From Dubrovnik: Premium Three Island Cruise with lunch and drinks

Three islands, one easy day at sea. This cruise gives you a simple way to leave Dubrovnik’s crowds behind and reach the quieter Elaphiti Islands without arranging ferries or meals yourself. I especially like the long stop on Lopud, where you can reach Šunj Beach, and the fact that lunch and refreshments are built into the day.

The main drawback is the pace. Three hours on Lopud is useful if you want a beach break, but it may feel long if you prefer sightseeing. The one-hour stops on Šipan and Koločep are more limited, too, so this suits people who enjoy swimming, slow walks, and sitting by the sea more than a tightly guided history tour.

• Lopud gives you three hours, enough time for Šunj Beach, cafés, historic sites, and a relaxed lunch or swim.
• Šipan and Koločep each receive about one hour, offering short walks, cafés, swimming, and coastal views.
• A freshly prepared lunch is served on board, with fish, chicken, or grilled vegetables.
• Hotel pickup and drop-off are available within Dubrovnik city, which is handy after a full day and a few drinks.
• The boat has an air-conditioned indoor salon and an open upper deck, though it can feel busy in peak season.
• The price is strong for a full-day outing, especially with food, water, soft drinks, and the island transport included.

A full day away from Dubrovnik’s stone walls

Dubrovnik is beautiful, but its Old Town can feel intense in summer. Streets fill quickly, staircases keep coming, and the heat gathers between the old buildings. This cruise gives you a very different day: open water, small island villages, swimming stops, and long stretches of sitting down.

The boat ride lasts about eight hours from pickup to return. That includes the time spent cruising between islands, so you are not getting eight hours on shore. One useful detail is that the boat may leave around 9:00 in the morning and return around 5:30 in the afternoon, depending on the schedule.

The boat carries up to 110 people. It has a closed, air-conditioned salon below and open seating above. Arrive early if you want the best choice of seats during the busiest months. Even when the boat is full, there are seats for everyone, but some areas may feel crowded.

The five-person crew handles the food and drink service and keeps the day moving. Friendly service is one of the strongest parts of this trip. Drinks may be brought around to your seat, and water and soft drinks are available during the day. Wine is associated with the included lunch, while other drinks such as coffee, tea, and beer can be purchased separately.

Lopud gives you the best use of your time

Lopud is the main event. You have about three hours here, which is far more than at the other two islands. That extra time makes sense because Lopud offers the most to do.

The village has stone houses, green paths, small shops, cafés, and views across the Adriatic. You can spend the morning walking slowly, stopping for coffee, or finding a quiet place by the shore. This is not a guided march from one sight to another, so you decide how active the stop becomes.

Šunj Beach is the big draw. It sits on the far side of the island and has a sandy shore and clear water. You can walk there, though the route includes an uphill section and can take about 30 minutes each way. Golf-cart taxis operate between the village and the beach for a few euros, which can save your energy and leave more time for swimming.

The beach has loungers, umbrellas, and a marked swimming area. Bring your swimsuit if you want to make the most of Lopud. Bring a towel too, since towels are not supplied.

Lopud also has the peaceful 15th-century Franciscan Monastery and a botanical garden with Mediterranean plants. The condition of the botanical garden may not always be perfect, and one section may be closed or poorly maintained. If you are visiting late in the season, some cafés and attractions may also be shut.

That seasonal point matters. An October visit can feel quiet, even sleepy. That may be exactly what you want, but it can also make three hours feel long if the weather is poor or you are not interested in a beach stop. In summer, Lopud is more active and offers a better reason for the longer stay.

If you want to see the island’s sights, swim at Šunj, and enjoy a drink in the village, three hours works well. If you dislike sunbathing and prefer constant commentary, the stop may test your patience.

Lunch on the boat keeps the day simple

Lunch is served on board, usually during the cruise toward Šipan. The choices are straightforward:

• Grilled hake with potato salad and bread
• Grilled chicken fillet with potato salad and bread
• Grilled seasonal vegetables with potato salad and bread

This is a practical meal rather than a restaurant tasting menu. Portions are described as generous, and the fish and chicken receive especially strong praise. The vegetarian plate gives non-meat eaters a clear option instead of leaving them with a side dish.

A bottle of white wine may be placed on the table with lunch, and water is available throughout the trip. Soft drinks such as lemonade and juices are also included. Coffee, tea, beer, and other drinks are available for purchase.

Expect a simple, freshly prepared meal with a sea view. Some people find it very good for a boat lunch, while others find it ordinary. That difference is worth understanding before you book. The value comes from convenience, not from a long culinary experience.

Šipan offers olive groves and a slower village stop

Šipan is the largest island in the Elaphiti group, but this tour gives you only about one hour there. That makes it a short taste rather than a full exploration.

The island is known for olive groves, vineyards, rolling hills, old stone houses, and quiet walking routes. Near the dock, you may find a local café or a place offering wine tasting. The stop works well if you want to stretch your legs, take photographs, have a drink, or cool off in the water.

The limitation is time. You will not see every part of Šipan in an hour. Keep your plans modest and stay close to the drop-off area unless you already know exactly where you want to go. This is a scenic pause, not a complete island tour.

