Private Full Day Tour at Elafiti Islands Via Azimut 43 Fly

Four islands, one private yacht day. I love the Mercedes pickup from your accommodation and the fact that your day is built around real time on the water, including snorkeling at Koločep’s Blue Cave. One thing to consider up front: the Lopud stop has admission not included, so you may want to plan for on-site entry costs.

I also like how this trip feels guided but not rushed. You have a skipper, you get bottled water and beach towels, and you’re given snorkeling gear plus a paddle board so you can choose your pace between swims and short walks.

The only catch is that the Dubrovnik portion is mostly about getting you from your hotel to the port fast, not doing classic old-town touring. If you want long sightseeing in Dubrovnik itself, you’ll need a separate plan for that.

Key highlights you should care about

• Koločep Blue Cave time to swim and snorkel, plus extra island time after the cave
• Lopud monastery plus hilltop views with ruins and two fort perspectives
• Sudurad’s low-key harbor vibe with cafes, taverns, and standout fortress-like buildings
• Sunj Beach’s real sandy setup and the protected bay that suits families
• Snorkeling gear, paddle board, and towels included so you pack lighter and waste less time

A day on the Azimut 43 Fly: how the Elafiti route really works

This is a private full day tour from Dubrovnik focused on the Elafiti Islands, a group just off the coast that locals treat like a quick escape. You start with pickup, then head to Gruž port, where your yacht and crew are ready. From there, the day is a steady sequence: swim spots, short island sightseeing, then beach time.

What you gain with this format is simple. You’re not timing ferries or crowding into public boats. And because it’s private, the schedule can feel smoother, with you and your group getting the attention of the skipper.

The “Azimut 43 Fly” element matters too. The day is built around a proper motor yacht experience, not a tiny day boat. That usually means more comfort for the ride between islands, plus space for gear like snorkeling equipment and paddle boards.

Pickup to Gruž port: the Mercedes-to-yacht start

Your morning begins with pickup from your accommodation in a luxury Mercedes vehicle. The idea is to get you to Gruž port quickly, with the drive taking up to 15 minutes. Then you board the yacht and crew takes over from there.

Two practical wins come with this. First, it cuts down on logistics stress when you’re on vacation. You don’t need to figure out where to park or how early to arrive to make public transport work. Second, it sets a comfortable tone early. Even before the islands, you start the day relaxed.

One detail I’d keep in mind: the tour starts at 10:00 am, and your Dubrovnik time is mostly transport and boarding. So if you’re hoping for a big taste of Dubrovnik’s old streets, this itinerary is not the place to get that.

Koločep Island and the Blue Cave: swimming that actually feels worth it

Koločep is the first island stop, and it’s the one most people zero in on. The island has five caves, and the Blue Cave is the best known. Your day plan includes an hour at the Blue Cave area, with a chance to swim and snorkel, plus time for photos of that striking turquoise water.

You’ll also get snorkeling equipment included, and you’ll have beach towels as part of the setup. That’s important because it lets you treat the water time as the main event, not an awkward scramble to rent gear.

After the Blue Cave hour, you’re given time to explore the rest of Koločep. This is a good balance. The cave is the headline, but the additional island time means you’re not only chasing one photo spot.

Possible consideration: you’ll want swim-ready comfort. With cave time, you’re moving between water and boat, so wear gear you can handle easily, and bring sunscreen and a hat (even if you’re mostly in the water). The plan is active, even though it’s still relaxed.

Lopud Island’s monastery, forts, and hill views

Lopud is where the day shifts from pure sea time into Croatian island walking and viewpoints. You’ll visit the main attraction on the island: a 15th-century Franciscan monastery. It’s a classic stop for a reason. On islands like this, you often feel the layers of time more clearly than in big cities, and monasteries tend to anchor that feeling.

Then you get a hike up toward the hills for ruins and views across the archipelago. The scenery payoff is the point here, with a chance to see remains and look toward the forts positioned around the island entrance. The plan specifically includes two fort areas: one on a peninsula and another higher up, tied to 16th-century remains of Sutvrač Fortress (also referred to as the Spanish Fort).

At the harbor entrance, there’s also the 16th-century church of the Holy Trinity. The tour notes it as the only baroque building on the island, mixing Gothic and Renaissance elements. Even if churches aren’t your main interest, this stop gives you a different kind of island architecture moment.

A key value call: Lopud admission tickets are not included. So while the stop is guided and time is built in, your budget should reflect that some on-site entry costs may apply. If you like to tour interiors, plan for that.

Also note the time is about 3 hours at Lopud. That’s plenty for the monastery and a meaningful viewpoint walk, but it won’t be a slow all-day wander. It’s designed as part of a full island loop.

Sudurad on Sipan: a sheltered harbor break from the busy stuff

Sudurad is the quieter, more local-feeling part of the Elafiti mix. It’s described as a town on the island of Sipan, with 207 inhabitants. It’s also the second largest town on Sipan after Sipanska Luka.

The setting is a big part of why this stop works. Sudurad sits in the southeast region of the island in the sheltered Bay of Ruda, which the tour notes is popular with sailors and boaters. In practical terms, that sheltered bay can mean calmer water moments and an easier stop to enjoy.

Sudurad’s story also comes through in the architecture. Sipan was once a recreational destination for wealthy Dubrovnik families, so you’ll find summer residences and palaces. The tour highlights defensive-wall style construction, fortress-like buildings, and a watchtower in the central square area.

Then you’ll find the everyday island life built around the harbor, including cafes, taverns, and stalls around older castles and the port. This is the stop where you can slow down, enjoy a drink or a snack if you’ve brought it along, and let the scenery breathe.

Time here is about 1 hour, so it’s not a long exploration. But it gives you a distinct feel from the more swim-heavy Koločep and the walk-and-viewpoints focus of Lopud.

Šunj Beach on Lopud: sandy water, protected views, and family-friendly timing

Sunj Beach is your beach capstone. It’s one of the few true sandy beaches in the Dubrovnik region and it’s located on the outer side of Lopud. The tour notes it’s a 25-minute walk from the settlement and from Lopud Bay beaches, which helps explain the vibe. Sand attracts people, but this beach’s location gives it a bit of breathing room compared with the easiest-to-reach spots.

The breakwater protects the bay from the jugo southern wind. You’ll likely notice that in the feel of the water and the comfort level on the shoreline. The plan also notes that the main beach area can have families with kids, which makes sense when the water is shallow.

One specific detail to plan for: parts of the beach are very shallow, and on some areas you have to walk more than 100 meters before you can start swimming. So this is great if you like gradual entries and calmer water, but it’s not the best choice if your group wants immediate deep water.

You’ll get about 2 hours at Sunj Beach, giving you time for a proper swim plus downtime. With snorkeling gear included earlier, you might treat this as a different kind of water time, more chill than cave snorkeling.

What’s included, what costs extra, and what that means for you

Included items are refreshingly practical for a full day at sea:

• Pickup in a Mercedes vehicle
• Bottled water
• Skipper
• Snorkeling equipment
• Beach towels
• Paddle board

That list matters because it reduces the number of things you need to plan and buy. Snorkeling gear and towels especially are common trip-killers when they’re not provided. Here, they are.

What’s not included:

• Fuel surcharge
• Lunch

And admission isn’t included for the Lopud stop, which is where you’ll likely want to check what you want to see inside versus outside.

If you’re trying to keep costs predictable, plan to cover lunch on your own and expect an added fuel surcharge. On a private tour, extras add up faster than on public ferries, so it’s smart to treat these as part of the real total rather than surprises.

Price and value: when this private group tour feels like a bargain

The price listed is $2,359.19 per group for up to 10 people. The private part is doing heavy lifting here. If you split this among a full group of 10, the per-person cost comes out around $236 each. If your group is smaller, your per-person rate rises, which is the trade-off for privacy and yacht time.

So when does it feel like good value?

• When you have 6 to 10 people and want one bill instead of everyone buying separate tickets and trying to coordinate meeting points.
• When snorkeling and beach time are the main goal. You’re not just sightseeing, you’re doing water activities with equipment provided.
• When you want a smooth schedule with a skipper, so you spend less energy on logistics and more on being outside.

It’s not a bargain if you’re traveling as a couple and can’t fill the group. In that case, the price is more about comfort and control than savings.

My advice: price it like a whole-day experience. You’re buying pickup, private yacht time, included gear, and multiple stops across several islands. If that matches your dream day, the math often works out.

Logistics and timing: what to expect from an 8 hours 15 minutes day

The tour runs about 8 hours 15 minutes, starting at 10:00 am. That time budget is split across:

• A short port transfer and boarding at Gruž
• Koločep for Blue Cave snorkeling and island exploring
• Lopud for monastery, hike, and forts plus harbor church time
• Sudurad for the sheltered harbor stop
• Sunj Beach for sandy swimming and wind protection

This is a tight loop, but it’s designed that way. Elafiti days often live or die by timing, because the islands are close but not close enough for leisurely travel between them all.

Bring the mindset that each stop is a mini-mission. You’ll have time, but it’s not a slow open-ended day. If you like structure, you’ll appreciate it. If you prefer wandering without a schedule, you might feel nudged to move along.

Who this tour fits best, and who should skip it

This is a strong fit if you:

• Want a private day with a yacht and skipper
• Like swimming and snorkeling, especially with cave time at Koločep
• Enjoy mixing viewpoints and monuments with beach downtime
• Are traveling with a group large enough to spread the cost

It may not be your best match if you:

• Want a full day of Dubrovnik old town sightseeing. This itinerary is islands-first.
• Hate walking hills. Lopud includes a hike for views and ruins.
• Are on a strict budget that can’t stretch for non-included elements like lunch or Lopud admissions.

Should you book this Elafiti Islands private tour via Azimut 43 Fly?

Book it if you want an easy, scenic day that combines swimming, islands, and viewpoints without you doing the planning. The included snorkeling equipment, paddle board, bottled water, and towels make it feel like a complete package, not a partial add-on. And the lineup of Koločep Blue Cave plus Lopud’s monastery and fort views is exactly the kind of island contrast that makes Elafiti days memorable.

Skip it or consider alternatives if your top priority is Dubrovnik itself, or if you’re traveling as two and the group price feels too steep for your comfort level. Also, if weather is unpredictable for your dates, remember that the experience depends on good conditions, so having flexibility is smart.

Finally, I’m glad this tour comes with a human touch from the operator side. Premium Travel follows up with guests personally, with staff like Lukša thanking visitors for the kind feedback about how the crew improves the trip. That kind of service culture matches what you’re paying for: smooth sailing, steady guidance, and a crew that wants your day to go well.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Private Full Day Tour at Elafiti Islands Via Azimut 43 Fly?

It runs for about 8 hours 15 minutes.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 10:00 am.

Where do you get picked up?

Pickup is offered from your accommodation, and you are collected by Mercedes van to the port.

Is this tour private?

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

Which islands and stops are included?

The itinerary includes Dubrovnik (port boarding), Koločep Island, Lopud Island, Sudurad, and Sunj Beach.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with beach towels.

Is the paddle board included?

Yes. The tour includes use of a paddle board.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included.

Are admission tickets included?

Admission is free for Dubrovnik, Koločep, and Sudurad, but admission is not included for the Lopud stop. Sunj Beach is also listed as free.

What is the cancellation window?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The experience requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.