Dubrovnik: 3 Islands Boat Trip with Drinks (FR, ES, IT, EN)

Three islands, one sunny day, plenty of sea. This eight-hour Elaphite Islands boat trip gives you a simple way to see Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep without arranging separate ferries or taxis. I like the mix of swimming, island time, and open-water cruising, and I like that wine, soft drinks, and water are included. The main trade-off is limited time on some islands, especially Šipan, where 45 minutes is not enough for a full visit.

The boat has three decks, sunbeds, toilets, Wi-Fi, and large speakers at the bow. That makes the trip feel more like a social day on the water than a quiet sightseeing cruise. I would also keep expectations realistic about the music equipment, since one comment found the DJ setup weak, and the lunch option needs checking when you book.

Key points at a glance

• Three Elaphite stops: Visit Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep in one full-day boat outing from Dubrovnik.
• Swimming is central: Lopud gets about three hours, while Šipan and Koločep offer shorter stops for swimming and walks.
• Drinks are included: Wine, soft drinks, and water are available throughout the day.
• Lopud gets the most time: You have three hours for Šunj Beach, island paths, photos, food, and a swim.
• Multilingual hosting: The host service is offered in English, French, Spanish, Croatian, and Italian.
• Dubrovnik nightlife add-on: The experience advertises free entry to a top Dubrovnik nightclub after the boat trip.

Why this boat trip works for a Dubrovnik day

Dubrovnik is famous for its stone walls and crowded old town, but the Elaphites show you a softer side of the region. These islands sit close to the city, yet their pace is slower, their shores are greener, and their coves offer a welcome break from urban sightseeing.

At $51 per person, the price is appealing for an eight-hour outing. You get the boat ride, three island calls, a host, and unlimited drinks. That is good value if you plan to swim and enjoy the social atmosphere rather than search for a long, detailed tour of each island.

The value changes if you want a full meal. Lunch with fish, meat, or a vegetarian choice is available only if you select the lunch add-on, so check the exact booking option before you assume food is included. One useful tip from the day-to-day experience: bring some cash with you.

This is not a small private boat trip. The three-deck boat includes sunbeds, two toilets, Wi-Fi, and powerful speakers. You can sit in the sun, find some shade, listen to music, and meet other people. The atmosphere suits anyone who likes a lively day at sea.

If you want silence, private guiding, or hours in one quiet village, this may feel too active. The music is part of the experience, and the equipment has not impressed everyone. The crew receives strong praise for being friendly, attentive, and entertaining, with Lorenzo singled out for his humor and helpful information.

Setting out from Dubrovnik ferry terminal

The standard starting point is the Dubrovnik ferry terminal. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available only when you choose that option, and pickup details need to be arranged in advance. If you want pickup, contact the provider at least one day before departure to confirm the time and place.

The schedule includes several sightseeing cruises between stops. The first cruise lasts about 45 minutes, giving you time to settle in and watch the Dubrovnik coast recede behind you. A boat trip like this is as much about the spaces between the islands as the stops themselves, so keep your camera ready during the crossings.

You can usually choose where to spend the ride. The bow puts you near the speakers and the open air, while the other decks may suit you better if you want a calmer seat or protection from the sun. Sunbeds are available, but they may be popular on a full boat.

The host can speak English, French, Spanish, Croatian, or Italian. That matters here because the day combines practical instructions with short stories about the islands, their old buildings, and their connection to Dubrovnik’s maritime past.

Lopud: three hours for beaches and old island paths

Lopud is the first major stop and the longest one. You have about three hours here, which gives you enough room to choose your pace instead of rushing from one sight to the next.

The island is known for its sunny climate, Mediterranean plants, and sandy beaches. The most famous is Šunj Beach, a rare sandy shore in a region better known for pebbles and rock. The local romantic legend says a swim at Šunj with your partner promises lifelong love. You do not need to take the legend seriously, but the beach gives you a pleasant reason to get into the water.

Lopud also has an old botanical garden, described as one of Europe’s oldest. The island’s greenery includes lemon and orange groves, which give the walk a different feel from the bare stone and walls of Dubrovnik.

Your three hours may include a swim, a walk, photos, a drink, and time for lunch if you have selected the meal option. It is the most flexible part of the day. If swimming is your priority, Lopud is where you should make the most of your time.

The drawback is that three hours can pass quickly. If you want to see every old building, reach the beach, eat, and relax on the boat, you will need to choose. Treat Lopud as a relaxed island break, not a complete guided tour of every corner.

Šipan: olive trees and a very short visit

After Lopud, the boat makes a shorter sightseeing cruise before reaching Šipan, the largest of the three islands. The scheduled stop is about 45 minutes, which is enough for a walk, photos, a scenic look around, and possibly a quick swim.

Šipan is known for its olive trees and for villas and buildings linked to noble families from the old Dubrovnik Republic. The island offers a stronger sense of rural tradition than the city, with greenery and old stone structures replacing Dubrovnik’s dense streets.

You should plan this stop carefully. Forty-five minutes is not enough to explore widely, and it is specifically not enough to visit the castle on the island, as one visitor discovered. If that building is important to you, this tour’s schedule will disappoint.

The short stop does have one advantage. You see Šipan without giving up the longer Lopud visit or the swimming time at Koločep. Think of it as a quick taste of the island rather than a full cultural excursion.

Koločep: clear water, coves, and the final swim

Koločep is the smallest island on this route, but it receives about an hour. That is enough for a final swim, a short walk, photos, and views of the coves and caves along the coast.

