Three Island Boat Tour With Lunch

The best part of this day is the change of pace: after Dubrovnik’s stone lanes and crowds, you spend hours among the Elaphiti Islands, with time for a sandy beach, village walks, swimming, and views from the boat. Lunch and drinks are included, so you can settle into the day without planning every stop.

I like two things in particular: three hours on Lopud gives you room to do more than take a quick photo, and the boat has been praised for its shade, comfortable seating, and clean toilets. The crew’s attentiveness also matters on a full-day outing; guide Emily was singled out for looking after her group.

The trade-off is that this is an eight-hour shared cruise, not a private island-hopping trip. You have set stop lengths, and while the drinks include soft drinks, white wine, and brandy, other alcoholic drinks cost extra.

• Lopud gets the most time: Three hours leaves a proper window for Sunj Beach, a walk, swimming, or a slower lunch break.
• Three islands, three different stops: Šipan and Koločep each get about an hour, so keep your plans simple and watch the return time.
• Lunch and drinks are part of the fare: Choose from three lunch options when booking; fish may contain bones.
• A roomy boat helps on a long day: The boat has been praised for comfortable seating, shade, and clean toilets.
• Meet the blue boat Emili at 08:45: The meeting point is the bus stop across from the University building.

Leaving Dubrovnik for the Elaphiti Islands

This cruise gives you a welcome break from Dubrovnik’s packed old-town streets without asking you to arrange ferries, lunch, and island transport on your own. You board in the morning, spend roughly 45 minutes cruising out, then visit Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep before returning to the city.

The day lasts about eight hours, which is long enough to make the island stops feel worthwhile, but it is not a quick excursion. If your time in Dubrovnik is tight, set aside most of one day. If you have several days, it is an easy way to trade stone streets for sea air and a more relaxed pace.

The tour is guided in English. You can choose optional pickup and drop-off if you are staying in the City of Dubrovnik area, but it is not offered throughout Dubrovnik-Neretva County. If you are meeting the boat yourself, go to the bus stop across from the University building for 08:45 and look for the large blue boat named Emili. The boat is not due before that time, so arriving very early will not get you aboard sooner.

Three hours on Lopud, and time for Sunj Beach

Lopud is the main stop, with around three hours for a guided visit, free time, sightseeing, walking, swimming, or snorkeling. That longer pause is the tour’s strongest practical feature: you can choose between exploring the island and putting your towel down, rather than trying to cram both into a short stop.

Sunj is the standout beach detail. It is a sandy beach, a welcome change if you are looking for a softer place to swim than a rocky shoreline. The tour allows time for the beach, but it does not include a swimsuit, so bring your own if you want to get in the water.

You should still choose your priorities before you arrive. Three hours sounds generous, but it can pass quickly if you want a walk, a swim, and a meal. If the beach is your main reason for booking, head there first rather than letting the first part of the stop drift away.

Swimming and snorkeling are possible, but the tour does not promise equipment, a specific swim location, or a guided snorkeling session. Pack your own gear if you want it, and keep an eye on the departure time. The crew has shown flexibility when a passenger missed the boat after misreading the return time, helping arrange a lift on another boat to rejoin the group. That is reassuring, but it is not a sensible plan to count on.

Šipan and Koločep, shorter island pauses

After Lopud, the itinerary allows about an hour on Šipan and another hour on Koločep. Both stops include time for a walk, a swim, photos, or a little independent exploring, but an hour is best treated as a taste of each island rather than a chance to see everything.

That shorter format suits you if you want variety without organizing separate boat trips. It is less ideal if you prefer to linger in one place, browse at your own pace, or spend most of the day at the beach. Keep your plans close to the landing point and leave a margin to return to the boat.

Each island stop is also a chance to see the coast from a different angle. The route includes scenic views along the way, and the boat ride itself is part of the day rather than simply transport between stops. You can sit back and watch the shoreline pass, then use the island breaks for walking or swimming.

