Last updated on October 9th, 2025 at 01:27 pm
Are you looking for Dubrovnik boat tours to add to your Croatian itinerary? You’re in the right place!
I’ve spent weeks exploring Croatia’s coastline and know first-hand that boat tours are the best way to find the gems like hidden coves, sandy beaches, dreamy island villages and so much more!
From Dubrovnik Harbour, you can easily reach the Blue Cave, clear-water swim spots, as well as the Elafiti Islands for full-day adventures, beautiful Mljet National Park and a stunning over-water restaurant if you book my favourite boat tour!
Dubrovnik is made for boat excursions with its glittering Adriatic waters and nearby islands – swap the crowded Old Town streets for postcard-perfect escapes!
In this guide, I’m sharing the 7 top Dubrovnik boat tours – from small group excursions to private and tailored boat trips – so you can be sure only the very best boat tours have been selected for your trip!
Why take a boat tour from Dubrovnik?
A boat tour is the easiest way to escape Dubrovnik’s crowds and discover gems beyond the city walls – from tranquil islands and fishing villages to secret swimming spots you can’t reach from land. With departures right from the Old Town harbour, it couldn’t be easier!
My Top Pick: Full-Day Elafiti Islands Tour
Scenery, adventure, hidden gems, beaches & more!
- Top Rated
- Flexible Itinerary
- Best Adriatic Views
- Private & Crowd Free!
TOP 7 DUBROVNIK BOAT TOURS
1. Elafiti Islands (Sipan, Lopud, Kolocep)
- Rating: 5/5
- Tour Length: 8 Hours
- Tour Type: Private – custom
Island-hopping around the Elafiti islands is one of my all-time favourite boat tours from Dubrovnik. You’ll visit the islands of Šipan, Lopud, and Koločep, where charming villages, sandy beaches, and highlights like the Blue Cave await – all set against picture-perfect Adriatic scenery!
A private boat trip from Dubrovnik town harbour is the best way to uncover the island’s secrets, away from the tourist trail! You can plan the perfect itinerary to match your interests with the skipper, which is exactly what we did for a super chill day – with many ‘wow’ moments!
We spent the day surrounded by nature and as we could customise the tour, we included wine tasting and organised our lunch stop at BOWA, a dreamy boho-chic over-water restaurant with cabanas, which was a top experience!
This full-day Elaphiti Islands private boat tour includes:
- Fully customised service
- Ice-box full of drinks
- Floating devices
- Towels
After years of travelling to Dubrovnik, I still think about this incredible boat trip and recommend it to everyone!
Tip! If you’re staying for 3 days in Dubrovnik or more, I recommend including a boat tour into your itinerary on the 3rd day after you’ve finished sightseeing!
2. Mljet National Park & ISLANDS
- Rating: 5/5
- Tour Length: 10 Hours
- Tour Type: Small group
If you are a nature lover, Mljet Island is for you, it’s mostly a National Park and famous for its lush green interior, turquoise water lakes and serene atmosphere. Even in the height of summer, this place is still lovely and quiet!
At nearly 5,400 hectares of land, you can’t hope to see it all, but you will be able to discover the best bits with this tour, which takes you to the two main saltwater lakes, beautiful Saplunara Beach and the Odysseus Cave, set amongst a stunning rocky landscape, where you can stop for a swim or go kayaking in the crystal clear waters!
If you book this boat tour, your trip will cover these off-the-beaten-path locations seamlessly and on your return, there are two more stops: picturesque Elafiti Islands of Sipan and Kolocep!
This boat tour to Mljet National Park includes:
- Park entry fees
- Bottled water
- Snorkelling gear
I love Mljet Island, there’s nowhere else like it in Croatia and this tour does a great job of not only covering the highlights but offering guests an adventurous yet tranquil day out on the water!
3. ELAPHITI ISLANDS FULL-DAY SAILING TRIP
- Rating: 5/5
- Tour Length: 8 Hours
- Tour Type: Small goup
If you fancy sailing around Dubrovnik’s glittering Adriatic waters instead of a speedboat, this tour offers a unique opportunity to swim in the clearest waters and explore the villages at a slower pace with just 6 passengers total!
You will be able to chill out on the sailboat and enjoy the scenic and changing landscapes, making it an ideal choice for those who want to spend more time relaxing, swimming and soaking up the sun!
Along the way, the sailboat anchors for lunch in a restaurant of your choice and stops in the charming islands of Šipan and Lopud to wander the villages, go swimming and enjoy the stunning coastal scenery and peaceful ambiance.
