Koločep to Lopud, this day trip turns Dubrovnik into an island escape. You get the Elaphite hopping with real beach time, then finish back in the Old Town area for sunset. I especially like the included lunch choices and the fact that most of the day feels structured, not rushed on your own.

I also like how the boat day is built around short, practical stops: swim, quick walk, and then move on. On top of that, having wine and other alcoholic drinks included (and water) makes the whole day easier on the budget.

One thing to consider: your longest beach option is still time-limited. If you want to reach the sandy Šunj beach, you may need extra logistics (like a short walk and a golf cart), so the 2 hours on Lopud can feel tight.

Quick hits to know before you go

• Start at 10:45 am for a calmer morning and a smoother rhythm across islands
• Three islands plus Old Town without planning ferries between them
• Lunch is included with fish, chicken, or vegetarian options
• Wine and alcoholic beverages are part of the day, plus bottled water onboard
• Dramamine may be available if the ride feels choppy early on
• Lopud is the main stop, but Šunj beach access can eat up time

Why this Elaphite cruise starts later than you expect

Dubrovnik days can get hectic fast, especially if you’re trying to fit in boat rides, swimming, and Old Town sightseeing. This one starts at 10:45 am, so you don’t feel like you’re racing the morning. You still get a full day at sea and on islands, but with fewer “wake up at dawn” vibes.

That later start also helps if you’ve spent the first part of your trip walking Old Town walls. Instead of choosing between “more sightseeing” or “more beach,” you get both. You’ll be on the water long enough to feel like you left Dubrovnik behind—then you’ll come back with daylight to enjoy the return views.

Boarding with Vivado: the boat day in plain terms

This is a mobile-ticket tour capped at up to 120 people, so it’s a proper day cruise, not a tiny private speedboat. The upside is organization: you’re not figuring out schedules or where the boat docks next. The downside is you’ll share the experience with other people, and you can’t treat every stop like a private moment.

You also get key onboard basics: restroom access, and bottled water included. No WiFi is listed, so treat the day like a break from screens. If you rely on your phone for navigation or photos, download what you need before you board.

On the drinks side, the included part is alcoholic beverages (including wine). Some passengers find it helpful to be ready for extra charges related to how drinks are served onboard (more on that later), but even without playing that game, you’re not walking into a day where you pay for every single thing.

Koločep Island (45 minutes): swim first, decide later

Koločep is your first island stop, with about 45 minutes on the ground. Admission is included here, which matters because some “island hopping” days skimp on what you can actually pay for upfront.

With a short window, you’ll want to move fast from dock mode to beach mode. Think swim, then maybe a short walk if you want to reset your legs. If you like just enough time to dip in the sea and still feel fresh for lunch, this stop hits the mark.

The time also works well if you’re traveling with family or with people who don’t want a long stretch of “wait around.” You’ll get that quick island hit—then the boat keeps the day moving.

Sipan (40 minutes): a larger island, but a brief taste

Sipan is one of the bigger islands in the Elaphite group, yet your scheduled time is around 40 minutes. That means you’re not going there to do a full tour of the island—you’re going for a highlight: a quick visit connected to the Skočibuha summer house, plus time to swim.

This stop is perfect if your priority is the sea. You’ll likely spend most of your time in and out of the water, then use whatever remaining time you have for a quick look around. The tradeoff is that you won’t have the leisurely pace some people want for a “main island” day.

Admission is listed as free for this stop, so you’re not paying again to enjoy the land portion. Just remember: when time is short on a bigger island, you’ll feel the schedule.

Lopud (2 hours): the main island stop and where Šunj enters the story

If you want the “most time” island, Lopud is it. You’ll have about 2 hours, and this is where the day gives you room to breathe.

Lopud is also where Šunj comes into play. The attraction is clear: Šunj is one of the popular beach areas, and if you want sand time, you’ll likely take the walking route toward the other side of the island.

Here’s the key practical point: the 2-hour slot includes your movement time, your swim time, and any wandering. If you want Šunj, you should assume you’ll spend some portion of your window just getting there. One way passengers handle this is using a golf cart for about 3 euros each way in cash, with a refund sometimes offered for a separate drink-cup fee issue onboard (again, depends on how drinks are handled that day). Either way, that 2 hours can feel like it has a stopwatch built into it.

So what’s the best strategy? If your top goal is maximum time on the sand, plan to go at a steady pace and keep expectations realistic. If your goal is a calm swim plus a short walk, you’ll probably feel more relaxed. This stop is where the tour’s “value” shines—but also where its time limits can get noticed.

Old Town on the return (1 hour 30 minutes): sunset views without rushing

After the islands, you’ll have about 1.5 hours back in the Dubrovnik Old Town area. Admission is included for this portion, and the schedule is set up so you can enjoy sunset on the ride back to the port.

That’s a smart way to finish. Instead of using your last daylight for transportation logistics, you’re given a block of time when the city is starting to glow. It’s also handy if you want to do a final wander through Old Town streets, grab a last drink, or photograph the walls while the light softens.

This isn’t an all-day Old Town tour. It’s a “good timing” Old Town stop. If you’ve been saving your must-dos for later in the day, it’s a workable plan.

