Dubrovnik: Elaphite Island Cruise w/ Drinks & Optional Lunch

The best part of this Elaphite Islands cruise is its simple promise: one boat, three islands, and a full day away from Dubrovnik’s busy stone streets. You sail the coast, swim in clear water, walk car-free Lopud, and enjoy drinks without worrying about ferries or restaurant bookings.

I like the generous three hours on Lopud, which gives you time to reach Šunj Bay, walk the waterfront, or find a quiet corner. I also like the unusually attentive five-person crew on the RITA, with clean toilets, a lower air-conditioned salon, and drinks served during the day. The main tradeoff is that Šipan and Koločep get about an hour each, so you see all three islands but only scratch the surface of two.

Key points to know before you sail

• Lopud gets the most time: Three hours allow for Šunj Bay, swimming, walking, shopping, and lunch.
• Three islands in one day: Šipan and Koločep provide a useful taste of the quieter Elaphite archipelago.
• Lunch is optional: Choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian plate with potato salad, or arrange your own food.
• Drinks are part of the day: Water, soft drinks, Croatian wine, and other refreshments are included, with additional drinks available to buy.
• The RITA is set up for comfort: You get an open top, an air-conditioned lower salon, and two onboard toilets.
• Bring your own swim gear: Towels and snorkeling equipment are not supplied.

Why this island cruise works well from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is easy to admire and easy to overdo. After a morning of polished stone, steep steps, and crowds around the old walls, a boat day gives you a different view of Dalmatia. From the water, the city becomes a backdrop of terracotta roofs and fortifications, while the Elaphite Islands offer pine trees, small settlements, coves, and a slower pace.

This is not a private sailing trip or a guided archaeological tour. It is a social day on a comfortable excursion boat, with a set route and plenty of free time at each stop. You get basic orientation from the crew, then decide how to use your time on land.

At about $50 per person, the value is strong if you want transport, three island stops, drinks, and the option of lunch in one package. A day of individual ferry tickets and meals could cost less or more depending on your plans, but it would require more planning and would not necessarily connect all three islands conveniently.

The package also includes five crew members, which matters on a full boat. The crew keeps an eye on timings, explains when to return, and circulates with refreshments. Guides have been available in English, Croatian, Italian, and German, and named crew members such as Azhar and Nikoleta have received especially warm praise for their help and good humor.

Boarding the RITA at Dubrovnik harbor

The boat is called RITA. Look for the MARINERO agency name at the pier, where the crew will meet you. If you choose hotel pickup, a driver collects you from an agreed location in the Dubrovnik area and takes you to the harbor in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Pickup is useful if you are staying outside the old center or somewhere difficult to reach. Pedestrian-only streets can make hotel collection awkward, so the operator confirms the nearest practical meeting point in advance. Check your email carefully for the pickup time and location, since one early collection caused confusion for at least one passenger even though the day itself ran well.

On board, you can choose the open top for fresh air and views or use the lower air-conditioned salon when the sun becomes strong. The two toilets are a real convenience on an eight-hour outing, especially compared with smaller day boats that offer no facilities at all.

Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a camera, swimwear, and comfortable shoes. Pack a towel, since none is provided. Snorkeling gear is also your responsibility, though swimming time is available at several stops.

The coastal cruise and the first views of the islands

The first sightseeing cruise lasts about 30 minutes. This is a pleasant way to settle into the day, with open views across the water and along Dubrovnik’s coast. It also gives the crew time to explain the plan and the return times.

The route is designed for variety rather than long stretches on one island. You get a little sea time between stops, enough to enjoy the scenery without feeling that the day is only a series of dockings. The boat is also a useful viewing platform, especially if you want coastal photographs without arranging a separate scenic cruise.

Expect a relaxed social atmosphere rather than silence. Music may become livelier if the group is in a festive mood, and some sailings have included local liqueur shots, juice, lemonade, tea, and wine with lunch. If you prefer a quiet day, the lower salon or a less central seat may feel calmer.

Lopud: three hours for beaches, paths, and old stone

Lopud is the centerpiece of the day, and the schedule gets that right. You have about three hours here for a proper look around instead of a quick photograph at the dock.

The island is car-free, so walking is the natural way to explore. Follow the waterfront, browse small shops, and look for old stone buildings and religious sites. The Saint Mary Franciscan monastery and ancient fortresses add a historical layer, but you do not need to turn the stop into a formal sightseeing exercise. Much of Lopud’s appeal comes from simply walking without traffic and watching the shoreline change.

Šunj Bay is the main practical tip. The sandy beach lies on the opposite side of the island and is often the reason people most enjoy Lopud. You can walk there, though parts of the route include uphill sections and uneven ground. A golf cart service may be available, but it can wait until it fills and may leave you with another 10 to 15 minutes of walking after drop-off. If swimming at Šunj is your priority, go early and leave enough time to return to the boat.

The water around Lopud is well suited to a swim, and three hours gives you a fair balance between beach time and exploring. If you choose the lunch option, the meal may be served on board after this stop, which saves you from using your limited island time in a restaurant.

For those who skip lunch, Lopud is the easiest place to buy food. There are usually several choices in season, though late-season openings can be limited. The island also has the most room in the schedule for browsing local shops or taking a longer walk.

