Dubrovnik: Elaphite Island Cruise w/ Drinks & Optional Lunch

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat trip is its simple promise: three Elaphiti Islands in one day, with enough time on Lopud to reach beautiful Šunj Bay. You get open water, quiet coves, old stone buildings, and a break from Dubrovnik’s crowds without arranging several separate ferries.

I like the easygoing schedule and the unusually good value at about $50 per person. I also like that lunch is optional, so you can either eat grilled fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal on board, or save money and find food on Lopud. The main tradeoff is clear: Lopud gets three hours, but Šipan and Koločep get about one hour each, so this is a sampler rather than a deep visit to every island.

Key points to know before booking

• Lopud gets the most time: Use the three-hour stop for Šunj Bay, a walk, lunch, or a short hike.
• Šunj Bay is the standout swim stop: It is one of the few sandy beach options in this rocky part of the Adriatic.
• The RITA is built for a full day: You have an open upper deck, a lower air-conditioned salon, and two onboard toilets.
• Lunch is flexible: Choose fish, chicken, or vegetarian food with potato salad, or select the drinks-only option.
• Pickup can save time: Hotel pickup and return are offered in the Dubrovnik area, including an agreed nearby point for pedestrian-only zones.
• The atmosphere can become lively: The crew serves drinks, local liqueur shots, and refreshments, and music may get more energetic when the group is in a celebratory mood.

Setting out from Dubrovnik on the RITA

Your boat is called the RITA, and you meet it at the pier by looking for the MARINERO agency name. If you choose pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle collects you from an agreed point in the Dubrovnik area and takes you to the harbor.

That option is useful if you are staying around Lapad, in a hotel outside the Old Town, or somewhere reached by steep streets. Dubrovnik has several pedestrian-only areas, so do not assume a vehicle will stop at your door. The operator confirms the nearest practical pickup spot in advance.

Once aboard, you can sit on the open top deck for the best views or use the lower air-conditioned salon when the sun gets strong. The boat has five crew members and two clean onboard toilets, details that matter during an eight-hour outing.

The first cruise along Dubrovnik’s coast lasts about 30 minutes. It gives you a pleasant start rather than a rushed transfer, with time to watch the city recede and the islands come into view. Guides speak English, Croatian, Italian, or German. Guides named in recent bookings include Nikoleta and Azhar, though your guide may differ.

Drinks are part of the experience. Water, soft drinks, and Croatian wine are available, with additional drinks for purchase. The crew also serves homemade olive oil, homegrown vegetables, and, depending on the day, local liqueur shots and simple refreshments such as juice, tea, or lemonade.

Lopud and the walk to Šunj Bay

Lopud is the heart of the day. You have about three hours here, which is enough to choose your own pace instead of being marched from one sight to the next.

The island is car-free, making it pleasant for a walk along the waterfront and inland paths. You might spend your time on the shore, browse small shops, look at old churches, or follow the roads toward historic remains such as ancient fortifications and the Saint Mary Franciscan monastery.

For many people, the main target is Šunj Bay on the far side of Lopud. This sandy beach is a welcome change from the stone and pebbled swimming spots common along the Dalmatian coast. It is a good place to sunbathe or swim, and it gives the first stop a real sense of reward.

You need to plan your three hours. Several visitors found that walking to Šunj was manageable but included uphill sections and uneven ground. Golf carts also serve the route, but they may wait until full and can leave you with another 10 to 15 minutes on foot at the end. If you want a swim, go to Šunj early, then return toward the waterfront for food or sightseeing.

If you select lunch on the boat, it is generally served after the Lopud stop. That works well because you can use your island time for the beach and a walk. If you choose no lunch, Lopud is the best place to buy a meal, although the number of open restaurants depends heavily on the season.

The main limitation is that three hours passes quickly if you want both Šunj Bay and the old sights. You will need to pick your priorities. I would not try to fit a long mountain hike, a leisurely restaurant meal, and a beach visit into one stop.

Lunch on board and the drinks option

The optional meal is a practical choice, not merely an extra. A full lunch means you do not have to spend part of your island time looking for an open restaurant, and the crew serves it on the boat after Lopud.

You choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian plate, with potato salad. The food is paired with drinks, including wine and water at lunch. The meal suits people who want the day to flow without extra decisions.

The drinks-only option makes sense if you prefer to control your spending or want to eat local food on Lopud. You can also bring your own lunch according to one booking experience, but the supplied details specifically confirm drinks, not a full bring-your-own catering policy, so check the selected option before relying on it.

I would choose the onboard lunch in late October or another quiet period. Many island restaurants and shops close outside the main season. In high summer, eating on Lopud may give you more local choice, but it costs you some of the limited time there.

The food is not presented as a formal restaurant meal. Think of it as a generous boat lunch that keeps an active day moving. The homemade olive oil and vegetables add a local touch, while the fish option fits the setting especially well.

Šipan, vineyards, and a one-hour pause

After Lopud, the boat cruises for about 20 minutes to Šipan, the largest of the three islands. You get roughly one hour for a break, photos, a walk, or a swim.

Šipan feels less focused on one famous beach than Lopud. Its appeal comes from the quieter setting, olive groves, vineyards, and small settlements. This is the stop for slowing down and noticing the agricultural side of the Elaphiti Islands.

With only an hour, you should keep your plans modest. Take a short walk, see the waterfront, and leave room to return to the boat on time. The schedule is prompt, and the crew gives clear arrival information, but you are responsible for being back when asked.

The one-hour limit is also the reason some people wish the schedule favored Lopud even more, or dropped one island. I see the argument. Šipan is pleasant, but you will not have time for a serious island walk or a long look around. The benefit is variety: you get a quick taste of a larger, quieter island without giving up the beach time on Lopud.

