Full-Day Dubrovnik Elaphite Islands Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

Three islands, one very full day. This Dubrovnik cruise makes island-hopping simple, with good onboard lunch and drinks included rather than leaving you to hunt for food between stops. I also like the mix of sandy beaches, quiet ports, and open-water views. The main drawback is the group size, which can reach 110 people, and the mood may become loud after several hours of drinks.

The schedule gives you real time ashore, especially on Lopud and Kolocep. I would treat Sipan as a pleasant short stop rather than a major sightseeing destination. If swimming is important to you, book in warm weather, since the final stop is less rewarding when the sea is cold.

Key points to know before booking

• Three islands, three different moods: Lopud offers Šunj beach and gardens, Sipan gives you a small old harbor, and Kolocep is the best stop for swimming and snorkeling.
• Lunch is substantial: Choose grilled chicken, grilled hake, or seasonal grilled vegetables when booking.
• Drinks are included: White wine, brandy, water, Coca-Cola, Fanta, and other soft drinks are provided. Other alcoholic drinks cost extra.
• The last stop matters most in summer: Kolocep allows about an hour for beach time, swimming, and snorkeling, but some departures give longer free time there.
• Pickup needs careful planning: Hotel pickup is available only when selected and only within Dubrovnik city. You must contact the operator for the exact time.
• This is a social boat day: The cruise can suit families, couples, and groups of friends, but it is not ideal if you want a quiet, small-boat outing.

What this Dubrovnik island cruise is really like

For $78.60 per person and about eight hours, this is a straightforward way to see the Elaphite Islands without arranging ferries, restaurants, and beach stops yourself. You board near Lapadska Obala at 9:00 a.m., spend the day moving between Lopud, Sipan, and Kolocep, then return to the same meeting point.

The appeal is not a detailed guided tour at every sight. Instead, you get transport by boat, a host or guide, lunch, drinks, and free time on each island. That makes the cruise useful if you want a relaxed day at sea with a little exploring, rather than a tightly scripted history tour.

The islands are close together, with some crossings taking only about 15 to 20 minutes. That means less time sitting on the boat between stops and more time on land. It also means you should not expect a long coastal voyage far out into the Adriatic.

The boat can carry up to 110 people. Some departures feel easygoing, while others become lively, particularly on the return ride when the wine and local brandy have been flowing all day. I would choose a seat on the upper deck if you enjoy company and sea views, or look for a quieter place downstairs if you prefer less noise.

Morning on Lopud: Šunj beach, gardens, and old churches

Lopud is the most rounded first stop. You have about three hours, enough time to combine a walk, a beach visit, and a little wandering around the island’s heritage sites.

The big draw is sandy Šunj beach. Sand is a welcome change from the rocky coves common along the Croatian coast, and the beach gives you an easy place to swim or simply stretch out. Bring your swimsuit, towel, and sun protection. A swimsuit is not provided, and you will not be able to jump from the boat for a swim during the crossings.

If the sea is too cool, Lopud still works well. You can walk toward Djordjic Mayneri Park and its botanical garden, browse around the island, or visit churches and older buildings. The setting is peaceful, and the three-hour stop gives you freedom to set your own pace.

One practical point: the boat does not escort you from sight to sight. The shore time is self-guided, so you need to keep an eye on the meeting time. If you spend too long at Šunj, you may have little time left for the village and garden.

Some people use Lopud as their swimming stop because it comes early, when they still have plenty of energy. Others save their swim for Kolocep, where the later beach time is longer and the setting feels more suited to a final seaside break.

Sipan: a small port with a slower rhythm

Sipan is the shortest stop, at about one hour. The boat calls at a traditional fisherman’s port, and the atmosphere is quieter than Dubrovnik. This is a place for a brief walk, a drink, and a look at island life rather than a packed sightseeing program.

Sipan is associated with olive trees and is described as having the largest number of olive trees of any island in the Guinness World Records. You may also hear about a 15th-century castle built for defense against pirates. These details add context, but the stop itself remains modest.

I would set your expectations correctly. There is a small harbor and a compact area to explore, not a long list of major sights. Some people find an hour just right, while others feel Sipan could be shortened in favor of more time at Kolocep.

That contrast is useful when planning your day. If you care most about swimming and beaches, Sipan may feel like the least exciting part. If you enjoy old ports and a slower, less polished setting, it gives the cruise a welcome change of pace.

Lunch onboard: generous portions and simple choices

Lunch is served on the boat, which saves you from spending part of the day searching for a restaurant. You choose your meal type for each person in the special requirements box when booking, or contact the operator afterward to provide the details.

The choices are:

• Grilled chicken fillet with vegetables
• Grilled hake with vegetables
• Grilled seasonal Mediterranean vegetables for a vegetarian meal

Bread and other side items may accompany the meal. Portions are described as generous, and the fish has received particularly strong praise. The vegetarian choice is made from local seasonal vegetables, so it is a sensible option for someone who wants a light Mediterranean meal.

Tell the operator about allergies, gluten-free needs, or other dietary requirements before departure. The information provided confirms that dietary requests can be submitted, but you should not wait until you are sitting at the table.

Drinks include bottled water, Coca-Cola, Fanta, and other soft drinks. White wine and brandy are included, while other alcoholic drinks are not. The crew may offer drinks regularly throughout the day, which is convenient but also explains why the upper deck can become noisier later on.

The minimum drinking age is 18. If you are bringing children, an adult must accompany them. Families can participate, but parents should consider the long day, sun exposure, boat movement, and the increasingly social atmosphere as the cruise continues.

