Elaphite Islands & Mljet – Private Boat Excursion from Dubrovnik

Escape Dubrovnik by water for a day. This private boat trip takes you from the city to Kolocep, Mljet, Sipan, and quiet Elaphite coves, with time for swimming and snorkeling rather than a rushed checklist of sights. I like the flexible schedule, and I like that your group gets its own skipper and boat instead of sharing space with a large crowd. The main catch is the extra €300 fuel charge, payable in cash to the skipper.

The Beneteau Flyer 850 Sun Deck Cruiser is a comfortable choice for a small private group. It has a sunshade, toilet, cabin, swim ladder, freshwater shower, refrigerator, Bluetooth stereo, USB and 220-volt outlets, snorkeling equipment, drinks, and a paddleboard. You should still expect a full day in the sun, and lunch is not included.

The strongest part of the experience is the crew service. Iso, Peter, and Esso are each praised for being friendly, helpful, and easy to spend a day with. One honeymoon couple enjoyed lunch at Bowa Restaurant, while another group called the boat day the highlight of its Dubrovnik trip. That personal touch matters on an eight-hour outing.

Key things to know before you book

• Private boat for up to seven people: Your group has the boat to itself, with one skipper and no unrelated passengers.
• A flexible route: Stop lengths can change according to your comfort, swimming plans, and the skipper’s judgment.
• Four different water stops: You get a sea cave at Kolocep, Lemuni Lagoon on Mljet, a harbor visit at Sipan, and smaller Elaphite coves.
• Boat comforts that matter: The vessel includes a sunshade, toilet, freshwater shower, refrigerator, swim ladder, and cabin.
• Drinks and water are included: Water, fruit juice, soda, and beer are provided, along with snorkeling gear and a paddleboard.
• Budget for the fuel separately: The advertised group price is $1,403.97, but fuel costs €300 per booking and must be paid in cash.

Leaving Dubrovnik behind on a Beneteau cruiser

This outing is designed for a group that wants privacy and time on the water. The Beneteau Flyer 850 Sun Deck Cruiser measures about 8.7 meters long, or roughly 29 feet, and cruises at up to 22 knots. It accommodates up to eight people plus the skipper, though the booking is priced for a group of up to seven.

That size gives you room to move without making the boat feel oversized. You have an outdoor deck, an interior salon and cabin, and a toilet. The Bimini top provides shade when the sun gets strong, while the swim ladder makes repeated swims easier than climbing over the side.

I also appreciate the practical equipment. A freshwater shower is useful after saltwater swims, and the refrigerator keeps drinks cool. USB and 220-volt outlets help with phones and cameras, though you should still bring a charged device because you will likely use it often.

Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or port are included. That removes one annoying part of a boat day in Dubrovnik: figuring out how to reach the departure point. The pickup is not just a small convenience. It lets you begin and end the day without arranging separate transport.

The cruise speed of 22 knots also matters. The islands are spread out, and a faster boat gives you more time for swimming and walking instead of spending the entire day in transit. Even so, the exact amount of time underway depends on the chosen route and sea conditions.

Kolocep’s Blue Cave sets the tone

The first scheduled stop is Kolocep, one of the Elaphite Islands west of Dubrovnik. The focus here is the Blue Cave, with about 45 minutes set aside for swimming and snorkeling.

A sea cave gives the morning a clear purpose. You are not simply stopping near an island for a quick photograph. You can get into the water, look around with the supplied snorkeling equipment, and enjoy the cave at your own pace within the available time.

Forty-five minutes is enough for a focused swim, but it is not a long beach stop. If you want an extended snorkel, you may find this part short. The upside is that the trip does not spend half the day in one place. Kolocep serves as an opening taste of the island waters before the longer stop at Mljet.

The skipper can adjust the timing around your comfort and preferences. That is useful if the sea feels cool, if someone in your group wants more time in the water, or if you would rather leave the cave and continue toward Mljet.

Bring a waterproof phone case if you want photographs from the water. The tour provides a camera-friendly setting, but it does not list underwater photography equipment.

Lemuni Lagoon gives you the longest swim

Mljet receives the largest block of time, about three hours. The boat reaches Lemuni Lagoon on the island’s southern side, where you can swim and explore before deciding if you want lunch on the island.

This is the part of the day that best suits people who dislike rigid sightseeing schedules. Three hours gives you enough room to swim, use the paddleboard, sit in the shade, and take a break without watching the clock every few minutes.

The lagoon is also a good place to judge the trip’s pace. You can stay active with swimming and snorkeling, or use the stop as a slower middle section after the first boat ride. Since the schedule is flexible, your skipper can discuss how long you want to remain there.

Lunch is optional and not included in the price. The tour information does not promise a particular restaurant at Mljet, so you should ask the skipper about the available choice on the day. If you prefer a meal at a known restaurant, the group can also discuss lunch plans with the skipper. One couple specifically enjoyed a meal at Bowa Restaurant during the boat outing, but that should not be treated as an included part of every booking.

The main drawback here is simple: you need to budget separately for food. Drinks are included, but lunch is not. For a group paying more than $1,400 before the fuel charge, that extra meal cost may matter.

Sipan offers a break from the water

The boat then heads toward the western Elaphite Islands, including Jakljan and Sipan. The stop at Sipanska Luka lasts about two hours and includes time to stroll around, swim, and explore.

This is a welcome change of pace. A full day spent in the water can become tiring, even when the setting is beautiful. A walk around the harbor gives you a chance to stretch your legs, see a little more of island life, and decide if you want another swim.

The itinerary also mentions Prijezba in connection with the western Elaphites. Exact routing can vary because the skipper works with your group and the conditions on the day. That flexibility is a strength, but it means you should not expect a tightly fixed sequence with exact arrival times.

Sipan is the best stop for people who want some land time without giving up the private boat format. It does not appear to be a formal guided sightseeing walk, so you should expect independent strolling rather than a long lecture about local history.

Elaphite coves finish the day quietly

The final scheduled section allows about one hour for swimming and snorkeling in the coves of the Elaphite Islands. After the longer Mljet stop and the harbor visit at Sipan, this creates a final chance to get back in the water.

The smaller coves are likely to appeal most to anyone who booked this trip to avoid crowded beach facilities. The boat can take you to swimming areas rather than tying the day to one busy public beach. Still, conditions and access can change, so the skipper makes the final call on where it is sensible to stop.

An hour is enough for one last swim, a little paddleboarding, or a quiet drink on board. If your group prefers long beach stays, the overall itinerary may feel too scattered. If you like sampling several places in one day, the mix works well.

What the skipper adds to the day

A private boat is only as good as the person running it. Here, the human side receives especially strong praise.

Iso is described as helping shape the itinerary around what the group would enjoy, while also being pleasant company. Peter is praised for his hospitality during a honeymoon outing, including the stop for lunch at Bowa Restaurant. Esso, whose name was recalled with some uncertainty, is remembered as wonderful on a boat trip that became the high point of a wider Dubrovnik visit.

These comments point to the main value of booking privately. You are not locked into a large group’s timetable. You can explain whether you want more swimming, more walking, a longer lunch, or a faster return. A responsive skipper can make the day feel personal rather than mechanical.

The schedule remains flexible, but that does not mean every wish is guaranteed. The skipper must account for weather, sea conditions, fuel, and the time needed to return. Treat the route as a plan you can discuss, not a promise that every stop will receive exactly its listed duration.

Is the $1,403.97 price good value?

The listed price is $1,403.97 per group of up to seven people. Split among seven, that is about $200 per person before fuel, lunch, and any other personal spending. The required fuel payment adds €300 per booking, which brings the real group cost higher.

That price is easier to justify with a full group. You receive private transportation, hotel or port pickup, a skipper, drinks, snorkeling equipment, a paddleboard, and a custom day on the water. A smaller group pays more per person, so couples and groups of three should compare the total against other private boat options.

The fuel charge deserves careful attention. It is not included in the main price and must be paid directly to the skipper in cash. Ask about this before departure and have euros ready. Since fuel is a fixed €300 per booking rather than a per-person fee, larger groups get better value from it.

The drinks are a useful inclusion, especially on a hot day. Water, fruit juices, sodas, and beer are supplied, but you should not treat that as a full catering service. Pack any snacks you want, and remember that lunch is separate.

For a family or friend group of six or seven, I think the value is reasonable if you care about privacy and flexibility. For two people, the cost is a major commitment, even if the boat and service are appealing.

Who should book this boat day?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Groups of friends or families who can share the fixed cost.
• Couples celebrating a honeymoon or another special occasion.
• People who prefer swimming, snorkeling, and coves to formal sightseeing.
• Visitors who want hotel pickup and a private return.
• Anyone who dislikes large boats and fixed group schedules.
• Strong swimmers or confident water users who want to make use of the snorkeling gear and paddleboard.

It may be less suitable if you want a low-cost excursion, a fully guided history tour, or a guaranteed restaurant meal. It also requires cooperation from the weather. The operator can move the trip to another date or offer a full refund if poor weather causes cancellation, but you cannot cancel for a refund simply because your plans change.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and a camera. The supplied list specifically recommends towels, swimsuits, a camera, and sunblock. I would also bring a dry bag for electronics and some cash for the fuel payment and lunch.

Should you book the Elaphite Islands and Mljet trip?

Book it if you want a private, flexible day that puts swimming at the center. The combination of Kolocep’s Blue Cave, Mljet’s Lemuni Lagoon, Sipan’s harbor, and Elaphite coves gives you more variety than a single beach stop, while the boat’s shade, shower, toilet, refrigerator, and cabin make the day easier.

The best reason to choose it is the skipper-led flexibility. Iso, Peter, and Esso are all praised for making the outing feel personal, and that can matter more than another minor sightseeing stop.

I would skip it if the fuel surcharge creates a problem, if your group is too small to share the cost comfortably, or if you want a fully planned lunch and a fixed timetable. For the right group, though, this is a polished way to trade Dubrovnik’s heat and crowds for a day of open water and island stops.

FAQ

How long does the boat excursion last?

The excursion lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The booking is for a group of up to seven people. The boat itself is designed for up to eight people plus one skipper.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from a hotel or port are included.

What boat is used?

The excursion uses a Beneteau Flyer 850 Sun Deck Cruiser Boat, about 8.7 meters long, with a cruising speed of up to 22 knots.

Is fuel included in the listed price?

No. Fuel costs €300 per booking and must be paid directly to the skipper in cash.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Lunch on Mljet is optional, and food costs are separate.

What drinks are provided?

Water, fruit juices, sodas, and beer are included.

Is snorkeling equipment available?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided for the swimming and snorkeling stops.

Is a paddleboard included?

Yes. You can use a paddleboard during the excursion.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. The experience is otherwise non-refundable and cannot be changed for another reason.