Island Hopping & City Walls Cruise with Food and Open Bar

The best part of this cruise is its simple plan: three Elaphiti islands in one day, with swimming time, lunch, drinks, and a scenic return to Dubrovnik. You do not have to study ferry schedules or work out how to move between islands.

I like the generous meal, where you can choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian dish, and the friendly, practical hosting from people such as Ana and Annabella. I also like the balance of stops: Kolocep and Sipan give you short tastes of island life, while Lopud gets the longest visit. The catch is that two hours on Lopud can feel tight if you want to reach Šunj Beach.

What makes this Dubrovnik cruise worth considering

• Three Elaphiti islands in one day: Visit Kolocep, Sipan, and Lopud without arranging separate local ferries.
• A proper lunch is included: Choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal, with bread, bottled water, and wine.
• Lopud gives you the longest stop: You have about two hours, enough for the village area, swimming, or a quick attempt at Šunj Beach.
• The return trip includes Old Town views: The cruise back to port is timed for sunset, with about 90 minutes assigned to the Old Town portion of the route.
• Good value for an organized day: At $84.66 per person, the price covers the boat trip, food, and listed drinks.
• A large group setting: The boat can carry up to 120 people, so this is social and practical rather than intimate.

Three islands without the ferry puzzle

Dubrovnik is a fine base for seeing the Elaphiti Islands, but planning an island-hopping day on your own takes work. Local ferries can get you to some islands for only a few euros, yet connecting Sipan, Lopud, and Kolocep is less straightforward. You also have to watch departure times and leave enough margin to get back to Dubrovnik.

This cruise takes care of that problem. You board around 10:45 a.m., spend the day moving between islands, eat on board, and return to the starting point. The cruise lasts about seven hours, with a scheduled return around 5:45 p.m. based on the timing described for the day.

That convenience is the main reason to choose this trip. You are paying more than you would for one simple ferry ride, but you are also buying a set route, a meal, an organized boat, and a staff member who keeps the schedule moving.

The group may be as large as 120 people. That number matters. You should expect a shared excursion with a lively boat atmosphere, not a quiet private sailing trip. For many people, the trade-off works well: the price stays moderate, and you get to see several islands in one outing.

Kolocep gives you the first taste of island life

Kolocep is the first stop, with about 45 minutes scheduled. It is a gentle way to start the day. You can take a swim, have a coffee at your own expense, or take a short walk.

Do not expect a long island exploration here. The stop is meant to let you stretch your legs and get your first look at the small island setting. If you want to swim, this is a useful early chance, though you should keep an eye on the departure time.

The short visit also helps the day feel varied. Instead of spending the whole morning on the boat, you get an early break on land. I would use this stop for a quick walk or swim rather than trying to fit in both. Coffee and tea are not included, so bring some cash if you want a café drink.

One practical point: snorkeling equipment is not included. If you want to explore in the water, you need to bring your own equipment or arrange it separately. Swimming is part of the appeal, but this is not a guided snorkeling trip.

Sipan adds a quieter historical stop

Sipan is one of the larger islands in the Elaphiti group, and the cruise allows about 40 minutes here. The stop includes time to swim and a chance to see the summer house of Skočibuha.

This is less about a long walk and more about getting a quick sense of the island. The Skočibuha summer house gives the stop a cultural point of interest, while the swimming option keeps it relaxed. You can choose the activity that suits your mood instead of being pushed into a fixed shore program.

Forty minutes passes quickly. If you want to swim, change clothes, and see the summer house, you will need to keep things moving. I would not plan on a full exploration of Sipan during this excursion. Think of it as a well-chosen sample before the longer stop on Lopud.

The schedule gives you more time overall than the short labels might suggest, but exact timing can vary. One review described roughly an hour at Kolocep and an hour at Sipan, while the published schedule lists 45 and 40 minutes. Either way, you should treat these as brief island visits, not full-day stops.

Lopud and the race toward Šunj Beach

Lopud is the main island stop, with about two hours. It is one of the most popular islands in the group, and the longer visit gives you room for a swim, a walk, or time to sit and enjoy the shore.

The island’s popular Šunj Beach is on the other side. Reaching it takes about a 15-minute walk, according to the practical details provided for the excursion. You can also pay about €3 each way for a golf-cart ride, in cash. That cost is not included in the tour price.

This is where the timetable becomes important. Two hours may sound generous, but it shrinks quickly once you account for the walk or cart ride, time at the beach, and the return to the boat. If you take the golf cart both ways, you may have only 45 minutes to an hour at Šunj Beach. You also need to allow time to get back before departure.

I would choose one main goal on Lopud. If you want Šunj Beach, head there promptly and accept that the visit will be short. If you would rather avoid the extra cost and hurry, stay closer to the landing area and enjoy a swim or a slower walk.

Some other island trips allow three hours at Lopud, which makes Šunj easier. The advantage here is the later start, lunch, and lower price compared with some alternatives. You are trading a little beach time for a more convenient overall package.

Lunch, bread, and drinks on the boat

Lunch is one of the strongest practical features of this trip. You choose among fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal, and the meal includes bread. A previous sailing offered seconds of the main course, which is useful after a morning of swimming and walking.

The meal is not just a snack between stops. It helps make the $84.66 price easier to justify, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for lunch, drinks, and transport. Food quality can always vary from one day to another, but the structure is generous for a group boat outing.

Bottled water is included. Wine and alcoholic drinks are also listed as included, though coffee and tea are not. You should bring money if a hot drink matters to you.

There is one unusual detail to note. The onboard service may involve a €3 cup charge for unlimited drinks, with the fee refundable at the end of the day. One person kept the cup as a souvenir, while most people requested the refund. Ask the crew how the system works when you board, so you know whether you are paying a deposit or an actual drink charge.

The boat has a restroom, which makes the seven-hour schedule more comfortable. WiFi is not included, so plan to enjoy the sea views rather than rely on an onboard connection.

The boat ride and the sunset approach to Dubrovnik

The cruise itself is part of the experience, not just transportation between stops. You get time on the water between each island, with views back toward the coast and a changing sense of distance from Dubrovnik.

The return is especially appealing because it is timed for sunset. The route back includes views toward Dubrovnik’s Old Town, giving you a different angle on the city than you get from the streets above the harbor.

The title refers to a city walls cruise, but you should understand what that means here. This is a view of Dubrovnik and its walls from the water, not a guided walk along the stone ramparts. If you want to walk the walls, that would require a separate ticket and visit.

The boat can be a little rough on the way out. Dramamine was available on one sailing, but you may prefer to bring your own motion-sickness remedy if you are prone to seasickness. Sit where you are most comfortable and avoid treating the open bar as a reason to drink heavily before the rougher part of the route.

Hosts, timing, and the group experience

The crew earns attention for being friendly, helpful, and organized. Ana is specifically noted for keeping things professional and safety-conscious, while Annabella is described as kind and attentive. Since a day with several island stops depends on clear instructions, good hosting matters.

Check your exact boarding information carefully. The stated start time is 10:45 a.m., but one sailing was described as leaving the Sheraton area around 10 a.m., with 10:45 referring to departure from the Old Town. This suggests the meeting location can affect the time you need to arrive.

The activity ends back at the meeting point. It is also near public transportation, which helps if you are staying outside the immediate harbor area. Confirmation is provided when you book, and mobile tickets are accepted.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can select another date or receive a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, refunds and changes are not accepted, based on local time.

Is $84.66 a fair price?

At $84.66 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach an Elaphiti island. You can use local ferries for only a few euros in some cases, but a ferry-only plan does not give you this exact three-island route, included lunch, wine, bottled water, onboard staff, and a return timed around sunset.

The value is best if you want an easy day with little planning. Add up separate transport, lunch, drinks, and the time saved from organizing island connections, and the package becomes reasonable.

The price is less attractive if you prefer to spend several hours on one beach or travel independently. You may have more freedom and longer stops by using local ferries, though the route between islands can be harder to arrange.

I would call this a good midrange choice. It is not a luxury cruise, and the boat may carry many people. But you get a full day of scenery, food, swimming opportunities, and a practical island sampler for a clear fixed price.

Who should book this island-hopping day?

This cruise suits you if you want to see several islands but do not want to manage ferry timetables. It also works well for couples, families, and groups who value a set schedule and a meal included in the price.

It is a good match if you enjoy swimming but do not need a long, serious beach day. Kolocep and Sipan offer short water breaks, while Lopud gives you the best chance for a longer swim or a visit to Šunj.

You may want another option if you dislike large groups, need a quiet boat, or want to spend most of the day at Šunj Beach. The two-hour Lopud stop is the key limitation, especially once the walk or golf-cart ride is included.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, cash for coffee, the optional golf cart, and the refundable cup arrangement. If you get seasick, pack medication. Most important, decide before boarding whether your priority is swimming, Šunj Beach, island walks, or simply relaxing on the boat.

Final call: a useful first look at the Elaphiti Islands

I would book this cruise if you want a well-organized introduction to three islands and care more about variety than long beach time. The included lunch, drinks, helpful hosts, and sunset approach to Dubrovnik give the day real value.

I would skip it in favor of independent ferries or a longer island stay if Šunj Beach is your main goal. Two hours on Lopud can feel rushed, but for an easy first taste of Kolocep, Sipan, and Lopud, this is a practical and fairly priced choice.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 10:45 a.m. One sailing was described as leaving the Sheraton area around 10 a.m., so check your exact meeting instructions.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Kolocep, Sipan, and Lopud.

How much time is spent on Kolocep?

The scheduled stop at Kolocep is about 45 minutes.

How much time is spent on Sipan?

The scheduled stop at Sipan is about 40 minutes.

How long is the stop on Lopud?

You have about two hours on Lopud.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You can choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal. Bottled water and wine are also listed as included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor-weather cancellations offer another date or a full refund.