Your day starts in sci-fi mode.

This private Elaphite Islands cruise from Dubrovnik on a futuristic UFO boat feels like a mini movie scene, with a crew that helps you pick the best swimming spots and keeps the day easy. I like that you can bring your own vibe, literally, by choosing the music, while the route focuses on classic islands and a few cave-and-bay moments that don’t feel rushed.

Two things I really like: the snorkeling setup and the drink package. You get snorkeling equipment and life jackets, and you’re positioned for swims around caves and rocky shorelines. Alcoholic drinks like wine, beer, and grappa are included, plus bottled water and soda, and there’s a fridge on board if you want to bring your own drinks for the party.

One consideration: lunch is not included, so you’ll want a plan. You can sometimes arrange lunch once you’re on Lopud, but you should still think ahead about meals and bring towels so you are not stuck improvising when the sea time runs long.

Key Highlights You Will Actually Care About

• Kolocep’s cave country, including the famous Blue Cave area, with snorkeling gear ready to go
• Lopud’s car-free beach time at Šunj, plus a viewpoint walk up to Fortress Sutvrac
• Sudurad on ipan, a calmer island stop with beaches, bays, and a more old-school feel
• Private boat for up to 14, so you control the music and you are not squeezed with strangers
• Drinks included with a fridge for your own, which makes the day feel like a floating celebration
• A crew that actively guides, from swim choices to where to jump, swim, or chill

A Futuristic UFO Boat Ride Off Dubrovnik’s Coast

This is not a cattle-car day trip. It’s a private sailing experience on the UFO boat concept, and the whole point is that you get a sea day with minimal hassle and a bit of wow factor from the moment you step aboard.

The cruise runs about 8 hours, with stops timed so you get real water time instead of just photos from the dock. You’ll return back to the meeting point at the end of the day, and pickup is offered, which matters in Dubrovnik because logistics can eat up part of your daylight.

The vibe is simple and party-friendly, including for birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette celebrations, team building, or a family-friendly sailing day. You can lean into the social side with included drinks, or keep it mellow and just focus on swimming, sunsets, and not thinking about schedules.

What You Get Included On Board (And What You Should Bring)

This tour is structured around what you need to be comfortable at sea, not what you need to schedule later.

Included items that make a real difference:

• Alcoholic drinks such as wine, beer, and grappa, for age 18 and up
• Bottled water and soda/pop like Coca-Cola and iced tea
• Snorkeling equipment and life jackets for adults and children
• Private transportation and fuel, plus all fees and taxes
• Bring your own drinks free of charge, with a fridge on board

What you should bring:

• Towels, since they are not provided
• Anything you want for sun protection, since the day includes multiple swimming stops and exposed time on deck

And one underrated tip: because you have a fridge on board for your own drinks, you can bring what your group actually likes instead of relying only on the included selection. That turns the boat into a true group hangout, not just a paid sightseeing ride.

Kolocep Island: Caves, Blue Cave Area, and Snorkel Time

Kolocep is where the day gets its cinematic feel. The plan is to start with island cave-and-canyon scenery, including the well-known Blue Cave area. Even if you do not do a full cave excursion in every case, you still get the “caves and limestone” vibe that makes the Elaphites feel different from the Dubrovnik shoreline.

This is also the stop where the water activities are front and center. The boat comes equipped with snorkeling gear, so you can slip in for a swim and explore right along the coastline. If you prefer not to snorkel, you still can jump off the rocks, with crew guidance, which is fun for groups who want a mix of calm and action.

You’ll have about 2 hours here, which is long enough to do one proper swim session and still have time to relax. The tradeoff is that you should treat it as water time first, photos second. The best moments tend to happen while you’re in the water, not standing around deciding what to do.

Practical note: if your group wants to snorkel, plan for the gear handoff and getting in and out calmly. It will feel smooth if you keep everyone moving, but if you linger too long at the dock, you lose your best water window.

Lopud Island: Šunj Beach, Fortress Sutvrac Views, and Easy Strolls

Lopud is the island stop that most people picture when they think of Elaphites: lush, small, and car-free, which keeps the beach and promenade vibe peaceful. You’ll head here for a longer stretch, about 3 hours, with time to enjoy both a famous beach and the island’s inland viewpoints.

The headline is Šunj Beach, set in a bay on the southeast side of Lopud. This is the kind of beach where you can spread out, swim at your own pace, and just let the day slow down for a bit. On top of that, the main settlement is in a bay on the northwest side, where there’s a seaside promenade with restaurants and coffee bars.

If you want lunch, this is where you can make it happen with help from the crew. They can arrange a reservation at one of the better restaurants on the island, so you’re not spending your time hunting for places while everyone gets hungry.

Then there’s Fortress Sutvrac. It’s about a 15 to 20 minute walk from Lopud, and it’s a nice option if you want views without doing a full hike day. It’s also a good backup plan for people who want a break from direct sun but still want a little effort and payoff.

Possible drawback of Lopud time: because it’s a popular island vibe and the day is structured, you do need to be ready to move when the boat schedule says so. If your group is the type that loves lingering at beaches for hours, you might want to set expectations early so nobody feels rushed.

Sudurad on ipan: Quiet Settlement Mood and Bay Swimming

Your third stop is Sudurad, described as a quiet, uncrowded settlement on the island of ipan. This is the part of the day that feels less like a checklist and more like a slow island mood.

Here, the emphasis is on beaches and bays with crystal clear sea and good food, especially sea specialties seasoned with olive oil and local wine. This is also where you get a sense of the island past, with summer residences and palaces that used to draw wealthy families from Dubrovnik.

The area’s centerpiece is the central square, with buildings that have a fortress-like construction. If you like the feeling of stepping into a place where daily life still looks familiar, this is the stop that tends to click.

You’ll have about 3 hours here, which gives you enough time to swim, maybe explore the settlement on foot, and still avoid the stress of constantly moving. If your group is split between people who want water versus people who want views and walking, Sudurad is a good compromise stop.

One bonus that can happen on days like this: you might spot dolphins if conditions are right. Since it’s not guaranteed, think of it as a lucky extra, not the reason you booked.

Price and Value for a Private Group of Up to 14

The price is $2,601.99 per group up to 14. That’s a big range, so the real question is not the sticker price, it’s what you’ll pay per person based on group size.

For a full group of 14, you are looking at roughly $186 per person. If you have a smaller group, the per-person cost rises, but you still get something you often cannot buy on normal Dubrovnik tours: a private boat experience with on-board drinks and dedicated snorkeling gear.

Value comes from three places:

1. Privacy and space: you are not sharing the day with strangers in the same way as larger group tours.
2. What is included: snorkeling equipment, life jackets, fuel, and drinks reduce surprise add-ons.
3. Time on the water: the day is built around island swimming, not just driving and stopping.

Also consider this price is for a whole boat for your group, which is exactly why it works well for birthdays, celebrations, and families traveling together.

How to Plan Your Day for Maximum Fun

This is a boat day, so a few practical choices can make it feel effortless.

Decide your group rhythm before you leave

If your group wants to snorkel at Kolocep and then beach at Lopud, tell the crew early and agree on a loose plan. If your group wants lots of lounging, that can work too, but it helps to align expectations so you do not end up with half the group waiting.

Pack like you are swimming more than once

With multiple islands and cave-and-bay swimming, you should bring:

• towels
• sunscreen and a hat
• swim shoes if your group dislikes slick rocks
• a change of clothes for the ride back

Use the included drinks smartly

Alcoholic beverages are included for age 18 and up, and the boat also has water and soda. If your group is mixing alcohol with sun and water, keep water flowing, pace yourselves, and watch how long you stay in the sun between swims.

Get lunch squared away in advance

Lunch is not provided on board. If you want a proper meal, plan for restaurant time on Lopud, and treat Sudurad as a swim and snack stop unless you already know where you want to eat.

Should You Book This UFO Boat Elaphite Islands Tour?

Book it if you want a private, no-stress Elaphites day that mixes famous island stops with actual swimming time and cave-area vibes. It’s especially good for groups that want fun and flexibility, because the music choice and private setup make it feel like your day, not someone else’s script.

Skip it or reconsider if your main goal is a strict cultural tour with long guided walks and museums. This experience is built around sea time, beach breaks, and getting in the water, not structured sightseeing.

If you are traveling with friends, family, or a celebration group up to 14, this is one of the more practical ways to buy back your time in Dubrovnik. You spend more of the day outside, on the islands, with snorkeling gear ready and the boat crew focused on keeping things smooth. Just bring a towel, think about lunch, and enjoy the sci-fi boat part of the fun.

FAQ

What islands does this private boat tour visit?

It visits Kolocep Island first, then Lopud Island, and then Sudurad on the island of ipan. The day ends back at the meeting point.

How long is the tour?

The tour is about 8 hours.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is offered, and private transportation is included.

What is included on board?

Included are alcoholic beverages (wine, beer, grappa), bottled water, soda/pop, snorkeling equipment, and life jackets for adults and children, plus fuel and all fees and taxes.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not provided on board.

Are snorkeling tools provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and life jackets are provided too.

Are towels provided?

No. Towels are not included.

Is alcohol included for everyone?

Alcoholic beverages are allowed for age 18 and above.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund.