Wind and water beat traffic here. On this private Dubrovnik sail to the Elaphiti Islands and the Blue Cave area, you get free sailing lessons plus hands-on time on the water with a skipper like Dragan (great English and super organized). I especially like that the day is built around easy water breaks with snorkelling equipment ready to use, so you spend less time fussing and more time enjoying the coast.

The one thing to plan for is food and drinks: lunch isn’t included, and alcohol is also not included. You can bring your own drinks, but you’ll want to keep an eye on age rules for drinking (18+), and you should expect the beach-and-town stops to be short enough that you may miss a café you liked if you linger too long.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Feel on This Tour

• Private group size up to 8 means you can move and ask questions without waiting on strangers
• Free sailing lessons turn a sightseeing trip into real participation
• Snorkel gear + SUP + outdoor shower make it simple to go from boat to water
• Island time that mixes beaches and village walking (instead of only swimming)
• Fuel, coffee, and tea included so you’re not doing constant add-ons
• Weather-dependent day means the route can shift, but the experience still runs around good conditions

A Private Sail Day Built Around Real Time on the Water

This is the kind of Dubrovnik experience that feels less like an excursion and more like a full day on the Adriatic. The boat setup helps: you’ve got a rest area on board, an outdoor shower for the post-swim reset, and a fully equipped kitchen if you’re the type who likes to keep things practical.

What makes it special is the balance. Yes, you’re there to see islands, but you’re also learning to handle the sail with free sailing lessons, then spending the rest of the day cruising with that knowledge. In the reviews, Dragan comes up again and again for being calm, friendly, and able to adjust the pace when needed (including when traveling with kids). That matters because a private tour should feel smooth, not hectic.

Also, because this is a private group tour, you’re not stuck with the “why are we stopping here” chatter that can drain a day.

Setting Out From Lapadska Obala: What the 9:30 Start Means

You meet at Lapadska obala 4 in Dubrovnik at 9:30 am, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point. That loop is convenient: you don’t have to figure out a separate drop-off or scramble for a late pickup.

It’s also close to public transportation, which helps if you’re not staying right in the Lapad area. Since you’re on a sail for around 8 hours, the early start is what gives you enough time for multiple swim stops and actual sailing cruising afterward.

One practical note: bring swimwear and plan for reapplying sunscreen. With several water breaks, it’s easy to underestimate how quickly you’ll get sun while you’re sitting on deck or snorkeling.

And because the tour requires good weather, you may need to stay flexible. The company’s policy is built around that reality: if they cancel for poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Kolocep Island Swim Stop: Bays, Snorkel Gear, and an Easy Hour

Kolocep is your first real taste of island time, and it’s the kind of stop that sets the tone. You get about an hour here, with time to swim, snorkel, and sunbathe in the island’s bays and beach spots.

This is where the included gear pays off. Snorkelling equipment is provided, and you can jump in without planning your own rental or packing a bulky setup. It’s also a good “confidence builder” stop if this is your first time doing a sail day like this, because you’ll be on the water almost immediately.

The trade-off with a 1-hour stop is simple: it’s enough time to swim and snorkel, not enough to fully explore every nook. So if you’re the type who wants to walk to viewpoints, keep expectations realistic and focus on swimming and snorkeling for this first stop.

Sunj Beach on Lopud: Sandy Time and Beach Club Vibes

Next up is Sunj Beach, known as the trademark sandy beach of Lopud. Again, you get about an hour, and it’s built for a very specific kind of vacation hour: swim, snorkel near the rocks, sunbathe, then head back to the boat when it’s time.

What I like about Sunj as a stop is that it’s comfortable for mixed travel styles. Want to relax? You’ve got sand. Want to swim? The rocks and shallower zones give you something to look at. If you want a break with a drink, the beach setup includes a beach club vibe where you can grab refreshments.

The only caution: with limited time, you’ll want to make a quick decision when you arrive. If you spend the first 20 minutes figuring out where you want to sit, that hour can evaporate fast.

Lopud Town and the 14th-Century Monastery Break

Lopud doesn’t end at Sunj. You also get about two hours on the island for a walk through the village and a visit to a monastery dating to the 14th century.

This part of the day is valuable because it adds texture beyond water. Sun and swimming are great, but after a couple stops, you start craving something human-scale: narrow lanes, a simple pace, and a place to sit with a view that isn’t just the sea.

You can also choose your own way to spend those two hours. The plan includes options like swimming on the beach again, grabbing food in local restaurants, and taking it at a relaxed walking pace. If you like history but don’t want a museum schedule, this is a good fit: it’s a short visit, not a long slog.

The drawback? Two hours goes quickly on foot. If you get distracted by small shops or you linger for lunch, you may feel a little rushed before you’re back at the water.

Sipan for Clear-Water Swimming and Town Wandering

Šipan is your final island stop, with about one hour. The focus here is flexible: if you’ve already had lunch on Lopud, you can use the hour for walking around town, then swim in clear water, or keep it easy with a cold drink at a restaurant.

