Private Full Day Sailing Tour To Elafiti Islands

The best part of this private sailing trip is the freedom to trade Dubrovnik’s crowds for clear water, quiet bays, and a slow day among the Elafiti Islands. With skipper Filip at the helm, you spend about eight hours moving between Koločep, Šunj Beach on Lopud, and Šipan, with plenty of time for swimming and unhurried cruising.

I like the small private group, which means your party of up to six does not have to follow a large boat packed with strangers. I also like the practical touches: snorkeling gear, an onboard restroom, an outdoor shower, and help arranging a lunch reservation on Šipan. The main consideration is that this is not guaranteed to be a full day of sailing under canvas. When the wind is light, the boat may use its motor for much of the route.

Key points at a glance

• Three very different island stops: Swim at Koločep, visit sandy Šunj Beach, then spend time around Šipan’s harbor and historic sights.
• A genuinely private outing: Only your own group participates, with room for up to six people.
• Filip handles more than the wheel: He communicates before the trip, helps with timing, and can reserve a table for lunch on Šipan.
• Good equipment for a swim day: Snorkeling gear, an outdoor shower, and a restroom are included.
• Bring your own food and drinks: Lunch, soda, alcohol, towels, water, and snacks are not included.
• Plan the marina transfer: The meeting point is at Lapadska obala 21, and transport to and from the marina is extra.

Leaving Dubrovnik at 9:00 in the morning

The tour begins at 9:00 am at Lapadska obala 21 in Dubrovnik. The marina can be reached by public bus, including bus 6, but you should sort out the route from your accommodation before departure. If you are staying outside Dubrovnik, the operator gives an approximate Uber cost of €40 to the marina, though the actual fare can vary.

This early start makes sense. You get the cooler part of the day for the first swims and have time to enjoy Šipan without rushing back. Since the activity ends at the same meeting point, you do not need to arrange a separate return location.

Your group has the boat to itself. That matters more than it may sound. A private boat lets you spend longer in the water if everyone is enjoying a bay, or move on if a stop does not suit your group. It also makes the day easier for families, couples, or friends with different energy levels.

Skipper Filip is a major part of the experience. He stays in touch through WhatsApp before the trip and is described as responsive and helpful with planning. On the water, he provides local suggestions, manages the schedule, and can help with a restaurant reservation. A small island restaurant may fill quickly, so that help is useful rather than decorative.

Koločep: your first hour in clear water

Koločep is the first planned stop, with about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. The focus here is the water, not a long village tour. You can expect to swim from the boat in a bay and use the snorkeling equipment provided onboard.

For a group that wants a quick start, this is a strong opening. You get into the sea before spending much time on land, and an hour is long enough for a proper swim without making the first stop feel like the whole day. Koločep is also a good place to settle into the rhythm of the trip: climb into the water, dry off in the sun, rinse with the outdoor shower, and let the boat carry you onward.

The limit is simple: one hour goes quickly. If you want a long snorkel session or prefer to stay ashore, this stop may feel brief. Tell Filip early if swimming is the main reason you booked, since the private format gives the schedule some room to respond to your group.

Bring your own towel, drinking water, and snacks. Towels are not listed as included, and you should not count on the boat’s facilities to replace a packed beach bag. The onboard shower is useful for rinsing off salt, but it is not a substitute for carrying the basics you need for a full day outside.

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

The next stop is Šunj Beach, the sandy beach associated with Lopud. Compared with a swim from the boat, Šunj gives you the option of reaching land, stretching your legs, and stopping at a restaurant for a drink. You can also swim and snorkel from the boat or simply sunbathe.

This is a welcome change of pace. A full day at sea can begin to feel repetitive if every stop is only a swim, so the sandy shore adds variety. If someone in your group does not want to snorkel, they can enjoy the beach or head for a drink while others stay in the water.

The beach stop is planned for about an hour, so keep expectations sensible. You are not getting a full afternoon at Lopud. If you swim ashore, allow time to return to the boat. The water route may be more practical for confident swimmers, while anyone who prefers not to swim that distance can stay aboard or use the available shore access as appropriate.

Šunj is also the sort of stop where your own priorities matter. Some people will want sand under their feet, while others will prefer to remain on the boat away from the beach. A private tour gives you a better chance of making that choice as a group instead of being pulled along by a fixed crowd schedule.

Šipan: the best stop for lunch and a short walk

Šipan is the final main island stop, with about two hours allocated to exploring. You can walk through the town, visit Škocibuha Castle, swim from a nearby beach, or sit down for a meal at one of the local restaurants.

For me, this is the most rounded stop of the day. Koločep is mainly about the sea, and Šunj is mainly about the beach. Šipan adds a small harbor settlement, a historic sight, and a proper chance to eat. It gives the excursion a sense of place instead of making it only a series of swimming breaks.

Lunch is not included in the tour price. That keeps the booking flexible, but you need to budget for the meal and drinks. Filip can make a reservation, which is especially helpful because the small restaurant used for lunch may be fully booked. Do not assume that you can arrive at any time and find an open table.

The two-hour stop is long enough for a relaxed meal and a short walk, but probably not for a detailed island visit. If Škocibuha Castle matters to you, ask Filip how much time you can reasonably set aside before sitting down to eat. The supplied information does not promise a guided castle visit, so think of it as a stop you can see during your walk rather than a formal museum tour.

