Elaphite Islands Cruise and Blue Cave Snorkeling Boat Tour from Dubrovnik

The best part of this day is the contrast: a swim in clear Adriatic water, an unhurried stretch on Lopud, then lunch in a small island harbour. For about $60 per person, you get a full day away from Dubrovnik’s mainland crowds, with several islands rather than one quick coastal stop.

I like two things in particular: three island stops with time to explore, and lunch and drinks included in the price. On some trips, the meal is a generous home-style spread, and crew members such as Boris help make the day feel personal. One caveat: boat comfort, drink service and the Blue Cave stop can vary, so this is better booked for the island day than for a guaranteed cave swim or polished boat experience.

What to know before you book

• Lopud gets the longest stop. You have about three hours, enough to walk or take a golf cart to sandy Šunj Bay and still see the harbour.
• Lunch is served on Šipan. Choose fish, chicken or a vegetarian meal when booking. The food can be generous and homemade, but it is simple rather than restaurant fine dining.
• The Blue Cave is weather-dependent. The captain may change the route or snorkeling time, and rough seas can rule out the stop.
• The open bar is part of the value, but don’t count on a fancy setup. Drinks may be served from bottles and a cooler, and service has not been consistent on every trip.
• The boat can feel quite different from one departure to another. The maximum group size is 50, though some trips have much smaller groups.
• Pickup details arrive the evening before. If you are staying in an apartment rather than a hotel, send the operator its address so pickup can be arranged.

A full day out from Dubrovnik

This is an island-hopping day, not a quick boat ride with a photo stop. Plan on roughly 8 to 9 hours from Dubrovnik and expect a good share of that time to be spent cruising between islands. The reward is a varied day: swimming, a sandy beach, a harbour village, lunch, and open-water views.

The listed price is $60.34 per person, with lunch, unlimited drinks, snorkel equipment, taxes and hotel pickup included. That can be strong value if you use the included meal and drinks and want to visit several islands without arranging separate ferries. It is less of a bargain if you expect a luxury boat, elaborate food or a guaranteed Blue Cave visit.

The tour is offered in English and starts at Lapadska obala 6, returning to the same meeting point. Pickup is available, but the time is sent by email the evening before. If you are not staying in a hotel, give the operator your apartment address. Arriving late at the agreed pickup point can mean missing the trip without a refund.

Lopud: give Šunj Bay enough time

Lopud is the longest stop, at about three hours. The island’s settlement sits in a bay, while a path crosses to Šunj, a sandy beach on the far side. You can also keep things simple with a walk along the coast or a relaxed hour by the harbour.

Šunj is the main reason many people make the crossing. The walk includes an uphill stretch, and a golf cart is another option. One reported fare was €3 per person, but treat that as a guide, not a guaranteed current price. Beach loungers and umbrellas cost extra, and you may need to buy a drink to use a beach seat or umbrella. Bring cash for these add-ons.

Three hours gives you choices, but not endless time. If the beach is your priority, head there early rather than lingering at the harbour first. If you would rather avoid extra costs or a walk, stay near the village and enjoy a slower coastal stroll. The island is attractive either way, though the sandy beach is the clearest change of scenery from Dubrovnik’s rocky shore.

Šipan: a simple meal with an island setting

Šipan is the planned lunch stop, usually around an hour. The meal options are fish, chicken or vegetarian, with gluten-free options also available. Tell the operator your choice as part of the booking. The food is described as plentiful and home-style, with some meals including potatoes, salad, bread, soup or mussels.

Set your expectations for a generous local meal, not a formal restaurant menu. Fish may be served whole and contain bones. The vegetarian choice has been less consistent than the fish and chicken, with one account describing boiled vegetables and potatoes. If you have a dietary need, make it clear before the trip and confirm what can be provided.

After lunch, you have a little time to walk around Suđurađ, a small harbour village. Its old stone buildings and the 16th-century castle of the Stjepović-Skočibuha family offer a compact bit of local history without turning the stop into a long guided visit. Some trips serve lunch at a family home or restaurant; the exact arrangement may vary.

Wine is included, as are beer, soft drinks and bottled water. The wine may be homemade or local, and tastes differ. You are not paying for a wine tasting, so think of it as part of a relaxed meal rather than a reason on its own to book.

Koločep: a quieter final island stop

Koločep is scheduled for about an hour. This is a chance to stretch your legs, sit by the sea, swim or take a short look around before the return cruise. The island is known as the sunniest of the Elaphite Islands, with more than 250 sunny days a year cited in the tour information.

An hour is enough for a brief wander or a dip, but not a deep exploration. Keep an eye on the time and listen for the crew’s return instructions. If you prefer a day built around beaches rather than village walks, this stop may feel short, especially after the longer stay on Lopud.