Koločep for pine woods and clear water

The cruise from Šipan to Koločep takes about 45 minutes. Koločep is the final island stop, with about one hour before the return journey.

This is a good place for a final swim or a short stroll among fragrant pine trees. The coves and clear water suit a quick dip, and the rocky shore makes the stop feel different from sandy Šunj Bay. Bring swimwear and sunscreen, and remember that snorkeling equipment is not included.

You can bring your own mask and snorkel, but towels are also not supplied. A small dry bag or waterproof pouch would be sensible for your phone and camera, though it is not listed as a required item.

Koločep is not the place for an ambitious walk in this schedule. Use the hour for the water, a short look around, and photographs. If swimming is your main goal, this stop gives you another chance after Lopud and Šipan. If you care most about churches, old buildings, or shopping, the limited time may feel brief.

What the day feels like on board

This is a social boat trip, but it is not described as a formal guided sightseeing tour from one monument to the next. You have a live guide, useful timing information, and recommendations, then plenty of freedom at each island.

That balance suits you if you want to see several places without spending the whole day listening to a lecture. It also means you should be comfortable making your own choices. The crew tells you when to return, but you decide if your hour belongs to a swim, a walk, or a drink.

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Staff circulate with drinks, explain the stops, help people settle in, and keep the schedule moving. The mood may stay calm, or it may turn festive if a birthday group or lively crowd is aboard. Music and singing have been part of some outings, so do not book this expecting a silent yacht cruise.

The boat has an open top, which is ideal for views and sun but offers less protection during hot weather. The lower salon provides air conditioning, and the open sides require extra care with very young children. One account describes a toddler repeatedly getting close to the edge, so families with children under seven should supervise closely.

Is $50 good value for an eight-hour cruise?

At around $50, this is strong value if you want transport, three island stops, onboard refreshments, and the chance to swim. Booking three separate boat journeys would be less simple and could cost more, while a private boat would be in a different price class entirely.

The value improves if you use the included drinks and select the lunch option. You are paying for a full day, not just a short scenic ride. Hotel pickup and drop-off cost extra when selected as part of the booking option, but they can remove a taxi ride and the hassle of finding the harbor.

The price does not buy a private experience. You share the boat, follow a fixed route, and accept limited time on Šipan and Koločep. You also pay separately for extra drinks, and snorkeling gear and towels are not included.

For an independent visitor who wants a quiet beach day on one island, a ferry and self-planned visit may be better. For you if time in Dubrovnik is limited and you want a broad taste of the archipelago, the price is hard to fault.

Best season, packing, and practical advice

The basic packing list is simple:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Swimwear
• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Camera
• Your own snorkeling equipment if you want it

Bring water protection for electronics and a light cover-up for the boat ride. The open deck can be sunny, while the air-conditioned salon may feel cooler after swimming.

Season matters. In summer, the islands should be at their liveliest, but the boat and beaches may also feel busier. In autumn, the sea can still be pleasant, and the quieter islands have a special charm, but shops and restaurants may be closed. If you go near the end of October, the onboard lunch is the safer food plan.

The schedule includes about 30 minutes of cruising at the start, 20 minutes to Šipan, 45 minutes to Koločep, and roughly 30 minutes back toward Dubrovnik. Those transfers are not wasted time. You get changing views of the coast and a chance to rest between walks and swims.

The final drop-off is listed at Lapadska obala 5 in Dubrovnik, with two return locations depending on the selected arrangement. Confirm your pickup and return details by email, especially if your accommodation is in a restricted vehicle zone.

Who should book this island cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a relaxed day away from Dubrovnik, enjoy swimming, and prefer a guided structure with free time built in. Families with older children, couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors who like meeting people should all find the format easy to manage.

It is especially useful for a first visit to the Elaphiti Islands. You see the sandy beach at Lopud, the agricultural character of Šipan, and the pine-lined coves of Koločep in one outing. You can then decide which island deserves a longer return visit.

I would think twice if you want an intimate private cruise, a serious hike, or hours at every stop. The tour covers ground efficiently, but efficiency means compromise. Lopud is the main event, while the other two islands are short introductions.

Should you book the RITA island-hopping day?

Yes, if you want the best mix of coastline views, swimming, lunch, and three island visits for a modest price. Select lunch if you are traveling outside the main season or do not want to gamble on open restaurants. Choose drinks only if you want more freedom and plan to eat on Lopud.

Give Lopud your attention, make Šunj Bay a priority, and treat Šipan and Koločep as brief but worthwhile tastes. With that mindset, this is a well-organized, friendly day on the Adriatic rather than an overpacked sightseeing race.

FAQ

How long does the Elaphite Island cruise last?

The cruise lasts eight hours, including time on the boat and stops at Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The route visits Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep, all part of the Elaphiti Islands near Dubrovnik.

How much time do you get on each island?

You get about three hours on Lopud, one hour on Šipan, and one hour on Koločep.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is included only if you select the lunch option. The meal offers fish, chicken, or a vegetarian choice with potato salad.

What drinks are included?

Water, Croatian wine, and a selection of soft drinks are included. Additional drinks can be purchased on board.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available in the Dubrovnik area if you select that option. For pedestrian-only or hard-to-reach areas, the operator confirms a nearby pickup point.

Where do I find the boat?

The boat is named RITA and is docked at the pier. Look for the MARINERO agency name and crew members waiting to welcome you.

Does the boat have toilets?

Yes. The boat has two onboard toilets.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own if you want to snorkel. Towels are also not provided.

Which languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English, Croatian, Italian, and German.