Dubrovnik Island Hopping Tour: Elafiti Islands Private Boat

Three islands, one boat, your itinerary: Blue Cave, sandy beaches, and hidden bays across the Elafiti archipelago

A private full-day boat tour of the Elafiti Islands near Dubrovnik, where you sail to Koločep, Lopud and Šipan with a skipper who tailors the stops to your preferences. You swim into the Blue Cave with snorkel gear provided, sunbathe on Lopud's Sunj beach, explore car-free villages, and anchor in secluded bays. The itinerary is not fixed. You decide how long to stay at each island and what you want to do.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Elaphiti Islands by boat

• Sail from Dubrovnik to Koločep Island
• Swim and snorkel at Blue Cave
• Cruise along Koločep cliffs
• Visit Lopud Island sandy beach Sunj
• Swim and sunbathe at Lopud beach
• Explore Lopud village and monasteries
• Travel to Šipan Island
• Discover nature and local products on Šipan
• Relax in hidden bays and beaches
• Enjoy Adriatic sunset on return boat ride

The experience

The boat leaves Dubrovnik and reaches Koločep in about 20 minutes. The island's main draw is the Blue Cave on its south side: the skipper anchors near the entrance and you swim straight into it, with snorkel masks and a GoPro camera on hand if you want to record the moment. After the cave, the route follows the island's cliffs before heading to Lopud, where the sandy beach Sunj is the centerpiece. You can stay on the boat with cold drinks and beer, or wade ashore and walk the beach. The village of Lopud sits inland from the shore, with a Dominican monastery, a Franciscan monastery, small churches and a park if you want to explore beyond the sand.

Šipan, the largest of the three, rounds out the day. It's known for olive groves, pine trees and local production of wine and olive oil. The skipper can arrange stops at villages or hidden bays depending on what appeals to you. Because the tour is entirely private, you're not locked into a fixed schedule: you tell the skipper before departure what matters most, and the day bends around it. All three islands are car-free, which means no vehicle noise and no crowds pushing through the streets. The boat carries life jackets for adults and children, and bottled water is included throughout the eight hours on the water.

The ride back to Dubrovnik happens in late afternoon, which is when the light on the Adriatic shifts and the sunset becomes the last stop of the day.

What’s included

• A live English-speaking skipper.
• snorkel equipment and GoPro camera use.
• life jackets for all ages.
• bottled water, beer and soft drinks throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 15 Jun 2027

Book up to1h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 170

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Explore Dubrovnik

Is this one for you?Eight hours on the water means you leave Dubrovnik early and return in late afternoon: a full day commitment that rules out other activities but lets you move at your own pace across three islands instead of rushing through a fixed schedule. If you're anchored in a bay and want to stay longer, you stay. If a village interests you more than the beach, the skipper adjusts.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is the Blue Cave and how do I get inside it?

The Blue Cave is a sea cave on the south side of Koločep Island, reached by swimming from the boat. The skipper anchors near the entrance and you swim in. Snorkel masks are provided, and a GoPro camera is available if you want to film it.

Can I spend the whole day on one island instead of visiting all three?

Yes. Since the tour is private, the itinerary is not fixed. You agree with the skipper before departure what you want to do and how much time to spend at each stop. You could focus on Lopud's beach all day, or split your time differently.

What's included to eat and drink during the eight hours?

Bottled water, beer and soft drinks are on the boat. Meals are not included, but both Koločep and Lopud have restaurants on the islands where you can eat ashore if you want.

Are Koločep and Lopud really car-free?

Yes, both islands have no cars. Koločep has two villages (Gornje Celo and Donje Celo), and Lopud has a village inland from Sunj beach, all walkable without traffic.

What happens if the weather turns bad during the tour?

The skipper will adjust the route based on conditions on the day. Since the itinerary is private and flexible, you can decide together whether to shorten the tour, skip certain stops, or return early if needed.

Do I need to bring my own snorkel gear?

No. Snorkel masks and a GoPro camera are provided on the boat. You'll need to bring a swimsuit, sunscreen and a towel.