The order of the island stops can change. Some trips have visited Koločep earlier in the day, or made the Blue Cave the first stop instead of saving it for the return. The captain can alter the route and departure or arrival times to suit sea conditions.

Blue Cave: a swim, not a guaranteed visit

The Blue Cave stop is one of the tour’s most appealing possibilities, but it is also the least certain. The planned visit is about 30 minutes, and the captain anchors so you can jump into the sea and swim toward the cave area. Snorkeling equipment is included. One account notes that the gear was a mask and snorkel, without fins.

The water can feel chilly, and the swim may be a stretch if you are not confident in open water. A visitor described the cave as far enough away to wish for flotation support. Ask the crew about conditions before getting in, and do not assume the boat will provide flotation aids. The cave entrance can also be crowded when several boats arrive together, which may make the approach less peaceful than the photos suggest.

Weather matters. If the sea is rough, the captain may skip the cave or move the snorkeling stop. Even in good conditions, the captain may adjust the timing or location. Think of the cave as a welcome extra, not the central promise of the day.

One useful safety detail: do not touch the cave walls or ledges. A swimmer reported a painful sting after touching a ledge, attributed to a bearded fireworm. Keep your hands to yourself and follow the crew’s instructions around the rocks.

Boat, crew and included drinks

This tour’s boat experience is not one fixed product. Some departures have been intimate, with roughly a dozen to two dozen people and room to move. The stated maximum is 50, and a full boat can feel crowded, with limited space to sit comfortably during the longer crossings. There have also been complaints about a boat change shortly before departure, including a smaller vessel with fewer facilities than expected.

If boat comfort matters a great deal, contact the operator before booking and ask what vessel is planned and how many people are expected. The photos and the boat you board may not match perfectly. Reviews describe everything from a comfortable, friendly cruise to hard benches, limited shade and an unusable bathroom. The experience can depend on the boat assigned that day.

The open bar is another point where it pays to keep expectations practical. Beer, wine, soft drinks and bottled water are included, but some trips have had drinks served from large bottles in small cups or a cooler rather than a staffed bar. A few accounts describe supplies running low or water that did not look freshly bottled. If you rely on a particular soft drink, carry your own. Bring a refillable bottle only if you can confirm that refilling is appropriate.

Crew members have been a genuine bright spot on many departures. Boris and other crew have been praised for suggestions, warmth and making the day sociable. But English fluency and the amount of island information provided can vary. This is not necessarily a guided history tour, so bring your own curiosity and ask questions when there is time.

Is $60.34 good value?

The price makes sense if you want a full-day package. A boat ride, three island stops, lunch, open-bar drinks, snorkel gear and pickup would be harder to arrange separately. The included food can be a highlight, particularly when it is freshly prepared and served in a family setting. You also avoid spending the day planning ferry connections.

The trade-off is that the advertised inclusions do not guarantee a high-end version of each one. The lunch is simple, the drinks may be basic, and the boat may be crowded or changed. Beach extras on Lopud, such as a golf cart, loungers or an umbrella, are on you. Add those costs if you want a comfortable beach setup.

The trip is best for you if you enjoy being on the water, want a straightforward introduction to the islands and are happy to let the captain set the pace. It is less suitable if you need a quiet, spacious boat, a carefully guided cultural tour, a specific menu, or a guaranteed swim inside the cave.

Should you book this island cruise?

Book it if your priority is a varied day on the Adriatic at a moderate price. Lopud’s long beach stop, a meal on Šipan and the chance to swim near the Blue Cave make a satisfying mix, and the included lunch and drinks help the cost add up well.

Skip it, or ask detailed questions first, if the boat itself is central to your enjoyment. Confirm the expected vessel, group size, pickup time and dietary meal before departure. Keep the cave as a bonus, bring any drink you particularly want, and carry cash for optional beach transport or rentals. With those expectations, this can be a relaxed way to see more than one island in a single day.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

Plan for approximately 8 to 9 hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

The meeting point is Lapadska obala 6 in Dubrovnik, and the tour ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is offered. The time and details are sent by email the evening before the trip.

What should I provide if I am staying in an apartment?

Send the operator your apartment address so pickup can be arranged.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Lopud, Šipan and Koločep. The captain may change the route due to weather conditions.

Is the Blue Cave stop guaranteed?

No. The stop depends on sea conditions, and the captain may change the snorkeling time or location.

What food is included?

Lunch is included, with fish, chicken or vegetarian options. A vegetarian option and a gluten-free option are available.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks, as well as bottled water, are included. The minimum drinking age is 18.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 50 travelers.