Island Hopping & City Walls Cruise with Food and Open Bar

The best part of this Dubrovnik boat trip is the change of pace. You leave the stone streets behind and spend a full day moving between three Elaphiti Islands, with time for a swim, a short walk, lunch, and a look back at the Old Town from the water. Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud each offer a different kind of stop.

I like the generous food arrangement, with fish, chicken, or a vegetarian main course, bread, and the possibility of seconds. I also like the simple value: lunch, bottled water, wine, and a restroom are included in the $84.66 price. The main drawback is time on Lopud. Two hours is enough for the village and a quick look toward Šunj Beach, but it can feel rushed if you want to make the full trip there.

Key points to know before booking

• Three Elaphiti Islands in one day: Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud give you a broad first look at the archipelago.
• Lopud gets the longest stop: You have two hours, but reaching Šunj Beach takes extra walking, a golf-cart ride, and cash.
• Lunch is a real part of the experience: Choose fish, chicken, or vegetarian food, with bread and possible second helpings.
• The return past Dubrovnik is scenic: The trip back includes views toward the Old Town and a sunset on the water.
• The group can be large: The boat accepts up to 120 people, so this is a social cruise rather than a quiet private outing.
• The later start has a trade-off: A 10:45 am start is easier for some schedules, but it leaves less time on Lopud than longer island cruises.

Three islands, one easy day from Dubrovnik

I see this cruise as a practical introduction to the Elaphiti Islands rather than a deep exploration of any one island. In roughly seven hours, you get a taste of three places that would be awkward to link independently, especially Šipan and Koločep.

The value is in the transport. You do not need to study ferry timetables, wait for separate boats, or work out how to move from one island to the next. That convenience matters in summer, when a missed connection can eat up a large part of your day.

The boat can carry up to 120 people, so set your expectations accordingly. You are joining a sizeable group, not hiring a small launch for a private island picnic. The upside is a lively, easygoing day with staff on hand. The downside is that boarding, meals, and disembarking may feel less personal.

The stated start time is 10:45 am, but pay close attention to your exact boarding instructions. One departure point has been described as leaving earlier, with the boat reaching the Old Town area at about 10:45. That distinction can matter if you are staying near the Sheraton or another pickup location.

Koločep: your first swim and a gentle start

Koločep is the first island, with about 45 minutes scheduled here. The stop is designed to help you settle into the day. You can swim, have a coffee at your own cost, or take a short walk.

Forty-five minutes is not enough for a major hike or a long beach session, but that is not really the point. I would use this stop for a quick swim or a short look around rather than trying to accomplish too much. The first island gives you a chance to stretch your legs after boarding and get comfortable with the rhythm of the cruise.

The water stop is also useful for anyone who does not want a full day of sightseeing. You can choose your level of activity instead of being pushed into a long walk. Just remember that snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own if you want to explore below the surface.

Coffee and tea are also not included. Bottled water is provided, which covers the basic need, while wine is part of the included drinks. If you want coffee, plan to pay separately during a stop.

Šipan and the Skočibuha summer house

The second stop is Šipan, one of the larger islands in the Elaphiti group. You have about 40 minutes for a short visit to the Skočibuha summer house and another chance to swim.

This is a compact stop, but it adds some cultural interest to a day that could otherwise become only a sequence of beaches. The summer house gives you something specific to see, while the swim keeps the pace relaxed and outdoors-focused.

I would not expect a long island walk here. The schedule is built around a quick visit and a swim, not a full tour of Šipan. That limitation is worth knowing because the name of a large island can suggest a much bigger exploration than the timetable allows.

The short stop can still work well if you value variety. You see another part of the archipelago, get back on the boat before the day becomes tiring, and save the longest period for Lopud.

Lopud: the main stop and the route to Šunj Beach

Lopud is where most of the day happens, with about two hours ashore. It is one of the best-known islands in the group, and you have time for a walk, a swim, or a visit toward Šunj Beach on the opposite side.

The walk to the other side takes about 15 minutes. From there, a golf cart costs about 3 euros each way, paid in cash, if you want to shorten the journey. This is the key practical detail of the whole trip. A two-hour stop sounds generous until you account for walking, the cart, waiting, and the return journey.

In real terms, you may have only 45 minutes to an hour at Šunj if you use the golf cart and want to return comfortably. If you walk both ways, you will have less beach time but avoid the extra fare. I would carry small cash and decide early whether Šunj is your priority.

Šunj is attractive to see, but the choice creates a trade-off. If you stay near the landing area on Lopud, you get a calmer stop with more time to wander and swim. If you make the trip to Šunj, you see a popular beach but spend much of the stop in transit.

Some other island cruises allow three hours on Lopud. This one gives you two, partly because the boat starts later and gives useful time to the earlier islands. I prefer this schedule if you want a broad introduction to the Elaphiti Islands. I would choose a longer Lopud stop if Šunj is the main reason you are booking.

Lunch on the water, with useful choices

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of the price. You choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal, and bottled water is included. Wine is included as well, creating the relaxed feel of a shared day cruise rather than a basic ferry ride.

The food appears to be served during the cruise, with one meal taken after the first island stop. Bread is available, and additional portions of the main course may be offered. That is a useful touch on a seven-hour outing, especially if you have been swimming and walking in the sun.

I would still bring a small snack if you tend to eat early or need food between scheduled service times. The supplied information does not promise a full range of snacks, special diets, or unlimited soft drinks. The vegetarian choice is helpful, but if you have strict dietary needs, ask before booking.

There is a restroom on board, which makes a meaningful difference on a full-day boat trip. WiFi is not included, and that is probably best treated as a feature rather than a problem. You can use the day to watch the islands pass instead of checking a screen, though you should download anything you need before departure.

One unusual detail concerns the drinks service. A cup fee of about 3 euros has been used for unlimited drinks, with the fee refundable at the end of the day if you return the cup. Keep a few euros available and ask the crew how the arrangement works on your sailing.

The return to Dubrovnik and the city walls

The final part of the outing is the cruise back toward Dubrovnik. The return includes sunset views and a look toward the Old Town from the water, with the city walls providing the memorable finish.

This is not the same as a guided walking tour inside the walls. The value is visual: you see Dubrovnik from offshore, where the stone fortifications and compact Old Town make sense as one dramatic picture. After several hours among quieter islands, the return gives you a strong contrast.

Timing matters here. The full experience lasts about seven hours, and one reported return time was around 5:45 pm. That makes it easier to plan dinner or an evening walk, though weather and sailing conditions can affect the exact schedule.

The sunset portion is also a good reason not to treat the return as dead time. Find a place on deck if you want the best views, but keep expectations sensible. The tour promises the sunset journey and Old Town views, not a dedicated photography cruise or a narrated city-walls tour.

Price, group size, and what the $84.66 covers

At $84.66 per person, this cruise is priced as an all-day package, not simply as island transportation. The important question is what you would have to arrange yourself.

You would need to organize boat connections, island timing, lunch, drinks, and the return to Dubrovnik if traveling independently. Local ferries may cost only a few euros for some legs, but connecting Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud in one day is less straightforward. You also lose time waiting for boats and risk having limited options if one connection does not suit your schedule.

The organized cruise earns its price through simplicity. You board once, follow one route, eat on board, and return to the same meeting point. For a first day outside Dubrovnik, that is a fair deal.

The group size is the main limitation. With a maximum of 120 people, you should not expect quiet service or the flexibility of a small private boat. Still, a larger boat can feel more stable and social, and the presence of a restroom is useful.

The crew receives strong praise for being friendly, professional, and safety-conscious. Ana has been singled out for helpful hosting, while Annabella has been described as attentive and kind. Dramamine may be available on board, which is worth knowing if you are prone to seasickness. I would still bring your preferred medication rather than depend on supplies being available.

Who should choose this cruise

I would recommend this trip to you if you want to see several islands without spending your holiday planning ferry connections. It suits couples, families, and solo visitors who like a social boat day with swimming, a supplied meal, and a bit of walking.

It also works well if you are staying near the Sheraton, since the boat has been convenient from that area. Check the exact pickup time and place carefully, because the stated 10:45 start may refer to one point on the route rather than every boarding location.

You should choose a different outing if your main goal is a long, unhurried beach day at Šunj. The two-hour Lopud stop makes that possible, but not spacious. You may also prefer another option if you want a small boat, private attention, or detailed guided commentary at each island.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The cruise runs only in suitable weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can move to another date or receive a full refund. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book the Island Hopping and City Walls Cruise?

I would book this cruise for convenience, variety, and value. The combination of three islands, lunch, wine, water, swimming stops, and a sunset return gives you a lot in one day for $84.66.

My only serious caution is Lopud. Decide before boarding if you want a relaxed island stop or a fast outing to Šunj Beach. If you accept that choice, this is a well-priced way to get beyond Dubrovnik, with friendly hosts, practical onboard facilities, and enough island time to understand why the Elaphiti archipelago is worth seeing.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

What time does the cruise start?

The stated start time is 10:45 am. Exact departure details can vary by boarding point, so check your confirmation carefully.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The cruise stops at Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud before returning toward Dubrovnik.

How much time is spent on each island?

The planned stops are about 45 minutes at Koločep, 40 minutes at Šipan, and two hours at Lopud.

Is lunch included?

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

Are drinks included?

Bottled water and wine are included. Coffee and tea are not included. A refundable cup fee of about 3 euros may apply for unlimited drinks.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The cruise requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.