Island Hopping & City Walls Cruise with Food and Open Bar

The best part of this day is the easy escape from Dubrovnik’s busy streets to three very different Elaphiti islands. You get time for a swim, a short walk, a good lunch, and a sunset ride back toward the Old Town without piecing together local ferries yourself. I especially like the three-island route and the fact that lunch, water, wine, and a restroom are included.

I also like the friendly, practical hosting. Ana and Annabella are singled out for being helpful and attentive, and the crew keeps the day moving on schedule. The main catch is time: two hours on Lopud may feel short if you want to reach Šunj Beach, swim, and return without rushing.

Key points to know before booking

• Three Elaphiti Islands: Visit Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud in one day.
• Lunch included: Choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal, with bread and possible seconds.
• Wine and water onboard: Bottled water and wine are included, while coffee and tea cost extra.
• Šunj Beach takes planning: It is about a 15-minute walk from Lopud’s landing area, or you can pay about 3 euros each way for a golf cart.
• Late-morning departure: The published start time is 10:45 a.m., with a return around 5:45 p.m.
• Large boat capacity: Up to 120 people can join, so this is a social cruise rather than a quiet private outing.

Why this cruise works well from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a wonderful base, but its Old Town can feel packed, especially during the middle of the day. This cruise gives you a full day outside the city while keeping the planning simple. You board once, settle in, and let the boat connect the islands.

The route is useful because the Elaphiti islands are close to Dubrovnik but not especially simple to combine on your own. Local ferries can get you to individual islands for a few euros, yet linking Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud in one day takes more care with schedules. The cruise handles that problem for you.

You should think of this as a relaxed introduction to the islands, not a full beach holiday. You will see several places, but your time ashore is limited. The payoff is variety: a short stop on Koločep, a glimpse of Šipan, a longer break on Lopud, and a scenic return toward Dubrovnik.

The boat holds as many as 120 people. That makes the price attractive, but it also means you should expect a shared group atmosphere. If you want a private skipper, a quiet deck, or complete control over your schedule, this is not the right format.

Koločep gives you the first island taste

Koločep is the first stop, with about 45 minutes set aside. That is enough time for a quick swim, a coffee if you are willing to pay separately, or a short walk to get a first look at island life.

This stop works best if you keep your plans modest. You are not coming here for a long hike or an extended beach session. Instead, use the time to stretch your legs after boarding, take a quick swim, or sit with a drink before the boat moves on.

The water is one of the main reasons to bring a swimsuit from the start. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so pack your own if you want to explore below the surface. Do not count on coffee or tea being part of the package either.

One useful detail is that the schedule may feel slightly different depending on where you board. The published itinerary allows 45 minutes, while one account described having closer to an hour at Koločep. Treat the stated 45 minutes as the safe planning figure, and enjoy any extra time if the boat schedule allows it.

Šipan adds a quieter cultural stop

Šipan is one of the larger Elaphiti islands, and the stop lasts about 40 minutes. The planned visit includes a look at the summer house of the Skočibuha family, along with time for another swim.

This is a short stop, but it gives the day a little more character than a simple beach circuit. The Skočibuha summer house offers a glimpse of the island’s older architecture and local past, while the swim keeps the visit casual rather than turning it into a formal sightseeing tour.

You will need to watch the clock here. Forty minutes passes quickly once you leave the boat, walk around, and get back to the water. I would choose one main goal, either the summer house or a swim, then use spare minutes for the other.

The island stops also help break up the day. You are not sitting onboard for hours at a stretch, and each landing feels different enough to keep the route interesting. Just remember that these are brief introductions, not deep visits.

Lopud is the main event, but Šunj needs a plan

Lopud receives the longest stop, about two hours. It is one of the best-known islands in the group, and this is where you have the most freedom to choose your pace. You can stay near the harbor, walk across the island, swim, or try to reach Šunj Beach on the far side.

Šunj is the big attraction for many people. The beach is reached by a walk of roughly 15 minutes, or you can use a golf cart for about 3 euros each way. That extra ride can save energy, but it also adds cost and eats into your beach time.

Here is the practical math: with two hours total, the walk or golf cart ride takes part of the outing, and you still need to return to the boat on time. If you use the golf cart, you may have only 45 minutes to an hour at Šunj, depending on waiting and transfer time.

I would choose Lopud based on your priorities. If swimming at Šunj is the main reason you booked, go there first and accept that the visit will be fairly rushed. If you prefer a slower island stop, stay closer to the landing area and enjoy the village, waterfront, and nearby water without chasing the beach.

Some other island cruises allow three hours on Lopud. This cruise trades that extra beach time for a later morning start, included lunch, and a lower price than some alternatives. That is a fair exchange if you prefer an easy day with food included.

