Dubrovnik: Elaphite Island Cruise w/ Drinks & Optional Lunch

Three islands, one easy day. This cruise makes a fine escape from Dubrovnik’s crowds, pairing a scenic ride along the Dalmatian coast with time on Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep. I especially like the generous three-hour stop on Lopud and the friendly five-person crew, including guides such as Azhar and Nikoleta. The main tradeoff is simple: Šipan and Koločep receive only about an hour each, so you get a taste of all three islands rather than a thorough visit to any of them.

The $50 price is strong value if drinks and lunch are included in your chosen option. I also like the freedom to choose how you spend your island time: swim, walk, visit a beach, shop, or simply sit in the shade. Just remember that the boat does not provide towels or snorkeling equipment, and the open sides may require extra care with very young children.

Five things to know before booking

• Lopud gets the most time: Three hours allows room for Šunj Bay, a walk, lunch, or a little shopping.
• Lunch is optional: Choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal with potato salad if you want the convenience of eating aboard.
• Drinks keep coming: Water, soft drinks, Croatian wine, and some local alcoholic tastings are included, with extra drinks available for purchase.
• The boat is built for a full day: RITA has an open upper deck, a lower air-conditioned saloon, two onboard toilets, and five crew members.
• The smaller stops are brief: Šipan and Koločep are pleasant snapshots, but you will need to keep an eye on the return time.
• Šunj Bay takes planning: It is on the opposite side of Lopud, and the walk includes uphill and uneven sections.

Leaving Dubrovnik by boat

The day begins at the pier, where you look for the boat named RITA and the MARINERO agency sign. If you choose hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle collects you from an agreed point in the Dubrovnik area. Hotels in pedestrian-only zones may have a nearby pickup point instead of a door-to-door stop.

That transfer option is useful in Dubrovnik, where steep streets and restricted vehicle access can make a simple harbor visit surprisingly fiddly. If you arrange your own transport, make sure you have clear instructions for the pier and arrive with enough time to find the crew.

Once aboard, you can sit on the open top deck or in the lower air-conditioned saloon. The upper deck is the natural choice for sea views and fresh air, while the lower area offers shade and a break from strong sun. The boat has two clean toilets, a practical feature on an eight-hour outing.

The first cruise section lasts about 30 minutes. This is not dead time. You get a broad view of Dubrovnik’s coastline from the water, with the old city area giving way to the rocky shore and open Adriatic. Bring sunglasses and a hat, since the glare off the water can be strong even when the air feels comfortable.

Lopud and the long three-hour stop

Lopud is the centerpiece of the day. You have about three hours here, much more than at the other islands, and that extra time makes the cruise feel less like a rushed checklist.

Lopud is car-free, so the pace is calm. You can walk along the island roads, browse small shops, visit old religious buildings, or look for a quiet place near the water. The island also has historical sights such as ancient fortifications and the Saint Mary Franciscan monastery, although the time available means you will need to choose your priorities.

The big attraction is Šunj Bay, a sandy beach on the far side of Lopud. It is one of the best reasons to pick this particular cruise, since many Dalmatian beaches are rocky rather than sandy. The water is clear, and this is a good place to swim, sunbathe, or simply enjoy a more relaxed beach stop.

Plan your route before wandering off. Šunj Bay is not right beside the port, and reaching it on foot involves uneven surfaces and some uphill walking. A golf cart can shorten the journey, but it may wait until it fills and may leave you a 10 to 15 minute walk from the harbor. If you want a swim, go to Šunj first, then return to the promenade and port area.

The three-hour stop also provides the best chance to eat independently if you select the drinks-only option. Restaurants and shops may be limited late in the season, and some close entirely after October. In that case, bringing food is sensible, or you can add the onboard lunch and avoid spending your island time searching for an open restaurant.

Lunch aboard RITA

Lunch is served on the boat, generally after the Lopud stop. You choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian plate, with potato salad on the side. The meal is not the reason to book the cruise, but it adds real convenience and saves you from using precious island time at a restaurant.

The fish option has been a favorite for many people, and the food is served with Croatian wine and water. Homemade olive oil and homegrown vegetables add a local touch without turning lunch into a formal production.

I would choose the lunch option if you want a smooth, sociable day and do not want to carry food. The drinks-only choice makes sense if you prefer to bring your own meal or want to eat on Lopud. Check the exact option when booking, because the $50 starting price can vary according to the package selected.

Throughout the cruise, the crew serves water and soft drinks, and Croatian wine is available with the meal. Some departures also include local liquor tastings, along with small snacks such as wafers. The exact drink service can vary, but the general pattern is generous and relaxed rather than tightly rationed.

Šipan, vineyards, and a quieter pace

After Lopud, the boat cruises for about 20 minutes to Šipan, the largest island in the Elafiti group. You get roughly an hour ashore, enough for a short walk, photographs, a swim, or a look around the island settlement.

Šipan’s appeal is less about one famous beach and more about its rural character. Vineyards and olive groves give the island a slower, more agricultural feel. It is a pleasant contrast to Dubrovnik, where stone streets and fortifications dominate the day.

The limitation is time. An hour passes quickly, especially if you want to walk beyond the immediate waterfront. I would not plan a serious hike here. Instead, use the stop to get a feel for the island, take photographs, and enjoy the quieter setting before returning to the boat on schedule.

A 45-minute cruise follows Šipan. This gives you another chance to sit on deck, listen to the water, and watch the coast pass by. The cruise itself is a major part of the experience, not just transportation between stops.

