Dubrovnik Elafiti Islands Cruise with Lunch, Drinks and Pickup

Warm water and lunch on the move.

This cruise is interesting because you get hotel pickup in Dubrovnik and then spend the day hopping between three Elafiti islands, with unlimited drinks served right on the boat. I especially like how the food and drinks remove the usual stress of island days, where you either hunt for lunch or pay tourist prices. The one real consideration is weather and season, because swimming time can shrink fast if the day turns cool or rough.

You’ll start at the dock area around Lapadska obala (departure is 9:00 am), then settle into a laid-back day on the water with plenty of time for swimming and strolling. This is also a good choice if you want a classic island day without needing to plan ferries, tickets, or logistics between stops. Keep in mind that while lunch is included, any entrance fees to island monuments are not.

Key Points at a Glance

• Three islands, one smooth day: Koločep, Lopud and Šipan, with time for village atmosphere on the way
• Šunj Beach is on the schedule: one of the best-known sandy breaks during the day
• Lunch is included, drinks too: water, soft drinks, wine and grappa served on board
• Pickup and drop-off reduce hassle: hotel pickup within a defined area, with return to your starting point
• Group size stays controlled: maximum 60 people, and the boat setup feels more intimate than big ferries

Why This Elafiti Island Day Feels Worth the Time

The Elafiti Islands are close enough to make a day trip feel easy, but different enough to feel like you left Dubrovnik behind. What makes this cruise work is the balance: you get real time on islands for beach and walks, but you still have someone else driving the day from stop to stop.

I like that the tour builds in the practical things that ruin island days if you do them on your own: getting from your hotel to the boat, eating without hunting, and keeping your schedule coherent. With round-trip transport from Dubrovnik included (within the pickup area), you can spend your brainpower on the fun stuff, like picking the best spot to swim.

The trade-off is that the itinerary is still an island-hopping format, so you are not doing one island at a deep, all-day pace. If you’re the type who wants to linger for hours in just one place, you may feel the day is “busy but not long enough” on certain stops.

Starting in Dubrovnik: Pickup, Departure, and Where You Meet

Your day begins with pickup if you choose that option, with pickup available from hotels across Dubrovnik in an assigned area. If you’re staying in a private apartment, house, Airbnb, or hostel, you’ll need to send your address so the operator can point you to the nearest pickup spot and time.

If you do not take pickup, the day centers on the meeting point at Lapadska obala 5, 20000 Dubrovnik, with the boat starting at 9:00 am. Either way, the tour ends back at the same meeting point, so you are not stuck figuring out how to get from a faraway port back to town.

This matters more than it sounds. Dubrovnik logistics can get messy fast with crowds and traffic, and those minutes add up. Here, your transportation is built into the plan, and the boat operation is set up for a “show up, step aboard, and relax” flow.

The Boat Day Plan: What “9 to 17 Hours” Really Means

The published duration is listed as 9 to 17 hours, which signals that the day can flex. That flexibility is common on island cruises, where winds, sea conditions, and daylight impact how the captain times each stop.

You can also expect a classic boat-day rhythm. There’s travel time between islands, island time that’s meant for both swimming and strolling, and an onboard break where lunch and drinks take the edge off the heat. The day is designed so you are not constantly boarding and disembarking, which is a big deal if you carry towels, bags, and swim gear.

And yes, it’s a water day first. If you’re planning to swim, wear shoes you can handle on and off the boat, bring sun protection, and plan to use the boat as your base for refreshments rather than relying on island options.

Stop One, Elafiti Islands: Koločep First for Swimming and Slow Walking

The cruise’s first major island stop is Koločep, where the focus is simple: clear, warm water for swimming and enough time on shore to stretch your legs. Koločep works especially well as the “ease into the day” stop, because the vibe is calm and beach time feels straightforward.

This is also where the route introduces the mood of the Elafiti cluster. You’re not dealing with a hectic city center, you’re dealing with seaside coves, small harbors, and the kind of island pacing that lets you stop for a swim without needing a reservation.

For me, Koločep is the best starter island if you want the day to feel relaxed from minute one. If you’re traveling with someone who is less interested in long walks, this is still a strong first stop because the water is part of the attraction.

Lopud: Beaches, a More Scenic Shoreline, and Practical Downsides

After Koločep comes Lopud, another Elafiti island known for its waterfront and beach options. Lopud is a great stop if you like a mix of strolling and sun time, with the added bonus that island cafes and viewpoints are typically easier to access than you’d expect on smaller islands.

The main downside is practical: Lopud can feel more “shoreline focused” than “activity packed.” If you arrive hoping for a lot of structured attractions, you might find yourself doing more walking, beach lounging, and casual sightseeing than anything that feels like a themed excursion.

On a cool day, this can also mean boredom creeps in. One of the clearest patterns in the experience is that swimming is a big part of the enjoyment, so if the sea turns chilly, you’ll want to lean more into strolling and shoreline photos.

Šipan and Suđurađ: The Island Choice That Gives You a Bit More Texture

The final Elafiti island stop is Šipan, and this is also where the route aligns with exploring the area of Suđurađ, a village setting that adds a little local texture beyond beach time. Šipan can feel like the “more island character” stop, because the day shifts from pure swim-and-sun to sightseeing at your own pace.

I like this structure because it prevents the day from feeling one-note. Even if you spend most of your time in the water earlier, you still end with a shore-based experience that feels like you touched real island life.

That said, Šipan is still part of an island cruise day, not a full-day guided tour of historical sites. Entrance fees to monuments are not included, so if you want to visit specific sites, budget extra and plan around opening hours.

