Dubrovnik: Lucky Boat Tour – Elaphite Islands and Blue Cave

A private boat makes Dubrovnik feel personal. This Lucky Boat outing blends Old City Walls sea views with Blue Cave swimming and island breaks. It is a smart way to see more of the coast without fighting crowds.

I particularly love two parts: the practical, small-boat sailing that keeps the day moving, and the fact you get real swim time at the best spots. Cold drinks onboard help a lot in summer, and Šunj’s sandy beach is exactly the kind of pause your legs will appreciate.

One caution: this is not a wheelchair-friendly setup, and it is not ideal if you get seasick. Also, Šipan is an optional add-on, so budget for that if you want the vineyards and family-house tastings.

Key Things You’ll Notice on the Lucky Boat

• A private group on a remodeled Ocqueteau 715, sized for up to six, with shade, a cabin, and an onboard toilet
• Multiple swim stops with an easy ladder and platform, plus scuba masks ready to use
• Blue Cave time focused on swimming and snorkeling, not a rushed photo-and-go sprint
• Šunj (Lopud) gives you real sand beach time, a break from rocky shoreline cruising
• Šipan is optional but meaningful, with wine and olive oil tastings at the Daničić family house (extra cost)

What You’re Really Buying for $589 (And Why It Can Be Good Value)

At $589 per group for up to six, this is priced for families or small friend groups who want privacy. The math often works out better than per-person tours once you consider fuel is included and you are not paying for a seat on a larger boat.

You also get a professional skipper, a boat that is set up for sun and water time, and complimentary drinks on board. The day is designed around comfort and repeat opportunities to cool off, rather than long stretches of just sightseeing.

The one thing to plan for is the optional island extension to Šipan. If you want the wine tasting and family-house stop, that is an extra surcharge, so decide early whether you want a longer food and wine focused day or a simpler, lighter itinerary.

The Lucky Boat: Small Boat Comfort With Real Practical Gear

Lucky Boat is a remodeled Ocqueteau 715, originally built in 2004 and upgraded in 2023. It is compact enough to feel like your own adventure, but it still has modern touches you will actually use.

Here is what matters when you are out for hours:

• Shade and comfort from the bimini
• A quick rinse after swimming via the onboard shower
• Easy water access thanks to the platform and ladder
• A bathroom in the interior cabin
• Onboard basics covered, including a refrigerator stocked with complimentary beverages
• Tech and handling support like GPS, bow thruster for precise maneuvering, and an electric anchor

I also like the small extras that make the day more fun. There are speakers for your music, USB chargers for your phone, solar panels for an eco-friendly power source, and scuba masks so you can snorkel without digging around in your luggage.

Dubrovnik From the Water: Old City Walls Without the Crowd Noise

The day starts with a pickup in the Dubrovnik area and then a cruise that gives you a different angle on Dubrovnik. You will get a welcome refreshment, then the focus shifts to the Old Town walls and the sea-side views that people usually only get from photos.

There is a photo stop built into the Dubrovnik section, so you are not just staring at the walls while thinking, I should have brought my camera. From the water, the walls look massive in a way that is hard to appreciate on foot, and you get that postcard geometry from multiple sides.

Practical tip: bring sunglasses and sunscreen early. You usually feel the sun more once you are out on open water, even if the morning starts cool.

Koločep, Kalamota, and the Blue Cave Hour: Swim and Snorkel Time

From Dubrovnik you head toward Koločep, which locals may call Kalamota. This is one of those areas where the coast feels green and close, and you spend time near it rather than only passing by.

The Blue Cave stop is set for about an hour with swimming and snorkeling. This is where the tour earns its keep. You are not doing a distant viewpoint. You are in the water, using the masks, and getting that clear, close-up feel of the cave area.

One consideration: the cave experience is water focused, so you will want your basic swim setup ready. If you packed a towel and beachwear like you should, you will get more enjoyment from this stop and waste less time changing.

If you are a confident swimmer, this is the part where you will feel most freedom. If you are less comfortable, you can still enjoy the snorkeling time and do shorter swims from the ladder.

Šunj Beach on Lopud: The Sandy Reset Your Day Needs

Šunj Beach is on Lopud, and this is your long beach-style break. The boat cruise includes swimming and snorkeling here for about two hours, giving you time to actually settle in.

Sunj’s big advantage is simple: it is a sandy beach, which makes the day feel different from the rocky, step-into-the-water coastline you see elsewhere. If you have kids, or you just want an easy place to sit, this stop tends to work.

You also get a boat cruise element around the beach time, so you are not stuck walking everywhere. You can spend the morning seeing sights and then switch gears to sunbathing, swimming, and relaxing without feeling like you are trapped in another museum hour.

Quick practical note: this is the time to reapply sunscreen. You get the sun from above, plus the reflective effect you often get near water.

Lopud Island Break: A Taste of Island Life at Your Own Pace

After the beach time, Lopud continues with a two-hour break and free time. This is the portion that lets you decide how active you want to be.

You might choose to explore historic spots on foot, or you might treat it like a slow island intermission. The tour structure makes it easier because you are not negotiating your own boat connections or timetable logistics.

