Private tours to Elaphite Islands by UFO BOAT

Trade city walls for open water. This private Elaphite Islands cruise gives you eight hours aboard Dubrovnik’s futuristic UFO BOAT, with time for caves, swimming, sandy beaches, island villages, and a relaxed lunch stop. I especially like the private format, which keeps the boat for your group of up to 14, and the included drinks, snorkeling gear, fuel, and life jackets. The main drawback is the high total price, which makes the trip far better value for a large group than for a couple.

You can shape the day around your group, choose the music, bring extra drinks for the onboard fridge, and ask the crew for advice on swimming spots or lunch. Food is not included, towels are not supplied, and the exact route depends on your agreement with the crew, so pack carefully and confirm the pickup details before setting off.

Key points to know before booking

• Three Elaphite stops in eight hours: Koločep, Lopud, and Suđurađ on Šipan each offer a different kind of island day.
• A boat built for private celebrations: The UFO BOAT suits birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties, families, friends, and team outings.
• Blue Cave and snorkeling time: Koločep is the main stop for caves, clear water, snorkeling, and supervised jumps from the rocks.
• Šunj Beach is the beach highlight: Lopud brings you to one of the area’s best-known sandy beaches, plus a village promenade and optional lunch.
• Drinks are included: Water, soft drinks, wine, beer, and grappa are provided, and you may bring your own drinks.
• Best value with a full group: At $2,601.99 for up to 14 people, the maximum party pays about $186 per person before lunch.

Why the UFO BOAT makes this island trip different

The boat is the attraction as much as the islands. Its futuristic design gives the day a playful party feel, rather than the standard excursion-boat experience. If you want a quiet, traditional sailing trip, this may feel too showy. If you want your boat ride to be part of the occasion, the UFO shape gives the outing a clear sense of fun.

The private setup matters even more. You are not sharing the day with a large mixed crowd, and your group can choose music, spend longer swimming, or ask the crew to adjust the pace. The crew provides suggestions about where to go and what to do, but you still have room to make the day your own.

The experience lasts about eight hours, with roughly two hours at Koločep, three hours at Lopud, and three hours around Suđurađ. That is a full day on the water, not a quick island sampler. Bring sun protection, a swimsuit, and a willingness to get wet early, since the first stop is built around swimming and snorkeling.

The boat carries adult and child life jackets, which is useful for families. Snorkeling equipment is also included. Alcohol is allowed only for people aged 18 and over, and the included drinks cover wine, beer, grappa, bottled water, Coca-Cola, and iced tea.

Koločep: caves, clear water, and the Blue Cave

Koločep is the first stop, and it sets the tone quickly. The island is known for caves and canyons, with the Blue Cave as the main sight. The crew can guide you through the swimming and snorkeling portion, and you may also jump from the rocks under their direction.

I like this opening because it puts the most active part of the day first. You do not spend the morning simply sitting on a boat. Instead, you can get into the water, look around the caves, and start the island visit with something memorable.

The two-hour stop gives you enough time for more than a rushed photo stop. You can swim, use the supplied snorkeling equipment, and take photographs around the caves. The water and rock formations are likely to be the main visual reward, so keep your camera protected and ready.

Koločep is also where the crew’s role matters most. A boat operator who knows the local water can help you judge where to swim and how to approach the rocks. Follow the guidance closely, especially if children or less confident swimmers are joining your group.

The practical catch is simple: this is not a dry sightseeing cruise. You need to be comfortable entering the sea from the boat or shoreline, and you should not expect towels to be waiting afterward. Pack your own towel and a dry change of clothes.

Lopud and Šunj Beach: the sandy beach stop

The second stop is Lopud, the second-largest of the Elaphite Islands. Its main draw is Šunj Beach, a sandy beach set in a bay on the island’s southeast side. Sand is a welcome change after the rocky caves of Koločep, especially for families or anyone who prefers an easy swim and a softer place to sit.

You have about three hours here, so the stop can be as lazy or active as your group wants. You can swim at Šunj, walk toward the village of Lopud, or take a place at a restaurant or coffee bar along the seaside promenade.

Lopud is car-free and green, which gives the visit a slower feel. The village is arranged around a bay, and the promenade makes it easy to combine a meal with a short walk. The crew can reserve lunch at one of the island’s better restaurants if you ask.

Remember that lunch is not included. That is important because the trip includes drinks but no food on board. If you want a restaurant meal, request help with the reservation before or during the trip. If you prefer to keep costs down, bring food or snacks, though you should confirm how your group wants to handle this with the crew.

There is also a historical side to Lopud. The ruins of Fortress Sutvrac sit about 15 to 20 minutes on foot from Lopud village and offer a view over Lopud Bay. Several small churches add interest around the island.

The fortress walk is not a full hike, but it does take time and involves leaving the beach area. With three hours on the island, you may be able to combine a swim, lunch, and part of the walk, but you probably should not try to do everything at a leisurely pace. For most groups, Šunj and the village promenade will be the better use of the stop. Pick the fortress if views and old buildings matter more to you than extra beach time.

Suđurađ on Šipan: a quieter final stop

The last stop is Suđurađ, a small settlement on Šipan. Compared with Lopud, it offers a quieter close to the day. The village has kept much of its traditional character, and the island is known for beaches, small bays, clear sea, local wine, olive oil, and seafood.

This is a good final stop because it changes the mood again. Koločep is about caves and water activities. Lopud is about the sandy beach and an easy seaside outing. Suđurađ gives you a chance to slow down and enjoy a less crowded island setting.

