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When visiting Dubrovnik, the clear blue waters of the Adriatic Sea make for a gorgeous backdrop to any view or photo of the city. It’s also hard to resist getting out there and exploring the sea and all the islands that surround Dubrovnik. Luckily, renting a boat in Dubrovnik is very easy, affordable, and is one of the best day trips from Dubrovnik.
While it may not be a yacht, almost anyone can rent a boat in Dubrovnik, which gives you the ultimate freedom of island hopping for the day.
There are lots of great islands and spots around Dubrovnik that you can only access by boat, and by renting a boat, you can explore them at your own leisure.
A few of the top places to visit by boat are Lokrum Island, Kolocep, the Blue Cave, and Sunj, the best sandy beach.
By renting a boat in Dubrovnik, you can get to all of these places, and spend time at each one, within a day. Making renting a boat a great way to explore the sea around Dubrovnik and explore a unique aspect of Croatia.
Where to Rent a Boat in Dubrovnik
There are a a few different places to offer boat rentals in Dubrovnik, but one of the best is Gari Transfer.
*This is not an affiliate link. We do not make any money when you book rent a boat through them. We just highly recommend their services.
You can reserve your boat rental through Gari Transfer online. You just have to be at least 20 years old and have a passport or other form of ID. There is no driver’s license requirement, and you do not need experience driving a boat.
Their boats fit anywhere from 1-10 people, so it’s possible to rent one by yourself, as a couple, or with a bunch of friends!
Gari Transfer is located pretty far outside of Old Town Dubrovnik, where most people stay, by the Franjo Tudjman Bridge. However, they offer pick-up and drop-off at wherever you are staying in Dubrovnik.
Price to Rent a Boat in Dubrovnik
Renting a boat through Gari Transfer in Dubrovnik start at 1000 kn (€132 or $150). That is for their smallest, least powerful boat.
This boat has plenty of horsepower to cruise around the Adriatic Sea and is more than enough space for a small group. If you have a bigger group or really want more speed, you can always opt for a more expensive option.
They also offer boat rentals for either a half or full day. Depending on how long you want to explore the Adriatic will also affect the price for renting a boat in Dubrovnik.
Gari Transfer also offers add-ons like a snorkel mask, fins, food, drinks, or a dry bag for anything you want to keep from getting wet. These are all optional items that are up to you.
A dry bag or waterproof backpack are travel items that we recommend you have anyways, so you can keep your valuables dry in case of water or rain.
Where to Go When Renting a Boat in Dubrovnik
There are plenty of places to go off the coast of Dubrovnik in the Elaphiti Islands, so narrowing it down can be difficult, especially when you want to visit all of them!
The top places to visit when renting a boat in Dubrovnik are…
The Blue Cave
The Blue Cave is not an all day excursion as it’s pretty small, but it’s worth stopping by since you have the boat. You will have to anchor the boat and swim to the Blue Cave. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but the inside is pretty, and definitely blue.
You do not have to be an advanced swimmer to see the blue cave, but a lifejacket and goggles will help make it more enjoyable.
There is another Blue Cave in Croatia near Hvar that is more popular. Don’t get these two confused.
Sunj
Sunj is a sandy beach on Lopud that Gari Transfer labels as “The Best Sandy Beach” you can visit by boat around Dubrovnik.
It’s a small bay that you can pull your boat up to and anchor it. The water is crystal clear, even when it’s still pretty deep. Anchor your boat and swim up to the beach. It’s a quiet, relaxing beach without too many people, especially if you get there early.
Sunj is one of the best places to go when renting a boat in Dubrovnik if you want to relax on a sandy beach.
Bay Kolocep
Bay Kolocep is the closest you will get to a city on the islands around Dubrovnik. It’s a small community with a few restaurants, shops, and a beach.
The beach in Bay Kolocep isn’t as nice as Sunj, but you can still relax here. However, if you need to stop for food or drinks, Kolocep is the place to go.
Dubrovnik Old Town
This one isn’t as much a place to stop at, but rather one to cruise by. When you visit Dubrovnik, you will undoubtedly explore its Old Town. There is so much to see and do there, including walking the Dubrovnik Walls, but seeing it from the sea lets you see Dubrovnik from an entirely different point of view.
Make sure to drive around Old Town and look up at the City Walls from the sea. It’s a view that you can only get if you decide to rent a boat in Dubrovnik, so take advantage of that.
There are many other places—islands and caves—that are accessible by boat, but you will have to pick and chose because you can’t get to all of them in a day while spending time at each one.
Tips for Renting a Boat in Dubrovnik
Do the Full Day Rental
Unless your budget simply won’t allow it, definitely go for the full day rental option. This will give you more time to explore the Elaphiti Islands. Honestly, a half-day wouldn’t be enough time to explore much of what the Dubrovnik coast has to offer.
Bring Food, Drinks, and Sunscreen
While you can stop in Kolocep to get some food and drinks, its better to just be prepared and do it ahead of time. It will be cheaper, and you’ll have a better selection to choose from.
Water and sunscreen are important too. This way you don’t get dehydrated or sunburned.
Get a Dry Bag or Waterproof Backpack
Having dry bag or waterproof backpack is essential to keeping things like your phone, wallet, camera, or any other valuables dry. As you drive your boat around, water will splash up into the boat and get things wet and keeping your things in a waterproof bag is the best way to protect them.
While you can rent a dry bag from Gari Transfer, it’s cheaper to just buy one before you go and then you can have it for any trip in the future too. The price you will pay to rent one will go a long way towards just buying one.
The Sea to Summit Dry Bag is a fantastic dry bag that comes in a variety of sizes and can fit inside any backpack.
If you want a small, lightweight waterproof backpack that can be condensed into the size of a baseball, go for the Arkadia Supply Co. Sea to Sky Waterproof Backpack. This super lightweight, waterproof, and durable.
If you are looking for more recommended travel gear, check out our Travel Gear page.
Renting a boat in Dubrovnik is one of the best things you can do while visiting. It gives you an amazing opportunity to see what this area of Croatia has to offer while avoiding the crowds of Old Town and the freedom to go where you want.
Check out our Dubrovnik Travel Guide for more information on visiting Dubrovnik, including where to stay, what to do, and where to eat and drink.
