Dubrovnik: Elaphite Islands Cruise with Drinks/Lunch Options

Sea, islands, lunch, and a little wine. This full-day cruise gives you a simple way to see Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud without arranging several ferries or hiring a boat. You get coastal views, swimming stops, free time ashore, and a fresh meal on the two-deck boat.

I especially like the hotel pickup option and the relaxed mix of sailing and island time. The crew, including guides such as Emily, Natasha, and Teo, receives repeated praise for friendly service and good organization. The main drawback is the three-hour stop on Lopud. Some people love the long beach break, but others find there is too little to do after swimming and walking.

The day in five useful points

• Three islands in eight hours: Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud each offer a different kind of stop, from swimming and snorkeling to village walks and beach time.
• Lunch is better than basic boat food: Choose chicken, fish, or a vegetarian meal, with fish receiving especially warm praise.
• The Blue Cave costs extra: The optional trip adds a fast speedboat ride, swimming, and snorkeling, and many people consider it the day’s highlight.
• Drinks are included: Unlimited white wine, water, apple juice, orange juice, Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, and Fanta are provided.
• The boat has useful comforts: You get two decks, plenty of seating, scenic views, and two toilets.
• Pickup requires attention: If you choose hotel pickup, contact the company before the tour for your exact time. Failing to do this can mean missing the boat without a refund.

Why this cruise works well from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a beautiful base, but its old town can become tiring after several days of stone lanes, stairs, and crowds. This cruise gives you a full day away from the city, with the Adriatic doing most of the entertaining.

At $53 per person, the basic package offers good value if lunch, drinks, and transport are included in your selected option. A comparable day built from separate ferry tickets, a restaurant meal, and local taxis would take more planning. Here, you board once and let the crew handle the route.

The value improves if you want a social day with a little structure. You are not left on a boat for eight straight hours, but you also do not need to plan every swim, meal, or island connection yourself. The tradeoff is fixed timing. You see three islands, but you cannot stay longer at the one you like best.

The boat is called Emili and leaves from the dock beside Dubrovnik’s bus station when you use the meeting-point option. It has two decks, open views, and enough seating to move around. Some departures may feel busy, but the boat is described as clean and comfortable, with room to sit outside and enjoy the ride.

The opening cruise to Koločep

The first sailing lasts about 30 minutes. This is a pleasant start rather than a major sightseeing segment. You get views back toward Dubrovnik, fresh air, and time to settle in before the first island stop.

Koločep is the smallest of the three main stops. The schedule allows about an hour for walking, photographs, swimming, or snorkeling. You should think of this as a quick introduction rather than a full island visit.

The attraction here is the water. If the sea is calm, this is a good place to get your first swim of the day, and the clear water makes snorkeling appealing. Bring your own towel and swimwear, as both are specifically recommended.

An hour passes quickly. If you want photographs, a short walk, and a swim, choose your order before leaving the boat. You will not have time to wander without a plan and still fit everything in.

The optional Blue Cave trip near Koločep

The Blue Cave visit is an optional extra, not part of every basic booking. It usually involves a separate speedboat ride, swimming, and snorkeling, and the add-on has been praised for making the day feel more adventurous.

The cave itself is the main attraction, with blue-lit water inside. The speedboat ride is part of the fun, too. It gives you a faster, more energetic change from the slower cruise boat.

The sea controls this part of the day. Conditions can affect the route, and one practical advantage of the crew’s flexible approach is that they may try to visit early if the cave could become unavailable later. If the Blue Cave matters to you, ask about adding it when you book and confirm the extra cost. Several people paid about €20 for the addition, but the supplied tour details do not guarantee one fixed price.

Do not assume the optional trip will suit everyone. The speedboat ride may be exciting, but the cave stop depends on sea conditions and may not feel worthwhile if you prefer a quiet day on the main boat. Also note that the supplied information uses both Blue Cave and Green Cave in different descriptions. Confirm the exact optional stop with the operator before departure.

Šipan brings village scenery and a slower pace

After Koločep, the cruise continues for about an hour before reaching Šipan. You get around 45 minutes here, with time for a guided introduction, photographs, and a short walk.

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphite Islands, but this visit focuses on a small slice of it rather than a long island tour. The red-roofed stone houses provide the classic Dalmatian look described in the tour plan. This is the stop for seeing traditional buildings and getting a feel for local island life without committing to a long hike.

Forty-five minutes is enough for a look around and some photographs. It is not enough for a detailed exploration, so keep your expectations sensible. If you want a relaxed drink or a long walk, this stop may feel brief.

The guide is useful here because the short visit benefits from direction. Natasha, in particular, receives praise for explaining all three islands and helping people understand what to see during their limited time. You can also choose to explore independently if you prefer not to follow a group.

Lopud gives you the longest island break

The final island stop is Lopud, with about three hours available. This is where lunch, beach time, walking, and free time come together.

Lopud is known for its red-roofed stone houses, village setting, and swimming opportunities. The sandy beach at Šunj is a major reason people enjoy this stop. You can walk, swim, snorkel, or simply sit by the water. One guide recommended using a golf trolley to reach the beach and return, which may be useful if you do not want to spend your whole break walking.

The long stop is both a strength and a weakness. If you want a proper swim and a slow afternoon, three hours is welcome. You can eat, walk, find the beach, and still have time to rest. If you prefer constant sightseeing, the final hour may drag. Some people found there was not enough to do after the beach and village walk.

I would treat Lopud as a rest stop, not a packed sightseeing visit. Bring a towel, choose a meeting time carefully, and keep enough time to return to the boat without rushing. The crew’s schedule is well organized, but the boat will not wait for a late return.

