From Dubrovnik: Boat Tour to Kolocep, Lopud, & Sipan Islands

Three islands, one easy day at sea. This 8 to 9 hour cruise from Dubrovnik visits Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud, giving you a pleasant mix of green walking paths, clear swimming water, sandy beaches, and time to relax on deck. I especially like the generous lunch and the genuinely attentive crew, with Natasha, Emily, Marco, and Darko earning repeated praise for keeping the day friendly and well organized.

The timing also works well: about one hour on Koločep, one hour on Šipan, and three hours on Lopud. That longer final stop gives you time for Sunj Beach, a walk, ice cream, or a golf buggy ride across the island. The main consideration is that the first two stops can feel short if you want a serious walk or a long swim, and jumping straight from the boat into the sea is not allowed.

Key points to know before booking

• Three very different islands: Green Koločep, historic Šipan, and car-free Lopud each offer a different kind of stop.
• Three hours on Lopud: This is the main island visit, with time for Sunj Beach, swimming, food, and a walk.
• Lunch is more than a light snack: Choose fish, chicken, or vegetarian food, with generous portions served on the boat.
• Drinks are included all day: Water, soft drinks, white wine, and a surprise drink are covered. Beer and coffee may cost extra.
• The wooden boat Emili is part of the appeal: It has shaded areas, an upper deck, music, and plenty of open-water views.
• Optional Blue Cave trip: Some departures offer a speedboat add-on for about €20, but this is separate from the main tour.

What this Dubrovnik boat trip is really like

At $76 per person, this is a full-day outing rather than a quick ferry ride with a few rushed photo stops. You spend much of the day on the water, but the included lunch and drinks make the price easier to justify. You are paying for transport between three islands, a crew, a meal, and a relaxed day away from Dubrovnik’s crowded old streets.

The boat is called Emili, and the crew speaks English. The vessel is described as clean, well cared for, and wooden, with shaded seating and an upper deck. You can sit near the front for quieter views or stay upstairs for music and more of a social feel.

The mood depends partly on the group. Some people use the trip as a peaceful day of swimming and scenery. Others join in with local liquor, music, and a small party on the upper deck. The crew seems comfortable with both styles, which is useful if your group is mixed.

The meeting point is at the bus stop across from the University building at 8:45 in the morning. The blue boat Emili is not expected before that time, so arriving much earlier will not help. Optional pickup is available, but the exact location and time are sent one day before the tour.

Koločep: a quiet first taste of island life

Koločep is usually the first island and the stop lasts about one hour. It is the greenest-feeling introduction to the Elaphiti group, with thick vegetation, peaceful paths, and a slower pace than Dubrovnik.

You can use the hour for a short walk, a coffee by the water, or a quick look around the shoreline. One useful point from the timing is that Koločep is not intended for a long island hike. If you arrive hoping to explore every path, you will need to keep moving.

For many people, the best plan is simple: walk a little, take photographs, and enjoy the quiet. If swimming is important to you, save your main swim for Šipan or Lopud, where you have more flexibility.

The short stop works because Koločep gives you a gentle start. You are not trying to pack a full sightseeing program into the first hour. Instead, you get a taste of the island’s green setting before returning to Emili for the next crossing.

Šipan: clear water and a short swimming break

Šipan is the largest of the three Elaphiti islands and is associated with olive trees and old aristocratic villas. Families from Dubrovnik once used the island as a peaceful retreat, and those old residences help give the stop a different character from Koločep.

The scheduled break is about one hour. This is enough for a swim if you go directly to the water, but it is not enough for a slow lunch, a long walk, and a full historical tour.

The sea around the islands can be exceptionally clear and warm in the summer months. If you swim here, bring goggles. Sea urchins have been spotted in the water, so wearing water shoes or at least watching your footing is sensible.

Šipan is also a good place to resist overplanning. You might take a short walk, look for olive trees and old buildings, or settle beside the water. The island is a pause between the shorter opening stop and the longer afternoon at Lopud.

The lunch is served on the boat, commonly after the early island stops. You choose from fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal. Several portions have been described as large enough to feel like a proper evening meal, with chicken served alongside potatoes and tomatoes on some departures.

Lopud and Sunj Beach: where the extra time matters

Lopud is the main event because you get about three hours here. That extra time changes the pace of the entire day. You can actually choose what kind of afternoon you want instead of simply stepping off the boat, taking a few pictures, and returning to the dock.

Lopud is car-free, which makes it especially pleasant for walking. You can explore the waterfront, find an ice cream, sit by the sea, or walk through green areas near the old buildings. The absence of regular traffic is a real benefit when you want a calm break.

The popular choice is Sunj Beach, a sandy beach that is less common along this rocky section of the Adriatic. You can swim, rent a sun bed or umbrella, or simply put your towel down if you prefer not to pay for shade.

Be aware that sun beds and umbrellas at Sunj can be expensive. That cost is not part of the $76 tour price, so budget for it only if you need shade. On a very hot day, the temptation to pay may be strong.

You may also find golf buggies offering transport toward the beach. This can save walking time, but the ride may feel lively rather than gentle. One practical tip is to sit in the middle row, which has been described as the more comfortable and safer position.

Three hours is enough for a relaxed visit, though it can pass quickly if you combine the beach with a walk and food stop. If you want to see all of Lopud, you will need to choose between a fuller walk and a long swim. The tour gives you freedom, but not unlimited time.