Lunch is a real part of the value

Lunch is included, and you choose among fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal. Bread is served, and one account describes generous portions with seconds of the main course offered. That matters on a seven-hour outing, since buying a full meal independently on an island could take both time and money.

The meal is not just a minor snack between swims. It gives the day a clear pause and means you do not need to plan your route around finding a restaurant. You can choose the dish that fits your diet instead of being locked into a single menu.

The package also includes bottled water and wine. Coffee and tea are not included, so bring extra money if you want either. The open-bar wording suggests a generous drink arrangement, but the practical detail is a reusable cup charge of about 3 euros for unlimited drinks, with the fee refundable at the end. You can also keep the cup as a souvenir.

If you are prone to motion sickness, ask about Dramamine before departure. A crew member reportedly had it available, and the ride can feel rougher on the way out. That is a useful precaution, especially if you plan to eat early or sit inside.

The return to Dubrovnik is part of the experience

The final stretch brings you back toward Dubrovnik, with about an hour and a half allocated to the Old Town portion of the route. The memorable feature is the sunset ride toward port, when the city takes on a softer look from the water.

The title refers to a City Walls Cruise, but the supplied schedule does not promise a separate walking tour of the walls. Think of this as a boat-level view of Dubrovnik on the return rather than a guided visit inside the fortifications. If you want to walk the walls, arrange that separately.

A return around 5:45 p.m. gives you a useful evening in Dubrovnik. You can eat afterward, take a night walk, or simply rest after a full day in the sun. Staying on schedule matters here, and the boat has a large group to bring back together, so do not cut your Lopud visit too close.

How the $84.66 price holds up

At $84.66 per person, the price is strong for a seven-hour outing that includes three islands, lunch, bottled water, wine, and onboard restroom access. The value improves if you would otherwise pay for separate ferry tickets, lunch, drinks, and transport to Šunj.

The price is less compelling if you want to spend most of the day on one beach. In that case, a ferry to Lopud and a self-planned beach visit could give you more control. You would lose the easy island-hopping route and the included meal, though.

I see this as a convenience purchase. You pay more than the cheapest local ferry option, but you avoid waiting for connections and working out how to move between islands. You also get a fixed meal and a crew that manages the schedule.

The large capacity keeps the cost down. In return, do not expect an intimate sailing trip. The boat may feel lively, and the open drink service can add to that group mood. For many people, that is part of the fun. For others, it is the main reason to seek a smaller boat.

Timing, boarding, and small practical details

The published start time is 10:45 a.m. One account says the boat leaves the Old Town at that time but that boarding from the Sheraton area can begin around 10 a.m. If you are staying near the Sheraton, check the exact meeting instructions carefully rather than relying on one universal departure time.

The cruise ends back at the meeting point. Confirmation arrives when you book, and the experience is available with a mobile ticket. It is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed.

Wear shoes suitable for short walks and bring swimwear, sunscreen, and a towel if you plan to enter the water. Since snorkeling gear is not included, bring your own equipment if that matters to you. WiFi is not available onboard, so download anything you need before leaving.

The cruise requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the outing, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Who should book this island day

I would recommend this cruise if you want to see the Elaphiti islands without managing ferry timetables. It suits couples, families, and first-time visitors to Dubrovnik who want swimming, a meal, and a little local scenery in one straightforward day.

It is also a good fit if you value food and drinks being included. The choice of fish, chicken, or vegetarian lunch makes the package easier for mixed groups, and the wine and water reduce the need to keep buying refreshments.

You may want another option if your priority is a long, unhurried visit to Šunj Beach. Two hours on Lopud is workable, but it requires a choice between walking, golf cart transport, swimming, and relaxing. You cannot comfortably do everything.

I would also look elsewhere if you dislike large group outings or want a private guide. With capacity for 120 people, this is designed for shared sightseeing and social energy, not quiet solitude.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a well-priced, all-day introduction to Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud, with lunch and drinks handled for you. The strongest points are the efficient route, helpful hosts such as Ana and Annabella, generous meal service, and a scenic sunset return.

Skip it if you want to spend several hours at Šunj or explore each island at your own pace. For everyone else, the trade is sensible: a little less beach time in exchange for three islands, simple logistics, food, and a full day away from Dubrovnik’s crowded center.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts about seven hours. The published start time is 10:45 a.m., and the return is around 5:45 p.m.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud, followed by the return toward Dubrovnik’s Old Town.

How much time do you get on Lopud?

The planned stop on Lopud lasts about two hours. This is the longest island stop of the day.

Is lunch included?

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

Are drinks included?

Bottled water and wine are included. Coffee and tea are not included. A cup charge of about 3 euros may apply for unlimited drinks, with the fee refundable at the end.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so you need to bring your own if you want to snorkel.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.