A day on the water without the stress. This Elafiti Islands boat tour turns Dubrovnik downtime into a proper island escape, with Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan plus a freshly grilled lunch and unlimited drinks along the way.

What I like most is the simple rhythm: you get real free time on three islands instead of quick photo stops, and you also get lunch handled for you (fish, meat, or vegetarian) while the crew is busy grilling. It’s the kind of plan that keeps your day relaxed even if you are not the type to rush from site to site.

One thing to consider is that this is a weather-dependent day on the sea. If conditions are poor, the tour can be canceled, so I’d build in flexibility during your Dubrovnik stay.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About

• Three Elafiti islands in one day: Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, with guided orientation as you arrive
• Lunch on board with a grill: fish, meat, or vegetarian, served while you’re cruising
• Unlimited drinks included: red or white wine, grappa, soft drinks, and water
• Comfort-forward boat setup: tables and benches, sun shade, toilet, and speakers for music
• Snorkeling and swimming time: pebble beaches, bring your own gear if you want to snorkel
• Smaller group feel: up to 60 travelers, which helps keep the day comfortable

A Full-Day Elafiti Island Escape From Dubrovnik

This tour is built for people who want the best of the Dubrovnik coast, without the feeling of doing “one more thing” all day. You’ll start in the morning, get transferred to the harbor area, then spend the next chunk of your day hopping between the Elafiti Islands.

The big payoff here is variety. Instead of just one island with a lot of walking, you get three different islands and three different vibes. And because the day includes free time on each stop, you can choose your pace. Some people will wander, some will lounge, and some will basically speed-run the beach.

Price and Value: What $72.59 Buys You

At $72.59 per person for about 8 hours, the value is in what’s bundled. You’re paying for transport by boat, island stops, a served lunch, and unlimited drinks during the cruise. Entrance fees to monuments are not included, but a lot of the experience is simply being on the islands and enjoying the shoreline.

If you are the type who normally ends up paying separately for a boat ride, lunch, and drinks, this format can feel like a bargain. You also get a setup that supports a laid-back day: benches, shade, toilets on board, and music from speakers so you can actually relax while moving between islands.

Getting on Board: Morning Pickup, Harbor Time, and On-Deck Comfort

Your day usually starts with a morning pickup from your Dubrovnik hotel, followed by transfer to Gruž Harbor for boarding. The tour is scheduled to begin at 9:00 am, and your day ends back at the meeting point after roughly 8 hours.

Once you’re on board, the practical details matter. You’ve got tables with benches, sun shade, a toilet, a kitchen/grill area, and speakers for music. This is not a bare-bones “stand in the sun and hope for the best” style of tour. It’s made for sitting, eating, and watching the coastline slide by.

The group size is capped at 60 travelers. That number can mean a lot, depending on the boat, but in general it helps keep the day feeling manageable, especially when you’re moving around islands.

Lunch on the Boat: Pick Fish, Meat, or Vegetarian

This is one of the reasons the tour gets strong feedback. Lunch is not an afterthought snack. It’s a freshly prepared meal that’s grilled during the day, and you’ll see the chef cooking.

You choose your lunch when booking, and options are:

• Fish meal: grilled hake with three seasonal salads
• Meat meal: grilled chicken breasts with three seasonal salads
• Vegetarian option: grilled vegetables with three salads

A detail I appreciate: lunch is served while you’re on the boat, so you’re not stuck eating then waiting forever for the next stop. The meal is also paired with included drinks, which keeps the timing easy.

If you have dietary needs or allergies, the operator asks you to advise them at booking. That’s important, because it helps prevent last-minute confusion when food is being cooked.

Unlimited Drinks: Wine, Grappa, Soft Drinks, and Water

The drinks package is straightforward. During the cruise, you can help yourself to unlimited red or white wine, grappa, soft drinks, and water.

That does not automatically mean the day is a party. The more realistic expectation is that you can relax with a drink while you’re sitting in the sun shade, listening to music, and settling into island time. Still, I’d keep your own pace in mind. If you plan to swim or snorkel, go easy and stay hydrated.

Also, since alcohol is included, I’d treat safety as part of your “vacation mode.” If you are traveling with friends or family, it helps to decide early how you want the day to feel.

Island Stop One: Koločep and Its Island-Style Slow Wander

Your first island stop is Koločep. This is one of the Elafiti Islands that fits the “island day” idea well. You can expect a mix of nature and old-world details: pine and carob trees, gardens, and spots like ancient churches and chapels.

Koločep is also where you may want to lean into the easy exploring. Since the tour includes time on the islands (not just a drop-off), you can stop for a swim, walk a bit, or just find a calm spot and watch people coming and going.

Practical consideration: Koločep does not promise a giant, one-size-fits-all beach scene. You’ll likely be dealing with pebble shorelines, so it’s smart to be prepared for a different kind of footing than sand.

