Dubrovnik: Private Elaphiti Islands Sailing Tour

Set sail beyond Dubrovnik’s walls. This private trip combines fine coastal views, swimming stops, a Blue Cave visit, and a hands-on sailing lesson, all aboard a sailboat reserved for your group. You can choose a four-hour half-day outing or stretch it to eight hours, with the route shaped around your interests.

What I like most is the private format, which gives your group more say than a large boat excursion. I also like the chance to help steer the boat, rather than simply sitting aboard while someone else does everything. The main consideration is exposure: there is little shade mentioned, food is not included, and the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

The price is $353 per group of up to eight people, not per person. That makes the trip particularly appealing for a family or group of friends. A full boat can bring the cost to roughly $44 per person before food, while a couple pays much more per head. Skippers including Mirko, Andy, Peter, Dragan, Dragon, Desmond, and Mario have been praised for their patience, friendliness, sailing instruction, and willingness to adjust the route.

Key points to know before you book

• Dubrovnik’s walls look different from the water: You see the fortifications from the Bay of Lapad and from the open sea, a far calmer view than the crowded streets above.
• The route is flexible: Your group can often choose between Old Town, Lokrum, Elaphiti island stops, swimming coves, and snorkeling areas.
• The Blue Cave is a short, memorable stop: Sunlight reflecting inside the cave gives the water its famous sapphire color.
• You get a real sailing lesson: The skipper can show you basic steering and sailing skills, with children able to take part under supervision.
• Swimming is central to the day: Bring swimwear, a towel, and plenty of sunscreen for stops at coves, lagoons, and caves.
• The boat is private, but the meeting point can vary: Check the exact location for your selected option, since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Leaving Lapad by dinghy and sailboat

The outing begins in the Bay of Lapad, although the exact meeting point depends on the option you choose. You may first travel by dinghy to reach the sailboat, so allow time to follow the operator’s directions carefully. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

That small transfer is worth knowing about if you have limited mobility, heavy luggage, or young children who need extra help. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. For everyone else, the dinghy adds a pleasant sense of occasion: you are leaving the shore in a small boat before settling onto the larger sailboat.

Once aboard, expect soft drinks, a skipper, and a private setting for your group. Food is not included, so plan around that. Some groups have stopped at an island for lunch, but you should confirm your own food plan rather than assuming a meal comes with the trip.

Seeing Dubrovnik from the sea

The first major pleasure is the view back toward Dubrovnik. From the water, the city walls form a long stone band around the old city, with towers and fortifications rising above the sea. You get a different sense of the city’s position and defenses when you are looking toward it from a moving sailboat.

The route can include a pass by Old Town, and the captain may adjust the timing to suit the wind. On one four-hour morning trip, the wind was slow at first, so the boat motored around Old Town and continued toward Lokrum. Later, when the breeze picked up, the group returned aboard and sailed past the old city before heading back to Lapad.

That is a useful detail for anyone expecting constant sailing. A sailboat cannot depend on wind that is not there. At times, the engine may be used to keep the trip moving, then the sails come out when conditions allow. The changing pace is part of the outing, though purists hoping for nonstop silent sailing should keep expectations sensible.

The fortifications are best enjoyed without rushing. You can sit back with a soft drink, watch the stone walls change angle as the boat moves, and let the skipper handle the navigation. The private setup also means your group does not have to follow a fixed commentary schedule or compete for every good view.

Choosing between Lokrum, the islands, and a lagoon

The Elaphiti Islands are the main destination, but this is not a rigid point-by-point sightseeing cruise. Your skipper can help shape the route according to weather, wind, and what your group wants to do.

Some groups may prefer more time near the islands. Others may want a quiet lagoon for swimming, a sandy beach, a small cave, or a route focused on sailing past Dubrovnik. This flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private trip rather than a standard group boat.

Lokrum is another possible stop or passing point. It works well for a swim and gives you a chance to combine city views with a short escape from the busy waterfront. The water around the island is a natural focus of the trip, so bring swimwear even if you care more about sailing than sightseeing.

