Three islands, one easy boat day. This tour turns Dubrovnik time into island time on the Elaphiti coast, with stops planned so you can actually relax between swims. You get guided moments plus free time on some of the prettiest coastal places near town.

I especially like two things: the included drinks (soft drinks, bottled water, plus wine and brandy) and the long stretch of time on Lopud, where you can walk and cool off in the water. The crew also pays attention to comfort, from shaded seating to quick rain fixes if the weather changes.

One consideration: this is a tight day-trip schedule, so you are never far from the next stop. If you want lots of unhurried wandering on one island, you might wish for extra time.

Key Things I’d Highlight Before You Go

• Elaphiti Islands, three stops, one smooth day away from Dubrovnik crowds
• Open-bar style options with soft drinks, bottled water, white wine, and brandy
• Lopud time is the longest, with guided and self-guided parts plus swim breaks
• Sunj sandy beach is part of the experience, with time set aside to enjoy sand and sea
• Crew support matters, especially if you miss a departure or weather shifts

A Day Off Dubrovnik’s Streets on the Elaphiti Islands

Dubrovnik is gorgeous, but it can feel like you are constantly moving. This tour gives you an all-day break on the water, with island hopping that keeps effort low and views high. You are leaving the busy streets for a slower rhythm, boat rides that actually feel like part of the day.

What makes it work well is the balance. You get sightseeing cruise time, island stops with a mix of guided info and free time, and then real chances to get into the sea. The goal is simple: you see islands, then you rest, eat, and swim, without having to plan a route.

You’ll also notice the islands themselves feel different from each other. Lopud has the feel of a place you can walk and linger. Sipan and Kolocep add variety with shorter breaks, photo moments, and more shoreline time. It is a good sampler platter of the Elaphiti region.

The Boat and Crew: Comfort, Water, and Quick Problem Solving

This is not a tiny, bouncy boat tour. It is a larger, spacious vessel with shaded areas and clean toilets, which sounds basic until you have a day at sea. Seats from different angles help, since you can rotate views while still staying comfortable.

The crew focus shows up in small, practical ways. They keep refreshments coming during the day, and they know how to manage conditions. If rain rolls in, they get the boat sides down quickly and bring out blankets, so the day does not turn into a miserable wait.

There is also a real human side to the team. One passenger misunderstanding the departure from the first stop led to a coordinated solution to get them back on track at a later stop. That is the kind of effort that makes a scheduled day trip feel less stressful, even when timing goes sideways.

Getting to the Meeting Point Without Stress

Meet your group at 08:45 at the bus stop across the University building. Look for the big blue boat named Emili. The boat is not arriving before 08:45, so treat it like a hard start time, not a suggestion.

If you picked the option that includes hotel pickup, it applies only within the City of Dubrovnik area. If you are staying outside that area, you should plan on meeting at the standard meeting point.

One more practical point: if you are prone to last-minute running, build a buffer. With an 8-hour day and multiple stops, showing up late can derail your whole schedule.

The Sightseeing Cruise Segment: Settle In for 45 Minutes

After departure, you get a 45-minute sightseeing cruise. This is a good stretch of time to take in the coastline and orientation. You also get time to settle in, find a comfortable spot, and get your bearings before the first real island stop.

Think of this part as a calm warm-up. You are not yet in the middle of swim gear and shore logistics, so you can just enjoy the ride and start to understand the scale of the area you are exploring.

Stop 1 Lopud: The Best Mix of Walk Time and Water Time

Lopud is where this tour spends the most time, around 3 hours. That matters, because you can actually do a few things well instead of speed-running the island.

On Lopud, you’ll have a blend of:

• a photo stop and sightseeing
• time with a guided tour
• free time to walk
• opportunities for swimming and snorkeling
• scenic views while moving between points on the way

This is the stop that tends to feel most like an island day, not a stop-and-go postcard. You get enough time to wander at an easy pace, then step back into the sea when the sun and heat start to get to you.

Drawback to keep in mind: snorkeling and swimming depend on conditions that day. If the water is choppy or visibility is limited, you can still swim, but you may find snorkeling more “try it” than “perfect session.”

Stop 2 Sipan: A Shorter Break With Self-Guided Time

Next up is Sipan, with about 1 hour on the island. The structure here is lighter: a break time, a photo stop, sightseeing, and then a self-guided walk.

This is not the stop for deep exploration. It’s more about stepping onto land, grabbing photos, feeling the island atmosphere, and then returning to the water for the next phase of the day.

Because the time is short, you’ll want to move efficiently. If you are the type who likes to browse slowly, you might feel a bit rushed here. If you prefer to take a few good moments and save energy for swimming, you’ll probably enjoy it.

Stop 3 Kolocep: Another Quick Island Reset

Kolocep also comes with about 1 hour. Like Sipan, you get a break, a photo stop, sightseeing, scenic viewpoints, and again the chance to swim and snorkel.

What makes Kolocep fit nicely into the tour is pacing. You are not exhausted from the longest island stop yet, but you have already tasted the island experience. So this stop feels like a second wave of island time, not the end of the day.

If you like variety, this part works. If you want the day to slow down more, you might wish the final island stop were longer. Still, it is a smart trade, since the tour is built around multiple islands plus a beach moment.

Snorkeling and Swimming: Included, But Plan for Real Conditions

The tour includes snorkeling and swimming opportunities across the island stops. That’s a great value because you do not have to hunt down equipment rentals or pay extra for a “real swim” moment.

What you should do is plan for the day you actually get. Water entry can be easy at one stop and more awkward at another, depending on where the boat is positioned and how calm the water is. If you are a confident swimmer, you will have options. If you are cautious, prioritize the easiest entry and keep it simple.

A practical tip: bring swimwear and towel. Also consider water shoes if you think you will be stepping over rocky spots. The tour includes swimsuites only as something you bring yourself, not as part of the kit.

Sunj Sandy Beach Time: Where You Can Finally Unwind

Sunj sandy beach is one of the standout highlights of this day trip. Sandy time is rare on island-hopping tours, and it’s one of the best reasons to pick this one. After walking and boat riding, sandy shore means you can really settle.

One useful tip from experience on this route: you might find it worth using golf buggy taxis to reach a bigger beach area around the final stop. It can lead you to a calm bay feel, with bars nearby, which makes the downtime more comfortable.

Not everyone will feel the need to do that extra hop. If you prefer staying close to where you land, you can still enjoy the beach. But if you care about sand, space, and a relaxed social scene, the buggy option is worth looking into when you arrive.

Lunch and Drinks: Three Lunch Options, Real Portion Sizes

Lunch is included, and you get a choice of three lunch options when you book. That flexibility is more valuable than it sounds, especially if you are picky or have preferences. The tour also keeps the day’s energy up with regular refreshments.

The drinks setup is a big part of the “worry-free” feeling:

• Bottled water is included
• Soft drinks like Coca-cola and Fanta are included
• Wine and brandy are included
• Additional alcoholic drinks beyond wine and brandy are not included

That is a good system because you can enjoy the cruise vibe without the drink menu drama. It’s also clear enough that you can plan your own pace.

Food details that matter: grilled options show up, and portion sizes are described as generous. One note to file away is that if you pick a fish-based lunch, you might want to watch for small bones.

If rain comes, the crew handles it fast and keeps you comfortable, which also makes lunch easier. You are not stuck waiting in wet misery with a cold plate.

Value for $76: What You’re Really Paying For

At $76 per person for an 8-hour day, the price only makes sense if the tour delivers on three categories: time, inclusions, and hassle reduction.

You get:

• a full day of island stops rather than a quick half-day loop
• included lunch with three choice options
• included drinks and bottled water
• built-in snorkeling and swimming opportunities
• a live English-speaking guide
• hotel pickup if you are within the City of Dubrovnik area and selected the right option

The value is not just the list. It’s the structure. You do not have to figure out transport between islands, find meeting points, or manage timing like a part-time travel planner.

If you want maximum control, you could always do this independently with ferries and your own lunch plan. But if you want to trade planning stress for real time on water, this tour is priced like a convenience purchase that also includes meaningful extras.

Who This Tour Suits Best

This works best if you want a balanced day with minimal decision fatigue. You like guided context, but you also want room to wander.

Great fits:

• couples who want a relaxed day with lots of photo opportunities and swim time
• people who prefer a guided plan but dislike strict schedules every minute
• anyone visiting Dubrovnik for a short stay who still wants the islands experience

You might skip it if:

• you want one island for most of the day and do not care about hopping
• you dislike swim stops and prefer purely land-based exploring
• you are traveling with very strict timing needs, since this is a schedule-driven day trip

Quick Tips Before You Book

Pack for the sea day. Even when the sun is out, conditions can change. Bring swimwear, sun protection, and something light to cover up between swims.

Also, mentally plan for a day of movement that is still easy. You are not hiking hard, but you are shifting between boat and island areas multiple times.

Finally, if you care about lunch, choose your option thoughtfully at booking. You’ll get a better match for your preferences, and you’ll avoid the one meal-related caution that comes up when fish is involved.

Should You Book This Three-Island Boat Tour With Lunch?

If you are trying to make the most of time near Dubrovnik, I think you should seriously consider it. The big wins are included lunch plus drinks, real island time on Lopud, and the chance to swim and snorkel without extra add-ons. The crew comfort mindset also helps a lot for a long day.

Book it when you want an easy day with variety. You’ll get three islands, a sandy beach moment, and a plan that keeps you from spending your vacation thinking about ferry times and meal logistics.

Skip it if you want deep, slow exploration of one island. This tour is designed for sampling and resetting, not for settling into one place for hours and hours.

If you match that style, this is one of the most practical ways to turn Dubrovnik downtime into an Elaphiti island day you can actually enjoy.

FAQ

What islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Lopud, Sipan, and Kolocep, plus time at the Sunj sandy beach area.

How long is the tour?

The duration is 8 hours.

How much does it cost?

The price is $76 per person.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, with the option to choose between three lunch options when booking.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks include bottled water, Coca-cola, Fanta, and alcoholic drinks limited to white wine and brandy. Other alcoholic drinks are not included.

Is snorkeling and swimming included?

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

Is there a live guide, and what language is it in?

Yes. There is a live tour guide and it is available in English.

Where is the meeting point and when do we depart?

Meeting point is at 08:45 at the bus stop across the University building. Look for the big blue boat named Emili. The boat will not arrive before 08:45.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is optional, but only from the City of Dubrovnik area and not from the whole Dubrovnik-Neretva county. Pickup is also not available if you are less than 1000 m away from the starting point.

Where is the drop-off?

There are two drop-off locations, and one listed drop-off is Knjižnica za društvene znanosti, Dubrovnik.