Dubrovnik: 3 Islands Boat Trip with Drinks (FR, ES, IT, EN)

Dubrovnik’s best escape may be just offshore. This eight-hour Elaphite Islands cruise takes you from the ferry terminal to Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep, mixing old stone buildings, quiet coves, swimming stops, music, and free drinks. You get a full day on the Adriatic without arranging three separate boat rides.

I like the generous island time on Lopud and the easygoing crew, especially Lorenzo, who is warm, funny, and informative. I also like that the boat has three decks, sunbeds, toilets, Wi-Fi, and drinks included. The main caution is pace: Šipan gets only about 45 minutes, and lunch service can feel rushed.

Key things to know before booking

• Three islands in one day: You visit Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep, with swimming and walking time at each.
• Lopud gets the longest stop: Three hours gives you time for the island, Šunj Beach, a swim, and a meal onboard if selected.
• Drinks are included: Wine, soft drinks, and water are available throughout the cruise.
• Lorenzo is a memorable host: He is known for keeping the mood light while sharing information about the islands.
• The boat is built for a social day: Three decks, sunbeds, toilets, Wi-Fi, and speakers make this more than a basic transfer.
• Bring your own towel: Towels are not supplied, and the day includes several chances to swim.

Why the Elaphites make a good day out from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is famous for its walls and old town, but the nearby Elaphite Islands show you a slower side of Dalmatia. The islands are linked to Dubrovnik’s maritime past, yet their daily rhythm feels far removed from the city. There are no cars or industrial sites on the islands described here, so you spend the day around stone buildings, groves, bays, and open sea.

The boat trip also gives you a useful change of pace. After walking Dubrovnik’s steep streets and crowded historic center, you can stretch out on a sunbed, listen to music, and swim straight from the boat or near shore. I would not book this as a quiet sailing trip, though. The speakers at the bow and the social atmosphere make it better suited to people who enjoy a lively day on the water.

The $51 price is reasonable for eight hours if you make use of the full package. You are paying for the boat, three island visits, a host, unlimited wine and soft drinks, and the chance to swim at several points. Lunch may require an add-on, so check the selected option carefully before you pay. Hotel pickup and drop-off also depend on the option you choose.

Leaving Dubrovnik and settling onto the three-deck boat

The usual meeting point is Dubrovnik ferry terminal, although some options include pickup. If you want pickup, contact the operator at least one day ahead to confirm the time and place. The trip ends back at the meeting point unless your selected option says otherwise, with listed drop-offs including Mlini, Zaton, Dubrovnik, and Obala Stjepana Radića.

The opening sightseeing cruise lasts about 45 minutes. This is a useful start because you can find your preferred place before the island stops begin. The boat has three decks, sunbeds, two toilets, Wi-Fi, and large speakers near the bow. You can choose a sunny spot, a more sheltered area, or a place close to the action.

The multilingual setup is practical for mixed groups. Hosts may speak English, French, Spanish, Croatian, or Italian, and the tour information is offered in English, French, Spanish, and Italian. If you care about hearing the guide clearly, ask which language is scheduled for your departure.

Drinks are unlimited and include wine, soft drinks, and water. That is a real advantage on a warm day, but it does not replace bringing sun protection. Take a hat, sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel. The operator does not provide towels.

Lopud: three hours for beaches, plants, and free time

Lopud is the main stop and the place where the schedule gives you room to breathe. You have about three hours here, including free time, a photo stop, swimming, and a possible meal onboard. That longer pause makes Lopud the most useful stop for anyone who wants more than a quick photograph from the pier.

Lopud is the second-largest of the three islands visited. It is known for long sunshine hours, Mediterranean plants, lemon and orange groves, old religious buildings, and an ancient botanical garden. The island’s sandy beaches are a welcome change from the rockier shoreline common around much of the Adriatic.

Šunj Beach is the headline attraction. The tour information links it with a local romantic tradition, suggesting that couples who swim there may find lasting love. Treat that as island folklore, but the beach itself is a good reason to bring proper swimwear and a towel.

You should plan your Lopud time according to your priorities. If swimming matters most, do not spend the entire stop wandering through the village. If you prefer history and scenery, use some of the free time for a walk and look for the old stone buildings and religious sites. The schedule is generous, but three hours passes quickly once you include walking, swimming, eating, and returning to the boat.

Lunch may include fish, meat, or a vegetarian choice if you select the meal add-on. Confirm what your booking includes, since the base price and meal option may be separate. One useful practical point: bring some cash. Food and island stops can create small expenses, and a day on the water is easier when you are not relying only on cards.

Šipan: olive groves and a very short visit

After Lopud, the boat spends around 20 minutes cruising before reaching Šipan. The next island stop lasts only about 45 minutes, so you need to keep expectations realistic. This is a quick taste of the island, not a full historical tour.

Šipan is the largest island in the Elaphite group and is known for its olive trees. It is associated with a Guinness World Record for the most olive trees on a single landmass. Noble families from the old Dubrovnik Republic once used the island as a country retreat, and traces of that past remain in the villas and other buildings.