The order of the stops gives Lopud the largest share of your time, with Šipan and Koločep as briefer visits. That balance makes sense if you want one substantial beach or walking break alongside a sampler of the island group. If you hope to explore all three in depth, this is not the right format.

Lunch, drinks, and comfort aboard

Lunch is included, with three choices available when you book. One option reported on a recent trip was fish, while grilled vegetables and potato salad were another choice. The portions have been described as generous, which is useful on a full day outdoors, but take care with the fish option because it may contain bones.

Included drinks include bottled water, Coca-Cola, Fanta, white wine, and brandy. The crew has been attentive about offering refreshments, but do not read open bar as every drink being included: other alcoholic drinks are excluded. If you want something beyond the included choices, budget for personal expenses.

A comfortable boat can make a real difference over eight hours. The vessel has been described as large and spacious, with shade, good views from the seats, and clean toilets. Those are unglamorous details, but they matter when you are spending much of the day aboard and may want to rest between island stops.

Weather can change the feel of a boat trip. On a rainy departure, the crew lowered the boat’s sides and brought out blankets. That suggests a thoughtful response to changing conditions, though you should still bring clothing suited to the forecast rather than assuming the boat will keep you warm or dry in every situation.

Is $76 a fair price?

At $76 per person, this is good value if you want transport between three islands, a full day on the water, lunch, and drinks in one booking. You also avoid piecing together separate boat journeys and meals, and optional pickup in Dubrovnik can simplify the start and end of the day.

The value depends on how you use the stops. If you enjoy swimming, walking, and relaxing aboard, the combination of three islands and a longer Lopud visit makes the price easier to justify. If you would rather spend a whole day on one beach or explore each island at length, you may find the fixed schedule less satisfying.

Be clear about what the price does not cover. Swimsuits, personal expenses, private transportation, pickup outside the City of Dubrovnik area, and alcoholic drinks beyond the included wine and brandy are not included. Pickup is also not available within less than 1,000 meters of the starting point, according to the tour details, so check your selected option rather than assuming a door-to-door ride.

The tour has received a five-star overall rating from 31 bookings, and the most consistent strengths are the crew’s care, the island scenery, the meal, and the boat’s comfort. One particularly useful detail is that Emily has served as a guide and was praised for looking after the group. Guide assignments can vary, so treat her name as a pleasant possibility, not a guarantee.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would choose this trip if you want a low-planning day that mixes boat time with swimming and short island visits. It is a good match for couples, families, or solo visitors who are content sharing a boat and want lunch and basic drinks handled as part of the outing.

It also suits you if the boat ride is part of the appeal. There is time to sit in the shade, enjoy the coastal views, and take a break from sightseeing on foot. You need not fill every island stop with activity; a swim and a slow hour can be the point.

Think twice if you dislike set departure times or want complete control over the day. There are three islands on the route, and the shorter stops leave little room for ambitious plans. The tour is also less convenient if you are staying outside Dubrovnik city, since pickup is limited to the city area and private transport is not included.

Should you book the Three Island Boat Tour?

Book it if you want a full, easygoing day at sea, with Lopud and Sunj Beach as the main event and Šipan and Koločep as shorter additions. The included lunch and drinks, helpful crew, and comfortable boat add genuine value to the $76 fare.

Skip it if you want an independent schedule, a private boat, or several hours on every island. For most people seeking a straightforward escape from Dubrovnik, though, this is a sensible way to get sea time, a sandy beach, and a taste of the Elaphiti Islands in one day.

FAQ

How long is the boat tour?

The tour lasts about eight hours. The outbound sightseeing cruise takes around 45 minutes, followed by island stops.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep. Lopud is scheduled for about three hours, while Šipan and Koločep each get about one hour.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, and you can choose from three options when booking. Fish is one possible choice, and it may contain bones.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks include bottled water, Coca-Cola, Fanta, white wine, and brandy. Other alcoholic drinks are not included.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at 08:45 at the bus stop across from the University building. Look for the large blue boat named Emili, which will not arrive before 08:45.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.