Dubrovnik: 3 Islands Boat Tour with Lunch & drinks(FR, ES, EN)

The best part of this day is the change of pace: you leave Dubrovnik’s busy harbor behind and spend hours among pine-covered islands, old stone buildings and clear Adriatic water. The route also passes close to shore, with views of the Dubrovnik coast and Trsteno Arboretum, a filming location for Game of Thrones.

I like that lunch and soft drinks are included, so you do not have to spend your island time searching for a meal. I also like the generous stop on Lopud, where you can choose between exploring the village and heading for sandy Šunj beach.

The main consideration is the boat’s party-friendly mood. Music, a dance floor and a capacity of up to 144 people make this a sociable outing, not a quiet cruise. The shorter stops on Šipan and Koločep may feel brief if you want time to explore each island on foot.

• Lopud gets the longest stop: You have about three hours to explore, eat, or make your way to Šunj beach.
• Lunch is part of the fare: Choose fish, meat or a vegetarian meal, with soda and bottled water included.
• The other island calls are short: Plan on about 45 minutes on Šipan and one hour on Koločep.
• The boat sets the mood: Music and a dance floor suit a lively day out, though the atmosphere may not suit everyone.
• Pickup times depend on your location: The Dubrovnik meeting point is by the Green Market, with boarding from 10:00 and departure around 10:15.
• Bring your own swim gear: Towels and snorkeling equipment are not included.

Leaving Dubrovnik for the Elaphiti Islands

This is a full-day boat outing built around three island stops, rather than a fast ferry ride from place to place. The trip takes roughly nine and a half hours, with plenty of time on the water between Dubrovnik and the Elaphiti Islands. You can take in the coast from the boat, relax with a drink, or join in when the music starts.

The route is designed to hug the shoreline where possible, giving you views of Dubrovnik’s surroundings before the islands come into view. Trsteno Arboretum is one landmark along the way, known as a filming location for Game of Thrones. It is a passing view, not a separate visit, so treat it as a scenic extra rather than a stop.

The boat, TRITON, is scheduled to board from 10:00 across the street from the Green Market, then leave at about 10:15. If you arrange pickup, the time depends on your accommodation. For example, pickup in Mlini may be around 8:30, so check your exact time rather than assuming every passenger meets at the harbor.

The maximum group size is 144. That is a sizable crowd, and it shapes the day: expect a shared, social outing rather than a small-group sail. The vessel has been described as having loungers, which can be a welcome option on a long trip, but seating and comfort may vary when the boat is busy.

Lopud: Three Hours to Choose Your Own Day

Lopud is the main event, with about three hours ashore. It is the second-largest of the Elaphiti Islands and has a notably varied feel: stone buildings, churches, ruins, Mediterranean plants and places to stop for food or a drink. The island is known for having more than 30 small churches and a museum called the Temple of Sun, though a short visit will not allow time to see everything.

You can keep things simple and enjoy the waterfront, or use the long stop to seek out Šunj beach, one of the area’s rare sandy beaches. The beach is a draw for swimming and sunbathing, and the local legend says couples who bathe there together will never part. It is a charming story, but you do not need to be part of a couple to enjoy the sand and sea.

Getting to the beach takes time, so think about your priorities before leaving the boat. If you want a relaxed swim, bring a towel, since towels are not included. If exploring the island matters more, use the stop to wander among the old buildings and greenery or settle in at a café. The island has restaurants and bars, but your lunch is already provided on board, so you can decide whether a second meal is worth the time and cost.

Lopud is also known for its Mediterranean vegetation and for an old botanical garden described as Europe’s oldest. The island’s sunny climate helps explain its lush, fragrant growth. The three-hour call gives you enough room to choose a few things, but not enough to treat every church, beach and lane as a must-see.

Šipan: A Short Look at Island Life

The boat spends about 45 minutes on Šipan, the largest island in the group. Its past is tied to Dubrovnik’s noble families, who built summer homes and villas here. In Suđurađ, one of the island’s ports, you can see the kind of late-Gothic architecture associated with those old residences.

Šipan is also known for its olive trees. It holds a Guinness World Record for the largest number of olive trees on one island, a detail that gives the island a strong connection to its agricultural past. Fishing remains part of local life in Suđurađ, too, and the island has seen less tourism development than some nearby places.

The stop is short, so do not expect a long walking tour or time to cover much ground. Instead, use it to get a feel for the harbor, look at the buildings, or simply enjoy the slower island pace. The boat also offers a chance to jump into the sea here, according to the planned activities, so pack swimwear if you would rather spend the stop in the water.

