Private Full Day Sailing Tour To Elafiti Islands

The best part of this private Elafiti Islands sailing tour is the freedom to slow down. With skipper Filip at the helm, you can swim from quiet bays, snorkel in clear water, linger over lunch on Šipan, and avoid the packed feel of a large excursion boat. I especially like the small private group of up to six and the chance to shape the day around swimming, food, or a walk ashore.

I also like that the boat includes snorkeling gear, an outdoor shower, and a restroom. Those details matter on an eight-hour outing. The main consideration is the price: $692.36 per group is good value for six people, but much less so for only two. Wind can also affect the experience, since calm weather may mean more time using the motor than sailing.

Key points to know before booking

• Three island stops: Swim near Koločep, visit sandy Šunj Beach on Lopud, and spend time on Šipan.
• Private setting: Only your group participates, with room for up to six people.
• Skipper Filip: He handles the route, offers local suggestions, and can help arrange a restaurant reservation on Šipan.
• Eight hours on the water: The schedule includes roughly four hours of sailing and cruising, along with time ashore and swimming.
• Bring your own extras: Lunch, soda, alcohol, snacks, towels, and transport to the marina are not included.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Why a private Elafiti Islands day works so well

Dubrovnik is famous for its old stone walls, but the sea gives you a different view of the region. The Elafiti Islands sit just offshore, and a private boat lets you trade crowded city streets for open water, small harbors, and simple swimming stops.

This is not a sightseeing trip packed with monuments. It is a relaxed day built around the pleasures of the Dalmatian coast: jumping into clear water, drying in the sun, walking through a small island town, and eating seafood at your own pace.

I would choose this outing for a family, two couples, or a group of friends who want a shared day without strangers on board. The private format also helps if your group has mixed interests. One person can swim, another can snorkel, and someone else can stay aboard or head ashore.

The pace is intentionally unhurried. You are not racing from one island to another to collect photographs. You are spending much of the day cruising, with enough time at each main stop to enjoy it.

Starting at Lapadska obala 21 in Dubrovnik

The tour begins at 9:00 a.m. at Lapadska obala 21, a marina meeting point in Dubrovnik. Bus 6 serves the area, which gives you a practical public transport option if you are staying elsewhere in the city.

If you are outside Dubrovnik, arrange your own ride to the marina. The estimated cost for an Uber is about 40 euros, but that is only a guide and is not included in the tour price. You should allow enough time to reach the meeting point without turning the start of your holiday morning into a sprint.

The boat returns to the same meeting point after the day on the water. That simple arrangement is useful because you do not need to coordinate a second pickup on another island.

Before departure, I would bring a water bottle, snacks, sunscreen, a hat, and a towel. The boat has an outdoor shower and a restroom, but lunch and drinks are not supplied. One useful tip is to bring cash or a payment card for the restaurant and any drink stop, since those costs are your responsibility.

Koločep: an early swim in a quiet bay

The first island stop is Koločep, where you get about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. The plan is to enjoy the water rather than spend the hour on a formal guided walk.

Stopping early for a swim is a smart choice. You can settle into the day, test the water, and enjoy the feeling of being away from Dubrovnik. If you prefer snorkeling, equipment is provided, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins.

The boat-based approach also gives you flexibility. You can swim from the boat instead of searching for a beach, then rinse off with the outdoor shower before settling back in. Families should note that buoyancy vests for young children were available on a previous outing, and Filip paid close attention to their safety.

The main limitation is that one hour passes quickly. If you want a long beach session, this is not a full beach day. It is a refreshing first stop before the boat moves on.

Šunj Beach on Lopud: sand, water, and a drink ashore

The second stop is Šunj Beach on Lopud, known for its sandy shore. Sand is a welcome change along a coast where many swimming spots are rocky or reached from a boat.

You can swim and snorkel from the boat, sunbathe aboard, or swim toward shore for a drink at one of the restaurants. That choice makes this stop work for different kinds of groups. Strong swimmers can head to the beach, while anyone who prefers to stay close to the boat can enjoy the water without going ashore.

I would keep expectations practical. The stop is about an hour, so you may need to choose between a proper beach visit and a relaxed drink. If the sea is calm and you are comfortable swimming, reaching shore can add a pleasant change of scene. If you have young children or weaker swimmers, staying aboard may be simpler.

The water is one of the main reasons to book this tour, but you should not expect a full list of activities at every island. The pleasure is in having time to swim, dry off, and watch the islands pass by.

Šipan: the day’s best place for lunch and a walk

Šipan is the final main island stop and offers the broadest choice of things to do. You can walk through the town, visit Škocibuha Castle, swim from the beach, or eat at a local restaurant.

This is where the tour feels most like a small coastal escape rather than a simple boat ride. After the morning swims, a walk through the town gives you time on land. The castle adds a little history, while the restaurant stop lets you settle in for a proper meal.

Lunch is not included, but Filip can help with a reservation. That can be useful because small island restaurants may fill up, especially during the busy season. In one account of the trip, he arranged a table at a seafood restaurant that was otherwise fully booked.

I would ask about the lunch plan before departure if food is important to you. You can also bring snacks in case you prefer a shorter meal or want to spend more time swimming. The tour gives you choice, but it does not cover the bill.