If you care about photos, Lopud also gives you a different coastline texture than Dubrovnik itself. Plan on taking your time, because it is the slower pace that makes island stops feel worth doing.

Šipan Optional Extension: Vineyards, Olive Groves, and Daničić Tastings

If you want the big Elaphite island experience, this is your add-on. The extension to Šipan includes about two hours for a visit, wine tasting, and food tasting, with the option to stop at the Daničić family house for local wines and olive oils.

This is the part that turns the day from sea-and-swim into sea-and-flavor. If you are the kind of person who wants a souvenir you can actually use later, the olive oil and wine tastings are a practical way to bring home the region’s tastes.

One thing to keep in mind: since this costs extra, think about your group’s energy. If you are traveling with kids, you might prefer the standard route and save your energy for swimming. If you are with adults who love food and wine, the extension is likely to feel like the best payoff.

Koločep Sunset Swim and the Return to Dubrovnik

On the way back, you get another Koločep swim period, finishing with sunset. This matters more than it sounds. Sunset light makes everything look better, and having one last water break keeps the day from feeling like it ends with tired legs and no reward.

You also get the sense that you are not running straight through the day. The tour gives you a rhythm: cruise views, swim stops, beach time, island free time, then a final cooling off before heading back.

When you plan clothing, this stop is why you should bring something dry-ish for the end of the day. You will likely step out of the water and then settle in for the ride back.

Eating on the Islands: Use the Skipper’s Restaurant Help

Food is part of the experience, and the tour includes recommendations for the best Elaphite island restaurants. Your skipper can offer suggestions and help with a reservation, which can be a real relief when you are not sure where to go.

My advice: pick your food plan based on your island time. If you want to keep things simple, reserve early and treat the break like an easy sit-down meal. If you want a more flexible day, ask for options that match your exact timing windows.

Either way, this is a good tour for pairing views with a real meal. You are already spending time on the islands, so it makes sense to eat where locals go rather than grabbing something quick back in town.

Pickup and Timing Notes, Especially If You’re on a Cruise

Pickup is included, with car transfers arranged between your accommodation in the Dubrovnik area and the boat starting point. That is helpful because Dubrovnik is not always simple to navigate with bags and schedules.

One important reality check: if you booked pickup from a cruise terminal, it may not work exactly as expected because of ship docking rules. In one case, a group was picked up at the next possible point about one kilometer away after a direct terminal arrival was not possible.

So do yourself a favor: confirm the exact pickup point and what to do if the boat cannot dock at the terminal. That one step can save time and stress.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Should Skip It)

This private boat tour is a great match for:

• Small groups of up to six who want privacy
• Families who want a beach stop like Šunj and easy water access
• Couples who prefer a calmer route and more time on the water
• People who want both classic sights and a food or wine component via Šipan

It is less of a fit if:

• You use a wheelchair, since it is not suitable for wheelchair users
• You are prone to seasickness, because it is still a boat day, even with comfort-focused features

If you are on the fence, think about your group’s comfort level around open water. The tour’s strength is that it is water-first, not land-first.

Should You Book the Dubrovnik Lucky Boat Tour?

If your ideal day is part sightseeing, part swimming, and part island flavor, I think this is an easy yes. The combination of Old City Walls from the sea, Blue Cave snorkeling time, Šunj’s sandy beach, and optional Šipan wine tasting gives you multiple “this is why I came” moments.

Book it if you want value tied to group size. $589 for up to six can be a smart deal when beverages, fuel, and a professional skipper are included, and when the boat itself is clearly built for water time with masks, ladder access, shade, and a shower.

Skip it or think twice if you hate boats or if your group needs full accessibility. Also, decide early about Šipan so you can plan your day length and appetites.

If you want a Dubrovnik experience that feels like the Adriatic is part of the story, the Lucky Boat approach is exactly the kind that delivers.

FAQ

How long is the Dubrovnik Lucky Boat tour?

The duration is listed as 4 to 8 hours, depending on availability and starting times. The itinerary includes multiple swim stops and an option to extend to Šipan.

Is this a private tour?

Yes, it is described as a private group experience for your group size of up to six passengers.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a professional skipper, fuel, and complimentary beverages (water, wine, beer, cola, iced tea). It also includes the boat’s listed equipment like scuba masks, a shower, and ladder access.

Do I have to visit Šipan?

No. The Šipan island visit is optional. You can add it for an additional surcharge, which includes wine and food tasting.

What islands and stops are part of the standard route?

The experience includes Dubrovnik, a cruise with Old Town photo views, Blue Cave near Koločep, swimming and snorkeling at Šunj Beach on Lopud, and free time on Lopud. There is also a Koločep swim and sunset time before returning to Dubrovnik.

Are drinks provided on board?

Yes. You get complimentary beverages such as water, wine, beer, cola, and iced tea, and the boat has a refrigerator stocked with those drinks.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

You do not need to bring masks because scuba masks are included. You should still bring swim essentials like towel and beachwear.

What should I bring with me?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup includes car transfers from your accommodation anywhere in the Dubrovnik area to the boat starting point, with details sent in a message.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

It is not suitable for wheelchair users, and it is also noted as not suitable for people prone to seasickness.