Dubrovnik: Elaphite Islands Cruise with Drinks/Lunch Options

The best part of this Dubrovnik day trip is the mix of three very different island stops and long stretches on the Adriatic. You can swim, walk, eat lunch at sea, and let the crew keep your glass topped up without arranging three separate excursions.

I especially like the hotel pickup option and the roomy two-deck boat, which gives you space to move around and find a good view. The main caution is Lopud’s three-hour stop. Some people love the slow afternoon there, while others find there is not enough to do once the beach and village have been explored.

Key points to know before you book

• Three Elaphite Islands in one day: Visit Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud from a single Dubrovnik departure.
• The Blue Cave costs extra: The optional speedboat outing is a highlight for many, but it depends on sea conditions.
• Lunch is served onboard: Choose chicken, fish, or a vegetarian dish, with generous portions reported for the fish option.
• Drinks are included: White wine, water, fruit juices, Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, and Fanta are listed.
• The boat has two decks and two toilets: That matters on an eight-hour trip.
• Pickup needs advance attention: Contact the operator for your exact pickup time, or meet the Emili by the dock beside Dubrovnik’s bus station.

Three islands, one full day on the water

This is a classic Dubrovnik escape for anyone who wants more than old walls and city streets. The Elaphite Islands sit close enough to reach on a day cruise, yet the pace feels slower once the boat leaves the harbor.

The experience lasts about eight hours. You spend part of the day sailing, part walking through small island settlements, and part swimming in clear water. That balance is the real value here. You are not simply transferred from one port to another, and you are not stuck on the boat all day.

The Emili has two decks, plenty of seating, and two toilets. The group can be fairly large, but the boat’s layout gives you more room than a small open speedboat. You can sit in the shade, find a sunny place upstairs, or move around for different views of Dubrovnik and the coast.

The atmosphere leans social. Music, wine, and attentive service are part of the appeal. Guides such as Emily, Natasha, Teo, and others help with island advice, timing, food, and drinks. The crew has also been praised for remembering individual passengers and helping people who were unsure where to meet for the Blue Cave outing.

From Dubrovnik harbor to Koločep

The meeting point is the dock beside the bus station. Look for the boat named Emili. If you choose pickup, the operator collects you in the Dubrovnik city area, but you must contact them before the tour for the precise time. Pickup less than 1,000 meters from the starting point is not included.

The first cruise lasts about 30 minutes. This is a pleasant opening stretch, with views back toward Dubrovnik and time to settle in. I would use it to claim a seat, ask about the day’s timing, and decide how much swimming gear you want close at hand.

Koločep is the first island stop, with about an hour for a walk, photographs, swimming, snorkeling, or simply sitting near the water. It is a short visit, so you need to choose one main goal rather than attempt everything.

The island works well as an introduction. You get fresh air, open views, and your first chance to swim without waiting until the afternoon. If you prefer walking, use the time for a short look around. If the water is your priority, change quickly and get in.

The schedule also includes time at the Blue Cave near Koločep, usually around an hour for swimming and snorkeling. This is an optional addition, and it may involve transferring to a speedboat. Several people considered the speedboat ride itself part of the fun, not just transport to the cave.

Conditions matter here. The cave visit can be changed or canceled if the sea is rough, and the operator may alter the order of the stops to make the most of the weather. Bring a swimsuit and towel, and keep in mind that a cave trip is not guaranteed simply because it appears in the day’s plan.

Šipan brings a quieter island pause

After more cruising, the boat reaches Šipan. Your scheduled time here is about 45 minutes, enough for a short walk, photographs, and a quick look at the island setting.

Šipan gives you a different feel from a beach stop. Red-roofed stone houses and small local streets create the sort of Adriatic scene that is easy to miss if you only take a coastal drive. The guide may provide a short introduction, after which you can explore on your own.

I would not expect a major sightseeing program in 45 minutes. This is a brief taste of the island, not a full historical tour. Wear shoes you can walk in, keep track of the departure time, and resist wandering too far from the landing point.

That short visit is also part of the appeal. You get a look at Šipan without giving up the longer beach and meal stop later in the day. The timing keeps the cruise moving, though some people may wish for more time on the first two islands.

Lopud supplies the long afternoon stop

Lopud is the main stop, with roughly three hours allocated to the island. This is where lunch, swimming, walking, and a slower afternoon fit together.

Lunch is served onboard and includes a choice of chicken, fish, or a vegetarian meal, depending on the selected option. Fish has been a particularly popular choice, with portions described as fresh, filling, and surprisingly good. One useful note is that the fish is generally hake rather than a specifically local catch, so expectations should stay realistic.

The included drinks are white wine, water, apple juice, orange juice, Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, and Fanta. The open bar is a major part of the value, especially for anyone who would otherwise buy drinks throughout a hot day. The listed inclusion is not a full bar, so do not assume every alcoholic drink is free.

Lopud is also the best place for a proper swim. The sandy beach at Šunj is a common goal, and the crew can advise you about getting there. One guide recommended using a golf cart for the trip to and from the beach, which can save time during a three-hour stop.

The drawback is clear: three hours is generous. If you want a long beach session, a walk, food, and a relaxed drink, it will feel well judged. If you have already swum at Koločep and prefer a packed sightseeing schedule, the final hour may drag.

I suggest treating Lopud as a rest stop rather than trying to force more sightseeing into it. Eat, walk, swim, and enjoy the fact that the boat is not leaving after 40 minutes. You can also use the time for a drink and a quiet look at the island’s red-roofed houses.

The Blue Cave add-on: worth the extra cost?

The Blue Cave is not always part of the base price. The supplied information describes it as an optional visit, and recent bookings have reported an additional charge of about €20 per person. Confirm the current fee when booking.

I would add it if the sea is calm and you enjoy short, energetic boat rides. The speedboat trip adds a burst of excitement to an otherwise relaxed cruise, and the cave’s blue-lit water makes a striking contrast with the open sea. You may also have time to swim or snorkel nearby.

I would skip it if you dislike fast boat rides, have limited mobility, or want the day to remain slow and simple. The cave can also be affected by sea conditions. On some departures, the crew has placed it first because weather later in the day threatened to close access.

The cave itself can be brief, so the value depends partly on the ride and the chance to swim. It is not a full separate excursion. Think of it as a lively extra that adds variety to the main island cruise.

Food, drinks, and the onboard routine

The meal is one of the stronger features of this trip. You can choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian dish, and the fish portions are often described as generous. The meal is eaten onboard, so you do not lose island time waiting for a restaurant.

I like this arrangement because it keeps the day simple. You can eat while taking in sea views, then step off the boat ready to walk or swim. It also avoids the uncertainty of finding a table for a group during a busy summer afternoon.

Food quality can vary with the selection. Fish has received the warmest comments, while one meal included potatoes that were considered disappointing. That is a small but useful reminder that this is a boat lunch, not a high-end restaurant.

The drink service helps create the tour’s friendly, social mood. White wine is the main alcoholic inclusion, along with soft drinks, juices, and water. If you want beer, spirits, or another alcoholic drink, check the current terms instead of assuming they are included.

Timing, comfort, and sea conditions

The day includes around 30 minutes of initial sightseeing cruise, an hour at Koločep, about an hour for the Blue Cave option, one hour of additional cruising, 45 minutes at Šipan, another 30-minute cruise, three hours at Lopud, and a final 50-minute ride back.

That adds up to a lot of time afloat. The boat’s two decks give you useful choice, but the sea can still be tiring if you are sensitive to motion. The tour runs only as conditions allow, and the route or order may change.

Bring swimwear and a towel. I would also take sun protection, a light layer for the ride back, and shoes suitable for short island walks. Keep your belongings compact, since you will move between seating, swimming areas, and shore stops.

The tour is presented as wheelchair accessible in one section of the booking information, but another section says it is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. That is an important contradiction. Contact the operator before booking and ask about the boat, boarding, island landings, toilets, and any transfer to the Blue Cave speedboat.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I think this works best for couples, families with older children, solo visitors, and groups who want a full day without planning each ferry and meal separately. The combination of island stops, swimming, lunch, and drinks gives you plenty to do without making the day feel like a race.

It is also a good choice if you are staying outside central Dubrovnik and value hotel pickup. The return transfer removes the need to find your way back after a long day in the sun.

You may prefer another outing if you want serious island hiking, long visits in village streets, or a small private boat. The first two island stops are fairly short, and Lopud takes up a large part of the afternoon.

The group atmosphere matters too. This is not a silent sailing trip. Music, conversation, wine, and crew interaction are part of the package. If you enjoy a relaxed social boat day, that is a plus. If you want solitude, look for a smaller private charter.

Is the $53 price good value?

At about $53 per person, the tour offers strong value if your selected option includes lunch and drinks. You are paying for an eight-hour cruise, three island visits, onboard toilets, a meal, and a substantial selection of beverages. Hotel pickup and drop-off may be included when you choose that option.

The Blue Cave is an additional cost, so calculate the total before booking. Even so, the optional speedboat ride can make sense if you want a more active day and do not mind paying extra.

The best value comes from using the whole package: eat onboard, swim at least once, take advantage of the island time, and enjoy the sailing rather than treating the boat as a simple ferry. If you only want a short island visit, eight hours may feel excessive.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful when your Dubrovnik plans depend on weather, but they do not remove the need to confirm pickup details.

Should you book the Emili cruise?

I would book this if you want an easy, social way to see Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud in one day. The strongest reasons are the friendly crew, good lunch portions, steady drink service, comfortable two-deck boat, and the chance to add the Blue Cave by speedboat.

Before paying, decide how you feel about the three-hour Lopud stop. It is ideal for a beach afternoon and a slow lunch break, but it may be too long for anyone who wants constant sightseeing. Also confirm the pickup time, current Blue Cave supplement, and mobility arrangements.

For most people seeking a straightforward Dubrovnik sea day, the price is fair and the schedule covers a lot of ground. Bring a towel, keep your expectations realistic about the meal and optional cave, and you should get a relaxed look at the Elaphite Islands without ferry-hopping on your own.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart?

The boat departs from the dock beside Dubrovnik’s bus station. Look for the boat named Emili.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are available for the Dubrovnik city area if you select that option. You must contact the operator in advance to receive your exact pickup time.

What happens if I do not confirm my pickup time?

You risk missing the tour if you do not contact the operator. No refund is issued for failing to appear at the pickup point or failing to make the required contact.

How long is the activity?

The cruise lasts about eight hours. Check the available starting times when booking.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud.

Is the Blue Cave included?

The Blue Cave is an optional extra and is not part of every base booking. The additional cost has been reported as about €20 per person, but confirm the current price.

What food choices are available?

The lunch choices are chicken, fish, or vegetarian dishes when lunch is included in your selected option.

Which drinks are included?

Included drinks are white wine, water, apple juice, orange juice, Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, and Fanta.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. You may also want sun protection and comfortable shoes for island walks.

Can wheelchair users join the cruise?

The booking information gives conflicting accessibility details. One section says the activity is wheelchair accessible, while another says it is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. Contact the operator before booking to confirm the boat and transfer arrangements.