Elaphite Islands Cruise with Local Gastronomy at Captain’s H

The heart of this nine-hour trip is lunch at the captain’s house on Šipan: homemade prosciutto, cheese, bread and olive oil, followed by soup, grilled food, dessert and coffee. Homemade wine is unlimited during the meal, making this more than a quick stop to refuel.

I like the mix of island time and swimming stops, and the chance to eat a homemade meal in a local setting rather than on the boat. One caution: the Blue Cave can draw a crowd, and the boat may feel cramped when it is full.

• A substantial lunch on Šipan: Expect several courses, with the main dish grilled in front of you and homemade wine served throughout.
• Three hours on Lopud: There is time to explore the island and visit Šunj, a sandy beach.
• A full hour at the Blue Cave: Swim, snorkel or jump from the boat near Koločep.
• Another swim on the return: The captain plans one more swimming stop on the way back to Dubrovnik.
• Pickup can be arranged: You can meet the boat at Obala Stjepana Radića 15 or request pickup near your accommodation.
• A practical boat note: The vessel is called Ribica, but seating can feel tight if the boat is crowded.

A homemade lunch is the day’s signature

Many boat trips around Dubrovnik promise clear water and island views. This one adds a meal at the captain’s house on Šipan, which gives the day a more personal focus. You get homemade prosciutto and cheese with bread and olive oil, then soup, a main course grilled in front of you, dessert and coffee. Homemade wine is unlimited during lunch.

That meal is included in the $70 price, along with alcoholic drinks, coffee or tea, bottled water, soda and snorkelling equipment. The value depends partly on how much you make of the stops: this is a long day with time for swimming, a beach visit and lunch, not a fast transfer between sights.

The setting is part of the appeal. Lunch is served at the captain’s house in Suđurađ, on Šipan, rather than as a packed meal eaten between stops. If you want a taste of local food as well as a day on the water, that is a meaningful difference. Just remember that the menu is described by its dishes, not as a choice of several options.

Leaving Dubrovnik aboard Ribica

The boat is called Ribica, and the trip begins in Dubrovnik. You can make your own way to Obala Stjepana Radića 15, or ask for pickup near your hotel or a bus stop close to where you are staying. The pickup times supplied vary by area, from about 7:55 to 8:20, so this is an early start whichever location applies.

Be ready five minutes before your pickup time. Traffic can cause delays, and the exact pickup time is sent by email the evening before the trip. If you are staying in an apartment rather than a hotel, provide its address in advance so pickup can be arranged.

The first hour is a sightseeing cruise. That gives you time to settle in and see the coast from the water before the first swim stop. The boat ride is part of the day, not merely transport, but you should set your expectations accordingly: the trip lasts nine hours, and a crowded boat can leave limited room to sit. The tour is described as wheelchair accessible, though you may want to confirm any specific access needs before booking.

Swimming and snorkelling at the Blue Cave

The first main stop is the Blue Cave near Koločep, where the schedule allows about an hour. You can snorkel, swim or jump from the boat, and the tour says you can spend as long as you want in the water within the stop. Snorkelling equipment is included.

Treat the cave as a popular stop, not a private discovery. It can be a tourist magnet, so the water and surroundings may not feel quiet or secluded. The cave is still a distinctive reason to bring your swimsuit, but if you are choosing this tour mainly for a peaceful cave visit, that expectation may not fit the day.

A practical point: life jackets are available, but one account of the trip noted there were no pool noodles or similar flotation aids. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the crew about the equipment before getting in. The tour includes snorkelling gear, but the details do not specify what sizes or types are available.

The captain also plans another swimming break on the way back. That extra stop gives you a second chance to get into the water, rather than making the cave the only swim of the day. Exact timing and conditions can vary, especially since weather can affect whether the trip operates.

Three hours to explore Lopud and Šunj

Lopud gets the longest island stop, with about three hours free. You can explore the island at your own pace and visit Šunj, a sandy beach that is a particular draw for anyone who wants beach time along with the boat ride.

