A private boat turns Dubrovnik into island time. This all-included Elafiti day trip is built around a private 23-foot Jeanneau with room for up to seven, so your day stays easy and personal as you explore the Elafiti Islands. I love the private motorboat feel for a small group, and I love that snorkeling gear and drinks are included. The one real consideration is simple: it runs best with good weather.

You’ll start from Port Gruž (Obala Ivana Pavla II 13) at 10:00 am, with the option to get picked up by boat near your accommodation around the Dubrovnik area. It’s also a local-style operation—staff are born in Dubrovnik—which tends to mean smoother local knowledge and a more grounded vibe.

Because it’s private, you’re not sharing the boat with strangers. That’s great for comfort and timing, but it also means you’ll want to show up ready—when the day is set, it’s set.

Key things to know before you go

• Private 23-foot Jeanneau Cap Camarat 755 WA (up to 7): Small enough to feel special, big enough to do real island hopping.
• Snorkeling gear included: You can pack light and still get time in the water.
• Drinks included: A practical win for a full 8-hour outing away from Dubrovnik’s streets.
• Pickup offered near your accommodation: Less time wrangling taxis, more time on the water.
• Staff born in Dubrovnik: A local team with a stronger feel for where and when the day works best.

A private Elafiti Islands day trip that feels like your schedule

Dubrovnik is gorgeous, but the best day is the one that gets you out on open water. This full-day trip to the Elafiti Islands is designed for that exact shift: you trade city time for sea time, and you do it on a private motorboat that holds up to seven.

I like trips like this because they remove friction. No cattle-call boats. No guessing how to time your return. Just a set start from Port Gruž at 10:00 am, an 8-hour day on the water, and then you’re back where you started.

It’s also “all included” in the ways that matter most for comfort: drinks are part of the plan, and snorkeling equipment is included so you’re not hunting for gear at the last minute. For a day trip, that’s the difference between feeling prepared and feeling stressed.

One more thing: you’ll be on a real working motorboat, the kind that’s meant for moving between islands, not just posing on a deck for photos. That makes the day feel more like island time and less like a slow cruise.

The Jeanneau Cap Camarat boat: why size matters (up to seven)

This tour runs on a Jeanneau Cap Camarat 755 WA, about 23 feet / 7 meters, with capacity for up to seven people. For me, the ideal sweet spot is small-group boat time. You get privacy and space, but you also get the ease of a guided plan.

On a small boat, everyone tends to end up in the same rhythm—so it’s easier to relax. You’re not waiting for the slow walker who has to step around a line of strangers. You’re not stuck scanning for who “might have missed the briefing.” It just feels cleaner.

And since it’s private—only your group participates—you don’t have to worry about random seating politics or trying to enjoy a quiet moment while others talk over it. If you’re traveling as a family, a couple, or a small friend group, this setup fits the way most people actually want to travel: with a bit less chaos and more control.

That small-group nature is also why this trip is a good match for people who don’t want a full-day tour that feels like a checklist. You’ll have time to look, swim, and take breaks without feeling pushed to perform.

What’s included: drinks, snorkeling gear, and your time back

Let’s talk about the practical “included” stuff, because it’s what saves money and effort.

Drinks included

For a day out around Dubrovnik, drinks add up fast if you’re buying them one by one. Here, you can treat the day like a proper outing. You don’t have to keep track of totals or start doing math in your head while you’re trying to enjoy the sea.

Snorkeling gear included

Snorkeling gear being included is a big deal, especially if you don’t already have your own mask and fins. Even if you’re not an expert swimmer, it lowers the barrier to trying it. You just show up and use what you brought—then add what the tour provides.

Snorkeling also changes how you experience the islands. Instead of only seeing coastline from above, you get a chance to interact with the water itself. On a day like this, that’s often the memory people keep.

The timing: a 10:00 am start that works with the day

You start at 10:00 am, and the trip runs for about 8 hours. That timing matters. Too early and you’re still half-awake. Too late and you’re rushing the sea part because Dubrovnik’s evenings arrive quickly.

A late morning departure gives you time to settle in, grab coffee, and make sure you’re not sprinting to the meeting point. It also helps you avoid that awkward in-between window where your plans feel stretched.

The schedule is simple too: you head out, spend your main time at the Elafiti Islands, and return to the meeting point at the end. No extra stand-alone stops listed, which is usually a good sign for a boat-based day. It suggests they’re focused on getting you the water time that makes this trip worth it.

One small note for your mindset: this is a weather-dependent experience. If conditions are rough, that can affect how comfortable the ride is and how the day plays out.

Port Gruž meeting point: where to line up your day

Your tour starts and ends at Port Gruž, Obala Ivana Pavla II 13, 20000 Dubrovnik. It’s a central spot, and the listing also notes it’s near public transportation, which is helpful if you’re not staying within easy walking distance.

If you’re using the pickup option, the plan is even easier. You can be picked up by boat in the Dubrovnik area near your accommodation. For me, that’s one of those details you only appreciate when you arrive in a new place and realize how many steps you don’t want to deal with.