Island Stop Two: Lopud and the Comfortable Island Day Pace

Next up is Lopud. This island is often a favorite because it blends scenery and wander-friendly paths with a feel that you can tailor to your mood. You’ll still be in the Elafiti zone of ancient churches, chapels, and historic touches, but the vibe tends to feel especially good for strolling and taking your time.

If you like garden-like settings and shaded walking breaks, this is the kind of stop where that can work well. And because you’re on a tour that gives you free time, you can turn a walk into a short loop, then switch to beach mode when you feel like it.

One small reality check: these islands are not built as museum-perfect “one straight corridor” places. You may have to work a little with your directions, but the payoff is the relaxed island feel rather than a tightly choreographed route.

Island Stop Three: Šipan, Castles, and a More Old-World Feel

Šipan is your last island stop. This is where the day leans more into old-world atmosphere. Expect historic elements like chapels and castles, plus the island’s ongoing rhythm of trees, gardens, and small places to pause.

If you love that Mediterranean sense of slow living, Šipan can be a satisfying final stop. It’s also a good choice for anyone who wants a little more “place” in the background while still getting plenty of downtime.

The captain provides brief information as you arrive at each of the three islands. That orientation helps you decide where to go once you’re off the boat, instead of standing around wondering what matters.

Captain’s Briefings and Getting Oriented Fast

The captain speaks as you arrive at each island. It’s not long, but it’s useful. You get a quick sense of what to see and how to make the most of your time before you go wandering.

This kind of orientation is one of those small things that affects the whole day. When you arrive already knowing what the main sights are, you’ll spend less time debating and more time actually doing the fun parts.

In more recent feedback, guide Natasha has been praised for being especially good at guiding people through the day. If you’re lucky enough to have her, you can likely expect clear, helpful energy.

Swimming and Snorkeling: Pebble Beaches and Bring Your Gear

You’ll have plenty of opportunity to swim, and some spots are good for snorkeling. The islands have pebble beaches, so you’ll want to think about comfortable water entry.

The tour information also notes that you should bring your own snorkeling equipment if you want to snorkel. That’s a key detail. The tour gives you time in the water, but you are responsible for the gear.

If you are not sure how often you’ll swim, you can still enjoy the beach breaks by bringing basic comfort items: water shoes, sunscreen, and a towel you don’t mind getting sandy.

What the Boat Day Feels Like in Real Life

This is a relaxed cruise. The boat is set up for sitting, eating, and cooling off under shade. Music is there via speakers, but the core experience is still the pacing of islands and water rather than constant activity.

The best part of this design is how it reduces decision fatigue. You don’t have to plan lunch. You don’t have to figure out transfers between islands. You don’t have to hunt down a place to buy drinks. The day hands you the structure, then gives you enough freedom to choose your own version of island time.

The one thing I’d watch is timing. With an approximately 8-hour day and three island stops, your free time can feel shorter if you spend the whole stop trying to find the perfect beach spot. I’d aim for a comfortable “good enough” beach, then enjoy the rest of the stop.

Who Should Book This Tour, and Who Might Skip It

I think this tour is a great match if you:

• Want an easy, full-day experience without complicated planning
• Care about having lunch and drinks included rather than piecing it together
• Like both nature and old-world details, and you want that mix on the islands
• Prefer a boat day where you can sit down often and still see the islands

It might not be the best choice if your top priority is a packed schedule of major sights. Some people want big, landmark-heavy stops. This tour is more about island life, beaches, gardens, and history you can explore at a slower tempo.

Quick FAQ: Before You Decide

FAQ

Where does the tour start and what time does it begin?

The activity starts at Lapadska obala 5, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia, with a start time of 9:00 am.

Do I get picked up from my hotel?

The tour includes a morning pickup from your Dubrovnik hotel, with transfer to Gruž Harbor where you board the boat.

How long is the Dubrovnik Elafiti islands boat tour?

It runs for approximately 8 hours.

How many islands do you visit, and which ones?

You stop at three Elafiti Islands: Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan.

What lunch options are included?

Lunch on board includes freshly prepared options: fish (grilled hake with three seasonal salads), meat (grilled chicken breasts with three seasonal salads), or vegetarian (grilled vegetables with three salads). You’re asked to choose the meal type when booking.

Are drinks included, and is there a limit?

Yes. The tour includes unlimited red or white wine, grappa, soft drinks, and water.

Do I need to pay for monument entrance fees?

Entrance fees to local monuments are not included.

What should I bring if I want to snorkel?

You should bring your own snorkeling equipment.

What happens if the tour is canceled due to weather?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Should You Book It?

Yes, I’d book this if you want a low-effort full day that combines island exploring with a cooked lunch and unlimited drinks. The boat comfort details matter, and the three-stop island format gives you enough variety to feel like you really left Dubrovnik behind, even if your feet stay pretty relaxed.

If your travel dates are tight or weather is unpredictable, keep your expectations flexible. But if you can handle a classic Mediterranean day on the water, this is a very practical way to spend time among Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan.