Island Hopping & City Walls Cruise with Food and Open Bar

The best part of this day is its simple mix of sea time, island stops, and a prepared lunch. You can swim at Koločep and Šipan, then spend the longest stretch on Lopud, where the famous Šunj Beach is within walking distance. I like that lunch includes a choice of fish, chicken, or vegetarian food, with wine and bottled water included. The main drawback is time: two hours on Lopud can feel tight if you want to reach Šunj Beach.

I also like the practical setup. You do not need to arrange separate ferries between the islands, and the boat has a restroom. Hosts such as Ana and Annabella have been singled out for being attentive and organized. Just note that the group can reach 120 people, so this is a shared boat day rather than a quiet private cruise.

Key points at a glance

• Three Elaphiti islands in one day: Visit Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud without arranging separate local ferry connections.
• A useful lunch choice: Pick fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal, with bottled water, wine, bread, and the possibility of second helpings.
• Šunj Beach takes planning: Reaching the sandy beach from Lopud means a 15-minute walk or a golf-cart ride costing 3 euros each way.
• Sunset views of Dubrovnik: The return cruise gives you a different view of the Old Town and its walls from the water.
• Good host support: Ana and Annabella are named as especially helpful, and Dramamine has been available for rougher water.
• Strong value at $84.66: The fare combines transport, lunch, drinks, and several island stops, though snorkeling gear and coffee cost extra.

A full day on the Elaphiti islands

This cruise gives you about seven hours away from Dubrovnik, starting at 10:45 a.m. and returning around 5:45 p.m. The rhythm is easy to understand: cruise out, stop at three islands, eat on board, then return along the coast as the light softens.

That makes it a good choice if you want an introduction to the Elaphiti archipelago without building your own ferry schedule. Going independently may cost only a few euros for local ferries, but it can be difficult to connect Šipan with the other islands in one day. Here, the boat handles the movement for you.

The trade-off is group size. With up to 120 people, you should expect a busy shared outing, especially when boarding, eating, or returning to the boat after a swim. Still, the schedule and the included meal make this easier than piecing together three separate island visits.

Koločep: your first swim and coffee stop

Koločep is the first island, with about 45 minutes set aside for the stop. You can use that time for a quick swim, coffee, or a short walk. It is a gentle opening to the day because you are not expected to cover much ground.

The short stop also gives you a chance to test the water before committing to a longer swim later. If you prefer to stay dry, a brief walk or coffee keeps the visit worthwhile. Coffee and tea are not included, so plan to pay separately if you want one.

Do not expect a long island visit here. Forty-five minutes passes quickly once you leave the boat, find a place to sit, and make your way back for departure. I would treat Koločep as a pleasant first taste rather than the main event.

Šipan and the Skočibuha summer house

The next stop is Šipan, one of the larger islands in the Elaphiti group. The planned visit lasts about 40 minutes and includes time for a swim and a short look at the Skočibuha summer house.

This stop adds a little local character to a day that could otherwise be only beaches and swimming. The summer house offers a reason to walk beyond the waterfront, while the short schedule keeps the stop focused.

As with Koločep, you need to watch the clock. A swim, a walk to the house, and a return to the boat can fill the entire visit. If you prefer slow island wandering, the timing may feel brisk. If you want variety, it works well: two short stops prepare you for the longer stay on Lopud.

Lopud and the race to Šunj Beach

Lopud is where the cruise spends most of its time, with about two hours ashore. It is one of the most popular islands in the group, and you can use the time for swimming, walking, or exploring the waterfront at your own pace.

The big question is Šunj Beach. To reach it, walk for about 15 minutes to the other side of the island, or pay 3 euros each way for a golf cart. The golf cart saves your legs but adds cost, and the return trip uses part of your limited island time.

If you take the cart, you may have only 45 minutes to an hour at the beach after allowing for the journey and return. Walking gives you more control over the route, but it leaves less time for a relaxed swim. Two hours is enough to see Šunj, but it is not generous if you want a long beach stay.

I would choose your plan before stepping off the boat. If Šunj is your priority, go directly there. If you would rather avoid rushing, stay closer to the main village and enjoy the island at a slower pace. The day works best when you accept that Lopud offers a taste of the beach, not an all-day beach holiday.

