Full Day Sailing Tour To Elafiti Islands from Dubrovnik

Leave the city behind for a while. This small-group sailing day takes you from Dubrovnik to Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan for swimming, snorkeling, quiet bays, and a long lunch stop, with room for no more than six people on board. I like the small boat and personal service from captain Filip, and I also like that the day includes snorkeling gear, a toilet, and an outdoor shower.

The main thing to consider is that lunch costs extra, transport to the marina is not included, and the schedule depends on good weather. You may also spend part of the day motoring if the wind is light, though the captain can still raise the sails when conditions allow.

Key points to know before booking

• Only six people maximum: This is a far more intimate setup than the large excursion boats leaving Dubrovnik.
• Three island stops: You visit Koločep, Šunj Beach on Lopud, and Šipan, with time for swimming, snorkeling, walking, and lunch.
• Captain Filip sets the tone: He is praised for clear communication, local insight, safe boat handling, and thoughtful restaurant suggestions.
• About eight hours on the water: The tour starts at 9:00 a.m. and returns to the same meeting point.
• Lunch is optional and separate: Fresh fish, seafood, local wine, and island restaurants are part of the appeal, but you pay for your meal yourself.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Why this small boat works better than a crowded cruise

The Elafiti Islands are close to Dubrovnik, but a day on the water can feel worlds away from the city walls. The key difference here is scale. With a maximum of six people, you are not being moved around in a floating crowd with a fixed script and loud group commentary.

You have more room to ask questions, choose how long to swim, and enjoy the ride without competing for a seat. The boat is described as comfortable and well kept, with a cabin for storing bags and changing clothes. That small detail matters after a swim, when you do not want to pull dry clothes over a wet swimsuit on an open deck.

Filip is the captain and guide. He has been praised for his English, sailing skills, easy manner, and useful local advice. He also contacts guests through WhatsApp before the trip with clear meeting instructions. That is a welcome touch, since finding a marina in an unfamiliar part of Dubrovnik can be more stressful than it should be.

This is not a luxury yacht charter with a crew and a full meal served on board. It is a personal sailing outing on a smaller boat, with the captain doing the driving, guiding, and local storytelling. That distinction helps explain the price and the limits of the service.

Starting at Lapadska obala 21a at 9:00 a.m.

The meeting point is Lapadska obala 21a in Dubrovnik, and the tour returns there at the end of the day. Private transport to and from the meeting point is not included, so you need to arrange your own way there.

The boat leaves in the morning, when you still have a full day ahead. The exact amount of time spent sailing depends on the wind and the route, but the listed stops account for about four hours. The rest of the roughly eight-hour outing is spent getting between islands and enjoying the boat.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, a hat, and a light layer for the ride. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, as are fuel and an outdoor shower. You will also find a toilet on board, which is especially useful during a full day at sea.

Do not treat this as a transfer service from your hotel. The starting point is fixed, and there is no air-conditioned vehicle included. The practical side is simple, but you need to plan it yourself.

Koločep: the first hour for swimming and snorkeling

Koločep is the first stop, with about one hour set aside for a swim, snorkeling, or time in the sun. The island is known here for clear bays and attractive beaches, making it a good opening stop before the day gets too warm.

The nicest feature is the freedom to use the hour as you wish. If you want to get in the water right away, the boat provides snorkeling equipment. If you prefer a slower start, you can stay on deck and enjoy the views.

The swimming stops are a major reason to choose this trip. The water around the islands is repeatedly praised for its clarity, and the snorkeling has been a highlight for many people on board. Still, you should keep expectations sensible. This is recreational snorkeling from a sailing boat, not a guided marine-life tour with a specialist instructor.

One hour passes quickly. You may spend it swimming, drying off, and getting your gear sorted, so do not expect a long beach visit at Koločep. The value is in reaching a pleasant bay without giving up half the day at one location.

Šunj Beach on Lopud: sand, water, and a choice of pace

The second stop is Šunj Beach on Lopud, one of the better-known sandy beaches in the Elafiti group. Sand is a useful change from the rocky shorelines common along the Adriatic, and Šunj gives you several ways to spend the next hour.

You can swim and snorkel from the boat, sunbathe on deck, or make your way to shore for a drink at one of the restaurants. The description allows for swimming to the beach, so anyone choosing that option should be comfortable in open water.

This stop may appeal most to people who want a classic beach break. It is also the point where the small-group format helps. You can decide if you want to stay aboard for a quiet hour or go ashore, rather than being pushed into one group activity.

The drawback is time. One hour is enough for a swim and a quick look around, but not for a full beach day. If you are hoping to settle into a beach chair, explore Lopud at length, and eat a leisurely meal, the schedule will feel tight.

Šipan: the longest stop and the best meal opportunity

Šipan is the final island stop, and the two-hour visit gives it more breathing room than the earlier swimming breaks. You can walk through the town, see Skocibuha Castle, swim from the beach, or stop for lunch at one of the local restaurants.

This is where the tour shifts from sea time to island life. A short walk and a meal give you a better feel for the island than a quick photo stop from the water. The castle adds a point of interest for anyone who wants more than beaches, while the restaurant option makes Šipan a natural place to pause.

