From Dubrovnik: Boat Tour to Kolocep, Lopud, & Sipan Islands

The best part of this day is its variety. You get three islands, three different moods, time for a swim, and a long final stop on car-free Lopud. The boat ride links the islands without the fuss of arranging separate ferries, and lunch is served on board.

I like the generous portions of fresh fish, chicken, or vegetarian food, and I like the open bar with water, soft drinks, and white wine. Hosts including Natasha, Emily, Marco, and Darko are attentive and offer useful advice before each stop. The main drawback is the schedule: roughly one hour on Koločep and Šipan can feel short if you want a serious walk.

Key points at a glance

• Three islands in one day: Visit green Koločep, olive-covered Šipan, and more developed Lopud.
• Long stop on Lopud: You get about three hours, enough for Sunj Beach, a walk, swimming, or a golf-buggy ride.
• Large lunch included: Choose fish, chicken, or vegetarian food, with portions substantial enough for most appetites.
• Drinks served throughout: Water, soft drinks, white wine, and a local surprise drink are included.
• Wooden boat Emili: Meet at 8:45 at the bus stop across from the University building.
• Optional Blue Cave trip: A speedboat add-on has often cost about €20, but it is separate from the main tour.

Three islands, three different reasons to go

This is a good choice if you want to see the Elaphiti Islands without turning your holiday into a ferry timetable exercise. The day lasts 8 to 9 hours and covers the three inhabited islands closest to Dubrovnik: Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud.

The order and exact timing can vary, but the usual plan gives you about an hour on Koločep, about an hour on Šipan, and close to three hours on Lopud. That division makes sense. The first two stops work well as quick tastes of island life, while Lopud has enough beaches, paths, cafés, and sights to fill a longer break.

You should think of this as a relaxed boat day with island stops, not a detailed walking tour. The crew gives you background and practical suggestions, but you are free to decide how to spend your time ashore.

Meeting Emili near Dubrovnik

The meeting point is the bus stop across from the University building, with departure at 8:45. Look for the blue boat named Emili. The boat is not expected before 8:45, so arriving much earlier may simply mean waiting around.

Optional pickup may be available. The exact pickup place and time are sent the day before, so check your messages rather than assuming you will be collected from your hotel.

The boat has a wooden style, seating areas, and shade. Several people have found the vessel clean and well kept, though the upper deck can fill quickly on busy summer departures. If you prefer a quieter ride, try to find a seat toward the front or on the lower level. One useful point is that you should not count on jumping directly from the boat into the sea. Swimming is possible during island stops, but the crew has said that jumping from the boat is not allowed.

Koločep: green paths and a peaceful first stop

Koločep is usually the first island and the shortest introduction to the Elaphiti group. It is known for thick greenery, varied plant life, and a calm shoreline. You get about an hour here, which is enough for a coffee, a short walk, or a quick look around.

I would not try to force a full island exploration into this stop. Use the hour to slow down after boarding, take photographs, and get a first taste of the clear Adriatic water. If you want a swim, ask the crew where the conditions are best that day.

Koločep suits you if you enjoy quiet scenery more than formal sightseeing. It is also a pleasant place to sit by the water and do very little, which is often exactly what a full day on a boat should provide.

The short stop is the catch. You may feel rushed if you want to ride a bike or take a longer walk. The island has green areas and paths, but the timetable does not leave much room for a serious excursion.

Šipan: olive trees, mansions, and clear water

Šipan is the largest of the three islands and has a different feel from Koločep. It is often associated with olive trees and old country estates built by Dubrovnik’s aristocratic families. The stop is again about an hour, so the value here comes from a quick swim, a shoreline walk, or a quiet drink rather than a full cultural visit.

The water around the islands can be remarkably clear and warm in summer. Bring goggles if you want to look below the surface, but watch your footing because sea urchins have been seen near the swimming areas. Water shoes would be sensible, though they are not listed as required equipment.

Šipan is a good place to make your swim count. You can get into the sea, cool off, and return to the boat without giving up the longer afternoon on Lopud. If you are more interested in old buildings and island history, however, one hour may leave you wanting more.

Lunch on board, with generous portions

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of the value here. You choose a fish, chicken, or vegetarian meal, and the food is served on the boat. The chicken has been served with potatoes and tomatoes, while the fish portions have been described as large enough that some people could not finish them.

The meal is more substantial than a light snack. That matters because this is a long day in the sun, with swimming and walking between boat rides. I would choose fish if you want the most talked-about option, but chicken and vegetarian meals are available for different tastes and diets.

The open bar runs throughout the day and includes water, soft drinks, white wine, and a surprise drink. The crew is attentive about refilling glasses, which is useful in hot weather. Beer and coffee may cost extra, so ask before ordering rather than assuming every drink is part of the package.

There is a social side to the upper deck, with music and a livelier mood at times. If you want a peaceful ride, the front of the boat or a shaded lower area may suit you better. The same boat has to serve people looking for a quiet island day and those happy to turn the ride into a small party.

Lopud: the longest and most useful stop

Lopud gets about three hours, and that is where the itinerary gives you room to choose. Lopud is car-free, greener than many visitors expect, and more developed than Koločep or Šipan. You can spend the whole stop near the waterfront, or use it for a beach visit and a little exploring.

The main draw is Sunj Beach, a sandy beach that is unusual in a region where many swimming spots are rocky or pebbled. You can walk toward the beach, and a golf buggy may also be available to take you across the island. The buggy ride can be a fun shortcut, but hold on and pay attention to where you sit. One practical tip from past experience on the route is that the middle row may feel steadier than the outer seats.

