Dubrovnik: Elaphiti Islands Boat Cruise with Lunch & Drinks

The best part of this trip is its simple rhythm: leave Dubrovnik by boat, stop at three islands, eat a fresh lunch, and let the day unfold at sea level. Lopud’s Šunj Beach supplies the main swim-and-sun stop, while Kolocep and Sipan offer quieter walks and a taste of island life.

I like the freshly cooked fish, chicken, or vegetarian lunch and the fact that drinks are available throughout the cruise. I also like the relaxed ride home along the coast, when you can sit back and watch Dubrovnik’s shoreline slip past. The main thing to consider is time: some island stops are short, and the trip is less about detailed sightseeing than enjoying a full day outdoors.

Key points at a glance

• Three Elaphiti Islands in one day: Visit Kolocep, Sipan, and Lopud, with the exact order potentially varying.
• Šunj Beach on Lopud: Walk to the famous lagoon beach or pay for a ride in a small golf-cart taxi.
• Lunch cooked aboard: Choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal, with potatoes and salad commonly served alongside.
• Unlimited drinks included: Water, soft drinks, iced tea, and wine are available during the cruise.
• Comfortable boats: Look for Bobara or Mara at Lapadska Obala 5 in Dubrovnik.
• A calm seven-hour outing: Best for swimming, scenery, light walking, and an easy day away from the Old Town.

Three islands, one easy day from Dubrovnik

This seven-hour cruise gives you a broad taste of the Elaphiti Islands without asking you to plan ferries, restaurants, beach time, or return transport. You leave from Lapadska Obala 5, where at least one of the boats, Bobara or Mara, will be docked.

The boats are set up for viewing the coast, and you can expect a mix of open-air sitting and sheltered areas. Bring a light jacket if the wind picks up. One passenger found the boat comfortable and clean, with good views from the seats, but the Adriatic can feel cool once the boat is moving.

The pace is the real selling point. You are not rushed from one monument to another. Instead, the crew gives you basic information before each island and points out what you can do once ashore. You can walk, swim, take photographs, or simply stay near the water and rest.

An optional pickup may be available from a nearby hotel, bakery, or shop. The operator tells you which meeting place is closest to your address. This is useful if you are not staying near the harbor, though the confirmed main meeting point is Lapadska Obala 5.

Kolocep offers a short first taste of island nature

Kolocep is often one of the shorter stops, around 40 to 45 minutes in the reported schedule. That is enough for a brief walk, a few photographs, and a quick look at the island’s natural setting, but not enough for a long hike or a slow meal.

I would treat Kolocep as an introduction rather than the main event. You get off the boat, stretch your legs, and see how different the small islands feel from central Dubrovnik. The stop is pleasant, but you should keep an eye on the departure time. With less than an hour, wandering too far is not wise.

This short visit suits you if you enjoy variety. In one day, you see several island settings instead of spending all your time in one place. It is less suitable if you want to explore every corner of an island at a leisurely pace.

Sipan brings a longer walk and onboard lunch

Sipan usually receives about an hour, although timing can vary. It is another chance to walk and get a feel for the island before returning to the boat.

Lunch is prepared on board and may be served as you rejoin the boat after the Sipan stop. The meal is straightforward Mediterranean cooking rather than a formal restaurant spread. Fish, chicken, and vegetarian options are available, with a typical plate including potatoes and side salad.

That simplicity works well on a boat day. Fresh fish, tasty potatoes, and salad make a filling meal without weighing you down before a swim. Chicken is also available, and the meal has been described as tender and well prepared. If you prefer vegetarian food, tell the crew when appropriate so they can provide that option.

The dining setup is part of the social feel of the cruise. You eat with the group, then return to the deck for the next stretch of coast. It is not the right choice if you want a long, private restaurant lunch, but it is good value when food and drinks are already covered in the price.

Lopud and Šunj Beach provide the main event

Lopud is usually the longest stop, with about three hours in the commonly reported schedule. This is where the day opens up. You have enough time to visit Šunj Beach, swim if the weather is suitable, walk around, or find a quiet place to sit.

Šunj is known for its lagoon-style beach and is the clearest reason to bring beachwear. You can walk there, or use a small golf-cart taxi for an additional cost. The walk gives you more contact with the island, while the taxi makes sense if you want to save your energy for swimming and sunbathing.

Do not assume the beach will be the whole experience. The island also offers time for an easy stroll and a slower look at the surrounding nature. If the water is too cool or the weather turns cloudy, you can still make good use of the three-hour stop by walking and taking in the coast.

This is also the stop where timing matters least. Unlike Kolocep, three hours lets you move at a normal pace. You can leave the boat, visit the beach, return toward the harbor, and still have time to relax. I would bring a towel, swimsuit, comfortable clothes, sunscreen, and a camera.

The return cruise is part of the experience

After the island stops, the boat returns toward Dubrovnik, often taking a scenic route along the coast. The slower ride home is a pleasant contrast to the outward journey. You have already had lunch and seen the main stops, so this is your chance to sit down, enjoy a drink, and watch the shoreline.

That return leg helps make the seven-hour duration feel worthwhile. This is not simply a transfer to Lopud with lunch added. The boat ride itself is a major part of the outing, especially if you like being on the water and want views from offshore.

The crew serves drinks regularly, and the included selection has been described as water, Coke, iced tea, and wine. The supply is unlimited within the tour’s offering, so you do not need to keep calculating the cost of each glass. Smoking is not allowed, and alcohol or drugs outside the permitted drink service are not allowed.

Food and drinks make the $58 price easier to judge

At $58 per person, this cruise sits in the middle range for a full-day Dubrovnik excursion, but the value depends on how you use it. You are paying for a seven-hour boat trip, three island stops, lunch, and unlimited drinks. Optional pickup can also reduce the trouble of reaching the harbor, although hotel pickup and drop-off are not part of the standard inclusion.

The meal is not elaborate. That is worth saying plainly. You get a fresh, filling plate rather than a choice of several courses or a special dining experience. For many people, that is exactly right on a sunny boat day. Fish, potatoes, and salad are practical food for a day that includes walking and swimming.

The drinks add real value. Water and soft drinks are useful in the sun, and wine is available for those who want it. If you were planning to buy lunch and several drinks separately on an island, the package can compare favorably. If you mainly want a quick boat transfer and prefer to arrange your own food, the price may feel high.

One passenger considered the trip expensive for what it was, so this is not a universal bargain. I would book it for the combination of transport, meal, and easy access to three islands, not because it offers intensive guiding or luxury service.

The crew keeps the day moving

The crew speaks Croatian and English and gives information about the islands before you arrive. You get practical suggestions about where to go and what to do, rather than a long history lecture.

That approach suits the outing. You need to know how far it is to Šunj, how long you have before departure, and which areas are worth seeing. The crew also serves the meal and keeps drinks available, which makes the day feel organized without being formal.

The boat staff have been praised for being friendly, attentive, punctual, and professional. Several passengers particularly valued the crew’s habit of checking that people had drinks and were enjoying themselves. Pickup, when arranged, has also been described as punctual.

The small-group option is worth checking if you prefer a less crowded boat day. The supplied information does not guarantee a fixed group size, so confirm availability when booking rather than assuming every departure is small.

What the schedule means for you

A typical day begins around 9 a.m. and returns around 5 p.m., though you should check the departure time for your date. The rough island pattern is:

• Kolocep, about 40 to 45 minutes
• Sipan, about one hour
• Lopud, about three hours
• Return cruise to Dubrovnik

The order can vary. One schedule places Lopud first, Sipan second, and Kolocep last, while another places the longest Lopud stop at the end. The important point is the balance: two short visits and one much longer island stay.

This makes the tour a good fit for you if you want variety and a clear structure. It is not ideal if you want to choose your own beach for the entire day, hike for several hours, or spend a full afternoon on one island without a group departure time.

You should also allow for changing weather. The islands are most rewarding when the sea is calm and the beach is usable, but the tour can still work on a cooler day. You can walk, take photographs, eat lunch, and enjoy the boat even if swimming is off the table.

Practical details before you book

The meeting point is Lapadska Obala 5. Look for Bobara or Mara, and allow enough time to identify the correct boat. At least one of those boats will be docked at the address.

Bring:

• Beachwear and a towel
• Comfortable clothes for walking
• A camera
• A light jacket for wind
• Sun protection

Entry fees are not included, though very few places on the route require tickets. The golf-cart taxi to Šunj is also not included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not standard, but optional nearby pickup may be available.

The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. You need to manage boat boarding, island landings, walking, and beach access. If you have any mobility concern, ask the operator for current boarding details before paying.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Dubrovnik plans depend on weather or other bookings.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this outing to couples, families, and independent visitors who want a full day on the water without arranging several separate tickets. It also suits you if lunch planning is a chore and you like having drinks available without repeated stops at a bar.

It works particularly well for a first visit to Dubrovnik. You see the coast from a different angle and sample three islands, while the crew handles the basic timing and route.

The cruise is less suitable for serious hikers, history-focused sightseers, or anyone wanting a polished luxury yacht experience. The stops are short except for Lopud, the food is simple, and the day follows a set schedule.

It is also worth thinking about your swimming priorities. Šunj is the main beach stop, but conditions can change. If your perfect day requires several hours of warm water, bright sun, and no boat timetable, book a dedicated beach outing instead.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands cruise?

Book it if you want an easy, well-organized day that combines three islands, a cooked lunch, unlimited drinks, and a scenic return to Dubrovnik. The strongest value comes from the complete package, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for food, drinks, and island transport.

Skip it if you prefer deep exploration of one island, long walks, or complete control over your schedule. For most visitors who want a relaxing taste of the Elaphiti Islands at $58, it is a sensible choice. Bring beachwear, a jacket, and a little patience for short stops, then let the boat do the work.

FAQ

Where does the Elaphiti Islands cruise leave from?

The boats are docked at Lapadska Obala 5 in Dubrovnik. The boat names are Bobara and Mara, and at least one should be docked there.

How long does the boat trip last?

The cruise lasts seven hours. A commonly reported schedule runs from about 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but you should check the available starting times for your chosen date.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route visits Kolocep, Sipan, and Lopud. The order can vary between departures.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is prepared on board and includes a choice of fish, chicken, or vegetarian food. Fish or chicken may be served with potatoes and side salad.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited drinks are included in the cruise price. The available selection has been described as water, Coke, iced tea, and wine.

Is Šunj Beach included in the route?

Yes. Šunj Beach is on Lopud, one of the islands visited. You can walk to the beach or take a mini-golf-cart taxi, which is not included in the tour price.

Is hotel pickup available?

Optional pickup may be available from a location near your address, such as a hotel, bakery, or store. Standard hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so confirm the arrangement before departure.

Are entry fees included?

No. Entry fees are not included, although very few places on the route require tickets.

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. The tour involves boarding the boat, getting off at island stops, and walking around the islands.