Elaphiti Islands cruise from Dubrovnik: Wine and hiking

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/34

Duration6h–9h

GroupUp to 130

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

Three islands, one ship, no planning required

A full-day cruise from Dubrovnik to the Elaphiti Islands aboard Karaka, a replica 16th-century merchant ship, with stops at Koločep, Šipan and Lopud. The ship departs from port Gruž at 8:45 am with an English-speaking guide; you choose optional activities at each island—hiking and farm tastings on Koločep, wine tasting at Šipan's historic mansion, swimming and snorkeling on Lopud—while the schedule and return timing are fixed around daylight hours. Hotel pickup is available from central Dubrovnik or suburban areas; drinks, water and WiFi are included onboard.

6h–9h

Step-by-step itinerary

Elaphiti Islands cruise and exploration

Board Karaka ship at port Gruž
Optional toast and drinks on board
Arrive at Koločep island
Optional hiking or honeyfarm visit
Travel to Šipan island
Visit Skočibuha mansion and wine tasting
Arrive at Lopud island
Swim and snorkel in Adriatic Sea
Cruise back to port Gruž

The Experience

The boat leaves Gruž port at 8:45 am, and you board Karaka—a working replica of a Dubrovnik merchant ship from the 1500s—already seated and ready to move. Two free drinks come with the cruise, and you can buy a warm toast or sandwich if you want breakfast underway. The ship carries air conditioning, WiFi and toilets, so the day is not roughing it; it is moving between islands without driving or ferrying yourself.

Koločep arrives after the first leg, a small island thick with pine forest and a fishing village tucked into the bay. You can join a free hiking tour of the island or walk to a family-run honeyfarm for tastings of local products (€5 per person). From there the ship continues to Šipan, where the 16th-century Skočibuha villa sits overlooking calm water—you can tour the grounds or opt into a wine tasting (€10 per person) if that appeals. The last stop is Lopud, where the schedule opens up: you get between one and three hours depending on the season, time enough to swim and snorkel in the Adriatic or simply sit on the beach. Lunch at a partner restaurant runs €20–25 if you want it.

Return to Gruž happens in the afternoon; the exact departure time from Lopud shifts through the year as daylight shortens, so the itinerary adjusts but the day stays whole. Hotel pickup is included if you book the city or suburban transfer option—pickups run between 7:15 am and 8:30 am depending on which hotel you name—or you can meet the ship at the port yourself. A snorkeling mask is available for €20 deposit (returned when you hand it back), and you'll want to bring sunscreen, a hat, swimsuit and a camera.

What’s included

Hotel or suburban pickup from Dubrovnik (depending on which transfer option you select).
full-day cruise aboard Karaka with English-speaking guide.
two free drinks and a bottle of water.
snorkeling mask with €20 deposit (refunded on return).
WiFi, air conditioning and onboard toilets.
access to all three islands and optional activities (hiking, farm tastings, wine tasting, swimming and snorkeling).

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Karaka

Is this one for you?Book this if you have a morning and afternoon free and want to see three islands without renting a car or navigating ferries yourself—the ship, guide, timing and return are all arranged, and you choose which activities appeal at each stop.