Full Day Sailing Tour To Elafiti Islands from Dubrovnik

An island day with less crowd and more sea time. This full day sail around the Elafiti Islands trades huge tourist boats for a small-group outing, with real swimming and snorkeling at Kolocep, Lopud, and Šipan. I like that you get snorkeling equipment and a restroom onboard, so the day stays easy between swims. One thing to keep in mind is lunch is optional and extra, so you will want a little cash or card ready for food on Šipan.

If you value comfort and calm, you will likely enjoy the way Filip runs the day. The sailing portion makes up most of the hours, and multiple stops are timed so you are not stuck watching other people while you miss the water. The main drawback is simple: the stop times are fixed, so if you want hours and hours on one beach, you may feel slightly rushed.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About

• Max 6 travelers means a quieter, more personal feel on the water
• Snorkeling gear included, plus time to swim from the boat
• Restroom onboard and an outdoor shower for post-swim rinsing
• Three island stops with a mix of beaches, bays, and a town walk
• Sailing time dominates, so you get the classic Adriatic experience, not just hopping docks

Why This Elafiti Islands Sailing Tour From Dubrovnik Feels Different

Dubrovnik is stunning, but the city can feel busy fast. This tour helps you escape that mood by moving you out onto the water early and keeping you there for about 8 hours. Instead of a long bus ride and a quick photo stop, you get stretches of sailing between swim breaks.

What makes it work is the small-group setup. With a maximum of 6 travelers, the boat stays relaxed, and you are not competing for space when everyone wants to jump in the sea. That also shows up in pacing, because you can actually hear the captain when he explains what you are seeing.

I also like that the day is built around the water, not just the scenery. The itinerary mixes Kolocep’s bays, Lopud’s sandy shoreline, and Šipan’s beach plus a town walk. If you want a mix of relaxation and a little local culture without turning the day into a checklist, this fits.

Meeting Point and the 9:00 Start: The Simple Plan

You meet at Lapadska obala 21a in Dubrovnik at 9:00 am. It is near public transportation, so you should not need complicated logistics to get there. You will also get mobile ticketing, and you receive confirmation at booking.

One small practical tip from how the captain runs the day: he uses clear messaging to help you find the meeting spot. Plan to be there a bit early, because you want your group settled and ready before you push off.

From there, the schedule is basically three swim stops and then sailing time for the rest of the day. If you are the kind of person who likes a calm start and then coasts into island time, you will probably appreciate that structure.

Kolocep Island Stop: Pristine Bays, Snorkel Time, Beach Physics

Your first stop is Kolocep Island. You get about 1 hour on the water here, with time to swim, snorkel, and sunbathe. Koločep is known for beautiful bays, and this stop is designed around letting you enjoy that water quickly, then moving on.

Snorkeling is a big part of what makes this stop feel worth it. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, so you can go straight from the boat into the sea without scrambling for gear. Also, you are not stuck just floating. The timing gives you enough space to switch between snorkeling, relaxing, and taking a proper swim.

The main consideration is the short window. With only around an hour, you should have your swimsuit situation handled right away. If you wait until the last 10 minutes to get in the water, you will miss the best part of this stop.

Šunj Beach on Lopud: Sandy Shore, Boat Access, and Lunch-Reality Check

The second stop is Šunj Beach on Lopud, and it is also about 1 hour. This one is different because it is a sandy beach, not just a swim spot. You can swim and snorkel from the boat, then if you want a change of pace, you can head to shore for a drink at a restaurant.

This is a nice break from pure time in the sea. Sandy beaches feel restorative, especially if your first stop was mostly snorkeling and floating. It also helps you reset your body before the final stretch to Šipan.

The potential drawback is that beach time is still limited. If you love lounging for hours, you might find yourself wishing for an extra hour here. That said, the tradeoff is that you keep the day efficient and still leave room for Šipan’s town walk and castle visit.

Šipan Island: Town Walk, Škocibuha Castle, and a Beach Break

The last stop is Šipan, with about 2 hours on the island. This is the most varied stop of the day. You can walk through the town, visit Škocibuha castle, enjoy a beach swim, and then pick something to eat at a local restaurant.

This stop gives your day more texture than just swimming. A short town walk lets you see how island life looks beyond the shoreline. And the castle visit adds a historic landmark without requiring a long guided museum-style tour.

Two practical things to watch here. First, wear comfy shoes for the walk, since you may be on uneven surfaces. Second, plan your time so you can split your energy between the castle and getting back into the water. The tour keeps moving, and this is your best chance to do both.

If you like food with a view, this is also where lunch becomes a highlight for many people. The captain often recommends great places to eat, and you are in the right spot to enjoy it after swimming.

How the Snorkeling, Restroom, and Outdoor Shower Actually Help

This tour is built for people who want to swim without turning it into a hassle. Restroom onboard is one of those details that changes your whole experience. It means you do not have to time your day around shore breaks or worry about comfort while you are out on the sea.

