Dubrovnik: Elaphite Island Cruise w/ Drinks & Optional Lunch

Lopud is the star of this three-island cruise. You get about three hours there, enough time to walk the car-free promenade, reach sandy Šunj Bay, swim, or simply claim a patch of sun. I like that the day is not spent rushing from one photo stop to the next.

I also like the friendly five-person crew, clean boat, regular soft drinks, and the choice of lunch. The main drawback is the timetable: Šipan and Koločep receive about an hour each, so you see three islands but only properly settle into one. If your priority is long beach time, a single-island trip may suit you better.

At a glance

• Three islands in one day: Visit Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep from Dubrovnik.
• Lopud gets the most time: Three hours allows room for Šunj Bay, swimming, walking, and lunch.
• Lunch is optional: Choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian plate with potato salad.
• Drinks are part of the day: Water, soft drinks, Croatian wine, and selected refreshments are available.
• A proper boat setup: The RITA has an open top deck, lower air-conditioned saloon, and two onboard toilets.
• Best for flexible explorers: You can swim, walk, shop, or relax instead of following a tightly guided walking tour.

Why this cruise works so well from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik’s old town can fill a morning quickly, but the Elaphite Islands show you a quieter side of southern Dalmatia. The coast looks best from the water, where the city walls, rocky shoreline, and small coves gradually give way to pine trees, vineyards, and low island villages.

At about $50 per person, this is an appealing way to add a full day at sea without arranging several ferries yourself. The price can change with the selected option, especially if you add hotel pickup or lunch, so check the exact package before paying. Even so, the combination of boat transport, drinks, crew service, and three island stops gives the day strong value.

I would choose the lunch option if you want the simplest day. The boat serves fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal with potato salad, and lunch saves you from spending your short stop on Lopud searching for an open restaurant. If you prefer to control your food budget, the drinks-only option lets you buy lunch on Lopud or bring your own food.

The atmosphere can shift with the group. It may feel peaceful during the cruise, especially on a cooler day, but music and a more social mood are possible when a birthday group or lively crowd is onboard. That is part of the appeal for some people and a point to consider if you want a silent sailing day.

Boarding the RITA and settling into the day

The boat is called RITA and is docked at the pier. Look for the MARINERO name, with the crew waiting to welcome you. If you add pickup, a driver collects you at the confirmed Dubrovnik meeting point and takes you to the harbor in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Pickup is limited to the Dubrovnik area. If your lodging sits inside a pedestrian-only zone or on a narrow street, the operator confirms a nearby point rather than trying to drive directly to your door. Pay attention to the agreed pickup time, since an early pickup can cause confusion if you are not watching your email.

Once aboard, you can choose between the open top deck and the lower air-conditioned saloon. The open area gives you the best views and breeze, while the saloon is useful during strong sun or rougher weather. Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a light layer. The boat has two clean toilets, which matters on an eight-hour outing.

Five crew members look after the boat and passengers. Service includes water and soft drinks, with Croatian wine served during lunch and additional drinks available for purchase. The exact drink selection can vary, but the day includes regular refreshments rather than leaving you to fend for yourself between stops.

The first cruise along Dubrovnik’s coast

The opening cruise lasts about 30 minutes. This is not dead time. It gives you a chance to settle in, take photographs, and see Dubrovnik from an angle you cannot get from the city walls.

The coastline quickly changes from built-up harbor views to rocky edges, clear water, and small bays. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole crossing looking through a screen. The point of this trip is the easy rhythm of boat, island, swim, and boat again.

A live guide is available in English, Croatian, Italian, and German. Guides can include Nikoleta or Azhar, depending on the departure. Expect general information about the islands, instructions about when to return to the boat, and practical suggestions for making the most of each stop.

Lopud: the day’s main event

Lopud receives roughly three hours, making it the clear centerpiece. The island is car-free in the main pedestrian areas, so you explore on foot rather than dodging traffic. The waterfront promenade is easy to combine with a relaxed lunch, a short walk, or a browse through small shops.

The big choice is how to use your time. If you want a beach day, head for Šunj Bay, the island’s well-known sandy beach. It is one of the strongest reasons to book this particular outing because sandy beaches are not the default along every part of Croatia’s rocky coast.

You can walk toward Šunj Bay, though the route includes uphill and uneven sections. Golf-cart rides are also available in the area, but do not assume they will return you directly to the harbor. A practical plan is to visit the beach first, then walk back toward the promenade and port while you still have time.

If you are not swimming, the walk and island sights may be enough reason to go. Lopud has old churches, historic remains, and the Saint Mary Franciscan monastery. You might also find small shops and local businesses along the waterfront. Opening hours can be limited outside the main summer period, so do not build your day around shopping.

The three-hour stop is long enough to avoid the usual shore excursion problem of having only time for a quick photograph. You can swim, dry off, eat, and still see a little of the village. Families should keep children close near the water and on the boat, especially since the RITA has open sides.

