Blue Cave gets a food-first twist. This Elaphite Islands cruise from Dubrovnik mixes snorkeling time at the Blue Cave with homemade lunch at the captain’s house on Šipan. It’s a simple 9-hour day at sea that feels more local than most big tours.

I also like how the lunch is built like a real meal, not a snack stop. You’ll start with homemade prosciutto, homemade cheese, bread, and olive oil, then soup and a grilled main cooked in front of you, finished with dessert and coffee. The main watch-out: the boat can feel crowded for the number of people, so sitting space can be tight when everyone wants to relax.

Key points before you go

• Blue Cave water time with snorkeling, swimming, and jumping from the boat (about an hour)
• Lopud + Sunj Beach gives you real free time instead of a rushed stop
• Captain’s house lunch on Šipan with multiple courses and coffee
• Homemade wine is unlimited during lunch, plus other drinks included
• Snorkeling equipment included, so you don’t need to pack gear
• One extra swimming break on the return trip

Getting to the Ribica: Dubrovnik pickup that actually matters

The day starts in Dubrovnik, with pickup available if you’re staying nearby. If you want to go on your own, the boat is Ribica and you meet it at Obala Stjepana Radića 15, 20000 Dubrovnik. Pickup is optional, but if you’re using it, you’ll need to be ready for an early start.

If you’re staying in the hotel zone, the tour runs with specific pickup windows (old town and multiple Lapad-area stops). For example, old town pickup includes options like the Hilton Imperial hotel garage at 8:10, plus several other hotels and bus stops from about 7:55 to 8:20. The key practical detail is this: you should be 5 minutes ahead of your pickup time, since the provider notes delays can happen due to traffic jams.

On the timing side, you’ll also get your exact pickup time by email the evening before your trip. If you’re not in a hotel and need pickup, they require your apartment address—no address means they can’t organize it.

From Dubrovnik to the islands: what that 1-hour cruise really gives you

Once you’re aboard, the trip includes about 1 hour of sightseeing cruise. For many tours, that’s just “getting there.” Here, it sets your rhythm: you get on the water early, settle in, and start watching how the coastline changes as you move into Elaphite waters.

This part of the day also matters because it’s when you can handle the small logistics—getting ready for the first swim stop, getting your snorkeling gear sorted, and grabbing a drink while you’re still on more stable footing. It’s a straightforward start, which I like because it keeps the day from feeling like a series of panic moments.

One more detail: the price includes bottled water and soda/pop, and lunch includes coffee/tea. So you won’t be hunting down refreshments before the bigger meal.

Blue Cave on Kolocep: snorkeling, swimming, and jump moments

The first true star stop is the Blue Cave on Kolocep Island. You’ll spend about 1 hour there, with snorkeling, swimming, and the option to jump from the boat. The structure is simple: you get gear, you get water time, and you move on.

Now, about expectations. Blue Cave can be a magnet for crowds, and that can affect how you feel about it. One participant felt the cave wasn’t the wow moment they expected, even though the rest of the day worked well. My takeaway: go for the water experience and the fun of being in the spot, not only for a single “perfect photo” moment.

If you’re the type who likes active stops, you’ll likely enjoy this segment more than people who prefer to stay dry. The inclusion of snorkeling equipment helps a lot because it removes the hassle factor. You also have the chance to do more than one kind of water activity—snorkel, swim, or jump—so even if you’re not a confident swimmer, you can still participate at your comfort level.

A practical note on comfort

A couple of reviews point to comfort constraints on the boat: one person noted there isn’t much room to sit when it’s full. That doesn’t ruin the day, but it does mean you should expect to spend some time standing, shifting positions, or sitting only briefly between water activities. If you’re someone who hates tight spaces, keep that in mind before you book.

Lopud Island and Sunj Beach: the free time that lets you breathe

After the cave, you get over to Lopud Island for about 3 hours. This is where the day turns from “activity stops” into “your time.” You can explore the island at your own pace and head to the sandy beach called Sunj.

What I like about this setup is that you’re not just docked and marched around. You get enough time to do at least two things—walk a bit and then actually hang out at the beach. For a lot of day trips from Dubrovnik, free time is short. Here, the 3-hour chunk is what makes the tour feel balanced.

The Lopud segment also gives you a break from constant water changes. After snorkeling gear and cave time, having a sandy beach pause helps you reset. It’s also where you can manage sun and recovery before lunch.

Šipan (Suđurađ): the lunch stop that feels like a meal, not a transaction

Lunch happens on the Šipan side, in the Suđurađ area (the stop is listed as Suđurađ). The big difference is where and how it’s served: it’s a homemade lunch in the captain’s house.

This meal is structured like an actual set menu:

• Start: homemade prosciutto, homemade cheese, homemade bread, and homemade olive oil
• Then: soup
• Main course: grilled in front of you
• Finish: dessert and coffee

And during the lunch period, homemade wine is unlimited. That’s not just a nice extra. It changes how the whole day feels because your best meal time isn’t paired with a time-buying pressure. You can slow down, eat properly, and enjoy the fact that the food is being handled on-site.

One review also highlighted that drinks were readily available, with plenty of beverages in a cooler on the boat. Even though not everything is identical day to day, that lines up with the included items: bottled water, soda/pop, and lunch drinks.

Why this lunch is good value (even at a $70 price)

$70 sounds straightforward, but the value is in what you don’t have to pay for separately. This tour includes:

• Lunch (with multiple courses)
• Coffee/tea
• Bottled water and soda/pop
• Alcoholic beverages
• Homemade wine included during lunch
• Snorkeling equipment

When a day trip includes a real multi-course meal plus drinks, it stops being a “cheap boat ride.” You’re paying for the full package: transportation, water activities, and a proper meal on an island.

The return trip: one more swimming break

On the way back, the captain adds another surprise swimming break. That’s a nice touch because it gives you a second chance to enjoy the water without sacrificing the meal and beach time you already had.

It also helps if the first water stop wasn’t your ideal moment—maybe you didn’t manage to snorkel as long as you wanted, or you just prefer being in the sea for more than one block of time. Either way, it keeps the end of the trip from feeling like a long ride home.

Price and value for a 9-hour day at sea

At $70 per person for a 9-hour experience, you’re paying for a full day structure: pickup or self-arrival to the boat, a cruise segment, an active cave stop, a free-time island stop, and a sit-down lunch with drinks.

The best part is that the tour covers both sides of a good day: fun (Blue Cave snorkeling and swimming) and comfort (a real homemade lunch with coffee). If you enjoy beach breaks and don’t want to plan them yourself, this is a handy way to get a lot of the Elaphite highlights without juggling ferries and timing.

The main “value question” is comfort. If the boat crowding bothers you, you may feel less satisfied even if the sights and food are great. But if you’re flexible and more focused on the day’s activities than on sitting still, the included meal and drinks do a lot to justify the price.

Who this Elaphite cruise is best for

This tour fits best if you want an easy day with clear highlights:

• You’re happy with a mix of active water time and beach free time
• You care about local food and want it served as a homemade meal
• You want an English live guide and a day that runs on a set rhythm

It’s also a good pick if you don’t want to bring snorkeling gear. The tour provides snorkeling equipment, which saves both packing space and last-minute rental stress.

Who should think twice

If you strongly dislike crowded boats or you expect lots of comfortable seating, consider that the boat can feel full for its size. Also remember that Blue Cave may disappoint if you’re chasing a single cinematic moment. The trade is simple: it’s still fun water time, but not everyone feels blown away by the cave itself.

What to bring and how to get the most out of it

The tour includes snorkeling equipment, lunch, and drinks, so you can travel light on gear. What really helps is being ready for a day that includes beach time and repeated water contact.

For me, the winning approach is this: treat Blue Cave as your water playground, then use Lopud and Sunj Beach as your reset time, and go into lunch hungry enough to enjoy the full course flow. That way the day feels like a sequence, not a scramble.

And because pickup timing depends on where you’re staying, make sure you’re set for the email-confirmed pickup time the night before. Being early reduces stress when traffic causes delays.

Should you book this Captain’s H Elaphite Islands cruise?

I’d book it if you want a classic Elaphite day with a big difference: a homemade island lunch at the captain’s house plus unlimited homemade wine during lunch. The combination of Blue Cave water time, Lopud’s sandy beach, and that multi-course meal makes the day feel complete.

I’d skip it if boat comfort is your top priority or if you’re only interested in a cave for its scenery. The Blue Cave stop can be underwhelming for some people, and the boat can feel crowded. In that case, you might enjoy an itinerary with fewer people or more independent timing.

If you do book, plan to enjoy the day for what it is: snorkeling and swimming fun, a generous island meal, and enough free time to actually enjoy Lopud instead of just passing through.

FAQ

How long is the Elaphite Islands cruise?

The tour lasts 9 hours.

How much does it cost?

It costs $70 per person.

What’s included in the price?

Lunch, alcohol (during lunch, including homemade wine), coffee and/or tea, bottled water, soda/pop, and use of snorkeling equipment are included.

Where do I meet the boat if I don’t want pickup?

You meet the boat Ribica at Obala Stjepana Radića 15, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Does the tour include snorkeling equipment and a guide?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and there is a live English tour guide.

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is listed as wheelchair accessible.