Beat Dubrovnik traffic with island time. This premium three-island cruise lets you slow down on the Elaphiti Islands with lunch and wine included, then spend real beach time on Lopud’s Šunj Beach. It’s the kind of day trip that feels like a vacation inside your vacation.

I also like how easy it is to execute: you get hotel pickup in the Dubrovnik city area and a full-day boat tour with an air-conditioned salon plus an open upper deck for sea-view breaks. My main caution is timing—once you leave Lopud, you only have about one hour on Šipan and one hour on Koločep, so you’ll want to swim, wander, and move with purpose.

Key takeaways before you go

• Šunj Beach on Lopud: sandy shore and crystal-clear water, with enough time to enjoy it properly
• Lunch plus wine in the price: fish, chicken, or vegetarian served on board with potato salad and bread
• Comfort options on the boat: closed air-conditioned salon and seating on the upper deck
• Your day is built around the islands: short stops after Lopud mean you’ll want a swimsuit plan
• Crew keeps it moving: bottled water and soft drinks throughout the day, with additional drinks available for purchase
• Off-season can be quieter: some services or beach conditions may not match peak summer expectations

Leaving Dubrovnik for the Elaphiti Islands

This cruise is all about trading Dubrovnik’s Old Town pace for a slower island rhythm. The route is simple in concept: you start in Dubrovnik, then spend the day bouncing between three islands in the Elaphiti group—Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep—before returning back to your meeting point.

What makes this day trip feel valuable is that you’re not just sightseeing from a dock. The island plan gives you time to actually do things—walk through village streets, find a calm corner for a drink, and swim in Adriatic water that looks postcard-clear when the weather cooperates.

Also, the tour is designed for real-day comfort. You’ll have both a closed, air-conditioned salon if it gets hot or windy, and open upper deck seating when you want uninterrupted sea views. That balance matters on a full eight-hour outing, especially if you’re traveling with family or anyone who prefers shade sometimes.

The boat experience: seats, air-conditioning, and included drinks

On paper, this is a “three-island cruise.” In practice, the boat setup shapes the whole day. You’re on a vessel with an enclosed cabin plus an upper deck, so you can shift based on temperature and comfort. There’s a crew of five, and with a maximum group size of 110 travelers, the logistics usually hold together—though peak season can still feel busy.

Food and drinks are handled in a way that reduces stress. You’ll have still bottled water available throughout the tour, along with assorted soft drinks (lemonade and juices). Lunch happens on board, and the tour highlights say wine is included—a big part of why this itinerary doesn’t feel like a skimpy bargain.

For anything beyond the included items, you can buy extra drinks on board (coffee, tea, beer, and more). That’s useful to know: you’re covered for the core experience, but you’re not locked into a single drink menu all day.

One practical detail: this is a full-day loop, so plan to spend time on the water even if you’re not a sun person. The pacing is part of the charm.

Lopud Island: Šunj Beach, the monastery, and that long 3-hour block

Lopud is where this day earns its biggest payoff. You get about three hours there, which is enough time to explore the village and also make it to the famous Šunj Beach on the island.

Here’s what your time can look like:

• Village wander: stone houses, greenery, and a laid-back feel, with local shops and cafés to grab something simple
• Historic stop: a peaceful 15th-century Franciscan monastery for anyone who likes quieter heritage
• Nature break: a botanical garden area for Mediterranean plant spotting
• Beach time: Šunj Beach for sandy shoreline and very clear water

A word on the beach logistics: Lopud’s Šunj Beach is on the far side of the island, and some people use golf-cart taxis to avoid the uphill walk. One review notes this can save about 30 minutes one way, for a few euros. If you’re short on time (or you’re traveling with older legs), this is the kind of practical move that makes your beach time feel less rushed.

What about the only real downside on Lopud? In shoulder seasons, some sights can be less lively than you expect. There’s feedback about the botanical garden being in disrepair in one season, and about Šunj Beach not looking its best in October. Translation for your planning: in late season, you may get the scenery, but not always the full “everything is open and perfect” package.

Šipan in one hour: olive groves, trails, and a quick swim mindset

Šipan is the second stop, and it’s intentionally short—about one hour. That means you’ll get snapshots rather than a full island experience.

What makes Šipan interesting is the way the island feels different from Lopud. Think olive groves, vineyards, rolling hills, and peaceful walking paths threaded between stone houses. It’s the kind of island where a short stroll can still feel meaningful because the surroundings do a lot of the work for you.

If you want to swim, this is your chance for a quick dip in the crystal-clear water near the island. With only one hour, don’t build an ambitious schedule. Pick one main goal: a short walk and a refresh, or a swim and then back to the boat.

There’s also mention of wine tasting near the dock on Šipan in one review. Since it’s not guaranteed as a formal included stop, treat it as a bonus if you see it happening on your day. Either way, the island’s relaxed cafés and shops are enough to make the hour feel “real,” not like a rushed postcard stop.

Koločep at day’s end: quiet streets and easy water time

Koločep is the final island stop, and it’s known for being calmer—often described as the most tranquil of the three. You get about one hour, so again: it’s about choosing what matters to you most.