A four-hour tour gives you enough time for a few major elements, such as Old Town views, a swim, and a sailing lesson. The eight-hour option makes more sense if you want several stops, a longer island route, lunch, and a slower pace. A half-day is efficient for a first look. A full day gives the skipper more room to respond to the wind and your group’s mood.

Swimming at the Elaphiti coves

Swimming stops are not an add-on here. They are one of the main reasons to book the trip. The boat can take you beyond the main city waterfront to quieter beaches, coves, lagoons, and small cave areas where you can get into the water.

The appeal is simple: you can swim without spending the whole day moving from one crowded public beach to another. After time under the sun, returning to the boat gives you a comfortable base for drying off, having a soft drink, and watching the coast pass by.

Snorkeling equipment is included. The supplied information does not promise a specific marine-life encounter, so think of snorkeling as a pleasant way to look below the surface rather than a guaranteed wildlife event. You may spot colorful marine life in clear water, but conditions can vary.

Bring your own towel and swimwear. Sunscreen is essential, and a long-sleeved shirt is a smart extra. One group specifically found the boat very hot and sunny, especially during a morning sail. You should also remember that wet swimsuits and bare feet can make moving around a boat less comfortable, so take care when boarding and leaving the water.

The Blue Cave and its sapphire water

The Blue Cave is the trip’s most theatrical stop. Inside, light reflects through the water and onto the cave walls, creating the strong blue color that gives the place its name. The effect depends on light and sea conditions, but it offers a striking change from the open sea and bright stone coast.

You can swim near the cave and use the snorkeling gear to look through the clear water. The cave stop is best treated as a short natural spectacle rather than a lengthy sightseeing session. Its appeal comes from the color, the enclosed space, and the contrast with the broad sea outside.

The trip also allows for other small cave or grotto stops. One group chose to swim and snorkel at the Green Grotto instead of spending more time visiting the islands. That example shows how the private route can work: you are not locked into one definition of a good day.

If your priority is the Blue Cave itself, confirm with the skipper that it fits your chosen duration and route. The available information presents it as a highlight, but the exact path can change with weather and group preferences.

Taking the wheel during a sailing lesson

The sailing lesson gives the outing more substance than a standard coastal cruise. Your skipper can explain basic steering and let you try controlling the boat under supervision. It is not presented as a formal sailing certification course, but it is a useful introduction to how a sailboat responds.

Children can take part too. A six-year-old and a nine-year-old enjoyed the day, with one child learning basic sailing skills. That makes this a good option for families who want an activity that includes more than swimming and sunbathing.

The quality of this part depends heavily on the skipper. Mirko was praised for his sailing ability and for suggesting good stops. Dragan was singled out as a patient tutor, while Peter was described as capable, fun, and willing to fulfill requests. Andy also received strong praise for patience, friendliness, and adapting the route.

You should still expect the skipper to make the final call on safety. Wind, waves, boat traffic, and the need to keep the group together all matter. The lesson is most enjoyable when you treat it as a supervised taste of sailing, not as unrestricted control of the boat.

How the private price works for groups of eight

At $353 for up to eight people, the math favors groups. Eight people pay about $44 each. Four people pay about $88 each, and a couple pays nearly $177 each. Those figures make the tour excellent value for a full group, but less of a bargain for two people compared with a shared excursion.

The price includes the boat tour, skipper, sailing lessons, snorkeling equipment, and soft drinks. You do not pay separately for the basic sailing instruction or the snorkeling gear. Food, hotel pickup, and hotel drop-off are extra or your own responsibility.

The private format adds value beyond the simple cost per person. You can choose a route that matches your group, pause for swimming, and ask for more sailing or more island time. For families and groups of friends, that control may matter more than saving a small amount on a shared boat.