Lunch is served onboard if you select that option. Depending on the menu choice, you receive fish, chicken, or a vegetarian dish with potato salad. The food is practical rather than a formal restaurant meal, but it makes good use of the boat time and avoids losing part of Lopud to a restaurant search.

Šipan: vineyards, olive groves, and a shorter pause

After Lopud, the boat cruises for about 20 minutes to Šipan, the largest of the Elaphite Islands. You have about an hour here, which is enough for a walk, photographs, and a quick look at the island setting.

Šipan feels more rural than Dubrovnik. Vineyards and olive groves are the main visual appeal, and the stop gives you a taste of island life beyond beaches. You may have time for a swim, but do not expect a long, unhurried beach session after walking around.

The short visit is both a strength and a weakness. It lets you sample another island without giving up the long Lopud stop, but you will need to watch the return time. The crew gives clear instructions about when to be back, and the boat keeps to a set schedule.

Koločep: a final chance for clear water

The cruise to Koločep takes about 45 minutes. The final island stop lasts around an hour and is aimed more at swimming, a short walk, and a quiet break than at a long sightseeing program.

Koločep is known for pine trees, coves, and clear water. Bring swimwear if you want to make the most of it, and pack your own towel because towels are not provided. Snorkeling equipment is also not included, so bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them.

The water can be the main event here. You may also walk through the pine-scented areas or take photographs near the shore. Like Šipan, Koločep is a sampler stop. If you want to explore every path or sit by the water for half a day, the one-hour limit will feel tight.

The final return cruise lasts about 30 minutes, bringing you back toward Dubrovnik and the Lapadska obala 5 drop-off area. With the full route, you spend much of the day moving between islands, but the boat rides are part of the experience rather than simply transport.

Lunch, drinks, and the real value of the package

The lunch upgrade makes the most sense for anyone who values convenience. You receive a choice of fish, chicken, or vegetarian food, plus potato salad, and wine is available with the meal. You also get water and soft drinks during the day.

The drinks-only option can be a smart choice if you are happy to plan your own food. Lopud offers the best chance to buy lunch, and the three-hour stop gives you enough time to eat and explore. In the quieter months, though, many restaurants and shops may be closed, so onboard lunch becomes the safer plan.

The cruise also serves as a social outing. Crew members circulate with drinks, keep people informed about departure times, and help maintain a relaxed mood. Some departures include local liqueur shots and light snacks such as wafers, but do not treat these as guaranteed menu items unless confirmed when you book.

At roughly $50, the core package is good value because you are paying for a full day of boat transport, island access, crew service, and refreshments. Add-ons can change the final price, but the basic structure avoids the cost and planning effort of arranging three separate island visits.

Who should book this day on the water?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see several Elaphite Islands in one day without handling ferry schedules. It suits couples, families with older children, groups of friends, and anyone who wants a relaxed break from Dubrovnik’s streets.

It is especially good for people who like choice. You can swim while someone else walks, take a quiet seat in the saloon, or spend your time on Lopud’s beach. You are not locked into a single guided route.

You should think twice if you need a highly structured cultural tour or a quiet luxury cruise. The day can be lively, the island stops are short outside Lopud, and the open boat design requires attention with very young children. A toddler may need constant supervision near the sides and boarding areas.

It is also not the best fit if you dislike swimming, walking on uneven ground, or spending several hours on a boat. Lopud remains worthwhile for its village and historic sights, but Koločep and parts of the day are built around the sea.

Book with the weather in mind. The islands are beautiful outside the high season, but many businesses may be closed by late October or November. You will still get scenery, swimming conditions permitting, and a quieter atmosphere, but lunch onboard becomes more important and shopping choices may be scarce.

Should you book the Elaphite Islands cruise?

Yes, if you want a good-value full-day escape from Dubrovnik with a strong mix of swimming, scenery, and relaxed island time. The clean RITA, attentive crew, onboard toilets, optional pickup, and generous Lopud stop make this more than a basic boat transfer.

Choose the lunch option if you are visiting outside the busiest summer months or simply want the day to run without food planning. Choose drinks only if you prefer buying lunch yourself and want maximum control over the cost.

My practical verdict is simple: book it for the combination of three islands, but set your expectations correctly. Lopud is the main attraction, Šipan and Koločep are shorter introductions, and the joy is in the complete day at sea rather than a detailed visit to every island.

FAQ

How long does the Elaphite Islands cruise last?

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

Which islands does the boat visit?

The route includes Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep, all in the Elaphite 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 choices are fish, chicken, or vegetarian, served with potato salad.

What drinks are included?

Water and soft drinks are included, and Croatian wine is available with lunch. Additional drinks can be purchased onboard.

Is hotel pickup available?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are available in the Dubrovnik area if you select that option. A nearby meeting point is arranged for pedestrian-only or difficult-to-access lodging areas.

Where do I find the boat?

Look for the boat named RITA at the pier. The MARINERO agency name will be visible, and the crew will welcome you onboard.

Should I bring snorkeling equipment?

Yes, if you want to snorkel. Snorkeling equipment is not provided, and towels are not included either.

Which languages are available?

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