Rent a Traditional Wooden Boat (64 pax)

Dubrovnik’s best day at sea may be the one you design yourself. This 64-person wooden boat gives your group a private base for beaches, small islands, swimming, music, and long views across the Adriatic, with a captain and crew handling the sailing.

I like the generous capacity and the freedom to shape the day. I also like that snorkeling equipment, crew, fees, and an air-conditioned vehicle are included. The main caution is price: $2,304.79 is reasonable for a full group, but steep for a smaller party, and catering costs extra.

Key points at a glance

• A real group boat: The vessel is built for up to 64 people, making it practical for weddings, reunions, and large celebrations.
• An eight-hour private outing: You have time for several swimming or island stops instead of a rushed short cruise.
• Crew included: A captain and onboard crew manage navigation and service while you enjoy the day.
• Snorkeling gear comes with the boat: You do not need to arrange basic equipment separately.
• Three-island routes may be possible: Several outings have used a three-island plan, but confirm your exact route before booking.
• Food is not automatically included: Catering can be arranged, but it is an additional cost unless your agreement says otherwise.

Setting out from Port Gruž

Your day begins at Port Gruž, at Obala Ivana Pavla II 13, about a short ride from Dubrovnik’s Old Town. The boat returns here at the end, so you are not left arranging a second pickup from another island or harbor.

A private departure from Gruž works well for a large party. You can gather at one clear meeting point, board together, and leave the city behind without splitting into several small boats. The port is also near public transportation.

Pickup is offered only for locations more than 700 meters from the starting point. That wording is easy to misread, so check the exact pickup arrangement when you book. If your accommodation is close to Gruž, you may need to make your own way to the port.

The published schedule shows operating dates from January 4 through January 11, 2025, with hours listed from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. That does not neatly match an eight-hour cruise, so confirm the departure time and date directly. The experience is weather-dependent, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

What the traditional wooden boat adds

This is not simply transport from point A to point B. A traditional wooden boat gives the day a more social, old-fashioned feel, especially for a wedding, birthday, work gathering, or family reunion. The open sea becomes the main setting, and the boat itself is part of the occasion.

The capacity is the big selling point. Sixty-four people can share the same deck, music, meal, and swimming stops rather than being divided into several smaller groups. That is useful for a large celebration, though it also means the atmosphere depends on your own crowd. A private boat is only as relaxed as the people who fill it.

The boat is equipped for safe and comfortable navigation, and an air-conditioned vehicle is listed among the inclusions. The wording does not make clear whether this refers to transfer service or a particular onboard area, so ask how it applies to your booking. You should also confirm seating, shade, restroom arrangements, and sound equipment if those details matter for your event. They are not specified here.

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Names connected with past sailings include Emily, Ivan, Renata, Ranta, and Nataša, though the staff assigned to your date may be different. The service style described is attentive and friendly, with crew members checking that everything is going well and helping keep the mood light.

Choosing your route through the Adriatic

The description promises beaches, small islands, and quiet corners of the Adriatic, but it does not give one fixed route. That flexibility can be an advantage. You can discuss the kind of day you want, such as more swimming, more island time, or more time for a celebration onboard.

A three-island route has been used on previous outings. It is a sensible format for an eight-hour cruise because it gives the day a clear rhythm: sail out from Dubrovnik, stop at several islands or beaches, allow time for swimming and snorkeling, then return to Gruž.

Do not treat the three-island plan as guaranteed until it is written into your agreement. Weather, sea conditions, timing, and your group’s wishes may affect the route. Ask which islands are planned, how long you will stay at each stop, and if the boat can change the order of stops.

The small islands are appealing because they offer a break from Dubrovnik’s urban setting. You might find a quiet cove, a swimming area, or a beach with fewer distractions than the city. Still, the exact character of each stop is not described, so you should not book this expecting a specific famous beach or landmark unless the operator confirms it.

Swimming and snorkeling stops

Snorkeling equipment is included, which is a useful touch for a full-day charter. You can use the time at anchor to cool off and explore the water without renting basic gear on the side.

The exact snorkeling locations are not stated. Ask whether equipment is available in a full range of sizes and whether the crew provides any instruction. The listing says most people can participate, but swimming ability and comfort in open water remain personal matters. If someone in your party does not swim, make that clear before you settle on the route.

The best part of a sea day is often the change of pace. You can move from conversation and music to a swim, then return to the deck for a drink or meal. With eight hours available, you are less likely to feel that every stop must be rushed.

