Full Day Sailing Tour To Elafiti Islands from Dubrovnik

The best part of this Dubrovnik day trip is its small scale. With a maximum of six people, you spend less time edging around a packed boat and more time swimming, sunning, and talking with Captain Filip as you move between the Elafiti Islands. It is a relaxed day on the Adriatic, not a race from one photo stop to the next.

I like the freedom to swim and snorkel at several spots, and I like the chance to eat lunch on Šipan, where Filip can point you toward a local restaurant. The main thing to consider is the price, $157.22 per person, which does not include lunch or transport to the marina. Wind and weather also affect how much actual sailing you get.

Key points at a glance

• Small boat, maximum six people: This is a far quieter choice than a large island cruise.
• Three island stops: Swim at Koločep, visit sandy Šunj Beach, and spend longer on Šipan.
• Captain Filip guides the day: He handles the boat, shares local context, and helps with restaurant suggestions.
• Swimming is central: Snorkeling gear, an outdoor shower, and a boat restroom are included.
• Lunch is optional: You can eat at a local restaurant on Šipan, but the meal is extra.
• Plan for a full day: The tour starts at 9:00 am, lasts about eight hours, and returns to the same meeting point.

Why this small sailing tour works so well

The Elafiti Islands sit just off Dubrovnik, yet the day feels removed from the Old Town crowds. You leave from Lapadska obala 21a at 9:00 am and spend much of the day on the water. The island stops fill roughly four hours, while the remaining time is used for sailing between them.

That timing matters. You are not simply being ferried to one beach and back. The boat ride itself is part of the experience, with views of the coast, open water, and the islands as they come into sight. If the wind is light, the boat may rely more on its motor, but Filip can still raise the sails when conditions allow.

I especially like the group limit. A boat designed for six people can feel personal even when full, and it may run with fewer people. One booking with only two participants still went ahead, which is useful to know if you are traveling as a couple and worry about a small-group tour being canceled.

Filip is the captain and guide. He has been praised for safe boat handling, clear communication, local knowledge, and a friendly manner. He also contacts participants through WhatsApp before the trip in some cases, helping clarify the marina meeting point. That sort of simple contact can prevent a stressful start.

Koločep: the first swim of the day

Your first stop is Koločep, where you have about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. The appeal here is simple: you get into the water early, before a full day at sea makes you restless.

The island is known for clean bays and attractive beaches. From a small boat, you can focus on the water rather than on finding a place to sit. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins, though you should still pack your usual swimwear, towel, and sun protection.

This is a stop for enjoying the setting, not for a long inland walk. The one-hour stay gives you enough time for a swim and a little sun, but not an extended island visit. If you prefer historical sights and village wandering to water time, this tour may feel swim-heavy.

The boat has an outdoor shower, which is useful after getting out of the sea. You also have an onboard restroom, a small feature that becomes important during an eight-hour outing.

Šunj Beach: the sandy break on Lopud

Next comes Šunj Beach on Lopud, one of the Elafiti Islands’ best-known sandy beaches. This stop lasts about an hour and gives you several choices. You can swim and snorkel from the boat, sunbathe onboard, or swim toward shore for a drink at one of the restaurants.

That flexibility is one of the tour’s strengths. You do not have to leave the boat if you prefer quiet time on deck, and you do not have to stay onboard if you want to feel sand under your feet. The beach is a trademark of Lopud, so it provides a different setting from the rocky coves and open-water swimming that often define the Adriatic.

There is a practical tradeoff. An hour passes quickly if you want to swim, walk onto the beach, and order a drink. Pick one main aim before you arrive. If the beach is your priority, head ashore without delay. If snorkeling and calm sunbathing sound better, remain near the boat.

The tour description allows swimming to shore, but it does not promise a beach landing or reserved seating. Treat the stop as a chance to enjoy Šunj from the water, with shore time as an option rather than the central plan.

Šipan: two hours for lunch and a short walk

Šipan receives the longest stop, about two hours, and that gives the day more substance than a simple beach cruise. You can walk through the town, visit Skocibuha Castle, swim from the beach, or eat at a local restaurant.

I would save some appetite for this part of the trip. Lunch is not included, but the restaurant advice has been a major part of the experience for many people. Fresh fish, local wine, and seafood have been repeatedly singled out as highlights, and Filip has recommended restaurants that made the stop feel local rather than purely tourist-oriented.

You should budget separately for the meal. The tour price covers the boat, fuel-related charges, snorkeling equipment, restroom, and shower, but not food or drinks. That is worth knowing before you book, especially if you are comparing this outing with a boat tour that advertises an included lunch.

Šipan also gives you the best chance to step away from the boat. A walk through town and a visit to Skocibuha Castle add a cultural note to a day otherwise built around swimming. Two hours is enough to combine lunch with a short look around, although you will not have time for an extensive island tour.

