Full-Day Dubrovnik Elaphite Islands Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

Three islands, one easy day at sea. This eight-hour Dubrovnik cruise combines island time, a filling lunch, swimming, and drinks without making you arrange ferries or restaurants. I like the generous food and the friendly, attentive crew, especially guides such as Emily and Darko, who are often praised for keeping people comfortable and informed. I also like the useful mix of stops: sandy Šunj Beach on Lopud, the quiet port of Sipan, and swimming time on Kolocep.

The main consideration is the group size, which can reach 110 people. Some departures feel sociable and festive, while others may feel crowded or loud, particularly after the drinks begin flowing. Sipan is also a modest stop, so people wanting long beach time or a quiet boat ride may find the schedule less satisfying.

Key Points Before You Book

• Three islands in one day: Visit Lopud, Sipan, and Kolocep, each with a different pace and character.

• Lunch is more substantial than expected: Choose grilled chicken, grilled hake, or seasonal grilled vegetables, with potatoes, tomatoes, and bread served on board.

• Drinks are included: Water, soft drinks, white wine, and brandy are provided. Other alcoholic drinks cost extra.

• Šunj Beach is the best beach stop: Lopud gives you time for sandy beach, swimming, a botanical garden, churches, and a walk through the village.

• Kolocep offers the longest beach break: You have about three hours there, making it the key stop for swimming and sun.

• Pickup needs attention: Hotel pickup is available only if selected, and you must contact the operator for the exact time or meeting point.

What This Dubrovnik Boat Day Actually Feels Like

The tour begins around 9:00 a.m. at Knjižnica za društvene znanosti on Lapadska obala 7. If you select pickup, the vehicle collects you from a nearby hotel or bus stop in the Dubrovnik city area. Pickup normally happens between 45 minutes and five minutes before departure, depending on where you stay.

This detail matters. Pickup is not available for people staying less than one kilometer from the starting point, and the operator asks you to confirm your exact time by email, phone, or WhatsApp. If you do not make contact, you risk missing the transfer, with no refund.

Once on board, the day has a simple rhythm: cruise, explore an island independently, return for lunch or drinks, then continue to the next stop. You are not following a tightly guided walking tour. The crew provides information and directions, but much of your time ashore is yours to use.

That freedom is a strength. You can spend Lopud on the beach, in the gardens, or walking around the old churches. You can keep Sipan short and focus on the port. On Kolocep, you can put your towel down and stay near the water for most of the stop.

The boat can carry up to 110 people. That is a fairly large group, so do not expect a private sailing trip. The upside is a lively social setting, with staff regularly checking on drinks and helping people understand the stops. The downside is noise, limited personal space, and less control over the mood of the return trip.

Lopud: Three Hours for Šunj Beach and Village Wandering

Lopud is the strongest opening stop because it gives you several good choices. The island is known for its warm sea, nature, churches, heritage buildings, and sandy Šunj Beach.

If you want to swim, make Šunj your first priority. Sandy beaches are not something you should take for granted along the rocky Adriatic coast, and this is the beach most often singled out as a highlight. You can also use the time for sunbathing or a simple walk before returning to the boat.

Lopud also has the Djordjic Mayneri botanical gardens. The gardens offer a quieter alternative to the beach, particularly if you are visiting outside the hottest part of summer or the sea is too cool for swimming.

The island’s churches and heritage sites give the stop more substance than a quick swim break. You can walk around, get a feel for the settlement, and stop for coffee if you prefer not to rush into the water.

The planned stay is about three hours, though exact timing can change with weather and operating conditions. That is enough time to combine the beach with a short walk, but you will still need to choose your priorities. You are unlikely to see every corner of Lopud at a relaxed pace.

A useful tactic is to decide before you leave the boat. If Šunj is your goal, head there promptly. If you would rather explore, use the early part of the stop for the village and gardens, then leave time for a swim.

Lunch on Board: Simple, Filling, and Better Than Expected

Lunch is one of the best parts of the value equation. You select a meal type for each person when booking or through the booking management system afterward.

