Dubrovnik: Island Boat Tour with Drinks & Lunch

Three islands, a full day on the water, lunch, wine, and time to swim: this tour gives you a broad taste of the Elaphiti Islands without arranging ferries or piecing together separate trips. The route includes Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep, with a comfortable boat ride linking the stops.

I like the relaxed all-in-one setup. Lunch includes fish, chicken, vegetarian, or vegan choices, and drinks include wine, water, and unlimited soft drinks. I also like the cheerful crew and the boat itself, which has outdoor seating, indoor tables, two toilets, Wi-Fi, and music.

The tradeoff is time. Eight hours sounds generous, but three islands, meals, and the boat transfers leave only short visits at Šipan and Koločep. Lopud gets the longest stop, yet you still may need to choose between swimming, walking, and sightseeing.

What makes this boat day worth considering

• Lopud gets the main share of the day: You have about three hours for swimming, a walk, photos, and a meal, with Šunj Beach and the island’s old botanical garden among the possible sights.
• Three islands offer three different moods: Lopud is the most developed for a beach stop, Šipan is larger and more rural, and Koločep is best for quiet coves and clear water.
• The $70 price covers the essentials: Boat transport, lunch, wine, unlimited soft drinks and water, Wi-Fi, music, and crew service are included.
• The atmosphere is social: Music and dancing can become part of the return ride, so this is not a silent sightseeing cruise.
• You can choose your lunch: Fish, chicken, vegetarian, and vegan meals are available, which makes the tour easier for mixed groups.
• The boat is set up for a long day: TRITON has outdoor benches and tables, sun loungers, indoor seating, two toilets, and wheelchair access.

Starting at Gruž near the Green Market

The meeting point is at the Green Market on Obala Stjepana Radića. Boarding begins at 10:00 a.m., with departure planned for about 10:15. The boat, named TRITON, is docked across the street from the meeting point.

That small distinction matters. You are not simply walking to a boat from the market entrance, so give yourself enough time to find the dock and identify the vessel. Hotel pickup and drop-off can be added if you choose that option, which may be useful if you are staying away from the Gruž area.

The day includes a 45-minute transfer connected with Trsteno Arboretum before the island program begins. The supplied schedule does not promise a formal arboretum visit, so I would treat this as part of the transport rather than plan your day around exploring the gardens.

The crew speaks English, Croatian, French, and Spanish. Captain Joe and Laura are named among the crew connected with this boat experience, though the exact staff lineup can change. The style is friendly and informal, with music playing on board and plenty of interaction rather than a quiet, lecture-heavy cruise.

Lopud: your longest chance to swim and walk

Lopud is the main stop and the place where you get the most freedom. The scheduled time is roughly three hours, including swimming, free time, photos, walking, refreshments, and lunch. That makes it the most useful stop for you if you want more than a quick look from the waterfront.

The island is car-free, which makes walking pleasant and helps preserve its calm feel. Lopud is known for Šunj Beach, a popular swimming and sunbathing spot on the other side of the island. The walk to the beach takes about 15 to 20 minutes according to the tour information, so allow for that journey if swimming there is your priority.

You can also use the stop for a slower stroll through the island, citrus groves, and historic areas. The botanical garden is another listed attraction, described as one of Europe’s oldest. The schedule is generous compared with the other stops, but it is not long enough for every option at a leisurely pace.

I would make a plan before leaving the boat:

• Choose Šunj Beach if swimming and sunbathing matter most.
• Stay closer to the port if you prefer a relaxed walk, photos, and lunch.
• Ask the crew how much time remains before setting off on a longer walk.

The boat schedule combines the Lopud visit and the meal, followed by a separate 30-minute lunch period. Lunch may be served on board, and choices include fish, chicken, vegetarian, or vegan food. Several people have singled out the fish and the generous portions, while the overall meal is best viewed as a practical included lunch rather than a restaurant meal.

Wine is included with the meal, and the boat also carries unlimited soft drinks and water. Local beverages are part of the offering, but personal expenses are not covered, so bring money for anything outside the package.

Šipan: a quieter, less polished island stop

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands and was once a retreat for Croatian nobility. The stop is about 45 minutes, with time for photos, a little walking, wine, and possibly a swim.

This is the shortest island visit, and you should set realistic expectations. Šipan is more about a glimpse of rural island life and scenic views than a packed list of sights. If you need constant activity, this may feel like the least rewarding stop. If you enjoy quiet places, traditional villages, olive trees, and a slower pace, the brief visit gives you a useful change from Lopud.

The island is noted for its unusually large number of olive trees, enough to hold a Guinness World Record. That fact gives the stop some character, even though you will not have time to explore a large portion of the island.

I would use Šipan for photos and a short walk rather than trying to find every cultural site. The 40-minute sightseeing cruise that follows gives you more time to enjoy the coast from the water, which is part of the appeal of a boat tour like this.

Koločep: coves, clear water, and the final swim

Koločep is the smallest of the three island stops and gets about an hour. It is known for secluded coves, clear water, and underwater caves suitable for snorkeling and diving. The schedule specifically includes free time, a boat cruise, swimming, and photographs.

For me, this is the best stop for a final swim. You can spend the hour in the water or use it for a short look around the shoreline. The visit is not designed for a long inland walk, so bring your swimsuit and make the most of the coast.

