Three Island Boat Tour With Lunch

Three islands, fewer worries. This Elaphiti Islands boat tour is a great way to trade Dubrovnik’s streets for sea time, with easy swimming and snorkeling breaks built into the schedule. I especially like the combination of included lunch and regular drink service on a big, shaded boat, and I like how the crew handles weather fast if rain rolls in. One drawback to plan around: two of the island stops are only about an hour each, so this is more about island hopping and beach time than deep time in each place.

Meeting is set for 08:45 at the bus stop across the University building, and you’ll be looking for the large blue boat named Emili. Hotel pickup exists only for the City of Dubrovnik area (optional, and not everywhere), so if you are staying outside that zone, you’ll likely meet at the quay and take local transport in.

Key Points at a Glance

• Emili departure timing: Meet at 08:45, and the boat will not arrive before then.
• Real time on the water: A sightseeing cruise plus swimming and snorkeling opportunities.
• Lopud gets the longest visit (around 3 hours), with time that pairs well with Sunj sandy beach.
• Two short island breaks on Sipan and Kolocep, ideal for photos and quick exploring.
• Lunch and drinks included: Soft drinks, bottled water, wine, and brandy, with three lunch options at booking.

Leaving Dubrovnik for the Elaphiti Islands by 8:45 on Emili

If you want a day that feels simple, this tour is built for you. You start with a scheduled meeting at 08:45 at the bus stop across the University building, then you board the large blue boat called Emili. Arrive early enough to find the right spot and board calmly, because the boat does not come early.

Pickup is optional, but it is limited to the City of Dubrovnik area. The tour does not pick up beyond Dubrovnik city, and pickup is not offered when your starting point is less than 1000 m away from the meeting area. That matters because it can change how you plan your morning, especially if you are staying in a neighborhood that is just outside the pickup zone.

The day is set up as an 8 hour outing, so you are committing to a full daytime block. The upside is that you get transport, timing, and a local guide, so you are not doing the scheduling math yourself once you are already tired of the city heat.

A Big Boat Day: Shade, Toilets, and Fast Rain Fixes

This cruise feels practical the moment you step aboard. The boat is described as large and spacious, with clean toilets and plenty of seating options with views from many angles. The seating also has shade, which is a bigger deal than you might think once you are sailing in direct sun off the coast.

One of the nicest details is how the crew runs the “weather plan.” If rain shows up, they act quickly to lower the sides and bring out blankets. That means the experience does not automatically turn into a wet, miserable shuffle, even if the forecast is uncertain.

The tour also works like a floating lounge. You are not stuck only on land, and you get repeated chances to refresh in the water. On top of that, drinks are offered throughout the day, which helps if you want a slower pace instead of constantly getting up for snacks.

How the 8 Hours Actually Flow Between Islands

The schedule is straightforward, and that is part of the value. After you board, there is a sightseeing cruise segment of about 45 minutes, which sets the mood and gives you first views out over the Elaphiti Islands.

Then the tour splits into three island visits. Lopud is the main stop at roughly 3 hours, and it includes guided elements plus free time. Sipan and Kolocep come next with shorter blocks, roughly 1 hour each, where you get a photo stop, a visit, and then time to walk, swim, or snorkel.

This rhythm matters for your planning. If you love wandering slowly, Lopud is where you want to focus your energy. If you mainly want the classic “three islands in one day” experience and you’re happy with shorter breaks, Sipan and Kolocep make sense because you still get the scenery and water time without the whole day turning into constant transfers.

Lopud Island and Sunj Sandy Beach: Where the Day Feels Like Vacation

Lopud is the anchor stop, and the length of the visit shows it. You spend about 3 hours there, with a photo stop, a visit, and a guided tour component, then time on your own to walk, swim, and snorkel. The boat also builds in scenic viewing while you approach, so the approach counts as part of the experience, not just the dock moment.

