11 Best Dubrovnik Boat Tours For Every Budget (2025)
Looking for the best Dubrovnik boat tours? Look no further!
I grew up in Dubrovnik and went on boat trips with my family all the time! It is one of the best things to do in the city in the summer to escape the crowds.
With so many boat tours in Dubrovnik, it might seem tough to find the best ones. As I’ve visited most places you can reach by boat from the city, I know which ones are worth taking.
Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly boat tours or romantic private boat tours, Dubrovnik has it all!
Let’s find the best Dubrovnik boat trips for you!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. I hope you find the information here helpful!
My Top Picks: Dubrovnik Boat Trips
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✔️ Full-day boat trip with most islands on the itinerary
✔️ Swimming and sightseeing
✔️ Full-day tour with lunch and unlimited drinks
✔️ Swimming and sightseeing
Best Dubrovnik Boat Tours
1. Mljet National Park & 3 Islands Tour From Dubrovnik
⭐️ RATING: 4.9/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 10.5 hours| Check it out!
This full day boat tour is the best boat trip in Dubrovnik for everybody who wants to visit as many islands as possible in one day while enjoying a relaxed pace to explore, with swimming and sightseeing stops!
The tour starts bright and early at 7:30 AM, and ends almost 11 hours later, visiting several breathtaking islands and caves.
The first stop is Mljet National Park. It is one of Croatia’s national parks, so you’ll have to pay an additional entrance fee. You’ll have about 3 hours on the island, which is enough time to visit the legendary Odysseus cave, go for a swim, and stroll around the island. The crew will assist you if you want to rent a bike on the island!
Next up is the visit to the Elaphite islands. You’ll visit two popular islands, Lopud and Koločep for a swim and stroll through the small island villages. Both islands have several restaurants, so you can grab lunch or a snack.
The final stop is the famous Blue Cave. The turquoise water in the cave is like no other, and truly one of the highlights of this trip!
Another perk of this tour is that it is a small group tour, with a maximum of 12 people on board. It feels almost like a private tour, and you get to decide how long you want to stay at each spot.
If you’re looking for the best boat trip in Dubrovnik, you won’t be disappointed!
“This trip is a must-do if visiting Dubrovnik! We spent the whole day island hopping in some cherry-picked locations that meshed the popular tourist destinations with some lesser-known gems.”
– Paolo, Netherlands (read more reviews)
2. The Secrets of the Elafiti Islands Boat Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4-8 hours| Check it out!
This local-led tour is another private boat tour in Dubrovnik to consider! The boat fits up to 6 passengers and makes for an excellent day trip from Dubrovnik.
It is a private tour, so you get to decide the length of the trip and where you want to go. Don’t worry if you don’t have an idea where the best spots are, your skipper is a Dubrovnik local and he’ll show you the best places in the area.
The tour starts from the Dubrovnik Old Town port with a stunning panoramic view of Dubrovnik from the sea. Next, you’ll sail towards Elafiti Islands and the famous Koločep Blue Cave and several lesser-known caves on the islands.
Thanks to the crystal clear seas, this area is fantastic for snorkeling and other water sports. The tour provides snorkeling equipment, so you don’t have to worry about that.
“Incredible day! Wonderful skipper and beautiful trip!”
– Isabella, United States (read more reviews)
3. Private Elaphiti Islands Sailing Tour From Dubrovnik
⭐️ RATING: 4.7/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4-8 hours| Check it out!
The only thing better than the Dubrovnik boat tour is a private Dubrovnik boat tour! Escape the crowds, and get a totally customizable experience with a boat all to yourself with this half-day boat trip.
This tour lasts 4 or 8 hours, and you can choose from several departure times, early morning or in the afternoon, depending on your Dubrovnik itinerary.
Elaphiti Islands is an archipelago consisting of 13 islands, but the most popular are Lopud, Koločep, and Šipan. This is a private tour, so you’ll get to choose which ones you want to visit and how much time to spend on each island.
If you don’t want to, you don’t need to think of the itinerary. Your local guide knows very well where the best spots are, so you can let them think of the details and just relax.
Don’t forget to bring cash, as you’ll have to pay an additional fuel fee.
You’ve probably heard that Dubrovnik is expensive, but you’ll be surprised that divided per person this tour is much cheaper than similar tours in popular Greek islands.
The experience was amazing. Peter fulfilled all our requests and was a very capable and fun guide. Sailing the coast of Dubrovnik is an unforgettable experience.
– McKayla, United States (read more reviews)
4. Elaphite Islands Cruise with Lunch and Drinks
⭐️ RATING: 4.7/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 8 hours| Check it out!
Dubrovnik is not just a luxury destination, the city offers several fantastic budget-friendly boat tours too.
This full-day Elaphiti Islands cruise is one of the best affordable boat trips from Dubrovnik!
Whether you’re backpacking in Croatia or you want to enjoy the islands without breaking the bank, you will love this island hopping day.
Dubrovnik boat excursions like this one are great value for money, as you’ll get to visit 3 islands, and have lunch and unlimited drinks!
You’ll visit the most popular islands in the area, Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. As this is a full-day tour, you’ll have about two hours on each island. It is more than enough time to explore the island, go for a swim, and admire traditional stone houses.
This is a large group tour, so it’s also a great place to meet other travelers if you’re solo. For a small fee, you can also request a transfer from your accommodation.
“This was such a fun and relaxing day! All 3 islands were beautiful and we felt like we had enough time at each one!”
-Aashka, United States (read more reviews)
5. Blue Cave & Sunj Beach Boat Tour with Drinks
⭐️ RATING: 4.8/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4 hours| Check it out!
If you don’t have many days in Dubrovnik, this is one of the best half-day boat tours from Dubrovnik.
You can choose between morning and afternoon Dubrovnik island tours, so you can easily fit them into your schedule.
You’ll visit two islands on this tour: Koločep and Lopud.
The first island on your itinerary is Lopud and its famous sandy beach Šunj. It is one of the rare sandy beaches in the area, so if you’re a sandy beach lover, it should be on your list!
Next up is Koločep. This small island is best known for its unique sea caves. The Blue Cave is the most popular, but you’ll also visit three Green Caves, boasting mesmerizing turquoise waters.
Both islands are fantastic for snorkeling. Don’t worry if you packed super light, so you couldn’t fit your mask and snorkel. The tour price also includes the use of snorkeling equipment!
“What a fantastic day out. The caves are GORGEOUS, the experience was so much fun and it was made even better by our guide Luca, who was lovely!”
– Fola, United Kingdom (read more reviews)
6. Private Boat Cruise at Sunset with Champagne
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1.5 hours| Check it out!
If you like sunsets, you’ll love this private sunset cruise with champagne. I think Dubrovnik sunsets are as magical as Santorini sunsets. Since you can go on a sunset cruise in Dubrovnik for a fraction of a price of a Santorini sunset tour, you should add it to your itinerary!
This tour departs from the Old Town port and takes you on an unforgettable ride along the city walls, Lokrum Island, and the open sea for sunset.
First, you’ll get to admire Dubrovnik’s panorama, as your guide tells you the fascinating history of the city. You’ll see the majestic Fort Lovrijenac before making your way to the Lazarettos, the world’s first quarantine!
Next up, you’ll get to Lokrum Island, and if the weather is nice you can go for a quick swim!
Finally, as the sun begins to set, you’ll sail away from the coast to a calm spot where you can relax, drink the complimentary champagne and snacks and enjoy!
“This trip was amazing! I was solo cruising and I absolutely loved it. The guide is very educational and answered all my questions about the history of the country as well as gave a good overview of the town and the islands.”
– Alvina (read more reviews)
7. Dubrovnik: Romantic Sunset Sailing Adventure
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 hours| Check it out!
If you’re looking for unique date ideas in Dubrovnik, this romantic sunset tour is one of the best Dubrovnik sailing trips!
You’ll board an aesthetic red and white sailboat and peacefully glide along the Old City walls, admiring this fascinating UNESCO-listed city, as the sun sets in the distance. The tour is completely customizable, so you can take a different route and see the islands instead!
This is basically a private tour, and you’ll get your own sailboat and a skipper. The skipper can even teach you how to drive a boat if you want to!
Keep in mind that this is not a swimming tour as it is during sunset and it can get chilly. Drinks and snacks are not included, so bring your own if you think you’ll get peckish during the tour.
“Great views of the city and sunset. Our guide was great; he showed us a few things about sailing and gave us some tips for where to eat/sightsee in the area.”
– Molly, United States (read more reviews)
8. Elaphite Islands Day Cruise on a Karaka Ship
⭐️ RATING: 4.6/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 8 hours| Check it out!
If you’re looking for unique Dubrovnik boat trips, how about taking a cruise on a traditional Dubrovnik wooden boat?
Karaka is a traditional wooden ship from the Dubrovnik Republic era, and today you can take a tour on this magnificent replica! I was admiring this ship ever since I was a kid! The ship looks like it came straight from the Middle Ages, and it’s truly one of a kind experience.
This full day boat tour from Dubrovnik is great value for money even if you’re backpacking Europe on a budget.
You’ll visit 3 of the Elaphite Islands: Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud. You’ll have about 2 hours on each island, which is enough time to swim, snorkel, enjoy the sun, and explore the island.
One downside is, as it is quite a big boat, you won’t be able to visit small caves like the Blue Cave, as you could on a speedboat tour.
“This truly was a childhood dream come true. Feeling like a pirate for the day whilst sailing through the Adriatic and stopping off at some seriously pretty islands was incredible.”
