Exclusive Luxury Yacht Tour of the Elaphiti Islands

The best part of this private yacht tour is the freedom to shape an entire day around the sea. You can pass Dubrovnik’s walls from the water, swim at Šunj Beach, visit Koločep’s Blue Cave, and stop at quieter island coves without sharing the boat with strangers. Captain Pero, Mirko, Jakov, Antonio, and Mateo are among the crew members named for this service.

I like the small private group of up to 12 and the mix of sightseeing and swimming. I also like that coffee, water, beer, and wine are included, so the day feels easy once you are aboard. The main drawback is cost: at $2,831.25 per group, this makes the most sense for a larger party, and lunch is not included.

Key points to know before booking

• Private yacht for up to 12: The whole boat belongs to your group, with room to adjust the pace and stops.
• Six-hour-on-the-water feel within an eight-hour day: The planned stops total about eight hours, including time around Lopud, Koločep, Šipan, Dubrovnik, and the coast.
• Best swimming stop: Šunj Beach offers sand, clear water, and gentle waves on Lopud Island.
• Best visual moment: The view of Dubrovnik’s medieval walls from the sea gives you a fresh angle on the city.
• Water activities included in the plan: Snorkeling, kayaking, cave swimming, and cliff jumping may be part of the day.
• Lunch costs extra: Drinks are supplied, but you should budget separately if you want a restaurant meal on Šipan or another island.

A private day on the Adriatic from Dubrovnik

This is not a basic island shuttle. It is a private charter built around swimming, coast views, and time on the water. You leave from Gruž Port and spend the day cruising near Dubrovnik and through the Elaphiti Islands, with a crew setting the pace for your group.

The schedule lists roughly eight hours. That gives you enough time to visit several places, though the day will feel active rather than slow and leisurely if you try to complete every stop. The listed times add up to about eight hours, so your captain will need to manage cruising time, swimming, meals, and any changes in the plan.

That flexibility is the chief reason to choose a private yacht instead of a large excursion boat. If your children want to swim longer, you can spend more time in the water. If your group prefers photos and village walks, you can cut a swim short. The exact balance depends on the captain, sea conditions, and what your group wants to do.

The boat is described as clean and well equipped, with one group recalling a brand-new yacht and another specifically naming a Cranchi 52. The exact vessel should be confirmed when you book, but the experience is clearly aimed at a polished, full-day charter rather than a simple transfer between islands.

Leaving from Gruž Port

The tour begins at Gruž Port, Obala Ivana Pavla II 47. Pickup is offered, and the specific pickup information is sent within 24 hours of the tour. That is useful if you are staying in Dubrovnik and do not want to arrange your own way to the marina.

The listed operating dates run from May 20 through November 1, with different hours by season. In the early period, departures are listed between 8:00 and 10:00 in the morning. From June 16 onward, the hours are listed as 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Confirm your exact departure time rather than assuming the broad opening hours show your personal schedule.

Gruž is a practical starting point because it is Dubrovnik’s main port area and is near public transportation. Wear clothing that can handle spray, and bring swimwear, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes. The yacht supplies bottled water and drinks, but you should not expect lunch to be covered in the price.

Seeing Dubrovnik’s walls from the water

One of the shortest stops is also one of the most memorable. The yacht spends about 30 minutes viewing Dubrovnik from the sea, giving you a clear look at the city walls rising above the Adriatic.

From land, Dubrovnik’s fortifications can feel crowded and imposing. From the water, you get a better sense of their shape and setting. The pale stone walls, towers, and red-roofed buildings form a strong contrast with the sea, and the boat gives you room to appreciate the full line of the defenses.

This is mainly a photo and sightseeing stop, not a walking tour. You will not be exploring the lanes inside the Old Town as part of this experience. If you want time on the walls or a close look at the city’s museums, plan a separate visit before or after the yacht day.

The route also passes Lokrum Island, the green island directly offshore from Dubrovnik. The tour description presents it as part of the coastal scenery rather than a scheduled landing, so expect to see Lokrum from the boat unless your captain changes the plan.

Lopud Island and two hours around Šunj Beach

Lopud is one of the main reasons to book this trip. The island has a quiet village setting, coastal views, and a more relaxed pace than Dubrovnik. The tour allows about two hours around Lopud, followed by another two hours at Šunj Beach.

Šunj is the strongest choice for a classic beach stop. Its sandy shore and gentle water make it easier to settle in than a rocky Adriatic swimming spot. You can swim, float, or simply lie on the beach while the crew handles the boat.

The beach can be particularly useful for families because the shoreline is sandy and the water is described as calm. Still, sea conditions can change, and the captain decides what is safe on the day. If your group includes young children, tell the crew what sort of swimming stop you prefer.

Lopud also has historic sights and a small village atmosphere. You may find that two hours passes quickly if you want both a walk and a swim. I would treat Šunj as the place for water time and use the other Lopud time for a short look around, rather than trying to make a full island visit out of it.

Koločep’s Blue Cave and coastal paths

Koločep is a good counterpoint to sandy Šunj. The island is known for pine woods, quiet beaches, old churches, and former summer residences. The planned stop lasts about one hour, so this is not a long walking visit.

The Blue Cave is the main attraction here. Its clear water and unusual blue light create the sort of setting that works best from the water, especially with a mask and snorkel. The crew supplies snorkeling equipment, and kayaking may also be available as part of the water activities.

Conditions matter. A cave visit depends on the sea, access, and the captain’s judgment. You should think of it as a planned highlight rather than an absolute guarantee. If it is open and calm, this may be the most distinctive swimming stop of the day.