Either way, show up with time to spare. Even on a smooth day, you want to be relaxed as you transition from land to boat.

Your main act: exploring the Elafiti Islands by water

The day’s core is your time at the Elafiti Islands—the classic cluster off Dubrovnik that people come for when they want a break from the city walls.

With this tour, the important part is how you reach them. You’re not stuck with a rigid land-and-bus route. You’re on a private motorboat, which means the day can feel more fluid and more personal.

What to expect during your island time

You’ll spend roughly the middle chunk of your day at the islands, with snorkeling gear available and downtime built in. The tour is set up so you can do the two most satisfying things on island days:

• see the coastline from the water
• get in the water when you want to

Because drinks are included, you can take a breath mid-ride without worrying about where the next stop is. That helps you stay present. When you’re not scanning for supplies, you look out instead of looking around.

One realistic drawback to consider

Island days can shift with the sea state. Even if the itinerary stays the same on paper, what you can comfortably do can change depending on how the water feels that day. If you’re planning a very strict “I must snorkel for exactly X minutes” style of schedule, build in flexibility.

Pickup by boat near your accommodation: the time-saver you’ll notice

Pickup is offered, and it can be done by boat in the Dubrovnik area near your accommodation. That can be a game-changer, especially if your hotel is tucked into an area where taxis take a while, parking is annoying, or walking with bags is a hassle.

From a travel-value point of view, time is the real currency. Any tour that saves you from awkward transfers usually earns a spot on my list of favorites.

Also, since the tour is private, pickup tends to feel more controlled. You’re not trying to coordinate with a crowd at the last second.

If you’re staying close to the old town, you may be used to tight streets and uphill walks. A pickup option that cuts that out can make your day feel lighter before you even reach the islands.

Value for money: $866.96 per group, up to seven

Let’s get honest about the price. $866.96 per group (up to 7) sounds steep at first. But compare it to what you’re actually buying: a private Jeanneau boat experience for a full day, including drinks and snorkeling gear, with the trip timed around an 8-hour outing.

Here’s the math in plain terms: if you spread the cost across a full group, you’re paying a lot less per person than you would for a boat experience that requires you to add extras on the spot. If you’re traveling solo or as a couple, it naturally becomes pricier because you don’t have the same cost-sharing.

So the value depends on your group size:

• If you have 5–7 people, it can be a strong deal for a true private day.
• If you’re 2–3 people, it’s still workable if you want control and comfort more than you want the lowest per-person rate.

One more value signal: the trip is commonly booked about 39 days in advance on average. That doesn’t guarantee anything, but it does suggest people plan for this experience because it fits their Dubrovnik days well. If it’s a top priority for you, booking earlier is usually the way to protect your preferred date.

Who this tour fits best

This is a great fit if you want:

• a private boat day, not a shared cruise
• real sea time around the Elafiti Islands
• included comfort perks like drinks and snorkeling gear
• a small-group vibe on a Jeanneau that holds up to seven

It also works well for couples who want something more special than a basic day trip. You get privacy without making the day feel overly formal.

Families can also do well here, as the tour notes most travelers can participate. That said, any boat day can mean wind, spray, and movement—so it’s smart to come with a calm attitude and plan to enjoy the ride itself.

If you’re the kind of traveler who hates crowds and loves control over your day, you’ll probably feel at home on this one.

Weather and comfort: the reality check for boat trips

This experience requires good weather. That matters because you’re on open water for about 8 hours, and comfort depends on conditions.

The good news is that the tour plan accounts for weather. If the trip is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That kind of policy is important, because it means you’re not stuck taking a bad day just to protect your schedule.

My advice: watch the forecast the week before, and keep your plans flexible. If your Dubrovnik trip is tight, this is where good travel timing really pays off.

The bottom line: should you book this Elafiti islands private boat day?

If you want a Dubrovnik day that feels like a reward, not just a line item, I’d seriously consider booking this. The biggest wins are practical: private boat time up to seven, drinks included, and snorkeling gear included, all wrapped into an easy 10:00 am to around 8 hours day format.

Book it if:

• your group is 4–7 people and you want maximum privacy
• snorkeling is on your wish list and you don’t want to source gear
• you prefer guided water time without city-transfer stress

Skip it (or at least think twice) if:

• you’re traveling solo or as a couple and the group price won’t feel worth it
• you can’t be flexible about weather, since this trip is weather dependent

FAQ

What time does the Elafiti Islands boat trip start?

It starts at 10:00 am.

How long is the trip?

The duration is about 8 hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts and ends at Port Gruž, Obala Ivana Pavla II 13, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered by boat in the Dubrovnik area near your accommodation.

Is this a private tour?

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

How many people can be on the boat?

The Jeanneau Cap Camarat 755 WA hosts up to seven people.

Are drinks and snorkeling gear included?

Yes. Drinks are included, and snorkeling gear is included too.

What language is the experience offered in?

It’s offered in English.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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