Kolocep to the Elafiti Islands in one day feels like cheating. This private sailing tour is built around real swim time, not just photos, with included snorkelling equipment and even free sailing lessons by skipper Dragan. I also like the relaxed, family-friendly pace and the fact you can bring your own drinks while the essentials (fuel, coffee, tea, gear) are handled. One thing to plan for: it’s weather-dependent, and you won’t have a guaranteed lunch stop, since meals ashore cost extra.

Expect an 8-hour day starting at 9:30am from Lapadska obala 4, with a small group (up to 8) so your route can flex a bit. You’ll hit Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, then spend the remaining time cruising and sailing between the islands—right where the scenery matters most. If you’re hoping to sit completely dry the whole time, a sailboat day will require at least some “life on deck” comfort.

Key things I’d bet on before you book

• Small-group private setup (up to 8): more personal route control and less waiting around
• Included snorkeling + free SUP: you’re not locked into one activity
• Skipper Dragan’s hands-on sailing lessons: great if you want to do more than watch
• Island breaks that balance swimming and walking: beaches plus a village stop
• Fuel, coffee, tea, and equipment are included: fewer surprise add-ons

Why this private sail feels better than a standard boat outing

Dubrovnik boat tours can blur together: same pier, same speed, same quick stop, same crowd. This one is different because it’s designed around a real day on a sailboat, not a checklist of quick photo angles.

You’re paying for a private group experience for up to eight people, so the cost works best when you split it among friends, a family, or a couple with some extra space. The day also gives you the kind of time that makes swimming actually worth it. In one stretch you’re in the water with gear; in another you’re ashore long enough to wander and eat without feeling rushed.

The other “quiet win” is the support kit onboard: the tour includes a fully equipped kitchen, an outdoor shower, and a rest area on board. On islands, those details matter because you’ll return salty, sandy, and probably sunscreeny—then you can actually reset.

Skipper Dragan and the pace: comfortable, practical, and not stiff

The reviews are heavy on one name: Dragan. People praise his helpful, upbeat style and his clear English—and that’s not a small detail if you want to understand what you’re seeing and what the plan is for the wind and route.

What you’ll feel on the day is a “do what you want, when it makes sense” rhythm. This isn’t a stiff guided march where you only follow along. It’s a sailing day where you can swim, snorkel, stand on a SUP, and still have time to walk around Lopud’s village areas. One review also mentioned that Dragan helped make the route comfortable with kids, which is a strong sign if you’re traveling as a family and want fewer hassles.

The bottom line: this is a skipper-led day with hands-on sailing when conditions allow, and a human approach to pacing rather than a clock-punching schedule.

From Lapadska obala to the Elafiti route: what the 8 hours are really for

The tour runs about 8 hours and starts at 9:30am at Lapadska obala 4. That matters because you’re leaving before peak heat and before the day gets crowded in the harbor areas.

Your schedule looks like this:

• Koločep (swim/snorkel time)
• Lopud (Sunj Beach swim + Lopud village/walk)
• Šipan (town walk or more water time)
• Then cruising/sailing with the remaining time on the Elafiti Islands stretch

Notice the pattern: water first, then mix in village walking, then sail the rest of the day. That’s a smart flow. You get your “in the sea” time when you’re freshest, and you keep the best movement on the water (wind and sailing) for the later part of the day.

Also, the tour includes free sailing lessons. Even if you’re not aiming to learn technical knots, you’ll likely enjoy having someone explain how sailboats actually respond to wind and small route changes.

Koločep Island: pristine bays and one solid hour in the water

Koločep is the first stop, and your time there is about 1 hour. The pitch is simple: pristine bays and beaches that invite swimming, snorkelling, and sunbathing.

This stop is ideal if:

• you want to get in the water early,
• you’re bringing your own sense of “let’s just relax,” and
• you want to use the included snorkel kit right away.

One consideration: with only about an hour, Koločep works best if you’re ready to move fairly efficiently—gear on, swim/snorkel, then decide if you want another quick dip before the next departure. If you’re the type who needs long, slow settling-in time, you might feel slightly “timeline-y” here.

Sunj Beach on Lopud: sandy comfort and an easy swim plan

Sunj Beach is your Lopud beach stop, also around 1 hour. This is described as an amazing sandy beach—exactly the kind of place where you can choose your own rhythm: swim next to rocks, snorkel, sunbathe, or even do a swim to shore and then grab something to drink at a beach club.

The snorkel-and-sit combo is the big draw. You get a sandy entry for easy floating and a nearby rock area for more interesting viewing. That balance is great if you’re traveling with mixed interests—someone wants shade and a book, someone else wants to hop into the water.

Tip from the structure of the day: pack for a “beach hour,” not a “beach day.” Sunscreen, a hat, and a quick towel strategy will make this stop feel effortless instead of rushed.

Lopud island walk: the village, a monastery, and real meal time

After the beach hour, the plan shifts to a longer 2-hour stop on Lopud. This is where the day stops being only about water and starts getting more human-scale.

You can:

• take a walk through the village,
• visit a monastery from the 14th century, and
• enjoy beach time or local restaurants.

One drawback to consider: this is also the segment where you’ll notice the tour isn’t offering a built-in lunch. The tour specifically says there’s no included lunch. That means you’ll want to be ready to pay for food and drinks ashore on your own.

On the plus side, the village and monastery add variety. When a boat day skips land entirely, it can feel like floating from one view to the next. Here, you get a chance to slow down, stretch your legs, and pick a spot to eat at your own pace.

