Full-Day Dubrovnik Elaphite Islands Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

A day on the Elaphite Islands beats city hopping. This Dubrovnik cruise strings together three islands for beach time, sightseeing, and a boat lunch with drinks. I especially like the included lunch plus open bar, so you are not juggling meal plans or finding change. One thing to consider is that the schedule depends on weather, and if you are prone to seasickness, this is not a great match.

Here is the vibe: you float out along the Adriatic, stop for real swimming time on the islands, then settle in for a hearty meal and toast your trip. The day feels well-paced for an 8 hour outing, but the island windows are not long, so you get plenty of highlights rather than deep dives into any one place.

Key things to know before you go

• Open bar with wine and brandy plus soft drinks keeps the mood easy from lunch onward
• Three islands in one day means you see different feels, from sandy coves to old harbor corners
• Lopud’s Šunj beach time is built for swimming and relaxing
• Sipan is short but interesting with olive-tree lore and pirate-era defenses
• Kolocep focuses on sea time with caves, cliffs, snorkeling, and sandy beaches
• Max group size of 110 can mean a lively boat, not a quiet private day

Dubrovnik Elaphite cruise in plain terms: what you are really buying

You are paying for a simple package: boat transport plus island time plus food and drinks, all wrapped into one long day. At $78.60 per person, it is not cheap for Croatia, but it lands as good value once you factor in the fact that lunch and multiple drinks are included. If you hate planning, this kind of day trip is exactly the point.

The “real product” here is the sea day. You get views from the water, easy stops without ferry transfers, and enough beach time to feel like you escaped Dubrovnik’s stone streets.

Price and value for an 8-hour boat day with food and drinks

This cruise runs about 8 hours and includes bottled water, lunch, and drinks, including white wine and brandy (plus soft drinks like Coca-cola and Fanta). They also list a local driver or guide and optional hotel pickup from the Dubrovnik city area, which is the kind of detail that saves you effort.

If you were doing this on your own, the math is usually painful: ferry tickets, transfers, then paying separately for lunch and drinks at each place. Here, the day is already bundled, so you can show up and just enjoy the rhythm.

The main “value trade-off” is time. You get a handful of hours spread across three islands, not long stays. It works best if you want variety.

Lapadska obala morning: pickup rules that matter

Your meeting point is Knjižnica za društvene znanosti, Lapadska obala 7 in Dubrovnik, with a 9:00 am start. Pickup is offered only if you select the option, and it is limited to the Dubrovnik city area. If your accommodation is less than 1 km from that starting point, pickup is not available.

Timing can shift a bit. Pickup time may vary based on location, typically scheduled between 45 minutes and 5 minutes before departure, and they specifically ask you to contact them for the exact pickup time. The risk is real: if you do not reach out, there are no refunds if you miss the transfer.

Practical takeaway: plan to be ready early. Even if the tour has a clear start time, the pickup window is where most stress can happen.

Onboard experience: open bar energy and lunch that actually fills you up

Once you are on the boat, the day runs on two gears: sailing and island time. Between stops, you are basically settling in with drinks and a meal, with the Adriatic always nearby.

Lunch is served onboard after the Lopud stop. You can choose a meal type in advance: grilled chicken with vegetables, grilled hake with vegetables, or a vegetarian plate of grilled Mediterranean seasonal vegetables. If you are booking for a group, you need to submit the lunch option for each traveler.

Drinks are included with lunch: bottled water, soft drinks (Coca-cola and Fanta are listed), and alcoholic beverages like white wine and brandy. The minimum drinking age is 18, so keep that in mind if you are traveling with teenagers.

One more useful detail: swimming is not treated like a “jump off anytime” situation. In feedback, I saw the pattern that swimming is done when you reach the islands, not from the boat while underway. So wear your plan on land, not on the water.

Lopud Island (first stop): Šunj beach, gardens, and a calmer rhythm

Lopud is where the cruise turns into beach mode. You have about 3 hours on this island, and that is the stop with the best chance to actually feel relaxed rather than just walk around.

At Lopud, you get sandy beach time at Šunj beach, and you also have an option connected to the botanical gardens at Djordjic Mayneri Park. If you want the nature side, that garden connection is your hook. If you want sand and swimming, Šunj is the simple choice.

You also have time for heritage and churches, plus the slower feeling that comes from being on an island without Dubrovnik’s traffic and crowds. If you like a mix of strolling and lounging, Lopud is built for that.

There is also a practical perk: the stop is long enough that if you did not eat breakfast, you are not stuck. One of the joys of Lopud is that you can find a coffee option around the beach area if you need a quick start.

Sipan Island (second stop): port views and olive-tree lore

Sipan is shorter, about 1 hour. This is the stop for harbor atmosphere rather than a long beach session.

When you arrive, you are guided toward the old fisherman’s port and given context that Sipan is tied to a classic Mediterranean lifestyle, plus local claims like being in the Guinness record for the island with the biggest number of olive trees. You will also hear about a castle built for defense against pirates in the 15th century.

So what do you do in an hour? You browse, you look at the port, and you pick a few photo angles. It is not the island where you solve your beach needs, but it adds texture, especially if you like small-port settings and island agriculture stories.