The water around Koločep is described as especially clear, making it one of the better stops for swimming and exploring near the shore. Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and a hat. Towels are not provided.

The one-hour stop is well judged for a boat day. By this point, you may want one more swim rather than another long walk. You can step off the boat, enjoy the water, and return without feeling that the whole afternoon has disappeared.

As with Šipan, you need to accept the limits. Koločep is not a full island tour in sixty minutes. You will get a short look at the shore and its bays, not an exhaustive visit to every cave or village.

What life on the three-deck boat is like

The boat is equipped with three decks, sunbeds, two toilets, Wi-Fi, and speakers. These details matter on an eight-hour outing. A toilet onboard saves you from depending on facilities at every island, while several decks give you options when you want sun, shade, or a different view.

The sound system shapes the mood. Music plays through large speakers at the bow, and the trip is designed to be fun and social. Some people will enjoy the easy party feel, especially with drinks included. If you prefer hearing the sea and the guide clearly, choose your seat with care.

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Lorenzo and the other staff are described as kind, attentive, entertaining, and polite. Good crew service matters on a full day at sea because it affects everything from boarding and drinks to meal timing and swim stops.

There was also one serious complaint about the captain’s behavior toward a crew member during lunch. That experience was clearly unpleasant for the person who reported it and affected an otherwise positive day. It is worth noting for balance, though the broader comments about the staff are strongly favorable.

Drinks, lunch, and the practical cost

Unlimited wine, soft drinks, and water are included. That is a real benefit at the $51 price, especially on a sunny day when you will spend hours outside. You do not need to keep buying a drink each time you return to the boat.

Lunch is less straightforward. Fish, meat, or vegetarian food is available when you choose the lunch add-on. Since the base price and meal option are separate, read the booking details carefully before you arrive hungry.

The food receives positive comments, but the timing may feel rushed. One account describes the captain hurrying people through lunch, and another praises the food while still advising you to bring cash. I would keep your lunch expectations practical: this is a boat excursion with island stops, not a long restaurant meal.

If you want the best value, the tour makes most sense when you use the boat’s included features fully. Swim at more than one island, enjoy the drinks, and spend the longer Lopud stop outdoors. If you plan to stay seated all day and skip swimming, a cheaper ferry and independent island visits might suit you better, although that would require more planning.

Timing, weather, and who should book

The full experience lasts about eight hours, with several cruising sections between the islands. The day includes roughly 45 minutes of initial sightseeing cruise, three hours at Lopud, 45 minutes at Šipan, one hour at Koločep, and additional crossings between stops.

This timing favors variety. You will see three islands in one day, but you will not have long, unhurried visits at all three. Families, couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people should find the format easy to manage.

The trip also suits swimmers and sun-seekers more than serious history buffs. You get stories about the islands and Dubrovnik’s maritime past, but the main attraction is the combination of water, views, music, and short island walks.

The experience is wheelchair accessible, though the supplied information does not explain how every shore landing is handled. If you use a wheelchair, confirm the boarding and island access arrangements before booking.

Good weather is essential. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible.

The advertised package also includes free entry to a top Dubrovnik nightclub after the boat trip. Confirm the current club and entry terms when booking, since the main daytime schedule ends with drop-off rather than a detailed nightlife program.

Drop-off choices after the islands

The activity can finish at the original meeting point, with listed drop-off locations including Mlini, Zaton, Dubrovnik, and Obala Stjepana Radića. That gives you some useful flexibility if you are staying outside the old town or want to continue your evening in another part of the area.

Check your selected pickup and drop-off option carefully. Hotel transport is not automatic for every booking, and the provider asks you to arrange pickup details at least one day ahead.

What to pack for a comfortable day

Bring the basics for a full day outside:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Sun hat
• Some cash

A light cover-up can also be useful between swimming and walking, though it is not listed as a requirement. Wear something comfortable for moving around the boat and stepping ashore.

Do not count on borrowing a towel. Towels are specifically excluded, and the itinerary includes several chances to swim.

Should you book the Dubrovnik three-island boat trip?

Book it if you want an easy, social day that combines three islands, swimming, music, and included drinks for $51. The best part is the variety: Lopud gives you time to relax, Šipan adds old buildings and olive groves, and Koločep finishes the day with clear water and coves.

Skip it if you want deep exploration of each island, quiet cruising, or a long visit to Šipan’s castle. The schedule is brisk, lunch may be an add-on, and the music setup may not suit everyone.

For most visitors with one free day in Dubrovnik, I think the value is strong, particularly if you enjoy the water and do not mind sharing the boat. Choose a sunny day, bring your own towel, confirm lunch and pickup, and treat Šipan as a short scenic stop rather than a full island tour.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

The standard meeting point is the Dubrovnik ferry terminal.

How long does the experience last?

The boat trip lasts eight hours. Starting times depend on availability when you book.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The route visits Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep in the Elaphite Islands.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if you select that option. You should contact the provider at least one day before the trip to confirm the pickup time and place.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited wine, soft drinks, and water are included.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is available as an add-on, with fish, meat, or vegetarian choices. Check your selected option to confirm whether lunch is included in your price.

What languages are available onboard?

Hosting is available in English, French, Spanish, Croatian, and Italian.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not included, so bring your own.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

The experience is listed as wheelchair accessible. Contact the provider before booking if you need specific information about boarding or access at the islands.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The trip requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.