Dubrovnik Islands Private Rented Boat Cruise

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat charter is the freedom to set the pace. Instead of following a fixed group schedule, you can ask your skipper to linger at a swimming spot, head for the Blue Cave on Koločep, or spend more time ashore on Lopud and Šipan. The boat carries up to 12 people, making it especially useful for a family group or friends traveling together.

I like the private format, since children, grandparents, swimmers, and sun-seekers can all have a good day without splitting up. I also like the simple all-day setup: fuel, a skipper, water, wine, and soft drinks are included. The main drawback is the price for a small party. At $924.18 per group, it is good value with 10 to 12 people, but costly if only two or three of you are aboard.

Key points to know before you book

• Koločep’s Blue Cave gives the day a clear highlight, with time for snorkeling and swimming.
• Lopud’s Šunj Beach offers a rare sandy beach stop in a region better known for rock and pebble shores.
• Šipan adds a quieter island setting, with coves, nature, historical buildings, and places for a picnic.
• A private skipper sets the rhythm, and guides such as Tino have allowed groups to choose favorite local spots instead of following a rigid plan.
• The 12-meter Đivo boat includes life jackets, a fridge, a CD player, shade, and drinks for the group.
• The per-person price improves sharply with a full boat, coming to about $77 each for 12 people.

A private day on Dubrovnik’s outer islands

Dubrovnik’s old town gets most of the attention, but the Elafiti Islands show you a softer side of the region. Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan sit off the coast, close enough for a full-day outing yet far enough to make the city feel distant.

This is not a sightseeing cruise where you spend the day listening to a recorded commentary. You rent the boat for your own group, and the skipper handles the route and navigation. You can ask for a mix of swimming, beach time, snorkeling, short walks, island sightseeing, and lunch ashore.

That flexibility matters. A group of strong swimmers may want more time around caves and coves. A family with young children may prefer a shaded boat and an easy beach stop. Someone interested in old buildings and gardens may want to trade a swim for a walk on land.

The usual plan includes all three islands, but the wording allows you to visit one or more of them. I would discuss your priorities at the start. Eight hours sounds generous, but three islands, swimming, lunch, and a walk can fill the day quickly.

Starting at Gruž Port

The listed meeting point is Gruž Port Parking at Obala Stjepana Radića 39. Pickup is offered, and one group of 10 was collected and taken to the boat. Since the formal meeting point is still listed at the port, confirm the pickup arrangement and exact time before the morning of your trip.

The published opening period runs from February 1 through October 30, 2026, with hours shown as 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The tour itself is listed at approximately eight hours. Those details do not line up perfectly, so ask Dubrovnik Boat Tours to confirm your exact departure and return time when booking.

The port location is practical because it is near public transportation. The tour ends back at the meeting point, which saves you from arranging a second pickup at another island or beach.

Once aboard, your skipper becomes the key to the day. Tino is one guide named in the operating team, and another group had a skipper and his wife acting as both hosts and guides. Their style included short explanations about landmarks along the coast rather than a long formal lecture.

That is the right balance for a boat day. You get some local context, but the main focus remains the sea.

Koločep and the Blue Cave

Koločep is often the most anticipated stop because of its Blue Cave. The cave gives you a chance to snorkel and swim in a more unusual setting than an open beach. Bring a sense of timing and flexibility, since the appeal depends on light, water conditions, and how long your group wants to stay in the water.

Life jackets are provided on the boat. You should still tell the skipper about different swimming abilities in your group before setting out. The private arrangement makes this easier, since you are not trying to keep pace with a large mixed party.

Koločep also supplies the kind of coastal views that make a boat rental worthwhile. From the water, you see cliffs, inlets, and beaches from a different angle than you would on a road excursion. If you are happy simply floating and looking back toward the shore, this may be one of the most relaxing parts of the day.

The tradeoff is that a cave stop is not a full island visit. If you want a long walk or historic buildings, save that time for Lopud or Šipan. Ask your skipper how much time remains before moving on, especially if you want all three islands.

Lopud and sandy Šunj Beach

Lopud is the most useful stop for a classic beach break. Šunj Beach is a sandy lagoon, a welcome change from the rocky and pebble beaches found around much of the Dubrovnik coast. You can swim, sit on the sand, or simply take a break from the boat.

Families may find Lopud the easiest island stop. A sandy shoreline is more comfortable for children and grandparents than a rough entry over rocks. It also gives non-swimmers something to do while others snorkel.

The beach is described as one of the region’s major draws, but do not expect a completely private patch of coast. Its appeal is precisely that it is a well-known sandy beach. Your private boat gets you there on your own schedule, but it does not turn a popular beach into a private one.

Lopud also has historical buildings and botanical gardens worth seeing. If your group wants more than swimming, ask the skipper how to fit in a walk. You may need to choose between a long beach stop and a proper island visit, particularly if Koločep and Šipan are also on the plan.

A local meal can fit into the day, but it is not part of the listed price. One group enjoyed lunch at a restaurant on an island, so you can ask about stopping ashore. Budget separately for food and any entrance fees.

Šipan for quiet coves and island time

Šipan is the largest of the three Elafiti Islands and gives the outing a different feel from a quick cave or beach stop. The available description points to clear water, rocky and pebble beaches, coves, picnic spots, historical buildings, and gardens.