Šunj Beach: The Most Famous Sandy Moment on the Schedule

A highlight built into the day is a visit to Šunj Beach, described as a popular beach stop. This is the moment most people remember because it tends to combine warm water, an easy seaside setting, and the kind of “just stay awhile” feeling you can’t fully recreate in Dubrovnik.

There’s one key thing to remember: beach time is only as good as the conditions. If the weather is sunny and the sea is calm, Šunj Beach becomes the day’s centerpiece. If the weather is stormy or cool, you may feel the schedule compress into shorter swims and longer walks.

So when you pick your swim gear, pack for both scenarios. Sunscreen and a hat help even on cloudy days, and a light cover-up makes a big difference once you’re back on the boat.

Onboard Lunch and Unlimited Drinks: Why This Setup Works

This tour nails one of the hardest parts of island days: meals. Lunch is served on board, and it comes with unlimited drinks including water, soft drinks, wine, and grappa. You also get meal choices ahead of time, including fish, meat, and vegetarian.

I really appreciate this because it means you’re not stuck negotiating for food on islands where restaurant prices can jump. You also don’t have to plan your day around a lunch window. The crew serves and keeps things moving, so you can eat without losing the rest of your time.

A practical tip: treat lunch as your anchor meal. Eat when it’s served, then head out to the next shore time without carrying an extra lunch pack. You’ll enjoy the island stops more when you are not hauling food and water around.

One more detail that people tend to love: the boat format makes drinks feel like part of the day, not a separate purchase. If you want a simple, carefree day on the water, this is built in.

How to Handle Swimming Comfort and Small-Boat Reality

This isn’t a giant ferry experience. The tour caps group size at 60, and the boat setup is described as having spaces where you can relax without feeling packed. That matters because you’ll be spending hours on the boat, so comfort and easy movement affect the whole vibe.

Because the focus includes swimming, plan for basic water-day comfort:

• bring a towel you trust, plus a dry bag or waterproof pouch
• wear sunscreen before you settle in, not halfway through the day
• use footwear you can handle on rougher boarding surfaces

Also, note what is not specified. The tour details do not mention snorkeling equipment, so if that’s your plan, consider bringing your own gear.

If you do end up with rougher seas, expect the day to adjust around safety and timing. The operator appears to handle weather shifts by working with the schedule so you still get meaningful time in better conditions when possible.

Getting the Most Out of the Island Time

Island hopping can feel rushed if you try to do everything. The best approach is to pick two goals for each stop, then let the rest happen naturally.

My recommended pattern:

• first island: swim and a short stroll
• middle island: beach time plus one or two shoreline moments
• last island: sightseeing at your own pace, then enjoy whatever beach window you still have

This keeps the day from turning into “transport, walk, repeat” and helps you stay relaxed. It also fits how the tour is structured, with island time meant for independent exploring rather than a long list of mandatory activities.

If you love photos, build in small pauses. The Elafiti islands give you repeated postcard angles, especially from the water and along the waterfront. If you’re more into calm, your best moments will be when you stop moving and just sit.

Price and Value: What You Actually Get for $71.35

At $71.35 per person, the big value isn’t just the boat ride. It’s the bundle: lunch + unlimited drinks plus hotel pickup and drop-off (within the pickup area). Those items alone can easily cost a lot when you’re buying them separately, especially on a day when you might otherwise pay for lunch on island time.

There’s also an important detail: the tour indicates admission tickets are free for the island stops, but it clearly notes that entrance fees to historical monuments are not included. Translation: you won’t be paying for the basic activity, but if you choose to enter specific sites, you might pay those fees separately.

So this is best viewed as an all-inclusive day at sea, where your main spending is optional upgrades, souvenirs, and any site entrances you decide to add.

Who Should Book, and Who Might Want a Different Day

This cruise is a strong match if you want:

• a relaxed boat day with swimming and beaches
• a simple meal plan and easy drinks without extra planning
• hotel-based convenience so you can focus on the islands

It’s also a good option if you want variety. You get three Elafiti islands in one day, which is hard to replicate easily with public ferries unless you want to do more logistics than sightseeing.

You might want to choose a different style of tour if:

• your trip timing often includes cool or rainy days, since swimming time is a big part of the appeal
• you prefer one island with lots of structured activities, because this is intentionally a lightweight island-hopping format

Quick Practical FAQ for This Dubrovnik Elafiti Cruise

FAQ

What islands are included on the cruise?

You’ll visit Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, with time to explore the shoreline and village area of Suđurađ.

Is lunch included, and can I choose a meal type?

Yes. Lunch is included on board, and you can select fish, meat, or vegetarian meal options during booking.

What drinks are included during the day?

The tour includes unlimited drinks on the boat, including water, soft drinks, wine, and grappa.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Pickup and drop-off are included if you choose the option that includes pickup, within a certain Dubrovnik area. Otherwise you meet at Lapadska obala 5.

Where is the meeting point and what time does it start?

The meeting point is Lapadska obala 5, Dubrovnik. The start time is 9:00 am, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Are island entrance fees included?

Entrance fees to historical monuments are not included, so if you plan to enter monuments on the islands, you may need to pay separately.

What happens if weather is poor?

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

Final Call: Should You Book This One?

Book it if you want an easy, high-comfort day that mixes beaches, swimming, and island walking, without the headache of planning meals or transport between islands. The value comes from the full package, hotel pickup plus lunch plus unlimited drinks, and that makes it feel like a fair deal even if you never buy a thing on board.

Skip it or consider a different option if your trip is likely to be cool or rough. When the sea is great, Šunj Beach and the swim time turn the whole day into the highlight. When conditions aren’t friendly, the day can feel more like basic island time rather than a true water-and-beach escape.

If you like simple and scenic, this is a solid choice for a Dubrovnik break.