Island Hopping & City Walls Cruise with Food and Open Bar

The appeal here is simple: you leave Dubrovnik by boat and spend the day among three Elaphite islands, with time for a swim, an island walk and a proper lunch. You return toward the city around sunset, so the ride back is part of the day, not just a transfer.

I like two things in particular: lunch is included, with fish, chicken or a vegetarian option, and the route gives you a taste of three islands without making you arrange separate ferries. The crew has also been praised for being friendly and safety-conscious, with hosts Ana and Annabella named in accounts of the trip.

The trade-off is time on Lopud. Two hours is enough to enjoy the village or make a quick trip toward Šunj Beach, but the beach walk and golf-cart option can eat into that window. Also check the drink arrangement before boarding: wine is included, but one account describes a refundable €3 cup charge for unlimited drinks.

The day at a glance

• Three island stops: Kolocep, Sipan and Lopud each offer a different amount of time ashore.
• Lopud gets the longest visit: You have two hours, including any walk or ride to Šunj Beach.
• Lunch is part of the fare: Choose fish, chicken or a vegetarian meal; bottled water and wine are also included.
• The return is scenic, not a second Old Town visit: The final 90 minutes are described as a sunset journey back toward Dubrovnik.
• A boat day with a sizeable group: The stated maximum is 120 people.
• Good-weather dependent: If poor weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Three islands, one easy day from Dubrovnik

This is a straightforward way to get beyond Dubrovnik’s walls and see a little of the nearby Elaphite archipelago without planning a chain of ferry connections. The boat calls at Kolocep, Sipan and Lopud, then returns to the port. You get a short sample of the first two islands and the biggest stretch of shore time on Lopud.

That convenience is the tour’s main strength. Local ferries can be a cheaper way to reach some islands, but you would need to work out schedules and connections yourself. In particular, moving between Sipan and the other islands may be less simple than the tour’s direct route. Here, the transport and lunch are bundled, and you can spend the day looking outward rather than checking ferry times.

The tour costs $84.66 per person and lasts about seven hours. The value depends on what you want from a day out. If you would otherwise pay for transport, lunch and drinks, the price can make sense. If your priority is one island and a long beach stay, arranging your own visit or choosing a trip with more time at the final stop may suit you better.

The listed start time is 10:45 a.m. One account describes a 10 a.m. start at the Sheraton and says 10:45 is when the boat leaves the Old Town area. Since those times and locations can be easy to muddle, confirm your exact meeting point and boarding time before the day. A seven-hour outing may bring you back around 5:45 p.m., but allow for conditions and confirm the day’s schedule.

Kolocep: a short first taste

Kolocep is the first stop, with 45 minutes ashore. The plan leaves room for a swim, a coffee or a short walk. That is enough time to stretch your legs and get a feel for island pace, but not enough for a long wander or a distant beach excursion.

Think of this as an introduction, not a full island visit. If you want to swim, arrive ready to change quickly and keep an eye on the time. Coffee and tea are not included, so budget separately if a café stop is part of your plan. Snorkeling equipment is not included either, so bring your own if you want to use it.

The stop is useful early in the day: you can step off the boat, move around and enjoy the coast before settling into the longer outing. But if you are hoping to spend most of the day swimming, Kolocep’s 45 minutes will feel brief.

Sipan: a summer house and time for a swim

The boat allows 40 minutes at Sipan, one of the larger islands in the archipelago. The visit includes a chance to see the summer house Skočibuha, as well as time for a swim. The short schedule means you should decide what matters most before stepping ashore. Trying to fit in a visit and a leisurely swim may be a squeeze.

This is another sampler stop rather than a deep exploration. I like that the day includes a cultural point of interest alongside beach time, but the tour does not promise a guided interior visit or a long walk around the island. Treat Skočibuha as a brief landmark stop unless the crew gives you more detail on the day.

Kolocep and Sipan together offer variety, but their short durations mean you will need to keep your watch in mind. The boat is your transport between islands, and the group must return on schedule. If you prefer to set your own pace, a day using local ferries may give you more freedom, though it takes more planning.

Lopud: two hours, with Šunj Beach as the big choice

Lopud is the main stop, with two hours ashore. You can stay near the arrival area for a relaxed break, or walk across the island toward Šunj, a popular sandy beach. That beach is a clear draw, but reaching it takes time. The walk is about 15 minutes; a golf cart is another option, reported at €3 each way in cash.

Add the return journey and time to settle in at the beach, and two hours can become a brisk visit. If you use the cart both ways, the ride costs extra and still leaves you with a limited stretch on the sand. One account found that the beach trip left about 45 minutes to an hour there. Those figures are useful for planning, but pace and queues can vary.

So make a choice before you arrive: go straight for Šunj, or enjoy Lopud without trying to cover the whole island. If the beach is your main reason for booking, compare this tour with alternatives that allow three hours on Lopud. The later start, included lunch and lower price may make this outing attractive, but they come with less time at the final island.

Bring cash if you plan to use the golf cart, and wear shoes you can walk in. The tour does not include snorkeling gear, and there is no Wi-Fi on board, so download anything you need before leaving. A little preparation helps you spend those two hours ashore instead of sorting out logistics.

Lunch, wine and the practical meaning of open bar

Lunch is included, with a choice of fish, chicken or vegetarian meal. Bottled water is included too, and the boat has a restroom. One meal account described generous bread and the offer of a second serving of the main course, but portion arrangements may vary. If you have a dietary concern, ask the operator before booking rather than relying on the menu choices alone.

The title promises an open bar, while the included items specify wine and alcoholic beverages. A past outing also involved a €3 cash charge for a cup to access unlimited drinks, refundable at the end of the day. The account says some people requested the refund and one person kept the cup. Because the exact terms matter, check with Vivado what the cup charge covers and how the refund works.

Coffee and tea are not included. If you want a hot drink at a stop, expect to pay separately. Wi-Fi is not available on board, so treat the cruise as a chance to disconnect, or save maps, tickets and messages for offline use.

The boat ride and group size

The stated maximum is 120 people, so this is not a small private cruise. That capacity can make the trip efficient and social, but it may feel busy when everyone boards or gathers for lunch. If a quiet, intimate boat outing is your aim, ask the operator about the vessel and expected group size for your date.

The return includes about 90 minutes associated with Old Town and the sunset journey back to port. This is described as time to enjoy the sunset on the way back, not as a 90-minute guided walk or visit inside the Old Town. Keep your camera handy, but remember the view depends on weather and the timing of the sunset.

The crew’s welcome and organization are part of what makes a full-day boat trip work. Hosts Ana and Annabella have been named for being helpful and attentive, and the operation has been described as professional and safety-conscious. Names and crew can change, of course, but the practical point is worth noting: an organized boat-and-island day takes some pressure off you.

If you are prone to seasickness, prepare before departure. One outing had Dramamine available, and the ride out was described as a little rough. Do not count on medicine being supplied every time; bring what you normally use and follow its instructions.

Is the $84.66 fare good value?

The fare covers a lot of the day’s basic costs: boat transport among three islands, lunch, bottled water, wine and a restroom on board. You also avoid arranging separate connections. For someone who wants a ready-made day out and values convenience, that package can be good value.

It is less compelling if your plan is to spend most of the day on Šunj Beach. Lopud’s two-hour stop puts a real limit on that outing, especially if you walk or take the golf cart. The tour also does not include snorkeling equipment, coffee or tea, or Wi-Fi. Add any extras you expect to use before comparing the total cost with another boat trip or local ferries.

The trip is recommended by 95% of participants and has a 4.8 rating from 102 reviews. That is a strong record, though the best fit still depends on your priorities. I would choose it for an easy island overview with food included, not for a long beach day or a private cruise.

Booking demand averages about 33 days ahead. If your dates are fixed, booking earlier may be sensible. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start; cancellations or changes inside that window are not accepted. The trip depends on good weather, and if poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

Should you book this island cruise?

Book it if you want a well-organized day from Dubrovnik, a taste of three islands, lunch handled for you and a sunset ride back. The short Kolocep and Sipan stops keep the day moving, while Lopud gives you the best chance for a swim or a visit to Šunj.

Think twice if you want a long, unhurried stay at the sandy beach, prefer a small-group boat, or want full control over your schedule. Before paying, confirm the exact meeting point and start time, and ask how the open-bar cup charge works. With those details clear, this is a practical way to see more of the islands without turning transport planning into the day’s main activity.

FAQ

How long is the cruise?

The tour lasts about seven hours.

What time does it start?

The stated start time is 10:45 a.m. One account describes a 10 a.m. meeting at the Sheraton and a 10:45 departure from the Old Town area, so confirm your exact time and meeting point with the operator.

Which islands does the tour visit?

It stops at Kolocep, Sipan and Lopud, then returns to Dubrovnik.

How much time is planned at each island?

The schedule allows 45 minutes at Kolocep, 40 minutes at Sipan and two hours at Lopud.

What lunch choices are included?

You can choose fish, chicken or a vegetarian meal. Bottled water is also included.

Are drinks included?

Wine and alcoholic beverages are listed as included. One account describes a refundable €3 cash cup charge for unlimited drinks, so check the current arrangement with Vivado.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you are offered another date or a full refund.