on deck, enjoy the welcome drink, and watch the shoreline.

The Blue Cave may be added around Kolocep, depending on the group’s wishes and the available time. That wording is important. You should treat the cave as a possible extra, not the central promise of the trip. If the Blue Cave is a priority, ask about its chances before departure.

The Kolocep stop is listed as about two hours in the wider schedule, while the swimming portion is described as roughly an hour. The remaining time allows for sailing and moving through the island area. Exact timing can change with weather, sea conditions, and the group’s preferred pace.

Sunj Beach: the day’s easiest beach stop

Sunj Beach is on Lopud and is known for its sandy shore, a welcome change from the rocky swimming areas common along the Adriatic coast. You can swim from the boat, snorkel near the rocks, or head to the sand and settle in for a longer break.

The stop lasts about an hour, though the full day’s timing can shift. If you like beach time, Sunj is likely to be one of the strongest parts of the route. It is also practical for anyone who wants a drink at a beach club rather than spending every minute in the water.

There is a small trade-off. A popular sandy beach can feel less secluded than Kolocep’s bays. You should not expect a private beach experience. What you get instead is variety: a proper sandy shore, clear water, and a chance to choose between swimming, sunbathing, and a quick drink.

Because the boat carries only eight people, the group can decide how active this stop feels. You might spend the whole hour in the water, or use it as a short beach pause before lunch on Lopud.

Lopud: lunch, a village walk, and shore time

Lopud is the main island stop and usually the practical center of the day. You walk through the village, eat lunch at a seaside restaurant, and have time to swim from the beach. The restaurant is described as about twenty meters from the water, so lunch does not take you away from the coast.

The skipper may reserve a table by the water, but lunch itself is not included in the tour price. Plan for a separate restaurant bill. The tour information says food is not available on board, so bring a snack if you tend to get hungry between stops.

Lopud gives the day a useful change of pace. After several swims, you can put on dry clothes, walk through the village, and sit down for a real meal. You can also visit a fourteenth-century monastery if you would rather add a little culture to the beach time.

I would keep your plans flexible here. Lunch timing, the length of the walk, and the later stop at Sipan depend on how long the group spends in the water and how much daylight and sailing time remain. If you want a long meal, a monastery visit, and a swim, you may not have time for every later option.

Sipan: the optional final island

Sipan is the last possible stop, and it is specifically described as optional if time permits. If lunch has already taken place on Lopud, the boat may stop at a small village on Sipan for a walk, a swim, or a cold drink at a restaurant.

This stop is less predictable than Kolocep, Sunj Beach, and Lopud. That is not necessarily a weakness. It means the day can respond to the clock rather than forcing an artificial checklist of islands.

If Sipan matters to you, ask the skipper at the start how likely it is to fit. If you would rather have longer swimming stops, you may be happy to skip it. The value of this tour is its flexibility, not a guarantee that every possible stop will receive the same amount of time.

What the price includes, and what it does not

At $170.43 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Elaphiti Islands. The price makes more sense when you count the small group, the eight-hour duration, the skipper, sailing instruction, equipment, and several stops in one day.

You receive:

• A welcome drink
• Coffee or tea
• Water
• Free sailing instruction
• SUP use
• Snorkeling equipment
• An outdoor shower
• Sailing time among the Elaphiti Islands

You do not receive lunch, gratuities, or hotel pickup and drop-off unless you arrange the optional transfer separately. Bring cash or a payment method for lunch and any drinks bought on shore. Also bring snacks and anything specific you like to drink. Basic beverages are available, but the boat is not stocked as a full-service bar or kitchen.

The value is strongest for a small group that wants both transport and an activity. You are not only being carried from one island to the next. You can swim, steer, use the SUP, and set a more personal pace. For a large family or group of friends, the per-person price may feel easier to justify because the boat experience is more private in feel, even though it is still a group tour.

The skipper makes the difference

The strongest feature of this outing is the human side of it. Captain Dragan is described as easygoing and efficient, while skipper Zeba is praised for being personable and attentive. The sailing is not presented as a scripted performance. You can ask questions, learn what the lines do, and in suitable conditions take the wheel.

That hands-on quality matters if you have already seen Dubrovnik’s walls and want a day that feels different. You are out in the open, moving between islands, and making decisions about how much time to spend swimming or ashore.

The crew also appears willing to help when plans go wrong. On one rainy day, the captain let a passenger remain on board and made coffee while the weather passed. That does not make bad weather desirable, but it suggests a practical attitude when conditions disrupt the day.

Do keep expectations sensible. The tour is run by a small operation, and the skipper is handling the boat. You may not receive the polished commentary or large-crew service of a high-end charter. In return, you get a more personal and flexible outing.

Weather, comfort, and what to pack

This experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The sea can also affect the route and the amount of time spent at each stop, so leave your schedule open after the tour rather than booking a tight afternoon plan.

Wear swimwear under light clothing and bring a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Pack a dry layer for the ride back, especially if you plan to swim several times. The boat has a sunshade, but that does not replace sun protection.

Bring snacks, lunch money, and any drinks you want beyond coffee, tea, and water. The SUP and snorkeling equipment are supplied, so you can travel light on those items.

Most people can take part, and public transportation is nearby. The tour is offered in English, with a mobile ticket and confirmation at booking. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not part of the standard arrangement, so allow time to reach Lapadska obala 4 for the 9:30 a.m. start.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this trip if you want a full day outdoors and are happy to trade a fixed schedule for a flexible one. It suits people who like swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and the simple pleasure of sailing between islands.

It is also a good match for couples, solo visitors, and small groups who prefer conversation and room to move over a crowded excursion boat. The limited capacity can make it easier to ask questions and get involved with the sailing.

You may want another option if you dislike sitting in the sun, do not want to pay separately for lunch, or need every stop to happen exactly as advertised. Sipan and the Blue Cave are not guaranteed additions, and lunch is not included.

The tour is booked, on average, about 38 days ahead, so it is sensible to reserve early if your Dubrovnik dates are fixed. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, except when the operator cancels because of poor weather.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands sailing tour?

Book it if you want a small-group day on the water with real swimming time, a sandy beach, lunch on Lopud, and a chance to learn a little sailing. The included SUP, equipment, coffee, tea, water, and sunshade add useful value to the $170.43 price.

I would especially recommend it to anyone who values a relaxed skipper and an adjustable plan more than a rigid sightseeing schedule. Just budget for lunch and shore drinks, bring your own snacks, and view the Blue Cave and Sipan as possible bonuses rather than promises. With those expectations, this is a strong way to exchange Dubrovnik’s busy streets for clear water, island villages, and a day that feels pleasantly unhurried.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start and finish?

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 experience last?

The sailing day lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is eight people.

Is lunch included in the price?

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

Is the Blue Cave visit guaranteed?

No. The Blue Cave may be visited depending on the group’s wishes and the available time.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.