From Dubrovnik: Premium Three Island Cruise with lunch and drinks

The best part of this cruise is the change of pace. One minute you’re dealing with Dubrovnik’s stone lanes and summer crowds; soon you’re on the Adriatic, heading for quiet villages, sandy beaches, olive groves, and small island cafés. Lopud’s Šunj Beach is the main prize, but Šipan and Koločep add their own slower, greener character.

I like two things especially: lunch is served on board, so you don’t lose island time hunting for a table, and the crew keeps water, soft drinks, and other refreshments moving through the day. The boat also has an air-conditioned salon and an open upper deck, which gives you a choice between shade and sea breeze.

The main drawback is the timing. You get about three hours on Lopud, but only an hour on Šipan and an hour on Koločep, and the full outing can run from roughly 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. If you prefer a short beach trip or a guided sightseeing tour, this may feel long and a little loose.

Key points to know before you book

• Šunj Beach is the highlight on Lopud: Walk there or use a local golf cart taxi if you want to save time and energy.
• The cruise lasts about eight hours: Cruising between islands takes time in addition to the stops.
• Lunch comes in three choices: Pick grilled hake, grilled chicken, or seasonal grilled vegetables, all with potato salad and bread.
• You get a choice of seating: Use the closed, air-conditioned salon or head upstairs to the open deck.
• Bring a swimsuit and towel: Swimming is one of the best ways to use your free time, but towels and snorkeling gear are not supplied.
• Pickup is limited to Dubrovnik city: Send your hotel or accommodation address in advance, and be ready on time because the driver waits only two minutes.

A full day beyond Dubrovnik’s city walls

Dubrovnik is a superb place to wander, but its Old Town can feel compact after a few days. This cruise gives you a useful change of scenery without requiring a long bus ride or complicated ferry connections.

You spend the day moving among the Elaphiti Islands, an archipelago just off the Dubrovnik coast. The experience is part sightseeing trip, part beach day, and part picnic on the water. You are not following a guide through a tightly packed schedule. Instead, the crew gets you to each island, points out the main options, and gives you time to choose your own pace.

That freedom is a strength if you want to swim, take a walk, sit at a café, or simply look out over the sea. It is less satisfying if you expect detailed commentary during every stretch of the cruise. Some people would like more information about the islands as they travel, while others will appreciate being left alone to enjoy the ride.

The boat carries up to 110 people, so this is a proper group cruise rather than a private sailing trip. During busy summer periods, arrive early if you care about getting a preferred seat. The boat has been described as comfortable even when busy, but an open upper deck can fill quickly on a sunny day.

Lopud gives you the longest stop

Lopud is where the schedule gives you room to settle in. You have about three hours, enough time to combine a walk through the village with a beach visit, coffee, or a little history.

The village has stone houses, greenery, cafés, and small shops. It feels quiet and easygoing, with Adriatic views opening up as you walk. You can spend the whole stop close to the harbor, but that would mean missing the island’s best-known attraction.

Šunj Beach is on the far side of Lopud. The sandy shore and clear water make it the natural place for a swim. You can walk there, though the trip takes time and includes an uphill section on the return. Local golf cart taxis offer a practical shortcut for a few euros, according to the information provided by people who used them. If you want a swim but do not want to spend much of your stop walking, this can be a smart use of your money.

The beach has loungers, umbrellas, and a marked swimming area. Prices at the beach and in Lopud’s restaurants can be higher than you might expect for a small island, so bring your budgetary judgment along with your swimsuit. You are free to bring your own towel, but the cruise does not provide one.

Lopud also offers more than sun and sand. The 15th-century Franciscan Monastery provides a quiet historical stop, and a botanical garden contains Mediterranean plant species. Keep your expectations practical, though. The condition of attractions can vary, especially late in the season, and one part of the garden has been described as needing repair.

If you are older, have limited mobility, or simply do not walk quickly, plan Lopud before you arrive. Three hours can pass quickly if you use a golf cart to reach Šunj, swim, and leave time for the village. If you skip the beach and prefer indoor sights, the stop may feel too long.

Lunch arrives on the way to Šipan

Lunch is served on board, commonly while the boat is traveling toward Šipan. That arrangement works well because you can eat without using up your limited time ashore.

The menu is simple:

• 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 a fine dining event. It is a straightforward boat lunch, prepared fresh and served in generous portions according to the information supplied. Fish and chicken have received particularly strong praise, while some diners found the meal merely average. That difference probably reflects the nature of the outing: you are paying for a full day at sea with food included, not a restaurant tasting menu.

A bottle of white wine has been placed on tables on some departures, and the package includes bottled water and assorted soft drinks such as lemonade and juices. Coffee, tea, beer, and other drinks are available for purchase. Because beverage arrangements can be explained differently on board, I would confirm exactly what is included when you check in, especially if drinks are important to your decision.

The crew of five is one of the most consistently praised parts of the experience. Staff members serve food and refreshments, help with practical questions, and keep the mood welcoming. Nikoleta has been singled out for making sure people were comfortable, and that personal attention is a nice touch on a large boat.

Šipan shows a quieter side of Dalmatia

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands, but the stop here is only about an hour. That is enough for a short walk, a drink, a swim, or a quick look at the village near the pier. It is not enough for an ambitious island hike.

The scenery changes from Lopud’s beach appeal to olive groves, vineyards, rolling hills, and stone houses. Walking trails lead through green surroundings, and the island feels more rural and settled. You might find a local café or shop near the landing point, offering a small taste of everyday Dalmatian life rather than a major sightseeing attraction.

A wine tasting near the dock has been recommended as a worthwhile option for people who enjoy that sort of stop. It is not part of the listed lunch and drink inclusions, so treat it as an optional purchase.

The short visit is both good and bad. It keeps the day moving and lets you sample three different islands. At the same time, you may feel you have only just arrived when it is time to return to the boat. Use the hour with a plan: choose a café, a swim, or a brief walk before you step ashore.

Koločep is a gentle final stop

Koločep closes the day with the calmest atmosphere of the three islands. It is known for greenery, olive trees, coastal paths, traditional stone houses, and small churches. The pace is slow, and the setting suits anyone who wants a quiet final swim before heading back to Dubrovnik.

A sandy beach is located close to the harbor, making Koločep especially useful for a late-day dip. You do not need to spend most of the hour hiking to reach the water. A local café also gives you the option of sitting with a drink and enjoying the view instead.

Some people prefer to save swimming for Koločep because the beach is close to the pier and the afternoon light can make the stop feel more relaxed. This is also a good place to avoid overplanning. Walk a little, swim if conditions suit, then return to the boat with enough time to spare.

The one-hour stop limits your choices. You will not see every path or church, and you should not expect a complete tour of the island. Think of Koločep as a peaceful pause, not a major sightseeing visit.

What the boat setup means for your day

The boat’s design helps make a long day more manageable. The lower salon is enclosed and air-conditioned, which matters during hot weather or on the return trip when you want a break from the sun. The upper deck provides open-air seating and better views of the sea.

The boat docks at a pier on each island, so you can board and leave without wading through the water. That simple detail is useful if you are carrying a beach bag, wearing sandals, or traveling with children.

Refreshments may be brought to your seat, and water is available throughout the trip. Still, do not treat this as a private yacht experience. With capacity for up to 110 people, the boat can feel busy in high season. Arriving early improves your chance of finding a seat that suits you, especially if you want the upper deck.

Pack light but pack wisely. You should bring:

• Swimsuit
• Towel
• Sun protection
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Money for golf cart transport, cafés, beach facilities, or optional drinks
• Snorkeling gear if you want to use it, since equipment is not included

Is $48.39 good value?

At $48.39 per person, this is strong value if you want a full day at sea and plan to use the included food and refreshments. A boat trip to three islands, hotel pickup when selected, lunch, water, and soft drinks would quickly become more expensive if arranged separately.

The value is clearest for people who want a simple package. You do not need to organize transport to a harbor, compare island boat schedules, or find lunch between stops. The crew handles the movement, and you choose how to use your free time.

The value is less clear if you mainly want Lopud. Several hours are spent cruising, and some people would prefer a longer visit to Lopud rather than shorter stops on Šipan and Koločep. You can also spend extra money on golf cart transport, beach rentals, cafés, wine tasting, or additional drinks.

The cruise is usually booked about 22 days ahead, which suggests you should not leave it until the last minute during busy periods. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. The trip depends on good weather, and a weather cancellation results in another date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this island cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a relaxed day away from Dubrovnik and like mixing scenery with free time. Families can use Lopud and Koločep for swimming, while couples may enjoy the boat ride, wine, and quiet island walks.

It also works well after a busy Old Town day. The cruise asks little of you beyond keeping track of boarding times. You can sit with a drink, eat lunch, swim, or wander without trying to fit another major monument into your schedule.

You may want another option if you need a highly guided experience, dislike group boats, or have trouble with steep walks. The tour does not provide snorkeling equipment or towels, and Lopud’s route to Šunj can be tiring if you walk both ways.

Late-season timing deserves special care. In October, island cafés, shops, and attractions may be closed, and beach conditions may not be ideal. The islands can feel peaceful, but that quiet may also leave you with fewer ways to fill three hours on Lopud.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if your ideal Dubrovnik day includes clear water, a sandy beach, a simple lunch, and plenty of open-air time. The crew, food, included refreshments, and overall price make it an easy package for a first visit to the Elaphiti Islands.

I would book it in summer, arrive early for a good seat, and plan Lopud around Šunj Beach. Bring a towel, use the golf cart if time or mobility is an issue, and save Koločep for a final swim.

Skip it if you want a short half-day outing or a detailed guided tour of every island. The strongest reason to go is not a packed list of monuments. It is the chance to spend a long, well-supported day moving through three peaceful Adriatic settings at an accessible price.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

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

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 I get on each island?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. Freshly prepared lunch is included, 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, including lemonade and juices, are included. Additional drinks such as coffee, tea, and beer are available to buy on board. Wine is also presented as part of the included refreshments, but you should confirm the exact beverage arrangement when boarding.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available if you select that option. It is limited to accommodation in the Dubrovnik city area, and you need to provide the exact address or hotel name in advance.

Should I bring a towel and swimsuit?

Yes. Bring both if you plan to swim. Towels are not included, and snorkeling equipment is also not provided.

Is the boat air-conditioned?

Yes. The boat has a closed, air-conditioned salon as well as seating on an open upper deck.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. For your own cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund.