Dubrovnik: 3 Island Boat Tour with Lunch and Guide

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat trip is the change of pace. You leave the city behind and spend a full day moving between three car-free Elaphiti Islands, with time for swimming, a walk, and a simple lunch at sea. I like the mix of active and easygoing time, and I like that wine, soft drinks, and water are included rather than added one glass at a time. The main drawback is the long eight-hour schedule, which can feel like too much if you want a quick island visit or dislike organized group outings.

I also like the roomy boat setup, with outdoor benches and tables, lawn chairs, indoor seating, two toilets, music, and Wi-Fi. The crew keeps the day social, and Captain Joe may even invite you to help navigate. Just remember to bring a towel and sunscreen, and expect plans to depend on good weather.

Key points to know before you book

• Three different island moods: Lopud offers the longest stop, Šipan brings olive groves and old villages, and Koločep is best for clear water and quiet coves.
• A full lunch is included: Choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal, with wine, soft drinks, and water available onboard.
• Swimming is central to the day: You get several chances to jump from the boat, swim, and snorkel, though towels are not provided.
• The boat is built for a long day: Outdoor tables, sun loungers, indoor seating, Wi-Fi, music, and two toilets make the eight-hour outing easier.
• Pickup can simplify Dubrovnik logistics: Hotel transfer is available if you select that option. Otherwise, meet at the main Dubrovnik ferry port.
• The tone is lively, not quiet: Music, dancing, and a friendly crew suit social groups and families more than anyone seeking a silent sailing trip.

Leaving Dubrovnik from the main ferry port

The day begins at Obala Stjepana Radića, the main Dubrovnik ferry port. This is a practical starting point because the port is the city’s main link to the islands, and the boat returns here at the end of the day.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are available if you choose that option. Confirm your pickup point carefully, since the service depends on the option selected and a small misunderstanding about pickup locations has caused trouble for at least one booking. If you are making your own way to the port, arrive ready for a full day outside.

The route includes a 45-minute transfer connected with Trsteno Arboretum. The supplied schedule describes this as a transfer, not as a guaranteed extended arboretum visit, so I would not book this boat day solely for a garden stop. The real focus is the island cruise that follows.

Lopud gives you the longest island stop

Lopud is the main event, with about three hours set aside for a break, a walk, photographs, swimming, refreshments, and lunch. That generous stop matters. You are not simply stepping ashore, taking one hurried picture, and racing back to the boat.

Lopud is known for sandy Šunj Beach, bright Mediterranean scenery, and old stone buildings. The island is car-free, so your walk feels calmer than a typical resort outing. You can use the time for a swim, a stroll through the village, or a slower look at the island’s gardens and shore.

The schedule also connects Lopud with wine, welcome drinks, and the meal onboard. That makes this the most social portion of the day. One useful detail is that the meal is not just a snack: the food choices include fish, chicken, or a vegetarian dish. Wine is placed at the tables, with more drinks available throughout the cruise.

I would use Lopud time according to your priorities. If swimming is your main goal, get in the water before settling down to lunch. If you prefer walking, use the first part of the stop to explore while the air is cooler. You may not have enough time to see every corner of the island, so avoid treating this as a complete Lopud tour.

Šipan offers a quieter look at island life

After Lopud, the boat continues on a sightseeing cruise before reaching Šipan. The stop is about 45 minutes, shorter than Lopud and Koločep, and the schedule allows time for photographs, wine, and swimming.

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands. It is known for olive groves, old villas, and small settlements linked to Dubrovnik’s past. The island’s celebrated olive-growing tradition gives this stop a more rural feel than the beach-centered time on Lopud.

Because the stop is short, keep your plans simple. You can take a short walk, look for a good view, or swim without trying to combine everything. The boat timetable gives you a taste of Šipan rather than a full historical tour. If you want a detailed visit to old houses or churches, this trip will probably feel too brief.

The sightseeing cruise between stops is part of the pleasure. You get time to sit with a drink, listen to music, and watch the coast pass by. The views are not an extra attraction squeezed between stops. They are one of the main reasons this works as a full-day outing.

Koločep is the best stop for clear water

The final island stop is Koločep, with about an hour for photographs, free time, a short boat cruise, and swimming. Koločep is smaller and more secluded than the other islands, with clear water and small bays that suit a quick swim.

This is a good point in the day for one last jump from the boat. Bring swimwear under your clothes, because changing time may be limited and the schedule is built around getting back on the water. Towels are not included, so pack your own and keep it in an easy-to-reach bag.

Koločep is also a pleasant counterpoint to Lopud. Lopud gives you more time to walk and settle into island life, while Koločep feels like a short, refreshing stop before the return cruise. You will not get a full island exploration in one hour, but you do get a taste of its quiet coves and clear Adriatic water.