Kolocep: the best stop for swimming and snorkeling

Kolocep is the final island and usually the highlight for anyone who wants beach time. The island is known for caves, cliffs, sandy beaches, and clear water suitable for swimming and snorkeling.

You have about an hour scheduled here, although the exact timing can vary. That is enough for a quick swim and a short walk, but not always enough for a leisurely beach day. Some people use local golf carts to reach the other side of the island, where the beach is considered especially appealing. If you want to do that, ask about timing before leaving the boat.

Beach chairs may cost around €5, or may be offered with a drink purchase, based on the arrangements described for some departures. Treat that as a possible local extra rather than a guaranteed inclusion. Bring cash for personal expenses, since beach facilities and optional activities are not part of the cruise price.

Kolocep is also where an optional speedboat trip to the Blue Cave may be offered for an additional €20. It is not included in the advertised cruise price, so confirm availability and cost before counting on it. If the add-on operates, it can appeal to you if you want more action than a standard beach stop.

The tradeoff is simple. Kolocep is excellent in warm weather, but it loses some of its appeal on a cool or rainy day. One late-season departure was still enjoyable because of the scenery and lunch, but swimming was no longer the main attraction.

The boat, crew, and atmosphere onboard

The boat is described as clean and comfortable, with an upper deck that gives you the best view of the coast. The crew handles lunch and drinks while the guide provides information about each stop. Several guides and attendants have been praised by name, including Emily and Darko, and the service is often warm and attentive.

The guide may be multilingual, so the level of commentary can vary. You should expect useful orientation and practical information, not a long lecture at every island. The free time is yours, which is a strength if you dislike being marched around in a group.

The social mood is a major part of the experience. People often make friends onboard, and solo participants can find it easy to join a group for the day. Couples and families can also enjoy it, though the upper deck may become loud when the drinks have been served for several hours.

One poor experience described a disagreement with crew members after the ride turned into a loud party. That does not appear to be the usual outcome, but it is a useful warning. If you want calm conversation, sit away from the main drinking crowd or move downstairs. This is a shared excursion, not a private yacht charter.

Pickup, meeting point, and timing details

The standard meeting point is Knjižnica za društvene znanosti at Lapadska obala 7 in Dubrovnik. The tour begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends back at the meeting point.

Hotel or accommodation pickup is available only if you select that option. It applies to the Dubrovnik city area, and pickup is not available if you are staying less than one kilometer from the starting point. In that case, you need to walk to the meeting point or make your own way there.

The operator may collect you from the front of your hotel or from the nearest bus stop. Pickup usually occurs between 45 minutes and five minutes before departure, depending on where you stay and on traffic.

This is the part of the booking process where you need to be proactive. Send your exact address and international phone number, then contact the operator by email, phone, or WhatsApp to confirm the pickup time or meeting point. If you do not make contact, you risk missing the transfer, and a refund is not offered for a missed departure.

The same caution applies if you arrive in Dubrovnik by cruise ship, flight, bus, or taxi. Delays and a wrong booking date are not covered by the refund policy, so leave plenty of margin rather than trying to fit this cruise into a tight arrival schedule.

Is $78.60 good value?

I consider the price fair for a full day that includes boat transport, lunch, water, soft drinks, wine, brandy, a guide, and three island stops. Dubrovnik can be expensive, and simply buying lunch plus several drinks near the coast can consume a large part of the fee.

The value is strongest if you plan to swim, enjoy a full day outside, and appreciate having the route organized. It is weaker if you dislike group outings or want long, detailed sightseeing at each island. You are paying for convenience and a pleasant day on the water, not for exclusive access or private guiding.

The included meal also removes a common island-hopping problem: finding a table during a busy summer afternoon. You can eat onboard, then use your shore time for walking or swimming instead of restaurant logistics.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Weather cancellations offer a different date or a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not refunded.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want an easy introduction to the Elaphite Islands and prefer a social day with food and drinks already arranged. It is especially suitable for couples, groups of friends, families with older children, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people.

You should think twice if you are prone to seasickness, since the operator specifically advises against the cruise for people with that problem. It is also not the right choice for a quiet private outing, a serious history tour, or a day built around spending many hours at one beach.

Book it when the weather forecast looks good, and tell the operator your lunch choice early. For the best day, protect your time at Kolocep, pack swimwear, and confirm pickup before departure.

FAQ

What is included in the Dubrovnik Elaphite Islands cruise?

The cruise includes lunch, bottled water, soft drinks, white wine, brandy, a driver or guide, a local guide, and the listed island activities. Hotel or accommodation pickup and drop-off are included only if you select that option.

What lunch choices are available?

You can request grilled chicken with vegetables, grilled hake with vegetables, or grilled seasonal Mediterranean vegetables. Enter the meal choice for each person when booking and advise the operator about dietary requirements.

Is hotel pickup available in Dubrovnik?

Yes, pickup is available from the Dubrovnik city area if you select the pickup option. Pickup is not available for accommodation less than one kilometer from Lapadska Obala 7, and pickup outside the Dubrovnik city area is not included.

How long do you spend on each island?

The planned stops are about three hours on Lopud, one hour on Sipan, and one hour on Kolocep. Weather and other demanding conditions can change the route and schedule.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

White wine and brandy are included. Other alcoholic drinks are not included, while water, Coca-Cola, Fanta, and other soft drinks are provided.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time.