Full-Day Dubrovnik Elaphite Islands Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

The pleasure here is simple: leave Dubrovnik’s crowded streets behind and spend a day moving between quiet island harbors, sandy coves, and the open Adriatic. You get time ashore at Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep, rather than a quick photo stop at just one island.

I like that lunch and drinks are included, which makes an eight-hour outing easier to budget, and that each island offers a different kind of break, from Lopud’s Šunj beach to Šipan’s small harbor. One consideration: the schedule includes an hour on Šipan, which can feel long if you only want a beach day, and the boat may carry up to 110 people.

• Three islands, three different stops: Allow time for Lopud’s beaches and gardens, Šipan’s harbor, and Koločep’s swimming spots.
• Lunch is part of the fare: Choose grilled chicken, hake, or seasonal grilled vegetables for each person when booking.
• Included drinks have limits: Water, soft drinks, white wine, and brandy are included. Other alcoholic drinks cost extra.
• Bring your swim gear: Swimming is from the islands, not from the boat, so pack a swimsuit and towel.
• Plan pickup carefully: Hotel pickup is available only if selected, only in Dubrovnik, and not for addresses less than one kilometer from the meeting point.
• Expect a full day: The tour starts at 9:00 am and lasts about eight hours, with island time and boat transfers built into the day.

Three islands, one unhurried day

This is a full-day boat outing, not a guided march from landmark to landmark. The boat carries you between the Elaphiti Islands, while most of your time ashore is your own to spend walking, swimming, browsing, or finding a place to sit.

That freedom is part of the appeal. You can choose a beach over a church, a slow coffee over a long walk, or a swim over another round of sightseeing. The trade-off is that you should not expect a guide to escort you around each island or provide a detailed tour at every stop.

The overall day is about eight hours, with a 9:00 am start. The listed island visits allocate three hours to Lopud, one hour to Šipan, and one hour to Koločep. The remaining time is taken up by the cruise, boarding, and lunch. Since the schedule can change with weather or other conditions, treat those timings as a plan rather than a promise.

The trip is priced at $78.60 per person. For that, you get transportation by boat, lunch, selected drinks, a driver or guide, and the island stops. If you make use of pickup, that can save you a separate trip to the departure point, but it is an option you need to select when booking.

Lopud: beach, gardens, and room to roam

Lopud gets the longest scheduled stop, three hours, and has the most obvious choice for a beach-focused break: sandy Šunj beach. If swimming is your priority, this is a good place to start. The island also offers Djordjic Mayneri Park’s botanical garden, churches, and local heritage, so you can make the stop more than a beach visit.

Three hours gives you choices, but not necessarily time for every choice at a leisurely pace. If you want to swim and visit the garden, keep an eye on the clock and allow for the walk between places. If you prefer a slower day, choose one main activity and enjoy it properly. There is no need to turn island time into a checklist.

The beach makes Lopud especially appealing in warm weather. Outside the swimming season, the stop still has a quieter island atmosphere and places to walk, but the long beach allocation may feel less useful. Think about the season when deciding if this is the right excursion for you.

Šipan: a harbor stop with a local feel

Šipan is described as a former fishing port with a small harbor and an old-fashioned Mediterranean character. It is also known for its olive trees, and there is a 15th-century castle built for defense against pirates. If you enjoy looking around a compact settlement and noticing its older buildings, this stop offers a different mood from Lopud’s beach scene.

You have about an hour here, so keep expectations modest. It is a short self-guided visit, not a long inland walk or a deep historical tour. The harbor is the center of the stop, and the time can feel generous if you are content to stroll, take in the setting, and pause for a drink. If your ideal island day is mostly sand and swimming, Šipan may be the least compelling stop.

That variety is useful to know before you book. This cruise is not three identical beach visits. It mixes one longer island stay with two shorter stops, and each will appeal to a different kind of day.

Koločep: save time for the water

Koločep is known for caves, cliffs, snorkeling, and sandy beaches. The schedule allows about an hour ashore, so be ready to make a quick choice: swim, snorkel, walk, or settle on the beach. Bring your own swimsuit and towel, since swimwear is not provided.

A key practical point: swimming happens at the islands, not off the boat. One hour can be enough for a refreshing dip, but it is not a long beach afternoon. If you want more time in the water, use Lopud’s longer stop for a swim too.