On the other hand, a large boat is not the same as a small speedboat. The vessel is designed for group comfort and celebrations, not necessarily for quick movement into narrow coves. If your priority is visiting many hard-to-reach spots in one day, ask about the boat’s size and route limits before paying.

Food, drinks, music, and the real price

The listed price is $2,304.79 per group, but the booking information says up to one participant, which is clearly not a useful description for a boat that carries 64 people. Treat the figure as a private charter price and confirm the final group limit, currency, taxes, and payment terms directly.

At full capacity, the base price works out to roughly $36 per person before food and other extras. That can be good value for a full wedding party or reunion, especially since captain, crew, fees, and snorkeling equipment are included. For a group of 20, however, the same boat costs about $115 per person before catering. The value improves as your party gets larger.

Food and catering are specifically excluded. This matters because some past packages included a meal and drinks for an additional charge, with choices such as fish, chicken, or vegetarian dishes and alcoholic and soft drinks. Those arrangements should not be assumed to apply to your booking. Ask for a written catering price and check whether service, drinks, table settings, and cleanup are included.

Music has also been part of some outings, but onboard music equipment is not listed among the included features. If music is central to your celebration, confirm what the boat supplies and what you may bring. A wedding or party needs more than a vague promise of a good atmosphere.

I like the chance to tailor catering to your group. A fish meal suits a Croatian coastal day, while a vegetarian option makes planning easier for mixed groups. The drawback is that your final cost may be much higher than the headline charter price once food, drinks, entertainment, and transfers are added.

Crew service and the tone of the day

A private boat charter succeeds or fails on crew service. Navigation is important, but so are timing, communication, safety, and the small practical tasks that keep a large group comfortable.

The crew associated with earlier sailings received warm praise for being helpful, funny, and attentive. Emily is described as especially friendly and useful during service, while Ivan is remembered for his humor. Other names appear in connection with the boat crew, including Renata, Ranta, and Nataša. You should not count on a particular person unless the operator confirms the assignment.

That personal service is valuable when you are organizing a large group. Someone needs to answer questions, keep the day moving, help with food, and make sure people know when it is time to return to the boat. Good crew members reduce the amount of event management you have to do yourself.

The tone may be lively rather than quiet. Music, meals, drinks, and a large group can make this feel like a floating celebration. If you want peaceful sailing and long stretches of silence, tell the operator. A 64-person boat is better suited to shared energy than to a private, hushed escape.

Who will get the most from this charter

This is a strong match for a large family group, wedding party, company outing, birthday gathering, or reunion. You can split the base price among many people, arrange a meal, and use the boat as both transportation and event venue.

It also suits a group that wants control over the day. You can discuss the route, request catering, plan swimming time, and build the outing around your own occasion rather than joining a standard excursion with strangers.

A smaller group should think carefully. If only a handful of people are going, the charter price may be hard to justify. A shared boat trip or smaller private vessel could offer better value, though this large boat gives you far more room for a group celebration.

This is not the right choice if you need a guaranteed named guide, a fixed island list, included meals, or a detailed published timetable. Those details are either flexible or extra. Get them confirmed before you commit.

Practical booking advice before you pay

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. Because the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons, check your date, headcount, catering needs, and meeting point before booking.

Ask these questions in writing:

• Which islands and beaches are planned?
• Is a three-island route available on your date?
• What does the $2,304.79 price cover for your actual group?
• What is the cost of fish, chicken, vegetarian meals, and drinks?
• Is music equipment supplied?
• What does the air-conditioned vehicle inclusion mean?
• Where exactly will pickup occur?
• What happens if the sea is unsafe or the weather changes?

Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the published information does not give detailed access notes for boarding, deck movement, or swimming stops. Ask ahead if anyone in your group has mobility needs.

Should you book this boat?

Book it if you have a large group and want one private day on the water, with room for swimming, island stops, food, and a celebration. The crew, full-day timing, and 64-person capacity make the offer especially useful for weddings and reunions. At full capacity, the base cost can be quite fair.

Think twice if your party is small or if you need every detail fixed in advance. The route is flexible, catering costs extra, the booking wording contains confusing capacity and schedule information, and the fee is non-refundable except when poor weather forces cancellation. Confirm those points first, then this can be a memorable way to trade Dubrovnik’s crowded streets for a day of salt air and open water.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start and finish?

It starts at Port Gruž, Obala Ivana Pavla II 13, Dubrovnik. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can the boat hold?

The traditional wooden boat can accommodate up to 64 people.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately eight hours.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food and catering are not included in the listed price, but catering can be arranged for an additional cost.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.