Lunch on board, with fish as the best bet

Lunch is served on the boat, generally during the Lopud portion of the day or around that stop. You can select chicken, fish, or a vegetarian dish. The meal is described as fresh, filling, and generous, with fish receiving particularly strong praise.

The food is one of the better reasons to choose the lunch option instead of arranging your own meal ashore. You can eat with sea views, avoid searching for a restaurant during a short island visit, and return to swimming or walking afterward.

Fish seems to be the safest choice if you enjoy seafood. Several people specifically praised the freshness and portion size. One person found the potatoes disappointing and preferred locally sourced Croatian fish to hake, so this is not a restaurant tasting menu. It is solid boat-trip food, and expectations at sea should remain practical.

Vegetarian and chicken options are available, but the supplied details do not describe the exact dishes. If you have a serious dietary requirement, contact the provider before booking rather than relying on the standard choices.

What the open bar really includes

The open bar adds a festive feel to the sailing portions. Included drinks are white wine, water, apple juice, orange juice, Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, and Fanta. The crew regularly checks whether you want another drink, which helps keep the day relaxed.

The details specifically list white wine and soft drinks, not a full unlimited selection of spirits, beer, or cocktails. One account notes that other alcoholic drinks are not free, so ask before ordering anything beyond the included list.

This matters when you compare the $53 price. If you enjoy wine and soft drinks, the included drinks add real value. If you do not drink alcohol, the meal, transport, and island access still carry the package, but the bar will matter less to your calculation.

The atmosphere can become lively, especially as the wine keeps flowing and music plays. That suits couples, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people. It may be less appealing if you want a silent, private boat ride.

The crew makes the long day easy

Good boat tours depend on crew members who keep the day moving without making you feel rushed. Emily is praised for personal, attentive service, while Natasha receives strong marks for guiding and explaining the stops. Teo is also singled out for being warm and helpful, including showing people sea life such as an octopus and a sea urchin.

The useful point is not simply that the staff are friendly. They appear to pay attention to the practical details: food service, drink refills, meeting times, island suggestions, and the optional Blue Cave transfer. That matters on a day with several moving parts.

The guides speak English and Croatian. You can expect information about Croatian culture and island life, but this is not a formal history tour with long lectures. It is more relaxed, with short explanations placed between swims, meals, and views.

Pickup, meeting point, and timing

The tour lasts about eight hours. Pickup is available in the Dubrovnik city area if you select that option, but locations less than 1,000 meters from the starting point are excluded from pickup service.

You must contact the provider by email, phone, or WhatsApp before the tour to receive your exact pickup time. The time depends on where you stay. This is not a minor detail. If you fail to contact the company, you risk missing the departure, and no refund is issued for failing to show at the pickup point.

Without hotel pickup, go to the dock beside the bus station and look for the boat named Emili. If you cannot find it, call the activity provider. The return drop-off is listed as Dubrovnik and the Knjižnica za društvene znanosti area.

The schedule is full but not frantic: a short opening cruise, Koločep, the optional cave, longer sailing, Šipan, more sailing, a three-hour Lopud break, and the return trip. Bring sun protection, swimwear, and a towel. The tour is subject to sea conditions, so the order or availability of water activities can change.

Who should book this day on the Adriatic?

I would recommend this cruise if you want to see several islands in one day without arranging transport yourself. It suits couples, families with older children, solo visitors, and friends who like a mix of swimming, food, scenery, and easy social fun.

It is especially good for anyone staying in Dubrovnik for a short time. You get a broad introduction to the Elaphite Islands rather than spending a whole day on one beach.

You should think twice if you dislike fixed schedules or prefer quiet, independent travel. The stops are timed, Koločep and Šipan are brief, and Lopud may feel too long if you are not interested in swimming or sitting by the beach. The wine-and-music atmosphere is pleasant for some people but not ideal for anyone seeking a silent nature trip.

The supplied details also contain conflicting information about wheelchair access. One section calls the experience wheelchair accessible, while another says it is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. Contact the operator directly before booking if access is important to you.

Final verdict: a strong-value island day

For $53 per person, this is a well-priced way to turn one Dubrovnik day into a proper Adriatic outing. The best parts are the friendly crew, good lunch, steady drink service, clean two-deck boat, and the chance to visit three islands without ferry planning.

I would add the Blue Cave if you enjoy speedboats and swimming, but confirm the exact cave and price first. I would choose fish for lunch, bring a towel, and contact the company about pickup as soon as you book.

Book this tour if you want a relaxed, social day with plenty of scenery and a sensible amount of structure. Skip it if you need long, independent visits on each island or want a completely quiet boat ride.

FAQ

How long does the Elaphite Islands cruise last?

The cruise lasts about eight hours, including sailing, island visits, lunch, and the return trip to Dubrovnik.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The main route visits Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if you select the pickup option. Pickup applies to the Dubrovnik city area, with some locations excluded.

Where do I meet the boat without pickup?

The meeting point is the dock next to the bus station. Look for the boat named Emili.

Do I need to contact the provider before pickup?

Yes. You must contact the provider by email, phone, or WhatsApp for your exact pickup time or meeting point. Pickup time depends on your accommodation.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is included if you select the lunch option. Available choices are chicken, fish, or vegetarian dishes.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks are white wine, water, apple juice, orange juice, Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, and Fanta.

Is the Blue Cave included?

The Blue Cave is an optional extra and is not included in every booking. Confirm the added cost and exact stop with the provider.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. You may also want practical sun protection for the boat and island stops.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

The tour is subject to sea conditions. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund under the stated cancellation policy.