Lunch, drinks, and the value of the onboard service

Food is one of the strongest parts of this experience. You choose fish, chicken, or vegetarian food, and the portions are notably generous. The fish has received especially warm praise, while the chicken with potatoes and tomatoes is a safe choice if you prefer a familiar meal.

This is not a tasting menu or a formal restaurant lunch. It is straightforward boat food, but it appears to be freshly prepared, filling, and much better than the basic sandwiches common on day cruises.

Drinks are available throughout the day. The included selection covers water, non-alcoholic drinks, white wine, and a surprise drink. The crew regularly checks on passengers and refills glasses, so you do not need to keep returning to a bar.

Beer and coffee may require an additional payment. That distinction matters if you normally drink beer rather than wine. The included drink package is still useful, especially in hot weather, but you should not assume every drink on board is free.

The service is a major reason this cruise receives such strong feedback. Natasha is often singled out for her warmth and care, while Emily, Marco, and Darko are also praised for being attentive and helpful. Staff explain what to do at each stop, offer suggestions, and keep an eye on passengers without making the day feel overly formal.

Swimming rules and the optional Blue Cave add-on

The islands provide several chances to swim from shore, particularly at Šipan and Lopud. The water is clear enough for casual snorkeling, and one family even spotted an octopus near one of the islands.

You cannot simply jump from the boat into the sea. That may disappoint confident swimmers who expect a boat-based swim stop. The tour is built around island visits, so you swim from the shore rather than from Emili itself.

Some departures offer an optional speedboat ride to the Blue Cave for about €20. This is not included in the main price. The speedboat ride can be fun, but the cave visit itself may last only a couple of minutes and can be busy.

I would treat the Blue Cave as an extra, not the main reason to book. If you already have a strong interest in seeing it, the add-on may be worthwhile. If you prefer more time on Lopud or a quieter day, keep your money and enjoy the islands already included.

How the timing affects your day

The overall schedule is well balanced for a first look at the Elaphiti Islands:

• Koločep: about one hour
• Šipan: about one hour
• Lopud: about three hours
• Boat travel, lunch, drinks, and scenic cruising: the remaining time

The first two stops are short by design. You get variety, but you cannot fully explore each island. That is a fair trade for visiting three different places in one day.

Lopud receives the longest visit because it has the most options. You can use the time for Sunj Beach, walking, swimming, or simply sitting near the water. If you dislike changing locations often, this final stop gives you a longer stretch to settle in.

The cruise lasts 8 to 9 hours, so it occupies most of your day. That makes it a good choice when you want one major excursion from Dubrovnik rather than several smaller activities.

Who should book this trip?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and first-time visitors who want an easy introduction to the islands without arranging ferries, meals, and return transport separately. The crew is used to looking after a broad mix of people, including young children, and the food choices make the trip workable for different tastes.

It also suits anyone who values service. The crew does not simply point you toward the shore and disappear. Natasha, Emily, Marco, and Darko are repeatedly praised for their care, explanations, and steady attention.

You should think twice if you want a small, private boat or a quiet expedition with no music and no other passengers. Emili can feel full, especially during busy summer periods. The atmosphere may be relaxed and social rather than secluded.

You may also prefer a different outing if your main goal is a long hike. Koločep and Šipan are both short visits, and Lopud’s three hours still require choices. This is a sightseeing and swimming day, not a serious walking tour.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Arrive at the 8:45 meeting time at the bus stop across from the University building. Look for the blue boat Emili, and do not worry if it is not visible before 8:45.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and goggles. Goggles are useful for seeing around rocky swimming areas, and careful footing is wise because sea urchins may be present.

Carry some extra money for optional expenses. Sun beds and umbrellas at Sunj cost extra, as do some coffees and beer on board. The Blue Cave speedboat option is also separate, at around €20 when offered.

If you want quieter views, the front of the boat can be a peaceful place to sit. The upper deck is better for music, open views, and a more social atmosphere. Shade is available, which matters during a full day under the Mediterranean sun.

The tour allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Pickup details, if selected, are sent one day before the trip.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands boat tour?

For $76, this is a strong-value full-day excursion from Dubrovnik. You get three islands, lunch, a broad drink package, boat transport, and a crew that appears to take its hosting duties seriously.

I would book it if you want a simple way to see Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud in one day, especially if you like swimming, sandy beaches, and a social boat ride. I would skip it only if you need a private experience, a long hike, or the freedom to stay at one island all day.

The best plan is to enjoy Koločep and Šipan without rushing, then use Lopud for the main beach and swimming time. Add the Blue Cave only if that extra stop matters to you. Otherwise, the included islands already offer a satisfying day on the Adriatic.

FAQ

How long does the boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 8 to 9 hours.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The boat visits Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud, three inhabited islands in the Elaphiti group near Dubrovnik.

How much time do you get on each island?

The usual schedule provides about one hour on Koločep, one hour on Šipan, and three hours on Lopud.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, and you can choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes water, non-alcoholic drinks, white wine, and a surprise drink. Beer and coffee may require an extra payment.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is at 8:45 at the bus stop across from the University building. The blue boat is named Emili and will not arrive before 8:45.

Is hotel pickup available?

Optional pickup is available. If you choose it, the pickup location and time are provided one day before the tour.

Can you swim during the tour?

Yes. You can swim from the islands, including at Šipan and Lopud. You cannot jump directly from the boat into the sea.

Is the Blue Cave included?

No. Some departures offer an optional speedboat trip to the Blue Cave for about €20. This is separate from the main tour price.