Luxury Elaphite Islands half day Cruise with lunch Apreamare

The best part of this cruise is its mix of sea time and island life. You are not simply looking at the Elaphiti from a boat. You get chances to swim near caves, walk through small villages, taste local wine and olive oil, and sit down to lunch on one of the islands.

I like the private format, since your group avoids the feel of a large excursion boat. I also like the generous inclusions: snorkeling equipment, a paddleboard, drinks, restroom access, and lunch are all part of the day. The main caution is the price. At $889.37 per person, this is a serious splurge, so confirm exactly what boat, meal, pickup service, and group size your booking includes before paying.

The Elaphite Islands cruise at a glance

• Three very different island stops: Swim around Koločep, visit Lopud’s beaches and village, and explore Šipan’s caves, bays, and traditional settlements.
• A private boat experience: Only your group participates, which gives you more room to set the pace than a standard shared excursion.
• Food and drinks are built in: Lunch, bottled water, soda, and alcoholic drinks for adults are included.
• Useful water equipment: Snorkeling gear and a stand-up paddleboard are available on board.
• A short but full day: The published schedule begins at 9 am in Gruž and returns around 3 pm, with roughly six hours on the water and islands.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can cancel the trip, with a different date or full refund offered.

Leaving Gruž Port for the Elaphiti

Your day begins at Gruž Market, at Obala Stjepana Radića 21, at 9 am. This is a practical departure point in Dubrovnik’s main harbor area, and the tour ends back there. Pickup is offered, but the exact hotel transfer details should be confirmed when you book.

The boat is described as an Apreamare, a stylish choice for a private coastal outing. The supplied information also names Regina Maris as the provider, while some past accounts refer to a boat called Regina Maris and crew members including Elisa and Robert. Because the material contains several different boat and service descriptions, ask for the exact vessel and meeting instructions before departure.

The schedule is advertised as about eight hours in one place and as a 9 am to 3 pm outing elsewhere. In practical terms, plan on a six-hour island program unless the operator confirms a longer day. The stop durations also add up to about six hours, so the published timing is not perfectly consistent.

That matters because you will want to know how much time is spent cruising between islands and how much time you actually have ashore. This is a quick sampler of the Elaphiti, not a slow island stay.

Koločep: caves, cliffs, and a short island walk

Koločep is listed as one of the stops, with about an hour available. It is the smallest inhabited island in the group and is known here for its coves, sea caves, cliffs, and two small villages.

The plan includes swimming and snorkeling, so bring a swimsuit under your clothes and keep a dry layer handy. The boat carries snorkeling equipment, which saves you from packing fins and masks, although you may still prefer your own gear for comfort.

A roughly 20-minute walk crosses part of the island. That is enough to stretch your legs and see more than the shoreline, but not enough for a long village visit or an extended hike. If you prefer a relaxed swim and a quick look around, the timing works well. If you want a serious walk, Koločep will feel rushed.

The island stop also shows the main tradeoff of this experience. You see several places in one day, but every stop has a clock attached to it. The private boat may offer flexibility, yet the overall route still has to keep moving.

Lopud gives you the best beach time

Lopud receives the longest scheduled visit, listed as about three hours in the stop details and about one and a half hours in the main tour description. Confirm this point before booking, since it changes the character of the day.

Lopud is the island to choose for beach time. It has sandy beaches, swimming spots, restaurants, and a historic village. The soft sand is a welcome change from the rocky coves common along the Adriatic coast.

If you want to swim, this is likely your easiest stop. You can also walk around the village or sit by the water. The combination of sand, old stone buildings, and clear sea gives Lopud the broadest appeal of the three islands.

The shorter 1.5-hour version would let you swim and take a quick look around, but not do much more. With three hours, you can settle into the island and enjoy a proper break. Ask which schedule applies to your reservation.

Do not assume lunch happens here. The stated plan places lunch on Koločep, so Lopud is mainly your beach and village stop. If you are tempted by a restaurant, check whether that purchase is separate from the included meal.

Šipan brings wine, olive oil, and village life

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands and receives about two hours in the stop breakdown. The island offers bays, caves, traditional villages, wine tasting, olive oil tasting, and restaurants.

This is the stop that adds local flavor to what could otherwise be only a swimming trip. A taste of wine and olive oil gives you a small connection to island agriculture and everyday food culture. Alcoholic drinks are included for adults over 18, though the exact tasting selection is not specified.

The main tour description places Šipan first, while the detailed stop list places it after Lopud and Koločep. The order may change with weather, boat operations, or the day’s arrangement. That is another detail worth confirming at the harbor.

Šipan’s size makes two hours feel useful but limited. You can visit a village and sample local products, but you will not see the whole island. Think of this as an introduction rather than a full Šipan tour.

The caves and bays are best appreciated from the water. Bring a phone or camera with a secure strap, but do not let photography replace the swim. The appeal here is the change of pace: quiet village, local tasting, then back aboard for the next cove.