– Adina, United Kingdom (read more reviews)
9. From Dubrovnik: Montenegro Boat Tour from Perast to Kotor
⭐️ RATING: 4.7/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 11 hours| Check it out!
Dubrovnik is situated right next to the Montenegro border, so a boat trip from Dubrovnik to Kotor is one of the most popular day trips to take from the city!
This full-day tour takes you to two beautiful coastal towns, Perast and Kotor.
The tour starts early in the morning with a bus ride from Dubrovnik to Montenegro. Once you’re in Montenegro, you’ll board a boat to sail to Kotor.
Montenegro has a stunning coastline and Kotor Bay is magical. It is bordered by high mountains giving it a unique and majestic look. You’ll have a couple of hours of free time to explore Kotor on your own before boarding the boat to Perast and the artificial island of Our Lady of the Rocks.
One thing to be aware of is that Montenegro is not an EU country. That means there’s border control on the way there and back. Border crossing can take time! When I went last time we waited for over 2 hours.
“Beautiful excursion, the panorama of the coast of Montenegro is exceptional because the mountains end directly on the sea.”
– Christina, Italy (read more reviews)
10. Blue Cave Afternoon Speedboat Tour with Drinks
⭐️ RATING: 4.9/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 5 hours| Check it out!
This Blue Cave afternoon speedboat tour is agreat opportunity to explore the stunning landscapes surrounding Dubrovnik.
The tour departs from the Old Town, so it’s great for those who are visiting Dubrovnik without a car.
You’ll start with a scenic ride along Dubrovnik’s Old Town, admiring stunning views of the historic city walls from the sea.
The tour takes you next to Kolocep Island, where you’ll have the chance to swim and snorkel in the famous Blue Cave, known for its vibrant blue waters illuminated by natural light.
You’ll also visit Sunj Beach on Lopud Island, a sandy beach perfect for swimming and relaxing.
Throughout the tour, complimentary drinks are provided, so you don’t have to worry about packing your own. However, lunch is not included so you’ll want to bring a snack!
We had an awesome day that surpassed our expectations. Our guides were so fun and engaging. We couldn’t have asked for a better day!
– Anna, United States (read more reviews)
11. Dubrovnik Game of Thrones: Land and Sea
⭐️ RATING: 4.7/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3 hours| Check it out!
Finally, we have a fan favorite: Game of Thrones tour. While most tours show filming locations in the city, this specific tour includes a panoramic boat cruise, making it one of the most unique boat trips in Dubrovnik.
The tour starts with a visit to the filming locations of the most memorable scenes of the series. Your guide will show you what the places looked like in the series and tell you fun stories from behind the scenes.
The tour ends with a 45-minute panoramic boat tour because some scenes were even filmed on the small island of Lopud!
The cruise is also a fantastic opportunity to admire the city from a different perspective, away from the crowds and noise without having to join one of the specific boat excursions Dubrovnik offers.
“Great tour of Dubrovnik including lots of information on the filming and locations of Game of Thrones.”
– Nicole (read more reviews)
FAQ: Boat Trips From Dubrovnik, Croatia
Yes, you can do day trips to islands from Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik Islands boat trips are one of the most popular activities to add to your Dubrovnik itinerary. You can easily visit Lokrum Island right across from the Old Town, or take a boat trip to Mljet National Park and the beautiful Elaphiti Islands.
The best island to visit from Dubrovnik is Lokrum, it is just a short 15-minute boat ride from the Old Town. Other popular Dubrovnik island trips are the Elpahiti Islands of Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. You can also visit the National Park on Mljet Island on a boat trip from Dubrovnik.
Dubrovnik boat tours depart from several ports in the city. You need to check your booking information to see if your tour departs from the Old Town or Gruž port. In Gruž, boat trips depart from both Lapad and Gruž Market side.
Final Thoughts: Best Dubrovnik Boat Tours
The best way to escape the summer crowds in the Old Town is to go on a boat trip from Dubrovnik.
Swimming in the crystal clear sea is truly one of the perks of backpacking Europe in the summer!
From fun group island hopping tours and sailing trips to romantic private boat tours and sunset cruises, there are boat tours from Dubrovnik for every type of traveler.
Sure, Dubrovnik can seem pricey when you compare Dubrovnik to Pula, but there are plenty of budget-friendly options too!
Whether you’re backpacking Croatia on a budget, or you treated yourself to a romantic getaway in Dubrovnik, a day out on the sea on one of these Dubrovnik boat trips will be the highlight of your trip!
If boat tours are out of budget, how about Dubrovnik kayaking tours? These are much more affordable and a fantastic way to discover the coastline!
If you’d like to sail the Croatian coastline from other cities, here are more fun boat tours in Croatia:
- Best Zadar Boat Trips You Can’t Miss
- Best Rovinj Boat Tours This Summer
- Pula Boat Tours For A Perfect Summer Holiday