Lunch on board, with a choice of three main dishes

The optional lunch is practical as much as it is culinary. You can choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal, served with potato salad. Wine and water are offered with lunch, and the meal avoids the need to search for an open restaurant during the main stop.

The food is presented as Mediterranean cooking, with homegrown vegetables and olive oil part of the experience. It is not a cooking class or a long restaurant meal. Think of it as a straightforward boat lunch that keeps the day moving.

I would choose lunch if you want the simplest plan, especially in the quieter months when island restaurants and shops may be closed. If you prefer to control your meal, the drinks-only option can work well. Bring or buy your own food, then use Lopud’s three-hour stop for lunch and a walk.

The advertised experience costs about $50 per person, with the exact amount depending on the selected option. Since lunch is optional, compare the price of adding the meal with what you would spend on Lopud. The drinks-only choice can be excellent value for people who want transport and island time without paying for a meal they may not need.

Šipan: vineyards, olive groves, and a short pause

After Lopud, the boat cruises for about 20 minutes to Šipan, the largest of the three Elaphite Islands. You have roughly one hour here.

Šipan feels more rural than a beach-focused stop. Its appeal lies in vineyards, olive groves, small roads, and a slower island setting. Use the hour for a walk, photographs, and a quick look around rather than attempting a long hike. You may also have time for a swim, depending on the exact docking point and the day’s timing.

The limitation is clear: one hour passes quickly. You will not see every corner of Šipan, and the stop may feel brief if you prefer slow travel. Still, it adds something different to the day. Lopud supplies the strongest beach stop, while Šipan gives you a better sense of the islands’ agricultural side.

Keep an eye on the return time. The crew is good about giving clear instructions, but the boat cannot wait for a late wanderer. Comfortable shoes are more useful here than flip-flops if you plan to walk beyond the waterfront.

Koločep: a final swim among pines

The cruise from Šipan to Koločep takes about 45 minutes, followed by about an hour on the island. Koločep is the quietest-feeling stop in the schedule, with pine woods, clear water, and small coves.

This is a good place for a final swim or a short walk. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you want to look below the surface, since equipment is not included. The water is one of the main reasons to choose this trip, but sea conditions and weather can affect how pleasant swimming feels on the day.

With only an hour, choose one goal. Swim, walk through the pines, or browse near the landing point. Trying to do all three can make the stop feel rushed. Koločep is less about checking off major sights and more about enjoying a quiet last taste of island life before the return cruise.

Some people may wish this stop were longer. That is the central compromise of visiting three islands in eight hours. You gain variety, but each island receives a different amount of attention.

Drinks, service, and the feel on board

Drinks are one of the strongest practical features. Water and soft drinks are included, and the crew serves refreshments during the day. Croatian wine is available, particularly around lunch, while other drinks can be purchased on board.

The level of service seems to be a major part of the experience. Crew members keep to the schedule, explain arrival and departure times, and check on people throughout the day. That makes a difference on a boat excursion, where poor timing or unclear instructions can spoil otherwise beautiful stops.

The atmosphere can shift with the group. Some sailings are quiet and relaxed, while others include music, singing, dancing, and local shots. This is worth considering if you want a peaceful boat ride. You can still enjoy the scenery, but this is a shared excursion rather than a private charter.

The boat’s open sides also mean you should keep a close eye on very young children. The design offers better views and fresh air, but parents need to supervise children carefully around the edges.

Who should book this Dubrovnik boat trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see more of Dalmatia without arranging several ferry journeys. It suits couples, families with older children, groups of friends, and first-time visitors who want beaches and island scenery in one organized day.

It is especially good for:

• People who want three island stops in one day
• Swimmers who value clear water and beach time
• Visitors who prefer free time over a tightly guided walking tour
• Anyone who wants drinks and optional lunch handled on the boat
• Groups looking for a sociable, good-value day out

It is less suitable if you want long, quiet walks on one island. The schedule is active, and Šipan and Koločep are short visits. It may also not suit families with toddlers who need a fully enclosed boat environment.

The activity runs with optional pickup from the Dubrovnik area, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your weather plans are still shifting.

My practical verdict on the Elaphite Islands cruise

Book this trip if your priority is variety, easy logistics, and a full day on the water for about $50. The crew, clean facilities, drinks, and well-timed Lopud stop give the excursion more substance than a simple transfer between islands.

Choose the lunch option if you are visiting outside the busiest season or want the day to run without food decisions. Choose drinks only if you enjoy making your own plans and want to spend your money on a meal or snack on Lopud.

The biggest question is not quality. It is pace. You get the best taste of Lopud, a quick look at Šipan, and a short swim or walk on Koločep. If that balance sounds right, the RITA offers an easy, cheerful way to leave Dubrovnik behind for a day.

FAQ

How long is the Elaphite Islands cruise?

The experience lasts about eight hours, including the boat rides and island stops.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The route visits Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep.

How much time do you get on each island?

The schedule allows 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 available as part of the experience. Additional drinks can be purchased on board.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup and drop-off are available in the Dubrovnik area if you select that option. The operator confirms a nearby meeting point when a hotel is in a pedestrian-only or hard-to-reach area.

What should you 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 needed.