From Dubrovnik: Premium Three Island Cruise with lunch and drinks

Trade the city walls for open water. This eight-hour cruise links Dubrovnik with Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep, giving you a full day of swimming, island walks, and sea views without arranging ferries yourself. I especially like the included lunch and steady supply of drinks, plus the relaxed stop at Šunj Beach on Lopud.

The main point to consider is the pace. You get about three hours on Lopud, then roughly one hour on Šipan and one hour on Koločep. That works well if you want a beach day, but the shorter island stops can feel brief, while three hours on Lopud may feel long if you are not interested in swimming or walking.

Key points at a glance

• Šunj Beach is the main event: Walk or take a small golf-cart taxi across Lopud to reach its sandy shore and clear swimming water.
• Lunch and drinks are built into the day: Choose fish, chicken, or grilled vegetables, with bottled water and assorted soft drinks available.
• Three different island moods: Lopud offers the most to do, Šipan feels rural and quiet, and Koločep is a peaceful final stop.
• You get a proper full-day outing: The cruise lasts about eight hours, with time spent both on the boat and ashore.
• Hotel pickup can simplify the morning: Pickup and return are available within Dubrovnik city, but you must provide your accommodation details.
• Expect a large boat: The maximum group size is 110 people, with an air-conditioned indoor salon and an open upper deck.

What this Dubrovnik cruise is really like

This is less a guided sightseeing tour and more a comfortable day at sea with island stops. You are not escorted from sight to sight all day. Instead, the crew takes you to each island, explains the basic options, and gives you free time to make your own plan.

That freedom is part of the appeal. You can swim, find a café, walk through the village, visit a church, or simply sit near the water. If you want detailed commentary on every landmark, this may feel too independent. If you like having room to set your own pace, it is a good fit.

The boat has a closed, air-conditioned salon and outdoor seating on the upper deck. That matters in Dubrovnik, where a warm sunny day can become tiring after several hours. You can sit outside for the views, then move indoors when you want shade or cooler air.

The crew is made up of five people, and service is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Drinks may be brought to your seat, or you can pick them up yourself. Nikoleta is specifically praised for keeping people comfortable and checking that everyone is happy.

The boat can feel busy during peak season. Arrive early if you care about choosing a particular seat, especially on the upper deck. The boat is designed for up to 110 people, so this is not a small private sailing trip.

Leaving Dubrovnik with lunch and drinks included

The price is listed at $48.39 per person, though prices can change. For an eight-hour outing that includes the boat ride, three island stops, lunch, water, lemonade, juices, and other included refreshments, I consider that strong value.

The savings become clearer when you compare it with arranging the day independently. You would need to research boat connections, match schedules between three islands, find lunch, and organize your return to Dubrovnik. Here, the transport and basic meal are handled in one booking.

Lunch is served fresh on board. Your choices are:

• Grilled hake with potato salad and bread
• Grilled chicken fillet with potato salad and bread
• Grilled seasonal vegetables with potato salad and bread

The fish receives the most enthusiastic praise, though the chicken and vegetarian plate are also described as satisfying. It is straightforward boat lunch rather than a formal restaurant meal, so keep your expectations in the right place. Portions are generally described as generous, but a few people found the meal ordinary.

Wine is part of the appeal, and included drinks are available during the day. The details of drink service can occasionally cause confusion, so check what is included when you board. Coffee, tea, beer, and other drinks may also be available for purchase. Hotel pickup and drop-off are useful after a day that may include wine, but pickup is limited to the Dubrovnik city area.

Lopud: the island that deserves three hours

Lopud receives the longest stop because it offers the most choices. The village is calm and attractive, with stone houses, greenery, cafés, small shops, and views across the Adriatic. You can spend the whole time outdoors without needing a strict schedule.

The best-known attraction is Šunj Beach, on the far side of the island. It has a sandy shore and clear water, making it the natural choice if you want a proper swim. The walk there takes time and includes an uphill section on the return, so consider using one of the local golf-cart taxis if available. This can save roughly 30 minutes each way, according to practical advice from people who have taken the trip.

At the beach, you might find loungers, umbrellas, beach bars, and a roped swimming area. Bring a swimsuit and towel if you want to make the most of it. Towels are not supplied, and snorkeling equipment is not included.

Lopud also works for people who prefer history and walking to sunbathing. The 15th-century Franciscan Monastery offers a quiet stop, while the botanical garden contains Mediterranean plant species. Conditions at the garden may vary, particularly late in the season, so do not build your whole visit around it.

You can also stay near the village and enjoy a coffee, browse the shops, or walk along the coast. Three hours is enough to combine the village, Šunj Beach, and one or two historic sights if you keep an eye on the departure time.

The drawback is that Lopud is not packed with formal attractions. If you want a tightly programmed sightseeing stop, you may feel you have too much free time. If you see the island as a chance to slow down, swim, and wander, the long stop makes sense.

Šipan: olive groves and a slower hour

Šipan has a different character. Instead of a beach-focused visit, expect olive groves, vineyards, rolling hills, stone houses, and quiet paths through the countryside. The island gives you a glimpse of ordinary Dalmatian life rather than a major resort atmosphere.

You have about one hour here. That is enough for a short walk, a café stop, a look around the harbor area, or a quick swim if the conditions suit you. It is not enough for a serious island hike, so you will want to keep your plans close to the docking point.

A wine tasting near the pier is worth considering if it is open and appeals to you. Local cafés and small shops offer another way to spend the stop. The charm is in the quiet setting, not in a long list of attractions.

Some people find one hour just right, while others feel it is too short to do much beyond having a drink. I would treat Šipan as a scenic pause between the larger Lopud stop and the final island. Do not arrive expecting a full cultural tour.

Koločep: a gentle finish by the water

Koločep is the most peaceful stop of the three. It is green, quiet, and easy to enjoy without a plan. Traditional stone houses, small churches, olive trees, and coastal paths give the island a pleasant, unhurried feel.

The water is clear and suitable for a refreshing swim. One useful tip is to save your swimming time for Koločep, where a sandy beach is located close to the harbor. That makes it convenient for a final dip without committing to a long walk or worrying about getting back to the boat.

You can also sit at a local café with a drink and enjoy the surroundings. The one-hour stop does not leave room for a long walk across the island, but it works well as a final chance to swim, stretch your legs, and take in the sea.

Koločep may feel too quiet if you want shops, landmarks, or a busy resort atmosphere. That is also exactly why it works as the last stop. After a long day, a low-key island is often better than another crowded attraction.

Timing matters more than the brochure suggests

The advertised duration is about eight hours, but the day can run from around 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. The cruising time between islands is included in that total, so you are not spending eight full hours walking around on land.

The schedule is roughly:

• Lopud: 3 hours
• Šipan: 1 hour
• Koločep: 1 hour
• Remaining time: travel, lunch, and time on board

That structure explains the mixed reactions to the pace. You receive a meaningful visit on Lopud, but the other two islands are brief introductions. People who love beaches and relaxed stops tend to appreciate the balance. People who do not sunbathe may prefer shorter time on Lopud and more time on the other islands.

I suggest deciding before departure what kind of day you want. On Lopud, choose either Šunj Beach, the village and historic sites, or a slower café break. Trying to do everything is possible, but you need to move efficiently and use a golf-cart taxi if you want to save walking time.

The schedule can change in poor weather. On one occasion, the boat had to skip an island, yet the day remained enjoyable. This is a sea outing, so flexibility is sensible.

What to pack for a more comfortable day

Pack as if you are taking a beach day, not only a sightseeing cruise. A swimsuit is the most important item, even if you are unsure about swimming when you leave Dubrovnik.

You should also bring:

• A towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Comfortable shoes for walking
• Snorkeling equipment if you want to use it
• A light layer for the boat ride
• Cash or a payment method for cafés, beach facilities, and optional drinks

The boat provides bottled water, lemonade, juices, and other refreshments included in the experience. Coffee, tea, beer, and additional drinks may be available for purchase.

Comfortable shoes matter most on Lopud. The walk toward Šunj Beach can take longer than expected, and some routes are uphill. The islands are not difficult for most people to enjoy, but anyone with limited mobility should consider staying near the harbor or checking whether local transport is available.

Who should book this island day?

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want an easy way to see several islands without planning your own transport. It suits couples, families, and anyone who has already spent time walking Dubrovnik’s Old Town and wants a quieter day.

It is especially good for you if you enjoy:

• Swimming and sandy beaches
• Casual island walks
• Drinks and lunch served during a boat ride
• Free time instead of constant guiding
• Scenic views and a slower pace
• Good value over a private or luxury experience

Families should find the mix of boat time, swimming, and open space appealing. The included meal also makes the day simpler, particularly when children are hungry between stops.

I would hesitate if you dislike long boat days, crowded group outings, or unstructured free time. The group can reach 110 people, and the shorter stops do not provide enough time for ambitious exploration. You should also think twice if your main goal is detailed history. Lopud has historic sights, but the tour is not built around guided visits to them.

The 4.7 rating from 248 reviews and 94 percent recommendation rate reflect the experience at its best: friendly service, good value, a pleasant boat, and a full day away from Dubrovnik. The weaker points are consistent too: lunch may feel basic, the boat may be busy, and late-season island facilities can be closed or poorly maintained.

Booking, pickup, and cancellation details

Pickup is available if you select that option and provide the exact address or hotel name. It is limited to the Dubrovnik city area, and the driver will wait no longer than two minutes after the scheduled pickup time, so be ready early.

The activity returns to the meeting point at the end of the day. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the experience is offered in English. Most people can participate, and the boat is near public transportation.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. Since the cruise requires good weather, the operator offers another date or a full refund if poor conditions cause cancellation.

Should you book this Dubrovnik three-island cruise?

Book it if you want a well-priced, full-day escape with lunch, drinks, three island stops, and minimal planning. Make Lopud your priority, pack a swimsuit and towel, and consider a golf-cart taxi to Šunj Beach so you can use the three-hour stop well.

Skip it if you want a small private boat, a tightly guided sightseeing program, or equal amounts of time on every island. For most people seeking a relaxed day beyond Dubrovnik, though, the combination of friendly service, simple food, swimming, and Adriatic scenery makes this a sensible buy.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours. Some departures may run from around 9 a.m. until about 5:30 p.m., including time spent cruising between islands.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The planned route includes Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep in the Elaphiti Islands.

How long do you spend on Lopud?

You have about three hours on Lopud.

How long do you spend on Šipan and Koločep?

The scheduled time is about one hour on Šipan and one hour on Koločep.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You can choose grilled hake, grilled chicken fillet, or grilled seasonal vegetables. Each option is served with potato salad and bread.

Are drinks included?

Bottled still water, lemonade, juices, and other assorted soft drinks are included. Additional drinks such as coffee, tea, and beer may be available to purchase on board.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are available if you select that option. Pickup is provided only within the Dubrovnik city area, and you must send the exact accommodation address or hotel name.

Should I bring a swimsuit and towel?

Yes. Swimming is one of the best ways to use your free time, especially at Šunj Beach and near Koločep harbor. Towels are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so you need to bring your own if you want to snorkel.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.