Dubrovnik: 3 Island Boat Tour with Lunch and Guide

The best part of this day is the change of pace: you leave Dubrovnik’s stone walls behind and spend a full day moving between three very different islands. Lopud gives you the most time, Šipan offers olive groves and old villas, and Koločep is your quietest stop for clear water and swimming.

I like the fact that lunch and unlimited drinks are included, so the $69 price is not just paying for a seat on a boat. I also like the generous island time, especially the three hours at Lopud. One thing to consider: this is a full eight-hour outing, and the boat’s music and social atmosphere may suit you better than a silent, small-group sailing.

• Three Elaphiti Islands in one day: Visit Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep from Dubrovnik.
• A real lunch break: Choose from fish, chicken, or vegetarian food when available, with drinks included.
• Time to swim: Koločep gives you a good hour for swimming, while Lopud offers the longest stop for walking and relaxing.
• Comfortable boat facilities: Expect outdoor seating, tables, toilets, Wi-Fi, music, and places to sit below deck.
• Easy Dubrovnik departure: Meet at the main ferry port, with hotel pickup and drop-off available if you select that option.
• Flexible booking: Cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, or reserve now and pay later.

Leaving Dubrovnik for the Elaphiti Islands

This cruise starts at Obala Stjepana Radića, the main Dubrovnik ferry port. If you choose the hotel-transfer option, pickup and return are included. If not, plan to reach the port yourself and allow time to find the boat before departure.

The opening part of the trip is a pleasant transfer of about 45 minutes, with the route passing by the Trsteno Arboretum area. The schedule does not list an arboretum visit or admission, so treat this as part of the journey rather than a formal sightseeing stop.

Once the boat gets out among the islands, the day settles into a simple rhythm: cruise, walk, swim, eat, and cruise again. That rhythm is the main appeal. You are not trying to squeeze several inland sights into a few hurried hours. Instead, you get open water, small settlements, and stretches of coast that are easier to appreciate from a boat.

The crew speaks English, Croatian, French, Spanish, and Italian. Captain Joe is named as part of the experience, and the crew may invite you to see how the boat is navigated. That kind of friendly, informal touch fits the social nature of the trip.

Lopud: three hours for beaches, walking, and lunch

Lopud is the first major island stop and the longest one, with about three hours set aside. That gives you enough time to do more than take a quick photo beside the harbor.

You can walk, find a place to swim, or simply enjoy the island at an unhurried pace. Lopud is known for sandy Šunj Beach, which is unusual in a region where many swimming spots are rocky. The island is also associated with old gardens and a historic botanical garden, giving you something to look for beyond the water.

The schedule combines free time, a photo stop, a walk, swimming, and a meal onboard. In practical terms, you should not expect a guided archaeological tour of every corner. You are being given time to explore independently, with the boat serving as your base.

Lunch is served during the Lopud portion of the day, with a separate 30-minute lunch slot. Fish, chicken, and vegetarian choices have been offered, and wine is available at the table. Soft drinks and water are also included. If you have dietary needs, confirm them when booking rather than assuming the crew can adjust the menu on the day.

The boat’s dining setup has outdoor tables and benches, along with lawn chairs for sitting in the sun. There is also seating downstairs. That matters because a full day at sea can feel very different depending on the weather. You can eat outside when the day is warm, then move below deck for shade or shelter.

Lopud is likely to feel like the fullest stop of the day. The possible drawback is that three hours can pass quickly if you want to walk, eat, swim, and visit Šunj. Pick your priority before leaving the boat. If you try to do everything, you may spend the stop watching the clock.

Šipan and its old island character

After Lopud, the boat spends about 20 minutes on a sightseeing cruise before reaching Šipan. This is the largest of the three islands, and its appeal is less about one famous swimming cove and more about its rural feel.

Šipan is known for olive groves, small villages, old villas, and views across the Adriatic. The island’s olive-growing tradition is a major part of its identity, including an olive grove record recognized by Guinness World Records. You will not have time for a long island hike during the scheduled 45-minute stop, but you can get a taste of its quieter character.

The stop includes time for photos, wine, and swimming. It is a short visit, so think of Šipan as a scenic pause rather than a full cultural tour. If your priority is architecture or local history, use your walk to look around the settlement instead of staying beside the boat the whole time.

The schedule includes another 40-minute sightseeing cruise afterward. This is valuable time for simply watching the coast pass by. Keep your camera handy, but do not spend the entire crossing looking at a screen. The best details here are the small ones: a church tower, a stone house, an olive-covered slope, or a patch of clear water below the boat.

Koločep: the best stop for a swim

Koločep is the smallest of the three islands and usually the most appealing stop for a quick plunge. The schedule allows about an hour, with swimming, free time, photos, and a short boat cruise included.

The island is car-free, as are parts of the wider Elaphiti experience, which gives the stop a calmer feel than a city beach. Its coves and clear water are suited to swimming and snorkeling. You may also see caves and rocky shoreline from the boat, though the standard schedule does not promise a dedicated cave excursion.

This is where you will want your towel and sunscreen. Towels are not included, and you should bring your own. Swimwear, a cover-up, sandals, and a dry bag for your phone are sensible additions, though only a towel and sunscreen are specifically required.

An hour is enough for a swim and a little wandering, but not for a long exploration. Get ready before the boat arrives so you do not lose half the stop changing clothes or collecting your things. If swimming is your main reason for booking, Koločep is the stop to protect.

The boat then makes a final sightseeing cruise of about 25 minutes before returning to Dubrovnik. You arrive back at Obala Stjepana Radića, the same general meeting point where the day began.

What the boat day feels like in practice

This is not a quiet private charter. Music plays onboard, and the atmosphere can become lively, with dancing possible on some departures. That may be exactly what you want after a swim and a glass of wine. If you prefer a silent nature trip, bring realistic expectations.

The boat is described as spacious, with outdoor tables and benches, lawn chairs, and comfortable lower seating. Two toilets are onboard, a useful feature on an eight-hour excursion. Wi-Fi is also available, though a day at sea is a good excuse to use it less than usual.

Unlimited drinks include wine, soft drinks, and water. That improves the value considerably, especially since you are not constantly buying refreshments during the day. Still, unlimited does not mean every drink you might want is included, so bring money for personal expenses.

The crew’s friendliness is one of the stronger reasons to choose this outing. Captain Joe and the crew are described as attentive and willing to involve people in the experience, including an invitation to visit the navigation area. The group atmosphere can make the day feel festive rather than formal.

A small organizational warning is worth keeping in mind. Hotel pickup can involve communication about the exact location, so check your pickup instructions carefully and keep the operator’s contact details available. If you meet directly at the ferry port, the plan is simpler.

Is $69 good value from Dubrovnik?

At $69 per person, this is strong value for an eight-hour trip if you want a full day on the water. The price covers the boat, crew, lunch, unlimited wine and nonalcoholic drinks, and the three-island route. Hotel transfers are included only if you select that option, so check the exact package before paying.

The comparison is not simply between this cruise and a cheap ferry ticket. A ferry might get you to an island, but it would not bundle three stops, lunch, swimming time, onboard facilities, and a hosted day. For a first visit to Dubrovnik, that convenience can save planning time.

The tradeoff is that you give up control. You follow the group schedule, spend limited time at Šipan and Koločep, and share the boat with other people. You also cannot assume that every optional sight, such as a blue cave, is part of the standard route. The published stops are Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep, so book for those islands.

The included lunch helps keep the day affordable. Food choices have included fish, chicken, and vegetarian dishes, with wine placed at the tables. If you are a picky eater or need a special diet, ask in advance. Personal expenses and towels are not included.

Who should book this island cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see several islands without arranging ferries, taxis, meals, and swimming stops separately. It works well for couples, families, solo visitors, and groups of friends who enjoy a sociable boat setting.

It is especially suitable if you want a mix of nature and relaxation. You can swim at Koločep, walk on Lopud, take photos on Šipan, and enjoy the coast between stops without packing and unpacking at each island.

Families should note the practical benefits of onboard toilets, food, and seating. At the same time, children need to be comfortable with a long day on a boat and with swimming from or near the boat. The provided details do not specify life-jacket arrangements or child pricing, so ask before booking if those points matter to you.

People using wheelchairs can consider this experience because it is listed as wheelchair accessible. You should still confirm the exact boarding and transfer arrangements for your needs, since accessibility can vary between the port, vehicle, and boat.

I would hesitate if your ideal boat trip means a tiny vessel, no music, and a private itinerary. This outing is built around shared facilities and a friendly group mood. It is also weather dependent. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can receive another date or a full refund.

Planning your day before you board

Bring a towel, sunscreen, swimwear, and a change of clothes. Sunglasses and a hat are practical for the open deck, though only the first two items are specifically required.

Wear shoes that are comfortable for walking on island paths. The supplied information does not describe every surface, so avoid treating the stops as purely deck-chair visits. Lopud, in particular, gives you enough free time to walk.

Keep your belongings organized. The day includes several swim stops and changes between outdoor and lower-deck seating. A small waterproof bag will make it easier to carry your phone, wallet, and sunscreen without leaving things scattered around the boat.

Check the departure time when you book, since starting times vary by availability. Meet at the main Dubrovnik ferry port unless your selected transfer option gives you different instructions. The tour returns to the same meeting point.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure. The tour also requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Dubrovnik three-island tour?

Book it if you want an easy, good-value day that combines three Elaphiti Islands, lunch, swimming, and drinks without doing the planning yourself. The generous Lopud stop, comfortable boat, multilingual crew, and included food make it a practical choice for a first island outing from Dubrovnik.

Skip it if you want a private or very quiet cruise, a detailed guided tour on every island, or a guaranteed visit to a blue cave. The day is social, scheduled, and built around enjoying the sea more than collecting historic facts.

For most visitors with one free day in Dubrovnik, $69 buys a lot: transport on the water, three distinct stops, a meal, refreshments, and a pleasant break from the city. Pack your towel, choose your swimming priorities, and expect a lively boat rather than a silent escape.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The tour starts at Obala Stjepana Radića, at the main Dubrovnik ferry port.

Where does the tour end?

The tour returns to Obala Stjepana Radića, the meeting point where the activity begins.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts about eight hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep in the Elaphiti Islands.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included onboard. Fish, chicken, and vegetarian choices have been offered.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited wine, soft drinks, and water are included onboard.

Is hotel pickup available?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are available if you select that option when booking.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and sunscreen. Towels are not provided, and the tour includes swimming stops.

What languages are available?

The host or greeter can speak English, Croatian, French, Spanish, and Italian.

Can I cancel the tour?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Poor weather or an insufficient number of participants can also lead to a rescheduled tour or full refund.