The short stop allows time for a photo, a brief walk, scenic views, swimming, or a glass of wine. It does not allow for an ambitious exploration of the island. You will not have enough time to visit the castle onsite, so do not book this cruise expecting a castle tour at Šipan.

That limitation is worth considering because the stop sounds more extensive than it is. I would treat Šipan as a scenic interlude between the longer Lopud visit and the final stop at Koločep. The boat ride itself is part of the attraction, with coastal views unfolding as the host explains the islands and their connection to Dubrovnik.

Koločep: the final swim among bays and caves

The boat then cruises for about 40 minutes before reaching Koločep. You get approximately one hour here, enough for a swim, a short walk, photographs, and a look at the coast. Koločep is the smallest of the three islands on this route, but it offers some of the clearest water and most appealing swimming areas.

The island is known for hidden bays and caves. The schedule lists sightseeing, walking, and swimming rather than a formal guided hike, so you should think of this as flexible free time. You can choose the water, the views, or a little of both.

The one-hour stop works well near the end of the day. By then, you have had a longer island visit at Lopud and a short cultural look at Šipan. Koločep gives you another chance to cool off before the return cruise. Keep your towel and sunscreen handy rather than packing them away after the first stop.

After Koločep, there is roughly 20 minutes of sightseeing cruise before the return and drop-off arrangements. The full day runs about eight hours, so check the available start time before booking. You will want to leave room in your evening plans, even if you are staying in Dubrovnik.

Music, drinks, lunch, and the social mood onboard

This is not a silent nature cruise. Music plays through speakers at the bow, and the atmosphere is designed to be fun and social. That will suit you if you want a relaxed party-day feel, but it may disappoint you if your main goal is quiet birdwatching or an intimate sail.

The sound system has received mixed practical feedback. One especially useful point is that the DJ equipment may not always perform well. Do not book this for polished club-quality audio. Think of the music as background entertainment and part of the boat’s easygoing mood.

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the day. Lorenzo is singled out for being entertaining, friendly, and informative, while the wider crew is described as kind and attentive. A separate account raised concern about a captain speaking harshly to Lorenzo in front of the group. That behavior was considered uncomfortable and spoiled an otherwise good day, so it is fair to say that the crew atmosphere can depend on the people working that departure.

Lunch is available with fish, meat, or vegetarian options when selected. One practical warning concerns timing. The meal service may feel hurried, so do not assume lunch will be a long, leisurely restaurant-style break. If you are particular about food or timing, check the meal option and consider bringing a small snack.

The advertised package also includes free entry to a top Dubrovnik nightclub after the boat trip. This is a useful bonus for younger groups and anyone who wants to carry the evening on after returning to shore. It matters less if you prefer an early night or already have evening plans.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this trip to couples, friends, and families who want a full day outside Dubrovnik without managing transport between islands. The combination of swimming, drinks, music, and short island walks gives you variety without demanding much planning.

It is especially useful for first-time visitors with limited time. You see three Elaphite Islands in one outing, get a sense of the region’s coastal history, and still have space for swimming and relaxation. The multilingual hosting also helps mixed-language groups.

You should think twice if you want long, detailed island visits. Šipan is brief, and Koločep is also a short stop. This is a boat day with island visits, not a deep archaeological or walking tour. The lively music may also be too much for anyone seeking a quiet escape.

The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the practical ease of getting on and off the boat and moving around each island is not detailed. If accessibility is important to you, confirm the boarding arrangements before departure rather than relying on the general label.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time, and you can reserve now and pay later. The trip depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low numbers cancel the departure, you are offered another date or a refund.

My verdict: a good-value island day with a party edge

Book this cruise if you want three islands, swimming, drinks, and simple logistics for about $51. Lopud is the strongest stop because it gets three hours and offers the best mix of beach time, walking, and scenery. Koločep adds another good swim, while Šipan is worth seeing but too short for serious sightseeing.

The crew and multilingual hosting add real value, with Lorenzo bringing humor and useful information. The boat’s toilets, sunbeds, Wi-Fi, and three decks make the long day more comfortable than a bare-bones excursion.

I would not choose it for silence, detailed castle visits, or a carefully paced gourmet lunch. But if your ideal Dubrovnik day includes saltwater, island views, a glass of wine, music, and the option of nightclub entry afterward, this is a sensible and enjoyable choice.

FAQ

How long does the Dubrovnik island boat trip last?

The activity lasts about eight hours. Check the available start times when booking because departure times can vary.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The cruise visits Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep in the Elaphite Islands.

Where does the tour start?

The standard meeting point is the Dubrovnik ferry terminal. Some booking options include hotel pickup.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if you select an option that offers them. Contact the operator at least one day before the trip to confirm the pickup time and place.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited wine, soft drinks, and water are included.

Is lunch included?

Lunch with fish, meat, or vegetarian choices is available if you select the meal add-on. Check your chosen option to see if lunch is included.

What languages are available?

The host or greeter may speak English, French, Spanish, Croatian, or Italian. Tour information is offered in English, French, Spanish, and Italian.

Should I bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not provided. You should also bring swimwear, sunscreen, and a sun hat.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. A full refund or alternative may also be offered if the minimum number of participants is not reached.