Šipan stop: short town time, clear-water choices, and a calm finish

Šipan is the last island stop before the sailing stretch, with about 1 hour. The structure here is flexible: you can walk around town, swim in crystal clear water, or relax with a cold drink at a restaurant.

This short window is often a good thing. By the time you reach Šipan, you’ve already had big swim time and at least one village walk. The Šipan hour can act like a “choose your own finale” before the final cruising portion.

If you want more water time, this is the moment to plan it. If you’d rather stretch out with a drink and look around, Šipan’s town break can feel more relaxed than the earlier beach stop.

Elafiti sailing time: where the day earns its keep

After Šipan, the remaining time—about 2 hours—goes to sailing/cruising around the Elafiti Islands. This is the part that makes a sailboat day feel like a sailboat day.

Why this matters: motorboat tours often use movement just to reach the next stop. On a sailboat, the journey is the point. When wind is right, sailing turns into a slower, smoother experience where the coastline details stand out more—and where you can actually feel like you’re traveling, not just switching locations.

This is also when onboard extras help. Since the tour includes SUP and snorkeling equipment, you’ll get a chance to use the gear when the crew thinks it fits the conditions.

What you get onboard (and what you’ll need to handle)

Here’s the practical list of what’s included:

• Fuel included
• Free coffee and tea
• Use of snorkelling equipment
• Free SUP (stand up paddle)
• Rest area on board and outdoor shower
• Fully equipped kitchen
• Free sailing lessons
• A base rest setup designed for a day at sea

What you should plan for:

• Alcoholic beverages aren’t included (you can bring your own drinks)
• Lunch isn’t included, and you’ll handle meals ashore
• Gratuities/tips aren’t included
• Pickup/drop-off isn’t included (it says optional)
• If you request a dinghy without motor, it’s listed as 40 EUR per day on request

One detail I like: the outdoor shower. Saltwater days are unavoidable on this kind of trip, and being able to rinse off without turning it into a production is a small luxury.

Also, one practical comfort note: since the tour is private and has a small group, you can usually coordinate food/drink needs with the crew more easily than on big shared boats.

Blue Cave mention: how to think about it realistically

The tour name includes Blue Cave, but the exact cave timing isn’t spelled out in the stop-by-stop schedule you’ll see. What you can take from the structure is this: the day is designed for beautiful sea access and scenic cruising in this area, with time on the water that’s meant for swimming and exploring.

So if your top dream is a very specific cave “at the perfect moment,” you should ask the crew (in advance if possible) how their route handles cave conditions. With a weather-dependent day, flexibility is part of the deal.

Price and value: when $744.61 per group makes sense

The price is $744.61 per group (up to 8) for about 8 hours. That looks high at first glance if you compare it to a shared shuttle boat. But private sailing is different.

To judge value, I’d break it down like this:

• You’re paying for private time with a skipper instead of a crowded group.
• Fuel is included, and the tour covers essentials like coffee/tea and equipment.
• You’re getting activities that usually cost extra elsewhere: snorkelling gear, SUP, and sailing lessons.
• You’re also getting multiple island stops, plus real cruising time at the end.

The math gets more reasonable if you’re not traveling solo. If you’re a couple, it can still be worth it if you want a quieter day and a chance to learn and steer a bit. If you’re four to eight people, it often feels like a “shared splurge” rather than a splurge for one.

One review also mentioned standout seafood at their lunch and praised the beach village stop. Since lunch isn’t included, your spending there will vary—but the fact that the day includes a meaningful chance to eat ashore can make the overall experience feel more complete.

Weather and comfort: the part of planning you should take seriously

This experience requires good weather. That’s stated plainly, and you should respect it. On days with rough conditions, your best bet is to treat the day as flexible rather than fixed. The tour also offers a different date or a full refund if it’s canceled for poor weather.

On comfort: sailboats can be breezy. Even in summer, bring a light layer. And if you’re prone to sea sensitivity, plan for it early—when you’re active and on deck, movement can feel different than when you’re sitting in a calm zone.

Who should book this tour (and who might not love it)

This is a great fit if you:

• want a private experience with a small group,
• care about swimming and snorkelling,
• like mixing water time with short island walking,
• want to learn basics from an actual skipper (Dragan is a highlight),
• are traveling with kids and want a calmer pace than typical speed tours.

You might think twice if you:

• need a strictly scheduled, land-heavy itinerary,
• want lunch included in the price,
• dislike the idea that route details like Blue Cave timing depend on conditions.

Should you book this Dubrovnik sailing day?

If your ideal vacation day includes time in the water, a sailboat feel, and the chance to see more than just one stop, I’d say yes—especially if you can share the group cost. The combination of snorkel gear + SUP + sailing lessons and a skipper who runs the day with flexibility is what makes this feel like a real experience, not a quick excursion.

Book it if you want a day with rhythm: swim, wander, swim again, then let the wind do the work while you cruise. And if your priority is a specific cave moment, message the provider and ask how they handle cave timing when conditions cooperate.

FAQ

What is the price for this Dubrovnik private sail boat tour?

The price is $744.61 per group, up to 8 people.

How long is the tour?

It runs for about 8 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:30am.

Where do we meet for the tour?

The meeting point is Lapadska obala 4, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s private, meaning only your group participates.

What activities and gear are included?

You get free sailing lessons, use of snorkelling equipment, and free SUP (stand up paddle). Fuel is included too, along with rest area on board and an outdoor shower.

Are coffee and tea included?

Yes, free coffee and tea are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the price.

Can I bring alcoholic drinks?

Alcoholic beverages are not included, and you can bring your own drinks.

Is the tour dependent on weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.