That short stop can feel perfectly judged if you mainly want to see three islands in one day. If you prefer fewer places with more time at each, you may wish the schedule gave Lopud four hours and reduced the other stops. The tour is built around variety, not depth.

Koločep finishes the day quietly

Koločep is the final island and the calmest stop. You have about one hour to walk, sit at a café, or swim near the harbor.

The island has olive trees, coastal paths, traditional stone houses, and small churches. Its appeal is the lack of fuss. There is no need to chase a long list of sights. You can simply enjoy the water and the slower rhythm before returning to Dubrovnik.

A sandy beach close to the harbor makes Koločep a useful swimming stop, especially if you prefer to wait until later in the day. The water may be the warmest part of the experience by then, and the final stop gives you one last chance to cool off.

Again, one hour goes quickly. You have enough time for a short walk and a swim, but not for a long wander inland. Keep your return time in mind. The boat will not wait for a leisurely detour.

What the $48.39 price really covers

At $48.39 per person, this is good value for a full-day outing from Dubrovnik. You are paying for the boat, three island stops, lunch, bottled water, soft drinks, and crew service. Hotel pickup can make the deal even better if you are staying within the Dubrovnik city area and would otherwise need a taxi to the departure point.

The price is especially attractive if you plan to swim and eat on board. Buying separate transport to three islands, arranging lunch, and returning to Dubrovnik could cost more and require much more planning.

The value is less obvious if you do not enjoy a full day on a boat. You are away for roughly eight hours, and a large portion of the time is spent cruising. You also have limited time on Šipan and Koločep, while the long Lopud stop may be too much for someone who does not want a beach break.

This is a good deal for a relaxed island day. It is not the right purchase if you want a private boat, a small group, detailed guiding, or a packed sightseeing schedule.

Group size, pickup, and practical details

Pickup is available from hotels and accommodations within Dubrovnik city, but not from outside the city area. Send the exact accommodation address or hotel name when booking so the pickup point can be arranged correctly.

The driver waits no longer than two minutes after the scheduled pickup time. Be ready early. A missed pickup could leave you finding your own way to the meeting point.

The activity returns to the meeting point at the end of the day. Confirmation is provided at booking, and most people can take part. The boat is near public transport, but hotel pickup is the easier choice if you are staying inside the covered area.

This is a weather-dependent trip. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

How to make the day work better

A little planning will improve the experience.

• Arrive early if you want an upper-deck seat or a particular place inside.
• Pack a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring your own snorkeling equipment if you want to snorkel. Equipment and towels are not supplied.
• Consider the golf-cart taxi on Lopud if you want to reach Šunj Beach without spending about 30 minutes walking each way.
• Keep your watch nearby on Šipan and Koločep. One hour disappears quickly.
• If you do not sunbathe, use Lopud for a village walk, the monastery, cafés, and the beach rather than trying to fill the whole stop with swimming.
• Check the drink arrangement when you board. Water and soft drinks are listed as included, while some other beverages are sold separately.

The most useful mindset is to treat the islands as free time, not as fully guided sightseeing stops. The crew provides the transport, food, and general assistance. You choose how to spend your time ashore.

Who should book this island cruise?

I would choose this cruise if you want an easy day outside Dubrovnik, enjoy swimming and quiet coastal villages, and like having lunch already arranged. Families can use Lopud for a beach stop, couples can settle into the slow pace, and anyone tired after an Old Town visit will appreciate the change of scenery.

It also suits visitors who want to see more of Croatia without renting a car or planning several ferry connections. The included pickup, meal, and return transport remove most of the day’s practical work.

I would think twice if you need constant narration, dislike large boats, or prefer a short half-day trip. People with limited mobility should also consider the walking route to Šunj Beach and the amount of free time without a structured activity. Lopud has a steep route toward some sights, including the fort, and not every attraction is always in top condition.

With a 4.7 rating from 248 ratings and 94 percent recommending it, the cruise clearly gets the basics right: friendly service, good value, attractive islands, and a relaxed day at sea. The main question is not whether the islands are worth seeing. It is whether you want to spend a full day seeing them at an easy, beach-oriented pace.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want three islands, lunch, drinks, and a simple return from Dubrovnik for a reasonable price. Make Lopud your priority, use the golf-cart taxi if needed, and save Koločep for a late swim.

Skip it if you want a small private boat or a tightly guided cultural tour. For most people looking for a low-stress escape from Dubrovnik, though, this is a practical and enjoyable choice, provided you are happy with a full day and plenty of unstructured time.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts about eight hours, including the boat journeys between Dubrovnik and the three islands. Some schedules run from about 9:00 in the morning until around 5:30 in the afternoon.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The cruise visits Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep, all part of the Elaphiti Islands near Dubrovnik.

How much time do I get on each island?

You receive about three hours on Lopud, one hour on Šipan, and one hour on Koločep.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is freshly prepared on board, with a choice of grilled hake, grilled chicken fillet, or grilled seasonal vegetables. Each option is served with potato salad and bread.

Are drinks included?

Bottled water and assorted soft drinks are included. Wine is included with the meal according to the tour details. Coffee, tea, beer, and other additional drinks can be purchased on board.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup can be arranged from accommodations within the Dubrovnik city area. Pickup is not offered outside the city area.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not included, so bring your own if you plan to swim.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included. You need to bring your own if you want to snorkel.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.