Some departures have offered a separate speedboat trip to the Blue Cave for an extra charge. That is not part of the included activities or standard price, so do not count on it being available. Ask the operator before the trip if it matters to you, and confirm the cost and timing directly.

Lunch and drinks: convenient, filling, and specific

Lunch is served onboard and comes with a choice of grilled chicken with vegetables, grilled hake with vegetables, or seasonal grilled Mediterranean vegetables. You need to provide each person’s meal choice in the special requirements box when booking. Add allergies or other dietary needs there as well, or send them after booking through Manage my Booking.

The included drinks are bottled water, Coca-Cola, Fanta, white wine, and brandy. The tour is described as having an open bar, but that does not mean every alcoholic drink is free: other alcoholic beverages are excluded. The minimum drinking age is 18.

The food is a real part of the value. It saves you from having to find lunch on a short island stop, and the portions have been described as generous, especially the fish and chicken. Vegetarian food is available, though you should state your choice ahead of time rather than assume it will be arranged on the boat.

The boat, the crew, and the group atmosphere

The boat is described as clean and comfortable, with seating that can include an upper deck. From the water, you get a view of the coastline and the islands that you cannot get from Dubrovnik’s streets. Between islands, the rides are relatively short, so much of the day is spent at the stops rather than on long stretches at sea.

The maximum group size is 110. That is a sizable boat, not a small private cruise, and the mood can vary. Some departures feel sociable, with drinks being served regularly and a lively return ride. If you prefer quiet, consider that the open-bar format and group size can make the boat noisier, particularly later in the day.

Crew members such as Emily and Darko have hosted some trips, with attentive service and island pointers. Staff can vary, so do not book on the expectation of meeting a particular person. The guide may be multilingual, and most island time is self-guided.

Pickup and departure: confirm before you set out

The meeting point is at Knjižnica za društvene znanosti, Lapadska obala 7, Dubrovnik, and the activity ends back there. Hotel or accommodation pickup is available only if you select that option. It is limited to the Dubrovnik city area, and pickup is not available if you are staying less than one kilometer from the meeting point.

For pickup, provide your hotel or exact address and an international-format phone number. The pickup time may be earlier than the 9:00 am departure, often between 45 minutes and five minutes before it, depending on your location. The operator asks you to confirm your time or meeting point by email, phone, or WhatsApp. Do that: the stated terms warn that missing the tour because you did not confirm pickup will not qualify for a refund.

The route and timetable can change due to weather or other demanding conditions. The tour needs good weather to operate; if poor weather cancels it, you can be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.

Who will enjoy this island cruise most?

I would choose this trip if you want an easy way to see several islands without arranging separate boat tickets, meals, and transport. It suits couples, families, and groups who like a mix of sightseeing and beach time, and it can work well for solo travelers who are comfortable spending some of the day independently.

It is less suited to anyone who dislikes boats, wants a small-group outing, or needs a quiet setting throughout. The tour is not recommended for people prone to seasickness. If you are mainly after a long beach day, the fixed island schedule may feel too structured; if you want a lively, social day with lunch included, it is a better match.

Should you book it?

At $78.60, the combination of a full day on the water, three island stops, lunch, and selected drinks is good value if you will use those inclusions. I would book it for the island-hopping and the chance to swim at Šunj or Koločep, not for a deep guided history tour or an all-day beach stay. Choose your lunch in advance, confirm pickup, and bring swimwear. If that sounds like your kind of day, this is a practical way to add a quieter Adriatic outing to a Dubrovnik visit.

FAQ

How long is the cruise?

It lasts about eight hours, with a scheduled 9:00 am start.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The stops are Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep.

How much time is scheduled on each island?

The listed schedule allows three hours on Lopud, one hour on Šipan, and one hour on Koločep. The route and timing can change due to weather or other conditions.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, with grilled chicken, grilled hake, or seasonal grilled vegetables as the listed choices.

What drinks are included?

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

Can I request a vegetarian meal or report an allergy?

Yes. Enter your meal choice and any dietary requirements in the special requirements box when booking, or contact the operator after booking.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available if you select that option. It covers the Dubrovnik city area, but is not available for addresses less than one kilometer from the meeting point.

Where does the tour start and end?

The meeting point is Knjižnica za društvene znanosti, Lapadska obala 7, Dubrovnik. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Can I swim from the boat?

No swimming from the boat is described. Swimming and snorkeling take place at the islands, so bring your own swimsuit.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.