The listed schedule allows about two hours for Šipan. That is enough time for a meal and a short walk, though you may need to choose between the castle, the beach, and a long lunch. The island stop is not meant to be an exhaustive history tour. It is a relaxed visit with several good options.

Four hours of cruising through the Elafiti Islands

About four hours of the day are set aside for sailing and cruising. This is not empty time. It is the part of the outing that lets you enjoy the setting without a constant schedule.

You will spend time moving between the islands, with opportunities to look back toward the coast, watch the water, and talk with your group. The boat may sail under wind power when conditions cooperate, but calm weather can require the motor. That is normal for a sailing trip, yet it is worth knowing if you are booking specifically for a full day under sail.

The slower pace suits people who want a restful day. If you need nonstop activity, a sightseeing cruise with more scheduled stops may suit you better. Here, the boat itself is part of the experience.

Filip is described as friendly, responsive, and easy to reach by WhatsApp before the trip. He also knows the surrounding islands and can suggest swimming spots and places to eat. That personal contact is valuable on a private outing because you can discuss the day rather than simply follow a fixed group program.

What the private format adds

The boat carries only your group, up to six people. This changes the feel of the outing more than a standard feature list might suggest.

On a large boat, you often have to accept someone else’s timetable. Here, the skipper can adjust the balance between swimming, walking, lunch, and cruising within the planned route. If your group wants a quiet afternoon after lunch, you can have it. If everyone wants one more swim, that is easier to discuss.

The private format is especially useful for families. The boat gives parents more control over the day, and Filip has provided high-quality buoyancy vests for children. You still need to supervise children around the water, but the smaller setting can feel less hectic than a crowded excursion.

It also works well for couples and friends who care more about time together than ticking off many sights. You pay for the boat as a group, not per individual, so six people get the strongest value.

Is $692.36 a fair price?

At $692.36 for up to six people, the price works out to about $115 per person if you fill every place. For four people, it is roughly $173 each. For two people, it becomes about $346 per person before lunch, drinks, and transport.

That makes the group size important. A family of six or a group of friends can get good value from a full private day, particularly because the price includes fuel, snorkeling equipment, the skipper, and the boat. A couple should compare the cost with a shared cruise or a shorter private charter.

The value is not only in the stops. You are paying for privacy, a flexible pace, local help with swimming spots and lunch, and eight hours on the water. If those things matter to you, the higher total can make sense.

You should budget for the extras. Lunch is separate, as are soda, alcohol, and any transport to and from the marina. Bring water and snacks if you want to keep spending under control.

What to pack for the boat

Pack lightly, but bring the items that make a water day comfortable:

• Swimsuit and a towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Reusable water bottle
• Snacks
• Dry clothing for the ride home
• Money or a card for lunch and drinks
• Any personal snorkeling equipment you prefer

Snorkeling equipment is available, and the boat has a restroom and an outdoor shower. You still need to bring your own towel, as well as anything you want to eat between stops.

Do not count on alcoholic drinks or soda being available as part of the fare. The practical approach is to stock up before departure or buy drinks during an island stop.

Who should book this sailing day?

I would recommend it to a group that wants a calm, private day with swimming and island time. It is a strong fit for families, friends, and couples who prefer a personal boat to a crowded excursion.

It also suits people who like a little local guidance but do not need a formal lecture at every stop. Filip can suggest places to swim and eat, and he can help with restaurant reservations. The day has structure, but it does not feel rigid.

You may want another kind of tour if your main goal is to visit many historic sites, spend hours on a sandy beach, or guarantee constant sailing under wind power. The route includes cultural touches such as Škocibuha Castle, but swimming and cruising remain the main focus.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour depends on good weather, so keep some flexibility in your schedule. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Should you book the Elafiti Islands tour?

Book it if you can share the cost with four to six people and want an easygoing day away from Dubrovnik. The strongest reasons are the private setting, the clear-water swimming stops, the choice of activities on Šipan, and Filip’s hands-on help with the day.

Think twice if you are traveling as a pair and watching every euro, or if you want a tightly packed sightseeing program. You will spend a lot of time cruising, and calm weather may limit the amount of actual sailing.

For the right group, this is a generous day on the Adriatic: three island experiences, time for lunch, room to swim, and no strangers setting the pace.

FAQ

How long is the Elafiti Islands sailing tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours. It starts at 9:00 a.m. and ends back at the meeting point in Dubrovnik.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is Lapadska obala 21, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private tour is available for a group of up to six people. Only your group participates.

Which islands are included?

The route includes Koločep, Šunj Beach on Lopud, and Šipan, along with cruising through the Elafiti Islands.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price. You will have a lunch stop on one of the islands and should pay for your own meal.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for use during the tour.

Does the boat have a restroom?

Yes. A restroom and an outdoor shower are available on board.

Are drinks included?

No. Soda and alcoholic beverages are not included. You should bring water and snacks or buy drinks during an island stop.

Is transport to the marina included?

No. Transport to and from the marina is separate. An Uber from outside Dubrovnik may cost about 40 euros, but the exact amount can vary.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Free cancellation is also available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.