Koločep: A Final Swim and Pine-Scented Paths

Koločep is the smallest of the three stops, with about an hour ashore. It is sparsely inhabited and known for its coves, clear water and Mediterranean vegetation, including pine and olive trees. The island has two villages that are close enough to walk between, though an hour is a tight window if you also want to swim.

This is a good place to choose one simple activity: take a short walk, find a spot to sunbathe, or get into the water. Snorkeling equipment is not supplied, so bring your own if you want to explore underwater. The coastline also has cliffs, but only jump from a spot that is safe and suitable; do not treat every ledge as an invitation.

The boat’s party deck and music add a different note to this final stop. If you want a quiet hour, head ashore and find your own corner. If you enjoy a more social finish, you can return to the boat and join the music. That flexibility is part of the tour’s appeal, though the party atmosphere will not be everyone’s idea of island calm.

Lunch, Drinks and the Onboard Mood

Lunch includes a choice of fish, meat or vegetarian food. Soda and bottled water are included, as are WiFi and music. The meal is a practical plus on a long day: you avoid having to plan lunch around a short island stop, and you can use your time ashore for swimming or a walk instead.

Food quality and service can vary from one day to the next. Some days, the meal is described as good and plentiful; other accounts describe it as basic or disappointing. If you have dietary needs beyond the listed fish, meat and vegetarian options, confirm them with the operator before booking rather than assuming they can be accommodated.

The crew has been praised for being warm, funny and attentive, with names such as Lorenzo, Jakub, Laura and Ivonne mentioned in accounts of the trip. Crew members can change, so do not book expecting a particular person. Some outings have a mellow soundtrack, while others feel more like a party boat, with music and dancing. If you need a calm, quiet day at sea, this is probably not the right fit.

There are also practical comfort considerations. On a busy departure, finding a seat may take patience, and boat toilets and hygiene standards have drawn complaints. The maximum capacity of 144 makes this a real possibility on a crowded day. I would bring water for the island stops, sun protection and anything you need to feel comfortable for several hours on board.

Is $72.56 Good Value?

At $72.56 per person, this tour bundles boat transport to three islands, a meal, soda, bottled water, WiFi and a full day out from Dubrovnik. That is useful value if you want to see several islands without arranging separate boat tickets and meals yourself. The inclusions also make budgeting straightforward: lunch and basic drinks are covered, while snacks, café stops and any extra activities are up to you.

The value depends on what kind of day you want. If you enjoy time on a boat, swimming stops and a lively group setting, the price covers a lot of ground. If you mainly want a long beach day, Lopud may be enough on its own, and the extra stops can feel like time spent moving between places you would rather explore more slowly.

The scheduled duration is about nine and a half hours, though the actual day may run shorter or longer. Leave room in your plans after the tour rather than arranging a tight connection or timed activity. Weather can affect whether the trip operates, and a minimum number of participants is required.

What to Know Before You Go

The standard meeting point is Obala Stjepana Radića, by Dubrovnik’s Green Market. Be there around 10:00 for boarding; the scheduled departure is about 10:15. If pickup is offered from your accommodation, confirm the location and time directly. Pickup can be earlier outside the city, such as around 8:30 in Mlini.

Bring swimwear, a towel and sunscreen, plus snorkeling gear if you want it. None of these are included. Comfortable footwear is useful for walking around the islands, and cash or a card may come in handy if you want a café stop or an extra meal.

The tour is offered in English, and the title also identifies French and Spanish. Confirm the language you need when booking. Mobile tickets are accepted, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. If bad weather cancels the outing, you are offered another date or a full refund; if the minimum group size is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a refund.

Should You Book This Island Tour?

I would book this tour if you want an easy, full-day introduction to the Elaphiti Islands, with lunch taken care of and swimming built into the day. The long Lopud stop is the strongest reason to go, while the views from the boat and the chance to sample three different islands make the route more varied than a simple beach transfer.

I would skip it if you want a quiet cruise, a small boat or substantial time on every island. The boat can be crowded, the music can be lively, and Šipan and Koločep get relatively short calls. For a sociable day with scenery, food and a swim, the price is reasonable. For a slow island escape, spend more time on Lopud instead.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The advertised duration is approximately nine hours and 30 minutes. The actual length can vary, so leave some flexibility in your schedule.

What time does the boat leave?

Boarding starts at 10:00 by the Green Market in Dubrovnik. The scheduled departure is approximately 10:15.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered, with the time depending on your location. For example, pickup from Mlini may be around 8:30. Confirm your specific pickup details before the tour.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes a fish, meat or vegetarian option. Soda and bottled water are also included.

Are towels and snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Towels and snorkeling equipment are not included, so bring your own if you need them.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund. If the tour is canceled because the minimum number of participants is not reached, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.