A balanced caution: because the stop is brief and geared toward wandering, it can feel like you arrive right before you leave. If you are the type who wants long beach time every stop, you might wish Sipan got more minutes.

Kolocep Island (final island): caves, cliffs, snorkeling, and sandy time

Kolocep is also about 1 hour, and it is the sea-focused closer. This island is known for caves and cliffs, along with snorkeling and swimming on sandy beaches.

If you like the idea of the last stop being your payoff, Kolocep is set up that way. You can head straight to the water, spend time snorkeling if conditions allow, and then cool down with beach time before the return run.

This is also the stop where the geography becomes part of the fun. Caves and cliffs make the coastline feel more dramatic than the beach-only vibe of Lopud, and snorkeling fits that setting well.

One extra option sometimes floats around this route: an add-on speedboat visit to the Blue Cave for an extra fee is mentioned in feedback. It is not listed as a standard inclusion here, so treat it as something you would confirm with the operator on the day.

Food and drinks: what the included lunch really means

The biggest reason this trip feels easy is that lunch is not an afterthought. You eat onboard after Lopud, and the menu covers meat, fish, and vegetarian choices.

You should pay attention to the meal selection step when you book. They specifically ask you to enter the lunch option for each traveler in the special requirements box. That is what keeps lunch running smoothly for groups.

Drinks also matter because they are part of the “day rhythm,” not just a token. Alcohol included includes white wine and brandy, and soft drinks like Coca-cola and Fanta are also part of what is offered. The service is active enough that many people stay in a relaxed, celebratory mood without having to track who paid for what.

If you are traveling as a couple or solo, the included drinks make it easier to enjoy the boat portion without feeling like you must entertain yourself the whole time.

Sea comfort and who should plan around it

This tour is not recommended for travelers with seasickness. That is pretty straightforward and worth taking seriously.

If you are normally fine on ferries, you might still feel the boat motion depending on conditions. Weather also affects the route and schedule, and they note the itinerary can change due to weather or other demanding conditions.

Practical strategy: if you know you get sick on open water, this is the wrong kind of day trip to experiment with.

Group size, noise level, and how to get the most from it

The cruise has a maximum of 110 travelers, so think friendly and lively. That can be a positive if you like meeting people or joining in when the crew keeps things moving.

But it also means you should not expect a quiet, museum-like experience. In feedback, I saw a split between people who loved the social energy and those who felt the final stretch could turn loud. So if you prefer calm, pick your expectations like you are choosing between a beach picnic and a party boat.

Your best move is to plan your mental schedule: the islands themselves tend to be where the peaceful part happens, and the boat portion is the social glue.

Timing reality check: what 8 hours feels like on three islands

Even when a tour lists hours per stop, the clock feels tighter once you add boarding, finding the right beach area, bathroom breaks, and simple island wandering.

Lopud gives you enough time to do something meaningful, and Šunj beach is a strong anchor. Sipan gives you a quick cultural and scenic taste, mostly around the port area. Kolocep gives you the final burst of sea time with snorkeling and swimming.

So think of the day as a “three flavors of island time” menu. If you go in wanting a little bit of everything, it tends to work.

Is it worth $78.60 for you?

I would call this a strong choice if you want:

• Lunch and drinks included so you can focus on the sea time
• A variety day that hits sandy beaches and a historic-island harbor feeling
• An easy out-of-the-city plan that avoids complicated transfers

I would skip it or at least rethink if you:

• Get seasick
• Need long stays on one island to fully enjoy it
• Strongly prefer a quiet, low-energy group setting

Should you book this Dubrovnik Elaphite Islands cruise?

Book it if you want a simple, high-value-feeling day on the Adriatic where the logistics are handled and the included lunch plus drinks remove a lot of stress. It is especially appealing if you like the idea of Lopud’s sandy beach time plus Kolocep’s sea-focused finale, with Sipan adding a quick dose of port character.

Skip it if open water makes you uncomfortable, or if you hate the idea of short island windows. In that case, you may be better off with something slower and more centered on one island.

If you do book, take the lunch option step seriously, contact the operator for your pickup time, and treat this as an island-hopping boat day, not a deep itinerary into any single spot.

FAQ

What islands are included on this cruise?

The cruise visits Lopud Island, Sipan, and Kolocep.

How long is the Dubrovnik Elaphite Islands tour?

It runs for about 8 hours (approx.).

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered only if you select the option, and it is for the Dubrovnik city area. Pickup is not available if you are staying less than 1 km from the starting point.

Where do I meet the tour?

The meeting point is Knjižnica za društvene znanosti, Lapadska obala 7, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:00 am.

What is included for lunch?

Lunch is included onboard, with meat options (grilled chicken with vegetables, or grilled hake with vegetables) and a vegetarian option (all grilled Mediterranean seasonal vegetables from the local area). You enter your meal choice at booking.

What drinks are included?

The tour includes bottled water, soda or pop (Coca-cola, Fanta), and drinks with lunch, including alcoholic beverages like white wine and brandy, plus soft drinks and water.

Do I need to bring a swimsuit?

Swimsuit is not included, so you should plan to bring one.

Is the tour suitable if I get seasick?

It is not recommended for travelers with seasickness.

Is alcohol included for everyone?

Alcoholic beverages are included, but the minimum drinking age is 18.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.