Full Day Sailing Tour To Elafiti Islands from Dubrovnik

The best thing about this Dubrovnik day trip is its small scale. Instead of joining a packed excursion boat, you sail with no more than six people, stopping at quiet bays, a sandy beach, and a traditional island village. Captain Filip handles the boat and shares useful stories about the islands and Dubrovnik.

I especially like the chance to swim and snorkel at several stops and the freedom to make Šipan lunch your own choice. The boat has a restroom, outdoor shower, and room to store bags, which makes eight hours on the water far easier. The main consideration is price: at $157.22 per person, it costs more than a large group cruise, and lunch is extra.

The tour leaves at 9:00 a.m. from Lapadska obala 21a and returns there after about eight hours. Most of the day is spent sailing between stops, so this suits you best if you want an easy day on the Adriatic rather than a fast sightseeing checklist.

Key points to know before booking

• Small boat, maximum six people: You get more space and personal attention than on a standard island cruise.
• Three different island experiences: Koločep offers bays and swimming, Šunj brings a sandy beach, and Šipan adds village time and lunch.
• Filip is both captain and guide: He explains local sights, handles the boat carefully, and recommends places to eat.
• Snorkeling is built into the day: Equipment is included, along with an outdoor shower and onboard restroom.
• Lunch on Šipan is optional: You can choose a local restaurant, but the meal is not part of the tour price.
• Weather affects departure: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Why this small sailing trip works so well from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik’s Old Town can feel crowded, especially in the warmer months. A day on the water gives you a very different view of the area: stone walls, wooded islands, open sea, and small settlements that are hard to appreciate from shore.

This is not a luxury yacht charter with a large crew and a fixed private itinerary. It is a compact sailing trip run by Smooth Sailing, with space for up to six people. That limit matters. You can ask Filip about a landmark, move around the boat without fighting for space, and spend more time swimming instead of waiting for a large group to board.

The tour is listed at $157.22 per person. That is a serious day-trip price, but the value comes from the boat size and the length of the outing. You are paying for about eight hours, fuel, snorkeling equipment, an onboard toilet, an outdoor shower, and a captain who also acts as your local guide.

A big excursion may cost less, but it usually gives you less room and a more fixed rhythm. Here, the trip is designed around three island stops and several hours of sailing. If you care about quiet water stops and personal service, the higher price can make sense. If you mainly want transport to one beach, you can find cheaper ways to spend the day.

Starting at Lapadska obala at 9:00 a.m.

You meet at Lapadska obala 21a in Dubrovnik at 9:00 a.m. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, and the location is near public transportation. Private transport to the meeting point is not included, so you need to arrange your own way there.

The tour provider sends booking confirmation at the time of purchase. Filip has also contacted people through WhatsApp with clear meeting instructions, which is useful when you are unfamiliar with the marina area. I would still allow a little extra time. A boat departure is not the moment to test your ability to find a new address in a busy port.

The trip requires good weather. If conditions make the outing unsafe, you can take a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted unless the provider cancels.

Once aboard, expect the remaining hours to be sailing time between the stops. This is important. The tour is not three separate shore visits with constant activity. There is time to sit, watch the coast, talk with Filip, and let the day slow down.

Koločep: your first hour for swimming and snorkeling

Koločep is the first stop, with about one hour set aside for a swim, snorkeling, or sunbathing. The island is presented through its small bays and beaches rather than through a long town visit, so this is your chance to get into the water early.

Snorkeling equipment is included. That saves you from packing fins and a mask, although you may still want to bring your own if you need a particular fit. The reviews describe this as one of the strongest parts of the day, with clear water and good swimming conditions at more than one location.

The hour passes quickly. You may want to swim, take photographs, and use the snorkeling gear, but you probably cannot do all three at length. Treat Koločep as a refreshing first water stop, not a full island exploration.

The boat’s outdoor shower is particularly useful after this stop. You can rinse off salt water before settling in for the next sailing leg. The restroom onboard is another practical advantage, especially when you are spending most of the day away from shore.

Šunj Beach: the sandy stop on Lopud

The second stop is Šunj Beach on Lopud, known for its sand. Much of the Croatian coast is rocky or pebbled, so a sandy beach gives this stop a different feel from Koločep.

You can swim and snorkel from the boat, sunbathe onboard, or swim to shore for a drink at one of the restaurants. The plan allows about one hour. If you want a quick look at the beach and a short drink stop, that is enough. If you prefer a long walk, a leisurely meal, and extended beach time, it will feel short.

You should also clarify the practical choice in advance. The description allows swimming to shore, but it does not promise a tender or a separate beach transfer. If you are not a confident swimmer, staying with the boat may be the better option. The tour is centered on time in the water, so basic comfort with swimming helps.

Šunj is a good middle stop because it breaks up the day. Koločep is mainly about bays and water. Šunj gives you sand, shore access, and the option of a drink. You can choose your pace instead of being pushed into another organized activity.

Šipan: two hours for village life and lunch

Šipan is the longest stop, with about two hours to walk through the town, visit Skočibuha Castle, swim, or eat at a local restaurant. This is where the day moves beyond beaches and gives you a taste of island life.

The castle visit is listed as an option rather than a separate guided admission. You should think of it as part of a relaxed walk through the town, not a long formal museum tour. The same applies to the meal. Lunch is optional and not included in the price.