Lunch on Koločep keeps the day local

The stated lunch plan places you at a small local restaurant on Koločep, with free time to discover the island afterward. This is an appealing setup because lunch is not served in a generic city restaurant after the cruise. You eat on an island that is part of the day’s route.

Past accounts describe fish, chicken, and vegetarian choices, along with wine and water. Since menus can change, confirm the available choices if you have allergies, dietary restrictions, or strong food preferences. The supplied details guarantee lunch and drinks, but they do not promise a specific dish.

The meal is one of the strongest reasons to compare this cruise with a simple boat rental. You are paying for more than fuel and a captain. You also get a planned restaurant stop, drinks, and time to eat without searching for a table during a short island visit.

Still, lunch timing may depend on the final route. Koločep appears as both the first stop in the detailed itinerary and the final lunch stop in the main description. Get the day’s sequence in writing if the meal location matters to you.

What the private format really changes

This is described as a private activity, with only your group participating. That is valuable for families, couples, or friends who want a quieter day and do not want to fit their plans around strangers.

A private boat can make simple things easier. You can ask for more swimming time, spend less time at a village if the heat is tiring, or use the paddleboard when conditions allow. The operator still controls the route, and weather or timing may limit changes, but the format should feel more personal than a large group cruise.

The available equipment includes snorkeling gear and a stand-up paddleboard. A restroom is on board, which is useful during a full day away from shore. Bottled water and soft drinks are included, as are alcoholic beverages for adults.

The boat is described as well maintained and clean in the supplied accounts. Crew friendliness is another repeated strength, with Elisa named several times for her warm service and good energy. One account also names Robert in connection with a private boat. Since crew assignments can change, treat these names as useful booking questions rather than guaranteed staffing.

Is $889.37 per person good value?

At $889.37 per person, this is not a budget island outing. It can make sense if you are booking a private boat for a group and the displayed price covers a high-quality vessel, crew, food, drinks, and flexible service.

It is harder to justify if you are traveling alone or as a couple and the price is truly charged per person. The supplied accounts include much lower prices for what appear to be other versions of an Elaphite excursion, including figures of 55 euros for adults and 30 euros for children. Those prices may refer to a different boat, season, service, or shared tour, so do not use them as a direct comparison without checking the details.

Before booking, ask four plain questions:

• Is $889.37 charged for each person or for the whole private group?
• How many people can the boat carry?
• Is hotel pickup included for your address?
• Does the price include the restaurant lunch, wine tasting, and all drinks?

If the price is for the entire boat, the value could be strong for a group of friends or a family. If it is per person, you are paying for comfort, privacy, and convenience rather than a low-cost island transfer.

Practical details that affect your day

Wear shoes that can handle a short walk and uneven waterfront areas. The tour includes village visits, beach time, and swimming, so a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, hat, and light cover-up will make the day easier.

You should also bring a dry bag or another way to protect your phone. The boat includes water activities, and the sea caves and cliffs invite photographs close to the water.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The experience is near public transportation, and confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

The tour depends on good weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you are offered another date or a full refund. For a full refund after a change of plans, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

The strongest part of the day is the variety. The weakest part is the uncertainty in the published schedule. Get the stop order, Lopud duration, pickup details, and lunch menu confirmed before you set out.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this for a group that values privacy, swimming, food, and a polished boat day more than a low price. It suits people who want three islands without arranging a boat, restaurant, equipment, and drinks separately.

It is also a good fit if your ideal day includes a little of everything: sea caves, a beach, a village, wine and olive oil, and lunch by the water. You will get a broad taste of the Elaphiti rather than a detailed visit to one island.

I would look elsewhere if you want long walks, serious history, a fixed and highly detailed schedule, or the cheapest way to reach the islands. Lopud may feel rushed if its stop is only 1.5 hours, and the mixed timing information deserves clarification.

Should you book the Elaphite Islands cruise?

Book it if the private format is confirmed and the price covers the full boat or a substantial group service. The blend of swimming, local tasting, beach time, and island lunch gives you much more than a scenic ride from Dubrovnik.

Before you commit, verify the vessel, crew, pickup, meal choices, exact stop order, and whether the advertised six-hour or eight-hour duration applies. If those details line up and you value comfort, this is a pleasant, well-rounded way to see the Elaphiti in one day. If the cost remains $889.37 per person, compare it carefully with a shared excursion or a private boat charter.

FAQ

Where does the cruise begin?

It begins at Gruž Market, Obala Stjepana Radića 21, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia.

What time does the cruise start?

The stated start time is 9 am.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Gruž.

How long does the cruise last?

The tour is described as approximately eight hours, but the stated departure and return times are 9 am to 3 pm. Confirm the exact duration with the provider.

Which islands are included?

The route includes Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at a local restaurant is included, with the main description placing the meal on Koločep.

Are drinks included?

Bottled water, soda, and alcoholic beverages for adults over 18 are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a stand-up paddleboard are included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Poor-weather cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.