Lunch on board, with wine and water included

Lunch is one of the strongest practical reasons to choose this cruise. You can select fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal, so the menu is not locked to one dish. Bottled water is included, as is wine.

The meal has been described as generous, with bread available and second helpings of the main course offered. That matters on a seven-hour boat day, when a small snack would leave you looking for food before the afternoon is over.

The open-bar wording deserves a little care. Alcoholic beverages, specifically wine, are included, but coffee and tea are not. One extra detail is the 3 euro cup charge used for unlimited drinks, with the fee refundable at the end of the day. You can keep the cup instead if you want a small souvenir.

Do not count on WiFi or included snorkeling gear. Bring your own equipment if snorkeling is important to you, and carry some cash for coffee, the golf cart, or other island purchases.

Returning to Dubrovnik by the city walls

The ride back is more than simple transport. The route offers sunset views toward Dubrovnik, including the Old Town and its fortified walls from the water. This is a useful change of viewpoint after spending the day on the islands.

You get about an hour and a half associated with the Old Town return portion of the itinerary. The exact appeal is the cruise itself rather than a formal walking tour of the walls, so do not book this expecting an escorted visit through the fortifications.

Late afternoon light can make the return especially pleasant, but weather affects the whole experience. This is a sea outing, and the operator can cancel if conditions are poor. In that case, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

How the price compares with doing it yourself

At $84.66 per person, this is not the cheapest possible way to reach the islands. Local ferries may cost only a few euros, but that lower price does not give you the same arrangement. You would need to work out the timing, find connections between islands, arrange food, and keep track of the return.

The cruise price includes the boat, lunch, bottled water, wine, and restroom access. That makes the fare reasonable for anyone who values a planned day and does not want to spend vacation time studying ferry schedules.

The value is strongest if you eat the included lunch, use the organized island route, and enjoy the sunset ride back. The value is weaker if you mainly want to spend hours at Šunj Beach. In that case, a tour with a longer Lopud stop may suit you better, even if it costs more or starts earlier.

Timing, meeting details, and motion on the water

The stated start time is 10:45 a.m., with the activity ending back at the meeting point. One practical note is that the boat may leave from the Old Town at 10:45, while boarding at the Sheraton area has been described as closer to 10 a.m. Confirm your exact boarding point and arrival time before departure, especially if you are staying near the Sheraton.

The boat has a restroom, which is welcome during a seven-hour outing. The experience is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed. Most people can take part, though no detailed mobility information is provided.

The sea can be rough on the outward journey. Dramamine has been available, but you should not rely on that as a guarantee. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where you feel most stable, eat lightly before departure, and bring your preferred medication.

The company has been described as professional and safety-conscious, with staff helping keep the group on schedule. That matters on an island route, since missing the boat would be a serious problem.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a one-day introduction to the Elaphiti islands with transport and lunch handled in advance. It suits couples, families, and first-time visitors who want swimming, scenery, and a few short walks without organizing several ferry rides.

It is also a good fit if you like having food included. The choice of fish, chicken, or vegetarian lunch is more useful than a fixed menu, and the wine and water make the fare easier to judge.

You may want another option if your main goal is a long, quiet beach session. Two hours on Lopud is the key limitation, particularly if you want to visit Šunj. You also need to be comfortable sharing a large boat with as many as 120 people.

The cruise is not designed for serious snorkeling, since equipment is not included. It is better understood as a social sightseeing and swimming day with meals, drinks, and island stops.

My booking advice

I would book this cruise if your ideal Dubrovnik day includes three islands, a proper lunch, wine, and a sunset approach to the Old Town. The organization saves time, and the price covers enough to make the day practical rather than piecemeal.

Before booking, decide how much Šunj Beach matters to you. If you are happy with a quick visit, the schedule works. If you want to settle into the sand for several hours, choose a trip with a longer Lopud stay.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made later are not refunded, and poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts about seven hours, starting at 10:45 a.m. and ending back at the meeting point.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud in the Elaphiti archipelago.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You can choose a fish, chicken, or vegetarian meal. Bread and second servings may also be available.

Are drinks included?

Bottled water and wine are included. Coffee and tea are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included.

How much time is spent on Lopud?

The planned stop on Lopud lasts about two hours.

How do I reach Šunj Beach from Lopud?

You can walk for about 15 minutes or take a golf cart. The golf cart costs 3 euros each way.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.