Three Island Boat Tour With Lunch

Dubrovnik’s old town can feel crowded, hot, and busy. This eight-hour boat trip gives you a full day on the water instead, with three Elaphiti Islands, time for swimming, and lunch served aboard. The best part is the change of pace: you trade stone streets and steep steps for sea views, shady seating, and quiet island coves.

I like the generous food and drinks included in the price, and I like the choice built into the day. You can walk, swim, snorkel, or simply stay on the boat and watch the coast slide past. The main drawback is that the island stops are fixed and fairly short except for Lopud, so you will not have time to explore every corner.

Key points

• Three distinct island stops: Lopud, Sipan, and Kolocep each offer a different mix of beaches, village scenery, walking, and swimming.
• Sunj sandy beach: Lopud gives you the clearest chance for a classic beach stop, with free time for swimming and a visit to Sunj.
• Lunch and regular drinks: The fare is generous, with choices available at booking, plus water, soft drinks, white wine, and brandy.
• Comfortable boat setup: The blue boat Emili has shade, clean toilets, and views from all seats.
• Helpful crew: Guide Emily received particular praise for looking after the group, handling questions, and helping when plans went wrong.
• Good escape from Dubrovnik: The tour suits you best when you want a relaxed sea day rather than a packed sightseeing schedule.

A full sea day away from Dubrovnik

The tour begins around 8:45 in Dubrovnik, depending on your selected pickup option. If you meet at the main departure point, look for the large blue boat named Emili at the bus stop across from the University building. The boat does not arrive before 8:45, so arriving too early will only leave you waiting around.

Hotel or accommodation pickup is available in the City of Dubrovnik area if you select it when booking. It does not cover the whole Dubrovnik-Neretva County, and pickup is not provided for locations less than 1,000 meters from the starting point. That sounds like a small detail, but it matters if you are staying outside central Dubrovnik or assuming every nearby hotel is covered.

Once aboard, you have about 45 minutes of sightseeing by boat before the first main stop. This opening ride is useful because it lets you settle into the day. Find a shaded seat, get some water, and watch Dubrovnik recede behind you. The boat provides views from all seats, which makes the ride more pleasant than a cramped transfer.

The atmosphere is relaxed rather than formal. You have a live English-speaking guide, but the day is not built around long lectures. Information is given as you visit each island, leaving plenty of space for swimming, walking, photos, and simply enjoying the ride.

Lopud and the long three-hour stop

Lopud receives the most time, with about three hours on the island. That is a sensible choice because Lopud offers the strongest mix of activities on this route. You can join a guided visit, walk around, take photos, swim, snorkel, or spend most of your time at the beach.

The island is also where you can reach Sunj sandy beach, one of the most useful details for anyone comparing boat trips from Dubrovnik. Many coastal stops in this part of Croatia are rocky or pebbled. Sunj gives you a softer beach setting and a more traditional swim-and-sunbathe experience.

I would use the first part of the Lopud stop to get oriented, then decide how active you want the rest of the day to be. If swimming is your priority, head for the beach. If you prefer to see more of the island, take a walk before returning to the boat. You are not forced into one activity, which is important on a long group excursion.

Snorkeling is also available, but the tour information does not promise equipment details. If you care about snorkeling, check what is supplied before departure and bring your own gear if needed. A swimsuit is not included, so pack one, along with a towel and sun protection.

Three hours sounds generous, but it goes quickly if you want both a beach visit and a walk. You should also keep a close eye on the return time. One passenger misunderstood the departure time and reached the quay after the boat had left. The crew and office helped arrange a lift on another boat so the passenger could rejoin the group later, but that rescue should not be part of your plan. Set an alarm before leaving the boat.

Sipan for a quieter hour

The next stop is Sipan, with about one hour of free time. Sipan gives the day a different rhythm. Instead of treating every stop as a major beach outing, you can use this hour for a walk, photographs, a swim, or a short self-guided look around.

The schedule calls this a break as well as a sightseeing stop, and that is the right way to think about it. You do not need to race off the boat and cover the island. Sipan works as a chance to stretch your legs, take in the coastal views, and enjoy a quieter pause between longer stretches on the water.

The limitation is simple: one hour is not enough for extensive exploration. I would not choose this tour expecting a detailed visit to each island. The value comes from seeing three different places in one day, not from getting a full cultural tour of any one island.

You can swim or snorkel here, but conditions and available time will shape what is practical. If the sea looks inviting, this is a good place for a quick swim. If you already had your main beach time on Lopud, stay on land and enjoy the short walk.

Kolocep and the final swim

Kolocep is the final island stop and lasts about an hour. Like Sipan, it offers free time, walking, photos, swimming, snorkeling, and views along the way. By this point, the boat ride itself becomes part of the attraction. You have had lunch, seen two islands, and can choose between one more swim or a calm final hour before returning to Dubrovnik.

One useful tip concerns getting around Kolocep. A golf buggy taxi can take you toward a larger beach in a calm bay with nearby bars. This is not presented as a private transfer included in the tour, so treat it as an optional idea rather than a guaranteed part of the package. If you decide to use one, leave enough time to return to the boat.