Šipan once attracted wealthy families from Dubrovnik as a summer retreat, and old summer residences and palaces remain part of the local character. In Suđurađ’s central square, two particularly ornate buildings have a fortress-like appearance. These details give you something to look at beyond the shoreline.

The three-hour allocation is generous for a small settlement. You can swim, sit by the water, look around the village, or arrange a meal featuring seafood and local products. The experience does not provide food on board, so a restaurant lunch or dinner stop will cost extra.

I would treat Suđurađ as a place for atmosphere rather than a packed list of sights. You may find fewer services and less activity than in Dubrovnik or on Lopud. That is part of its appeal, but anyone seeking a lively beach scene may prefer to spend more of the day at Šunj.

Drinks, snorkeling gear, and what you need to pack

The included drinks are one of the strongest practical features. You receive wine, beer, grappa, bottled water, Coca-Cola, and iced tea. You can also bring your own drinks, with a fridge available on the boat.

That arrangement works well for a private group. You can keep the supplied drinks for the boat ride and add particular favorites for your party. Drink responsibly, especially if you plan to swim, climb near rocks, or jump from a designated spot.

Snorkeling equipment and life jackets for adults and children are included. Fuel, private transportation, fees, and taxes are also covered, so the price does not appear to grow through common boat-tour add-ons.

Lunch and towels are not included. I would pack a towel for every person, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a swimsuit, and a dry bag for phones and cameras. Bring a change of clothes if you expect to swim at Koločep and again at Lopud.

The boat is open to your own music choices, which is a small detail with a large effect on group mood. A birthday group may want a party playlist, while a family may prefer something calmer. Agree on the music before departure so one person does not control the whole day.

Is $2,601.99 good value for your group?

The price is $2,601.99 for the whole boat, with up to 14 people. At full capacity, that works out to about $186 per person. For 10 people, it is about $260 each. For six people, the cost rises to about $434 each, and for two people it is more than $1,300 each.

That calculation tells you who should book. A large family group, wedding party, birthday group, or company outing can get reasonable value from the private boat. You are paying for an eight-hour private experience, fuel, crew, drinks, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and the ability to set the rhythm of the day.

A couple or small group should compare the cost carefully with shared boat trips or shorter excursions. The UFO BOAT’s private setting and special design may justify the premium for a celebration, but it is not a budget island transfer.

The included drinks also add value, especially for a group that would otherwise buy refreshments throughout the day. Lunch remains an extra cost, and any restaurant meal should be treated as part of your own budget.

Six pieces of feedback connected with the experience received the highest available rating, with particular praise for friendly service, careful organization, and the feeling of being well looked after. Specific crew members praised by name included Niko and Suzana, while Laura helped arrange one booking in Dubrovnik’s Old Town. Another outing associated with the same operation included a dolphin sighting, though wildlife is never guaranteed and should not be part of your booking calculation.

Crew service and the private-day advantage

Good service is especially important on a private boat. The crew is not only steering you between islands. They help with route choices, swimming locations, cave visits, lunch arrangements, and the practical details that can make an eight-hour day easy or awkward.

The feedback points to friendly staff and strong communication during transfer arrangements. Pickup is offered, but the exact pickup point is not set out in the details provided, so confirm where and when you will meet the crew. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

This is also a useful choice if you dislike crowded excursions. Your group has the boat to itself, and the day does not have to follow the same pattern as a large group tour. You can ask for advice without feeling that you are holding up dozens of other people.

Still, private does not mean unlimited. The three island stops and their approximate durations form the basic plan, and sea conditions or the crew’s advice may affect the precise route. Ask about any must-see spot before departure rather than assuming every request will fit into the day.

Who should book the UFO BOAT experience?

I would recommend this trip most strongly to groups of eight to 14 people who want a private day at sea. It suits families with children, friend groups, birthday parties, bachelor and bachelorette groups, and team-building outings.

It also works for people who want several kinds of island scenery in one day. You get caves and snorkeling at Koločep, sand and a village promenade at Lopud, then a quieter traditional settlement on Šipan.

I would think twice if you dislike boats, do not want to swim, or prefer a structured historical tour with a guide on land. You will spend much of the day outside, and the best parts depend on enjoying the sea.

The trip is also less appealing for very small groups on a tight budget. The flat group price rewards numbers. If you can fill most of the 14 places, the calculation becomes much easier to defend.

Booking, timing, and cancellation advice

The operating period listed is April 1 through December 11, 2025, from Monday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, with cutoff times based on local time.

Most people can take part, and the tour is near public transportation. Since pickup is offered but the meeting details are not fully specified, confirm the exact collection point, departure time, and any mobility questions before paying.

FAQ

How long is the private UFO BOAT tour?

The tour lasts about eight hours. The planned stops allow roughly two hours at Koločep, three hours at Lopud, and three hours at Suđurađ on Šipan.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to 14 people. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is lunch included?

No. Food is not provided on board, and lunch costs extra. The crew can help reserve a restaurant on Lopud if you request it.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The boat provides wine, beer, grappa, bottled water, Coca-Cola, and iced tea. You may also bring your own drinks, and a fridge is available on board.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets for adults and children are included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not eligible for a refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you can fill much of the boat and want the day to feel like your own private celebration. The mix of Koločep’s caves, Lopud’s sandy Šunj Beach, and quiet Suđurađ gives you more variety than a single-island visit, while the included drinks and equipment simplify the planning.

I would not book it for a small group simply because the boat looks fun. The cost rises fast when divided among only two or three people, and lunch and towels remain extra. For a full group that values privacy, flexible music, friendly crew service, and a full day on the water, the UFO BOAT offers a memorable and practical way to see the islands beyond Dubrovnik.