From Dubrovnik: Boat Tour to Kolocep, Lopud, & Sipan Islands

The best thing about this Dubrovnik day trip is its variety. In one easy outing, you see three very different Elaphiti islands, swim in clear Adriatic water, eat a generous lunch on board, and still have time to sit back with a glass of white wine. I especially like the sensible timing: about an hour at Koločep and Šipan, then three hours on Lopud, where there is more to do.

I also like the warm, hands-on service. Guides such as Natasha and Emily explain each stop and keep drinks topped up, while the fish, chicken, and vegetarian lunch gives you a real meal rather than a token snack. The main consideration is that the first two island visits can feel short if you want a long walk, and you cannot jump directly from the boat into the sea.

Key points to know before booking

• Three islands, three moods: Green Koločep, historic Šipan, and car-free Lopud each offer something different.
• Lopud gets the most time: You have about three hours to visit Sunj Beach, walk, swim, or enjoy an ice cream.
• Lunch is a proper meal: Choose fish, chicken, or vegetarian, with generous portions served on the boat.
• Drinks are included all day: Water, soft drinks, white wine, and a surprise drink are available, while beer and coffee may cost extra.
• The boat is Emili: Meet at 8:45 at the bus stop across from the University building, and look for the blue boat.
• Blue Cave option: A speedboat add-on has been offered for about €20, but the cave visit itself is brief and can be busy.

Why this boat trip works so well from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is famous for its walls and polished old town, but the nearby islands show you a quieter side of southern Croatia. The Elaphiti group sits close enough for a full-day boat outing, yet the pace feels like a break from city sightseeing.

This is not a fast island-hopping trip where you step ashore, take a photo, and hurry back aboard. The plan gives you roughly one hour on Koločep, one hour on Šipan, and three hours on Lopud. That split makes sense. Koločep and Šipan are good for a brief look, a swim, or a peaceful coffee. Lopud has the beaches, paths, and small-town comforts to fill a longer stop.

The trip lasts about eight to nine hours. That sounds long on paper, but the sailing, meals, swimming, music, and island time break the day into easy sections. I would choose it for a day when you want scenery and fresh air without arranging several ferries yourself.

Meeting the blue boat Emili at 8:45

The regular meeting point is the bus stop across from the University building. Be there for 8:45 and look for the blue boat named Emili. The boat is not expected before 8:45, so arriving early does not mean you need to stand around for a long time waiting for an unseen vessel.

Optional pickup is available, but the exact location and time are provided one day before departure. That makes pickup useful if you are staying outside the central meeting area, though you should keep an eye on the final instructions.

Emili is a wooden boat with shaded areas and an upper deck. It is clean and well cared for, with room to sit inside or outside. The front of the boat is a good choice if you want a quieter ride and open views, while the upper deck suits anyone who wants more sun and music.

The boat can feel full on a busy departure. That is worth knowing if you prefer a small private cruise. The benefit is that the crew is used to looking after a larger group, and the service remains personal, with staff circulating to offer drinks and help you plan your time ashore.

Koločep gives you a gentle first stop

Koločep is the first island and a good introduction to the Elaphiti group. It is green, peaceful, and covered with vegetation. The appeal here is not a long list of major sights. It is the simple pleasure of a quiet shore, clear water, and a slower rhythm.

You have about an hour. Use it for a short walk, a swim, or a coffee beside the sea. If you want to ride a bike or explore more of the island’s paths, this stop will probably feel too brief. For a first taste of Koločep, though, the timing is enough to get a sense of its natural character.

The water around the islands can be wonderfully clear. One useful swimming tip is to bring goggles if you have them. Sea urchins have been spotted in the shallows, so watch where you step and avoid walking barefoot over rocks.

Koločep is the sort of place where I would resist trying to do too much. Let the island be quiet. Take a walk, find a calm viewpoint, and return to the boat without turning the stop into a race.

Šipan adds olive trees and old stone estates

Šipan is the largest of the three islands on this route and is known for its olive trees. It also has a different feel from Koločep, with links to the aristocratic families who once used the island as a peaceful retreat and built mansions here.

The stop lasts about an hour, giving you time to walk around, look at the old buildings, or swim in the clean water. It is also a natural pause before lunch. Some people use the time for a quick dip and snorkel, while others simply sit near the shore and enjoy the calm.

Do not expect a full historical tour of Šipan in sixty minutes. The boat crew gives useful background and local suggestions, but this is a sampling stop rather than an in-depth visit. If your main interest is architecture or island history, you may wish for more time. If your goal is to see several islands in one day, the short visit keeps the whole schedule moving.

The contrast between Šipan and Koločep is part of the pleasure. Koločep feels especially green and restful, while Šipan brings olive groves and traces of a more settled past.

Lunch on board is one of the day’s real strengths

Lunch is served on the boat, usually after the early island stops. You choose between fish, chicken, and a vegetarian meal. The chicken has been served with potatoes and tomatoes, while the fish comes as a substantial portion. The food is freshly prepared on board and is more like a full evening meal than a light excursion lunch.

I would order the fish if you enjoy seafood, but the chicken is a reliable choice, and the vegetarian option means you are not limited to meat or fish. Portions are generous enough that some people cannot finish them. That matters at $76 per person because an island day can become expensive once you add a restaurant meal and drinks.

The open bar runs throughout the day. Included drinks are water, non-alcoholic beverages, white wine, and a surprise drink. Beer and coffee are not part of the listed open bar, and beer has been available for about €3. Coffee prices on Lopud can be much higher, so check the price before ordering there.

The drinks package changes the value calculation. You are not just paying for transport between islands. You are also covering lunch and refreshments during a long day on the water. If you normally buy several drinks on an excursion, this inclusion can make the $76 fare quite reasonable. If you do not drink alcohol, you still have water and soft drinks available.

The atmosphere is relaxed rather than formal. Music plays on board, and the upper deck can become lively, especially when the group is in a celebratory mood. If you want peace, sit toward the front or find a shaded lower-deck seat.

Lopud saves the longest stop for the best choice

Lopud is often regarded as the most developed island on this route, and it gets the most time, about three hours. It is car-free, which makes a noticeable difference. You can walk without dealing with traffic, and the island feels well suited to an afternoon stroll.

The main target is Sunj Beach, a sandy beach that is popular for swimming and relaxing. You can walk there, or a local golf buggy may be available to take you across the island. The buggy ride is a fun option, though it can feel lively on the road. If you use one, sitting in the middle row has been suggested as the steadier choice.

Sunj is attractive, but budget for beach extras. Sun beds and umbrellas can be expensive, especially when the afternoon is hot and shade becomes important. You can avoid that cost by bringing your own towel and accepting a simpler patch of sand, but the choice depends on how much comfort you want.

Three hours gives you room to choose. You might spend the whole time at the beach, swim and then walk, or stay near the village for coffee and ice cream. You can also explore around the monastery and snorkel nearby, though waves may make the water less comfortable on some days.

This is the stop where the tour’s schedule feels most generous. One hour would not be enough for Sunj, a walk, and a swim. With three hours, you can enjoy Lopud without constantly checking the time.

Swimming is easy, but this is not a jump-off-the-boat cruise

The itinerary includes swimming in the Adriatic, and you can swim from the islands during the stops. The water is described as clear and warm during the summer season, with snorkeling possible in suitable conditions.

One important limitation is that jumping directly from Emili into the sea is not allowed. If you are choosing the trip mainly for a boat swim, this may disappoint you. The tour is better understood as a boat ride with island swimming, not as a swimming platform experience.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and footwear that works around rocky shorelines. Goggles are useful, especially because sea urchins may be present. The beach at Sunj is sandy, but other shore areas can be rocky.

