Private Full Day Sailing Tour To Elafiti Islands

Trade crowds for clear water. This private Elafiti Islands sailing trip gives your group a full day around Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, with time for swimming, snorkeling, beaches, lunch, and a quiet island village. I especially like the freedom of a private boat and skipper Filip’s flexible approach to the day.

The tour also includes useful extras such as snorkeling gear, an outdoor shower, and a toilet on board. The main consideration is the weather: if the wind is light, you may spend much of the day traveling under motor power rather than sail.

Key Points to Know

• Private boat for up to six people: You get the boat to yourself rather than joining a large excursion.
• Koločep swimming stop: Expect about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing in a quiet bay.
• Šunj Beach on Lopud: This sandy beach is one of the best-known stops in the Elafiti group.
• Šipan lunch and village time: You can walk through the harbor town, visit Škocibuha Castle, swim, or eat at a local restaurant.
• Filip handles the day personally: He can help arrange lunch, suggest swim spots, and adjust the pace to suit your group.
• Plan for extra costs: Lunch, drinks, alcohol, and transport to the marina are not included.

Why This Private Boat Day Works So Well

The Elafiti Islands sit just off Dubrovnik, yet the pace feels far removed from the city. Instead of spending the day moving through a packed schedule, you have a boat, a skipper, and several islands to explore at a comfortable speed.

That private setup is the heart of the experience. A group of six can spread out, bring its own towels and snacks, and decide how much time to spend in the water. A family with young children can move more slowly, while a group of friends may prefer longer swimming stops and less time walking ashore.

Filip, the skipper, is repeatedly praised for being friendly, responsive, and easy to reach before the trip. He uses WhatsApp for communication and can help arrange a table for lunch. That matters on Šipan, where the smaller restaurants may fill up, especially during the busy summer period.

The boat is also set up for a full day at sea. You have an outdoor shower to rinse off salt, a restroom on board, and snorkeling equipment. These are simple features, but they make a long day much easier, especially when you are traveling with children or do not want to return to shore after every swim.

There is one point to understand before booking. This is called a sailing tour, but the boat cannot always rely on wind. On calm days, you may travel by motor for much of the route. The trip can still be lovely, but you should book it for the islands, swimming, and private setting rather than expecting eight straight hours of sailing.

Leaving Dubrovnik at 9:00 in the Morning

The meeting point is at Lapadska obala 21, in Dubrovnik, with departure scheduled for 9:00 a.m. The marina is accessible by public transport, including bus 6, according to the practical experience of one family on the tour.

If you are staying outside Dubrovnik, arrange your own transport to the marina. The operator gives an approximate Uber cost of €40, but that is only an estimate and can vary by location and time. Transport to and from the marina is not part of the tour price, so build it into your budget.

An early start is useful. You have roughly eight hours on the water, and the first stops are best enjoyed before the strongest midday heat. Bring water, snacks, swimwear, towels, sunscreen, and a light cover-up. Towels and food are not listed as included, so do not assume they will be provided.

The departure point is also the return point. That makes the day simple at the end, since you do not need to arrange a separate pickup from another island.

Koločep: Your First Clear-Water Stop

Koločep is the first planned island stop, with about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. The focus here is the water rather than a long walk through town.

You may swim directly from the boat in a sheltered bay, which gives the stop a quiet, open-air feel. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins. The combination of clear water and a private boat is a strong start to the day.

An hour sounds generous, but it passes quickly once everyone has changed, jumped in, and explored the water. If your group includes young children, use the first stop to settle into the boat and learn where the safety equipment is kept. Filip has supplied high-quality buoyancy vests for children on family trips, which is reassuring, though you should still supervise children closely around the water.

The main limitation is that there is no ticketed attraction or formal activity here. Koločep is about enjoying the coast at sea level. If you want museums, monuments, or a guided island walk, this part of the trip may feel light on sightseeing.

Šunj Beach and Lopud’s Sandy Shore

The second stop is Šunj Beach on Lopud, known for its sand. That makes it a welcome change from the rocky shorelines common around the Adriatic.

You can swim and snorkel from the boat, sunbathe on board, or swim to shore for a drink at one of the beach restaurants. The ability to stay on the boat is useful if your group does not want to spend the full stop on land. You can also choose your own pace instead of being led through a fixed beach program.

Šunj is likely to be the most beach-focused stop of the day. Sand, shallow water, and nearby refreshments give it a more familiar seaside feel than the quieter swim bays. At the same time, its popularity means it may not feel secluded, particularly during the height of summer.

The itinerary allows about an hour here. That is enough for a swim and a drink, but not a long beach afternoon. If you want more time on shore, ask Filip before departure if the schedule can be adjusted. The private format allows some flexibility, but the islands, sailing time, and lunch stop all compete for the same eight-hour day.

Šipan: Lunch, Local Life, and a Castle

Šipan is the last main stop, and it gives the day its strongest connection to island life. You can walk through the town, visit Škocibuha Castle, swim from the beach, or stop for food at a local restaurant.

This is where the tour becomes more than a string of swim breaks. A walk through the harbor village gives you time to see old stone buildings and get a feel for a smaller Dalmatian community. Škocibuha Castle adds a point of historical interest without turning the day into a formal sightseeing tour.

Lunch is not included, so you pay directly at the restaurant. Filip can help with recommendations and has made reservations for groups before. That is worth taking seriously because at least one small restaurant was already full when a group arrived. A reservation can save you from wasting precious island time looking for a table.

Bring some money for drinks, ice cream, or a meal. A small shop is available in the harbor area, along with other restaurant choices. Still, options may be limited compared with Dubrovnik, so tell Filip about dietary needs or preferences before the trip if that matters to your group.

The two-hour stop listed for Šipan gives you more breathing room than the earlier swim breaks. You can combine lunch with a short walk, though you may need to choose between the castle, the beach, and a relaxed meal. This is a good place to slow down rather than rush through every possible activity.

Four Hours of Cruising Between the Islands

The tour description assigns about four hours to sailing and cruising around the Elafiti Islands, with additional travel time between stops. That may sound like a lot, but the islands are best experienced from the water.

You will have time to watch the coast pass by, talk with your group, take photos, and enjoy the boat without a constant need to get ashore. The open-water portions also connect the stops into a proper day at sea rather than a series of short transfers.

Still, you should know what kind of sailing day this is. Wind conditions control how much actual sailing is possible. One couple had little wind and traveled under motor power for most of the day, although they did get some sailing later in the afternoon.

If sailing technique is your main reason for booking, this uncertainty matters. If your priority is getting away from Dubrovnik, swimming in clear water, and visiting small islands at a calm pace, the motor sections are less of a concern.

The trip can also change shape depending on the group. One family had a shorter swim stop on the way back, while another group spent more time at lunch and in the water. A private boat gives Filip room to respond to the day, the weather, and your energy level.

The Value of $692.36 for Up to Six People

The listed price is $692.36 for the whole group, up to six people. With six passengers, that works out to about $115 per person before lunch, drinks, and marina transport. For a couple, the per-person cost is much higher, so the tour offers its best value to families or groups of friends who can fill most of the boat.

The price includes the boat, skipper, fuel surcharge, restroom, outdoor shower, and snorkeling equipment. You are also paying for privacy and flexibility. A large group excursion may cost less per person, but you would have less control over the swimming time, meal stop, and pace.

For a family of four, the private setup can be worth the extra cost. You avoid a crowded boat, and children do not need to fit into someone else’s schedule. The boat has been described as a good fit for a family of four, with enough room for a relaxed day.

Budget separately for lunch, drinks, alcohol, and transport to the marina. The price does not include soda or alcoholic beverages. I would also bring water and snacks, since a long day at sea can make everyone hungry before the island meal.

Who Will Enjoy This Day Most

This tour suits you best if you want a private, unhurried day and prefer swimming and island scenery to a packed sightseeing schedule. It is a good match for couples, families, and small groups who value personal service.

Families with children should appreciate the private boat, onboard toilet, outdoor shower, and child buoyancy vests supplied by Filip when needed. The slower pace also gives you more control over breaks and swim time.

It is also a strong choice for anyone hoping to escape the busiest parts of Dubrovnik for a few hours. The boat can take you to quieter swim areas, and you are not tied to a large party’s timetable.

You may want a different excursion if you dislike long periods on the water, need a firm sightseeing schedule, or expect guaranteed wind-powered sailing. The trip includes several hours of cruising, and the day can feel less active when the sea is calm.

Practical Details Before You Book

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity is private, so only your group participates. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transport.

Most people can take part, but the experience requires good weather. If conditions are poor, the operator offers another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

The tour is often reserved well ahead of time, with bookings averaging about 85 days in advance. If your Dubrovnik visit falls in the busy season, plan early, especially if you need a particular date.

Before departure, confirm the marina details, transport plan, lunch preferences, and the type of day your group wants. Filip is reported to communicate promptly before the trip, so use that contact to clarify practical points rather than waiting until the morning of departure.

Should You Book the Elafiti Islands Tour?

Book this private day if you want clear water, small-island stops, and a skipper who can shape the day around your group. The strongest reasons are the private boat, flexible pace, useful onboard facilities, and Filip’s personal help with swim spots and lunch reservations.

The tour is especially good value for up to six people. It becomes less economical for only two, and you should be comfortable paying extra for lunch, drinks, and marina transport. You should also accept that calm weather may mean more motoring than sailing.

For a relaxed day away from Dubrovnik, with time at Koločep, Šunj Beach, and Šipan, this is a well-balanced choice. Bring water, snacks, towels, and a sense of patience. The sea, not the clock, has the final say.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Lapadska obala 21, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long is the experience?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

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

Which islands and beaches are visited?

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

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but you can stop at a local restaurant on one of the islands.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with an outdoor shower and restroom on board.

Is transport to the marina included?

No. Transport to and from the marina is separate. The operator gives an approximate Uber cost of €40, but the final price depends on your location.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If bad weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.