You also get an outdoor shower. That matters on a sailing day, because you want to rinse off saltwater before you sit back down in your clothes and head toward the next stop. After snorkeling, salt on skin and hair can get annoying fast. This little add-on helps the day feel smoother.

And yes, you get snorkeling equipment included, which keeps the day from turning into a gear chase. In reviews, people also mention the boat has space for bags and changing, which is exactly what you want on a trip where you will be in and out of the water.

Food and Drinks: Making Lunch Work Without Overpaying or Stressing

Lunch is not included, but the day is designed so that you have a real chance to eat on Šipan. You can grab something in local restaurants, and many people end up loving the seafood options once they get off the boat.

A smart way to handle this is to treat lunch like part of the experience, not just a break. If you tell the captain you are hungry and ask for a recommendation, you will likely end up at a place that fits the island vibe and your taste. In real-world examples, Filip steers people toward excellent seafood, and some days he also points guests to wine or local winery stops for refreshments on the return.

What to bring yourself is simple. If you are sensitive to saltwater, bring a small towel and keep sunscreen handy. Also consider a light layer for the ride back, since sea breezes can cool you down even on a warm day.

Price and Value: Is $157.22 Worth It?

At $157.22 per person for about 8 hours, the price lands in the mid-range for Dubrovnik water tours. The key question is what you get for it, and this one is fairly balanced.

Here is what you are paying for beyond the boat ride:

• snorkeling equipment (so you are not renting separately)
• a restroom onboard (comfort value, not just a checkbox)
• an outdoor shower
• fuel and related charges

You are also paying for a smaller group size. Avoiding the huge crowd scene on larger boats is not a small thing, especially when the boat stops for swimming. If you care about having space and attention, small-group sailing can feel like better value even when the ticket is not the cheapest.

The extra cost you should plan for is lunch. It is optional, and you choose where to eat. If you want lunch included for budgeting, you will still need to add your meal cost to your total trip plan.

And you should consider your priorities. If your main goal is lounging on a beach for most of the day, this might feel active. If your goal is swimming, snorkeling, and sailing among islands with a calm vibe, then the price feels more justified.

The Sailing Experience: Smooth Day, Safety Mindset, and Wind Checks

Most of the remaining hours are sailing, so the boat portion is not just travel time. That is a big part of why the tour is memorable. You get to watch the coast and island scenery slide by while you reset between swim breaks.

Filip is often praised as a skilled captain who puts safety and comfort first. People also describe the ride as smooth and comfortable, and that matters a lot when you are spending hours on the water. It is also the kind of trip where communication helps. Filip speaks English and shares context about islands and landmarks, which turns the ride into something more than passive sightseeing.

Weather and wind do influence sailing. One helpful detail from experience is that when wind is light, Filip may still raise the sails at least for a moment, often for photos. You should still treat sailing as a sea-based experience, not a guarantee of dramatic wind power.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want a Different Style)

This trip suits you if you want:

• an Elafiti Islands sailing day with real time in the water
• snorkeling with included equipment
• fewer crowds than the big boats
• a mix of beaches and a bit of local sightseeing on Šipan

It is also a good match for families and mixed groups of adults, since the boat is designed for day-long comfort and you can participate at your own pace.

You might want a different option if you:

• only want a long beach day with no snorkeling
• dislike time limits at each stop
• need air-conditioned vehicle transportation, since that is not included

Weather, Wind, and When You Might Need a Plan B

This experience requires good weather. If it gets canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. Since sailing is weather dependent, treat the forecast as part of your planning.

Also, the day still depends on wind conditions. Even on calm days, you can still swim and enjoy the islands. Just know that dramatic sailing moments can be lighter when the wind is low.

Should You Book This Elafiti Islands Sailing Tour?

I think you should book this tour if you want a small-group day on the water that combines swimming, snorkeling, and island stops without the chaos you get on larger boats. It is built for comfort too, with a restroom onboard and an outdoor shower, plus included snorkeling gear.

It is not a perfect fit if you want a guaranteed, long beach stay at one spot or if you are expecting lunch to be included. But if you plan for lunch as an extra and focus on sea time, this is the kind of Dubrovnik day that feels like you left the city and returned refreshed.

If your ideal vacation day includes getting salty, seeing underwater life, and hearing a friendly captain explain the islands as you sail, then this one belongs on your shortlist.

FAQ

How long is the full day sailing tour to the Elafiti Islands?

It runs for about 8 hours.

What time does the tour start, and where do I meet?

The tour starts at 9:00 am. You meet at Lapadska obala 21a, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia.

How many people are on the boat?

The maximum group size is 6 travelers.

What snorkeling equipment is included?

Snorkeling equipment is included.

Is there a restroom onboard?

Yes, there is a restroom on board the boat.

Is lunch included in the price?

Lunch is not included. There is an optional lunch stop on one of the islands.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.