Sunj is attractive, but it is not free of holiday costs. Sun beds and umbrellas can be expensive, especially when the sun is strong and shade is scarce. You can avoid that extra cost by bringing your own towel and planning to sit on the sand, though the available facilities may tempt you after a hot walk.

Lopud also gives you time for a swim and snorkeling. The area beneath the monastery has been used for snorkeling, although waves can make it less comfortable on some days. You can also walk through green areas, stop for ice cream, or simply sit beside the sea.

Three hours is a useful compromise. It is long enough to reach the beach, swim, and return without sprinting back to the boat. It is not so long that you need to fill an entire afternoon on the island. Still, if your plan is a full beach day, you may wish the tour stayed longer.

The optional Blue Cave add-on

A Blue Cave trip may be offered as an optional speedboat add-on, often for around €20. It is not included in the main price, and the cave visit is brief. One practical warning is that the cave can be crowded, so do not picture a private boat ride or a long, quiet swim inside.

I would consider the add-on if you care more about seeing a well-known natural feature than spending every minute on Lopud. The speedboat ride adds another burst of fun and the cave can be worth seeing, but it also means another extra cost and a short experience at a popular site.

Ask the crew about the day’s conditions, timing, and price before paying. Since the Blue Cave is not part of the core package, you should book the tour because you like the three-island itinerary, not because you are counting on the cave.

What the crew adds to the day

The hosts are a major reason this tour feels easy. Natasha is often the main point of contact, while Emily, Marco, Darko, and other crew members help with drinks, meals, island advice, and general questions. Their role is practical rather than formal. Before each stop, you get suggestions about what is worth doing and how much time you have.

That guidance matters on short stops. On Koločep and Šipan, you do not have time to wander without a plan and then discover the best swimming place just as the boat is leaving. Listen to the advice, choose one main activity, and keep an eye on the return time.

The crew also pays attention to small needs, including keeping children comfortable and helping people choose between a beach visit, a walk, and a swim. The service is friendly and active, not hands-off. If you prefer complete independence, the frequent drink service and announcements may feel like more attention than you need.

Is $76 good value?

At $76 per person, the package is strong value if you use the inclusions. You are paying for boat transport, three island stops, lunch, and drinks across 8 to 9 hours. Buying separate transport, a full meal, and drinks during a similar day could quickly approach the same amount, while requiring more planning.

The value is best for you if you want a full day on the water rather than a short transfer to one beach. Lunch portions are generous, and the included white wine and soft drinks reduce the small expenses that can add up on a hot day.

There are still extras to budget for. Beer and coffee may cost more, Sunj Beach can involve paid sun beds or umbrellas, and the Blue Cave speedboat is separate. The tour is not an all-inclusive day in the broadest sense, but the core price covers the main needs.

A score of 4.8 from 369 ratings fits the pattern of the experience: strong service, good food, clean boat, and a sensible island schedule. The weaker points are not serious failures. They are mainly the short first stops, optional spending ashore, and the fact that Lopud can feel too brief if you want a long beach day.

Who should book this island day?

I would choose this tour for couples, families, and first-time visitors to Dubrovnik who want a simple way to see more of the coast. It also works well for anyone who likes alternating between boat time, swimming, food, and short walks.

Families may appreciate the clear schedule, lunch, drinks, and the crew’s attentive approach. Couples can use the front of the boat or a quieter shaded area, then choose a beach or café on Lopud. Solo visitors may find the shared boat atmosphere easy to join, especially on the upper deck.

I would hesitate if your priority is a serious hike, a long cultural tour, or a quiet private boat. You will share the vessel with other passengers, follow a fixed timetable, and have limited time on Koločep and Šipan. The tour gives you a broad taste of the islands, not a detailed visit to each one.

For the best day, bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and goggles. Wear shoes that are comfortable for walking and useful around rocky swimming areas. Keep some money for coffee, beer, beach shade, ice cream, or the Blue Cave add-on.

Should you book the Emili boat tour?

Book it if you want three islands, a proper lunch, drinks, and swimming in one well-organized day. The schedule is easy to understand, the three islands feel different, and Lopud gives you enough time to do more than step ashore for a photograph.

Skip it if one hour at the first two islands sounds frustrating or if you want a private, flexible boat trip. For most people visiting Dubrovnik, though, the combination of price, food, attentive hosts, and varied stops makes this one of the more practical ways to meet the Elaphiti Islands.

FAQ

How long does the boat tour last?

The tour lasts about 8 to 9 hours.

Which islands does the tour visit?

It visits Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud, three inhabited islands in the Elaphiti group near Dubrovnik.

How much time do I get on each island?

The usual schedule gives you about one hour on Koločep, one hour on Šipan, and about three hours on Lopud.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at 8:45 at the bus stop across from the University building. The blue boat is named Emili and is not expected before 8:45.

Is hotel pickup available?

Optional pickup may be available. The pickup location and time are sent one day before the tour.

What lunch choices are available?

You can choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal.

Are drinks included?

Water, non-alcoholic drinks, white wine, and a surprise drink are included during the day. Beer and coffee may cost extra.

Is lunch served on the boat?

Yes. Lunch is served on board during the tour.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. You can swim during the island stops, depending on the conditions and the time available. Jumping directly from the boat is not allowed.

Is the Blue Cave included?

No. A separate speedboat trip to the Blue Cave may be offered as an optional add-on, often for about €20.