From Dubrovnik: Premium Three Island Cruise with lunch and drinks

The best part of this cruise is the change of pace. After Dubrovnik’s steep lanes and busy Old Town, you spend a full day on the water, stepping ashore on three Elaphiti Islands where beaches, stone villages, olive groves, and quiet coastal paths set the rhythm. Lopud and Šunj Beach are the main draw.

I like the fresh lunch served on board, with fish, chicken, or grilled vegetables, and I like having both an air-conditioned cabin and an open upper deck. The crew, including Nikoleta, is often praised for being warm and attentive. The main drawback is the schedule: three hours on Lopud may feel long if you do not want a beach day, while the one-hour stops on Šipan and Koločep can feel rushed.

Key points before you book

• Three islands in one day: Visit Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep, with free time to explore each one.
• Šunj Beach is the star stop: Reach it on foot or use a local golf-cart taxi to save time and effort.
• Lunch has three choices: Pick grilled hake, chicken fillet, or seasonal grilled vegetables, all served with potato salad and bread.
• Expect a full day: The tour lasts about eight hours, including the boat time between islands.
• Bring swimming gear: Towels and snorkeling equipment are not supplied.
• Good value at $48.39: Pickup, the boat ride, lunch, water, soft drinks, and crew service make this a strong-priced day out, especially if you want a simple way to leave Dubrovnik.

Why this cruise makes sense after Dubrovnik’s Old Town

Dubrovnik is compact, but it can be tiring. You may spend one day walking the walls, climbing stone stairways, and squeezing through the Old Town lanes. This cruise gives you a useful contrast: open sea, slower island life, and several hours when you can simply swim, walk, or sit with a drink.

The price of $48.39 per person is attractive for an eight-hour outing. You are not paying only for transport. The fare includes the boat trip, a freshly prepared lunch, bottled water, assorted soft drinks, and pickup if you choose that option. Coffee, tea, beer, and other drinks are available for purchase.

There is one point to check carefully. The formal inclusions clearly cover water and soft drinks, while extra drinks are sold on board. Some people have described wine or other drinks being available as part of their day, but that may depend on the package or how the booking was handled. If included drinks are important to you, confirm exactly what your selected ticket covers before departure.

The boat can take up to 110 people. That is not a small private outing, and in peak season the upper deck may fill quickly. Still, the boat has an enclosed, air-conditioned salon as well as open seating, and you can choose between shade and sea air.

Setting out from Dubrovnik

Hotel pickup is offered within the Dubrovnik city area when you select that option. You need to send the exact accommodation address or hotel name so the operator can arrange the pickup point. The driver waits no longer than two minutes after the scheduled time, so be ready at the agreed location.

Pickup outside the city area is not included. If you are staying beyond Dubrovnik, you will need to reach the meeting point yourself. The tour ends back at the meeting point, which makes the return simple after a long day at sea.

Once on board, you can settle into the lower salon or head upstairs. The enclosed cabin is useful if the sun becomes too strong or the sea breeze turns cool. The open upper deck is the better choice for views, photographs, and the full Adriatic feel.

Arrive early if you care about your seat, especially during the busiest summer weeks. The boat docks at a pier on each island, so you can normally step ashore without wading through the water.

Lopud and the three-hour question

Lopud receives the longest stop, about three hours, and the extra time is intentional. It is the island with the most to do, including a village walk, cafés, local shops, historical sights, and Šunj Beach on the far side.

The village has traditional stone houses set among thick Mediterranean greenery. You can stroll without a fixed guide, stop for coffee, or follow the paths toward the coast. The pace is entirely yours, which suits anyone who prefers freedom to a tightly led walking tour.

Šunj Beach is the main reason to use your time well. It has a sandy shore and clear water, a welcome change from the stone beaches and rocky swimming spots common along the Croatian coast. The beach includes loungers, umbrellas, and a marked swimming area, with refreshments available nearby.

You can walk to Šunj, but the route takes time and includes an uphill section. Local golf-cart taxis offer a practical alternative for a few euros, according to the experience of people who have used them. Taking a cart in one direction can give you more time for swimming and still leave room to see the village.

History and gardens add another option. The 15th-century Franciscan Monastery offers a quiet stop, while the botanical garden contains Mediterranean plant species. Conditions at the garden can vary, and one account found it in poor repair with a warning sign at the entrance. Do not plan your entire Lopud visit around that attraction.

The island may feel too slow if you are not interested in swimming, sitting at the beach, or wandering independently. Three hours is generous for a beach day, but it can feel excessive for someone who prefers museums, guided commentary, or a constant series of sights. That is the central scheduling tradeoff of the cruise.

Lunch on board while the islands pass by

Lunch is served on the boat, usually during the cruise toward Šipan. The sample choices are straightforward rather than elaborate:

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

The fish is hake, not a luxury seafood platter, but it fits the setting and gives you a hot meal without spending your island time searching for a restaurant. Chicken is the safe choice, while the vegetable plate works for vegetarians.

Portion sizes and quality can vary with expectations. Many people find the food tasty and plentiful, while others consider it ordinary. I would treat lunch as a convenient, fresh meal with a local coastal feel, not as a reason to book a dedicated food tour.

Drinks are served throughout the day according to the inclusions and package you select. Bottled still water and soft drinks are listed as included. The boat also offers coffee, tea, beer, and other drinks for purchase. Some departures have included wine at the tables, but do not assume every ticket includes the same alcohol arrangement.

Šipan: olive groves and a quieter hour

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands, but this cruise gives you only about one hour ashore. That is enough for a short walk, a drink, or a quick swim, but not enough for an ambitious island trek.

