Private boat tour to Elafiti islands and south part of Mljet 8h. ALL INCLUDED

A private day by boat from Dubrovnik to the Elafiti islands and south Mljet is interesting because you see two very different coasts at an easy pace. You also get the big wow moment early, when you look back at Dubrovnik Old Town and the city walls from the sea.

I love the way this tour is truly tailor made. You pick where to stop, how long to stay at each island, and even where you want to swim or snorkel. I also like that the day includes a mix of highlights, from cave visits (including the Blue cave) to bays in south Mljet with time on a sandy beach.

One consideration: this experience requires good weather. If conditions are not right, you may be offered a different date or a full refund, so it helps to keep a flexible mindset.

Key things I’d plan around

• Dubrovnik-born skippers: the local team’s captains are born in Dubrovnik, which usually means practical insight and a smooth day on the water.
• Pick your own pace: you choose the island timing, stops, beach time, and port hopping, so it feels less like a checklist.
• Elafiti island variety: Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan give you different shorelines, caves, and swimming spots.
• Caves plus swim time: the route can include cave stops, plus private areas where you can snorkel and swim.
• South Mljet bays: Limuni Bay, Saplunara Bay, and one of the nicest sandy beaches in Croatia are part of the plan.
• Small group, big feel: up to 5 people means you can spread out, talk easily with the skipper, and steer your day.

The big idea: a private boat day that follows your mood

This is the kind of tour that makes sense if you want the coast without the crowd pressure. With a private boat and a local skipper, your day is not locked into one exact flow. That matters in Croatia, where the best parts often depend on where the light is, how crowded a shore is, and how long you want to linger over a swim.

The itinerary also covers two major zones. First, you sail the Elafiti islands, where short distances let you hop between different coves, beaches, and little ports. Then you head to the south side of Mljet, where the atmosphere shifts into calmer bay time and sandy shore lounging.

Leaving Dubrovnik by sea: city walls from a totally different angle

You start at Obala Stjepana Radića in Dubrovnik at 10:00 am, and the tour brings you straight into sea views right away. Before you even reach the islands, you get a panorama of Dubrovnik Old Town and the city walls from the water, which is the version of the city most people miss when they only see it from land.

A good skipper helps you connect what you see with what it means. This tour includes history commentary if you’re interested, and it’s also a nice way to ask quick questions as you cruise. You’re not stuck in a lecture, and you can keep the tone light if that’s what you want.

Practical note: because you’re heading out early in the day, this also helps you avoid feeling like you’re sprinting across Dubrovnik just to fit one last activity before dinner.

Elafiti islands route: Kolocep, Lopud, Sipan, plus caves and quiet swimming

The Elafiti part of the day is where the flexibility really shines. You visit the three islands, Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan, and you can plan your own rhythm. That means you can do the classic stops, then adjust on the fly based on what looks best from the boat that day.

Expect a mix of:

• cave stops, including the Blue cave
• beaches and private areas for swimming and snorkeling
• ports across the islands, so you can jump on and off where it feels right

What I like about this setup is that it gives you options without turning the day into chaos. You’re still on a guided private tour, but you’re not forced to stand in line at each stop or spend half the day only traveling. You can choose what matters most to you. If you want more water time, you can lean into that. If you want a slower look around a port, you can do it.

A real plus: since it’s private, you can stop anywhere you want within the tour plan. That is how you end up with those quieter stretches where you can actually enjoy being together, instead of feeling like you’re sharing the moment with a dozen other boats.

The Blue cave and cave stops: when to go for the right experience

Caves can be a highlight or a time-waster, depending on timing and access. Here, cave time is built into the Elafiti portion, which means you’re not paying for the concept and then getting rushed.

The Blue cave is specifically mentioned, so if that’s on your Croatia bucket list, you have a good chance of including it. Still, use common sense with expectations: cave experiences can depend on sea conditions and the day’s conditions, and you should be ready for a change if the skipper judges it’s not ideal.

If you’re the type who likes a plan but still wants room to breathe, this is a good compromise. You get the cave idea, and you also keep room for beaches and snorkeling right after, rather than treating the day like one long stop and go.

Beach and snorkeling time you control

This is one of those tours where the water time is not an afterthought. There are nice private areas for swimming and snorkeling, and because it’s your boat day, you can decide when to switch from sightseeing mode into swim mode.

I’d treat this as a choose-your-own-mood section of the day:

• Want easy swimming and a quick snorkel? Spend your stop time close to the boat access points.
• Want a longer water break? Ask the skipper for a spot where you can linger.

If you’re traveling with people who have different comfort levels in the water, a private setup helps. You can tailor the length and intensity of stops rather than syncing everyone to one fixed agenda.

A lunch on the islands: enjoy restaurants without the rush

After you cruise among the Elafiti islands, there are great restaurants on the islands for lunch. That’s important because it means you’re not trapped with just snacks, and you’re not forced to eat on the move.

