Dubrovnik: Elaphiti Islands Boat Tour & Swimming with Lunch

Three Islands, One Boat, All Day in the Adriatic

You board a small boat in Dubrovnik and visit three Elaphiti Islands—Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep—with time to swim, walk village streets, and explore beaches at each stop. Lunch and drinks are prepared on board, and hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so the only thing you manage is when to get on and when to get off.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Elaphiti Islands by boat

• Depart from Dubrovnik
• Visit Lopud Island village
• Explore Lopud shops and cafes
• See Lopud Franciscan Monastery
• Walk Lopud botanical garden
• Relax at Šunj Beach
• Visit Šipan Island olive groves
• Walk Šipan walking trails
• Swim in Šipan crystal waters
• Explore Šipan local cafes and shops
• Visit Koločep Island coastal paths
• Walk Koločep quiet streets
• Swim in Koločep clear waters
• Enjoy drink at Koločep café
• Return to Dubrovnik

The Experience

The boat pulls away from Dubrovnik's waterfront and turns toward open water, and within minutes the old city walls fade behind you. You're heading to the Elaphiti Islands—Lopud first, then Šipan, then Koločep—three stops that most day-trippers from the city never reach because they don't have transport sorted. The crew of five handles the navigation and the timing; you just show up at your hotel for pickup and step aboard. The boat itself is built for this route: small enough to feel like you're actually going somewhere, big enough that the ride stays smooth even when the Adriatic has a bit of texture to it.

Lopud arrives first, and you get time to walk through the village—stone houses, a 15th-century Franciscan monastery if you want the history, a botanical garden if you want to sit quiet for a bit. There's a café culture here that moves at island pace, and Šunj Beach sits ready if you want to swim. Then the boat moves on to Šipan, where olive groves and vineyards roll down toward the water, and the whole place feels like it's been the same for decades. You can walk the coastal paths or just stay on the beach. The water is clear enough that you can see the bottom, and the crew keeps wine and soft drinks flowing while you're on board. Koločep comes last—the quietest of the three, the one where you actually feel the slowness of island life instead of just reading about it. Stone houses, small churches, more water to swim in if you want it, or just a café chair and a view if you don't.

Lunch happens on the boat between stops, and it's not a boxed sandwich—the crew prepares it fresh, with meat, fish, or vegetarian options depending on what you chose when you booked. Wine and local spirits come with it, unlimited, which is the kind of detail that changes how a day feels. By the time you're heading back toward Dubrovnik in the late afternoon, you've been on three islands, swum in the Adriatic, eaten a real meal on the water, and never once had to figure out a ferry schedule or negotiate a taxi fare. The hotel drop-off is included, so you arrive back where you started without another step to arrange.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a full-day boat tour with a professional five-member crew, stops at Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep islands with time to swim and explore, freshly prepared lunch on board with a choice of meat, fish, or vegetarian menu, unlimited wine and local spirits during lunch, and assorted soft drinks throughout the day including bottled water, lemonade, and juices.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by MARINERO excursions & transfers

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see three Elaphiti Islands in one day without arranging ferries, transport from Dubrovnik, or timing the stops yourself—the fixed itinerary and included pickup mean you only have to show up at your hotel.

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Top questions

How long is the full-day Elaphiti Islands tour from Dubrovnik?

The tour runs the full day, with the boat departing from Dubrovnik in the morning and returning in the late afternoon. Exact departure and return times depend on the season and the operator's schedule.

Is lunch included in the Elaphiti Islands boat tour?

Yes. Freshly prepared lunch is served on board with a choice of meat, fish, or vegetarian menu. Wine and local spirits are unlimited during lunch.

What islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits three islands: Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep. You stop at each island for swimming, walking, and exploring local villages and beaches.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are available as an option. You can select this when booking.

Can I swim during the Elaphiti Islands tour?

Yes. You have time to swim at each island, including at Šunj Beach on Lopud and the clear waters around Šipan and Koločep.

What drinks are included?

Soft drinks (bottled water, lemonade, juices) are included throughout the day. Wine and local spirits are unlimited during the on-board lunch.

Is the tour suitable for families with small children?

Yes. Infants and small children can travel, and prams or strollers are permitted. Infants must sit on an adult's lap during the boat ride.

What should I bring for the Elaphiti Islands tour?

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, and a towel. The boat provides water and refreshments, but you may want to bring a light jacket for the ride back if the afternoon cools.