Dubrovnik: Elaphite Islands Cruise with Drinks/Lunch Options

The best part of this day is the variety: three very different island stops, open Adriatic views, swimming time, and lunch served on the boat. You are not stuck sightseeing from a bus. The sea is the road, and the changing views do much of the work.

I like the easy hotel pickup option and the friendly, attentive crew, with guides such as Emily, Natasha, and Teo receiving especially warm praise. I also like the generous schedule at Lopud, where you can eat, walk, and reach a sandy beach. The catch is that three hours there may feel long if you are not interested in swimming or sitting by the water.

Key points at a glance

• Three islands in one day: Visit Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud without arranging separate ferries.
• Blue Cave option: Add a paid speedboat trip for swimming and the striking blue-lit cave near Koločep.
• Lunch on board: Choose chicken, fish, or a vegetarian meal, with many reports of generous portions.
• Listed drinks included: White wine, water, juices, Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, and Fanta are included, but do not assume every alcoholic drink is free.
• A roomy two-deck boat: Emili has plenty of seating, views from both decks, and two toilets.
• Pickup needs planning: If you select hotel pickup, contact the operator for your exact time. A missed pickup means no refund.

Why this cruise works so well from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is an excellent base for island trips, but arranging a day among the Elaphite Islands can be awkward. You need ferry times, local transport, and a plan for lunch. This cruise handles the basic structure for you, while still leaving room to swim, walk, or simply sit with a drink.

The price starts at about $53 per person, though the exact amount depends on the option you choose. That is good value if your booking includes lunch, drinks, and transport. You are paying for a full eight-hour day, not just a short boat ride. The Blue Cave is an extra, so check the price before you commit. Several bookings added it for about €20 per person.

I would choose this outing if I wanted to see the islands without renting a boat. It is also a useful choice for a solo visitor. The social setup, shared lunch, music, and open seating make it easy to enjoy the day without needing a private group.

The mood can shift from peaceful cruising to a lively boat outing, especially once wine is being served. That is part of the appeal for some people, but it may not suit you if you want a quiet, highly private sailing trip.

Boarding Emili near Dubrovnik’s bus station

The meeting point is on the dock beside the bus station. Look for the boat named Emili. If you have selected pickup, the vehicle may collect you from your accommodation in the Dubrovnik city area, but you must contact the operator first for the exact time.

This detail matters. Pickup times depend on where you are staying, and the operator specifically warns that failing to make contact can lead to a missed tour with no refund. Pickup less than 1,000 meters from the starting point is not included, so confirm the arrangement instead of assuming every address is covered.

The boat has two decks, plenty of seating, good views, and two toilets. Some bookings describe it as spacious even when full. One particularly positive account praised the room to move around, while another described the group as larger. I would expect a shared excursion rather than a private charter, and I would board early if choosing a preferred seat matters to you.

The first 30 minutes are a sightseeing cruise. This gives you time to settle in, look back toward Dubrovnik, and get used to the rhythm of the day. The guide speaks English and Croatian, and the crew provides information during the cruise and before the island stops.

Koločep: your first swim and island taste

Koločep is the first main stop, with about an hour for a visit, photos, a walk, or a swim. The island is known for clear water and a relaxed coastal feel, so this is a good time to get into the sea if conditions are calm.

You will not have a long, unhurried exploration period here. The stop is designed as an introduction: enjoy the scenery, take photos, and make use of the water. If you want a serious island walk, the time may feel short. If you see the cruise as a sampler of the Elaphites, the pace makes sense.

Snorkeling is listed as an option, but bring your own swimwear and towel. The tour information does not promise snorkeling gear, so I would not count on equipment being supplied. Sea conditions can also change the order or content of the day.

The optional Blue Cave speedboat trip

The Blue Cave is the main add-on and, for many people, the most memorable part of the outing. The cave visit includes swimming and snorkeling, and the paid transfer is by speedboat. The fast ride adds a little excitement to what would otherwise be a steady cruise.

The cave experience is dependent on the sea. One account described the crew visiting it early because rough conditions might have closed it later. That is a useful reminder: the guide may change the order to give you the best chance of seeing it.

The cave is not included in the base price. The extra charge has often been around €20 per person, but confirm the current amount when booking. I would add it if you enjoy swimming and want a more active break. If you dislike speedboats or prefer more time on the main islands, keep the standard cruise.

Do not expect the Blue Cave to be the only reason to book this day. The island stops and boat ride are the main experience. The cave is a worthwhile bonus, not a guarantee of perfect conditions.

Šipan: stone houses and a quieter pause

After another stretch of cruising, the boat reaches Šipan. You get about 45 minutes here for a guided or self-guided visit, photos, and a walk.

Šipan gives you a different view of the Elaphites. Look for traditional red-roofed stone houses and the slower feel of a small island settlement. This is less about a major attraction and more about seeing local architecture and the setting at an easy pace.

The short stop is both a strength and a limitation. It keeps the whole day moving and allows three islands to fit into one outing. But you will not have time for a thorough exploration of Šipan. I would use the stop for a short walk, a few photographs, and a look at the waterfront rather than trying to cover the whole island.

The guides add context about Croatian culture and island life along the way. The tour is not presented as a long historical lecture, which suits the relaxed format. You get useful background without giving up most of your free time.

Lopud: lunch, Sunj Beach, and the longest island stop

Lopud receives the largest block of time, about three hours. This is where the day slows down. You can eat lunch on board, walk through the settlement, swim, visit the beach, or simply find a place to sit and enjoy the afternoon.

The sandy beach at Šunj is a major draw. Several bookings made the trip there, and one useful tip was to take a golf cart to the beach and back. The tour information does not guarantee the cart service or include its cost, so treat that as a possible local option rather than part of the package.

Lunch is served aboard the boat and usually includes a choice of chicken, fish, or vegetarian food. Fish is often the popular choice, with hake mentioned specifically in one less enthusiastic food note. Portions are described as filling, and the meal is one of the strongest reasons the package offers good value.

The food is not a formal restaurant meal. It is a practical boat lunch, and quality can vary by dish. If you care strongly about the menu, ask what is being served that day. The vegetarian option is available, but no further details are provided.

Three hours gives you enough time to combine lunch with a swim and a walk. It can also feel too long. There is not a long list of major sights on Lopud, and if you do not want the beach, swimming, or a relaxed afternoon, you may run out of things to do. Bring a book, enjoy the view, or treat the extra time as a chance to slow down.

What you actually get to drink and eat

The listed unlimited drinks are white wine, water, apple juice, orange juice, Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, and Fanta. Crew members regularly offer refreshments, which means you do not need to keep buying drinks during the day.

Read the wording carefully if you are expecting a full open bar. One account specifically noted that other alcoholic drinks were not free. I would treat the included package as wine and soft drinks, not unlimited spirits, beer, or cocktails.

The meal is a practical benefit, especially since you are away from Dubrovnik for eight hours. It also means you do not need to waste island time searching for a restaurant. I like that you can eat with the sea around you, then use the island stop for walking and swimming instead of sitting down for another long meal.

The crew and the atmosphere on board

The human side of this outing receives unusually strong praise. Emily, who is associated with the boat name Emili, is repeatedly singled out for warmth and personal attention. Natasha is also praised for guiding, serving food, and keeping the day moving, while Teo receives credit for a friendly approach and small nature encounters during a swim stop.

The crew seems to be good at practical care: explaining where to meet, checking on drinks, giving island suggestions, and helping people who miss an instruction. That matters on a day with several transfers and optional activities.

The atmosphere is relaxed but not silent. Music, wine, and a shared group can make the cruise feel festive. If you want a private yacht mood, this is not the right product. If you like meeting people and having a bit of energy around the lunch table, it should suit you well.

Timing, sea conditions, and what to pack

The full outing lasts about eight hours. The rough pattern is 30 minutes of initial cruising, Koločep, an optional Blue Cave visit, more cruising, Šipan, another cruise, a long Lopud stop, and the return to Dubrovnik.

The order may change. Sea conditions can affect the Blue Cave and the route, so keep some flexibility in your plans. Do not schedule a tight evening activity immediately afterward.

Pack:

• Swimwear
• A towel
• Sun protection
• Comfortable footwear for short walks
• A little patience for changing conditions

The boat has toilets, but you are still spending much of the day on the water. If you are prone to motion sickness, plan accordingly. The provided information does not specify whether motion-sickness medication is available on board.

There is conflicting information about accessibility. The activity details describe the boat as wheelchair accessible, while the suitability notes say it is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. Contact the operator before booking if this affects you. Do not rely on the general accessibility label alone.

Is the $53 price good value?

I think the base price is attractive when lunch, listed drinks, the boat, and hotel pickup are included. A full day of island transport would otherwise require several separate arrangements, and the cruise gives you three stops without asking you to plan ferry connections.

The value is strongest for people who want variety. You see beaches, stone houses, open sea, a boat lunch, and a possible cave visit in one day. The value is weaker if you prefer a long stay on one island, a private boat, or a quiet trip with no fixed schedule.

Check exactly what your selected option contains. Pickup and lunch may be optional rather than automatic, and the Blue Cave costs extra. The headline price can therefore be lower than your final total.

Who should book this island day?

I would recommend it to you if you:

• Have one free day in Dubrovnik and want to see beyond the city
• Like combining sightseeing with swimming
• Prefer a planned day over arranging ferries yourself
• Enjoy a social boat atmosphere
• Want lunch and wine included in the basic outing
• Are traveling alone, as the shared setup is easy to join

I would hesitate if you need long, detailed time on each island. The first two stops are short, and Lopud may feel overlong if you do not want a beach or a leisurely pause. I would also think twice if you want a private, quiet sailing experience or if sea conditions are a serious concern.

The best version of the day is simple: confirm pickup, bring swimwear and a towel, add the Blue Cave if you enjoy speedboats, and use Lopud for a proper swim rather than waiting for the return boat.

Should you book the Elaphite Islands cruise?

Yes, if you want an easy, good-value day from Dubrovnik with three islands, lunch, drinks, and swimming in one package. The crew care, the boat is comfortable, and the mix of stops keeps the day from feeling like a single beach transfer.

Book with realistic expectations. This is a shared excursion with fixed timings, not a private island-hopping charter. Add the Blue Cave for the faster, more adventurous version, and skip it if you would rather have extra free time. For most visitors with one spare day, the cruise offers a lot of Adriatic scenery and activity for the money.

FAQ

How long is the Elaphite Islands cruise?

The experience lasts about eight hours, including the boat ride, island stops, lunch, and the return to Dubrovnik.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The cruise visits Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud.

Is the Blue Cave included?

The Blue Cave is an optional extra and is not included in the basic cruise price. It involves a speedboat ride, swimming, and snorkeling.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is included only if you choose an option that includes it. The meal offers chicken, fish, or vegetarian dishes.

Which drinks are included?

The listed unlimited drinks are white wine, water, apple juice, orange juice, Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, and Fanta. Other alcoholic drinks may cost extra.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is on the dock next to the bus station. Look for the boat named Emili.

Is hotel pickup available?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are available in the Dubrovnik city area if you select that option. You must contact the operator in advance for the exact pickup time, and pickup less than 1,000 meters from the starting point is not included.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. You should also allow for changing sea conditions, which may affect the route or schedule.