This Elafiti Islands sailing trip includes:
- Small group limit of 6
- Bottled water
- Snorkelling gear
This highly rated full-day sailing trip is rare in Dubrovnik; it’s an amazing price for what feels like a private tour. If you’re lucky, you might even have the sailing boat all to yourselves if you book as a couple later on in the season!
4. BLUE CAVE SMALL GROUP BOAT TOUR
- Rating: 4.9/5
- Tour Length: 4 Hours
- Tour Type: Small group
This popular Blue Cave small group boat tour is perfect for those who have less time to spare, but still want to see the nearby highlights around Dubrovnik and have a little adventure away from the old town walls!
What I love most about this Dubrovnik boat tour is that it limits the passenger number to only 12 for a more personalised experience and offers both morning or afternoon departures, which can easily slot into your itinerary!
In just 4 hours, you will get the opportunity to swim in the beautiful lagoon of Sunj Beach on Lopud Island, visit hidden gems on the island of Kolocep and explore the clear waters of the Blue Cave and marvel at the colours!
This Blue Cave small group boat tour from Dubrovnik includes:
- Small group limit of 12
- Complimentary drinks
- Handy AM or PM departures!
This is one of the best value short Dubrovnik boat tours, which offers many things to see without spending the whole day out on the water. A morning tour allows you to organise your own lunch or even enjoy another activity like walking the Dubrovnik old town walls at sunset!
5. lokrum island & betina cave tour
- Rating: 4.5/5
- Tour Length: 4 Hours
- Tour Type: Small group
Lokrum Island is a popular place to visit from Dubrovnik. It’s the green island you can see from the old town wall, it’s mesmerising and to get an even better view, this Lokrum and Betina cave tour is ideal!
The unique thing about this tour is the glass bottom boat, the only one of its kind from Dubrovnik, which allows you to see the underwater world as well as pass by the old town walls and striking Lovrijenac Fortress.
Once you arrive on Lokrum Island, you’ll have around two hours to wander at your own pace – whether that’s exploring the botanical gardens, spotting peacocks, or finding a trail to walk along. Next, the boat continues to St. Jacob’s Beach, one of Dubrovnik’s most beautiful swim spots.
Before returning, there’s a final stop at Betina Cave, a hidden gem carved into the cliffs and only reachable from the sea and popular with kayakers.
This Lokrum and Betina Boat Tour from Durovnik includes:
- Glass bottom boat
- Sightseeing cruise
- Three locations
Lokrum is a popular place to visit when staying in Dubrovnik, it’s easily accessible and walkable! Even though you can get a ferry across, I recommend this tour instead. You’ll get to see the old town’s historic sights from the sea and visit two hidden gems – making this 4-hour Dubrovnik boat tour totally worth it!
6. luxury blue cave 4 hour small group
- Rating: 4.9/5
- Tour Length: 4 Hours
- Tour Type: Small group
This small group boat tour from Dubrovnik offers an elevated experience on board a luxury catamaran with plenty of space for sun or shade and soft loungers to relax and enjoy the views!
From your luxury abode, you can soak in the stunning old town views from the coastline as you make your way to the natural Blue Cave on Kolocep Island, where the bouncing blue light will enchant you, before discovering other hidden gems and swim spots on this island and also on Lopud.
You’ll have time for a short swim and sunbathe in the crystal clear waters of the Elafiiti islands and bask in the warm sunshine and tranquil atmosphere until it’s time to head back to Dubrovnik old town.
This luxury blue cave 4 hour small group boat tour from Durovnik includes:
- Luxury catamaran with sunbeds
- x 3 drinks per passenger
- Snorkelling equipment
This tour comes highly rated with many past customers claiming it to be an unmissable experience. I think it’s perfect if you’re after a little luxury and a shorter boat tour from Dubrovnik!
7. PRIVATE DUBROVNIK SUNSET & PROCESCCO CRUISE
- Rating: 5/5
- Tour Length: 1.5 Hours
- Tour Type: Private
If you’re looking for a sunset cruise, this one is hard to beat! Book this luxury sunset speedboat with flowing prosecco and good vibes, which in my opinion, is the perfect way to end the day in Dubrovnik!
You’ll begin your evening on the water from the beautiful old town as you cruise along with your small group, enjoying drinks and tasty Croatian snacks, passing by heritage sites such as the historic walls, Fort Lovrijenac and Lokrum.
Sunsets in Dubrovnik are magical and what better way to enjoy the full show, I highly recommend this tour also for couples, it’s very romantic!
