Dubrovnik sunset cruise: what to actually expect.
A two-hour cruise with a departure time that follows the sunset, one swim stop and a pass beneath the city walls. What to expect, step by step.
In this guide
A sunset cruise is two hours on the boat at the end of the day: one swim, a slow pass beneath the city walls and a glass of wine on the way back. The departure time is what matters most, because it has to match the sunset.
Private sunset cruise (2 h)See the tour →
Departure times by month
We leave about 90 minutes before sunset, so the departure time changes through the season:
- May, sunset ~20:10, departure ~18:40
- June, sunset ~20:25, departure ~19:00
- July, sunset ~20:20, departure ~18:50
- August, sunset ~19:50, departure ~18:20
- September, sunset ~19:05, departure ~17:30
- October, sunset ~18:15, departure ~16:45
Send us your date and we confirm the exact departure time. Sunset moves by a minute or two each day.
The route
From the harbour we cruise along the city walls at sea level, then cross to a quiet cove for the swim. In June and July the sun sets behind the Elaphiti Islands, so we often swim off Lokrum and then wait for the sunset off Koločep.
The swim
In the evening the sea is still warm from the day. Towels are on board. If the sea is too rough, which is rare on summer evenings, we replace the swim with a longer cruise along the walls.
What is on board
On most boats: chilled wine, water, soft drinks and towels. We confirm what is aboard with the quote. Champagne, flowers or a photographer can be arranged on request. The cruise also suits a proposal.
Is it worth it?
If you have one free evening in Dubrovnik, yes. You see the walls from the sea at sunset, away from the crowds, and are back in time for dinner. For a full day of islands and swimming, book the Elaphiti tour and add the sunset cruise on another evening.
Choosing the evening
The cruise is short, so the choice of evening matters more than on a full-day trip. June has the latest sunsets and the longest light. September and October bring earlier departures, a sea that often stays at 20–22 °C into October and far fewer boats under the walls. July and August are the warmest and busiest evenings.
The weather shapes the colours as much as the month does. The daytime maestral usually eases towards evening, which is why most sunset cruises are calm. After a day of bura, the northerly wind, the air is clear and the light is sharp, but it can feel cool on the water. A jugo, the southerly, brings haze and some swell, so the sunset is softer and the skipper picks the most sheltered spot for the swim. If you have a few free evenings, keep your date flexible and we suggest the best one for the forecast.
Timing dinner around it
On the standard two-hour cruise you are back about half an hour after sunset, just as the walls are lit. That makes it easy to plan dinner: book a table for about an hour after the sun goes down, and you will not be rushed.
- Dinner in the Old Town: finish at the Old Port and walk straight in through the gate.
- Staying outside the Old Town: board at whichever of Cavtat, Lapad or ACI Marina Komolac is closest; the hotel transfer included on most boats takes you back.
- Longer evening: the cruise can run to about three hours, on request and at extra cost, if you want more time at anchor after sunset.
Which boat for the evening
All our boats take up to 12 guests, and the choice for the evening depends on the group and the mood. A speedboat suits couples and small groups and gets you to the swim cove quickly. A catamaran gives a large, steady deck at anchor, which works well for families and birthday groups. A motor yacht adds a flybridge with a view over the walls and a saloon if the evening turns cool.
The price is on request. We quote per boat, not per person, and send an itemised quote by email or WhatsApp. See the full fleet to compare the boats.
Children, photos and what to wear
The cruise is short and usually calm, so it works well with children. Soft drinks for children are on most boats and snacks on request, and there are lifejackets for every guest. Tell us the children’s ages when you book.
For photos, the best light on the walls comes in the 20 minutes before sunset, when the stone turns from grey to copper. Keep your phone in a pouch or zip pocket for the swim and take it out again for the pass under Lovrijenac. You are welcome to bring your own music; there are Bluetooth speakers on board.
Wear something easy to take off for the swim and bring a light layer or a long-sleeved shirt for the ride back, when the breeze picks up after sundown. Flat soles or bare feet on deck.
Proposals, anniversaries and gifts
Because the boat is private, it is easy to plan a quiet moment at anchor: tell us in advance and the crew sets the timing so it happens with the light. For a proposal with more planning, such as a photographer on board or a set-up on deck, see our engagement and proposal page. A sunset cruise is also available as a gift voucher, valid for 24 months and rescheduled free if the weather is bad.
Booking and weather
A few days ahead is usually enough outside July and August; in peak season book two to four weeks ahead. If the sea is not safe on your evening, you can move the date or receive a full refund of your deposit. The private sunset cruise page has the route, the boats and what is included.
Where the sun sets from Dubrovnik
The direction of the sunset moves through the season, and it changes where we stop the boat. In June and July the sun goes down to the north-west, behind the Elaphiti Islands, so we wait off Koločep or in the channel towards Lopud. In September and October it sets further west, over the open sea, and the view from just outside the Old Port works best.
Sunset time shifts by more than an hour between June and October. For the exact time on your date, timeanddate.com lists sunrise and sunset for Dubrovnik day by day; we set the departure so that you are anchored and swimming before it, not still on the way.
The Old Town walls from the sea
The city walls run almost two kilometres around the Old Town, which has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1979. From the land you walk on top of them; from the sea you see them whole, with the fortresses of Lovrijenac and St John lit by the evening sun. On the way back we slow down under the walls so you can take photos without the wake.
Just across the bay is Lokrum, a protected nature reserve with pine forest, peacocks and a ruined Benedictine monastery. Nobody may stay on the island overnight, so by sunset its shore is quiet; on some evenings we anchor on its sheltered side for the swim.
Keep reading
- Elaphiti Islands guide: the islands behind the summer sunset, in daylight.
- Speedboat, catamaran or yacht? Which boat suits an evening on the water.
- What to pack for a boat day: a light layer for the return is the one thing people forget.
- Lokrum island guide: the ferry, the ticket and what to see on the island across the bay.
- Book the evening: private sunset cruise, or plan a proposal on a boat.