This island shines for people who want low-stress time near the water:

• Greenery and olive trees with walking paths that feel more coastal than urban
• Traditional stone houses and small churches you can spot while moving at your own pace
• Serene views back over the Adriatic
• Swim opportunity in clear water, with places near the harbor that make a quick dip easier

One useful tip from the experience: if you’re planning when to swim, Koločep can be a nice final move. A review specifically calls out a sandy beach near the harbor as a highlight, especially for travelers who want an effortless water break without a big hike.

Also, don’t underestimate the power of an island café on your last stop. If you’ve spent the whole day moving, a simple drink and a few minutes of silence can be a satisfying finish.

Lunch on board: fish, chicken, or vegetarian with potato salad

One of the best reasons this tour works for most people is that it includes lunch on board, prepared fresh. You’ll choose from a fish menu, a meat menu, or a vegetarian menu.

The sample menu breaks down like this:

• Grilled hake with potato salad and bread
• Grilled chicken fillet with potato salad and bread
• Grilled seasonal vegetables with potato salad and bread

From reviews, lunch quality is often a strong point. People describe it as good to very good, with portions that fill you up without turning the day into a food coma. Some mention that the fish tasted particularly good, and that wine was served with lunch at the table.

If you’re picky about timing, here’s the advantage: you’re not hunting for lunch while also trying to enjoy island time. You get fed while you’re mid-transit, which helps protect your schedule for swimming and walking.

Do note what’s not included: snorkeling equipment and towels are not provided. If you want to snorkel, you’ll want your own gear.

Timing, season, and why Šunj Beach may not look the same

This is a weather-and-season kind of itinerary. The tour is described as requiring good weather, and if weather forces changes, you’ll be offered another date or a refund.

Season matters too. In late October, some places can feel quiet, and services on islands may be reduced. One review complains that shops and beach conditions weren’t ideal in that season, including rubbish on the sand. Another review counters that Lopud still has plenty to do—monastery, village strolls, and the general laid-back island mood.

So how should you plan? If you’re traveling in peak summer, expect more energy around beaches and cafés. If you’re traveling later, shift your mindset: focus on the scenery, the swimming opportunities (when conditions allow), and the slow island feel, not the expectation that everything will be operating at full capacity.

Bring a swimsuit either way. Even if beach “extras” look different, the water and views remain the core point of the day.

Value check: what $48.39 covers in a Dubrovnik day

At $48.39 per person, this tour can feel like a bargain compared to buying everything separately. The biggest “value lever” is that the price covers a full-day boat outing plus lunch and wine, along with water and soft drinks.

Think about what you’d otherwise pay for:

• Your boat transport to reach multiple islands efficiently
• A prepared lunch that doesn’t steal time from the island
• Drinks that keep you comfortable during long stretches on open water

Also, if you select it, hotel pickup and drop-off helps. The driver picks up within the Dubrovnik city area, and the vehicle waits no longer than two minutes after the scheduled pickup time. That small detail matters. Be ready and be visible, especially in busier pickup streets.

This tour is also capped at 110 travelers, which helps it feel like a shared day instead of a cattle-car experience. Still, in high season it can feel crowded on deck, so plan to be flexible and arrive early for the best seats if you can.

Practical tips to make the day smoother

If you want this cruise to feel effortless, pack and plan like it’s a beach day with a boat.

Bring:

• Swimsuit (it’s the right choice here, not optional)
• Your own towel since towels aren’t provided
• Snorkeling gear if you care about snorkeling, since equipment isn’t included
• Comfortable shoes for island walking (and you may face steps or uneven ground)

During the day:

• Arrive early for the best seating during peak times
• If you want Šunj Beach quickly, consider options like the golf-cart taxi to cut uphill time
• Expect that the short stops on Šipan and Koločep are “choose your moment” islands

Drinks:

• Water and soft drinks are included, and wine is included with lunch
• If coffee, beer, or other drinks are on your wish list, plan that they’re available for purchase

And if you’re traveling with anyone who gets heat-sensitive, use the air-conditioned salon for breaks. It’s a simple way to keep the day fun instead of tiring.

Should you book this Dubrovnik three-island cruise?

Book this tour if you want an easy, structured day away from Dubrovnik with real beach time and a simple meal plan. The combination of Lopud’s Šunj Beach, lunch plus wine, and the convenience of pickup (inside Dubrovnik city area) makes it a strong choice for families and couples who want a lower-effort outing.

Skip it or adjust expectations if you want deep time on every island. Šipan and Koločep are each around one hour, so you won’t cover everything. Also, if you’re traveling in late season, be ready for some attractions to feel quieter and for beach conditions to vary.

If your goal is a relaxing island-hopping day with less planning on your end, this one is an excellent fit.

FAQ

How long is the Premium Three Island Cruise?

The duration is listed as about 8 hours.

Which islands are included on the tour?

You visit Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep.

Is lunch included in the price?

Yes. Lunch is included and served on board with a fish, meat, or vegetarian menu.

Are drinks included?

Still bottled water and assorted soft drinks are included. The tour highlights also say wine is included with lunch. Other drinks like coffee, tea, and beer are available for purchase on board.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment or a towel?

Snorkeling equipment is not included, and towels are not included.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered if you select the option. Pickup is only in the Dubrovnik city area, and you need to send the exact accommodation address or hotel name. The driver waits no longer than 2 minutes after the scheduled pickup time.

Where does the tour end?

It ends back at the meeting point.

What language is the tour in?

English is offered.

How big is the group?

The maximum group size is 110 travelers.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes, you can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance.