Dubrovnik: Elaphiti Islands Tour by Regina Maris with Lunch

The best thing about this day is the mix of easy island-hopping and real free time. You visit Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud without arranging ferries or watching a timetable, then return to Dubrovnik on a comfortable ship with lunch already handled.

I especially like the generous three hours on Lopud and the friendly crew, with Elisa earning special praise for helping a group that missed the boat at Šipan. The catch is that Regina Maris is a large, popular boat, so you may share a table with strangers and find the day less quiet than the islands themselves.

Key points at a glance

• Three very different island stops: Swim at Koločep, stroll through Suđurađ on Šipan, and spend the longest stretch on Lopud.
• Lunch with local drinks included: Choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian plate, with white wine at lunch, plus unlimited soft drinks and rakija.
• Šunj Beach takes extra effort: It is about a 15-minute walk from Lopud’s port, or you can pay for a buggy ride.
• A large but comfortable ship: Regina Maris has spacious seating, lazy bags, WiFi, and four onboard restrooms.
• Strong value at $74: The price covers transport by boat, lunch, several drinks, and a full eight-hour day.
• Come prepared for sun and swimming: Pack beachwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, comfortable shoes, and a light jacket.

Why this boat trip works so well from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is surrounded by fine islands, but visiting them independently takes planning. You need to match ferry times, choose which island deserves your limited time, and arrange lunch and drinks along the way. This Regina Maris tour removes that work and gives you a broad sample in one day.

The route has a pleasant rhythm. Koločep is a short first stop for a swim or a quick walk. Šipan offers a small harbor village and old stone buildings. Lopud receives the longest visit, giving you enough time for the beach, a walk, or some sightseeing without turning the day into a race.

At $74 per person, the value is strongest if you expect to eat lunch onboard and use the included drinks. Fish, chicken, or vegetarian lunch is included, as are white wine with the meal, unlimited soft drinks, rakija, and still water from a fountain. Beer costs €4 and coffee €2, while snacks and other purchases are extra.

This is not a private sailing trip. Regina Maris is a large boat, and tables seat six, so you may sit with people you have not met. That can be part of the fun, especially for solo visitors, but anyone seeking a quiet, intimate cruise should know what to expect.

Boarding Regina Maris at Dubrovnik’s port

The ship docks at the pier opposite Lapadska Obala 5. If you select hotel transfer, pickup and drop-off within Dubrovnik can be added. For private accommodation, the driver uses a designated city bus stop, and you need to be waiting 10 minutes before pickup. The driver waits only five minutes, so this is not the morning to run late.

Without transfer, allow time to reach the port and find the ship. The boat is large and easy to spot once you are at the correct pier, but read the meeting instructions carefully because the ship is opposite the stated address rather than directly in front of it.

Once aboard, the practical details are better than on many day boats. There are four restrooms, two for women and two for men. You also get WiFi, spacious seating, and lazy bags where you can stretch out during the cruise.

The upper and outer areas are best for views and fresh air, while the covered seating gives you a break from the sun. Bring a light jacket even on a warm day. The breeze can feel cool on the open water, especially early in the morning or on the return run.

Koločep: one hour for water and a quiet village

Koločep is the first island stop, with about an hour to use as you please. It is a small fishing village surrounded by clear water, and the short visit works best if you decide in advance how to spend it.

If swimming is your priority, change or bring your beachwear where it is easy to reach. You will not want to waste half the stop searching through a day bag. If you prefer to stay dry, use the hour for a short walk along the coast and through the village.

Koločep is not the place for a long sightseeing program. The strength of this stop is its calm setting and easy access to the water. You get a first taste of island life before lunch and before the longer stop on Lopud.

The one-hour limit is also the main drawback. You have enough time for a swim and a little exploring, but not both at a leisurely pace if you also want to return to the ship early. Keep an eye on the departure time. The crew cannot hold the whole boat for late arrivals.

Lunch onboard: simple, local, and included

Lunch is served on the ship and gives the day a welcome pause. You choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian plate when booking, so make that selection ahead of time. The meal is described as Dalmatian-style, and fish is a particularly sensible choice in this coastal setting.

White wine is served with lunch. Unlimited soft drinks and rakija are available throughout the day, and still water comes from a fountain. These inclusions matter because drinks can add up quickly on an eight-hour outing, especially for families or anyone spending hours in the sun.

The food is not presented as a fine-dining experience, and you should not book this trip expecting a long restaurant meal. It is a straightforward onboard lunch that keeps the schedule moving. The useful part is that you eat without giving up more island time or searching for a restaurant.

The bar sells beer for €4 and coffee for €2. Island shops provide snacks if you need something beyond the included meal. One small practical point: check your soft drink before walking away from the bar, since a fizzy drink may occasionally have lost some of its sparkle.

Lunch is served at shared tables, usually seating six. If you are a couple or a solo visitor, you may be placed with other people. The social setup suits those who enjoy meeting fellow passengers, but it is worth knowing before you book.

Šipan and Suđurađ: a short look at old Dalmatia

The second island stop is Šipan, at the village of Suđurađ. Plan on roughly 50 minutes to an hour here, depending on the day’s running order and season. This is the briefest sightseeing stop, but it has a different feel from Koločep.

Suđurađ is a small harbor village with traditional Dalmatian stone architecture and a 16th-century castle. The setting rewards a slow stroll along the waterfront, a few photographs, and a look at the old buildings before returning to the boat.

Do not expect a long hike or a packed list of sights. Šipan is about atmosphere rather than a major attraction program. You may also find opportunities to taste or buy olive oil and wine, but purchases are not included and the stop is short.