This is the island to consider if your ideal day includes slowing down. You can swim from the boat, snorkel, stroll, or look for a calm place to eat. The private format lets you decide if you want a longer stop here rather than simply checking it off the route.

Šipan is also useful for a mixed group. One person can relax aboard the shaded boat while others swim. Someone interested in local buildings can go ashore, while the rest of the party keeps the water time going.

Keep your expectations measured. This is a coastal day built around scenery and free time, not a dedicated archaeological tour. Entrance fees to historical monuments are not included, and the tour does not promise a formal guided visit inside each site.

What life aboard the boat is like

The boat is a 12-meter vessel identified as Đivo in the tour details. It has a fridge, CD player, and life jackets. A separate boat name, Nara, was also associated with one outing, so the exact vessel may vary.

Shade is an important detail. A family group with children and grandparents found the boat’s covered area useful, especially during a long day in the sun. Still, pack sun protection, a hat, and a towel. You will likely move between the boat, beaches, and the water.

Drinks include unlimited water, white wine, red wine, and soft drinks. Another outing also had beer available, but beer is not clearly listed among the standard inclusions, so do not count on it without checking.

The drink policy adds comfort without turning the outing into a party boat. Water is essential after swimming, while wine makes the return ride feel festive for adults. If you plan a picnic, bring food or arrange a restaurant stop. Food is not listed as included.

The CD player is a small but telling feature. You can bring music for your group, though it is worth asking how the system works before relying on it. The skipper remains responsible for the boat, so follow instructions around swimming stops and moving between the cabin and deck.

How the skipper shapes the day

The skipper can make or break a private charter. Here, the strongest practical advantage is the chance to explain what your group wants as soon as you board.

One group asked Tino to show them his favorite places instead of sticking to a planned route. That is exactly how to use a private charter well. Tell the skipper whether your priority is the Blue Cave, sandy beach time, snorkeling, island history, a restaurant lunch, or a quiet cove.

Another skipper offered short history lessons while passing coastal landmarks. This is useful context, but do not book the outing expecting a full walking tour or a specialist lecture. The strength is local judgment and flexible routing.

The crew can also help balance different ages and energy levels. A family group of 10, including children and grandparents, had activities adjusted so everyone could enjoy the day. That is a better fit than a fast-paced boat trip with fixed stops.

Price, group size, and real value

The total price is $924.18 for up to 12 people. With 12 aboard, the cost works out to roughly $77 per person. At 10 people, it is about $92 each. With six people, it rises to about $154 each, before any meals or entrance fees.

That makes the headcount the main value question. For a reunion, large family, or group of friends, the charter compares well because you get the entire boat, a skipper, fuel, and drinks for the day. You also avoid paying separate fares for several island transfers.

For a couple or a small family, the same price is harder to justify. A shared cruise may cost less, though it will not give you the same control over stops and timing. The private boat earns its price through space and flexibility, not through a long list of included attractions.

The tour is recommended by 95 percent of customers and carries a 4.9 rating from 22 reviews. That is a strong signal, though the sample is small. I would place the most weight on the repeated practical strengths: friendly skippers, flexible routing, a shaded boat, and a pleasant fit for mixed-age groups.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted. Since weather can affect a boat day, check the local forecast and keep the cancellation deadline in mind.

Who should book this boat day

I would choose this outing for a group that wants time on the water without being tied to strangers or a strict schedule. It suits families particularly well because the skipper can adapt stops for children and older relatives.

It is also a good match for friends who want to swim, listen to music, share drinks, and stop for lunch. The boat can carry up to 12, so larger groups get the best price per person.

You should think twice if your main goal is a detailed history tour, a guaranteed restaurant meal, or a low-cost way to see the islands. Historical monument fees and lunch are extra, and the day is shaped more by coast, water, and free time than by formal sightseeing.

Pack swimwear, towels, sun protection, and any food you want aboard. If someone in your group does not swim, make sure your plan includes enough time ashore or on the shaded boat. Ask about the precise vessel, pickup, drinks, and route before departure.

Should you book it?

Book the Dubrovnik Islands Private Rented Boat Cruise if you have a group of roughly eight to 12 people and value control over the day. Koločep’s Blue Cave, Lopud’s sandy Šunj Beach, and Šipan’s quieter coves make a good mix, while the skipper can adjust the balance between swimming, walking, and island sightseeing.

For a small party, the cost is the sticking point. For a full group, the price becomes reasonable, especially with fuel, drinks, and a private skipper included. I would book it for a relaxed, flexible day on the water, not for a tightly scripted cultural tour.

FAQ

How long is the Dubrovnik Islands boat tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat accommodates a maximum of 12 passengers.

Which islands can I visit?

The route can include Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. The description also allows you to visit one or more islands of your choice.

Is the Blue Cave included?

Yes. Koločep’s Blue Cave is one of the listed stops and is suitable for snorkeling and swimming.

Is fuel included in the price?

Yes. Fuel is included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited water, white wine, red wine, and soft drinks are included.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Gruž Port Parking, Obala Stjepana Radića 39 in Dubrovnik, and ends back at the same meeting point.

Are entrance fees and lunch included?

No. Entrance fees to historical monuments are not included. Lunch is also not listed as an inclusion, though you may be able to stop at a local restaurant.