Dubrovnik : Full Day Group Boat Tour to Elaphiti & Blue Cave

The best part of this outing is the freedom to make a full day at sea feel personal. You sail from Dubrovnik to Kolocep and Lopud aboard the Bavaria 40 ZaraBella, stopping for swims, snorkeling, a stand-up paddle session, and lunch beside the water. Skipper Dragan keeps the mood easy and can let you take the wheel, even if you have never steered a yacht.

I like the small group of up to eight people, which gives you more room on deck and makes it easier to ask for a swim stop or a little hands-on sailing. I also like the balance between open-water time and a proper island visit on Lopud, where you can walk, swim, see a medieval monastery, and eat at a reserved seaside table. The main drawback is cost: at $168 per person, lunch is extra, and the restaurant can be pricey.

Key points at a glance

• Blue Cave stop at Kolocep: Swim and snorkel in clear water during an approximately 30-minute visit.
• Sunj Beach on Lopud: Enjoy about 45 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, or stand-up paddleboarding.
• Lunch with a view: A table is reserved at a restaurant beside the sea, but food and drinks are not included.
• A chance to steer: You can ask for a basic sailing lesson and try the wheel with no previous experience.
• Flexible route: The skipper may adjust stops, sailing time, and the order of the day for wind, weather, and group wishes.
• Practical comfort: The yacht has a restroom, Wi-Fi, outdoor shower, bottled water, coffee or tea, and a welcome drink.

Setting out from Dubrovnik City Marina

The day begins at the operational pontoon near Dubrovnik City Marina, close to the university and about 100 meters before the entrance to Marina Frapa. Look for the yacht and a skipper wearing a white company shirt. Hotel pickup is not included, though it may be available as an optional extra.

After a safety briefing, you settle aboard ZaraBella with a welcome drink. The boat is a fully equipped Bavaria 40 sailing yacht, not a large party vessel. With a maximum of eight participants, the setting should feel much more relaxed than a crowded excursion boat, especially when you want a quiet place on deck or need a quick word with the skipper.

The first sailing stretch takes roughly 75 minutes. That time matters. This is not simply transport between swimming stops. You get views of the Dubrovnik coast and the Elaphiti Islands, fresh air, and the gentle pace of moving by sail or motor. The sails are used only when wind strength and direction make it practical, so do not book this expecting a guaranteed sailing demonstration all day.

Dragan has been praised for being professional, friendly, and attentive without hovering. He explains the plan, answers questions, and allows the group to suggest changes. That is useful here because the day works best when you speak up about how much swimming, walking, or sailing you want.

Kolocep and the Blue Cave

The first major stop is the Blue Cave on Kolocep. You spend about 30 minutes here, with time for a swim and snorkeling in clear water. It is a short stop, so pack your swimsuit under your clothes and keep your towel and sunscreen easy to reach.

The included diving accessories, as described for the tour, make it easier to look below the surface without bringing your own equipment. The boat also carries an outdoor shower, a welcome feature after saltwater swimming. Bottled water, coffee or tea, and Wi-Fi are included, though the real attraction is getting off the yacht and into the water.

The Blue Cave stop is weather-sensitive. Water conditions and the skipper’s judgment determine whether it is safe and worthwhile, so the exact timing can change. That flexibility is sensible, but it also means you should not treat every minute on the advertised schedule as fixed.

Kolocep appears again near the end of the day for another short swim stop of about 20 minutes. The two visits give the day a useful rhythm: one early water stop to get you moving, then another chance to cool off before returning to Dubrovnik.

Sailing, deck time, and a turn at the wheel

After Kolocep, the yacht sails for about an hour toward Lopud. This is where you can slow down. Sit on deck, watch the islands pass, and enjoy the ride rather than treating every part of the day as an activity that needs filling.

You can also request a sailing lesson. The tour specifically allows people with no experience to try steering the yacht, under the skipper’s direction. That is a memorable extra for couples, families, and friends, but it is optional. If you would rather read, sunbathe, or take photos, you can simply stay comfortable on deck.

The group size helps here. On a boat carrying up to eight people, several members of the group can ask questions or take a turn without the experience becoming a formal class. Keep in mind that the skipper remains responsible for the boat, and the opportunity to steer depends on conditions and his assessment.

The most enjoyable part of the sailing may be the unplanned pauses. The route includes photo stops and sightseeing as the yacht moves among the Elaphiti Islands. With weather, wind, and group preferences all affecting the plan, the day is better understood as a guided sea outing than as a rigid timetable.

Sunj Beach on Lopud

The next stop is Sunj Beach, one of the tour’s main swimming breaks. You get about 45 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, taking photos, or using the included stand-up paddleboard.

This is a good point in the day for active time before lunch. The beach stop is long enough to get into the water without turning into a full beach day. If you want to use the paddleboard, ask the crew early so you do not lose half the stop waiting for equipment.

Sunj Beach is also a reminder to bring practical clothing. Sportswear, a towel, sunglasses, and sunscreen are all listed as essentials. A swimsuit, a shirt that dries quickly, and secure sandals or water shoes make the day easier, although the tour does not specify a required type of footwear.

The boat’s outdoor shower is handy after the beach. You can rinse off before the next sailing stretch and lunch, though you should not expect a full changing room or the facilities of a hotel.

Lopud village and lunch by the sea

After another period of sailing, the yacht reaches Lopud village for approximately two hours. This is the longest stop and gives the outing more substance than a series of quick swims.

