Dubrovnik: 6 hours Blue cave & Elaphiti with optional lunch

The best part of this six-hour Elaphiti Islands cruise is the mix of water time and island time. You swim into the Blue Cave, wander quiet Kolocep, then get two hours on Lopud, enough for Šunj Beach, a village stroll, or a slow lunch.

I like the small group limit of 25 and the simple onboard setup: masks, life jackets, wine, soda, water, and rakija are provided. The main consideration is that the Blue Cave can only be reached by swimming, and the optional lunch costs another €20, with a €5 pickup fee if you use hotel transport.

Key points at a glance

• Swim into the Blue Cave: The cave is reached from the boat by swimming, with snorkeling masks supplied onboard.
• Three very different island stops: Kolocep offers quiet paths and pine trees, the Blue Cave brings water time, and Lopud gives you two hours by a sandy beach.
• Up to 25 people: This is a smaller boat outing rather than a huge excursion vessel, though the actual group may vary.
• Drinks are included: Wine, soda, water, and rakija are available during the cruise.
• Lunch is optional: Choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal for €20, paid on the boat.
• Simple port meeting point: Board beside the TP LINE ferry at New Port Gruž, looking for the boat named LORENA or KATE.

A six-hour escape from Dubrovnik’s stone streets

Dubrovnik is full of walls, steps, polished stone, and busy viewpoints. This trip gives you a useful change of pace: six hours on the Adriatic, with time to swim, sit in the sun, and see several islands without arranging separate ferry trips.

The route visits the Elaphiti Islands, a group close to Dubrovnik known for clear water, small settlements, wooded slopes, and beaches. You will not get a long, in-depth visit to each island. Instead, the day works as a sampler, with short stops at Kolocep and the Blue Cave, followed by a longer stay on Lopud.

That rhythm suits you if you want variety. It is less suitable if you prefer spending a whole day on one beach or taking a slow island walk with no fixed departure time.

The boat carries up to 25 people, which helps keep the outing more personal than a large ferry excursion. One booking ended up with only a few people and felt almost like a private cruise. You should not count on that every day, but the group cap is still a useful feature.

Getting to the boat at New Port Gruž

The standard meeting point is the large dock at New Port Gruž in Dubrovnik. Boarding takes place next to the TP LINE ferry, and the boat should be named LORENA or KATE.

You can also arrange pickup and drop-off from a hotel in the Dubrovnik area. That service costs €5, paid locally. The operator contacts you the day before to confirm your hotel and pickup details, so keep an eye on your messages.

If you make your own way to Gruž, allow time to find the correct dock and boat. The port handles several services, so knowing the boat name matters. Bring cash for the optional charges. The stated arrangement is €20 cash for lunch and €5 cash for hotel transport, although one booking account reported being able to pay by card. I would still plan on cash and treat card payment as something to confirm, not something to rely on.

The host or greeter speaks English. Boarding beside a recognizable ferry terminal keeps the start fairly straightforward, but this is a boat trip, so do not arrive at the last minute.

Kolocep: 45 minutes of quiet island time

Kolocep is the first proper stop, with about 45 minutes to walk, swim, snorkel, or take photographs. Its appeal is calm rather than spectacle. Pine trees, small paths, and the sea give you a gentle introduction to the islands.

You can use this stop to get your bearings. Walk a little, find a place near the water, or simply enjoy being away from Dubrovnik’s crowds. The time is long enough for a short wander and a swim, but not long enough for a serious hike or a full island exploration.

That limit is worth keeping in mind. If you want to see Kolocep in depth, this tour will feel brief. If you want a taste of its quieter side before returning to the boat, 45 minutes works well.

The boat itinerary also includes scenic cruising and refreshment periods between stops. Wine, soda, water, and rakija are available, so you can settle in as the boat moves through the islands. The cruise itself is part of the experience, not just transportation between attractions.

The Blue Cave is a swim, not a walk-in attraction

The Blue Cave stop lasts about 45 minutes and is the most unusual part of the route. You reach the cave by swimming from the boat, so bring beachwear and be comfortable entering open water.

Snorkeling masks are provided, and life jackets are included. You can swim, look beneath the surface, and spend time near the cave entrance. The supplied information does not promise a guided cave tour or a dry landing, so think of this as a water-based stop rather than a conventional sightseeing visit.

This is where practical preparation matters most. Wear a swimsuit under your clothes, bring comfortable shoes for the rest of the day, and keep any valuables secure. If you do not swim, or if entering the water is difficult for you, this stop will be limiting.

The 45-minute window gives you time in the water without turning the whole day into a swim outing. You will want to listen for instructions about returning to the boat, since the schedule continues to Lopud.

Lopud gives you the longest break

Lopud is the main island stop, with two hours of free time. That extra time changes the feel of the day. You are not rushing from one photo stop to another. You can choose how active or lazy you want to be.

The best-known option is Šunj Beach, a sandy beach that makes a pleasant contrast to Dubrovnik’s mostly rocky shore. You can sunbathe, swim, and relax, though the tour does not state that beach equipment or a reserved place is included.

You can also wander through the village, browse small shops, or take photographs. If lunch is part of your plan, Lopud is the natural place to fit it in, but confirm the exact serving arrangement with the crew. The meal is optional and costs €20.

The fish, chicken, and vegetarian choices make lunch workable for different tastes. That is helpful on a six-hour trip, especially if you would rather not organize food separately. Still, €20 is a meaningful extra on top of the tour price, so compare it with what you would normally spend on a casual island meal.

Two hours is enough for a beach visit and a little walking. It is not enough to treat Lopud as a full-day destination. I would choose one main goal before you arrive: Šunj Beach, village time, or a relaxed meal. Trying to do everything could make the longest stop feel rushed.

What the $57 price really includes

At $57 per person, the tour offers a good amount for a half-day outing. You are paying for the boat route, three island-related stops, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, a smaller group, and unlimited drinks.

The included drinks improve the value, particularly on a warm day. Water is practical, soda is useful for children and non-drinkers, and wine and rakija give the cruise a more social feel. You should not mistake this for a formal tasting experience, but the drinks are a pleasant part of the boat time.

Lunch changes the calculation. Add €20 for fish, chicken, or vegetarian food, plus €5 if you use hotel pickup and drop-off. That puts the real cost above the advertised base price for many people.

I see the tour as good value if you want several experiences in one booking: cruising, swimming, snorkeling, a sandy beach, and drinks. It is less compelling if your priority is only beach time, since a large part of the day is spent moving between stops.

Life onboard and the small-group feel

A maximum of 25 people keeps the outing from becoming a giant party boat. You still share the experience with other passengers, but the cap should make boarding, getting drinks, and receiving basic instructions easier.

The atmosphere may vary by departure. One outing was so lightly booked that it became a private-style cruise, while another note praised the friendly service and scenic route. You should expect a pleasant group boat, not guarantee a private charter.

The guide or crew provides information during the ride. One booking account found the speaker hard to hear while the boat was moving, with the information clearer at stops. That is useful advice: enjoy the scenery first, and do not assume every spoken detail will be easy to catch over engine noise.

A crew member called Super Mario was introduced that way on one trip and later turned up the speaker, which improved the commentary. If hearing the guide matters to you, sit where you can listen clearly and ask politely if you miss something.

Drinks, lunch, and what to bring

The drink service is one of the tour’s strongest practical touches. Unlimited wine, soda, water, and rakija are included while you cruise. Keep drinking water in mind even with other choices available, especially after swimming and time in the sun.

Lunch is not included in the $57 starting price. You choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian menu, then pay €20 on the boat. The operator contacts you the day before to ask for your choice, so decide before departure rather than waiting until you are hungry.

Bring:

• Beachwear and a towel
• Comfortable shoes
• Cash for lunch and possible hotel pickup
• Any personal sun protection you normally use
• A secure way to carry small items

The tour includes masks, but it does not say that towels, lockers, or other personal beach equipment are supplied. Pack as if you need to handle your own beach basics.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this trip to couples, friends, and families who want a compact island day without planning ferry connections. The schedule offers enough variety to keep different people happy: one person can swim while another walks, and the two-hour Lopud stop gives everyone room to choose.

It also suits first-time visitors to Dubrovnik who want to see beyond the city. You get a quick look at Kolocep and Lopud, plus a memorable swim stop, without giving up an entire day.

Strong swimmers or confident water users will get the most from the Blue Cave. The cave is accessible only by swimming, so anyone who cannot swim or does not want to enter the water should consider that a real drawback.

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. It also may not suit you if you want a quiet, private boat, a long guided walk, or a fixed luxury lunch. The product is built around movement, swimming, free time, and a shared boat atmosphere.

Timing, cancellations, and the day’s pace

The full activity lasts six hours, with starting times based on availability. The stated stops include 45 minutes on Kolocep, 45 minutes at the Blue Cave, and two hours on Lopud, with scenic cruising and refreshment periods between them.

That gives you a clear sense of the pace. You get short, focused stops early in the trip, then a longer block on Lopud. I like that arrangement because the day builds toward a more relaxed finish, but you need to watch the departure time on the island.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also helps if your Dubrovnik plans are still shifting.

The activity returns to the same meeting point at New Port Gruž. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available for an added €5 paid locally, if arranged in advance.

Should you book the Elaphiti Islands tour?

Book it if you want a well-priced mix of swimming, island scenery, drinks, and beach time in one six-hour outing. The small group cap, included snorkeling masks, and long Lopud stop make it more useful than a simple sightseeing cruise.

Before booking, make three quick checks. Confirm that everyone in your party is comfortable swimming to the Blue Cave, set aside the extra €20 for lunch if you want it, and prepare cash for local add-ons. Also choose whether you want hotel pickup or prefer to meet at Gruž.

I would skip it if you want a full day on one island, cannot swim, need wheelchair access, or dislike fixed boat schedules. For everyone else, it is a practical way to trade Dubrovnik’s city walls for open water, a sandy beach, and a few hours of easy island exploring.

FAQ

How long does the Elaphiti Islands tour last?

The tour lasts six hours. Check availability for the departure time.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is at New Port Gruž in Dubrovnik, beside the TP LINE ferry. Look for the boat named LORENA or KATE.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are available from hotels in the Dubrovnik area for an additional €5, paid locally.

Can I swim into the Blue Cave?

Yes, but the Blue Cave is accessible only by swimming. Snorkeling masks and life jackets are provided onboard.

How long do you spend on Kolocep?

The Kolocep stop lasts about 45 minutes. You can walk, swim, snorkel, take photos, or relax by the sea.

How long do you spend on Lopud?

You have two hours of free time on Lopud. You can visit Šunj Beach, walk through the village, shop, swim, or relax.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited wine, soda, water, and rakija are included onboard.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

No. Lunch is optional and costs €20. You can choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian menu, with payment arranged on the boat.