From Dubrovnik: Premium Three Island Cruise with lunch and drinks

The best part of this Dubrovnik day trip is the change of pace. You leave the city behind and spend the day moving between three quiet Elaphiti Islands, with three hours on Lopud for Šunj Beach, cafés, and old stone buildings, followed by shorter stops on Šipan and Koločep. Lunch is served on board, so you do not have to spend your island time hunting for a meal.

I like the simple value here: hotel pickup can remove the morning hassle, and a fresh lunch with water and soft drinks is included. I also like that you can choose your own pace once ashore, from a swim to a café stop or a walk past monasteries and olive groves.

The main thing to consider is the timing. This is a full eight-hour day, and the three-hour stop on Lopud may feel long if you do not plan to swim, visit Šunj Beach, or walk around. Šipan and Koločep receive only about an hour each, so this is a pleasant introduction to the islands, not a thorough tour of any one of them.

Key points to know before booking

• Lopud gets the longest stop: Use the three hours for Šunj Beach, the village, historic sights, or a relaxed lunch-free beach afternoon.
• Lunch is served on board: Choose grilled hake, chicken fillet, or seasonal vegetables with potato salad and bread.
• The day runs about eight hours: Allow for a morning departure and a return around late afternoon.
• Šipan and Koločep are short visits: One hour on each island is enough for a walk, coffee, or swim, but not a major exploration.
• Bring swimwear and a towel: Towels and snorkeling gear are not supplied.
• The boat can carry up to 110 people: You get an air-conditioned indoor salon and an open upper deck, but prime seats go early in busy periods.

A full day beyond Dubrovnik’s city walls

Dubrovnik is beautiful, but its Old Town can feel intense after a day or two of stone streets, steps, cruise crowds, and summer heat. This cruise gives you a useful counterpoint: open sea, small villages, simple food, and time beside the water.

The boat trip itself is part of the appeal. You have a closed, air-conditioned salon below and open seating above, so you can move between shade and sea views. The five-person crew serves lunch and refreshments, and several people have found the staff friendly and attentive, including a crew member named Nikoleta.

This is not a guided sightseeing tour packed with commentary. You are mainly given an island, a time limit, and freedom to make your own plan. That suits me when I want a day outdoors, but it may disappoint you if you expect detailed narration about every church, cove, and olive grove.

At $48.39 per person, the price is strong for an eight-hour outing that includes transport by boat, lunch, bottled water, soft drinks, and hotel pickup when selected. You should still check exactly which drinks are included at booking, since the onboard menu also lists coffee, tea, beer, and other drinks for purchase. Some tour information describes wine and a wider range of drinks as included, while the formal inclusions specifically name water and assorted soft drinks.

Lopud gives you three hours to set the pace

Lopud is the main event. With three hours ashore, you have enough time to do more than glance at the harbor before returning to the boat.

The village has stone houses, greenery, small shops, and cafés. You can keep things easy, sitting near the waterfront with a drink, or walk farther inland and uphill toward historic sights. The 15th-century Franciscan Monastery offers a quiet cultural stop, while the botanical garden provides a look at Mediterranean plants.

The most useful target is Šunj Beach on the far side of the island. It has a sandy shore and clear water, which makes it the best place on the route for a proper swim. You can walk there, though the route takes time and includes an uphill section on the return. Local golf-cart taxis can save you much of that effort for a few euros, according to practical advice from people who have used them.

Plan your Lopud time before you step off the boat:

• Beach plan: Take a golf-cart taxi or walk to Šunj, swim, and allow time to return.
• Culture plan: Stay near the village, visit the monastery, and look for the botanical garden.
• Slow-day plan: Walk the waterfront, browse shops, stop at a café, and enjoy the sea views.
• Mixed plan: Go straight to Šunj, then return through the village for a short stroll.

There is a catch. Some island facilities can be closed or poorly maintained late in the season, especially in October. The botanical garden may not be in good shape, and Šunj Beach can have litter after a busy summer. The island is still attractive, but you should bring realistic expectations rather than expecting a polished resort.

If you do not sunbathe and do not plan to swim, three hours may feel excessive. That is the clearest weakness in the schedule. The long Lopud stop works well for beach people and independent explorers, but less well for anyone who prefers a tightly guided sightseeing program.

Lunch on board keeps the island stops flexible

Lunch is freshly prepared and served on the boat. The standard choices are grilled hake with potato salad and bread, grilled chicken fillet with potato salad and bread, or grilled seasonal vegetables with potato salad and bread.

The meal is straightforward rather than elaborate. Several people have enjoyed the fish, and the chicken and vegetarian plates have also received good marks. Portions are described as generous, though one person found the meal ordinary. I would treat lunch as a convenient, pleasant meal with a local feel, not a reason to book a culinary tour.

Eating on board has a real advantage. You do not lose part of Lopud, Šipan, or Koločep searching for a restaurant, and you can eat while the boat is traveling between stops. It also keeps the price under control. Restaurants on the islands are available, but eating ashore can cost more, especially at Šunj.

The drink setup needs a little care. Bottled still water is available throughout the tour, and the included package lists assorted soft drinks such as lemonade and juices. Reviews also describe wine and other drinks being served during the day, while coffee, tea, beer, and extra drinks appear on the purchase menu. Ask the crew at the start of the trip what your ticket covers so there is no confusion later.

