From Dubrovnik: Boat Tour to Kolocep, Lopud, & Sipan Islands

The best thing about this boat day is the variety. In one outing, you get quiet Koločep, olive-covered Šipan, and a longer break on car-free Lopud, with the Adriatic doing most of the sightseeing between stops. I especially like the one-hour, one-hour, three-hour rhythm, and I like that lunch and drinks are included rather than added later at the till.

The crew, including hosts such as Natasha, Emily, and Darko, receives unusually strong praise for staying attentive without letting the day feel stiff. Lunch portions are generous, too. The main thing to consider is that the first two island visits are short, and a full boat can feel busy during the most popular summer dates.

Key points at a glance

• Three islands in one day: See Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud without arranging separate ferries.
• A useful island schedule: Plan on about one hour at Koločep, one hour at Šipan, and three hours at Lopud.
• Lunch with real choice: Select fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal, with portions often large enough for a full dinner.
• Drinks included: Water, soft drinks, white wine, and a surprise drink are available during the day.
• Sunj Beach option: Use your longer Lopud stop to reach the island’s popular sandy beach.
• Optional Blue Cave trip: A speedboat add-on has been offered for about €20, but it is separate from the main tour.

Three Elaphiti islands, three different moods

This is a good choice if you want more than a standard coastal cruise. The Elaphiti Islands sit close to Dubrovnik, but the day gives each stop a different job.

Koločep is the quiet opener. It is green, peaceful, and suited to a short walk, a coffee by the water, or a little time beside the sea. You will not have hours here, so think of it as a gentle introduction rather than a full island tour. If you want to rent a bike or walk farther inland, the one-hour stop may feel tight.

Šipan gives you a different view of island life. It is the largest of the three inhabited islands visited, with olive trees and old mansions built as retreats for aristocratic families. The stop is again brief, but it is long enough for a swim, some snorkeling, or a quiet look around if you do not try to cover too much ground.

Lopud gets the long visit, and that is the right call. With three hours, you can eat, walk, swim, have ice cream, or make your way toward Sunj Beach. Lopud is also car-free, which gives the island a calmer feel than many coastal resort stops. You will still find cafés, beach services, and other visitors, especially in high summer, but the absence of road traffic makes the pause feel relaxed.

Meeting the wooden boat Emili

The stated meeting time is 8:45 at the bus stop across from the University building. Look for the blue boat named Emili. The boat is not expected before 8:45, so arriving very early will not necessarily get you aboard sooner.

Optional pickup is available, with the exact location and time sent one day before the tour. That can be useful if you are staying away from the main meeting point, but read the message carefully and do not assume pickup is automatic.

Emili is described as a clean wooden boat with shaded areas and an upper deck. That combination matters on a long summer day. I would arrive ready to choose between shade and open views, rather than assuming one area will suit you for the entire trip. The front of the boat can be peaceful while underway, although seating preferences are not guaranteed.

The tour lasts about 8 to 9 hours. Most of that time is not spent rushing from one attraction to another. You get stretches on the water for views, conversation, music, and drinks, followed by three island stops with different scenery.

Koločep: a quiet first hour

Koločep is a sensible first stop because it eases you into the day. The island is known for thick green vegetation and varied plant life, so the pleasure here is less about ticking off a famous monument and more about enjoying a small piece of the coast at an unhurried pace.

With roughly one hour, I would keep your plan simple. Walk near the harbor, find a peaceful spot by the water, or have a coffee if that is what you need after the morning start. If swimming is your priority, clear water makes Koločep a tempting place to get in, but the exact swimming conditions and available time can vary.

You might be able to ride a bike or walk farther, but the clock matters. A short island stop works best when you resist the urge to see everything. This is not the place for a long hike. It is a chance to take in the green setting and begin the day at a slower pace.

Šipan: olive trees, swims, and old retreats

Šipan is the largest Elaphiti island on this route and is often associated with olive trees. Its older mansions recall the period when Dubrovnik’s aristocratic families used the islands as peaceful retreats.

Again, allow about an hour. You can use it for a swim in clear water, a little snorkeling, or a short walk. Sea urchins have been seen around the islands, so wear water shoes if you have them and use care when entering shallow water. Goggles are useful if you want to look below the surface.

This stop may feel short if you want to combine swimming, sightseeing, and a proper meal ashore. I would not plan a café crawl here. Choose one main activity and enjoy it. The reward is a taste of a quieter island rather than an exhaustive visit.

Lunch is served on the boat during the day, with fish, chicken, and vegetarian choices. Several menus described in the available information included chicken with potato and tomatoes, while fish was praised for both flavor and size. The portions are repeatedly described as generous, sometimes more like an evening meal than a light boat lunch.

Lopud and the three-hour decision

Lopud is where you have enough time to settle into island life. Three hours sounds generous, but it passes quickly once you add lunch, a beach visit, a swim, and a walk.

The island is car-free, with green vegetation and a more developed visitor setup than Koločep or Šipan. You can walk around, stop for ice cream, sit by the sea, or head toward Sunj, the popular sandy beach. Sunj is a clear highlight for anyone who wants sand rather than a rocky Adriatic entry.

There is a practical catch: beach chairs and umbrellas can be expensive, especially when the weather is very hot and shade becomes urgent. If you want to keep costs down, bring your own towel, hat, and sun protection. You may also hear about golf buggy rides across Lopud to the beach. They have been a popular way to save walking time, but they cost extra.

