Dubrovnik: Self-Drive Boat Rental & Island Hopping for 6

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Free cancellation

1/4

Duration8h

PickupAt your hotel

Rent a Boat in Dubrovnik & Steer Your Own Day Around the Islands

You pick up the boat at a set time, navigate to the Elaphiti Islands or any cove that catches your eye, and return it before sunset. The boat includes a fridge, sunshade and snorkelling gear; pickup and drop-off from your hotel are part of the package. You steer, you choose the stops, you set the pace—no guide, no fixed route, no crowd.

Step-by-step itinerary

Self-drive boat adventure in Dubrovnik

Meet and get boat briefing
Load fridge with food and drinks
Set off from starting point
Explore Elaphiti Islands
Swim in secluded bays
Relax on the boat with party
Return boat to starting point

The Experience

The boat is already fueled and waiting at the dock when you arrive. Your group of up to six shows up, the crew walks you through the controls of the small Pasara—five horsepower, easy to handle, nothing intimidating—and then you're pointing it toward open water. No itinerary, no guide talking over the engine noise, no schedule that doesn't match what you actually want to do. You decide if today is Elaphiti Islands or a nameless cove you spot from the water, if it's three hours out or six, if you anchor and swim or just drift and talk.

The boat comes with a sunshade, a fridge you fill before departure, and snorkelling gear stashed below. Pickup from your Dubrovnik hotel happens in an air-conditioned minivan—the crew brings you to the launch point, hands over the keys, and you're loose on the Adriatic. Most of what you'll see, the locals tell you, is what tourists miss because they're on a crowded catamaran following someone else's route. You get the same water, the same islands, the same light on the limestone cliffs, but you're the only ones deciding when to stop.

The Elaphiti chain sits close enough that you can reach it in under an hour. Lopud has a sandy beach and a few restaurants if you want lunch on solid ground. Šipan is quieter, with old stone houses and coves where the water turns that impossible turquoise. Or you skip the named places entirely and hunt for the small beaches tucked into the coastline, the kind with no names on any map. Bring sunscreen, bring water toys if you want them, bring snacks and drinks to load into that fridge. The boat is yours from morning until late afternoon—you just have to be back before dark.

This works best if someone in your group is comfortable at the helm, though the boat is forgiving and the water around Dubrovnik stays calm most days. You're responsible for your own things, and there are no toilets on the water, so use the facilities before you leave the dock. It's not a tour. It's six people and a boat and the Adriatic doing what it wants.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned minivan, use of the self-drive Pasara boat for the full rental period, a sunshade and fridge onboard, snorkelling equipment, and the freedom to navigate to the Elaphiti Islands, secluded coves, or any destination you choose. You bring sunscreen, water toys if desired, and food and drinks to stock the fridge.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Dubrovnik Islands Tours

Is this one for you?Right for a group of friends or family who want to explore the Adriatic without following a set route or paying for a guide—the self-drive format is what gives you control over where you go and how long you stay, but it does mean someone needs to be comfortable steering and you're responsible for your own navigation and safety.