Šipan offers olive groves and a quieter hour

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands, but this tour gives you only about an hour there. That is enough to walk near the landing point, look at the stone houses, stop for a coffee, or take a short swim if conditions allow.

The island feels more rural than Dubrovnik. Olive groves, vineyards, rolling hills, and walking paths create a slower setting. If you enjoy seeing ordinary island life rather than collecting major sights, Šipan may be your favorite stop.

You may also find wine tasting near the pier, depending on what is open during your visit. That can be a pleasant use of a short stop, but do not count on a long tasting session. The hour passes quickly, especially if you want to walk away from the harbor.

This is where the schedule feels slightly compressed. You have enough time to get a taste of Šipan, not enough time to understand the whole island. Think of it as a scenic pause between Lopud and Koločep.

Koločep ends the day with a swim-friendly pause

Koločep is the final island and the quietest stop on the route. Its paths run past olive trees, traditional stone houses, and small churches, while the shore offers clear water and views back across the Adriatic.

A sandy beach close to the harbor makes Koločep a practical place for a last swim. If you prefer not to get wet, sit at a local café and enjoy the calm. The island is less about a checklist of sights and more about slowing down before the boat returns to Dubrovnik.

You have about an hour, so stay close to the landing area unless you are confident about the route and timing. A short walk, coffee, or swim fits well. Trying to cover the whole island does not.

Some people prefer to save their swimming for Koločep because the beach is close to the harbor and the afternoon light can make the final stop feel especially relaxed. Bring a swimsuit under your clothes if you want to make the most of this brief break.

Boat space, pickup, and the rhythm of the day

Hotel pickup is offered within Dubrovnik city limits if you select that option and provide the exact accommodation address or hotel name. The driver waits no more than two minutes after the scheduled pickup time, so be ready early and stand where the vehicle can find you.

Pickup outside Dubrovnik is not included. If you are staying farther away, you will need to reach the meeting point yourself. The tour ends back at the meeting point, rather than at a different part of the city.

The boat can carry up to 110 people. That is a sizeable group, not an intimate sailboat outing. You should be able to find a seat in either the enclosed salon or on the upper deck, but the best outdoor positions can go quickly in high season. Arrive early if you care about sitting outside or beside the rail.

The indoor salon matters in Dubrovnik’s changing weather. Air conditioning gives you a break from the sun, and the upper deck gives you the classic sea view. The boat docks at piers, so boarding and leaving the boat do not require wading through the water.

Expect the day to occupy most of your daylight hours. The cruise may start around 9 a.m. and return around 5:30 p.m., depending on the schedule and conditions. Travel time between islands is part of the outing, not extra sightseeing time, so the actual time ashore is shorter than eight hours.

What to pack for a better island day

You can make this tour much better with a small amount of planning.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and comfortable walking shoes. Towels and snorkeling equipment are not supplied. You can bring your own mask and snorkel, though you will need to carry them around the boat and islands.

A little cash is useful for a golf-cart taxi to Šunj, café stops, beach facilities, or optional purchases. If you plan to eat at a restaurant instead of taking the included lunch, budget separately for that.

Wear shoes with a good grip if you plan to walk beyond the village on Lopud. The route to Šunj and any uphill walk toward island sights can be more demanding than the flat waterfront suggests.

If you are traveling in October or another quiet period, expect fewer open shops and cafés. The islands may feel peaceful, but some facilities may be closed and beach conditions may not be at their best.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this excursion if you want a relaxed day away from Dubrovnik and like having free time rather than a guide directing every minute. Families can mix swimming, beach time, food, and short walks without changing boats or arranging separate transport.

It also suits couples and friends who want a low-effort way to see several islands. The included meal and city pickup make planning easy, and the air-conditioned cabin gives you a comfortable fallback if the sun becomes too strong.

You may want another option if you dislike large boats, need a highly active day, or want detailed history at every stop. The boat is not private, and the schedule leaves little time for long hikes. People who do not swim or sit in the sun may find the three-hour Lopud stop slow.

The tour is also weather-dependent. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book the Premium Three Island Cruise?

Book it if you want good-value transport, lunch, and a full day by the sea without arranging three separate island visits. Lopud is the reason to choose this route, especially if you plan to visit Šunj Beach. Šipan and Koločep add variety, even though their one-hour stops are brief.

Think twice if you want a small, quiet boat or a tightly planned cultural tour. The group can reach 110 people, and much of the day is free time. Pack a swimsuit, arrive early for a good seat, and have a plan for Lopud. With those expectations, this is an easy and enjoyable break from Dubrovnik’s busy center.

FAQ

How long is the Premium Three Island Cruise?

The experience lasts about eight hours, usually taking up most of the day from morning until late afternoon.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

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

How much time do I get on Lopud?

You have about three hours on Lopud, the longest stop of the day.

How much time do I get on Šipan and Koločep?

The scheduled time is about one hour on Šipan and one hour on Koločep.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served on board, with a choice of grilled hake, grilled chicken fillet, or grilled seasonal vegetables, all served with potato salad and bread.

Are drinks included?

Bottled still water and assorted soft drinks are included. The boat also has additional drinks for purchase, including coffee, tea, and beer. Check with the crew at the start about the exact drink package on your ticket.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available within the city of Dubrovnik if you select the pickup option and provide your accommodation details. Pickup outside the Dubrovnik city area is not included.

Should I bring a towel and snorkeling equipment?

Yes, bring your own towel if you plan to swim. Snorkeling equipment is not provided.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.