Island Hopping & City Walls Cruise with Food and Open Bar

A boat day can simplify island hopping. This seven-hour cruise from Dubrovnik visits Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud, combining swimming time, a cooked lunch, wine, and sunset views on the ride home. I like the easy three-island route and the fact that lunch and drinks are part of the price. The main tradeoff is time: two hours on Lopud can feel short if you want to reach Šunj Beach.

The tour costs $84.66 per person, and the boat holds up to 120 people. That makes it a social outing rather than a private escape, but the price is fair for a full day on the water. Hosts Ana and Annabella have earned praise for being friendly and attentive, and small touches such as seasickness tablets and second helpings at lunch add real value.

Five useful things to know before sailing

• Three Elaphiti islands in one day: Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud each offer a different kind of stop, from a quick swim to a longer beach visit.
• Lunch is included: Choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal, with bread and the possibility of more main-course servings.
• Wine is included: Bottled water and alcoholic drinks are provided, though a €3 cup charge may apply and can be refunded at day’s end.
• Lopud needs a plan: Two hours is enough for the village and a swim, but reaching Šunj Beach takes extra time and a €3 golf-cart ride each way.
• The schedule works well for late starters: Departure is listed as 10:45 a.m., with the boat returning around 5:45 p.m. according to the day’s operating schedule.
• The tour is weather dependent: Poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure.

Three islands, one easy Dubrovnik day

Dubrovnik is a fine base for exploring the Elaphiti archipelago, but arranging several islands on your own takes patience. Local ferries can cover parts of the route for a few euros, yet connecting Šipan with the other islands is not especially simple. This cruise takes care of the boat schedule, meals, and movement between stops.

You spend roughly seven hours on the water and land at three islands. The pace is active without being frantic at the first two stops, then more relaxed at Lopud, where you get the longest break. On the way back, the boat passes Dubrovnik around sunset, giving you a fine final look at the city from the sea.

The group size can reach 120 people, so you should not expect an intimate sailing trip. You are choosing convenience, a broad route, and included food over quiet decks and personal service. For many people, that is a sensible bargain in a city where private boat trips can cost much more.

Koločep gives you a gentle first stop

Koločep is the first island, with about 45 minutes scheduled ashore. That is enough time for a swim, a coffee if you buy one, or a short walk. It is a useful opening stop because you can get a feel for the day without having to commit to a long hike or complicated plan.

The short stay also sets expectations. You will not have time to explore every corner of Koločep, and coffee or tea is not included in the tour. Bring some local currency or a card if you want something beyond the supplied water and drinks.

The water is one of the main reasons to make this trip, so pack swimwear under your clothes and keep a towel handy. Snorkeling equipment is not included, and the boat does not provide WiFi. If snorkeling matters to you, bring your own gear rather than assuming it will be waiting on board.

Šipan adds a little history and another swim

The second stop is Šipan, one of the larger islands in the Elaphiti group. The visit lasts about 40 minutes in the planned schedule, although the operating day described by one passenger allowed closer to an hour. Either way, this is a short stop, best used for a quick look and a swim rather than a full island walk.

A notable sight here is the summer house of the Skočibuha family. The stop gives you a glimpse of the island’s old maritime and summer-residence traditions without turning the day into a formal history tour. You can look around, stretch your legs, and get back in the water before the boat moves on.

This is also where the schedule can feel generous or tight, depending on the day. Koločep and Šipan are close enough to sample comfortably, but you should not plan an elaborate café stop, museum visit, and swim at both. The charm of the route comes from seeing three islands, not from spending half a day on any one of them.

Lopud is the main event

Lopud receives about two hours, making it the heart of the excursion. It is one of the best-known islands in the group, and you have time to walk, swim, eat a snack, or simply sit near the shore. Compared with Koločep and Šipan, this stop feels less like a taste and more like a proper break.

The big decision is how far you want to go. Lopud’s famous Šunj Beach lies on the other side of the island. The walk takes about 15 minutes, and a golf cart is available for €3 each way. That extra cost is not included, and the transfer can leave you with only 45 minutes to an hour at the beach once you account for the ride and return.

Šunj is worth considering if a sandy beach is high on your list. Still, you should make the choice quickly after arriving. If you spend too long over lunch or strolling around the nearer part of Lopud, the trip to Šunj can turn into a rushed exercise.

I would choose one of three approaches:

• Stay near the landing point for a swim and a calm island break.
• Walk to Šunj if you value the beach more than browsing Lopud.
• Use the golf cart if you want to save your legs, but budget €6 round trip per person.

The two-hour limit is the clearest weakness of this cruise. Some similar island outings allow three hours at Lopud. The tradeoff here is a later start, included lunch, and a lower price than some competing options. If you want a leisurely beach afternoon, look for a longer Lopud stay. If you want three islands in one day, this schedule is workable.

Lunch is better than a token boat meal

Lunch is one of the strongest reasons to consider this cruise. You choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal, so the menu is not limited to one fixed dish. Bottled water is included, and wine is served as part of the drinks package.