The choices are:

• Grilled chicken fillet with vegetables
• Grilled hake with vegetables
• Grilled seasonal Mediterranean vegetables

The meal may also include potatoes, tomatoes, and crusty bread. Portions have been described as generous, with some people receiving several large pieces of chicken. That makes this more than a token boat lunch. You can plan on eating properly rather than buying a meal at every island.

Fish is a particularly good choice if you enjoy simple grilled seafood. The vegetarian plate is also more than a side dish, since it consists of grilled local seasonal vegetables. Still, you should state allergies or special dietary needs before the tour. The operator specifically asks you to provide the meal type for each person.

Lunch is served on the boat, which saves valuable island time. You do not have to spend one of the short stops finding a restaurant, waiting for food, and watching the clock. You can eat while the boat moves between islands or during the scheduled meal period.

The main limitation is that the menu is fixed around those three choices. If you need a highly specialized meal, confirm your requirements in advance rather than assuming the standard options will cover them.

Drinks, Crew, and the Mood on the Boat

Included drinks cover bottled water, Coca-Cola, Fanta, and other soft drinks, along with white wine and brandy. The minimum drinking age is 18. Other alcoholic drinks are not included.

The crew’s attentiveness is a major reason this tour receives such strong marks. Emily is repeatedly singled out for her energy and care, and Darko is also praised for staying active and looking after people. Staff may come around often to refill glasses, explain the next stop, and remind you about departure times.

This creates a relaxed, hosted feel rather than a bare transport service. You are paying to move between islands, but you are also getting lunch, service, and a social atmosphere throughout the day.

There is a catch. The open bar can change the tone of the cruise. Several accounts describe a fun, upbeat party atmosphere, while one serious complaint describes the final part of a departure becoming too loud and uncomfortable. Another person found the boat too crowded and noisy, even while praising the food and service.

My advice is straightforward: if you want conversation, music, and a festive deck, you may enjoy this setup. If you want a quiet sail with space to read, choose a smaller boat tour instead.

Sipan: A Short Port Stop With Modest Expectations

Sipan is the middle stop and usually lasts about one hour. The focus is the old fishing port and the feeling of a slower Mediterranean way of life.

The island is associated with a large number of olive trees and is described as having the highest number of olive trees relative to its size. There is also a 15th-century castle built for defense against pirates.

You should keep your expectations realistic. This is not a long sightseeing visit with a large collection of major attractions. The stop centers on the harbor, nearby streets, small shops, and a brief self-guided walk.

Some people find an hour here just right. Others feel that the port is too small to fill the full stop, especially if they are not interested in browsing or lingering over a drink. I would treat Sipan as a pleasant pause between the more active Lopud and Kolocep stops, not the main reason to book.

That said, its short, local feel is part of the appeal. You can step off the boat, walk a little, and see a quieter island settlement without the pressure to cover a long list of sights.

Kolocep: Your Best Chance for Swimming and Snorkeling

Kolocep is the final island and usually receives about three hours. It is known for caves, cliffs, sandy beaches, swimming, and snorkeling.

For most people, this is the day’s main water stop. The timetable gives you enough time to swim, sit on the beach, and walk around the island without constantly checking the clock. If Lopud is busy with gardens and village sights, Kolocep is where you slow down.

The beach options here are often rated more highly than those on the other islands. You might find sun loungers available for around €5, or offered with a drink purchase, although this is an additional expense and arrangements can vary.

Golf carts may be available to take you to the other side of the island, according to accounts from the tour. That option can save time if you want to reach a preferred beach, but check the price and availability on the day.

Kolocep is also associated with optional speedboat trips to the Blue Cave. Some people paid about €20 for this extra, and the short visit was considered worthwhile. It is not part of the included cruise package described here, so confirm the arrangement before counting on it.

The three-hour stop is excellent in warm, sunny weather. In cooler conditions, it can feel long, especially if you do not plan to swim. Bring a book, walking shoes, or a backup plan for shore time.

