Dubrovnik: 3 Island Boat Tour with Lunch and Guide

The best part of this Dubrovnik day trip is the change of pace: leave the city’s stone streets behind and spend a day moving between quiet islands, open water, and small coastal villages. For $69, you get an eight-hour boat trip, lunch, and drinks, with stops on Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep.

I like two things in particular: you get time on shore as well as time to swim, and the onboard lunch and unlimited drinks make the day easier to budget. One consideration: three island stops plus the cruise make for a full schedule, and the sea is the main attraction, so this is not the tour for someone who wants a long, unhurried visit to each island.

What to know before you go

• Lopud gets the longest stop: Plan on about three hours there, including a separate 30-minute lunch break.
• Šipan and Koločep add variety: The itinerary allows about 45 minutes on Šipan and an hour on Koločep.
• Swimming is part of the day: Bring a towel and sunscreen, and expect chances to swim from the boat or near shore.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Choose from fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal, with wine, soft drinks, and water available onboard.
• The boat has practical comforts: There are two toilets, Wi-Fi, music, and indoor and outdoor seating.
• The route can vary: A Blue Cave visit has been part of at least one outing, but it is not listed as a guaranteed stop.

Leaving Dubrovnik for the Elaphiti Islands

The tour starts at Obala Stjepana Radića, at Dubrovnik’s main ferry port, and returns there at the end of the day. If you select the hotel-transfer option, pickup and drop-off are included; otherwise, make your way to the port. Check your chosen departure details carefully, since pickup arrangements can differ.

The schedule includes a 45-minute transfer near Trsteno Arboretum before the island time begins. The description does not specify an arboretum visit, so think of this as part of the journey rather than a planned stop to tour the gardens. The payoff is the gradual shift from Dubrovnik’s harbor to the islands and the open Adriatic.

You are aboard for roughly eight hours in total. That is a substantial day, but the rhythm helps: cruise, stop, swim or walk, then move on to the next island. The crew speaks English, Croatian, French, Spanish, and Italian, which is useful if your group has different language needs. The boat has indoor and outdoor seating, tables and benches, and sun loungers, according to the available details.

The boat is described as wheelchair accessible. If you need specific assistance with boarding or moving around the vessel, check those details before booking, since the general accessibility note does not explain the setup.

Lopud: the longest chance to slow down

Lopud is the main event in terms of time ashore. The schedule gives this stop about three hours, with lunch listed separately as a 30-minute break. That is enough room to choose your own pace: walk around, take photographs, swim, or simply settle into the island’s slower tempo.

Lopud is known for Šunj, a sandy beach, and for its historic botanical garden. The tour information does not promise a visit to either, so treat them as options to explore during free time rather than fixed parts of the group schedule. If you want to make it to a particular beach or sight, use your time thoughtfully and ask the crew how far you can comfortably go before departure.

The islands are car-free, which helps give Lopud a quieter feel than Dubrovnik. You are not stepping into a resort town built around traffic and shopping. Instead, the appeal is the mix of sea, small settlements, and Mediterranean vegetation. I like having a longer stop here because it gives you a chance to leave the boat and experience the island on foot, rather than seeing the coast only from the water.

Lunch is served onboard. The meal choices include fish, chicken, or a vegetarian option, and one account describes generous portions, with the chance to ask for more. Wine is also served with the meal. If you have dietary needs beyond the stated vegetarian option, confirm what can be accommodated rather than assuming the menu can be adjusted.

Lunch and drinks: useful value, not fine dining

Having lunch included matters on an eight-hour outing. It saves you from having to find a place to eat during a short island stop, and it means you can spend more of that time on the water or exploring. The food is described as well presented and filling, with fish, chicken, and vegetarian choices.

Unlimited onboard drinks include wine, soft drinks, and water. That is a genuine budget advantage, especially on a warm day when you will want water between swims. A bottle of wine is placed at each table according to one account, though serving arrangements can vary. Do not mistake this for a private dining cruise: the meal is one part of a shared group day, with music and a social atmosphere.

Music is played onboard, and the crew may bring a lively mood to the trip. One outing included dancing and a DJ, and the captain invited people to help navigate the boat. Those details suggest the experience can be more sociable than a quiet sightseeing cruise, but they should not be treated as guaranteed features. If you prefer a calm ride, take a seat away from the music and enjoy the coast.

Šipan: olive groves and a shorter stop

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands and is known for its olive groves, historic villas, and villages linked to Dubrovnik’s noble families. The schedule allows about 45 minutes here, with time for a break, photographs, wine, or a swim.

That is enough for a short look around or a dip in the sea, but not enough for a thorough island visit. Keep your plans modest. If you want to see more than the immediate area around the stop, ask the crew how much time you have and how far you can go without risking a hurried return.

The island’s history gives the stop a different character from a beach break. The Elaphiti Islands were historically tied to Dubrovnik, and Šipan’s old villas and cultivated land hint at that past. You may not have time for a detailed history lesson here, but even a brief walk can show how the islands blend settlement, agriculture, and coastline.

Koločep: one more swim before Dubrovnik

The final island stop is Koločep, with about an hour set aside for a break, free time, and swimming. It is the smallest of the three and is known for clear water and sheltered coves. The itinerary also includes a boat cruise around this part of the route, so you get a look at the coastline as well as a chance to get off the boat.

This is a good late-day stop for a last swim or a quiet stretch ashore. Bring your towel where you can reach it easily, and keep sunscreen handy. A swim from the boat can be a highlight, but the details of the water entry point depend on the conditions and crew’s decision that day.

One account describes a visit to the Blue Cave during the trip. It is not listed among the set stops, so I would not book this tour solely for that cave. Think of it as a possible route addition rather than a promise.

The boat, crew, and overall mood

The boat has two toilets, Wi-Fi, music, and both indoor and outdoor seating. Outdoor tables and benches suit lunch and conversation; sun loungers are handy if your main plan is to relax between stops. The indoor area offers a place to get out of the sun, though the boat’s exact layout and seating availability may depend on the departure.

The crew is multilingual, with English, Croatian, French, Spanish, and Italian listed. Captain Joe is named in an account of one trip, where the crew was described as attentive and willing to involve passengers in the day. Crew assignments can change, so do not assume Joe will be at the helm on your departure.

The experience appears to balance practical sightseeing with a festive boat atmosphere. That can be a plus if you enjoy music, meeting people, and a lively lunch. It may be less appealing if you want a silent, small-group nature outing. The tour’s value depends partly on what kind of day you want: this is a shared island cruise, not a private charter.

Is $69 a fair price?

At $69 per person, the price covers a full day at sea, three island stops, lunch, unlimited wine and soft drinks, water, and the crew. Wi-Fi and onboard toilets are also included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if you select that option, so check whether your chosen price includes it.

The strongest value is the combination of transport, food, and drinks. You do not need to arrange separate ferries to reach the islands or find a meal during the day. You also get several chances to swim, plus time on land. For someone with one day to spare in Dubrovnik, that is an efficient way to see more of the coast.

The trade-off is time. Three islands sound like a lot, but two stops are under an hour, and the schedule includes several stretches of cruising. You will get a taste of each place rather than an in-depth visit. If your priority is to spend most of the day on one island, take a ferry independently and set your own pace instead.

The outing depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low numbers cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later.

Who should book this Dubrovnik boat trip?

I would choose this tour if you want an easy, full-day escape from Dubrovnik that combines scenery, swimming, lunch, and a look at three islands without arranging separate transport. It suits couples, families, and solo visitors who are happy sharing a boat and enjoy a social atmosphere. The wheelchair-accessible designation may make it an option for some visitors, though anyone with specific mobility needs should confirm the boarding details first.

I would think twice if you want long hikes, a detailed guided history tour, or several hours to explore each island at your own speed. The available description emphasizes the crew and island experience but does not promise a guided walk or a particular historical talk. You are paying for a comfortable day on the water, not a deep tour of every village.

For most visitors with a free day and a taste for swimming, this is a practical way to reach the Elaphiti Islands. Bring a towel, sunscreen, and a flexible attitude. The sea and the stops are the point; the exact mix of swimming, music, and sightseeing can shift with the day.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start and end?

The meeting point is at Dubrovnik’s main ferry port, Obala Stjepana Radića. The tour returns to the same meeting point.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about eight hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The scheduled island stops are Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served onboard, with fish, chicken, or a vegetarian option listed.

Which drinks are included?

Wine, soft drinks, and water are included without a stated limit while onboard.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and sunscreen. Towels are not provided.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the trip, you will be offered another date or a full refund.