Dubrovnik : Full Day Group Sail Boat Tour to Elaphiti & Blue Cave

Leave Dubrovnik’s harbor behind. This small-group sailing day takes you through the Elaphiti Islands, with long stops for swimming, snorkeling, beaches, village walks, and a relaxed lunch on Lopud. The boat carries no more than eight people, which makes the day feel far more personal than a packed excursion boat.

I especially like the small group size and the freedom to shape the day around swimming, sailing, or exploring. The included SUP, snorkeling gear, welcome drink, coffee, tea, and outdoor shower add real value. The main drawback is that food and most drinks are not included, so you need to bring supplies or budget for lunch and drinks on Lopud.

What makes this sailing day worth considering

• Maximum of eight people: You get room to move around the boat and more direct contact with the skipper.
• Several swimming stops: Koločep, Šunj Beach, Lopud, and passing bays all offer chances to get into the water.
• Blue Cave option: A visit may be possible from Koločep, depending on the group’s wishes and the available time.
• Lopud lunch stop: You can eat beside the sea, then swim or visit a 14th-century monastery.
• Hands-on sailing: The skipper may explain the ropes and let you help steer when conditions allow.
• Useful equipment included: Bring your swimsuit, because SUP boards, snorkeling equipment, and an outdoor shower are provided.

Setting off from Lapadska obala at 9:30

The meeting point is at Lapadska obala 4, a waterfront location in Dubrovnik. The tour starts at 9:30 a.m. and returns to the same place after roughly eight hours.

That timing gives you a full day on the water without requiring an early morning start. You should arrive ready for the sea, with swimwear under your clothes if convenient, sunscreen, a hat, and a towel. The boat has an outdoor shower, but the supplied details do not specify towel service, so bringing your own is the sensible choice.

The tour is offered in English, and the group is capped at eight people. That number matters. You are not simply one face among dozens on a large day boat. You can move around, ask questions, and speak with the skipper without shouting across a crowded deck.

The sailing service is run by Diamond sailing service. Several accounts specifically praise Captain Dragan, while one mentions a skipper named Zeba, so the exact crew member may depend on the departure. Dragan is described as relaxed, efficient, friendly, and willing to explain how the boat works. One person was even allowed to steer.

The boat also has a sunshade, a small but important feature during a long Croatian summer day. You can enjoy the open air while still having a place to escape the strongest sun.

Koločep: quiet bays and the first swim

The first main stop is Koločep, one of the three Elaphiti Islands. The plan allows about two hours for sailing, swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and exploring the island’s clear bays.

Koločep is a good first stop because it gives you time to settle into the rhythm of the day. After leaving Dubrovnik, you can get in the water, try the included snorkeling equipment, or simply lie back and watch the cliffs and shoreline. The setting is quiet enough that the sounds of birds from the surrounding cliffs become part of the experience.

This is also where the Blue Cave may be added. The visit is not guaranteed as a fixed part of the schedule. It depends on the group’s wishes and the time available, so you should treat it as a possible extra rather than the central reason to book the tour.

The flexible approach is useful for a group with different interests. If everyone wants swimming time, the skipper can focus on bays and water stops. If the Blue Cave is a priority, discuss it early in the day. A small group makes that kind of conversation easier.

The water stops are among the strongest parts of the excursion. You are not spending the entire day sitting on a boat while looking at the sea. You have repeated chances to get in, cool off, snorkel, and use the SUP.

Šunj Beach: Lopud’s sandy break

From Koločep, the boat continues to Šunj Beach on Lopud. The stop lasts about an hour and is centered on swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and walking ashore for a drink.

Šunj is known for its sand, which makes it different from the rocky swimming spots common along the Adriatic. You can swim toward the shore, settle on the beach, or stay near the rocks with a mask and snorkel.

The beach club offers a place to buy a drink, but food and drinks are not part of the tour price. The boat provides basic refreshments such as coffee, tea, water, and a welcome drink, yet you should bring anything specific you want during the day. A small cooler or a few snacks can make the long sailing period more comfortable.

One hour passes quickly at Šunj. If you want a long beach afternoon, this tour may feel rushed here because Lopud has another major stop ahead. If you prefer variety, the shorter visit works well: you get sand, swimming, and time on the island without giving up the other stops.

Lopud: lunch, village streets, and a medieval monastery

Lopud is the heart of the day. The planned stop lasts about two hours and combines lunch, a village walk, swimming, and optional sightseeing.

Lunch is planned at a seaside restaurant about 20 meters from the beach. The skipper may reserve a table by the water, which removes some of the guesswork from a busy summer day. Food is not included in the $170.43 price, so you pay for your own meal.

This arrangement has both advantages and limits. You get to choose what you eat rather than accepting a fixed tour menu. You can also spend less time at the restaurant if you would rather swim. On the other hand, you need to budget separately, and the tour does not provide a meal on board.

After lunch, you can swim in the clear water or walk through the village. Lopud gives the schedule a useful change of pace. Koločep and Šunj are mainly about the coast and water, while Lopud lets you put your feet on land and see more of island life.

A 14th-century monastery is another option. The supplied details do not promise a guided visit or specify opening hours, so treat it as an opportunity rather than a guaranteed attraction. If you want to see it, ask the skipper how much time you have before leaving the restaurant or beach.

I like the balance here. Two hours is enough to eat without turning the entire excursion into a restaurant stop. Still, if you want a long walk or a slow lunch, you may need to choose one over the other.

Šipan: an optional final island stop

Šipan is the last possible island stop, but it is optional if time permits. If lunch has already taken place on Lopud, the plan is to spend around an hour walking around a small village, swimming, enjoying nature, or having a cold drink at one of the restaurants.