I would decide before arriving what matters most. If Sunj is the goal, head there early in the stop. If you prefer a slower afternoon, stay closer to the village and use the time for a swim, a snack, and a walk. Trying to do both in detail may leave you watching the clock.

Food and drinks are a major part of the value

At $76 per person, the tour needs to deliver more than transport, and the included food and drinks make a meaningful difference. You choose fish, chicken, or vegetarian food, then receive lunch on the boat rather than having to spend another €15 to €25 on a meal ashore.

The food is not presented as a formal restaurant experience, but the portions are a strong point. Fish and chicken have been served with simple sides such as potatoes and tomatoes. That is exactly the sort of meal that works well after swimming and time in the sun.

The open bar includes water, soft drinks, white wine, and a surprise drink. Beer and coffee may cost extra. One price noted for beer was €3, while a cappuccino on Lopud was reported at €5.50. Those prices can change, so treat them as useful warnings rather than fixed promises.

I like the practical value here, but unlimited wine changes the mood of the trip. Some groups use the upper deck as a relaxed social space with music and local liquor, while others want a quiet day on the water. You can enjoy the included drinks without making them the main event, and you should pace yourself carefully in the sun.

The crew sets the tone

The most consistent strength is the service. Natasha, Emily, Darko, Marco, and other crew members are singled out for being friendly, helpful, and attentive. Drinks are often topped up before you need to ask, and the hosts give advice about what to do at each island.

That attention matters on a full boat. It means you can ask where to swim, how to reach Sunj, or how much time to allow for a walk without having to work out every detail alone. The crew has also been praised for helping families with young children and for keeping the day on time.

Do not expect a private yacht experience. This is a shared boat tour, and summer departures can be full. If you want total control over the route, seating, and swim stops, a private charter will suit you better. If you enjoy a sociable day with a capable crew, Emili makes the group format work well.

Swimming, the Blue Cave, and the small print

The main tour gives you chances to swim from the island stops, depending on weather, sea conditions, and your timing. One important point is that you should not assume you can jump directly from the main boat into the sea. At least one departure did not permit that, so plan to swim from shore rather than treating the boat as a swimming platform.

An optional Blue Cave outing by speedboat has been available for about €20. It is not part of the listed base price. The ride itself adds a little excitement, but the cave visit can be very short, around two minutes, and it may be busy. I would choose it if you care strongly about seeing the cave and do not mind using part of your island time or paying extra. I would skip it if your priority is a relaxed Lopud afternoon.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and shoes suitable for rocky entries. A hat is useful on deck, while a light layer can help during the boat ride. If you want to snorkel, bring your own mask unless the operator confirms equipment is supplied.

Is $76 a fair price?

For an 8 to 9-hour outing, $76 is a solid package price. You receive boat transport, three island stops, lunch, and a drink package. The value is strongest if you expect to eat and have several drinks during the day, since those costs can quickly add up in Dubrovnik and on the islands.

The tour also saves you the work of combining public ferries with separate island plans. You get a fixed route and a crew handling the timing. That convenience is worth something, especially if you have only a few days in Dubrovnik.

The value is less convincing if you mainly want one island. In that case, a direct ferry and a full day on Lopud or Koločep may give you more freedom. You are paying for variety here, not maximum time in one place.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve while paying later. Those terms help if your weather plans are uncertain, though the main decision should still be based on whether you enjoy a full day aboard a shared boat.

Who should book this island day?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and first-time visitors who want an easy overview of the Elaphiti Islands. It also suits anyone who values good food and friendly service as much as sightseeing.

It is particularly useful if you want a little of everything: green island scenery, old coastal settlements, clear water, a sandy beach, and a social boat ride. The schedule gives you enough time to sample each island without asking you to organize the connections yourself.

I would think twice if you dislike fixed schedules, crowded boats, or extra charges for optional activities. The first two stops are brief, and Lopud can feel busy in peak season. Strong swimmers should also remember that swimming access comes from the islands, not necessarily from the boat.

Should you book the Emili island tour?

Book it if you want three different islands in one day and appreciate a tour that includes a substantial lunch, drinks, and attentive hosting. The strongest reasons are the well-judged three-hour Lopud stop, the generous meal portions, and the crew’s practical help throughout the day.

Skip it if you want a private, quiet cruise or several hours to explore one island in depth. For most visitors staying in Dubrovnik, though, this is a good-value coastal day. Arrive at the 8:45 meeting point, pack for swimming, save your long beach visit for Lopud, and treat the Blue Cave as an optional extra rather than a required part of the experience.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour meet?

The meeting point is the bus stop across from the University building. Meet at 8:45 and look for the blue boat named Emili. The boat is not expected before 8:45.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about 8 to 9 hours, depending on the schedule and operating conditions.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The route visits Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud, three inhabited islands in the Elaphiti group near Dubrovnik.

How much time do you get on each island?

The usual timing is about one hour at Koločep, one hour at Šipan, and three hours at Lopud.

What lunch choices are available?

You can choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal. Lunch is included in the tour price.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes water, non-alcoholic drinks, white wine, and a surprise drink. Beer and coffee may require an additional payment.

Is the Blue Cave included?

No. The Blue Cave is an optional speedboat add-on and has been offered for about €20.