From Dubrovnik: Premium Three Island Cruise with lunch and drinks

Dubrovnik’s Old Town can feel busy and tightly packed. This cruise gives you a full day of sea air, quiet island paths, swimming coves, and a hot lunch without planning three separate ferry trips. The best part is Lopud, where you have enough time to reach Šunj Beach, visit the village, or simply sit by the water.

I like the easy logistics and the value. Pickup can take you from your Dubrovnik hotel, lunch is served on board, and water and soft drinks are available throughout the day. I also like the relaxed pace, with no forced walking tour and plenty of time to choose your own beach, café, or shaded path.

The main drawback is the timing. Three hours on Lopud suits beachgoers and slow walkers, but it may feel long if you do not swim or sit in the sun. The one-hour stops on Šipan and Koločep can feel brief, yet some people find those islands too quiet for a longer stay.

Key points to know before booking

• Lopud gets the longest stop: Plan for Šunj Beach, the village, cafés, historic sites, or a long swim.
• Lunch is served on board: Choose grilled hake, chicken fillet, or seasonal vegetables with potato salad and bread.
• Drinks are part of the appeal: Bottled water and soft drinks are included, and wine is advertised with the meal. Extra drinks such as coffee, tea, or beer can be bought on board.
• The boat has two useful spaces: You can sit in a closed, air-conditioned salon or head upstairs to the open deck.
• The day runs long: Allow roughly eight hours, with some departures lasting from around 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Bring your own beach gear: Towels and snorkeling equipment are not provided.

A full day away from Dubrovnik’s stone walls

At $48.39 per person, this is priced as a budget-friendly full-day outing rather than a small private sailing trip. You are paying for transport between three islands, lunch, basic drinks, crew service, and the convenience of returning to Dubrovnik without arranging your own boat.

That matters in Dubrovnik. The Elaphiti Islands are close enough to visit in a day, but reaching several of them independently takes planning, ferry schedules, and separate food arrangements. Here, you board once and let the crew handle the route.

The boat can carry up to 110 people, so do not expect a quiet little sailboat. It is a larger passenger boat with an enclosed air-conditioned area below and open seating above. During busy summer days, the best seats may go early, so arrive promptly if you want a particular spot.

The day is built around freedom rather than guided sightseeing. You cruise, eat, step ashore, and decide how active you want to be. I find that a good match for Dubrovnik, especially after spending a day in the Old Town. You can trade steep stone steps and crowds for a swim, a coffee, or an easy walk through island villages.

Pickup, seating, and the rhythm of the day

Hotel pickup is available inside the Dubrovnik city area if you choose that option. You need to provide the exact hotel or accommodation address so the company can arrange the best pickup point. The driver will wait no longer than two minutes after the scheduled time, so be ready early.

Pickup outside the Dubrovnik city area is not included. If you are staying farther away, check the meeting point carefully before booking. The activity returns to the same general meeting point at the end of the day.

Once on board, you can choose between the air-conditioned salon and the open upper deck. The salon is useful when the sun is strong or the wind picks up. The upper deck gives you the best sense of the Adriatic crossing, though the most desirable seats can disappear quickly in peak season.

The crew is one of the strongest parts of this outing. They serve lunch, keep drinks moving, and help with the practical details of boarding and leaving the boat. Nikoleta is singled out for making sure people were comfortable, and the five-person crew is generally described as friendly and attentive.

Do not expect a formal lecture about every island. The focus is on a pleasant boat day, not a detailed historical tour. You may receive basic information before each stop, but you should plan to explore independently.

Lopud gives you the time to settle in

Lopud is the main stop, with about three hours ashore. This longer break makes sense because it offers the most choices of the three islands.

The village has stone houses, green gardens, cafés, shops, and views toward the surrounding sea. You can keep your plans simple and walk near the waterfront, or use the time for a beach visit and a little local sightseeing.

The big draw is Šunj Beach, on the far side of the island. It is known for its sandy shore and clear water, a welcome change from the rocky swimming spots common along the Adriatic. The walk can take a while, with an uphill section, so you need to watch the clock.

Several people recommend using one of the small golf-cart taxis to reach the beach. This can save around 30 minutes each way, though the exact price is not stated in the tour details. Ask locally when you arrive and allow enough time to return to the pier.

At Šunj, you may find paid loungers and umbrellas, a marked swimming area, and places to buy refreshments. Bring a swimsuit and towel if swimming is part of your plan. Towels are not supplied, and snorkeling equipment is also excluded.

Lopud has more than beach time. You can look for the 15th-century Franciscan Monastery, visit the botanical garden, or walk through the village. Conditions at the garden can vary, and one account found parts of it in poor repair during an October visit. The fort is another possible walk, but the climb is steep and takes about 40 minutes, making it a poor fit for anyone with limited mobility or only a short time to explore.

I would use the three hours this way: walk around the village first, then take the golf cart or walk to Šunj, and keep a generous buffer for returning to the boat. If you prefer history, gardens, and cafés to swimming, Lopud still gives you enough material for a pleasant stop. If you avoid the sun and do not enjoy slow wandering, the length may test your patience.

Šipan shows a quieter side of Dalmatia

Šipan is usually a one-hour stop. That is enough for a short walk, a coffee, a swim, or a look around the harbor area, but not enough for a broad island tour.

The island feels more rural and settled than Dubrovnik. Olive groves, vineyards, rolling hills, stone houses, and quiet paths shape the experience. You can get a sense of everyday Dalmatian life here without the heavy flow of city traffic.

A wine tasting near the dock may appeal to you if you enjoy local drinks. It is an extra experience, not something included in the listed lunch and drink package. With only an hour, keep your plan close to the pier unless the crew gives you clear timing advice.

Šipan is attractive precisely because it is not packed with major sights. That can be refreshing after Dubrovnik, but it also explains why some people feel one hour is plenty. I would treat this as a scenic pause, not a major sightseeing visit.

The water around the island is clear and inviting. If you want to swim, keep track of the boarding time and do not assume you can wander far from the dock. The boat schedule sets the limits.

Koločep ends the day on a quiet note

Koločep is the final island and usually receives about one hour. It is the calmest stop, with olive trees, green paths, stone houses, small churches, and a slower feel.

A sandy beach close to the harbor makes Koločep useful for a late swim. If you want to save your beach time for the afternoon, this may be your best chance. You can also sit at a local café and enjoy a drink before returning to the boat.

The short stop works well if you want a last look at island life without a long walk. It can feel less satisfying if you expect a full afternoon of sightseeing. I would keep this visit easy: swim, take a short coastal walk, or sit near the harbor and enjoy the final hour.

The order and exact stops can change with weather. One account describes missing an island because of conditions while still enjoying the day. This is a boat trip, so flexibility is part of the deal.

Lunch, wine, and what you actually receive

Lunch is freshly prepared and served on board. You choose from three simple menus:

• Grilled hake with potato salad and bread
• Grilled chicken fillet with potato salad and bread
• Grilled seasonal vegetables with potato salad and bread

The meal is not fine dining, but it is practical for a day on the water. Several people found the fish particularly good, while the chicken and vegetarian options also received positive comments. Other diners found the meal ordinary, so keep your expectations at the level of a solid boat lunch rather than a restaurant meal.

Portions have been described as generous. Tables may have a bottle of white wine, and the experience is promoted with wine included. Bottled still water and assorted soft drinks, such as lemonade and juices, are listed as included.

There is also an additional drink menu with items such as coffee, tea, beer, and other drinks for purchase. Because drink arrangements can create confusion, check exactly what your ticket covers when you board. The advertised inclusions and many accounts point to water, soft drinks, and wine with the meal, but not every drink on the boat is free.

The crew may serve drinks at your seat or make them available for you to collect. If you plan to drink wine or other alcohol, the included hotel pickup and return can be especially useful. You do not have to drive back through Dubrovnik after a long day at sea.

What to pack for a comfortable island day

Pack as if you are taking a beach outing, not only a sightseeing cruise. Your day will be much easier with:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sun protection
• Comfortable walking shoes
• A small bag for the boat and island stops
• Snorkeling gear if you want it, since none is supplied
• Some cash for cafés, beach items, taxis, or optional purchases

The tour provides no towels or snorkeling equipment. The walk to Šunj can also involve hills, so sturdy shoes are more useful than beach sandals for the full day.

Arrive early if you care about seating. The boat is large enough for the group, but a full summer departure can feel busy. Some people found the boat comfortable and had no trouble finding a seat, while others felt crowded. Your experience will depend partly on how full that particular sailing is and whether you use the salon or upper deck.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a simple way to see several islands without organizing transport yourself. It suits couples, families, and anyone who wants a full day of swimming, views, lunch, and light walking.

It is also a good choice after a Dubrovnik city day. The pace is slower, and you can spend much of the time sitting on deck or looking out over the water. You do not need to join every walk or visit every sight.

Families should appreciate the beach time and flexible schedule, though parents need to watch the clock at Šunj and keep children close around the water. Older people or anyone with limited walking ability should think carefully about the steep route toward the fort and the walk to Šunj. The golf-cart taxi can make the beach easier, but availability and price are not guaranteed in the tour information.

I would not choose this trip if you want a small, private boat, detailed island commentary, or long visits on every island. It is also not ideal if you dislike unstructured time. The tour drops you off and gives you room to make your own plans.

Should you book the Premium Three Island Cruise?

At $48.39, this is a strong value if you use the day for what it offers: a boat ride, three island stops, lunch, included basic drinks, and a return to Dubrovnik. The crew receives especially warm praise for friendly service, and the fish lunch is often a good choice.

Book it if you want Šunj Beach, relaxed island time, and easy transport in one package. Be realistic about the schedule: Lopud gets three hours because it has the most to do, while Šipan and Koločep are shorter scenic stops. If you want a quiet day away from Dubrovnik and do not mind a larger boat, I would book it.

The tour has a 4.7 rating from 248 ratings, with 94 percent recommending it. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. The activity depends on good weather, and a cancellation caused by poor conditions comes with a different date or full refund option.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts about eight hours. Some departures have run from around 9:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., including time spent cruising between the islands.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

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

How much time do I get on each island?

The planned stops are about three hours on Lopud, one hour on Šipan, and one hour on Koločep.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served freshly on board, with a choice of grilled hake, grilled chicken fillet, or grilled seasonal vegetables. Each option comes with potato salad and bread.

Are drinks included?

Bottled still water and assorted soft drinks are included. Wine is advertised as included with the experience, while drinks such as coffee, tea, and beer are available for purchase. Check the exact drink inclusions when boarding.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes, pickup is available if you select that option and provide the exact address or hotel name. Pickup is offered within the Dubrovnik city area, not outside it.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If the company cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.