Kolocep can be a good final stop for anyone who wants another chance to swim without giving up the whole day to beach time. The stop is short, so do not wander too far without checking your watch. As with Lopud and Sipan, the boat will not wait for a late return.

Lunch, drinks, and the real value of $76

At $76 per person, the tour is not just charging for a boat ride. The price includes lunch, bottled water, soft drinks, wine, brandy, the guide, island visits, and hotel pickup and drop-off when that option is selected. For an eight-hour outing, that package can be good value, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for transport, meals, and drinks.

You can choose between three lunch options when booking. One option is fish, and you should watch for bones if you select it. A vegetarian choice includes grilled vegetables and potato salad, which is useful if you do not want a seafood meal. The portions are generous rather than decorative, so you can expect lunch to function as a proper midday meal.

Drinks are offered regularly throughout the day. Included choices include water, Coca-Cola, Fanta, white wine, and brandy. The phrase all-inclusive has limits here: alcoholic drinks other than wine and brandy are not included, and personal purchases are your responsibility.

I see the food and drink setup as one of the strongest reasons to book this trip. You do not have to search for a restaurant during a short island stop, and you can keep your attention on the sea and the scenery. It also makes budgeting easier, though you should remember that optional purchases and transportation outside the stated pickup area are extra.

What the boat feels like after several hours

An eight-hour boat day can become tiring if the vessel is crowded or poorly equipped. The Emili appears to handle the basics well. It has shaded areas, clean toilets, and seating that gives you views from all sides.

Shade matters in Dalmatia. Even if the morning feels mild, several hours in direct sun can make the ride uncomfortable. I would still bring a hat, sunscreen, and a light cover-up, since shade may not be available in every seat at every moment.

The crew also adapts to changing weather. When rain arrived during one outing, the sides of the boat were lowered and blankets were brought out quickly. That does not turn a rainy day into a beach day, but it shows the practical value of having an experienced crew and a boat built for changing conditions.

The service style is one of the tour’s strongest points. Emily is specifically praised for looking after passengers through the day, and the crew helped solve the missed-departure problem described earlier. You should not rely on that kind of rescue, but it is reassuring to know the operation is not purely hands-off.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want an easy day outside Dubrovnik with a mix of scenery and downtime. It works especially well for couples, families, and small groups who cannot agree on one activity. One person can swim, another can walk, and someone else can stay aboard with a drink.

It also suits you if you prefer a planned day. Pickup, lunch, drinks, island stops, and the return ride are organized in one package. You do not need to work out ferry schedules or find a restaurant at each stop.

The tour is less suitable if you want a quiet private cruise. You will share the boat with other passengers, and the schedule controls how long you stay on each island. It is also not the best match for serious hikers or anyone hoping for a detailed historical tour of the Elaphiti Islands.

You should think carefully about mobility and swimming plans too. The information confirms walking, swimming, and snorkeling opportunities, but it does not give detailed accessibility information. If you need specific boarding or beach assistance, ask before booking.

Timing, weather, and what to pack

The tour lasts eight hours, so reserve a full day. Do not schedule a major Dubrovnik activity immediately afterward, especially if you have a timed dinner, transfer, or evening event.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a light layer for the boat. Pack a small waterproof bag for phones and other valuables. A swimsuit is not provided, and personal expenses are not covered.

The tour includes free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and offers a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms are useful when your Dubrovnik plans are still shifting, but you should still check the available starting time for your chosen date.

Weather will shape the day. Sun makes the island stops ideal for swimming and beach time. Rain does not automatically end the outing, since the boat has covered areas and the crew can close the sides, but you should expect less time in the water.

My verdict: book it for a relaxed island sampler

Book this tour if you want three islands in one day, a sandy beach stop, lunch, regular drinks, and a break from Dubrovnik’s busy center. The combination of Lopud’s longer visit, Sipan’s short pause, and Kolocep’s final swim gives you a pleasant range without requiring much planning.

Skip it if you want a private boat, long hikes, or several hours on one island. The schedule is designed as a sampler, not a deep visit. For $76, though, the included meal, drinks, guide, boat facilities, and eight-hour schedule make it a strong choice for a carefree day on the Dalmatian coast.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet in Dubrovnik?

The meeting point is at 08:45 at the bus stop across from the University building. Look for the large blue boat named Emili, which will not arrive before 08:45.

Is hotel pickup available?

Hotel or accommodation pickup and drop-off is available in the City of Dubrovnik area when you select that option. Pickup is not offered throughout Dubrovnik-Neretva County.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The tour visits Lopud, Sipan, and Kolocep. Lopud receives about three hours, while Sipan and Kolocep each receive about one hour.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, and you can choose between three lunch options when booking. A fish option is available, and you should watch for bones if you select it.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks include bottled water, Coca-Cola, Fanta, white wine, and brandy. Other alcoholic drinks are not included.

Can I swim and snorkel during the tour?

Yes. Swimming and snorkeling opportunities are available at Lopud, Sipan, and Kolocep. Bring your own swimsuit, since one is not provided.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English. A driver or guide and a local guide are included.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.