Dubrovnik Islands Private Rented Boat Cruise

Koločep’s Blue Cave gives this private cruise its first burst of drama, but the real pleasure is having eight hours to shape the day around your group. Your skipper can guide you toward Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, or adjust the plan for swimming, snorkeling, beach time, a picnic, and island walks.

I like the 12-person limit, which keeps this from feeling like a floating bus, and I like the simple pricing: fuel, skipper, and unlimited water, soft drinks, and white and red wine are included. The main drawback is cost. At $924.18 for the boat, this makes the most sense for a large family or group, not a couple looking for a cheap day on the water.

Key points to know before you book

• Koločep’s Blue Cave is the most distinctive stop, with time for snorkeling and swimming.
• Lopud’s Šunj Beach gives you a rare sandy beach day near Dubrovnik.
• Šipan adds island scenery, historic buildings, gardens, and places to eat.
• Your skipper sets the pace, so you can favor swimming, sightseeing, walking, or a relaxed lunch.
• The 12-meter Đivo boat has a fridge, CD player, life-jackets, and useful shade.
• The price works best for groups of eight to twelve, especially families sharing the boat.

Why this private boat day works so well

Dubrovnik’s old town gets most of the attention, but the nearby Elafiti Islands offer a welcome change of pace. Instead of stone lanes and crowded viewpoints, you get open water, small coves, low-key island villages, and the freedom to stop when the water looks too inviting to pass.

This is not a tightly timed sightseeing circuit. You rent the boat for up to eight hours, with a skipper at the helm. That matters because a private boat day can fit different ages and energy levels in one group. One person can swim while another stays in the shade. Children can play in the water, grandparents can enjoy the views, and nobody has to follow a fixed group schedule.

The skipper can also help you choose how much time to spend at each island. You might focus on the Blue Cave and beaches, or give more time to Lopud and Šipan for walking and historic sights. That flexibility is the heart of the experience.

Leaving from Gruž Port

The meeting point is Gruž Port Parking at Obala Stjepana Radića 39, a practical starting point for a full day on the water. Pickup is offered, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

The listed operating hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., from February 1 through October 30, 2026. The cruise itself lasts about eight hours, so expect most of your day to be committed to the boat. That is useful to know when planning other Dubrovnik sightseeing.

The boat is the 12-meter Đivo, though the crew may use another boat, such as the Nara mentioned in one account. It is equipped with a fridge, CD player, and life-jackets. Shade is also available, an important detail during a long summer day when sitting in direct sun can become tiring.

The boat holds a maximum of 12 people, and this is a private activity. Only your own group joins, so you do not have to share the itinerary with strangers or negotiate every swim stop with a large crowd.

Koločep and the Blue Cave

Koločep is often the most memorable early stop because of its Blue Cave. You can snorkel around the cave and swim in clear water, turning a scenic boat ride into something active.

The Blue Cave is not simply a photo stop. Bring a swimsuit and expect to get wet if you want the full experience. Snorkeling equipment is not specifically listed as included, so confirm what is available before departure or ask what you should bring.

Koločep also gives you a chance to slow down and enjoy the coast from the water. The islands around Dubrovnik have rocky and pebbly edges, with small bathing spots that look very different from the city’s harbor. Your skipper can help find a suitable place for swimming, but sea conditions and the group’s preferences will shape the stop.

For families, this island can be a strong opening to the day. A family group of ten with children and grandparents found the combination of swimming, cave exploration, and shaded boat seating manageable for everyone. That does not remove the usual need for caution around slippery rocks and open water, but it shows why a private boat can work well for mixed-age groups.

Lopud and the sandy sweep of Šunj Beach

Lopud is the island to prioritize if your idea of a perfect boat day includes sand. Šunj Beach is a sandy lagoon beach often described as one of the top beaches in the world, and it offers a different feel from the rocky and pebbly swimming spots around the islands.

A sandy beach is especially useful for families with children or anyone who dislikes climbing over rocks to reach the sea. You can swim, walk along the shore, or simply spend time on the beach before returning to the boat.

The tradeoff is that a beach stop can take a large part of the day. If your group also wants a long lunch, a historical walk, a garden visit, and time at Šipan, you will need to let the skipper know what matters most. Eight hours sounds generous, but the islands offer enough choices to fill it quickly.

Lopud also has historical buildings and botanical gardens worth seeing. You should not expect a formal land tour of every sight, since entrance fees to historical monuments are not included. Still, the island gives you more to do than swim and sunbathe.

Šipan for a slower island stop

Šipan adds another layer to the outing. It offers beautiful nature, swimming spots, island walks, historic buildings, and places where you can stop for a meal. The day can feel less like a list of attractions and more like a private coastal outing.

You can ask the skipper to take you to favorite places rather than follow a rigid route. Tino, one of the guides associated with the boat, is described as especially willing to let a group choose its priorities. Another skipper offered short explanations about landmarks along the way, which is useful when you want more context than a simple transfer between beaches.

A local island lunch can be one of the day’s best moments. One group had a very good lunch at a restaurant on an island, but the meal is not included in the tour price. Plan to pay separately for food, and ask the skipper about timing if lunch is important to you.

Šipan is a good choice for groups that want a little more than swimming. You can split the day between water time and a walk past old buildings or gardens. If your whole group wants an uninterrupted beach day, you may prefer to keep the land stops short.

