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

Leave Dubrovnik’s harbor behind. This eight-hour sailing trip takes you to the Elaphiti Islands for swimming, snorkeling, sandy beaches, island walks, and lunch beside the sea. I like the small maximum of eight people, which keeps the boat friendly and flexible, and I like that the captain may let you steer or explain the sailing lines along the way.

The tour also includes a welcome drink, coffee or tea, diving equipment, a stand-up paddleboard, and an outdoor shower. The main drawback is that food is not included, and the Blue Cave and Šipan stops depend on time, weather, and the group’s wishes. At $170.43 per person, this is not a bargain boat ride, but the small group and full day on the water make it a fair choice for the right kind of outing.

Quick take: what makes this sailing day special

• Small boat, maximum eight people: You get more room to move, talk with the captain, and choose how active you want the day to be.
• Koločep swimming time: The first island brings quiet bays, rocky cliffs, snorkeling, and about an hour in the water, with a possible Blue Cave visit.
• Šunj Beach is sandy: This is a welcome change from the rocky coves found around much of the Croatian coast.
• Lopud combines lunch and history: You can eat by the sea, swim beside the beach, walk through the village, or visit a 14th-century monastery.
• Captain Dragan is part of the appeal: He is described as friendly, easygoing, and happy to explain the boat or let you take the wheel.
• Bring your own snacks and preferred drinks: Basic drinks are available, but lunch and other food are not supplied.

A full day that feels more personal

You meet at Lapadska obala 4 in Dubrovnik at 9:30 a.m. The boat returns to the same place at the end of the day. Pickup and drop-off are optional rather than built into the standard trip, so check that detail when you book.

The group limit matters. With no more than eight people, this is not a packed excursion boat where you hunt for a patch of shade. You can move around, use the SUP, chat with the captain, or simply sit back while the islands pass by. The boat has a sunshade, an especially useful feature during a long day in the open sun.

The sailing itself is part of the experience, not just transport between stops. The captain may explain what the lines do and, depending on the situation, let you steer. That gives the trip a more hands-on feel than a basic sightseeing cruise.

The day is also somewhat adjustable. If your group wants more swimming, the captain can focus on the coves. If you prefer a slower island visit, Lopud gives you time on land. The Blue Cave is possible depending on the group’s wishes, while Šipan is listed as an optional final stop if time allows. That flexibility is useful, but it also means you should not treat every listed stop as guaranteed.

Koločep brings the first swim

After leaving Dubrovnik, you sail toward Koločep, the first of the three Elaphiti Islands. The schedule allows roughly two hours here, including sailing, swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and perhaps a Blue Cave visit.

This is a strong opening stop because it gets you into the water early. The setting is made for a calm first swim, with quiet bays, rocky cliffs, and clear water. You can use the supplied equipment to look below the surface, or simply float and enjoy the break from Dubrovnik’s stone streets.

The mood here is quiet. The description even points to bird sounds around the cliffs, which tells you what kind of stop this is: a pause for nature rather than a long list of sights. You should bring sun protection and a swimsuit under your clothes, since the first real activity is likely to be swimming.

The Blue Cave is a nice possibility, but keep your expectations sensible. It is not presented as a fixed part of the schedule. It depends on what the group wants and how the day is running. If seeing it is your top priority, ask about it before departure rather than assuming the boat will automatically go there.

Šunj Beach offers a rare sandy shore

The next stop is Šunj Beach on Lopud, scheduled for about an hour. This beach is one of the most appealing parts of the day for anyone who prefers sand underfoot to the usual pebbles and rocks.

You can swim and snorkel near the rocks, sunbathe, or swim toward shore for a drink at the beach club. The beach is described as a place where you may want to stay all day, but the planned stop is shorter. That is the trade-off: you get a taste of one of Lopud’s best-known shores, then continue to the island village.

An hour is enough for a swim and a quick rest, but not enough for a leisurely beach afternoon. If your dream day is mostly lying on the sand, this schedule may feel rushed. If you want variety, the shorter stop works well because the tour continues with lunch and an island walk.

Lopud combines lunch, swimming, and a monastery

Lopud is the main land-based stop, with about two hours. Lunch is planned at a restaurant by the sea, around 20 meters from the beach. The captain may reserve a table for the group, including a spot directly by the water.

Food is not included in the tour price, so plan to pay for lunch yourself. This arrangement gives you a chance to choose what you want rather than receiving a fixed meal, but it also means the final cost will be higher than the advertised rate. Bring some extra money for lunch and a drink.

After eating, you can swim in the clear water, walk through the village, or visit a 14th-century monastery. That choice makes Lopud useful for different kinds of people. You can stay active, find a shady pause, or add a little local history to a day that otherwise focuses on sea and scenery.

The village stop also gives the trip a needed change of pace. Eight hours of sitting on a boat can become tiring, even on a beautiful day. Lopud lets you stretch your legs and see a little more than coves and open water.