One practical tip from the experience: if you want to reach the larger beach area at Sunj sandy beach, using the local golf buggy taxis can be easier than relying only on walking from the stop point. The payoff is that you can get to more sand and end up in a calm bay setting where beach bars are part of the atmosphere. If you prefer to keep it simple, you can also just stay close to the stop area and enjoy the time you have, but Sunj is where your “classic Croatia beach day” instincts will feel satisfied.

The swimming and snorkeling time on Lopud is a big reason this tour earns strong reviews. You are not being rushed through the water break, and you get the chance to choose your comfort level. Want to float and cool down? Great. Want to snorkel? You get the opportunity.

The main consideration is time management. Because Lopud is your longest island block, I recommend you decide early whether your priority is Sunj beach time or a longer walking loop. You can do both to some extent, but if you wait until the last hour, you might feel like you are sprinting to fit it all in.

Sipan Island: Short, Scenic, and Best for a Calm Reset

After Lopud, you get a break-style stop on Sipan with about 1 hour on the island. You’ll have a photo stop, a visit, and self-guided time. There is also scheduled opportunity for swimming and snorkeling again, so this is not just a land photo moment, even though the stop is shorter.

Why Sipan works for many people: it gives you a change of scenery without forcing you to commit to a long inland walk. You can treat it like a reset. If you skipped lunch because you were too busy on the beach, this is where you can still feel relaxed rather than rushed.

The drawback is simply the clock. With only about an hour, you will not turn Sipan into a deep-dive history day. If your ideal trip is slow exploring, you might wish Sipan had an extra half hour. But if you want variety and you like the “look, swim, walk a bit, back on the boat” style, the timing is right.

Kolocep Island: Another Quick Hit of Water Time

Next comes Kolocep, another about 1 hour break with swimming and snorkeling opportunities. As with Sipan, you get a photo stop, visit, some guided structure, and then free time. You also get time to walk and take in scenic views as you pass through the approach and departure.

Kolocep is a good match for travelers who want a second island flavor without spending the entire day away from the water. This stop tends to feel more like “fresh air and sea time” than like “full exploration,” and it fits perfectly into the tour’s overall pace.

If you are the type who always wants to maximize every minute, Kolocep can feel short. The flip side is that you are rarely dragged into long bus-like pacing. You stay on the water, and you keep moving through the day without losing momentum.

Lunch and Drinks: Three Options, Plus Wine and Brandy

Lunch is included, and it is not just a token meal. The lunch is described as tasty and generous, and you can choose between three lunch options when booking. One vegetarian-friendly option was described as grilled vegetables with potato salad, which tells you the meal is built to work beyond just a single standard dish.

There is one detail to flag if you select the fish option: fish bones can be an issue. It is a small caution, but it is the kind of thing that helps you avoid turning lunch time into a stressful moment.

For drinks, the included list is clear and practical. You get bottled water, and you have soft drinks like Coca-Cola and Fanta available. Alcohol is also included, but with limits: white wine and brandy are part of the included drinks, while alcoholic drinks beyond that are not included.

If you care about drink variety, this is where your expectations should be realistic. You can enjoy wine and brandy and sip throughout, but if your go-to cocktail is not part of the included set, you will want to plan accordingly.

The Boat Crew Makes or Breaks the Day

A boat tour lives and dies by crew management, and this one leans strong there. The staff are described as friendly, attentive, and quick to help when something goes off-schedule. That kind of calm, hands-on service matters because with three island stops and a busy day, small timing issues can happen.

There is also a real focus on passenger comfort. The boat is described as clean and well kept, and there are regular offers of refreshments rather than making you wait until you are ready to ask. When rain hit, the crew’s response was fast and organized, which helped keep the mood steady.

The English live guide experience also helps you get more out of each stop without needing to guess. Even on short island segments, a guide keeps the day from feeling like you are just hopping off at random docks.

Drop-Off Back in Dubrovnik: Done When You Want It Done

The tour includes drop-off back in Dubrovnik. The information lists drop-off at Knjižnica za društvene znanosti in Dubrovnik, with mention of two possible drop-off locations. Practically, this means you are not finishing the day stranded somewhere far from where you can get back to dinner plans.

