Dubrovnik: Elaphite Island Cruise w/ Drinks & Optional Lunch

The best part of this day is simple: you get three Elaphiti Islands without arranging ferries, taxis, or restaurant bookings. Lopud brings the sandy Šunj Beach and the most time to explore, while Šipan and Koločep add vineyards, olive groves, pine trees, and clear swimming water.

I like the friendly, attentive crew on the Rita, and I like the value. For about $50, you get an eight-hour boat outing, drinks, clean toilets, and the option of a fish, chicken, or vegetarian lunch. The main drawback is the pace: Lopud gets three hours, but Šipan and Koločep receive about one hour each, which can feel rushed.

Key points to know before booking

• Lopud gets the main event: Three hours gives you time for Šunj Beach, a walk, swimming, and a little shopping.
• The boat is made for a full day: Rita has an open upper deck, a lower air-conditioned saloon, five crew members, and two onboard toilets.
• Lunch is optional: Choose fish, chicken, or vegetarian food with potato salad, or use Lopud’s free time to find your own meal.
• Drinks keep coming: Water, soft drinks, Croatian wine, and some local liqueur tastings are included, with extra drinks available to buy.
• The smaller islands are quick visits: Šipan and Koločep are scenic stops, but you will not have time for a full island tour.
• Bring your own swim and snorkel kit: Towels and snorkeling equipment are not supplied.

What this Dubrovnik boat trip is really like

This is a relaxed island-hopping day rather than a serious sightseeing tour. The rhythm is easy: board the Rita, watch Dubrovnik recede behind you, spend time ashore, then return to the boat for another short cruise.

The route takes about eight hours in total. The first coastal cruise lasts roughly 30 minutes, followed by three hours on Lopud. You then cruise for about 20 minutes to Šipan, spend around an hour there, continue for about 45 minutes to Koločep, and finish with a 30-minute return cruise.

That timing gives you a good taste of the archipelago. It does not give you a deep look at each island. I would choose this trip if you want variety and a full day on the water. If you prefer slow walks, long beach time, or detailed historical visits, the schedule may feel too tight.

The boat is called Rita and is docked near the pier under the MARINERO agency name. You can meet the boat there, or select hotel pickup and drop-off within the Dubrovnik area. If you stay in a pedestrian-only area, the pickup team confirms a nearby meeting point rather than trying to drive into a narrow old-town lane.

Sailing from Dubrovnik on the Rita

The coastal cruise is part of the pleasure, not just transport between stops. From the boat, you see Dubrovnik from the water and get a changing view of the Dalmatian coast.

Rita has an open top deck for sun and views, plus a lower air-conditioned saloon when the heat gets strong. That matters on an eight-hour outing. You can sit outside for the scenery, then move inside for shade and cooler air.

The boat also has two onboard toilets. They are described as clean and fully equipped, which is useful when you are spending most of the day away from shore. Five crew members handle the boat, drinks, food, and general help, so the experience has more support than a basic ferry ride.

The atmosphere can shift with the group. Some departures are quiet and easygoing, while others become more social, with music, local shots, singing, and birthday celebrations. If you want a calm day, sit in the air-conditioned saloon or toward the rear. If you enjoy meeting people and a little boat-party energy, the open deck may suit you better.

Families should keep a close eye on very young children. The boat is open on the sides, and there is no indication that this is designed as a small-child activity. Older children who can follow safety instructions should get more from the swimming, walking, and beach stops.

Lopud and Šunj Beach: where the day earns its keep

Lopud is the longest and most rewarding stop. You have about three hours for swimming, walking, shopping, lunch, or a mix of all four.

The island is car-free, which gives the waterfront and paths a slower feel. You can walk along the island roads, look for old fortifications, visit the Saint Mary Franciscan monastery, or simply find a place by the water. The island also has historical churches, olive groves, and quiet corners where you can step away from the main landing area.

The big practical choice is Šunj Bay, the island’s sandy beach. It is on the other side of Lopud and is often the highlight for anyone who wants a proper swim and beach break. You can walk there, but the route includes some uphill and uneven sections. A golf cart service may be available, but do not assume it will return you directly to the port. It may wait until it fills, stop before the harbor, and leave you with another 10 to 15 minutes on foot.

My advice is to decide early. If swimming is your priority, go toward Šunj first and leave time to return. If you are not swimming, the beach may not justify the extra effort, and you will get more from Lopud’s promenade, old buildings, and small shops.

Lunch is served on the boat if you select the lunch option, and some departures serve it after the Lopud stop. The menu offers fish, chicken, or a vegetarian plate with potato salad. Fish is the natural choice if you want a taste of the coast, while the chicken and vegetarian meals make the booking easier for mixed groups.

You can also skip the lunch add-on and eat on Lopud. Three hours gives you enough time for a restaurant meal, though late-season openings can be limited. At the end of October and into the cooler months, many island shops and restaurants may close, so onboard lunch is the safer choice outside the busy summer period.

Šipan, the largest Elaphiti island

After Lopud, the boat continues to Šipan, the largest island in the Elaphiti group. The stop lasts about one hour, so think of it as a short look rather than a complete visit.

Šipan is known here for its vineyards and olive groves. You can walk, take photographs, swim if conditions suit, and enjoy a quiet break from the boat. The island gives you a different feel from Lopud, with more emphasis on rural scenery than on a single famous beach.

The limitation is time. An hour passes quickly once you leave the boat, especially if you want to walk and swim. I would stay close to the landing point, follow the crew’s return instructions, and avoid setting off on a long route. The crew is careful about departure times, but you are responsible for getting back to Rita on schedule.

Koločep for pine trees and a final swim

Koločep is the final island stop. You have about an hour here before the return cruise to Dubrovnik.

This is a good place for a last swim in clear water or a short walk among fragrant pine trees. The stop is peaceful and scenic, but it is not long enough for a wide exploration. Bring your swimwear under your clothes and have your towel ready, since the practical purpose of Koločep is a quick swim, a stroll, and a final look at island life.

Snorkeling is possible if you bring your own equipment. The tour does not provide masks or fins, and towels are not included. If you do not want to carry gear, swimming is still easy to enjoy, but you should bring something to dry off with.

The return to Dubrovnik takes about 30 minutes. It is a pleasant final stretch, with time to settle into a seat, finish a drink, and watch the coast come back into view.

Food, drinks, and the real value of the $50 price

At around $50 per person, this trip offers strong value for a full day. You are not just paying for transport. The price includes the boat, crew, island stops, water, soft drinks, and a range of refreshments. Croatian wine is served, and some departures include small tastings of local liqueur.

The exact drink service is not a limitless open bar. You may receive water, juice, tea, lemonade, wine with lunch, and occasional local shots. Additional drinks can be purchased onboard. That is still generous for this price, especially compared with paying separately for three ferry rides and meals.

The lunch upgrade makes the day simpler. You do not need to search for an open restaurant, watch the clock while eating, or carry food between islands. The fish, chicken, and vegetarian choices are served with potato salad, and the meal is generally considered a strong part of the experience.

The no-lunch option can be the better budget choice if you want control. You can bring food or buy lunch on Lopud, though seasonal closures make this less reliable outside summer. One useful compromise is to reserve without lunch and add it later if available, as some people do after seeing the schedule.

The food is Mediterranean in spirit, with homemade olive oil, homegrown vegetables, local spices, and Croatian wine. Do not expect a long restaurant meal with several courses. This is boat lunch, designed to keep the day moving.

Crew, guides, and organization

The crew is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. The five-person team handles drinks, meals, safety reminders, and timing while keeping the mood friendly. The guide may speak English, Croatian, Italian, or German.

Nikoleta and Azhar have both been singled out by name for friendly and helpful guiding, but guide assignments can change. The useful thing is that you get information about each island without being tied to a long lecture. You are free to explore on your own after the basic orientation.

Clear return times matter here. Lopud is large enough to tempt you into walking farther than planned, and Šunj Beach is not right beside the boat. Listen carefully when the crew explains where and when to return.

The organization is generally prompt, though pickup can cause confusion if the meeting point is not clear. Read the email carefully, especially if you choose hotel pickup. The boat itself is easy to identify by the name Rita and the MARINERO sign at the pier.

Who should book this island cruise?

I would recommend it to couples, friends, solo visitors, and families with older children who want a full day away from Dubrovnik. It works especially well if you want to swim, sunbathe, and see several islands without planning every ferry connection.

It is also a good choice for a first visit to the Elaphiti Islands. Lopud gives you the strongest beach and walking time, while Šipan and Koločep let you compare different island settings in one day.

You may want another kind of outing if you dislike group boats, need a slow and quiet schedule, or want a long historical tour on one island. The three-stop format favors variety over depth. Also consider the season. In autumn and winter, the islands may feel very quiet, and many shops and restaurants may be closed. That can be lovely if you want peace, but less useful if you expect a lively beach day.

Wear comfortable shoes for Lopud, and bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, swimwear, a camera, and your own towel and snorkeling equipment. The boat provides toilets and drinks, but not towels or snorkeling gear.

Should you book the Elaphite Islands cruise?

Book it if you want good-value island variety, a friendly crew, swimming time, and a simple day on the Adriatic. Choose the lunch option if you are visiting outside peak season or do not want to gamble on open restaurants.

The key decision is how you feel about time. Three hours on Lopud is enough for Šunj Beach and a walk, but the one-hour stops on Šipan and Koločep are brief. For most people, that is a fair trade for seeing all three islands in one day. If Lopud sounds like your main goal, use your free time wisely and head to Šunj early.

FAQ

How long is the Elaphite Islands cruise?

The activity lasts about eight hours, including the coastal cruises, island stops, lunch if selected, and the return to Dubrovnik.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The route visits Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep in the Elaphiti archipelago.

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?

Lunch is included only if you select the lunch option. The choices are fish, chicken, or vegetarian food with potato salad.

What drinks are included?

Water, soft drinks, and Croatian wine are included. Some departures also offer local liqueur tastings. Additional drinks are available to purchase onboard.

Is hotel pickup available?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are available if you select that option, but only within the Dubrovnik area. Pickup arrangements are confirmed by email.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, sunscreen, and a camera. Towels and snorkeling equipment are not provided, so bring your own if you plan to swim or snorkel.