The schedule includes another sightseeing cruise after Koločep, followed by the return to Dubrovnik. That final stretch gives you time to dry off, have another drink, and enjoy the coast without needing to make another decision.

What lunch and drinks are really worth

At $69 per person, this is not just a boat transfer between islands. The price includes the boat, crew, lunch, unlimited wine, soft drinks and water, Wi-Fi, music, and two toilets. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only when that option is selected.

I see the strongest value in the combination of time and inclusions. An eight-hour day with three island stops would cost more to piece together independently if you had to arrange transport, food, and drinks separately. You also avoid the work of matching ferry schedules and figuring out how to get from one island to the next.

The meal sounds especially useful for a long day at sea. You can choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian option, and extra portions may be available. That is a better arrangement than relying on a small sandwich between swims. Still, I would not book this as a food-focused excursion. The lunch supports the day; the islands and swimming are the main attractions.

Unlimited drinks can also make the price feel fair, especially in strong sun. Keep in mind that included drinks do not replace basic preparation. Bring sunscreen, a towel, and anything you need for personal comfort. Personal expenses are not covered.

A spacious boat with a lively atmosphere

The boat has outdoor seating with tables and benches, plus lawn chairs for sunbathing. Indoor tables provide shelter and a place to sit when you want a break from the sun. Two toilets are a practical benefit on an eight-hour cruise, particularly for families.

Music is part of the experience. The atmosphere can include dancing, and the crew may invite you to take part in the fun. Captain Joe is specifically associated with the trip, and the crew works to keep the mood friendly and active. You may even be invited to help navigate with the captain, which adds a memorable personal touch.

That energy will suit you if you enjoy meeting people and want more than a silent scenic cruise. It may not suit you if you want a calm, polished yacht experience with no music or group activities. The boat is comfortable, but this is still a shared excursion with a social tone.

The crew can host in English, Croatian, French, Spanish, and Italian. That language range is helpful on a mixed group boat, though the exact language used for individual explanations can depend on the group.

Swimming, snorkeling, and practical comfort

Swimming is built into the schedule at Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep. The clear Adriatic water is the star, and the tour gives you several chances to enter it from the boat or near shore.

Bring your own towel. This sounds obvious, but it is the easiest item to forget when leaving a Dubrovnik hotel. Sunscreen is just as important, since you will spend much of the day exposed to sun while cruising, sitting outdoors, or swimming.

Snorkeling is listed as part of the experience, but specific equipment details are not provided. If snorkeling matters to you, ask the operator what equipment is available before departure or bring your own if practical. Do not assume towels or personal gear are supplied.

The boat has Wi-Fi, though a day on the islands is a good excuse to use your phone mainly for photographs. Reception and service can vary at sea, so do not rely on onboard Wi-Fi for anything essential.

The experience is wheelchair accessible, which is useful information when comparing boat trips. Since the tour includes swimming, island walks, and boarding a boat, I would still confirm your personal access needs with the provider before booking.

Who will enjoy this Dubrovnik island day

I would recommend this trip to you if you want to see several islands without handling transport yourself. It works especially well for first-time visitors to Dubrovnik who want a full day outside the city, families looking for a mix of swimming and sightseeing, and couples who like an easy day with food and drinks already arranged.

Solo visitors can also fit in well because the atmosphere is social. The tables, music, and shared stops make it easier to meet people than on a private boat. If you are traveling with children, the car-free setting and swimming time are attractive, but you will need to keep an eye on them around the water and boat edges.

I would be more cautious if you prefer independent exploration. The route gives you set stops and set return times, and the shorter Šipan visit leaves little room for a detailed walk. I would also choose another style of outing if you want a private guide, a quiet sailing boat, or a deep historical tour of each island.

Weather matters. The tour needs good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not met. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option keeps your plans flexible.

Should you book this island cruise?

Book it if you want a well-organized day that combines three Elaphiti Islands, swimming, lunch, and an upbeat boat atmosphere for $69. The strongest value comes from the long duration and included drinks, not from any single island attraction.

Choose your expectations carefully. Lopud gets the most time, Šipan is a brief taste of rural island life, and Koločep is a short swim stop. You will see a good range of the archipelago, but you will not explore every village or historic site in detail.

For many visitors, this is a smart way to add sea time to a Dubrovnik stay without renting a boat or planning a complicated route. Bring a towel, protect yourself from the sun, and be ready for music and company. If that sounds like your kind of Croatian day, this tour is worth booking.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start and finish?

The tour starts and ends at Obala Stjepana Radića, at the main Dubrovnik ferry port.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts eight hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when you book.

Which islands does the tour visit?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, with fish, chicken, or a vegetarian choice available. Wine, soft drinks, and water are also included onboard.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not provided. You should also bring sunscreen.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund.