Island Hopping & City Walls Cruise with Food and Open Bar

Three islands, one easy day from Dubrovnik. This seven-hour boat trip gives you a simple way to see Kolocep, Sipan, and Lopud without arranging several local ferries. I like the included lunch, with fish, chicken, or a vegetarian choice, and I like the relaxed mix of swimming, short walks, island villages, and wine on board.

The staff receive strong praise for being friendly, careful, and organized. Host Ana is singled out for her helpful manner, and Annabella is described as attentive. My main caution is the two-hour stop on Lopud. That is enough for the island and perhaps a quick trip to Šunj Beach, but reaching the beach can make the visit feel rushed.

Quick facts for deciding fast

• Three Elaphite islands in one outing: Kolocep, Sipan, and Lopud each offer a different kind of stop.
• Lunch is included: Choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal, with bread and reported offers of second helpings.
• Open drinks come with a small cup detail: A €3 cup fee may apply if you want unlimited drinks, and it can be refunded at day’s end.
• Lopud gets the longest visit: You have about two hours, but Šunj Beach is a 15-minute walk away, with a golf-cart ride costing €3 each way.
• The boat returns around sunset: The ride back toward Dubrovnik is part of the appeal, with Old Town views from the water.
• Good value at $84.66: The price combines transport, lunch, bottled water, wine, and restroom access, though snorkeling gear and coffee cost extra.

Why this cruise works well from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik’s coast is best understood from the water. The Old Town walls look impressive from land, but a boat gives you a wider view of the stone city and the Adriatic at once. This trip adds three nearby islands, so you get more than a standard harbor cruise.

I especially like the practical structure. You board in the late morning, spend the day moving between islands, eat lunch without having to find a restaurant, and return to the port in the late afternoon. That saves you from studying ferry timetables or trying to connect independently between Sipan and the other islands.

The tour costs $84.66 per person. That is not the cheapest way to see the Elaphites, since local ferries can cost only a few euros for individual trips. But the ferry option demands more planning, and it can be difficult to move efficiently from Sipan to the next island. Here, your boat, meal, drinks, and schedule are bundled together.

This is a value-focused day trip, not a private sailing experience. The boat can carry up to 120 people, so expect a group setting rather than quiet, personal service. Still, the staff’s friendly approach and strong safety record help make the size less concerning for most people.

Kolocep gives you the first taste of island life

Kolocep is the opening stop, with about 45 minutes scheduled. That is enough time for a swim, a coffee if you purchase one, or a short walk. The stop is brief, so you should not expect a full island visit.

The short timing has one advantage: it keeps the day moving. You get an early chance to cool off and see how the islands differ from Dubrovnik without spending your best beach hours here. If you want to swim, bring your suit under your clothes and keep your towel easy to reach.

Coffee and tea are not included, so plan to pay separately if you want a hot drink. Bottled water is included, which is useful during a warm day on deck. Snorkeling equipment is not provided either, so bring your own if underwater exploring matters to you.

Kolocep is a good first pause for getting your bearings. You can stretch your legs, take a quick swim, and settle into the pace of the cruise. The tradeoff is clear: anyone hoping for a long, quiet visit will find 45 minutes limited.

Sipan adds a little culture between swims

Sipan is one of the largest islands in the Elaphite group. The stop lasts about 40 minutes and includes time to see the summer house Skočibuha, as well as another opportunity for swimming.

This is a useful change of pace. Kolocep is mainly a quick introduction, while Sipan gives you a named historical site to look at before you return to the sea. The visit remains short, though, so treat the summer house as a compact stop rather than a full guided tour.

The order of the day also keeps the trip from becoming a string of identical beach breaks. You are not simply sitting on a boat all day. You move through several small places, each with a different purpose, then receive the longest free time on Lopud.

If you want to photograph the Skočibuha summer house, keep your camera ready and listen for the crew’s instructions about returning to the boat. Forty minutes disappears quickly when you combine a walk, photographs, and swimming.

Lopud is the main event, but plan Šunj carefully

Lopud receives about two hours, making it the central island stop. It is one of the most popular islands in the Elaphite group, and you can spend the time walking, swimming, or relaxing near the arrival area.

The famous Šunj Beach is on the other side of the island. The walk takes about 15 minutes, according to the practical guidance provided for this tour. You can also pay €3 each way for a golf cart, but the cost and travel time reduce the amount of beach time available.

Here is the honest calculation. If you walk, you may have roughly an hour and a half at most before allowing time to return. If you use the golf cart, you pay €6 for the return ride and may have only 45 minutes to an hour at Šunj. That can still be worthwhile if seeing the beach is a priority, but it is not a leisurely beach day.

I would choose one goal on Lopud. If you want Šunj, go there first and accept that the visit will be focused. If you prefer an easy swim and a slower lunch or island walk, stay near the main stop and avoid turning the afternoon into a race against the departure time.

This is where the tour differs from some longer island cruises. Other options may allow three hours at Lopud, while this one gives you two. The benefit here is a later morning start, included lunch, and a lower price than some alternatives. You are trading beach time for convenience and value.

Lunch and the open bar make the price easier to justify

Lunch is included, with fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal. That choice matters because a full day on the water is much easier when you do not have to search for food during the island stops.

The meal receives particularly warm praise. It includes bread, and the crew offered additional portions of the main course during one outing. That is a welcome touch on a long day, especially for anyone who does not want a small snack pretending to be lunch.

Wine is included, along with bottled water. The tour description calls the drinks an open bar, but there is one practical detail to note: a €3 cup fee may be charged for unlimited drinks. The fee can be refunded at the end of the day, and one person chose to keep the cup as a souvenir.

Coffee and tea are not included. That is a small extra cost, but it is worth remembering when comparing this cruise with other options. Snorkeling gear and WiFi are also excluded, so bring your own equipment and do not expect an internet connection on board.

The drinks should be treated as part of the social atmosphere, not the sole reason to book. The real value comes from having lunch, water, wine, a restroom, and transport between islands in one price.

The boat ride back is part of the Dubrovnik view

The return portion takes you back toward Dubrovnik as the light begins to soften. The timing is one of the trip’s nicest features, since the city and its walls can be enjoyed from the water near sunset.

The name of the experience points to a city walls cruise, but the supplied schedule gives you about 1 hour and 30 minutes for the Old Town portion on the return. You should confirm exactly how the operator handles this part on your departure date, since the stated timing may include the approach, city views, and return to the port rather than a long walking visit inside the Old Town.

One useful point from the departure information is that the advertised 10:45 am time may refer to leaving the Old Town, while the boat can leave the Sheraton area closer to 10 am. If you are staying at or near the Sheraton, check the exact boarding instruction carefully. This avoids the very unholiday-like experience of watching your boat leave without you.

The full day is scheduled to return around 5:45 pm. That makes the cruise workable for an evening meal in Dubrovnik, though you should allow some flexibility if weather or sea conditions affect the timing.

Staff, group size, and comfort on board

The crew earns some of the strongest praise attached to this experience. Ana is described as professional and especially helpful, while Annabella is noted for being kind and attentive. The service appears to be a real strength, particularly for a large shared boat.

The maximum group size is 120 people. That is substantial, and you should expect a communal atmosphere. If you want a quiet boat with personal attention from the captain, this is not the right format. If you prefer meeting other people and having the day organized for you, the group size is less of a problem.

A restroom is available on board, and bottled water is included. The staff also had Dramamine available for rougher water during one outing. That does not guarantee calm seas, so anyone prone to motion sickness should still prepare in advance.

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can select another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made later are not accepted for a refund.

The tour is near public transportation, service animals are allowed, and most people can take part. Those points make it a practical choice for a broad range of visitors, but the island stops still involve walking and getting on and off a boat.

Who should book this seven-hour island trip?

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want to see the Elaphites without building the day around ferry schedules. It suits couples, families, first-time visitors to Dubrovnik, and anyone who values a clear plan with food included.

It also works well if you want a first look at the islands, rather than a long stay on one beach. Kolocep and Sipan are short stops, while Lopud gives you the main free-time window. The variety is the point.

You may want another option if Šunj Beach is your main goal. Two hours on Lopud can feel tight once you add the walk or golf-cart ride. A trip with three hours there would give you a calmer beach visit.

You should also think twice if you dislike group tours. With up to 120 people, this is organized and social, not intimate. The price and convenience are strong, but you give up some freedom and quiet.

The 4.8 rating from 102 reviews and 95 percent recommendation rate fit the overall picture. The best parts are the friendly crew, good food, smooth organization, and sensible all-in-one price. The main weakness is not poor service. It is the limited time at Lopud for anyone trying to fit in Šunj.

Should you book the cruise?

Book it if you want a well-organized full day with three islands, a meal, wine, swimming opportunities, and sunset views of Dubrovnik. The $84.66 price is fair once you count the boat transport, lunch, water, drinks, and restroom.

Skip it if you want to linger on Šunj Beach, travel independently, or avoid a large group. For most visitors seeking an easy introduction to the Elaphites, though, this cruise offers a lot in seven hours. Just confirm your boarding time, carry swim gear, and decide before arrival whether Lopud means Šunj or a slower island stop.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours. It starts at 10:45 am according to the supplied tour details and returns to the meeting point at the end of the day.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Kolocep, Sipan, and Lopud in the Elaphite archipelago.

How much time is spent on each island?

The scheduled stop is about 45 minutes on Kolocep, 40 minutes on Sipan, and two hours on Lopud.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You can choose a fish, chicken, or vegetarian meal. Bread is also provided, and additional main-course portions may be offered.

Are drinks included?

Bottled water and wine are included. Coffee and tea are not included. A €3 cup fee may apply for unlimited drinks, and it can be refunded at the end of the day.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If bad weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.