Šipan also offers a useful choice for mixed groups. One person can explore, another can eat, and someone else can swim. That flexibility is one of the better reasons to choose a private boat rather than a tightly timed shared excursion.

Four hours of cruising, with sailing dependent on the wind

The tour description allows about four hours for sailing and cruising around the Elafiti Islands, in addition to the island stops. That is a large part of an eight-hour day, so you should book this for the pleasure of being on the water, not only for the destinations.

When the wind cooperates, you may get quiet sailing in the afternoon. When it does not, the motor takes over. This is a normal part of a sailing trip, not a service failure, but it affects the feel of the day. If you dream of eight hours under sail, this may disappoint. If you mainly want a private boat, sea views, swimming, and a relaxed route, the motor is less important.

The slow pace suits a family or couple that wants time to talk, sunbathe, and watch the coast pass. It is less suited to someone who wants a packed sightseeing program with many ports and formal commentary. Filip is praised for his local knowledge and for showing quieter places around Dubrovnik, but the experience remains a flexible outing rather than a major historical tour.

The water is the star. Clear swimming areas and uncrowded places are recurring themes in the experience, and the private format helps you enjoy them without a large group competing for the same patch of sea. Still, conditions and access can change with the day. Good weather is required, and the final route may depend on wind and sea conditions.

What the boat includes, and what you should pack

The price includes fuel, snorkeling equipment, an outdoor shower, and a restroom onboard. These details make a difference during an eight-hour trip. You can rinse off after swimming, use the restroom without waiting for a harbor stop, and snorkel without renting equipment separately.

The boat is described as well suited to a small group of four, with capacity for up to six. Six people can share the cost effectively, but space will naturally feel more limited than it does with four. If everyone wants to sunbathe at once, the available deck area matters. Ask about the exact boat layout if comfort and seating space are central to your decision.

You should bring:

• Towels
• Drinking water
• Snacks
• Swimwear and sun protection
• Money or a card for lunch and drinks on an island

Lunch is not included. Soft drinks and alcohol are also excluded. Packing snacks is wise even if you plan to eat on Šipan, especially if your group includes children or prefers an early bite before lunch.

Families should note that high-quality buoyancy vests were provided for young children on one outing, and the skipper paid close attention to their safety. You should still discuss your children’s ages and needs when booking. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, but the supplied information does not give detailed accessibility specifications for the boat.

Is $692.36 a fair price for six people?

The listed price is $692.36 per group of up to six, not per person. At full capacity, that works out to about $115 per person for eight hours, before lunch and transport to the marina. For four people, it is about $173 per person, and for two, about $346 per person.

That is not a budget boat ride. It can be good value if you fill the boat and care about privacy, flexible timing, and a skipper who can help with local arrangements. A large shared excursion may cost less per person, but it will not give your group the same control over swim stops, lunch timing, or the general pace.

The value is strongest for families and friends who would otherwise book multiple seats on a crowded boat. You are paying for the boat, fuel, skipper, equipment, and a full day on the water. You are not paying for lunch, drinks, towels, or land-based admission, though the listed island stops have no admission fee.

For a couple, the price needs more thought. Two people receive a very private day, but the per-person cost rises sharply. Couples who place a high value on privacy and a slow pace may find it worthwhile. If you mainly want to see the islands cheaply, a shared trip is likely a better fit.

Who should book this private Elafiti Islands day?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families who want a safer, calmer boat day with a skipper focused on their group
• Friends who can share the cost among four to six people
• Couples who prefer privacy and do not mind the higher per-person price
• Swimmers and snorkelers who want several chances to get into clear water
• People who prefer small harbors and local restaurants to a packed sightseeing schedule

I would be more cautious if you dislike motorboat travel, since wind may not be strong enough for continuous sailing. I would also reconsider if your main goal is a detailed historical tour, a long visit on land, or an included meal.

The pace is deliberately gentle. The schedule includes roughly one hour at Koločep, one hour at Šunj, two hours around Šipan, and about four hours of sailing or cruising. Exact timing may shift with conditions and your group’s interests, but this is not a race between islands.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation is provided when you book. It is a private activity, so only your group participates. It is also booked well ahead on average, around 85 days in advance, which suggests that popular summer dates may need early planning.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 9:00 am start time. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded for a late cancellation.

Weather matters. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same choice applies if the minimum number of participants is not met. Since the trip depends on the sea, keep some flexibility in your Dubrovnik plans if this outing is a priority.

Should you book Smooth Sailing’s private island tour?

Book it if you want a full, unhurried day at sea with your own small group, several swim stops, a sandy beach, and lunch on a quiet island. Filip’s communication, local suggestions, family-friendly care, and help with restaurant reservations add real practical value.

I would choose this over a large group cruise when privacy matters and four to six people can split the price. I would skip it if you want guaranteed sail power, included meals, or a low-cost way to visit the Elafiti Islands.

Pack water, snacks, towels, and a little patience for changing wind. If the weather is good and your group enjoys swimming more than checking off sights, this offers a pleasant way to see Dubrovnik from the water and spend time in places that feel far removed from the city.

FAQ

How long is the private sailing tour?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours and starts at 9:00 am.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and ends at Lapadska obala 21, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to six people.

Which islands and beaches are included?

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

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, though there is a lunch stop on one of the islands and Filip can help arrange a reservation.

What equipment is included onboard?

Snorkeling equipment, an outdoor shower, a restroom, and the fuel surcharge are included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the experience to be canceled.