Private tours to Elaphite Islands by UFO BOAT

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat trip is the freedom to turn a day on the Adriatic into your own private outing. The futuristic UFO Boat carries only your group, up to 14 people, and the crew can adjust the pace, music, swimming stops, and lunch plans to suit you. Expect caves, clear water, rocky jumps, sandy beaches, and small island settlements rather than a fixed sightseeing script.

I like the generous onboard setup: wine, beer, grappa, soft drinks, water, fuel, and snorkeling equipment are included, and you may bring more drinks to keep in the boat’s fridge. I also like the route itself, which gives you three different island moods in one day: cave country on Kolocep, beach time on Lopud, and quiet village life on Sipan.

The main drawback is the price. At $2,601.99 for the group, this makes the most sense when divided among a larger party. You should also know that lunch is not included, towels are not provided, and an eight-hour day in the sun can feel long if your group would rather spend time on land.

Key points to know before booking

• Kolocep’s Blue Cave comes first, with about two hours for swimming, snorkeling, and possible rock jumps.
• Lopud gives you the clearest beach stop, including sandy Sunj Beach and a seaside promenade with restaurants and coffee bars.
• Sudurad on Sipan is the quietest stop, with old summer residences, beaches, bays, local food, and a slower pace.
• The boat is fully private, so your group controls the music and can discuss the day’s route with the crew.
• Drinks and fuel are included, while lunch and towels are extra or up to you.
• The price favors large groups, especially families, birthday parties, bachelor or bachelorette groups, and work outings.

A private boat day with a real party feel

The UFO Boat is designed to be part transport, part floating lounge, and part swimming platform. Its unusual shape gives the outing a playful edge, but the practical advantage is privacy. You are not sharing the day with a boatload of strangers, and you can play your own music while the crew handles navigation and local suggestions.

That matters in Dubrovnik, where a popular summer boat trip can easily become a matter of following a crowd. Here, your group can talk with the crew about how long to stay in a cove, when to swim, and where to eat. The stated schedule assigns roughly two hours to Kolocep, three to Lopud, and three to Sudurad, but the crew is expected to help tailor the experience.

Pickup is offered, and private transportation is included. The exact pickup arrangement should be confirmed when you book, since the meeting details are not fully spelled out. The activity returns to the meeting point after about eight hours.

The atmosphere suits a group that wants a relaxed celebration more than a formal guided tour. Bachelor and bachelorette parties, birthdays, family outings, team-building days, and groups of friends are all named as good uses for the boat. You can bring your own drinks, too, which is useful if your group has particular tastes or wants more than the included supply.

What the $2,601.99 group price really means

The price looks steep for one day until you divide it by the number of people. With 14 people, the cost works out to about $186 per person. A group of 10 would pay about $260 per person, while a group of six would pay about $434 per person.

That calculation is the key to judging the value. The fee covers the private boat, crew, fuel, transportation, taxes and fees, life jackets, snorkeling gear, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks such as wine, beer, and grappa. You can also bring your own drinks and store them in the onboard fridge.

For a full group, that is a fairly complete day package. You are paying for exclusive use of the boat and the ability to shape the day, not just for a seat on a route. For a smaller group, the value becomes less obvious, especially once you add lunch and any transport details that need separate confirmation.

The boat does not provide food on board. The crew can arrange a lunch reservation at one of Lopud’s restaurants if you want a proper meal, but the meal itself is not included. One account of the experience praised the food option and fresh meal service, yet the stated terms clearly say not to count on lunch being part of the package. Ask before departure if you want the crew to arrange a restaurant or if you have a particular meal plan in mind.

Kolocep and the Blue Cave: your first swim stop

Kolocep is the opening stop, and it sets the tone for the day. The island has caves and narrow rock formations, with the Blue Cave as the headline attraction. You get about two hours here, which is enough time to look around, swim, and use the supplied snorkeling equipment.

This is the most active part of the route. The crew can guide you toward swimming spots and may help with rock jumping if conditions and your comfort level allow it. Life jackets are available for adults and children, so families can enjoy the water with a basic safety option close at hand.

Bring a waterproof phone pouch or a camera you can safely use around salt water. The boat’s design and the cave surroundings are especially suited to photos, but you should not expect a formal photography service or underwater camera gear.

The Blue Cave is best approached as a weather-dependent highlight rather than a guaranteed cinematic moment. The supplied plan includes it, but sea conditions, access, and swimming comfort can affect how much time you spend there. If someone in your group does not swim, Kolocep may feel less rewarding than Lopud or Sudurad, since much of the appeal here is being on or in the water.

I would also use this first stop to judge the day’s pace. If your group is eager to swim, the two hours may pass quickly. If you have children, older family members, or anyone who prefers shade and dry land, tell the crew early so the day does not become too water-focused.

Lopud and Sunj Beach: the longest land break

Lopud gets three hours, making it the most substantial stop. The island is the second-largest of the Elaphite Islands and is described as car-free and green, with a main settlement on the northwest side and a promenade lined with restaurants and coffee bars.

The major draw is Sunj Beach, a sandy beach in a bay on Lopud’s southeast side. That gives you a welcome change from the rocky coves around Kolocep. If your group wants to spend the day swimming but also wants a conventional beach, Lopud is likely to be the favorite stop.