Is the $78.60 Price Good Value?

At $78.60 per person, this is a strong package for a full day in Dubrovnik. The price covers transport by boat, three island stops, lunch, water, soft drinks, white wine, brandy, crew service, and selected activities.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for ferry tickets, lunch, drinks, and local transport. You also avoid the work of piecing together an island-hopping day yourself.

The price is less attractive if you want a small-group cruise, premium drinks, or a detailed guided tour on every island. Most shore time is self-guided, and the boat may be full. You are buying an easy, sociable day with plenty included, not a private Adriatic charter.

The food helps the package feel worthwhile. A generous grilled meal can easily cost a considerable amount in Dubrovnik, especially near the water. Add the drinks and the three-island transport, and the total is reasonable for an eight-hour outing.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a low-effort day away from Dubrovnik’s old streets. It suits couples, families, solo visitors, and groups of friends who like a mix of sightseeing and beach time.

It is especially good for people who want:

• A full day on the Adriatic without arranging several ferries
• A choice between walking, beaches, and swimming
• Lunch included in the price
• A social boat atmosphere
• Several drinks without paying for every glass
• A flexible day where you explore independently

Families should note that children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can participate, but the operator does not recommend the trip for anyone prone to seasickness.

I would think twice if you dislike crowded boats, loud groups, or scheduled shore stops. You also need to be comfortable spending up to three hours on Kolocep if the weather is too cool for swimming.

What to Bring and What to Arrange First

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, and some cash for personal expenses, beach loungers, drinks, or optional activities. A swimsuit is not supplied, and personal expenses are not included.

Give the operator the correct international phone number. Confirm your pickup time or meeting point before the morning of departure, particularly if you select hotel pickup.

Choose your lunch in advance. Fish, chicken, and vegetarian meals are available, but the operator needs the selection for each person. State allergies, gluten restrictions, or other dietary needs at booking.

Also remember that the route may change because of weather or other demanding conditions. The trip requires good weather. If the operator cancels for that reason, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Missing the tour because of a late flight, delayed cruise ship, taxi problem, wrong date, or failure to arrange pickup does not qualify for a refund.

Should You Book the Elaphite Islands Cruise?

Book it if you want good food, included drinks, three island stops, and an easy full-day escape from Dubrovnik. Lopud and Kolocep provide the best mix of beaches and free time, while Sipan adds a quieter port and a change of pace.

I would not book it for solitude or a carefully guided cultural tour. The group can be large, the return trip may become lively, and Sipan may feel brief. But at $78.60, the combination of lunch, drinks, swimming time, and island transport is hard to dismiss.

For the best day, contact the operator early about pickup, choose your meal, claim a comfortable place on board, and save your main beach time for Kolocep. If the Blue Cave speedboat option is available, ask about its cost and schedule before deciding. For most people seeking a relaxed and social day on the water, this is a sensible Dubrovnik add-on.

FAQ

How long is the Elaphite Islands cruise?

The experience lasts about eight hours. It starts at approximately 9:00 a.m. and ends back at the meeting point in Dubrovnik.

Where does the tour start?

The standard meeting point is Knjižnica za društvene znanosti, Lapadska obala 7, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available from the Dubrovnik city area if you select that option. Pickup is not available for people staying less than one kilometer from Lapadska Obala 7.

How do I confirm my pickup time?

You must contact the operator by email, phone, or WhatsApp to confirm the pickup time or meeting point. Pickup usually takes place between 45 minutes and five minutes before departure.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The cruise visits Lopud, Sipan, and Kolocep.

What lunch choices are available?

You can choose grilled chicken fillet with vegetables, grilled hake with vegetables, or grilled seasonal Mediterranean vegetables.

Are drinks included?

Bottled water, soft drinks, white wine, and brandy are included. Other alcoholic drinks are not included.

Is swimming possible during the trip?

Yes. You can swim and snorkel during the island stops, particularly at Lopud and Kolocep. Swimming directly from the boat is not part of the described schedule.

Can I cancel the tour?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. If bad weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.