For a couple, the decision is more personal. If you want privacy, hands-on sailing, and the freedom to choose your stops, the higher per-person cost may be justified. If your main goal is simply to reach one beach or cave, a shared outing could potentially be more economical, though that comparison is outside the details provided here.

Picking four hours or eight hours

The four-hour option suits a compact taste of the coast. You can see Dubrovnik from the sea, visit a swimming area, try sailing, and possibly reach a cave or nearby island stop. It is a good choice if you have limited time in Dubrovnik or want to leave room for other plans.

The eight-hour option is better for an unhurried day. You have more time for the Elaphiti Islands, a longer swim, snorkeling, lunch, and changes to the route. It also reduces the feeling that every stop must be rushed.

The longer version is not automatically better for everyone. Several hours on a sunny boat can feel tiring, especially if you are not comfortable with heat or open water. If you are booking in midsummer, sunscreen, water, a towel, and a cover-up matter. The included soft drinks help, but they do not replace a proper meal or your own preferred snacks.

What the skipper can add to your day

The skipper is central to this tour. The strongest praise has gone to guides who combine sailing skill with a relaxed approach to requests. Mirko, Andy, Peter, Dragan, Dragon, Desmond, and Mario have all been associated with friendly service, patient instruction, safe handling, or thoughtful route choices.

That matters because the day is not just transportation. A good skipper can point the boat toward a better swimming area, adjust for weak wind, explain how to steer, and help a family or group find its own pace.

You should tell the skipper early what matters most to you. Say if you want more sailing, more swimming, the sandy beach, the Blue Cave, the Green Grotto, the islands, or Old Town views. The private format gives those preferences a chance to shape the day, but clear communication helps.

The tour operates in English and Croatian. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. If bad weather prevents the outing, it will be rescheduled or refunded.

Who should book this sailing trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to a group of friends, a family, or anyone who values privacy and choice. It suits people who want to combine Dubrovnik sightseeing with swimming, and it works especially well for anyone curious about sailing but not ready for a full sailing course.

Families should note that children have enjoyed both the water and the basic sailing lesson. Couples can also have a fine day, but the cost per person is much higher when only two people share the boat.

This is less suitable if you need accessible boarding, dislike sun exposure, or want meals and hotel transport included. It is also not the best match if you want a fixed historical tour with long guided explanations on land. The emphasis is on the sea, the views, the water, and a flexible route.

Final verdict: book it for freedom on the water

Book this tour if you want Dubrovnik’s walls from a fresh angle, quiet swimming stops, and the pleasure of helping sail the boat. The Blue Cave adds a memorable visual stop, while the private format lets you favor islands, lagoons, Lokrum, Old Town, or snorkeling.

For the best value, bring a full group of up to eight. Choose four hours for a focused half-day and eight hours if you want lunch, several swims, and a slower route. Pack sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, and a cover-up, then tell your skipper what kind of day you want. That combination of flexibility, friendly instruction, and time in the water is the real strength of the trip.

FAQ

How much does the private Elaphiti Islands sailing tour cost?

The tour costs $353 per private group of up to eight people. The price is for the group, not each individual.

How long does the sailing tour last?

You can choose a four-hour or eight-hour option. Starting times depend on availability.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the boat tour, skipper, sailing lessons, snorkeling equipment, and soft drinks.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, so you need to make your own arrangements. Some routes may allow time to stop at an island for lunch.

Where does the tour begin?

The tour departs from the Bay of Lapad, but the exact meeting point may vary according to the option booked. You may travel by dinghy to reach the sailboat.

Can I choose where the boat goes?

The private format allows route flexibility. Possible choices include Dubrovnik’s Old Town, Lokrum, the Elaphiti Islands, lagoons, beaches, caves, and snorkeling areas. The final route depends on conditions and your group’s preferences.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and you can use it during swimming and cave stops.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Sunscreen is strongly advisable because the boat can be very sunny. A long-sleeved shirt or cover-up can also help.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. In bad weather, the trip will be rescheduled or refunded.