Luxury Elaphite Islands half day Cruise with lunch Apreamare

Three islands, one sunny day. This private Elaphite Islands cruise gives you a neat way to leave Dubrovnik behind, swim from the boat, visit small island villages, and sit down to a local lunch. I like the small-group setting and the useful mix of swimming, sightseeing, food, and free time. I also like that snorkeling gear, bottled water, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks for adults, and a stand-up paddleboard are included.

The main caution is the price: $889.37 per person is a serious spend, especially since the stated times do not fully agree. Some older public comments describe much lower fares, around €55 for adults, so you should confirm the current price, boat, route, and inclusions before paying. The advertised schedule also says both six and eight hours, which deserves clarification.

Key points at a glance

• Three Elaphite Islands in one outing: Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan offer different pleasures, from sea caves and cliffs to sandy beaches and village life.
• Lunch is part of the experience: You eat at a small local restaurant on Koločep, with fish, chicken, and vegetarian choices described in past accounts.
• Swimming gear is supplied: Snorkeling equipment, a stand-up paddleboard, and bottled water are included, so you need less beach equipment of your own.
• A private group setting: Only your party takes part, a useful feature if you dislike crowded excursion boats or want a more relaxed day.
• Crew service earns strong praise: Elisa is named in several accounts for her warm, helpful manner, while Robert is mentioned in connection with a private boat.
• Check the timetable carefully: The description gives a 9:00 am departure and a 3:00 pm return, but also calls the tour eight hours.

Leaving Gruž Port at 9:00 am

Your meeting point is Gruž Market at Obala Stjepana Radića 21. That puts you in Dubrovnik’s working port area, away from the Old Town crowds and close to the normal departure point for boat trips.

The stated start time is 9:00 am. You should arrive with enough time to find the market and meet the crew without a last-minute dash. Pickup is offered in the general tour information, and past accounts describe hotel pickup and return transport, but the meeting-point details specifically identify Gruž Market. Ask at booking if your reservation includes a hotel transfer or if you should make your own way to the port.

The boat is described as an Apreamare, and the package includes a restroom on board. That matters on a long day at sea. You also get bottled water and soft drinks, plus alcoholic drinks for passengers aged 18 and over. The exact drinks service can vary, so it is sensible to ask what is available during the cruise rather than assume every drink is included all day.

This is a private activity, meaning only your group participates. That changes the feel of the day. You are not trying to find a seat on a packed excursion boat, and the crew can usually shape stops around your group within the available schedule. It is a good setup for families, couples, or a group of friends who value privacy.

Koločep: caves, cliffs, and a short island walk

The itinerary information gives two different orders for the islands. One version begins with Šipan, while the stop-by-stop schedule places Koločep first. Confirm the actual order before departure, since boat schedules can change with weather and operating conditions.

Koločep is the smallest inhabited island in this trio and is presented as a place of pretty bays, sea caves, cliffs, and two small villages. You have about one hour here in the listed schedule, including time for a possible 20-minute walk across the island.

That short walk is a useful way to see more than the shoreline. You can stretch your legs, look into the small settlements, and get a taste of island life rather than spending the whole stop in the water. Still, one hour is not enough for a slow village visit, a long swim, and a full walk. Pick one main goal and keep an eye on the meeting time.

The caves and cliffs are best appreciated from the water, where the boat gives you a broader view. If sea conditions are calm, this is a good time to use the supplied snorkeling equipment or paddleboard. I would bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and shoes that can handle a short walk over uneven ground.

Koločep is a strong opening stop for an active group. If you prefer a long beach stay, it may feel rushed. That is part of the tradeoff in trying to see three islands in a single day.

Lopud: the best stop for beach time

The stop at Lopud is listed as three hours, although the broader description refers to a one-and-a-half-hour stop. Again, check the final schedule. The difference is large enough to affect how you plan your day.

Lopud is described as the beach island of the route, with sand beaches, a historic village, swimming spots, and restaurants. Past accounts repeatedly single out Lopud’s beach as a highlight, so this is likely the stop where you will want to slow down.

A sandy beach is a welcome change after the cliffs and caves of Koločep. You can swim, sit by the water, walk through the village, or find a restaurant if you want something beyond the planned meal later on. The island also gives you the most obvious chance to enjoy a classic Adriatic beach break without needing to organize a separate ferry trip.

The word historical here should not lead you to expect a long guided heritage tour. The information promises a village and historical sights, but it does not specify monuments, a guide, or entry tickets. Treat Lopud as a relaxed island stop with some cultural interest, not as a formal history excursion.

Three hours would make Lopud the most generous stop of the day. One and a half hours would make it more of a quick swim and stroll. Pack accordingly, and ask the crew how much time you will actually have once docking and boarding are counted.

Šipan: village life, wine, and olive oil

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphite Islands and brings a different mood to the trip. Its appeal is less about one famous beach and more about bays, caves, a traditional village, local food, wine, and olive oil.

The tour description includes a village visit with wine and olive oil tasting. Alcoholic beverages are included only for adults, and you should have bottled water available as well. The tasting adds a local food angle to the day, giving you something to remember beyond the usual sequence of boat, beach, and sun.

The listed time for Šipan is two hours. That is enough for a compact visit, but not for a broad tour of the whole island. The description calls it the largest island in the group, so do not assume you will see every bay or settlement. The value comes from a focused stop: a village, a taste of local produce, and perhaps time near the water.

Šipan may appeal most to you if you want a little more local character. The village and tasting provide a closer connection to everyday island culture than simply stopping for a swim. On the other hand, anyone hoping for a detailed food tour should keep expectations sensible. The information confirms wine and olive oil tasting, but not the number of samples, producers, or length of the presentation.

Koločep lunch and the question of route order

The general description says the final stop is Koločep, where you have lunch at a small local restaurant and free time to explore. The stop schedule, however, places Koločep first. This is the clearest planning issue in the description.

The meal is one of the strongest parts of the package. Past accounts describe fish, chicken, and vegetarian choices, along with wine and water. That range is useful for a mixed group, though you should confirm the menu and tell the operator about dietary needs in advance.

A small local restaurant can feel more personal than a large waterfront dining room. It also means the meal may be tied closely to the day’s boat schedule. You are not choosing from a long list of restaurants, but you avoid the hassle of hunting for lunch during a busy island stop.

The food receives especially warm praise, as do the included drinks and attentive service. That helps explain why some people view the trip as good value at older prices. At the current quoted price of $889.37 per person, however, the lunch alone cannot justify the cost. You are paying for the boat, private arrangement, crew service, island access, equipment, drinks, and the convenience of an organized day.

What the Apreamare setup adds

The experience is marketed around an Apreamare boat, a name associated with stylish Italian motorboats. The supplied information also lists a restroom, snorkeling equipment, a stand-up paddleboard, and drinks on board.

The practical benefit is simple: you can swim and snorkel without renting equipment on each island. The paddleboard gives you another way to enjoy a calm bay, though its use will depend on sea conditions and the crew’s instructions.

Past accounts describe the boat as clean and well maintained, with a cheerful atmosphere. Several also praise the crew’s kindness and attention. Elisa is named more than once as a particularly warm presence, while Robert is associated with a private boat request. Staff can change, so treat those names as useful clues about the service style, not a guarantee of who will be on your departure.

The boat is not a substitute for a beach. You will spend much of the day in motion or on short island stops, and an eight-hour outing can feel long in hot weather. Bring sun protection, a hat, light clothing, and a dry bag for phones or cameras. The sea breeze helps, but it does not remove the need for shade and water.

Price, timing, and real value

The advertised price is $889.37 per person. For a private luxury cruise, that may be reasonable for a small group if the boat, crew, lunch, drinks, and service match the promise. For a couple paying nearly $1,800 before tips, it is a major splurge.

The price includes all fees and taxes, snorkeling equipment, alcoholic drinks for adults, bottled water, soft drinks, a paddleboard, and the on-board restroom. Tips are not included. Pickup is offered, but confirm if it is included in your exact booking.

The biggest concern is the mismatch between the present price and older public comments that cite fares of €55 for adults and €30 for children under 13, including hotel transfers. Those figures may relate to a different boat, season, or product, but the difference is too large to ignore. Before booking, ask for a written confirmation of:

• The exact boat and maximum group size
• The current departure and return times
• The island order and time at each stop
• Hotel pickup or port-only departure
• The lunch menu and drink service
• What happens if a cave or beach stop is changed

The schedule is also inconsistent. One description says 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, which is six hours. Another states approximately eight hours, while the individual stops total six hours before sailing time is added. You should not plan a late afternoon activity until the operator confirms the real return time.

Who should book this cruise?

I would consider this trip for a private group that wants a polished day on the water without managing ferries, restaurants, equipment rentals, and island connections. It suits people who want several tastes of the Elaphites in one outing rather than a single slow beach day.

It is especially good for:

• Couples seeking a private day away from Dubrovnik
• Families who want swimming and simple island walks
• Friends who value a boat, lunch, and drinks in one package
• Visitors who dislike large group excursions
• People interested in combining beaches with village food traditions

I would hesitate if your main goal is a long, quiet beach stay. Lopud may offer the best beach time, but the final duration needs confirmation. I would also hesitate at the quoted price unless your group can share the private boat cost or you place high value on personal service.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the outing, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, but the information does not promise step-free access at beaches, villages, or boats.

Should you book the Elaphite Islands cruise?

Book it if you want a private, all-in-one sea day with three islands, swimming, local tasting, and lunch, and you are comfortable paying a premium for convenience. The strongest reasons are the small-group format, friendly service, good food, and variety of stops.

Before you commit, verify the price and schedule in writing. The $889.37 fare, the six-hour versus eight-hour duration, the conflicting island order, and the uncertain pickup details all matter. If those points are confirmed and the cost fits your budget, this can be a comfortable way to see the Elaphites without the usual ferry planning. If value is your top concern, compare the private quote with standard island boat trips before booking.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

It starts at Gruž Market, Obala Stjepana Radića 21, Dubrovnik, at 9:00 am.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Gruž.

How long does the cruise last?

The tour is described as approximately eight hours, but the stated schedule runs from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Confirm the exact duration before booking.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The tour visits Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. The published details give different orders for the stops, so confirm the route with the provider.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served at a small local restaurant, with fish, chicken, and vegetarian choices described in the available information.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with bottled water, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages for adults, a stand-up paddleboard, and a restroom on board.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.