Private tours to Elaphite Islands by UFO BOAT

Dubrovnik’s most unusual boat takes you away from the crowded old-town streets and into the open water around the Elaphite Islands. The UFO boat is built for a private group of up to 14, with music, drinks, snorkeling gear, and a crew that shapes the day around your pace.

I like the freedom to swim at caves and bays instead of racing from one photo stop to the next. I also like the mix of islands: Koločep for water and caves, Lopud for its sandy beach, and Šipan for a quieter village atmosphere.

The main drawback is the cost if your group is small. At $2,601.99 for up to 14 people, the price makes much more sense when divided among a full party. Lunch is also not included, and towels are not provided.

Key points to know before booking

• Three very different island stops: Koločep focuses on caves and swimming, Lopud on Šunj Beach and seaside dining, and Šipan on quiet village life.
• A genuinely private outing: Only your group takes part, with room for up to 14 people.
• The boat supplies drinks: Wine, beer, grappa, bottled water, Coca-Cola, and iced tea are included, and you may bring more drinks for the onboard fridge.
• Swimming gear is provided: Snorkeling equipment and life jackets for adults and children are included.
• Eight hours on the water: The planned stops allow about two hours at Koločep, three at Lopud, and three at Šipan.
• Lunch needs planning: Food is not served onboard, though the crew can arrange a restaurant reservation on Lopud.

A private day away from Dubrovnik’s busy center

This is not a standard group cruise with a fixed crowd and a guide speaking over a microphone. You get a private boat, a crew, and a broad plan that can be adjusted around swimming, music, lunch, and time ashore.

The futuristic design is part of the appeal. The UFO boat gives the day a party-boat feel without limiting it to nightlife. The setup suits a birthday, bachelor or bachelorette outing, family celebration, team day, or a group of friends who simply want a full day at sea.

The crew provides local suggestions, but you choose the mood. You can spend more time in the water, stop for photos, play your own music, or linger over lunch. That flexibility matters because the Elaphite Islands are best enjoyed at an unhurried pace.

Some departures have included crew members named Nikola, Niko, and Suzana. Their roles include handling the boat, helping with swimming and snorkeling, and keeping the day moving without making it feel rushed. Pickup is offered, though the exact pickup arrangement should be confirmed when you book.

The tour operates from April 1 through November 12, with departures listed from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The full outing lasts about eight hours, so set aside most of your day. It ends back at the meeting point.

Koločep and the Blue Cave: the strongest start

The first stop is Koločep, an island known for caves, rocky coves, and clear water. The planned visit lasts about two hours, which gives you enough time for swimming and snorkeling rather than just a quick look from the boat.

The Blue Cave is the main draw. The name points to the color effect inside the cave, where the water and light create the sort of setting that calls for a camera. The boat carries snorkeling equipment, and the crew can help you get into the water safely.

You may also jump from the rocks with guidance from a crew member. That sounds simple, but it is an important detail for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can make the most of the rocky coast, while others can stay aboard, use a life jacket, or swim at a calmer spot.

Koločep is the most active part of the day. Bring a swimsuit under your clothes and keep a dry layer close by. Towels are not included, so pack your own. A waterproof phone pouch is also useful, though it is not supplied.

The limitation is that cave and swimming conditions depend on the sea and weather. The description promises the chance to visit the Blue Cave, but no boat outing can guarantee identical water conditions on every date. Keep some flexibility in your expectations and let the crew choose the safest place to swim.

Lopud and Šunj Beach: your longest shore stop

Lopud receives about three hours, making it the most substantial stop. It is the second-largest of the Elaphite Islands and offers a useful change of pace after Koločep’s caves.

Šunj is the island’s best-known sandy beach, set in a bay on the southeast side. A sandy beach is a welcome change after rocky Croatian shorelines, especially for families or anyone who prefers an easy swim. You can spend part of the stop in the water, then head toward the settlement of Lopud for a meal or coffee.

Lopud is car-free and green, with a seaside promenade lined with restaurants and cafés. The lack of road traffic helps the island feel slower and more relaxed than Dubrovnik. It also means you should allow time to walk between the beach, village, and any inland sights rather than expecting the boat to drop you beside every stop.

The crew can make a lunch reservation at one of the island’s restaurants. This is worth arranging ahead of time if eating well is important to your group, since food is not included onboard. You pay for lunch separately.

For a short walk, the ruins of Fortress Sutvrac are about 15 to 20 minutes from Lopud. The fortress gives you a view over Lopud Bay, but it is not the right choice if your group wants to spend every minute swimming. With three hours available, you can choose between beach time, lunch, a walk, or a combination of all three.

Lopud is probably the easiest stop for a mixed group. One person can swim, another can sit by the shore, and someone else can explore the promenade or look for a café. Small churches and old buildings add interest, but the main reason to visit is the balance of beach, village, and an easygoing break from the boat.

Šipan and Sudurad: a quieter final chapter

The last stop is Sudurad on Šipan, planned for about three hours. This is a quieter place than Lopud, and that contrast gives the day a good finish.