The setting is rural and calm. Olive groves, vineyards, rolling hills, stone houses, and green walking paths give Šipan a more open feel than the beach-centered stop on Lopud. You can use the hour to look around the village, sit at a café, or sample local wine near the dock if that appeals to you.

The short stop works best if you accept that Šipan is a glimpse rather than a full tour. Wear shoes that are comfortable for walking, but do not expect to cover the island. If you spend too long ordering refreshments, your time ashore can disappear quickly.

This is also a good place to avoid overplanning. Take a short walk, enjoy the view, and get back to the boat on time. The cruise is designed to show you three different island moods, not to provide an in-depth visit to each one.

Koločep for a final swim

Koločep is the last island and offers another one-hour stop. It is the quietest-feeling part of the route, with olive trees, greenery, traditional houses, small churches, and coastal paths.

A sandy beach sits close to the harbor, making Koločep especially useful for a final swim. You do not need to spend most of the stop reaching the water. If the day is warm, this can be the easiest place to cool off before the ride back to Dubrovnik.

You can also sit at a local café and watch the harbor. Koločep is less about checking off major sights and more about enjoying the calm setting. The short visit may leave you wishing for longer, but its position at the end of the day makes the quiet atmosphere welcome.

Bring your own swimsuit and towel. Towels are not supplied, and snorkeling equipment is also excluded. You can bring your own snorkeling gear, but remember that you will be carrying it onto a fairly busy boat and between several stops.

What the crew and boat service add

The crew is one of the stronger parts of the experience. Staff are described as friendly, attentive, and willing to serve drinks at your seat. Nikoleta has been singled out for making sure people are comfortable, and the five-person crew has plenty to manage on a full-day sailing.

Do not expect a private yacht or a detailed lecture at every point along the route. The format is relaxed and largely self-guided once you reach each island. One possible weakness is limited commentary while cruising. If you want constant background about Croatian history, geology, and local traditions, you may find the narration light.

That freedom is also part of the appeal. You can explore without staying with a group, swim without a guide, and return to the boat when instructed. The crew provides information before each stop and can answer questions in English, Italian, or German.

The boat has enough seating for the advertised group size, but it can feel crowded when demand is high. If you want the best upper-deck position, board promptly. If you prefer reliable shade and air conditioning, the lower salon is the safer choice.

How the timing really feels

The advertised duration is about eight hours, but the day can run from roughly 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., depending on the departure and return schedule. You are not spending all eight hours on the islands. Boat time between Dubrovnik, Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep takes a meaningful part of the day.

The schedule is roughly:

• Lopud: three hours
• Šipan: one hour
• Koločep: one hour
• Remaining time: boarding, lunch, and cruising

That layout favors Lopud. It gives you enough time for the village and Šunj Beach, while Šipan and Koločep function as short tasters. Some people will find the balance just right. Others would prefer more time on the smaller islands or a shorter overall tour focused on Lopud.

Weather can change the route. The experience requires good conditions, and poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund. Even in good weather, bring a light layer because the open deck can feel cooler than Dubrovnik’s streets.

Who should book this day on the water?

I would choose this cruise if you want an easy, low-cost day away from Dubrovnik and you like combining swimming, scenery, casual food, and independent wandering. It works particularly well for families, couples, and anyone who has already spent time in the Old Town and wants a gentler second day.

It also suits you if you like having choices. You can stay on deck, retreat to the cabin, walk around Lopud, swim at Šunj, sit at a café on Šipan, or take a final dip at Koločep.

I would hesitate if you dislike long boat days, crowded departures, or unstructured free time. Older visitors and anyone with limited walking ability should think carefully about the walk to Šunj and the steep route toward some of Lopud’s sights. A golf-cart taxi can reduce the effort, but the island still involves walking over uneven ground.

This is not the best pick for a serious history tour, a small-group sailing trip, or a gourmet lunch. It is a practical island sampler with a strong beach component.

Booking details worth knowing

You receive confirmation at booking, and most people can take part. The maximum group size is 110, so this is a shared passenger cruise rather than an intimate boat charter.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and the cutoff follows local Dubrovnik time. If bad weather cancels the trip, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

The tour is offered in English. Public transportation is nearby, but pickup is available only in the Dubrovnik city area when selected.

Should you book the Premium Three Island Cruise?

Book it if you want value and variety. For $48.39, you get a full day at sea, three island stops, lunch, water, soft drinks, and the option of city pickup. Lopud gives you the most substantial visit, Šipan adds rural Dalmatian scenery, and Koločep finishes the day with a convenient swimming stop.

Go in with the right expectations. This is a long, shared boat outing with free time rather than a guided sightseeing program. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. If that sounds like your kind of Dubrovnik day, the cruise offers an affordable way to trade crowded stone streets for sandy beaches and quiet island paths.

FAQ

How long is the cruise?

The experience lasts about eight hours. A typical day may run from around 9 a.m. until approximately 5:30 p.m., including cruising time between Dubrovnik and the islands.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The route includes Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep in the Elaphiti Islands.

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. The rest of the schedule includes lunch, boarding, and boat travel.

Is lunch included?

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

Are drinks included?

Bottled still water and assorted soft drinks are included. Coffee, tea, beer, and other drinks are available for purchase. Alcoholic drinks can vary by booking option, so check your selected ticket before departure.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available if you select that option, but only within the Dubrovnik city area. You must provide the exact accommodation address or hotel name so the operator can arrange the pickup location.

Do I need to bring a towel or snorkeling equipment?

Yes. Towels and snorkeling equipment are not included, so bring your own if you plan to swim or snorkel.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.