Three Island Boat Tour With Lunch

The best part of this Elaphiti Islands boat tour is its easy rhythm. You leave Dubrovnik behind, spend the day on the water, and get three very different island stops without having to arrange ferries, lunch, taxis, or beach time yourself. Lopud gets the longest visit, while Šipan and Koločep provide shorter chances to walk, swim, and take in the views.

I like the large, shaded boat, which gives you a comfortable place to sit between stops, and I like the practical all-day setup: lunch, water, soft drinks, wine, and brandy are included. The main drawback is that each island stop has a fixed schedule, so you cannot linger if one place especially catches your eye. Also, the tour does not include every kind of alcoholic drink, and you need to bring your own swimsuit.

Key points to know before booking

• The blue boat Emili leaves at 8:45: Meet at the bus stop across from the University building. The boat is not expected before 8:45.
• Lopud gets about three hours: This is your longest stop, with time for a guided visit, walking, swimming, snorkeling, and scenic views.
• Šipan and Koločep each get about one hour: These stops are pleasant but brief, so plan on sampling rather than fully exploring.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Choose among three lunch options when booking, with bottled water, Coca-Cola, Fanta, white wine, and brandy available.
• Šunj Beach is the sandy beach highlight: It gives you a welcome change from the rocky coves common along the Adriatic coast.
• Emily is a guide to look out for: She was specifically praised for attentive care and for looking after the group throughout the day.

Leaving Dubrovnik aboard Emili

The meeting point is straightforward: the bus stop across from the University building in Dubrovnik. Be there at 8:45 and look for the big blue boat named Emili. The boat will not arrive before that time, so arriving very early does not help much, but you should still be ready to board promptly.

Hotel pickup and drop-off can be added if you are staying in the City of Dubrovnik area and select that option. Pickup is not offered throughout Dubrovnik-Neretva County, and it is not provided for locations less than 1,000 meters from the starting point. If you are close by, walking to the meeting point may be simpler.

Once underway, the first 45 minutes are spent on a sightseeing cruise. This gives you time to settle in, find a shaded seat, and watch Dubrovnik recede behind you. The boat has clean toilets, open views from its seating areas, and enough room to make the cruise itself part of the day rather than just transport between islands.

The crew keeps drinks available throughout the trip. Bottled water and soft drinks are included, along with white wine and brandy. Do not read all-inclusive too broadly, however. Other alcoholic drinks are not included, and personal purchases are your responsibility.

Lopud gives you the longest island break

Lopud is the main event because you have around three hours here. That longer pause lets you choose your own pace instead of rushing from one photo stop to another. You can join the guided sightseeing, take a walk, swim, snorkel, or simply sit and enjoy the views.

The island works well as the first substantial stop because it offers a mix of activities. If you want movement, walk and explore. If the day is hot, head for the water. If you prefer a slower outing, use the free time to enjoy the scenery and the boat’s easygoing schedule.

The tour also highlights Šunj sandy beach, a useful detail for anyone who has spent time on Croatia’s mostly pebbly shore. Sandy beaches are not the norm along this part of the Adriatic, so Šunj offers a different feel underfoot and a good place for swimming.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, and sun protection. A swimsuit is not supplied, and the tour information specifically lists it as something you must provide yourself. Snorkeling and swimming are part of the available activities, but equipment details are not specified, so you should confirm what is supplied if you do not plan to bring your own gear.

Three hours sounds generous, but it passes quickly if you want to walk, swim, eat, and take photos. I would decide before arrival whether your priority is the beach or exploring, rather than trying to fit everything in without a plan.

Šipan offers a quieter, shorter stop

After Lopud, the boat continues to Šipan, where you have about one hour. The stop includes free time, a photo opportunity, walking, sightseeing, swimming, and snorkeling. You can explore independently here, since the stop is listed as self-guided.

Šipan is best approached as a brief taste of island life. You will not have time for a long walk or a detailed exploration, but you can get off the boat, stretch your legs, see the waterfront, and enjoy a swim if conditions suit you. The scenic approach is part of the appeal, so keep your camera ready while the boat comes in.

The one-hour limit is the tradeoff. This is not a stop for settling into one café for the afternoon or wandering far inland. Stay aware of the return time, because the boat will continue to Koločep according to its fixed schedule.

Lunch is included during the day, with three choices available when you book. One useful detail is that the fish option may contain bones, so take care if you choose it. A grilled vegetable and potato salad option is also available, making the meal workable for people who do not want fish.

The food portions have been described as generous, which matters on an eight-hour outing. You are not left to find lunch on each island, and you can use the stops for swimming and walking rather than hunting for a restaurant.

Koločep closes the island circuit

Koločep is the final island stop, with about one hour for a break, photographs, free time, sightseeing, walking, swimming, and snorkeling. Like Šipan, it is a compact visit, but the short stop gives the day a good final pause before returning to Dubrovnik.

The island’s calm bay is especially appealing if you want a final swim. An option mentioned for this stop is taking a golf buggy taxi across the island to reach a larger beach with bars in a quiet bay. That ride is not listed as part of the tour, so treat it as an extra possibility, not an included activity.

