The best private boat tour for families in Dubrovnik is the Elaphiti Islands full-day — it has the sandy, shallow Šunj beach, protected swim stops, a sea cave and an island lunch you can pace around the kids. But the real answer depends on your children’s ages, and the bigger point is the format: a private boat is the most family-friendly way to spend a day on the water here, because you control the pace, the stops and the timing instead of following a packed group schedule.
This guide covers the best family boat trips from Dubrovnik, what makes each one work for different ages, what safety gear is on board, and how to choose.
Why a private boat is the best choice for families
Group boat tours run on a fixed schedule with twenty to forty other passengers. That works for some travellers; with children, it rarely does. A private boat changes three things that matter most to families:
- You set the pace. Lunch is paced around nap times, not a forty-minute slot before the boat leaves. A swim stop lasts as long as the kids are happy in the water.
- You choose calm water. If a bay is choppy, the skipper moves to a protected one. None of that is possible on a fixed route.
- You travel only with your group. No strangers, no waiting on other passengers — just your family, the skipper, and the boat for the day.
Our entire fleet operates privately, so there are no shared seats. Every boat carries life jackets in children’s sizes, and the skippers are licensed locals who know which bays stay calm in which wind.
The best family boat tours from Dubrovnik
Elaphiti Islands — the all-round family day
This is the one we recommend most for families. The Elaphiti Islands circuit takes in the Blue Cave for a snorkel, then Lopud for Šunj — one of the only genuinely sandy beaches on the coast, where the water stays knee-deep for over a hundred metres. The bays are protected, the swimming is easy, and lunch on Šipan can be timed around the children rather than a schedule.
The full day gives the most room to breathe; the half-day works if your kids are younger and a shorter trip suits them better. Half day from €550, full day from €800, up to 12 guests.
Lokrum & Betina Cave — easy and close for young kids
Just 10 minutes from the Old Port, Lokrum is the gentlest option for families with toddlers. Its Mrtvo More salt lake — the “Dead Sea” — is calm, shallow and warmer than the open sea, and the island has free-roaming peacocks, forest paths and a real Iron Throne replica to keep children entertained on land. The tour pairs it with the turquoise Betina Cave for an easy snorkel. Half day from €550.
Fishing & Fun — for active kids and dads
For families with energetic kids — and dads who want a project — the Fishing & Fun half-day mixes fishing, swimming and snorkelling in the protected channels around the Elaphiti. The fishing licence and equipment are included, and it is relaxed rather than a serious sport charter. From €800, up to 6 guests.
Hidden Caves & Bays — for confident teens
If your children are older and strong swimmers, the Hidden Caves & Bays tour is the most active half-day in the fleet, with two underwater scooters on board and both the Blue and Green caves on Koločep. It is genuinely fun for confident teenagers and adults. From €1000, small groups only.
Sunset Tour — the easy evening
For the last evening of a holiday, the Sunset Tour is a calm two-hour sail past the Old Town walls with no swim stop — short, easy, and well suited to even the youngest family members. From €350.
Safety and what’s on board
Families ask about this first, so here is the short version:
- Children’s life jackets are on every boat, in a range of sizes.
- Licensed, local skippers who choose calm, protected swim stops and read the daily conditions.
- Snorkelling gear is on board; floats are available for less confident swimmers.
- Weather flexibility — if the sea is not safe or comfortable, the skipper reroutes to sheltered water or reschedules. Bad weather means a full refund or a re-booking, your choice.
- Shade — bimini cover on the boats for breaks out of the sun.
How to choose by your children’s ages
- Babies and toddlers → Lokrum & Betina or the Sunset Tour. Short boat time, calm shallow water, easy days.
- Young children (4–9) → Elaphiti half-day or full-day. Sandy Šunj beach, gentle swims, plenty of variety.
- School-age and pre-teens → Elaphiti full-day. The mix of caves, beaches and island lunch keeps the day interesting.
- Confident teenagers → Hidden Caves & Bays with underwater scooters, or a hands-on Fishing & Fun morning.
When in doubt, the Elaphiti full-day suits the widest age range in a single group — which is why it is the most-booked family tour we run.
What to bring for a family day at sea
- High-factor sunscreen (SPF 50+) — the sea reflects UV strongly; reapply often for kids.
- Swimsuits worn under clothes — easier than changing on board.
- Water shoes for rocky entries at some swim stops.
- A light cover-up or windbreaker — open water at speed is cooler than the marina.
- Snacks and water for younger children, plus any motion-sickness tablets if they are sensitive (taken the night before).
- A waterproof phone case or dry bag for cave swims and beach time.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best boat tour for families in Dubrovnik?
For most families the Elaphiti Islands full-day is the best all-round choice. It includes the sandy, shallow Šunj beach on Lopud — one of the only true sandy beaches near Dubrovnik — protected swim stops, the Blue Cave, and lunch on Šipan that can be paced around the kids. For families with very young children or limited time, the close and easy Lokrum & Betina Cave half-day is a gentler alternative, and Fishing & Fun is the pick for active kids who want something hands-on.
Are private boat tours in Dubrovnik safe for kids?
Yes. Private boats are the most family-friendly option precisely because you control the pace, the swim stops and the timing, rather than following a fixed group schedule. Every boat carries life jackets in children's sizes, the skipper is licensed and local, and swim stops are chosen in protected, calm bays. If conditions turn, the skipper reroutes or reschedules — your safety and comfort come first.
Which beach is best for young children near Dubrovnik?
Šunj beach on Lopud, in the Elaphiti Islands. It is one of the very few genuinely sandy beaches on the Croatian coast, and the water stays knee-deep for over a hundred metres before it drops off — ideal for young children and less confident swimmers. The bay faces south, so the water is warm and the light is good all day. Lokrum's Mrtvo More salt lake is another calm, shallow option closer to the city.
What ages are boat tours suitable for?
All ages, with the right tour. Babies and toddlers do best on shorter, calmer trips — Lokrum & Betina or a sunset cruise — where the boat time is limited and the swimming is gentle. School-age children thrive on the Elaphiti full-day with its variety of beaches and caves. Confident teenagers enjoy the more active Hidden Caves & Bays tour with underwater scooters. Tell us your children's ages and we will match the route.
How long should a family boat tour be?
It depends on the ages. With young children, a half-day of four hours is usually the sweet spot — long enough for a proper swim and a cave, short enough to stay comfortable. With school-age kids and older, the Elaphiti full-day works well because the pace is yours: you can extend a beach stop, shorten a transfer, or break for lunch whenever the group needs it. On a private boat the length is flexible.
Can the tour be customised for our family?
Completely. Every private tour is built around your group — more time at the sandy beach, a slower pace, an earlier lunch, a shorter day for nap times, or a specific swim stop. The published itineraries are starting points, not fixed schedules. Tell the skipper your priorities and the day adjusts in real time.
Travelling to Dubrovnik with kids? Tell us their ages and how long you would like to be on the water, and we will match you to the right boat and route — or browse the full tour catalogue to compare options. Message us at info@bluemile-dubrovnik.com and we will plan a day that works for the whole family.