This Dubrovnik Sunset Boat Tour includes:
- Private luxury speedboat
- Unlimited drinks & bubbly
- Up to 7 guests
Whether you’re celebrating an occasion or enjoying a romantic sunset cruise to finalise your itinerary in Dubrovnik, you can’t go wrong with this trip; it’s the best of all the sunset Dubrovnik boat tours!
TIPS FOR BOOKING DUBROVNIK BOAT TOURS
BOOK IN ADVANCE
Popular Dubrovnik boat tours like Elafiti island-hopping tours sell out quickly in July and August. Pre-booking saves hassle – at least 1-2 weeks in advance. Book your day trip today!
HOW TO BOOK
Booking Dubrovnik excursions is easy with Viator and Get Your Guide, I use them constantly as their customer service and cancellation options are fantastic. For example, with Get Your Guide, you can cancel or change with just 24 hours’ notice – book your day trips in Dubrovnik securely!
(Note: Booking Dubrovnik boat tours directly from the old town harbour often means large group tours and bigger boats, my recommendations offer a better experience!)
WHAT TO BRING
Most boats come with a cooler box, so I recommend bringing a few drinks and snacks of your own – check with your provider as some private boats include all of this as well as alcoholic drinks!
WHAT TO PACK
- Swimsuit, towel, water shoes (for rocky beaches),
- Sunscreen, cover-up and water bottles.
- Cash & cards for payments for lunch stops
BOAT TOURS DUBROVNIK CROATIA FAQ
Are the Elafiti Islands worth going to?
Yes absolutely! The Elafiti Islands are well worth going to if you’re staying in Dubrovnik, they offer relaxation, pretty beach coves, caves, authentic villages and more!
What are the best private boat tours from Dubrovnik?
The best private boat tours from Dubrovnik is the private Elafiti tour, which is completely customisable. If you love sailing, I highly recommend this sailing trip!
Can you do short boat trips from Dubrovnik?
Yes! You can definitely do short boat trips from Dubrovnik, either morning or afternoon 4-hour boat tour around the islands or a 2-hour sunset experience!
What are the best boat trips from Dubrovnik old town?
The best boat trips from Dubrovnik old town include, Elafiti Islands and Mljet National Park, but all of the Dubrovnik boat tours in this post conveniently leave from Dubrovnik old town. However, these two boat trips in particular are fantastic if you only have 3 days in Dubrovnik!
FINAL THOUGHTS – DUBROVNIK BOAT TOURS
Boat tours in Dubrovnik are one of the best ways to spend the day – discover crystal-clear swimming spots, peaceful island villages, and unforgettable views of the Old Town from the sea. Whether you choose a lively trip to the Elafiti Islands, a romantic sunset cruise, or a private yacht for a touch of luxury, you’ll get to see a side of Dubrovnik that most visitors miss!
Planning more for your trip? Don’t miss my guides to the best day trips from Dubrovnik and the most popular things to do in Dubrovnik Croatia (beyond the old town walls) to make the most of your stay.
Plan your Dubrovnik itinerary!
Here’s my go-to list of resources for transport, accommodation, and tours for travel in Dubrovnik.
- Booking.com for the best boutique rates
- Get Your Guide for unique day excursions
- Viator for incredible day tours
- Discover Cars reliable and best rates on rental cars
- Omio for booking ferries to the islands
Read Next:
- Ultimate Guide To Dubrovnik: Things To See And Do In Dubrovnik
- 15 Best Things To Do In Dubrovnik Old Town 2026 Guide
- Top Things To Do In Dubrovnik Croatia (Beyond The City Walls)
- How To Spend 3 Days In Dubrovnik: The BEST Dubrovnik Itinerary!
- 7 Best Day Trips From Dubrovnik Croatia, You’ll love!
- Dubrovnik Game Of Thrones Tour: Is It Worth It? (2026 Guide!)
- Dubrovnik Travel Guide: Where To Eat, Drink & Relax
- Where To Stay In Dubrovnik: Best Areas & Hotels!
- A Guide To The Best Restaurants In Old Town Dubrovnik
- Cavtat: A Scenic Day Trip From Dubrovnik
- How To Get From Split To Dubrovnik – A Complete Guide!
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Michelle Trudie, is the founder of Little Wanderblog, a luxury boutique travel site. She has travelled to over 30 countries in the last 15 years. Michelle share’s her passion for stylish and affordable luxury travel experiences in Europe and beyond! Her goal is to make travel planning easier to hidden gem places!