Three hours is useful breathing room in a day otherwise shaped by scheduled stops. You do not have to rush straight from the boat to the beach and back, though you will still need to keep an eye on the time and return when the group is due to leave. The tour description does not specify how you get between the landing point and Šunj, so avoid assuming that the beach is immediately beside the boat.

If you would rather stroll around than spend the whole stop swimming, Lopud gives you that option. The stop is free time, not a tightly guided walking visit. That flexibility is a plus if you like choosing your own pace, but less appealing if you want a guide to lead you through every part of the island.

Lunch on Šipan, served at the captain’s house

After Lopud, the boat heads to Suđurađ on Šipan for a two-hour visit that includes lunch. The meal starts with homemade prosciutto and cheese, homemade bread and olive oil, then continues with soup, a grilled main course, dessert and coffee. The main dish is grilled in front of you, and homemade wine is unlimited during lunch.

That is a generous meal for a day trip, and it makes the $70 fare easier to assess. You are paying for a full-day boat outing with food, drinks and snorkelling gear included, rather than just a short cruise. The wine is part of lunch, but do pace yourself: there is still a boat ride back and a final swimming stop ahead.

The menu description does not identify the soup, main course or dessert, so it is best not to book expecting a particular dish. If you have dietary needs, contact the operator before the day to ask what can be accommodated. The available details do not promise substitutions or special menus.

Drinks, comfort and the value of the fare

At $70 per person, the tour bundles several elements that can add up when booked separately: a nine-hour cruise, a Blue Cave stop, free time on Lopud, the meal on Šipan, drinks and snorkelling equipment. Bottled water and soda are included, as are alcoholic beverages and coffee or tea. One account of the day also described plenty of drinks in the boat’s cooler.

The strongest value is for someone who wants a varied day without arranging each piece independently. You get time in the water, a beach option and a substantial lunch, all within one outing. If you mainly want transport to one island or a quiet, small-group boat ride, the fare may feel less compelling, particularly if the boat is crowded.

Gratuity is not included. The trip has an English-speaking live guide, though no guide’s name is provided. There is also a reserve-now, pay-later option, and you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Weather can lead to cancellation, so keep that possibility in mind when fitting the cruise into a tightly scheduled visit.

Who should book this island cruise

I would consider this trip if you want a full day on the water with a mix of swimming, beach time and a proper sit-down meal. It is especially suited to people who value the homemade lunch and the relaxed three-hour stop on Lopud as much as the Blue Cave itself.

It is less ideal if you need plenty of personal space on a boat or want the cave to feel secluded. The boat may be crowded, and the cave is popular. You should also be comfortable with a long day that begins with an early pickup and includes several hours on the water.

Before booking, decide what matters most to you. If it is food, a generous lunch with homemade wine is a strong reason to go. If it is quiet swimming, ask about expected boat capacity and conditions, since those details are not specified. For a practical, varied island day out of Dubrovnik, the combination of Šunj, swimming and lunch on Šipan makes this a solid option.

FAQ

How long is the Elaphite Islands cruise?

The tour lasts nine hours, starting and ending in Dubrovnik.

What is the boat called?

The boat is called Ribica.

Where does the boat meet passengers?

The meeting address is Obala Stjepana Radića 15 in Dubrovnik. Pickup may also be arranged near your hotel or a bus stop close to your accommodation.

When will I receive my pickup time?

The pickup time is sent by email on the evening before the trip. Be ready five minutes before the stated time.

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

Provide the apartment address in advance. Pickup cannot be organised without it.

Is the tour guided in English?

Yes. The live tour guide speaks English.

Is snorkelling equipment included?

Yes. Use of snorkelling equipment is included.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes homemade prosciutto, cheese, bread and olive oil, followed by soup, a grilled main course, dessert and coffee. Homemade wine is unlimited during lunch. Alcoholic beverages, coffee or tea, bottled water and soda are also included.

Is gratuity included in the price?

No. Gratuity is not included.

Can I cancel the booking?

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