The short time at Koločep means you will likely focus on the cave and water rather than walking far inland. That is a reasonable trade. The island’s churches and pine-covered paths are appealing, but this tour is built around the coast.

Šipan for villages, vineyards, and lunch

Šipan receives about two hours, enough time to make the day feel broader than a sequence of swimming stops. The island has small villages, churches, summer villas, olive groves, vineyards, quiet beaches, and seafood restaurants.

This is where lunch can fit, but lunch is not included. You should ask ahead about restaurant arrangements and budget separately for the meal. The crew has taken groups to local restaurants, so a meal on the island may be possible, but the supplied details do not promise a particular restaurant or menu.

Šipan is the best stop for people who want some land-based character in the middle of a yacht day. You can walk through a village, look for historic buildings, or sit down for seafood rather than spending every hour in the water.

The tradeoff is time. Two hours is enough for a taste, not a full exploration of the island. If lunch matters more to your group than another swimming stop, say so early. On a private charter, the day can often be shaped around that preference, subject to the boat’s schedule and weather.

Cliff jumping near Koločep Lighthouse

The Koločep Lighthouse stop lasts about 30 minutes and focuses on a swimming area with a place for cliff jumping. This is the most active section of the tour and will appeal to confident swimmers looking for a quick thrill.

Cliff jumping is not for everyone, and you should never feel pressured to take part. You can enjoy the water from a safer entry point or remain on the yacht while others jump. Ask the crew about the height, entry conditions, and water depth before anyone goes over the edge.

Because the stop is short, this is more of a lively extra than a major part of the day. It works well after a quieter sightseeing stop, but families with small children may prefer more time at Šunj Beach or a sheltered cove.

What is included, and what costs extra

The price is $2,831.25 per private group of up to 12 people. At full capacity, that works out to about $236 per person. For six people, the same charter costs about $472 per person, and for three people it is about $944 per person.

That calculation explains the value question. This is expensive for a couple or a small family, but it becomes more reasonable for a larger group that wants a private boat, a dedicated crew, and control over the day. You are paying for space, privacy, and flexibility rather than just transportation between islands.

Included onboard:

• Coffee and tea
• Bottled water
• Beer and wine, including rosé and white wine
• Snorkeling and other water-sport equipment where available
• Private service for your group

Lunch is not included. Restaurant meals, extra drinks beyond the supplied selection, and personal purchases on the islands should be treated as additional costs. Alcohol is served only to people aged 21 and over. Anyone younger receives non-alcoholic drinks.

The crew’s care is a major part of the value. Specific crew members named for this charter include Pero, Pedro, Mirko, Jakov, Antonio, and Mateo. The feedback associated with the service repeatedly highlights careful boat handling, attention to children, tidy equipment, and help with timing the stops. Names and crew assignments can change, but you can reasonably expect a crew-led day rather than a self-directed rental.

Families, swimmers, and first-time yacht charter guests

Families can do well on this trip because the day mixes short sightseeing periods with swimming. The crew has handled groups with children as young as two, four, and six, and has been praised for patience and attentive service. That does not remove the need for close parental supervision around the water, cave, and cliff-jumping area.

Strong swimmers and active groups will get the most from the snorkeling, kayaking, cave visit, and cliff jump. You can also make the day gentler by focusing on Šunj Beach, coastal views, and a restaurant stop.

This is less suitable if you want a detailed historical tour of every island. The experience offers churches, villas, villages, and fortifications, but the main focus is the sea. It also may not suit a group that dislikes a long day in the sun or finds the private price hard to share among several people.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. Since this is a boat-based day, ask the provider in advance about any mobility concern that is specific to boarding, moving around the yacht, or getting into the water.

Weather, timing, and cancellation

Good weather is required. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.

That policy is useful, but the weather rule matters more than the refund rule for planning. The appeal of this charter is the water, and rough conditions could affect cave access, swimming, kayaking, and cliff jumping even if the boat still operates. Keep some flexibility in your Dubrovnik schedule if this is an important part of your holiday.

The charter is often booked about 45 days ahead. That lead time makes sense for summer, especially if you need a particular date for a cruise stop or a family gathering. Booking early also gives you more time to clarify the boat, pickup, lunch plan, and preferred balance between swimming and sightseeing.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands yacht tour?

Book it if you are traveling with a larger group, want a private day at sea, and care more about flexibility than about keeping costs low. The combination of Dubrovnik wall views, Šunj Beach, Koločep’s Blue Cave, Šipan, snorkeling, and a professional crew creates a well-rounded day.

I would especially recommend it for families and friends who want their own space. The crew’s experience with children, swimming stops, equipment, and local restaurants adds practical value. Ask for your preferred crew arrangement if named staff matter to you, since assignments may vary.

Skip it if you are a couple watching your budget, want lunch included, or prefer a slow island walking tour. In that case, public boats and separate island visits may cost less. But if you can divide the price among eight to 12 people, this is a strong way to see the Elaphiti Islands without giving up comfort or control.

FAQ

How long is the yacht tour?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours. The planned stops include Lopud, Koločep, Dubrovnik’s waterfront, Šunj Beach, Šipan, and the Koločep Lighthouse area.

How many people can join the private yacht?

The private charter is for one group of up to 12 people. Only your group participates.

What drinks are included?

Coffee, tea, bottled water, beer, and wine, including rosé and white wine, are included. Alcohol is served only to people aged 21 and older. Younger participants receive non-alcoholic drinks.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price. A restaurant meal may be arranged during the day, but you should budget separately and confirm the plan in advance.

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is Gruž Port, Obala Ivana Pavla II 47, Dubrovnik. Pickup is offered, with pickup information sent within 24 hours of the tour.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.