Lunch and drinks: where the tour value really shows

Lunch is included, and the choices are clear: fish, chicken, or vegetarian. That matters because boat days often treat food as a token snack. Here, you’re getting a real sit-down meal (or at least a proper serving structure onboard), plus it keeps your midday energy stable—so you’re not spending your island time hungry.

Bottled water is also included. This sounds basic, but on a sun-and-sea day, it prevents the classic cycle of buying water all day and then feeling annoyed about it mid-route.

Drinks are where people feel the difference between “pay-as-you-go” tours and this one. Wine and alcoholic beverages are listed as included. One practical tip from real onboard experience: there may be a cup fee of about 3 euros for unlimited drinks, with that fee sometimes refundable at the end of the day. If that’s the setup on your departure, it’s worth asking early so you understand how it works and whether you need to pay cash.

Also: coffee/tea isn’t listed as included. If caffeine is your plan for staying alert in the afternoon, you’ll want to be ready to buy it or bring what you can before boarding.

Motion sickness and comfort: handle the choppy stretches

A boat day in the Adriatic can be a little rough depending on conditions. The good news is that Dramamine may be available onboard, which is a huge comfort upgrade if you’re sensitive to waves.

Even if you’re not usually prone to motion sickness, the ride out can surprise you. I’d bring a small comfort kit: sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a layer in case wind cools you down after you’ve been in the sun. If you’ve ever taken a ferry in swells, you know how quickly weather changes the mood.

How the stops connect: what this schedule does well

This route is designed for a specific kind of traveler: you want island time without spending your day hopping between departures on your own.

Each stop is short enough to keep momentum, but long enough to do something real:

• Koločep gives you that first swim reset
• Sipan adds a culture peek tied to Skočibuha, then back to swimming
• Lopud is where you decide if you’re a quick-visit beach person or a Šunj-included beach person
• Old Town gives you a finishing block with sunset return timing

The main “schedule logic” is simple: you get sea time across multiple islands, then you land the day with a city moment. If you prefer one long island over several short ones, you might find the stops too brief. If you’re first-timing the Elaphites, this format is efficient and satisfying.

Who should book this cruise (and who should think twice)

This is a strong fit if you:

• want a first intro to the Elaphite Islands without planning ferries
• like swimming but don’t need all-day beach lounging at only one location
• appreciate lunch and drinks being handled for you
• want a Dubrovnik itinerary that includes Old Town time in the same day

It’s a weaker fit if you:

• are chasing maximum beach time at Šunj and dislike the idea of walking or golf-cart transfers
• hate boats and would rather do one island on a slower schedule
• need WiFi to function during travel (it isn’t listed as included)

Price and what you get for $84.66

At $84.66 per person for about 7 hours, the math works because the tour bundles several “you’d otherwise pay for it” items:

• lunch with fish, chicken, or vegetarian options
• bottled water
• wine and alcoholic beverages included
• admission tickets for Koločep and the Old Town portion
• a full day of guided transport across islands so you’re not timing ferries yourself

Could you do this cheaper with local ferries and sandwiches? Possibly. But you’d be the planner, and you’d risk losing prime swimming windows. For many people, paying to remove that stress is the real value.

Also, the cruise cap at 120 means you usually don’t feel like you’re in a cattle boat, even if it’s not a tiny group. You get the convenience of a big operation without going fully impersonal.

Tips to make the most of your day

Bring the basics, but also plan around the schedule:

• If you want Šunj beach, decide early whether you’ll walk or use a golf cart. The extra steps can eat time fast.
• Bring cash for small island costs you might encounter (the golf cart price is around 3 euros each way in cash).
• If you’re sensitive to motion, ask about Dramamine onboard early.
• Don’t count on coffee/tea, and don’t count on snorkeling equipment being provided. If you want to snorkel, you may need to arrange gear outside the tour.
• Wear swim-ready clothes. Even with scheduled stops, you’ll want to get into the water quickly.

Should you book this cruise?

If you’re planning Dubrovnik and you want your day to include multiple Elaphite islands, a proper lunch, and a city finish with sunset timing, I’d book this. The schedule is efficient, the food choices are straightforward, and the drink setup helps you enjoy the day without constant small purchases.

I’d think twice if your top goal is a slow, long beach day with zero logistics. The Lopud stop is the main opportunity, but if Šunj is your dream, the time pressure is real. For the right traveler, though, this is a very good blend of sea, food, and Old Town without the headache of organizing it all yourself.

FAQ

How long is the Dubrovnik island hopping cruise?

It lasts about 7 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 10:45 am.

Where does the tour end?

It ends back at the meeting point.

Which islands and stops are included?

You’ll stop at Koločep, Sipan, Lopud, and then have time in Old Town.

Is lunch included, and what are the meal options?

Yes. Lunch is included with options for fish, chicken, or vegetarian.

Are snorkeling equipment and coffee included?

No. Snorkeling equipment and coffee/tea are not included.

What drinks are included on board?

Bottled water is included, and alcoholic beverages (including wine) are included as well. WiFi is not included.

What if the weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.