Three hours gives you room to split your time. You can swim at Sunj, walk through the settlement, stop for coffee, or arrange lunch. The crew can reserve a table at one of the island’s better restaurants, which is useful during the busy summer season. Since lunch is not included, decide in advance if you want to eat ashore or bring something with you.

Lopud also has the remains of Fortress Sutvrac. It is about a 15 to 20 minute walk from the settlement and offers a view over Lopud Bay. The walk adds a bit of history and exercise, but it may not suit anyone who wants a pure beach day, especially in strong midday heat.

The island’s churches and old buildings add interest beyond the water. Still, do not try to force every option into three hours. Sunj Beach, lunch, the promenade, and the fortress can make for a rushed visit if you attempt all four. I would pick two priorities before you arrive.

A useful plan is beach and lunch for a relaxed group, or beach and fortress for a group that wants views. If you want to see the settlement as well, keep the fortress visit short and accept that you will have less time in the water.

Sudurad on Sipan: a quieter final stop

The final three hours take you to Sudurad on Sipan. This is the calmest part of the route, with a small settlement, beaches and bays, clear sea, and a slower island atmosphere. It feels less like a beach attraction and more like a place where you can sit, eat, walk, and watch local life move at its own pace.

Sipan has links to Dubrovnik’s old holiday tradition. Wealthy Dubrovnik families once used the island as a recreational escape, and summer residences and palaces remain part of its character. In Sudurad’s central square, fortress-like buildings are among the sights worth noticing.

Food is an important part of the stop. Local seafood, olive oil, and island wine are specifically highlighted, so Sudurad is a good place to make lunch or an early meal the center of the visit. Again, food is not included in the boat price, so you should confirm whether the crew is arranging a restaurant reservation or simply recommending places.

The quiet setting makes Sipan a useful counterweight to the more active first half of the day. After caves, snorkeling, and a sandy beach, you can slow down. If your group mainly wants nightlife or a packed list of sights, Sudurad may feel too subdued. If you want a peaceful village and time near the sea, it may be the stop you remember most.

The route gives you three hours here, so you do not need to treat Sudurad as a quick photo stop. Use the time for a swim, a meal, a short walk, or simply a break from the boat.

Drinks, music, and the practical side of the boat

The included drinks make the day easier. Bottled water and soft drinks are supplied, along with alcoholic drinks including wine, beer, and grappa. Alcohol is for people aged 18 and over. Since the boat has a fridge, you can bring your own drinks at no extra charge.

Music is another small but meaningful detail. You choose your favorite music, which helps the boat feel like your group’s own day rather than a standard excursion. Keep the volume and mood suitable for everyone in your party, particularly if you are mixing children, grandparents, and a celebration group.

Snorkeling equipment is included, and life jackets are available for adults and children. Towels are not included, so pack one for every person who plans to swim. You should also bring swimwear, sun protection, a change of clothes, and a waterproof way to protect your phone. These are practical additions, not optional luxuries, when you expect several hours around the water.

The boat is supplied with fuel, and all fees and taxes are included. That removes some common surprises from private boat hire. Lunch remains the main extra cost to plan for.

The operating season listed for this experience runs from April 1 through November 12, 2025, with hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Sunday. Confirmation is issued within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Who will get the most from this Elaphite Islands trip

I would recommend this outing most strongly to a group of at least eight people. At that size, the private format starts to make financial sense, and the boat becomes a comfortable base for a full day of swimming, drinks, island stops, and shared meals.

Families can use the life jackets and choose a gentler pace. Friends can control the music and bring their own drinks. Birthday and bachelor or bachelorette groups get privacy without having to share a party boat with strangers. A work group can use the flexible route as a more social alternative to a hotel-based activity.

The trip is less suitable if you dislike boats, need a highly structured historical tour, or want lunch included in the upfront price. It may also be a poor match for anyone who prefers a short outing. There is a four-hour package available from the same provider, but the itinerary described here is the eight-hour option.

The crew’s role is central. The available information describes a friendly, experienced team that gives advice on where to go and what to do. Names connected with related outings include Laura, Niko, and Suzana, but you should not assume they will be your exact crew on this booking. Ask for the crew details if that matters to you.

Should you book the UFO Boat?

Book it if you have a large group, want privacy, and care more about a flexible sea day than a low-cost island transfer. The mix of Kolocep caves, Lopud’s Sunj Beach, and quiet Sudurad gives you real variety, while included drinks, snorkeling gear, fuel, and transportation simplify the planning.

Think twice if your group is small, if $2,601.99 feels high before lunch, or if some people would rather sightsee on land. Before paying, confirm pickup, lunch arrangements, the exact boat and crew, and how much control you will have over the planned timing.

For the right group, this is a strong Dubrovnik splurge. You get a private day, three distinct island stops, and enough freedom to make the outing feel personal rather than packaged.

FAQ

How long is the private UFO Boat tour?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours. The planned stops allow about two hours at Kolocep, three hours at Lopud, and three hours at Sudurad on Sipan.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $2,601.99 per group, with up to 14 people included.

Is the boat private?

Yes. Only your own group participates in this activity.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, soft drinks, wine, beer, and grappa are included. You may also bring your own drinks and store them in the boat’s fridge.

Is lunch included?

No. Food is not provided on board. The crew can make a restaurant reservation at Lopud if you request one, but the meal is an additional cost.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and life jackets are available for both adults and children.

Are towels provided?

No. You need to bring your own towels.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.