This stop depends on the day’s pace. Weather, swimming time, the Blue Cave, and lunch can all affect whether Šipan fits into the schedule. Do not book this excursion expecting a guaranteed equal amount of time on every island.

That flexibility is one of the tour’s defining features. You get a route that includes the Elaphiti Islands, but the day is not run like a railway timetable. The skipper can respond to the group and the conditions. The tradeoff is that the final island may be shortened or skipped.

If Šipan is included, it offers a quieter finish than the beach stop. You can walk through the village, pause with a drink, or swim again before returning to Dubrovnik.

Sailing time is part of the experience

The itinerary allows about two hours for sailing and cruising through the Elaphiti Islands, with possible swimming stops in passing bays. Do not think of this as empty time between attractions.

The boat ride lets you see the islands from the water, notice small coves, and enjoy the coast without a road, bus, or queue. A sailing day should leave room for simply being at sea. The tour also includes a free sailing lesson, and the skipper may explain what the lines do or let you take the wheel.

That hands-on element is unusual for a standard sightseeing cruise. You are still under the skipper’s direction, but you may learn a few basics instead of remaining a passive passenger.

The boat has a sunshade, and the group size means you can find space to sit or move around. Several people praised the clean boat, the relaxed captain, and the chance to steer. One person also appreciated being able to stay aboard and drink coffee while waiting out heavy rain after returning to port.

Weather can change the tone of the day. On a sunny departure, the combination of wind, swimming, and shade makes the boat comfortable. In poor weather, the experience may be altered or canceled. The provider requires good weather and offers either another date or a full refund if conditions force cancellation.

What is included, and what you still need to pay for

At $170.43 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Dubrovnik’s nearby islands. The value comes from the small group and the number of activities packed into eight hours.

Included services are:

• Free sailing lessons
• Welcome drink
• SUP use
• Coffee or tea
• Diving equipment, meaning equipment for swimming and snorkeling
• Outdoor shower
• Sailing between the islands
• Admission to the listed included stops

The word diving appears in the tour information, but the strongest practical use described is snorkeling and swimming. If you want to use the equipment, ask the skipper what is available and suitable for the conditions.

Food is not available on the boat, and lunch is planned on Lopud. You should bring snacks and any preferred drinks. Basic water, coffee, and tea are provided, but you should not expect an all-inclusive bar. Gratuities are also not included.

Optional pickup and drop-off are available, but the tour begins and ends at Lapadska obala 4. Since the meeting point is near public transportation, you can arrange your own way there if you do not choose the optional transfer.

Compared with a large boat excursion, the price can make sense if you value personal attention, a flexible route, and time in the water. If you mainly want a cheap ride past the islands, a larger group cruise may cost less. This experience is aimed at people who want to take part, not simply photograph the coast from a seat.

The best parts, and the few things to watch

The most praised features are consistent: the boat, the skipper, swimming time, the Lopud lunch stop, and the small group. The boat is described as clean, spacious, and better equipped than some other boats seen around the islands. The sunshade is especially welcome during a full day outdoors.

The captains receive strong approval for being friendly and easy to talk with. Dragan is praised for running the boat efficiently by himself, offering basic drinks, and helping create a relaxed mood. Another skipper allowed hands-on sailing and explained the boat’s lines.

The tour also seems suitable for different energy levels. You can swim repeatedly and use the SUP, or spend more time sunbathing, talking, and enjoying the views. The route is customizable, though not every requested stop can be guaranteed.

The main weaknesses are practical rather than serious. There is no included lunch, no full drinks service, and no promise that the Blue Cave or Šipan will be visited. The weather can also disrupt the day. Finally, eight hours on a boat is a long time if you dislike sun, wind, or repeated swimming stops.

The booking record shows a rating of 4.8 from 23 reviews, with 96 percent recommending the experience. That is a strong signal, but the sample is still modest. I would use it as encouragement, not as a guarantee that every departure will be perfect.

Who should book this Elaphiti Islands tour?

I would choose this trip if you want a relaxed day on the water with plenty of swimming and a small group. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors, and families whose children are comfortable around boats and open-water swimming.

It is also a good fit if you like having choices during the day. You can snorkel, paddle the SUP, steer under instruction, walk through an island village, visit a monastery, or settle into a shaded seat.

I would think twice if your main goal is a guaranteed Blue Cave visit, a long beach stay, or a fully catered day. Those are not promised. The best way to approach this tour is as a flexible Elaphiti sailing day, not as a strict checklist of five guaranteed attractions.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the 9:30 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Since the experience depends on good weather, confirm your plans with that in mind.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Lapadska obala 4, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours and returns to the original meeting point.

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum group size is eight people.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is planned at a restaurant on Lopud, but you pay for your own meal.

Is food available on the boat?

No food is available on board. You can bring your own snacks and specific drinks.

Are drinks included?

A welcome drink, coffee, tea, and water are provided. The tour does not include a full drinks service.

Is a visit to the Blue Cave guaranteed?

No. A Blue Cave visit may be possible from Koločep, depending on the group’s wishes and the available time.

Is Šipan always included?

No. Šipan is an optional final stop if there is enough time.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered another date or a full refund if poor weather causes the experience to be canceled.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Diving equipment is included, and the itinerary specifically allows time for swimming and snorkeling.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are optional. The standard meeting point is Lapadska obala 4.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded.

Should you book it?

Book this sailing day if you want a small boat, several swims, a flexible route, and lunch beside the sea. The $170.43 price is easiest to justify when you use the included SUP and snorkeling equipment, take part in the sailing, and value the space and personal attention that come with a maximum of eight people.

Bring snacks, plan to pay separately for lunch, and keep your expectations flexible about the Blue Cave and Šipan. If you do that, this is a well-rounded way to trade Dubrovnik’s stone streets for a full day of clear water, island villages, sandy beaches, and open sea.