I like having this flexibility. You can choose a seafood lunch if you are hungry, keep the meal light, or spend more time walking and swimming. Filip has recommended local restaurants, and the food tips in the experience include fresh fish and local wine. One particularly useful point is that lunch recommendations are part of the personal guidance you receive, but the final bill remains yours.

Two hours is a sensible amount of time for Šipan, though it still requires a choice. A full restaurant meal can take a large part of your stop, while a walk and swim require a quicker table visit. If lunch is important to you, tell Filip early and keep an eye on the return-to-boat time.

Šipan also gives the trip a stronger local character. You are not simply moving from one swimming cove to another. You have the chance to see a village, look at Skočibuha Castle, and eat food prepared on the island.

Sailing time is part of the experience

The itinerary gives about one hour at Koločep, one hour at Šunj, and two hours at Šipan. The rest of the eight-hour day is sailing. That is not filler. It is the main reason to choose this outing over a quick boat transfer.

When the wind cooperates, Filip can raise the sails and let you enjoy the boat under sail. Some outings have had little wind, so the engine may be needed. That is a normal limitation of sailing tours, not a service failure. You should book this for the time on the water and the island stops, not for a guarantee of nonstop sailing.

The boat has been described as comfortable and well maintained, with a cabin useful for storing bags and changing clothes. You can sit in the sun, watch the islands pass, and use the slower pace to recover from Dubrovnik sightseeing.

Filip is central to the experience. He acts as captain, explains local history and landmarks, and gives advice about restaurants and places that may be less crowded. The strongest praise focuses on his calm handling of the boat, friendly manner, and care for safety. That matters on a small vessel, where the captain shapes the entire day.

What is included, and what you still need to bring

The price includes snorkeling equipment, fuel, the fuel surcharge, an onboard restroom, and an outdoor shower. Those are useful inclusions rather than decorative extras. Fuel costs can add up on a long boat day, and the shower makes repeated swims more comfortable.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, water, and a cover-up for the ride back. The provided information does not list drinks or snacks as included, so do not assume they are supplied. Lunch is also separate.

You will want a secure place for valuables, particularly during swims. A cabin is available for bag storage according to the experience details, but keep important items protected and do not bring more than you need.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The day still involves boarding a boat, walking on an island, and swimming if you choose those activities. If you have concerns about mobility or water access, ask before booking rather than assuming the small boat can solve every access issue.

Who should book this Dubrovnik sailing day

I would choose this tour if you want a quiet break from Dubrovnik’s stone streets and prefer a small group to a large sightseeing boat. It is especially suitable for couples, families, and friends who value swimming, open water, and an informal day with a captain who can answer questions.

It also suits people who enjoy making small choices during a trip. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, walk, eat, or simply sit aboard. The program has a clear shape, but it does not sound rushed.

Families with six adults have used the boat comfortably, and most people can take part. Still, you should consider how everyone feels about an eight-hour day on the water. If one person dislikes sun, boat motion, or swimming, the long sailing periods may feel less appealing.

This is less suitable if your top priority is a full historical tour of the Elafiti Islands. The cultural element is present on Šipan, especially around the town and Skočibuha Castle, but most of the day centers on the sea. It is also not the best match if you want a guaranteed gourmet lunch, since the meal is optional and paid separately.

How the price compares with the experience

At $157.22 per person, the tour is not the budget choice. The value depends on what you would otherwise book.

For that price, you receive an eight-hour outing, a boat limited to six people, snorkeling gear, fuel, a toilet, an outdoor shower, and a captain who provides local guidance. You also avoid the crowded feel of a large excursion boat. If those details are important to you, the cost is easier to justify.

Lunch can add to the total. The local seafood recommendations sound appealing, but you should budget separately for food and drinks. The trip therefore works best when you see the restaurant stop as an optional part of the day rather than an included feature.

The booking pattern also deserves attention. This experience is often reserved about 48 days ahead, so I would not leave it until the last minute during the busy season. A small boat has limited space, and a maximum of six people means fewer seats than on a standard cruise.

My practical verdict on Smooth Sailing

I would book this if I wanted the Elafiti Islands through swimming, sailing, and local food rather than through a packed timetable. The small group, several water stops, and Filip’s role as both skipper and guide give the day a personal feel.

I would skip it if $157.22 is beyond your comfort zone, if you want lunch included, or if you need a tour built around extensive shore sightseeing. I would also check the forecast before committing, since wind and weather shape how much actual sailing you get.

For the right traveler, this is a strong full-day escape from Dubrovnik. You get Koločep’s bays, Šunj’s sand, Šipan’s village atmosphere, and several hours to enjoy the Adriatic at an unhurried pace. Pack lightly, keep some money for lunch, and leave room in your day for the simple pleasure of being on the water.

FAQ

How long does the sailing tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours. It starts at 9:00 a.m. and ends back at the meeting point in Dubrovnik.

Where does the tour begin and end?

The meeting point is Lapadska obala 21a, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia. The activity ends back at the same location.

How many people can join the boat?

The tour has a maximum of six travelers. This keeps the group much smaller than a typical large-boat excursion.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Koločep Island, Šunj Beach on Lopud, and Šipan.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is optional and is not included. You can stop at a local restaurant on one of the islands, with Šipan listed as the main lunch stop.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

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

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the provider cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.