This is also where the private aspect pays off. You can pick the lunch stop that matches your energy level, then use the rest of the time to do what you actually want next. If the group is in a chill mood, you can extend that. If you want to keep momentum, you can keep moving.

One practical tip: since your day is tailor made, you’ll want to keep an eye on timing so you don’t accidentally push lunch too late and feel rushed before Mljet. The tour is 8 hours total, so the best day is the one you pace.

South Mljet: Limuni Bay, Saplunara Bay, and that sandy shore time

After Elafiti, the boat heads to the south part of Mljet. You stop at:

• Limuni Bay
• Saplunara Bay
• one of the nicest sandy beaches in Croatia

This part of the day is set up differently. Instead of island-to-island hopping, you get a more bay-focused feel. The time you’re given here is about 3 hours, which is long enough for a real beach break, not just a photo stop.

Saplunara Bay is specifically linked to that sandy beach time, so if you’re chasing a classic beach day, this section matters. Mljet can feel quieter than Dubrovnik, and being on the boat makes the quiet more noticeable, especially when you’re just arriving at the right bay.

If you like the idea of mixing scenic cruising with actual time to relax on shore, south Mljet is a strong counterbalance to the more move-around feeling of the Elafiti islands.

How the 8 hours usually feel (and why that pacing works)

The whole tour is about 8 hours, starting at 10:00 am and ending back at the same meeting point on Obala Stjepana Radića. In that time, you’re doing:

• about 5 hours on the Elafiti islands
• about 3 hours on south Mljet

That pacing is smart for most groups. Elafiti gives you variety and water moments, and Mljet gives you the payoff of beach time. You don’t get stuck on one island for the entire day, and you also don’t feel like you’re never anywhere long enough to settle.

Also, private tours tend to run smoother because you’re not waiting on other groups. You’re working as one unit with the skipper, so minor adjustments happen faster. That’s how you end up with a “we’re enjoying ourselves” day, instead of a “we’re trying to keep up” day.

Price and value: $959.15 per group up to 5, all included

The price is $959.15 per group (up to 5). That sounds steep if you’re thinking per person. But if you price it like a private charter with local instruction and multiple island stops, it starts to make sense.

Here’s the practical value logic I use:

• You’re not renting a boat by the hour on your own. You’re getting a skipper and a whole route plan built around islands, caves, beaches, and bays.
• Admission tickets are free as part of the tour timing (listed for both the Elafiti portion and the Mljet portion), so you avoid surprise add-ons.
• Up to 5 people is a sweet spot. You get privacy without paying for a giant boat capacity you do not use.

If you’re a couple, the cost is still meaningful. But if you have a small group of friends or a family unit of up to 5, this is often the way to get a memorable sea day without spending the entire day managing logistics.

Booking timing, weather, and what to bring

On average, this tour is booked about 133 days in advance, which tells me it’s popular enough that you should not wait for the last minute, especially in peak summer weeks.

Weather matters because the tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or get a full refund. That’s a comfort factor, but it also means you should build in flexibility if possible.

As for what to bring, the data doesn’t list specifics, but this is a boat day with swimming and snorkeling. Pack for sun and water time, and plan to be comfortable moving between port areas and the boat.

What kind of travelers should book this?

This tour fits you if:

• you want privacy and control over stop time
• you want both island hopping and proper bay beach time
• you like the idea of caves plus snorkeling and swimming, without a strict schedule
• you’re traveling as a small group (up to 5)

It may not fit as well if you hate the idea of an outdoor, weather-dependent sea day. The itinerary is calm and scenic, but it still rides on conditions.

One more detail worth mentioning: the company’s skippers are born in Dubrovnik. And on a recent group day guided by a skipper named Marin, the vibe was about calm, quiet places where the group could enjoy being together before heading back. That matches the style you’re buying here.

Should you book this private Elafiti and south Mljet boat tour?

If you’re trying to choose between a crowded boat excursion and a more personal day, I’d lean toward booking this. You’re paying for control: you pick the pace, you get cave and water time, and you finish with a sandy beach break in south Mljet.

Book it if you want a classic Dubrovnik base with a real sea day, and you care about doing it your way, not on someone else’s timing. Skip it if you’re set on a land-only itinerary, or if your trip dates are fixed and you cannot handle a weather-related reschedule.

FAQ

How long is the private boat tour?

The tour duration is about 8 hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

You meet at Obala Stjepana Radića, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 10:00 am.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It is a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

How many people are included per group?

The price is per group up to 5 people.

Which islands are visited on the Elafiti portion?

The tour visits Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan.

Are any admission tickets included?

Admission tickets are listed as free for both the Elafiti portion and the Mljet portion.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

FAQ

Do I need to print tickets?

No. The tour uses a mobile ticket.

How far in advance is this tour typically booked?

On average, it is booked 133 days in advance.