Because the tour ends after about 8 hours, it can slot neatly into the kind of travel schedule where you still want an evening in the city. You are leaving Dubrovnik in the morning and returning with saltwater memories, not with sore feet from all-day city wandering.

Price and Value at About $76 Per Person

At $76 per person for an 8 hour day, this tour is priced like a “you’re buying simplicity and transport” experience. You are not only paying for boat time. You are also paying for lunch, included drinks, guided content at each stop, and the logistics of getting between Lopud, Sipan, and Kolocep.

The value improves if you would otherwise have to arrange boat transport yourself or piece together a separate lunch plan. It also improves if you are the kind of traveler who likes to relax, because the included drinks and repeated swim breaks reduce the need for side trips and extra stops.

Where cost might feel less like a bargain is if you do not plan to use the included water time or you skip lunch. If you only want photos and minimal swimming, you may feel like you paid for services you did not fully consume. That said, the itinerary is designed so that even if you are a casual participant, you still get a good day out.

Also note what is not included. A swimsuit is not provided, and alcoholic drinks beyond wine and brandy are not included. Pickup is limited to Dubrovnik city, and pickup is not offered outside the city area. If you are staying in a spot that forces extra local transport, factor that into the “real” cost.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Skip It)

This is a strong fit for you if you want a full day that feels easy. It works well if you like the idea of the Elaphiti Islands but do not want to plan routes, schedules, and transport on your own. It is also a good choice if you value time on the water and you want included lunch and drinks without extra thinking.

It might not be your best match if you want a long, slow island experience in only one place. Lopud gets the most time, but Sipan and Kolocep are shorter. If your priority is deep walking and lots of history per island, you might prefer an itinerary that spends more time in fewer locations.

It is also a good option if you like flexibility within the day. You can choose how much time you spend swimming and snorkeling, then shift to walking and photos when you want a break from the water.

Simple Booking Tips That Help You Avoid Stress

This tour has one big practical rule: do not show up late. The meeting time is 08:45 and the boat will not arrive before then. If you are prone to misreading schedules, build in a buffer so you are not sprinting down the quay.

If you want to be ready for water time, bring a swimsuit since it is not included. You can then step into the swim and snorkeling breaks without needing to change into dry clothes at the last minute.

Finally, if you care about lunch texture and comfort, pick your lunch option with that in mind. The fish option has a note about fish bones, which is the kind of thing you can handle by choosing a safer option for your preferences.

Should You Book This Three Island Boat Tour with Lunch?

If your goal is one relaxed day outside Dubrovnik, with a mix of island views, beach time, and included meals, I think this is a solid booking. The biggest strengths are the steady crew care, the comfort of the boat, the included lunch plus drink service, and the fact that the itinerary is built around swimming and snorkeling rather than just standing around.

Book it if you want the Elaphiti Islands sampler with Lopud as your main beach and swim anchor. Consider a different tour if you want more time on Sipan or Kolocep specifically, or if you dislike set schedules and prefer a slower, single-island itinerary.

FAQ

FAQ

What islands does this tour visit?

You visit Lopud Island, Sipan Island, and Kolocep Island, with time for swimming and snorkeling at the stops.

How long is the tour?

The duration is 8 hours.

What is included in the lunch and drinks?

Lunch is included, and drinks are included. Bottled water is included, and soft drinks like Coca-Cola and Fanta are included, along with white wine and brandy.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Hotel pickup is available only from the City of Dubrovnik area if that option is selected. Pickup is not available everywhere, and it is not offered outside the Dubrovnik city area.

Where do I meet the group?

The meeting point is at 08:45 at the bus stop across the University building, and you should look for the big blue boat named Emili.

Is there a guide, and what language do they speak?

Yes, there is a live tour guide in English, and there is also a local guide.

Are snorkeling and swimming included?

Yes. The tour includes snorkeling and swimming opportunities during the island stops.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

What should I bring since it is not included?

A swimsuit is not included, so you should bring one.

Is every alcoholic drink included?

No. Alcoholic drinks are not included except for wine and brandy.