Island Hopping & City Walls Cruise with Food and Open Bar

The best part of this seven-hour island cruise is its mix of three very different Elaphiti Islands, a cooked lunch, and an open supply of wine. You can swim, walk, visit a historic summer house, or simply sit on deck while Dubrovnik slips behind you.

I like the practical all-in-one setup, especially the fish, chicken, or vegetarian lunch and the professional crew. I also like that the boat returns in time for sunset views near Dubrovnik. The main drawback is Lopud: two hours can feel short if you want to reach distant Šunj Beach.

Key points

• Three Elaphiti Islands: Visit Kolocep, Sipan, and Lopud in one organized boat trip.
• Lunch included: Choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian dish, with bread, bottled water, and wine.
• Swimming time: Each island offers a chance to get in the water, with the longest stop on Lopud.
• Šunj Beach takes planning: It is about a 15-minute walk from Lopud, followed by a paid golf-cart ride.
• Helpful hosts: Ana and Annabella are named members of the crew, and Dramamine may be available for rougher water.
• Good fixed price: At $84.66 per person, the fare covers food, drinks, transport, and restroom access.

Three islands in one Dubrovnik day

This cruise is a good way to see the Elaphiti Islands without piecing together local ferry schedules. For about $84.66, you spend roughly seven hours on the water and visit Kolocep, Sipan, and Lopud, with food and drinks included.

I would choose this trip if you want a relaxed introduction to the islands rather than a full day centered on one beach. The boat handles the connections between islands, so you do not need to work out how to move from Sipan to Lopud or wait for separate ferries.

The group can reach up to 120 people, so this is not a small, quiet sailing outing. It is better suited to you if you enjoy a social boat day with a set schedule. The crew has been described as friendly, organized, and safety-conscious, which matters when the sea becomes choppy.

Kolocep offers the first swim and a gentle start

Kolocep is the first island, with about 45 minutes scheduled here. The stop gives you time for a swim, coffee, or a short walk. It is a useful opening pause after the boat leaves Dubrovnik, since you can choose your own pace instead of trying to cover a long list of sights.

The short stay is enough for a quick dip or a look around, but not enough for a serious island walk. Coffee is not included, so bring money if you want to buy one. Snorkeling equipment is also not included, and the boat does not provide WiFi.

The schedule may feel slightly different from the published outline depending on where you board. One account of the trip described about an hour at Kolocep and about an hour at Sipan, while the listed timing gives 45 minutes and 40 minutes. Treat those figures as approximate and follow the crew’s instructions on the day.

Sipan brings a quieter island stop

Sipan is one of the larger islands in the Elaphiti group. The cruise makes a short stop of about 40 minutes, with time for a swim and a visit to the summer house of Skočibuha.

This is not a long historical tour. You will have just enough time to see the house area and enjoy the setting before returning to the boat. I like this stop because it adds a cultural detail to a day otherwise built around swimming and scenery.

If your priority is a long beach visit, Sipan will not provide it. Think of this as a brief look at island life and architecture, plus a chance to cool off in the water.

Lopud is the main stop, but the clock matters

Lopud receives about two hours, making it the central stop of the cruise. It is one of the most popular islands in the group, and you have time to swim, walk, or head across the island to Šunj Beach.

The walk to the other side takes about 15 minutes. From there, you may need to pay about €3 each way for a golf-cart ride. That extra step can leave you with only 45 minutes to an hour at the beach, depending on how quickly you leave the boat and how long the transfer takes.

Šunj is worth considering, especially if you want to see one of the area’s best-known sandy beaches. But I would not choose this cruise solely for a long beach afternoon. With two hours at Lopud, the visit can feel rushed if you want to walk there, arrange the golf cart, swim, and return without watching the clock.

You have two sensible choices. Stay near the landing area for an easier swim and a slower visit, or make Šunj your main goal and accept a brisk schedule. Families and anyone who dislikes rushing may prefer to remain close to the boat.

Lunch makes the fare easier to justify

The included lunch is one of the strongest practical reasons to consider this cruise. You choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal, and the food is served during the day rather than leaving you to search for a restaurant during a short island stop.

Bread is available, and extra servings of the main course may be offered. That matters because a full day on the water can make a light meal feel inadequate. Bottled water is included as well.

Wine is included under the alcoholic drinks provision. One useful detail is that an additional €3 cup charge may apply if you want unlimited drinks. The fee can be refunded at the end of the day, and you may keep the cup instead.

Coffee and tea are not included. If you want either, budget separately. The boat has a restroom, which is a small but important comfort on a seven-hour trip.

Dubrovnik looks best from the water on the return

The final part of the day is the ride back toward Dubrovnik. The route is planned so you can enjoy sunset views on the way to the port, giving the cruise a pleasant finish rather than ending immediately after the last island.

The listed Old Town portion is about one hour and 30 minutes, but the supplied details do not describe a walking tour inside the city walls. Think of this as time connected with the Old Town and the return cruise, not as a guided visit to major monuments.

If you are staying in Dubrovnik’s Old Town, confirm exactly where the boat leaves and where the listed 10:45 am start applies. One timing note places departure from the Sheraton at about 10 am, with 10:45 connected to leaving the Old Town area. That difference could affect your morning, so check your confirmation carefully.

The boat reportedly returned around 5:45 pm on one outing, which fits the advertised seven-hour length. Still, sea conditions and loading times can affect the schedule, so avoid booking a tight evening commitment.

What the crew adds to the day

The crew is a major part of the experience. Ana is specifically noted as a helpful host, and Annabella is also named as a friendly and attentive member of the team. The service is presented as professional rather than formal, with attention to timing and safety.

The boat may carry up to 120 people. That size allows the price to stay moderate, but it also means you should expect a shared excursion rather than personal service. Finding a favorite seat or a quiet corner may take some luck.

The crew may have Dramamine available because the open-water ride can become rough, especially on the way out. If you are prone to motion sickness, ask about it early and bring any medication you normally use. The availability of Dramamine should not be treated as a guarantee, but it is a useful detail to know.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part. The activity is near public transportation, which may help if you are not staying in the immediate departure area.

How this compares with using local ferries

You could visit the islands independently by paying for local ferries. That approach may cost only a few euros for individual rides, but it is harder to connect Sipan with the other islands on a single day.

The cruise costs more because it bundles transport, lunch, drinks, staff, and a fixed route. You are paying for convenience and time savings, not only for the boat ride. You also avoid waiting around for ferry departures, though you lose the freedom to stay longer at one island.

For a first look at the Elaphiti Islands, I think the organized option is sensible. Independent ferry travel makes more sense if you want to stay on one island for most of the day or prefer to set your own schedule.

Is $84.66 a fair price?

At $84.66 per person, the value is solid if you use the included features. Lunch alone removes the need to buy a meal during the excursion, and bottled water, wine, restroom access, and transport between three islands are all part of the package.

The price becomes less attractive if you do not drink wine, skip lunch, or want only a few hours at the beach. In that case, a local ferry and a meal bought independently might cost less, though you would need to organize the route yourself.

The biggest value is convenience. You get a full day’s outing, three island stops, a meal, and a return to Dubrovnik without managing separate boats. The tradeoff is a fixed itinerary and a group that may reach 120 people.

Who should book this island cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A simple first introduction to the Elaphiti Islands
• Swimming, short walks, and scenery rather than a museum-heavy day
• Lunch and drinks included in one price
• A social boat trip with an organized schedule
• A way to visit three islands without coordinating ferries
• Sunset views near Dubrovnik on the return

I would think twice if your main goal is a long visit to Šunj Beach. Two hours at Lopud is workable, but the walk and golf-cart ride can cut beach time sharply.

I would also look elsewhere if you want a small private boat, a quiet sailing experience, or complete freedom to choose how long you stay on each island. This cruise is at its best when you value ease, variety, and a fair amount of food and drink more than solitude.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. If bad weather cancels the trip, you can be offered another date or a full refund. Since the experience depends on good conditions at sea, that policy is useful when planning ahead.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts about seven hours. One reported return time was around 5:45 pm, though the exact schedule can vary.

What time does the cruise start?

The listed start time is 10:45 am. A timing note places departure from the Sheraton at about 10 am and connects 10:45 with leaving the Old Town area, so check your confirmation for the correct boarding point and time.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Kolocep, Sipan, and Lopud in the Elaphiti archipelago.

How long do you stay on each island?

The listed schedule gives about 45 minutes at Kolocep, 40 minutes at Sipan, and two hours at Lopud. Actual stop times may vary slightly.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You can choose a fish, chicken, or vegetarian meal. Bread, bottled water, and wine are also included.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so you would need to arrange your own if you want to use it.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes. A restroom is available onboard.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather cancels the experience, you can be offered another date or a full refund.

My take: book it for variety, not a beach marathon

Book this cruise if you want an easy, good-value day that combines three islands, swimming, lunch, wine, and a scenic return to Dubrovnik. The friendly crew, including hosts Ana and Annabella, adds confidence, and the organized route saves you from ferry planning.

Skip it if you want most of the day on Šunj Beach or prefer to travel independently. Lopud’s two-hour stop is the key decision point. Accept that limitation, and this is a practical way to get a taste of the Elaphiti Islands without spending a small fortune.