Koločep and the final swim

Koločep is the final island visit, with about an hour ashore. It is the smallest and often the most tranquil-feeling stop of the three, with pine woods, small coves, and clear water suited to a quick swim or snorkel.

You can stroll, take photographs, shop, or head straight for the water. If swimming is your main goal, bring your own snorkeling gear because none is supplied. You also need to bring a towel, as towels are not included.

The one-hour limit works well for a swim and a short walk, but it does not leave much room for wandering. Keep track of the meeting time, and do not assume you can explore far from the landing area. The point here is a final taste of island calm rather than a full day on Koločep.

After Koločep, the boat takes about 30 minutes to return toward Dubrovnik, with drop-off at Lapadska obala 5 or the arranged Dubrovnik drop-off point. The full outing lasts around eight hours, so you still have an evening available, though you may prefer a quiet dinner after a day in the sun.

How the timing works in real life

The schedule is well balanced for a sightseeing cruise. Lopud gets three hours because it offers the most to do, while Šipan and Koločep are shorter stops that add variety without making the day feel too long.

Still, the timing will not satisfy everyone. If you want to hike, visit several historic sites, or spend a long afternoon at one beach, you may find the three-island format too broad. One person’s ideal plan would be to give Lopud even more time and shorten one of the later stops.

I see this as a sampler with a comfortable rhythm. You get a major beach and walking stop, a rural island stop, and a swimming stop. That mix suits you if this is your first visit to the Elafiti Islands and you want a useful overview in one day.

The crew keeps the schedule moving and gives clear instructions about when to return to the boat. That matters because island ferries and small excursion boats do not wait for casual shoppers. The atmosphere can also become lively, especially when groups are celebrating birthdays or other occasions, but the boat still offers a quieter lower saloon.

Crew, comfort, and the social side

Five crew members work aboard RITA, and the service is one of the strongest parts of the outing. Drinks are regularly offered, directions are repeated clearly, and the general mood is welcoming without being overly formal.

Guides may speak English, Croatian, Italian, or German. Azhar has been singled out for attentive guiding, while Nikoleta has been praised for clear information, humor, and practical help on the islands. The exact guide depends on the departure, but multilingual support is useful for an international group.

This is a shared boat trip, not a private yacht charter. You will spend the day around other people, and the atmosphere may range from quiet and scenic to musical and celebratory. That social element is a plus if you like meeting people, but it is worth knowing if you expect silence and privacy.

The boat’s open sides are also worth noting for families. A very young child needs close supervision near the edges. The design is excellent for views and airflow, but it does not create a fully enclosed, childproof environment.

What to pack for the islands

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. Add a camera if you want good coastal photographs, and pack a towel because the boat does not provide one.

Bring snorkeling equipment if you plan to use it. The islands offer clear water and swimming opportunities, but gear is not included.

If you select drinks only, bring lunch or be ready to eat on Lopud. Late-season opening hours can be thin, particularly on Šipan and Koločep. Also carry enough personal essentials for the day, since island facilities and shop hours are not guaranteed.

The cruise operates in changing weather, and one outing can feel very different from another. In cooler or off-season periods, the islands may be quiet and some businesses may be closed. That is not necessarily a bad thing if you want peace, but it reduces the shopping and restaurant side of the trip.

Is $50 good value?

At about $50 per person, this is an unusually practical way to see three islands from Dubrovnik. You receive boat transport, crew service, drinks, and, with the appropriate package, lunch. The air-conditioned interior and two toilets add comfort that smaller boats often lack.

The value is strongest if you use the day fully. Swim at Lopud or Koločep, take a walk, and spend time on deck during the crossings. If you simply remain aboard and expect an intimate luxury cruise, the trip will feel more basic.

Hotel pickup and drop-off cost more or depend on the selected option, but they can be worth it if you are staying away from the harbor. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking also make it easier to fit the cruise into a changing Dubrovnik schedule.

The high overall rating, 4.7 from 4,517 ratings, matches the practical strengths here: friendly staff, reliable timing, clean facilities, generous refreshments, and a strong route. The most consistent praise goes to the crew and the value, not to luxury or lengthy guided sightseeing.

Should you book the Elaphite Island cruise?

Book it if you want a low-stress full day on the water with three very different island stops. It is especially good for first-time visitors, couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants beaches and sea views without organizing several separate ferries.

Choose the lunch option if you value convenience, especially outside the summer season. Choose drinks only if you want to carry your own meal or prefer to eat on Lopud.

Skip it if you want a private boat, a long hike, or several hours on one island. For everyone else, RITA offers a friendly, well-priced way to trade Dubrovnik’s crowded stone streets for sandy beaches, pine woods, olive groves, and open Adriatic water.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts about eight hours, including the boat rides and time on Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

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

How much time is spent on each island?

The schedule allows about three hours on Lopud, one hour on Šipan, and one hour on Koločep.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is included only if you select the lunch option. The choices are fish, chicken, or vegetarian, served with potato salad.

What drinks are included?

Drinks include water, soft drinks, and Croatian wine. Additional drinks can be purchased aboard.

Is hotel pickup available?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are available in the Dubrovnik area if you select that option. Pickup points may be adjusted for pedestrian-only or hard-to-access areas.

Where do I find the boat?

Look for the boat named RITA at the pier. The MARINERO agency name will be displayed, and the crew will welcome you.

Should I bring snorkeling equipment?

Yes, bring your own if you want to snorkel. Snorkeling equipment is not included.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.