Lunch is not included, but that is not necessarily a weakness. It gives you control over how much you spend and what you order. Filip has recommended seafood restaurants where people enjoyed fresh fish, including fish caught that morning, as well as local wine. Those details make lunch feel like part of the island visit rather than a packaged meal at a tourist venue.

I would ask Filip about the restaurant options early in the day and keep enough time for the meal, a walk, and a swim. The two-hour stop can accommodate all three if you keep moving, but it is not long enough for a drawn-out lunch followed by extensive sightseeing.

Sailing conditions can shape the day

The title promises sailing, but wind is never guaranteed. Several outings had little wind, and the boat used its motor for parts of the route. Filip still raised the sails for photographs when possible, and some groups got the chance to help hoist them.

That is worth knowing before you book. If your main goal is an active sailing lesson with the boat under sail for most of the day, this may not deliver that every time. If your goal is a comfortable day on the Adriatic with island stops, swimming, and some sailing when conditions permit, it is a safer choice.

Calm weather has its upside. The ride can be smooth, and the water may be easier for swimming and snorkeling. On a windy day, you may get more genuine sailing but a rougher ride. The captain’s experience matters here, and Filip has been praised for keeping the day safe and adjusting the route when needed.

The remaining hours between the stops are not wasted. They give you time to sit back, dry off, watch the coast, and talk with the captain or the other people on board. Still, bring something to read or simply expect some unstructured time. This is a day at sea, not a nonstop sightseeing program.

What the $157.22 price really covers

At $157.22 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Elafiti Islands. Large boats may offer a lower headline price, but you are paying here for a maximum group of six, a captain who also acts as your guide, snorkeling equipment, fuel, a toilet, an outdoor shower, and a more relaxed format.

The value is strongest for couples, families, or small groups who care about space and personal attention. If six people book together, the boat becomes a private-feeling outing without the full cost of arranging a private charter.

You should budget extra for lunch, drinks, and getting to the meeting point. Food can be a real part of the experience, especially if you order fresh fish and local wine on Šipan, but it is not covered by the tour price.

I would not choose this trip purely because it is the cheapest island excursion. I would choose it because the small group avoids the main problem with many Dubrovnik boat trips: too many people competing for the same deck space, beach, and swimming stop.

The captain is a large part of the experience

Filip receives especially strong praise for being friendly, professional, and easy to spend a full day with. He offers background on Dubrovnik and the islands, points out less crowded places, and makes restaurant suggestions based on local knowledge.

That matters because a small boat puts you in close contact with the captain for eight hours. A poor guide would make the day feel long. Filip’s calm manner and clear communication appear to be among the strongest reasons people enjoy the outing.

He has also continued with very small departures rather than canceling when only two people were booked. That suggests flexibility, though the activity does require a minimum number of participants and can be canceled if that minimum is not reached.

You will not get a formal lecture at every stop. Instead, expect informal comments about island life, local places, and the coast as you move between destinations. That suits people who prefer conversation to a headset and scripted narration.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this experience to you if you want:

• A small group rather than a large excursion boat
• Several swimming opportunities in one day
• A relaxed mix of beaches, sailing, and island walking
• Snorkeling without needing to bring your own equipment
• A captain who can suggest a good lunch stop
• A full day away from Dubrovnik’s busy center
• A flexible, personal atmosphere for a couple or small family

It is less suitable if you want a packed sightseeing schedule, included meals, guaranteed sailing under wind power, or hotel pickup. It may also be a poor fit if you dislike open-water swimming or prefer to spend most of the day on land.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The boat has a toilet, but it is still a compact sailing setup rather than a large ferry with broad indoor facilities.

Booking and cancellation details to keep in mind

Confirmation is provided when you book. The tour is offered in English and is commonly booked well ahead of time, with average reservations made about 48 days in advance. That is useful to know if your Dubrovnik dates are fixed, especially in the busy summer period.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded. If bad weather forces cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund, and the same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Should you book the Elafiti sailing tour?

Book it if you want a personal day on the water, not a bargain bus-style excursion. The small boat, three island stops, swimming time, snorkeling gear, and Filip’s attentive guiding make this a strong choice for people who value comfort and local suggestions over the lowest possible price.

The best plan is to reserve it early, arrange your own transport to Lapadska obala, carry beach essentials, and keep money aside for lunch on Šipan. If you understand that wind may be light and lunch is extra, this offers a fine way to trade Dubrovnik’s crowds for clear water, sandy Šunj Beach, and a slower island afternoon.

FAQ

How long does the Elafiti Islands sailing tour last?

The tour lasts about eight hours. It starts at 9:00 a.m. and returns to the meeting point at Lapadska obala 21a in Dubrovnik.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Koločep, Šunj Beach on Lopud, and Šipan. Stops include time for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, walking, and lunch.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

No. Lunch is optional and not included. You can eat at a local restaurant on one of the islands, with Šipan serving as the main lunch stop.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum of six participants. The small group is one of the main benefits compared with larger boat excursions.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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