The pace is deliberately gentle. You can eat, walk, and swim without trying to fit every possible activity into one stop. I like that balance because it keeps the day from feeling like a checklist.

What sailing is really like on the day

The word sailing can set up a specific expectation: sails raised, engine off, and a steady breeze all day. That may happen, but it depends on the weather. Some days have little wind, and the boat may spend more time under power.

This is not necessarily a weakness. The tour still provides a boat ride between the islands, and Filip may raise the sails for photographs or when conditions allow. The reviews also describe smooth, comfortable rides and a captain who puts safety first.

The valuable part is the time on the water, not a guarantee of nonstop sailing. If you are an experienced sailor seeking a full day of wind-powered travel, ask about expected conditions before booking. If you mainly want a comfortable boat, scenic movement between islands, and the chance to swim, the experience is a better fit.

The boat is described as being in good condition and comfortable for a family of six adults. There is storage in the cabin, and one participant noted that it could be used for changing. Still, the supplied information does not give cabin size, boat model, or detailed seating arrangements, so pack lightly and keep your expectations practical.

Swimming and snorkeling without a crowded deck

The water time is the heart of this outing. You swim at Koločep, enjoy Šunj from the sea or shore, and have another chance to swim at Šipan. Snorkeling equipment is included, and several stops are chosen for clear water and aquatic life.

The small group changes how this feels. You are not competing with a large crowd for a ladder, a patch of shade, or a place to sit on deck. Filip can also adjust the mood of the day within reason, giving you more time to relax rather than pushing everyone through a fixed program.

Bring sun protection and a towel, since those are not listed among the inclusions. An outdoor shower lets you rinse off saltwater, but it is not a substitute for a full changing facility. The boat restroom is helpful, though you should still use facilities before departure if possible.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. No special physical requirement is listed, but the activity involves boarding a boat, swimming, and moving between boat and shore when you choose to go ashore. If that is difficult for you, confirm the arrangements before booking.

The value of $157.22 per person

At $157.22 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the islands. The price makes more sense if you value a maximum six-person group, an experienced skipper, several swim stops, onboard facilities, and a full eight-hour day.

A large boat can cost less per person, but it usually offers less personal space and less direct contact with the captain. Here, part of what you are paying for is the small-group format. The difference is especially useful if you want a quiet day away from Dubrovnik’s busiest areas.

The price includes snorkeling equipment, the restroom, outdoor shower, gas, and fuel surcharge. It does not include lunch, drinks, or private transport to the meeting point. You also need to account for the fact that the tour starts and ends at Lapadska obala 21a, so you must arrange your own way there.

For two people, the total cost is significant. For a group of six, the per-person cost may feel more reasonable, particularly if you would otherwise book several separate activities. The strongest value comes from treating this as a full day on the water, not just a transfer to a beach.

Who should book this Dubrovnik day out

I would choose this tour if you want swimming, sun, and island scenery with a small group. It suits couples, families, and friends who prefer a calm boat day to a crowded cruise.

It is also a good match if you enjoy a guide who talks about local life and landmarks without turning the day into a formal history lecture. Filip’s role covers skipper, host, and local adviser, and his restaurant suggestions are a useful bonus.

You may want another option if your main goal is serious sailing, a guaranteed beach landing, an included meal, or extensive sightseeing on land. The schedule gives you only about two hours on Šipan and about one hour at each earlier stop. Weather can also change the sailing portion.

The tour is offered in English and has a five-star rating from 91 reviews, with 100 percent recommending it. Those figures point to a consistently strong experience, but they do not remove the practical limits: lunch costs extra, transport is not supplied, and the day depends on suitable weather.

Timing, meeting point, and cancellation details

The tour begins at 9:00 am at Lapadska obala 21a in Dubrovnik and returns there after about eight hours. The remaining time outside the island stops is used for sailing.

Confirmation is provided when you book. The tour is near public transportation, but private transport to and from the meeting point is not included. Plan your route in advance so you arrive ready to board.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. Because the trip needs good weather and a minimum number of participants, the operator may offer another date or a full refund if it cannot run.

Should you book the Elafiti sailing tour?

Book it if you want a personal day at sea, several chances to swim, and an optional seafood lunch on Šipan. The six-person limit, comfortable boat, restroom, shower, and Captain Filip’s local guidance give it an advantage over crowded island cruises.

Think twice if $157.22 feels high for a day without included food or transport, or if you need guaranteed wind for sailing. For most people seeking a relaxed Dubrovnik escape with real time in the water, this is a strong choice. Pack a towel, allow extra money for lunch, and let the weather decide how much sailing you get.

FAQ

How long does the sailing tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:00 am.

Where does the tour meet?

You meet at Lapadska obala 21a, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of six travelers.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The planned stops are Koločep Island, Šunj Beach on Lopud, and Šipan.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is optional and is not included in the tour price. A lunch stop takes place on one of the islands.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes. The boat has a restroom and an outdoor shower.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.