You will need to watch the clock at Koločep. A golf buggy trip, beach time, and a drink at a bar can quickly use up an hour. If you choose to go farther from the boat, confirm your return plan before leaving the landing area.

For many people, Koločep will be less about detailed sightseeing and more about ending the day with a swim and a final look at the islands. The stop is short, but it gives you one last chance to get off the boat before the return journey.

Lunch, drinks, and comfort on the water

The boat setup is one of the strongest parts of the experience. It has shade, clean toilets, and views from all seating areas, so you are not forced to stand or fight for one special viewing spot. The open-bar arrangement includes water, Coca-Cola, Fanta, white wine, and brandy.

The crew regularly offers refreshments, which is helpful in the sun. You can relax between stops without keeping track of every purchase. Still, bring a little money for personal expenses, especially if you want something outside the included drinks or choose to use an optional golf buggy taxi.

Weather can change on the water. On a rainy day, the crew has been quick to lower the boat sides and bring out blankets, a useful sign that the outing is not dependent on perfect sunshine. You should still check the forecast and pack a light layer, since an open boat can feel cool once it moves.

The included lunch adds real value to the $76 price. You are paying for an eight-hour cruise, transport between three islands, a guide, island visits, lunch, and drinks. Comparable costs would quickly add up if you had to arrange multiple boat rides, food, and refreshments yourself.

The value is strongest if you want a full day with minimal planning. It is less compelling if you prefer to spend a whole day on one island, avoid organized schedules, or do not care about the included food and drinks.

What the guides and crew add

The tour runs in English, with a live guide and local guide support. Emily is specifically associated with attentive care throughout the day, and the crew’s practical help has been a repeated strength of the experience.

That care matters on a boat excursion because timing and safety are less forgiving than on a city walk. One passenger misunderstood the departure time at the first island and missed the boat. The crew and office helped arrange a way to rejoin at the next stop, which shows useful flexibility, but do not count on being rescued from a late return.

Listen carefully when the guide explains the schedule at each island. Note the boat’s location, the departure time, and how long it takes to walk back to the quay. A simple phone alarm is a good idea.

The guide also provides information about each island as you visit. This makes the day more than a beach transfer, while still leaving enough free time for your own plans.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want to see the islands without piecing together local transport. It suits couples, families, and groups of friends who like a mix of sightseeing, swimming, food, and time in the sun.

It is also a good choice if you are staying in Dubrovnik for only a few days. The tour takes one full day, but it gives you a clear change of scene from the old city and lets you experience the coast from the water.

You will probably enjoy it most if you like a social boat outing and a fixed plan. The crew, lunch, drinks, and guided information remove much of the usual planning work.

I would think twice if you want a private or highly flexible experience. The schedule is shared, and the stops are timed. You also need to be comfortable boarding a boat, walking on island quays, and managing your own swimming equipment and personal belongings.

The tour has a perfect 5.0 rating from 31 reviews, with praise centered on the friendly crew, comfortable boat, generous food, free drinks, and varied island stops. The most useful lesson is not simply that the day is popular. It is that the service continues to matter when conditions are less than ideal, including rain or a missed departure.

Booking details and practical planning

The price is $76 per person. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available only when selected and only within the City of Dubrovnik area. Private transportation is not included, and pickup outside the Dubrovnik city area is not available.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps payment flexible. The tour lasts eight hours, though you should check the available start time when booking.

Pack a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, a hat, and a light layer. Bring cash or a card for personal expenses and optional purchases. If you choose the fish lunch, take care around bones, and if you plan to use the golf buggy option at Koločep, leave enough time to return to the boat.

Most of all, keep track of departure times. The itinerary is generous, but the boat cannot wait indefinitely at every island.

Should you book the Three Island Boat Tour?

Book it if you want an easy, full-day escape from Dubrovnik with three island visits, lunch, drinks, and several chances to swim. The comfortable boat, attentive crew, and sandy Šunj Beach make the $76 price fair for a day that would be awkward and costly to arrange on your own.

Skip it if you want to explore one island slowly or prefer a private boat and complete control over the schedule. For most visitors seeking a relaxed taste of the Elaphiti Islands, though, this is a practical and enjoyable choice. Just arrive on time, bring your swimsuit, and listen closely when the crew gives the return instructions.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at 8:45 at the bus stop across from the University building in Dubrovnik. Look for the big blue boat named Emili.

Is the boat at the meeting point before 8:45?

No. The boat will not arrive before 8:45, so plan to be at the meeting point around the stated time.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts eight hours.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep in the Elaphiti Islands.

How long do you stay on Lopud?

You have about three hours on Lopud, including guided sightseeing, free time, walking, swimming, and snorkeling.

How long are the Šipan and Koločep stops?

You have about one hour on Šipan and about one hour on Koločep.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, and you can choose among three lunch options when booking.

Which drinks are included?

Included drinks are bottled water, Coca-Cola, Fanta, white wine, and brandy. Other alcoholic drinks are not included.

Is hotel pickup available?

Hotel or accommodation pickup and drop-off are available in the City of Dubrovnik area if you select that option. Pickup is not available outside the Dubrovnik city area.

Can you cancel for a refund?

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