The meal has received especially warm praise for its portions. Bread is available freely, and second servings of the main course may be offered. That matters on a full day with swimming and walking, since you are not forced to rely on a small sandwich or expensive food bought at each island.

Do not read the drink package as a polished cocktail bar. The included alcoholic beverage is wine, and a €3 cup charge may be collected if you want unlimited drinks. The charge can be refunded at the end of the day. You can also keep the cup as a small souvenir, which is a practical option if the refund process is less important to you than having a memento.

Coffee and tea are not included. Plan to pay separately at a stop if you want either one. A restroom is available on board, which is a basic feature but an important one during a seven-hour outing.

Sunset is part of the return journey

The final portion of the experience is not another island stop. Instead, you ride back toward Dubrovnik and watch the city as the light softens. The schedule allows about 1 hour and 30 minutes for the Old Town portion, with sunset views on the way back to port.

This is a pleasant finish because Dubrovnik looks different from the water. The walls, towers, and clustered rooftops make more sense as a fortified coastal city when you see them from offshore. You are not simply returning from a swim; you are getting a changing view of the city that started the day.

A reported return time is around 5:45 p.m., with the boat leaving and arriving close to schedule. That makes it easier to plan dinner afterward, though I would still avoid booking anything expensive immediately after the stated arrival time. Boats and weather do not always respect restaurant reservations.

The crew and onboard feel

The crew is an important part of this kind of trip. Ana has been singled out for being professional, helpful, and safety conscious, while Annabella has been praised for her kindness and care. That does not turn a large group boat into a private charter, but it can make a real difference when you need help, have questions, or feel uneasy on the water.

The boat carries up to 120 people, so the atmosphere will likely be lively. You should expect shared seating and a busy deck rather than silence and personal space. The upside is that the food and drink service creates an easy social mood, especially during the long return ride.

The sea can be rough on the way out. Dramamine has been available on board, but I would not rely on that as your only plan if you are prone to motion sickness. Eat lightly before departure, choose a spot where you can see the horizon if possible, and bring whatever medication normally works for you.

Is $84.66 a good price?

At $84.66, the cruise offers solid value if you intend to use the included meal and drinks. You get transportation between three islands, a seven-hour outing, lunch, bottled water, wine, and access to a restroom. The route would be harder to reproduce independently in one day, even if individual ferry tickets are cheaper.

The price is less attractive if you do not drink alcohol, skip the meal, or want long stretches of quiet beach time. You are paying partly for organization. The boat removes the need to compare ferry times, wait between islands, and work out how to connect Šipan and Lopud.

I see the value this way:

• Best value: You want a full island sampler with lunch and drinks.
• Moderate value: You mainly want to reach Šunj Beach and would prefer more than two hours there.
• Lower value: You want a private boat, extensive snorkeling, or a slow visit to just one island.

The 95 percent recommendation rate and 4.8 rating from 102 ratings suggest a strong record, especially for food, staff, and overall organization. The most useful praise is specific: the boat leaves on time, the crew is friendly, lunch portions are generous, and the return reaches Dubrovnik as planned.

Timing, meeting details, and cancellation

The listed start time is 10:45 a.m., but one operating detail is worth checking carefully. A passenger staying at the Sheraton reported boarding there around 10 a.m., with 10:45 being the time the boat leaves the Old Town area rather than the actual first pickup. Confirm your exact meeting point and boarding time before the day of departure.

The experience ends back at the meeting point. It is near public transportation, and mobile tickets make entry simple. Service animals are allowed, and the activity states that most people can participate. The large boat and onboard restroom also make this easier than a small, basic speedboat outing, though no special mobility details are provided.

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

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if this is your first visit to Dubrovnik and you want a straightforward introduction to the nearby islands. It suits couples, friends, and families who like a mix of swimming, light walking, a substantial lunch, and time on deck.

It is also a good fit if you are staying near the Sheraton or another convenient departure point, but check the pickup instructions rather than relying only on the published 10:45 time. People who get seasick should prepare in advance, especially because the outward ride can be rough.

You may want another option if your priority is Šunj Beach. Two hours on Lopud is enough to reach it, but the walk or golf cart ride makes the beach visit feel compressed. The same is true if you dislike large groups or want snorkeling gear included.

FAQ

How long does the Island Hopping and City Walls Cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours. The listed start time is 10:45 a.m., and the boat has been reported to return to Dubrovnik around 5:45 p.m.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

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

How much time is spent on each island?

The planned stops are about 45 minutes at Koločep, 40 minutes at Šipan, and two hours at Lopud.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You can choose a fish, chicken, or vegetarian meal. Bottled water and wine are also included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want three islands, lunch, wine, and a sunset return without arranging ferry connections yourself. The staff, generous meal, dependable timing, and fair price make it a strong all-round day trip from Dubrovnik.

Think twice if you want a long stay at Šunj Beach or a small, quiet boat. For most people seeking an easy first look at the Elaphiti islands, though, Vivado’s cruise offers a well-priced day with enough variety to make the time on the water worthwhile.