The Blue Cave excursion is another possible add-on. It uses a speedboat and has cost about €20. It can be worth adding if you want a quick extra thrill and a different view of the coast, but the cave visit itself may last only a couple of minutes and can be busy. I would treat it as an optional bonus, not the reason to book the main tour.

The crew makes a large boat feel personal

The service is one of the strongest parts of this outing. Natasha is frequently on hand with island information and a friendly welcome. Emily has also been praised for explaining what to expect and helping families and individual passengers throughout the day. Marco and Darko are among the other crew members who have been noted for attentive service.

That attention shows up in small ways. Staff refill drinks, suggest activities on the islands, explain the stops before you arrive, and keep the day moving on time. The captain also receives credit for a safe and well-run trip.

The crew’s approach suits first-time visitors to Dubrovnik who want help making decisions ashore. You do not need to arrive with a detailed plan for Koločep, Šipan, or Lopud. Listen to the recommendations, then choose the pace that fits you.

Families can also find the format practical. The day is long, but the boat breaks up the sightseeing, and the staff have been especially kind with young children. Couples, friends, and solo passengers can all settle into the rhythm, though anyone seeking solitude should choose a quieter seat away from the livelier upper deck.

What the $76 price really covers

At $76 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach one island. It is good value if you want a complete day with transport, lunch, drinks, and a guide who keeps the logistics simple.

You would otherwise need to arrange island transport, find lunch, and pay separately for drinks. The tour also lets you compare three islands in one day, which is useful if you have limited time in Dubrovnik and want more than the old town.

The value is strongest for anyone who will use the lunch and drinks package. Fish, chicken, or vegetarian food is included, as are water, soft drinks, white wine, and a surprise drink. You should still budget for optional costs such as beer, coffee, golf buggy transport, beach chairs, umbrellas, or the Blue Cave speedboat.

The trade-off is independence. You do not control the departure times or decide to stay longer on Koločep or Šipan. The timetable is fixed, and the first two stops may feel rushed if you prefer slow exploration. In exchange, you see more of the coast with very little planning.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking also make it easier to fit the outing into a changing Dubrovnik plan.

Who should book this Elaphiti Islands day trip

I would book this tour if you want a well-organized full day on the water and do not want to manage ferries, restaurant reservations, or island connections. It works particularly well for first-time visitors with only a few days in Dubrovnik.

It is also a good fit for:

• Couples looking for scenery, swimming, and an easy day away from the city
• Families who appreciate included food and attentive staff
• Visitors who want three islands rather than a single beach stop
• Anyone who values lunch and drinks being included in the upfront cost
• People who enjoy a social boat atmosphere with music and an upper deck

I would think twice if you want a private cruise, a tiny group, long hikes, or the freedom to swim directly from the boat. I would also skip the Blue Cave add-on if you dislike short, busy stops. The main trip remains worthwhile without it.

Should you book the Emili island cruise?

Yes, for most people visiting Dubrovnik, this is an easy recommendation. The route gives you a useful mix of green scenery, old island buildings, sandy beach time, swimming, and a generous on-board lunch. The crew, especially Natasha and Emily, adds practical guidance without making the day feel stiff.

Go in with the right expectations. Koločep and Šipan are short visits, Sunj Beach has paid extras, and the boat is not a platform for jumping into the sea. If those points suit you, the $76 price buys a relaxed and varied Croatian day that would be hard to arrange as smoothly on your own.

FAQ

How long does the boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 8 to 9 hours, depending on the operating schedule.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at 8:45 at the bus stop across from the University building. The blue boat is named Emili and is not expected before 8:45.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud, three inhabited islands in the Elaphiti group near Dubrovnik.

How much time do you get on each island?

You get about one hour on Koločep, one hour on Šipan, and three hours on Lopud.

What lunch choices are available?

You can choose a fish, chicken, or vegetarian meal. Lunch is served on the boat.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes water, non-alcoholic beverages, white wine, and a surprise drink. Beer and coffee may require an additional payment.