Island Hopping & City Walls Cruise with Food and Open Bar

Dubrovnik’s Old Town looks entirely different from the water, and this cruise makes that view the opening act. You glide beside the famous stone walls before heading into the Elaphite Islands for swimming, quiet villages, and a long stop on Lopud. I especially like the three-island route and the fact that lunch and drinks are handled on board, so you spend less time arranging the day and more time enjoying it.

I also like the balance between active and easygoing stops. You can swim at Koločep, walk among Šipan’s olive groves and old villas, then choose between art, churches, or sandy Šunj Beach on Lopud. The main drawback is simple: this is a full day in the sun, and the boat ride may not suit non-swimmers or anyone prone to seasickness.

Key points to know before booking

• Dubrovnik from the sea: Cruise beside the city walls for a broad view of the Old Town and its coastal setting.
• Three different islands: Koločep is quiet and green, Šipan feels rural and historic, and Lopud offers the longest stop.
• Lunch and drinks included: Fresh food is served on board, with unlimited wine, water, and soft drinks reported as part of the open bar.
• Lopud gives you choices: Visit churches, see Your black horizon, or head to Šunj Beach for shallow water and soft sand.
• Anabela and the crew: Anabela received specific praise for her attention, while the captain and crew were described as professional.
• Bring your own swimming kit: Towels and snorkeling gear are not supplied, so pack both if you need them.

Dubrovnik’s city walls from the water

The day begins with one of Dubrovnik’s best viewing angles: offshore. From the boat, you see the Old Town walls as a long sweep of stone above the Adriatic, rather than as a narrow walkway crowded with people.

That change in viewpoint matters. From land, the walls frame the city. From the water, they show you how strongly Dubrovnik was shaped by its coast and defenses. It is a good time for photographs, so keep your camera handy and do not bury it in a dry bag before departure.

This part is panoramic rather than a guided walking tour. You are not climbing the walls or entering the Old Town. Instead, you get a broad coastal view before the boat turns toward the Elaphite Islands. If your main goal is an in-depth history tour of Dubrovnik, you will need a separate walk through the city.

Koločep: a quiet first island stop

Koločep is the smallest-feeling stop of the three, even though the island offers enough room for a swim, a stroll, or a quiet break. Its appeal is its calm, green setting. After the city walls and the open boat ride, Koločep gives you a chance to slow down.

I would treat this stop as a chance to choose your own pace. Swimmers can head into the water, while you can also stay on land and take a short walk. The tour description does not promise snorkeling equipment, so bring your own gear if that is important to you. A towel is also your responsibility.

The swimming conditions may be especially appealing if you prefer a relaxed start rather than a demanding activity. Still, the tour clearly warns that it is not suitable for non-swimmers. You should also be careful around the water if you are not confident in open-water swimming, since no extra swimming equipment is included.

Šipan and its slower village life

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphite Islands, and it changes the mood again. Instead of focusing only on coves and beaches, this stop points you toward olive groves, older villas, and quiet island village life.

That variety is one of the best reasons to choose this cruise over a simple beach boat. You get some time to see how the islands feel as places where people live, not just as swimming stops. A walk here can be more rewarding than rushing straight back to the boat, especially if you like quiet lanes and local architecture.

Do not expect a long, formal sightseeing program on Šipan. The available details describe the island’s character, but not a specific guided route or named monument. I would use the stop for an unhurried look around, then return to the boat ready for lunch or the next stretch of sailing.

Lunch on board, with drinks already covered

Lunch is served on the boat, which is practical for an eight-hour outing. You do not need to spend part of the day searching for a restaurant, waiting for a table, or cutting a beach stop short to find food.

The meal is described as freshly prepared, and a verified booking specifically praised it as abundant and fresh. That is useful detail when judging the $82 price. The open bar includes refreshing drinks, with wine, water, and soft drinks described as unlimited. The exact food menu is not provided, so you should not book this expecting a particular dish.

I like the way this arrangement keeps the day moving. You can eat while staying close to the sea, then return to the islands without a separate meal expense. It also makes the price easier to assess: you are paying for transport, three island visits, the Dubrovnik wall cruise, lunch, and drinks in one package.

There is a tradeoff. A meal on board is convenient, but it does not give you the freedom to choose a restaurant on one of the islands. If sampling local restaurants is a major part of your Croatia plans, this cruise will replace that opportunity with a simpler included meal.

Lopud gives you the longest and fullest stop

Lopud is the main event because you get the longest time here. It is also the island with the widest choice of things to do, so this is where you should think ahead about your priorities.

You can explore village streets, visit churches, look for the Your black horizon art installation, or make your way to Šunj Beach. The beach is known for soft sand, clear shallow water, and an easy swimming setting. That makes it a strong choice if you want a proper beach break rather than a quick swim from the boat.

The art installation adds a different note. Your black horizon, created by artist Julije Knifer, is a modern work set against Lopud’s island surroundings. The experience is not just sun and sea. You get a chance to pair a contemporary art visit with the island’s older churches and village atmosphere.

You may need to choose rather than fit everything in. The information provided does not state the exact length of the Lopud stop or the time needed to reach Šunj Beach, so ask the crew how much time you have before walking far from the main area. If swimming is your priority, avoid spending the entire stop on sightseeing. If the installation matters most, plan that first.

What the crew adds to the day

The human side of a boat trip can shape the whole experience. Anabela was singled out for excellent attention, and the captain and crew were praised as professional. That fits the needs of this kind of day, where clear timing and a well-run boat matter as much as the scenery.

English and Spanish are the listed languages. You should be able to get basic help with the schedule and stops in one of those languages, though the amount of historical commentary is not specified.

The positive comments also point to a crew that keeps the practical side under control: food arrives on board, drinks are available, and the route links several stops without you needing to organize separate ferries. One review called it a good day with great views and especially praised the crew. That is exactly the kind of support you want when the outing lasts eight hours.

Is $82 good value for eight hours?

At $82 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get to one nearby beach. It becomes better value when you count the whole day: a cruise beside Dubrovnik’s walls, visits to Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud, lunch, and an open bar.

The strongest value comes from convenience. You have one booking, one boat, and one planned route through three islands. The included meal and drinks also make your spending more predictable. If you bought boat transport and lunch separately, the total could rise quickly, though no separate prices are provided here.

I would compare this tour with your own priorities. It is a good deal if you want a full coastal day with variety and do not want to manage ferry schedules. It is less compelling if you want only a long beach stay, a small private boat, or a detailed history tour with extensive commentary.

The small number of published ratings should also temper your expectations. The scores are excellent, and the specific praise for the food and crew is useful, but a perfect rating from only a few comments is not the same as a long record across many departures. I would book for the itinerary and included value, not on the score alone.

Practical advice for the boat and islands

Bring a hat, sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, and a camera. Sun exposure can build quickly on open water, even when the breeze makes the day feel cooler than it is.

Snorkeling gear and towels are not included. If you want to explore below the surface, pack your own equipment. If you plan to swim at Šunj Beach or Koločep, keep your towel easy to reach instead of packed under everything else.

People prone to seasickness should take precautions before boarding. The route involves a full day at sea, and the tour is specifically not suitable for people who are prone to seasickness. Non-swimmers should also avoid booking this outing.

The meeting point can vary by the option you choose, so check your specific booking details rather than assuming every departure leaves from the same place. Starting times also depend on availability. Free cancellation is offered up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Dubrovnik schedule is still shifting.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to you if you want to combine scenery, swimming, light sightseeing, and a sociable boat day. It suits couples, friends, and families with confident swimmers who like having choices without arranging every detail themselves.

It is also a good match if you have already seen Dubrovnik from land and want a different view. The city walls from offshore, followed by three islands with distinct moods, gives the day a clear sense of progression.

You may want another option if you dislike boats, get seasick, cannot swim, or prefer quiet independent travel. The open bar and included lunch are useful, but they also mean the day follows a shared schedule. Lopud offers freedom, yet the overall route is fixed.

Should you book the Elaphite Islands cruise?

Book it if you want one well-filled day from Dubrovnik that mixes the city walls, island villages, beach time, art, lunch, and drinks. The most convincing details are the fresh and plentiful food, the unlimited wine, water, and soft drinks, and the crew’s professional service, with Anabela receiving particular praise.

Skip it if your perfect island day means staying on one beach for hours, choosing your own restaurant, or avoiding open water. For confident swimmers who enjoy a full itinerary, $82 is a fair price for the amount included. Just pack a towel, protect yourself from the sun, and allow enough time on Lopud for the activity you care about most.

FAQ

How long is the Island Hopping and City Walls Cruise?

The cruise lasts eight hours.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud in the Elaphite Islands.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A freshly prepared lunch is served on board.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes refreshing drinks. Wine, water, and soft drinks are described as unlimited.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling gear is not included, so bring your own if you want to snorkel.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not included, and you should bring one if you plan to swim.

Is the cruise suitable for people prone to seasickness?

No. The activity is not suitable for people prone to seasickness. It is also not suitable for non-swimmers.