Šipan depends on the clock

Šipan is the last possible island stop, with about an hour if the schedule allows. If lunch has already taken place on Lopud, the group may walk around Šipan’s small village, swim, enjoy the natural setting, or stop at one of the restaurants for a cold drink.

This is the least certain part of the itinerary. The description makes clear that Šipan is optional if time remains. Strong swimming sessions, a longer lunch, or a Blue Cave visit can reduce the time available.

You should see Šipan as a bonus rather than a promise. If it becomes part of the day, it gives you another quiet island setting. If it does not, the earlier stops still form the core of the experience.

Sailing time gives the day room to breathe

About two hours are reserved for sailing and cruising, including possible pauses in passing bays for swimming. This matters because the trip is not simply a sequence of hurried shore visits.

The open-water sections let you enjoy Dubrovnik’s coastal setting from a different angle. You can sit under the sunshade, watch the shoreline, talk with the captain, or use the time to relax after swimming. The supplied SUP adds another option when the boat stops in a calm bay.

The sailing instruction is a pleasant extra for anyone curious about how the boat works. The captain has been described as willing to explain the different lines and let people steer. That is not the same as a formal sailing course, but it can turn a passive cruise into a more engaging experience.

The weather matters a great deal. One outing was affected by heavy rain, although the captain allowed a passenger to remain on board and made coffee while the rain passed. This is a reminder that a full day at sea depends on conditions. If bad weather cancels the trip, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

What is included, and what should you bring?

The tour includes several useful extras:

• A welcome drink
• Coffee or tea
• Water is available on board
• Snorkeling or diving equipment
• A stand-up paddleboard
• An outdoor shower
• Basic sailing instruction
• The boat ride between stops

Food is not included. Lunch is planned on Lopud, so you should budget for a restaurant meal. You can also bring your own preferred snacks and drinks. This is particularly helpful if you want something specific during the long day, since the standard offerings are limited to basic drinks.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, hat, and a light cover-up. The boat has a sunshade, but you will still spend much of the day outdoors. Comfortable footwear is useful for Lopud and the village walk, especially if you plan to visit the monastery.

Tips for the captain are not included. Pickup and drop-off are also optional extras, while the standard meeting point is at Lapadska obala 4.

Is $170.43 good value?

At $170.43 per person, this is a premium day on the water rather than a cheap way to visit the islands. The price makes more sense if you value the small group, the long duration, the flexible stops, and the chance to swim from the boat instead of only seeing the islands from a crowded deck.

The maximum of eight people is the biggest value point. A larger boat might cost less, but you would likely have less space and less influence over the rhythm of the day. Here, the captain can respond to the group’s interests, and you have a better chance to use the SUP, ask sailing questions, or move around comfortably.

Lunch, drinks beyond the basics, and any optional pickup add to the final cost. That keeps this from being an all-inclusive outing. Still, the combination of Koločep, Šunj Beach, Lopud, possible Šipan, and long periods of swimming makes the price reasonable for a full day in Dubrovnik.

The experience has a 4.8 rating, with 96 percent of customers recommending it. The strongest praise centers on the clean boat, good swimming spots, the relaxed captain, the lunch setting on Lopud, and the small group. One person even saw a dolphin, though that is a lucky moment rather than something you should expect.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would choose this tour if you want a relaxed day with plenty of time in the water. It suits couples, small groups of friends, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting a few people without joining a large crowd.

It is also a good match if you like some control over your day. You can swim often, explore Lopud, try the SUP, learn a little about sailing, or simply sit in the shade. The captain’s friendly style adds to that easygoing feel.

You may want another option if you need every stop to follow a fixed schedule. The Blue Cave and Šipan depend on conditions and timing. This is also not ideal if you want lunch and drinks fully covered in the price, or if you prefer a short cruise with minimal time in the sun.

The trip requires good weather, and most people can participate. It is offered in English, with mobile tickets and confirmation at booking. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the 9:30 a.m. start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

Should you book the Elaphiti sailing tour?

Book it if your perfect Dubrovnik day includes swimming in clear bays, a sandy beach, lunch by the water, and a small boat rather than a packed excursion. The strongest reasons are the eight-person limit, the relaxed captain, and the amount of time spent actually enjoying the sea.

I would not book it solely for the Blue Cave or Šipan, since neither is certain. Instead, think of those as welcome extras within a broader sailing day. Bring your own snacks, budget for lunch, and accept that the weather and group preferences shape the final route.

For a flexible, social, water-focused day at a fair premium price, Diamond Sailing Service is a solid choice.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

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 is the sailing tour?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum group size is eight people.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is planned at a restaurant on Lopud, but food is not included in the tour price.

Is the Blue Cave guaranteed?

No. Visiting the Blue Cave depends on the group’s wishes and how the day’s schedule develops.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time.