Dubrovnik: Elaphite Islands Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

Dubrovnik’s islands are close enough for a day trip, but far enough to feel like a change of pace. This cruise visits Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud, pairing Adriatic views with free time ashore, lunch on the boat, and drinks along the way.

I like two things in particular: you get to see three different islands without arranging ferries yourself, and the longer stop on Lopud leaves room for a walk or a swim. Guides such as Emily and Natasha also offer useful pointers, including where to head for viewpoints and beaches.

The main trade-off is the schedule. Koločep and Šipan get shorter visits than Lopud, and that three-hour Lopud stop may feel long if the weather is poor or you are not interested in swimming and walking. Sea conditions can also affect the trip, so this is best planned as a flexible day rather than a fixed beach outing.

What to know before you book

• Three islands in one day: Visit Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud without having to coordinate separate boat connections.
• About eight hours on the water and ashore: The day includes scenic cruising and free time at each island.
• Lunch is served onboard: Choose from chicken, fish, or vegetarian dishes when lunch is included with your selected option.
• Drinks come with the cruise: Water, soft drinks, white wine, and brandy are included; the selection is limited to those listed.
• Lopud gets the longest stop: About three hours gives you time for a beach visit, a walk, or a relaxed meal or drink ashore.
• Pickup is optional: Hotel pickup and drop-off in Dubrovnik’s city area are available with selected options. Contact the operator to confirm your pickup time.

A day trip that trades Dubrovnik’s crowds for island air

This is a straightforward way to spend a day beyond Dubrovnik’s walls. Instead of planning ferry times and deciding which island to visit, you board one boat and let the crew handle the route. The islands are not remote wilderness, but their stone houses, small harbours, and quieter pace offer a welcome contrast to the city.

The advertised price is $51 per person, which can be good value for an eight-hour outing if your option includes lunch. You also get drinks and the boat ride between three islands. Check the exact option before booking: lunch is included only with selected options, and you can buy it on the tour for €20 per person if it is not part of your booking.

The experience is more about scenery, swimming, and unhurried island time than intensive sightseeing. You will have room to explore independently, with a guide available to share information and suggestions. If you want a tightly structured historical tour, this may not be the right fit. If you want an easy day on the water with a few different stops, it makes more sense.

Leaving Dubrovnik by boat

The cruise starts from the dock next to the bus station, where the boat is named Emili. Hotel pickup is optional, and the pickup arrangements depend on the option you choose. Contact the operator in advance by email, phone, or WhatsApp to confirm your time and meeting point. If you do not confirm, you risk missing the tour without a refund.

The first stretch is a sightseeing cruise of about 30 minutes. Take in the view of Dubrovnik from the water and settle into the day before the first island stop. The open-air setting is part of the appeal: there is time to sit back, enjoy a drink, and watch the coastline change as the boat heads away from the city.

The boat’s crew are a frequent bright spot. Emily and Natasha are among the guides named by passengers, and both are described as friendly, attentive, and helpful with island tips. One guide, Natasha, was praised for keeping the group informed while making sure quieter passengers could hear. Those small touches matter on a shared boat, where a clear welcome and useful advice can make a full day feel easy.

Koločep: a first taste of island time

The first island stop is Koločep, with about one hour ashore. You can walk, take photos, swim, or snorkel, depending on conditions and what you feel like doing. This is a good chance to stretch your legs after the initial cruise and get a sense of the day’s slower rhythm.

An hour is enough for a short wander or a swim, but not for an ambitious trek. Keep an eye on the time and do not stray too far from the agreed return point. You are here for a taste, not a full exploration of the island.

If you plan to swim, bring a swimsuit and towel. The tour information specifically recommends both, and the opportunity to get into the water is one of the day’s main attractions. The sea is subject to conditions, though, so treat swimming as a possibility rather than a guarantee.

The crossing to Šipan

After Koločep, the boat makes a longer sightseeing cruise of about an hour before reaching Šipan. This is time to rest, enjoy the views, and have another drink. The route itself is part of the day, not just transportation between stops, so you do not need to fill every minute with activity.

Šipan gets about 45 minutes ashore. The visit includes free time and a guided element, with options to walk and look around. Its red-roofed stone houses give the island a traditional feel, but the short stop means you should keep expectations modest: there is time for a quick look, not a deep visit.

Some people may find Šipan less compelling than the other stops. If your priority is a sandy beach or a long coastal walk, save your energy for Lopud. Use this brief stop to look around, take a few photographs, and enjoy a different island setting before returning to the boat.

Lopud: the longest stop, and the best chance to slow down

Lopud gets about three hours, making it the day’s main stop. You can walk, swim, snorkel, browse, or simply spend time by the water. The island’s small promenade has shops and bars, and the longer break allows room for more than a quick look around.

A walk across the island toward the beach is a popular way to use the time. Emily has helped passengers find viewpoints and routes, and guided walks may be offered. You can also explore on your own, which suits anyone who would rather set their own pace than follow a group.

The beach is a major draw, especially for anyone hoping to swim. But the length of the stop has a flip side: if it is cold, the sea is uninviting, or shops are closed in shoulder season, three hours can feel like a lot. Bring a light layer as well as swimwear, and consider what you will do if beach weather does not cooperate.

Lunch is served onboard during the day, with chicken, fish, or vegetarian dishes available when included in your option. The meal is often a highlight, especially the fish, and you can pair it with the included drinks. Some passengers have found the chicken portion generous, while the fish has earned particularly warm praise. If you have dietary needs, confirm the available choice with the operator rather than assuming a special meal can be arranged.

Lunch and drinks: useful inclusions, not a full bar

The listed drinks are water, soft drinks, white wine, and brandy. The tour describes drinks as unlimited, and crew members regularly offer refills. That makes the onboard service convenient, particularly on a warm day when you may want water between swims and wine with lunch.

Do not expect a wide cocktail list. The listed range is focused, and one passenger wished for more alcoholic choices such as cider. If variety matters to you, plan to buy something ashore during free time rather than counting on a larger onboard menu.

The meal is served on the boat, and the cruise includes regional food as part of the experience. The setting is simple and practical: you eat while moving between islands or during the scheduled meal period, rather than spending a long stretch in a restaurant. That keeps more of the day available for the islands.

The return cruise and what the day feels like

After Lopud, the boat heads back toward Dubrovnik on a sightseeing cruise of about 50 minutes. This is a chance to sit down, take in the last sea views, and let the crew bring the day to a close. The activity ends back at its meeting point; the listed drop-off location is Lapadska obala 7 in Dubrovnik.

Overall, the rhythm is easygoing: cruise, explore, return to the boat, and repeat. The crew’s regular attention to passengers helps make the long day comfortable, and a friendly guide can add useful context without turning the outing into a lecture. The boat’s music and social atmosphere may also make it easy to chat with other people onboard.

There is one practical note about the boat. A passenger reported strong engine fumes in one part of the vessel. That does not appear to be a universal issue, but if you are sensitive to smells, consider choosing your seat with care and asking the crew where the air feels freshest.

Is this cruise worth $51?

At $51 per person, the value depends most on which option you book. If lunch is included, the price covers a full day of cruising, three island stops, and the listed drinks. If lunch is not included, add the €20 onboard meal price to your comparison. Either way, the convenience of reaching all three islands in one day is a meaningful part of the value.

The trip is a good fit if you want a scenic day with swimming and independent time, and would rather not arrange transport island by island. It is also a sensible choice if you enjoy the social side of a shared boat and appreciate a crew that checks in, offers drinks, and gives practical advice.

It is less ideal if you want long, in-depth visits at every stop, or if you need a schedule that will not change with the sea. The tour information describes the activity as wheelchair accessible, but also says it is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. That is conflicting guidance, so contact the operator directly before booking if access is a concern.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want to see Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud in one day, enjoy time on the water, and value lunch and drinks being handled for you. The longer Lopud stop gives you the best chance to swim or take a proper walk, while the crew’s local pointers can help you make the most of short visits elsewhere.

Think twice if you dislike fixed departure times, need extensive time on each island, or are visiting in cool weather and would not enjoy a long beach stop. Before paying, confirm whether lunch is included, arrange any optional pickup in advance, and check the sea forecast with realistic expectations. Pack swimwear and a towel, then leave room in the day for the weather and pace of the islands to shape the experience.

FAQ

How long is the cruise?

The activity lasts about eight hours, including cruising and time ashore. Starting times depend on availability.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud.

How much time do you get on each island?

The scheduled stops are about one hour on Koločep, 45 minutes on Šipan, and three hours on Lopud.

Is lunch included in the price?

Lunch is included with selected options. If it is not included in your booking, an additional lunch purchase is available on the tour for €20 per person.

What food choices are available for lunch?

The listed choices are chicken, fish, or vegetarian dishes.

Which drinks are included?

Included drinks are water, soft drinks, white wine, and brandy. The tour describes the drinks as unlimited.

Is hotel pickup available?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in the Dubrovnik city area are available if you select that option. Contact the operator to confirm your pickup time.

Where does the cruise start?

The meeting point is the dock next to the bus station. Look for the boat named Emili, and call the activity provider if you cannot find it.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel if you plan to swim. The tour is subject to sea conditions.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

The activity information gives conflicting guidance: it says the cruise is wheelchair accessible, but also lists wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments as unsuitable. Contact the operator before booking to confirm whether it meets your needs.