What the skipper adds to the day

The skipper is not just there to operate the boat. The best use of a private cruise is to treat the skipper as a local guide who can adjust the route to the weather, the group, and the water conditions.

A group of ten was picked up and taken to the boat, then asked what they wanted to do instead of being pushed through a preset plan. They chose the skipper’s favorite places and had a more personal day as a result. That is exactly the advantage you are paying for here.

Another skipper gave brief history lessons while passing landmarks. These explanations may be informal rather than a full guided tour, but they can make the coastline more meaningful. If you want background about a building, island, or landmark, ask questions as you go.

The skipper and his wife have also hosted groups together, providing drinks and helping guests settle into the day. Staffing can vary, so do not assume both will be present. The key point is that the experience is built around a private crew rather than a large commercial group.

Boat comfort, drinks, and what to bring

The Đivo is 12 meters long, large enough for a group of up to 12, but it is still a boat rather than a yacht with separate rooms and broad indoor space. The fridge is useful for keeping drinks cool, and the shaded seating can make a major difference during the hottest part of the afternoon.

Included drinks are water, soft drinks, and unlimited white and red wine. That is a pleasant value on an eight-hour trip, though you should still bring anything specific your group needs. Fuel and the skipper are also included, so you will not face a separate fuel charge at the end.

Pack the basics:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sun protection
• Comfortable footwear for rocky or pebbly shorelines
• A change of clothes if you plan to snorkel and walk on land
• Any personal snacks or drinks you prefer
• Money for lunch and monument entrance fees

Life-jackets are available on board. The tour is near public transportation, and most people can take part, but the day still involves boarding a boat, moving around a deck, entering the sea, and walking on island shorelines. If someone in your group has mobility concerns, ask the operator for practical details before booking.

What the $924 price really means

The price is $924.18 per group of up to 12. That sounds high until you divide it by the number of people sharing the boat.

For a full group of 12, the cost is about $77 per person. With 10 people, it is about $92 per person. With six people, it rises to about $154 per person. The skipper, fuel, and listed drinks are included, which makes the larger-group price easier to justify.

You are paying for privacy and control as much as transportation. A shared boat may cost less, but it could give you less say over swim stops, lunch timing, or time on each island. Here, you can ask to linger at Šunj Beach, spend longer snorkeling near Koločep, or shorten a stop if the group is ready to move on.

The price is harder to defend for two or three people. At that point, compare it with a shared island cruise or a shorter private outing. The private option becomes good value when a family or group fills most of the 12 seats.

The practical drawbacks to consider

The biggest limitation is the fixed eight-hour commitment. You need to be comfortable spending most of a day on a boat, with stops shaped by weather, sea conditions, and group preference.

You also need to make choices. Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan each offer enough to occupy a full day on their own, and it may not be possible to give every island a long swim, a proper walk, a garden visit, and a meal. Tell the skipper your priorities early.

Monument entry fees are extra, and lunch is not included. The cruise provides drinks, but you should budget separately for any restaurant meal and historical sites.

Finally, the sea is the main attraction, so this is not ideal if your group dislikes boats, swimming, or outdoor exposure. Shade helps, but you will still spend much of the day around sun, wind, water, and movement.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend it most strongly for families, friend groups, and multigenerational parties of eight to twelve people. The private setting lets you balance different needs without losing the relaxed feel of a day at sea.

It also suits couples or smaller groups who place a high value on privacy and can accept the higher per-person price. If you are visiting Dubrovnik for several days, this makes a good counterpoint to old-town sightseeing.

You should choose it if you want freedom, swimming, island beaches, and a skipper who can shape the route. Choose something else if you want a formal guided history tour, a low-cost excursion, or a tightly fixed schedule with every entrance and meal included.

The experience receives a 4.9 rating from 22 reviews, with 95 percent recommending it. The strongest praise centers on friendly skippers, flexible planning, family suitability, shade, drinks, and the chance to visit the islands at your own rhythm.

My booking advice

Book this private boat day if you can fill at least eight seats and want the Elafiti Islands to be the main event of your Dubrovnik day. Ask your group to rank its priorities before departure: Blue Cave, Šunj Beach, snorkeling, lunch, historic buildings, gardens, or simply time on the water.

I especially like the option for the skipper to suggest favorite spots instead of forcing everyone through a standard route. That flexibility, combined with the private 12-person boat, is the reason to choose this cruise over a basic island transfer.

Book at least 24 hours ahead if you want the option of a full refund after changing plans. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refundable, and changes inside that window are not accepted.

FAQ

How long is the private boat cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately eight hours.

Where does the activity start?

It starts at Gruž Port Parking, Obala Stjepana Radića 39, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Where does the activity end?

It ends back at the meeting point in Gruž Port.

How many people can join the boat?

The boat accommodates a maximum of 12 passengers, and the activity is private for your group.

Which islands can I visit?

The route can include Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan in the Elafiti Islands.

Is the Blue Cave included?

A visit to Koločep’s Blue Cave is part of the described experience, with opportunities for snorkeling and swimming.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The price includes unlimited water, soft drinks, white wine, and red wine.

Are meals and monument entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees to historical monuments are not included, and any restaurant meal is also paid separately.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refundable.