The information for this tour does not promise snorkeling equipment, so bring your own gear if you want to explore underwater. Towels are not included, either. A towel, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes are listed as essential items, and I would add a hat or other sun protection for the open deck.

One older account of this boat experience also mentions a blue cave visit. The current schedule lists Koločep, but it does not list a blue cave as a guaranteed stop. I would not book this tour expecting a cave visit unless the operator confirms it directly.

What life on TRITON is really like

The boat is arranged for a full day rather than a short transfer. Outdoor seating includes tables, benches, and sun loungers, while the lower area offers indoor tables. That gives you a choice between sun, shade, and shelter when the weather changes.

Two toilets are available on board, a useful detail during an eight-hour outing. Wi-Fi is also included, though I would treat it as a convenience rather than a reason to stay connected all day. The point of the trip is the coast, not your phone.

Music is part of the experience. The return ride can become lively, with dancing and a more festive mood. This suits couples, families with older children, and groups who want a social day. It may not suit you if you want a quiet, intimate cruise with long stretches of silence.

The crew has received particularly strong praise for being attentive, funny, and willing to check whether people need anything. That human touch matters on a long boat day. Good service can make a crowded schedule feel easy, while poor service would make the same schedule tiring.

The boat has also been described as clean and spacious. That is important at this price because you are spending most of the day aboard rather than simply using it to reach an island.

Lunch, drinks, and the value of $70

At $70 per person, this tour is priced as a complete day rather than a basic boat transfer. You receive the boat ride, crew, lunch, wine, unlimited water and soft drinks, Wi-Fi, music, and access to the three-island route.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for a ferry, meals, drinks, and local transport. You also avoid planning connections between islands. For a family or couple, knowing that lunch and nonalcoholic drinks are already covered makes budgeting easier.

The meal has several choices, including fish, chicken, vegetarian, and vegan food. Portions have been described as generous, and the fish has received special praise. Still, food quality can vary from day to day, and I would not choose the tour solely for the lunch.

Wine is available throughout the day as part of the drinks service. That can be a pleasant touch, but remember that swimming, sun, and alcohol do not always mix well. Drink water, use sunscreen, and pace yourself, especially if you plan to spend time on deck.

Hotel pickup costs extra if you choose that option. Towels and personal expenses are not included. Those are small costs, but they are worth remembering when comparing this with a ferry ticket or a smaller private boat.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend the tour to you if you want to see several islands in one day and prefer an organized schedule. It works especially well for first-time visitors to Dubrovnik, families, couples, and solo visitors who like a friendly group atmosphere.

You will get the most from it if you enjoy a mix of swimming, sightseeing, lunch, music, and casual conversation. The multilingual crew also makes it practical for mixed-language groups.

This is less suitable if you want deep historical touring on one island. The stops are short, and the guide time is spread across the whole route. Lopud gets enough time for a worthwhile walk, but Šipan and Koločep are introductions rather than full explorations.

It is also not ideal if you dislike a fixed schedule. The boat must leave each island on time, and the sightseeing cruises between stops are part of the day. You cannot simply stay on Lopud longer because it is your favorite.

The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible. Still, if you use a wheelchair, I would confirm the boarding arrangement and access to each island before booking, since the boat’s accessibility does not necessarily mean every shoreline or path will be equally easy.

Practical advice before you go

Bring a towel, sunscreen, comfortable clothes, and swimwear. Wear shoes that work for both the boat and island walking, especially if you plan to reach Šunj Beach on Lopud.

Arrive before the 10:00 boarding time. The scheduled departure is around 10:15, and the dock is across the street from the Green Market. A late arrival can be especially stressful when the boat has a fixed route and several scheduled stops.

Keep your first choice flexible. Weather, sea conditions, and the group’s timing can affect how the day feels. If swimming is your top goal, do not spend all your time on photos at the first stop.

I would also bring a light layer for the ride back. The open deck can feel cooler once the boat is moving, even after a hot afternoon on shore.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is useful when your Dubrovnik schedule is still shifting, but it does not remove the need to check the exact pickup option and meeting details before the day.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands tour?

Book it if you want a social, good-value boat day with three islands, swimming, lunch, and drinks handled in one package. The attentive crew, clean boat, generous meal, and lively music give the experience more personality than a simple island transfer.

Skip it if your priority is a quiet private cruise, a long visit to one island, or a guaranteed blue cave stop. The itinerary is busy, and the shorter stops require you to choose what matters most.

For most people with one free day in Dubrovnik, I think the $70 price is fair. Choose this tour for variety and ease, arrive ready to swim, and treat each island as a brief taste rather than a complete visit.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour meet?

The meeting point is the Green Market on Obala Stjepana Radića. The TRITON boat is docked across the street, with boarding from 10:00 a.m. and departure planned for about 10:15 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The full experience lasts about eight hours, returning to Obala Stjepana Radića after visiting Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep.

What food is included?

Lunch is included, with fish, chicken, vegetarian, and vegan choices. Lunch is served during the Lopud portion of the day.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Wine, unlimited soft drinks, and water are included on board. Personal expenses are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes. Swimwear is useful because the schedule includes swimming at Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep.

Is hotel pickup available?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are available if you select that option when booking. The standard meeting point is at the Green Market.