Three Island Boat Tour With Lunch

The best Dubrovnik escape may be offshore. This eight-hour cruise trades crowded city streets for the Elaphiti Islands, with time to swim, walk, eat lunch, and simply watch the coast slide by. I like the roomy boat with shaded seating, and I like that lunch and regular drinks are included rather than added later. The main consideration is pace: three islands in one day gives you a useful taste, not hours of quiet exploration on any single island.

I also like the easy setup. You can choose hotel pickup in Dubrovnik, or meet the large blue boat Emili at the bus stop across from the University building at 08:45. The crew has earned strong praise for attentive service, but you need to listen carefully to departure times at each stop. Missing the boat, as one passenger learned, can turn a relaxed island day into a small rescue operation.

At a glance: the details that matter

• Three different island stops: Lopud gets about three hours, while Sipan and Kolocep each receive roughly one hour.
• A sandy-beach option: Sunj Beach on Lopud is the key stop for anyone who wants sand and a calm swimming setting.
• Food and drinks included: Lunch, bottled water, Coca-Cola, Fanta, white wine, and brandy are included, with other alcohol charged separately.
• A comfortable boat base: The boat is described as large, clean, spacious, shaded, and fitted with clean toilets.
• Swimming and snorkeling time: You can use free time at the islands for swimming, snorkeling, walks, photographs, or a drink ashore.
• Good value at $76: The price covers a full day, boat transport, a guide, lunch, drinks, and optional Dubrovnik pickup.

Leaving Dubrovnik behind at 08:45

The day begins at the bus stop across from the University building. Look for the large blue boat named Emili. The boat is not expected before 08:45, so arriving early does not mean you will see it waiting ahead of time.

If you select the pickup option, hotel or accommodation collection and return are available within the City of Dubrovnik area. This does not cover the entire Dubrovnik-Neretva County, and pickup less than 1,000 meters from the starting point is not included. Check your selected option carefully, since the meeting arrangement can change.

That small piece of planning matters. A boat trip is less forgiving than a walking tour if you arrive late. Keep the departure times in mind at every island stop, and do not assume the boat will wait if you are browsing a beach bar or walking farther along the shore.

The opening cruise lasts about 45 minutes. This gives you time to settle into the boat, take in the coastal views, and get a feel for the day before the first island stop. The boat has seating with views from all sides, along with shaded areas that become especially useful during a long summer day.

Lopud gives you the longest island break

Lopud is the main stop, with about three hours for a guided visit, free time, walking, photographs, swimming, and snorkeling. Because you have more time here than at the other islands, Lopud is the place to make a personal choice: spend the morning in the water, take a walk, or seek out the sandy beach at Sunj.

Sunj is the strongest reason to choose this excursion if you want a beach day rather than only a sightseeing cruise. Sandy beaches are less common along the rocky Adriatic coast, so the chance to swim from a broad sandy shore gives this trip a different feel from a standard coastal boat ride.

You should not expect all three hours to be a guided tour. The schedule combines a guide-led visit with free time, so you can set your own pace. That flexibility is useful for couples and families who do not all want the same thing. One person can swim while another takes photographs or enjoys a quiet walk.

Snorkeling is available during the swimming portions, but bring your own swimsuit. A swimsuit is not provided, and personal expenses are also your responsibility. It is sensible to have a towel and any preferred beach supplies with you, since the supplied information does not promise rental equipment or beach gear.

The island scenery is one of the day’s main rewards. You will see the coast from the boat, then get a closer look on foot. The combination works better than a cruise that only circles the islands, although three hours can still pass quickly if you want both a proper beach visit and a longer walk.

Sipan offers a shorter, quieter pause

Sipan follows with about one hour. This stop includes a break, photographs, free time, sightseeing, walking, swimming, snorkeling, and a self-guided visit.

The self-guided format is worth noting. You may receive general information about the island, but this is not presented as a long, structured walking tour. I would use the hour for a simple plan: step ashore, walk a little, take photographs, and return to the water if conditions suit you.

An hour is enough for a taste, but not enough for an ambitious exploration. Keep your watch visible and allow time to return to the boat. The appeal here is the change of scene and the chance to enjoy a less programmed stop, not a full historical tour.

Sipan also helps break up the day. After the longer Lopud visit, a shorter stop lets you see another island without giving up too much time on the boat. You get another chance to swim or snorkel, but you do not need to choose a single major activity for the whole stop.

Kolocep closes the island circuit

Kolocep is the final island stop, also with about one hour for photographs, free time, a walk, swimming, snorkeling, and views from the shore.

Like Sipan, Kolocep is partly self-guided. That makes the stop easygoing, but it also means you should not arrive expecting a detailed guided tour every minute. The day works best when you treat the islands as three different chances to enjoy the coast, not as three formal sightseeing lectures.

You may want to use Kolocep for the activity you missed earlier. If Lopud became your beach stop and Sipan your walking stop, Kolocep can be your final swim. Or you can stay aboard if you have had enough sun. The boat remains an important part of the experience, not merely transport between points.

One useful tip comes from the practical side of the schedule: the final stop may offer golf-buggy taxis toward a larger beach in a calm bay with bars. That option can make the last island more appealing if you want a bigger beach area, but it is not described as an included part of the tour. Treat it as an optional extra and budget for it as needed.

Lunch is simple, generous, and part of the value

Lunch is included, and you choose from three options when booking. The exact menu is not given, but the food has been described as tasty and generous. A grilled vegetable and potato salad option suits vegetarians, while the fish choice may contain bones, so eat with care.

This is the kind of meal that improves a full-day boat trip. You do not have to leave the group searching for food during a short island stop, and you can return to swimming or sightseeing without turning lunch into a separate project.

Still, I would not book this as a food-focused excursion. The value comes from the complete package: transport, island stops, lunch, drinks, and eight hours away from Dubrovnik. Lunch supports the day rather than defining it.

The included drinks are generous by excursion standards. Bottled water, Coca-Cola, Fanta, white wine, and brandy are listed, and the crew regularly offers refreshments. Other alcoholic drinks are not included, so do not assume the open drink service covers every bar item.

The boat makes the long day easier

A boat can make or break an eight-hour cruise. Here, the useful details are encouraging: the vessel is large and spacious, the toilets are described as clean, and seating provides good views from all sides. Shaded areas help protect you from the strongest sun.

The crew also appears to pay attention to comfort. When rain arrived on one trip, the sides of the boat were lowered and blankets were brought out. That is the sort of small response that matters more than fancy decoration when you are several hours into a day at sea.

The boat is not only a moving viewpoint. It is your place to rest between island stops, have lunch, take a drink, and recover from the heat. If you prefer a packed sightseeing schedule with constant commentary, the relaxed onboard time may feel slow. I see it as a strength for anyone who wants a proper break from Dubrovnik.

The English-speaking guide gives information about each island as you reach it. Emily was specifically praised for looking after passengers throughout the day. The wider crew is also described as friendly, attentive, and quick to help, including in a situation where a passenger missed the departure from the first stop.

That incident also supplies the warning. Good staff can sometimes help, but you should not rely on an emergency solution. Note the boat location, follow the return instructions, and be back at the quay before the stated departure time.

What $76 buys you in Dubrovnik

At $76 per person, this is not the cheapest way to sit on a beach near Dubrovnik. It is a reasonable price for a full-day package that combines a sightseeing cruise, three islands, lunch, drinks, a guide, and possible hotel transport.

The included beverages add real value. Buying drinks individually on a boat or at beach stops can quickly raise the cost of an otherwise inexpensive outing. Lunch also keeps the day simple, especially when the island stops are short and you do not want to spend your limited time finding a restaurant.

The price is strongest for you if you want variety. You get a sandy beach, several swimming opportunities, three island settings, and plenty of time on the water. It is weaker value if you want to spend most of the day on one beach, avoid organized excursions, or pay only for transportation.

Optional expenses remain. Personal purchases, extra alcoholic drinks, and any transport outside the stated pickup area are not covered. The golf-buggy ride mentioned for reaching a larger beach is also something to treat as an extra rather than part of the basic price.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want an easy change of pace from Dubrovnik. It suits people who like a mix of sightseeing and downtime, since you can listen to island information, walk, swim, snorkel, eat, or stay under the shade.

It is also a good match for visitors who value practical inclusions. Hotel pickup may remove a taxi problem, while lunch and drinks remove much of the day’s small planning. The large boat and clean toilets make the eight-hour duration easier to handle.

Families and mixed-interest groups may appreciate the flexible stops. One person can swim while another walks, and nobody has to build the whole day around a single activity. The main requirement is that everyone respects the meeting times.

You may prefer another outing if you want an intimate private boat, a serious snorkeling program, or a long guided history tour. This is a shared day cruise with a friendly social atmosphere. It offers choice, but it does not promise specialist instruction or private attention.

What to bring and how to plan the day

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a small bag that is easy to keep with you. The tour includes drinks and lunch, but a swimsuit is not supplied, and personal expenses are not covered.

Wear shoes that work for both a boat and an island walk. The supplied details confirm walking, swimming, snorkeling, and beach time, but they do not specify the exact shore surfaces at every stop. Practical footwear gives you more freedom than beach-only sandals.

Keep some money available for personal purchases, extra alcohol, or optional transport such as a golf buggy. If you select hotel pickup, confirm that your accommodation lies within the City of Dubrovnik area and that the selected booking option includes collection.

The cancellation terms are forgiving: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. Starting times should be checked when booking, even though the stated meeting time is 08:45 at the University-area bus stop.

Should you book the three-island cruise?

I would book this tour if you want a well-organized day on the water with a good mix of beach time, island scenery, lunch, and drinks. The strongest parts are the roomy boat, attentive crew, generous refreshments, and the long Lopud stop with access to Sunj Beach.

I would think twice if your ideal day means complete independence or one quiet beach from morning to afternoon. The schedule is fixed, the island visits are short after Lopud, and you must stay alert for departure times.

For most Dubrovnik visitors with one free day, $76 is a fair exchange for convenience and variety. Bring your swimsuit, return to the boat promptly, and use Lopud for the experience you most want. That simple plan lets the cruise do what it does best: get you out of the city and onto the sea without making you organize every detail yourself.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour meet?

The meeting point is the bus stop across from the University building. Arrive at 08:45 and look for the large blue boat named Emili. The boat is not expected before 08:45.

Is hotel pickup available?

Hotel or accommodation pickup and drop-off are available in the City of Dubrovnik area if you select that option. Pickup is not available throughout Dubrovnik-Neretva County, and pickup less than 1,000 meters from the starting point is not included.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Lopud, Sipan, and Kolocep. Lopud receives about three hours, while Sipan and Kolocep each receive about one hour.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, and you can choose among three lunch options when booking. A grilled vegetable and potato salad option is available, and the fish option may contain bones.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, Coca-Cola, Fanta, white wine, and brandy are included. Other alcoholic drinks are not included.

Can I swim and snorkel during the tour?

Yes. Swimming and snorkeling opportunities are included during the island stops. You need to bring your own swimsuit, since one is not provided.