A table is reserved at a restaurant beside the sea. You can expect local food and a pleasant setting, but lunch is not part of the $168 price. Drinks are also extra. One important budget detail is that the restaurant’s prices reflect its waterfront position, so check the menu before ordering if you are watching costs.

The skipper’s meal is paid by the company, so you do not need to cover it. That small point removes an awkward question at the table, but it does not reduce your own lunch bill.

Use the rest of the Lopud stop as you like. Walk through the village, try homemade ice cream, swim from the beach, or visit the medieval monastery. The tour gives you enough time for more than a quick photograph, though you will need to choose your priorities. A relaxed lunch, a walk, and a swim can easily fill two hours.

The stop also provides a break from the boat. Eight hours on the water is pleasant for many people, but even enthusiastic swimmers appreciate solid ground, shade, and a chance to stretch their legs.

The return route through quiet bays

The return journey includes more sightseeing and sailing among the Elaphiti Islands. Depending on the time available, the skipper may stop in one or two quiet bays with clear water. These stops are not guaranteed in a fixed number, since the route can shift with weather, wind, and the group’s pace.

Near the end, the yacht returns to Kolocep for another approximately 20-minute swimming and snorkeling break. This is a smart final water stop. You can cool down after walking on Lopud and enjoy one last swim before the longer return to Dubrovnik.

The final sailing stretch takes about 50 minutes. By then, you will have spent a full day outside, so the simple comforts on board matter. There is a restroom, bottled water, coffee or tea, Wi-Fi, and the outdoor shower. You return to the same Dubrovnik City Marina pontoon where the tour began.

What $168 really gets you

At $168 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Elaphiti Islands. You still pay separately for lunch and drinks, and optional hotel transport may add to the total. If your only goal is to reach a beach, a simpler boat excursion may cost less.

The price makes more sense if you value the boat itself and the small group. You are paying for eight hours aboard a Bavaria 40 yacht, a flexible route, multiple swim stops, a reserved restaurant table, equipment such as a SUP and snorkeling gear, and access to a skipper who can teach you to steer.

There is also value in avoiding the feel of a crowded group cruise. With a maximum of eight participants, you can ask for a change of pace, spend time at the wheel, or choose between walking and swimming on Lopud. The tour has been especially well received for its skipper, boat, and relaxed handling of the day.

Still, be clear about what you are buying. This is not an all-inclusive luxury cruise. Lunch is extra, the use of the sails depends on wind, and the exact number of bays or swimming stops can change. The yacht offers comfort, but you should bring your own towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and suitable sportswear.

Who will enjoy this boat day

I would choose this tour for couples, families with older children, and groups of friends who want a shared day without a packed boat. It suits people who like variety: swimming in the morning, beach time, a village walk, a seaside meal, and several relaxed stretches of sailing.

It is also a good match if you want some control over the day. The skipper can adjust the route to the group’s wishes when conditions allow. You can request a sailing lesson, use the SUP, or simply spend more time swimming and less time sightseeing.

People with back problems should not book this experience. Boarding also involves a long staircase, a point worth considering if stairs or movement on a boat are difficult for you.

This outing is less suitable if you need a guaranteed schedule, fixed sailing time, or an included lunch. It is also not ideal if you dislike saltwater, sun, or spending most of a day on a moving boat.

Weather, timing, and useful preparation

The tour lasts eight hours, but the timetable is flexible. Stops may be shortened or extended according to group wishes, and the skipper may change the route after assessing the conditions. In heavy rain, the tour is rescheduled for the first available time.

Strong wind can affect the plan in two ways. It may change the order of stops, and it may prevent the crew from using the sails. That is normal for a sailing outing, but it is worth knowing before you book.

Bring:

• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• A towel
• Sportswear
• Swimwear
• A small bag that stays secure on deck

The tour includes a welcome drink, bottled water, coffee or tea, Wi-Fi, a restroom, an outdoor shower, stand-up paddle equipment, sailing lessons on request, and equipment for swimming and snorkeling. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included unless arranged separately.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The tour operates with guides speaking English, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Croatian, Serbo-Croatian, and Russian.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands boat tour?

Book it if you want a full day that mixes clear-water swimming, Lopud village time, and comfortable small-group sailing. The strongest reason to choose it is the combination of flexibility and personal attention from Dragan or another assigned skipper. You can follow the planned route, but the day does not have to feel mechanical.

I would hesitate only if $168 feels high before adding lunch and drinks, or if you need every stop and sailing period to happen exactly as printed. For everyone else, the boat, small group, hands-on steering option, and long Lopud visit make this a well-rounded way to see the Elaphiti Islands from Dubrovnik.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The excursion lasts eight hours, including sailing, swimming stops, beach time, lunch time on Lopud, and the return to Dubrovnik City Marina.

Where does the boat depart?

Departure is from the operational pontoon at Dubrovnik City Marina near the university, about 100 meters before the entrance to Marina Frapa. Look for the boat and a skipper in a white company shirt with the company logo.

Is lunch included?

No. The tour stops at a seaside restaurant on Lopud, but lunch and drinks are paid separately. The company covers the skipper’s lunch.

Can I steer the yacht if I have no experience?

Yes. Free sailing lessons are available on request, and the tour allows participants with no previous experience to try steering under the skipper’s guidance.

What equipment is included?

The yacht includes a stand-up paddleboard, equipment for swimming and snorkeling, an outdoor shower, a restroom, Wi-Fi, bottled water, coffee or tea, and a welcome drink.

Can the route change?

Yes. The skipper may change the route, stop lengths, and sailing plan according to weather, wind, safety, and the group’s wishes. In very bad weather with strong rain, the tour is rescheduled.