This is the point where timekeeping matters most. The boat does not wait for people who wander too far or linger over a shop. One past passenger missed the departure at Šipan and needed help catching up, with Elisa arranging assistance quickly. Treat the departure time as firm and stay close to the port.

Lopud: three hours and the day’s main choice

Lopud is the main event because you get about three hours here. That is long enough to make a real choice rather than simply follow a guide from one sight to another.

You can stay near the port and enjoy the local beach, walk the roughly 2-kilometer seaside promenade, or explore the island’s cultural sights. The Franciscan Monastery, a small botanical garden, and the Black Horizon Art Pavilion are among the options named for this stop.

The Black Horizon Art Pavilion, described as a museum of sunlight, is an unusual choice for anyone who wants something beyond beaches. The monastery and garden suit visitors who prefer a little culture and a gentle walk. You do not need to see everything. Lopud is more enjoyable when you choose one or two activities and leave time to sit by the water.

Families and active visitors can use the stop for swimming, walking, a small hike, or even a bike ride. The three-hour window also works well for solo visitors because you can explore at your own speed and still return comfortably to the port.

Keep in mind that island businesses, admission charges, rentals, and snacks are not listed as included. Bring some cash for optional purchases, beach refreshments, or transport.

Is Šunj Beach worth the walk?

For many people, Šunj Beach will be the best reason to use Lopud’s free time. It is described as one of the finest sandy beaches in this part of Croatia, which matters in a region where many swimming spots are rocky or pebbled.

From the port, Šunj is about a 15-minute walk. The walk is manageable, but you need comfortable shoes, especially if the path is hot or you are carrying towels and beach gear. A buggy ride takes about 10 minutes and costs extra, with the price given as approximately €3 per person each way in one account.

You can take the buggy in one direction and walk back, or simply remain near the port if you do not want to spend time and money getting across the island. The port beach may be almost as convenient, particularly for a short swim before the boat’s departure.

Three hours sounds generous, but the walk or buggy ride, swimming, drying off, and return to the ship all use part of it. If Šunj is your priority, head there soon after arrival instead of spending the first hour browsing near the harbor.

What the crew and onboard setup add

The crew receives the strongest praise, and that is important on a full-day group cruise. Staff serve lunch, keep drinks moving, answer questions, and help passengers manage the schedule. Their friendly, approachable manner makes the shared tables and large-boat format easier to enjoy.

The story involving Elisa is especially useful for judging the level of help available. When a party missed the boat at Šipan, she responded to messages within minutes and helped arrange a way for them to rejoin the group at the next island. You should not rely on that as a safety net, but it shows why carrying the operator’s contact details is wise.

The ship itself is clean, modern, and well maintained. It is large enough to carry a full group without feeling cramped in every area, although busy departures can still feel full. Lazy bags at the back offer a relaxed place to stretch out, and the front is a good spot for open-water views.

Music plays during the cruise. It adds energy for some passengers, while others may prefer quieter Croatian or lounge music. This is a group outing, not a silent sailing retreat, so bring that expectation with you.

Who should book this eight-hour outing?

I would recommend Regina Maris to first-time visitors who want a simple way to see more of the Dubrovnik area. You get three islands, a meal, drinks, swimming time, and a full day on the water without having to build the route yourself.

It is a good fit for couples, families, groups of friends, and solo visitors who do not mind a social setting. The mix of ages can work well, with beach time for teenagers, walks for adults, and enough flexibility for people who do not want to follow the same plan.

It also suits anyone who values convenience. The onboard toilets, water fountain, WiFi, shade, food, and optional hotel pickup remove several small problems that can make a boat day tiring.

I would hesitate if your main goal is a small-group sailing experience, a specialist history tour, or a full day at one beach. Koločep and Šipan are short visits, and Lopud offers free time rather than a detailed guided tour. The day gives you a broad taste of the islands, not an exhaustive look at any one of them.

What to bring and what to know

Pack a towel, beachwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, comfortable shoes, and a jacket. You need both swim gear and walking gear because the day shifts between boat travel, village paths, beach time, and a possible walk to Šunj.

Choose your lunch in advance: fish, chicken, or vegetarian. Beer, coffee, snacks, and extra alcohol cost more, so bring money if those matter to you. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so pack your own only if you want it and are comfortable carrying it.

The tour can be cancelled because of bad weather. Return time is normally around 18:00, but the length of the Lopud stop and the exact return can change between low and high season. Leave some flexibility in your evening plans.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Dubrovnik schedule is still shifting, but they do not remove the need to arrive on time.

Should you book Regina Maris?

Book it if you want good-value island access with very little planning. The combination of three stops, a comfortable ship, lunch, wine, soft drinks, rakija, and several hours on Lopud makes $74 a fair price for a full day.

Make Šunj Beach your plan on Lopud, arrive early at the correct pier, and keep close track of departure times. If you accept a large boat and shared tables, Regina Maris gives you a relaxed, well-organized way to see Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud in one day.

FAQ

Where does the Regina Maris tour start?

The ship docks at the pier opposite Lapadska Obala 5 in Dubrovnik. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about eight hours and usually returns to the port around 18:00. Return times and the Lopud stop can vary by season.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The route visits Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud. The Šipan stop is at the village of Suđurađ.

What lunch choices are available?

You can choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian plate. You should provide your selection when booking.

What drinks are included?

White wine is served with lunch. Unlimited soft drinks, still water, and rakija are included. Beer and coffee are available to buy onboard.

Is hotel pickup available?

Hotel or accommodation pickup and drop-off are available from the city of Dubrovnik if you select that option. Private accommodation uses a designated city bus stop.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, a towel, sunscreen, a jacket, and beachwear. Snorkeling equipment is not included.