Sudurad is a small settlement where the pace feels less polished for day visitors. You can enjoy beaches and bays, clear water, local seafood, olive oil, and wine. The focus here is not a famous single attraction. It is the simple pleasure of a calm island village.

Šipan has long been linked with Dubrovnik families who used the island as a summer retreat. Summer residences and palaces remain part of the local character. Two notable buildings sit around Sudurad’s central square and have a fortress-like appearance.

That makes Šipan a good choice if you want more than a beach stop. It gives you a sense of how the islands relate to Dubrovnik beyond the usual city walls and cable-car viewpoints. You can walk, eat, swim, or sit with a drink and let the day slow down.

The trade-off is that Sudurad may feel too quiet if your group wants constant action. There is no promise of a packed entertainment program, and that is the point. I would treat this stop as breathing room rather than a checklist of sights.

What the boat includes, and what you should bring

The price covers private transportation, fuel, taxes, life jackets, and snorkeling equipment. Drinks include wine, beer, grappa, bottled water, Coca-Cola, and iced tea. You can also bring your own drinks, with a fridge available onboard.

That drinks policy adds real value for a private day at sea. You do not need to organize every bottle before leaving Dubrovnik, and you can bring something specific for your group. Alcohol is allowed for people aged 18 and above.

Food is the main extra expense. No meal is served on the boat. The practical choice is to arrange lunch at Lopud, bring suitable snacks if permitted by the crew, or plan your meal around the island stop. The information provided confirms that drinks can be brought onboard, but it does not promise a catering service.

Pack towels, swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, a change of clothes, and shoes that work on rocky ground. The supplied equipment covers snorkeling, but personal items make the day more comfortable. A camera is worthwhile around Koločep, especially if the sea is calm enough to explore the cave area.

Is $2,601.99 good value?

The listed price is $2,601.99 per group, with up to 14 people. Divided among 14, that works out to about $186 per person before lunch. A group of seven would pay about $372 per person, while a couple would carry the full group price between them.

That is the key question. This is not a cheap island transfer. You are paying for a private boat, an eight-hour day, fuel, drinks, crew support, equipment, and the ability to keep strangers out of your plans. A full group can make the price reasonable, especially for a celebration or family gathering.

A smaller group should compare this with shared boat trips before booking. The private setting may still be worth it if you care about choosing your own music, bringing your own drinks, spending longer in the water, and avoiding a crowded deck. But the value drops quickly when only two or three people are paying.

The price also includes more than a fast boat ride. You receive three island stops with different purposes, not just a cruise past the coastline. Still, lunch, towels, and any additional restaurant costs remain outside the package.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this for a group that wants control over the day. It is particularly suited to:

• Families who want private transportation and child-sized life jackets
• Friends planning a birthday or pre-wedding celebration
• Couples traveling with a larger group of relatives or friends
• Swimmers who want cave and snorkeling time
• People who prefer local island stops over a tightly scripted sightseeing tour
• Groups willing to split a high total price

It may be less suitable if you are traveling alone, as a couple, or with only a few people and want the lowest possible cost. It is also not ideal if everyone wants a formal guided history tour. The crew offers advice and local direction, but much of the day is built around swimming, relaxing, music, food, and free time.

The schedule is full. Eight hours sounds generous, but two hours at Koločep and three hours at each of the other stops pass quickly once you account for boat travel, swimming, walking, and lunch. If your main aim is one beach, a shorter package may suit you better. Four-hour options are available, though the detailed stops described here belong to the full-day plan.

Booking details worth checking

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since this is a private boat with limited capacity, book early if you have a fixed date or a large party.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and the cutoff follows local time.

The activity is listed as suitable for most people and is near public transportation. Pickup is offered, but you should confirm where and when pickup will occur rather than assuming it comes from your accommodation.

Should you book the UFO boat?

Book it if you have a large group, want a private day on the water, and like the idea of mixing swimming, island villages, drinks, and music. Koločep gives you the most memorable water time, Lopud offers the best all-around break with Šunj Beach and lunch, and Šipan brings a quieter, more local finish.

Think twice if your party is small or if you want a low-cost way to reach one island. The total price is high, and lunch and towels are extra. For a full group celebrating together, though, the private format can turn the cost into a fair trade for space, flexibility, and a day built around your own people.

FAQ

How long is the private UFO boat tour?

The full tour lasts about eight hours. The planned time is approximately two hours at Koločep, three hours at Lopud, and three hours at Sudurad on Šipan.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat is available for one private group of up to 14 people.

What is the price?

The listed price is $2,601.99 per group, with up to 14 people included.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered, but the exact pickup details should be confirmed when booking.

Which islands does the tour visit?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets for adults and children are included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes wine, beer, grappa, bottled water, Coca-Cola, and iced tea. You may also bring your own drinks, and a fridge is available on the boat.

Is lunch included?

No. Food is not provided onboard. The crew can arrange a lunch reservation at a restaurant on Lopud if requested.

Can I cancel the tour for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.