What makes this stop work well is that it’s less about ticking boxes and more about giving you one final burst of island life. It helps balance out the day so it doesn’t feel like a nonstop sequence of swims.

If you’re traveling with kids or you’re with a group that wants options, this “choose your pace” hour is smart. But for anyone who loves long beach sessions, note that one hour will feel short. The real sailing time comes later.

The Elaphiti Sailing Portion and the Blue Cave Expectation

After Šipan, you spend the remaining time cruising around the Elafiti Islands—about two hours of sailing time depending on how the day flows. This is where the boat itself becomes the destination.

This tour is branded as Elaphiti and Blue Cave, and while the stop timing is island-focused, you should expect that the route and positioning during sailing are chosen with cave-area scenery in mind when conditions allow. In other words: even if you don’t treat this as a strict sightseeing checklist, you are on a boat route that’s designed around coastline highlights.

If you’ve ever done a motorboat excursion, the feel here is different. You’re not just being driven past the scenery—you’re learning to sail and then catching wind as you go. It’s a small shift, but it makes the sea feel personal.

What’s Included on Board (and What You’ll Need to Bring)

This tour is unusually practical about what it includes. Here’s what’s covered:

• Fuel included
• Free sailing lessons
• Free coffee and tea
• Snorkelling equipment
• Free SUP (stand up paddle)
• Rest area on board and an outdoor shower
• Fully equipped kitchen

That list matters because it reduces the hidden costs. You’re not adding rentals for snorkel gear, you’re not buying extra fuel-related “crew charges,” and you’re not scrambling for your morning drink on a day trip.

What isn’t included:

• Alcoholic beverages (you can bring your own drinks)
• Lunch (there’s no included lunch stop)
• Gratuities/tips
• Optional pickup and drop-off (available only if you arrange it)
• A dinghy without outboard motor is noted as available on request for an extra 40 EUR per day

My practical advice: if you care about lunch, plan for it. If you’re a group, decide early who will buy food and who will just snack. Also, pack something light for snacks and bring water, since you’ll be out for most of the day.

Price and Group Size: When This Feels Like a Smart Deal

The price is $744.61 per group, for up to 8 people, and it runs about 8 hours. On paper, it looks pricey if you’re comparing solo tour costs. But private sailing changes the math.

If you fill a group closer to 8, you can think of it as roughly $90–$95 per person for a full day with fuel, sailing lessons, and multiple swim-focused stops. That’s the part that makes it feel like real value: you’re paying for a boat day that includes the basics you’d otherwise rent or buy piecemeal.

It also helps that the day includes more than just sightseeing. You’re getting:

• instruction (so you’re not just watching)
• water access gear (snorkel and SUP)
• multiple island environments
• time to cruise rather than being constantly in transit

One caution on value: if you only have a small group of 2 or 3, the per-person cost rises fast. In that case, this tour can still be worth it, but it’s best if you truly want the private boat feel and don’t mind paying for it.

Who This Tour Is Best For

This fits best when you want a day at sea without the stress. I’d put it in the sweet spot for:

• couples and small friend groups who want private sailing time instead of a crowded boat
• families with kids, especially since the skipper can work with comfort needs and adjust the route for what keeps everyone happy
• swimmers and snorkelers who want multiple chances to get in the water

It’s also ideal if you like choice. Between beach time, village walking, and then sailing cruising, you can steer the day based on your energy level.

If you’re the type who needs a tight, minute-by-minute plan with no downtime, you might find the “flexible island time” style less structured than you’d like. But if you’re happy to follow the wind and let the day breathe, this is a great match.

Should You Book This Dubrovnik Elaphiti and Blue Cave Sail?

Book it if you want a real sail day with instruction, included water gear, and enough island time to feel like you got out of Dubrovnik for good. The strong point here is that the trip is built for action—swimming, snorkeling, and even SUP—without turning into a chaotic schedule.

Skip it (or at least compare alternatives) if you’re hoping for an all-in-one, no-planning meal setup. Lunch and alcohol aren’t included, and the stops are time-boxed. You’ll want to handle food choices and snacks yourself.

If your travel style is “time on the water first, sightseeing second,” this is the kind of tour that makes that feel effortless. And with a skipper like Dragan running the show, you can expect a day that’s friendly, organized, and tuned to real conditions.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:30 am.

How long is the sailing day?

It runs for about 8 hours.

Where do we meet?

The meeting point is Lapadska obala 4, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s a private tour, and only your group participates (up to 8 people).

What’s included in the price?

Fuel is included, along with free coffee and tea, free sailing lessons, snorkelling equipment, free SUP, a rest area on board, an outdoor shower, and use of a fully equipped kitchen.

Do we get lunch or alcohol included?

Lunch isn’t included, and alcoholic beverages aren’t included. You can bring your own drinks.

Is pick-up or drop-off available?

Optional pick-up and drop-off may be available, if you arrange it.

What if the weather is bad?

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