Dubrovnik Elaphite Islands Cruise: Lunch & Drinks Included

Summary

Full day island hopping from Dubrovnik with local food and sea air

You’ll hop between Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan by boat from Dubrovnik with a local guide leading the way. Expect time for swimming at sandy beaches, wandering sleepy villages, tasting fresh grilled fish or chicken for lunch (with plenty of wine or soft drinks), plus easy hotel pickup and drop-off. You’ll probably end up with salt in your hair — and maybe a new story or two.

What’s the experience like?

We stepped onto the boat in Dubrovnik just as the morning felt like it was waking up too — you could smell salt and sunscreen mixing in the air. Our guide, Marko, handed out drinks (I went for white wine because why not at 10am on holiday?) and pointed us toward Koločep first. The sea was calm but there was this low hum of everyone chatting in different languages. I found myself just watching the coastline slip away behind us, thinking about how far these islands must have felt before ferries and WhatsApp.

Koločep surprised me — we wandered through a botanic garden that smelled like rosemary and pine needles after last night’s rain. There’s a tiny church where an old man nodded at us but didn’t say much; I liked that. Then we hit Šunj beach on Lopud, which is sandy (not pebbly!) and I ended up swimming even though I’d promised myself I wouldn’t get my hair wet. Lunch was on board: grilled hake for me, chicken for my friend, both with vegetables that actually tasted like they’d been picked this week. Someone spilled Fanta and laughed so hard she nearly dropped her plate — it just felt easy being there.

Šipan was all olive trees — apparently it’s in the Guinness book for having the most per square meter? Marko told us stories about pirates hiding here centuries ago while we walked past old stone houses that looked half asleep in the sun. There’s a castle built to keep pirates out (or maybe just to give them something to aim at). By then the wine had gone to my head a little bit and I remember thinking how quiet everything was except for cicadas and someone’s radio playing old Croatian songs near the port.

I still think about that view back towards Dubrovnik as we sailed home — gold light on the water, everyone kind of tired but happy. It wasn’t perfect (I got sunburned on my nose), but honestly that made it feel more real somehow.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Elaphite Islands boat tour and exploration

• Depart from Dubrovnik
• Visit Koločep island
• Explore sandy beach Šunj and botanic garden
• Visit Lopud island
• See old fisherman’s port and castle
• Visit Šipan island
• Swim and snorkel at caves and cliffs
• Enjoy lunch with drink options
• Return to Dubrovnik

Top questions

How long is the Dubrovnik Elaphite Islands cruise?

The cruise lasts around 8 hours including visits to Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan islands.

Is lunch included on the Elaphite Islands day trip?

Yes, lunch is included with options for grilled fish (hake), chicken fillet, or vegetarian grilled vegetables.

Are drinks provided during the cruise?

Yes, drinks such as white wine, brandy, Coca-Cola, Fanta, bottled water are included throughout the tour.

Does this tour include hotel pickup from Dubrovnik?

Hotel or accommodation pickup and drop-off from Dubrovnik is available if you select that option when booking.

Is this Elaphite Islands cruise suitable for children?

Yes, children can join but must be accompanied by an adult; infants can ride in a stroller or sit on an adult’s lap.

Can I choose my meal type in advance?

You should indicate your meal preference (fish, chicken or vegetarian) when booking under special requirements.

Are there vegetarian options for lunch?

Yes, there is a vegetarian lunch option featuring grilled Mediterranean vegetables from local farms.

What should I bring on the Elaphite Islands cruise?

Sunscreen, swimwear if you plan to swim at Lopud beach or snorkel near caves; maybe a hat for sun protection.

Is this cruise wheelchair accessible?

The tour is wheelchair accessible according to provided information.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Dubrovnik if selected when booking, all boat transfers between Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan islands with a friendly local guide leading activities along the way. Lunch is served onboard with your choice of grilled hake fish, chicken fillet or vegetarian Mediterranean vegetables — plus unlimited drinks like white wine or soft drinks throughout the trip before returning to Dubrovnik in the evening.